//------------------------------//
// Preparations 
// Story: Son of Shadows 
// by Sir Shining Armor 
//------------------------------//

~Chapter 9: Preparations~
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~Shard~

When Amore made her declaration, Shining Armor chose this moment to have his voice heard. He looked down at Shard, a determined expression on his face.

"I know you're an extraordinary colt, Shard, but if you're the only one that can find this mirror, you won't be going alone." He put a hoof on Shard's shoulder. "You have the royal guard's full support."

"Thank you for that, Prince." Shard replied, not really knowing how to respond. His specialty was finding artifacts, not formality.

"And ours too, son." Father spoke up. "I know you'll make me proud. You always have."

Beside him, Mother nodded. "If it's really another Sombra we're facing, then he'll know what to expect."

"Indeed." Said Amore. "The other Sombra is as powerful as you were at your height. For that, I shall come too."

"And me!" Said Flurry. "You're my best friend, Shard. Best friends stay together through thick and thin."

Twilight beamed. "That's my niece." The other five of her friends all perked up in response.

"We're coming too!" Said Rainbow Dash, pumping her wings in response. "We'll kick this other Sombra's flank for sure!"

"Although I abhor violence," Rarity piped in, "-this brute cannot be allowed to have his way."

"We're with you, little Shard." Fluttershy said softly, trying to offer her best encouraging smile.

It made Shard feel a bit better to know he had so much help. He hadn't planned on going alone, but he also hadn't planned to lead an army. At least he could count on the help of his family, his best friend and her family too.

"What about you, Aunties?" Flurry looked at the royal sisters. "Will you come?"

Celestia and Luna exchanged glances. For a moment, they appeared deep in thought - then they nodded in unison. "Our place is with our fellow princesses." Said Celestia. "It was my fault that this other Sombra was corrupted. It's only right that we stop him."

The last one to speak was Cadance. "Somepony must remain behind to keep order here in the Crystal Empire." She declared. "Sunburst, Starlight and I will hold the city if this other Sombra should attempt an attack. The Crystal Heart must be protected."

"Agreed." Said Father. "That is what I would do, were our roles reversed. This other me knows that his greatest weakness is the Heart."

"But Sombra," said Flurry. "I spoke with this other you. He said he was not an Umbrum. How could the heart affect him?"

"The Heart does not just repel the Umbrum, child." Said Father. "It also acts as a sort of key. So long as it is in place, it keeps them imprisoned behind a secret door - found here, beneath this very city."

That was something that Shard did not know. The Heart kept Then it dawned on him. That door that he'd discovered in his first days of playing Archaeologist with Flurry - that must be where they were trapped!

"So, what do you think this other Sombra wants with you?" Asked Celestia. "Even though you are different than he, in both your pasts and your present selves - you are by the laws of the Universe - the same being. Still connected. Whatever happens to one of you will affect the other. Injuring him will result in you also being harmed."

Father nodded. "I know. I think he wants me because he knows that somehow, I was changed from an Umbrum into a normal pony. I believe he may desire to use me to find a way to reverse that effect. Or, perhaps - to change himself into a normal pony once again."

"But doing so would result in you turning once again." Celestia said quietly. "You would again be consumed by evil."

Father shook his head. "No. I don't believe that. Our worlds may be connected, but my choices are my own. Just as it was this other me's choice to take in that black magic."

"My Father is a good pony now, Princess." Shard said, deciding it was his turn to speak up. "I believe he'll stay good, no matter what this other him does."

Father beamed. "Thank you for that, Shard."

"I agree." Said Mother as she walked over and nuzzled Father's chest. "No matter what, you're still the stallion I love."

"Alright," Rainbow Dash said while making a gagging gesture. "If you two are done being all kissy-wissy, I think we've waited long enough! Let's go kick some evil flank!"

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~Shining Armor~

It took less than an hour before the Crystal Guards were ready. A battalion of his finest troops had assembled outside the palace. Hundreds of Unicorns and Earth Ponies - armored and wielding spears stood at attention, awaiting orders. As they weren't sure what kind of enemy they'd be fighting, he'd decided he would send a squadron of Pegasi on point to gather intel. It wouldn't do to be careless, like Rainbow Dash wanted and rush in, horns blazing and hooves kicking.

During their down time, Twili had approached him and asked if it was really necessary to bring the guard.

"We're going up against an enemy that can fight both royal sisters on equal terms." He had asserted. "Even with all of us going, I think it would do better if we had an army at our back. Besides, we've been training since the Changeling invasion. We're much better prepared this time."

