The Other Elements (mlp:fim fanfic)

Chapter twenty two: Distress in the Crystal Empire

AN: I DON'T OWN THE PICTURE ABOVE

The hoofsteps of a crystal pony guard echoed throughout the hallway, filling it with a steady click, click, click. His expression was emotionless as he made his way to the room he knew Princess Cadence and Shining Armor were in, making eye contact with both guards posted outside the doorway. With firm nods, both earth ponies allowed him to pass and each pushed open the door on their side. The Prince and Princess ceased all conversation and gave their attention to the unicorn.

"Pardon me your highnesses, I realize that you are busy with your letter to Princess Celestia, but you have a visitor. By the looks of it, it seems important." The guard's eyes softened, and a faint worry played across his golden-brown eyes.

Shining Armor and Cadence looked between each other before she spoke, "You may send them in and we'll be sure to address their needs. "

"Yes, Princess."

When the guard returned, a rather panicked looking crystal pony accompanied him. Her eyes were wild, and there were faint scratches on her green coat. Immediately she galloped up to the two of them. While she frantically thanked them for seeing her, Shining Armor discretely waved off the guard, allowing him return to his duties. As the doors closed the mare told them about the situation.

"Earlier I was leaving my house to go to the market when I felt a presence behind me. When I turned around to s-see who it was I could've sworn that I saw... that I saw..."

"It's okay, tell us who you saw." Cadence prompted.

"I thought I saw King Sombra!"

"What?" Said Shining Armor, trying to keep himself calm.

"I don't want to believe it either but I know I would recognize him! He can't be back... can he?"

Shining Armor was about to say something when there were shouts of guards and clamoring sounds that were coming from the other side of the door. Telling Cadence to stay behind him, he walked toward the door and flung it open with his magic. He looked left and right only to see both guards that had been posted outside the doors had crumpled to the floor, laying in an unconscious state. He looked down the long stretch of hallway, but nopony was around. And then there was a break in the silence that hung about them - buzzing.

Horror struck the unicorn Prince as he made a quick connection. Out of no where, several changelings rained down upon him from above, dropping and diving down from the ceiling and covering Shining Armor
as they began hissing while they covered him in green slime. His magic surged, and a dome of his magic formed around him before suddenly expanding, sending the changelings soaring into the wall with multiple thuds. Cadence turned to the mare behind her to let her know she would be protected, but she was no where to be seen. Before she could do so much as glance around, a gooey substance landed on her horn, dripping down and covering Ti from top to bottom. A blur of black zoomed straight for her, and she barely managed to fly away in time. The changeling that dove at her changed courses before it aimed right for the alicorn again. She pointed her horn at it, but her magic wasn't working!

With the upper hand, the changeling pinned her to the ground, she was able to shove it off, but without her magic, it wasn't long before she was in the same position. With the green slime almost covering her entire body, she yelled for her husband, but his promise to save her was cut short, and when she turned her head, he was meeting the same fate as her. As she attempted to wiggle free, she cried out for the guards, but her changeling captor looked into her eyes with its own gleaming blue pair.

"It's too late Princess, my troops have already taken care of your husband, your daughter, and your guards. You don't stand a chance." The female changeling spoke. "You shouldn't have let me into your castle in the first place."