Tsuki nodded at the elder before he turned back whence he came, only to find all the others of his kind staring at him with wide, uncertain eyes. "Hello?"
One of them, a doe, approached and sniffed at him a little before backing away.
Tsuki smiled a little. Near as he could tell, that was a step up from being bitten, clawed, or hissed at. "I will help." He spread his arms wide, rearing up on his powerful hind legs.
One of them came forward and matched his stance. Tsuki took a step forward and embraced his kin. The other seemed surprised at first, but slowly he returned that grip on Tsuki. With a silent thud, another joined, then another. Tsuki was soon buried in hugging kin, and he knew he was doing the right thing. His people needed help.
He gave a powerful leap, jumping free of the pile. "I'll be back!" He waved at them before hitting the ground and bounding off, eyes straight forward as he navigated the tunnels as quickly as he could, which was easy since he had no idea where he was going, so he just went as fast, forward, as he could.
The tunnels suddenly stopped and he came down from a bound just on the edge of a sharp cliff. Below him, he could see a little light in the form of a glowing horn. Luna. She was all shackled to the ground. Her wings were bound to her body with thick bands of metal.
Sombra was saying something to other tsukis before they bounded off to do whatever he had said.
It was time for Tsuki to act!
He wriggled his bottom a little as he eyed the deadly night king far below, then he jumped powerfully. Then the falling began. He was perhaps a bit higher up than he thought.
Sombra gave a little smile at his captive. "Why aren't you more happy? Don't you like the dark?"
Luna snorted at his words. "The dark is for sleeping, or painting with stars. These creatures, they don't seem fit for such living."
Sombra rolled his eyes at that. "As if you know. They serve qui--"
He was flattened before he could speak, Tsuki landing on top of him like a furry rocket. "Sorry!"
Sombra flared with purple energy, throwing Tsuki away about ten feet, but the rabbit twisted in midair and came down on his feet safely. "Sorry," he repeated. "Tsuki's fault."
Sombra squinted at Tsuki. "Are you? Ah, you are. Back? Have you come to challenge me then?"
Tsuki bobbed his head. "Tsuki bets you never win this challenge."
Sombra started. "I spoke in jest. Do you truly?" A low laugh escaped him. "What manner of challenge would you dare to issue?"
Tsuki rose up and spread his forelegs wide. "Tsuki bets you no stand Tsuki squeeze."
Sombra's eyes narrowed all the more. "Are you serious?"
Luna snorted. She remembered Tsuki's hugs. "Don't treat him lightly. He's good at what he does."
Sombra glanced to Luna and back to Tsuki. "You have earned Luna's respect? Hmm... Very well, I will show my superiority to you and her both." He stepped towards Tsuki. "Go on then, show me your grappling skills until I grow tired and dash you against the walls."
Tsuki wasn't sure what grappling was, but that was alright. Sombra had said yes and stepped closer, so he moved in the rest of the way and wrapped his arms around the dour pony. He did not crush Sombra. He squeezed gently, and began to nuzzle his neck.
"W-what are you doing?" demanded Sombra, growing rapidly flustered. If this was a means of combat, it seemed very peculiar indeed. "You won't best me that way!"
Tsuki stroked over Sombra's neck and tickled his ear like a fond pet. "Dark pony is sad pony. Tsuki knows dark pony can be good pony."
Sombra blinked dumbly before magic began to crackle around him. "I am not in need of your pity, creature!"
"No. Friend." Tsuki squeezed him tighter. "Tsuki will help. What Sombra want?"
"I want you to release me this instant if you wish to draw further breath."
"No. What Sombra want? What make Sombra happy. Happy happy."
"To rule Equestria and beyond!" stated the dark overlord with a triumphant tone.
"Then?"
He blinked. "What?"
"Dark pony master of all ponies. Then?"
Sombra scowled, a natural expression for him. "Is this a test? I would rule with an iron hoof."
"Then?"
Sombra slammed a hoof on the ground, dark magic swirling angrily. "Then I will be respected!"
"Tsuki respects you." He squeezed the irate tyrant gently. "Tsuki think Luna respect too if you are nice to her."
Luna raised a brow silently.
With a dark flare of power, Sombra sent Tsuki skidding away with a potent display of magic. "You are trying to confuse me! Or, perhaps, you are too simple to understand the complexities of the world."
Tsuki rolled back up onto his feet. "Try. Prove Tsuki wrong." He pointed at Luna. "Try."
Sombra raised a brow high, then turned to Luna. "Princess." He cleared his throat softly. "Your mane is flowing very nicely."
Luna blinked softly. "Thank... you?"
Sombra turned back to Tsuki. "There. Does she respect me now? I think not."
Luna caught where things were headed and gave a little smile. "I would respect you..."
"Except?" Sombra turned back to her, staring.
"As a pony of significant station, I feel you have not greeted me as a peer. We should be exchanging ideas and tea, not threats and insults."
Sombra froze. "W-what... I..." His magic dimmed with confusion. "A peer?"
Luna nodded. "You have a people, the rabbits. They clearly look up to you. You are their lord. As a princess, it is my duty to meet with fellow rulers, but this is hardly a fitting way to do so."
Sombra squirmed, thrown entirely off track. "But... I... Don't you want to destroy me?"
"Not if you are a good ruler and bring joy to your people, then we are equals, and you are deserving of respect and cooperation."
Tsuki clapped his large paws together. "Tsuki respect Sombra. Tsuki knows what kin need. Tsuki will share with Sombra."
Sombra took a defiant step forward. "Now you claim to take my domain from me?!"
Tsuki quickly shook his head. "Tsuki respect Sombra. Tsuki help..."
Luna provided the word, "King."
"Yes, help King Sombra be best king!" Tsuki hopped forward. "Make people happy. Make Sombra happy. Sombra good king, happy people."
Luna tapped the ground lightly. "It would fall on me to begin diplomatic relations, provided we can put... this unfortunate start behind us?"
Was it that easy? Was he being welcomed as a true peer? "Do you not wish revenge for past slights?"
Luna lifted her shoulders. "Relations between your country and the Crystal Empire will require serious efforts to mend, but if you are committed to your people, these political difficulties will be worked past, in time."
"Tsuki was wrong."
Sombra blinked, what? "How?"
Tsuki pointed at Sombra. "You won challenge. We can rematch later, alright?"
Sombra snorted, which turned into a soft little chuckle. Yes, he had... won. "You, Tsuki was it? You will pay for your failure!" Tsuki flinched at the words. "You will serve me, and we will see this nation be built so tall and powerful that the Crystal Empire will weep to know it has lost the chance to have me as their leader."
Luna doubted that, but had the sense to keep that to herself and just watch Tsuki grab Sombra in a fresh hug. She did give a little cough.
Sombra grunted. "Yes, yes." With a wave, the metal fell from her to the ground. "Welcome, Princess Luna. I, King Sombra, do welcome you, as a peer, to my kingdom."