Dancing With The Shadows
Chapter 30
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The doors to the Castle of Friendship swing open to reveal Spike, a worried expression wore on his face.
“Starlight! Harmony!” Spike calls throughout the castle.
Starlight and Harmonia hurries down the hallway to be meet by Spike.
“Hey Spike!” Starlight greets.
“Is everything okay, Uncle Spike?” Harmonia asked, noticing his expression.
Spike didn’t say anything, but shoved the letter in front of Starlight and Harmonia.
Starlight grabs the letter from him in her aura and looks over it. Her expression was white as a ghost and her eyes went wide.
“But I don’t understand? I vanished him. How is he back?!” Starlight asked, speechless and rather confused.
“Apparently you didn’t vanish him well enough.” Spike mutters.
Starlight narrows her eyes at him before focusing her attention back on Harmonia. “Harmonia gather your friends, I’ll get the girls, Spike you send a letter to the Princesses. Looks like this battle isn’t over yet.” Starlight said, before looking back down at the letter.
***
“What do you mean he’s back?” Ophelia asked.
“I mean he’s back and he’s captured my mom once again.” Harmonia said.
“But I thought Starlight evaporated him.” Illusion asked.
“What does he even want with your mom anyways?” Meadow Bliss asked.
“Does it look like I know.” Harmonia said, her tone sarcastic.
“We need to warn the Princesses then.” Prism said.
“Starlight’s taken care of it.” Harmonia said.
“Can we not have a break from fighting bad guys for one day?” Cotton Berry asked.
“Apparently not. Guess we might as well be the next saviors of Equestria.” HoneyCrisp stated.
Guys, we need to go.” Harmonia said, before hurrying off to the castle to meet back with the others.
“Ugh! Here we go again! Right back to square one!” Confetti Pop groans.
“I think she’s had enough of fighting villains for a day.” mumbles Cotton Berry.
“You think?! I mean geez we have to fight him again?? What is this, an audio drama?" Confetti asked, galloping after them.
***
“What do you mean Twilight is missing again? Glim Glam evaporated that would be king.” Discord said, looking over Celestia’s shoulder at the letter.
“Well it looks like he’s back and we need to go before he actually masters whatever plan he has this time for Twilight.” Luna said.
“I can teleport all of us there with a flick of my talons. Easy.” Discord said.
“Wait what do you mean by all of us?” Celestia questions.
“You’ll see.” He winks.
***
In a flash Discord teleports himself as well as the Princesses, Shining Armor, Cadence, Flurry Heart, Mane 5, Starlight, Tempest, the children and Sunset all in the same location.
“Awe, no epic battle with the shadows or even an epic song?” Confetti wails.
“Do you want there to be a shadow apocalypse on our flanks?” Cotton Berry asked.
“Why am I even here again?” Crystal asked, her tone unamused.
“Short version of the story: Your Aunt Twilight is captured by King Sombra again and it’s up for us to save her once again.” Discord explains.
“Well, what are we standing around for?!” Sunset asked.
“Starlight, can you teleport us all inside?” Applejack asks.
“I can try.” Starlight mutters.
“And no pressure or anything darling, but could you please hurry before they get us.” Rarity said, pointing a hoof at the Shadows.
Starlight’s eyes widened before she closed her eyes quickly and concentrated on the teleportation spell.
In a flash, they were all save inside. “Now come on, let’s go find Twilight.” Starlight said.
***
A blood curdling scream could be heard all through the building.
“Twilight!” they cried.
“Now, doesn’t this scene feel awfully familiar.” Sombra muses, casting a wicked grin over to the group.
“Let my sister go!” Shining said, his eyes narrowed at Sombra as his sword was drawn.
“Oh I would not be so quick to pull that sword, Prince. You remember what happened the last time.” Sombra warns.
“Yeah and so do you!” Pinkie shouted, her voice full of anger.
Shining moves his eyes from Sombra to his sister. “Just hang in there Twily.” Shining said.
“Gah! I’m trying!” Twilight said, her teeth bared, as her head throbbing from the amount of pain she was receiving. Tears streamed down her face. Mixed with anguish, fear and hurt.
Her head throbs, worse than it ever has before even the first time she was trapped there. She couldn't speak, being shocked really took the power of her words and her own process of thinking.
She screamed out in pain. Everything ached on her and through her. However, her head bothering her the most.
Twilight lays down, her body weak, she cried out for her friends, her eyes changing slowly like Sombra’s.
Luna bared her teeth and without thinking, she shoots her beam at Sombra, sadly she missed. He cackles at her measly attempt to attack him. “Enough Sombra!” she said.
“Oh but your too late Lulu.” Sombra mocked, giving her a sly grin.
Luna’s eyes widen at the display before her.
Twilight gasped for air, as tears streamed down her face. “N-no….” she whimpers, trying to resist for as long as she needed to.
"Are you going to give up now Twilight Sparkle, or should I amp the pain even more..." He laughed as he turned up the currency of the electricity that's hitting the cage.
However, Twilight’s teeth beard and were slowly begin to sharpen. As her head continued to pound, the emotions that she never wished to feel she actually felt: hate and fear.
They gasped at what they witnessed. Starlight cautiously reached out a hoof to Twilight. "T-Twilight..." her tone was nervous.
The middle section of the cage was illuminated by a bright light, the cage opened slowly, an echo voice came out from every side.
"I'm surprised all of you made it this far, I was getting worried you all won't attend our wedding..." Sombra laughed, hidden in the shadows.
Sunset moved from her place and yelled at Sombra. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER!?" She screamed at Sombra, her anger increased.
"I just have her what she wanted, a loving husband which is me!" He revealed himself in the corner, his grin widened and his eyes glowing. He neared the cage, as the electric current stopped hitting the cage, the cage opened slowly revealing Twilight change.
"Meet the new and improved, and my lovely wife...Twilight Sparkle..." He announces.
Twilight came out of her cage, walking towards Starlight and the group.
There eyes widen in fear at Twilight's appearance as all of them was speechless.
Twilight flashes a wicked grin at them, showing her sharp teeth.
They all gave a glare at Sombra.
"Such a shame, I thought you would be happy for us, and I thought Discord and Celestia moved on..." He chuckled at Discord and Celestia, he moves beside Twilight as Sombra flashed a wicked grin at them all.
"Sugarplum, is that you..." Discord said to Twilight, trying to get to her senses. Discord was tearing up, Harmonia went with Discord as they approached her and Sombra.
"Sugarplum!? You are truly disgusting...isn't that right my dear..." Sombra looked at Twilight.
Twilight narrows her eyes at him. "Very." Twilight tone was full of pity sarcasm, but her devilish grin held another expression.
"Soon, Equestria will be ours to rule, Equestria will be ruled by two higher beings of magic and power! And there is NOTHING, IN THIS WORLD, That would stop it's progress!" He grinned at Starlight.
"Now, be a dear and dispose of them for me, after your done playing we'll proceed with the wedding..." He grinned at the others as Sombra backed up a little, giving Twilight center stage. He watched Twilight as she handled the others.
Twilight looks at her former mentor, family members, her nieces and nephews, friends, her daughter and especially her ex husband, a sly smirk displays on her face.
Twilight pauses for a moment thinking out loud. “..... but before I can sentences you all to death. How about I prepare you all a lovely meal? See I’m not that cruel, am I?” Twilight asked, before turning to leave.
The others, even Sombra looked at her confused. “You all just stay here at the kitchen table and I’ll be right back with the food.”
***
“Since when does Twilight know how to cook/bake anything?” Sunset asked.
“Well she’s baked and cooked a few times in the past, as far as I can remember. I remember when I was trying to one up her in cooking by having a cook-off between her sweet potato muffins and my cauliflower bites, sadly hers was better.” Spikie said, slightly grim over the memory.
“Actually they were both great.” Fluttershy said.
