Near the Frozen North, morning

Volthoom was standing on a cliff overlooking the recently returned Crystal Empire, or more specifically the capital of the Crystal Empire, beside him was Hedy and Lyca and all three of them were on their battle forms. The siblings had armor plating that resembled knights armors and on their back between their wings were their respective spears. Volthoom armor resembles a biomechanical design that replicated muscles and bones over his torso, limbs and neck. The three of them were without their helmet as they looked at the city that was radiating fear and hatred.

It was quite fortunate that the equestrian soldier that was assigned to the northern outpost was a changeling in disguise and because of that, the information about the Crystal Empire's return didn't reach Celestia. It might take a while before she could notice that something was wrong, but hopefully Volthoom and the Changeling Empire would have dealt with Sombra by then, however, the worst case scenario would be that they wouldn't be able to defeat Sombra by then and a war would be waged between the three nations, maybe even drag other nations into this war.

“I can feel the fear and hatred from here,” said Hedy as her spear pulsed yellow and red for a moment.

“How can a queen rule like this?” asked Lyca.

“The correct term for a male ruler is 'king’ or ‘emperor’,” said Volthoom correcting Lyca.

“Sorry, I kinda forgot,” said Lyca as he observed the once beautiful city made of colorful crystals now covered in black crystals protruding from all structures, especially the central tower that acted as the palace that had a design similar to the Eiffel Tower, being patrolled by black armored ponies supervising rows of ponies in chains. Then she asked, “What will be our course of action, Grandmaster?”

Volthoom used his ring to project a map that corresponded to the entire territory of the Empire, the placement of the cities resembled a crystalline structure with forest and plains covered in snow in-between said cities that were located. The Empire grew since Volthoom taught them how properly use the energy of the Emotional Spectrum and thus it went from a single city-state to many settlements of varying size and population around the original city that became the capital and was renamed Diamond City, the other cities were named after gemstones as well.

“We wait for our scouts,” said Volthoom before looking behind himself, behind the cliff was a small army made up of lightsmiths that were mostly on reserve as well as some volunteers that were off duty.

“I see,” said Hedy as the three continued to observe the capital city. They managed to stealthily move around the surrounding settlements since they didn't know what kind of forces Sombra had placed on them or even if they were there willingly.

A few minutes later the static-like sound of teleportation was heard, so Volthoom, Hedy and Lyca turned to face the new arrivals and there stood three lightsmiths Thorax, Pharynx and a synth named Jet Stream. Thorax and Pharynx had a knight like armor with plates covering their bodies with the same color scheme of their chitin, however the most noticeable feature of their armors were their helmets, or more specifically the two long curved mandible-like horns coming from the side and pointing upward as well as having the same color scheme of their default horn.

Jet was a panther-like automaton covered with black plates and a long and thick cable acting as a tail. However the plates started to shift and change until he assumed a more humanoid shape that had the same plates covering cables that acted as muscles, his head was similar to that of a changeling, however the circular lenses could still be seen in his eyes, he lacked a horn and instead of ears he had two small antennas in the shape of ears.

“What have you discovered?” asked Volthoom.

“It's horrible Grandmaster, stallions, mares and foals in chains being led to places were they are forced to work,” said Thorax in a distressed tone.

“Calm yourself Thorax,” said Pharynx before addressing to Volthoom, “There are soldiers supervising the prisoners, patrolling the streets as well as the city's limits, their mind doesn't feel right. Some seemed to be there willingly, albeit reluctantly, while others don't feel emotions at all or are almost insane.”

“They seemed to have prepared for an invasion, I believe Sombra expected a swift response from the Royal Sisters,” added Jet.

“I see,” said Volthoom noticing that Thorax looked a little nauseous. So he asked, “Are you alright?”

“All that negativity was starting to affect me,” answered Thorax.

