It took me a while to notice this since it is so dark, but as my eyes adjust to the dark, I steadily realize that I can see auras and energy whenever King Sombra transforms me into some smoky cloud form.

Seen from the skewed perspective of the shadow plane from high above the town I live, I realize that it looks like a desolate wasteland that's long been abandoned. It is as if a nuclear holocaust swept through this area centuries ago. What few buildings remain standing seem blackened and decayed.

Seen in this perspective, I don't know how my possessor knows where he is going, but he flies on in a straight and confident course.

Eventually we start to land. I have no idea where until we do land and he transforms us back into human form. Only then is the desolate, warped, shadowy world wiped away and replaced by something far more familiar to me, my home.

Your home, not mine! Sombra bitterly reminds me. I'm about to change that, however.

I know the combination to the front door of my house. You don't need to bust in like a brute.

I'm well aware of that. I know what you know, poppet. There is no need to waste my power unnecessarily right now when there is nopony else here to impress, so for once . . . I'll do things your way.

It's so eerie to watch my own hand punch in the passcode to enter our home without any conscious effort on my part. It makes me feel like this is all a dream.

Sombra proceeds to use my body to open the door and enter it normally, but things change up when K-9 happily yaps up to us in order to greet us. Without looking at it or flinching, Sombra waves one of my hands while I feel dark magic pop around my hand. As a result, K-9 telekinetically lifts up then flings against the wall hard enough to shatter it.

K-9!!! NOOOO!!!

Get a hold of yourself, girl. It is just a worthless toy, Sombra mentally says to me with casual indifference. This is why your plans failed. You get so sentimental over irrelevant trash. As I keep reminding you, make use of your resources only while they are valuable, and discard the rest. Attachment breeds frailty.

I inwardly look at him as an epiphany strikes me. I feel like I'm being schooled in the ways of super-villainy. The more I learn about it from a true master of the art, the more I realize how far from those standards I really am.

And for good reason. I've never been able to force myself to feel or be as empty as he is. I've never been able to be so completely detached and dispassionate about anything. Sometimes I come close, but never to this degree.

I swear, for all the feelings I am detecting from him, or lack thereof, I feel like I'm talking to an illusion. His dark presence fills me, and yet I still feel so alone.

In fact, somehow I feel even more isolated. I don't know why.

“And what do we have here?” Sombra asks aloud as he inspects the thick door which leads to the basement. He uses my hands to pat the seams of the door, then he says, “Most impressive. This door is actually airtight. You humans do occasionally impress me with your craftsmanship.”

I take it that's a problem? You can't just phase through it in mist form?

“I used to be able to before I became more corporeal,” Sombra explains.

Then what are you going to do? You can't get through that door, and Mom surely changed the password.

“No doubt,” Sombra agrees. “I'll have to give Mrs. Sparkle that much credit, at least, but she surely wouldn't be prepared for someone of my resources and tenacity.

“Observe.”

Sombra slams the palm that holds the fused magic crystals on the side of the door that has the hidden hinges. After that, he closes my eyes while he appears to concentrate.

I feel the cold chill of magic tingle all around my body, especially along my arms and hands. The magic pours and seems to seep into the door cracks.

All of my life, I wanted to experience the flow of magic but, now that I am experiencing it for the first time, I sense its draining qualities. I sense how it somehow makes me feel like less than before as if it's trying to turn me into an empty shadow as well.

It still fascinates me, but it also makes me feel like this kind of power is not worth its price. If this kind of magic makes me “fake” somehow, just like he is, then I'd prefer to pass on it.

Sombra, however, doesn't appear to have a soul to suffer the consequences of this kind of magic, so he can draw upon it with impunity.

Maybe, I theorize, he did have a soul at one time, but repeatedly drawing upon this kind of power source drained him of all of his internal color long ago. He seems to enjoy the evil he causes, but I don't sense any true pleasure within him. He's more like a digital character programmed to simulate emotional responses.

Although my eyes are closed, I feel growth under my hands and I hear the groan of strained metal. I eventually realize, with astonishment, he is growing crystal in this tiny seam to rip apart the hinges of the door.

“There.” Sombra opens my eyes then backs off from the door. “That should do it. Now,” he lifts my hand that still clasps the fused crystal, “time to . . . How did you put it?

