//------------------------------//
// Appropriate Punishment 
// Story: A Tyrant Uplifted 
// by ToneCraft 
//------------------------------//

	"Sombra, I have come to a decision," Luna said as she paced in front of the nervous stallion, "Princess Twilight Sparkle wasn't always so open to friendship. My sister sent her to learn about it a couple years ago. I have already rented an apartment for you on the edge of the town."
"You're... Sending me away from Canterlot..?" Sombra asked her, watching as she paced.
Luna replied with a nod, "Twilight Sparkle and her friends have agreed to watch you. To teach you, and keep you from falling back into that darkness you had been in. I won't have you send letters like my sister had Twilight Sparkle. Instead, we will speak face to face during the next Grand Galloping Gala."
"But.. Princess, would I even be allowed to attend?" Sombra asked, standing up, "It's a gathering for some pretty important ponies, and, well.. I'm a criminal.."
Luna looked at him, raising an eyebrow, "You will be there under my direct orders."
"Point taken," Sombra conceded. It might actually be a good idea to go to this "Ponyville" place. Further from the Empire, he thought. The dread of facing the ponies he'd harmed. Taken their princess, then their freedom, and finally their hope. But it's all in the past, right? That's not an excuse. What about Princess Luna? She took responsibility over me. Because I need to be watched.
The internal debate continued for a moment, before Luna poked him with a hoof, "Are you listening?"
"Huh?" Sombra shook out of his thoughts, "What were you saying?"
"If one of the element bearers tells you what to do, you are to listen. All of them will hold authority over you."
"Yes, Princess."
"Oh, and Sombra? If you don't start calling me Luna, I will have them lock you in a room with Pinkie Pie."
"Y-yes, Luna," Sombra responded quickly, remembering the intimidating ball of energy.

------

Pinkie Pie was grinning like an idiot. Rainbow Dash was glaring at Sombra in anger. Fluttershy was watching him warily. Rarity wasn't present. Applejack was watching him curiously. And Princess Twilight Sparkle was trying to show authority without falling apart.
"Where's the white one?" Sombra asked before he thought.
"Her name is Rarity," Rainbow Dash said angrily, "And don't forget it!"
"Rainbow!" Twilight scolded the ROY G. BIV pegasus like a mother would, "Stop treating him like that!"
"Please don't start another fight about me..." the dark unicorn mumbled, taking a step back nervously.
Rainbow Dash snapped back, "After what he did to the Crystal Empire? I don't see why we should do anything for him now!"
"You didn't feel that way about Princess Luna!"
"She was possessed!"
"And Discord?"
"I still don't like him!"
"Trixie?"
"Also possessed!"
"The first time!"
"She wasn't actually doing anything wrong!"
"Sunset Shimmer, then!"
"Who?"
Twilight stopped for a moment, "Oh right... W-well, what about--Uh..."
"Don't try to defend me, Twilight Sparkle. It won't work," Sombra said as he stood up, "I'm going to my apartment..."
Pinkie Pie jumped in, "No wait, Sombra! You're a new pony in Ponyville! You have to come to Sugarcube Corner!"
"T-to what now..?" Sombra took a step back.
"Pinkie Pie!" Rainbow said loudly in exasperation. 
"It's a time-honored tradition, Dashie," Pinkie Pie said, "Besides, maybe if somepony had thrown a few more parties a thousand years ago, Sombra wouldn't have turned all mean in the first place."
"But he did! And you're going to throw a party? He doesn't deserve it!"
"Dashie, I throw the party for every new pony in Ponyville. No exceptions."
"But--"
"Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy stepped in, "Princess Luna sent him to us because she believes we can change him. He's clearly very sorry for what he did, and wants to make up for it. Pinkie Pie can throw the party, and I'm definitely attending. The best way to heal the wounds he left is to help him do it."
Sombra looked at the timid pegasus in surprise, "You.. Really mean..?"
Fluttershy didn't even get the opportunity to answer before Pinkie Pie grabbed Sombra, "Come on, Sombra! We'll be late for your party!"
"Uh, you haven't planned it yet.."
"A minor inconvenience," Pinkie shrugged it off and seemingly dragged him all the way to a building that looked like a gingerbread house.