“Then go to the medics, you and few others will remain here while the rest attacks the city,” said Volthoom to Thorax before projecting his orders through the Hive Mind, “Prepare to move out and make sure to avoid lethal force as much as possible, Sombra probably tempered with their minds somehow.”

Not long after the order was given all lightsmiths that would participate in the attack flew to the city and when the guards noticed the enemy coming they immediately went on alert and sounded the alarm. However, three groups used their foci to become invisible and stealthily reach the locations they were ordered to go in order to accomplish their tasks.

The first was a group of twenty lightsmiths that would position themselves around the city and create a dome around it to cut off access from the outside. The second was a group that would enter the city and free the prisoners and the third was a group that would invade the palace and take-out Sombra.

Volthoom, Hedy and Lyca were in the group that would take out Sombra since they were the oldests lightsmith and the ones with more combat experience. The three of them flew directly at the window behind the throne room, when he broke through the first thing they saw was the familiar –only to Volthoom– black unicorn with silver armor and a red cape sitting on his throne with eyes widen in surprise as he looked at the three lightsmiths.

The throne room was spacious and semicircular in shape with 20ft in radius and 10ft in height, the throne of black crystals was on directly in front of the entrance on the halfway point of the half circle, the three lightsmiths could see ponies chained to the pillars and the chains were made of black crystal. Near his throne, few mares were chained and huddled together in fear as Sombra was using his telekinesis to hold a red mare with a green mane, all in all, the stereotypical dark lord/conqueror.

Volthoom shot a beam of energy from his right hand at the king, forcing him to release the mare he was holding up and put up a shield to defend himself. At the same time, Hedy and Lyca threw their spears and expertly manipulated their path to break the chains holding the ponies captive.

“Run!” shouted Hedy as she shot a beam of energy from her right hand at Sombra after taking a hold of her spear with her left. She like Volthoom channeled emotional energy through her body before concentrating releasing using her left hand. Lyca then did the same and so Sombra was keeping a barrier to defend himself from three beams of energy.

Sombra raised three spikes of black crystals, each one in front and thus blocking a beam, then he teleported behind the group and shot a beam of dark magic at Hedy, she was pushed and hit the wall, where she was encased in black crystals. Before she hit the wall Sombra shot another beam at Lyca, he tried to dodge but the beam managed to hit her spear and the left arm, encasing them in black crystal.

“Who are you creatures?” asked Sombra in a rather calm tone as he looked at the attacker that remained. However they remained quiet, so Sombra said, “I wished to know whose names I should carve into your corpses as an example to all those who defied me. No matter you will fail all the same.”

Lyca shot a beam of magic from his horn, but Sombra dodged and immediately shot another beam of dark magic, this time hitting Lyca’s horn encasing it in crystals. Noticing that the princes were in danger Volthoom immediately teleported beside Sombra before shooting another beam at the king and that sent him flying through the window.

“Open a hole in the barrier!” ordered Volthoom through the Hive Mind before taking off into the same direction that Sombra was launched and just in time the king passed through an opening and Volthoom followed him before ordering, “Close it!”

Sombra landed on the snow-covered ground and without pausing Volthoom created many bladed constructs like swords, spears, axes before launching them at Sombra. The king saw the rain of blades and his eyes widen before trying to raise a shield, he wasn't fast enough. Blades pierced and cut him mercilessly, leaving a bleeding and dying unicorn.

“This is the end Sombra, and also retribution for what you did,” said Volthoom as he looked at the defeated and dying king.

”Not so fas–*cough**cought* so fast 'God of Light’, have you forgotten what I am? I really didn't want to do this but yo–*cought* you left me no choice.” said Sombra before closing his eyes but instead of dying crack started to form from his injuries and soon enough his form shattered. In his place was a biped pony like being made of smoke with dark gray skin and black mane, he looked emaciated, actually it looked downright skeletal and covered by skin, especially considering the exposed teeth and his newly acquired wings made of bones.

