Sombra was a much more complicated pony than history lent him credit. The Crystal Heart having freed him from the clutches of his own creation, Sombra now tries to find his place in the world. But can he escape the shadow of the past?
Sombra was not always the heartless ruler that ruled the Crystal empire with an iron hoof. He once had friends, a home, a lover... But his thirst for knowledge and power led him down a dangerous road.
By chance or the powers that be, Sombra is deemed worthy of a second chance to correct a thousand year old mistake. History ignores intentions however, only recording actions. Can Sombra find a way to bring peace to his heart and those he cares for, or will the darkness from his past consume him?
Image, story idea and OC used with permission. Check out her DA Here! Inspired by StasySolitude's animation. (Watch to provide a bit of clarity/backstory!) Click Here to watch! Art by StasySolitude for this fic; Chapter 8 Picture: Click here!
Snowflakes landed with an ice angel's kiss on the stallion's nose, melting as he drew breath.
Cold. Why am I cold?
Clad in dulled metal armor, and with a red cape adorning his back, the large-statured crystal pony let out a groan- the only sound other than the howling winds.
For a time, he just focused on moving a few limbs.
Yes. Good I can still feel my hooves. That crystal heart nearly incapacitated my regeneration spell. Wait-
Eyes leaking soft purple wisps of smoke, King Sombra's gaze darted around the snowdrifts.
Where is he? His presence-I cannot feel it!
His fanged mouth parted in a grin as hoof by hoof, he managed to stand.
Perhaps the spell finally separated his consciousness. Interesting. But no matter. This will take time, with those new ponies ruling, I need to disappear for a time, gather my resources. Perhaps the northern area, find a cave, recover; It will take years. Hmmmmm.
The deposed king's thoughts were interrupted by the crunch of snow, the sharp sound drawing his wrathful gaze.
A pony? This far in the snow fields? Even at my limited strength, I will be able to-
No.
A sinister red glow pierced the blowing snowdrifts. Two bright red eyes accompanied it, narrowed and wrathful. The sight was enough to send pinpricks of uneasiness through King Sombra's heart.
Who?
A shape materialized as the pony hobbled closer. It was clear that injuries had taken their tole- perhaps even a broken bone or two, but come closer this pony did.
An injured pony? This far from civilization?
“Stay back!” The king's voice was infused with confidence, no matter how fake.
The other pony stopped, eyes never having left the king. The vague shape now resolved itself into the defined image of a red crystal sword, glowing as the other unicorn slowly drew it up.
“You dare speak to me?” The other pony rumbled, his voice easily heard over the howling winds. It was a deep voice that seemed able to shake solid stone, easily rattled the King to his soul.
The voice was another piece of the puzzle- but King Sombra had to know.
“Who are you?!” The once proud ruler gasped. Fear was an alien emotion to the king, yet at this moment, he knew nothing else. That voice, and those eyes; had one thousands years truly dulled his memory that much? He knew those eyes.
A guttural scream left the mysterious stallion's throat, sending the sword arcing across King Sombra's form, the flat of the blade easily breaking bone and sending him tumbling to the snow.
From his prone position, King Sombra finally got a clear look at his attacker. He stood just as tall, red eyes shining in the dim light. A mane, black as night, ran down his head, a short cropped tail and sideburns the more notable features. His fur was a light charcoal, his rose eyes a bright contrast.
The stallion walked closer, limbs shaking with both rage and pain.
“My name is Sombra, you vile creature.”
- -
The king cried out in agony as the sword fell, the flattened edge beating the stallion down as he tried to rise.
“You took everything from me. You took my life, my home, you took her!” Sombra bellowed, sending the sword down once again, denting the king's armor enough to break ribs.
King Sombra had no words, simply staring at the stallion, fangs slightly bared.
“I will finish what I started!" The dark furred stallion said, panting slightly. King Sombra now saw that multiple burns adorned the stallion's flank.
Perhaps, if I can strike him- The king mused as he formulated his attack strategy.
Any thoughts of retaliation faded as the attacker hefted the crystal sword with his magic, the blade positioned above King Sombra's neck.
"Finish what I started...Even if it takes me more than a thousand years.”
Even as the sword slowly raised, King Sombra refused to go quietly.
“You insignificant creature! You dare attack me! I will return, I will never stop! This is MY world! MY empire! Who do you think you are to take it from me?! My name will be revered across all these lands!” The King spat.
A cruel smile then formed on the injured ruler's features.
“You forget your place, pony. I am the darkest features of your soul. You cannot kill that which will always be in your heart! My name is-”
“That name is not yours to take, demon.”
The sword then fell, biting through metal and flesh.
“You dare to disgrace my name.”
The sword then shattered to dust, the severed head of the once-formidable king gazing with sightless eyes across the landscape. A beam of red magic picked up the severed part, laying it in the red coat. A brief infusion of magic swept across the horn- light blue in color.
The horn then faded, becoming as grey as the demon-creature's fur, which had already begun to fade into nothingness. The body slowly dissolved into shadow, which was blown away by the snowstorm.
Sombra stared at the head for a time, a weariness setting in that he had never known. He had not felt anything for over a thousand years, not physically at least, only emotionally.
Finally, after all this time, it is over. I finally sent that creature back, and yet...
I failed. I cost my home so much. My thirst for knowledge failed me.
I failed her.
He lay his head down on his hooves, red crystals thrusting themselves up from the ground to form a makeshift shelter over his head. The world spun as the spell overtaxed the wounded stallion's body, causing him to slump to the snow.
If I die now, then so be it. It would be more than I deserve.
A tear traced itself down the stricken pony's cheek, the snowstorm becoming fiercer. The stallion only had the severed head of a demon to keep himself company as he slipped into unconsciousness.
His dreams were fragmented, barely holding together. They all bore the same line of terror; the glimpses of what the demon had allowed him to view during the past millennium. For the first time in ages, Sombra finally had the mental willpower and means to contemplate what he had witnessed.
What have I done?!
Soft voices then penetrated his dreams, soothing his consciousness like silk slowly draped over a cold individual.
“Hey, sonny. Wake up.”
A nudge shoved Sombra to consciousness. The first thing that he noticed was that a cold sweat had plastered his mane and fur to his frame. The second, was that two crystal ponies- both male unicorns, stood over him. A short distance away he could glimpse a female and two young foals.
“That must have been some dream you had son.” The older and lemon-colored one drawled. He regarded Sombra with a curious and cautious gaze, while the younger cobalt-colored pony stood a pace or two back, a pickaxe levitated in his magical grip nearby.
“I-what? Where am I?” Sombra said softly. His deep voice wasn't the best at sounding meek, but he made the effort nonetheless.
“Crystal farm number sixty-seven, that's what our last ruler called it. My name is Zircon, about as creative of a name as this area is colorful. We named it Snowstop Point, and home too.” The older stallion said, sitting down on a rickety wooden chair. Sombra could now see that he was in a large barn- walls made from simple grey crystal and stone, and the door as well. It was lit by simple glow-gems, the light brighter than a candle, but not overly saturating.
“Pyrite, you can put that pick down. This one isn't hurting us.”
The younger-looking pony simply glared at Sombra, shaking his head rebelliously. A flicker of the eyes from Zircon, and Pyrite grudgingly lowered the tool.
“I still don't trust him.” The colt muttered, walking back to his mother, who shepherded the fillies outside.
Once they were alone, the aged stallion sighed, looking over Sombra with a surprisingly bright gaze.
“Now then. I didn't want to upset my family." Zircon said, levering himself out of the chair.
“The guards have already been called; they should be here soon. What I want to know, is why you had the head of King Sombra wrapped in his own cape. It's nothing but sticky shadow now, but I got a good look at it.”
Sombra didn't miss the slight glow around the pickaxe. This stallion was obviously not as slow as he had first suspected.
Shame on him for making such an assumption in the first place.
Sombra tried to stand, but collapsed, the cold sweat from his dream making his fur uncomfortably sticky.
“My name is Sombra. The head is of the demon I brought into this world.”
He tried once again to rise, and this time managed to stand, but barely. Sweat plastered his mane to his face, but his red eyes were narrowed with determination.
“It is the King you referred to. Not me. Even so, my actions caused this land to suffer.” Sombra said, collapsing to his knees as he looked up at Zircon now with an almost melancholy glow.
“If you have any desire to use that tool against me, all I ask is that you make it quick, even though such a death is much more than I deserve.”
The pick that had begun to levitate as Sombra stood dropped with a loud CLANK.
Zircon's face was that of utter horror and disbelief, the stallion shaking his head.
“What? I'm not going to kill you son. That is not my place to judge, lie or truth your tale may be.”
Sombra simply stared. What strange customs had infiltrated his land? If his mistake had been discovered, and the demon not vanquished, death would be more than a suitable punishment. Meddling in dark arts was not taken lightly.
One of many mistakes I made. If only I had listened to her.
A strange sensation blossomed on his cheek, but not at all unpleasant. He brought a hoof to his face, and upon withdrawing it, saw dampness.
Tears?
“Royal Guard. Zircon, please open the door.”
The yellow pony nodded, walking over to the heavyset metal door. He cast a pitying glance to Sombra before shaking his head and stepping out, two crystal pony guards taking his place.
And then-
Sombra's limbs began to quake, his subconscious mind processing what his normal thoughts were failing to comprehend.
“Guards. Leave us for a moment.” The voice rang out, clear as day, and as sharp as winter's bite.
The imposing figure walked over to Sombra, and looked down, shaking its head sadly as the guards left.
“Oh Sombra, I can only hope it is you.” Celestia whispered, her eyes bearing grief and worry.
He managed to gesture to the red cape with a toss of his head. Sombra was already flat on the floor, so bowing was out of the question. He had heard of the immortal being, but never seen her. She ruled the distant lands, and while allied with the Crystal Empire, their goings-on were not of top concern.
Until now.
“Your Highness.” Sombra said, his deep voice rasped out, ears lain flat in submission.
“I destroyed the Shadow. The remnants of it are in the red cape. I am at your mercy.”
The charcoal unicorn managed to kneel, then stand on shaking limbs- not as an act of defiance, but that of strength.
“Please, execute your punishment quickly. I wish to face my sentence standing.” Sombra said, a burst of zeal invigorating his voice, causing it to ring out across the crystal barn.
Celestia dropped the cape, having picked it up with her magic to examine in. Her eyes grew wide with realization- the only indicator of surprise. Her mouth was still set in the almost patronizing thin line-did she just smirk? Impossible.
Her power was renowned, as was her justice. Justice demanded payment, and Sombra wasn't going to hide from it. He brought in the creature that enslaved countless lives, until the vanishing and stasis spell hid the empire, only after Celestia and Luna banished him- it.
Celestia's wings unfurled, and the barn became alight with power, golden beams reflecting off the polished stones.
“Sombra!"
Her voice was like an earthquake, building in intensity and power, roaring out like thunder.
"For pursuing forbidden dark magic, and letting the Shadow into this world, I sentence you to death. This sentence is to be effective immediately."
Sombra closed his eyes, a set of tears trickling down his cheeks. They were not of fear, but of regret.
I am so sorry.
There was a cold burst of wind- and another voice pierced through the cloud of impending destruction.
“For risking your life to save those whom you love, and attempting to correct your mistake, we pardon your crimes.” Luna said softly, a caring smile on the alicorn's features.
The light from Celestia's horn dimmed as the two sisters stood side by side, simply observing the stunned unicorn's reaction, who only now opened his eyes.
“I don't understand.” Sombra said, collapsing to a kneeling position. He had heard even less of Princess Luna, but what little he did know, she had always been impulsive and harsh with punishments. Yet she intervened?
No, Celestia would have protested. She knew.
“You know what history has written, Sombra, that of terror and suffering. Now let me tell you what we know to be true, the story of Sombra, not King Sombra.
We saw a caring guardspony make a grave mistake. Upon realizing that mistake, he lay down his life in trying to destroy his creation. Thou made- You tried to make amends. In any code that has ever existed, to do so with one's life at stake is worthy of pardon.”
Luna's voice finished echoing off the walls, and all Sombra could do was look up with pleading eyes.
“I-What do I do now?” The question left a shameful impression on his mind as it left the guardspony's lips. It was pathetic, posing such a question to rulers, but what could he do?
What can I build up, when so much has been destroyed?
“Ponies will recognize you, hate you, revile you, perhaps even try to take your life- but the latter we shall try to prevent. Your punishment will come in form of the coming years. A royal decree will be issued, but that will not ease every heart. You will have to rebuild your image in the empire. That alone is more than enough punishment for your mistakes, all of them. The only stipulation we place upon you is to never again use dark magic. You know what small experiments lead to far too well.”
Celestia's decree resounded through Sombra's mind and heart. He almost couldn't believe it.
Almost.
“You will report to the Prince and Princess who now rule the Crystal Empire- Shining Armor and Cadence respectively.”
Princess Luna now took over, a strange look of understanding in her eyes.
“They have been instructed to jail you for a time. We know of the guilt that inhabits the heart of those who have wronged." Luna appeared to drift for a moment, then snapping back to attention.
“They will conduct your habitations and job. We have told them everything we know, but it is their kingdom, and you will be under their rule. Are we clear?”
Sombra nodded slowly, eyes shimmering with tears composed of a plethora of emotions as he looked to his hooves, unable to meet the alicorn's gaze.
“Yes, your highness. I-Thank you. I feel unworthy of being spared.” He said softly.
His head was lifted by a regalia-clad hoof, and Sombra found himself looking into Luna's eyes.
“Never think that a pony is beyond being spared. Never think that-no matter how hard it is.” Luna's own eyes appeared to be watering before she turned away.
“We will speak again Sombra. We apologize in advance if any of Shining Armor or Cadence's precautions are strict.”
Luna's voice drifted off, and the two sisters were encased in a multi-colored bubble.
“Good luck Sombra, and welcome back.”
They then flashed from existence, leaving Sombra alone- at least until two crystal guards strode in. Sombra didn't even feel the magical restraint they placed on his horn, or the strange gem they stuck to his fur. All he could do was try and comprehend his situation. So many questions.
The world then vanished as he was yanked from the barn, the teleportation spell activating.
Sombra awoke with a cold sweat plastering his fur to his body. Apparently having a demon use your body for a millennium wrecked your subconscious mind.
Go figure.
He shivered, noticing there was a good reason for being rather chilly. Steel bars surrounded him, matching the dark walls of what Sombra assumed to be a prison.
You should know, you built it.
The poisonous thought was hard to shake. Thankfully, the entrance of somepony helped brush away the thought, for now.
“You need to eat.” The crystal guardspony said, voice flat and emotionless.
Forcing himself to look up, Sombra met the other pony's cold eyes, despite being a cheery green in color.
Guard 72. Posted on gate three.
“You need to have some strength. Besides, the Princess is coming to visit you.” The guard drolled.
Sombra struggled to his feet, only now noticing the simple bread and apples placed in front of him.
Wait. My coat?!
“Guard Seven- I mean, is the crystal heart back? Of course it is.” Sombra's train of thought died along with his words. He recalled a few brief flashes of it.
“Of course it is. How else could we have defeated you?” The pony said as he left.
Shards and ice this is going to be difficult. But do I deserve anything but scorn?
Perhaps not.
“Sombra, are you feeling alright?”
The feminine voice caused him to look up from the bread and apples once again. A strange flurry of emotions flooded his mind and heart at seeing the familiar alicorn in front of him, along with a unicorn stallion who regarded him with a guarded set of eyes.
Princess. Alicorn. Right.
“I am-” Sombra let out a chuckle- or tried to. It came out as a half sigh, half wheeze as he bowed.
“Truthfully, I am not well at all.”
He then looked up at the Princess Cadence, for Sombra assumed her to be such.
“With respect, your highness-” His other legs gave out, and the ground once again became his companion.
“Why do you care? I do not understand.” The words clogged up in his throat. Despite the reassuring words from two immortal beings, Sombra still found it difficult to believe that he wasn't to be executed, or at least imprisoned for life. Such a sentence would, even now, be an easing of guilt on his mind.
Sombra's thoughts were reinforced by a slight snort from the other unicorn- Shining Armor, if he was to be correct.
“Princess Celestia and Luna explained your situation. It is difficult for me to instantly forget everything that has happened, and I still have my suspicions. The Princess's have been wrong before, no offense Cadence." Shining Armor said, glancing over to his wife briefly.
“However, I've been instructed to give you benefit of the doubt. I'll do my best in that regard. I'll meet you topside when you're done Cadence.”
The burly stallion then took his leave, and Cadence shook her head slowly.
“I apologize if he came off as a bit rough. He's a sweetheart, but this is all very difficult for us to understand. Understand though, we do want to help, and not just because Celestia asked us to. If what she said is true, then you're going to need all the assistance we can offer.”
“That's putting it mildly.” Sombra interjected.
His ears instantly flattened, eyes widening.
“I'm sorry Princess Cadence! I didn't mean any disrespect." He stopped as Cadence held up a hoof.
“Just Cadence please. Celestia and Luna are trying to break away from the whole groveling thing, and I am trying to do the same. I'm just a pony, one who wants to help you. Would you be willing to fill me in on the details of what happened?” Cadence said calmly, settling down on her haunches.
Sombra was dumfounded for a moment, finally regaining some form of speech.
“I-ok, Prince- I mean, Cadence. What do you already know?” He asked, munching on the offered food, and trying not to wolf it down.
“Well, you meddled in dark magic, released a demon, tried to defeat it, and it won. You were possessed until the Crystal Heart broke it free. From what I heard, you cut off its head, and here you are.”
Swallowing, Sombra nodded slowly.
“I-that about covers it, the basics I mean.”
“Why did you do it? Try dark magic I mean. You knew it was foul and evil."
Cadence's voice wasn't prying or accusing, but purely curious.
Sombra stayed silent for a moment, mulling the question over in his mind. He couldn't tell if Cadence was gathering information in a subtle interrogation attempt, or just being kind.
Probably the first one, not that he had anything to lose.
“The answer is painful. I knew what I was doing.” Sombra paused, looking up at the Princess.
“I wanted more." He said softly.
Cadence stayed silent as Sombra continued to speak, grieving undertones present on every word.
“I wanted to be better than I was. Stronger, more powerful. The book I read promised those things.” He let out a slight huff at the thought.
“Instead, it gave those aspects to the demon the spell spawned, using my own emotions as a template.” The stallion now closed his eyes.
“King Sombra- the demon, was me. The darker parts at least. So powerful. I should have listened. She tried to convince me to not go, to let the guards handle it.”
How could I have forgotten?
“Amber Leaf."
Cadance's ears flickered slightly; the only indication she had heard Sombra.
“Who?”
Sombra's eyes were wide with horror as he looked up at the Princess.
“Amber Leaf! Where is she?! One thousand years-”
Cadence must have seen where his reasoning would take him, because she quickly spoke up.
“After Sombra- erm, the demon's defeat, there was a stasis spell placed on the Empire. It disappeared. Whoever this is, maybe she is still here? I do not know, is she your mother?”
Rebellious tears carved paths down Sombra's cheeks, sides shaking with the emotional strain.
“My family is dead. Amber Leaf, and her family are all that I have. My special somepony. The only one who saw-She saw it coming. She tried to warn me, to save me.”
Cadence looked on with a pitying expression- and was caught totally off guard as the stallion let out a heart-wrenching scream. It was more of a roar than anything else, causing the walls to vibrate with power, a few pieces of crystal falling from the ceiling.
Six guards materialized into view- having been magically hidden just inside the door and along the walls, their weapons turned inwards towards the distraught stallion, who now was lying prone on the crystal floor.
“Hold! Return to your posts.” Cadence ordered, approaching Sombra as she waved off the guards.
“I don't know who this pony is Sombra, but I'll do what I can to find out about her. I can't promise anything though. I am sorry.”
With that cold statement, Cadence left, glad that Sombra couldn't see the dampness on her cheeks.
With nobody but camouflaged guards to keep him company, Sombra sobbed. Utter grief tore into his mind as memories finally flowed free of their bounds.
Cadence burried her head into Shining Armor's shoulder, composure cracking as she took a few shuddering breaths.
“I hate this." She whispered.
“I know, but you also know it has to be done. We need to be sure.” Shining's voice was comforting, yet at the same time, guarded and almost heartless to her ears.
“P-Princess?” A voice spoke up from across the room.
Cadence dawned her 'ruler mask,' as she called it, walking over to the individual who looked on with questioning eyes.
“I am sorry about all this I had no idea, we just need to make sure it is really him.” Cadence whispered, not able to meet the other pony's gaze.
"He does still care." She said softly.
Nodding simply, the pony left the room, no guards barring the way. It was a short trot to home, where the pony shut the door to her room, walking over to a simple dresser.
The crystal drawer was opened for the first time in over a thousand years, and a red scarf lay neatly folded inside. A few particles of dust swirled about, catching the fading light from the nearby window.
“Please be real. Please.” Amber Leaf whispered as she withdrew the scarf, running her hoof over the soft threads.
He cried until no more tears came. The meal that was delivered was eaten with a robotic-like trance, and despite the lack of expression on Sombra's face, his eyes swirled with emotion.
Oh forgive me Amber Leaf, how could I have only now just remembered your face?
Was she alive? Cadence said that there had been a stasis field in place, so perhaps.....
How dare I even think she'd want me back! A slight growl escaped his throat- no doubt prompting a look from the invisible guards.
Because of my mistake, the entire empire suffered! I probably locked her entire family in a prison cell!
The memories flickered to the surface, at least the ones the demon had let him see. Her tear-stained face behind bars.....
Sombra let out a soft groan, sending his head thudding against the one crystal wall.
The only one who I let in...and I didn't listen to her when it mattered the most!
His horn glowed- and he heard the shuffling of spears from the shadows.
“Oh relax. I'm in no mood to have you all in a huff. Just leave me be.” Sombra growled as red crystals began to protrude from the floor. They began to arrange themselves into small shapes, Sombra's own thoughts driving him deeper into a remorseful daze.
How could I have been so blind?
Amber Leaf trotted down the hallways of the crystal palace, small saddlebags slung over her teal-colored sides. This was the second time she had been summoned by the Princess.
She had a feeling it wouldn't be the last.
Of course, the first time was...dare she call it luck? Whatever divine force there was that watched over her must have been having a good day. When Sombra had been teleported, he apparently had been mumbling in his sleep, and her name had been mentioned.
Her brother happened to have been one of the guards present. A few quick exchanges of words later, and Amber Leaf had found herself explaining the basics of what she knew about Sombra. Perhaps now she'd get a chance to further explain herself.
The guards didn't bat an eye as she walked through the doors, where she found herself subject to the gaze of both Shining Armor and Princess Cadence. The meeting area was of a simple design; stained crystal windows on both sides of the hallway-like room, a large table in the middle.
“Ah! Amber Leaf....thank you for coming! Please, have a seat.” Cadence said, gesturing to a cushioned chair near the two of them, the purpleish-pink fabric matching Amber's mane and tail.
Amber always felt closer to Cadence, in the brief time she had known her. Shining Armor was nice but a bit distant. The few times he did loosen up, he proved to be rather amusing to be around. Was that how rulers were suppose to act? Amber wasn't sure, but it was usually a pleasant interaction whenever anyone got a chance to speak to the Princess and Prince (the latter of which titles annoyed Shining to no end, as he made clear quite a few times...)
After plopping down on the cushion, Amber looked over to Cadence, who had an almost pitying expression on her face.
“This is about Sombra...of course.” Amber said quietly, more of a statement than a question.
Cadence nodded briefly.
“Yes. We...had a few more questions. We asked him earlier what motivated his actions, and the answer doesn't sit well with us.”
