The Rise of King Sombra Written and produced by DeathBrony PART ONE EXTERIOR: MOUNTAIN RANGE: NIGHT There is a dark and mysterious mountain range. There is rain, thunder, and lightning in the background. A voice starts to speak as we make our way through the mountains. NARRATOR Hello... I suppose you came here to hear a story about ponies? Ponies are such fascinating beings, aren't they? Well... everything has a dark side, and this story is proof of it, of how dark Equestria can be, and how even in this world the evil and hate rises upon the grass of this beautiful land. It all started with one of the most evil beings ever existed in the Crystal Empire. It's name... was Sombra, ruler at first but defeated. But have you ever wondered if he is really dead? Some tyrants can't rest even in death. I dare you, to be a witness of this dark adventure. The camera finds it's way to the entrance of a cave... INTERIOR: CAVE: NIGHT We observe a group of hooded figures gathering around an alter. They mumble some words and light the altar on fire. The cave trembles and black smoke starts to spew from the altar, filling the cave until all we can see is smoke. Two glowing eyes open through the smoke. we can hear a voice laughing menacingly as the camera fades out. INTERIOR: CASTLE HALLWAY: DAY Several days before Twilight walks through a doorway and stops, looking back. TWILIGHT Hurry up! We are going to be late. The others are already there. Someone speaks back through the doorway RARITY *sigh* Fine, but it's not easy to look this good. You can't rush beauty you know. Twilight rolls her eyes and starts walking down the hallway. TWILIGHT Whatever, let's go. We should already be there. As they are walking down the hallway, there is a loud boom in the distance. RARITY What was that! TWILIGHT Sounded like an explosion! Come on! They both run off towards where the sound came from. INTERIOR: CASTLE LIBRARY: DAY Twilight and Rarity both enter the library and see that there is a large hole blown in the wall. There are already several guards in the library. RARITY *gasps* Look at this mess! TWILIGHT (to one of the guards) What happened? GUARD There was an explosion. Someone broke in here, but we don't know why. Nothing seems to be missing. Twilight thinks for a second. TWILIGHT Check to see if there are any books missing. GUARD Yes princess. The guard leaves. RARITY Why would someone go through so much trouble to steal a book? TWILIGHT I don't know, but this IS the royal library. There are some valuable books in here. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Celestia all enter. APPLEJACK We came as fast as we could! What was that sound? RAINBOW DASH Probably that hole being blown in the wall, duh. Rainbow Dash points to the hole. Applejack gives her an annoyed look. TWILIGHT I think they were trying to steal something. FLUTTERSHY What would they want to steal? TWILIGHT Probably a book. RAINBOW DASH Ha! Who would want to steal a book? Well, other than Twilight. Twilight rolls her eyes. As she is about to speak, the guard from earlier enters and hands her a piece of paper. She takes the paper and reads it. GUARD There is one book missing from the forbidden section. TWILIGHT Thank you. The guard bows and leaves. Twilight studies the paper for a moment. TWILIGHT I don't recognize this book. PINKIE PIE I thought you knew all the books in here. TWILIGHT *sarcastically* Ha ha. Not this one. Twilight hands the paper to Celestia. TWILIGHT Princess, do you know this book? CELESTIA No, but I'll ask Luna. *sigh* Now I have to get someone to fix this wall. Celestia exits. APPLEJACK Well, I don't know about ya'll, but I'm starving. How about we go find some food? Everyone agrees and leaves. As Twilight is leaving, she spots something on the ground. She goes to pick it up and sees that is is some sort of medallion with a symbol on it. She picks it up. TWILIGHT (to herself) I wonder what this is... INTERIOR: TWILIGHT'S STUDY: NIGHT A few days later Twilight is sitting at her desk with a stack of books, intently studying one of them. Spike enters the room holding some tea. SPIKE Hey Twilight... Twilight! TWILIGHT (surprised) HUH? SPIKE I brought you some tea. TWILIGHT Oh... Thank you. Twilight takes a cup of tea and Spike goes and places the teapot on a table. Spike goes over to Twilight's desk and looks at the stack of books. SPIKE