PART ONE; Focus.
Princess Cadance focused on nothing but protecting the Crystal Empire. She focused all her energy into the very same shield that prolonged King Sombra's return the first time, years ago. Her magic felt weaker. She felt tired. Hungry. Useless. He tried to remember the shield spell. She concentrated harder than ever before.
The Princess jumped when her husband stoked her light pink back.
"Cadance," Shining Armour softly said, "I think its time you rest. Or at least eat. Its hard I know, but that's no reason to starve yourself."
Cadance turned to look at him with her bloodshot eyes. Her mane was matted and her ribs protruded. She looked less like a princess and more like a prisoner.
"I can't, this is my responsibility. If you'll excuse me, I have an Empire to protect." Cadance turned around once more.
"Look-" Shining Armour started.
"No," Cadance barked, "you look. Look outside. Sombra is out there, somewhere. And wherever he is, he's planning an attack on this city and the ponies that live here. I simply can't let them die."
Shining Armour was surprised at her sudden outburst. Cadance had -for the most part- been a very passive pony, so for her to break out in a sudden rage was most unexpected. He gave her back a soft pat and left the room.
Cadance focused. Cadance concentrated. Cadance struggled.
After several hours of that, the Princess made her way up to the roof-top. She took in a deep breath, the air smelled clean. The sky was beginning to turn orange, there were no clouds in sight. She Looked out onto the horizon and saw a single grey cloud fast approaching. She slowly backed up, hhre eyes still locked on the cloud. As it grew bigger and came closer, she realized it was hardly a cloud but actually a menacing King Sombra galloping towards the Crystal Empire, clouds of polluted smoke pouring from his hooves as he increased his speed.
"SHINING ARMOUR!" Cadence shrieked, feeling hypocritical, "H-Help me!"
Shining Armour's ears perked up. He heard Cadance from above. He galloped through countless chambers and up countless sets of stairs before he made it to the roof. He kicked open the door. He saw his wife standing still, in the middle of the roof. In front of her stood Sombra, his and Cadance's eyes locked.
"Babe?" Shining's voice wavered. Cadance remained.
"Cadance? Listen to me, okay? You have to turn away. Look at me," Shining Armour pleaded.
Cadance heard nothing he had to say. She heard a solid ringing in her ears. She couldn't focus on anything but the pair of piercing green eyes that sat in front of her.
"Caaaadaaanceee…" A wispy voice sang in her ears.
Cadance felt dizzy.
"Cadaaance.." It sang
Yes? She thought. She could hardly see. The ringing in her ears increased in volume.
"Cadance," It whispered, "Let go."
Cadance obeyed as she collapsed, hitting the roof-top with a dull thud.