Spike's Shadow

by DraconequusMaximus

Training Day 2: Progression

Spike and Sombra had awoken from their shared bed at the crack of dawn, ate a quick breakfast and separated. Unfortunately Luna wished to see Sombra in her windowless chambers for his first day of real training. Spike would stay in the courtyard to try and uncover the mysteries of light magic.

Luna's personal chambers weren't hard to find. The most opulent of her guestrooms which Spike and Sombra were staying in were only a few doors down. It was the largest door in the entire wing, marked with Luna's own cutie mark. It was somewhat ajar, inviting Sombra in.

Sombra didn't bother hesitating, pushing the door open despite the utter lack of light in the room.

Sombra's vision wasn't impaired in the least, meaning he could take in the room regardless of the dark.

The room was somewhat opulent, and it seemed to stick to Luna's aesthetic. The only real difference in decor from the rest of her half of the castle was the business-like setup and more modern appliances.

There was Luna's desk, which held a typewriter, but there was also a kitchenette on the far end of the room with a sink and a number of appliances. A coffee/cappuccino maker (of enviably higher quality than Sombra's), a mini-fridge, an electric kettle, a hot-plate, a large standing freezer, a toaster oven, and cabinets and shelves full of instant ramen, macaroni and cheese, and toaster pastries.

It seemed Luna was prepared to spend a great deal of time in the study, which actually seemed to lead into her bedroom from a door bearing her cutie mark to the right of the kitchenette. All in all the study itself was a bit larger than the lounge in the Spike's house. Sombra had heard that while Luna was much more outgoing than her sister she also periodically disappeared from the country's nightlife scene, only to return mysteriously some time later and repeated the cycle from time to time.

As the lights flickered on, seemingly of their own volition, the princess of the night seemed to fade into existence behind her desk.

Luna seemed a little tired, having been awake past her normal bedtime dictated by the natural cycle of night and day. After a brief yawn into her hoof Luna seemed to be ready to begin. Although Sombra did take notice that she was without her booties and other accessories. She seemed not to care, being in her private chambers.

Even so, she kept a practiced elegance about her as she focused on her first ever pupil.

"Welcome to the study. I spend a great deal of time here, without leaving for days, weeks, or even months at a time. I get wrapped up in realigning the stars and figuring out how best to direct the tides. Most ponies don't realize it, but the gravitational forces of the moon influence the seas. Celestia could move the moon in my absence, but she could never feel out the repercussions like me.

"It's been difficult calming the seas after a thousand years of monsters thriving in rough ocean, but I've had help the last few years. If Spike hasn't already told you, I've been married the last six years. My wife has been positively ecstatic to meet you after seeing your potential yesterday. It's rather difficult to get her interested in anything, so you should feel honored. Would you mind meeting her?" Luna asked, sounding rather content.

Sombra distinctly remembered that Celestia, Luna, Spike and himself had been the only ones in the courtyard the day before. But the way Luna was talking made it painfully obvious Luna knew something he didn't. Hardly surprising, but Sombra wasn't in the mood to contest her claims and was interested enough to play along.

"Certainly. I can hardly say I've ever had a fan." Sombra joked with mild enthusiasm.

Luna teleported beside Sombra, and urged him to keep his eyes forward.

It took Sombra a moment to realize something was off, but Luna's shadow hadn't moved with her. It was as though she was still sitting on her cushiony stool behind the desk. But then it began to move, coalescing into a circular mass. It stopped in front of Sombra and Luna, and then it began to quiver.

Before Sombra could react it began to rise, becoming three-dimensional. It continued to evolve and change until it was a tall equine shape, as tall as Celestia and a bit thinner. It had no horn, but it had two odd-shaped wings resembling crescents in a vague way.

It's shape quickly became more and more defined, until Sombra was standing in front of a tall purple pegasus with a shadowy mane and tail full of strange bubbly purple and blue liquid matter in the same manner as Luna's mane was full of stars. Her eyes were even more reptilian than Spike's on any given day, and on her flank was a stylized 'Z' nestled within a crescent moon. Her legs got darker as they met the ground, becoming black as they met the floor.

The mare was beautiful, if somewhat menacing. Something like an exaggerated version of Luna, with a hint of Nightmare Moon left in her.

She leaned down, looking at Sombra closely.

"Hello there, my little big brother. My name is Selene." The mare said sweetly, with a velvety voice with a somewhat dark quality.

It was very much the same sort of voice Sombra had, although Selene had a hint of a sultriness to her voice while Sombra reserved that voice for Spike. Hers seemed ingrained into her as a default.

It took Sombra a moment or two to process what she had said to him. Despite having never met Selene Sombra felt she was very much like him, but different. He felt a bit bad, as it seemed she was quite excited to see him.

"While I see some similarities between us I don't believe I have any relations, unless you know something I don't." Sombra replied politely.

Selene snorted a curt laugh, smiling down at Sombra with teeth almost as sharp as his.

"No no no, we don't share blood of course. We share the darkness. We're both of it, although you're stronger than me. I'm a singular shadow reinforced with dreams and nightmares, but you my brother, are so deep. You are a million shadows all rolled into one, if not more. Even though you are older than me, I feel like a prototype and you a finished, well-crafted machine." Selene laughed, a wild look in her eyes.

Sombra simultaneously felt like Selene had something of an inferiority complex, but at the same time was fascinated with him. It seemed she hadn't met another person so deeply connected to the darkness either.

Luna stepped closer to Selene and kissed her, a warm smile gracing her muzzle before and after.

Sombra could tell they were very much in love, but he felt almost as if he was intruding. Luna saw Sombra making an effort not to look, his face a bit flush. While he wasn't attracted to either of them, or any mare for that matter, the proximity to them made him a bit embarrassed.