What are you doing? TWILIGHT I found this amulet in the library the other day and I'm trying to find out what this symbol means. Twilight shows Spike the amulet. He examines it. SPIKE Huh. (he gives the amulet back) It's probably nothing. It can't be healthy for you to stay up all night like this. TWILIGHT I know, but I've got this nagging feeling that something's wrong. I need to find out what this symbol means, but it's nowhere in any of these books. Spike goes and sits down on a chair with a comic book. SPIKE I'm sure you'll figure it out. Oh, by the way, Princess Luna wanted to see you. She's in her study. TWILIGHT WHAT! You telling me this now!? Twilight jumps out of her chair and runs out the door. Spike shrugs and continues reading his comic book. INTERIOR: LUNA'S STUDY: NIGHT Luna is sitting by the window looking out. It is starting to rain outside. There is a knock on the door. LUNA Enter. Twilight enters the room and closes the door behind her. TWILIGHT You needed to see me princess? LUNA Yes Twilight. Sister told me about the missing book and I have found out what is was. Twilight relaxes and walks over to Luna. TWILIGHT Oh. What was it? LUNA It was a book with black magic rituals in it. Specifically about necromancy. Twilight cringes at the word. TWILIGHT Necromancy? Who would want to perform necromancy? LUNA I don't know, but I have a strange feeling about this. This is why I decided to summon you at this late hour rather than wait. Sister won't listen to my concerns. She is distracted with other things. They both sit in silence for a moment. TWILIGHT While I'm here, could you look at this? I found it in the library. Twilight gives the amulet to Luna, who examines it. After a moment, Luna's eyes go wide. LUNA I know what this is. Follow me. Luna leaves the room with Twilight following her. INTERIOR: CASTLE LIBRARY: NIGHT Luna and Twilight enter the library and Luna finds a book and pulls it off the shelf. She opens it and shows Twilight. The rain outside has gotten stronger. LUNA The symbol on that amulet belongs to The Order of Shadow. When King Sombra was defeated the first time, those still loyal to him sought to bring him back, so they formed the Order of Shadow. They are shrouded in mystery, but this amulet must have belonged to one of their members. Twilight thinks about what Luna said for a moment. TWILIGHT I found this in here the day someone broke in and stole the book. This must have belonged to the thief. LUNA If the Order of Shadow is stealing books about necromancy... Their eyes go wide as they both make the same realization. TWILIGHT We need to do something! I'll gather everyone! LUNA I'll speak to sister. They both rush out of the library. INTERIOR: CASTLE KITCHENS: NIGHT Rainbow Dash is in the kitchen looking through the pantry. She pulls out a cookie jar and starts trying to open it. APPLEJACK RAINBOW DASH! Rainbow Dash jumps in surprise and hides the cookie jar behind her back. RAINBOW DASH Oh, uh, heeeeeey Applejack. I was just checking to make sure that no one was, uh, sabotaging the food. APPLEJACK Nevermind your midnight snack, A've been looking for you. Twilight needs us. She says it's an emergency. Applejack leaves. Rainbow Dash stops and takes a cookie before following her. INTERIOR: TWILIGHT'S STUDY: NIGHT Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Spike, and Fluttershy are all gathered in Twilight's study. It is still raining outside. Thunder and lightning have started. Luna enters. TWILIGHT (to Luna) Where's Princess Celestia? LUNA She thinks we are overreacting. We are on our own for now. Luna sits with the others. RARITY Twilight? What are we doing here at this hour. I need my beauty sleep. PINKIE PIE How can sleep be beautiful? It's a verb, not a noun. TWILIGHT GIRLS! This is important! Princess Luna and I think that someone may be trying to bring Sombra back. Everyone gasps. APPLEJACK What makes ya'll think that? TWILIGHT Well, the book stolen from the library had necromancy rituals in it and we also think that it was stolen by The Order of Shadow. PINKIE PIE What's the order of Shadows? TWILIGHT A cult that worships Sombra. We need to hurry and find a way to stop them. They are probably trying to bring Sombra back! Suddenly, the ground starts shaking and they hear an evil laugh. Fluttershy looks out the window. FLUTTERSHY Um, Twilight? What's