Sombra was once again in the strange medieval land. And once again he was relegated to an observer as he followed Stygian and Star Swirl down into the old mage’s workshop. Inside numerous beakers were lined up along a table, each one filled with unknown substances, some bubbling, some sparkling, and others frothing at the top. On another table were open books, magic circles drawn with chalk and different minerals strewn around it. There was a whole side of the room that was filled with tomes on magic, magical creatures, alchemy, medicine, astronomy, astrology, and mathematics.

Stygian knew that there were many in the kingdom that thought Star Swirl was a bit “out there”, making deals with devils in exchange for arcane information that was not meant for mortal men. But Stygian knew different, Star Swirl was the greatest wizard of all time, and those who studied under him were almost guaranteed to become great sorcerers themselves. Like his former pupil, Clover the Clever, his use of magic was, well, clever, weaving spells in ways that threw other wizards off kilter, dark and light alike. However, Star Swirl’s magical prowess was only matched by his intelligence. Mapping the stars and giving names to them, as if plucking the information from the future and jotting it down for the people of this world to only dare grasp.

Star Swirl often acted as the advisor to King Coal, he was a merry old soul, but did require assistance from time to time. The old mage stopped before one of his workbenches and took out some scrolls.

“My young Stygian, tell me, have your dreams still been troubled of late?”

Stygian flinched at the mention of those dreams. The young lad had been having some nightmares, they weren’t terrible, not at first. But they had been getting stronger as the years went by, the worst of them only occurred during his birthday, which was to come at midnight tonight. “Not as much, not since you provided me that charm, what did you call it again, Master?”

“A ‘Dreamcatcher’, I traveled across the sea to another land, and found the native shamans to be very in tune with the spirits of nature. I spent a great deal of time learning their ways, and one of them was the crafting of a Dreamcatcher, the web of strings is meant to catch the nightmares and negative energy, preventing it from entering your sleeping mind,” said Star Swirl.

<^> Hehehehe, old fool. Strings and wood cannot keep me at bay…<^>

Stygian briefly glanced over his shoulder and found no one. That voice, that dark, hissing voice had been getting louder as of late. It was at first a murmur, then a whisper, until it finally started to get louder, it was like each year it was getting closer and closer to him, at first far away, but now, now it sounded as if the voice was hovering just mere inches from his ear. Stygian had more often than not glanced over his shoulder, during the day the voice didn’t speak up as much, but whenever he was in the dark, it got louder, especially at night.

Sombra crossed his arms as he watched Stygian and Star Swirl go into their lesion, he was mildly interested in what was going on, ever since learning about the Darkness, he also learned that magic was real, so seeing it being taught from authentic wizards was kind of a treat. However, something was bothering him about all this.

“Okay, so this kid can hear the Darkness. A past host like me then? So, why now? What is it that you’re trying to show me, Styg?”

Hours flew by in a matter of seconds, to Sombra it was like watching someone hit fast forward on a remote control. Before he knew it, Stygian and Star Swirl bid each other farewell, Stygian noticed that it was already night, and that the moon was a waning crescent. He knew that he should probably head home, but something urged him to stay, a feeling, a crawling feeling, like a warning. Without thinking about it, Stygian managed to flag down one of Princess Platinum’s handmaidens and asked to send the Princess a message to meet her at the northwest parapet. It was a place they used to often meet as it gave a beautiful view of the forest and mountains.

Stygian made the trek through the castle and up some stairs until he was at the northwest parapet. He gazed out into the distance, he gained some peace in the view and in the night. Even though night was the time when the voice was loudest, he felt safe in the shadows. Stygian hoped that this wasn’t a sign of his affinity, he remembered a lesson from Star Swirl that all mages’ magic had an affinity for different elements, fire, earth, wind, water, lightning, metal, light, and…darkness. Some mages could command multiple elemental powers, others just one, Stygian took a test that should’ve shown him his affinity.

It consisted of placing your hands on a crystal ball that was imbued with multiple elements, when a new mage placed their hands on the crystal ball, the orb would glow either one or multiple colors to show their affinity. When Stygian did it, it remained gray, whenever he cast a spell, it wasn’t weak, but neither was it overly strong, just decent.

“Did I keep you waiting long?”

Stygian turned around and watched as Princess Platinum walked towards him, still dressed her royal garb. “Not at all, I just got here myself, it was quite a long journey.”

Platinum giggled as she joined him at the railing. “Liar, how many times have we come here? You know all the shortcuts to this spot, as do I. You’re just being polite, as always.”

Stygian rubbed the back of his head. “Is that a bad thing?”

Platinum turned her head towards him and smiled. “No, it’s quite endearing.”

“Still, probably not the best thing to call you out in this late hour, it’s nearly midnight, I wouldn’t want your guard to throw a fit,” said Stygian sincerely.

“Forget it, it keeps them on their toes you know.” Platinum reached into her robe and pulled out a ring. “Actually, I’m glad you asked me out, I wanted to give you a present before tomorrow came around.”

Stygian looked at the ring, it was sterling silver, with a finely cut ruby gemstone at the center of it, the young mage’s eyes widened with shock at the piece of jewelry. He wasn’t a jeweler, but even Stygian could tell that the ring would be worth a small fortune.

Sombra whistled when he saw the ring. “Damn kid, that’s a nice rock. She definitely likes you.”

“Platinum, thank you, but what do you mean before tomorrow?” Stygian asked.

The young Princess walked up to Stygian, she took his hand and slipped the ring over his ring finger on his right hand. “We’ve been getting reports of movement on the eastern border. The Kingdom of Swarel is threatening to go to war with us, unless we give up the land.”

Stygian furrowed his brow. “That’s ludicrous! That kingdom is run by a bunch of barbarians! There are many villages on the eastern border, if we give it to them, they’ll…they’ll…!”