From the other side of the table, Luna felt unease. “..... something feels off…” Luna muttered quietly to herself.
Flurry’s ears pricked upward, hearing Luna muttered to herself. She looks at her slightly confused. Everypony sat there for a moment, deep in thought.
“What do you mea-” she was about to ask. However, Pinkie Pie interrupts her.
Everypony sat there for a moment, deep in thought. “..... well I’m sure whatever Twilight is planning on baking will be delicious!” Pinkie Pie said. “Besides I’m hungry!”
“Pinkie? When are you not hungry?” Applejack questions. The girls quietly laughed, but Twilight’s voice rings through the kitchen, which made them jump.
“I apologize if the food is taking a tad longer to prepare. Sombra is helping put the last finishing touches on the food, give or take another five minutes or so.” Twilight explains.
“Oh it’s fine. Take your time Twi.” Rainbow Dash said.
Once the kitchen door closes, Rainbow spoke in a hushed whisper. “..... okay why the hay would Twilight just randomly invite us all in for dinner?” She asked.
“..... something doesn’t make sense.” Muttered Starlight questioned.
“.... what doesn’t seem to make sense?” Twilight asked, walking through into the dining room hall.
“Discord! You know how he is about never making sense.” Rainbow Dash said, nervously laughing.
Twilight looks at her with suspension. “...... right….” she muses, looking at her ex-husband.
“Well I just came to tell you that the food is done. Sombra and I will bring it out in just a moment.” Twilight said, smiling at them.
10 mins later….
”Finally.” Twilight said as she watched Sombra bring out the food.
“Are you sure you don’t need any help?” Twilight asked.
“No thanks my dear, I’ve got this.” He said, smiling at her.
“Now that everypony is seated, accounted for and that the food is here let’s eat!” Twilight said, passing the bowls of food around.
Everypony looks at the bowls with suspicion. “Are you not hungry?” Twilight asked.
They said nothing.
“Our hooves are clean, trust me I don’t eat first without washing my hooves.” Twilight explains.
Again they said nothing.
“Sweet Celestia! The food hasn’t been tampered with!” Twilight said, rolling her eyes.
“Pinkie Promise.” Pinkie Pie pipes up, her voice stern.
“What?” Twilight asked, slightly taken aback by Pinkie’s statement.
“I said, Pinkie Promise.” Pinkie Pie repeats again her voice stern than before.
Twilight rolls her eyes, slightly annoyed that she would believe that her friends think she was capable of something this sinister.
“Cross my Heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye that I didn’t tamper the food, now let’s eat.” Twilight said, digging into the bowl herself.
Everypony else followed.
“This food looks simply divine.” Rarity said, gazing at her plate of food.
“Indeed! Twilight you’ve really outdone yourself.” Fluttershy said, giving her a soft smile.
“Oh it was nothing.” Twilight said, brushing off her friends comments.
Sombra coughed from beside her. “.... but with Sombra’s help we were able to pull it off.” Twilight said, smiling.
“My dear, it was your idea.” Sombra said.
“Yes and I couldn’t have gotten it done without you.” Twilight said, smiling.
“Would anyone like some punch, cider, water?” Twilight asked, sending out the three options with her magic.
Rainbow Dash was the only one to take cider, others took an option of punch or water.
The only sound that filled the room was the sound of forks and spoons scraping against plates. Twilight rubs her temples “okay what’s with the deadly silence?” She asked, confused.
“..... it’s just why are you being so nice to us?” Flurry asked, confused.
“It’s called treating my guest with humility and respect, my dear sweet Flurry Heart. I mean wouldn’t you’re father and mother do the same thing for dignitaries or others?” Twilight asked.
“.... I guess you’re right.” Flurry mutters, sipping her water.
***
For the next few hours the dinner was running along smoothly almost too perfect and smoothly.
“Who wants dessert?” Twilight asked.
“Oooo is it cupcakes? Pastries?” Confetti asked.
Twilight lightly giggles. “Not exactly. Sombra and I made a 3 layered hypnotic cake.” Twilight said, bring the black and white cake into the center.
“A 3 layered hypno what now?” Applejack asked, confused.
“A 3 layered hypnotic cake AJ. However, I’m a baker and I’ve never heard of a cake like that.” Pinkie Pie said, looking at Twilight.
“It’s my speciality.” Twilight said, smiling and cutting the cake before giving them each a slice.
Starlight looks down at her slice. “What’s with the black and white hypnotized theme?” She wonders.
“Sombra and I just really enjoy themes for special events, now dig in.” Twilight said, levitating her fork.
The others did the same, but something felt off.
After they took a bite all of them started to feel funny- dizzy, drowsy, or having an oncoming of a headache.
A sinister smile crept across Twilight’s face, as she put her fork down her piece that she took off the cake a few seconds ago untouched.
“Oh dear, are you guys okay?” Twilight asked, her voice laced with concerned for her friends.
Twilight gets up from her seat and walks over to Celestia. “Twilight what did you put in that cake exactly?” Luna asked.
She noticed that Luna and Celestia had a headache as well as feeling dizzy. As for the others they were starting to feel the symptoms at once, maybe two symptoms or one over the other.
Twilight walks over to her daughter, raking her daughter’s mane. “Oh nothing really Luna, just baking powder, butter, eggs, milk, flour…” Twilight said, going on about her used ingredients.
She noticed the group was starting to get drowsy. “Oh and…. Rozerem.” Twilight said, a cunning smile at them.
Before they knew it they were out cold. “Oh don’t worry the risk is low didn’t want to harm the children now did we?” Twilight asked, her teeth bared.
Sombra looks at the group who were out cold.
“And I thought the minimum amount that was dashed in the food and drinks would hit them right then and there. Good thing we had the dessert.” Twilight mused.
“So while we have our wedding what are we going to do with them?” Sombra asked.
“We invite them to the wedding of course.” Twilight said.
“And why couldn’t you have done it while they were awake?” Sombra asked.
“You know they wouldn’t have agreed to come to it or comply, especially my daughter. So let’s just say I took extra precautions.” Twilight said, giving Sombra a sinister smirk.
“Send one of my guards to get them situated while we get ready.” Sombra said.
“Of course.” Twilight said.
***
6 hours later….
“Ugh…. my head.” Starlight mutters.
“Where are we?” Cadence asked.
“Everypony okay?” Fluttershy asked.
“Why are we in a church, exactly?” Applejack asked.
“Well we certainly didn’t come here to praise our lord and savior Princess Celestia.” Confetti Pop mutters.
“No offense.” Mutters Cotton Berry. “Excuse my sister’s rather unpleasant comment.” He said narrowing his eyes at her.
“Your forgiven.” Celestia mutters.
“And why can’t I move?!” Rainbow Dash asked, struggling against her will.
“Why can’t any of us move?!” Luna asked.
“It’s like we are being held against our will.” Rarity said.
“I can’t even use my magic to set us free!” Flurry said.
“Neither can I!” Crystal said, trying to ignite her horn.
“I don’t believe none of us can.” Shining said.
“So we are supposed to sit here like earth ponies?! Being magic-less and flightless?!” Honey Crisp asked.
“Uh no offense Momma or Aunt Pinkie Pie.” Honey Crisp said, looking bashful at the two.
“None taken sugarcube, but I believe Twilight done something to us.” Applejack said, her teeth slightly bared.
“You think?!” Rainbow hissed.
“Harmonia? You’re a draconequus can you use your magic to set us all free?” Opheliah asked.
Harmonia who was two rows over was slowly but surely coming too.
“Where am I? Why are we in a church?” Harmonia asked, her mind hazy.
She tried her paw at magic, but nothing but a small raspberry spark came out.
“Apparently we’re going to learn about our lord and savior Celestia.” Sunset said, her tone sarcastic.
“Really?” Prism said, coming to.
“No.” Starlight said, her tone blunt.