that? They all look out the window and see pitch black smoke forming in the distant mountains. They hear the evil laugh again. Lightning strikes the mountain and starts a fire as the black smoke heads in their direction. LUNA My little ponies, we may be too late… END OF PART ONE PART 2 INTERIOR: TWILIGHT'S STUDY: NIGHT The ground shakes again as everyone is trying to gather their thoughts. It is still raining outside. Twilight, Luna, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Spike, and Rarity are all here. TWILIGHT Quick! We need to warn Princess Celestia! Everyone starts heading for the door, but the doorway collapses first. They stop as black smoke starts coming into the room. They hear a voice. SOMBRA You are too late! Your princess is already...Captured. There is no stopping me now. The smoke closes in on them as they all back up into the center of the room. TWILIGHT Quick! Everypony get around me! Everyone gathers around Twilight as she casts a teleportation spell. EXTERIOR: CANTERLOT: NIGHT They all appear outside the castle. It is raining outside. They look around the city and see fire and smoke rising from several parts of the city. They turn around and spot two hooded figures running toward them. LUNA It's the Order of Shadow! We must retreat! Come, make haste! They start running, following Luna. RAINBOW DASH Where are we going? LUNA We must head for the train and hope it is still operational. APPLEJACK We need to get as many ponies to safety as we can. Start telling folks to get outta Here! As they continue towards the train station, they shout to ponies to flee. They reach the train station and board the train just as it starts to move. RARITY Goodness! We made it. PINKIE PIE Don't relax just yet. They all look behind the train and see the black smoke chasing them. RAINBOW DASH Can this thing go any faster? The smoke catches up with the train, but Twilight casts a spell to push it away. The smoke retreats for a moment but then lunges to the front of the train where is destroys part of the track. The train derails and falls down the mountain into the forest below. EXTERIOR: EVERFREE FOREST: NIGHT As the smoke clears, we can see that Twilight had cast a spell to protect them from the crash. She stops her spell and everyone relaxes. It has stopped raining. APPLEJACK Quick thinkin' there Twilight. TWILIGHT Thanks. Did we lose it? They all look back up the mountain but don't see the smoke anywhere. They all relax. Rarity starts pulling a few leaves out of her mane. RARITY Ug, I'm going to need a long bath after this. At least the rain has stopped. PINKIE PIE Where are we? They all look around to see if they recognize where they are. All they can see are the trees of a thick forest. Fluttershy cowers behind Rainbow Dash. FLUTTERSHY I think we are in the Everfree Forest LUNA We can not linger. We should head further away so we are not found. Luna starts walking into the forest. The others pause for a moment, but then cautiously follow her. FLUTTERSHY Where are we going? RARITY We should try to make our way back to Ponyville. TWILIGHT Sombra would know to look for us there. LUNA For now, we just need to gain some distance from the castle. Lay low until we can think of a plan. They continue to walk through the forest. EXTERIOR: EVERFREE FORESTUSK Some time later. They continue to walk further into the Everfree forest. After some time, Rainbow Dash hears something. She stops and looks around. RAINBOW DASH Hey guys? Everyone stops and turns around to look at her. RAINBOW DASH I don't think we are alone... They hear some sounds coming from the bushes. They all look at the bushes. Applejack cautiously approaches the bushes to look behind them. Something jumps out of the bush. Everyone screams, but then realizes that it is only a pegasus. TWILIGHT Who are you? UNKNOWN PONY The names...well that's not important. I saw the train fall down the mountain and I flew down to see if you were okay. APPLEJACK Well, we're all fine, but why have you been followin' us? UNKNOWN PONY I've got no where else to go. I escaped from the city. It's not safe to go back. They all think for a moment. TWILIGHT Well, there should be a town south of here. We are trying to lay low until we can figure out what to do. Come on guys, we have to keep moving. They all continue walking. Dragon sits for a moment and then runs