The mood in Canterlot got a bit more somber. News of the fall of Trottingham reached quickly. Commoners like Donut Joe, Colgate, Lemon Hearts and Twinkly Shine had gotten worried. However, the Canterlot upper crust was still confident. In the Palace, news had just recently reached. Shinning Armor and Cadence left while Spitfire arrived and greeted the princesses.

"Hello your majesties." said Spitfire.

Spitfire bowed to the two royals.

"Such formalities are not needed given the circumstances." replied Luna.

Celestia nodded her head in agreement.

"How..is the situation?" asked Celestia uncertain.

"Trottingham and the Griffish Isles are under Sombra's forces." answered Spitfire.

Celestia let out a heavy sigh.

"The Celestial Sea surrounds the islands making escape possible. However, some ponies did escape to the Trottngham Forest." continued Spitfire apprehensive.

"What is their status?" asked Luna.

Spitfire gulped at this question.

"Tell us." requested Celestia.

"They're dead." answered Spitfire.

Spitfire took a moment.

"Sombra's forces attempted to assault them, but the forest hindered them..." began Spitfire.

The Wonderbolts leader stopped and collected herself.

"So the forest was burned was immolating the ponies." concluded Spitfire hurt.

The two royal sisters winced at this revelation.

"That monster." said Celestia shaken.

Luna took a deep breath.

"Sister, there is nothing we can do now." replied Luna somber.

Celestia then took a moment to control herself.

"You are right." agreed Celestia.

"Any news fro Griffinstone?" asked Luna.

"No. It seems like there's a power vacuum currently." answered Celestia.

"So we're our own." sighed Celestia.

"What about the buffalo?" asked Luna.

"Chief Thunderhooves has expressed a willingness to aid us." answered Celestia.

"It's funny how things change." mused Luna.

"Our relationship with the Buffalo have changed." agreed Celestia.

"I still remember how ponies of a thousand years ago killed Buffalo and forced them off their land." noted Luna, embarassed.

"The tragedies of the past have occurred sadly." replied Celestia.

Celestia then shook her head.

"We mustn't lose focus!" declared Celestia.

Luna nodded her head in affirmation.

The royal sisters turned their attention back to a map of Equestria.

"We can have the Buffalo reinforce defenses at Appaloosa and Dodge Junction." said Celestia.

"Unfortunately, Dragon Lord Torch still refuses to help." sighed Luna.

"Yakyakistan is retaining its isolationist policy as well." said Celestia.

Luna rolled her eyes at this.

"Somethings never change." sighed Luna.

"Unfortunately so." replied Celestia.

"Your majesties, may I ask a question?" asked Spitfire.

"You just did." noted Luna.

"Yes." answered Celestia.

"Where are Prince Shinning Armor and Princess Cadence?" asked Spitfire.

The royal sisters took a moment.

"They are with the prince's family." answered Luna.

"It is...personal business." added Celestia.

Shinning Armor and Cadence had left the palace. They traveled across Canterlot with butterflies in both of their stomachs. They arrived and knocked on the door. Twilight Velvet answered and happily welcomed them into their home. Night Light joined them and they gathered around the kitchen table. Twilight Velvet made tea and served them.

"It's so nice to see you." began Twilight Velvet.

"Hopefully, Twilight will come by sometime soon." added Night Light.

Twilight Velvet and Night Light chuckled.

"Yeah." said Shinning, trying to stay calm.

"So, what are you up to?" asked Night Light.

"Trying to help with the invasion." answered Shinning solemnly.

Night Light instantly felt regretful.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-" began Night Light.

Shinning held her his hoof up and shook his head.

"It's fine dad." replied Shinning.

"We were so worried when we heard what happened in the Crystal Empire." confessed Twilight Velvet.

"And we where so relieved when we found out you where okay." added Night Light.

"Thank you for that." said Cadence.

"Anyway, what exactly brings you by anyway?" asked Twilight Velvet.

Shinning took a deep breath as his father took a sip of tea.

"We need to talk about Twily." answered Shinning.

Night Light spit the tea out of his mouth.

"What's wrong with our baby?" asked Night Light.

"Is she okay? Did something happen?" asked Twilight Velvet.

Shinning Armor and Cadence shared a glance.

"Twilight...is fighting in the war." answered Shinning.

To his surprise, both of his parents laughed.

"Please don't worry us like that." laughed Night Light.

"We're used to Twilight getting involved in this big affairs. But, she's always okay." added Twilight Velvet.

"Twilight is fighting for Sombra." stated Cadence.

Twilight Velvet and Night Light froze.

"Cadence dear, that is a bad joke." said Twilight Velvet.

"It's not a joke mother. Twilight fought against both of us. She is fighting with Sombra." said Shinning Armor somberly.

Shinning watched as his parents sat in horrified silence.

"But..." stammered Night Light.

"No. No. No. There has to be a mistake." said Twilight Velvet.

"Aunty Celestia and Princess Luna are the only others who know." added Cadence.

"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" asked Night Light.

