“What are you doing, Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash asked her in a frustrated tone. I cautiously opened my eyes to see the yellow pegasus staring directly at me with eyes that had a hint of doubt in them, mixed with a bit of concern.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “It’s just… Applejack said he sounded truthful, and he looks so scared.”
“And he should be!” Rarity told her. “After all that brute’s done, he should be afraid!”
"And Ah said he sounded truthful. He could just be good at lyin'. This is Sombra we're talkin' about."
"But what if he's not lying, Applejack? He doesn't look like he's trying to hurt us right now, and he did say he surrendered. What if he just wants a second chance? We did give Discord, Starlight, and Stygian second chances."
I didn't want a second chance because I wasn't Sombra, but right then didn't seem like the best time to start arguing that point.
"He enslaved ponies an' wiped their memories so they wouldn't be able ta tell us what he did. That's a little different than Discord turning rain ta chocolate milk."
“Well, I feel like we should give him a chance anyway,” Fluttershy told Applejack, although with a bit of nervousness in her voice.
“He’s an evil pony, Fluttershy,” Applejack told her, as though she wasn’t getting it.
"Besides," Rainbow Dash told her, "it's like Twilight said. If he's not Sombra, the Elements won't hurt him."
This was so screwed up. It was like I was on trial, except the trial was just straight execution, and if I didn’t die, then I’d be proven innocent.
"Okay, let me clarify," I broke in, still laying on the ground. "I am in his body, but I'm not him."
"Then tell us, exactly who are you?" Celestia suddenly asked.
I opened my mouth to start, but no words came out. I suddenly realized there was nothing I could tell them. They flat out wouldn't believe me if I said I was a human, and would find out I was lying if I told them I was a pony.
Still, I had to say something, and tried to word my statement as carefully as possible. "Um," I swallowed, "I'm some creature who I think was stuffed into this body. My mind I mean, or my soul. I think. I really don't know how this happened." She stared at me, her expression still unchanging, still seeming like she had nothing but hate for me and didn’t believe me in the slightest. I tried to continue. "I know it seems ridiculous-"
"Because it is ridiculous!" Cadance spat, interrupting me, an angry look in her face. That was roughly the reaction I expected from her, although I hoped for something different. "If you're really some creature who was put inside Sombra, the Elements wouldn't hurt you."
"I am not sure that’s true," Luna said calmly. Nine pairs of eyes turned her way, including mine. “Let’s suppose he is being truthful,” she started, she and Celestia keeping their eyes firmly on me. “If that is the case, then he is trapped inside somepony who is at least half umbrum. In that case, if the Elements were used on him, he would likely experience significant pain as the umbrum was ripped away. If, however, Sombra were completely an umbrum, he could quite possibly be simply destroyed. Of course, nothing might happen, which would wholeheartedly prove his truthfulness, but there is no way to guarantee that a truthful being trapped inside Sombra would survive, seeing as we’ve never had some creature like Sombra claim to be some creature else.”
What she said was something I expected Celestia to say, but I wasn’t complaining. It made the six look at me with enough doubt to have a chance at not possibly facing death.
“Of course, it’s quite possible that the Elements have already made their decision by giving Fluttershy, who represents Kindness, sympathy for him.”
“He could just as easily be tricking them, Luna,” Celestia told her flatly.
The way she said that made me shiver. I said it before, she gave me nothing but a feeling of absolute hate. She was acting towards me the way I expected Luna to act, or worse, like I had done something specific to her, and it was scary. No, terrifying. Terrifying because I didn’t know what I could have done to make her feel this way towards me. I felt lucky that she wasn’t the pony who found me down here.
“That is true, Celestia, and it could easily be my own past causing me to speak out. I do know that if I were to make the choice, I would give him a chance. But as I said, I will not stand in the way of your decision on how to handle him.”
I had a feeling she wanted me dead, and honestly thought that was what she was going to tell the six. But instead, I heard, “The decision belongs to Twilight and her friends.”
I let out a small sigh of relief at that, and relaxed a tiny bit. I wasn’t going to die, especially not after what Luna told them. I’ve seen this show before. This is the part where they realized that I wasn't lying
And then I saw the look of concentration on Twilight’s face. The look of her thinking the decision over. It was just about the last thing I wanted to see. How could she possibly be thinking her decision over? Especially when the options were between giving me a chance and me probably dying!
“Please don’t do this,” I said quietly, then said louder, “Don’t do this to me! I surrendered! I haven't even tried to hurt you!”
“I want to believe you, Sombra,” Twilight told me somberly, “but I know you’re lying. If it were any creature else, I would believe them. Chrysalis, Discord, even Tirek, I can see why they did the things they did. But you… you just have no justification for the way you are. You’re just a monster, who’s evil for evil’s sake, and the Elements proved it twice.” She then turned to the other five, telling them, “I say we do it, but only if we’re all in agreement.”
“Well, I say yes,” Rarity said.
