King Sombra isn't totally destroyed by the Mane Six's blast in Canterlot, but he's banished back to the Frozen North and is severely weakened. Determined to take revenge, he's eventually imprisoned by Princess Celestia and has a choice to make: reform himself to use his magic for good, or be turned to stone.

Takes place during Season 9, just after Sombra's defeat. Also assumes you've seen Season 9 so beware of spoilers!

2/18/2023 - This made it to the featured box on the day it was posted I'm SHAKING??? I'm so grateful aaaaa

3/6/2023 - Featured again!!!

Two brothers, born within darkness. But as one lingers within the shores of the dark sea and mingles with the light, the other descends into its darkest depths.

But both are mere pieces to an even larger puzzle...

Cover sauce: https://www.deviantart.com/skyeypony/art/Run-935690201

Pipp is turned into a phone and decides this is an acceptable state of affairs, and an opportunity to earn more clout.

Zipp has objections.

(Written for Bean's Writing Group prompt 51 "Unexpected Transformation")

Somehow got to featured third and then second on 5/11/22! (Well sixth and then fifth with view mature on, but I keep that off so shh.)

Inspired by the fanart: Reform Therapy
By Doodle-Mark
A writing challenge by Tranquility Soul

Discord managed to persuade her friend to take up the challenge of trying to change four villains of their ways. Discord is here for protection and support, whilst Fluttershy tries to get every villain to settle. However, things can only be good up to a certain point with four villains in the room.

First time writing a one-off story like this. There's always room to jump up on improvement from there, but this is, for now, the best I can muster up with the amount of imagination and character knowledge I can put up with.

While experimenting with new spells, Princess Twilight and Starlight Glimmer died when a spell backfired with fatal results. Due to a screw-up in paperwork, the pair's spirits were called to Hell.

Unfortunately, it was beyond Devil's power to send Twilight and Starlight to their rightful place in Heaven. Until God could eventually get them, they had no choice but to suck it up and settle into their new home.

However, one of them got a little carried away with making the best of their situation...

King Sombra: a pony who was not a pony at all, but an Umbrum, that took control over the Crystal Empire in hatred—only to be banished as a shade under the ice by Celestia and Luna. He did put a curse on the Crystal Empire to ensure his return—but his plans were foiled once again, resulting in his first "death." Once more, he returned to plague Equestria, almost conquering it entirely—only to be stopped by Twilight Sparkle and her friends, and ultimately killed. Thus, his second "death."

That is what most know of Sombra. They view him as a monster of evil—but even monsters have regrets and memories of those they loved. Being held in an endless void gives one time to think about these things...

The awesome cover art is by Caeledonian on DeviantArt. I do not claim to own their artwork in any way. Source: https://www.deviantart.com/caeledonian/art/Somber-Sombra-401022852

Twilight Sparkle has been transformed into a broom! What's more, Celestia is missing! Whatever will Twibroom Sweeple do?

idunno.

sweep, maybe.

for some reason this is how I'm celebrating seven years on the site.

Millennia after being banished from the face of Equestria, King Sombra stirs restlessly in his lightless prison, held alive only by his dark magic and the desire to take vengeance against the Elements of Harmony. Especially the one who sent him there.

Harmony, however, is an inscrutable force. One willing to grant him a second chance in a world far different from the one he remembers.

For now though, he only needs to head towards the light.

Many thanks to Equimorto for spending almost two months on meticulously proofreading and critiquing this story.

While strolling the boundaries of the Crystal Empire on a snowy Hearth's Warming, young Princess Flurry Heart comes across a relic long thought lost. Touching it brings an encounter with a dark spirit from the past.

Now, here they are, face to face; two rulers of the Crystal Empire, one of the past, the other of the future.

Will the cold dead heart of the King of Shadows corrupt the Princess of Peace?

Or will a miracle come to pass on this most blessed of holidays?

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Written for Frazzle2Dazzle for Jinglemas 2021, whose request was "Sombra and Flurry Heart, with the hope of no romance between them." Merry Christmas, buddy. Hope this is in that wheelhouse.

Cover art borrowed from yumeyuuheii.

Twilight seeks out Sombra's horn after his defeat to study it but quickly finds herself studying with him once she finds the horn. Despite Sombra safely residing inside his own horn, Twilight learns that he is slowly dying.

How will Twilight behave once she learned of Sombra's fate?

The original cover art was done by a friend of mine, Ablaze Emblemier.

The redone cover art was drawn and colored by, Elu.

Thank you both Ablaze and Elu.

This story is a submission to the Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord writing contest.