Luna giggled, separating from Selene and motioning for her to take a seat.

Selene huffed a bit, but she regardless took a position laying across the desk, adopting a bored expression.

Luna rolled her eyes before returning her attention to Sombra.

"I should start with an explanation, an orientation to the field of darkness, and Selene." Luna began.

Sombra listened intently, while Selene seemed too full of energy to sit still. It was hard to believe she spent much of her time as Luna's shadow, following only her movements. It could have been a result of changing to a physical form, but he wasn't about to ask.

"What I am about to tell you is a story very few know. While most beings can only have one ability from dark or light, Celestia and I have three each. Our souls aren't normal. They're bigger, stronger, and only comprised of one element rather than half and half like most. You are darkness through and through, so I cannot make any real guess to your limitations, only provide answers as best I can. I can divulge my abilities, but Celestia's are best left to her to tell. Do you understand so far?" Luna continued.

Sombra nodded, eagerly consuming the information. Answers were almost as important to Sombra as mastering his powers.

Luna smiled, glad to see Sombra so eager. She had wanted to be a teacher for some time, even before her banishment. Now that she had a student she felt an odd satisfaction, even though they had only begun.

"First is Dream Walking. The ability I discovered before I even had my cutie mark. It allows my consciousness to exist inside The Dreaming as an avatar. I can influence dreams, slay nightmares, and interact with others minds. I use it to help others, and escape reality for myself time to time. In the waking world it is able to put others to sleep, but only if my will is stronger.

"Secondly, Stardust. The ability to break myself apart into a sparkling dust, fog, or mist. Useful for avoiding physical attacks, but it's true value lies in espionage and trickery. When I reassemble myself I can reconfigure into any shape or size, density and mass permitting. I could appear as Spike if I so chose, but it would be a hollow form. I could easily be popped like a balloon.

"The third and final... I had no name for it for the longest time, but Selene has dubbed it 'Imaginary Friend'."

Sombra sensed a massive tone shift as Luna brought up her final ability. Selene too seemed effected by the topic, as much as she tried to hide it. The couple gave each other a hoof, which they both held onto tightly.

"I must remind you... Darkness is the fragile, uncontrolled negativity in one's soul. If you ever lose control of your emotions your powers might go out of control or evolve to a point you cease to understand them. Or, if you push your powers too far your mental state will be equally strained. Celestia and I didn't know anything about our powers until they developed as we grew into the hosts for the sun and moon's power.

"Zecora tried to tell us more, but we didn't listen. When I became depressed and lonely over Celestia getting all the praise and attention from our subjects my powers grew. I wanted nothing more than someone who would love me unconditionally, and appreciate the hard work I did for everyone. The darkness poured out of me, spilling out into the moonlight as I wept..." Luna began again, tearing up as she went.

"And then I came into being." Selene added, having waited for her cue.

Sombra's eyes widened at the revelation, but he had no words. It seemed 'Imaginary Friend' was just as it sounded. An ability that created life from dreams.

"I was just something of a silhouette then, hiding in Luna's shadow. I whispered praises and honeyed words into her ears at first. I loved her, I always have, and I always will. But she was all I knew. I hated Celestia for hurting her, even if she didn't realize Luna was hurting. I came up with an idea, and told Luna to let me help her..." Selene admitted, sounding guilty, but not apologetic.

Despite the tears in her eyes, Luna smiled at Selene with a knowing look.

Selene and Luna both began to lose definition. From the single point of contact that was their hooves they began to blur together. Sombra could feel the darkness swell in reaction to the strange and fascinating spectacle.

In seconds, Luna and Selene were gone.

In their place was a black mare equal to Celestia in stature, but with a more muscular build. She was regal and dark, just like the depictions Sombra had seen. She was devoid of her armor, but there was no mistaking her for anyone but Nightmare Moon.

"One thousand years. Luna and Selene dissolved themselves into an ocean of night and became me for a thousand years. At first, when she was restored Luna rejoiced. But after she used her powers to punish herself and created a parasite she was forced to do some soul-searching. She realized that even though she was evil, she had never felt better than when she was me.

"She used her magic to rip the darkness from the brickwork of the castle where I was separated and recovered Selene's essence. Using her own shadow as a vessel, and the tantabus parasite as a base she resurrected her lost love using her powers. For over a year, Selene lay dormant as Luna fed her mana, dreams, and nightmares to strengthen her. It took awhile, but Selene awakened, more powerful and alive then ever before. They couldn't bare being apart anymore after only a month together, and I was born again. New, improved, and full of love instead of hate." Nightmare Moon explained in a voice Sombra was hearing for the first time.

Sombra knew he should have been shocked or scared, but he was no stranger to absurd situations. He was more impressed and fascinated by The Nightmare than anything. The impossible and bittersweet love story spoke volumes to Sombra.

"Creating life, and becoming another person entirely from two people. You're incredible. I am humbled to be in your tutelage." Sombra bowed, showing his boundless appreciation.

Nightmare Moon laughed a bit, causing just a bit of confusion for Sombra.

"I'm sorry, Brother. It's just that that's the only positive reaction I've gotten so far. Celestia tried to blast Selene out of me, Twilight can't get past the guilt of trying to murder me, Fluttershy and Rarity fainted, and the others tried to fight me. Spike was too dumbstruck to speak, but not hostile." The Nightmare explained.

Sombra accepted that as a compliment, even if he was still unsure he liked Selene or Nightmare Moon referring to him as brother after just meeting them.

"Anyway, I am the ultimate expression of Luna's power, as well as her love. Luna is equal to Celestia normally, but while Selene and her are me we're stronger by a fair amount. That, and my reputation is why we are forced to be separate most of the time. If we weren't still feared I would be me constantly. Until then, I will be my individual parts most often.