“Ah yes! Now I remember.

“Time to bust in with brute force!”

Black and purple energy pop dramatically around my hand. The same kind of energy envelops the door. A moment later, it yanks across the hallway so hard and so fast that it almost completely crashes through the wall at the other end of the hallway.

Was that really necessary? I mentally complain to him.

Remember this always, poppet. To subjugate one's enemies and inferiors, never be afraid to employ overwhelming force. It is not always necessary, mind you, but it is an effective tactic to cow one's opposition and set a firm example to the rest which, in turn, squashes would-be future rebellion to one's sovereignty.

Uh-huh. Okay, tough guy. Riddle me this: If your tactics are as effective as you say, then how come you don't already rule Horse-Land?

I hear him growl in annoyance using my body.

Huh? I remind him like mentally poking him with a stick repeatedly.

It's “EQUESTRIA”, my little poppet! Get it right! How many times must I remind you?

Also, those lands are populated by more than just “horses”, as you like to call us, so your term is a misnomer anyway.

Ooo! I hit a nerve! How fascinating!

I find the fact that he was so eager to change the subject a little adorable. Now I'm learning how to push his buttons. I'll keep a mental note of that. That knowledge might come in handy.

I am forced into a shadowy, smoky form again and fly down the flight of stairs.

You forgot to turn on the light switch back there, genius!

What need have I of the light when I can see in the DARK?!

For some reason, that declaration chills me.

I fly over to Mother's repaired machine. Once there, I hover over it.

Now what? I mentally ask him. You can't just tear through this obstacle, or you'll destroy what you seek to use, and again . . . Mother must have changed the password by now.

I have no need of that password. All that would have done is spark the catalyst. That is what your mother programmed this machine to trigger.

However, I have magic of my own. All I have to do is use it to trigger the correct point myself.

Give me a moment.

He appears to study the machine for a while. I suspect, because he can see energy in this form, it assists him with his arcane analysis of the machine.

After a long pause, he mentally declares triumphantly, Ah-ha! I see what she did there. Very clever.

You know what, my little poppet, your mother is actually pretty useful. Maybe I'll return one day and claim her as my slave.

You better not! I threaten.

Or you'll what? Not be my friend anymore?

Please! Your threats are meaningless to me now.

Sombra zaps energy at a very precise point of the machine then turns to look at the mirror as the energy he shot earlier travels through the machine and, eventually, zaps the mirror which converts it into a portal.

I seeded some crystals in the machine, too, which will expand two minutes after we part from this world, Sombra mentions to me. That will wreck the machine from this end. Now all I have to do is wreck it from the other end.

Then you can never return to my world and enslave anyone, including my mother.

Nor can Princess Twilight get to us either. As long as that remains true, she can never threaten us with her disgusting “friendship” powers, but just in case . . . I'll need to do some tweaking to the minds of the rest of her friends in Equestria.

I'm leaving her Majesty here so she can fully absorb the pain of her failure, but I won't make the mistake of leaving the rest of her friends' minds and spirits intact. Knowing that I'm enslaving them will also further serve to torture Twilight.

Ever consider why that tactic would work, if it does?

Foolish sentiments. The typical calling card of the weak.

If they are so weak, then how were they able to beat you?

Through the Magic of Harmony, Sombra explains. But I'll soon make short work of that. I won't underestimate them again.

You already did. You could have killed them in your crystal prison back there.

Ah, but where is the fun in that? Death would release her from her suffering, and I'm much too cruel to permit that.

You arrogant asshole!

He makes me shrug as he mentally says, Well, if it works. Only the winners of the war write the tale.

Careful. The credits to this story aren't rolling yet.

Sombra almost proceeds through the mirror, but pauses in confusion as he is momentarily wondering what I meant by that statement, most likely because he didn't understand the movie term “rolling credits”.

I get the feeling he consults my memories to help explain that one because, a moment later, he shrugs carelessly.

Well now, say goodbye to your disgusting human form.

Or, should I say, my human form? This is my new body, after all.

Call it what you will, I tell him with a mentally dejected sigh. I don't care anymore. I feel like I'm basically dead anyway. I lost everything I ever cared about, so the rest of my life doesn't matter anymore.

