When the name 'Sombra' came up in a conversation, the average pony would cower in fear and hope that the evil king wasn't around. His tyrannical rule over the crystal empire had earned him that response.
However, after the conversion of the spirit of chaos Discord and the signing of the Changeling Treaty, it was only a matter of time before the name 'Sombra' would be no more than the name of the pony.
Thanks to the elements of harmony, the darkness that had both given power to and empowered Sombra was weakened. Now all that remained was a unicorn with high-level powers over the darker spells. Like Discord, the princesses were willing to give him a chance, with an insurance plan in place. Unfortunately, unlike Discord, no pony had wanted to do the same. Often he would help in any way he could, but it was futile. Everypony who had seen him ran from him scared. When he walked through Canterlot, even though they said nothing, Sombra could feel the glares of the ponies around him. He was hated, and there was no way to change that. Or so he thought.
Many months ago…
Pipsqueak trotted through the castle's royal garden lost in thought. Recently he had become a famous actor, an occupation only proven by his 'twin drama masks' cutie mark. Along with winning awards and getting the chance to entertain several crowds of ponies in day, he had become the target for many fan mares. At first it was flattering, getting roses and signing autographs. But slowly it was getting worse. Mares would show up in troves at his home in hopes of getting his attention. One unicorn even showed up in a bridal gown levitating a sign that read 'Marry Me?'. It was too much. Luckily his friendship with the princess of the night made it easier get a respite from it all.
As he wandered through the flora museum, taking time to look at each display of artistic floral arrangement, his eyes fell upon a dark coated pony lying on a nearby bench. He looked glum and gave a heavy sigh. Pipsqueak, believing in the "Pinkie way of life", trotted over to him. "Excuse me sir, are you alright?”.
The pony turned toward him, reveling himself as the infamous 'Dark King' himself, frowning as usual. To any other pony, this was a sight of terror and danger which they would run away from in sheer fear. But to Pip, this was just a chance meeting with another pony. Sombra looked down at the young stallion in front of him with disinterest. “What would it be to you child?”
Pip stared at him in slight annoyance, but let the comment slide. “Well I’m just trying to be friendly. If you don’t like it, I apologize.”
Sombra cocked an eyebrow. “Do you?”
“Do I what?”
“Do you actually apologize? Do you actually mean those words? Or are you only saying that so that I won’t get angry and attack you?”
Pip thought for a moment. “One, yes I apologize. Two, I do mean it. And three, why would you attack me?”
The dark pony chuckled. “Child, do you know who I am?”
“Of course I do,” Pip laughed, “You’re King Sombra. The shadow pony that ruled the Crystal Empire with an iron hoof. That is until you were imprisoned again then turned into a normal unicorn.” Sombra stared at him in surprise. “What? I read up on you when I heard the news.”
“You know of me, yet you do not cower?” Sombra gawked.
“Why should I cower you? You’re already under enough scrutiny, why should I add any more discomfort?” Pip said sincerely.
Sombra couldn’t comprehend what was happening. This colt was treating him like he was another citizen. Surly it was a trick, but he seemed so sincere. “Why are you treating me as such, am I not the evil king everypony once feared?”
“It’s not that I don’t fear you, but you’re not the first pony I’ve meet who was once evil then given another chance. Luna was the same.”
“You know Luna the princess of the night? Luna the princess who was once the great and powerful Nightmare Moon?”
“Yeah," Pip scratched his head, "I was one of the first friends she made when she visited Ponyville on Nightmare Night. She was having trouble connecting with her subjects then. In fact, she was a lot like you back then too.”
Sombra was skeptical. "Hump. How so?"
"Well for one thing, she brooded a lot." Pip pointed out.
"I do not brood child, I am merely tired of being avoided. These ponies lack the understanding of power. If they were in my position they-"
"They would probably do the same thing right?" Pip interrupted. Sombra look down at him with a scowl. "Come on, that reason is too cliché to miss."
"You act as if you understand me, when-"
"When I clearly don't?"
Sombra paused. "You're-"
"Starting to grate Your nerves?"
"How?"
"Pinkie pie."
"Oh," Sombra said, "She's the pink one right?"
"Could that name belong to any other?"
A long pause seized the air. For what seemed like minutes, neither stallion moved from their spot, staring intently at the other. Sombra was determined not to lose in this staring contest, but something caught his eye. As he studied Pips face, he noticed that nothing moved but his nostrils. They seemed to flare every moment or two. A simple thing, but it through him off. No matter how hard he tried to avert his gaze from it, the flaring nasal passages always caught his eye again. Suddenly, he felt a warmth from within him, slowly creeping up his throat. He tried hard to suppress it, but it began to effect his mouth, slowly tickling him. Pipsqueak felt a similar feeling, slowly cracking a smile. They each began to chuckle, nearly silently at first. But within seconds their chuckles became loader and louder, till they both were laughing heartily at the other's face, forcing them both to submit.
"Y-You are one strange pony," Sombra said, slowly calming his laughter.
"Sorry…I got that from watching Pinkie," Pip replied. "I'm surprised. I didn't think you could laugh like that."
"Well I've never had anything to laugh at besides that. I can see why Princess Luna became your friend." He sighed. "Must be nice."
Pip gave a smile, "Not exactly."
"What do you mean? Is she not your friend?"
"No, she is. But…um…did you ever see something that could be a problem down the road?"
"Of course. I assumed that one day my former subjects would rebel against me. Why?"
"Well," Pip began, "Picture a large crowd of mares, fighting for the affection of one pony actor."
"Well I can see that would be a problem clearly."
"Now picture two alicorn princess and a changling queen are part of that crowd." Sombra froze. "Yeah…"
"How? Just How?"
"I have no idea. All I know is that if I don't find a way to settle it, we could have a very messy future."
Sombra put a hoof to his chin. "Hmmm. Well it's a good thing you have me then."
Pipsqueak looked at Sombra with confusion. "Why?"
"Child, I've been relationships before, even before I came to rule. With a friend like me, something like this should be easy."
Pip smiled. He was a 'friend' to him. He chuckled,."But you never had a queen…"
"Don't remind me."
Pip had a tense fear inside him. But it was expected. "Fine, if your going to help me, I should help you in return."
"And how pray tell are you going to accomplish that?"
"I'm in a play, how would you like to be an actor?"
Sombra looked at him in awe. "Me? An actor? That is beneath me."
"What if I told you that you would play a tragic hero that kills the bad guy brutally, burns his admiring partner, loses his wife and child, and is still seen as the tragidy character?"
"That's…That's a bit morbid."
"True, but you've got the hair." Sombra stared at the boy and pondered.
"What is your name child?"
"Pipsqueak, most call me Pip. Also, I'm not a child."