Shining opened his eyes and found himself in a small alleyway, he got up and looked. He heard the sound of ponies talking. He started moving towards the source of these sounds and when he did he saw that he was in a big beautiful city covered by strong giant walls. The city was nothing like he had ever seen before, the structures, the ponies and more.

In the middle of the city there was this big building, bigger than even the walls themselves, from the building came out a stallion with two guards at his side. The guard were wearing plate armor with a red cross on their along with a red cape and chainmail helmet.

The stallion however was wearing a red cloth shroud around his head, black armor with small spikes on his shoulder and front legs, most of his body however was covered by bandages that seemed to have dried blood on them, on his face he had a golden mask and finaly he had on his back an iron sword that seemed to be a little broken at it's end, it would also radiate an orange aura.

When the ponies saw him they all made their way to him along with some of the guards that were patrolling around the city, when they reached him, they all bowed and then the stallion said.

"Ponies of Trinia, i am honored to announce you that we had managed to stop the invaders once again!"

The ponies began cheering for the stallion. When he raised one of his hoof the cheering had stopped.

"Thanks to our powers and our will we have kept this kingdom saved for years! It is thanks to our soldiers' efforts that we are all safe, but no matter these invaders will keep coming and they will not stop until this city is burning! Until our children are sold to slavery and our dignity taken from us! But most importantly, our beliefs. We must NEVER abandon the who we are and what we represent! As your King it is my DUTY and RESPONSIBILITY to keep YOU safe!

The crowd started cheering again for their king.

"But now, we have on our hooves one prisoner! This prisoner however is one of the many commanders of our enemy! I present to you! Foulk Udo!

And then from inside of the building came out a stallion in chains. He skin was brown, he had dark mane, mustache and beard.

"This WASTE of oxygen has taken the lives of many of our people! He has sold your children and killed enough to make a name for himself. A name that would bring pain to the ears of our God! And now he is at our mercy! YOUR mercy! So i ask you ponies of Trinia! What do you want of him?

The crowd kept shouting one word "Death". Stallions, mares, even fillies. All of them, one word only. "Death!"

"Fuck you and your God! You may kill me but when we take this 'Holy City' of yours we will not spare ANYPONY!"

The croud started jeering at the stallion's words. Then the stallion with the mask punch him across his face and shouted.

"SILENCE! YOU WILL NOT SPEAK WITH SUCH DISRESPECT IN THE CITY OF GOD!"

The stallion then pulled from his back his sword, he stood in two hooves to everypony surprise and said.

"As the King Of Trinia, I Nocturne The Leper King, sentence you......TO DEATH!"

When he said that he swinged his sword and decapitated the stallion, something that caused the croud to star cheering again.

When Shining heard the name 'Nocturne' his heart started pounding. How can Nocturne be a king of this kingdom called 'Trinia'? Where was Shining armor anyways?

Nocturne then put his sword back on his back and got on his four legs and said.

"This! Is the fate of those who would want nothing more than to see us suffer, to see us kneel before them as slaves-no- like worms! Well, this is my responed! It will always be! And we will never surrender!"

Nocturne then noticed Shining armor amongst the croud and said.

"Guards! GET HIM!"

When Nocturne pointed at him the ponies around Shining armor backed away from him and the guards started chasing him.

Shining armor had no choice but to retreat. He was chased around the city for a minute when he heard somepony shouting.

"DUCK!"

Shining then out of reflexies ducked and he saw a mare stepping out from an alleyway. Her skin was pale blue, her eyes were glowing white, her mane was long white and it was covering her right eye, she also had two long horns on her head.

Her horns then illuminated the area around her, then a weird red symbol appeared in between those horns and from it an explosion of light emerged and the two ponies disappeared.

"Hey are you ok?"

When Shining armor opened his eyes he saw them are looking at him with a worried look.

"...Um....yeah...i am now...."

Shining armor then started looking around the room. There were multiple beds with multiple wounded and nurses taking care of them.

"What is this place? Where am i?"

"Just stay still for a moment." The mare said.

She then used her magic and the same symbol appeared in between her horns. Then light energies started surrounding Shining armor.

"Ok, you are alright now."

"What did you do?"

"I just healed your wounds, even though they weren't that serious."

"Yes....i thank you...."