Amber shrugged her shoulders, not entirely sure what Cadence wanted.
“What did he tell you?”
“He wanted more power, essentially.” It was Shining that now spoke, and his answer prompted a huff from Amber.
“That stubborn...of course he told you that.” Amber mused out loud, then glancing up to the two rulers in shock.
“Sorry! I mean no disrespect. Sombra is touchy when it comes to his past. I have an idea of what caused all this....” Her words drifted off as Cadence held up a hoof.
“No need to apologize. Please fill us in. We're just trying to understand who we are dealing with, and then we can move on to how to deal with him.”
“Assuming it is Sombra, and not this demon-creature.” Shining growled, shifting slightly with unease.
Cadence shot him a glare, and for a second Amber could have sworn she saw the alicorn's eyes shimmer with dampness. Her gaze then turned back to Amber.
“It is him. A demon, from what I understand, could fake certain things. Genuine affection isn't one of them.”
Amber drew a sharp breath, looking away briefly. He still cared? To have such validated by Cadence again seemed to cement it in her mind.
“It's not as simple as power for Sombra. Perhaps that's all the demon wanted, but.....” Emotions long since buried rose to the surface, pushing out a few tears. The onslaught of memories and feelings startled even Amber, who thought all her tears had dried up, especially after the previous night.
“He wanted to be stronger, but without the evil intentions.” Amber's words were met with a barely audible snort from Shining. She glared at him, a few more tears running down her face.
“Don't you dare mock him! It's not his fault for wanting to be strong! He watched his family die because he couldn't save them! Unless you have lost your family, don't try to understand him! It's taken me years, at least....I thought it did...”
Her emotional outburst ran down, and before Amber could comprehend that she had just told off a ruler of the nation, she found herself wrapped up in a warm hug from Cadence. Just that gesture helped the words flow as Amber squeezed her eyes shut. She hadn't told anyone this. She had understood not to, but things were different now.
“It was a freak accident, I think that's what changed him. We were young, barely past getting our cutie marks. I remember how funny and go-lucky he use to be. Sombra was at his home, when it was attacked.”
Amber stopped, wincing slightly. Even years after, the image had burned itself into her mind.
“Ice wolves. They had been acting strangely in the past months, but now they....they.....”
She couldn't finish, but Shining understood.
“They killed them.” He stated bluntly, prompting a nod from Amber.
“He didn't even get to say goodbye.”
Amber could still recall when Sombra had told her. They had been on a secluded hill on a clear night. She had never seen him more vulnerable, the large stallion seeming to shrink down as he had spoken.
Never before had she seen someone in so much pain.
“He had tried to stop the wolves. His father had taken down a few of them, and Sombra...they found him next to a wall. The wolves had batted him aside. By simple luck or fate, he had slid partially under a dresser after striking his head. The wolves hadn't eaten much, just killed. Pieces led away, into the snow hills. The larger ones of the pack had been killed by Sombra's father.”
Her words drifted off.
“That was when he changed.”
Cadence let her out of the hug slowly as Amber's crying slowed, sides still shaking slightly.
“That was when I saw that there was darkness in his heart.”
That sentence drew a hitch in Cadence's breath, as well as a cautious gaze from Shining.
“What do you mean Amber?” Shining's tone was calm and caring, but not hiding the edge behind any falsehoods.
Amber Leaf paused, her own breath catching in her chest as the ancient memories rose to the surface.
“It had been only a few days since he lost his family. Sombra often went to the edges of the city to think, mostly alone. I followed him on one of those visits. I wanted to help him. I was wrong. He hadn't been going out to think. He had been searching.”
“A small pack of ice wolves found him, or he found them. I saw him just as he....”
The words didn't come, Amber Leaf's mouth frozen open, eyes wide with shock.
“He tore them apart.”
Her soft answer simply prompted a shocked look from Cadence, and a disbelieving raise of an eyebrow from Shining.
“What?” The older Unicorn asked, tone partially condescending, which earned him a glare from his wife.
“Sombra always liked playfighting. His father was a guard. We even have a portrait of him wearing the huge armor...” Amber's temporary smile faded as quickly as it appeared.
“His eyes were glowing a bright red, but I could see the tears. He was in so much pain!” The sobs returned, Amber's sides shivering as she spoke.
“I have never seen a pony so angry, so hurt. There were four ice wolves. He broke two apart with red crystals that burst from the ground. One was pierced by a shower of crystals he summoned from the air.” Pausing briefly, Amber brought her emotions under control, an edge of the pillow clenched in one of her hooves.
“They may have been the wolves that killed his family, or maybe they weren't. All I know is that when he created that sword from red crystals, he cut the last wolf to pieces....over and over again.
Ice wolves regenerate, but Sombra didn't let them. He kept going. He let them regenerate partially, finally killing them. The look on his face....”
Amber paused, taking a deep breath.
“The look on his face, was the same expression on King Sombra's face when he ruled over us. A crazed grin, a love of chaos and pain.”
The air in the room seemed to grow a bit colder, an unsettling feeling entering all the pony's hearts.
“Sombra, a mere colt, took on four ice wolves?” Shining asked, prompting a simple nod from Amber.
“You don't understand. He got hurt, and....I had to carry him back. The guards wrote it off as a rage-induced incident. Afterwards, he wouldn't talk to anyone, not me, not the nurses....only ate and thought in silence. He finally told me why.
Sombra said that he loved it.”
The chill in the air intensified, a look of horror on Cadence's face.
“Loved...the killing?”
Amber shook her head slowly.
“Not just the killing. The pain he was causing, the power he felt, he loved it all. He said that he'd do it again. He was just hurting....
He was tired of doing everything on his own.”
Amber Leaf sighed, shaking her head slowly.
“You two have no idea, or perhaps you do. You have each other...Sombra was a late bloomer. A late cutie mark, a late magical ability, even after he excelled at his spells, the damage was done. Take away his family, the few who had encouraged him, and he felt worthless.
We took him in. My family had known his for some time, and he fit right into the family. He was so withdrawn for the first while....”
There was a pause, and Amber Leaf shook her head, trying to get her thoughts in order.
“He had always been a bit of an odd stallion, but now he was something else entirely. He devoted everything to spells. More powerful offensive and defensive abilities, more physical training-”
“And you fell in love with him.”
The chill in the room fled at the sound of Cadence's soft-spoken words, her voice soft and tender.
“Yes.” Amber Leaf whispered.
“I found Sombra, the real one, buried underneath all the pain. Over time, he became more outgoing again, more pleasant. I thought he had put aside trying to find more powerful spells....”
She now shrugged, the pain in her eyes begging Cadence for help.
“You know the rest....”
Cadence nodded, a subtle hoof-wave indicating Shining to not open his mouth, to which he was already in the process of doing so, no doubt with more questions.
“Indeed we do. Thank you Amber Leaf.” Cadence said sincerely, pulling the smaller earth crystal pony in for a hug. She then held Amber slightly away, so Cadence could look into her eyes.
“I think you've waited long enough. Lets go have a talk with Sombra.”
Chapter Four: Where there is shadow, there is light.
Sombra's ears twitched as he heard approaching hoofsteps. four-no, five individuals. Muffled voices also wafted down the hallways, slightly distorted and unintelligible.
------
“I just wish I knew why. Amber Leaf sighed, unsure of whether to feel fear or joy at what was going to happen in a few minutes. Perhaps both.
“Everyone has darkness in their heart Amber. Anger, jealously, pain, it's always there. It's just up to us to control it, or, if need be, release it for a time. But this entire empire has seen what happens when you let it rule you.”
Shining glanced over, the two mares looking over at him in shock.
“What? I may not be a bookworm like Twily, but I can be introspective if I want to.” He grumbled, clearly a bit miffed at the response.
“Twily?” Amber asked, as the guards led them down a long spiraling staircase, which appeared to wrap around a central elevator shaft. Why they didn't take the elevator she was uncertain, but appreciated the chance to talk to the rulers.
“My little sister, Twilight Sparkle, a Princess now as a matter of fact. I'd be happy to tell you more about her later.”
Once again, Amber wasn't sure what to think of Shining. One minute he was guarded and almost angry- the next....
Reminds me of Sombra.
“What else can you tell me about Sombra?” Cadence asked softly as they continued to walk.
The question shook Amber out of her daze, and a gentle smile graced her lips.
“He's complicated. His family's death made the two sides of him sharper and more defined. He can be very protective and stubborn.” At this Cadence shot a quick glance over to Shining, at which he tried to ignore (failing miserable, judging from the slight blush on his muzzle.)
“Even at times, such as with the wolves, he can be terrifying. When I talk with him though, he is just the same pony, deep down. He tries not to let his deeper emotions show, something about stallions not being emotional or something,” (another glance from Cadence.)
“When I'm with him, Sombra just relaxes, I think is the best way to describe it. He's a complete softy, but doesn't like showing it around ponies he doesn't know. There's more, but I don't want-I mean, with respect-” Amber stuttered, unsure how to politely inform royalty that it was none of their business yet.
“It's ok Amber, no need to tell us everything. Your description helps, because now we know what to look for to see if he is acting normally. Also, I am looking forward to meeting Sombra, not the demon.” Cadence said, the five of them finally stepping off the bottom step.
“He also seems to have a liking of stairs.” Shining grumbled, looking up at the staircase, and then back to the elevator with a hasty 'out of order' sign scrawled on it.
“Need to get that elevator repaired.” The unicorn muttered, following the two guards and two mares into the main prison area.
------
Sombra heard the door open, and the rustle in the shadows as the guards snapped to attention. His ears flickered towards the noise, the only sign that he heard them. Instead focusing on the crystals in his telekinetic grasp, the stallion let them melt away into a magical mist. He only held one large red crystal, turning it over and over with his magic. It was a sort of meditation and calming mechanism. He could sense the flaws in the stone, heat it, cool it, manipulate it.
It was rather comforting, to be in control. A feeling he hadn't felt in a thousand.
The crystal, now molten, warped into a twisted shape as his focus broke. A faint scent attracted his attention; it was crisp and clean with a hint of a tree not found in the crystal empire.
It couldn't be.
Try as he might, Sombra couldn't bring himself to look up from the crystal mass that now sat on the floor in between his hooves. The same result for the second and third time he tried to look up. Finally, he slowly edged his eyes upwards.
Teal hooves.
Light purple mane.
Light blue eyes.
Her eyes.
Sombra's vision blurred, and his hooves began to tremble. He could feel a few tears trickle down his face, but couldn't stop staring at the pony in front of him.
He couldn't even speak.
-----
Amber Leaf walked towards Sombra's cell, Shining and Cadence hanging back with the guards. She couldn't pin down the emotions she was feeling. Fear? Joy? Sadness? Regret?
Anger?
Amber sat down, looking at the stallion who stared back at her. His eyes were wide with shock, and his jaw trembled slightly.
“A-Amber?” Sombra's deep voice was barely above a whisper. All Amber could do was nod.
– -------------
The words failed Sombra again as he closed his eyes. Was this another dream?
A gentle touch caused the stallion's eyes to fly open. Looking over, he saw, and felt, Amber's hoof gently resting on his cheek.
“You're real?” He managed to ask.
How many dreams have I had like this?
Amber nodded, her eyes soft and caring, but Sombra saw something else lingering there.
“You remember me?” Amber's voice was as gentle as her eyes, with a hint of uncertainty. That alone caused more tears to flow down Sombra's cheeks.
“You think I forgot you?” His sides began to shake.
Does Amber have no idea how much she means to me?
Perhaps not.
“I wouldn't be here, without you.” Sombra whispered, leaning against her hoof that still rested on his cheek.
-----
Cadence glanced over to the guards, nodding to them.
“Let him out.” She said, prompting a shocked look from Shining.
“But-”
“Demons can't fake love, Shining.” Cadence whispered, looking over to the two ponies again as the guard approached them.
“I don't have to use my powers to sense what those two feel, but it certainly confirms it. Sombra is, who he, and the other Princess's, say he is.”
A tad miffed, Shining nodded nonetheless.
“Just being careful.” He muttered, prompting a nuzzle from his wife.
“I know.”
--- ----
The guard opened the prison cell, and for a moment, the two ponies were frozen, simply staring at one another.
It was Amber who moved, standing and walking over to Sombra, sitting nose-to-nose with him.
“Is it really you?” She asked.
The hurt in his eyes was instant and glaring before he looked to his hooves.
“I'm so sorry Amber. I'm s-sorry.” The stallion managed to choke out before his sides began to tremble again.
Despite being quite shorter than him, it was clear to everyone in the room that the Amber's hug around Sombra's neck meant more than all the wealth of the empire to him.
“Y-you don't hate me?” Sombra whispered, barely able to speak as his sides shook with barely contained emotion.
He felt Amber draw in a sharp breath, and she pulled back slightly to look him in the eye. There was a flash of anger-
* WHACK * A stinging pain lanced across Sombra's cheek as Amber swung her hoof, more than enough to leave it aching for a while. “Don't you dare ask that again!” Amber growled, a few tears running down her face.
“I deserve a lot more than a simple slap, Amber.” Sombra said, eyes not meeting hers.
The mare drew a sharp breath, her eyes closing briefly. When she opened them again, her lips trembled with emotion.
“I don't think so. Nobody should. You paid your price!” Her voice dropped to a whisper.
“I paid a price too. Shards and ice Sombra, I thought you died! When that thing rose from the ice in your changed body...”
She couldn't finish, tentatively leaning closer to hear his heartbeat.
“Did you ever wonder how I felt? When I didn't think-I never thought I'd s-see you again!”
----
Amber Leaf felt the sobs coming on- and she couldn't do anything about it. She heard an awkward cough emanate from Shining Armor- and heard them, along with what sounded like all the guards leave the room. All that was blocked out as two forelimbs wrapped around Amber, pulling her close.
You have no idea Sombra. You really don't, do you?
She cried, nuzzling his fur as Sombra held her close. The stasis field had blocked their emotions to some extent, and ever since it had lifted, she had been able to feel the full effects of the thousand years alone.
The lack of comfort, of security.
The warmth.
I should have told you how much I loved you, many more times than I actually did.
And I suppose I still do. But what do we do now? I can't forget what has happened, neither will others. Will that be worth it?
The feeling of security provided by a simple hug, along with the feeling of Sombra trying to hold back sobs, a few tears dripping from his muzzle onto her forehead, gave more than enough answer.
For a few minutes, they sat on the crystal floor, halfway out a prison cell, knowing nothing but each other's embrace. It was Sombra who finally spoke.
“Where do we go from here Amber?” He asked, voice still a whisper.
Before she could respond, Shining Armor poked his head in, looking a tad unnerved.
“Umm. Sorry to interrupt. We have some quarters waiting for you if you'd like some privacy to talk and such.” It was clear he was preoccupied, but as to what, Sombra wasn't entirely sure (nor did he care at that immediate time.)
“Lead on,” he said simply. Sombra took a few tentative steps, then nodding approvingly. The entire demonic possession ordeal had left him rather weak, something that was slowly being remedied it seemed.
As they joined the guards, Cadence, and Shining, Sombra felt his legs wobble. Stairs was out of the question...
Cadence seemed to pick up on this fact, walking over to the elevator and calmly levitating the 'out of order' sign out of the way, then entering the perfectly-operational device.
“It works?” Shining asked as they all piled in.
“You did agree to have me find a way to motivate you as far as exercise is concerned." Cadence replied with a slight giggle.
The indignant look on Shining's face was more than enough to cause the other ponies to crack a smile, including Amber and Sombra.
The doors opened, and the guards and accompanying ponies filed out. The large hallway was lined with stained glass windows, much like that in Canterlot. Sombra was too preoccupied to notice the splendid construction and sight. The mare at his side garnered all his attention, and rightfully so.
Nobody knows what has transpired those years trapped in my own head, with only that demon for company. Never again!
It was a prickling of his fur, a slight change in the air, something minuscule that was off. Perhaps if he had been more alert, Sombra would have been able to defend himself, or even retaliate. Even so, the guard's spear cracking across his skull sent him sprawling to the floor.
The reaction was instantaneous.
--- ---
Amber wasn't entirely sure what caused it. One moment they were walking to the large doors at the end of the hallway, sunbeams streaming through the windows and reflecting off the soft blue interior. The next, a guard, face twisted in a horrific expression of hate, had broken away from the others lining the hallway and floored Sombra with a single strike. The stallion then reversed the spear, aiming the point down at the prone unicorn.
That was when everything changed.
She saw the two royal's horns light up- one a protective shield, the other a forceful strike. Amber was halfway in the air before she even was aware of what was going on. Her hoof connected with the stallion's jaw, the force of it sending the guard's head slamming into the wall, denting the helmet severely. Her next strike with her hind legs buckled the armor, and ribs distinctly cracked.
She found her body encompassed with a light pink aura- Cadence standing by her side.
“He's out for the count Amber, I have to say I'm a bit surprised.” The Princess said, surveying the guard, who was now starting to regain his senses.
“I am not a weakling!” Amber hissed, causing Cadence to look at her knowingly. The mare then revised her statement.
“I can defend myself.” She said simply, causing Cadence to nod slightly. What does she know about me?
Shining pinned the rogue guard against the wall, his face inches from the soldier.
“Explain yourself!” He roared in the stallion's face, the amount of anger in his eyes more than a little unsettling.
The guard began to laugh, a crazed and maniacal sound that rang from the halls and floors.
“I don't need to explain myself! I was just doing what had to be done!”
Shining could only look on in shock, the guard fighting against the magical force which held him bound so that he could look at Sombra, who was just starting to come around.
“My family is dead!” The stallion screamed, causing everypony to jump in shock.
“And you! You killed them! All I needed was medicine, but you worked them to death! Demon? Pony? You are the same.”
The stallion took a deep breath.
“Murderer.”
The word hung in the air like a dreadful stink, a familiar evil chill saturating the air as the stallion's voice rose once again.
“MURDERER!”
The guard's voice drifted off into sobs as the pony clenched his jaw awkwardly- foam then visible on his lips as he bit something in his mouth, a piece of an empty pill capsule falling from his clenched teeth.
He then stopped moving, a rebellious smile still present on his lips.
Amber could only stare at the dead pony who lay slumped against the wall, a hoof still slightly pointed towards Sombra.
What is going on? She wondered, even as Shining began to bark orders to the other guards, Cadence standing near them with a protective glare in her eyes.
Then she saw Sombra's face. His eyes were wide with horror, mouth slightly open as he looked at the dead guard. The look in his eyes spoke what Amber knew him to be thinking.
They were whisked away to a secluded tower, personally selected guards of Shining's present at their door. The only thing that the two royal's had said were to stay put.
Sombra's pacing only lasted a few minutes before he sat down on some simply blue cushions; some of the simple but elegant accommodations in the room. He stared at his hooves, still hearing the cry of the guard ringing in his ears. Despite the peaceful surroundings, his mind was anything but such.
Murderer. Is that what I am?
His eyes narrowed with annoyance as his vision blurred, tension gripping his chest. Now what!?
A sharp intake of breath was his reaction as Amber Leaf walked over, looking over at him sadly. Her hoof brushed his cheek, wiping away the offending particles which had been obscuring his vision.
Tears.
Since when have I cried this much?
Then again, having a thousand years to think changed things.
---- --- –
Amber's heart ached at seeing Sombra so clearly distressed. She sat next to him, wiping away another set of tears. More took its place, but the gesture was what mattered. He refused to meet her gaze, instead looking at his hooves which had begun to shake with nerves.
A gentle nudge under his chin was all it took to break down the walls. Sombra's emotional barriers shattered, and the stallion's head flopped to the ground, sobs wracking his frame. Amber scooted closer to him, cradling his head in her forehooves, gently stroking his mane as he cried.
Nobody has any idea about this side of you, do they? What did those thousand years do to you? I only suffered before the Demon was locked away. You, you had to live with it in your head.
After his family's death, Sombra became even more an enigma in Amber's eyes. Before, he always had little quirks that never ceased to amuse her. That tragic incident though seemed to cause a whole slew of problems to arise.
But, that was to be expected. You can't just weather something like that unharmed.
On the exterior, Sombra was a gentlecolt guard, excelling at offensive and defensive magic. More than a few mares had their eye on him...
Had their eyes on him, that was all it ever allotted to.
None of them understood. None of them saw Sombra for who he was. Amber's mind drifted to part of a poem she had written, not an uncommon occurrence considering her cutie mark was that of literary works.
Nobody saw the determination, the drive, only the unbridled rage.
Nobody saw the tenderness, the sensitivity, only weakness.
Amber's head shook slightly, pulling Sombra a bit close to rest her cheek against his. His tears wet her fur, and she felt his whole body shake. Was it grief? Rage? Sorrow?
All of it?
Nobody saw him that night.
It was a memory engraved in Amber Leaf's consciousness, one of the defining points in their relationship, or what used to pass as such.
It had been an anniversary of his family's death, naturally a dark day. It had been a year or two before the demon's possession. It was rather appropriate weather, since storms had covered the land for some time, snow, ice, and sleet having fallen for days.
She hadn't been able to sleep for one reason or another. Amber had gone down to get a drink of water, when Sombra had walked in through the front door. His fur had been plastered down with cold ice and hail, almost hiding his eyes.
His eyes. Now they held the same crimson color she adored, but lacked the strength and resolve of before his possession.
That night, Amber had lit a fire, wrapping Sombra in a large blanket. The stallion had been unresponsive, just staring at the floor.
Sombra had opened up to Amber before, but never like this. It was always subtle hints, as though he was afraid of what may come of revealing a weakness.
“It hurts Amber. It hurts so much!” He had whispered.
The sobs that had left his frame were like those now; unhindered and raw.
Between his clenched teeth, Sombra had said something that Amber would never forget.
“I wish, Amber, that I had a mind as strong as my magic and body.”
That simple statement had clarified what Amber had known, but only superficially.
For all your training, tearing apart training dummies, and wanting to be a guard, you have such a tender heart Sombra. One that has already been torn, almost beyond repair.
How much damage did that demon do?
Amber Leaf's mother had once talked to her about the relationship concerning Sombra, much to Amber's dismay.
“Don't get yourself involved with someone who needs fixing, Amber dear.” Her mother had said.
“You'll have enough rocky times without dealing with a broken pony.”
Amber hadn't talked to her mother for days afterwards. She usually took her parent's advice, but this was different. She hadn't been a brash and off-the-wall teenager. According to more than a few other adults, Amber always seemed a few years ahead. Her parents had experience, so she took her mother's advice with a pinch of salt.
Only a pinch.
Nobody had a right to pass judgement on Sombra, the one pony in this world who made her feel wanted, loved, and if he had issues, so be it. Could she truly judge another pony for that? No.
To Amber's slight surprise, Sombra's sobs had slowed, and he apparently was in a light slumber, ears twitching at any sound as he dozed.
“Oh Sombra, where do we go from here? How much have you changed, how much have I changed?” Amber whispered.
Her words prompted Sombra to open his eyes and look at her, an untold number of emotions playing out across his face.
“I still care about you Amber, more than.” His voice drifted off as he took a deep breath.
“When you have only a demon to talk to for a thousand years, things become distorted. I don't know what to believe anymore, and I don't know if you even want a stallion that is as broken as I am. If you do though, I would like to try. My mistake has destroyed so much. I want to rebuild. I want to know what it is like, to feel, but more than that, I want you to be happy. Of that much I am certain.” He met her gaze again, and Amber's heart leaped as she saw the flames of determination in his eyes. She knew that look. It was him.
You are my Sombra.
