Confrontation

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Note: Sombra didn't destroy the Tree of Harmony in S9 in this universe yet.

Sombra follows my gesture and lets out a bark of laughter at the sight of the Mane 6.

"Ah, looks like we have some guests," he says, a cruel smile on his lips. "What do you think they're doing here, Autumn Rose? Do you think they've come to offer their sympathies? Or perhaps they're hoping to change my mind about taking the Crystal Empire back?"

I laugh with him. "What's up, princess?" I sneer at Twilight.

Twilight looks horrified at the sight of me but tries to maintain her composure. She glares at me and takes a step forward. "Autumn, I haven't seen you in so long... what are you doing?" she asks, her voice tout with tension. "Why are you... what has he done to you?"

"Hold your horses," The country one with the hat says in a confused tone. Applejack, was it? "You know that mare?"

I ignore Applejack and glare at Twilight. "I told you before, it's ROSE!" I snap. "And he hasn't done anything to me."

Twilight winces at my sudden change in tone but quickly regains her composure. "But... but that chain... you're wearing a chain!" she exclaims, pointing to the iron links that still hang from my neck. "What... what is the meaning of this?!"

I look down at the chain as if I had forgotten it was there. "A mere annoyance I have to put up with if I want to serve my king," I shrug and smile up at Sombra.

Sombra smirks at my answer, clearly pleased by my devotion. He turns to face Twilight, a mocking expression on his face. "Ah, but don't underestimate my little pet," he chuckles, gesturing to me with a hoof. "She willingly bears this chain for me. That's how devoted she is to her king."

I smirk and look at Twilight. "What's the matter? How does it feel, princess?"

Twilight looks torn between shock and anger, her eyes flitting between me and Sombra. "How can you just... how can you stand there so smug, wearing that collar?" she exclaims, a tinge of desperation in her voice. "He's using you, can't you see that?!"

"Of course he is!" I laugh. "I'd expect nothing else. You don't get it, do you? I brought him back."

Twilight looks dumbfounded by my response, her eyes widening in shock. "Y-you what?!" she exclaims, her voice rising slightly. "You're the one who... you freed him?! How is that even possible?"

I giggle. "You underestimate me, Twily! I'm just as capable as you, but you're the one with friends and power. You've always had everything I wanted. Now you'll see what it's like to lose something."

Twilight gazes at me in disbelief, her hooves clenching at her sides. She steps forward, a defiant look in her eye.

"You... how could you?! You brought this monster back, knowing what he could do?! Are you so blinded by your own jealousy that you'd condemn all of Equestria to his reign of terror?!"

"Oh, not all of Equestria, sweetie! I wouldn't dare," I giggle mockingly. "Just the Crystal Empire... for now."

Twilight looks absolutely horrified, not only by my betrayal, but by my casual attitude about the whole situation. "You... you can't be serious... you're honestly saying you're okay with dooming the whole Crystal Empire to Sombra's rule just to spite me?"

"And your friends," I correct her. "And Celestia, who never saw my worth. At least King Sombra here sees that I can be useful!"

She glares at me, her eyes hard and cold. "You realize what you're supporting, don't you? You know what Sombra's reign will mean! Total darkness, fear, and tyranny! Is that what you really want?"

I shrug. "Go ahead, do your whole 'friendship is magic' thing with the elements instead of wasting my time.

Twilight looks at me with a mixture of sadness and frustration. "You're beyond saving at this point, aren't you? Even with the Elements of Harmony by my side, your heart is so blackened by envy and hatred that no magic can fix it now. I'm almost sorry... but I can't let you or Sombra succeed."

Twilight and the other members of the Mane 6 suddenly glow, the Elements of Harmony surrounding them. Sombra growls in anger at the sight of the artifacts, realizing that they're his biggest obstacle yet.

I look at Sombra. "Easy there, my king."

Sombra looks at me, his expression a mix of frustration and irritation. He takes a deep breath, his eyes burning with barely contained fury. "These wretched... children. They think they can defeat me, even with their silly little objects."

"Relax..." I giggle, bowing to him. "I know how to handle this."

Sombra looks down at me, a smirk slowly spreading across his face. He looks back at the Mane 6, then back at me. "And how, pray tell, do you suppose you'll 'handle this'?" he scoffs at me.

Twilight and her friends rise up with the elements while I remain bowed to Sombra. "Twilight, dearest, while all those rainbow lasts are gorgeous, they're not going to do anything," I laugh. "Last time, King Sombra here didn't have true devotion, did he? But I've given it to him, which means those little elements? They wont work because that spirit of "loyalty" is already shown... in me." 

As I speak, the rainbow one with the attitude falls out of the sky. Twilight's eyes widen in amazement at my words, realization dawning on her face. She and the rest of the Mane 6 hesitate, uncertain of what to do. "That... that's not possible..." she says, her voice uncertain. "The Elements of Harmony... they work on everyone. Even- even those who are corrupted by dark magic."

Sombra laughs coldly, clealy enjoying the look of confusion on Twilight's face. He steps forward, a cruel smirk on his lips. "She's right, you know. You can use those elements all you want, little ponies, but you cannot use them against me now. And you, my little pet," he adds, addressing me with a dark glint in his eye, "have made sure of that. You have given yourself... to me. And your loyalty has rendered the elements powerless."

I laugh. "Go... go take that Crystal Empire, my king. I'll be waiting. But first... destroy those pesky elements, why don't you?" I say, my eyes glittering with excitement.

Sombra grins, his eyes flashing with sadistic satisfaction. He strides forward, the dark magic crackling around him. "With pleasure..." He raises his horn, and a pulse of shadow magic shoots out, causing the Elements of Harmony to fall to the ground and shatter into pieces.

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