Just as she was about to leave, Rainbow felt something pull at her tail. Turning around she saw none other than Twilight holding her back with her magic. "Please Dash, please don't leave..." The lavender Unicorn begged, tears threatening to fall. "Please... we-we need to talk..."
"... what's there to talk about? I saved Amethyst and I'm also really tired, I just wanna go back to my home." Rainbow said, desperate to try and escape before she does something really cheesy or something similar.
"It's about you... and us..." Fluttershy said as she approached her. "And what we drove you to..." She explained as she reached out to touch her, only to freeze in fear as the suit itself growled at her.
"Easy Venom..... they're right." Rainbow said as the symbiote still growled but it receded back as she wanted it to. "....no you girls didn't drive me into anything, I'm saying that right now..... I let my emotions do that-"
"DASHIE, JUST LET US APOLOGIZE FIRST!" Pinkie shouted causing all involved to be rather stunned.
“Pinkie, what-”
“Dash… we’re the ones at fault..” Another voice got her attention. Turning around she saw Rarity and Applejack in the doorway, Rarity stepped forward with a guilty look on her face. “We didn’t need to be so… inconsiderate of your feelings...”
“So what?! I’m the one who let my ego get the in the way of saving ponies!” Rainbow retorted angrily. “What the hay do you two have to apologize for?! I’m the one who-”
"We're the ones who didn't approach ya first sugarcube." Applejack said in a sad tone. "We just jumped right on in this stupid hero business."
"Yeah but I caused the DAM to break! I endangered Ponyville!" Rainbow retorted, before the symbiote could stop her from mentioning that.
Everyone was silent for the next few seconds, as if registering what they just heard…
She felt it coming, one of them was going to do it-
*SMACK*
And that’s when she learned that Rarity had a nasty right hook… followed by Fluttershy surprisingly… sending her spiraling over to Applejack, who introduced her to “Kicks McGee”… who sent straight towards Twilight, who delivered the smack, sending her back to the center of the room.
“You could’ve avoided each of those! Why didn’t you!?” Her symbiote screamed, attempting to lash out at the group only to be restrained by Rainbow herself.
“Because I know I deserved it...”
"Ya really do.... ya know Twi was terrified of what you did and she dang-well nearly called it quits!" Applejack yelled.... only for Rainbow to get a chuckle in.
"....y-you said 'dam'."
“Ah’ll introduce yah tah Bucky McGillicuddy if you say that again…” Applejack growled as she slammed her hoof onto the ground. “What were yah thinkin’!?”
“I wasn’t, I let anger cloud my basic logic… I let jealousy and spite fuel my actions...” Rainbow choked out, a few tears escaping her eyes. “I just couldn’t stand the fact that someone was constantly one-upping me, every time I tried to do something right, Mare-Do-Well was right there, waiting to upstage me, like I wasn’t even allowed to be a hero anymore!”
"It wasn't that!" Fluttershy yelled at her causing everyone to stare at her in shock. "Your ego was going out of control! Y-you were starting to go beyond just being a hero and doing things for something s-stupid like an autograph or just simple praise for doing a decent thing!"
“And you were somehow better!?” Venom screamed, breaking free just enough to voice his opinion, but not enough to actually attack them. “I looked into her memories, you praised yourselves behind her back, the very lesson you were trying to teach! And then you planned to attend your own parade in spite of heckling her when she attended her own fanclub!”
Twilight took a step back. “You… you heard us…?”
“Your hushed hecking wasn’t as subtle as you thought it was….” Rainbow chuckled before pulling Venom back. The group winced at this.
“Okay I'll admit, that wasn't exactly the smartest way to make our point… w-we could’ve turned down the invitation to at least show more humility…” Fluttershy mumbled. “But when she started putting her ego ahead of saving others we felt that she was too far gone at that point-” She continued, only for Venom to snap loose once more.
“So why couldn’t you have at least tried? I didn’t see any of you pull a stunt like that on Rarity during the flying competition, or were you taking just as much pleasure in seeing her struggle there as well?!”
Now it was Rarity's turn to feel embarrassed. “Not exactly my most glorious moment.”
“SHUT UP!” Rainbow snapped, trying to hold Venom back, giving it a harsh glare. “STAY. DOWN.”
Venom growled at her but did as she told it to.... though it still felt the need to lash out at them so it settled for a quick smack at Applejack. "We are satisfied."