Amber Leaf looked at him, causing Sombra's ears to twitch with curiosity.
“Amber?”
The simple confirmation that had finally sunk in, that the pony in front of Amber Leaf was the stallion she cared for, it reverberated through both her heart and mind. Amber could feel more tears being pushed out, her lips quivering. She had assumed it was him, suspected it, but now she knew it.
“Sombra, it's you.” She whispered.
Amber hug-tackled the stallion, which was only partially effective due to his height, wrapping her forelimbs around Sombra's neck as she took a deep breath. The scent she so missed filled her nostrils. It was subtle, a hint of spiciness among dull ash. The warmth she had so missed, that she had craved, finally seeped in through her fur. She could hear his heartbeat, and as sappy as some pony's would call it, she loved the sound. It spoke of comfort, and of strength. She was strong, but there were times she needed somepony to lean on.
“Lets try again Sombra. Even though things will be difficult, I do want to try. I still have plenty of questions.” Amber confessed, biting down on her own doubts and fears. Amber felt him nod slightly as she nuzzled his fur. They both had things haunting them, many of which couldn't be cured in a simple, short exchange. Of that she was certain.
“So, we start over?” Sombra asked, his own tears fading. Amber simply nodded in response.
“Yes, and no. We can't forget the past, but we both have changed. So I guess we both start anew, and build on the old?”
Amber couldn't help but hug him a bit tighter.
“I don't know how we'll do that. Maybe meeting my parents again would be a start. Then maybe a date?” Her voice squeaked at the end, causing a warm blush to rise to her cheeks.
“Yes. I'd, like that. I still have doubts though. About why you'd ever want to still...” His voice dropped to a whisper.
Amber glared at him, poking his cheek with a hoof.
“Do I need to slap you again?” She asked, eyes narrowed.
“I don't know what that demon told you for a thousand years, but I still care for you. I have my own doubts too. We just need to work through them together.”
The widening of his eyes and slight clenching of the jaw confirmed Amber's suspicions.
What lies did that demon try to get him to believe? Furthermore, why would those lies be about me?
You're not broken Sombra. You're the same stallion as always. Some say you are needy, clingy, aggressive, dangerous.
They can't understand, can they?
Amber had gotten past the attempted self-denial. She had first tried to justify why she liked Sombra, both for her sake and explaining to others. A romance novel hadn't ever touched her hooves!
Ok, that was a lie.
As independent as Amber liked to be, she still loved the notion of being protected and sheltered.
Apparently, quite a few stallions thought this notion to be worthy of taking advantage of, to which Amber was perfectly content to deal with. She hadn't taken hoof-to-hoof combat lessons with Sombra for nothing.
He is tough, and scary at times, yet underneath it all, a lonely pony who just wants to belong to something. His first family is gone, so now he is with mine. She let out a slight huff at the thought.
And I like to do things on my own, something he can understand. Yet that feeling when- Amber's thoughts trailed off as she let out a squeak, Sombra enfolding her in his forelimbs to hug her close, nuzzling her mane with his nose, quite an easy task considering his size.
This feeling. Knowing I'm not alone.
Amber wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. After so many years, to finally be close to the one she-
wait.
Her thoughts crashed into a brick wall, breaking away from the serenity and comfort.
Do I love him? I know how I use to feel. But now? I still have feelings for him.
We'll see.
The fact that Amber couldn't answer her own question was frightening, and the mare simply nuzzled Sombra's fur once again. It was terrifying, not knowing where things were going.
But for now, she had her Sombra back. First step, to get him introduced to her family again.
Hopefully the rest of the townsfolk wouldn't react as violently as that one stallion.
Hopefully.
A knock sounded at the door, and Cadence slid into the room cautiously, her nervous expression breaking into a smile at seeing the two.
“Sorry to interrupt, just wanted to see how you two were holding up.” A wider, and more tender smile slid onto her features.
“I also have a bit more information on what's going on.”
Amber nodded, Sombra looking to her for confirmation. He shifted positions, settling down next to her, side touching hers for comfort.
Whether it was for her sake or his, Amber wasn't sure. The thought that it may be both of those reasons passed through her mind.
“I apologize if this is a forward question, but is there a foal at home? We can send someone to get them and bring them here.” Cadence asked, her voice soft and gentle.
“What?! N-No!” Amber's exclamation halted as she saw Sombra's utterly shocked face. It looked like he had licked the most sour lemon-flavored crystal in existence.
“I mean, Cadence, there isn't. We haven't-I mean-only kisses Cadence.” Amber said, enjoying Sombra's blush much more than she should have. His bashful expression was adorable.
Worth it.
Cadence held up a hoof, nodding in response.
“I apologize for the mix up, but just wanted to be sure that we weren't keeping you. It should be safe for you both to leave. The guard who attacked you was part of a more disturbed group. Needless to say, they hate y-I mean-the Demon. They don't know the difference. You'll have guards follow you at a distance, the less attention the better. For now, Sombra, you can just lay low and try to acclimate. Is that alright?”
“It is, thank you Cadence.” Sombra rumbled, the first words he had spoken in seriousness in some time.
Yep. That voice still makes me happy. Oh dear Amber, you've fallen for this stallion, badly.
This will be interesting.
“Alright, then follow me please, if that is satisfactory.” Cadence said.
The two ponies nodded, following Cadence (and a few guards) down the halls.
“I take it times have changed? A foal at home unless, there is erm....” Sombra's words petered off, causing Amber to roll her eyes.
“You're seriously asking if there's another stallion in my life? Honestly Sombra. There isn't, but from what I understand, out of wedlock births are disturbingly common now. The whole honorable gentlecolt thing is a dying characteristic. I hope I'm wrong.”
“You're not, sadly.” Cadence said soberly. “That is why I had to ask. Perhaps when there were codes of honor, such a question would have been insulting. Nowadays, we can't be sure. Not our place to judge others though.” She let out a slight huff. “Although being royalty certainly gives us that apparent right, according to some ponies.” The alicorn shook her head.
“I won't bore you with politics. I am glad to see you two are getting along, and that you are who you proclaim to be, Sombra. I look forward to talking to you in the future.” Cadence nodded to Amber and Sombra, then taking her leave, two guards taking up position a fair distance away from the pair.
“I guess those are our shadows. Lets go Sombra.” Amber said, nodding to the guards with respect.
“Alright.” His tone sounded much less certain as they left the palace. Sombra's head was on a swivel, an astonished look on his features at the beautiful castle and the surrounding city in the distance, beyond the gardens and surrounding decorative areas. The sunlight reflected off the crystal structures, sending beams of light galavanting across the city.
Sombra then let out a happy sigh, standing still for a moment.
“Sunlight.” The dark-furred stallion whispered as he trotted over to some grass. Without any care in the world, he flopped down onto the foliage, rolling around this way and that.
Ponies couldn't purr, but Sombra seemed to be coming awfully close to it.
Amber trotted over, not able to resist a slight chuckle.
“Sombra, what are you doing?” She asked, the stallion still rolling around in the grass. He stopped for a moment, meeting her gaze. Amber's heart melted at the affection in his eyes as he looked her way.
“Amber, when you haven't had a physical sensation for a thousand years this feels amazing. I haven't had a chance to dwell on how amazing my senses are until now.” He explained, going back to rolling in the grass.
After a few more moments, he got up, shaking the loose grass from his fur.
“You'll try it eventually,” he quipped with a slight smile.
“I guess to your house?” Sombra's voice was subdued, his nerves showing through.
Amber nodded, walking over while fishing out something from her bag. A slight smile meandered onto her features as she withdrew the select item. She didn't say anything for a moment, watching as his eyes widened, mouth opening in shock.
“A-Amber? You-” Sombra couldn't finish, and his eyes were damp, jaw clenched to try and stem the obvious emotions. He settled to his knees, largely out of habit. About to stand as he realized that things may have changed, Sombra was stopped by a nudge from Amber. She carefully wound the scarf around his neck, tying it as she had done many times before. It was a sort of ritual between the two. Of course Sombra could tie it with his magic, but having her tie it was a familiar thing.
Both their eyes were damp now as Sombra stood, not caring that the guards were probably at a loss at what was going on.
“Y-you kept it.” He whispered, Amber nodding in response.
“I had to remember that you were... Amber couldn't finish, closing her eyes as she nudged Sombra along.
“We'll talk about it later,” she said, heading towards the main streets with their guards in tow.
I had to remember it was a demon that locked me in a dungeon, and not you.
Burning tears traced their way down Sombra's cheeks, his jaw clenched to try and hold back the cacophony of emotions.
That only lasted for a moment, and the stallion lowered himself to the floor, sobbing like a foal in the arms of his parents.
Amber walked past them, her own eyes wet as she nodded to the filly standing at the foot of the stairs leading to the second story bedrooms.
“Som-som back?” The filly asked, scrubbing sleep from her eyes.
Amber nodded, giving her little sister a nod before nudging her back to bed.
“Yes, yes he is. Go back to bed Sinnie, he'll be here in the morning.”
“Good. He fun.” The sulfur-colored foal muttered as she tottered back up to her room.
Walking over to Sombra and her parents, Amber sat next to them, leaning her head over to rest on Sombra's back.
“I'm glad that you're back Sombra.” Violet whispered.
“Likewise.” Picks added.
They all stayed there for a moment, everyone's tears slowly fading.
“Mom, Dad, Amber, I.....” Sombra's voice drifted off as he shuffled to a sitting position, a gentle smile on his features as he looked at each of them. His expression then took a bit more of a sober tone.
“There's someone I need to visit, a few people actually, if that is ok.”
Picks nodded slowly, wiping his eyes from tears.
“Go. We'll be here when you get back. I understand you must have a lot to think about right now, son.”
Emotion rose in Sombra's throat as he nodded simply. He took a deep breath and walked to the door, nodding to the guards.
“I need to go somewhere. I take it one of you has to follow me?”
The light blue Pegasus in question nodded briefly.
“Thank you for understanding. I just need to-there are things-” Sombra's train of thought broke down as Picks walked over to nudge Sombra's chest with a hoof.
“I get it Sombra. Go.”
Violet nodded, as did Amber after a glance to her mother.
Without another glance, Sombra strode off down the street, one of the two guards in tow.
Picks looked to his daughter, nodding once.
“Go after him.”
Amber didn't need any more encouragement other than that.
Sombra's hooves became more heavy as he approached his intended destination. The scenery became more simple and peaceful, and thankfully there were not many individuals on the streets at this time.
Or at this place.
Entering a secluded area of the graveyard, Sombra's guard waiting at the entrance.
Farther away from the center of the city, a few snow flurries dusted the headstones as Sombra fell to his knees, fresh tears rolling down his cheeks. The pain was as dark and sharp as ever, biting deeper than any cold and drawing more blood than any mortal wound.
“I'm sorry.”
His voice was a soft whisper as Sombra looked to each headstone.
Pixie, and Sulfur.
Mom and dad.
Garnet.
Little brother.
Heatherstone.
Little sister.
I am so sorry.
I failed you.
A cry ripped itself from Sombra's throat as the pain of a thousand years tore from his heart.
Amid that demon's grasp, I almost forgot you. I almost forgot everyone. I tried so hard, but I lost my way.
I wanted to do the right thing so badly, that I went too far.
Sombra's eyes darted over the headstone as he stood. His large frame expanded and contracted with each breath, the air misting with each exhale. Tears still ran down his cheeks, but where a broken stallion had once stood, a new one had risen.
“I won't fall again.” He whispered, horn beginning to glow with magic.
A sword summoned itself at his side, and a few small crystals sprouted from the grave sites, each taking the shape of a simple flower.
Sombra lowered the sword, spinning it in the air to send it slamming to the earth, burying it up to the hilt as he bowed his head before his deceased family.
“I know you all are listening, watching, so I promise you, I won't fail again.” His chest heaved as emotion threatened to cut out his voice.
“I made a mistake. I looked into things I shouldn't have. I wanted to be better, I wanted it so much, that I forgot what was most important to me. I forgot the good in the world, and settled on what was best for myself, and only myself. Mom, d-dad. I fell. I hurt a lot of good ponies, innocent ponies, with my mistake. One big mistake, and a lot of smaller ones. I can't make it up today, or tomorrow, but I promise I'll try. I want you to be proud of me.”
Sombra stopped, trying to reign in his feelings.
“I hope you will be, someday.”
He took a shuddering breath as warmth filled his frame- and Sombra got the distinct feeling that he wasn't alone. For a brief moment, he swore that the faces of his family were in front of him, each with a kind smile on their features. A trick of the light or snow, he didn't know- but the outline of his father briefly mouthed a few words.
Go get 'em son.
We love you.
Each of the faces mouthed the final phrase together, then vanished into the night.
Sombra's tears then obscured all of his vision as he fell to his knees once again, sobbing briefly. The warmth in his chest was overwhelming, the same that had filled him when his other parents had wrapped him up in their embrace. He swore that he felt the arms of his deceased family around him...
The feeling faded as mysteriously as it arrived, leaving the stallion looking at the headstones once again.
On shaking legs, Sombra stood, yanking his sword from the ground. Twirling the weapon around his frame, he danced the blade inches from his muzzle, causing it to slowly twirl on its vertical axis.
“I'll finish what I started, but not fall down that path again.” The stallion muttered quietly, a few more crystals popping into existence around him. They revolved themselves around Sombra as his eyes glowed red, the faint outline of crystal greaves forming on his hooves.
“I promised to protect. I guess I've forgotten that oath.”
His eyes closed briefly.
I cannot forgive myself, let alone ask it of others. Not yet.
I will prove it. I will earn the trust and admiration I so sought after.
I won't stop until I have clawed my way out of this hole I have dug for myself.
I cannot quell the anger, the rage, the loathing. These feelings, these horrid thoughts...
I can channel them. I targeted the wrong ponies last time.
I always wanted to be a guardspony. It's about time I got about doing that. Even if I am denied, rejected, shunned, I won't stop. I cannot stop.
The sword flashed out of existence, along with the crystal clouds of razor-sharp projectiles, and Sombra opened his eyes. They lit up the scene as they flashed red with a single pulse, then fading back to their normal hue.
Despite walking almost daintily on his long legs, the stallion that strode up to the guard almost commanded respect. The pony that entered the graveyard had stayed there.
The stallion that nodded to the guard had the pegasus doing a double-take. Sombra held his head high, keeping his eyes straight forward.
“Amber, Guards, lets go back home.” Sombra said, the two ponies following him down the road.
The mare nudged his shoulder gently, slightly unnerved by the look in his eyes.
“Sombra? Are you-?” A shaking of his head stopped her unfinished question.
“I am far from alright Amber, very far from it. But tonight, it was a step in the right direction.” The stallion said soberly. After a moment, a smile twitched onto his lips.
“I'm better than I was earlier, and that's a start.”
-------
The trio of ponies passed by an alleyway on their way home without incident. A few moments after they had faded from sight, a shadow detached itself from the wall, making its way in the opposite direction. It was a simple path to the small hideaway, but an outpost in the large city.
The hooded pony met the eyes of the individual at the door, nodding once.
“We need to meet. Things have changed. He will want to know of this new development.”
Sombra looked up to Princess Cadence, an impassive expression on his face.
“You know why I cannot grant that request, not now.” Cadence said softly.
Of course he knew, Sombra wasn't a fool. It was the fact her answer was logical and made complete sense that was driving him mad.
“Then what can I do? If I am not allowed to enter the guard yet what shall I do? I refuse to sit and spin my hooves.” Sombra replied, as respectfully as possible of course.
Cadence sighed, levitating a large list in front of her and reading over it.
“The city is undergoing renovations, as you may or may not have noticed as of late. We could always use assistance in that regard. We are trying to move the crystal empire forward one thousands years. That means redoing the plumbing, lighting, roads.” She rolled the list back up, placing it among a large stack of similar scrolls.
“You get the idea.”
Sombra nodded, the beginnings of a smile twitching at his lips.
“Just tell me what I can do to help Princess Cadence, and I'll do it.”
The surprise may not have shown on Cadence's face, but her eyes widened slightly. Clearly she had been expecting a rebuttal of some sort...
“Well, since you are a powerful magic user, we could use your help on the roads, specifically heavy piping sections that are being replaced. You'll be a construction worker, plumber, and see to any other job that needs doing.”
His next answer only further surprised Cadence.
“When do I start?”
– – –
“Your special some-pony?” The kind voice muttered in Amber's ear.
She jumped with a start, causing the bearded pony standing next to her to break out into a laugh.
“Apologies miss! I tend to do that, sneaking up that is. I didn't mean any harm.”
Amber ran her eyes over the newcomer briefly. He was an older stallion, sporting a white coat with a grayish-black mane and tail. His eyes shone a simple golden, radiating a gentle calm and kindness. A black royal emblem stood out on the stallion's flank, the only other distinguishing characteristic.
“Silas Necross at your service.” The unicorn said with a bow.
“Princess Cadence called me here to help with Sombra, one of three advisors actually. Apparently he wants to help around the Empire. I'm simply here to be a link between the Princess and Sombra, and yourself of course.” He added.
Amber bowed her head back, already feeling at ease around the advisor.
“It's good to meet you Silas. I'm Amber, and to answer your question, yes, he is.” She said with a slight blush.
The color on her cheeks prompted a cheery grin from Silas.
“Ah, I remember the days, oh good heavens, I feel old. My wife passed away years ago, but love is such a powerful thing.” He shook himself out of his reverie.
“Bah, enough of that. Time for getting to know each other can wait until later-”
“Ah. Silas. I see you've met Amber.” Another voice called out.
The two ponies turned to look at the new arrival. It was another unicorn stallion, close to the stature of Sombra, but with a light blue coat, and a cutie mark depicting a scroll and shield.
“My name is Pens, Pens scroll actually.” He let out a slight snort at Amber's bemused expression.
“Not the most creative name, but it is mine. I am also here to help with Sombra's acclimation to the Empire, and I hope to-”
“Yes, yes, we get it. Go file some forms or something. I already made my intentions, and yours as well, known to Amber. It's not that big of a deal you oaf.” Silas said with a wave of the hoof, causing Pens to sputter.
Silas turned to Amber, shrugging his shoulders briefly.
“Pens gets a bit caught up in the legality issues. Work forms and stuff like that.”
Sombra then excited the royal meeting chamber, eyes narrowing upon spotting Silas.
“And you are?” The dark stallion asked.
Silas introduced himself in a similar fashion, earning a grateful nod from Sombra after introductions were made.
“Thank you. I would appreciate any and all help. I'm set to start working in a day or two, so at least I'll have something to do.”
Nodding with approval, Silas, cast a glance to each of the two ponies, then glancing down the hallway where Pens was still fuming.
“I need to get go handle whatever it is Pens is all fussy about. It is good to meet you two, and I look forward to helping you both through this. Please come and see my anytime- we'll talk again soon.”
With that, Silas left, rolling his eyes at Pens.
“An interesting individual.” Sombra remarked as they left the palace and headed towards one of the many parks in the city.
“Indeed. Pens seems a bit uptight, but Silas should be a pleasure to work with.” Amber agreed, stopping as Sombra paused.
A slight squeak left her muzzle as Sombra brought his head down to nuzzle her cheek gently, then shifting his affections to her mane before continuing on.
“You've gotten more affectionate as of late.” Amber said, her cheeks still burning as she walked alongside him.
Sombra's head lowered slightly, along with his ears.
“Erm, sorry. I didn't mean to. I....-” His sentence cut off after Amber jostled his shoulder, her eyes damp.
“Amber?”
The mare appeared to be fighting back tears as they entered the small city part, enchanted to keep the grass somewhat green year-round, even during snow. Amber stopped at a bench, the crystal softened with magic to provide a simple cushion to any individuals wanting to rest in comfort. She didn't meet his gaze even as tears traced down her teal fur.
“Amber, please, what is wrong?” Sombra asked, her silence unnerving the stallion to no end.
Amber couldn't stem the drops of liquid that burned their way down her cheeks, sides quivering with barely pent up sobs.
I thought I had gotten all this out of my system. So much for lying to myself.
She turned to look at Sombra, his concerned expression igniting a slight twitch of a smile which quickly faded.
“I thought you- I watched you die Sombra!” Amber's voice rose in volume before her sobs cut off any further words. Tears stained Sombra's fur as the mare buried her muzzle into his shoulder.
Sombra's shock wore off quickly, and out of reflex he reached over and held Amber's hoof in his, also laying his neck across hers.
“You fell through the ice, and I thought that was it. I w-was still I shock w-h-when it rose up in your body. Sombra those eyes! I can still see them!”
Amber paused, still clearly in turmoil. She turned her head to look into his eyes, and the pain in her eyes tore at Sombra's heart.
“That thing hated me Sombra. The first thing it did was toss me into a dungeon. I've never felt so alone. Watching my parents and friends work in chains while stuck behind bars.”
“It knew.” Sombra whispered.
Amber's eyes widened as she shot him a curious look.
“What do you mean?”
Sombra sighed as he nuzzled Amber's mane, a simple yet comforting gesture.
“It knew you were special to me. I was trapped in my own mind. It didn't have access to all my memories, but some. The general stuff. Thinking of you gave me power enough to fight it. And the demon hated that.”
A long sigh left the stallion's frame, his caresses continuing to travel along Amber's mane.
“I am sorry. I'm sorry that I caused so much pain to you.....”
Sombra stopped talking as Amber drew her head back and looked him in the eye, a stern expression on her features.
“Do I need to slap you again?”
For a second, Sombra was genuinely unsure whether Amber was joking or not.
“You've apologized to me enough Sombra. You don't have to earn my forgiveness.”
“But it feels like I have to!” He replied testily.
Silence hung in the air for a few moments, the stallion then hanging his head in shame.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just difficult for me to understand.”
Amber gave his hoof a squeeze, enjoying his continued affections a lot more than she'd like to admit.
“I'm here for you Amber. You're, not alone anymore.” Sombra said softly into her ear.
Amber didn't reply immediately, a few final tears squeezing out of her eyes.
She finally managed to squeak out two words, and she hoped Sombra could understand how comforting it was to just know that much; that he was there for her.
They stayed in the park for a time; Sombra wasn't sure how long. Enough time had passed that Amber had begun to nod off in the noonday sun, snuggling her head next to Sombra's chest. He shifted slightly, causing Amber to look up at him, light blue eyes soft and radiating trust and calm.
and love? Dare I think she still-?
A flurry of emotions sprang up into Sombra's chest, blocking any and all words.
I don't deserve somepony like you Amber, I never have, and I never will.
Sombra's teeth grit together, the stallion's own emotions eating him from the inside out. He wanted to be happy right now.
“Lets go home Amber.” He rumbled, causing the mare to nod briefly. Another nuzzle across his fur, and she stood, looking at him with beseeching eyes.
“You ok Sombra?” She asked simply, causing him to pause.
Try as he might, the stallion couldn't shake his head. Anything to keep the gentle smile on Amber's face. After a thousands years of seeing nothing but-
A shiver ran down his spine, Sombra forcing himself to not to show any outward discomfort, for the most part. He managed a slight smile, half nodding, half shaking his head in a circular motion.
“I'll live. ---
The walk home was a quiet one, Amber clearly enjoying being close to Sombra, judging by how close she walked to him.
How much he wanted to enjoy her presence, but something was eating away at his mind- and he could only hope sleep would cause it to pass. A strange haze was covering his mind, like a spiderweb over one's eyes.
By the time he was shown the guest room, the stallion was ready to collapse. He bid his parents and.....almost-special-somepony goodnight, and was unconscious the instant his head hit the pillow. ---- ---- ---- ----
Darkness.
