A somber tale.

One day, king Sombra called in his legate and said - "It is time to collect taxes. Gather up velites and go. Take everything valuable." Legate bowed and walked out.

Two days later, legate returned, bringing back a rich take. Sombra asked him - "Is that all? What were the ponies doing when you collected it?" Legate responded - "They cursed your name, your eminence." Sombra frowned - "Get out. They have more to take."

Three days later, legate returned again, bringing back a modest take. Sombra asked him again - "Is that all? What were the ponies doing this time?" Legate responded - "They were crying and lamenting, your eminence." Sombra frowned - "Get out. There`s still more to take."

A week later, legate came back bringing but paltry crumbs. Sombra asked him one more time - "Is that all? What were the ponies doing?" Legate responded, confused - "They laughed at us, your eminence." Sombra smiled - "Very good. Now we truly took all that we could."

Comments

[CanterlotGuardian]

that... that is amazing. also see: how the American government treats its citizens

[Cytotoxin]

1317932

That`s actually a ponyfication of old russian anecdote. Black humor, natch.

[CanterlotGuardian]

1317989
I thought I'd heard it before.

[that1dude]

Hey, that was pretty cool. Also, nice to see that you're still around.

[SIGAWESOME]

"They laughed at us, your eminence."

Laughing?
Why would they ... OH!
Oh, I see.

Damn that is black (and bitter too).

[Cytotoxin]

1318696

Well, that`s russian humor for you.

1318382

Tenacity is a virtue.

[Rex Ivan]

This is actually pretty close to how I imagine Sombra would actually behave in ruling a country. You know, back when he still collected taxes, and before he forced his subjects into hard labor in the crystal mines.

[Cytotoxin]

1347635

I have a notion that Sombra was much savvier then what we see in show. I think that as a tyrant, he was fairly competent, if evil.