“OW! Why me!?” The farmpony snapped.
“Mainly because you have less of a moral highground in this situation, little-miss Trophy Queen. Or should we just forget how you gave all of Ponyville food poisoning during your little ego trip during Applebuck Seaso-OW!” Venom hissed in pain as Rainbow slammed his head against the wall.
“SECOND. WARNING.” She growled out. “Though as much a I hate to admit, he’s got a point… why? Why did you all decide to gang up on me so quickly? Did I… did I destroy your faith in me that much? That simply speaking to me wasn’t even on the table?” She asked, turning her attention back to the group.
“It wasn’t that darling…” Rarity began, stepping forwards. “I’ll admit, we should’ve tried that option first...”
"But I told them it was a bad idea." Fluttershy whimpered. "I-I know how bad you get on your ego trips Rainbow..... you shut everyone out.... you don't listen to anyone but your own ego."
“...so that’s a “yes” then…” Rainbow retorted with a pained scowl. “… you didn’t see me as enough of a friend to simply talk to huh?”
As this was going on however, the gang failed to notice a small wisp of smoke escape from Amethyst’s horn, swiftly and silently crawling across the floor and under the floorboard towards a source of negative emotions…
It had to work fast… it needed to feast...
“Th-that’s not-”
“NO no, I get it. I’m not WORTH talking to, I’m just that horrible of a friend aren’t I?” She continued, biting her lip. For a moment she felt a pulse of… something… but quickly brushed it off.
"Dash....remember when you and Billy won that wrestling competition Rainbow...... how everyone was just a blur to you and all you did was brag.... and when I tried to tell you all you did was shove me to the side." Fluttershy said with tears in her eyes. "This felt a lot like that.... so I thought that you would've ignored and pushed us aside..."
“That was different, you KNOW what Billy was like, and I was a naive foal back then. I didn’t know any better!” She fired back, a little harsher than she meant to...
"AND YET YOU'RE MAKING THE SAME MISTAKES, ESPECIALLY REGARDING YOUR BROTHER!" Fluttershy yelled. While most of the group was stunned by the fact Rainbow had a brother…
Rainbow herself looked downright horrified. "Y-you know you're not supposed to-"
"It has to be said Rainbow." Fluttershy interrupted her. "Your brother was a jerk but you can't keep living in fear of him. Just doing that means you're doomed to make the same mistakes."
"....wait why didn't I find anything about your brother?" Venom asked, genuinely curious and concerned for its host.
"BECAUSE IT'S NOBODY'S BUSINESS BUT MY OWN!" Rainbow attempted to pull Venom back, but felt her body getting weaker as a result, there was another pulse, but she ignored it. “But.. it doesn't matter anymore, does it? I… I not worth being treated like a true friend then... am I?” She asked, finally breaking down in tears. “I try to be a hero, and I fuck up so badly that my own friends see me as the enemy, I let my jealousy cloud my actions, and I became a monster… even the mare I loved like a sister couldn’t be bothered to treat me like one… just another jerk to be taken down without a single word…. I-I’m not even worth being reasoned with.... I’m a horrible Element of Loyalty….”
"Rainbow…. I never said you weren't worth being a friend." Fluttershy said as she got close and hugged her gently. The symbiote growled but allowed the hug since it was clear the host needed comfort. "You are brave and strong.... and you are worthy of being the Element of Loyalty....”
“And that’s not to say that we don’t share the blame as well...” Pinkie added sadly. “We should’ve tried the most basic option first...”
“Or at least handled our message better...” Applejack said, taking off her hat in sorrow.
Twilight, who’d been silent most of the time, hesitantly stepped in. “Or at least checked on you and come when you became more reclusive…”
“We should’ve known you’d react more negatively...” Rarity pointed out in shame. “...or at least brought up our own experiences as an example...”
“... and maybe we should have approached you in a different way....” Fluttershy finished. “But we can't change the past.... I'm so sorry,-no, WE’RE sorry..... I hope you know that we all care about you."
"She's right Sugar.... we're sorry about what we did." Applejack said as she got in on the hug.
"We should've talked to you first darling." Rarity then joined in.... Pinkie was already hugging her but that's just Pinkie.... Twilight was the only one really nervous about hugging Rainbow since she nearly killed her at the dam.
