The group then started moving towards the throne room entrance. The reason they were going there was that Diamond rose told them that they were brought to the throne room and from there to a secret passage that led to the prison through a dark portal. They opened the doors to the castle entrance, to their surprise the halls and the rooms had change to a more dark style, giving the impression that you should not be here. Once again they say the weird corpse trees from outside, but they were smaller and were inside of flower pots, the thing that caught their attention was the castle itself! All over it they could see some sort of black fleshy substance all around, spreading through the castle like a disease.

"Nope, don't touch these." Silver said.

He already knew that his friends' curiosity will lead to serious consequences and he feared the worst.
"Relax....i am not going to do anything!" Ensis said.

"Silver is right, we don't know what any of these are, so i am saying it again. We get the prisoners and we are out!" Shining armor said with a demanding tone.

"Sure thing boss." They said.

They continued moving until Shining armor asked Diamond rose about that mysterious prison.

"Diamond rose, can you tell us again where this prison is?"

"I already told you, it is in the throne room and from there is a secret passage that will take us to a portal and from there to the prison."

"So, this prison was there the whole time?" Shining armor asked.

"If you are talking about the prison that i recently escaped, then I don’t know. But all I know is the sooner we get these ponies out of there the better for all of us!" She said.

They had finally reached the throne room door, there was a high possibility that Nocturne could be behind that door and simply sitting on Celestia’s throne. Sleepy was then ready to open the door and proceed to the next room, but Shining armor told him not to open the door just yet.

"Sleepy wait!"

Sleepy Doo turned to look at Shining armor and said.
"But the prison is right that way, right?"

"Yes that’s true, but that’s also Celestia’s throne room, which means that now that Nocturne has turned Canterlot into his own, it makes sense for him to be sitting in the throne and what are we gonna do if he immediately rushes at us?"

Sleepy Doo pulled back his hoof from the door and apologized to Shining armor.

"I am sorry boss I didn’t think this through."

"Ok, everypony behind me. I am gonna take a quick peak and if the room is clear we will move on."

The group stayed behind him and waited for the results. Shining armor slowly opened the door, he could feel his heart beating with every little push of the door, and he then peeked his head through the door. Just like the other rooms, the throne room was changed. The red carpet that was leading straight to the throne was change to a dark and purple color, the white pillars that were holding the roof were turned into a dark color and had the same fleshy substance on them, the windows were changed as well, instead of showing the history of the two princesses and the things that Twilight and her friends had done to better Equestria, it was showing something else, something that Shining armor hasn’t seen before, he couldn’t really make out of what were on these windows. And the Throne was the final thing that had changed in the room. The throne was made out of iron with spikes on top of it and dark and blue essence was coming out of it . Shining armor saw that nopony was in the room and assumed that the place is clear.

"Ok everypony the room is clear but be on your guard, Diamond rose stay behind me."

The group then got inside the throne room, they started inspecting the walls the windows and everything around the room.

"The only thing that makes me wonder is where is Nocturne?" Silver said in a worried tone.

"Well, from what got out of his character is that he probably is lerking in the shadows right now and is waiting for one of us to make a stupid move, i also heard from the princesses is that Nocturne was very strong with magic even if isn't a unicorn. Even they don’t know how he can use magic." Flash said.

"It doesn’t matter what he can do, we will find a way take him out no matter what!" Ensis said.

"Stay focused all of you! Before we continue to that secret passage let’s explore a little. I am still curious about these windows." Shining armor said.

Shining armor then went to get a closer look at these windows. The first window was showing a colt in a basket, the basket appeared to be held by an Alicorn with dark blue skin and a crown, to his side there were a couple of other Alicorns. They appeard to be infront of a building that reminded him a Cathedral, but the creepy thing about this "painting" was the fact that the Alicorn with the crown was about to throw the colt into a water well and the other Alicorns seemed to agree with this idea.

"What the?" Shining armor said.

He then started looking at the other “paintings” He saw that little colt growing and trained to be a warrior, he then saw him making his weapons and armor: A pair of twin red wrists blades and a dark armor that covered the ponies body except his back legs. The “paintings” showed this pony trained in magic along with what appeared to be an old Alicorn with white and gold robes and with a staff even if the dark pony was not a unicorn but just a pegasus. He then saw even more of these paintings, most of them showed the Dark Pony fighting creatures of unknown origins to Shining armor's eyes.

"Magnificent, isn’t it my lord?" Said Sleepy.

"I guess so...." He said.

"Please allow me to explain sir! You see this pony."

He pointed at the dark skinned pony with the blue glowing eyes and bat wings.

"This is Nocturne...."

He then moved on to another painting.

"These are the Princesses parents...."

He then moved on to another painting.

"And here we see Nocturne.....brutally cutting that thing."

He then moved on to another painting.

"Oh and here....."

"No Sleepy, i think that is enough. I would rather hear everything from the Princesses."

"Sure thing boss!" He saluted with a smile.

"Hey everypony!"

Diamond Rose got their attention and went to see what was going on.

"Right here!"

Diamond rose then tried to push the throne but in vain.

"I could use some help!" She said.

