How About Some Juggling? · 1:37am Mar 5th, 2015
Note here,
So since I seem to have the bad habit of thinking up more stories than I can write, I want to experiment a little. You see, back before I became a Sombra fic writer, I had a few other stories on the site. I've taken them down because of different reasons, however, I was surprisingly able to constantly update both of them. Sometimes even several times a week.
Now, I know that that might be because they were simpler stories with chapter updates between 2k-3k words, however, I cannot deny the fact I got stuff done. So here I am once more trying to test the waters.
I want to see if I can perhaps do the same now. Not only will it help me be more punctual in my writing, but it will help me kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. If I can work on two fics at once, I can go down my queue of fics quickly enough as to not drown in my own ideas. That also means that if I get writer's block for one fic, I can work on the other while I work my way through that rough patch.
Now that doesn't come without some risk. I could potentially take even longer to update and/or get overwhelmed. If that happens to be the case, I would of course bring the second fic to a hiatus and work solely on Sweetie's Shadow like did before. No harm no fowl, right?
Like I said, I'm just testing the waters to see how it works out. If it doesn't, I stop. If it does, better for everyone eh?
So now that I've gotten THAT out of the way, how about we get the the meat of this ordeal? Which fic am I going to start now? Below I'm going to give the title and a small synopsis of the fic and see which are the most popular among you all. Since there are so many of them, it would really help me out a lot if you all were to pick your top three. Then after a day or two, I'll put up another poll using the most popular and pick a winner from there.
Now without further ado,
Shadow's Enigma: Kindled Flame
This one has been a long one coming. My first ever Sombraverse and one I hold dear to my heart. It takes twenty years after the first one and entales the story of Sombra The Reformed as he strives to keep a steady, calm life in Equestria. He is the headmaster at Academia Noctis, the school for Dark Magic named after Luna whom helped him in overcoming a great foe when the Dark Magic Crisis began.
Dinky has moved up from student to teacher and is now Sombra's right hoof in just about everything. Though he doesn't like it, she often acts as his secretary and other things of the sort. Shade, Sombra's daughter is among those that attend his lectures. She is often a trouble maker and nothing else. Other times she proves ponies wrong with astute skill in the dark arts. Both traits she inherited from her parents.
Though his life goal of getting Noctis to a level of self support so he can retire into a quiet life is close, Sombra is cursed to have war follow him. War of the Dark Magical Kind. Good thing for Equestria war has been practically all of Sombra's life. He will likely make quick work of this battle. Hopefully, quick enough to keep his sanity, the war in his mind that never seems to end.
Sombra, The Reformed
Infamous Shadow
Discord won. The Elements of Harmony as corrupted. Equestria is in utter turmoil. The Royal Sisters are on the retreat but they alone cannot fight Discord without the Elements nor are they able to purify the bearers of said Elements. It is in this time of desperation that they turn to an old Enemy from the past, Sombra.
The Crystal Empire returned, making a hidden sanctuary for the Royal Sister but they know full well that with it comes the Tyrant King. They await patiently for him and ask the unthinkable from such a Tyrant. They request his aid. The unthinkable happens twice. He agrees. Celestia promises what he wants in return for bringing harmony back to Equestria and sure enough Sombra is out to take his prize by doing the only thing he knows how: fight.
Given the lifeless Elements of Harmony, he enbues them in his Death's Scythe so he may successfully purify the Bearers of the Corrupted Elements: Deceit, Despair, Greed, Betrayal, Cruelty, and Solidarity.
Along for the journey is Sunset Shimmer, Celestia's ex student who answered her call for help. She thought it an easy task but was quickly defeated when she confronted Twilight. Not willing to stand back, she will act as Sombra's guide through this twisted Equestria. Even finding some help along the way by an unexpected ally.
Sombra, The Infamous Scythe
Lord of Darkness
Sombra is alive but weak. Twilight found him. Anypony else would have called soldiers to quickly deal with such a powerful unicorn, yet she didn't. She saw sadness in Sombra's eyes. A sadness she could not look away from and against her better judgement she helped him recover. Through short visits, Twilight begins to understand what it was that happened a thousand years ago. A horrible tragedy that words could not describe.
It's to no avail. Everypony will see him and only see the dark magic he carries. As a last resort, she asks Sombra to teach her dark magic. Perhaps if she could prove to others that magic can be tamed, they would stop harassing him for his magic. However, she is opening Pandora's Box. Oblivious to what could happen if she proceeds with this plan. Darkness will rise and with it, an unspeakable evil from Sombra's past.