“Rape, murder, pillage, and plunder as is their way. They will enslave our subjects, my father is suggesting negotiating with them for just the land and to allow us time to relocate our people, but it seems like they’re itching for a fight,” said Platinum with disdain. She turned away and glared out in the general direction of Swarel. “I wish they would burn.”

Stygian raised his hand to place it on Platinum’s shoulder but hesitated and pulled back. “I understand your anger, I don’t particularly hold any fondness for them. But we can’t damn all their people, surely as is with most, they are following the ways of those who are in power.”

Platinum stroked her chin as she began to think. “Then, perhaps it is time for a change in regime? Show their people a better way of living that doesn’t involve so much death?”

<^> But death is fun…especially when you’re the one bringing it to their wretched heads…! <^>

Stygian had to stifle a groan when he heard the hissing voice.

Platinum glanced over her shoulder and smiled coyly. “Stygian, I saw you hesitate to touch me.”

“Oh…um…”

The Princess turned around and placed her hands on her hips. “Are you afraid that your hand’s going to fall off if you do? Am I plagued?”

“W-What? No!” Stygian stated quickly.

“Then touch me, you’re one of the few people in this kingdom, the world quite frankly, that I trust enough to place their hands on me,” said Platinum honestly.

Stygian didn’t know what to say, or what to do as he tried to digest her words.

Sombra nudged him, which passed through him, and said, “I think she’s giving you the green light, kid.”

Still holding her coy smile, Platinum turned around and gently grabbed both of his wrists. She then guided those hands right atop her breasts, making Stygian lock up his body, freezing himself in place as his brain tried to process what was happening right now.

“These should be familiar to you, but I’m sure they’ve gotten bigger since the last time your hands were upon them,” said Platinum as she stared into Stygian’s eyes.

Stygian could only stutter and babble nonsense as he tried to form a coherent thought about what his hands were feeling right now, even through her clothes, Stygian could feel the curves of the Princess’ generous mounds. Yes, he indeed remembered that time long ago, as embarrassing as that is to admit, when he accidentally fell atop of the Princess and his hands landed on her budding chest. Since then his hands hadn’t forgotten the feeling, but now that moment in time was rapidly being replaced with this current sensation.

“P-P-Platinum! Y-You shouldn’t do that! Y-You’re a Princess and I’m just some apprentice mage from the slums!” Stygian argued.

“An apprentice mage, and a boy whom I trust very much with all my heart, even my body,” said Platinum. “In all my life you were and are the only one who sees past my royal airs, that moment in time when we were young was one of the happiest moments in my life. Because for that time, I could play like any normal child, and you treated me like one.”

Platinum released his wrists.

“I love being a princess, I love serving my people, but more than that, I want to be with someone who isn’t a prick of a pigheaded man, and you fit that description quite well. So, now, the choice is yours, Stygian, how do you want to proceed. Because right now, the only thing that’s keeping your hands on my chest is you.”

Stygian took a moment to look down at his hands and realized that Platinum had indeed removed her hands from his wrists. The young mage swallowed hard as his mind raced, trying to figure out what his next move should be. Platinum was essentially confessing her love for him, and Stygian would be lying if he hadn’t at least entertained the thought of being with Platinum, not just in a sexual way, but as possibly more if she’d have him. But he’d managed to keep all that buried and stay as a friend to her, believing that that was all he could be to her, a friend. As it turned out, she did want a friend, and for that friend to be Stygian, but another level of friendship.

“Y-You would…you and I?” Stygian asked.

Platinum leaned forward pressing his hands harder against her soft bosom. “Only you and me. However…if a night is all you wish; I am not opposed to that. I’d rather know a night with someone who cares about me, than one who only cares about their own pleasure.”

Stygian shook his head vehemently at that suggestion. “No! I’d never do something so boorish as to bed you! I will…I will be with you, Platinum…I…I love you.”

Sombra nodded his head and smirked. “Good choice kid, she’s quite the catch. Oop, good part’s comin’ up.”

Stygian and Platinum started to lean forward, their eyes closing slowly as their lips gently pressed against each other, a chaste kiss at first, but then evolved into something more passionate. The young mage released his hands from the Princess’ chest and wrapped them around her waist, while the Princess looped her arms around the mage’s neck. The two were lost in their own world, feeling years of pent up affection for the other finally coming to the surface and being released.

<^> Death approaches…! Be on guard! <^>

Be silent you malevolent voice, this is a moment I wish to cherish, and I will not let you sour it!

<^> The insect who threatened you, he is close! There are others nearby, run, buy time…! <^>

Insect…? Gallant?!

Stygian abruptly ended their kiss and scanned the area, when he turned around he saw the knight from earlier that day, Gallant, slowly approach them. Platinum took notice as well and fixed the knight with an annoyed glare.

“Heh, heh, what do we have here? Forcing yourself on the Princess? That’s grounds for execution little slum mage, you really fucked yourself this time,” Gallant accused.

Platinum put herself in front of Stygian and said, “Stygian did no such thing! I initiated this! I wanted Stygian to kiss me! And for that matter, why are you here, Gallant?! If I recall correctly, you’re to be guarding the wall and the Captain should’ve kept you there!”

Gallant stroked his stubbled chin. “Oh, yes, you did Princess. You see, he and I had a little talk, told him my talents were wasted on that wall.”

Platinum crossed her arms over her chest and fixed him with a death glare. “Oh, and what did he say?”

Gallant smirked and stepped forward, allowing what torch light and moonlight that was shining to illuminate Gallant. In his left hand was a dagger, and the blade was coated in red. “Let’s just say that he won’t be saying much of anything anymore.”