Somba blinked his eyes, struggling to his hooves as the world resolved itself around him. He stood upon a vast expanse of rust-colored earth, jagged rocks jutting this way and that as the similarly-colored sand blew about. The light was from directly overhead, and yet visibility was limited to but a few pony-lengths in front of him. Plodding forward, the stallion braced himself against the wind, the particles lashing at his coat with a strange ferocity.
Wait a minute.
The unicorn's horn lit up, producing a small bubble around, to which the particles didn't simply curve around.
They attacked it, as though angry bees vying for a piece of a bear's paw that was in their hive.
The dust ceased its attack, flowing to a large rock that stood in front of the stallion, pulling itself together into a shape. It grew more solid, darker, and began to move as though alive.
When two eyes lit up with a green and purple glow, that was when Sombra knew.
You.
“Hello Sombra. Remember me? It hasn't been that long, has it?” The demon asked, walking until he was directly in front of the shield.
“No. You're dead.” The stallion spat, looking around as the haze in his mind lifted.
“This is just a dream. It's the stress of being back. I've had weird dreams for a few days; you're just a figment of my-” His voice cut off as the other stallion shattered the shield, slamming Sombra to the ground to then place a hoof over his throat.
“A dream? You silly pony. Does this feel like a dream?” The demon laughed, releasing its hold on the stallion.
“Still a dream!” Sombra re-assembled the shield, forcing it outwards to purge this thing from his thoughts.
A wicked smile, the same that Sombra was forced to endure for over a thousand years, spread across the demon's face.
“A dream? You will soon realize otherwise.”
The stallion was tossed against the ground again, powering up the shield as the ground melted away, leaving him standing on a small platform of red stone. Darkness rose up around him, lashing at the shield like angry hydra heads.
“This is MY world! You cannot kill me, you pathetic excuse for a stallion! You summoned me to Equestria, from where do you think I came from?” The demon fired another series of dark bursts at Sombra, the shield almost collapsing as the stallion forced all the energy he could into it, barely maintaining the translucent barrier.
“What happens when you boil water, Sombra? Does it disappear, or does it turn into steam?”
A laugh ripped from the demon's throat, its figure growing as large as Canterlot Castle. The throaty chuckle reverberated through Sombra's entire being, the creature leaning closer.
“All I need is another bridge. You can't hide from me forever Sombra! I've experienced your world, and left my mark on it. You will see me again!”
It smiled, teeth glittering like the crystal empire itself.
“And when we do meet, I'll be sure to pay a visit to Amber Leaf.
And you'll get to watch as I tear out her throat.”
A burst of light cut across the demon's face, the shadows quickly healing.
“Oooh. Did I hit a nerve?” The aberration jeered, looking down at Sombra.
Tears ran down the stallion's cheeks, Sombra's shield collapsing to almost nothing as the demon leaned upon it.
“You didn't break me. Not in a thousand years.
And you won't break me now. Not here!”
Sombra's eyes glowed a bright red, sending the shield blasting out against the demon. As his vision faded to nothingness, the voice still rang inside his head.
“You can't run fast enough to escape me. Neither can Amber.
His shield shattered. Massive jaws opened up, swallowing him whole. Thick, viscose shadows wrapped themselves around the stallion, trying to crush him in their cold embrace.
– -
“NO!”
Amber Leaf literally jumped out of bed, smacking her forelimb against a cabinet as the house shook. Sombra's roar was loud enough to wake the neighbors, and most certainly anyone inside the house.
The second sound though-
Grabbing a metallic device from one of the drawers, Amber looped her hoof through it, making her way to Sombra's room-
Where a large hole in the wall fizzled, dark flames sputtering out as the stallion disappeared into the night.
The tunnel wouldn't end.
Tears streamed down the stallion's cheeks, images flashing along the walls, conjured from the demon's basic understanding of his fears. He could see the light- it was straight ahead, white and pure.
Shadows ripped at his fur, Sombra pushing onwards, sending them flailing off into the abyss. So close!
There.
With a final heave, Sombra shoved his way into the circle of light. The shadows that gripped at his limbs withered and died, unable to survive in the pure light.
The tears didn't cease, Sombra standing still in the light as familiar figures surrounded him, wrapping the pony in a loving embrace.
Mom? Dad? Sis? You're here?
When Amber, her parents, and the few guards in the streets finally caught up to Sombra, they stopped, shock stamped onto their features.
The stallion was curled up into a ball, sleeping peacefully, tears on his fur. The guards had moved him off to the side- the stallion crawling back every time they tried to move him, Sombra refusing to leave the room where a object slowly rotated.
All the while, the Crystal Heart pulsed with comforting power.
-
“Wake up, my little pony. You're safe.”
A familiar voice pierced through Sombra's mind, calm and soothing amid a torrent of red snow.
“Wake up.
The stallion's eyes snapped open, his barrel-like chest drawing a heaving breath. For a moment, all he could see was a pair of terrifying eyes-
But then it was swept away with a flurry of stars, and a pair of familiar orbs stared back at him, shimmering with fear and worry. Their ice-blue color caused a warmth to bloom in his chest as Amber Leaf looked at him with almost palpable relief as he awoke.
“Sombra? You're awake.” The mare's voice was barely above a whisper, and her expression was that of pent up emotion, threatening to crack.
“Amber? Where am I? What happened?”
The last thing I remember is that demon, then-
Princess Luna?
Amber Leaf made room for a nurse, who checked Sombra's vitals before nodding briefly, leaving the two alone. The mare walked to the other side of his bed, leaning her head on his back.
“It started last night.”
The Night Before
Amber snatched up the metal cylinder from her bedside, looping her hoof through the catch on her way to Sombra's room. The device was one of only a few in Equestria. Imported from the Griffin Kingdoms, the device combined the use of gunpowder and magic to launch a projectile at any foe in front of it. It held three shots- on a large rotating cylinder. The main barrel was attached to a small smooth silver box that rested on one's shoulder (with a fair amount of padding,) the other parts of the harness wrapping around one's chest and shoulder.
Obviously, Shining Armor and Princess Cadence were aware of her having such a dangerous weapon- especially since the projectiles were designed to penetrate magical shields, but after...
Amber Leaf shook her head as the memories came back; the door being forced in, her family helpless.
The barrel of the weapon dropped as Amber and her parents opened the door- the cold wind from the outside blowing in. The wall next to the bed was demolished, the edges of a massive hole still fizzling black and red streamers from red magic.
Without a word, Amber and her father galloped out the door and down the street, her mother staying behind with her little sister.
“He's fast.” Her father panted as they chased the stallion, still visible in the distance.
“And you're out of shape!” Amber quipped as they ran, her comment a blatant attempt to try and mask the fear she was feeling.
“The crystal heart!” The stallion gasped, eyes narrowing.
Her father sped onward, easily putting Amber's out-of-shape comment to shame. Already there were a few other ponies trotting in the same direction, apparently having the same thought.
When Amber managed to catch up, the barrel of her weapon lowered as she saw Sombra. The stallion had crossed the distance down the crystal streets at a breakneck speed- only to collapse at the foot of the crystal heart, his back resting against the pedestal on which the artifact floated.
He's asleep?
The mare walked over to him, prodding the stallion with a hoof in an attempt to wake him.
Instead of waking up, the stallion only shivered, edging closer to the crystal heart.
“Ok Miss, we know he's not breaking any rules, but it is the dead of night.” One of the late-night guards said, edging over to Sombra.
“What happened? He just came dashing in here, and collapsed there.” The guard asked, looking over to Amber curiously, spear held at a relaxed stance.
“He just ran off.” Amber said cautiously, leaving out the exploded-wall bit for obvious reasons.
“Lets go Sombra.” Picks said, moving to try and pull the stallion to his hooves.
“S-Sombra?! W-what-who?” The guard backed up, as did a few citizens at the mention of the stallion's name.
“Not that Sombra. That was a demon. This is the pony who existed before all that.” Amber hoped her explanation would suffice, but all it seemed to do was take the edge off everyone's nerves.
Which, was to say, did very little.
As Picks tried to move Sombra, the stallion shook his head, resisting all the efforts until one of the guards picked him up in a magical grip, nodding to Picks.
“Just lead the way sir, I'll carry him back home.”
Before Picks could thank the kind guard, Sombra's eyes flashed open- a demonic green and purple haze misting from his pupils.
The guard's grip was shattered with a flash of Sombra's horn, and the stallion growled, lurching back to the crystal heart. As soon as he was within reach, the glow faded, replaced by his normal red eyes.
By now, the citizens had backed up a fair distance, ready to flee at a moments notice. The guards had their spears at ready, and by now Cadence and Shining had been roused from their slumber.
Which was obvious, judging from the hastily donned armor and bed-mane as the pair looked around.
“What is going on here?” Shining barked at one of the guards, who simply pointed.
“It's him! I thought he was a normal stallion, maybe a crazy guy at best. His eyes-they were like His! All green and purple!” The guard managed to stammer out, prompting a few gasps and agreeing nods from some other ponies.
At that moment, Sombra let out a whimper, the stallion curling into a ball, looking much more like a lost and frightened colt-
Amber's eyes shimmered as tears traced down Sombra's face, even in sleep.
“Does he look like a threat right now? As far as tricks go, he isn't accomplishing much. Green and purple you say? It could have been an illusion spell. Go back to your homes everyone. We'll handle this. This pony isn't well.”
Cadences voice radiated confidence- despite a tired undertone. Quite a few ponies nodded and went back without complaint, but a few took some more convincing from the guards. Once there were about twenty guard-ponies, the townsfolk seemed to get the message, leaving the prone stallion alone.
“What happened here Amber Leaf?” The confidence had left Cadence's voice, instead being replaced by genuine concern, Shining Armor's suspicious look not helping in the slightest.
“He-I think it was a nightmare.” The mare said softly, having put her weapon away at the sight of the guard-ponies.
“A spell, in his sleep, tore a hole in our wall. He galloped here and won't move. We tried, but he just started growling and crying.”
Cadence's eyes softened, and she waved Shining armor over.
“Sombra isn't well. Lets put guards to him until daybreak. Most fears fade in the light, which may be why he sought out the crystal heart. It has a different affect on ponies. As soon as we can move him, we'll put him in the hospital ward, with guards of course, what do you think Shining?”
The white stallion shrugged his shoulders, shaking his head slowly.
“What else can we do? Locking him up won't get him anywhere. He hasn't broken any laws, just acted strange. I think we need to be on our guard, but I'll trust your judgement on this Cadence.” His lingering words spoke what need not be said.
I'm trusting you.
The Alicorn princess nodded without missing a beat, beckoning Picks and Amber over.
“You all can return home or stay here with Sombra; we'll guard him until he can be moved. We obviously need to speak with him once he is awake though.”
Nodding at Cadence's words, Amber took an offered blanket from one of the guard-ponies, settling down a short distance from Sombra.
“I hope it's just a nightmare.”
Cadence's soft voice carried on the still air as she and Shining walked back up to the castle, not settling Amber's heart in the slightest.
Present
“I'm glad it was just a nightmare though, right Sombra?” Amber's trusting gaze bore into the stallion's ruby eyes.
“I don't know. I'll tell you when they get here, which they are, right?” He asked, wincing as he lifted his head.
Feels like my head got trampled.
“Yes. They will be here shortly. I assume the nurse went off to alert them.”
Sombra sighed at Amber's words, trying to shake the unsettled feeling off from his mind and body.
I still feel that demon's touch.
“Well, so much for keeping my presence low-key. So I blew a hole in your wall, charged the crystal heart, and looked like a demon in front of lots of ponies, and now I have to figure out what these nightmares are too, assuming that's what they are?” The stallion's chest ballooned in another sigh as Amber nodded.
It took but a few minutes, and Cadence and Shining showed up at his door, accompanied by a frazzled-looking Silas, beard in full-poof.
“Somba! Amber! What happened?!” The elderly stallion gasped, then pausing as Cadence held up a hoof.
“Give him a bit Silas. I get the feeling it felt more than a nightmare. Am I correct Sombra?”
The compassionate ruler's eyes bored into his own, and the stallion nodded simply.
“It was him, the demon. I talked to him.” The full brunt of emotions crashed back, prompting Sombra to clench his jaw together.
“I just got through talking to Princess Luna; she actually contacted me.” Cadence said, taking a seat along with Shining and Silas.
“I hope this will help ease your nerves; but she said that while your dream was vivid and terrifying, it was only a dream. The only thing that was odd about it, was that she was unable to enter your mind and stop it, but magical disturbances can cause that from time to time.”
Sombra let out a slight huff, resting his head on a pillow.
“Lucky me.” He muttered, still not able to believe it was just a dream.
“I had a hard time believing Luna as well. You blasted a hole in the side of a sturdy house and charged towards the crystal heart. Some dream.” Shining added, despite a warning glance from Cadence.
“I what?!” The stallion's jaw dropped open as he looked towards Amber for confirmation, to which the mare simply nodded.
“I don't remember any of that, just finally finding peace.” The stallion didn't meet the gaze of either ruler, grasping how odd and suspicious his behavior must seem.
“I think we should cut Sombra some slack. Being possessed by a demon for over a thousand years would wreck havoc on the strongest mind.” Silas now spoke, his tone calm and reassuring.
“We can't just ignore your dream though. I think you should see a doctor, and I feel like a fool for not advising you two of this earlier.” Silas glanced over to Cadence and Shining as he spoke.
“Sombra's mind is surely traumatized; we have plenty of counselors available. This may give you some peace of mind, Sombra, and would allow us to monitor your progress- and certain allay any fears from others, knowing something is being done.”
The dark-furred stallion mulled over Silas's words, finally nodding in agreement.
“I would appreciate that.” He said softly, then looking over to Amber.
“Can she come too?”
Cadence nodded in response, prompting a slight smile from Amber.
“Of course. I think you both would benefit from it.” The ruler's voice was warm and inviting, causing Amber's smile to grow a bit wider.
Sombra, however, couldn't muster as much as a twitch of his lips into the beginnings of a grin. The demon's words had hit home, and dream or not, the experience had been disturbing on multiple levels.
“I-what do I do now?” The stallion asked, looking over to Cadence and Shining.
“For today? Rest. You can meet with the doctor as soon as you feel well, but no later than two days or so, at least that's what I recommend. I'll have a guard sent to show you where the construction office is, and you can get started on some work.” Cadence seemed to have a greater grasp of what to do, Shining appearing to just follow her lead, Silas nodding as well.
“I'd like to see this doctor as soon as possible, perhaps tonight, if that is ok.” Sombra said, his haunted gaze looking over to the two rulers, who nodded in response.
“I'll arrange to have him ready. In the meantime, take it easy. I'll have someone come by and get you this evening so you and Amber can meet him.” Cadence said, motioning for the other ponies to leave Sombra be.
“Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.” Silas said, nodding to the two ponies before taking his leave.
“Amber, you too. The nurses are just going to look him over a final time before discharging him. Let us know if there's anything we can help you with either of you.” Shining's voice lacked the steely tone present earlier, instead carrying with it genuine care.
The final exam only took a few minutes, the nurses checking the basics; blood pressure, lungs, magical levels, and so forth, then letting him go with a soft smile.
Amber was waiting for him in the lobby, the others having left. The mare quickly walked over to him, head tilted slightly, caring curiosity shining in her blue eyes.
“You ok? We can go get something to eat if you'd like.” Her voice alone soothed some of Sombra's nerves, but frayed others. He managed to nod, following her out as the mare picked up some saddlebags from the front desk.
The main street was busy, but not overly crowded. Ponies trotted hither and thither, some stopping at the official buildings, others at the shops that branched out down side streets. A few clouds dotted the sky, the sun shining brightly. Beams reflected off the many crystal structures, sending colors slowly dancing across the streets.
Amber led the stallion down the main streets, then stopping at a small eatery on a branching side path. Sombra's eyes flickered across the various ponies, clearly unsettled by so many individuals.
“You alright Sombra?” Amber asked after ordering, Sombra ordering the same item as she did.
His amber eyes met hers, and a brief shake of the head was his response. The dream had shaken him far more than the stallion would originally admit.
Sombra's large frame seemed to relax, at least in demeanor, as they ate quietly. It wasn't an awkward silence, but more of an acknowledgment of presence. Every so often, Sombra would glance up at Amber, and his eyes would soften before he turned back to his meal.
Paying for the two of them, Amber walked over to the stallion, who sat lost in thought as his gaze looked out across the streets.
“Lets go back to the park and talk for a bit, hmm?” The mare nudged Sombra's shoulder, and got him to snap back to reality for a moment.
The walk to the park was made in silence, the noise of the city soothing, the calm energy it radiated providing a nice feeling of normalcy. A few families played in the distance, and once the pair arrived to their favorite spot, a small hill under a tree, Amber settled down onto the grass and looked over to the stallion.
“I-if you don't want to talk, I can understand, just know that I'm here.”
Amber's words cut through the haze in Sombra's mind, put there by the demon's words, which refused to let him find peace.
Amber couldn't help but be a bit startled, but pleasantly surprised, when Sombra dropped his head and nuzzled her mane. His breaths were a bit shaky, revealing the inner turmoil that wracked his heart.
Oh Sombra, what is troubling you? I just want to help.
Moving her head, Amber drew back to look the stallion in the eye, then leaned forward and rested her cheek against his. She still was unsure of what their relationship actually was, so a kiss wasn't an option. But, she knew he always liked simple gestures like this.
His cheek was both soft and warm, sending a pleasant tingle down Amber's spine. She could feel him draw a surprised breath as Amber pressed back gently.
Just like I remember. Fur like velvet.
“Amber.”
Her eyes widened, Amber's cheeks now damp with a few tears that had leaked from Sombra's eyes. His voice was barely a whisper, and more of a whimper than anything else.
The stallion that had once stood proud against a demon that had threatened a nation, now lay on the grass, eyes wide and unfocused as unforeseen terrors assaulted his consciousness.
Laying down in the space between Sombra's legs, Amber rested her head across his, occasionally nuzzling his ears with her muzzle.
Despite it all, I still care about him. To what extent, I'm not sure still, but I hate seeing him like this. He was there for me, so many times, and now I can only watch as he suffers.
Breaking out of her thoughts, Amber noticed that Sombra no longer stared out into oblivion, but instead had curled his head around to rest against her hooves. She continued to nuzzle his ears, finally speaking softly.
“Can I do anything to help?” Her question was simple, and there was no hiding the worry and affection in her tone.
He was quiet for a time, and when he finally spoke, the stallion's voice was equally as soft.
“You don't know how much just you being here means to me. After a thousand years without kind words, or a soft touch, without anyone caring-” Sombra's voice was cut off, emotion closing his throat. What could he say?
“Well, now you do.”
Amber simple heartfelt reply caused the stallion to shut his eyes against tears, more than a little confused as to why he was crying so much.
But, at that moment, he didn't care.
-
Amber Leaf's heart melted as the pony she cared for whimpered again, curling a bit tighter around her, resting his head in her hooves, and her own neck now laying across his. Feeling his side rise and fall against hers stirred up tender memories, and a feeling of comfort the mare had long since forgotten.
Before, Sombra had always been distant. It was only by her own investigations that Amber had discovered what he was planning to do; and meet Sombra just before he fought the demon.
Now, that proud and stand-offish exterior was gone.
No, not gone.
Amber hugged Sombra close, feeling the shaky breaths he drew ease, her embrace providing at least some level of comfort.
He always put up his mask; after his family died. He had started to show me his real self at times, but he always wore it, even around me.
Now, that mask is gone. So this is you Sombra, this is the pain you refused to share for years.
Amber's own eyes started to glisten with tears at that realization, prompting her to hug her stallion all the tighter.
My stallion? What will happen between us? What does he feel-?
I guess I'll find out. For now, he needs me.
As Amber Leaf rested her neck against Sombra's, taking in the scent of his mane, another, final thought floated through her mind. This thought prompted a very slight smile, and a tighter hug to her special somepony.
“Ah? You're here for Amber and Sombra? Alright, hold on.” Picks nodded to the two ponies who were seated in the main living room.
“Guards are here to escort you to the palace. ” The stallion said softly as he walked back to the kitchen to join his wife.
Amber nodded, walking to the door and gasping as she caught sight of the guards. One was a well built mare, coming within an inch or two of the equally lanky stallion at her side.
“Icicle Slate?! Is that-no way.”
The pair of guards glanced to each other, the stallion stepping back and letting the mare examine Amber Leaf a bit closer.
“Good to see you Amber.” The mare said softly, the soft grin breaking into a wide grin.
The two mares quickly closed the distance between them, wrapping the other up in a hug, alabit a bit awkwardly due to the armor.
“Icicle?! I can't believe it! The last time I saw you was when we had just finished school, and then-”
The mare nodded, seeming to understand where the conversation was headed.
“Yep. Me and Colds here had just enrolled in the academy for the guards, and then everything was turned upside down.” The mare said, her smile still as wide as Amber's.
“Colds. Cold-Cold Shoulder? The quiet stallion you had a cr-” Amber's voice petered out, leaning around Icicle, waving with a bit of a goofy grin at the stallion, who smiled back.
“Yep. That guy. Long story short, we're still in the guard after everything has stabilized; and are your bodyguards. I saw your name, and had to volunteer, that is, if you're ok with it.” Icicle had barely finished speaking before Amber's head started mimicking a woodpecker.
“Of course! That's-thank you! I can't believe it's you. I didn't know if I'd see you again, not after everything that has happened.” Amber was starting to ramble, and she knew it, judging from the embarrassed blush on her cheeks.
“Pretty much my thoughts as well. How about we catch dinner, or lunch, or some meal after your appointment?” Icicle suggested as the four ponies began to walk down the street.
“Sounds perfect. Thank you again Icy, you didn't have to do this.”
Sombra caught the slight smile that tugged at Cold Shoulder's lips at the nickname. What else was there going on.
The four ponies walked down the street, Sombra and Amber situated between two crystal guards in their formation
Cold Shoulder was slightly in front, a lanky but well built earth pony stallion, fur the color of snow with green stripes of pine green through his mane. The guard behind them was Icicle, a unicorn mare, sporting a light blue coat with white blotches. Their cutie marks seemed interesting, especially to Sombra, who was used to simple marks, not the more diverse ones that seemed to have come about over a thousand years. The stallion sported a shield of light blue ice surrounded by a darker blue flame, whereas the mare had an icy sword overlaid with a snowflake. Sombra was going to ask them about their marks, if he could get a word in edgewise. Hopefully they knew where to take him; the doctor that Cadence mentioned. He had only managed to catch their names, but Amber had seemed to know Icicle, so that was good enough for him to trust them.
“Sombra huh? Have to say I'm surprised. Thought you had died.” Cold Shoulder, said, looking over to him briefly.
“No you idiot. That was what the books were altered to say. Don't you remember?” Icicle Slate responded.
“No, not really. Stasis spell and all that. It all blurred together.”
“Stasis spell my flank! You can't remember what you had for breakfast!”
“Well, it was yummy?”
“Told you. Anyhow, the demon-thing edited the history books. Lucky for you, I have one of the older ones, written during the demon's reign. Quite fascinating really.”
“Egghead.”
“Say, how many times have you read the books on Daring Doo we have? ”
“Touche.”
“Do you remember the directions to where we're escorting these two?”
“Sure. Palace. Main hall. Second hallway to the left. Left turn, end of the hall, up the flight of stairs to the right, third door on the left.”
“You're bluffing.”
“We'll see, now won't we?”
For being named Cold Shoulder, he's surprisingly friendly. Sombra mused as he watched the two banter back and forth. Judging from Amber's curious expression, she was a tad put off by their lackadaisical approach. She'd probably mention something about just that.