Below the group, the entity growled, this wasn't right! The negative emotions were being overtaken by positive! It had to act now!
“Twi.. everyone... I’m… I’m so sorry...” Rainbow weeped, not willing to move from her spot. “I… I was so-AAARRGG!!” She suddenly screamed as she was engulfed in a burst a dark smoke that shot out of the floor around her and throwing her friends back.
"W-what just happened?!" Fluttershy shouted as she and the others backed away from the writhing and lashing Rainbow Dash.
Twilight glanced at the trail of smoke and realized it was emitting from Amethyst's horn. "Oh no!" She screamed, firing a blast of energy from her horn, cutting it off from the unconscious pony. "It's Sombra's magic! This must be leftover from the fight!" She explained as she grabbed onto Rainbow's leg, desperately trying to pull her out of the cloud which was slowly becoming a swirling vortex. Sadly Venom was affected by it as well and lashed out of her, smacking her away from them.
"SSSSSTAY AWAY FROM USSSSSS!!" Venom hissed at the group. Though it seemed more like it still wished to fight against the smoke.
The cyclone of Darkness starts to grow bigger as Rainbow cuddled into the fetal position as Venom itself started spazing out. "It's all my fault... I pushed them away.... I'm just like him... I'm just like him..." The cyan Pegasus mumbled to herself in terror.
"Yes... just like me... I have to say that I'm almost proud of you... but as usual you failed to even measure up to her..." A new voice called, much to everyone's shock the shadow took the form of a pony looming above her...
Mare-Do-Well.
"But never forget one fact one simple fact that she and I both share..." It said in a surprisingly male voice, removing its mask and revealing it's true face.
Rainbow's eyes widened and her pupils shrunk upon seeing the face under the mask. "B-brother!?"
"...you will NEVER measure up to me!"
"NO! GET AWAY! GET AWAY FROM ME!" Rainbow yelled as she backed away from him in fear. "J-JUST GO AWAY!" Suddenly Rainbow wasn't the brave Element of Loyalty.... she was just Rainbow Dash.... the scared little filly from years ago.
"Poor little Dashie, so pathetic and weak..." Stallion continued to taunt. "Too headstrong and STUPID... to the point where her own friends see her as nothing more than a nuisance to be eliminated...."
"SHUT UP YA VARMENT!" Applejack snapped, pulling out her lasso and attempting to snag Rainbow, hoping to pull her out of the creature's grasp, only for it to deflected by the creature itself.
"They just told you to you face that you weren't worth talking to… they couldn't spell it out any other way… and you know they're right… you are a horrible abomination of a mare!" It continued.
"LEAVE HER ALONE!" Venom roared as it lashed out at the Stallion who yelled in pain and then glared at him.
"And YOU.... the DISAPPOINTMENT of an ENTIRE race."
“S-SILENCE!" The Symbiote roared... however it was evident that it's own bravado was fading...
"A freak even among freaks.... your own kind banished you for not having the guts to simply view life as you should.... merely meat that you wear and toss aside from the moment they cease providing food for you." The stallion snarled as it became a mix of colors and rage. A pair of white eyes and razor teeth. "SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT.... SUCH A FAILURE OF A KLYNTAR."
“STOP IT!!” Pinkie screamed as she pulled out her Party Cannon and firing at the beast. Sadly her ammo was casually brushed it off.
Things started to get worse the shadows started forcefully pulling Rainbow Dash in one direction while pulling Venom in another as it shivered in pain and anguish, forcefully separating them.
".... it's feeding off the negative emotions." Twilight said as she came to a realization and glared. "You're feeding off their darker desires and fears you cowardly monster!"
The beast simply snarled as it turned its attention to her. “Says the mare who played on her insecurities simply to get her way.”
“That's different! We were-”
“Ah, but that's the beauty of all this, if anything you all GAVE me this power!” It interrupted her. “You see, on my way into her inner thoughts, ones that even her “partner” couldn't reach, and for every time you showcased just how much better than her Mare-Do-Well was, she saw this…” It explained, gesturing to the stallion’s demonic face. “...under the mask on some subconscious level. They were both better than her, and they both would never let her forget it no matter how much she wanted to! If anything I should be THANKING you!”
“...the thing is… we know what we did was wrong…” Fluttershy stated, taking a brave step forward. “And we won't let you try to turn our actions against us!”