"Oh silly me, i forgot to introduce myself, my name is Sessuena! And what might your name be?"

"My name is.....Shining armor."

"Alright, the nurse will come here in a minute, she will bring you food, water and anything else that you may need. When you are feeling ready come meet me outside we have a lot to talk about."

"Ok, i will...."

Sessuena then left the room and a nurse came to her place.

After Shining armor finished eating and drinking, he got permision to get up from the bed and leave the room. Once he did he saw that he was in a small city in the middle of the sewer.

"Ah there you are." Said Sessuena as she approached.

"What is this place?"

"Our Sanctuary, this is the only place that we are safe from Nocturne."

When she said 'Nocturne' Shining armor started thinking the whole situation again. How can Nocturne be a king? Where is he exactly? And why do these ponies love Nocturne for what he just did?

"Tell me however Shining, do you have any history with Nocturne?"

"I guess you can say that, me and my squad were sent on a mission to defeat Nocturne. But we only managed to fall for his games and now i am here."

"Hmm, that explains as to why the guards were after you."

"Yes, i suppose. But where are we? What is the Kingdom from above?"

"Shining armor please follow me to my Church. We will talk there."

"Ok..."

They then arrived to the Church, it was big, beautiful and with two stained glass windows. Once they got inside, they saw pony warriors and not alike gathered around praying. The walked through them and Sessuena made her way to a small stand in the middle of the Church.

"Shining armor please, have a sit with us."

"I...am of course and what are you a priestess?"

"Yes, i and those that decided to leave the city came down here in hope of a new start."

"Yes i can see that. Your people seem nice, but you still haven't told me about as to how you got here."

Sessuena sighted and said.

"Long ago, i, Nocturne and some other ponies from all around the world came here to claim the throne of Trinia. We were tasked by the Council Of Leprosy to complete some quests in order to prove ourselves to the cause and claim the Kingdom. I and Nocturne worked together to make sure that i would win, he believed in me that i would make a good ruler and thanks to him we got close to our goal, to bring peace to the Kingdom of Trinia and it's citizens."

"Wait, you worked with Nocturne?"

"We were friends actually long ago, we would study in the church together along with our mentor Crossbleser."

"But....how can you be friends with Nocturne?!" He said in an angry tone.

Even though him and the rest of the citizens of the Crystal Empire managed to make friends with Thorax, this was different!

"He is a criminal! He has brought pain to my wife and my sister's friends! Who knows who will he target next! My child maybe?"

"I understand your frustration Shining armor but please listen to the rest of my story."

Shining then calmed down and kept hearing Sessuena.

"After our quests were done, i got the approval of the Council and it was time for me to wear The Crown Of The Leper King and become Trinia's Queen. The Crown or should i say the mask, rejected me."

"It rejected you? How? How can a Crown has a will of it's own?"

"The Crown Of The Leper King is no simple crown. They say that the soul of the very first King of Trinia is inside of that Crown and IT choosies as to who is going to rule the kingdom."

"But why did it chose Nocturne? Why?"

"The Leper King told me that, I would make a perfect Queen for Trinia and so would Nocturne, but because of the fact that war was a common thing back then the Crown chose Nocturne, not because it knew that if the Kingdom or it's citizens would ever be threatened Nocturne would be there to protect them. No, Nocturne always was more aggressive and he would never show mercy or remorse to his enemies, something that the little is against."

"I am aware that Nocturne is merciless, i know it from his sisters. But i can't imagine Nocturne trying to protect or care for anypony only for himself, so why would i believe that he would want to save ponies instead of carying for himself only?

"Because just like me, Nocturne and i spend most of our lives in a church, guided by Crossbleser and the Light! We knew that it was our duty to protect the Light and the weak. Even if his path was a dark one, he tried to maintaine a conection with the Light."

"I see, but how did you end up here with all these ponies?"

"When Nocturne became the Leper King his ruled with an iron hoof most of the time, even if he was kind. He would execute those that would go up against the Light. I and some others believed that it is our right to believe in whatever God or Godess we want. We were given Free Will after all. Then when things became more hostile between those that took Nocturne's side and those that took mine, i decided to abandon the city along with my followers and hide here in the sewers."

"And yet i see that you managed to make your own community, i can't imagine how it feels to start again from scratch."