“Okay is anypony going to question why is there a preacher there? Are we sure we’re not learning about Celestia?!” Meadow Bliss asked.
“Pretty positive your not little one.” Celestia said.
“Is anypony going to question why King Sombra has approached in a tux?” Shining asked.
“Wait ... if everyone is here then where is Twilight?!” Discord asked.
It then dawned on Shining Armor. “If we weren't chained down to these pews and our magic and wings weren't penalized for use in a church I swear to Celestia you would be a dead stallion by now!!!” Shining sneerers.
Sombra gave a pout. “Awe, you know I’d hate to kill my own brother-in-law on the day of his sister’s wedding day.” Sombra said smirking at him.
“You truly sick.” Mutters Harmonia
“Is that any way to talk to your father-in-law?” Sombra asked.
“You are not my father.” Harmonia sneered.
“Your not of any type of in law to any of us.” Crystal said.
Sombra gave a glance to Crystal. “..... not yet anyways.” Sombra said, his tone nonchalant.
As if on cue, the doors open to reveal Twilight, who was all dawned in black lace wedding dress attained, her mane done in an elegant updo and on her mane was a crown similar to her old one, but this one was coal-grey-ish black and held the Element of Magic in place.
Harmonia eyes filled with tears as she was forced to watch her mother marry the monster that corrupted her and one that she will never call her “father”.
“Mom… no…” Harmonia whispers. She tried to get up, but was met by an electrical shock. “Ow!” Harmonia wailed.
“Be a well behaved daughter and SIT YOUR FLANK DOWN!” Sombra sneers.
“Um sir…” The preacher tried to speak up, but was met with Sombra’s meanching glare.
“DO NOT SPEAK UNLESS SPOKEN TO!” He sneered.
The preacher said nothing more. “The next pony to move from their spot won’t live to tell it!” Sombra sneered.
The group looked onward at the destruction that was displayed before them… as much as it pained them they were forced to watch.
The preacher continued. “Ladies and gentlecolts, species, creatures… we have gathered here today to witness the union between a King and his Queen. May we have the rings please?”
“Sombra, Do you take Twilight as your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"
“I do.” Sombra said, looking at Twilight.
"Twilight, Do you take Sombra as your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"
“I do.” Twilight said, smiling at her soon to be husband.
“If anypony can show just cause why this couple cannot lawfully be joined together in matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace" The preacher announced.
“I ob-” They all try to shout, but Sombra quickly ignited his horn, silencing the group.
“Mhm!!!” They all huffed, they couldn’t speak, but throw glares at Sombra.
The preacher looked astounded for a moment, not knowing what to say next. “...... Well if all is in order and no pony is willing to object then I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride.” The preacher announced.
Sombra then takes Twilight in for a passionate kiss, before looking out at the sea of ponies, who didn’t have the exact same joyous expression as them.
“Who cares what you ponies think! We are lawfully married now and there's nothing you can do about it! However we can now begin our after-party.” Sombra said.
“.... and that constants of?” Harmonia asked, slightly worried of what the response would be.
“Getting rid of you two!” Twilight said, firing her magic at Celestia and Discord.
Cadence quickly throws her defense shield around the two. As much as she disliked the way they both played Twilight, she knew they didn’t deserve this.
“Oh don’t worry, their not my only main target. So are all of you!” Twilight sneers.
“How about before we destroy such a beautiful church we do this in a more vast area of destruction.” Sombra suggested.
“Very well thought out my King.” Twilight said, before kissing him once more.
***
Starlight went in front of Discord and Harmonia, Harmonia reached out for her mom, Harmonia screamed the word "MOM! IT'S ME!" Harmonia cried as Starlight carried Harmonia.
"I don't think she cares at the moment Harmony, dear." Ophelia said, her tone laced with fear.
"SHE'S MY MOM, MOM PLEASE LISTEN TO ME!" Harmonia jumped off from Starlight's back, she hugged her mom's leg tightly, Starlights eyes widened as she might get hurt.
Discord yelled and ordered Harmonia to get back "Fuzzball get back here now! She's not the mother we know!" Discord said his eyes filled with tears.
"Harmonia I need you back here now, that's not Twilight!" Starlight ordered Harmonia to come over to her, Harmonia latched on to her mother, crying and sobbing hard on her leg, Everyone watched as Harmonia hugged her mom tightly.
"Little one we need you back here now!" Celestia ordered her student, but Harmonia did not listen.
Sunset looks at Starlight "What do we do now!?" Sunset questions Starlight.
Starlight thinks for a moment. The only the only thing she could think to do was try and get Harmonia off of Twilight. She ignites her horn, wrapping Harmonia in her aura.
Harmonia held onto her mother, she cried loudly as she tried to pull Harmonia off of Twilight, Harmonia looked at her mother, her eyes filled with tears.
"I WANT MY MOTHER BACK...MOM LISTEN TO ME, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!" Harmonia demanded, she still held on to her mother tightly.
"Nothing's working darling!" Rarity said, as she tried to help Starlight pull her off.
"Be gentle with her! She's just a child, we need to reason with Twilight!" Fluttershy said, the kids watched in horror to what they saw.
"I want my sister in law back!" Cadence replied to Sombra, as she blasted a light magic on him, but Sombra faded back into the shadows, watching.
"Sugarcube, listen to our voices, it's us your friends, he is not your husband!" Applejack yelled at Twilight.
Twilight looks at them with distaste. "Yeah, right. If you cared you would have came after me years ago." She rolled her eyes. "And if you don't get off of my hoof. But let me put this in a way that you idiots will understand. " Twilight said, sneering at her daughter.
“In more idiotic terms for you simpletons to understand I'm not the damsel in distress.” Twilight sneers.
Harmonia's eyes widened at her mother's words, her mind was filled with fear, she didn't let go as she still hugged her mom, trying to get to her senses.
"I want my mom back...please, listen to me mommy, it's me Harmony!" She sniffled and buried her face onto her mom's hoof.
Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth in anger and dashed for Sombra, Sombra appeared beside Twilight, not minding Harmonia, He disappeared again as Rainbow Dash hits the cage, she falls down her head spinning. “Well that didn't work.” She mutters. Prism follows behind her.
Prism shook his mom rapidly "Mom, are you okay?” He tone was rather worried for her.
“I'm fine, Prism.” Rainbow Dash mutters, rubbing her head.
Starlight looked at Twilight, reasoning with her.
"Is this what you want Twilight, hurting everyone you made friends with, EVERYONE LOVED YOU! AND YOU LOVED THEM! I need you to resist and comeback to yourself!" She neared Twilight, her eyes filled with tears but her expression filled with bravery and determination, as Sunset and the others followed Starlight carefully.
"I am tired of wasting my time with them dear...dispose of them..." Sombra whispered in Twilight's ear.
“Gladly.” She snears. She blasts dark magic at them. They dodge out of the way, avoiding from getting hit.
"Did anypony bring the Elements of Harmony?" Honey Crisp asks.
"No!" Cotton Berry said.
"That would probably be really helpful right about now!" Wails Phoenix.
Ophelia panicked and hyper ventilated "WE'RE GONNA DIE DOWN HERE!" Honey Crisp tried to calm her down as they took cover. "Nobody is dying down here! Just be careful!" The kids hid behind one of the pillars.
Starlight looked at Twilight and Sombra, Discord and Celestia were right in front of them after they've dodged the attack.
"Twilight, please find your heart and spare these ponies you attack, but find it in your heart that these ponies love you!" Celestia responded to Twilight, but she didn't care.
Twilight came face to face with Celestia, her eyes narrowed. “Why should I believe anything you say?” She sneers at her.
Twilight charges her horn, black magic sparks through her horn as she was ready to fire.
“Because what I am saying is the truth. Twilight this isn’t you I know you are stronger than any magic Sombra has over you.” Celestia said. She tried her best to hold her composer, but she truly was feeling fear.
