The horrible headache and loud ringing in the ears woke Sombra up. The cold sweat was streaming down his face and the disturbing images of yet another nightmare were still fresh in his mind. Yet again he was running away from creeping darkness towards the light where an unknown pony was waiting. Are these dreams a product of his crippled sanity? A 'gift' from dark energy? Or specks of future, a weird representation of it? It was all so unclear and blurry.

Sombra got up from his bed and went to the closet. His head was still aching, and, in addition to ringing in the ears, he felt the ground shaking on occasions. He felt like he was intoxicated, but since he never was actually drunk, he didn't how exactly it should feel - he just made assumptions. He opened the closet and put on his mantle and the crown.

Everything was made even worse, as he started hearing loud booms outside. Even through thick walls of the palace he could hear something exploding and even screams. He swiped the sweat off his forehead - great, now he's hallucinating. He started to wonder what is happening to him - constant headaches, migraines, nightmares and even hallucinations. For the past years he hasn't had a single normal dream - nightmares were tormenting him, and he thought he sometimes heard voices whispering to him, while he was all alone in a silent room.

The stale air of his bedroom was choking him, and he decided to go up into the Diamond Hall and spend his time around Crystal Heart. Being near it always made him feel better - like some sort of warm, comforting presence was around it, helping him get his thoughts in order.

The royal room has changed significantly since Sombra took over. He ordered to dump all the pictures of Lux and his family, but destroying them seemed a bit of an overkill, so they were hidden in basements of royal storages. Instead, Sombra replaced all the paintings in his room with those of his own. He still tried to draw in his free time, just like back when he was a child - black and white drawings.

They were all portraits of ponies he knew and loved. He had several paintings of Krystal and his mother, but, unfortunately, the memory of her started to fade with time, but he tried as hard as he could to portray Willemite in the best way possible.

He felt guilty about her image fading from his memory - she is his mother, and it felt like he was backstabbing her this way. He never tried to compare who he loves more - Willemite or Krystal, and he swore, that if anypony on any occasion asks him that question, he'll devour that pony. First he'll eat his body, then the soul. These women were both dear to his heart, and comparing them is unacceptable.

Besides paintings, he had beautifully made statues of them in the room. He specifically hired best sculptors in Crystal Empire to make these for him. One of them was the pinnacle of his collection - it portrayed Willemite and Krystal, standing side by side and looking at you. They were both in their natural size, and Sombra had to pay for a giant amount of crystals for this sculpture to be made, but it was worth it. Sometimes he just sat down before it and looked into their eyes, which looked almost alive. However, it always put him in a state of deep melancholy.

"Why am I cursed in such a way - to have my mother never meet my beloved? I know that if you could ever meet, you would become best friends. I absolutely know that" - Sombra used to repeat when looking in his mother's motionless eyes.

The sounds from outside began annoying - they were loud and obnoxious. They disturbed Sombra's flow of thoughts and only made his headache worse. He sighed angrily and continued his way towards Diamond Hall.

Just as he stepped outside his bedroom and started making his way, he was approached by a Void Watcher. He looked all beat up - his body was covered in bruises and cuts, and the wound on his left side was bleeding.

"You majesty! You have to get out of here! The people have gone mental! This is madness!" - he shouted, kneeling down quickly before Sombra.

"What do you mean? What's going out there?" - Sombra replied, realizing that shaking ground and sounds from the outside weren't his hallucinations.

"Uprising, my Emperor! The ponies have risen against your righteous rule" - the Watcher replied. "We are trying to pacify them, but they are relentless. They attack us with no mercy".

"What? Uprising?!" - Sombra exclaimed. He couldn't believe it - crystal ponies haven't rebelled for almost thousand years.

"What's the situation out there? How are our forces holding up?" - Sombra asked.

"We are giving away positions, my Lord. They are not willing to stop - we tried to negotiate, but they keep pushing forward. They are on their way to the palace - they are coming for you, my liege. You have to escape!" - the Void Watcher said, looking at Sombra with silent plea in his eyes.

If these stupid barbarians get there, they will destroy everything! Every memory Sombra has about his beloved ones. They will ruin everything. He will not let that happen!

"Return back to your position and prepare for a hell storm!" - Sombra growled and headed for the exit - he will lead the charge himself.

While on his way, his horn started glowing, as he opened the rift to fuel the Crystal Heart. These traitors will pay with their very souls for threatening his work with their very souls!

Finally, he was outside. It was complete chaos - the black smoke was covering the sky, the sound of explosions and red light of fire was distracting. The slums were burning. Fortunately, the fire hasn't reached other quarters yet. Sombra heard screams of rage, calling for blood - the insurgents were merciless, breaking through military barricades like waves. Void Watchers were shooting back, but very carefully, since there was no order to attack - killing a civilian without order is punished by death.

Sombra quickly fueled himself with energy, as it lifted him up in the air, allowing him to see the battlefield more thoroughly. He noticed several buildings, occupied by Void Watch - presumably, it was their base of operation. The commanding officers have to be there. Without further delay, Sombra landed on the ground and started making his way there, with quick dashes and teleports, avoiding the streets where the battle was going on.

The guards, standing at the entrance to this building were quite amazed, when the Emperor himself appeared from the puff of black smoke in front of them. Sombra didn't have time for greetings and introductions, as he simple walked past them and into this improvised command post.

The officers of Void Watch were standing around the room, furiously discussing the situation. The dim light of the oil lamp, hanging below the ceiling was lighting the room slightly. They all quickly shut up when Sombra burst into the room.

"Your... majesty?! What are you doing here? I thought we sent a guard to safely escort you out of the Crystal City!" - one of them said, and Sombra grinned.

"I am not going anywhere. In fact, quite the opposite - I am taking the charge. And for my first order, I permit the free use of weapons" - Sombra said, and their faces looked brightened for a moment. "All of you - venture to the quarters that are under your command, and order them to push the insurgents back with force - they are all enemies now".

They all nod to him, and quickly ran out of the room, but Sombra stopped one of the commanders, who was in charge of the air forces.

"Prepare the air-balloons for bombardment"

"Wh...um... yes, Lord" - the commander replied, too scared to speak against Sombra's order.

Soon, the sky will be filled with these monstrous machines of war, blue as the sky itself, bearing the very fires of hell on them. These insurgents will know Sombra's wrath, as they drown in the ocean of fire.