"And for taking advantage of her fear and sorrow?! You should be regretting that choice because no one hurts our friend!" Twilight yelled as her horn glowed and became bright white. The creature for the first time looked horrified at the magic.
"Y-you don't know what you're doing! What if you hurt her or burn her?! Do you want them to hate you or be scared of you?!" It asked but Twilight clearly saw that the creature was more horrified for it's own safety.
"We've already had to deal with that enough!" Twilight retorted, her horn glowing brighter. "But this isn't for you, it's for our friend!!" She smirked before firing... at Fluttershy.
Fluttershy was engulfed in a pure white glow as she darted towards the demonic creature, diving straight into the swirling mass of darkness that made up it's form before it could react....
Deep within the depths of the dark pit she'd been dragged into. Rainbow Dash hugged herself as she cried, thousands of sinister voices tuanting her, berating her, telling her it was all her fault...
"I-I should've been better. I-I should've been better." She cried as she continued to whimper in her little corner. However she soon felt the darkness around her slowly move away from her as a bright light flew towards her.
As the light died down, she recognized the figure walking towards her. “F-Fluttershy!? What are you doing here!?”
“I came to save you of course.” She said, giving her a kind smile.
Sadly Rainbow didn't seem to return it. Opting to turn away instead. “You're wasting your time, I'm not worth saving… I've ruined everything…” She mumbled, her coat gaining a more gray tint as she regressed to the form of a foal.
"I don't believe that." Fluttershy said as she stood over her and hugged her. "You're my best friend... you're someone I care about." She said gently as she hugged her like a mother hugs a foal.
“But I’m terrible! I let my ego get so out of control…” Rainbow whimpered before gasping in pain as the pulsating magic started to encase her body. “I probably would’ve gone on to claim I beat Discord, and even Nightmare Moon on her own without help and not even bat an eye about it. I'd just push you all away to the point where my Element would stop working for me… I’d have doomed Equestria-”
“NO YOU WOULDN'T!” Fluttershy snapped, holding her tighter. "If you honestly think that, then you no true respect for yourself!"
"B-but Flutters I-"
"Then what about Us?" Another voice called out. Fluttershy turned to see two small demonic white eyes.... looking as though they were about to cry. "We're the real monster..... We made her more angry..... more rage filled..... We are her real monster."
"NO! Both of you listen and both you listen GOOD!” She stated, her tone holding an authoritative edge to it. “You two are many things, brash, headstrong, occasionally egotistical, adorable-yes Dash I know about that plushie you keep under your pillow, loyal, arrogant, brave and unintentionally insensitive at times, but you are NOT. MONSTERS!"
"Stop lying to them." A malevolent and cruel voice said to Fluttershy as it got close to them. It became a mesh of horrifying nightmarish beings... all of whom were smiling.
“You're the only liar here! And I will NOT stand here and let you INSULT everything she stands for, insult everything WE'VE been through together!!” Fluttershy shouted as her light began to shine brighter, repelling the shadows as she turned towards the foal Rainbow and the shivering Symbiote. “You defended me from those bullies, you made the Sonic Rainboom that connected us all long before we became friends, you motivated me to help get water to Cloudsdale, you saved Rarity despite her insensitive actions during the BYFC, and you're the ELEMENT OF BUCKING LOYALTY!”
"They can't hear you.... they can't hear anything but their own failures speaking to them.... they are the only ones who can save themselves.... and they're HELPLESS." The monster said before breaking into a huge laugh.
"...you...."
The beast stopped laughing, glaring at the foal. "What was that!?"
"....you're nothing..." She whispered, getting a proud smile from Fluttershy.
".... you little shit. Do you-"
"DON'T YOU DARE INSULT HER!" Venom roared as it lashed at the creature and gave it several cuts on it.
"How.... how DARE you?!" It roared at the trio and began forming it's own unique body.
The creature was now the size of a Manticore, it's body practically a walking corpse that wore the Mare-Do-Well costume like it's skin, it's face, still uncovered, was now a demonic fusion of her brother and Venom, it's eyes blood red and it's teeth sharper than daggers. "YOU ARE NOTHING BEFORE ME! JUST A PATHETIC LITTLE COWARD!" It roared as it got close.
