//------------------------------//
// Chapter 9 
// Story: An Icy Heart 
// by LolianTriforce 
//------------------------------//

When Ornate returned to the hotel, she and Sombra spent the rest of the night together. They went out to eat, dance, and have as much fun as they possibly could. By the end of the night, they had ended up in the same bench they had gone to in the past. It seemed like a sacred place to them; a place where they had let the truth out. It was the place where Sombra told Ornate about his past and where Ornate revealed that she had no cutie mark. It would always hold a place in their hearts.
As they sat and reflected over the fun they had, Sombra glanced down at his coat pocket. He had brought the ring with him, even though he knew she would only turn him down if he asked her again. It was always torturing to think about what might happen. He knew she wasn’t ready, but he wanted her for himself. She was precious to him and he could not lose her.
He watched as she looked out across the river that stood next to the bench. It glimmered in the moonlight and lit up her gentle face. Her sage green eyes shone in the soft light and her beauty was radiant. Her orange hair had gotten a little longer since the day they had met, but it was still relatively short.
Sombra reached across her and put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. She relaxed and welcomed his embrace. He enjoyed the little moments they had together. The night had gotten cold, so they shared their warmth.
Ornate looked up at Sombra. Their eyes met and they couldn’t break their gaze. As they watched, they got closer to each other. It wasn’t long before their muzzles met and a warm kiss was shared. All the tension that was left in their bodies had melted away. Nothing could have made their night better.
As they pulled away, their gaze was locked again onto each other. Sombra couldn’t stand it. He wanted to ask her badly. It was the perfect moment. His hoof crept into his pocket and grasped the velvet box. As he pulled it out, he sat up and kept it at his side so she wouldn’t see.
“Ornate?”
“Yes, Sombra?”
There was a pause. He began to get nervous. Would she reject him again? It wasn’t that long ago that he had first asked her.
“Ornate…. I know we haven’t known each other that long, and that you have previously said no, but there is only one thing in the world that would make me the happiest stallion alive. I wish that we could share the rest of our lives together.”
He used his magic to lift up the box and got off the bench and on his knees. As he opened the box, Ornate’s eyes widened. The emerald ring glimmered in the light. Her face flushed red. Sombra looked deep in her eyes.
“Will you marry me?”
Ornate didn’t move. She was paralyzed in shock. What could she say? She pondered on the question. Was she ready?
She slowly opened her mouth to answer, but then a palace guard ran up to them. Sombra sighed in defeat and put the box away and stood up.
“What is it?” Sombra asked.
“New orders from Princess Celestia,” one of the guards answered. “She said it was urgent.”
The guard handed him a letter. Sombra used his magic to take it and open it. It read:

Dear Sombra and Ornate,
I’m afraid something terrible has happened. Something breached security here at Canterlot castle and stole the pendant that Snow Ire was wearing. I’m afraid that whoever stole it was the one who started this whole fiasco. As soon as it was stolen, I could sense another magic imbalance. This time it is in the deep jungles. It is time for you two to set out at once.
Sincerely, Celestia

Sombra finished reading and sighed. Ornate looked at him with a confused look. Sombra glanced back at her.
“Time to head out.”


	***


Ornate had finished packing. She was so happy to be back that she didn’t want to leave. She was still shaken up from that last adventure; she had barely had time to relax. And what had happened last night…
Sombra walked into the hotel room with a back packed full of the gear they would need while traversing through the jungle. He grabbed his original bag and put it on.
“Are you ready?” he asked Ornate.
Ornate nodded. She put on her bag and walked out of the room with Sombra following. They checked out of the hotel and walked down to the train station.
Velvet stood next to the tracks, waiting for them. She ran up to them as soon as she saw them. She handed both of them a ticket. She hugged Ornate tight.
“Do you really have to go so soon?” she asked.
Ornate nodded.
Sombra dropped his bags off on the train and signaled for Ornate to join him. Ornate quickly said goodbye to Velvet, dropped her bags off, and boarded the train with Sombra.
They were seated together, and the train left the station. Their stop would take them to the edge of the jungle. From there, they would have to travel through to get to the magic imbalance.
The ticket-master came through and punched both their tickets. Ornate started to stare out the window. She hoped that this adventure wouldn’t be as long. She wanted to get it over with. Little did they know, they would be diving deeper into a dark and nefarious plan.