“Erm, shouldn't you two be making sure nobody attacks Sombra instead of arguing?”
Called it.
Cold Shoulder instantly clammed up, his demeanor then matching his name, prompting a sigh from Icicle.
“Amber, no need to worry. You know how I am, and besides, you'll be happy to know nobody is following us. We've passed by a total of fifty-seven ponies thus far, only ten of them even noticing us. Only five of them decided to gossip or mention something. Don't you fret, we're doing our job, even though it may not appear to be it. Trust me, when Cold decides to not talk, he won't talk. I guess you're not used to guards being this relaxed huh?”
Amber's mouth quickly closed, shaking her head briefly.
“Erm, no, not really. I mean, you were pretty boisterous a few years ago when we were at school, but I thought guards weren't suppose to be so outgoing.” Was her uncertain reply, causing Sombra to glance over to to the mare and then to the guard.
“Cold and I are assigned to work as a team for multiple reasons. I won't go into it now, but rest assured you're safe, and that we are doing our job.” Icicle then sighed again, glancing over Cold, who wore an impassive look on his features.
“Will you stop it already? Don't get into one of your moods again. It's not even night yet. Shining Armor did say to try and tone done the jokes anyhow for appearance sake.”
Surprisingly, Sombra was the next one to speak up.
“I actually find it rather amusing, and refreshing. I haven't been around happy ponies in a long time.” His voice was soft and genuine.
Cold glanced back, meeting Icicle's gaze, and Sombra felt the hair on his neck stand up. No words were said, but the stallion's eyes were brimming with sorrow and hurt as he looked back a Icicle, the look questioning and maintaining a sort of innocence as it asked a single, unspoken question.
Why would you say that?
“Oh shards. Colds, you know I didn't mean-” The general feeling between the two guards had changed from a friendly warmth to a bitter ice as the mare spoke.
Cold Shoulder didn't respond, his eyes clearly sorrowful as he kept his gaze straight ahead.
“Erm, Icicle? Care to to um, explain? If I may ask?” Amber said, walking next to the mare, Sombra in tow.
The female guard sighed, nodding as she looked over at Amber, then to Cold Shoulder.
“I s'pose. Not much for now. But Sombra wasn't the only one to suffer under the demon's rule. Truth is, most individuals don't blame him. The ones who do find it too painful to accept it wasn't a pony subjugating everyone. The guards who served under that creature had a spell. It's had various affects. I still feel it, a numbing sense of just not caring. It's scary. I'll tell you more later, but, hold on a second.” Icicle trotted over to Cold Shoulder, looking over and meeting his gaze. Something she saw in his eyes caused the guard's expression to soften, and she gave her companion a nudge on the neck and a brief whisper before returning back to her position.
“We're not like the royal guard in Canterlot, from what I understand. You can socialize within the ranks, and that sort of thing. The Princess seems to be understanding that everyone in such positions is under a great deal of stress from the after-affects. ” Icicle said as they began walking again, the palace now in view.
“So you and Cold Shoulder, you finally asked him?” Amber couldn't help but grin at the realization.
“Me? Psh. It was him who did the asking. I just said yes. He's still my coltfriend, but the demon threw a wrench into our plans. It affects everyone differently Amber, that's all I'll say.”
Amber nodded, looking over to Sombra, who's face was unreadable, different expressions flickering across his features. Regret, sorrow, brief surges of anger, all were present for brief moments.
“A wrench. That's a kinder way of saying it.” Sombra said, walking over to Amber and having their sides brush briefly.
Once inside the massive castle, they took a few twists and turns (the exact ones mentioned by Cold,) and finally stopped inside a small lobby, the two guards waiting near the main doors. The earth pony mare beckoned them over to the desk, which matched the light blue walls in color. Light danced off a few specially-placed windows, reflecting the sunlight to give the room a cheery yet calm atmosphere. A few other ponies waited on cushioned seats, some alone, others with couples.
“We're here to see erm....” Amber blushed, realizing they didn't even know the name of the doctor.
“Amber and Sombra I assume? You'll be seeing doctor Whit, door number three. He'll be in there shortly.”
Thanking the receptionist, Amber waved to Icicle, who returned the gesture before the pair entered the room to wait. – –
The guards stood still for a few moments longer, before Icicle approached the receptionist.
“Erm, we still good for our appointment in two hours? Cold and Icicle?”
– - -
Amber settled down on the cushioned benches, hone from solid crystal but with a soft velvety backing. The room was set in the walls of the crystal palace, offering a beautiful view of the city from the considerable height to their left, as the entire wall was a large window. The doctor's chair sat opposite them, and the overall atmosphere was one of muted calm. Any sounds that penetrated the room were dulled enough as to give the occupants peace of mind.
“So who is Icicle? Her name rings a bell.” Sombra asked after taking a look around, finally settling down beside the mare.
“She was my best friend during my schooling years, upper levels of education. We hung out all the time, but once the demon entered, she vanished. I guess the guards were controlled after all. We suspected it, since there was no revolution, and they obeyed every word that was given to them.” Amber mused, catching herself mid-ramble.
“Sorry." Her apology was cut off by a brief nuzzle from Sombra.
“Don't be. I can't remember everything that happened, so it's good for me to know.”
A knock at the door sounded, a stallion walking in with a gentle smile on his face. Sporting a dark blue coat, with a lighter blue cutie mark to match. It was of a book, but with a small knife stuck in the image. Quite odd-looking...
“Amber, Sombra, it has been a while. Do you remember me? I'm Doctor Whit. The stallion said simply as he settled down on a cushion opposite the couple.
“N-no, sorry...wait!” Amber scrutinized the stallion again, then let out a gasp.
“You! I, yes. I remember you! Sombra, he's the one who you talked to after your family.” Her voice drifted off, not wanting to delve deeper into the matter.
Sombra's brow furrowed, the memories torn and distant. It was like trying to pull a rock from a swamp, the memories refusing to fully reveal themselves at once.
“I remember your face, but it's blurry. Everything is from back then. I do feel like I know you though.”
Doctor Whit nodded, settling down into the cushion.
“Understandable, you've been through a lot as of late. I suppose we'll go through introductions again then. My name is Point Whit, but Doctor Whit is fine. I specialize in general therapy for mostly the royals and the guard, but also see plenty of the city's other inhabitants, especially as of late. Seeing as how you've had a tumultuous day or two, Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence thought it'd be beneficial to check up on how you're doing.” The stallion then let out a deep chuckle.
“In fact, once I informed them that I had previously spoken to you two they essentially ordered me to speak with you. These meetings are meant to serve two purposes. The first is to make sure you're acclimating to life here. The entire Crystal Empire is still a bit in shock from coming back to the world after a thousand years; but the demon's rule left a blemish on more than a few lives. The second purpose is to give the rulers an idea of what happened, to fill in the history with what you remember. We are reconstructing things on our own, but Princess Cadence specifically was wondering about what exactly happened preceding the demon's rule. I am under the impression Celestia and Luna are curious as well. To that end, I've been asked to report what you tell me to Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence, at least on those specific matters. Does that make sense?”
Sombra blinked a few times, digesting the information before nodding. It made sense, seeing as how so many records were destroyed or altered.
“So, provide information on the demon, essentially?” He asked cautiously. The stallion wasn't entirely enjoying the direction these meetings were to go.
“Only as a secondary function. That is only if you are willing, and if it comes up. If not, then the Prince and Princess are content to wait until you've recovered to ask any formal questions. The main reason you've been asked to see me is because you've suffered a massive trauma, whether you're aware of it or not. I'm here to help you deal with what has happened.” Doctor Whit replied.
“I'm fine-” Sombra was cut off by a not-so-gentle shove from Amber.
“You blew a hole in the side of our house.” The mare quipped, deadpanning as she looked over at him.
“Fair enough.”
The charcoal-furred stallion sighed, settling down into the cushion further.
“I suppose someone needs to know. I want ponies to know, but, I don't know what to expect from myself. The memories are fuzzy. I haven't thought about it as of late, too much to take in. Is that alright?” Clearly a bit embarrassed at his own shortcomings, Sombra sank sheepishly into the cushion a bit more, prompting a smile from the Doctor.
“Of course. My schedule is clear for today, and we'll be meeting every few days regardless, so however you wish to proceed is fine. I've had patients not say anything for an hour, and that is completely acceptable, as long as they're being helped by it.”
The room was silent for a good minute, Sombra's eyes reflecting a swirling froth of emotions. Amber Leaf edged a bit closer, laying her head across his muscular shoulders. The stallion's features cracked into a faint smile as the mare nuzzled his mane, and a bit of tension bled from his frame.
“Alright. I guess, if we want to have history be correct, I'd better start for when I found the book.”
---
“There's a report, I won't bore you with it, where I killed some ice wolves. It was the ones who killed my family; it wasn't long after they died. That was where it started, I think.” The stallion said, voice wavering slightly.
“That was where I realized that there was a questionable part of myself. I should have told someone other than Amber. It wasn't right for me to hide it, even when ponies asked.” Sombra sighed, shaking his head slowly.
“I loved it. The power I felt. I won't go into it, I dare not touch that topic yet. That moment though, is where I started looking.”
Pausing, Sombra glanced up to Whit, to see if the other Stallion had anything to interject.
“Looking?” The doctor asked, genuinely curious, his expression not showing any accusatory flickers, no angry flares, just a calm and simple desire to help.
“Power. Control. I had always wanted to be a guard, and it sort of just fit in. I could learn about topics, and still seem normal. I should have told someone!” He grit his teeth, kneading at the pillow underhoof.
“So obvious now. Don't get me wrong, Amber's family was great, taking me in after my family was killed. I had a marefriend, a place to stay, and was enrolled in the guard. Things actually were going well, at least that's what it would seem like to most.” The stallion then paused, not able to meet either Whit's or Amber's gaze. His throat actually closed up, and the stallion could feel tears brimming, emotions he hadn't felt in ages washing against the dam in his mind, some cresting over the brim and spilling over.
“I couldn't take it.” He whispered, hooves slowly pressing on themselves in a sort of self-comforting gesture, even though the stallion seemed oblivious to it.
“I thought I had gotten over my family's death, and I had, in a sense. I had accepted them moving on, and that I wouldn't see them again. What I hadn't accepted-” The tears then came, hot enough to cause him to wince as the stalwart stallion's demeanor cracked.
“I couldn't save them! I was tossed aside like a useless piece of trash, and my family was murdered in front of me. I still needed to be better.” The stallion's voice was raspy, the words having be forced out syllable by syllable.
"It was then that I then found the book. It didn't touch on dark magic by name, but something felt.... off about it. Even so, the things it spoke of were exactly what I was looking for. Power, unlimited control; it sounded too good to be true, but I was desperate. Nobody would know it though. Well, Amber probably did, I know she did. This is about six months or so before the demon came to the world.”
The stallion paused once again, still not meeting Amber's gaze.
“Amber once asked me if the reason I was being so distant was because of her, if she was doing something wrong-” Sombra's voice cracked as he felt the mare beside him tense slightly.
“She was perfect. She didn't leave my side even when I started to seclude myself in the library, pouring over book after book, each becoming a bit darker than the last. I always finished my studies with a few pages from that first book, that spoke of the power I so wanted.”
Sombra's hoof drifted over to Amber's, curling around it despite him still staring straight ahead, prompting the mare's expression to soften. She didn't know how much Doctor Whit saw, but she could see every twitch of pain that flickered across Sombra's face as he spoke, the hesitation on certain words or subjects....
To think he hadn't told anyone this, I didn't know.
“It was small spells at first, ones aimed to boost your magical capacities, refine certain aspects of spell-casting.” The stallion's eyes narrowed, his hoof clenching Amber's tighter.
“All farces. They were just preparations for the final spell. It was all a ritual to summon that creature, hidden among fancy writing and twisted lies and half-truths. It started out so simple and insignificant, and then it was too late. The final spell, to allow a full representation of your magical prowess.”
He drew a sharp breath, eyes wide in horror. Amber looked over to Somba, his hoof shaking like a leaf.
“I can still see his eyes.” The stallion's breath had quickened, gaze distant and unfocused.
“Sombra, Sombra! It's ok, you're safe here.” Doctor Whit's tone was calm yet powerful, enough to put Amber slightly at ease- but the fact it had no affect on Sombra was more than unnerving to her.
“It looked at me, and smiled. I heard its voice, I can still hear it! It was in my head, and my ears! I couldn't block it out!” Sombra's voice rose in volume and pitch, fluctuating as his eyes darted around at unforeseen foes.
“Sombra! It's ok, come back to us.” Whit managed to maintain a calm demeanor, even as he reached for a small crystal; a summons for security no doubt. Some patients surely got out of hand now and again.
That's the last thing Sombra needs.
Amber stood up, walking over in front of Sombra's unfocused and terrified gaze. The stallion had been like this before, in a way. This was different though, he wasn't half asleep or dreaming. Sombra was living a nightmare right in front of her.
Not while I'm here.
The mare sat down, leaning her head forward to rest against Sombra's forehead. That touch alone caused the stallion to jerk slightly, but not snap out of his daze completely. Amber drew her touch across his face, setting underneath his eye, and then to the stallion's cheek, where she nuzzled his soft fur, a gentle caress that sent a tingle down her spine.
The stallion's breathing began to slow, becoming more erratic and breaking from the fast panting that had afflicted him before. Amber could feel his muscles twitching, some part of his mind struggling to gain control. She moved her touch down to Sombra's neck, Amber resting her neck across his.
Seeing the stallion she cared about traumatized caused Amber's own emotions to well up, and a few tears wet her eyes as the mare wrapped her hooves around the larger pony in a hug, nuzzling into his mane.
“It's ok. Sombra, it's ok.” She whispered as Sombra seemed to startle, jerking slightly, breaths now slowing drastically.
“A-Amber? What-what just happened?” Sombra muttered, a cold sweat having broken out across his fur.
“Just rest for now, it's alright.” The mare's simple response seemed to put him at ease, and the stallion complied by laying his head down on the cushion.
“I'll leave you two be for now. I'll check back in a few minutes if that is alright.”
Doctor Whit's words were only acknowledged by a brief nod from Amber, and the stallion walked outside the room, shaking his head slowly.
That poor pony, what did he do to deserve all of this?
Icicle Slate stowed her armor in a wall locker, glancing over to Cold Shoulder as he did the same. In the aftermath of the demon's rule, and the lifting of the stasis spell, plenty of guards had been assigned, or had requested, outside assistance.
Having a demon's spell inside your head alone was more than enough reason for therapy, in Icicle's opinion.
Cold didn't say anything, only followed her into their designated room. Words didn't need to be said to let the mare know that something was wrong. Cold's steps were too crisp, eyes not meeting hers behind the strands of mane that wisped in front of his eyes.
Once inside the calm room, Icicle shed her guard demeanor like a piece of soiled clothing. The stern expression and piercing eyes faded, her shoulders slumping as a great burden settled upon them. The mare's hoof reached up to fluff up her mane, which usually was slicked to either the side or straight up. She flopped down on the cushion, waiting until Cold Shoulder was settled before moving. It was a simple gesture, but Icicle drew a great deal of comfort from just laying her head on Cold's shoulder.
“You know I didn't mean anything by why I said Colds, right?” The mare finally said softly, hoof reaching over to wrap around Cold's.
The stallion didn't say anything for a few seconds, instead taking a shaky breath and letting it out slowly. He finally nodded, acknowledging her affections by reaching over to rest his head on hers, just behind Icicle's horn.
“I know.” He said at last, voice soft and caring.
“You know that I can't stay mad at you, especially over something like that. I just, wasn't expecting it. It brings back bad memories.”
Icicle let out a slight huff, Cold's voice prompting her to snuggle closer.
“I've said a lot of things to mess up our relationship, haven't I?” The mare said softly, prompting an eye-roll from Cold.
“And I haven't?”
Cold Shoulder's voice, while soft and genuine, conveyed a power and care that brought a smile to Icicle's face, as it always did.
“We both have our demons to fight, no pun intended.”
Icicle nodded, and even though Cold's voice warmed her heart, tears still edged at her eyes.
“I'm scared Cold. I'm scared that I'll have to fight them alone. I only told you a bit of what-”
Cold Shoulder shifted, wrapping his hooves around the mare beside him. Nuzzling her mane, the stallion then lay his head across the back of her neck.
“You won't have too, we'll fight each others problems head on.”
His words trailed off as Icicle shifted, the mare shedding his hooves to wrap her own around the stallion. The simple action caused the burly stallion to melt, almost literally, which prompted her to shift position again. He sagged to the ground, laying his head on Icicle's forelimbs as she stroked his mane with a free hoof. The stallion didn't respond at first, but after a few moments , the stallions sides began to shake. Cold snuggled against Icicle's side as the mare's eyes softened, her own heart aching at the sight of a pony she cared so deeply for in so much pain.
What did that demon do to you Cold, what did he do?
The door opened, and a mare slowly walked in, staying quiet until Cold had calmed down, but it was Icicle who spoke first.
“So, there are some new developments.” She said softly.
-
Amber Leaf looked over to Sombra; who was busy staring straight ahead. At least they had made it home.
Barely.
Doctor Whit had advised to take a break- seeing as how short sessions more often would be more productive if they didn't push things. Sombra had been in a daze, occasionally muttering, and not even responding to Amber's touch. It was starting to get Amber more than a little nervous.
“Amber?”
Sombra looked around, blinking a few times after shaking his head.
“Ugh. That was unpleasant.” He muttered, burying his head in his hooves.
“After whatever that was, at the counselors, I couldn't think. Did anything happen? Did I-”
Amber shook her head, coming over to settle down on the couch next to him.
“No, you were just in a daze. The doctor decided to call the appointment there, but we'll come back every other day. Tomorrow, well, Princess Cadence had suggested some activities for you while you get acclimated, and before you start officially working.” Amber suggested, getting up and retrieving a neat yet official letter that stood on the drawers beside the door.
“Let me see. There are a few scenic sights, as well as some housing areas if you wish to live on your own. There are the separate districts that we can check on, oh, and they just finished restoring a large outdoor gymnasium, after a rather embarrassing debacle of the equestrian games. There wasn't any major damage, but they had to get it all checked out, and added a roof. Now it doubles as a gym for the muscle heads.” Amber deadpanned as she saw Sombra's eyes light up.
“The gym then? I should have known.” The mare chuckled as the stallion managed a slight smile..
“I haven't used my body as myself in centuries. I have a right to be a bit excited to work up a sweat.”
His response caused Amber to chuckle; the stallion having gotten slightly huffy “Relax. The gym it is then.” The mare then frowned, tapping a hoof in thought. “I have a few errands to run, will you be alright on your own?” The stallion nodded, getting up and stretching, the action causing Amber to smirk. “Somebody is excited. Hmm. I wonder if Icicle or Cold is free to show you the way?” Her hoof-falls echoed around the living room as Amber walked to their door, opening it and peering outside to where the guards were stationed. “Hmm. They’re not back yet.” The mare muttered, causing one of the larger guards to look over at her. “Icicle sends her greeting, but has taken the day off, as has Cold Shoulder. Something came up. My name is Shale, and that’s Basalt, my brother actually. Princess Cadenza assigned us in their absence, if that is alright.” The stallion’s voice was almost as deep as Sombra’s; causing the walls to vibrate. “Well, it’s good to meet you. And of course that’s alright. I’m rather flattered that she’d take that into consideration. I have some things I need to get done, and I was wondering if either of you could show Sombra to the gymnasium?” The two stallions glanced to each other, and Shale nodded, stepping forwards. “I’d be happy to. Basalt will stay with you, also Princess Cadence’s orders.” The stallion muttered. “She was rather specific on that matter, and mentioned you may object.”
Letting out a huff, Amber shrugged, motioning Sombra forward.
“Well, she was right on that account. Just, stay safe Sombra.” The mare gave the taller pony a playful nudge before walking off towards the marketplace, Basalt in tow. “Follow me please.” Shale rumbled, leading Sombra in the basic direction of the city center. The silence between the two was thick enough to choke emotion and breath alike. Even the hustle and bustle of the city did little to soften it.
Sombra couldn’t help but avoid meeting the guard’s gaze. There were only bits and pieces of what the demon had done to the guards, but none of them were pleasant. “I don’t blame you, you know.” Shale muttered, leading him down a less-populated street. “That is why Princess Cadence assigned us. We both hold nothing against you, unlike many others. Thanks to the demon, we know what it is like to be controlled. I thought you should be aware of this.” Letting out a relieved sigh, Sombra glanced over to the guard, nodding briefly.
“I, um, thank you. Every time I see hatred in someone’s eyes, it reminds me that I failed.” The dark pony paused at hearing the guard let out a huff.
“Failed? We were the royal guard. If anyone failed, it was us. You may have brought the demon here, from what I understand, but we were suppose to stop it.” The guard’s tone and gaze bore little room for argument, something that both shocked and reassured Sombra, at least a little.
“Ah, there we are! It was repaired, renovated, and then utilized after the equestrian games.”
Sombra’s jaw dropped on seeing the massive structure; crystal spires rising into the sky, marking the position of the massive bowl-shaped gymnasium. A slight shimmer hung over the roof; clearly a spell to keep out the rain, or something akin to it.
The bulky stallion led Sombra into the reception area; where different doors led to the separate areas of the gym. Each was clearly marked, indicating the rooms and large workout areas set aside for groups, individuals, classes, and other such activities. All took was a nod from the guard to allow Sombra access. The stallion’s head was on a swivel as he followed the guard, noting how the building appeared to be constructed from both stone and crystal, no doubt reinforcing it beyond normal capacity.
“Here are the locker rooms. You can just pick one that’s free, and then sign the sheet at the far end of the room, and place a tag to indicate it is in use. The lockers are checked daily for any belongings left over; so no storing stuff overnight. I’ll lead you to whichever area you want; but I can’t leave you alone…hope you understand.”
Sombra nodded, rather surprised at the guard’s concern. He trotted over to a free locker, examining it before affixing the small stone tag to the front of the square box. Inside was a fresh wash cloth, which replaced Sombra’s scarf, the latter piece of clothing being stored gently inside the crystal container.
“Is there a sort of obstacle course? A track?” Sombra requested, looking over to the still-stolid guard.
Basalt grinned, nodding briefly.
“Indeed there is. The gymnasium is open to the public, but we have a section that is frequented by off-duty guards. It’s a bit more specialized. I think you’ll see what I mean. Seeing as how you used to be a guard, I don’t see any reason you can’t use it, since civilians can as well.”
His head bobbing in a grateful nod, the charcoal stallion followed his guard companion out into the gymnasium. The sunlight radiated through the thin crystal roof, and Sombra could sense that magical spells were anchoring a few of the support pillars in place. From the looks of it, even without the magical reinforcement, the ceiling would have no trouble standing. The magical anchors were just another precaution.
There were a good fifty other ponies in the massive gymnasium; but they were so spread out, it may as well have been empty. To their left was a standard weight set, weights for earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi alike. A massive track ran around the middle and outer edge of the arena, leaving the other corners and middle areas between the new support pillars open for different activities. To the two stallion’s right, there were some simple training mats, where a small group of ponies was practicing something. To Sombra’s eyes, it looked like an unnecessary session of contortionists.
“Ah, there we go. The far back left area.” Basalt rumbled, leading Sombra across the large expanse, grass and a few other plants covering a decent portion of it, at least where the track didn’t interfere.