"I know Shining armor, that is why i must do my best for my....people. If i am to retake the Kingdom of Trinia."

"You are planning on fighting Nocturne?"

"I have no other choice, i can't just hide here in the shadows while there is a war happening out there and milions of soldiers are dying to fight for no reason at all! They think that they are protecting their Beliefs, but they are not! They are doing the exact opposite! They are promoting hatred, grief ,violence, something that the Light has no connections to! And that is why i must show them the right path, the true path, through love and understanding of one another even if we are different, even if we don't believe in the same Gods."

Sessuena's face was full of sadness. He could see it in her eyes. She wants to lead this Kingdom the right way, the way of love and not hate, the way of mercy and cruelty and the way of Peace and not War.

"I...want to help you Sessuena..."

"What?"

Shining armor got up and said.

"I know what you are feeling and i too have been ruling in my kingdom the same way and i know the satisfaction of my work, of my actions and the love that i get from my people."

"Shining armor that's....i don't know what to say...i, thank you. Even though i want to take back Trinia i can't just simply send these poor souls to their deaths, i don't want them to die! Nor anypony else."

"Neither do i, but if we are to take back Trinia then....some sacrifices need to be made."

He said, even though he regreted it right away.

"And one last thing." Sessuena said.

"You may already know but we are at war with another nation and they are planning on invading the city tonight."

"That sounds like the perfect moment for us to sneak into the castle and defeat Nocturne!"

"Yes, it sounds perfect."

"Let's just hope that we won't need that many soldiers for such a mission, but when it comes to Nocturne i am sure that it will take more than just the two of us to defeat him."

"Yes, you are right, but the Light will guard us i am counting on it!"

"Alright whatever you say. Let's just wait till it gets dark and the sounds of war will drive us out from hiding."

Sessuena nodded and then said.

"Well, i suggest you go relax before our battle begins, we are gonna need all the strength we can get to sneak into the castle and fight if we have to."

Shining armor then left the Church and went to the room that the nurses have given him where he could spend the night till he could afford a house.

The news spread quickly amongs the common foalk. It is said that during the tonight attack Sessueana along with her new companion Shining armor would take over the Kingdom Of Trinia and dethrone the false king, or so they called him that.

Night had fallen and billions of enemy soldiers stood out from Trinia, they had catapults, cannons, magic anything that would be needed to take such a Kingdom on the top of a mountain. The soldiers started marching towards the Kingdom and the battle had began. Soldiers from inside the castle took battle potions on the walls, using their own weaponry to kill those that would get close.

And it was the perfect moment for Sessuena, Shining armor and the rest of their soldiers to infiltrate the castle.

Once they got out of the sewers they started making their way across the city through alleyways and dark corners to avoid to be seen from some of the guards that were still making their way to the walls or were trying to doge the bolders that were thrown at them by the catapults.

They then had managed to reach the main entrance of the castle, Shining armor took a qucik peak into the castle and saw nopony not even a single guard. They then got inside the castle and they along with some warriors they made their way to the throne room.

"There!"

Sessuena said as she was pointing to a big door.

They opened the door and they saw a giant beautiful room. There was a big red carptet that was leading to another giant door. From both sides of the door there were three sits and a table, this is were the Leprocy Council would have their meetings and behind them was the door to the throne room where, Nocturne awaits!

"This is it, just behind this doors is the throne room!" Sessuena said.

"My lady you really think that he is in there?" One of the soldier asked.

"I am sure of it! The Leprocy has made him....weaker, but at the same time stronger. We must be careful, we don't know if there are any guards here."

"But there always are!"

They all then saw a unicorn stallion coming from the shadows, he had golden mane, blue eyes and light purple skin. He was also wearing the same armor as the other guards, had his sword next to him along with his helmet.

"Lionheart?! What are you...."

"Allow to explain my lady, after Lord Nocturne took over and i saw just how of a great leader he is i decided to join him instead of running away."

"But....i don't understand! You hated Nocturne! You said that he would bring only doom to our Kingdom! And now you side with him?!"

"I was blind! I was blinded by his light! I was jealus! But now he has given me a place as Captain of the Crusaders and we have been keeping the city and it's citizens alive for all these years while you all are hidding in the shadows!"