Sombra, The Lord of Darkness
Shadow of a Doubt
Applejack ventures into the Everfree when she feels an ominous presence coming from it. She knew something fowl was there, but she never thought it would be Sombra. Strangest part about it, he greeted her with a smile and quirky conversation. She was dumbfounded to say the least. Could this really be the Tyrant King from a few months ago? Not exactly knowing what to do, she brings him home to Ponyville where she wanted to discuss the matter with her friends.
After a short conversation, Applejack comes to the shocking realization that Sombra is unable to comprehend with is right and wrong. His mind simply cannot fathom the concept. Everything he had ever done, whether it be good or bad, had been just a reaction from Sombra. The mane six don't like the idea of him running around, especially since he could perform a heinous act without a second thought. Many different options were proposed but things settled on the idea that Applejack could act as Sombra's moral compass. Perhaps she could teach him right and wrong. Perhaps.
Sombra, The Promise Bound
Between the Lines
Princess Luna found Sombra. The oddity about it is that she found him in a dream. Every single night he would be there in the same room he created. Every moment of the day he would greet her the same way. Every single time she asked where he was, she would get the same response.
"I'm dead."
Over time Luna's visits progressed from aggressive interrogation to homey visits. She would come to him when she wanted somepony to talk to. He welcomed her simply because there really wasn't anything else for him. For all intents and purposes, he was dead, yet stuck here in this realm, unable to go to the after life.
Luna looked into the problem and was able to find but one clue. His severed horn. The only thing left after his invasion of the Crystal Empire. He seemed partially here in reality and partially there in death, yet not truly in either. Over time, Sombra was able to move freely back and forth between the two realms. A gift he accidentally used to speak to the dying soul of a thief. Through simple conversation, he managed to change the pony's thoughts and redeem their evil actions.
Luna saw it fit to help Sombra with his new abilities while keeping him a secret from every pony else. A secret difficult to keep when ponies who come back from death's grip had a vivid memory of him. His reputation precedes him and Sombra will quickly find out that now that he's 'dead', he is more vulnerable than ever.
Sombra, The Redeemer
Chains of Tartarus
Celestia recalls a strange presence while she was bound in Tartarus during Tirek's attack. Now that everything had calmed down, she ventures back in only to confirm her suspicions. Sombra quickly finds her and binds her in chains. He tells her of his new found power now that he rules this under realm.
Celestia was horrified to see her old foe again. What was worse, is that he had planned everything from the start. His own banishment, Twilight's victory over him, even Tirek's timed attack on Equestria. All so he could be King of Tartarus. He had won, he had her in chains and he could lure the others the exact same way. Yet he released her.
Now that Sombra had the position he wanted, he wanted to be known again. Be known to be King of the Underworld. But more so, to be in the public face as the Princesses are. He cared not whether he was a public enemy or an ally. He just wanted fame to go with his shinny new title. He left the choice to Celestia. She took the only choice she could.
Sombra, The King of Tartarus
Ancient Shadows
Sombra returned to his homeland after his defeat. He was once a renowned hero of his people, the strongest of them all. Some pitied him. Others still feared him. All of them pushed him away. It was no matter to him. He never really cared what other's thought of him. He would simply climb up the ranks again, yet something unexpected happened.
An ancient being of legend came upon his home. A titan of old with god-like power, he challenged Sombra's people for the well that granted them their powerful abilities. It was simple really, if they could best him in combat within a week, they could remain. If not, the god would take their well, destroying their him in the process.
Sombra was among the ones powerful enough to fight, yet since his defeat, he was lacking in confidence. He didn't want to take any chances now that his home was in trouble. He ventured to Equestria to ask the Mane Six for help. They were his only hope.
Sombra, The Guardian
Dark of Night
Fluttershy has been keeping a secret. Her vampire powers have sprung to life and she is ill fit to control them. Each morning she finds herself hanging from her ceiling by her tail. The binds she placed on herself broken by her vampire self. She is almost at a breaking point and about to finally asked her friends for help when she finds another one like her. Or rather, he found her.