From what Sombra could see, the area indicated by Basalt was where off-duty guard ponies trained; at least their near-identical physique indicated as such. Also, a few trained in their armor. There were a few ponies that seemed out of place; so it clearly wasn’t exclusive, but the equipment appeared much more sturdy, offering a more challenging atmosphere. There were even some pieces of workout machines that appeared to be strictly for enhancing one’s magical strength.
Perfect.
Basalt chuckled, seeing the other stallion eying the equipment and area with an almost hungry gaze. “I’ve done my workout for today; so I’ll be along the side walls, still have to keep an eye on you, no offense.” Nodding his head, Sombra retrieved a bottle of water; dispensed for free from a large crystal block that appeared to hold many other such refreshments….
Free water bottles; how things have changed. We had to freeze or enchant our water to keep it pure, now it is in this what did Amber call it? Plastic? Bah, still useful though.
He started simple; and while the exercising machines had grown in complexity, the idea remained the same. Instead of a slippery ice platform, a treadmill stood. A harness hooked up to heavy weights; to act as though pulling a plow or other heavy equipment. Sliding it on, Sombra pulled out the pin, selecting a moderate weight.
The fact he strained to lift it made him more than a little annoyed. A thousand years had gnawed away at his stamina and physical strength.
With a few adjustments, the stallion began off at a steady trot, pulling a lesser weight, but moving more muscles.
The first decent workout I’ve had in a thousand years, and it feels rather good!
A sheen of sweat now adorning his coat, Sombra moved on to a different workout; this one a bit more aggressive. It appeared to be nothing more than a discolored square of crystal on the floor, raised up about a hoof-length. In the center was a mound of broken crystal shards. The stallion grinned; the design and training method not having changed in the slightest. The crystal platform was enchanted; as were the shards. They could mimic the basic shape of various creatures, and were used to test different fighting styles, when other ponies would not suitably complete the task. One couldn’t fire a full-strength spell at a fellow guard, no matter how protected he was, not without many more precautions. Nudging the shards with a hoof, Sombra jumped backwards as they assembled into a basic pony shape; strange multicolored eyes watching him.
Good. Let us begin!
Sombra’s first spell was a simple knock-out one; and the crystal training dummy easily blocked it. The stallion chuckled, preparing a more advanced salvo of crystal spells. This was going to be fun.
--- - More than a few ponies had gathered around the crystal dummy area; the stallion in the midst of the crowd locked in combat with two opponents. Red crystals swirled around the dark pony’s body, a few reflecting off invisible walls that kept the miniature battle contained. The remainder blasted towards one of the dummies; severing the creature’s head with a swift slice. The other crystal training pony landed a stinging blow to the real pony’s flank; and the two locked horns briefly. Turning away from the spectacle, the dark blue pony let out a soft huff, sitting down next to a pillar. The past hour, six other of his fellow accomplices had done a similar action. The instructions were simple; find a pillar that wasn’t marked with a signature spell, and deposit a small package. It was cloaked by multiple levels of invisibility and anti-detection spells, so as long as the specific action of placing the item wasn’t seen, it was undetectable. The small rectangle, wrapped with canvas cloth, was only visible as a faint outline as it melded with the pillar; the pony’s hoofs pressing it into the side of the crystal support. Small latches released it from the position on the stallion’s leg, leaving him free to walk away.
Smirking, the pony meandered to a few workout stations, then walked towards the exit.
Perfect.
- - A few cheers and whoops of admiration reached Sombra’s ears as the training dummy disintegrated, and he let out a tired chuckle.
Exhausted, but that felt good!
A few ponies congratulated him; apparently not having seen a decent training battle in some time. Sombra nodded back, making his way over to Basalt.
“I am probably done for now. I’m rather out of shape.”
The guard stallion chuckled, shaking his head.
“Not from what I saw! That was impressive!”
Opening his mouth, Sombra was about to thank him for the remark, but something caught his attention. It wasn’t anything visible, but something seemed off.
Basalt walked over to where Sombra was; staring at the nearest pillar, following Sombra’s gaze.
“What is it?”
“Something doesn’t feel right about-“
The explosion that ripped through the air sucked the breath from Sombra’s body. The physical shock threw him off of his hooves, and fire engulfed his vision.
Sombra’s vision darkened, more thundering detonations drowning out everything else.
The crackling of crystal and stone brought the stallion to his senses. First it was a foggy awareness, which slowly evolved into vision, dust blurring it at first. Dust rained down as something buckled under the pressure, stones and pieces of crystal supports thundering to the ground.
That’s when the pain started.
The stallion bit back a cry of agony as he located the source; a massive pillar laying across his leg. From the looks of it, the arena had collapsed. He was trapped in one of the corners of the gym area; two support pillars sealing off any easy way to get help. The only view was ahead of him; pockmarked by falling crystals and large stone slabs that fell with startling regularity.
Another groan echoed through the arena; and a piece of the magically reinforced roof buckled, slamming down in the center of the arena. The dust cloud enveloped the stricken pony, and a few coughs sounded from behind the stallion.
Turning his head, Sombra saw Basalt and four other ponies lying prone underneath some rubble. The angling of the support pillars had clearly saved their little group, if only for a time. Their flanks rose and fell, so they were alive, but clearly unconscious.
Somepony screamed in the distance; cutting off with a disturbing sharpness. With this much stone and crystal, it was a wonder any of them hadn’t been crushed.
Sombra’s horn lit; but his magical grip didn’t even cause the pillar trapping his leg to move a hair.
Another piece of the roof fell; sending up another cloud of dust. Looking upwards, the stallion saw a massive piece hanging by a few pieces of crystal, which began to snap under the strain, one at a time.
It would swing down and crush them, bury their bodies under a foot of solid stone and magical ore.
Another desperate tug with his magical grip against the pillar, straining at it with another hoof, trying to get himself free, but to no avail. Sombra took a few deep breaths, his head still ringing from the explosion…but there was no time to think about that. He needed to get free-
You need more power if you are to save yourself. At first, he thought it was a blow to the head, but soon it became clear the apparition was all to visible; even if just to his eyes. A familiar stallion stared back at him, clad in armor and glowing green and purple eyes ablaze with a sinister light. The voice echoed through his mind again, the demon’s mouth not moving, only regarding the pony with an almost pitying gaze.
“You had that power with me, you know.” It hissed, a slight smile actually causing its fangs to show.
“I have the power to save you, just as you once had. Will you make a deal?”
Sombra let out a brief huff of annoyance, not paying the ethereal being any mind. He strained and pushed against the pillar again, but was met with the same result.
“I would rather die.”
As the words left his dust-covered lips, the landscape changed. The familiar fiery vortex of the mental battleground resolved itself into his vision. His leg was still trapped underneath a dark pillar; but all else had faded to a orange and black cloud; all except the demon.
“Come now Sombra, don’t be melodramatic.” It chuckled, it laughed as the pony lay stricken on the ground.
“Don’t you want to see her again? The love of your life? The one pony who has stuck with you through all of this chaos?
Don’t you want to be able to see Amber again?”
Sombra struggled to at least kneel, glaring at the demon as hate threatened to cloud his mind.
“You dare mention her!” He hissed, letting out a gasp of pain as the broken limb made itself known once again.
“Oh please. Drop the drama, you are about to die; along with all the other ponies with you. You don’t have the power to save them; but I do. The question is, can you put aside your own foolish ideas to accept my help?” The demon’s tone was now almost kind, wheedling with a sense of care.
“You dare to speak of charity, of saving lives….” The stallion clenched his jaw as his eyes closed briefly, rage and sorrow threatening to choke his words. The embodiment of everything wrong with his life was standing before him; and all he could do was lay down and die.
Sombra’s eyes snapped open, a sense of liberation, of hope singing to his heart.
Lay down and die; that’s exactly what he- what it would want. This isn’t the physical world! I may be helpless there, but here...
Focusing his thoughts, Sombra stared at the pillar trapping his leg; and it promptly vanished. The pain was still there, for some things couldn’t be banished from the mental realm, not in his condition anyway. The demon however, looked unimpressed.
“So, will you take my offer? You will die in but a few moments if you do not have my help.”
Sombra stood on shaky limbs, and slowly looked up at the demon, meeting the creature’s gaze with a determination and resolve that caused the being to actually regard the stallion with a certain amount of anxiety.
“No. Your words are poison.” Sombra whispered, staring at his own hooves briefly. The demon laughed in response, shaking its head slowly.
“You fool. Then you will die.”
The stallion slowly raised his head, magic surging to his hooves. His eyes blazed with a red fire, a few tears mingling with the sparks that emanated from his pupils.
“I will not die, not when you are there to stand and watch me!”
Though trapped in the physical world, the stallion reigned in control of his mind, sending his body galloping across the dreamscape. His logical thoughts broke down to emotion, anger and pain ripping across his expressions as he charged. The demon didn’t move, regarding the pony with a sense of pity. It was only when Sombra got closer did the creature appear disturbed.
“What are you doing?” It asked, backing up a few steps.
Sombra stopped a limb-length from the demon, looking up and grinned. It was a smile the creature knew all too well, for it had adorned its own features many a time.
It was the smile of a pony with nothing to lose.
“I do not have the power to save myself, to save these ponies, but you do.
And I will TAKE that power! ”
The demon didn’t even have time to question such a motive before Sombra’s mental self acted. Utter rage etched across the pony’s features, Sombra lashed out with a beam of red magic, carving a crescent circle into the demon’s chest. Black blood began to ooze from the wound, and the visual landscape flickered briefly.
“This-this is not possible!” The evil apparition managed to choke out, feeling its own sense of self begin to fragment.
As the demon collapsed to its knees, Sombra lashed out once again. His hoof tore a piece of the creature’s shadowy figure into nothingness, the flesh evaporating as dust before the wind. Sombra’s horn then plunged into the wound, red cracks beginning to spread across the demon’s frame.
“You cannot! How are….?”
Sombra tore his horn from the demon’s chest, shadowy gore whipping off his fur. Held in a magical grip, a small orb of red energy was sucked from the creature’s chest, levitating to Sombra and hovering in front of the stallion. It widened and expanded, energy crackling over the pony’s fur before infusing itself into the unicorn.
Sombra’s voice deepened, authority and courage coating every word. For a moment, the demon’s eyes widened in fear as the pony stood defiant.
“I am through with you, demon. Now BEGONE! ”
His words were as though spoken from a cyclone; ripping the mental landscape from the creature’s grasp. Sombra’s vision resolved into the real world, the falling crystal slab having begun its downward journey. He turned, looking back at the ponies that lay helpless. Basalt actually managed to crack an eye open, looking to the stallion with a pained gaze before slipping away again.
No…. Eyes narrowed with determination and nearly blinded by tears, Sombra ripped the power he had absorbed from his mental landscape, and let it loose.
I failed to save ponies before; never again.
Never. - -
“Well spread out! Hurry! Shore up those supports! There have to be more survivors!” The unicorn mare called out, directing rescue crews left and right to find any ponies still able to walk. Soothing Balm was just a basic trauma nurse; this was so much beyond her. The roof had begun to collapse just as they had managed to clear an entrance-
“It’s coming down! Run!”
The few ponies that had managed to navigate the debris were sent scattering as a piece of the ceiling swung down, finally hurtling a corner of the arena.
Then it stopped.
Soothing’s eyes widened, not able to comprehend what she was seeing. The slab of ceiling had just frozen. No, it wasn’t frozen. Somepony is holding it. Who could have that kind of power….?
The magic was unlike anything she had ever seen before. A white glow surrounded the ceiling piece; but the white aura was shot through with angry sparks of red. The monolithic piece of crystal was then tossed aside; and that’s when she saw him.
For a moment, Soothing thought the evil tyrant of the north had returned; but it was only by stature this thought came to her mind. The pony stood as though a commander on a battlefield, having legions at his command. Whoever this individual was, he seemed to command her respect. For a moment, her gaze met his, and Soothing’s fur prickled at the intensity of the pony’s gaze. He nodded, a simple acknowledgement of awareness, before turning to survey the destructive scene that stood in his path.
The stallion stood proud, black mane waving in a magical torrent of energy. The stallion’s fur was of a charcoal complexion, but shone with a brilliant light as though lit from a thousand fires. Eyes ablaze with white and red energy, the pony looked up at the ceiling as another crystal slab threatened to fall. Tendrils of crimson and pure white magic reached out, lowering it to the ground gently. More magic reached out to pull ponies from rubble behind the strange stallion, carrying them in what appeared to be a gentle grip. Walking with a steadfast determination, the stallion crossed the gymnasium, pulling out any ponies that were visible, solid chunks of rock and crystal either moved or destroyed with but a glance. Slabs that would have crushed houses were vaporized with but a look, yet each fallen pony was treated with the utmost care. Crystal shards that threatened to impale were liquefied into harmless puddles, cooling instantly as they fell. The stallion’s steps caused white flames to spark with every hoof-fall, a regal air surrounding the mysterious individual as he walked. Pure white magic shored up any falling debris, while tongues of energy formed stretchers for the fallen.
Who is this pony?
Soothing’s unspoken question went unanswered; but as the stallion got closer, the mare noticed the strangest thing...
He was crying, tears trickling down sparkling cheeks, even as the pony levitated the bodies of the fallen individuals towards her.
The stallion looked up at her, and the magical storm around him slowly guttered and died. Lips parting briefly, the pony spoke, his voice soft, but carrying with it a confidence and strength that Soothing would have followed to the ends of the earth. Had this pony stood before Soothing with a crown and cape, she would have bowed and sworn her allegiance. This stallion’s voice was that of a leader, a warrior...
A king.
“They’re safe now, and now, I am free. See to them, their injuries are grave.”
The stallion then collapsed, and Soothing could only stare in amazement. She was finally snapped out of her daze by the arrival of more rescue workers, but the stallion still refused to leave her thoughts.
Who, or what, was that?
- -
Watching the commotion from a clock tower, a hooded figure chuckled, glancing over to a similarly hooded pony.
“You see? It is perfect. I thought it best to act first. I know how much you apprecia-chhhh.” A magical grip tightened around the speaker’s windpipe, and the hooded figure leaned closer to the other pony.
“You dare act without my authorization again, and I will use your veins as the lining to my pens, and your blood will be the ink. I mean that in the most literal sense I can convey. Are we clear?” The unicorn released the other hooded pony with a snort, shaking his head.
“I hope for your sake, that nopony important was killed.”
An unnatural beeping permeated Sombra’s thoughts, but despite the sound, the stallion slept on for a time. It was only the smell of freshly baked rolls, and the sweet fragrance of a sort of tea that roused him out of his slumber. The hospital walls glowed with a soft blue light, the dulled crystal providing an aura of calm as he woke. Memories flickered across the pony’s consciousness; explosions, a painful twisting in his heart of helplessness… That demon had dared mock him. … Where was it? Usually it would be here in his sleep, taunting Sombra’s mind with images of the past, tormenting him with past transgressions.
Where is it? Laughing at me, at my failures. I wasn’t strong enough, so what did I do!?
“You saved them, you know? Glowing as bright as the sun; I think a few rescue workers almost bowed at such a sight.” A calm voice floated over to Sombra’s ears, as though picking up on his troubled thoughts.
“Only casualties were from the initial blast, and a few who were too far buried. Most of them you carried out yourself. My name is Soothing Balm; I was there when you did...whatever it was that saved everyone. Do you remember anything?” The kind mare asked, clad in a simple medical outfit as she looked over a few charts, carefully feeding the stallion a bit of the roll and tea.
“Just, feeling helpless, and then I did something. So much power-how long was I out?” Sombra asked between bites. “About two days. You’ve had quite a few interesting individuals visit you. The prince and princess, and even the erm,other princesses.” Soothing spoke with genuine awe in her tone. “Why visit me? I just helped….” The stallion muttered, shaking his head and wincing. He ached all over, but other than that, not too worse for wear, especially considering the circumstances.
“The only reason so many ponies are alive is because of you.” Soothing replied calmly, then let out a soft giggle. “Oh, there has been a pony hovering over your side for the past few days; I almost thought she was a nurse a few times.”
At a signal from the nurse, Amber quickly trotted in, tears in her eyes. Sombra almost got up to hug the distraught mare, only able to sit up against the now-slanted bed, but then his eyes met hers. Sombra’s heart felt as though it would burst from his chest. Moving to his side, Amber wrapped her forelimbs around his upper barrel, only hesitating for a split second before pressing her lips to his. If only he could go back in time to tell himself how worth it all of his trials had been, if for but this moment.
The smell of mountain berries danced across his nose; her favorite perfume. Not too heavy, but enough to turn his head every time. Amber’s kiss was warm, filling the stallion from head to hoof with a comfort and resolution that outshone any artificial motivation. The taste of salt lingered on Sombra’s own lips; Amber had been crying. He gently broke the kiss, Sombra resting his nose against Amber’s, his eyes meeting the mare’s once again.
A medal from the two Princess’s, or a knighting from Cadence or Shining Armor would pale in comparison to the emotions dancing in those two beautiful orbs that looked back into his. Unshed tears threatened to spill over, but only shimmered on Amber’s eyelids as she managed a smile, a soft blush on her cheeks. It wasn’t horror, despair, or sadness that shone in Amber’s eyes, but emotions that. The mare’s eyes radiated hope, wonder, and an emotion that Sombra dared not try to name out of sheer reference. Could it be-?
“You’re back. Y-you’re-y-you’re….” Crystal stammered, not able to stop the tears spilling from her eyes as she spoke. “The stallion that captured my heart, royal guard and all.”
Sombra stiffened, and against better judgment swung all four hooves to the ground. The twinges of pain were overridden by Amber’s presence as he took a few steps to rest his neck against hers. “I saw you walking from the ruins, I hadn’t seen you like that since before…” She whispered, now crying into her fur, but no sadness decorated her words, only pride and affection. “You always wanted to protect ponies. I haven’t forgotten how many hours I helped you practice to get into the training sessions.” Amber’s voice fell quiet as she let out half a sigh, half shaky laugh, clearly exhausted.
“T-the demon, its gone, isn’t it? You killed it.” Her words were more of a statement as Sombra guided Amber Leaf to a small waiting couch, settling down next to the exhausted mare. “I used it. I wasn’t strong enough to save them, but it was. I took its power, used it for myself.” The stallion’s words were slightly halting as he thought out loud, the full impact of what had transpired finally sinking in. I used the demon, its power to save ponies. I can finally save ponies….
Rather than be overwhelmed, Sombra couldn’t help but grin, letting out a gentle breath as Amber fell into a doze on his shoulder. His body wanted to go on a run after resting for two days, but the mare’s presence was better than any anesthetic. Sombra’s eyes rested on a pile of letters next to his bed; one of which bore the royal insignia, and that of a royal guard application.
A familiar pink alicorn poked her head into the hospital room, and had to suppress a chuckle at seeing the two ponies asleep on the couch. A sly smile meandered onto her features as she returned to the central castle. Shining’s guard instincts had been well placed. Sombra had little idea how much they needed his help. They had figured out what the explosives had been composed of…and that was just the beginning. If Sombra could harness the power of a demon, as Celestia and Luna had surmised, then the sooner they intervened the better.
Sombra was released the next day, his injuries no longer requiring hospital care, at least for the moment. His entire body ached from magical overload, but other than that, he seemed in decent health. Despite numerous protests, the stallion was plopped on the living room sofa cushions, grudgingly accepting a bowl of soup from Amber, setting it on the large table in front of them.
Ok, so the kisses helped more than the soup, but he still didn’t like feeling so helpless. “So, what now?” The mare asked, her eyes soft with both care and worry.
“Now? I sit here and enjoy the fact I am even alive. Later, I guess report to the Prince and Princess. Maybe they know more about this weird magical surge than I do.” Sombra remarked, scooting over with a wince to rest his head against Amber’s.
“All I know is that the demon is gone. Maybe not killed, but I used it- not the other way around. I saved ponies, I finally….” His words drifted off as a comforting hoof snaked around his, Amber’s eyes meeting his own. She was one of a few ponies who knew how fractured his childhood had been.
And yet, through it all, demons and darkness, she was still here.
“Are your parents here?” He asked softly, glancing around as emotions threatened to strangle the words in the stallion’s throat.
“Huh? No, they’re out for a few hours, why do-” Amber’s words cut off as Sombra pressed his head into her forelimbs, tears streaming from his eyes.
Any words he wanted to say fragmented into sobs, the full weight of the past few days bearing down on his shoulders with an almost physical pressure. Amber slid over on the cushions, curling up with Sombra’s head between her hooves and caressing his mane. His eyes managed to crack open for a moment, still shining with tears, looking to Amber for comfort and security.
“You saved them Sombra, you didn’t let them die. It’s ok.” Her words were soft, the usually strong stallion quaking in her hooves.
“You are still, here, w-with me?” Sombra managed to stammer, the usual doubts worming their way into his mind.
Amber placed a hoof on his cheek, turning to meet his gaze with hers.
“I’m not going anywhere. Don’t you start with this again, don’t you dare.” Now her own voice was beginning to get choked up.
“Don’t you dare think I’d leave you! When I thought you were buried under that stadium….”
Sombra couldn’t help but smile, his own tears starting to stem. As he looked up at the mare that held him in her hooves, Amber shone in a way he had always loved, had caused him to love her.
Despite the few tears on her own cheeks, the mare looked down at him with steely determination, jaw clenched but mouth in a slight and sure smile.
“Thank you Amber, thank you for always being here.” He whispered, reaching up to nuzzle her nose with his. The stallion’s eyes widened with surprise as the returning gesture quickly moved to a passionate kiss, Amber’s hooves wrapping around his neck. When she finally pulled away, still resting her cheek against his, the mare’s eyes still shone with a confidence that Sombra could only admire and want to aspire to.
“You need the rest; I’ll be right here Sombra.” Amber whispered, holding one of his hooves as she settled down beside him. The stallion couldn’t help but just lay still, feeling her sides rise and fall against his.
“I’ve missed this, so much.” He murmured, then stiffening with surprise. Had he spoken that out loud?
“And you think I haven’t? Shush-we can chat later. Hospital said to give you plenty of rest.” Amber replied softly with a smile.
“A thousand years worth of snuggles. I think you’ll get your fill of them.”
Sombra couldn’t help but smile, glancing up at the mare, who now was resting her head across his, just above his horn.
“I guess that’s one way of looking at it.” He murmured, amazed she could put a positive spin on even the demonic spell that hid the empire.
“Now. Hush. I’ll be the first thing you see when you wake up, ok?” Amber whispered, running her nose through his mane.
“You know, I’m a sucker for cheesy romance….” He murmured, already starting to drift off.
The stallion was soon fast asleep, with Amber suppressing a laugh.
“Of course I do, you goof. I’m the same way; this is just payback.”
A few hours later, Amber’s parents walked in from a market trip to find the two on the couch, curled up next to each other, Amber’s head lain across Sombra’s neck protectively. The parents couldn’t help but smile at seeing the two. Sombra squirmed as though in a restless sleep, and Amber shifted in response, moving her cheek to rest against his, even in sleep.
The fact the stallion smiled when sleeping was enough to cause any heart to melt.
The soft ‘squee’ produced behind the couple nearly caused them to jump through the roof; a familiar Princess of Love waving them off as they started to bow.
“Was in the area, so thought I’d ask them myself. Clearly a bad time; Tell them to come by the palace this evening, if he’s up to it.” Cadance whispered, literally bouncing off with a wide grin on her features, a few guards struggling to keep up.
Amber’s parents simply blinked, nodding as they went back inside to unload the groceries that had nearly been knocked over by their squee-ing surprise. What a day.
