Beaten and torn to pieces, Sombra found himself in a black void after his attack on the Crystal Empire. There was no doubt that he was in the after life, but what he found was something more frightening than being trapped in Tartarous. He was alone. Well, almost so. In this strange realm all he could find was a unicorn and a chess board. He's nothing else to do, so why not play a few rounds of chess?

Dark Tag because it deals with Death
Cover Art done by the awesome SmilingM00N

With his dark past heavy on his mind, Sombra is put to the test as he begins a reformation process. Though his thoughts are clearer and no longer crowded with the influence of dark magic, his heart is none the lighter. Will Pinkie's motto of "Giggle at the Ghosties" be enough to turn a tyrant good? Or Will Sombra succumb to the power of dark magic once more? But more importantly, will the reason for his tyrannical rule finally come to light?

Inspired by a series of one shots and the very popular "Feeling Pinkie Mean", though with a more serious undertone.

Warning: comments section on the last chapter contain some spoilers.

If Twilight Sparkle had her way, she would never use the dark magic of King Sombra again.

Fate is not her friend. A new discovery in the Frozen Wastes outside the Crystal Empire has drawn her into a new adventure. When King Sombra returns to claim the throne of not just the Empire, but Equestria itself, Twilight is tested to her fullest.

Spike finds himself in the middle of a growth spurt. Rainbow Dash is missing. Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Fluttershy are being pursued by timberwolves. All across Equestria, Sombra’s influence is felt.

The solution to Twilight’s problem may be found in Equestria’s history, if that doesn't just open up a tide of new issues. Can even the Elements of Harmony stop Sombra this time?

Prequel/Side Story: Fathers

Now with a dramatic reading by AShadowOfCygnus!

Sombra.
The name that makes ponies everywhere tremble.
The name that is the definition of cruelty.
The name that strikes fear into the hearts of all that hear it.
And that's really all that anypony can say. Ponies everywhere wonder what really goes on inside the head of the legendary crystal tyrant. What dreams and thoughts of malice could possibly sustain such cruelty?

What actually goes on inside Sombra's head might surprise everypony...

A big thanks to the amazing Mickeymonster for letting me use the cover art. Check it out here!

Sombra never realized this would happen.
Usually a villain is suppose to be defeated, right?
So, why did he, well...win?
Even he was shocked to see the crystal heart in his hooves. Never in a thousand or so years did he think he would pull this off; that he would actually...win.
So, what will he do now? Just rule over everyone and enslave all of pony kind? Or Perhaps kill the princess and mind control that purple unicorn and her friends? Or maybe have some common sense and figure out just how he will deal with all of this in the long run? With all these questions, he knows one thing for sure.
This is going to be very awkward.

After Sombra became dark, all the crystal ponies rejoyced. Except one. Amber Leaf. The only pony who had ever loved him. She still loves Sombra even today. Amber would give her life just to see his face again. When Sombra gets that choice, will the two be reunited once more? And what happens when an old enemy comes back? With the hellp of some new and old friends, Sombra is about to find out.