"On any given day you could be learning from me, Luna, or Selene. We are still in the process of making the moon livable, and the three of us are the only ones capable of unaided travel to and fro. But we all thought it best to get introductions out of the way." Nightmare Moon clarified.

Sombra, nodded, but he soon thought better of it.

"Forgive me for second guessing you, but are all three of you... Two of you? Are your powers and abilities all analogous to one another?" Sombra inquired uncertainly.

Nightmare Moon smiled, showing her teeth were identical to his own. Despite their obvious sharpness Sombra found her smile oddly sunny. It reminded him of Spike's smile in a way.

"I possess Luna's three primary skills, traditional pony magic, and both her and Selene's collective knowledge. Selene's powers are limited to becoming shadow or clouds of dreamstuff and consuming dreams and nightmares, even in the physical world through contact with a sleeping person. I can do it as well, but only in The Dreaming. We are all capable of teaching you things." She confirmed.

Sombra was satisfied, and more than a bit eager to begin. Luna alone had a multitude of things to teach him, but Selene and The Nightmare were equally fascinating, if not more. There was so much to learn, and he had found not one person he could relate to, but two. Possibly three.

As confusing as it was, Sombra was positively vibrating with excitement. The shadowy darkness that comprised his mane was flowing fast, eager to be put to use. The Nightmare noticed him of course, he was practically hopping about like an over excited foal.

"With introductions out of the way, are you ready to begin?" Nightmare Moon asked, knowing full well Sombra was dying to.

"Yes, I am positively ecstatic." Sombra answered, forgoing his usual calm.

The Nightmare chuckled, but quickly reigned herself in.

"First off, I would like for you to show me how well you can transmute your body into pure shadow. It is quite possibly the most important aspect of many techniques. Once you've gotten it down I have some training exercises for you, one in particular I think you'll be fond of." The Nightmare explained.

Sombra nodded, and he then readied himself.

Nightmare Moon took note that Sombra's breathing techniques were well practiced. She doubted he even needed them at this point, but she knew Sombra habitually meditated each day. It was a testament to Sombra's commitment to stopping Dootha and retaining control over his own life.

Meditation was something Luna herself had never had much patience for, Selene having none whatsoever. But people like Zecora and Sombra could utilize it in impressive ways, keeping calm under fire being one of the most useful.

After a moment, Sombra's mane started to look as though it was growing out and swallowing up his already dark fur. Soon all that was left was his head, bordered by billowing darkness. The entire transformation only took thirty seconds, which was good time for someone so new to the field of magic.

"Impressive. Now try moving about a bit. That is usually the tricky part early on." The Nightmare instructed.

Sombra tentatively tried to take a step forward, but fell flat on his face. Nightmare giggled a bit, but was quick to stop herself.

"A common problem among beginners. You need to think of yourself as a singular mass, more like a snake gliding through water. Unless you specifically keep legs, which would be less effective. Shape shifting and becoming nebulous require different thinking. You have to think like what you want to be would."

Sombra struggled to try and adjust his thinking, but after a moment he moved about relatively fluidly. A bit wobbly, but it was certainly a start.

Nightmare Moon smiled, seeing he was as fast a study as she had assumed.

With a practiced grace, Nightmare dissolved into a flowing cloud of sparkling purple smoke. Sombra watched as she zipped about incredibly fast, almost faster than he could see. It was incredible that Luna and Selene could merge and change shape so fluidly and still separate whenever it suited them. It was a bit humbling to see Nightmare Moon's masterful skill.

Sombra imitated her and let every feature dissolve into blackness, ready to redouble his efforts.

~Back In The Courtyard~

Spike was settling into a comfortable pose to try and unlock the secrets of the light orb Celestia had given him the day before. He planned to have it figured out by the time Celestia could actually spare the time to instruct him personally. If he couldn't figure it out she couldn't teach him anything, regardless of her availability.

Spike was finding this current chore bothersome, as he wasn't overly used to holding an aura of untyped mana. Mana probing was more of a unicorn thing, and a high-level skill at that. Eating gems was proving infinitely easier.

After an hour Spike felt his head begin to hurt and he was forced to put the light ball aside for a bit.

I hope Sombra is doing better than I am. I feel pretty dumb right now. Mom could have analyzed this thing and wrote a book about it already. Spike groaned internally.

Spike laid back and sunned himself as he tried to close his eyes and let his head rest.

Fate however seemed to have other plans.

"Hey, Bossman! Why you napping out here? It's like, ten AM." A familiar voice shouted.

Spike opened his eyes to see Lyra, looking refreshed. Hardly surprising, as she hadn't reappeared since the gala two nights ago.

Spike motioned to the light ball unenthusiastically, his frustrations still fresh in his mind.

"I'm trying to mana-probe this thing to get a feel for light magic. It sounded pretty easy at first, but as it turns out I sorta suck at this sort of thing. It's giving me a hell of a headache." Spike explained, "You must have had some hangover. We didn't see you at all yesterday."

Lyra seemed to deflate a little bit, but her smile didn't falter.

"Well, yeah. That was a pretty epic hangover, even for me. I think I actually pissed bourbon when I woke up. But after I could open my eyes without my head trying to explode, me and Bonny had some talking to do. Big picture stuff, long-term choices. That kind of thing. But afterwards we rode the bone-train all the way to the station, so it wasn't all scary." Lyra explained, trying to hide how nervous she was.

Lyra, for as long as Spike had known her was easy-going and carefree.

It wasn't surprising that she was freaking out inside about her whole life changing. Spike motioned for her to sit down next to him, thinking she needed to talk. Lyra silently accepted, and leaned up against her colossal best friend and his ever-comforting warmth.

She was quiet for a minute, but Spike could feel the pressure building. She would pop anytime.