“Absolutely!” Rainbow Dash said quickly.
“Just give me a chance! I haven’t even done anything!”
“Let’s rock and roll!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.
“Applejack?” Twilight asked.
She looked at me, considering her decision. “You have to see that I’m being honest, Applejack!” I pleaded to her.
She closed her eyes and said, “Ah vote yes.”
“Fluttershy?”
I, along with the whole room, looked to her. She looked like she wanted to say no, but it seemed like she was going to say yes for them.
“Please don’t let them do this to me,” I whispered fearfully.
“Well?”
“I-” she started, then stopped, still deciding. She stayed quiet for several seconds longer, then finally said, “He just looks so scared.”
Hmm, well, now that you mention it, if the body itself is tainted, it'll be... bad. I believe the mind will somehow be protected by the Elements, but I wouldn't like to find out the side effects.
The only disappointment is the length of the chapters and the update rate. Other than that, the story is pretty good so far.
10127749
Alicorn of Shadows or Alicorn of Fears
I'm almost certain some white pony didn't cope well with her break with alternate sombra from the mirror.
you know it would be funny if once the elements made things worse like the actule sombra was trapped in him and blasting him set him free with a power boost
Ah i give this story a few more chapters tbh. Due to 2 or 3 ways this can play out and feel real without it being beyond stupid.
A) He gets blasted and is shown as a different creature than Sombra, He doesent trust them anymore EVER and seeks answers away from them. Cuz yeah he would ask his would be murderers for help (definetly) since they cant see past superficial
B) He gets blasted and is stripped of Sombra, STILL doesent trust them and limits his contact with them due to the fact they wanted him dead (SUPRISE SUPRISE) And seeks answers himself since you know asking them for help is beyond realistic past this point (sarcasm max)
C) He doesent get blasted and gets confined for eternity and has to act a pariah and an idiot past fear of him being killed because ponies want him dead so lets play nice to everything they say.
I dont think this is a big premise on how this story can continue but for how the ponies in general acted in these 3 chapters is any indicator either kill him off or make an angst filled maybe story where everybody tiptoes around him.
10128482
Where do you get this idea?
Hmmm. Everyone is so blinded, why sit there pleading for mercy when attack or retreat would be the better options? Talking is not a Sombra thing to do and everyone knows that; that oddity alone should give them pause but Celestia and the elements (sans Fluttershy) are so bloodthirsty it's almost like they're being mind controlled...
Keep going! ;)
Having a hard time believing Sombra is somehow worse than Tirek.
10128527
Other than the part that we all know he's not Sombra I think the Elements of Harmony will give him a new body you can change by his emotion I'll be connected by sombras dark magic give him the power of the Alicorn of Shadows or transform him into the Alicorn of Fear anyway goes I know one thing not including Fluttershy he hates all of them not hate to the point like he's even more like hate to appoint a doesn't want to talk to them and be nowhere near them anymore only flush I gave him the chance. That's why I have the idea that he had become an alicorn.
Oof for Sombra. Again.
you know he could tell celestia or luna to read his mind/memories
im lovin it
10128543
Or less believeable than Chrysalis. I mean, by what logic is Chrysalis, who is deceitful by her very nature, more believable than Sombra?
10127634
You got a point but there's one thing beyond death, torture
10128573
I’d say Chrysalis in her true form is pretty trustworthy. Her ego seems to demand that she pontificate about all that she has accomplished in her latest plot whenever they cross paths.
One cliffhanger in the previous chapter was acceptable. Two in a row? Considering how short the chapters are? Not really good. Please, try either making chapters longer or avoid putting more than one cliffhanger every few chapters. There's simply not enough story to justify it.
10128641
if he does survive this, call them out on their bs, wait Celestia has some deep hatred so this might not be the best action. Although its going to hurt a lot so pain might make him call them out on their bs.
Also Luna being best princess out of all of them so far.
Umbrum are naturally susceptible to being killed by harmony magic? Intriguing...
I fear for the poor souls life... Jeez. He speaks truthfully and yet no one believes him.
10128645
I'm sorry. Its just, I didn't think of this one as being a cliff hanger because of the way it ended
10128525
There is a fourth option for the route this story can take.
Rarity , Pinkie Pie , Rainbowdash, Applejack, Twilight have proven that they are vengeful to downright cold blooded to 'MURDER'. Elements of Harmony my ass!
Luna is a hypocritic for not even giving him a real chance.
I dont say to stay away from keep him under permanent observation and heavy guarded BUT holy shit ! Fluttershy is literally the only one that isnt hypocritic. Its not even in war time. That plain mob murderlust.
Ever read the definition of Justice a fair trial?
Holy shit...
/////
10128805
Wenn Götter sich über ihre eigenen GESETZTE stellen...
Who wanne play 'War of Gods'?
10128624
Torture is not a way for extraction of information. CIA did it to people suspected to be Taliban.
They say anything the tortureres wanne hear to make the pain stop...