"We thought it'd be better if you didn't know." answered Shinnng

"That's understandable." said Twilight Velvet.

Twilight Velvet and Night Light where both coming to terms with this.

"We don't think it's fully her doing." said Shinning.

"What do you mean?" asked Twilight Velvet.

"We believe Sombra is using dark magic to manipulate her." answered Shinning.

"Oh sweet Celestia. Dark magic." said Night Light mortified.

"But, that means it's not her fault." noted Cadence hopeful.

"That is good. At least she isn't doing it of her own will." mused Twilight Velvet.

"It's not so much Twily as it is a puppet." stated Shinning.

Night Light rubbed his face with his hooves.

"It might not be easy, but we will get her back!" declared Shinning.

Cadence nodded her head in agreement with this.

"Son, thank you for telling us this." said Night Light.

"You deserve to know." replied Shinning.

"Please, bring her home." requested Twilight Velvet.

Shinning nodded his head.

"We will." promised Shinning.

In Ponyville, word of the attack on Trottingham reached the town and the ponies grew more concerned. Mayor Mare tried to calm them, but it was clear that this wasn't working. The rest of the Mane 6 and Spike all gathered at Fluttershy's cottage. Angel was up to his usual tactics, but the ponies had none of it. They gathered around the table.

"So another town falls." sighed Spike.

"I heard the ponies where chased into the forest and burned alive." noted Fluttershy, clearly disturbed.

The others all shuttered at this.

"I don't care if she's controlled by Sombra, Twilight has gone too far!" declared Rainbow.

'Calm down Rainbow." requested Pinkie, flat maned.

"She burned ponies!" exclaimed Rainbow.

The others gave each other hurt looks.

"She will pay for what's happened." said Applejack.

Angel watched them from the top of the stairs, not pleased his antics failed.

"Her mind has been polluted." noted Spike.

"I know how close you are Spike." said Rarity.

Rarity wrapped her foreleg around Spike's shoulders.

"I don't care." huffed Rainbow.

"Please stay calm." pleased Fluttershy.

"Think about your family!" cried Rainbow.

Fluttershy stopped for a moment.

"I know." replied Fluttershy hurt.

Angel did not noticed the being that popped up behind him.

"We can save her!" declared Spike.

Angel felt a dragon tail touch his should nearly jumped out of his fur.

"Stay calm." whispered Discord.

"How?" asked Pinkie.

A devious thought came to Angel's head.

"We would have to find a magic strong enough to counter Sombra's magic." answered Rarity.

"Ah" cried Angel.

Angel threw himself down the stairs.

"Oh Angel!" cried Fluttershy.

Fluttershy flew over and scooped up Angel.

"What happened?" asked Fluttershy.

Angel answered by pointing to Discord.

"You little weasel." seethed Discord.

Angel shot Discord a devious smile.

"Oh Discord!" cried Fluttershy

"I swear I am innocent." stated Discord.

"Actually, we need your help." said Fluttershy.

Discord snapped his fingers and joined the others.

"What are you thinking Fluttershy?" asked Rainbow annoyed by Discord.

"Discord's magic could help us." answered Fluttershy.

The others realized what she was talking about.

"Sorry, but Twilight Sparkle isn't a pony I really want t help at the moment." replied Discord.

"How da ya know we was talkin' about Twilight?" asked Applejack suspicious.

"I was going to join Fluttershy, but did not want to interrupt your meeting." answered Discord.

"How considerate." replied Fluttershy.

"Eavesdropping isn't considerate." murmured Rainbow.

"Eeyup." agreed Applejack.

"Please. For me." requested Fluttershy.

"Okay." sighed Discord.

"We need to go to Canterlot right away." said Spike.

"Actually, I gotta go to Manehattan and make sure Aunt and Uncle Orange are okay." stated Applejack.

"I am going to. I have a friend I need to see." added Rarity.

Spike let out an depressed sigh.

"Don't worry Spikey Wikey, we can go when we get back." promised Rarity.

In Trottingham, Twilight was overseeing the implementation of Sombra's rule. Meanwhile, Sunset Shimmer had held herself up in the town hall. She said she was resting and ordered nopony to bother her. In reality, she was having a sever crisis of conscience. She was pacing around talking to herself.

"Oh Celestia." said Sunset.

Sunset had a horrified look on her face.

"That innocent filly." said Sunset.

Sunset closed her eyes, but saw the horrified filly's face.

"Ahh!" cried Sunset.

A knock suddenly came on the door.

"Are you okay?" asked the guard.

"Fine! Go away!" answered Sunset.

Sunset took deep breaths.

"How could I do such a thing?" asked Sunset.

Sunset saw the filly's face and vomited into the trash can.

"Is this the price of power? Is that where my lust for power will led?" asked Sunset.

Sunset shook her head.

"No. I will not go down that path." vowed Sunset.

Author's Notes:

A/N: That is where we'll end this chapter. I hope you liked this. Also, I need to know whether you want this to be a series or a one-off. This will effect the ending for this. Next time, the start of the attack on Manehattan. Please review.