A ploy.  
Pretending to die at their hooves was all that was needed to throw those foals off the scent.  
From the snowy tundra, the Shadow King looked back at what had once been his kingdom-returned to it’s former cheery glory.  
Sickening.  
But now that the element bearers were here, he’d have little trouble overthrowing the Equestrian Empire.  
His loss had been great, but there was so much more to be gained.  
He snapped open his smoky wings and took off towards Equestria’s capital.  
“Congratulations on passing your test, Twilight Sparkle.” He said darkly with a grin.