“Lies!” Twilight shouts. In that moment, Twilight shoots a beam at Celestia.
Celestia, did not have a moment to react- or even throw a defense shield around her, before she knew it she was already down on all fours.
“Celestia!” Luna cries out.
“You really shouldn’t underestimate me.” Twilight said, her tone darkened.
“"That's my girl..." He said to Twilight as he kissed her.
“Sister? Are you okay?” Luna asks, helping her sister up.
“I’m fine. I’m fine.” Celestia said, her breathing rapid as she narrows her eyes at the two. A small trail of blood trickles from her mouth. She wipes away the trail of blood.
"I believe it's about time we, stop this madness before things get out of hoof." Sombra said calmly as a barrier of shadow blocks their way, Harmonia was pulled from her mother from the blast, she laid unconscious on the ground, her ears ringing loudly, Discord picked up his daughter and carried her, Harmonia cried onto Discords shoulder, he made his best to calm her down.
***
Harmonia and the group escaped from the chamber of the everfree forest, Discord carrying her daughter.
Harmonia cried her ears still ringing, but her mind clouded with confusion and pain. She then looks at the one carrying her, Discord looked at her own daughter.
"Put...me down..." Harmonia commanded, her voice Stern and strong. Discord didn't listen, he just walked with the group still carrying Harmonia, Harmonia gritted her teeth and demanded one last time.
"I SAID, PUT ME DOWN!" she yelled at her father as she bucked his face, removing herself from her father's grasp, Harmonia landed with a hard thud on the ground, tears forming in her eyes until she sobbed. Harmonia said to herself quietly "It's my fault mommy left...I miss mommy..." She started sobbing harder, screaming as she begged for her mother to come home "I WANT MOM BACK!" She laid down on the ground, curled up covering her face from the others, Starlight hurried up and grabbed Harmonia.
"We will get her back, I promise." Starlight said, her face held a look of determination.
"I want...M-mom back..." She looked at Starlight, her eyes filled with tears and bloodshot red, she hugged Starlight tightly, sobbing onto her fur, they stayed like that for awhile until the Harmonia looked at Celestia, her anger beginning to over take her again.
"It's your fault...that daddy left us..." She gritted her teeth, looking at Celestia, filled with hatred in her tone and look.
"I'm sorry little one, I should've known this was the outcome of my misdeeds..." Celestia said, going near Starlight and Harmonia, her tone full of pity.
Starlight looks between the two, feeling the slight tension between them.
Harmonia breathing went ragged. "You just better hope that we get her back." Harmonia eyes narrowed at the Princess, her teeth bared.
Celestia didn't reply, the tension between her and Harmonia was too big to bear for Celestia, she felt so threatened, she gritted her teeth and she looked at Harmonia, she didn't say a thing but she walked away with Discord out of the everfree leaving Harmonia and Starlight and the group to stand in confusion.
Applejack yelled at the two "HEY GET BACK HERE!" But Discord and Celestia were already gone out of sight. She turned her attention to the two on the ground, giving a pitiful look on Harmonia, Harmonia's sobbing didn't stop as she still remembered all the fun times she spent with her mother.
***
Somewhere deep within the Everfree forest, was cave on the center of the ground, spikes surrounding every corner of the crater that surrounds the cave in. An underground staircase was seen, two shadow figures were walking down, one red and one purple light illuminated the dimly lit spiral staircase.
"Ponies think their safe from darkness that shrouds them, it's repulsive..." The torches were scorched with purple fire, revealing Sombra and Twilight, with a wicked smile on their faces. "Surely we can, give them an incentive incase they do, drastic measures, right dear?" Sombra looks at her evil wife, a cold and villainous smirk etched on his face.
Twilight thought for a moment. "If it comes to it then, that's what we will do." Twilight explains her tone nonchalant, but she flashed her husband a wicked smile.
"We destroy it, but of course, let's give them a little, trial and error." He replied to her wife, giving her a smug grin. He ignited his horn burning the spikes surrounding the entrance to the cave in and the two went in, Twilight illuminated her horn revealing the path way to the Tree of Harmony, it revealed a big cave chamber with the tree in the middle, covered in spiky vines.
He torched the spikes that surrounded the Tree of Harmony, and the vines that surrounded the place making the place bright. "I believe that this is where it's kept?" He broke the trees lock, revealing the gems inside, he took the element of magic and friendship with his magic and moved it from angle to angle.
"I believe this belongs to you miss Sparkle, would you mind if I keep it for awhile..." He looked at Twilight with a dominant smile on his face.
"In all honesty destroyed it. Who needs that element anyways." Twilight sneers, her tone leaked with sarcasm.
"I like your thinking dear, but I don't want to spoil the fun yet, I want them to come to us...I want them to suffer as your daughter suffered before us..." He sneered at Twilight, putting the element of Magic and friendship onto a metal casing that has a scorched mark of Sombra's armor.
He looked at the tree for a moment gazing upon its power and glory to Equestria, he exhaled in a satisfied tone.
"Soon Equestria, and all it's ponies will be shrouded in everlasting darkness!" He yelled as the fire inside the cave in grew brighter, his eyes filled with anger and hatred.
"And nothing will stop us! Not even those pesky alicorns." Snears Twilight.
"Why of course dear, we are going to rule all over the nation's of Equestria, not even those pests that oppose us, without the last element, they are defenseless against us!"
As he was done talking he went up to Twilight, kissing her with passion. "Now, let's take care of business..." He looked at the cave as all of the vines fell to block the tree, but not all.
***
The mane 5 and the kids walked back to Twilight's Castle, followed by Shining and Cadence. "I can't believe that, Twilight would turn into a monster..." Fluttershy said, her eyes filled with tears as she hugged her son tightly, Meadow Bliss nuzzled his mom, giving her a reassuring smile.
"Let's not give up now! There must be a way to revert the spell and suppress the magic in her!" Sunset said as they all ran to the castle.
They barged in, heading to the library, Starlight and Sunset were finding the book to suppress or revert dark magic back to its original state. "Which one is it Starlight?" Sunset questioned her friend, frantic while looking for the book that suits their needs.
Starlight scanned the castle library. "Twilight has about over a million books in here! It will take us forever to figure out which one is the correct one." She explains to her friends.
"There has to be something here." Mutters Cadence, who already grabbed two books, flipping through its pages.
Starlight and Sunset found the last book, with the indentions of ancient Equestrian writing, one of Starswirl's books of magic study and novels, Sunset and Starlight smiled at each other as they both yelled "WE FOUND IT!" Everyone smiled as the two placed it on the friendship table.
Cadence opened the book, revealing dust mites flying towards them, they both coughed as they swayed the dust away, Sunset flipped the pages, revealing a specific page of dark magic.
"Starlight look what I found!" Sunset called out to Starlight, she rushed to her friend.
Starlight scans over the page, she smiles to herself. "This is it!" She beams.
"What does it say?" Asked Rainbow Dash.
"We need the Elements of Harmony for this, if we want Twilight back and to defeat Sombra once and for all! Does anypony know where it's located!" Starlight asked, but everyone shook their heads, except for one Dragon.
"I know where it is, it's in the deepest part of the Everfree forest! But it's too dangerous to go out at night!" Spike alerts them, his voice tells them it's forbidden to enter the everfree at night.
"I guess we can wait until morning to go there." Suggested Rarity.
"For now we should get some rest." Said Fluttershy.
"You can stay here if you would like." Offered Tempest.
"That would be lovely, but we can't take advantage of-" Luna said, but gets cut off.
"Please I assist." Tempest said.
"Alright, little ones, it's time for us to rest. Guards, keep the castle secure, we don't want Intruders to come in now!" Luna commanded at the Royal Guards, they all saluted at the Princess of the night and they took positions around the castle.
Harmonia stops shortly, thinking to herself before turning around to face the others. "That's a great plan and all, but I can't just sit here and do nothing." She said.