In the aftermath of Chrysalis' overthrow at the Changeling Hive, Shining Armor had taken note of the lack of resistance the guard had put in - and comparing that to their performance in other such enemy attacks, it became clear the guard needed to rethink their method. To remedy that, he had instituted a new combat training course for all guards, both rookie and veteran. 

Sparring sessions for individual fighters and mixed unit tactics for larger forces became the norm, as did weapons training. It started off slow, as most recruits were used to lesser duties - tracking, hunting, guarding, etc. but their progress over the last few years had improved from dismal to outstanding - and now would be the perfect chance to put it into practice.

"Sergeant Fire!" Shining called as he removed his helmet. "Front and center!"

A moment later and a Pegasus guard named Rapid-Fire landed in front of him and saluted. Like his comrades, he wore gold armor with wing holes, but his coat was a bright sheen of blue crystal. When Shining Armor had ordered the guards to retrain, Rapid-Fire was the first one to volunteer - and he proved his mettle by emerging with top scores on all courses: Hoof-to-hoof combat, tactics, leadership, flight speed - and he made a rock-solid second-in-command.

"Sergeant Rapid-Fire; reporting for duty, sir." He said. His voice was a deep baritone - almost akin to grinding stones. 

"Is the home guard ready?"

He nodded. "Waiting at the city gates."

"Good." Shining replied. The home-guard were the main force he'd leave with Cadance to protect the Empire. "How long until the Peg-Squadron is ready?"

"Half our Pegasi are still coming in from the city. We have to arm them...-" He started to trail off with unnecessary details, but Shining put a stop to it by stomping his hoof.

"How long?" He asked again, this time more forcefully.

"Noon." Was the reply. Way too long. There was no way this operation could get underway without intel.

"Make it sooner."

"Yes, sir."

With that, he took off to carry out his orders - and Shining Armor looked out over his troops - and nodded his satisfaction. This was going to be the guard's first real test of combat. And he'd be going into it with the Element Bearers. He would make sure not to disappoint them.

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~Hope~

Like so many nights before Shard was born, Sombra spent much of the evening on the balcony - watching the guards. Unlike before though, they weren't going through routine drills. This time they were actually getting ready for battle. Also different was her husband's expression. Once, he looked sad - melancholy even - as if all the weight of the world was on his shoulders for his past deeds. Now, there wasn't a hint of sorrow on his face. Nor was there anger or fear. Just a calm, collected resignation that she knew meant he was troubled - but putting on the best face possible.

Not that, that wouldn't stop her from trying to comfort him.

She walked out onto the balcony - making sure to close the door before she clopped up beside him. He didn't look up. Not that she'd expected him to. When Sombra was focused, there was little could divert his attention. For a long moment, they just stood there, looking out over the courtyard. Even at night - the Crystal Empire was alive with activity and brilliant aglow with lights.

"Are you alright, dear?" She asked after what seemed an eternity.

"Yes, Hope." He said quietly. "It's just a little disturbing to know there is another you out there. That we're going to face off against another me."

"Yes, but it isn't you." She asserted. She closed her eyes and nuzzled him just beneath his muzzle. "Remember? I said you are the stallion I married. The stallion I love. I meant it too."

"I love you too." Sombra replied, putting his foreleg around her and pulling her into a tight embrace. Hot love burned in her as she brushed up against him, feeling the warmth of his body heat. For one long, wonderful moment he stood there - just holding her. Electricity seemed to rush through her system every time he did so, but tonight seemed especially charged - from the way she could feel his heart rate increase to the short, quick breaths he took.

"You know..." She looked up at him suggestively, fluttering her eyes in that way. "Shard and Flurry are asleep."

"Shard and Flurry?" He asked, blinking. "Together?"

"Yes." She replied, remembering how joyfully they had reunited at the Crystal Faire. "They were so excited to see each other again, Flurry had a sleepover in her room. Isn't that cute? But don't worry. They're both asleep in separate beds."

A slow grin appeared on Sombra's face. "Hope, do you know what that means?"

"Yes, I do." She replied, pleased that he was so quick to catch on.

"Our little boy has a crush!"

That momentarily took the fun out of the mood. Hope was about to open her mouth in protest before Sombra stopped her by putting his lips on hers. It took a minute, but she returned it - the warm feeling filling her body until it felt like it would burst, so much that it took her aback when he parted from her and looked straight into her eyes.

"And you know what else that means?" His grin widened.

"You don't need to ask." She replied, returning the smile.

And with that, husband and wife walked back into their room and locked the doors tight.