Kills every reputation ones nation/gavourment has.
/////
10128645
Indeed. Its a cliffhanger for cliffhanger reason...
10128823
Who said it would be for information, or even told to the public or anyone other then the three princesses
10128692
Yes but still a hypocritic one. Funny how the 'weak pony has the biggest heart'.
I think it wouldnt be surprised if the elements temporary stop working.
Applejack - is hishonest with herself knowing there is a chance ( all Sombra is asking for ).
Pinkie Pie - was always a unstable character at least and outright lunatic at worst... (No jest if this get him killed 'Cupcakes' is next coming up with her!)
Rarity - a nobel lady and normaly GENEROUS is just OK WITH COLD BLOODED MURDER! ( maybe Sweetybell should get someone more responsible to raise her ). Generous but denies a second chance of life.
Twilight - is to selfentiteld to be the friendship bringer. I can literally point 3 instances were they learn to be in the wrong. Gettingaway with 'im sorry'.
Rainbowdash - was always a hypocritic mare. ( she is the only true to herself ).
Fluttershy the only real logical thinking Pony. The Princesses should be ashamed of breaking there own laws. Not even a trial... Tirek , Chrysalis & Cozy Glow at least dont hide behind hypocritic 'justice'.
H-a-r-m-o-n-y my ass...
10128829
Holy Shit! it would literally be Sombra on his top of evil. At least he didnt hide it. Making original Sombra more HONEST! Lets not ever go there!!!
Godcomplex anyone? Read it here:
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/134427/never-judge-a-bug-by-her-cover
Celestia, Luna are evil racist. Non pony = kill em all for being not born pony. Because justice/harmony sake.
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/299781/changeling-courtship-rituals
Selfentiteld Cadance is a GOD. The only one allowed to judge love. If she dont like 'you' its JUSTICE to remove 'love' FORCEFULLY.
10128856
Yeah I went a bit dark
10128865
I been there to ones or four times
10128845
H-A-R-M O-N-Y-o-n-e Y-O-U W-A-N-T
10128884
It sees that way...
Examples of friendship & mercy:
How about a story explaining his action? Here:
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/215461/dont-let-the-darkness-consume-me
I like this!
HMMMMMM NOICE
Well, this is it folks. The Moral Event Horizon, and they're more than likely crossing it. And by the same logic they're using Discord is evil and should die as well, which for Fluttershy is especially damning. The Elements woukd doubtlessly work on him, so that would mean he deserves it regardless if he's reformed or not.
Say, do you guys remember what happens when the EoH are misused? I bet Sunset Shimmer certainly does.
10128630
Only when her plans are at the point where it's almost impossible for the heroes to win. She was clever enough to keep all of her plans out of sight until they had reached critical point, and the only reason she actually got defeated was because the heroes pulled a last minute miracle out of their tails (Cadance and Shining's love bomb and Thorax's sudden transformation).
Sombra, by comparison, isn't really all the subtle. The subtlest we've seen him was playing dead and destroying the Elements of Harmony, which while subtle, wasn't exactly the height of conniving scheminess. Every other time he chooses head on confrontation. Even is mind control isn't really subtle, instead of pulling a Palpatine and slowly worming his way into minds, he just brute forces mind control on everyone he encounters.
10128919
a brilliant example of how all the ponies are racist to changeling.
10129102
True. If anything he is the least subtle villain in the series.
10129163
Well I mean, they did try to conquer Equestria and turn its population into livestock. Several times. Took em a while to say sorry for that and stop doing it, too.
I'm really loving this story so far but the only thing that's getting to me is the Cliffhangers ;-;
Why can I like this story more then once?
10129221
but that was only because they needed food. The badlands didn't exactly have that
10129453
This. The changelings pre-season 7 didn't know they could produce food for themselves. Chrysalis herself had plausible deniability.
Once she actively rejected the better way, that's when she turned from (at most) sympathetic to straight up evil in my eyes.
10128475
Believe me, it's much better than others I've seen, especially considering the fact that he told us not to expect any more than once per week.
kinda like the witch trial thing where they'd trow women into rivers if they swam they were witches
so the dead were innocent
10135289
The logic.
I am not a very patient person, at this point I wouod just tell them to do it already.
Either i live and we can advance this ridiculous situation or I die and don't have to be part of the circus anymore. A win-win in my book.
Damn Candance os striking mafld in this story, nicely done.
Also Twilight would trust Crysalis? The one known for being mnipulative and which especies thrive on lying but not Sombra? Suuure, seem stupid but in character. Saying Tirek had acreason for what he did that was any betterthan Sombra? Nah, that's going a tad too far.
You forgot the "I"
10128805
Yeah...that right there pretty much sums it all up. No matter what he says or do, he's damn either way. At this point this is a do or die situation. Kinda reminds me of The Rising of The Shield Hero, main character was treated like the villain from the get go, despite not doing anything deserving of it. Didn't help that slander and lies on his character were thrown into the mix.