Both Stygian and Platinum froze in place, eyes wide with fear as they noticed that Gallant’s dagger was covered in blood. Stygian began muttering under his breath, starting a spell. Platinum could hear his faint muttering and knew that he was going to do something, the only thing that kept his actions hidden was her position.

Gathering her courage, Platinum stared angrily at the murderous knight. “How dare you! You killed your own captain?! What madness has befallen you?!”

Gallant chuckled. “No, Princess, not madness, clarity. I know about the invasion from Swarel, and that they seek to take our lands, but I know their ambition is greater than that. They will forge a path all the way to this stronghold and take all of us! Despite their barbarous ways of fighting, they are efficient in the art of killing. So efficient, that they know how to battle even mages, and know how to sneak into a stronghold.”

A whistling sound cut through the air, Stygian felt something sink into his right shoulder, causing pain to erupt through that point and down his arm. The force of the blow made him stumble forward, Platinum turned around and gasped when she saw a crossbow bolt penetrating his right shoulder, warm blood spilling from the wound and staining his tunic.

“Stygian!” Platinum cried.

At that moment, multiple explosions took place on the far end of the castle. Both teens watched as flames erupted from those points, creating dim, orangey light.

“Heh, heh, a distraction, all our forces will be heading to those points, which are far away from us, you can scream all you want, but there’s no one coming to save you,” said Gallant.

Stygian glared at Gallant, but with few simple words, Stygian’s left hand glowed bright with violet energy. He lifted his hand up quickly, prepared to launch his spell at the traitorous knight, but another crossbow bolt was loosed, this one striking him in the lower back, sending greater surges of pain to spread through his body. The pain, unfortunately, made him lose his concentration and with it the violet glow of his spell. Stygian was forced onto his knees as blood seemed from the wound on his back, but what was worse, he knew from the location of the pain, that the bolt must’ve hit a vital organ inside as he could feel something wrong inside.

“Yeah, I’m willing to wager that an experienced mage like Star Swirl might’ve been able to fire off a few spells before that happened, hell, probably might’ve had a ward around his body. Enough pain will make any man lose their concentration, only if they’re not strong of mind, which, apparently, you’re not, Stygian!” Gallant mocked.

Platinum went down on one knee and tried to prop up her dear friend and lover. “Stygian, stay with me, you’ll be alright!” The Princess looked over Stygian’s shoulder and watched as five men came walking towards them, one was armed with a crossbow, two with drawn swords, one with claw gauntlets, and another with a Morningstar. They were clothed in black robes and hoods that obscured their faces, but they all had a golden eye symbol emblazoned onto their cloaks.

<^> Just a little more…<^>

Stygian’s vision was getting a little blurry, but he could see that Platinum was right in front of him, trying to keep him awake. But the moment his vision came back into focus, Gallant came up behind Platinum and hooked his arm around her neck, jerking upwards to make the Princess stand up as he squeezed his arm tighter around her. Platinum struggled as she was forcefully stood up, feeling the armor press against her neck and coming close to cutting off her air supply.

“L-Let me GO!” Platinum demanded.

“Oh, I will, once we get to Swarel, and stop your squirming!” Gallant raised his dagger up with his left hand and pointed it at Platinum’s face, making the Princess go still. “That’s right, hey, slum mage!”

Stygian, weakly, raised his head up. The assassins gathered around and readied to kill him, but Gallant gestured for them to wait.

“I’m not as terrible as you think, I’ll at least give you something good to see before you die,” said Gallant with a vicious, devious grin.

Gallant lowered his blade to where Platinum’s cleavage was barely visible. The traitorous knight ran the blade downwards, piercing through fabric like a hot knife through butter, and with one swift stroke, he sliced open her dress. Gallant sheathed his dagger and used his free left hand to pull at the tear, exposing Platinum’s chest and stomach to the men before her. Her face went red with embarrassment, shame, and anger at what was happening to her and Stygian.

“Get a good look pissant peasant!” Gallant brought his left hand to Platinum’s left breast and groped it hard, earning a hiss of pain from the Princess. “This is probably the only pair of tits you’ll ever get to lay eyes on!”

Sombra’s mind flashed back to the night his family was killed, when the love of his life was taken from him; he couldn’t take this anymore Sombra yelled with absolute fury, he dashed towards Gallant and threw a punch, but just as before, he passed right through Gallant and Platinum. He stumbled for a minute but doubled back to try and take out the assassins. Again, it was no use, he was a phantom observer, and nothing he did would change these events. “Goddamn bastards! Not again…!”

Stygian’s fear of death was quickly being replaced with rage, and a fervent wish to kill these men, more so, to eviscerate Gallant for even daring to touch her.

<^> Do you wish to save her? <^>

YES!

<^> Then…happy birthday, Stygian…! <^>

At first, Stygian felt cold, but then that cold was replaced with invigorating power. The pain was erased, the fear was erased, the anger was gone, replaced by a cold fury. Sombra watched as Stygian raised his head, his eyes shining aquamarine as he was then engulfed by shadows, making the assassins and Gallant back away from him.

Sombra knew what this was, he was wondering why he was seeing this kid, but now it made sense, he really was a host of the Darkness.

The shadows rose until they were about the standing height of Stygian, those same shadows melted away from his body, revealing Stygian, but not as he once was. The young mage was clad in armor, rune marks were carved along the arms, legs, and chest, in the middle of the chest was a raven design, the slanted eyes of the avian creature were replaced with amethyst gemstones. A cloak of dark shadows rested over his shoulders and draped all the way down to his ankles, while a hood made of shadows was pulled over his head. When Stygian looked up, Gallant and Platinum gasped, his face was covered by an armored mask, the eyes were glowing, and for some reason, Gallant knew those eyes were looking right at him.

“S-Stygian…?” Platinum asked.

“Don’t worry, Platinum, everything will be fine now.”