However Rainbow soon began growing rapidly. As she did Venom began forming over her body and gave her a bipedal form. Soon she had two monstrous feet with claws, a muscular upper body with clawed hands, and a smiling face with sharp yet vaguely normal teeth and two demonic white eyes. On her chest was the white Spider-Symbol she made her own.
Fluttershy flew up to her friend, surprised by her sudden transformation but none the less happy to see that she'd snapped out of it. “Dashie… I knew you could do it…” She smiled, the glow surrounding her body wafting off her and towards her friend further empowering her.
The beast snarled in absolute rage, directing its attention the the shy Pegasus. “YOU THINK. JUST SAYING “I'M SORRY” FIXES EVERYTHING? THAT YOU CAN JUST BE ABSOLVED BY ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS?! YOU DROVE HER TO BECOME A VILLAIN! YOU MADE HER A MONSTER!!” It screamed, attempting to at least tear down the more emotionally fragile one in a last-ditch effort to turn the tables in it's favor...
...only to be slugged across the face by Venom herself. "Shut your mouth! We all made our fair share of mistakes, we shouldn't let the fame go to our head…”
“...and we should've talked with her first.” Fluttershy finished. “But we'll get through it TOGETHER!”
Suddenly, several more bright lights erupted from Fluttershy and landed next to Venom, revealing all of her friends beside her.
“It's true, it'll take more time to fix everything..." Pinkie said as she stepped forward.
Rarity trotted up next to her. "...but we're willing to own up to what we've done..."
"And we're willing to work through it together..." Twilight added, her horn glowing brightly.
"Like true friends should..." Applejack nodded as energy from each of them flowed into their friend.
"Loyalty is tough, and sometimes it's not easy..." Rainbow said, storming towards the beast. "But Loyalty IS WORTH IT!” She should before slamming her fist into it's face.
The creature fell backwards as Venom soon reformed itself over him and formed a sharpened blade. "This is for making her suffer... and for trying to destroy her heart!”
The demon barely had enough time to scream before it was impaled through its chest, several cracks started spreading across that the body as it vainly struggled before exploding in a bright flash of light, finally ending the illusion.
Rainbow panted as she and Venom regained their bearings and were soon surprised at the doors being bashed open and Gilda charging in. "DASH?! DASH ARE YOU OKAY?!"
Rainbow side as she turned around. "It... it's cool Gilda... we worked things out... I just REALLY need some rest right n-OFFFF!" She gasped as she was suddenly given a bone-crushing hug from behind by Pinkie Pie... followed by the rest of her friends.
However just then Venom pushed them all away as a dome and quickly backed down. "She needs time to sleep and regain her strength.... afterwards.... Rainbow who tells them the truth? You or Us?"
The cyan Pegasus sign as she glanced back at her friends."I'll tell them.... but that comes... later..." She said as she slowly drifted into unconsciousness...
As Rainbow slept she saw through a grassy land with an bright blue sky with some small clouds. ".... huh. Never had this kinda dream before."
"I felt it would be an appropriate setting...." A new voice called out. Turning around Rainbow saw none other than the Princess of the Night approaching her. "Hello, Rainbow Dash."
".....okay ha ha Venom. You don't have to take that form. You know I can just talk to you as a gooey blob.... it's actually more comfortable that way." Rainbow said with a bored face.
The Princess arched a brow as she glanced at something behind Rainbow, much to her confusion until she heard a familiar voice. "Dash, I'm over here."
Turning around she saw none other than Venom in his own pony form sitting behind her."....oh I feel stupid now." Rainbow said with a groan before turning back towards Luna. "Um.... s-sorry about our last trip up to Canterlot."
"As they say. Water under the bridge Rainbow." Luna said. "What I am her for however.... is your involvement in stopping Sombra from taking over a body."
"I... I just did what I had to... but it's Twilight you should be talking to... without her magic I wouldn't have been able to save her..." She sighed.
"I didn't mean when he invaded you. I meant with Amethyst. I was so busy dealing with a different nightmare I never noticed hers.... and I thank both of you for it." Luna said with a gentle smile.
".... to be fair it didn't really feel like an awesome moment.... more like We were a giant jack ass bullying someone.... granted said someone was an even bigger jack ass but the point stands." Venom said as they scratched the back of their head.