- - After a light dinner, Sombra meandered up the street, Amber at his side, towards the crystal palace. The recounting of Cadance’s request had been a pleasant and amusing wake-up tale over a meal. Amber had stayed glued to his side, much to the stallion’s delight. The fact the mare refused to let any doubts take root was something he could never repay her enough for. Well, not yet anyway, but he had a few ideas in that regard. For now, it was off to the palace to see what the royal couple had planned for him.
Security was certainly increased as the pair clip-clopped up the palace steps, guardsponies moving in pairs this way and that. Sombra’s head was on a swivel, causing Amber to giggle. She knew him well enough to pinpoint exactly what was going through his head.
“You’re looking for their patrol patterns and guard stations, aren’t you?” The mare asked with a smile. Her words caused Sombra to flatten his ears, cheeks red with embarrassment.
“Maaaaaaybe….” Was the half-muttered reply.
Amber suppressed a laugh, and she nuzzled the stallion under the chin.
“You’ll have your own armor soon enough, I know it.” Her encouraging words cause a smile to meander onto Sombra’s features, the doors to the main assembly hall opening before them. Cadance and Shining Armor sat upon a regal yet elegant throne of bejeweled crystal, the two of them perking up with matching smiles as the pair entered the hall. The doors closed, only a few guards remaining in the room as Amber and Sombra bowed.
“Oh none of that, please.” Cadance called out, walking over to the pair and shaking a hoof at them.
“This kingdom has done enough groveling, us or anyone else. We’re working on breaking that-anyhow, so good to see you have recovered Sombra!” She continued, Shining Armor walking over to join her.
“We spoke with both Princess Celestia and Luna last night, and they have a theory of what happened to you Sombra, when you saved all those ponies.” The prince spoke up, leading them down a side hallway to a smaller, more secluded and private room with a few couches. After sitting down, Cadance couldn’t help but grin as Amber leaned on Sombra’s shoulder, the stallion gaining a slight rend tinge to his muzzle, but otherwise not showing any reaction.
Well, aside from a hoof sliding over to nudge Amber’s.
“The two princesses analyzed the magical energies from the erm, incident, and had a rather compelling idea of what happened.” Shining remarked, clearly trying to suppress a smile of his own.
“From what they can tell, your magic got a boost, simply put, but from a different realm. You said that you ‘took’ the demon’s power, correct?” To this, Sombra nodded slowly.
“That makes sense. You didn’t only take its power- you tapped into its entire realm. The amount of magic you had at your disposal was enough to make Celestia and Luna uneasy. Being mortal, they suspect your body would give out before you exhaust it, so there is a limit, a lethal one.”
Sombra blinked, trying to digest Shining’s words with a furrowed brow.
“I don’t even know how to do that again, use that kind of power…” He mumbled, glancing to the floor with a combination of puzzlement and uneasiness.
“They suspect only in extreme stress or, as they put it, ‘dire situations’ that your own magic will be exhausted. In other words, nobody really knows how you did it, even yourself it seems.” Shining concluded, shrugging briefly.
“In any case, we never got a formal chance to thank you. We could have a ceremony; in fact, we plan on it, but we think it should be combined with another event.”
The Prince had a rather decent poker face, but even such an expression crafted over years of training began to crack into a smile as he smoke.
“We think your acceptance into the guard would be a rather fitting event to coincide with the honors. Do you agree?”
Sombra blinked, staring at the royal pair with wide eyes.
“Wait. You….what?” He stammered, looking back and forth between Cadance and Shining.
“Once you feel up to it, you can start an accelerated version of the basic training. Pass the laws and physical tests, and you’ll be a royal guard. Your previous training is rather out of date, but it still counts as something.” Shining remarked, tossing over a small crystal medallion.
“That will get you into the training area for the physical tests. We already sent a stack of the new laws and regulations to Amber’s home. I doubt you’ll have any trouble acclimating, but let us know if you have any problems.”
The stallion’s jaw worked up and down, but no words came forth, other than a strangled squeak. Finally, a few forced their way out.
“Just like that? You mean, you’re willing to…” Sombra’s voice was clamped by emotion as he looked to his hooves, one of them holding Amber’s in an iron grip.
“I can be...a guard again?” He finally whispered, more stating than asking.
“Be a guard again? You never stopped being a guard!” Shining remarked rather forcefully, his bemused and pleasant expression offsetting his tone, a grin continuing to force its way through his stony expression.
“You completed the training, and were part of the elite guard of this empire. Consider this an upgrade to your station. You just need to be brought up to speed.”
A few tears fell from Sombra’s eyes, the stallion unable to say anything. He couldn’t help but be ashamed of the moisture running down his cheeks, but he couldn’t help it. They had no idea how much this meant to him; only one pony did...
And said pony was currently holding his shaking hoof, and resting her head across his neck, his own bowed down to try and hide the tears.
“Thank you.”
It was Amber’s voice that carried across to the royal couple, Sombra hiding under a hoof as a few more sobs surged to the fore.
A few minutes passed before Sombra managed to compose himself, straightening up to bow his head.
“Thank you, thank you both.” He spoke softly, then taking a deep breath, a determined smile on his face, despite wiping off the dampness of his tears with a hoof.
The pair smiled, Shining Armor walking over and offering his hoof, which Sombra gladly took as he stood up as well.
“You are most certainly welcome. You know, it is us who should be thanking you for saving so many ponies. It’s the least we could do.” The prince remarked as they headed back to the main hall, Sombra’s grin threatening to split his face in two now that the news was finally sinking in.
“A good night’s rest, and I can probably come in tomorrow. I’m out of shape, but should be able to manage the basics.” The stallion admitted.
“I’ll have to look over those laws too.” He remarked in afterthought, prompting Shining to nod.
“Tomorrow or the day after, whenever you feel up to it. As long as you can pass the basic tests, you’ll be good. If you want, you can try sparing as well, if you want to try for a more specialized area of the guard.” The prince’s words caused Amber to roll her eyes, a good-natured smile gracing her features as her stallion began to bounce with each step. He loved a challenge…
“I’ll do that. Thank you both, thank you so much.” He remarked softly, bowed briefly before the pair, despite their protests.
“It’s the least we could do Sombra. Oh, and Princess Luna wanted to pass this message along. She said; you have earned this, despite what you may think.” Cadance added, smiling as the stallion threatened to tear up again. But, he stood his ground shaking both their hooves as they bid their farewells.
“You’re going to arrive early to warm up, aren’t you?” Amber asked, as they left the palace, Sombra seeming to glow with joy as they walked the streets.
“Maaaaaaaybe.” -
As the moon climbed higher in the sky, a robed guard slid into a side-alley of the palace, the small corridor only usually used by servants to travel hither and thither without being seen by the ruling parties.
“He’s well enough to train for the guard, he should be here the next few days.” He reported, the receiving pony masked by darkness, a pen writing across a rough sheet of parchment. The ‘ink’ was blood red, turning purple in contact with the air.
“Very good. Take this note to your group underground. We strike when he is still recovering. And remember, no fatal wounds. I would hate to have anyone else oppose our final goal. Unless, of course, you object to this?”
The feathered pen was flung across the room, skidding across the floor at the guard’s hooves before shattering on contact with the metal-shod appendages. The ragged ends of a pony’s vein protruded from the instrument, blood leaking from the broken container.
“N-no, of course not….” Was the stammered reply, and hasty retreat.
“That’s what I thought. Now go. We move within the week.”
Sombra paced nervously, glancing over his training armor in the mirror. I’ve done this plenty of times, why am I so nervous? It’s just a training exercise, full contact sparring though. No killing moves, that’s a new thing. I need to show that I’m… me , and not that thing. I just hope that-
A familiar touch on the lips brought the stallion back out of his thoughts, the nerves and racing memories slowing to a steady pulse. A smile spread onto Sombra’s features as he returned the gesture, then nuzzling Amber along the cheek, and resting his neck against hers.
“You’ll do fine, so stop worrying.” The mare’s voice soothed his jagged nerves, and the stallion stood up a bit straighter.
“You passed the written exam fine, and that was just last night. Not bad for a day of studying. Knock them dead.” She then winced, not able to resist a chuckle.
“Well, unconscious. Things have changed you know.”
Despite it all, Sombra managed a laugh, feeling the tension ebb from his body.
“I imagine that would upset quite a few individuals; they were quite insistent on that. No lethal moves, since that’s forbidden, unless in extreme cases. They also I technically haven’t been ‘taught’ them yet.”
A soft chime indicated Sombra’s turn in the ring, and Amber nudged him with a hoof.
“I have a few errands to run, but can be here for a bit. Go get ‘em!”
The stallion nodded, walking out into the gymnasium. It had been cleared of rubble and strengthened, security improved and the overall structure itself bolstered up. A large mat had been moved to the center of the field; one of a few in fact. Shining Armor was there in ceremonial armor, whereas other trainees and veterans alike had sparring gear on. The crystal armor was magically enhanced to dull the impact of hooves alone, since no piercing protection would be needed.
It was a rare occasion Sombra got a chance to be able to pull no punches. They had helmets and barrel armor; he could go all out, lethal moves aside.
“One on one match. First to yield loses. You need to best two of the three other recruits. This is a change from normal requirements, since you are on an accelerated timetable. Do you understand?”
Sombra stood tall a familiar energy filling his frame.
“Yes Sir!”
Shining’s muzzle twitched in the hint of a smile.
“Very good. Into the ring you go. If you pass these, you can continue to spar as long as you would like, to allow me to further evaluate your skills. You and Private Helio first.”
Nodding, Sombra made his way towards the training mat, then pausing.
I almost forgot.
A deadly red crystal sword bled together from thin air, Sombra’s horn lighting up. The weapon twirled over once, then buried itself into the floor. It was an ancient gesture from his time. A fighter sparing for either fun or training would bury his weapon, signifying that no lethal blows would be dealt. He had done it so many times, it put him at least, Sombra’s mind shifting more easily to the modified rules.
Trotting onto the training mat, Sombra stretched a few times, then lowered himself into a combat stance. His opponent was a dull purple stallion of similar if not slightly more muscular build; Private Helio. These first few would be recruits, then the veterans.
A rather feral grin split his features. Time to show Captain Armor what he was made of.
I was a guard once. I will be one again!
And this time, I won’t fall to darkness!
The bell chimed, and the purple stallion lunged forward, opting for a quick first strike and possible knock out. The stallion’s eyes bugged out as Sombra ducked , nearly flattening to the floor to dodge underneath the swift hook-punch. It was a well-executed blow, and would have caught anyone else off guard for a painful result.
Sombra’s opponent found his limbs swept out from under him, and the resulting blow to his chest was enough to cause the training armor to spark a light orange, changing from its light blue tint; the indication of the severity of the blow. Red indicated excessive force, whereas orange was the upper level of what was allowed. A lighter color was the perfect balance between the two.
Helio was knocked to the mat, his chest heaving as Sombra’s full weight landed on top of him. Combined with the punch, he was completely winded.
The hoof that slammed into the mat beside his head indicated the end to a fight; a potentially lethal or knockout blow. Helio wisely tapped his hoof; signaling he was out. Sombra could have easily brained him, but chose to let him choose whether to continue-
“Next up, Private Jeril!” Shining barked, seeing Sombra not having even broken a sweat. The prince seemed genuinely curious now of Sombra’s abilities….
The dark blue stallion who entered the right was a lanky one; and much more cautious. He waited for Sombra to make his move; and neatly dodge it. Spinning onto his hind-hooves, Jeril nailed Sombra with a limb to his upper side; a well-placed blow.
Unfortunately, it left him wide open.
Having taken the blow to allow for such an opportunity, Sombra kicked out; one limb sweeping, and the other landing a punishing blow to Jeril’s chest as he began to fall. The stallion slid to the ground, shaking his head slowly. He was clearly too disoriented to fight effectively, and another blow caused him to tap out.
“Do you want to continue?” Shining called out, and caused Sombra to nod eagerly. He was just finding his stride after all….
The next pony to jump in was a more experienced individual. A few years older and much more guarded, he actually traded blows with Sombra before leaving his side open for a brutal hoof to the ribs. The protective armor flared, but it was a clear hit. The blow sent the other stallion reeling, Sombra glancing over to Shining eagerly. this felt familiar…
“Next!” Came Shining’s call, and Sombra couldn’t help but grin.
Amber trotted down the crystal halls, head on a swivel. Even after the time she had spent in the palace, its splendor never failed to disappoint. The few ponies she had encountered pointed her this way, towards the training arena….
She couldn’t help but smile at the memories, finding Sombra locked in mock combat against individuals for hours. Even if he got beaten to a pulp, he kept going, always looking to improve.
And, of course, he eventually had. Those poor soldiers had no idea who they were dealing with.
Entering the large arena, Amber instantly spotted Somba. It wasn’t too hard, since there was a decent number of guards, trainees, and even some on-duty individuals watching the sparring match. Even Shining Armor seemed impressed by the spectacle.
Some training ropes had been pulled up, creating a decent sized boxing ring, and in the middle of it, four ponies fought. Sombra twisted this way and that, blocking different blows and dealing them out with rapid precision. His eyes were slightly narrowed, mouth open as he panted for breath, but all the while smiling.
A stallion swept out his legs, another going in for a headlock, the third trying to deliver a knockout blow to his sides. Sombra reared his head back and slammed his head against the closest individual, which left his limbs open to whack at the other two stallions. Even when the dazed one tried to jump on him, Sombra spun like a top, dodging the opponent to deliver a winding blow to another.
The dazed opponent was knocked on his side, clearly tapping out. The third rang Sombra’s head with an uppercut hoof to the chin, but received an equally ringing blow in kind.
“Stand down! That’s enough!” Shining’s voice boomed out across the ring, prompting many to break into scattered applause.
“Well, needless to say you passed, and that’s an understatement. I think I have just the job for you. Report tomorrow morning with the second morning shift, and I’ll have your assignment ready.” The unicorn ordered, not able to suppress a knowing grin.
“Welcome back to the guard, Private Sombra.”
The crowd parted, allowing Amber to rush up and hug the stallion, sweaty and all.
“You did it! I told you so!” She exclaimed happily, glancing over as Shining Armor trotted over, the other individuals dispersing.
“He most certainly did. I’ve never seen many of those moves, of course, his skills are from a different time, which is why I want to see him tomorrow morning. He’s not going to be a typical castle guard.” The unicorn chuckled, nodding as he took his leave, returning the salute that Sombra snapped in response.
“At ease. Enjoy yourself, and welcome again.”
Sombra then let himself sag to the floor with a wheeze, not able to restrain a bit of happy chuckling.
“Oh…this feels so good. A thousand years of not feeling any muscle burn, nothing like that….” He hummed, nuzzling the fetlocks of the mare that stood over him.
“As good as it feels, I think some others want to use the ring, so go shower off my warrior. I knew you could do it. I’ll be in the gardens when you’re ready to go.” Amber giggled, giving him a brief kiss on the nose before trotting off.
Sombra looked up and saw a few other ponies waiting, and he heaved himself onto his hooves, meandering towards the showering and equipment room. After depositing the heavily-used training armor, he stepped into the shower, first letting the warm water sooth his muscles, a wide grin still on his features.
Oh, how he had missed this. He had passed.
He was a guard again. Officially. And this time, he wouldn’t fail.
Switching the water to an icy blast, the unicorn shivered pleasantly, rinsing off the final bit of grime. Shutting the water down, he toweled off and began to collect the few belongings he had brought, including a water bottle that he drained in a few gulps. It was comforting, in a strange sort of way. All the lethal moves he had learned were no longer needed. Ponies no longer fought like that, only a few rare cases here and there. Wars were no longer commonplace. In this sense, it felt rather good to be obsolete, at least in that sense. The crazy ponies could be handled, all he had to do-
The stallion stopped, small bag dropping from his telekinetic grip. In front of him, outside the exit to the training area that led into the castle, lay a cream crystal pony. Her eyes wide in horror, blood pooled from the brutal cut in her throat. Time seemed to slow as Sombra looked around, spotting other bodies in a trail of death and gore. Screams reached his ears, and the sounds of battle began to mingle with pleads for help and mercy.
Anger caused Sombra’s limbs to shake, tears of frustration pooling in his eyes. Why?
Why all of the needless death?
Why kill civilians?!
His eyes widened at the answer. It was so simple. It was the same answer as to why his family had been killed. It was the same, but at the same time, no different than before. It never changed.
War.
War with wolves, war with ponies; it never changed.
His hoof shook slightly as he closed the cream-colored pony’s eyes, and he took a deep breath and looked around for something, anything to arm and protect himself with. The training armor was bulky and not suitable for this…
He could feel it, power flickering at the edge of his perception. He’d have to call on it soon, his own physical strength near the end. But for now, he’d do what he could.
Amber. She was in the gardens. He had to-
A knife missed the stallion’s nose by a hair, the pony turning to confront the assailant. The crazed individual lunged at Sombra again, another dagger strapped to his hoof. The crimson pony looked dyed maroon, odd symbols painted on his flank with yellow slashes. His eyes though-
The crystal sword materialized in an instant, swinging down to sever the pony’s head in one fell stroke.
These ponies gave no mercy, no quarter to innocents. He didn’t know why.
The stallion’s gaze rested on a simple display that stood across from him; an ancient suit of armor. It was modeled after the kind he used to wear, but had an encompassing helmet.
Perfect.
The armor groaned as Sombra’s magic adjusted the ancient metal, straps loosening and tightening as he forced the material to conform to his will. Crystals materialized and fused with the barding, ready to fly at his command. Crystal sword held at the ready, Sombra’s eyes began to burn with both tears and red sparks of power. Another assailant came lunging down the hall, this one coated with blood, but harboring the same crazed and fanatical gaze as the first. First came the stab into the chest, then the finishing blow to the skull.
These ponies were no better than Ice wolves,
And they’d be treated as such. With a roar that sent the crystal windows shaking, Sombra charged down the hall, bowling over two cultists who were in the process of trying to ambush him. Two strokes, and they lay in twisted heaps as he continued on. These creatures were killing.
As a guard, he would not tolerate that. More cultists, and the last two of the five that tried to stop him were sent running, deep wounds in their sides as the stallion bellowed a single name, his sole objective amongst the destruction.
The pink shield crackled and spat angry sparks, but never yielded. Despite five unicorns focusing solid streams of dark magic on the barrier, it held strong. The throne room bore scars of war; rock melted and twisted from deflected beams, windows blown out, and a few dead ponies from both sides. The throne ripped from its roots and shoved to its side for protection, a pink shield covered it and the occupants underneath.
Beneath its protective embrace, Shining Armor stood firm, guarding his unconscious wife and four wounded guards. Blood ran down from a series of slices across his muzzle; sweat plastering his mane to his neck. This was the unicorn who had protected Canterlot; keeping the shield up was taxing, but not impossible. Going on the offensive while powering the shield and not having any of the deadly beams strike his guards or wife on the other hoof….
They had been caught completely off guard. They had trained for rogue elements in the castle, the assassinations or riots, but a full blown attack? Who would have anticipated cultists striking down guards and civilians alike? The unicorn’s focus drifted from the five attackers, three other ponies who were observing, and to a larger individual with a ragged crimson robe- clearly the individual in charge of this group. What brought hope to Shining’s heart, was this robed individual looked nervous, even more so as a dull rumble echoed from one of the adjoining hallways to the main throne room. The stallion sighed with pity as a bloodied individual scrambled out of the hallway- but too slowly. Red crystals shot from the ruined doorway, pinning the offender to the wall, a final finishing him off between the eyes. The unearthly roar that echoed around the room caused the unicorn’s concentration to waver, and then shift. But by then it was too late.
A grim expression dawned onto Shining’s muzzle as Sombra galloped into view, his eyes ablaze with white fire. The cultists were skilled fighters, but this stallion had been trained in a different time, a time when no quarter was given.
The three stallions rushed him, the larger leader motioning with a hoof as he grabbed a fallen halberd. The three ponies managed to score a glancing blow with a crystal sword, but it did nothing but score the armor on the vengeful warrior. The sword was blown aside, a red crystal weapon shattering the other before it plunged into the attackers chest. The other two hesitated, and in that moment, a crystal exploded from the floor, neatly impaling one as the other began to run. He didn’t make it far- the red sword sped after him, severing his spine with an almost casual flick.
The leader only managed a choked gasp as Sombra charged, the halberd useless as it bounced off red crystals that rained in a storm around the armor-clad stallion. Now all five unicorns shifted their focus, beams of energy licking out towards Sombra, who stood still with his mouth open, chest heaving to catch his breath. The armor flashed as the magic attempted to eat away at metal and flesh, but quickly lost their purchase as Sombra began to move. Ducking and dodging, the stallion moved at a dead run, skidding this way and that to dodge the powerful strikes. The nearest unicorn’s horn was shattered with a hoof to the head- And that was all the space Shining needed. His shield flickered out of existence, pink bolts lancing out to spear three of his attackers; they were dead before they hit the ground. The final unicorn only gasped, being held off the floor by Sombra’s red crystal blades. His eyes lacking pupils and emanating a similar deadly aura, Sombra ripped the sword clear after looking around to Shining, asking only one word. “Amber?”
Shining looked over to Sombra, shaking his head. “I…don’t know. The gardens, I think. It all happened so fast. Can you-” The stallion was off at a gallop, not even slowing as two more cultists charged from the main hall. Guards from Shining’s division finally arrived, but they could only watch in amazement and horror as Sombra summoned the two red crystal swords and slit the attacker’s throats, not even breaking stride. His vision only encompassed one goal….one pony.
Passing by a dead cultist, the stallion paused as a familiar pony staggered out of the winding staircase to one of the towers, blood staining his robes. “Sombra! Thank goodness; where is Amber? Silas asked, panting as he nodded to the dead cultist. “I nailed that coward when I first arrived here. It’s-How did-?” Sombra didn’t say anything, only looking over to the older pony. The stallion had met with them a few times, giving a few tips and hints on how to integrate to society. Silas even managed to get them a special reservation at a restaurant when he and Amber had needed a break from everything…. “Amber?” Sombra managed to ask, prompting Silas’ eyes to widen. “Oh no. That must have been her.” He whispered, pointing a hoof to the tower.
“I only saw a glimpse of them all. I couldn’t take them all on, the guard nearly got me. Five ponies, with another pony, one with a bag over their head.” Silas then growled, shaking his head. “It was Pens. Pens Stroke-he had some sort of artifact, and was laughing. Wait here, and I’ll go get-” “No.” Was the steadfast reply, causing Silas to nod. “No room for argument then? Well, best of luck my friend.” He whispered, galloping off down the hall, slicing the throat of an approaching cultist to clear a path for any survivors. The aura overtook Sombra’s vision again as he galloped up the stairs, horrible visions of Amber’s fate assaulting his mind. The door was closed, and promptly blown off its hinges. A red sword took aim, ready to slice any offenders or threats to the one he loved- The room was empty.
The aura sputtered and faded, numb shock taking place of rage and anger. No, the room wasn’t empty, there was a pony lying behind the desk. This was Pens Stroke’s office. Said pony was panting on the ground, a magical burn spearing through his side. He narrowed his eyes, a dagger levitating up to then drop to the ground. A slain cultist lay beside the stallion, his robes used to staunch the bleeding from lacerations along Pens’ fetlocks. “Somba, how are you?” Pens panted, then shook his head slowly. “Of course. You let him go. He played us both.” Sombra growled, glaring at the fallen pony.