"... So, I've decided to stop smoking and drinking. Not cold tofurky, but for the most part. I'm not the party animal I used to be, and I'm not sure how much more abuse my body can take. Bon Bon really wants foals, and I don't wanna have to explain dialysis to my kids. Y'know? It's gonna be hard, but I don't really need that stuff anymore. I'm happier than ever now.

"I want you to know you're the best bud I've ever had, Spike. I love you like a brother, even though I hate my actual brother. You've done way more for me than anybody else in my whole life, and I wanna thank you for letting me crash with you for so long. I'll never really be able to say thank you enough, but I'm gonna move in with Bonny pretty soon. Before the wedding anyway." Lyra admitted, letting the statement hang in the air for a bit.

She began to worry when the silence persisted, but she felt Spike pull against his side and bring Lyra into a hug.

"I knew you'd move out one day, Lyra. You don't have to apologize for starting a life... After the whole Dootha thing blows over, me and Sombra are probably gonna do the same. We'll miss you, but you're family and we love you. We'll still see you all the time, and you two are welcome in the house anytime. You know that. I will spoil your children as much as possible though. That's non-negotiable." Spike assured Lyra.

Spike didn't bother to look, but he knew Lyra had gotten teary-eyed. She wouldn't want him to see her like that, even if it was silly. But Lyra was grateful either way.

"So... You and Brero had some serious talk too then?" Lyra asked after a moment.

Spike chuckled nervously, unsure he was allowed to answer.

"Yeah... Nothing definite yet, but we're both pretty serious. The whole save the world thing let us bond pretty quickly, you know? He's training with Luna in her chambers now. He got kind of messed up by some light magic yesterday, so I hope things are going better today."

Lyra nodded her head in agreement before she let her curiosity get the better of her.

She picked up the ball of light with her hooves, taking in the sun-like orb's majesty. She lit her horn and performed a cursory examination of it, just as Clypeus had done to Spike's mana before telling him how to use the changeling technique. Her aura became like a root system one would find on a truly old tree, complex and woven into what seemed almost like a pattern in fine lace.

You kind of forget Lyra's a magic prodigy after seeing her shotgun beers with her horn and casually read porn in the living room. Spike laughed to himself.

After a short time Lyra recalled her magic web of probing tendrils and passed the ball to Spike.

"Buck me, that was awesome. That's some pretty cray magic. If I were full of that I'd do epic stunts constantly. Celestia's mojo feels so weird and different. Most of it felt like yours more than a pony's. I feel like carving my face into a mountain or something." Lyra shuddered gleefully.

Spike reexamined the ball, and realized his problem. He had been using his claws to probe at the ball like a pony would.

He wasn't a pony.

"I think I've been doing this wrong. I tried to do this pony-magic style. I suck at that. Let's try something... More direct?" Spike theorized.

Holding the ball in one hand, Spike cloaked a single claw in glowing fire-like green mana and jabbed it into the ball.

Forcefully, Spike spread his mana through the sphere and pulled at it with as much might as he could. The ball wobbled and rippled, but it held. Spike could feel it resisting, trying to keep shape. The opposing force hit his mana, as if it were a small feral creature scratching at the hand of someone trying to pick it up.

Spike was becoming familiar with it's rhythm, Celestia's magical power clashing with his raw energy while it was still flowing through him. It was a barbaric tactic, and it burned through a great deal of energy. It jabbed at the nerves in his arm, hurting like hell.

But, it was effective.

As Spike's mana won out the ball burst into a flash of light, first gold, then green. Spike fell to the ground, tired but happy. He had basically drained himself of all his mana in one go, but he seemed pleased with himself. Spike moved his claw that he had used in the power struggle with the ball, staring hopefully.

It was faint, but a golden-white spark of energy flickered in and out of existence at the tip of the pointy digit.

It was remarkably small, but it was a start.

"Lyra... I'm gonna have to ask you to run now. Celestia's magic was strong, and I'm dangerously low on mana. I'm gonna grow back to the big me any second now." Spike regrettably warned Lyra.

Lyra starting towards the door just as Spike's body began to flame. With the aid of a quick teleport Lyra was safely out of harm's way by the time Spike's massive form was freed. Spike proceeded to stretch like a house cat, as being free to move in his actual form was much more comfortable. Even if it was extremely inconvenient.

Lyra teleported back to Spike's side, now that the immediate danger had passed.

"So, wait... You've gone dry on mana before and didn't blow up. What's different now?" Lyra asked, leaning up against Spike once again.

"Oh, Well, I kinda just pushed it too hard this time. Keeping up the mana aura took a lot of effort, and then brute forcing Celestia's magic on top of that was rough. And honestly holding a shrunk state is kinda difficult while I'm still growing at a faster than normal rate. It was just too much stress, and I couldn't tighten the belt, so to speak. Being big kinda sucks." Spike sighed.

Lyra nodded her understanding, although she would have liked to see Spike trash some bad guys in his true size.

"You are aware Sombra totally digs you like this, right? He was seriously checking you out after the gala. I mean, more than usual." Lyra pointed out.

Spike blushed a bit, unprepared. He had noticed Sombra being a bit disappointed when he had sealed up his excess size the day before. They hadn't talked about it yet, but Spike had taken note. It was embarrassing and flattering at the same time.

"Well... I might cut loose more often, at least when we're at home. But Canterlot isn't ready for all this." Spike joked, motioning to his massive body.

I should think not. And I do rather enjoy having you to myself. A familiar voice agreed smugly.

Sombra's voice seemed to come from all around, but neither Spike nor Lyra could see where the voice had originated.

It wasn't until Spike noticed his shadow rippling that he figured out what was happening. First, Nightmare Moon leapt from the colossal shadow, landing beside Lyra. Lyra stared just a little too long, turning away with a slight blush. While Nightmare was extremely attractive by pony standards she was a soon to be married mare.