His then gazed to Shining armor and said.

"And who is this stallion that you brought with you Sessueana? A mercenary perhaps?"

"I am no mercenary! I am Prince Shining Armor Of The Crystal Empire! And i order you to surrender or else me and my warriors will have something to say about it!"

The warriors then cheered for Shining armor and readied their weapons. But Lionheart just laughed and said.

"Fools! You would think that i will let you pass and attack my master?"

Then more guards came into the room and cornered them.

"Once i have killed you i will take your heads to Nocturne and then we will fight against these Invaders and finally destroy them once and for all! Guards! ATTACK!"

He said as he raised his sword with his horn.

They started fighting in the room, swords clashing and spells unleashed! Lionheart went straight for Sessuena but Shining armor got in the way blocking Lionheart's attack with his own sword.

"If you want to hurt her you are gonna have to go through me!"

"It's settled then!" Replied Lionheart with a grin.

The two started fighting with their swords. Both of them trained well it was difficult to see who would come out as victor, or so it seemed.

Lionheart then focused on his magic and unleashed an explosion of light that blinded Shining armor, something that forced him to close his and scream out in pain.

Lionheart then got behind him and hit him in the head with the butt of his sword, in result Shining armor was bleeding but he didn't fall down, not yet.

"Is that all you got, Prince armor?"

With rage in his heart Shining attacked Lionheart and the two continued their fighting. Shining armor was afflicted with fear, he knew that of Nocturne's game and the consequences of failure, that caused him to lose control over his body. Noticing the weakness in his eyes and heavy breathing Lionheart quickly punching him in the face and sliced his chest a little.

Shining armor grunted, he then looked at his chest and he saw that the blade had pierced his armor and he was bleeding, the same was going with his nose, he was bleeding there as well.

"You really are pathetic are you? And i thought that you would prove a challenge Prince of the Crystal Empire!"

With tears running down his eyes Shining armor charged at him with a roar but Lionheart tackled him down. He then raised his sword up in the air and said.

"Good bye!"

But before he could land the killing blow, Shining focused his magic and shot Lionheart in the face with a magical bolt. Lionheart backed up with closed eyes.

Shining armor got up, picked up his fallen sword and went for the kill. He swinged his sword while aiming for Lionheart's front legs and with a single swipe he cut them off.

Lionheart screamed out in pain while blood was purring down on the red carpet from his cut hooves.

"YOU BASTARD!" Lionheart shouted.

"You thought yourself better than anypony else, i outplayed you because of your pride! Farewell!"

And with a swing of his sword he stabed Lionheart right in the heart killing him instantly.

Once he was done he saw that the room was empty with nothing but corpses, both from his soldiers and the others. Even Sessuena's.

"What in the!"

He then heard an evil laugh and the doors to the throne room opened and Nocturne showed himself.

Shining armor rose up his sword and said.

"You!"

"Yes you finally reached me, not that it was hard or anything."

"What do you want from me! I have defeated your lap dog! No return me back to Equestria at once!"

"Yes you did kill Lionheart, poor thing. But that wasn't your reall challenge! Your reall challenge is, yep you guessed it, to face me in combat! If you defeat me then it's all over, i will surrender myself and i will give up on my goal to get revenge on my sisters!"

"I expected this from you Nocturne! But i will fight you and I WILL DEFEAT YOU!"

Shining armor picked up his sword and charged at Nocturne.

But Nocturne just stood there and when Shining was close enough, Nocturne stood up in too hooves, turned his right hoof into a claw, grabbed his sword sliced Shining's head off.

Shining's lifeless corpse fell to the ground and Nocturne seemed, disappointed.

"So...um...that's it?"

He then slightly kicked Shining's corpse and said.

"Oh well i forgot, you aint an Eldritch being to survive such an assault, oh well, still didn't enjoy that, i mean i would if i had time to torture you...."

Then a wicked smile appeared on his, he then grabbed Shining's head from the ground that it expressed horror and he said.

"Actually.....that can be arranged only if Silver Bandage fails his job....like you!"

He said to head and he threw it away.

"As for you Sessuena.....I am sorry....but you know that i couldn't have done anything else. I just hope that up there in the Heavens you find the strength to forgive me! And i to forgive myself!

And with a simple gesture the world around him disappeared.