Sombra teleported out of the building, and quickly made his way back to the Crystal Palace - he will witness this from the Diamond Hall, near the Crystal Heart. He wants to personally feel their suffering.


Void Watcher was carefully fixing the position of the devastator at the side of their air-balloon. The wind was quite strong, but additional weight and strength of motors was keeping it on course. His two comrades were not far away, putting the devastators at the best angle to fire.

This happened really fast - he was just sitting at his post, guarding the passage to air-balloons, when commander approached them and ordered to prepare for take-off. He also said it's by the order of the Emperor.

Still, he couldn't wrap his head around the necessity to bomb Crystal City, but this idea actually excited him in some sort of way. He remembered walking its streets as a kid, seeing all the happy ponies and rich fat idiots, while he barely had anything to eat. At those times, he really wanted to set this world on fire - now, he got his wish.

"CC99, charge the devastator at the left side!" - the captain shouted at him. CC99 was his number - all Void Watchers had their number tattooed on the neck. All Watchers upon initiation received their own unique number, and listed in special documents, which contained your bio, your blood type, and about all the information you need to know about a pony. Even their psychological portraits.

So, if you die, or MIA, you will be marked as dead or missing, thus there could be no situation when some soldier could take your pension, by claiming to be you.

"Yes, sir!" - CC99 replied, and approached the left side of air-balloon. The devastators were hanging tightly to its side, with no chance for them to fall. CC99's horn started glowing, as he passed the energy to the devastator. The crystal weapon slowly started glowing, glimmering, as it consumed more and more energy.

CC99 couldn't help but admire the beauty of the fire down in the city - it looked... powerful, filled with epic rage. CC99's body covered in goosebumps from this sight. He couldn't compare this storming rage of firestorm to anything! Never before has he felt such epicness going on around him.

Finally, the devastator was charged to the brim with energy, and they just needed to get into position to fire. They decided to head for the biggest crowd of insurgents they could find - and they were quite near, just a few minutes of flight away from them.


Ruby felt great, as he smashed the skull of another Void Watcher. He looked around - yet another block station of Void Watch is destroyed. Ponies rejoiced as these tyrannical guards were falling one by one.

Too bad they couldn't get their rifles - it would have made this rebellion so much easier. There weren't many Void Watchers in Crystal City - they were mostly mobilized for Sombra's crusade. Now, this tyrant is about to regret that decision.

"Brothers! Sisters! Rise against the oppressors! Rise and fight the tyrants! Today, we will liberate ourselves!" - the pony who started it all shouted, lifting his hoof up in the air, as they hailed him.

More and more ponies joined the insurgents, wishing to put an end to Sombra's cruelty. They have suffered enough under his reign - now, he will pay for his crimes.

This unstoppable avalanche of angry ponies slowly continued its way to the Crystal Palace, when suddenly they heard the sound of a howler, ripping through the air.

Ruby stood still for a second. The Void Watcher struggled to fire a single shot - now, they are using howlers? Suddenly, the deafening sound of blazing guns pierced his ears, and the pony right beside him had her belly explode, as the blast of energy hit her. Ruby fell on the ground, covering his head, as he heard the whistle of energy blasts, flying through the air. With the corner of his eye, he noticed that ponies around were falling, with blood slowly filling the ground. Void Watch has decided to retaliate.

Ruby sprung up and ran to cover - a nearby building, where several of the insurgents already holed up in. The blasts were flying so close to him he could almost feel their heat. Thankfully, none hit him, and Quartz dragged him inside the building and closed the door.

"What the hell is going on?" - Ruby shouted, and his friend shook his head - if only he knew. He looked around - the tide has turned significantly.

Injured insurgents were lying on the floor, bleeding, while others tried to help them as much as they could. The screams of anger and calls for battle have been replaced by moans of agony and pain.

"Looks like the Emperor has untied their hooves. They are coming with everything they have at us" - one of the ponies replied. Ruby started to doubt their chances - they knew Sombra was an asshole, but to charge at his own people with everything they have like they are the invaders...

Well, maybe there is some logic to his actions - he is holding to his throne as hard as he can, even if he has to destroy his own people.

Suddenly, the ground started to tremble and shake, as the shockwave destroyed all the windows this building had. Ruby managed to hold his balance and approached the window. The choking smell of burning reached his nose, but that was different from the burning wood - it was the smell of burning flesh. He looked out of the window, but the powerful shockwave threw him away, as the blast of energy landed right near the building they were in. It was strong enough to break through walls and tear them into dust. The magical fire reached the injured and healthy insurgents, immolating them in seconds. The screams of pain and agony have reached their peaks, and the heat turned flesh into ash.

Ruby opened his eyes, and managed to push the heavy piece of wall of him. He was covered in dust and small rocks. Cuts and bruises were pulsating with pain and bleeding slowly.

Half of the building was gone, and Ruby was lying in the remaining part of it that hasn't collapsed. The place where Quartz, that miner, and other insurgents gathered, was gone. Wiped out off the face of the earth. They were all dead.

Ruby raised his eyes to the sky, and saw dozens of air-balloons floating above them, releasing these deadly blasts of energy, turning the ground below into hellish blazing pit.

The rebellious forces were running away in vain, as street by street Void Watch was cleansing them with fire. They didn't spare the city - it didn't matter to them how much destruction will be caused.

Another blast hit the ground and shook the earth, and the half-destroyed building started to give away. Ruby felt as the floor beneath him started trembling - this thing will collapse in a matter of seconds. He tried to stand up, but the screeching pain in his left rear leg didn't allow that. Ruby looked at it, and saw that it was crushed by a piece of furniture. The bone was sticking out of the wound, with pieces of muscles hanging on it. There was no escape for him - not with this kind of broken bone.

The air has changed - instead of hot, filled with rage and action, it became heavy and choking. Suddenly, white particles started falling from the sky. They quickly covered the ground.

Was it snow? Why is it snowing? But Ruby quickly resolved this mystery, as he, struggling with the pain, reached for a little pile that formed not far from him. It wasn't snow, it was ash.

The ground shook one more time, and Ruby heard the construction cracking below him. His thoughts returned to his family - his beloved wife and three little kids. What will happen to them after he is gone? How will they live on?

Ruby felt so stupid - why did he joined this fight, when they all knew the outcome will be like this? It was inevitable! They were all going to die anyway. They could have survived another month without money - but without him... his wife doesn't earn that much to feed three growing kids. Oh, why he was so stupid? Why was he so selfish? Why didn't he think before acting?