A second shape tried to emerge from from the shadow, but it seemed to be having much more difficult a time of it than The Nightmare.

Eventually, the shape defined itself a bit more, and out of the shadow stepped Sombra. He looked a bit disheveled, but he had the most satisfied grin Lyra had ever seen before. Although it was only the second most satisfied a smile Spike had seen Sombra wear, although if he ever wanted to see the first again anytime soon he decided to keep that fact to himself.

"That was exhilarating. I can scarcely believe I was on the other side of the castle just a moment ago." Sombra laughed.

Sombra's smile fell as soon as he noticed all the excited faces of his friends change into ones of concern. Spike, Lyra, and even The Nightmare were all looking worried.

"Why is everyone looking at me like I have the plague?" Sombra felt the need to ask.

Everyone immediately looked to Spike, who was immediately pinned into the role of bearer of bad news.

Despite cursing Lyra and the sum of the Nightmare's parts under his breath Spike consented. He leaned his much larger head down beside Sombra, trying to remain calm. Sombra himself was beginning to get worried, as he had no idea what was going on.

"Sombra... Don't freak out or anything, but your right foreleg is missing." Spike explained in the most level tone he could manage.

The well oiled machine that was Sombra's mind seemed to stop for a moment, gears turning slowly. Sombra turned his head to his right, and sure enough his leg was gone. There was about an inch of leg from the base of his torso, and then a stump obscured by flowing shadow.

"Ah... I see."

It seemed that the very instant Sombra comprehended he was minus a limb he lost his balance and fell over into Spike's grasp. Spike had seen it coming, and he had thankfully been ready.

"You must have fazed back into solidity a bit early at the end. Perhaps I shouldn't have had you switch from solid to shadow so many times before your first shadow jump... I'll just go and get your leg. It should be back in the study." Nightmare Moon apologized as she slipped back into Spike's shadow.

Within seconds she was gone, and there was awkwardness abounding.

"So... Shadow jumping? Is that like teleporting?" Spike asked after a couple minutes of deafening silence.

Sombra hummed in thought, trying to condense his very new and incomplete understanding of shadow jumping.

"Yes... But no. Since light and darkness are two fundamental forces of the universe they make up a little bit of everything. They have metaphysical layers the size of the universe that are all one, but at the same time separate. It is possible to travel across this universal darkness at high speeds, although it is best if you travel to locations with personal significance. Or at least that is how Luna... Er, Nightmare Moon describes the mechanics.

"Obviously it isn't as practical as teleportation, as it isn't instant, merely very fast. But the range is limitless in theory. A corridor of darkness would be a good metaphor, and it's relatively easy to access if you know darkness. I'm confident I can walk that corridor a bit more easily in time, but for now I think it best I only practice with supervision." Sombra explained to the best of his ability.

Spike seemed to understand, and Lyra didn't much care as to how it worked since she could teleport.

"A fair approximation. Although I have an idea that might make travel easier."

Everyone turned to see Nightmare Moon had returned with Sombra's missing appendage, sticking out rather obviously beneath her left wing.

She first gave Sombra his leg, which Sombra fiddled with for a time. Eventually he just decided to let the shadowy ends meet, and hold it together with his spectral hand. After a moment it seemed mostly mended, although it felt quite stiff. There were hairline crack in the injury like before, but they would be gone by the next morning.

"Thank you. It should be fine by tomorrow... Probably." Sombra said optimistically.

Spike examined the wound, but it wasn't within his realm of understanding.

All he could do was trust Sombra's judgement.

"Sombra, I would like you to try and form a tendril of shadow with a semi-solid brush-like texture. Like an artist's paintbrush. Do you think that is something you can do?" Nightmare Moon asked.

Sombra started off with his traditional hand before straightening out the fingers and twisting it into a single dexterous tendril. He brought it to his left hoof, and experimented with how it felt. After tweaking it a bit he was satisfied.

Nightmare Moon nodded before giving further instruction.

"Now then, using as small fraction of your being as possible, create a paint or ink from the darkness. You should mark specific locations with a sigil in the ink. It should act as a guidepost, allowing you to find your way to other places like lanterns in the night. Your cutie mark would be an ideal sigil, as it's already got a deep personal connection to you. While it isn't as effective as teleporting the sigils should make it easier to get anywhere important." Nightmare Moon suggested.

Sombra digested the information, and a playful smirk crossed his lips. He turned to Spike and moved the tendril to his left shoulder. In about a minute Spike had a perfect scaled-up representation of Sombra's mark on his shoulder. Spike couldn't help but blush as he admired the mark. It seemed to speak to his draconian instincts on some level, and Sombra could see it in his eyes.

Sombra planted a kiss on Spike's snout, causing the already flush dragon to turn bright red.

"Mine." Sombra said braggingly, his eyes just daring Spike to say otherwise.

When Spike was silent Sombra had taken it as a sign he had won the game he had foisted upon Spike. Either way, Spike didn't seem to mind. Lyra personally patted Sombra on the back, while Nightmare Moon could barely restrain her laughter.

Once Spike reigned in his urge to pounce on Sombra he admired his latest addition.

"You know, I always wanted a tattoo. But Mom would have killed me when I lived in the castle, and eventually I realized you can't tattoo scales anyway. I just hope it doesn't wash off." Spike chuckled.

The Nightmare seemed equally curious, reaching up on her hoof tips to Spike's shoulder and trying to erase the mark with her hoof. It seemed resistant to erasure, which was a good sign. If the ink was actually made from Sombra it would be best to avoid having to reapply often.

