Disclaimer: I don't own My Little Pony

It was a beautiful sunny day in the Equestrian capital of Canterlot. Spike, Apple Jack, Pinkie and Rainbow arrived in the city by train and made their way to the palace. Normally, it would be ludicrous to march right up to the palace, but this group where a special exception. They marched into the palace and went to find Celestia, but where cut off by another familiar pair. Shining Armor and Cadence stood at the top of the stairs looking down at them.

"What are you guys doing here?" asked Shining.

"We've come to see Princess Celestia." answered Spike, almost demanding.

"Auntie cannot see you now." answered Cadence.

"Why not?" asked Rainbow aggressively.

The married couple shared a glance.

"She is busy." answered Shining.

"She is tending to important royal duties." added Cadence.

"Ah'm sure she can take a few minutes to met with us." said Apple Jack.

"Oh no. I am afraid that is not the case." replied Cadence.

"We wanna know where Twilight is!" declared Pinkie.

The married duo winced at this.

"We don't know." answered Shining.

"Really?" asked Apple Jack unsure.

"Yes. We haven't heard a thing." answered Shining.

Apple Jack shot Shining a knowing glare.

"Oh darn." sighed Pinkie.

An impatient Rainbow shot off the floor and flew right into the face of Shining and Cadence.

"Look, I don't buy it! Don't hide things from us!" snapped Rainbow.

"Please calm down." said Shining with force.

"Ahh!" cried Rainbow.

Rainbow flew back and landed next to her friends.

"Dammit." huffed Rainbow.

Apple Jack sighed and tried to keep calm.

"Just let us see Princess Celestia for a few minutes." requested the farmer.

"We cannot due that." replied Cadence.

Suddenly, Flash Sentry came in from the side and stopped for a moment seeing the guests.

"I hate to interrupt, but this is urgent." said Flash.

Shining let out a long, deep sigh.

"Please, give me one moment." requested Shining.

Shining turned to face the guard.

"What is it?" asked Shining.

"I wanted to let you know that Equestria is officially at war with the Crystal Empire." answered Flash.

"War!" exclaimed Pinkie.

"With the Crystal Empire." added Rainbow surprised.

"What is he talking abut?" asked Apple Jack.

"Sombra...has returned." answered Shining.

This revelation was met with surprised gasps from the Ponyville contention.

"He was destroyed. I gave the Crystal Heart to Princess Cadence." noted Spike in shock.

"His horn survived and he has regenerated." explained Cadence.

"He allied with Chrysalis and managed to reclaim the Crystal Empire." added Shining.

"You don't think Twilight..." began Apple Jack.

The farmer stopped sharing a look of worry with her friends.

"We do not know where she is." stated Shining.

The prince took a moment to shake his head.

"Princess Celestia is busy and we must be off to plan. I am sorry, but you must go now." said Shining.

"But-" began Spike.

"We answered your questions as best we could." said Shining deflated.

Shining turned and trotted off.

"I hope we can met again under better circumstances." added Cadence, following her husband.

With no other options, the Ponyville contingent where forced to leave the palace. After a brief debate, they returned to Ponyville with nothing else they could do in Canterlot. They went to Fluttershy's cottage where they caught the titular pony, Rarity and Discord up on the events that occurred.

"Oh my. War." said Fluttershy worried.

"It's too bad we weren't able to met with Princess Celestia." sighed Pinkie.

"Shining and Cadence where lying to us." stated Apple Jack.

"Are you most certain darling?" asked Rarity surprised.

"Ah am the Element of Honesty. I when somepony is lyin' to me and that's exactly what they where doing?" answered Apple Jack certainly.

"Your getting really close to Lese - majeste or slander at the least." warned Rarity.

"It's the truth." stated Apple Jack.

"Why would they lie to us?" asked Spike in disbelief.

"They're trying to keep something from us." answered Apple Jack.

"Like what?" asked Pinkie.

"Ah am not sure." answered Apple Jack with a sigh.

"Well we have to find out!" declared Rainbow.

Rainbow turned to take off, but Apple Jack bit her tail and held her.

"What?!" cried Rainbow.

Apple Jack let go of the pegasus' tail.

"We can't just go charging off into who knows what." said Apple Jack.

Rainbow landed and rolled her eyes.

"Fine." huffed Rainbow dissatisfied.

"Celestia is blaming herself." said Discord weakly.

All eyes fell onto the master of chaos who remained silent until now.

"How do you know that?" asked Rainbow suspiciously.

"Because we dated." answered Discord.

"You dated Princess Celestia." said Rarity shocked.

"I was using her for her power. Once I got it I cast her aside...then she and Luna blasted me with the Elements of Harmony and I was petrified." explained Discord.

"That makes sense." said Rainbow, displeased.

"I am sure Discord did have some feelings for Princess Celestia." said Fluttershy.

"Nope." replied Discord.

"Are you sure?" asked Fluttershy.

"Most." answered Discord.

"Man, Cadence would hate you." said Pinkie, waving her forelegs for emphasis.

"Can we please get back on subject?" asked Apple Jack flatly.

"Celestia has this habit of internalizing guilt." offered Discord.