The group remained silent, except for Shining. "Nothing? Well you will be taking notes on how to be a better ruler!" Shining explains.
"Okay, well I rule that I go after Sombra! It's the right thing to do." Harmonia said, placing a hoof on Shining chest. Her tone rather determined.
“All those in favor of Harmonia not hunting for the Elements of Harmony and staying in the castle til Sombra is caught. Please raise your hoof.” Shining said, looking at the others.
Everyone raised their hoofs.
“Hold on! This wasn’t about me being stuck at home.” Harmonia huffs.
“It is now. Harmony, you may not know how Sombra is but the rest of us do.” Shining said.
“We are just trying to look out for you sweetheart it’s for your own safety.” Cadence said.
Harmonia looks over at her cousin, hoping that Flurry would be able to reach some sort of agreement with her parents.
“Sorry Harmony, but I agree with them.” Flurry said.
“Fine! Leave me at home while Sombra just roams free! Let the guards take the fall instead of calling on me.” Harmonia said.
She shook her head. “You blew it! I’m through just know you made a mistake.” She said and with that she slams the door shut the echoing bouncing off the castle walls.
Shining gazes at the door for a moment before turning back to the others and his wife. “We did the right thing.” Shining said.
"We better stay here and learn the location of the tree of Harmony, Spike knows where it is, but we need guidelines!" Sunset explains.
“Starlight if you could teach us how to use it, we can be done in no time!" Rarity said her face filled with determination, she looks at everyone as they all nodded at her.
"Then let's do this..." Starlight said looking at Sunset, they both started studying the location and how to use it, it may take time for them to master.
***
The children shared a room. All of them snuggled into bed.
"Goodnight." Tempest said, she gently shuts the door.
Harmonia awaits til her aunt's hoofsteps were silent. "Is anypony still awake?" She questions into the darkness.
"Me!" Announces Confetti.
"Shh!" Mutters Ophelia.
"I overheard Miss. Shimmer, the Princesses' and Uncle Spike talking.... Something about a tree called The Tree of Harmony?" Harmonia explains.
"What's the Tree of Harmony?" Asks Honey Crisp.
"I'm not entirely sure...." Mutters Harmonia.
"I know what it is!" Confetti Pop beamed as she grabbed a flashlight and she turned it on, she shines her head only.
"Legend has it that the Tree of Harmony contains all of the elements of Harmony, the element of Laughter, the element of Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity, Kindness and the most important element of all!"
Harmonia cuts her off and she realises her true element, she looks at all of them. "I'm the element of Magic and Friendship...that's the element my Mom wants!" She looks at her friends, filled with determination, everyone looked at Harmonia, a plan forming in all of them.
"So much for beauty sleep,” Ophelia sighs. “Alright dear, what's the plan..." Ophelia asks, getting out of her bed.
"I say that we go and find the elements!" Beams Harmonia.
"Are you crazy?" Asked Cotton Berry.
"At the dead of night!?" Meadow Bliss was shocked by her statement.
"But it's dangerous outside, who knows what's in the Everfree Forest!" Prism told Harmonia, his tone filled with fear.
"If it means coming back home with it and studying it's magic, I'm in!" Honey Crisp sides with her friend, Harmonia smiled at her.
Cotton Berry and Confetti Pop smiled at each other and they both beamed "Count us in!"
"Welp, count me in too I guess." Meadow Bliss casually said, siding with Harmonia.
Illusion comes in, overhearing the conversation "You need a real Colt to guide and protect, I'll go." He casually said, looking at Prism.
Prism's eyes widened "Hey! I'm coming too!" He sneered at Illusion.
Prism eyes narrowed at Illusion. "Besides, what's Mr. Perfect doing here, anyways?" He asks Harmonia, obviously annoyed by his appearance.
"His family is actually staying with us from the time being. To make a long story short, it's family issues." She explains to Prism.
"Aw come on now we got rich Colt on our side!" Prism sighs, his face now down in the dumps, Illusion came in the room.
"Well you need more than one Colt to not get you killed out there would we now Prism Dash?" Illusion looked at Prism with a smug look on his face, a playful tongue came out of Illusion's mouth and he giggles at him.
"Now thats...touché..." Prism said, following them to the window.
Illusion opened the window doors, and he lowers a blanket that's tied so they can climb down. "After you m'lady." Illusion gestures, Harmonia giggles at him as she went down first, all of them followed leaving prism the last one.
"I swear this is gonna be the worst night ever..." He goes down as well.
*
They make there way to the head of the forest. "Have any of you been here before?" Harmonia asks.
"Heavens no." Mutters Ophelia.
"I have and it's really not that spooky at night." Beams Confetti Pop.
"Still..... I suggest we keep our horns lit, just in case. These woods can be impossible to see at night." Illusion explains.
"Sure mister know-a lot, you don't need magic to go in there, all you need is fire!" Prism grabs a rock and a stick, he tries to ignite a spark on the fire but to no avail.
Cotton Berry replied "Stop trying to show off Prism nothing's working so far." He said slightly annoyed, as he watches Prism ignite the fire.
Harmonia went to Prism, grabbing his shoulder slowly, Prism blushed so hard he can't even turn to her. "I think that's enough Prism." She said, softly at Prism, who was blushing a little.
"A-alright..." Prism said, dropping the rock and stick, he follows the others to the forest.
"It's awfully dark in here!" Ophelia says out loud, Harmonia and Illusion lights up their horns, staying side by side, Harmonia was a bit scared but Illusion stood beside her, Harmonia blushed madly as Illusion did the same.
"That Colt is stealing my mare!" Prism thinks to himself, angry and frustrated at the rich Colt infront of him.
"Yeah, rich Colt knows the way..." He mutters to himself, watching the two at the same time, Prism was at his boiling point.
Illusion happen to over hear Prism's snarky statement. “You guys go on a head, Prism and I will catch up with you in a bit.” Illusion said.
The girls, Meadow Bliss and Cotton Berry looks at the two in confusion.
“I just need to have a talk with my friend.” He said, giving a glare at Prism.
They shrugged and went ahead leaving Prism and Illusion alone.
“I don't see what your problem is.” Illusion said.
Prism scoffs. “My problem?! I don't have a problem.”
Illusion smirks. “Seems like somepony is jealous of Harmonia and I.”
Prim gazes narrows at the young stallion. Who gave a small laugh. “Don’t worry we're just friends.” he said, his tone nonchalant.
“Just friends?!” Prism scoffs.
“Yep.” Illusion said and continued onward.
***
The two finally caught up to the group. Illusion went ahead catching up with Harmonia. Prism Dash hangs back with Meadow Bliss, Honey Crisp and Opheliah. Meadow Bliss noticed the young pegasus aggravated expression and his narrowed scowling eyes towards Illusion and Harmonia.
"Are you jealous of Illusion and Harmonia!?" His asks, as a grin cascades onto his face.
"N-no..." Prism said, his tone slightly baffled.
"You are redder than the apples on my Mama's farm during the summer time, Prism." Honey Crisp explains.
"You stop talking or your gonna get it!" Prism threats, but gave up quickly due to the fact that he sees Harmonia and Illusion together.
"Hey I'm just kidding Sugarcube, nothing to be mad about now." Honey Crisp explains, nudging him slightly, Prism smiles a little. "I know, I'm sorry it's just that...I'll tell you once this is over ok?" Prism questions Honey Crisp, Honey Crisp nods a little smiling at Prism. Prism nods and continues trotting to the center of the everfree.
Illusion stopped, blocking Harmonia towards the ledge of the cave in. "We're here..." Illusion said, as everyone stopped trotting and looked at the deep rabbit hole.
"Does anypony know how to get down there?" Questions Ophelia.
Confetti Pop falls down the long ascending staircase. "We take the stairs silly." She said, giggling.
The others looked at each other and shrugged, following after Confetti.