Gallant sneered at the young mage, and redoubled his hold on Platinum, this time grabbing the knife and holding it close to Platinum’s heart. “Very nice spell, but no matter what illusion magic you use, it won’t scare me or them!”

“You’re wrong, Gallant, this is no illusion. I assure you.” Stygian’s voice was distorted as he spoke, focusing his attention on Gallant. “I’ll give you a chance to let her go, or else.”

“Or else what?!”

“Or else I’ll make you. Your friends can leave or die, let’s make that their choice.”

“FUCK YOU!” Gallant yelled.

Stygian nodded. Gallant raised his hand to stab the Princess, but a black tendril shot out of Stygian’s robe and latched itself around his hand, forcing Gallant to drop the knife. Another one lashed out and wedged itself between his right arm and Platinum. The tendril forced him to release her, allowing Platinum to fall to the ground, coughing as she held her sore neck.

“Platinum, please, close your eyes. I don’t want you seeing what happens next.”

Without any hesitation, Platinum shut her eyes tight and kept her head down. The assassin with the claw gauntlets charged forward and stabbed Stygian in the back, however, something was wrong. The assassin didn’t feel any resistance, the typical feeling of when a blade pierces flesh and bone, no, it was like he was stabbing air. That’s when he noticed that half his arm had disappeared into the shadow cloak. Stygian glanced over his shoulder, and in the next moment, a crunching sound was heard as the man screamed in pain. When he pulled back, the assassin found that half his arm was gone.

The assassin didn’t have much time to contemplate about his missing arm before an eel tendril exited the cloak and struck like a cobra, clamping its jaws around his throat and holding the assassin aloft in the air. Gargled cries of help came from the assassin, but were silenced when the creature bit down harder, piercing through the carotid arteries and spraying the man’s blood into the air. Stygian threw up a barrier around Platinum, keeping the blood from ever touching her.

The assassin with the crossbow fired a few of his bolts at him, but like the previous assassin, the bolts only seemed to disappear into the dark cloak, as if it wasn’t cloth at all, but rather, a void. A razor-sharp tendril snaked out of the cloak and impaled the crossbow assassin through his stomach. The two assassins with swords realized that attacking him from the back wasn’t safe, so they slipped around and began striking from the front. The first assassin slashed with his sword, but the moment his blade impacted his armor, it cracked and chipped. The second assassin thrust forward, but the sword broke in half upon contact.

Stygian summoned two more eel tentacles, both of which shot towards their opponents and pierced through their chests. The creatures came back out, beating hearts clinched between their jaws. The assassins managed to stay alive just long enough to watch the eels chow down on their beating organs before falling to the ground, dead. The last assassin tried to strike with his Morningstar, but the moment he swung it, Stygian caught the spiked ball in his right hand, causing the assassin to freeze in fear. Stygian crushed the ball of iron as if it was paper, ripped the iron ball off its chain and smashed it into his face, caving it in.

All the assassins were dead, save for Gallant. Stygian walked up to him, the glowing eyes narrowed to slits as he looked him in the eyes. “You betrayed our kingdom, and you were going to defile Platinum.”

“S-S-S-Stygian, please! I-I-I was forced to do it! They were going to kill me if they didn’t! I’m sorry! I had to make it convincing! P-Princess Platinum–!”

“SILENCE!” The tendrils around Gallant’s arms constricted until the bones snapped, making Gallant cry out in pain. “You are never to speak her name! Do you know what the punishment is for traitors? Beheading. But for you, I’ll grant you a far worse death that’ll make you long for the blade of the executioner!”

Several more eel tendrils rose from the cloak, all of them hissing and snarling as their red eyes locked onto Gallant, they could smell his fear, and it made them salivate. Gallant’s eyes grew as wide as saucer plates as ten eel tendrils surrounded him. A single bead of sweat fell from Gallant’s chin, that drop fell down, down, down, until it splattered against the stones below. That single drop was like a dinner bell to them, the eels began tearing into Gallant, tearing out chunks of his flesh, taking great care to not nick any arteries, they wanted him to feel every moment of his painful, agonizing death.

When they were done, the eels were fighting over his heart, tearing it to pieces between all ten of them until one finally got the whole of it and swallowed it. What remained of Gallant was a bloody mess of shredded organs and broken bones. Stygian released the barrier around Platinum and kneeled before her.

With a quivering voice, the Princess asked, “Is…Is it over?”

“Yes…it is…although, it’s probably best that you keep your eyes closed until we move away from here, and…I don’t want to frighten you.”

Platinum steeled herself and slowly opened her eyes, Stygian turned away, afraid to have Platinum see his armored face. But the Princess reached out and gently placed her right hand on his left cheek and turned his head so that she could look upon him. When she did, Platinum did not startle, she cried. She threw her arms around Stygian, surprising the young mage for a moment before he wrapped his arms around her.

“I could never be afraid of the person who saved my life! I love you, Stygian!” Platinum declared.

Stygian felt his heart swell with love for Platinum, holding her tight, but making sure not to hurt her with his newly formed armor.

Sombra smiled wanly at the scene before him, part of him wishing that the Darkness had appeared sooner, or that time had gone by quicker so that he could get it before they killed Hope.

“The Darkness always seems like a godsend, at first.” Sombra jumped when he heard Stygian’s and saw that he was standing next to him. “That’s how it lures you.”

“What are you trying to tell me, Kid? Why are you showing me this?” Sombra asked. “I get you were a host to the Darkness, but why are you reaching out to me?”

“You don’t have control, Sombra. Not like you believe you do.”

Sombra scoffed at that. “Says you, I worked for years to rein in the Darkness, and I have.”