Then Sleepy Doo and Shining armor pushed the throne along with her. Under the throne seemed to be a secret passage.
"This has to be it. If we are done here I suggest we continue!" Shining armor said.

They had nothing to do so they agreed. They then entered this dark tunnel that would hopefully lead them to the prison.
The six ponies then followed the tunnel beneath the throne, the tunnel was long, tight and dark and in the end of this tunnel there was this big dark portal with all these purple fleshy substance all over it and infront of the portal appeared to be a red demonic pentagram.

"Ok, this is the way to get to the prison." She said.

"You sure?" Flash asked.

"Of course i am, why would i lie to you?"

"Anyway, let's continue we have ponies to save." Ensis said.

"It’s not that simple…" She said with a low tone.

They then all looked at her with curiosity and awaited explanations

"What do you mean?" Shining armor asked.

"This prison isn’t something that you see everyday….it’s filled with darkness, weird symbols and magic i have never seen before." She said.

Flash felt a little suspicious about the way she kept saying things and asked.

"And how do you know of this?"

"Isn’t it obvious? I was in there like two to three hours ago."

"True but they way you said it felt a little strange, you are hidding something from us maybe?" He said.

There was silence for a moment, then Shining armor said.

"If that’s out of the way we should keep going, everypony behind me. I will go first and if this place is safe then I will tell you to come in." He said.

They agreed and kept their position. Shining armor then walking into the portal and was sent the other way. What he saw when he entered the portal was something like anything he had never seen before. The place was like Diamond rose had said, it was filled with darkness and dark magic was floating all around. There were dark lightning clouds that covered the limits of the prison and up in the sky there was nothing but pure darkness, the place was decorated with dark stones that had on them unknown symbols and more of the demonic pentagrams, along with some small blue lights on top of a dark root coming from the ground. He didn't see Nocturne nor anything that would appear to be a threat, he then turned back to the portal, returned to Canterlot and he said.

"Ok, it’s clear get moving."

They obeyed his orders and all of them went through the portal. When they reached the other end of the portal they could not believe in their eyes, how can such place even exist they, wondered.

"Now, if we continue down this way we will be able to reach the prison cells and get these ponies out of here." She said.

"Sounds like a plan, lead the way Diamond rose." Shining armor said.

They started walking down this weird place, they didn’t feel like themselves, the dark magic felt like if it was alive and it was running through our their veins. After a small time of walking Diamond rose hand an announcement.
"We are very close to the holding cells, if we can try to take more shortcuts we will get to them in no time."
When she said that right in front of them appeared a pony dressed up in a purple and dark robe with chains from his neck that were going right next to his hooves, at his shoulders were iron spikes with pony skulls on top of them, he was wearing a black plague mask with glowing yellow eyes and with a staff that had at its tip a green crystal . He didn’t say anything he was just staring. Our heroes immediately pulled out their weapons and were ready to face whoever that pony was.

"Who are you!"

He demanded an answer, but he didn’t got any. Instead the pony laughed in his demonic voice, he lifted his hooves into the air and stomp on the ground. The ground shattered, the demonic pentagram started forming up and from there appeared a fully dark skinned and aura muscular humanoid creature with purple wings, two purple horns and instead of feet he had hooves. The mysterious pony pointed at Shining armor and his group and the humanoid creature attacked, it started swinging its hands at them and small dark expositions were appearing. The mysterious pony became airborne and ascended into the air. Shining armor then shouted.

"Attack!"

They all rushed at the humanoid from different directions and they were managed to hit it a lot of times but even if they did sometimes their weapons would not penetrate it’s skin and into its flesh. The humanoid would unleash powerful magical attacks that would literally destroy his enemies without any problem. Flash used his bow and arrow and was attacking the creature from a far while maintaining a safe distance for now. The creature then unleashed a shockwave of darkness in a the shape of a cone and it hit Ensis, he felt his body weakening and he could not move very fast, Sleepy then rushed and stabbed his way on top of the back of the humanoid creature and started cutting and hitting it. Then Shining armor and Diamond Rose made their way to check on Ensis.

"You ok Ensis?" Shining armor said.

"Esaz I oz iq sunq o hiqqch xuq I lizz xa ok" He said.

Ensis covered his mouth quickly with a worried face.

"Ensis....what the fuck !" Shining armor said.

"I gaer'q trael k'aoza sahd za!" He said again in this foregin tongue.

"Oh this is bad....." Shining armor said.

Silver then immediately rushed at Shining armor and said.

"You help the others, i will see what i can do here!" He said.

"Alright!" He replyed.

They both got their separate ways, Flash along with Shining armor went to help the Sleepy finish the fight, when they got closer the humanoid creature reached out its hand to Shining armor and a green trail appeared out of its hand and went right into Shining armor. He could feel like if his life and power were taken away from him and left him in a state of pain. The creature’s wounds were healed and he knocked back Flash and Sleepy with a powerful punch. The pony up in the air seemed disappointed, he expected better from his minion and so he decided to give it a small boost. He reached out his hoof and a red trail came out of it and into the humanoid creature. The creature was empowered and was more powerful than ever and it let out a powerful roar. From within the very creature, fires started forming up surrounding it, but it wasn't hurt. Shining armor saw what that pony did and had a bright idea.