That pony miner, who started it all... Ruby didn't even know his name. He didn't know anything about him, except that he lost his wife. He had nothing to lose - already lost everything. Even that miner was far smarter than Ruby - he warned him, he told him to go home. Ruby didn't listen.

"I'm... sorry... So sorry..." - Ruby whispered, as tears started streaming down his face. What did they hope for? A miracle? That a shining force of justice will come down from the sky and shield them? What did they hope for? What did they prove.

"I'm sorry... Sorry... I'M SORRY!" - he shouted as loud as he could, as he was reduced to tears. He didn't say anything else - he just sob quietly, as the city around him was slowly turning into ash and cinders. As hundreds of lives around him were turning into ash and cinders. What was he thinking? He left his family, his children, left them to die to fight for other children, for future that they won't see anyway.

The ash covered his body, as Ruby closed his eyes, whispering one last goodbye to his family and those he loved. They didn't always get along, but he knew they loved him, and he loved them in return. Goodbye.

The construction finally collapsed, as Ruby fell down along with several rocks. The air was so heavy it felt like it was falling along with Ruby. The ash, like snowdrops, was whirling in the wind, as Ruby fell down. The time slowed down for him, as he looked around, looking at the ruins. These ruins shall be his grave from now on - and a grave for hundreds, maybe a thousand ponies, who rose up, yearning freedom, and finding only doom and death. He has doomed them - Ruby has doomed them all. It was his fault. He doomed his family, and family of many other ponies.

He finally reached the ground as he hit the sturdy rocks. They pierced his flesh, impaling him in some places. But Ruby didn't feel pain - split seconds after, the rest of the building fell on him, burying under its heavy weight.

The ruins of this building have marked the grave for dozen of ponies. The ground was still shaking and trembling, as small rocks were still jumping in place from the hellish force that imperial devastators were unleashing upon those unaware. The whole Crystal City, famous for its glory and beauty, was turned into a grey mockery of itself - ruins of once great buildings, dead bodies lying everywhere and ash slowly covering them. This brutal bombing and massacre, that continued on the streets, as insurgents were running away from Void Watch, with guns blazing behind them. More and more ponies fell down, trying to hold their wounds. Fathers, mothers - they all found their end at the streets of this once magnificent city, as it was slowly turning into giant cemetery.

But the cemetery is a place where dead find rest. The suffering of these souls has only begun, as they were dragged into the rift, to fuel Crystal Heart with their memories, their feelings. Their souls have joined the legions of other souls - pegasi, earth ponies, unicorns, other crystal ponies, gryphons.

The Crystal Heart was sparkling with dark energy. But Sombra knew - this still wasn't enough. His sorrowful crusade continues. He approached the Crystal Heart and stroked its surface, slowly and carefully. In its reflection, he saw his beloved pony, walking in the green field.

"Soon, Krystal. Soon, we shall be together. Just hold on, my darling. I am coming to save you" - Sombra whispered to this reflection. The air, that felt heavy and choking for others, seemed warm and comforting, like Krystal's breath for him. For a second, he felt something wrapping around his neck, like she was near him, enclosing him in her sweet embrace. For a second, he knew for certain - she was near him. She was beside him. Sombra could feel her breath, the warmth of her body, even her heartbeat.

He remembers her heartbeat. It was very special, unlike any other. Its rhythm was so soothing and calm. Even when she was excited, her heartbeat was always so... welcoming. Soon, he will feel that heartbeat once again. He will hear her voice, soothing his ears and he will feel her breath, touching his skin. He can't wait to wrap her in his embrace and feel the warmth of her lips. Soon, all his dreams will come to life, and they will be happy again. This time, forever, and nothing will ever separate them.


The snow was brutally lashing Amethyst's face, as he struggled to make a step with this brutal wind blowing in his face. The once harmless snowflakes in these mountains looked more like solid pieces of ice, as they hurt your eyes whenever one manages to get there. Amethyst tried to shield his eyes with the scarf he bought from a tribe not long ago, but it barely helped. He was almost fully submerged in snow, having to lift his hooves almost as high as his head, or slowly slog through these white masses.

These mountains were famous for their impassability and how many adventurers were frozen to death, or fell to their doom in this place. But the magical trail was leading Amethyst in this direction - so he had no choice but to climb.

The scarf he was wearing was simple, but quite warm - tribes, that lived near these mountains knew how to make good and warm clothes. In fact, Amethyst was pretty lucky to stumble on their village, and that they were quite hospitable. Sombra's crusade changed the world's opinion about crystal ponies from neutral to worst. On his way, Amethyst got kicked out of so many villages. Some even tried to kill him. It didn't matter how long he tried to explain that he's not evil - they still wanted to put his head on a pike.

But Amethyst could see the reason behind their logic - so many villages have been burned down and their population enslaved or exterminated. Blaming them would be foolish and unwise.

Luckily, the last village Amethyst visited accepted him. They offered him food and shelter for a nice price, and even sold him this scarf. Some still looked with distrust at him, but none spoke against the chieftain, who was quite welcoming. Amethyst warned them about impending threat, and advised to escape these lands while they can. Chieftain listened to him and said that he will consider that idea. These ponies were quite protective of their lands - but too many villages have already been destroyed and plundered. Traditions no longer apply in this situation - only cold logic and instinct for survival.

But in these mountains, you could only rely on your agility, strength and instincts, something that Amethyst, who grew up in a big city, lacked. The biggest mountain he climbed was the hill that lead him to Golden Watch, when he was sent there by Magic Academy for inspections. It was that perfect day when he met Willemite.

She was walking out of the shop, when he first noticed her. That silver mane was exceptionally beautiful that day, as sun was raining its light upon her, and she was just shimmering with happiness. With a basket full of freshly baked bread she was walking through the streets of this small town. It was the smell of bread that first attracted Amethyst's attention - he hasn't eaten for days, with all the assignments. He approached her, asking her to sell him one loaf. What seemed to be a short conversation turned into a long dialogue, and it continued until they reached her house. Then, she just offered him to come in and have dinner with her family.

These memories hurt like a knife in the gut. Remembering those better times felt like slowly thrusting a needle into your eye. As its metallic surface slowly going inside the sensitive surface of your eyeball, slowly reaching its centre, you start to feel this pain reaching every fiber of your being, making you scream and beg it to stop. But finally, you notice that the person slowly pushing the needle deeper into your eye is yourself.