Stygian shook his head as he chuckled. “You think you do, as did I. But you’ll see…and as far as why I am reaching out to you, our lives are more intertwined together than just the bond of being a host to the Darkness.” A rumble came across the world and shadows began to engulf it. “Better that I end our story time now, the Darkness doesn’t always see everything, so we’ll meet again, sooner than you think.”

Before Sombra could inquire further, the shadows had swallowed everything…

Sunset was nervous today, she was going to talk to Limestone, one on one. Their last encounter was when she came in and accused Sunset of cheating on Pinkie with another girl, before that there was the animosity she felt from her when Sunset came to their house to pick up Pinkie and show off her new bike. Now, this would be the third time they’ve met, if they met. When Pinkie came to Sunset that morning saying that she managed to talk Limestone into talking with her, she was conflicted. There were some things she wanted to clear up or at the very least get answers.

Sunset had decided to meet her at a restaurant with a bar, Limestone was twenty, although something told Sunset that Lime had probably had a few even before she was of legal drinking age. Sunset looked at her bracelet and asked, “What do you think my chances of this going well are?”

}}}……{{{

Sunset sighed, Witchblade had been silent since the night they battled against Sombra. To be honest, she didn’t blame him. Ever since the appearance of the Darkness and Angelus, Witchblade has been on edge, but then again, if Sunset saw her mother and father for the first time after so many years, she’d feel the same way too. In a way, they were both estranged from their parents, Sunset’s mother and father had, at one time, just been normal unicorn ponies, yes they were scrimping by and on the fringes, but they were doing alright. But then she got into Celestia’s school and became Princess Celestia’s protégé, and they became less like the ponies they once were, and more like the nobles that they had disliked. For Witchblade, it was worse, his parents have always been like this, only coming together once just to birth him into the world.

“If you feel like talking, you know I’m here,” said Sunset sincerely.

Just then Sunset spotted Limestone, she was wearing ripped denim jeans, and a gray shirt that had the word’s “Hardcore” written in red on it. Sunset found that ironic, for Limestone it worked on two levels. Limestone walked in with her typical grumpy expression, but when she spotted Sunset, the grumpiness lessened, she seemed more awkward now. The eldest of the Pie Sisters continued walking until she was at the booth where Sunset was seated.

“Hey,” Sunset greeted.

“Hey,” Limestone replied.

The older girl sat down across from her; the atmosphere was tense as Sunset thought of a way to start off their conversation.

Damn, she may not have a rack like Pinkie, but she’s still hot!

What is with these weird thoughts?!

“Shimmer.” Sunset snapped out of her thoughts and looked directly at Limestone. “How’re you feelin’? Last time you had an episode or something…”

“Oh, yeah, don’t worry about it,” said Sunset as she waved it off. “I actually do owe you an explanation. How much has Pinkie told you about, well, about where I come from?”

Lime sighed and leaned back against her seat as she crossed her arms. “She told me you were some horse thing that came out of a portal that’s apparently in that statue at her school. Although Pinkie Pie usually spouts random crap, there’s usually a straight answer if you dissect it. But, honestly, I can’t dissect it, it doesn’t’ make sense either way you slice it.”

Sunset chuckled. “Well, that’s because it’s true, I am from another dimension filled with magical talking equines, or in layman’s terms, ponies. And I was a unicorn, the best in magic.”

Limestone raised an eyebrow as the corner of her mouth rose. “Okay, you and Pinkie are dating, but you don’t always have to back up her batshit crazy stories.”

“She’s not making it up, I am a unicorn, from a different – somewhat parallel – dimension.”

Limestone still wasn’t convinced. “Okay, Shimmer, you said you’re a ‘unicorn’. Those weeb shows say that unicorns can use magic, so do some magic. And none of that quarter behind the ear, sleight of hand BS. I mean real magic, like…” Limestone looked around, trying to think of something that Sunset could do to prove that she could use magic. Her eyes fell on the glass of water in front of her and said, “I know, make this disappear.”

Sunset rubbed the back of her head, “Well…that’s a little difficult. I mean, here, in your world, I don’t have much magic, and what I do have doesn’t let me do stuff like that – as much as I want it to…” As she said that, an idea struck her. “But I can do something else that might convince you.”

Limestone smirked. “Show, don’t tell.”

Sunset gripped Limestone’s cup, while she didn’t have full access to the magic of her unicorn form, she could, however, use the magic that was in the Witchblade to summon enough heat to make the water boil. The flame haired girl concentrated, feeling the power of the Witchblade without causing it to transform. Soon, the water started to ripple, and Limestone looked confused. There was an increase of heat around the glass, enough that Limestone noticed the distortion of the air around the top of the glass.

“What the…?” Limestone whispered.

The water in the glass began to bubble, slowly, but then it rapidly bubbled and then…

*crack*

Sunset looked at the glass and noticed that it was cracking, “W-What’s going–?”

In the next moment, the glass shattered in front of them, making Limestone quickly get out the booth along with Sunset. Of course, this drew the attention of some of the people in the restaurant, which only made the situation more awkward. Limestone went to touch the water but hissed in pain as she swiftly retracted her hand; it was boiling hot.

“Shit…!” Limestone gasped. “That water’s scalding hot!”

Sunset looked at her hand, she didn’t mean for that to happen, she only wanted to make the water boil, not heat it up until it shattered. “Well…does this convince you anyway?”

Limestone looked to Sunset and nodded. After the waiter came by and wiped off the booth, both girls sat back down, only now Limestone knew that Sunset wasn’t kidding, and at this point, she was probably going to start paying more attention to the stuff Pinkie said from now on.

“So…you’re some kind of alien then?”

“Heh, technically yes,” Sunset smirked and added, “why, going to report me and have me deported?”

“Ha, ha, funny. You look human enough, so that’s fine, but if you want to let me give you a more thorough exam, I’m down,” Limestone shot back.

