The Rise Of An Empire

Part 8

Twilight woke up with a grin on her face, and a small but noticeable skip in her step.

"You seem rather happy today, my love," said Sombra while brushing his mane. "Surely it's not just from being well rested."

The dark purple mare set her toothbrush back in its place and walked to her lover, placing her forehooves on his shoulders.

"You are correct. Today, I know exactly what we're going to do. We're going to Canterlot, unfreezing that statue, binding Discord up in a dungeon, and then the fun will begin."

"So you want to see if we can get some use out of him?"

"Correct. It would be such a waste if we just killed a creature that bears such magic without even trying to get him to join us first..."

"I share your sentiment. I assume we'll also be bringing those two mares along with us?"

"The more fear we instil in them, the better."

A knock was heard on the door. The Dark Queen marched over to it with an air of impatience and opened it. "Guard. What is it?"

"I am here to inform your Majesties that a unicorn mare by the name of Tempest Shadow has requested an audience with you and the King."

"Make her wait in the throne room. Don't let her out of your sight." Saying that, she shut it before the guard could say another word and turned to her lover, who raised an eyebrow. "Some unicorn named Tempest Shadow wants to speak with us."

"Three unicorns in a row... Hopefully we won't need to put her in her place as well."

Twilight merely nodded and straightened her crown. "Let's go, shall we?"

Tempest Shadow studied the throne room as she waited patiently. "You've been rather silent, Grubber," she said to her companion.

"...I... Do you think that these ponies will deceive us like he did?"

"If I thought that, why would I have come here?"

"...Good point."

"These rulers... One is an umbrum who was betrayed by the former Princess, and the other is a pony, who was betrayed by those dearest to her. They joined forces, and like us, they're against Equestria. What would they have to gain, if they were to deceive us?"

"Well-"

"That was a rhetorical question."

"A-ah..."

"Why are they taking so long?" she muttered, as her patience wore away. "We've been waiting for almost an hour now."

No sooner than she had said that, the Guards opened the doors of the Throne Room and the rulers of the Crystal Empire entered.

"Haven't you heard of the proverb, patience is a virtue?" asked Twilight sarcastically.

"Your Majesties." Tempest and Grubber bowed respectfully.

"Who is your companion? I don't believe the Guard mentioned him," said the King, glancing in the Guard's direction, inadvertently causing him to open his mouth to let out a stream of apologies. However, Sombra held his hoof up. "Save your apologies for later."

"Y-yes Sir."

"So, I don't think I've introduced myself. I am Tempest Shadow, former general of the Storm King's army, and this is Grubber, who was the commander."

"The Storm King?"

"He is not known to many as this is his first attempt to take over Equestria, so if you allow me, I shall explain who he is."