These memories will haunt you, follow you. They will keep flying above you like hungry hawks, continuing to peck your defenseless head until you finally break down and give up. Then, your only choice is to wait on the side of the road and wait till they devour you.

Amethyst's philosophical debates with himself were quite abruptly interrupted by a treacherous pass, as he slipped on the patch of ice and fell into snow. The cold quickly pierced his body, driving away any thoughts except those of survival. It's getting too cold, he needs to find a shelter before night or he'll freeze to death.

He got up and shook off the snow, that became cluttered in the space between his cloak and body. He should really have thought this through - going into these mountains without serious preparations and equipment was an idiotic idea. But when it's the fate of millions at stake, you don't really have time to prepare.

Amethyst made a few more steps and collapsed into snow again. The strength was slowly leaving his body, and he thought that the world started to turn darker. He was slowly losing conciseness.

If he passes out here, some adventurer will surely find his frozen corpse several years later. No, he has to stay awake, keep moving, keep the blood flowing. He got up from the snow yet again and started slowly slogging forward.

Though it still hurt his soul, he started remembering - memories kept his brain working, and thus helped him to stay awake. Amethyst delved into his past, as he continued to make his way forward, through the endless oceans of snow, slowly making his way into the milky unknown.

Willemite had a very big family - mother, father, a brother and two sisters. Even grandparents lived with them, as Golden Watch was a pretty small town, and didn't have that many houses.

They welcomed him as not a stranger, but a welcomed guest. Amethyst never thought ponies on the outskirts of Empire could be so friendly. He always thought of them as outcasts, who walk past the residents of big towns and grind their teeth in hatred. He never despised them or anything, he just didn't think they can be so hospitable.

After so there, word by word, he got to know his future wife. Her voice was very pleasant to hear, and she had a lot of interesting topics for discussions. They had a very pleasant time talking, sometimes they needed hours for that.

Thankfully, Magic Academy allowed him to stay in Golden Watch, and teach in one of the local schools. That included a free apartment for him. He spent over three years there, before he and Willemite made the ultimate decision and decided to marry.

It was a bright and sunny day when he finally proposed to her. He bought a golden bracelet with a small diamond on it. It hit his purse pretty hard, but he never regret buying it - it perfectly matched her shining eyes.

Amethyst couldn't help but smile to himself when he thought about her eyes. They were always bright - like two little stars in the sky. She was always so optimistic - she always thought about good stuff. But the life was hard, and soon she didn't seem that happy all the time - bit nevertheless, she never lost hope.

But maybe she did lose hope in him, Amethyst thought. He can't blame her at all - he was a walking disaster, even before her cruel demise. But, every time he wanted to buy another pint of ale, he always saw her eyes and how sorrowfully they are looking at him and stopped, to bring this money home.

Thinking about his family brought his thoughts to Sombra again. What is he after? Amethyst heard rumors about Sombra gathering souls and powering Crystal Heart with them, which was just monstrous. Amethyst didn't know how this vile magic works, but he knew what kind of horrendous things could be done to a soul. In Magic Academy, they told them about users of dark energies who devoured souls to become more powerful. Eventually, multiple personalities start to overtake their minds and they are eventually driven insane.

When Amethyst was near Sombra, he felt immense amount of dark power coming from him. For others, this amount would feel like liquid metal flowing in your veins. If he uses souls to power Crystal Heart - then what for? How does he benefit from that?

Amethyst just didn't know anymore. It all seems so cryptic and without sense. Why does this nightmare still goes on? Why won't it just end?!

But, it was Amethyst's responsibility to end this. His journey is at its end, he can feel that. Either he falls on another patch of ice and his warm blood will melt the snow it will fall upon, as it slowly turns to ice. His eyes will stay wide open forever, as he is forced to look into sky, with fear and regret forever encased in them. Or he will accomplish his goal, and finally find the pony able to match Sombra's power. And then it clenched Amethyst's soul - what if Sombra is too far, even further than him? What if there is no redemption for him anymore? Will he have to witness his own son getting killed, and live with the knowledge that he helped this to happen? He hoped that there is still time, and Sombra hasn't yet fallen too deep.

Amethyst noticed that his descend into memories didn't go without its results - he was still alive and kicking, ready to move on. But while he was wandering in the corners of his mind, he completely lost the path he was following. While there was no actual road to speak about, he lost the magical trail, that lead him there. Amethyst desperately started searching through the surrounding magic aura, trying to find this magic trail, but to no avail.

"No! NO!" - he shouted, though he knew nopony can hear him. He could hardly hear himself over the howling of the wind. In desperation, he ran forward, scanning every inch of the surroundings, trying to find this trail. Every little stone, every snowdrift - he looked everywhere, but the trail was gone.

At first, it seemed like everything is lost, and Amethyst was about to give in into despair, when he noticed something dark looming on the horizon. Even through the raging blizzard, he could see something in the distance, which really looked like a stone castle.

A castle in such a remote place? Who lives there? But Amethyst has to find a shelter anyway, and this castle is the only destination he currently has. Perhaps, his prayers will be answered, and there he will find what he was looking for so long. Or perhaps his mind is playing tricks on him and that is just a mirage, a false sense of hope, that is weaving its web. Just when he arrives there, he'll be stuck, and a vicious spider of reality will come to devour him, slowly and painfully.

But, the more he looked at the distant castle, the more he realized that it wasn't a hallucination. And the strangest of all, he started sensing very strange kind of energy from there. It was suppressed, but still, he could feel the specks of it. This energy was different from anything he has ever seen - it was so light and refreshing. Along with it another stream of energy was flowing - this one felt soothing and fuzzy, and was putting him into sleep a little bit.

The way they were suppressed was very strange - they were surrounded by many other streams, so these two were lost among dozens of usual energetic flows. But Amethyst could feel them - looks like he got too close to be fooled by this clever disguise. With the spark of hope reappearing in his heart, Amethyst ventured onwards to this darkened castle.

The wind continued to lash out on him, throwing more and more snow at him, trying to drag him into the endless pit which was just nearby. Down there, sharp rocks will ensure you won't survive the fall. As he walked forwards, the ground started slowly turning into ice, and when he could finally see the whole castle instead of shadowy shape, he had to tread carefully, as any step could be fatal. The temperature continued to go down as he progressed, making him tremble and shake from the cold that was piercing to the very bones, but he didn't pay attention to pain, cold and slippery surface of the ground, he walked onwards no matter what.