"Excellent work, Sombra. Each time you visit a new locale place one of these sigils in a heavily shaded area or somewhere unlikely to be noticed. Alleyways and dead ends would be ideal. You may also place one in my study, as it is heavily secure and out of sight. It is the only place in the castle other than Celestia's chambers that are completely off-limits to even the guards.

"I would like for you to try shadow jumping between the study and Spike three more times before the day is over. Then get plenty of rest, as we're going to move on to another subject tomorrow. You've already surpassed my expectations, even with the road-bumps of the last two days. But things will only get harder from here on, and you're expected to practice everything you learn even as you advance." The Nightmare ordered.

"Understood. I assume you'll be adjourning to The Dreaming then?" Sombra asked his teacher(s).

In response, The Nightmare glowed for a brief second before separating into Luna and Selene once more. Both of them looked a bit tired, which was to be expected. It was already early afternoon, while Luna and her wife were used to going to bed shortly after dawn.

"You assume correctly." Luna yawned.

"We shall see you at dinner, my little big brother." Selene added affectionately.

Sombra had almost forgotten Selene's nickname for him, but he let it slide. Although he was very sure Spike and Lyra would have quite a lot to say about it later. Luckily he had an excuse to be elsewhere until then.

Sombra jumped down to the ground from Spike's warm embrace, into his shadow. He started to sink, but he intentionally went slowly and let his body dissolve into the shade bit by bit. While he still had a semblance of his shape he looked back at Spike.

"I'll return as soon as I've got my sigil made. After a few more trips back and forth you'll have to tell me about your training thus far. Try and get some rest though, you look positively exhausted." Sombra said before vanishing.

Spike poked at his shadow after a few seconds, but it had no mass as expected. All Spike felt was the grass of the courtyard.

"Man that's cool. I don't care if it's not as effective as teleporting, it's badass." Lyra remarked.

"It kinda worries me, but Sombra had that kid-in-a-candy-store look. I couldn't bring myself to say anything, but I don't think I should have to at this point. Losing a leg is probably a fair warning." Spike reasoned.

Lyra nodded her agreement, then rose up from her spot and stretched.

"Well... I gotta go see if Bon Bon worked up the nerve to write her Mom about us getting hitched yet. Then we're going out to find a cheap wedding planner. Yay... Planning." Lyra groaned in anticipation of unavoidable boredom.

"Yeah... Have fun with that. Just try not to let Bon Bon pick out everything. She'll get crazy pissed if you don't weigh in at least a little." Spike said as Lyra walked off.

Lyra waved her acknowledgement as she exited the courtyard to find her fiance'.

Spike spared a moment to look at his claw and forced what little mana he had left into a golden-white shimmer. After a mere half-second it faltered, but tomorrow he would be up to full strength again and would be able to show Celestia something.

For now, Spike could only rest and watch to see if Sombra could keep himself in one piece.

~City of Detrot, Outskirts~

Detrot, the most polluted of Equestria's cities. The city was famous for manufacturing nearly ninety percent of Equestria's machines, especially trains and train-tracks. While the pollution was unable to spread thanks to magical safeguards, those living in the city were adversely effected.

Ponies and other races here had higher likelihood of depression than anywhere else, and hardly anyone under the smoggy sky cared much about the business of anyone other than themselves. Combined with terrible crime rates and too few guardsponies, Detrot was the perfect place to get away with any number of crimes.

In the lower income district a mare in a dark hoodie walked the alleyways, going largely unnoticed.

Those that did notice the pony weren't about to break from their routines to question why a lone mare was keeping to the shadows. Even a passing guard let her go about whatever suspicious errand she was on, thinking her just a troubled youth out to graffiti a wall somewhere.

In a town already plastered with millions of obscene tags and gang signs it was the least of his concerns.

The mare walked at a brisk pace, making her way to her destination.

An abandoned train-yard, packed with old warehouses and rusted train cars. An ideal locale for criminals, the homeless, and the sort of parties where anything and everything could happen. Although very few people wanted anything to do with the place as of late.

There was something unsettling about the place, and anyone knew immediately to avoid it.

Except for the mare hiding in her hood apparently.

She stopped in front of the rusted chain-link fence, seeing the fog that permeated the perimeter of the largest warehouse. She knew whatever was calling out to her was inside. She was scared, but at the same time she somehow knew it was her destiny to see what was inside. If she left now she would never know what was there.

Finding an opening in the fence was easy, and upon reaching the warehouse itself she could see all the locks were broken. More specifically, they had been sliced clean through. Someone was inside, or at least had been at some point.

Her heart wanted to leap out of her chest, and her every instinct said to flee for safety, but the mare wouldn't listen.

Cautiously, the mare pushed open the front door. It creaked loudly, echoing through the empty building. Anyone inside was surely aware of her presence, if they hadn't been already. Due to the ominous nature of the place she wasn't ready to rule anything out.

She had seen enough scary movies to be wary, but obviously not enough to avoid this setting entirely.

Once inside she was immediately able to see the entirety of the interior. It was one massive room with metal crates littered about in an almost organized fashion to the sides. The disturbing part that had lured her in was in the room's center.

Sitting behind a metal container was a pony.

A pony that sent shivers down the mare's spine.

It was a strangely thin earth pony stallion of around thirty, a violet-red color in coat. He was devoid of a mane, and a large purple hued burn-scar covered a little more than half of the left side of his face. Stranger still, his right eye was a lively lime-green, while his left eye was a blood-shot golden-yellow. There were nicks in his ears, and the two hooves resting upon the metal crate acting as a desk were scarred in a similar manner to his face.

He wore a purple cloak of a fine quality, with green accents. Across his neck was a string of blood-red beads polished to a shine. Upon closer inspection he had a navy colored eyebrow, meaning it was most likely the color his mane had been some time ago.

