//------------------------------// // Chapter 37: To the Mindscape and Back // Story: Favorable Alignment // by Ice Star //------------------------------// Shining Armor: I wasn't sure what conclusion I was supposed to come to about King Som- err, Sombra. Just Sombra. He wasn't somepony that was very easy to read and he didn't speak much. Nopony has a consistent opinion on him. Princess Celestia sees him as an enemy, and so does Twily. Cady sees him as a friend. Princess Luna... well, it was impossible to deny that she was into him. Even if it weren't for those two sharing a cabin it wouldn't take a Princess of Love to know that there was something going on between them. Princess Luna was something different entirely. I didn't know her very well. Nopony did. Well, nopony except Princess Celestia and even she confided in Cady and I a couple of times that Luna was... elusive. The few times I spoke to her before were always odd. She wasn't friendly or sociable, but she was never rude. She made no effort to go out of the way to converse with anypony unless she wanted to ask a question or get something across. I had never once seen her look happy... until I saw her smiling at Sombra, but I had never seen her saddened either. She was reserved - too reserved for me to like her much. However, once I caught her sparring with some kind of construct she created. I didn't get much of a look before she finished the job. I would not want to be on the end of any blade she wields - especially when I heard her say she had only been warming up. That... That had not been warming up! The only thing that made me uncomfortable around her was I didn't know how old she was. I know she's an ageless goddess... but she felt too ageless. Celestia always felt like a mother or an aunt... you ask anypony on the street of any Equestrian city and they'd look at you strange if you said otherwise. Even I had taken to calling her 'Aunt Celestia' on occasion. But Princess Luna? I know she's the younger sister... but how young is she? If she's an immortal goddess then how come she feels like my junior at times? Sombra wasn't just confusing or completely insane. He was also one of the most perplexing - if somewhat disturbing individuals - I knew. This was mostly because when he changed into a shadow he could walk through walls. Did I really need anything else to doubt his status as equine when he could do that? Cady said not to call him anything but a pony to his face but... ...When he casually walks through the walls of the gondola and looks like he owns the place and then acts like the only strange thing in this room is the fact that 'To Tartarus and Back' is playing from a portable phonograph that I had set up here. He quickly decides that I'm not worth acknowledging and his gaze travels to the instruments framing the frontmost windows of Pink Sunset. I hide a swallow and just focus on any telltale signs of aggression he might show - but all I catch is that he really looks as if he could care less about my existence. Oh, and he appears to be chewing gum. Alright then. "Can I help you with something?" Briefly, I catch his eyes flick to the phonograph before he lets his gaze rest on me. I can't quite make out any clear intent or expression beyond slight disdain. "What's that?" He nods once toward the phonograph and I release the my magic's hold on the ship's wheel. "A phonograph." You can leave now. "I know what a phonograph is. Do you think I'm stupid?" I think you hurt my sister. "No. What is it you want?" Please leave. "What's the noise coming from it?" "Huh? Have you never heard music before?" "Once or twice? It was always fleeting." He shrugs and grinds the gum between his teeth in thought. "I've never heard music like that." "Really? You honestly seem like the sort who would like power metal." "What metal?" Sombra looks around for something that isn't there. I know it would be rude, so I restrain from laughing at his lack of knowledge on something so basic. "It's the name of the type of music you hear. I'm still surprised that you of all ponies wouldn't be into this after spending a few years here." "Excuse me for not considering the music of the future the most important thing to look into." "Ah. Gotcha. So was that what you were here for? To ask about music?" "Oooh, in a defensive mood are we? No, I didn't come to ask about your music; I'm here because I'd actually like to listen to it and so I can figure out how to fly-" "Stop right there. You're like one thousand years old and a convicted felon-" "Actually, I'm only a partially convicted felon." "That's pretty much the same thing. You're a nutcase older than all of my grandparents combined-" "Has anypony ever told you not to so flippantly discuss the ages of others?" "Does it really matter if you're... well, in the condition that you are?" "And that condition is 'absolutely stunning', I presume? Why, thank you!" "But-" Sombra doesn't even bother to disguise his amusement. "But I certainly look good for my age? Believe me, I'm very aware of this, though the compliment is certainly appreciated. Anything else you'd like to add?" "You-" "Are truly striking? I know, I