The knocks on the door disturbed Loir's concentration. She was just walking near the entrance, refreshing herself after an exhausting training - this hall was ventilated frequently, and the temperature here was colder than in any part of the Temple. The hall itself was nothing interesting - the walls were covered with beautiful ornaments, and big candelabra was hanging under the ceiling, but Loir passed here for hundreds of times. She probably memorized every piece of ornament on the wall, and could transcribe the writings in ancient language on the candelabra. Some may think that secrets of powerful magical spells were encrypted on these gigantic bronze structures, but it was nothing special - ancient masters had to leave their marks on their product, so the letters meant the city, where this candelabra was made and the name of the smith, who made it.

As the sound of knocks reached Loir's ears, her heart started to shake, and she was filled to the brim with fear. Bishop is still moping about her rather idiotic mistake several months ago, but Loir stopped paying attention to him a while ago. Now, she understood what worried him so. Is this just a wanderer, a wayfarer who lost his direction and got stranded in these brutal mountains? Or did those vicious crystal warriors found her, and came here to destroy the sacred temple and claim its secrets. All the answers were lying beyond that door, in the raging blizzard, where this lonely pony was awaiting her judgment... or perhaps a whole army of vicious killers just longed for her to open the door, so they could sink their greedy hooves into the Temple's libraries.

Loir slowly approached the door. Her heart was beating like crazy - she couldn't hear the wind howling outside, it was that loud. She breathed in, and opened the door, preparing to face her fate.

To her relief, there were no soldiers before her. Only a lonely crystal pony, wrapped in a linen scarf and cloak. He was almost purely white, as the snow clung to him from mane to hooves. He didn't look hostile or aggressive at all, and, in fact, looked very pathetic and pitiful.

Before he could say anything, Loir dragged him inside and closed the door behind him.

"Hello, wayfarer. You must be lost, I wager" - she said, as she swiped the snow away from him. The stranger could barely talk, as he was frozen to the bones.

"I...I...I..." - he tried to say something, but couldn't as the clattering of his teeth muffled his words.

"Sweet Sun and Moon, you need to warm up a bit. Come with me, I'll make you some tea - you'll rest up, and tell me your story" - Loir said, as the stranger nod silently. Temple Supreme was, of course, a remote place, and monks didn't want any visitors, but they never left strangers in need. So taking him in was perfectly all right and would not anger the elders.

She lead the stranger through the hall and into a small room, where monks usually had dinner. They were just finished just several hours ago, and the room was empty. There weren't many residents in this castle - twenty six monks, and about five initiates, including Loir.

Initiates were all the children of monks. Since the contacts with the outside world were very limited, marriage wasn't prohibited, but the children were destined to become monks, when they reach adulthood.

The stranger sat down at the table and shivered a bit - the cold was still getting to him. Loir quickly ran to the kitchen, poured some water into the kettle and put it above the fire. While the water was heating, she found two cups and the tea itself. It was chamomile tea, nothing spectacular, but very cheap and delicious. Monks regularly ventured into the woods near the mountain, avoiding nearby villages, and gathered chamomile for this tea. Loir was very excited every time a campaign like that happened - after the travel, monks usually had a lot of interesting stories to tell. But now that was before Loir learned the teleport spell, she doesn't need their stories - she can find her own adventures.

The water started boiling in the kettle, and the warmness started to slowly fill the kitchen. Loir quickly grabbed a kitchen spoon, scooped some water and then poured it into the cups. Few seconds after, she put the scalding into each cup, put the cups on a tray and carried it to the table where the stranger was sitting.

"Don't drink it all at once - you might burn your throat" - Loir advised.

Several minutes later, after the stranger finally drank all of his tea, he finally warmed up. His teeth stopped chattering and he even took off his scarf.

"Many thanks. Sorry for such an intrusion, and for the trouble I am causing you" - he said, slowly inhaling the warm fumes of the tea.

"No worry. Just a few cups of tea - nothing to worry about" - Loir said. There were so many questions in her head right now. She had to take this stranger to Patriarch, but she really wanted to ask him about how the things are going outside. Since the incident several months ago, she never left the Temple Supreme anymore.

"May I ask you who you are and what brought you to such a remote place?" - Loir asked, and the pony slowly put the cup on the table.

"My name is Amethyst, and I came seeking help" - he said, looking at Loir. "My country is in complete chaos - our ruler is cruel and merciless. He possesses great knowledge of dark magic. His armies are prowling the neighboring lands, enslaving and destroying everything. I am the only hope the Crystal Empire has".

Loir listened to this story, as her inner being slowly started to fear again. What if Amethyst wasn't just passing through here? What if he came to this temple specifically?

"So, you are venturing beyond these mountains?" - she asked, but Amethyst shook his head in denial.

"No. I've been following a magical trail, which I picked up far away from here. It has lead me here" - he replied, and Loir started coughing in worry.

"Um, sorry... I'll need to talk with my master really quick. Wait here, please" - she said, got up from the bench and ran to bishop's room. If anypony can help, it's him.

This meant trouble. If Amethyst managed to track her down, then others could too. She started to understand just in what kind of danger she was putting her friends and family in. She saw what those crystal ponies can do - they are relentless, cruel, evil. She made such a mess!


Amethyst sniffed the air once more, inhaling the smell of the tea. Ah, how beautiful and exquisite. For so many years he has been drinking only water - it felt so great to taste tea again, even though it wasn't high quality.

This castle was just plain creepy - giant corridors, strange carvings on the walls, the dim light, and the strangest thing - there weren't many ponies around. The castle is quite huge, but he only met the young girl so far. Is she the only habitant of this castle? If not, where are the others? This didn't seem right.

Those two energy streams were bothering Amethyst - they seemed to get stronger the deeper that girl let him into the castle. What are they hiding here? And where did that girl go? It didn't stack up in Amethyst's head - he started to worry.

But there was no way back anymore - he has to follow this two strange streams of energy. They seemed to contain immense power, but Amethyst couldn't tell for sure. In any case, there was no other choice but follow them... or he could run. Who knows what is hidden in this castle - maybe they are some kind of blood-drinking monsters, who will strip him off his flesh and eat his insides. Maybe that girl went to get some reinforcements to kill him. He didn't know - and this obscurity was scaring him.