That's the spirit! He mentally encourages me before diving through the mirror in mist form.

* * *

I land on the other side of the portal in a heap. After that, I seem to momentarily lose consciousness but, when it returns, I am not the one opening my eyes, crawl into a sitting position, and examine my forward hooves.

Nor am I the one that starts a burst of maniacal laughter about that fact.

Something is wrong! The more I experience it, the more I am certain.

I can hear Sombra's maniacal laughter. I can feel it vibrating my throat and collapsing my chest somewhat, but inwardly . . . nothing but cold emptiness. I sense thought, but not even the slightest bit of emotion. He is action and thought without substance. It's almost as if he's not really here.

“I've always known that I would return to my ancestral home from the Nether,” Sombra brags proudly out loud. “I didn't, however, foresee that I would return as a lowly mare, of all things, but eh . . . I return none the less.”

Lowly? I mentally ask him in a tone of objection. I admit, there might not be many that can kick your butt, but that's hardly a fair assessment. That hardly makes us weak.

“I beg to differ,” Sombra says aloud in a tone of disgust.

Didn't a group of mares keep kicking your butt in the past? Maybe it's not so wise to underestimate us.

Besides, where would you be without us? I'm sure life would not be much fun, and without us . . . you wouldn't have life at all!

Sombra makes me shrug as he picks up the fused, multi-color crystal as he admits, “True. I suppose you have a point, which is why I must prepare for what is to come.”

He squashes the crystal between both of my hooves. I notice it change shape. It now looks like an elongated and curved horn with a base twice as thick in the middle of the horn. It also has a pointy tip at two points. The most pronounced is at one end and a two-inch needle is below the base.

I must warn you . . . this next move is going to hurt . . . a lot!

Hmm? What are you-?

I notice the crystal horn levitating above my head. The two-inch needle end aims at my forehead.

If I can widen my eyes in horror at that moment, I would.

What are you-?

NO! SOMBRA, WAIT!

An unbelievable amount of stabbing pain shoots into my now pony-shaped skull. The worst part about it is that pain spread from my forehead and seems to crawl along many of my veins.

I would have given a shrill scream if I could still control my body. As it is, I do so inwardly.

Sombra, however, takes it like a champ. He barely utters more than a few painful grunts through my body.

I don't know how long we both suffer this agonizing torture. When it finally passes, I feel so drained.

Once it is done, Sombra reaches up to my forehead and applies a bit of pressure to a new artificial appendage extending upward from my forehead. Just the merest touch shoots another wave of pain throughout my body, but the fact he applied additional pressure to that touch marks him as a true sadist.

You're HORRIBLE! I mentally complain. Don't do that to me again!

It was necessary to bind us even closer to this power source. If I'm going to return to my homeworld and take it over, I'll do it as a unicorn . . . even if the “horn” is artificial, in this case.

But, in conjunction with your wings, Sombra mentally says in an admiring tone as he looks upon them, I guess this simulates my ascension into an alicorn, except not really yet. Soon, though, I shall claim their immortality.

As it stands, I do have alternate methods to extend my life already. I have ways that most other ponies would consider to be dark and unnatural.

Hmm. It just occurred to me . . . this end of the portal is a mirror too, isn't it?

Well then. Let's see what I have to work with here.

Oh, please do! I look very adorable as a pony!

He lifts my left eyebrow as he asks aloud, “Are you trying to disgust me?”

No, but . . . is it working?

“Honestly, yes! So stop it unless you want me to touch my horn again!”

Eeep!

I'll be a good girl! I promise!

Sombra approaches then spins about to view herself through the mirror.

As I expect, my clothes are gone again. I guess that isn't that much of a loss in this world, though it does tend to make it harder to disguise oneself. I should know.

The “horn” is a new feature, though. It protrudes from my forehead like a gaping wound. In fact, blood is still trickling down my forehead.

But the horn does not stop there. Jagged lines of black crystal seem to spread away from my forehead, down my neck, and extend . . . well, pretty much everywhere on the visible parts of my new horse body.

Gods! No wonder it hurt like the dickens earlier! In fact, I am still concerned that this raises serious medical issues for us.

“Hmm. Not bad,” Sombra admires with a dim smirk on my face, but it immediately drops when he focuses on my mane style. Looking at that, he drops my eyelids halfway. “Seriously, poppet, how can you stand that disgusting thing? It looks like a bird’s nest on top of your head.”