"Trust me you two, I know what it's like to let anger and jealousy cloud your better judgement." Luna said as she sat down right next to them. "And if you hadn't gone out of your way to do so, Amethyst would have been mentally tortured until she was nothing but a vegetable or worse, dead." She stated firmly. "Believe me, as someone who has faced Sombra before, I can easily tell you that she wouldn't have been the first.... nor the last... I checked her dreams before coming to you, and I can safely say that while it will take some time, with a lot of therapy she'll be able to recover, you saved her life."
"Wish we could've done more." Rainbow said dejectedly.
"She's lucky as is. Nothing I could've done would have helped her mental state." Venom said with a shrug. Rainbow sorta wince at how cold that sounded coming from him.
“And yet your actions saved her from a far worse fate…” Luna reminded them. “You two are giving yourselves too little credit… and I know why…”
"Luna whatever you see in there please do yourself a favor and stay away from them." Rainbow said with a panicked voice, thinking she meant her memories.
"I was referring to your guilt over your more recent actions..." The Princess corrected her, a few screens appearing before her and showcasing some of her more villainous exploits as Venom. "Believe me, I know what it's like to feel unending guilt over your past actions..."
".......oh. Right." Rainbow said with a small chuckle. "I-I didn't mean for that small freak out..... s-sorry." With a gulp Rainbow tried to make herself calm.
"It is fine... but you must not let these doubts drive your every decision. Otherwise you could end up becoming something worse than you were before..." She continued as the screens disappeared and the small dark purple wisp appeared in front of her as it took the form of a bee... or a wasp. "...or bring forth something even worse from within..."
"Uh there's a smokey thing near you and it looks like a.... wasp or something." Rainbow said as Venom soon formed a giant maw and chomped down on it, causing it to dissipate into just smoke.
Luna arched a brow at Venom’s actions, but simply chuckled a little. “That being said, it is time for you two to put the past behind you, if you truly wish to grow into a better pony, a true hero. You and your friends have come to terms with the situation, and now is the time make your choice… and prepare for when Sombra returns.”
"...... um Venom sorta stabbed him in the chest. How do you recover from something like that?" Rainbow asked her. Luna looked at her confusedly.
"She speaks the truth. A blade pierced the monster's heart.... in a sense. Either way it won't be recovering from such a thing." Venom said who then burped not too long after.
Luna could only sigh. "I'm sorry to say, the beast you just faced was not Sombra, but a leftover manifestation of his dark powers. The real Sombra had already fled to recover long after your fight within in the Dreamscape."
"Then uh..... yeah I can tell you RIGHT NOW again that Sombra's gonna be nursing some DAMN nightmares." Rainbow said as Venom chuckled darkly.
"Oh what We showed him.... the sucker." It said.... before Luna glared at him. "..... what? Rainbow said it added.... atmosphere.... We don't understand how it adds Air but it did."
Luna simply chuckled while Rainbow rolled her eyes. "It appears your friend needs to learn more about our worlds customs... believe me, I've been there." She smiled before turning away, noticing that the sky around them had started to fade away. "Your dream seems to be coming to an end... It's time for you to wake up and make your next choice..."
"My next choice?" Rainbow asked. "What do you-HEY DON'T JUST ASK ME AND VANISH!" Rainbow shouted as Luna seemingly disappeared, Venom now just eyes and razor sharp teeth as the dream became a black void.
".... are all elite ponies so ominous?"
“Like you wouldn't believe…” She sighed as her Dreamscape began to vanish around her until there was nothing left...
In another part of Equestria, King Sombra groaned as he held his head. "This isn't right! This was supposed to be easy!! That accursed Symbiote should have been mine!" He growled.
He just growled as he noticed his current mortal body was starting to deteriorate. "I will not..... I WILL NOT LET THIS BE MY END! I REFUSE FOR IT TO BE THE END!" He shouted as he began looking around.... trying to find ANY SIGN of fear.... anything...... a single phobia...... something.
“No, it will not…” A new voice called out to him. Looking behind himself, he saw what appeared to be a mare wearing a cloak. “You need fear? Then by all means, take mine.”
Sombra smiled as he saw her and slowly became smoke. "Aaah.... hello Hope." He said with a chuckle as he circled her. "I've been wondering where my favorite mare has been..... how are you..... in perfectly good condition I hope?" He laughed darkly at his horrid joke.