Amethyst quietly got up from the bench and started following these streams - they couldn't hide themselves anymore, and he could feel the direction they are flowing to. He knew where to go, what corners to take, and where he should turn around. However, he didn't know anything about this castle, so it was like he was a blind pony, being led by a loyal guide-dog. Though in this situation, this guide-dog just didn't know where it was going either.

Amethyst was slowly walking through the endless corridors of the castle, hiding from every whisper and rustle. There is no room for mistake, he cannot die now! The streams are getting more and more strong the more he advances - he's so close. The scary carvings were staring right at Amethyst, freezing the blood in his veins. The empty banners hanging everywhere were also creepy - what are they for? What the hell is this place?

The air started to got colder... or maybe the blood in Amethyst's body slowly turned to ice. This place was so mysterious it scared. This feeling when you are walking into a dark cave, not knowing what awaits you there - a treasure full of gold or an angry bear, that will maul you, and then proceed to eat you.

Amethyst started to feel bad, as the corridors were getting smaller and smaller. He never was a fan of tight places, but now these spasms of fear were just coming into his soul like ants, crawling around a piece of sugary cake, slowly devouring it. Amethyst always tried to fight his claustrophobia, tried to suppress it, and for the most time he was successful. But now, he started losing control of it.

Breathing very loud and heavy, he continued his way forward, looking around as if being afraid of the very walls surrounding him.

He entered some kind of a hall. It was quite wide and big, so Amethyst was relieved of his claustrophobia. The statues of solid metal were standing near the walls, depicting some ancient pony heroes, or monks - they were all dressed differently. Some looked like priests, others were warriors. On the pedestals there were writings in the language Amethyst didn't understand.

Suddenly, he heard voices, coming in his direction, along with hoofsteps. Somepony was approaching him! Amethyst quickly looked around for a good place to hide. Finding no curtains, cabinets or anything of the sorts, he quickly ran behind one of the statues, in such a way that if he presses his back to it, he'll face the wall. He quickly lied down on the floor and held his breath, afraid to make even a single move.

Strangely enough, one of the magical streams was getting more and more powerful the closer these strangers were approaching. Finally, the conversation of two ponies reached his ears, as he pressed harder against the floor, afraid to even move an inch.

"The seals are wearing off again, o sisters of the sky. We have to renew them" - a voice of a very old pony said in a very concerned way.

"Yes, yes, we understand" - another voice replied, much younger.

"This is getting very tiresome, Patriarch" - other voice said, older than the previous one and sounding quite serious and tired. "We keep suppressing our power - and for what?"

"It's for your own good, solar one..." - the old pony started talking but was quickly interrupted.

"I know it's for our own good! But what about the good of others?!" - the serious voice replied with notes of anger. "We have been sitting here for so long, for many generations - what if our help is needed elsewhere?"

"Sister, you say this every time we go for the seal renewal. Please, when will you understand that it is not our choice? We must not interfere" - the young voice said.

"Uh... I know, Luna... I am just so weary of inaction... I am so tired of sitting in one place, doing nothing at all, while I could be making the world better..." - the serious voice said, losing the anger, and instead gaining a bit of sorrow.

Amethyst's head started to ache from the amount of energy he felt coming in his direction. This is it! These are the sources of those two streams. He finally found what he was looking for!

Still having doubts, Amethyst looked over the pedestal. Three ponies were walking down the hall - an old one in white robe and azurite hat, and two...

These two shocked Amethyst to the very core of his soul. His heart stopped beating and the blood stop flowing in his veins. The time seemed to stop to capture this incredible moment - Amethyst was the first crystal pony to see not one, but two living alicorns.

One of them had a mane with multiple colors - light cerulean, light turquoise, light cobalt blue and pale heliotrope, and it was constantly waving, like it was made out of pure energy. Her skin was pure white, and Amethyst had to shield his eyes for a second, as it seemed that she was shimmering with the very sunlight. She was just enormous, and though Amethyst never seen Lux in flesh, he bet that this solar alicorn was even taller than him. Her eyes, though clouded with sorrow, were very bright and brought hope into his soul.

The other one was much more darker, as her skin was displaying such colors as dark sapphire blue and light phthalo blue. Her mane was brilliant blue with a waving light violet aura surrounding it. She was smaller than her solar counterpart, but still bigger than an average pony. For a moment Amethyst felt something shadowy around her, but he soon realized that it was a different kind of energy - closer to dark, but much more peaceful and quiet. It brought harmony and sleepiness into his soul, while the solar one was shimmering with energy and movement.

Amethyst heard the legends, read the books, but he never imagined that he would even see two living alicorns. All the doubts were cleared from his mind - he has finally found what he was looking for.

He breathed in and stepped out of his cover, slowly going in the way of the priest and these two magnificent ponies.

"What?! Who are you? What are you doing here?! How did you get here?!" - the priest started shouting, as his face was distorted by a grimace of mixed anger and surprise. The alicorns were equally surprised, but not angered.

"Your magnificence, you should get out of here! This stranger could mean harm!" - the priest growled, looking at Amethyst. "I'll deal with him!"

"No, please! I mean no harm! In fact, I came here looking for help" - Amethyst said, slowly approaching them, which made the priest even more furious.

"You'll find no help here! Leave now and forget what you saw! Or I will tear your very being out of you..."

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" - the solar alicorn suddenly growled, and the priest backed off, seeming both scared and annoyed at the same time. "That is not how you treat your guests, Patriarch!"

This magnificent pony approached Amethyst, as he couldn't help but gawk at her.

"Please, forgive Patriarch for his rude behavior. Of course, we will help you. It all depends on what kind of help you need" - she said, as her sister approached, moving with exquisite beauty and grace.

"It has been so long since I have seen a pony different from the monks. Too long" - this dark pony said, looking at Amethyst with interest. "He is so different. His skin looks like it's made of crystals"

Suddenly, Amethyst noticed two more ponies approaching. It was that girl, and a stallion, dressed in a robe. When they finally got close enough to see them all, the girl stopped and looked at them with fear. The stallion was equally scared.

"Bishop? Loir?" - the Patriarch said, looking first at Amethyst, then at these two. Suddenly, he turned red from wrath.