after them. UNKNOWN PONY Wait! Everyone stops and turns around. UNKNOWN PONY I want to help! They all look at each other for a moment. UNKNOWN PONY You guys are the element bearers? Right? You guys always save the day. I want to help. LUNA I am sorry, but we do not require the help of common folk. TWILIGHT Princess! You can't refer to ponies like that. Twilight thinks for a moment. TWILIGHT *sigh* We could actually use as much help as we can get. UNKNOWN PONY YAY! Um, I mean... cool. They stand awkwardly for a moment, until Luna speaks. LUNA We have traveled a safe distance from the castle. We should rest here and then think of a plan of action. RAINBOW DASH Awesome! I need a nap. Rainbow Dash flies off to find a place to nap. Everyone else starts to relax. EXTERIOR: EVERFREE FOREST: DAY Some time later, everyone is still resting. Twilight notices that Luna is sitting by herself and looks sad. Twilight approaches Luna. TWILIGHT Are you okay princess? Luna, caught off guard, sits up and corrects her posture. LUNA Oh, yes. Just thinking about things. Twilight sits next to her. TWILIGHT You can tell me. Don't bottle up your worries. Luna thinks for a moment. LUNA I am just worried about my sister. I hope she is okay. Sombra probably got to her. TWILIGHT I am sure she is okay. We'll find a way to stop Sombra. LUNA Yes, have you thought of a plan? TWILIGHT The only thing I can think of it to get the elements, but we gave the back to the tree of harmony. LUNA Maybe we can get them back. It's the only chance we have to stop Sombra so far. You can give them back to the tree after. TWILIGHT You are right. We should at least try. Twilight gathers everyone's attention TWILIGHT Everypony, I have a plan! Everyone gathers around Twilight. TWILIGHT I think we should try to get the Elements. It's the only thing I can think of that could stop Sombra. PINKIE PIE But I thought we gave them back to that tree? TWILIGHT Yes, I know, but we have to try. It's the only thing I can think of. APPLEJACK Twilight's right. We have to try. RAINBOW DASH Well what are we waiting for? Let's go! Rainbow Dash flies off and everyone else follows. EXTERIOR: EVERFREE FOREST, NEAR THE TREE OF HARMONY: DAY They all approach the cave where the Tree of Harmony is, but Luna stops them. LUNA (quietly) Stop! Look. Everyone stops and looks where Luna is pointing. They see a several hooded figures guarding the entrance. FLUTTERSHY Who are they? TWILIGHT They look like the Order of Shadows. PINKIE PIE I'm sorry, but remind me who they are. TWILIGHT An evil cult that worships Sombra. APPLEJACK And it looks like they are guardin' the tree. Sombra must have found out where the elements were to stop us from gettin' them. RAINBOW DASH Thanks captain obvious. TWILIGHT SHHH! Quick, hide! They all stop talking and hide behind a boulder as one of the hooded figures walk past them. RARITY How will we get to the tree now? UNKNOWN PONY I think I have a plan... END OF PART 2 PART THREE EXTERIOR: EVERFREE FOREST, NEAR THE TREE OF HARMONY: DAY There are several members of the Order of Shadow guarding the entrance of the cave. RARITY (dramatically) OH DEAR! IS THERE ANYPONY WHO COULD HELP ME? The guards look at each other, but decide to go investigate. They turn a corner and see Rarity laying on the ground. RARITY Oh thank Celestia! I seem to have sprained my ankle. Could one of you handsome stallions help me? The guards look at each other again and smile. They all walk towards Rarity. RARITY NOW! Rainbow Dash and this unknown pony suddenly fly out from a hiding spot and grab a rope from the ground and pull. A net flies up from under the guards, capturing them. They tie up the net, leaving the guards trapped. Twilight, Applejack, Luna, Spike, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie all come out of hiding. APPLEJACK Good job girls! TWILIGHT All right! Let's get the Elements! They all head into the cave. Before Twilight enters, one of the trapped guards yells back to her. ORDER OF SHADOW MEMBER You fools! You can try to use the elements, but as long as Sombra can take his shadow form they are powerless against him! TWILIGHT I'll keep that in mind. Twilight walks into the cave, but she has a worried look from what the guard said. INTERIOR: TREE OF HARMONY CAVE: DAY They all enter the cave and approach the tree. APPLEJACK How will we get the tree to give