"I wonder if she felt guilt after having to banish Princess Luna." mused Rarity, rubbing her chin.

"Probably." shrugged Discord.

The draconeques stroked his beard for a moment.

"I seem to recall Celestia had another pupil before Twilight." noted Discord.

"Really?" asked Pinkie surprised.

"Yes. She was yellow with a sun cutie mark. Her most standout trait was her red and yellow hair." answered Discord.

"What happened?" asked Apple Jack.

The draconques shrugged.

"She just left and nopony mentioned her." answered Discord.

"Then we should try and find her!" declared Rainbow.

"Ya took the words right out of my mouth." agreed Apple Jack.

"Celestia always got freaked out by surprises. You have to tell in advance." stated Discord.

"It is quite surprising to hear you warn us to inform Celestia in advance." mused Rarity.

"It's almost if you care about her." added Rainbow smirking.

"Don't be ridiculous!" snapped Discord.

Discord turned his back to the ponies, but realized he was blushing.

"It is okay Discord. If you love Celestia then that's a good thing." said Fluttershy.

Discord huffed and would fold his arms.

"I can't love Celestia." stated Discord.

Queen Chrysalis and her delegation had left their hive for a trip to the Crystal Empire. Sombra had requested another meeting and this was arranged. Chrysalis knew brought a sizable force just in case. However, she did not predict trouble. They arrived with no trouble and Chrysalis met Sombra in a private room to talk. Inside, a table sat under the light with a map of Equestria on it.

"I figured this is why you summoned me." cooed Chrysalis as she entered.

"Naturally, you are most intelligent." replied Sombra.

"Are you flattering me?" asked Chrysalis curiously.

"Being polite." answered Sombra.

Chrysalis closed the door behind her and walked up to the table.

"A war with Equstria is not inevitable. I am hoping you will aide me once again." began Sombra.

"It would be nice to avenge me defeat at the wedding." mused Chrysalis.

"We cannot killed Celestia, Luna and Cadence." stated Sombra.

"That would merely make them martyrs." replied Chrysalis.

"Exactly." confirmed Sombra.

"What of Shining Armor?" asked Chrysalis.

"I believe we should execute him if captured. As a sign of strength." answered Sombra.

"Aren't you afraid of him becoming a martyr?" asked Chrysalis.

"He is merely a unicorn while the princesses are alicorns. I believe his death wouldn't spark such a response." answered Sombra.

"What do we do with the princesses?" asked Chrysalis.

"The ponies of Equestria which perform as slaves will be free to harvest for their love. The three princesses are all yours." answered Sombra.

Chrysalis let out a laugh.

"That is such a grand gift. I must thank you." replied Chrysalis.

"It is my pleasure." said Sombra.

"What do you plan to do with Equestria?" asked Chrysalis.

"I have two plans." answered Sombra.

Sobra let out a chuckle.

"Two plans." repeated Chrysalis confused.

Sombra nodded his head in affirmation.

"I will reduce Canterlot to ruins and rule the ruins of Equestria as part of my domain." stated Sombra.

"What is the other plan?" asked Chrysalis.

"To hand Equestria over to Twilight and Sunset who shall rule it together." answered Sombra smirking.

"I do not understand why you need two plans." replied Chrysalis confused.

"Twilight and Sunset both expect power but, I have no intention of sharing." stated Sombra.

"I fully understand." replied Chrysalis.

Sombra shook his head back and forth in a dismissive motion.

"Do you know what the Blood Manipulation Spell is?" asked Sombra.

Chrysalis shuttered a bit at that name.

"I will take that as a yes." stated Sombra.

"That is one spell even I have a...healthy respect for." confirmed Chrysalis.

The Changeling Queen chose her words carefully not to show weakness...which Sombra knew.

"Twilight and Sunset have mastered it." noted Sombra.

"What?!" exclaimed Chrysalis surprised.

"That was my reaction." said Sombra calmly.

"Are you certain we can trust them?" asked Chrysalis uncomfortable.

"No." answered Sombra matter-of-fact.

Chrysalis' eyes became as wide as saucers.

"Then why-" began the Changeling Queen.

Sombra simply lifted his hoof up cutting her off.

"Do you think I am not prepared?" asked Sombra, smiling.

"That is a good revelation." sighed Chrysalis.

"You've shown weakness of your own." thought Sombra.

The king took a moment before he spoke.

"I've got the situation under total control. There is no need to worry." said Sombra.

"Excellent." sighed Chrysalis.

"For now, let us focus on the invasion of Equestria." said Sombra.

"Indeed." agreed Chrysalis.

"We shall move down and invade heading south toward Canterlot." began Sombra.

"We can use my offspring to infiltrate the Equestrian ranks again." said Chrysalis.

"Are we certain they will fall for that once more?" asked Sombra unsure.

"Of course it will work." answered Chrysalis annoyed.

"Then send your Changelings south in the night and have them take on the appearance of ponies." replied Sombra.

"Will do." said Chrysalis smiling.

"We shall move south toward Vanhoover..." continued Sombra.

Author's Notes:

A/N: That is where we'll end this chapter. Next time, we continue onward. Please review and Merry Christmas.