Queen of Shadows chapter 3: Celestia’s secret.
 
The Princess stepped towards the frighten filly, on the edge of tears the filly tried to apologize. Celestia was astounded, such raw power in a young pony; so much potential in such a malleable mind.
 
“You have a very special gift”, Celestia declared “I’ve never seen such advanced magic in such a young unicorn”, the filly eyes opened in wonder. “But you need learn to master your ability though focus study, Twilight I like to make you my own personal Protégé “
 
 
The ecstatic filly bounced around in delight, not only was she accepted to the most gifted school in all of Equestria but she also discovered her cutie mark. “Yes, yes, yes, this is the greatest day of my life”, little did she know that her destiny was far greater…
 
…
 
Canterlot palace: present day…
 
“I feared this day would ever come, my dear sister… now that HE has returned”
 
Princess Luna came forward holding the book of the dark arts, and the mark of Sombra’s followers, a big bright six pointed magenta star, surrounded by five smaller white stars.
 
 
“I sensed Twilight had a connection to Sombra since her first exam.. She immediately loses control, causing her eyes to glow white and creating a powerful surge of black magic…” Celestia shuddered. “Like Sombra himself it was one of the earliest stages of the black crystals power…. She bestowed the mark of dark magic.-The Sombrian curse.”
 
 
“And her brother, Shining armour” Luna nodded “he also bears the mark. Does he know?”
 
“Indeed he does, I’ve gave him position as the captain of the royal guards due to his advance strength in magic and will power as protector of Canterlot. Like his sister, he is strong; black magic is also in his veins.”
 

 
“I remember Sombra when he was still a young colt,” Luna reflected on the passing of the crystal empire “he was once a trusted pupil and ally, until the black crystals corrupted his mind…” Luna shut her eyes trying to fight out the haunting memories.
 
 
“I been having visions recently”, Luna shivered, “ever since the Royal wedding I’ve been seeing… images of black crystals…. And the whole of Equestria … fading into darkness”. Luna turned her head away, for a second the image of Nightmare moon echoed in her mind. Ever since the predictions she has been fighting for her sanity.
 
 
“Calm, my sister” Celestia comfort her, Celestia herself was also traumatized by the horror of Sombra’s reign. “There is still a piece of hope, Twilight’s intellect is just as powerful as King Sombra’s, all we need is faith that her will is stronger” .  
Luna agreed “only she can unlock the crystal heart and free the empire from the Sombrian curse…. However, what if she can’t stop him in time?”
 
 
“We all have shadows within us, Luna” Celestia exclaimed “Sombra feeds off the darkness in the hearts of others and uses their fear to become stronger.” Celestia has been preparing for this for a long time, ever since Luna was freed from Nightmare moon.
 
She kept the Sombrian curse and the Crystal empire a secret for thousands of years. She feared of an uprising just like in the crystal empire, “if Twilight knew of the dark arts then she could easily be possessed, like Sombra himself”.
 
 
“If fear and darkness take hold, Sombra’s power will grow. And if the Empire shall fall… then the whole of Equestria will follow. Only Twilight’s inner demons can defeat Sombra”.
 
 
“She is your most loyal student, doesn’t she deserve to know?” Luna exclaimed “Instead of merely sending her to her demise?”
 
 
Celestia went silent. She been trying to ignore the pain for so many years, her guilt grew from hiding the truth from Twilight all her life.
 
 
She knew that to defeat Sombra meant a personal loss, in order to save the crystal empire, does it mean to sacrifice her most faithful student?
 
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