The Cutie Mark Crusaders were watching from nearby as the elements fled the Castle, looking scared and insecure.

"What the hay happened to our sisters?" Apple Bloom said.

"I bet some mean pony did this!" Sweetie Belle said.

"Hey, maybe if we can defeat that mean pony, we'll get our cutie marks." Scootaloo said.

"That...actually would make a lot of sense. Maybe this is what we're meant to do: Help out the elements for whenever there's a foe that they alone can't get past." Sweetie Belle said.

"I'm liking this idea..." Scootaloo said.

"Then we know what we have to do..." Apple Bloom said.

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS ELEMENT HELPERS, YEAH!" The three fillies said in unison at the top of their lungs.

Twilight was currently bowing before King Sombra.

"I'm quite impressed with how devious you've been and how much you've proven your worth to me." King Sombra stated.

"As I have mentioned, my plans for Ponyville have only just began; to say nothing of my plans for Canterlot and the lands beyond." Twilight said.

"Plans that you are putting forth in an effort to become my queen. I must say, I didn't expect you to become so...savage..." King Sombra said.

"The savagery is necessary; to get my friends to join us willingly, I must first break their spirits. Only then can the darkness begin to take root inside each of them." Twilight said. "Now that their spirits are partially broken, the next part of my plan can begin. As we speak, my friends are fleeing into Ponyville, where I suspect they'll be spotted by the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Once the three young fillies spot my fleeing friends, they'll have the idea to try and defeat the evil pony that lurks in this castle." Twilight explained.

"At which point, you will break their spirits, and get them to join us willingly, so that they can provide proof that joining us willingly is in the best interest of all your friends." King Sombra said.

"Even if things are moving slower then your used to, you cannot deny the results with Spike. The CMC will be just as easy, if not more so, considering they've been bullied. Attacking their already fragile spirits will be child's play." Twilight said. King Sombra laughed.

"Twilight Sparkle...I think I'm going to enjoy your presence for many years to come." King Sombra said.

"Does this mean..." Twilight was going to ask but was stopped by King Sombra.

"But, in order for me to grant you full access to the dark arts, I want to see just how you'll attack these 'Cutie Mark Crusaders'. Once I've seen your verbal assault on them, I will make my decision on whether or not you'll get the honor to become my queen. I will at least tell you this: Even if I won't accept you as my queen right away, does not mean the honor will go away forever. You have at least proven your worth enough to earn my trust and my patience moving forward, and enough to where I believe you will not stab me in the back later." King Sombra said. Twilight was disappointed but nodded all the same.

"I won't let you down, my king." Twilight said.

"How many rooms can there be in this place?!" Scootaloo exclaimed. The trio of fillies have been exploring the Castle of Darkness for quite a bit now; wondering around aimlessly.

"If ah was an evil pony that scared off the elements...where would ah be?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Well...you'd most likely be in the throne room or a similar place to rule from." Sweetie Belle said. That's when they realized they've been wasting their time looking in random rooms.

"DUH!" The three fillies all said at the same time and started heading down the linear path marked by double doors.

"The CMC will be arriving very shortly, your highness." Twlight said, readying herself. "Brace yourself, my king, for I will show you just how easily I can break these three young fillies, and get them to accept their place as the Dark CMC!" Twilight said before giving off an evil laugh.