"So, you two have something to do with this, huh?!" - he growled approaching Loir and bishop. "Now tell me everything!"

Loir quickly broke down into tears and started loudly telling about what happened to her and the trail she left behind. Bishop was silent, only nodding when Patriarch was asking if this was true.

"Sweet heavens, you... foolish girl! "- he growled, barely holding back much more indecent words.

"It was my fault, great Patriarch. Punish me instead of her!" - bishop said, stepping forward.

"Shut up, idiot!" - the Patriarch shouted, and was about to unleash another tirade of angry remarks, if it wasn't for the solar alicorn.

"Enough, Patriarch. What's done is done. This pony knows now, and there is nothing we can do" - she said, looking at Patriarch with disappointment. "This atmosphere is far too unfriendly for my liking. Let us proceed to a more... secluded location, we'll have ourselves some wine and you'll tell us something about outside world... and I don't want to hear any protests against that idea. I hope I am making that absolutely clear".

Patriarch obediently bowed to her and said that it shall be as she says. The lunar alicorn was still looking at Amethyst with interest, and bishop and Loir prepared for a long conversation, which will not end in their favor.


"My lord, your dinner is waiting..." - the servant said, falling to his knees before his Emperor, but Sombra didn't even turned around, continuing to look at the darkened surface of Crystal Heart.

"I'm not hungry" - he quickly replied.

"But my Emperor, you haven't eaten in days..." - the servant said, and Sombra gave him a piercing glance.

"I am not hungry. Leave me this instance!" - he shouted, and servant quickly left the Diamond Hall. Sombra sighed - why do they continue to bother him when he has so much work to do?

The hunger and need for sleep no longer bothered him, for he was too excited with the bright news he discovered quite recently - thanks to this foolish and fatal rebellion against his reign, he has just enough energy in the Crystal Heart to finally turn it into a lighthouse, at which Krystal's lost soul will come. His quest is almost at its end, and the birth of his paradise is near!

The city was in ruins, and his soldiers frequently patrolled its destroyed streets to find any supporter of the rebels and execute them. Even more squads were sent into other big towns and villages to gather this stupid cattle and lead them into concentration camps.

The idea of creating a concentration camp for crystal ponies came to his head after this rebellion. When his generals gathered, he spoke about this on the meeting . Many spoke against this idea - it seemed ridiculous for them to subjugate their own people. The loyal Orthoclase, just as always, supported Sombra's idea. However, when Sombra told them of the destruction that the rebels have forced him to unleash on the Crystal City, they all went silent for a moment, thinking. Then, one by one, they all raised their hooves in support. Even Metal Eye, who was quite protective of crystal ponies, even he supported Sombra. They all knew - people have to be kept on a short leash, so the country may still be strong and powerful. If our own people wish to rebel against us, we must force our control on them, even if they don't want to accept it.

Sombra called upon the most notorious Void Watchers to form the guard for this new concentration camp. Warden, the commander of Crystal Night, quickly applied for this assignment. Sombra heard of his deeds and his notorious zeal, so he was accepted. Sorrowful End, the first and the most brutal and cruel concentration camp for crystal ponies, has been created. The rules were the same as in Crystal Night - except instead of killing the male population, it was taken, trained and turned into more of Sombra's loyal Void Watch.

This idea has brought its fruits in one month. The production of crystals and gold has increased tremendously, women were more than eager to do anything, only to have their precious children back. Sombra has ordered to apply new rules - if the family has worked enough, and brought the country much profit, they were allowed out of the concentration camp. After that, the production increased even more.

It didn't mean that all crystal ponies in Crystal Empire were sent to the camps. Many those who publically denounced this rebellion and agreed to wear special badges were quite rewarded, with titles and money. In turn, they had to promote Sombra's propaganda campaign. The neutral population was unharmed as well - only those villages and towns that supported the rebels were subjugated.

These acts of intimidation had tremendous results - the crime rate decreased significantly, and more and more eager teenagers joined Void Watch, in search for glory, fame and battles.

It made Sombra happy, but not as happy as the news of the impending return of Krystal. Even now, he was standing near the Crystal Heart, looking at his own reflection, and imagining finally meeting her. His room was filled to the brim with her portraits and statues, and sometime he could stare at them for hours.

Sombra turned around and looked at the city. Slowly, but steadfully it was coming back to its original glory - the houses were rebuilt, the streets cleaned. Sombra has ordered many divisions of Void Watch to look through the ruins and clean them. They did a pretty good job - just in weeks, the city was ready for restructuring. Many ponies from the loyal villages and towns were moving to these renewed structures - and they offered another good economical solution. They could buy the crystal ponies from the concentration camps to serve them. The fee was high, and only rich families could allow it, but many wanted to have their own servant.

A bolt of dark energy sparkled near Sombra and disappeared within seconds. He smiled - his magical powers were growing just as fast as his royal control over the country. He looked at the Crystal Heart - this once bright crystal is now almost pitch black. The power it houses is immense.

Suddenly, an unexpected idea pierced Sombra's mind - what if he takes all this energy for himself? With this power, he will be unmatched. His power will increase almost infinitely, he'll be unto a god... No!... He'll be even more powerful than any god in existence ever!

He quickly drove this thought away - absolute power doesn't mean anything if you have nopony to share it with. Without Krystal, his life is meaningless, and there is no chance in hell he'll exchange her for some petty godhood!

"The wall between us is getting thinner every day, my love. I promise, you will feel the pleasure of being alive very soon, I promise that with my very life. Everything is pointless without you" - Sombra whispered, as he was stroking the surface of the Crystal Heart. What if she can hear him through this tiny gap between their world and the world of the dead? What if she can hear every word he says now? Probably not, but if she can, she will hear only the sweetest remarks from him. He will make her the happiest pony in the world, and make sure it stays that way for all eternity.

Sombra looked towards the horizon, as wind scutched his black mane, and the rays of the fading sun touched his face - soon, he won't be seeing these sunsets alone. Soon, he will never be alone. Soon, this life will be a paradise for him. The end is near - it's coming and already knocking on the door. The end to his suffering, and the end to his loneliness. The end of his life of pain and misery, and the start of his life of happiness and wonder. The end is near!