The umbrum roared but it sounds more like a shrill, Volthoom could say it was like the scream of a banshee, however, the worst part was the coldness not from the ice and snow but the otherworldly cold present in the umbrum's voice. Volthoom felt his constructs weaken before been broken, behind him the constructs of his lightsmiths also weaken but held strong thankfully. Unseen by Volthoom a doorway made of red crystal hidden beneath the palace in the workshop of the dark sorcerer broke and many eyes looked from the darkness.

Umbrums poured out of their broken prison and swarmed the palace, once they broke through the gate everyone stopped at the wave of shadow, but the umbrums ignored them all and instead shot themselves at the dome breaking before making a beeline for Sombra.

Like Volthoom so long ago, they merged and even if Sombra's appearance didn't change Volthoom could sense that his opponent became far more dangerous. Among all these beings right in the center of Sombra's chest Volthoom felt a familiar power, the last fragment of the Black Ring was inside Sombra and was probably the reason he managed to recreate his shell.

Volthoom shot forward and dived while charging energy on his right fist, Sombra did the same and when their fists met a shock wave similar to an explosion was felt. Volthoom kept attacking relentlessly despite the fact he was being hit by the monstrosity before him, but he simply regenerated and kept attacking because he couldn't let this avatar of death go.

Volthoom then took a gamble, he immediately suppressed all forms of light and the next time he punched Sombra his arm sunk into the umbrum’s ribcage. Then he grasped the fragment, like all other it became a liquid before seeking the other pieces of itself, however that dragged all other umbrums with it. The moment the fragment joined the whole Sombra and all the umbrums within him joined the other umbrums, nightmares and windigos inside Volthoom.

On the outside it looked as it Sombra was slowly being absorbed by Volthoom and once it was done the lightsmith fell on his knees as he held his chest trying to hold the darkness in. Then his ring cracked and a light shined through the crack, the crack grown before pieces fell off and revealed a new ring. The ring was a simple and featureless ring that constantly shifted colors, a new power flooded Volthoom and he pushed back the darkness and returned to normal.

Black crystals around the Empire cracked before shattering and become dust. The crystal embedded into the buildings, embedded into the furniture, the chains of the captive ponies and everything else was destroyed, this caused the fighting to stop and all soldiers from Sombra's army surrendered before being restrained by the lightsmiths and the former prisoners.

However, none of this was noticed by Volthoom because he was in some kind of trance and in his trance he collected the pieces of the shell of his ring in his right hand. Then he crushed them and he poured energy into his fist and when he opened his fist a brand new Phantom Ring was revealed.

“I’m Volthoom the Acolyte of the Emotional Spectrum, Avatar of the Elemental Forces, the Emperor of Light and First of the Lanterns, if you seek to protect the treasure that is life itself, then I shall fight beside you. However, If I don't agree with you I shall either leave, fight you or not answer the call at all, you are free to call me at your own peril,” announced Volthoom having recovered in the middle of his speech.

Volthoom then looked at the newly made Phantom Ring able to act as a communicator between himself and his possible summoner and resize itself to fit its wielder, but not give the ability to create constructs unless Volthoom authorized. Through the reflection on the surface of the Phantom Ring, he managed to glimpse his new ring at the base of his horn and he recognized as the First Ring of Power. He created a portal to The Void in front of him using the said ring to and then he threw the Phantom Ring through said portal.

Then Volthoom turned around and with difficulty walked towards the now beautiful city the was the capital of the Crystal Empire until he reached the altar beneath the palace. On his way he saw the crystal ponies looking at him apprehensively, it was understandable since to them he just came in and forcibly usurped the previous usurper, he might have freed them but they didn't know if he was any better.

Volthoom, however, ignored them and assumed his Light Form, the moment his skin became see through with his glowing veins/nerves with the blackhole-like sphere in the center of his chest where his heart should be the crystal ponies recognized him, their guardian and teacher.