Harmonia let's Illusion go first, Illusion nods and he goes behind the group, the group goes ahead of Illusion as they descended down the stairs.
Harmonia went to Prism, who was trotting to them slowly "What's wrong Prism?" Harmonia asks, lifting his chin up slowly.
"It's nothing Harmonia, I'm just checking for signs of danger, come on let's go!" He said, as he blushed but not letting Harmonia see. Harmonia smiled a little as she followed him down the stairs.
***
"This is it the Tree of Harmony." Harmonia beams.
Ophelia looks at the environment, the vines burnt and crisped, she didn't like the vibe she feels down her fur.
" I don't like the feeling here..." Meadow Bliss said, looking at the burnt trees.
"Oh what's this!" Confetti Pop looks at the small metal casing, that has the indention of Sombra's armor in it.
Her eyes widened, as he looked at everyone else. "GUYS!" She screamed as a black shadow whipped across her, grabbing the box from her hoofs.
They quickly turned around their eyes widen.
"I believe you're looking for the Elements of Harmony..." A familiar voice startled everyone, it was Sombra who was standing in front of Harmonia. "I also believe that this is what you need..."
Harmonia's eyes widened as the first piece of the elements was taken, Harmonia's eyes narrowed at him. "Don't be mad at me little filly, you don't want to trigger your mother now do we?"
Sombra turns around, revealing Twilight who was grinning at her daughter, the elements were wrapped by a vine made out of spikes and thorns.
Prism and Illusion huffed as they went after Sombra. "Self righteous fools..." He said as he whipped the two across the chamber, they landed with a hard thud on the ground. Harmonia's eyes widened.
Twilight made her way to her daughter, a smug smile on her face "Come on baby, it's time to go to sleep..." Twilight blasted a spell that made everyone go out, all of them laying on the ground snoozing. Harmonia tried to resist, looking at her mother. "Mo-mother… p-please..." She said, a tear fell from her eye.
Harmonia finally lays down, unconscious and sleeping, Twilight sees a tear dripping down from her eye. Sombra looks at her, a nonchalant expression on his face.
"Is something wrong dear..." He questions the Alicorn beside her.
"No..not at all!" Twilight grinned as she giggled a little. She looked at Sombra giving him the go signal that the two will do next.
"It's time...come dear we have much to do..." He said, as the two left the cave, trapping them inside with the vines.
***
Tempest walks around the halls of the castle, Royal guards patrolling around as well, Tempest and Shining were walking around, their horns ignited looking around in the dark.
"How are the kids." Shining questions the Royal guard, the Royal guard replied "All of them are accounted for!" Tempest nods, still patrolling with Shining.
"So I see your family stallion, you are very lucky marrying a princess." Tempest said, making conversation with Shining.
"Yeah, hard duty being a Royal Guard, but being a dad is harder." Shining said chuckling to himself a little.
"You must really love your daughters, huh?" Tempest ask, giving him a small smile.
"I'd do anything for my nation, and my family." He looks at Tempest, a smile on his face.
The Royal Guard came rushing to Shining Armour, a frantic look on his face. "Sir, the kids are missing, they escaped through the window!" Shining's eyes widened, his breath raggedy.
"Call in the guards! Tell them to rally outside! Tempest, get the mane 5!" He ordered Tempest, as he ran out the main hall with the guards outside in line formation.
Tempest gathers the Mane 5, startling them out of their sleep. A loud slam could be heard from inside the castle, which startled Trixie awake.
Trixie was startled, she snorted as she woke up, looking everywhere but her night folds were blocking her eyes sight, she looked around furiously until Starlight removed her night folds. "Hey take it easy, it's me! Starlight!" Trixie calmed down a little.
"Starlight don't scare me like that! I was trying to get a good night's sleep!" Trixie snapped at her friend for scaring her like that, but she calmed down little by little.
"What is it this time?" Trixie asked Starlight what was happening outside.
"Your son is missing..." Starlight said, her voice frantic and stressed, Trixies eyes widened from those words, she pushed starlight away and went to the front door, screaming her son's name.
"ILLUSION! WHERE ARE YOU BABY!" Trixie yelled as she went out the door, looking everywhere.
"If I had to guess, he must have escaped with the others." Starlight explains.
"Well where could they have went?" Worries Trixie.
Trixie looks at Starlight, tears streaming down her eyes, she runs to Starlight as Starlight hugged her tightly. "Trixie, it's gonna be ok! They must've went somewhere nearby we can find them!" She pleads to Trixie.
"Are you sure..." Trixie looks at her, tears still streaming down her face. Starlight nods, as she looked at the mane 5, everyone one of them were worried, crying and frantic, but Starlight held her hopes up and spoke up.
"Guys, if we don't get ourselves together, we can never find them in time! Listen to me, they can't go somewhere far!" Starlight reassured everyone, Trixie stopped crying, wiping her tears a little.
Applejack spoke up as well, reassuring the others "She's right! We can't just sit here and cry and stress ourselves out, we act now and fast!" She looks at Shining, asking them where they were headed.
"Where are they headed Sugarcube?" Apple Jack asks Shining Armour for more details.
Shining looks at them. "I honestly have no clue where they could have went. I mean who plans on sneaking out in the middle of night?" He said.
Starlight looks at Shining, with the most stricken look on her face, her eyes widened at one thought that swept through her mind.
"Harmonia!" She yelled, she looked around for any traces of her niece.
"You mean Harmonia planned it?" Tempest said, with a confused look on her face, she looked around for any traces of them around.
"Who else would disobey house rules Tempest..." Starlight said with a blunt tone, she kept on looking around for clues or traces of Harmonia.
Applejack came across a path way to the forest, she looked down and saw hoofprints, multiple hoofprints traced together. "Sugarcube, I think I know where they went..." She gulps as she saw the traces leading to a forest.
"But that's where the Elements of Harmony are located!" Spike said, with a frantic tone, he followed the traces leading onto a cliffside and a hill nearing Fluttershy's house.
"So much for hospitality..." Rarity whined, but her worries got the best of her, she followed Spike.
***
"I can't believe the kids would go out and do something like this." Trixie said.
"Well that is Harmonia for you." Starlight mutters.
"I mean how many times have we told them to never go in the Everfree Forest alone at night?" Trixie rambles on.
"About a few years, clearly children these days just don't know when to quit snooping around." She stated bluntly towards Trixie, Starlight goes to AppleJack, looking at the direction of the hoofprints that are headed to the forest.
"Well let's hope they haven't gone that far yet, why are they headed there anyway?" Cadence questions Starlight, a frantic look on the Cadence's face.
Rainbow Dash looks hovers over them looking at the map that the kids had left behind. "Apparently they were planning on going to the Tree of Harmony." She said, squinting her eyes at the map.
"Oh for the love of...I don't even want to say it!" Starlight snapped, she started to calm herself down a little, breathing in and out heavily.
"That's right just let it out." Fluttershy pats the back of Starlight, slowly calming the enraged mare.
"Do you need a bag Star!?" Pinkie Pie appeared beside Fluttershy, holding a paper bag, Starlight shook her head, trying to calm down.
"Well if it's all the same to you I'm going, who's with me?" AppleJack questions everyone, with a determined look on her face.
"Well you know I am, darling." Rarity said.
"Count us in." Shining said.
"Us too!" Rainbow Dash said.
"Eh you just might as well say we're all in AJ." Pinkie Pie said.
Applejack nods and the group treads forward.
***
The kids awakened from their painful slumber, their heads still throbbing and pounding from the spell Twilight blasted, Harmonia looks around looking for her friends.
"Honey, Prism...anypony there?" Harmonia called out as she stood up slowly, dusting off the pebbles from her shoulder, she walked slowly towards the exit of the cave in, but to be blocked by vines.
"Is anypony there!? Somebody, answer me!" She called out again, feeling scared and isolated from her friends, Ophelia replied. "I'm here darling...where are you, it's dark in here..." She said trying to navigate her way in the darkness.