A small blush appeared on both of their faces, but Sunset chuckled at the dirty undertone. “Maybe, but only if Pinkie’s there watching, I’ll make it a show.”

Limestone felt a slight heat rise inside her at the thought and decided to change the subject. “So, I saw your bike outside. Valkyrie, right?”

“Heh, damn right it is, and I practically got it for a steal! It’s my new baby, and I’ll be damned if anything happens to it!” Sunset declared. “You like bikes too?”

Limestone shrugged. “I’d like to ride one, they look cool. But Mom and Dad won’t let me, too afraid of me getting into an accident and having my skull bust open on some godforsaken highway.”

Sunset nodded her head in understanding. “I know what you’re talking about, the first time I said I was riding, Celestia freaked. But, in the end, she helped me get my first bike – may it rest in peace.”

“Pssh, at least your ‘rent helped you get one. I’m twenty, a legal adult, but guess I can’t complain too much, I mean, they are helping me pay on my car while I’m going to college. ‘Rents, right?”

Both girls chuckled at the direction this conversation was going, but nonetheless it seemed like the awkward tension was leaving the air, if nothing else. But when it lulled, Limestone decided to get back on track. “Okay, so, I think we need to talk about what happened at your place.”

“Yeah, we do. Do you still have that video on your phone?” Sunset asked.

Limestone reached into her pants pocket and took out her cellphone, she went through a few of her files and opened the video. She turned the phone around and showed it to Sunset. “I do, I haven’t deleted it yet because I still need to figure out what’s going on and whether or not I should show this to Mom and Dad yet. So, what’s going on?”

Sunset took a deep breath and then exhaled. “It’s like this…” The former unicorn mare went into a truncated version of last weekend's events. She didn’t mention the Witchblade or Ember Stone, but she did mention that the girl in the video was Sunset Shimmer, but it was the Sunset of their world, and that the other girl was Twilight Sparkle. Limestone seemed to know that name through Pinkie Pie, but Sunset told her that the Twilight Pinkie was friends with was a denizen of her world, and that the Twilight in that video is the Twilight Sparkle of Lime’s world. Then came the sleepover, and that’s about where she ended it, you know, other than the monster battle. “So, yeah, that’s what’s going on.”

Limestone looked back at her phone, and then back at Sunset. She had to admit that was a tough pill to swallow, alternate dimensions, two Sunset Shimmers – admittedly she found the notion hot as hell – and apparently magic was real. Then again, so were demons and apparently angels, so why not this too? Limestone put her phone away and ran her hand through her hair as she sighed heavily, “I need a drink…” Limestone flagged down their waiter. “Hey, get me a Tres Equis.”

“I’ll need to see some ID,” said the waiter.

Limestone reached into her wallet and pulled out a card, after a couple of seconds, the waiter nodded and went to grab her drink. A minute later, the waiter returned with the beer bottle and left it for Lime. She took the bottle, popped the cap, and took a swig. “Just so you know, I’m not making a pun by drinking this, I just happen to like it, and I need something to help me make sense of all this.”

Sunset leaned in and whispered, “Was that a fake ID?”

“Yep, and I kinda needed this after hearing all that. Do you drink?” Limestone asked.

“Uh…kind of, but not really. I have at parties, but only because I was obligated to. I mean, I’m essentially in an alien world, I couldn’t afford to let myself get shitfaced and drunk, I had to stay alert, a lot. At least back before I changed,” said Sunset.

“Sorry to hear that. Sounds like it sucks to have to be on edge twenty-four-seven,” said Limestone. “That being said, you really like Pinkie?”

Sunset nodded her head in earnest. “I do, during that whole Anon-A-Miss thing, when she finally saw that it wasn’t me, she helped me keep my spirits up when everyone around me was against me. If she wasn’t there, I probably would’ve run back home…of course, that has its own complications, so, really, it was a lose-lose situation no matter what happened. The only benefit I could see going back home would bring would be letting me use my magic again. Other than that…”

Limestone took another swig of her beer. “Well, guess it’s a good thing that you didn’t. I mean, Pinkie likes you, and–” The silver haired girl stopped talking, almost letting her feelings slip out. Limestone looked around for something else to talk about, and thankfully that something was on the TV. “Oh, look, they’re playing the news from earlier today!”

Sunset glanced towards the wall mounted TV, the news showed footage of Maria Mare giving a speech alongside Angelus about increasing the number of Sentinels that would be patrolling during the day and night. It left a bit of a sour taste in her mouth, especially after finding out that the Sentinels almost killed her interdimensional sister and Twilight, not that the other stuff they were doing before that was good either, but still.

Fucking Sentinels, if that angel bitch wasn’t inside Celestia I’d tear her apart!

……Not going to argue with that one.

Limestone noticed the grimace on Sunset’s face and asked, “Not a fan of that angel?”

“Let’s just say, I’m dubious of ancient entities who wield a whole hell of a lot of power. When you live in a magical world, you learn to be cautious of those who wield great powers and are slowly looking like they’re taking over the city,” said Sunset.

“You think that Angelus thing is trying to invade?” Lime asked.

“…I don’t want to say that, it’s just my paranoia talking is all,” said Sunset.

Limestone looked around and slid her bottle over to Sunset. “Take a swig, looks like you need it too.”

Sunset glanced about the room, and quickly took a swig. Her grimace deepened as the drink went down her throat. “Ugh, now I remember why I don’t drink much,” she said as she slid the bottle back to Lime.

Limestone took her own drink. “I don’t blame ya, not for everyone.”

“You know, if you want, we could talk a bit more at my place. I have a few unopened beers there,” said Sunset.

Lime raised an eyebrow. “What kind?”

“Tres Equis…” Sunset sheepishly smiled.