“Lord Volthoom?” asked some of the ponies, however, Volthoom ignored them before he started to float and his nerve/veins became pinkish violet and light blue. Then he flew up and with a construct reached into the tallest tower and pulled the Crystal Heart before placing it on the altar while he landed on the balcony of the palace.

“Citizens of the Crystal Empire, I have come to ease your fears as well as apologise,” said Volthoom still in his Light Form, his voice being amplified by a spell on the balcony and allowing the entire city to hear him, he noticed the spell but did do anything about it since it was just for announcements and also it was embedded into the crystal that made the balcony, so it was clearly as old as the palace and older than Sombra's rule. The palace worked as a transmission tower and as a result, all cities within the Empire could hear him as well as see a projection of him coming from the central tower on each city on the Empire.

Volthoom's speech caught the attention of everyone on every city of the Crystal Empire because when Sombra died all the spells he placed on either ponies or on objects disappeared with few exceptions and that left all of them confused. When Volthoom appeared his statement confused everyone further, especially because they recognized him and thus they paid attention to his next words.

“I want to apologize for my failure to protect you millennia ago, I wish to take this empire and you all into a new age of strength and prosperity, I wish for this Empire to flourish again. I intend to guide you all until a suitable ruler is found to lead you all and I once again wish to take my place as your protector. That's if you all accept this failure of a guardian back?” announced Volthoom not really expecting an answer since his quest to free the Crystal Empire was more an atonement for his failure as a protector than anything else.

However, the crystal ponies saw Volthoom fight against the umbrums and windigos to reach them in time and they remember all the times he helped them. So all crystal ponies of all the cities knelt down and lowered their head in respect for their teacher and protector. The Heart floated in place before it started to spin rapidly, the positive emotions charging it before it released a beam of magic upward that was channeled through the palace. When the magic reached the tip of the central tower it shot toward the sky and open like an umbrella before creating a dome around the capital.

When the dome reached the ground the surrounding towers glowed with the same magic before each one of them shot a beam outward. Those beams headed toward other cities and once it reached a tower in the borders of said cities it transmitted the magic to that city's central tower and a dome covered that city before shooting more beams outward to the neighboring cities.

That process repeated itself every time a beam hit a tower and in the end if you were to look at the Empire from above or in a map that showed the lines of magic connecting the cities in the entirety of the territory corresponding to the Crystal Empire it resembled a crystalline structure even more than before with forest and plains covered in snow in-between cities that were located on intersections of lines of magic.

Volthoom looked at the crowd below as they hugged each other, families were reunited as their memories came back and the air became lighter and free of the heavy atmosphere that shrouded the city previously. He ordered his lightsmiths to question the soldiers about their actions under Sombra's rule and by the end of the day when the magic of the Crystal Empire lightened the sky like the northern lights all those that joined Sombra because they had no choice were released and those that joined willingly were either incarcerated or executed.

On the next day, communications and trade were opened between the Changeling Empire and the Crystal Empire. With the help of the Changeling Empire the Crystal Empire restocked all the essential resources that it needed and for the first time in millennia, the entire nation celebrated in the form of the first Crystal Faire after Sombra's defeat. Even the Changeling Empire celebrated the return of their sister nation from ancient times, they could even see the memories of those times in the Hive Mind.

For now, all was well, but Volthoom still had one more pony to save.

Author's Notes:

I just saw the Justice League movie yesterday and I felt like writing this chapter.

The territory of the Crystal Empire in this story is similar to Canada in size.

For Jet think of something similar to Blade Wolf from Metal Gear Rising or a Stalker from Horizon Zero Dawn but smaller. The humanoid form looks similar to Raiden from Metal Gear Rising, the full body armor from the neck down I mean. I'm also a fan of Transformers, not the live action movies though I was a fan of the cartoons and comics way before the movies existed.

Also this is Volthoom's new ring.

Just to clarify: the Phantom Ring(Token) grants the Displaced only a direct line of communication with Volthoom and like the Lantern rings it can be used as a communicator. It can't make hard light constructs nor does it grants flight or life support.