us the elements? FLUTTERSHY Well, maybe we can promise it that we will bring them back? RAINBOW DASH Fluttershy, we can't just make a promise to a tree. Suddenly, one of the roots of the tree moves toward them. It forms into a pedestal with a hoof print on it. They all approach. PINKIE PIE What are we supposed to do? TWILIGHT I think that Fluttershy may be onto something. Twilight puts her hoof onto the pedestal. There is a flash of light and her horn is gone. She removed her hoof in shock, but then the trees branch reaches down and gives her her Element. TWILIGHT It wants us to give it something to promise we will bring them back. It will give us our stuff back when we return the elements. The other mane six approach and take turns placing their hooves on the pedestal. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy give up their wings, Rarity gives up her horn, and Applejack and Pinkie Pie give up their Earth pony strength. The tree gives them all their elements. RAINBOW DASH Awww, I have to go without my wings!? APPLEJACK You'll have to deal with it so we can beat Sombra. TWILIGHT Actually, I'm kind of worried about that. The Order member said that the elements wouldn't work as long as he can go into his shadow form. FLUTTERSHY Well, what will we do? TWILIGHT I think we need Celestia's help. RAINBOW DASH Well, we won't be of much help without our wings and horns and... um, what did you two give up? She points at Applejack and Pinkie Pie. APPLEJACK I dunno, I feel weaker. Maybe it took away our strength. RARITY Well, Rainbow Dash has a point. UNKNOWN PONY I didn't give anything up. Neither did Princess Luna. LUNA Yes, we could go and save my sister. Twilight thinks about it for a moment. TWILIGHT Okay, then you will go mount a rescue mission. Your old castle is close Luna. We should meet there to come up with a plan. I'll go and look through the library there and see if I can learn anything new. I have a feeling about that crest... Twilight takes out the Order of Shadow amulet and looks at it. LUNA Well, we should make haste Angel Wings! Angel salutes Luna UNKNOWN PONY Yes Princess! RARITY Well, be careful and don't take too long. UNKNOWN PONY We will. Luna and Angel Wings leave the cave and fly off towards Canterlot. EXTERIOR: CANTERLOT: LATE AFTERNOON Luna and Angel Wings fly up to Canterlot Castle and land. They quickly find a hiding spot as a few hooded figures walk by. UNKNOWN PONY Okay, so what's the plan? LUNA I thought you had the plan? UNKNOWN PONY I don't think that far ahead. Luna thinks for a moment. LUNA Well, Sombra would possibly keep Celestia in the dungeon if he had captured her. UNKNOWN PONY So we head to the dungeons and make this up as we go? LUNA Exactly. INTERIOR: CANTERLOT DUNGEONS: LATE AFTERNOON Celestia is sitting in a cell, which has a magical ward around it, preventing her from escaping. LUNA (whispering) Sister! Celestia stands up and walks to the cell door. Luna and Angel Wings are on the other side. CELESTIA (whispering) Luna? What are you doing? LUNA (whispering) We are rescuing you! UNKNOWN PONY It was my idea! LUNA SHHHH! DRAGON (whispering) Sorry. CELESTIA (whispering) You should not have come. It's not safe, but we can change that. Get me out of here. UNKNOWN PONY (whispering) How do we open the cell? CELESTIA The key is enchanted. It will disable the ward when you unlock the door. The guard behind that door has it. Celestia points to a wooden door down the hallway. INTERIOR: GUARD BARRACKS: LATE AFTERNOON One of the hooded figures is sitting at a table searching through a small box he had found. There is a knock at the door. UNKNOWN PONY Pizza delivery! The hooded figure walks toward the door and opens it. HOODED FIGURE I didn't orde... When he opens the door, Luna fires a spell that sends him across the room, knocking him out. UNKNOWN PONY NICE! I'll get the key. Dragon runs over to the guard and gets the key. They then both go to free Celestia. INTERIOR: CANTERLOT DUNGEONS: LATE AFTERNOON They unlock Celestia's cell and free her. CELESTIA Good job, but that was very loud. Suddenly, the several hooded figures come down the stairs. CELESTIA Stand back! Celestia casts a spell and blows a huge hole in the castle wall. UNKNOWN PONY WOW! Sorry Luna, but I think she just one up'd you. CELESTIA Quick! Let's go. They all take flight through the hole. EXTERIOR: CANTERLOT: LATE AFTERNOON As they fly away, they see a cloud of black smoke erupt from the castle, chasing them. SOMBRA You won't get away this time! CELESTIA Fly fast! We must meet up with the others! They fly towards the old castle with Sombra following close behind them. EXTERIOR: CASTLE OF THE TWO SISTERS: EVENING Celestia, Luna, and Angel Wings fly into the castle and land. They walk into the center of the old throne room. SOMBRA Bring back memories, princess? They both look around as Sombra's black smoke enters the room and starts to circle them. CELESTIA Good has always triumphed over evil at this castle Sombra! SOMBRA And you think that tonight won't be any different? Times change, princess. The smoke starts to gather in front of the thrones as it takes the shape of Sombra's physical form. He slowly walks toward Celestia, Luna, and Angel Wings as he talks. SOMBRA You had the elements of harmony during those other battles, but you don't have them now. Besides, they are no use against me when I can take my shadow form. LUNA You seem overly confident Sombra. Pride has been the downfall of many. SOMBRA I could say the same about you, or do you forget your past crimes? Luna glares angrily at Sombra. Angel Wings whispers to Luna. UNKNOWN PONY (whispering) Calm down Princess. Keep to the plan. Sombra keeps walking toward them, but then stops. He tries to walk further, but some invisible barrier seems to be stopping him from moving. CELESTIA What's wrong? Stuck? SOMBRA (angrily) What is this! What have you done! CELESTIA Only what we had to. The camera zooms out to show that the symbol of the Order of Shadows has been painted on the ground. Sombra is standing in the circle. TWILIGHT You know, chasing us out of Canterlot was actually a blessing in disguise. Twilight walks out from behind the thrones. Sombra turns around to face her. TWILIGHT You see, the old library here has a lot of books the Canterlot library doesn't have. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie all come out from hiding spots and surround Sombra. APPLEJACK Twilight had this feelin' that that symbol your little cult was usin' was more than just a neat little crest. RARITY She did a little research and found out something neat that it does. Sombra starts eyeing Twilight angrily. TWILIGHT I think you know what it does. Sombra gets very angry and fires a spell at Twilight, but it hits the invisible barrier of the circle and dispels. TWILIGHT Your little cult worships you, but they knew you were unpredictable. RAINBOW DASH A wild card. Like me! Rainbow Sash strike a pose. Twilight rolls her eyes but continues to talk to Sombra. TWILIGHT They needed a way to stop you if you turned on them, so they created this seal that could contain your magic. That includes keeping you in your physical form. So, because Spike could send messages directly to Princess Celestia, we were able to create a plan for them to lure you back here as we prepared. Sombra fires another spell, trying to break the seal. TWILIGHT NOW GIRLS!! The elements around the mane six's necks start glowing as they all float into the air. Once in formation, a beam fires from all six of them, hitting Sombra. SOMBRA YOU WILL REGRET THIS! Sombra starts turning into black smoke again, but then the smoke starts to collapse into itself as the light grows brighter and engulfs him. When the light has gone, he is no longer there. The mane six all float back to the ground. RARITY Was that it? Is he gone for good? CELESTIA Hopefully, but we can never be too prepared. Good plan Twilight. TWILIGHT Thank you Princess. RAINBOW DASH Um, could we go get my wings back? I'm tired of being grounded. TWILIGHT You are right, we should return the elements. We will meet you back in Canterlot, Princesses. Twilight and the other mane six leave to go return the Elements. Celestia turns to Angel wings. CELESTIA Thank you for your help. They couldn't have done it without you. UNKNOWN PONY Thank you Princess. That means a lot. What now? LUNA Now, we go and restore order back in Canterlot. You should head back there. We may need some more help in the future. Unknown pony smiles, then salutes Luna. UNKNOWN PONY Yes, Princess! She bows and then flies off to return to Canterlot. Celestia turns to Luna. CELESTIA Thank you for coming back for me, sister. LUNA Always. They hug as the scene fades out. END