Hey! Lay off the insults, will ya? It's my body . . . or at least it was. I think it's cute!

“And that argument is supposed to entice me . . . how?” he challenges me.

Because . . . you have to be nice to girls? I ask in a hopeful and adorable rising mental inflection. It's the polite thing to do.

“I don't need courtesy because I am a KING! I don't need to appease my lessers. Instead, they all bow to me!”

My “horn” flares with magic. As a result of it, he uncurls my mane. Not only that, but my mane seems to float up in a motion akin to a flickering flame. After that, he examines my reflection in the mirror again. He winces, but not as severely this time.

“That's a bit better,” he grumbles in a grumpy way.

Meanie!

“It's my body now! I make the rules regarding it.

“And, ah . . .” he sighs in annoyance as he continues to regard my pony face, “. . . I can see that it's going to take a lot of adjustments to make this,” he gestures at my reflection with a hoof, “into a fearsome impression again. I'll need to figure out how to scare as a mare.

“Hmm.” He rubs my chin with a hoof thoughtfully. “Maybe I should create a scary mask to hide this disgusting face.”

I inwardly cringe at the thought. I always figured that being cute is my strongest selling point. I can see that it's going to take him a long time to realize that girls play through life using a very different set of rules. We're powerful too, but in our own way.

I'm so worried that, one day, I'll grow so accustomed to his disgusting changes in me that I won't even care anymore. Until then, my discomfort proves to myself that I still have a human heart.

Which is far more than I can say for him! I'm not even sure if he has a pony heart. Maybe he never did, but that seems unlikely unless he really was born an empty asshole.

“Well,” he waves a hoof through my straighter mane, “I suppose this will have to do . . . for now.

“And now to destroy the mirror itself, unless . . .”

For the first time, it seems as though he's carefully evaluating his surroundings.

See something interesting?

“Yes. The energy of this place. It feels . . . familiar to me.”

Familiar in what way?

I take the smoky shadow form again, apparently. From that form, Sombra more carefully studies the energy he sees all over this room, particularly in the walls, ceiling, and floor.

After that, he shifts back to pony form and presses both of my forward hooves into the ground. He closes my eyes for a good long while, then I feel him making me smirk a bit.

“Ah! I see! So this place was grown from the Tree of Harmony!”

Is that significant?

“Yes, my little poppet! It is!”

How so?

“It means this place is an extension of a power center for my enemies. Twilight Sparkle and her so-called 'friends' draw their strength from the Elements of Harmony which was grown from the Tree of Harmony. Power like that can be a severe threat to me, so it must be expunged. I know that the Tree itself is no more, but this place is a remnant of it.”

So . . . what are you going to do?

“Do?” He forces my lips into an evil smirk. “Well, my little poppet, I'm going to finish what I started!

“Behold my POWER!”

He slams both of my forehooves hard onto the ground and pours a lot of energy into the floor. He smiles widely with a gaping maw that drools as he savors the look of a black stain spread away from the point where my hooves slammed into the ground.

A black spot spread all around then past me. It looks like tiny, 2D tendrils made of shadow lead a few inches around the spreading circle.

I watch in a mixture of fascination and horror as the entire floor turns black from the spreading corruption. After that, the blackness crawls up along the walls, then the ceiling. I can only imagine that it spreads further beyond that point. It also seems that, the more it spreads, the faster it spreads.

“This castle . . . and all who dwell within it . . . shall crumble and fall!” Sombra promises as he raises my forehooves slowly and dramatically. “Darkness spreads, twisting it and feeding it! The writhing agony of this castle is the lifeblood of this curse! All who oppose it shall suffer with no end in sight!”

Geez! I gasp in horror at him. Lighten up, will ya?

“You are beholding a momentous and historic moment!” Sombra promises me with that same dramatic flair. “The fall of the previous regime marks the beginning of another! Once my regime starts, it shall see no end! I'll make sure of that!”

And look super adorable while doing it, too! I tease.

King Sombra gives me an inward glare, then taps my new horn to punish me.

This chapter was originally combined with the next. Not only was is too long, but it wasn't necessary thematically, so I broke it up.