The Queen of Shadows (an MLP fanfic)

Chapter 1

It had been a few years since Cadence and Shining Armor had last seen the Shadow King. True to his word he didn't attempt to take the Empire by force. In fact the Prince and Princess hadn't heard from him at all. The deal he made them was all but forgotten, as it stayed in the back of their minds and haunted their dreams. More than once either one of them would wake up with a start from a nightmare about their daughter being taken from them by the shadows. Or one about the Empire being taken over by darkness. Still, they knew that, in the end, they had to make a choice.

Meanwhile their daughter, who they named Flurry Heart, had grown into a beautiful young mare. She looked like her mother and acted like her father, showcasing beauty and strength where ever she went. And where ever she went, her sister, Skyla, followed. Yes. Over the past few years Shining Armor and Cadence had another filly. She had pale-pink fur, lavender eyes, and a purple and blond mane and tail. However, unlike her sister and her mother, Skyla was a Pegasus. She had no horn. Only a pair of wings. But she didn't mind. Skyla didn't think being an Alicorn was all that special anyways. Especially considering the fact that Equestria had five already. So why should she care?

One warm day in midsummer, Flurry Heart and Skyla were walking through the Empire, looking for new adventures. It was the the girls favorite thing to do.

After visiting some of the stalls in the local market, Skyla asked her sister, "Hey, sis? What are you gonna do when you rule the Empire?"

"I don't really know, Sky." Flurry Heart responded as they walked back to the castle.

"Oh. Well, um, mom and dad have been talking about finding a Prince for you. Did you know that?" Skyla looked at her older sister with a curious look.

"Yes." Flurry Heart sighed. "Yes I did, Sky. Which is insane. Why can't I rule on my own? I don't need a Prince."

"Don't tell me that, Flurry." Skyla said. "Tell that to mom and dad."

"Fine." Flurry Heart responded. "I will."

When they got back to the palace, Flurry Heart and Skyla walked to the throne room only to find the door closed.

The two sisters looked at each other with curious gazes and pressed their ears to the door. There were voices coming from inside.

Flurry recognised two of them as her mom and dad. But there was a third voice that she couldn't identify.

"Come on! Give us more time!" Flurry heard her father say.

"Too late, Prince. I have given the two of you plenty of time already. What is your answer?" The voice was deep and semi quiet, almost like a whisper.

"Please, Sombra! We're begging you! Give us another option!" Cadence sounded like she was close to tears.

"Yes, please! We can't decide! We care about our Empire! But we don't want to give up Flurry Heart! Please." Both Flurry and Skyla were scared to hear their strong and brave father about to cry.

Flurry decided that enough was enough. Using her magic, she unlocked the door to the throne room and stormed inside with Skyla close behind.

"Mother! Father!" She called as she ran inside. She stopped just short of the throne at the sight of the stallion before her.

He had a coat as grey as a shadow and a mane as black as night. His eyes were terrifying! They were bright-red cat-eyes with the whites a bright green color. They had a purple smoke flowing out of them. His horn was curved and started out red before blending into black. He wore a red cape lined with white fur and a black crown with red jewels on his head. He reminded her of a powerful and wicked King.

"Who? Who is this?" Flurry asked.

"I can answer that myself." The stallion said. He was sitting on the throne and smiling evilly at her. He got up and walked up to her. Bending down and taking her hoof in his hand, he introduced himself. "I am the Shadow King. King Sombra. But you, my dear, may call me Sombra." He placed a kiss on her hoof and smiled at her. He stood up and walked around her, taking her in. "My, my. You look ravishing, my dear. Much more lovely than when I first lay my eyes on you when you were born."

"Mom? Dad? What is he talking about?" Flurry asked her parents.

"Oh! So you haven't told her? Well, I'll explain it then." Sombra recounted the tale of how, when Flurry Heart was born in his cave, he had made a deal with her parents: either they give him the Empire or her own hoof in marriage. "I have been waiting patiently for the day when the answer would come. And, well, today is that day." He stopped walking and looked at the Prince and Princess. "So, your majesties, what shall it be? Your beloved Crystal Empire? Or your lovely daughter?"

Shining Armor was about to answer when Flurry interrupted him. "Wait a moment! Since I was one of the options, I believe that I should make the decision."

"I personally don't mind who gives me the answer, so long as I get it." Sombra stated.

"And an answer you shall have." Flurry Heart replied. "However, since this is the first I've heard of this deal, I would like some time to think it over."

"Oh, very well." Sombra relented. "Here. When you have your answer, use this to find me." He placed an Umbrum crystal around her neck. "You will know you are close to my cave when you see other crystals like it. Until then, my dear." And with that he disappeared like a shadow fleeing from sunlight.

A week later, Cadence and Shining Armor had awoken to a note on the table beside their bed.

Dear mother and father,

By the time you read this I shall be on my way to the cave of the Shadow King. I have made my decision. I love you both very much. Tell Skyla that I'm fine and that I won't be coming back to the Empire. I'll miss you all.

Love,
Flurry Heart

Cadence and Shining Armor couldn't believe it. That day the entire Empire wept for the loss of Princess Flurry Heart. However, no one cried harder than Skyla, who knew she would never see her sister again.