“What are you talking about? Where is Amber? I only saw Silas-” “Who do you think did this to me? I bloodied that traitor though, what did he tell you, that I captured Amber? Tortured her?” He let out a choked cough, shaking his head. “I never liked you Sombra, but I did everything I could to help you, even if it was behind the scenes. Silas came here with a few guards, hit me with a bolt and left another pony to finish me off. Then he must have waited for you.” The wounded stallion struggled to stand, breathing heavily. “The central gardens is where I last saw Amber. You know this all is about you…it will be a trap?” He asked, looking to Sombra expectantly.
“But, I doubt you care. Go then, and end this.” Sombra’s sword levitated off the floor as he nodded curtly, Pens following behind down the stairs, a bit slower of course. Once in the hallway, Sombra was met by two more cultists- one actually managing to bite into his armor with a sword before being pinned to the wall by a crystal.
Sombra was then forced to his knees, exhaustion threatening to dull any movement or thought. He was spent, but couldn’t stop. It was all probably to plan, but at that moment, he didn’t care. He hadn’t been there for his family once. He wasn’t about to make that same mistake again.
First the front hoof, then the other. The back legs then shuddered as they tensed, the stallion putting one hoof in front of the other, slowly gaining speed. It was a trot instead of an all-out gallop, but he was moving, always moving towards her.
The way was clear to the gardens, dead bodies of guard, cultist, and civilian alike lining the sides of the crystal passage. Blood soaked the floor, yet Sombra pressed on. So much death, in a place once so pure. They must have been caught completely off guard….
A whimper drew his attention; an armored pony shivering against a pillar, spear clutched to his chest. Blood stained the earth pony’s shimmering fur, and his eyes clearly were wide with shock. But, it was not his own blood. Sombra trotted over, calmly lifting the pony up to stand on his own legs. A noise drew his attention, and a few shocked cooks and waiters peeked out from a side room, clearly having taken cover for the majority of the attack. “Are you not a guard?” Sombra asked flatly, angling the terrified stallion’s head towards the stunned civilians. The guard’s demeanor steadied, and after Sombra rapped his helmet with a hoof, he trotted shakily off towards the survivors, leading them to safety. Amber would have wanted to save everyone she could.
The large doors leading to the gardens were blown to pieces, and dead bodies lay strewn this way and that. The cultists had shattered any physical barriers, clearly having planned this all for some time. Sombra’s blood ran cold as he spotted a familiar object in the center pavilion, next to a dead cultist. What made this casualty different was that a hoof-sized hole occupied where his heart and lungs should have been. The spent weapon lay on the ground, next to a note. Sombra, I will spare the semantics. You have something I need. So, your life for Amber’s. The ruins on the outskirts of the city, south-west corner. Do not make me start taking pieces out of her. You have until nightfall. Come alone. -Silas Necross.
Sombra levitated the weapon up with a shaky grip, as well as a pair of familiar saddlebags. A spare three shots lay in the bottom; and one was reloaded, as Amber had shown him. Underneath the case for the weapon, a bit of crimson poked through. Withdrawing the item carefully, horror accompanied the tears that began to trace their way down the stallion’s cheeks. Hanging in his shaky magical grip was a familiar red scarf. There was no more exhaustion. The scarf floated up around his neck, Sombra’s entire being vibrating from rage. Things really haven’t changed much; I trust someone to guard someone I hold dear...
Shining directed a few more guards to treat the wounded, the throne room serving as a staging area for all the casualties. He paused, looking out the nearby window as a faint howl reached his ears. Past the main hall and windows, he saw a dark figure racing out of the main gates. A note was then teleported in front of Shining; the same that Sombra had found. Judging from the crimson magic, it had been the stallion to perform the hasty magic.
After reading it over, Shining sighed, shaking his head. “He’s going to save her, isn’t he?” Cadence whispered, managing to rise to a slight sitting position, the tranquilizing bolt still causing the world to spin. The Prince nodded, looking across the throne room, and then to his wife. The attack had caught them completely off balance, and reinforcements from Canterlot were just barely arriving. Sombra probably knew as well as Shining, they couldn’t spare any rescue parties for a single individual, Sombra being magically in tune or not. If what Cadence had told him was remotely correct, the stallion wouldn’t have dared let them interfere regardless. No…he would have gone, orders or not. “Save her? Yes. And Tartarus help whoever stands in his way.”
Armored hooves clattered against the crystal-paved streets, a stallion charging past the chaos that had enveloped the main city. Obviously this cult had more followers than just those involved in the castle, because their work littered the streets. Innocent ponies and guards had been killed, all to distract from their main assault on the castle. All of this, just to get to me. It’s happening all over again. My mistakes, my very life puts others at danger. Including the one I hold most dear… One of the few cultists that hadn’t been dealt with attempted to stop his flight- but a swift movement of the ruby sword severed any ideas along with the pony’s head, Sombra running onwards. Shining would understand. Even if he didn’t, it wouldn’t matter in the end.
Sombra’s eyes narrowed as he galloped onwards, fatigue having disappeared long ago. He was past being tired, and instead emotion fueled every step. His last mistake had plunged the entire Crystal Empire into chaos. Silas wouldn’t stop with him. No tyrant ever did. Sombra knew this firsthoof. It was always more. More power, more control, more cruelty. There was nothing Sombra had that Silas didn’t, save but one very powerful aspect. Anypony could connect the dots as to what Silas wanted. A connection to virtually unlimited power, and the alliance or subjugation of a demon.
That monster wouldn’t stop. Even if Sombra gave himself up…it would all begin again. White sparks flew from the stallion’s eyes, the edge of the city now in sight. He knew of the ruins far too well. They had once been an underground meeting place, where subjects were imprisoned and interrogated, the few that tried to rebel at least. The once proud building now lay in ruins, blackened and burned crystals littering the half-destroyed building. Pillars and remnants of walls jutted up from the flattened section, torches and crystal lights ringing the entire area. Red-robed guards watched his approach with a disturbing sense of calm.
Silas knew perfectly well Sombra would come alone. Of course His minions had incapacitated the entire city’s guard, and by the time they’d be in any condition to help; Amber would be dead. The worse part about walking into a trap was knowing there was nothing that he could do, not if Amber was to remain unharmed.
Two crimson-robed ponies approached him, most likely to lead him to Silas. The lead pony opened his mouth to speak-
The words apparently stuck in his throat, much like the two crossbow bolts that speared their heads and caused the cultists to tumble into a heap.
Landing at his side, Cold Shoulder and Icicle reloaded their weapons, eyes narrowed as they saw the other guards moving to respond, the lone stallion clearly dumbstruck. “What, you think we’d just leave you here? Amber is our friend too!” Icicle called over to Sombra, casually lifting the crossbow to fire again, another of the guards falling before they took cover. “Prince Armor teleported us a short distance away. I believe his exact words were ‘no guard goes into battle alone.’” Cold Shoulder added, the hint of a smile on his features. “Go save Amber. We will ensure your exit is clear. Do what you have to do.” Icicle called out, bucking a guard that tried to ambush her from behind a blackened pillar.
Sombra nodded, not able to resist the hint of a smile as well. Perhaps he wasn’t as alone in this endeavor as he thought. Now he didn’t have to worry about having to fight his way out. The stallion took a deep breath, eyes narrowing on a door that stood out among the crystal ruins. It was new, while the other pieces of rubble were ancient. Said structure was blown off its hinges, red crystals forcing the double doors to fly open. Apparently there had once been two guards behind it. They would live. Maybe. The impact had thrown them against the dimly lit walls. Magical candles and torches floated every pony length or so, bobbing up and down ever so slightly. As he traveled down the spiraling staircase, and through the halls, Sombra couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that permitted every aspect of the ruined underground cavern. There were no guards, no attempts at ambush. It all reeked of a trap. The white sparks faded from his eyes, fatigue beginning to set in as the stallion’s adrenaline and emotions began to subside into an uneasy turmoil.
Stopping at another large pair of doors, the stallion took a moment to collect his thoughts. One way or another, this would all end. He had failed once to stop a nightmare from springing onto this kingdom. Now, another one stood at the door- and the life of the one he loved hung in the balance. Never again would he dare see her in chains. With that thought burning into his very being, Sombra blew the doors to pieces, the old wood crumbling as he strode in. The main cavern was massive; easily the size of the training stadium. Large pillars, lit by strange blue torches stood every which way. In the center though, a few individuals were gathered around some runes etched into the floor. The markings glowed a sinister red, and about five other robed ponies were standing equal distances from each other around the circular area. And off to the side-
She was bound inside a large metal cage; the same that had encased dissidents of long ago. Rope was tied around her muzzle and hooves, rendering her incapable of much movement. Despite it all, Amber still wasn’t scared or meek. No…she looked angry.
“Ah, Sombra! So nice of you to join us!” Silas’s voice called out, said pony walking out from behind a pillar. “Well, lets not make do with any niceties. You have something I need. You let me…examine your connection to the demonic world, and I’ll let both you and your mare go free.” The five ponies around the strange runes let out a choked gasp- red crystals now protruding from their skulls, Sombra’s eyes aglow with power once again. At this, Silas only sighed, glancing over to watch the dead ponies start to glow, their energies being sucked into the runes. “Eh. Saved me the trouble of doing it. I suppose that’s a no then. I’ll just have to rip that connection out myself.” The elderly unicorn calmly stepped into the runic circle, tongues of red energy beginning to lash and lick across his frame.
Sombra could feel an alien force, a presence that was both familiar and terrifying start to permeate the room. The runes seemed almost familiar...
“You didn’t!” He called out, eyes wide in horror as the runes continued to glow with a malevolent ruby light. Silas only smiled. “Why of course I did! It’s not that difficult.” The unicorn crowed joyfully. “The difficult part of the spell wasn’t contacting your friend, it was making sure it couldn’t contact me, per say.”
Silas chuckled, the red runes beginning to bleed onto his body like some sort of disturbing magical tattoo. “Thankfully, I had nearly finished my work when you showed up, or rather, your work. This is all your doing after all. I’m just continuing it. All that power; and you never thought of shackling the demon to your will? ” The symbol-studded stallion snorted disdainfully “Pathetic.”
Clearly he didn’t understand that I wasn’t intentionally summoning anything. The stallion resisted the urge to roll his eyes, staying focused on the task at hoof. Sombra examined the room, looking for any possible ways to get Amber and get out; but of course, there wasn’t. One way in, one way out. True, he had a straight shot of escape, but there’s no way he could leave things unfinished here.
That, and there was an increasingly powerful unicorn between him and the pony he cared most about. “You can’t control it!” Sombra called out, edging to the side and trying to put Amber out of line of any strike. “I know! I tried! You can’t tame it! It will take over!” The runes on the floor faded, and Silas’s eyes were aglow with a familiar purple and green coloration, black flames licking from his eyelids.
“You lie. You already controlled it-all that power, enough to enslave a nation.” The pony growled, stepping out of the circle, symbol-covered coat beginning to flicker with matching black flames. The cavern shimmered slightly, and to Sombra’s horror, a different landscape appeared to mist in front of his vision; a realm of flames, darkness, and pain. “You are connecting the realms!? Why!?” The stallion roared, now cantering to the side, desperate to gain a clear line of fire. “It is necessary of course. Once I rip that connection from your body- and thank you for coming closer by the way, then I can bind this demon to my will. No fancy deals or such. Whatever you did at the stadium, I can use myself. But…enough of this silly talk.” Silas sighed with a toss of his head. The remnants of his robes fell to the floor, consumed by black flame. The unicorn’s horn lit; but the telekinetic grip was bounced away by Sombra’s shield, flickering into existence just in time.
“So stubborn. I really didn’t want to hurt either of you, but I suppose there’s only one way through your thick skull.” Silas sighed, walking calmly towards Amber. Strangely enough, the corrupted unicorn didn’t even try to block the shard of crystal that pierced his hide. The solid crystal withered away, leaving a gaping hole in the pony’s frame. Blinking, Silas chuckled as black webbing closed the gap with a sickening sucking noise. “Oh come now Sombra, you can’t kill me. I may not be connected with this demon yet, but this new realm alone holds enough power to keep me alive.” He huffed, casually ripping the cage that held Amber aside with a toss of his horn.
More crystals, more strikes- and each time Silas didn’t move as much as a muscle. Sombra was galloping now, crystal sword summoned and swinging down with a devastating strike- And it cleaved straight through the pony with only a slight pull to mark its passing. Now Silas turned to look at Sombra, flaming eyes narrowing slightly as he seized the stallion in a telekinetic grip of iron. “Ah. There we go. Now then. You’ve seen what I will do to achieve my goals. Do you really think I won’t kill your marefriend over here?” He asked, levitating Amber off the floor and aiming a jagged piece of metal at her throat.
“I have no more use of you after I take that connection. Last chance Sombra. I grow impatient. This will either be painless, or agonizing. Your choice.” The world flickered again, this time brining the burning demonic realm to full view. A few shadowy figures were visible; looking on eagerly as though awaiting a new arrival to their torment.
Sombra looked to Amber- who shook her head. She knew the stakes. A unicorn with this much power? Maybe Celestia and Luna could stop him. Cadance and Shining armor? Maybe… The stallion looked to Silas, and then the forms surrounding him, shadowy mouths agape with hundreds of sharp teeth. The connection; it didn’t allow him to shackle the demon. He had to fight for it, for the right to use the power to save others. Did motive even matter? Maybe Silas was expecting a fight…maybe he wasn’t. Perhaps it was an opening. Not like there was any other choice…
“Alright.” Sombra croaked, seeing Amber shake her head furiously at his voice. “Just, let her be. I’ll let you take what you want.” Silas’s head tilted, and he casually tossed Amber to the side of the cavern, the mare groaning as she slid against a stone pillar. “There. Safe and sound. But bruised I suppose.” Sombra took a deep breath, a strange lack of fear in his veins. “It’s a lot of power; it can be overwhelming. It flows so freely…you might be tempted to take it all. But it’s too much for one unicorn.” He explained, grasping at any straws that could throw the maniac off guard.
“Hmm. Interesting. I’ll keep that in mind. I doubt that’s the case though.” Silas chuckled, a few runes floating off his fur to levitate around Sombra. “Now then. This will take but a moment.” The cavern then vanished, and the two unicorns were forcefully pressed against the stone; or the small square in which they resided. Around them, red flames flickered, and shadowy demons growled and grew larger with every step. Sombra’s vision was filled with darkness below, and red flames all around. “Ah. Good. This is the next step. Silas muttered, a few more runes floating up and forming a strange cage of light around the nearest creature. A brief snap of white light left Sombra; either this connection or some sort of energy, and floated over to the cage as well. The demon let out a shriek- the others quickly retreating as red shadow began to bind the cage smaller and smaller. “Yes….YES!” The stallion cheered, watching as the demon was nearly contained within the magical container; but then it stopped. “You are different.” A voice rumbled, no doubt from the entity within Silas’s grasp, the unicorn frowning as more runes floated to try to continue the spell. “Odd. What sort of magic is this? No matter. I’ve foreseen all the outcomes! He hissed, horn alight with power as he applied more power to the binding spell.
It was then that Sombra saw it. In the shadowy outline of Silas was more akin to the demons own aura, whereas Sombra was surrounded by a strange white glow; set apart in their realm. He could only watch as the cage slammed shut, signaling the spells completion. As the world faded back to the cavern, Silas’s body was beginning to shake, runes floating off his fur as the unicorn chuckled. “At last….I did it. That demon…I brought it under my control, it will serve ME, it will-GAH!” He hissed, clutching at his glowing temples. “You are not so different from us, are you? Pathetic pony!” A deep voice echoed from Silas’s mouth, and Sombra couldn’t help but smile. “You want that power Silas? You have to fight for it. What do you fight for? Yourself?” He asked, standing on shaking limbs and standing to look at the unicorn.
Silas’s flaming eyes met his; and widened in brief horror before a demonic shadow began to seep from the pony’s body, the unicorn waging a mental war within his own mind. “I fight for my family; for those I care about. Who do you fight for? What do you fight for...that isn’t exactly what these demons already are?” Sombra asked, strength fading from his limbs as he looked at Silas.
“NO. I will not be some puppet!” Silas roared, the demon apparently fading for but a moment, the unicorn snarling as he brought the remnants of the metal cage soaring over; clattering against Sombra’s hastily-erected shield. It was clear Silas’s focus was divided, but Sombra wasn’t sure for how long.
“Was it worth it?” Sombra asked sadly, looking to Silas as the unicorn fought for control within his own mind. “Only one thing cancels out darkness Silas. What is it in your life that can do that?” Sombra’s telekinetic grip slowly bringing a forgotten device to bear. Realization set in as horror spread across Silas’s features at the stallion’s words, his body beginning to shake and shudder again under the mental strain. It quickly passed though, as he had enough control to laugh as Sombra aimed the strange metal weapon at him, and pulled the trigger. A red shield was raised, the unicorn having enough control to bat aside any attack.
The unicorn wasn’t laughing as the cavern echoed with a thunderous roar, his neck and head blown to pieces as shadow was sprayed across the air. “What-“ Any words were swallowed up in another roar, the weapon blowing circular holes in the unicorn’s body. Magic could always be countered….and Amber had shown him enough of this weapon for Sombra to understand how deadly it could be. It was one of the few things that could stop a unicorn. The metal itself was enchanted with counter spells. No magic could stop its path.
Standing over the now prone unicorn, Sombra looked on not with rage or anger, but sadness and regret. He expected to want to beat this pony to a pulp- he had stolen the one pony who believed in him…who he cared for. Murdered hundreds of innocents for power, and nearly caused the empire to be enslaved once again. And now, standing over him, Sombra could only pity Silas. The quivering shadowy mass before him was nothing but a disgusting remnant of his past ambitions and desires. He tried to think of something to say, but no words came. No heroic speech, only sadness of those who had died, and of what his mistakes had cost even beyond his demon’s death. “It’s over.” Silas’s body had regenerated enough to hiss hatefully at Sombra as the stallion pulled the trigger again, the point blank shot burning runes from the pony’s body and causing the connection to flicker and die.
The unicorn’s body began to bleed shadow, the flesh and blood beginning to disintegrate. The shadowy entity that escaped from within seemed to look at Sombra almost with respect, before fading from view.
The stallion collapsed, weapon falling to the floor with a dull thud, and the cavern now silent aside from the crackle of torches. Once again, the stalwart pony’s sides shuddered with sobs, tears coursing from his cheeks. There had been no final heroic battle- no bantering of words; just a final end to a crazed pony who sought power, just as he once had. The cavern was as cold as the snow he had knelt in those many weeks ago, begging for a swift death from the only ones who could deal justice for his crimes. As he had done so in the snow, his pained wails now begging whatever power there was for forgiveness. Again, his foolish endeavor for power had once again cost the lives of innocent ponies, nearly of those close to him. This time, a pair of warm hooves wrapped around his neck as another pony hugged him close. This time, he wasn’t alone as the world faded into darkness.
Chapter 20/Epilogue: All crystals find their home.
At first it was a dull awareness, noises that disturbed the darkness that clouded his mind. Faint voices that drifted through his consciousness on shadowy winds, almost recognizable. There was one voice that pierced the dull fog with a white beam of light, dragging him back every time he wanted to sink to the peaceful inky darkness. The voice spoke again, this time clearly telling him to rest, that he was ok. And so, he did.
His chest swelled suddenly, expanding in a deep breath as Sombra woke with a start. The familiar beeping of a heart monitor was hardly music to his ears-
But the sound of a mare breathing beside him, hoof wrapped around his, was the sweetest song he had ever heard.
So, it was your voice I heard…
Two beautiful orbs then opened, accompanying a yawn as the mare lifted her head from the small pillow placed on the bed next to him. At feeling a squeeze on her hoof, she looked up and met Sombra’s gaze; eyes promptly shimmering with tears.
“You’re back…..”
His only response was to pull her close into a tight hug as she sobbed into his shoulder. Even though smiling hurt- Sombra could hardly help himself.
“I left once. I’m never leaving again….I promise.”
Sombra stared at the gravestone in front of him, reading the name and inscription fully before sliding over a few feet, standing at attention all the while.
He then read the next inscription in a similar fashion.
And the next.
And the next.
The casualties of Silas’s uprising were not few in number, but not catastrophic either. They were however enough for a new, small plot of land on the cemetery. Sombra had made a point to read over each grave in respect. It would be easy to blame himself, but that feeling had come and gone many times.
He finally came to a small section of barren dirt, off to the side where some other simple graves stood; those of Silas and his minions. Left unremarkable so their acts could fade into time as a mere flare of unrest.
“Perhaps your path could have just as easily been mine….” The stallion rumbled, shaking his head sadly.
But, the paths were sealed, and nothing could change the past. Only to move forward. A month after the uprising of the demonic cult, the Crystal Empire was rebuilding. The physical scars were healing, and the mental ones were starting to begin that process.
It had taken Sombra a full week to be cleared for discharge from the hospital, mainly from magical energy depletion and various lacerations. But, after another week of exercise, he had been able to resume duties as a guard once again. He didn’t miss the whispers, the occasional glares, or even the cold shoulder that was turned his way. It was natural of course, to blame him. If only things were that simple though- blame on a singular pony. Even Silas had been corrupted by another magical entity…
That being said, the amount of ponies that seemed not only friendly, but grateful for him to be alive vastly outnumbered those who didn’t fully grasp what had happened. It was a very odd, but pleasant change to be randomly hugged by an elderly mare.
Apparently he had saved her grand-daughter from the stadium collapse, and that mare’s simple gesture had made Sombra’s day.
The stallion sighed, slowly looking over the cemetery one final time. He had read all the graves, paid his respects, and now at least felt some sense of fulfillment, paying tribute to those who died before their time. Or perhaps it was their moment- it was those conundrums that made him very grateful to not be omnipotent.
Sombra turned and walked back to the entrance, where a certain mare had been waiting for an hour or so.
“All done? Alright, we can make it home for lunch I think!” She called over as he got closer.
Yes, the past had been set, but as for paths of the future....his was looking brighter every day.
‘And so, as the stallion drew his final breath, I couldn’t help but look down at him with sadness. Not anger or rage, but at a sorrow of lost and misplaced potential…..’
“Yoooo hooooooo. It’s lunch time.” Amber called, poking her head into the study, seeing her favorite stallion scratching away with a quill and ink.
Trying to get Sombra to use a typewriter had been a disaster. Metal wasn’t even supposed to be flammable….
Hence the quill and ink.
The dark pony grinned, looking up at Amber briefly.
“One more minute and I’ll be down. I’m just about done….eh, I’ll finish it after lunch. We’re going to the park for a picnic still?”
The mare nodded, happily skipping down to the living room.
Sombra paused, looking at a partially-bound book on the desk. From a drawer, he withdrew a small crystal box, in which sat a very neat jeweled bracelet.
A picnic, yes, but the meal was the last thing on Sombra’s mind. Of course he had doubts, but…..
Over the seven months since the cult’s attack, those doubts had faded with every fun event, peaceful sunset, or simple meal he had spent with Amber. And now, he’d ‘hopefully’ make sure there’d be many more of those to come.
He sighed happily, looking once more to the book as he pocketed the engagement bracelet in a side satchel. The memoir, or historical biography, was almost done. And apparently ALL the princesses wanted a copy. So no pressure. At all.
Sombra looked at his polished guard armor, which hung in the corner, ready for use the next week; fresh chevrons on his shoulder as he had risen in rank. Between that and Amber…he had never felt more at home. Putting on his red scarf, Sombra smiled as a slight breeze caused it to flutter. He never should have given it to Amber on that fateful day. But now, it was always with him.
The tomb’s title words and description seemed to smile at Sombra as the stallion took his leave, leaving the door slightly ajar. ‘The historical and personal account of the crystal pony known as Sombra; his fall to darkness, and rise to the light.