"Why is it so dark in here?!" shouts Prism, trying to navigate through the darkness.
Confetti Pop looked around scared of what lurks in the dark, Cotton Berry bumped into a vine and screamed, letting everyone know their location.
"Well that's the two..." Meadow Bliss sighed as he walked towards the source of the sound, Harmonia ignited her horn letting everyone know her location.
"Thank Heavens your alright Harmonia!" Ophelia hugged Harmonia, worried her best friend, Honey Crisp spoke up, smirking.
"Well glad to see your still on four hooves." She said nudging Harmonia.
She giggled.
"Well now that we are all together again, how do we get out of here? Our entrance out of this cave is blocked." Illusion explains.
"Does anypony happen to remember what happened exactly?" Questions Cotton.
Everyone tried to recall the events happen, but none came to them.
"I.... I don't remember...." Mutters Harmonia.
"I reckon we are here in a bad way..." Honey Crisp looks around, seeing vines that are still crawling to the entrance of the cave in, blocking their path.
"This feels like detention again..." Confetti Pop brings up the topic, everyone giggled.
"Well apparently a bigger detention if you ask me..." Prism said, amazed yet scared of the sight in front of him, he saw a black figure twitching, whispering words.
"Umm.... Y-you guys what's that?!" Illusion said.
Everypony turned their heads their eyes widen.
"Where's our Mom's when you need em?" Honey Crisp whales.
The shadow figure looked at them snarling as it neared them, the figure spoke in a soft tone "You should've not come here..."
A recognizable evil tone was heard from the shadow, as it's eyes glowed red from anger.
Everyone was backing up slowly to the entrance, they bumped on to the vines blocking their way out, everypony tried to pull the vines out.
"Keep pulling, we need to get out of here!" Prism said, pulling as hard as he can to open up a path way out of the cave.
"Easy for you to say, we're not strong as you!" Confetti replied, pulling at the vines to try and get away from the monster.
"Uh guys it's getting closer...." Warns Confetti Pop.
"Can't you see we are trying!" Said Harmonia, her voice laced with fear.
"Everypony, pull!" Prism yelled, pulling the vines as hard as they could, the vines started ripping up slowly, but that didn't stop the monster headed for them, a beam of light was shown when Honey Crisp ripped open a portion, hitting the monster with the sun's beam.
"Hey, Honey keep doing that again!" Prism said, going to Honey Crisp and helping her rip the portion of, the Monster repelled a little.
Illusion looks at Harmonia. "You can do spells, right." He asks.
"Y.. yeah, but I don't see how a silly spell will help us at a moment like this." Harmonia said.
"No.... No spell, just shoot a beam of light at it! Maybe it will vanish. Want to help me?" Illusion asks, giving her a half grin.
Harmonia nods. “Cotton Berry and Ophelia. Come on over and help.” Harmonia instructions her two friends.
The monster roared at them, as it ran towards them with brute Force and great speed, the eyes were glowing blood red. "Meet your fate, here and now..." He said snarling at the kids, Harmonia, Illusion, Ophelia and Cotton Berry blasted beams of light at the monster, repelling it a little from them.
"Self righteous fools..." The monster said covering itself, the shriek from it was intense and painful.
"Whatever you are doing keep doing what you're doing, give us some time!" Prism yelled, helping Honey Crisp rip a portion for them to escape.
Illusion and Harmonia both nod. They kept blasting light at the creature.
"You know you're pretty good at this." Illusion said.
"This is not a time to flirt." Harmonia said, blasting another beam of light at it.
"But you are very stunning dear, your aim is precise!" Illusion said, repelling the monster as it neared them again.
Meadow Bliss, HoneyCrisp, Confetti Pop and Prism pushed the other section of the vines that were nearly removed.
"You better help us here!" Meadow Bliss yelled at the two ripping the other vines.
The seven of them started bashing down the weak section of the vine, making a path out of here. "Everypony, PUSH!" Prism yelled, as they bashed down the vines, revealing sun rays coming in the cave.
The monster looked at the sun and to his body, his body was fading away little by little.
Harmonia blushed a little, but the quickly took notice at the shadow's slowly diminished body.
"Look! I think if we do just a few more blasts it will be gone for good!" Harmonia said.
She takes another aim at the shadow, it's body half dissolving.
"You can never stop, what's headed for you...little ones..." The shadow smeared, looking at them with hatred filled in its eyes.
"You should do the honors..." Illusion said, looking at the monster’s eyes.
"Excuse me, but we are like preteens." Confetti Pop sass.
"Now's not a time for jokes, darling." Ophelia mutters.
"One day, the heart of Equestria will burn in everlasting darkness, and I know you'll see it in your mother, Harmonia Nyx Sparkle..." The shadow grinned at Harmonia, giggling a little as it's face was fading, he started burning a little as he looked into her eyes.
It vanished into thin air.
The group walks over to Harmonia and Illusion.
"What does it mean by that?" Meadow Bliss questions.
Harmonia shook her head. "I'm not entirely sure, but whatever it means, I'm pretty sure this isn't the last we see of them." She said.
Sounds of hooves beating against the galloping were heard, a sound of frantic parents were nearby the cave, calling out for their daughters and son's.
"Meadow Bliss! Where are you!" Fluttershy can be heard, crying while running down the spiral steps of the cave, the mane 5 and the others followed Fluttershy down below.
"I'm right here mom!" Meadow Bliss shouted.
"What do you guys think you are doing out here?!" Tempest questioning, mostly looking at Harmonia.
The parents hugged their sons and daughters, Harmonia was now confronted by Tempest and Starlight, their tone worried yet angry.
"You should not have ran off like that! What made you go out in the middle of the night Harmonia?” Starlight hugged her niece, her tone was filled with worry.
Tempest eyes narrowed at Harmonia, listening for an answer.
Harmonia looks slightly worried. She didn't know what to say exactly.
"We are waiting for an answer." Tempest said, her tone unamused and blunt.
"Well, you see I...I..." She looks at Tempest, her tone was filled with fear and worry.
"I think what she's trying to say is..." Illusion looks at Harmonia, his smile reassuring.
"It was my idea, Ms. Tempest for bringing all of us out here." Illusion took the blame for her, his tone calm and soft.
Starlight’s eyes widened, when she looked at Prism, anger started rising in her slowly.
"And you go out there behind your mother's back!?" Trixie walked up to Illusion, her tone frantic and worried.
Illusions eyes widen. "I was only trying to help them, mother." Illusion explains.
"You could've yourselves killed out there!" Trixie hugged his some tightly, Illusion hugged her mother calming her down little by little.
"You should be ashamed of yourself, you put a lot of lives out here just for your schemes!" Tempest said, as she snapped in front of Harmonia and Illusion.
"Aunt Tempest it's not his fault! It was me, I asked them if they want to go to the Tree of Harmony..." Harmonia finally spoke up, Starlight moved back slowly.
"Harmonia, your in big trouble miss..." Starlight scolded Harmonia.
"Don't think y'all four are off the hook either." Said Applejack. Looking at the remaining group.
"She's right." Rarity said.
Rainbow Dash, walks up and hugs her son, before slapping him. "Ow! What was that for?!" Prism wails.
"That was for doing something stupid." Rainbow Dash said. She then embraced her son in a loving hug.
"You two are so in trouble! Come here my little cupcakes!" Pinkie pie hugged her twins, as she sobbed and buried her face on her little ones fur.
"Ophelia dear when we get home you and I are gonna have a long discussion..." Ophelia looked at her mother with her eyes rolled, Rarity and Ophelia went ahead.
The Mane 5 looked at the Tree of Harmony, they notice something was off. "Wait, you guys..." Rainbow Dash calls after the girls.
"What is it Dash?" Asked Applejack.
"Where is the Element of Magic?" She asks.