“…Pinkie told you what kind of beer I like, didn’t she?”

The former unicorn could only nod.

Limestone laughed as she said, “Typical Pinkie, I’m not even going to ask how you got those.” Lime finished off her drink. “Alright, let’s do that!”

Hours later, Sunset and Limestone were at Sunset’s home. To Sunset’s surprise, they had a good time just talking and cracking inappropriate jokes, Limestone drank most of the beers Sunset had procured, with Sunset herself only sticking to one just to be polite and not let Lime drink alone. Unfortunately, this did lead to Lime getting too drunk to drive home, and at Sunset’s insistence, she stayed over. Fearing that it would be bad for Limestone to take the bed, which was on a platform that was only accessible by stairs. And if there was one thing that Sunset knew, stairs and drunks do not mix.

“Mind if I make myself comfortable,” Limestone asked as she swayed a little.

Sunset moved to her closet and found an extra blanket and pillow, when she turned around, she blushed. Limestone had removed her pants and was sitting on the couch, pretty much spread eagle. “Oh, uh, heh, you made yourself real comfortable, huh?”

“Sorry, heh, my jams are at my house, you don’t mind, right?” Lime asked.

“N-Nope! N-Not all!” Sunset answered as he made her way over to her and placed the pillow at the end of the couch.

Limestone smirked when she saw the blush on Sunset’s face. “Checkin’ me out, Shimmer?”

“N-No! I promise!”

The eldest Pie Sister gave a bubbly chuckle. “That’s okay, I don’t really mind. You’re hot yourself, Shimmer.”

“T-Thanks.” Sunset finished opening the blanket and stepped back. “Okay, so, I’ll head up to my bed. If you need anything just yell, I don’t want you going up my stairs.”

“Ah, what’s the matter?” Limestone asked as she laid down and gave her a coy smile. “Afraid I’m going to jump you in your sleep?”

Sunset scoffed. “No, I’m afraid you’re going to fall and break your neck. Now get some rest.”

Limestone laid back with her hands behind her head and gave a little shrug. “Eh, your loss, Red.”

Sunset rolled her eyes, apparently Limestone was a pervert when drunk, but something told her that Limestone was like that normally but didn’t allow her defenses to go down for just anyone. She was surly and hardheaded from what Pinkie told her, but she also cared for her sisters, even if she said they annoy Lime to a level. Sunset started to wonder if she and her interdimensional twin would eventually become as close as they did, they were already on a similar wavelength, the only thing they lacked were the years of growing up together. Hopefully they could change that.

Once Lime was settled, Sunset got herself ready for bed. Sunset turned out the lights, ascended the stairs, and fed Ray before laying down in her bed. Sunset took a quick glance at her bracelet, Witchblade still hadn’t spoken to her all day, and then there were those intrusive thoughts. At first she thought it might’ve been Sunset Satan, but ever since their merger, she hadn’t come out to speak to her unless she was wavering in something, or needed a “kick in the ass” to get her to do something. What she didn’t like about these thoughts was that some of them had a layer of truth to them. As much as Sunset didn’t want to admit that Pinkie’s big sister was hot, she couldn’t deny that part of herself that found Limestone attractive.

And those thoughts about Lyra trying to steal Pinkie away, jealousy wasn’t a new emotion to Sunset, but wanting to break Lyra’s jaw was extreme. Granted, she hadn’t had a marefriend/girlfriend in a few years, the last relationship she had was with Flash Sentry, and she didn’t particularly like him. Appreciative of his understanding and willingness to put up with her bullshit, and teach her how to play guitar, very. She actually wished him the best in finding a girlfriend, although she hoped he wasn’t holding out for Princess Twilight because Sunset didn’t see that happening anytime soon, a crush was a crush, but there was no way Princess Twilight was going to leave all her friends and family behind, all that she achieved, to come to this magicless – chaotic – world to be with a boy she practically just met.

Likewise, if Flash had the foresight, there was no way he’d just forsake his friends and family, to give up living as a human, to live in a magical world filled with talking ponies. It wouldn’t just be culture shock; he’d be in a completely different body. Sunset had just gotten used to having hands, going from that to just hooves, and if his pony form wasn’t a unicorn or pegasus, his ability to pick things up would be limited.

But then again, people and ponies have been known to do some silly and stupid things in the name of love. Even give up their identities, but I can’t see Twilight – as much as she likes the guy – allowing him to give up his life here. She’s a grown mare, and he’s just a kid by comparison.

Plus, she’s probably getting enough pussy from her friends, and probably just as much dick from those farming ponies in Ponyville, why the hell would she settle for one? Faust knows I’d be face deep in ALL my friends, and if I’m feeling gracious enough, I’d give Flash a ride! Hell, I wouldn’t mind diving into Lime right now!

Sunset shook her head as the intrusive thoughts sounded off again, she growled in frustration and then pulled her covers over her head, closed her eyes, and willed herself into falling asleep…

Sunset was panting, her body felt hot, and her loins stirred. She didn’t know what was causing this or why it was happening, but she kind of liked it. Her eyes fluttered open and standing next to her bed was Limestone Pie. She made to open her mouth to ask why Limestone was there, but Lime swiftly brought up her right index finger to her lips and gave a slow, “Shhhh…” Sunset stayed quiet, watching as Limestone walked until she was at the end of her bed. For some reason, the blankets were gone.

Limestone removed her shirt, throwing it off the side of the platform, revealing her braless, B-cup breasts to Sunset. The former unicorn swallowed a lump as her eyes drank in all of Limestone Pie, her body was tight, slender, and had lean muscle. She learned from Pinkie that Lime enjoyed MMA fighting and working out in gyms to work out her frustrations, and it looked like all of that was paying off in the best ways possible. In a tantalizingly slow striptease, Limestone hooked her thumbs into the waistband of her panties. She turned around to show off her butt to Sunset, bending over, she removed her underwear, giving Sunset an abashed view of her pussy and ass.