Sombra has been looking for Fluttershy for quite some time. He had heard of another Vampire coming to Equestria and found it his duty to recruit her. What a delightful surprise it was to see one of the mares who tried to kill him was the one he was looking for. He teaches Fluttershy how to control her powers, no strings attached. His only goal is to show her the wonders of the night. Perhaps he could persuade her to stop looking for a 'cure'.
Sombra, The King of the Vampires
Beast Inside
By the strange hands of fate, Rarity finds herself staring Sombra eye to eye. His evil glare piercing into her very being. She had by pure coincidence found his hidden sanctuary where he was planning on living the rest of his days in solitude, yet he doesn't attack. She was able to escape only to return another day out of curiosity. Again he stares her down into a retreat. Never attacking her.
Over a series of visits, she was finally able to hold a conversation with him. She tries to become his friend, but is constantly pushed back by him. He never allows her near enough for her to even touch him. Anything remotely close to it and he will teleport her away in an instant. Rarity had never met a stallion to reject her so much and made it her goal to become his friend. Perhaps even a little more. Perhaps learning a terrible truth about him in the process.
Sombra, The Forsaken
Master Plan
Sombra is set on proving his strength. Proving his tactical prowess. He has placed all the pieces in place and began his take over. Equestria would be on its knees soon. And he began by fillynapping a single mare.
Being the weakest of strength, Fluttershy proved to be the easiest target. Sombra captured her and is now awaiting for the next piece to fall into place. It is while under his capture that Fluttershy finally gets a good look at Sombra. His past battles left him more than just scarred. Missing his left fore leg and horrible scarring in his let eye, Sombra is constantly using his magic to operate a make shift left he carved out of wood in the similar fashion a Timber Wolf would.
Her kind nature overpowers her fear and Fluttershy decides to help him while moving around. He accepts her aid and soon finds himself depending on her as he continues on his plans to conquer Equestria. She has few freedoms, but Fluttershy uses what she can to talk Sombra and find why he is performing such even acts. His response was illogical, but it made her understands him just a little. Perhaps she could find a way to change him before he wins. Perhaps him winning isn't as bad as others might think.
Sombra, The Conqueror
So yes, I HAVE added a few more to my list. Like I said, my head just does this stuff on its own. I can't help it. 
Let's see if I can successfully juggle two stories at once. Fingers crossed! Meanwhile, back to Sweetie's Shadow!
Dark of the Night seems interesting and is my favorite choice. However, you new ideas (Master Plan, Beast Inside, Ancient Shadows, and Chains of Tartarus) are also interesting. Does Sombra gets shipped with Dash on one of them?
2850032 Ancient Shadows ships SombraDash. I suppose I should specify
1.Chains of Tartarus
2.Infamous Shadow
3.Between the Lines
in that order.
Badass Chess-master Sombra is Best Sombra
do you realized what you've done! you released the most powerful storm know to any living being known to man, and its called
the shipping storm
dude, your fucked. (P.S. I'm expecting greatness from you!)
Celestia dam it!!! you have such good idea's but her are my top 5
1.Chains of Tartarus
2.Master Plan
3.Dark of Night
4.Shadow of a Doubt
5.Between the Lines
but i have an interesting Sombra story idea just an idea but i think you mite like it but only if you want?
1. Shadow of a Doubt
2. Ancient Shadows
3. Beast Inside
4. Shadows Enigma: Kindled Flame
5. Chains of Tartarus
In that order
I need some new Sombra ships. As much as I love SombraPie (is Shadow's Enigma: Kindled Flame gonna have SombraPie/be a sequel to the original Shadow's Enigma?), I'm excited to see some more Mane 6 X Sombra! I won't do any Fluttershy X Sombra though. I can't betray Fluttercord.
Damn it. I was hoping this would be easy but I'm going to have to do multiple coin tosses to see my choice because I love all the ideas. The choice is Chains of Tartarus.
2850267 It is a sequel to Shadow's Enigma.
I like the way Shadow of a Doubt and it's more than me just being bias toward my favorite pony. Just how would you have Equestria's most honest pony deal with what is essentially the king of deceit or was considered that. I imagine it will be like teaching a small child right from wrong with an adult's vocabulary. Pending that Kindled Flame, Lord of Darkness, then Between the Lines
1. Shadow's Enigma: Kindled Flame
2. Infamous Shadow
3. Dark of Night
I really want all of them.
But if I have to chose these three are stories I have waited for since you first announced them.
chains of Tartarus for the win, for obvious reasons. Wink*