"Everypony get the creatures attention, Flash follow me!"

They obeyed and they started to attack the creature again while Flash Sentry and Shining armor were talking.

"Ok, listen you have to get to that pony up there , i will provide a distraction and you will attack him, hopefuly you can bring him back to the ground."

"I can sir, I promise you I will bring him to you."

He smiled and said.

"Good, now go but be careful."

Shining armor then used his own magic to attack the mysterious pony. Shining armor got his attention and the pony started releasing black fire balls into Shining's location. He knew that his plan had worked, the only thing he had to do now, was not get killled.

Flash then immediately flew right behind the mysterious pony and punch him at the back of his head, he fell down and dropped his staff along with his plague doctor mask. Flash quickly grabbed the staff and brought it to Shining armor.

"Thought you might need it." Flash said.

Shining armor then used his magic to lift up the staff and he pointed it at the creature, he then removed the green crystal from the staff and threw it into the dark abyss bellow them. The humanoid creature did nothing , it didn't got destroyed. It just stood there, then the mysterious pony he let out a powerful laugh. the mysterious pony appeared to be undead. He then said in a foregin tongue.

"Oyyadq esaeun moqa xakir o ral"

And when he finished the sentence Shining armor blinked and the undead pony along with his creature were gone.

"His gone?" Shining armor said.

"Who is gone?" He heard Flash's voice.

"The pony and it's creature.....what happened to you Flash?"

Flash looked at him with a weird face and said.

"What pony and what creature and why do you look surprised, i have been like this for a while."

Shining armor was confused.

"What do you mean Flash, a second ago we were fighting a Demon!"

"Um...boss i think you need to calm down, just because we haven't ate anything yet it doesnt mean that we should panic."

"Flash what are you saying, then tell me what have we been doing so long?"

"Sir we.....we have been stuck here for three years...."

"WHAT!" He shouted.

"NO.....I DON'T BELIVE YOU! WHERE ARE THE OTHERS?" He then started calling out Ensis, later Silver, Sleepy and Diamond Rose.

"I know that you feel bad....but now it's time to end your suffering....forever." When Shining armor turned to face Flash, he saw him covered in blood and dread, his eyes were glowing red with fangs in each hoof.

"I LIZZ AOQ ESAEU!"

Flash then attacked Shining armor, cutting him in pieces and slowly devouring him till there was nothing left.
Shining armor opended his eye and found himself on the floor wounded.

"This can't be happening....." He said with a low tone.

He then looked up and saw that he was alone with nopony around. He got up slowly and shouted.

"Hello?"

What happened to his companions his wonder. What happened to this mysterious pony and its demon. He knew that something was wrong.

"You guys better be ok!" He said to himself and continued to move.

After a small period of time he had reached an area in which there was a huge pit in the middle where there were all the prisoners, they were covered by the same fleshy substance. He felt like if he knew that his companions were trapped down there, but why was Nocturne keeping them alive? He knew from the Princesses that he was a ruthless killer.

"Good, now i need to…"

Before he could say anything he was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Enough!"

It was Nocturne. Shining armor turned around and faced him, he pulled out his sword and was ready for an attack.

"You! What have you done to my companions!"

"Relax Shining, they are ok."

"You think that i would believe you? After what you did to Twilight and Cadence? Those horrible dreams that you put into them?"

"Dear Shining these Nightmares are just the begining!"

"No, we will stop you and you will pay for everything you have done!"

When he said that he felt something awakening from inside of him, just like before from his battle outside. The same glow appeared out of him and he launched a bolt of light right at Nocturne. Instead of dogging or trying to block the ability Nocturne let himself get hit, he didn't feel any pain nor suffering.

"Hmm....Light?"

He laughed.

"Familiar....could it be?"

"But....how?" Shining said.

"Enought chit chat. Listen hear Shining. I know that you came here to free them and i know that you will do anything to save them from me! Even your parents....."

When he said that Shining felt his heart beating and said.

"YOU WILL LET THEM GO AT ONCE!"

There was a pause for a second and after that Nocturne said.

"Sure!"

"Wait what?"

"I will let go of them, along with your......"friends". But you are going to have to do something for me."

"What do you want?"

"All you have to do.....is win my little game.....if you win you are free, with your companions and your people."

"How do i know that you will keep your word?"

Nocturne giggled a little.

"You are going to have to trust me Shining.

Without any other choice, Shining had to trust Nocturne, even if his companions are alive and their is indeed a smal chance for them to escape, he had to take it.

"With heavy doubts i......."

"Yes?"

"I.....I accept your challenge Nocturne! I will fight! And i will get everypony out of here! And i won't stop till i see both Cadence and Twilight again! I will return to the Crystal Empire victorious and you may try to break my soul, but you will never break my spirit!"

Nocturne laughed with his demonic voice and said.

"Then! Let the games.....BEGIN!"

He then slammed his front hooves in
to the ground and he relaesed the same dark mist and Shining's vision was clouded.

Author's Notes:

Sorry for not uploading for a while i have to keep track of my finals. Anyway Enjoy