Patriarch's room was quite comfortable and big. It was well lit by candelabras on the walls and a fire-place. His bed was nothing spectacular - a simple stone carcass with linen mattress. Monks maintained this little state of equality - none were above others, their title only signified what part they take in the rituals, and also how wise and experienced they are. That's not to say that Patriarch didn't take a little bit of advantage of his post: after suppers, he went to the cooks and asked them to pour him some wine. Not wishing to refuse, they gave him a glass or two. Patriarch carefully merged the wine in bottles and kept them safe in the secret room, nearby his apartment. He never opened the wine unless the situation demanded so - the ceremony, a feast, or, the most rarest occasion, guests.

After finally calming down, Patriarch opened the bottle of some fine wine and poured it into glasses. When Loir slowly stretched her hoof to reach the glass, he quickly glanced at her, as if asking her to mind her manners. Amethyst politely refused the glass offered to him.

"No, thank you. I don't drink" - he said.

"As in at all? It's not just the good occasion, the wine can warm you up quite good" - the solar alicorn said, accepting the glass.

"Yes, at all. I had many issues with alcohol before, don't want to run the old wounds" - Amethyst replied and the solar alicorn nod in acceptance .

"That's understandable" - the lunar alicorn said, drinking a bit. "One should never go too hard on firewater - it never ends good".

"Oh, where are my manners. I am terribly sorry - we haven't even got acquainted yet. Please, do forgive me" - the solar one said, putting the glass on the nearby cupboard. "My name is Celestia".

"My name is Luna, and the heavens blessed me to be Celestia's sister" - Luna said, with a little bit of sarcasm in her voice. Celestia giggled.

"My name is Amethyst, I am honored to meet you" - Amethyst said, bowing before the two alicorns.

"Please, get up. We're not royalty, no need for this" - Celestia said with a little bit of sorrow in her voice.

"Sorry. It's just that we thought that alicorn were extinct, or even didn't exist at all. We, crystal ponies, have so many legends concerning you and your kind. I read that you don't age, and have almost unlimited power. That you are unto gods!" - Amethyst said, sounding excited, but Celestia only sighed.

"That's exaggeration. Alicorns may had great power, but believe me, we were just as sinful as normal ponies" - she said, and Luna looked at her.

"What do you mean?" - Amethyst asked.

"We are the only two remnants of our people. My sister doesn't like to talk about it, even with me, and I was but an infant when a great cataclysm has befallen our people, destroying everything we have ever held dear" - Luna said, continuing to look at Celestia, who just turned away.

"Well, anyway, we're not here to talk about our history. Please, Amethyst, tell us why have you come here and what kind of help do you seek?" - Celestia said, brightening up and turning to Amethyst.

"It's hard for me to tell this... but a great disaster has befallen my people as well. A cruel monarch has taken control of the Crystal Empire, using dark arts, and is now waging bloody warfare to enslave or exterminate the whole world" - Amethyst said, and continued to tell of all the horrors and crimes Sombra committed. With each spoken word, Celestia was turning more and more grim, and Luna was looking at her with anxiety.

"This... this is..." - Celestia said, barely holding her temper. "This is just inconceivable! What kind of a monster do you have to be to do that to others?! This tyrant has to be stopped - before he takes any more lives!"

"That's why I came here - I am looking for a pony powerful enough to stop Sombra. His power is unmatched among us, and there is nothing we can do to him - his armies are endless and his magic is foul and destructive"

"I will help you!" - Celestia sprung up and said. Patriarch almost fell down on the floor. Luna seemed confused too.

"Please, oh solar one, don't make such rash decisions. We don't even know anything about this stranger, he might as well be lying to us" - Patriarch said.

"Sister, you remember your own words, right? You have made a pact, a decision - so stick to it" - Luna said, trying to appeal to Celestia's pride. She was about to break the promise she gave to herself after all.

"I'm sorry. But I will not stand idle while the innocent blood is spilt. These dreams I have been having, these screams I heard - they finally make sense".

"Then I am going with you. You don't have to do this alone" - Luna suddenly changed her mind, and Celestia smiled in gratitude. Patriarch was barely holding back from exploding in anger.

"Please, Patriarch, forgive us - for many years you have took care of us, protected us from the outside world... or rather vice versa.. and so did many generations of monks before you. We thank you all for everything you have done for us, but the time has come for us to aid the outside world" - Celestia said, bowing before the Patriarch and he finally calmed down.

"I understand. Well, if the time has truly come, as you say, then it shall be so. Let me remove the seals" - he said, as his horn started glowing. Amethyst felt the two streams getting stronger and stronger the more this was going on. Suddenly, he felt a giant burst of energy, but it was unlike any other - while this amount of any other type would hurt horribly, this energy was relaxing and powerful at the same time.

The ritual was complete and the seals were broken. Celestia and Luna were finally unleashed of these bounds, that protected them for thousands of years. Amethyst was shocked by the amount of power that was coming from them - he could never imagine such amount. With shock and awe, hope was also brought into his soul - he found them, the ponies stronger than Sombra's foul sorcery.

"It feels great to be back!" - Luna said, straightening her wings and stretching them for a bit.

"All evil shall fall before us. Lead us to the heart of your Empire, Amethyst. The time has come to free the ponies, enslaved by that... monster" - Celestia said, which made Amethyst turn away for a second.

"His armies are endless... If we want to get to Crystal City, we need an army of our own" - he said, stuttering a bit.

"No need to. If we sever the head of this hydra, the body will disperse on itself. The tyrant is usually a symbol of oppression and control - if he falls, his regime will fall with him" - Luna answered, which made Amethyst's heart ache horribly. As low as his son has fallen, he didn't want to witness his death. The more he realized that Sombra's death is absolutely necessery, the more he cursed this world, himself and everything around him. He wished that it was another pony who would bear this burden instead of him, the burden of carrying out judgment for your own child... but there was no other choice. He has to carry on with his mission, or doom the entire generations for the life filled with nothing but suffering and pain, despair, murder and mass genocide.

"Follow me... The path will be long and difficult" - he said, and started slowly walking towards the exit. Everything inside him was burning - he finally found what he was looking for, but was this really the right thing to do? The alicorns were following him - but will they finally bring peace to this world? Those questions were awaiting their answers.

The end is near. The end of tyranny and the end to the age of darkness. Amethyst and two godlike beings are following the road back to Crystal City, to face Sombra and put an end to his evil. The prayers, that shook the world, will finally be answered. The end of darkness, the end of evil is coming, as sun and moon have sent its avatars to vanquish the wicked from these lands. The end is near.