“More like where’s the tree?!” Applejack said looking at a destroyed Elements of Harmony tree.
"It's right there AJ." Pinkie said, pointing to the spot, but when she looked, her ears folded back. "Oh..."
Starlight looked at where the tree once stood, her eyes widened. "Something wrong, where are the elements of Harmony!? That was the key to defeating Sombra!"
Rarity ran up looking at the bits of tree that remained, she fainted beside Starlight but Starlight grabbed her as quick as she can. "Now we're never gonna beat him..." Rarity whined, Rainbow Dash looked at the tree once was and the Elements that we’re now broken bits on the cold cavernous ground, she wasn't surprised.
"Was Sombra here when you guys entered? And who was Sombra with?" Tempest asked them, her tone still turning soft.
The kids tried to remember, but their thoughts were fuzzy. "I.... I don't remember." Harmonia said, trying her best to put the pieces of her memories from what she could remember back together, but she couldn't recall a single thought.
"Twilight must be with Sombra, but they were here last night..." Starlight looked at Tempest, unsure of what's coming next.
Tempest looked at the mark with ashes and shadow marks near Harmonia, she inspected it. "Did you encounter anyone besides Sombra..." She looked at Harmonia, questioning her.
Harmonia eyebrows furrowed together trying her best to think.
"The memory is fuzzy..... It's like whoever it was didn't want us to know that they were with him." Harmonia said.
"Ooo, I remember! It was Aunt Twilight." Confetti Pop said.
"How would assume it's my mom?" Questions Harmonia, slightly confused.
"Duh! Because she's evil." Said Confetti Pop.
Harmonia thought for a moment, remembering really hard, her eyes widened as she realizes it was Sombra and Twilight, who knocked them out with a spell.
"It was my mom, she's the one who knocked us out...and Sombra got the elements of Harmony!" Harmonia told Tempest, Tempest nodded as she stood up from her inspection.
"Any Idea where they went from here?" Tempest asked Confetti Pop and Harmonia.
"Well I remember them heading out of this cave, then...they trapped us in here...and a black shadow pony just appeared..." Prism said, scratching his aching head.
"Great! So Equestria is doomed!" Said Trixie, her tone worried. "Wait... When did Twilight turned evil. I thought she was some goodie-two-shoes princess?" Trixie said, slightly confused.
Harmonia gave Trixie a deadly glare, Starlight stopped Harmonia before she could even walk towards her. "That's enough sweetie, we'll find your mother..." She said to Harmonia, her tone reassuring.
"Well technically she's not since Sombra did something to her!" Cotton Berry beamed, smiling after his sentence.
"Now is not a time to be proud of our statements dear..." Ophelia said, making her way to Harmonia, she stood beside her.
Tempest looked at the burnt marks and the shadow marks, her eyes widened "Did you fight somepony here?"
"Well we fought a big scary shadowy monster." Honey Crisp explains.
"Sombra's anger makes more of "these" creatures we see, and I think this is what made Twilight, not herself anymore." Sunset said, looking at the book for more details.
"If that's the case, we better head back before more come for us!" Spike said, opening a path way back.
"Great idea, we better head back and see what we're up against." Starlight said, rubbing Harmonia's mane.
***
Sombra and Twilight were at the catacombs underneath the hills of Canterlot, an old underground study room, meant for Starswirl a decade ago. "So this is where the old fool resides, at the final push of his breath..."
Sombra wipes the dust off of the tables that were aligned, he chuckled to himself, he then looks at Twilight who was standing next to the doorway.
"Would you imagine the possible damages we can commit to Equestria...with you alongside me..." He said moved towards Twilight, twisting the elements around him and her.
"With you...we can become even stronger than any weakling..." He said looking at her with a sultry gaze.
"Well for starters Sombra, I want to know why we're here instead of enslaving Equestria to it's hooves, I want the ponies that fear us, bow before us!" Twilight demanded to her evil husband, Sombra smirked at her as he gave a look of reassurance.
"My dear, time will come to that, for now we must rally the all powerful..." Sombra said as he levitated the Elements to Twilights bag, Twilight zipped the bag closed to keep the elements safe.
"As of now, I must visit with an old friend..." Sombra said about to leave the long underground catacombs, leaving Twilight to wait.
"And who would this "pony" be...you better not be cheating on me now, my king..." Twilight said teasing his evil husband.
"Not this time my love...I would never replace you, for now we take matters to our own hooves, wait here..." Sombra said leaving the catacombs, Twilight was left to wait, but she has a weird feeling in her.
Sombra makes his way down the long hallway. His hooves echoed off the cold stone floor.
He illuminates his horn, making another passage way appear, as he walks through. "It's about time you came." Came a familiar voice.
"I thought you wouldn't come to our reunion, Chrysalis..." Chrysalis was guarded by two heavily armoured Changelings, chains wrapped around them and their body buff and big.
"I also thought you wouldn't make it here, you know as they say, the early bird catches the worm...or rather eats it entirely..." Sombra laughs at his own statement, he summoned two Shadow figures behind him.
"I believe you called me here for a reason Sombra...and what would that be..." Chrysalis said, moving in between her guards, she now appears in front of Sombra, her head held high.
"Well you see, I am in need of assistance, from you of course and your lovely, Swiss cheese army...and that gullible goat who loves taking magic from others..." Sombra's gaze reflected upon Chrysalis's eyes, he circled around Chrysalis, looking at the guards.
"Your army is of great use to me, and with you leading among it, I want you to be the backbone of my little''plan`"..." He said with a harsh tone giving a smirk to Chrysalis.
"And what is this brilliant plan of yours anyways, Sombra." Asks Chrysalis.
"We haven't teamed up together in eons, since we last did something like this?” Sombra said, his tone nonchalant. "Besides I'm simple asking you a favor." He gives a sly smile to her.
"And what may that be?" She asks, slightly skeptical.
"Imagine Equestria under our control, with my "wife", you and Tirek alongside me, the four of us will show this world, that they are not safe from us..." His tone angry and nonchalant, he circled around Chrysalis and the Guards, still looking at them with interest.
"You will make a great left hoof mare for me, you with an army, Tirek with the magic, and my wife with a deadly thought..." He looked at Chrysalis, a deadly glare in his eyes, he walked towards her.
"I want Equestria to bow down to us, this is my plan, to rule over the weak!" He said.
Chrysalis held a sincere, but devious look on her face. "What's in it for me?" She asks.
"You can finally have your revenge on Starlight Glimmer." He said.
***
Twilight paces back and forth, her patience wearing thin. "Ugh! Where could he be? What's taking him so long!" Twilight mutters to herself.
Sombra walks in the study room, his eyes illuminated with power, he slammed the door shut, the cracks formed.
"You were waiting for me I see." Sombra said, chuckling at her. She nuzzles her brainwashed wife, giving her a deadly gaze.
"Of course! What took you so long anyways?" Asks Twilight.
"Oh some meeting with an old friend, nothing to be of concern here." Sombra said, levitating the bag filled with the elements of Harmony to him.
"I see you are curious, I know you want to know more, so ask away dear." He gave her wife a deadly smirk.
"What was this meeting about exactly?" Twilight asks, curiosity getting the best of her.
"Well, you and I are gonna rule the world you see...and without protection, we cannot achieve that, I know you want the power, I know you want the glory." Sombra said going near Twilight's face, his look calm and dark.
"I just want protection, for our sake, so I called in a familiar face..." Sombra said, tying the knot of the bag were the elements are kept.
Twilight thought for a moment. "You are correct, my King." She said, she gives a kiss to Sombra. "But the next meeting you have, I'm coming with you." Twilight said.
"Of course you are, after all I want them to see how lovely you are, how changed you have become." Sombra kisses her wife back, he smirked at her as he lay the bag down.
"Now, we must continue with our plans, we have much to do..."
Twilight follows Sombra out of the room. And they both made their way back to the Crystal Empire.