At either side he had a pony in a similar cloak of lesser quality. They were both chalky white, and almost identical. They were tending two large oil drums full of burning wood scraps. They seemed to be adding some kind of herbs to the fires. The fog that surrounded the building was now revealed to be smoke, wafting out the broken windows along either wall from the fires.

As soon as the mare entered and shut the door behind her the red pony tapped his hoof twice upon the makeshift desk, causing the fire tending ponies to stop their chore and look forward. They saluted like clockwork soldiers and thereafter stood stoic, ready for future orders.

The stallion motioned the mare forward, the inviting smile on his face counteracted by his appearance.

"Good afternoon my dear, I've been waiting for someone to heed the call. So glad you could be bothered to take time out of your busy day to come. So many ponies nowadays are in such a rush."

The stallion's voice had a smooth, easygoing quality. But his accent sounded outdated, or possibly foreign. Like a vampire from a cheesy movie, but more genuine.

"T-the call? What do you mean?" The mare asked, removing her hood.

The stallion casually appraised her, seeing a young earth pony mare in her mid-twenties. His smile grew wider as he saw her pastel orange coat and her mane of different greens in mounds of curls. Her eyes were an amber color that shined in the dim lighting provided by the barrels.

"Those who are greatly troubled and unhappy will heed the call of the Shepard's Rose. It's in the smoke you see. It's a very rare plant I've been stockpiling for a very long time. If you came here, that means you want more from life, and I'm here to offer it to you. What's your name, young lady?" The stallion explained calmly.

The mare winced as his words hit the mark, but she didn't verbally admit to anything.

Regardless, she was interested in what the strange pony was saying.

Maybe he is a vampire? Maybe he's looking for a bride, like in my romance novels? I mean, he's not that handsome but beggars can't be choosers, right? The mare thought to herself optimistically.

Stepping forward, she cleared her throat.

"I... My name is Pumpkin Butter. I just... I got fired yesterday because my stuck-up unicorn boss can't read my hoof-writing and I called him a speciest. I spent all day in bed today, up until I opened the window for a smoke... I smelled the air and got... compelled? And somehow my hooves knew to carry me here. I just know I'm here for a reason, so what is it?" Pumpkin asked desperately, having far to few answers.

The stallion's smile never faltered, he just kept looking at Pumpkin with a strange combination of care and insanity.

"You are here because you have a higher calling my dear Pumpkin. I serve the one true god of this world, and I am recruiting those in need to serve alongside me in his name. I am here to offer you immortality, and all you need do is have faith in me." The stallion explained.

Pumpkin Butter just stared at the mystery stallion for a bit before letting out a curt laugh.

"Okay, well good talking to you. I don't need to join a cult today, and I'm not really fond of kool-aid anyway. I promise not to call the guards on you, so I'll just be going." Pumpkin laughed at herself sadly, her hopes dashed.

As she turned away she heard the skinny stallion stand up.

"If you could spare me just a minute of your time, I have proof." The stallion insisted.

As Pumpkin turned around she felt fear rise up to the forefront of her mind.

The stallion had a dagger in his mouth, and was rushing to the cultist to his right. Yet for whatever reason the white pony didn't move, or react. It even braced itself for the coming attack, not flinching as the dagger was plunged into it's neck. Blood began spurting from the wound, and the stallion fell to the floor.

Pumpkin froze, her legs locking up in terror despite her brain telling them to run.

Then, the unthinkable happened. The pony shakily rose from the floor, and his blood began flowing back into his wound. There was a crackle of red energy that raced and arced about the injured pony, sealing the wound. Within thirty seconds the pony was healed, and stretching his neck as if he had had a rough day of labor.

It seemed his only lasting change was his bloodstained cloak.

"And there you have it my dear. Immortality. If you need further evidence I can open one of my arteries, or behead one of my assistants. It's really just a minor inconvenience when you worship the right god. We only offer such a chance once every thousand years, and it's a first come first serve offer." The stallion continued, casually cleaning the blood off his blade.

Pumpkin didn't want to see any more bloody miracles, but she believed.

Or she at the very least wanted to.

"I-If you're immortal, why do you have so many scars? If I become immortal will big injuries still scar like that?" Pumpkin asked, bravely taking another step forward.

The stallion's smile faltered a bit, but he didn't seem to take too much offense.

"I was a scientist back before lab safety had been invented. I got burned, and it happened before I became a servant of the lord. I have lived well over a thousand years with these reminders of who I once was. But they only make me more and more grateful for my life now. If you join us, you will be young and beautiful forever. So long as you worship the one true god and serve when called, we care not what you do with your free time."

Pumpkin hesitated, but she walked right up to the scar covered stallion.

She bowed to him, but he placed his hoof underneath her chin and lifted her up.

"Now now, none of that. All your worship is to go to the master. Come to the container I was sitting at and wait for a moment. I need to gather up some supplies."

Pumpkin felt a little more at ease, and she did as instructed.

The stallion sat back down at the crate and fished about inside of it. After a moment he produced a golden chalice, shined to perfection. Then came a rather large syringe, empty. Finally, the skinny stallion produced the dagger again.

"You have two options here my dear. The immortality I offer comes from the blood of a true priest of our order. Mine. I can either go the classical route of slicing open my wrist into a goblet and letting you drink it, or you could go the more modern path and let me inject you with my blood. Then all I need you to do is say the name of god to complete the ritual. So pick your poison, for lack of a better metaphor."

Pumpkin looked back and forth from her options uneasily, not really liking either.

"I-I guess I'll take the injection? I don't wanna taste it. No offense." Pumpkin replied cautiously.

"None taken. It's an acquired taste." The stallion chuckled.

Then with a deranged smile the stallion jabbed the needle directly into his leg. He used his mouth to operate the plunger, filling it as much as possible. He removed it from his leg and licked the blood away just before it sealed.