“As good as one can be…. given the circumstances of our relationship…” She replied, pulling down her hood. “You're not very easy to track down Sombra… then again you had a knack for remaining unseen when you wanted to.”
"Of course.... now then...... I have need of your help..... please..... let me join with you." Sombra said with a calming voice and started circling her. "I need something to heal myself with..... please."
Hope gave him an innocent smile. “Now Sombra, what kind of friend would I be if I left you to perish in your time of need?” She asked as she gazed into his eyes before bowing before him. “As it was before, my body is yours to merge with… my King.”
"That's a good girl." Sombra said with a dark chuckle and fused with her completely. The old body now just a husk with nothing else in it.
Hope gasped as she felt Sombra’s spirit enter her body… and let out a sinister chuckle. “Ah… yes, this power… it feels intoxicating! No wonder you sought it all those years ago!” She laughed as she removed her cloak…
...revealing the Alicorn Amulet around her neck, which now had Sombra's magic aura emitting from it.
"YESSSS. NOW I CAN TRULY RETURN WITH ENOUGH POWER TO CHALLENGE THE GODS!" Sombra yelled. He soon started to laugh with Hope.... only for her to yank off the Alicorn Amulet..... with Sombra trapped within it.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?”
“Keeping my end of the bargain.” She replied as several wisps of smoke started to around her… eventually merging into one entity right before her eyes, Princess Luna.
“You have done well Hope, now please, hand over the Amulet.” She commanded. Hope nodded in compliance and levitated it towards her.
"HOPE, WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS TREACHERY!?”
"Ending a horrid cycle of abuse." Hope said as Luna took the amulet. Celestia soon teleporting in beside her sister.
"I always wondered why mother's old necklace was missing" Celestia said as she summoned a chest. Luna just casually threw the amulet in there.
“I'm actually surprised Hope, I thought you'd at show some resistance before taking off the amulet…” Luna said, ignoring the angry screams coming from the chest.
“Believe me, for a few seconds I did consider taking the power for myself… but one logical part of my mind reminded me exactly who I'd be up against if I tried.” Hope explained, glaring at the Amulet.
"We thank you again for this Hope." Celestia said with a warm smile before she and Luna then vanished into thin air.
As soon as she was alone, she allowed a few tears to fall as she pulled out a picture. "You could have been somepony noble,we could have something great...." She whispered as she stared at the picture a picture of the two of them, back when they were foals...
As she finally regained Consciousness, Rainbow Dash noticed that she was back at her home, with Gilda, her son, and all of her friends watching around her. However they were all sleeping as well. Rainbow looked outside and saw it was dark with the stars outside. She sighed, staring at Luna's Moon as it illuminated the night sky.... only to blink when she felt something hugging her, looking down she saw no the most loyal fan Scootaloo sleeping right next to her.
"Even after everything, she remains loyal to you..." Venom whispered as it formed itself, looking down at her with glowering white eyes. "....your kind confuse us."
"You'll just have to get used to it." She chuckled.
Soon Twilight groaned as she slowly woke up and looked at Rainbow Dash. "Oh. Hey Rainbow Dash."
"Hey Twi... why were you groaning a moment ago and.... are you okay?" Rainbow said as she noticed Twilight had bags under her eyes.
"Oh..... yeah.... just a weird and.... really bad dream to be perfectly honest." Twilight said as she yawned.
"Anything specific?" She asked curiously. "Considering what we just dealt with concerning Sombra you can't be too careful..."
"Sadly no." The lavender Unicorn sighed. "It all became a blur the moment I woke up. I mean it felt like something involving my friends but..." That's when Twilight suddenly realized Rainbow was awake again. "RAINBOW YOU'RE BACK!" She shouted as she tackle hugged Rainbow causing the two to fall over the couch.
Rainbow gasped in pain as she was given another bone-crushing hug. "Tw-Twilight... choking, not breathing...."
"S-sorry Rainbow." Twilight said as she let go. Soon everyone slowly started waking up and Venom formed something of a second skin just in case they all charged headlong to hug her all at once.
"Ok girls, before anyone says anything I have an important announcement to make..." She stated, getting everyone's attention.
"Dash...?" Gilda asked hesitantly.
Rainbow took a deep breath, remembering Luna's words, exhaled, and gave them all a serious look. "I need to leave Ponyvillie for a while..."