Sunset gulped even harder, her face becoming redder as she realized that she was leaking a bit of arousal. Limestone got onto the bed, crawling until she was looming over Sunset. The fiery redhead’s heart was pounding in her chest, it had been a long minute since she had been with anyone, or anypony, so one could hardly blame Sunset for feeling highly aroused right now. Limestone gave a cocky smirk as she shot out her right hand and grabbed a handful of Sunset’s left breast, giving it hard squeeze. When Sunset yelped, Limestone took the initiative to slam her lips over Sunset’s mouth, shoving her tongue into the former unicorn’s mouth.

Sunset squirmed at the forceful foreplay that Lime was engaging in, but at the same time, she didn’t dislike it. If anything, it just got her worked up even more. Sunset reached behind Limestone and grabbed two handfuls of her tight ass, squeezing them just as hard as Limestone was to her, and even giving one cheek a slap loud enough to echo in the room. Limestone growled with satisfaction as she broke the kiss for a moment to grin.

“That’s it, Shimmer, don’t go easy on me!”

Sunset quickly met her lips with Limestone’s, this time shoving her tongue down Lime’s throat. The room was filled with their moaning kisses as Lime grinded her lower body against Sunset, but in a dramatic move, Sunset took her hands from Limestone’s ass and wrapped them around her waist, locking her in place. Limestone had barely a split second to register what Sunset was about to do before the world spun around and the eldest Pie Sister found herself looking up at Sunset instead of down.

Limestone’s smirk grew. “That’s what I’m talking about!”

Sunset panted harder as she sat on her knees and removed her pajama top, letting her C-cup breasts jiggle from the quick motion. Without really knowing why, when Sunset looked down, she saw that her pajama pants were gone as well, leaving her completely naked. She looked back at Limestone who was still shooting her a sultry grin.

“C’mon, Shimmer, give it to me! I’m way hotter than Pinkie, and I’m willing to put out! C’mon, fuck me! You know you want to…!”

“Wait…Wait, this…this isn’t right,” said Sunset as she put her right hand to her head. “W-Why am I doing this?! W-Why are you letting me do this?!”

Limestone propped herself up on her forearms as she continued to gaze into Sunset’s eyes. It was then that the whites of Limestone’s eyes began to fade into darkness, allowing only the emerald green of her iris’ show. “Just give in…give into your darker desires, Sunset…You want to fuck me, you want to have Pinkie all to yourself, and you want to kill Angelus for everything she’s putting Celestia through, and this city!”

Sunset was about to get off the bed, but Limestone crossed her legs over Sunset’s waist, keeping her locked in place and unable to get away.

“Just do it, stop trying to just be good all the damn time! Let it all out, all the bad you’ve had to bottle up, all the restraints you’ve had to put on yourself!”

Suddenly, black tendrils rose from under the bed, two wrapped around Sunset’s ankles, while two more wrapped around her wrists.

“Give in, give into your darkness, Sunset…!”

“No…NO…! NOOOOOO!!!!!!!”

Sunset’s eyes snapped wide open, she was back in her home, but not in her bed. She was standing before the couch, a defenseless sleeping Limestone Pie was in a deep, drunken sleep, lying sprawled out, the blanket having slunk off onto the floor. The fact that she had somehow made it from her bed to the couch in her sleep did creep her out, but what terrified her was the Witchblade. The metal strands were extending from bracelet like coiling vipers, some wrapping around her body, while others were slowly creeping towards Limestone, as if threating to violate her, dozens and dozens of them.

The gemstone of the Witchblade was glowing red, but the center had a dark spot, as if a black hole had formed. What’s more, the metal wasn’t its normal obsidian color, it was pitch black, as if the shadows had been given physical form. Sunset was panicking, she didn’t know what was happening. Why was the Witchblade acting like this? Why did she have that dream? Why was this happening at all? If she didn’t stop this, either she or the Witchblade were going to end up doing something irreversibly bad to Limestone.

Go back! Sunset willed the Witchblade to retract. It flinched for a second, but then continued slithering towards Limestone. Go BACK! She ordered it again, the strands shaking as if trying to heed her command. GO BACK RIGHT NOW!!! Sunset yelled her mental command as loud as she could, even going so far as to use the magic inside her to aid in her attempt. A red glow shot through the strands, instantly, the metal regained its silver coloring and all the strands slinked back into the bracelet, as if nothing had happened.

Sunset panted hard and nearly collapsed onto the floor. She looked at the bracelet again and saw that the black spot was still there, whatever was happening with the Witchblade wasn’t over. Sunset looked from the Witchblade and then to Limestone, she couldn’t stay here, if she did, there was no telling what would happen to Limestone. Sunset managed to wake herself up this time, but if it happened again and she didn’t…

“S-Something’s wrong with Witchblade, that has to be it, S-Sombra must’ve done something to me, to Witchblade! I-I need…Angelus!”

Sunset dashed up the stairs, pulled open her drawer, and took out her keys. She didn’t even bother to change, too panicked about what might happen if she stayed there any longer. With her mind made up, Sunset decided to go see the one person – rather, entity – who could help Witchblade, she just hoped the ancient Keeper of Balance wouldn’t be too pissed at her afterwards. She ran to the door, stopped for a moment, and glanced at the still sleeping Limestone, still unaware of how close she came to…

“No, don’t think about that, just go, now!”

Sunset threw open the door, locked it, and mounted her bike. The tires squealed as she peeled off down the road.

Next Chapter: Dark Truths / Light Lies Part 3 Estimated time remaining: 7 Hours, 13 Minutes