Once he had kissed the syringe of blood goodbye he seemed ready for Pumpkin.

Nervously, Pumpkin placed her leg on the table and rolled up the sleeve of her hoodie. Her disturbing new friend was eager to begin, but Pumpkin gasped and pulled back her leg. The priest very nearly stabbed the metal container, but pulled the needle back at the last second.

"I'm sorry, I still want immortality, I really do! It's just that you forgot to tell me god's name." Pumpkin explained apologetically.

The stallion had been miffed before, but he actually leaned back and laughed for a moment, placing his free hoof on his face.

"You are quite right my dear! Forgive me, but my old brain is so full of knowledge I forget the little things now and then." He laughed.

Carefully, he leaned over the desk and whispered in her ear. When they separated, Pumpkin smiled wide, placing her leg back down to be injected. The stallion was more than happy to oblige, carefully slipping the syringe into her veins.

It was still somewhat warm, but colder than her blood. It tingled as it coursed through her system, and even though she didn't look it seemed to take forever. But as soon as she felt the needle being pulled out she whispered the true name of her new master.

Dootha

For a moment nothing happened, but then came a strange scratching sensation. It was odd but not really painful.

"Did... Did it work?" Pumpkin asked meekly, looking herself over.

The stallion nodded his head, and for the first time in longer than she could remember Pumpkin Butter smiled. A genuine smile, knowing she had forever to do whatever she pleased. She was so happy she thought she might cry.

But then the scratching shifted to pain.

Pain unlike anything she had ever felt before.

She couldn't yell, or scream, or move at all. She fell over as all the strength in her legs left her. Pumpkin's eyes started to feel heavy, and the pain changed to numbness. She felt like a stone, unable to act, only to be acted upon. Finally she lost her breath and was totally helpless to draw more.

The very last thing Pumpkin Butter ever saw was the smiling face of the stallion with the scars.

Then there was nothing.

No darkness, no pain, no suffering.

As soon as the color had drained away, the pony formerly known as Pumpkin Butter rose from the floor and walked in an almost machine-like way. It removed Pumpkin's hoodie, tossing it into the nearest barrel of burning logs and magical herbs.

It then proceeded to walk to one of the metal crates, and it opened the door with strength far greater than the small feminine form had right to possess.

Inside was at least a dozen more puppet bodies, all drained of color and identity. Even the marks upon there flanks were gone. Once it was inside and in formation with the others it shut itself in. They all just stayed in the dark, waiting for orders.

"And there's an even dozen for the week. A few more containers, and then we'd best move on. As stupid as ponies are these days they'll catch on eventually. We need a good crop if things are to go according to plan..." The smiling stallion said with a malicious sort of glee.

Although as soon as he realized there was no one else around he sighed.

"If I didn't have to kill them I might be tempted to keep a pony or two for conversation's sake... It is dreadfully one-sided with you meat puppets." The stallion sighed as he pointlessly jabbed a dagger into one of his cloaked puppet's heads.

He then casually trotted back to his cushion behind the metal crate, waiting for the next lost soul to wander through the door. He passed the time concocting more stories to get ponies to take his blood, grinning like mad the whole time. The scariest monster Equestria had ever seen, shaped like a pony.

Author's Note:

I thought about making this two chapters, but I wanna keep things rolling. This weekend on May 8th the story turns a year old. (May 8th is also my birthday) I want to be done by November if at all possible. No particular reason, but this has been going for awhile.

Selene has gone through a wild series of changes, six on paper, and at least three on the computer. Her original designs were more what I think ponies would imagine aliens as, but I decided to go more Luna/Nightmare Moon with it.

All in all, I'm very happy with her.

Training is harder to write than I thought, especially with all the perspective switching. Hopefully it wasn't too terrible. I hate heaping expository stuff constantly, but the story sort of demands it. So I hope it isn't all that heavy.

Originally I was going to have Sombra cut scars in shadow to make doors like the portals in Kingdom Hearts, but I decided I wanted to be a bit more original. The sigil idea is actually pretty new, but I'm trying to add more stipulations to powers. I don't want anyone to be too OP.

But please keep in mind the villains are super OP, so a certain degree of over-poweredness is required.

Also, Selene was planned before Garnet from Steven Universe was revealed to be a fusion. I didn't mean to rip anything off. That said, I freaking love Steven Universe more than life itself. Peridot and Pearl are my favorites, and I'm vibrating with excitement for the show's return on the 12th.

The creepy stallion does have a name, but I'm holding off on telling it until he meets up with the main characters. He is also the one to bust Chrysalis out of jail, if that wasn't obvious. He's another character I love to write for. I loves me some baddies.

Feel free to theorize about him all you like. Keep in mind, he's a liar and totally evil, insane, and way too happy. Don't take anything he's said at face value. Also, I hate myself for killing my adorable little Pumpkin Butter.

Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I made it pretty long. I hope everyone has a good weekend. Sunday is my birthday, so I'm probably gonna catch up on some much needed sleep. Then chow down on some cherry cobbler. While I enjoy cake, I'm much more fond of pie. What do you guys like to eat on your birthdays?

Comments

[Lord Olympius]

Damn and I really want to go "Garnet really "but you beat me to it. Also I assume that you never read a Percy Jackson book.

My favorite part was when Sombra marked Spike that was so cute.

[Malnovo]

Your birth date is the same as my faher's. Just another reason to have a platonic crush as powerful as the void and a thousand suns over your story.

I actually like you a little more now that you made Sombra's size preferences canon. You know how to keep your readers happy. Thanks <3

[MasterBrony Forever]

You want to keep this going till November...I am expecting a lot of filler chapters then.

[StarPony123]

Wow....rereading this years later, you depicted Detroit Michigan vary accurately.... way to accurately.