know.You really are quite the flatterer aren't you?" Is this supposed to be malicious? "Are you really that full of yourself?" He snorts as if my question were as silly as something a young foal might ask an archmage. "Hardly, I have far more pride than that. What's it to you?" That's it, this guy's going to get Cady and I killed. "It isn't anything to me, but do you really think that I'll be letting you fly this ship?" "Of course I don't expect you to let me - not without any persuasion. Though, if you really insist on me not flying, then we can do that." Okay, how to entertain a demon. Well... maybe if I just give him something shiny he'll be distracted. I pluck a glittering trinket - some light catching crystal - and toss it to Sombra, who catches it quickly in his magic. I do notice that his aim was a bit off. Perhaps he had suffered an eye injury some time ago, I wasn't sure. Sombra looks at the trinket and says nothing but decides that sitting in the middle of the floor can't be a bad idea and does so, batting the crystal - which was probably somepony's good luck charm - with a forehoof. I returned to the wheel and tried to focus on two things: flying Pink Sunset and keeping track of Sombra. He wasn't somepony I could trust, so keeping an eye on him was a necessity. He was surprisingly quiet for such an arrogant loudmouth. I let my curiosity get the better of me, and turned around to see what he was doing and found Sombra reading a book. He didn't exactly look calm or peaceful - just aloof - but I think he was enjoying what he was reading. Do demons ever read anything interesting? "So... you like to read?" He nods. That's it. He just nods. No eye contact or anything. "What do you like to read?" "Almost anything." "Alrighty." "You're a poor conversationalist," he observes dryly, still never taking his eyes off the page. I don't like his eyes very much - it seems like all he does is stare at things in disapproval with those freaky red eyes of his. Absolutely no pony has red eyes. Nopony has a curved horn like his either but when he looks at somepony it's instant discomfort, so avoiding his gaze is usually the only safe option. I wish he could be disguised more often, if only so I could get a break from those eyes. Sombra wordlessly flips a page and I return to looking out Pink Sunset's windows and the sea of clouds rolling by. "So, Sombra..." "What is it?" he snaps. "What in Tartarus was that for? You didn't even let me finish." Behind me I hear a scoffing noise and another page turning. "You're incredibly rude, you know." "Does stupidity run in your family?" "See, this is exactly what I mean. How are you ever going to have any friends or fit in with anypony if you just insult them? What exactly do you aim to accomplish by acting like this?" "Are you truly curious to why I behave the way I do?" "Not really. I just can't see how you think this is ever going to get you anywhere." "If you aren't curious, you'll learn nothing." I frown and try to concentrate on the sound of power metal. It had been three songs since Sombra entered the wheelhouse and I was no closer to learning any weaknesses or anything about him. "Do you really think that you're right?" In the window, Sombra's reflection only looks humored. "Do you?" Gods, he's so self-absorbed... "Does anypony even like you?" "Pink One and Luna." "Her name is Cadance." "That's nice." Why didn't Cady ever mention him taunting her like that? I think she might have mentioned an affectionate nickname that he gave her, but I can imagine this guy showing anypony any affection beyond not insulting them. How charming. "Have you ever been nice to anypony?" He shrugs and I can't say I'm surprised by the response. Does he think he's too good for a proper response? "What do you do then?" "What do you mean? Are you asking what my hobbies are?" "No, I want to know what you do to contribute to society." "That's easy: I don't. Now what else do you plan to interrogate me about? Do you need to see my identification and inquire to where my mother lives?" "I thought you didn't have a mother." "I don't." Well... maybe that's why he's like this. With nopony to take care of them - even if they were a demon who's unlikely to have ever known foalhood - anypony... or anydemon, I guess... is bound to end up incredibly screwed up. Though, I guess he could have always ended up worse than what he is. "Umm... okay. Gotcha." "Are you always this awkward in conversation?" "I don't normally half to hold back calling the other party a ruthless and cold-blooded bastard, so no." "Well, I am a bastard, which makes one out of three, at the very least. Care to try again? I'm sure you can come up with another round. 'Ruthless' is certainly something I am too, but I'll give you another chance." A bastard, huh? "I thought you didn't have any family." "I don't." "So then how can you be a bastard?" I hold back a smile and keep my magic steady. Surely, I've got him now. "That's exactly why I'm a bastard. I lack any family - specifically parents. As I remember that is the only qualification: to have no parents, be disinherited by one's parents, or some similar thing." "But-" "Shut up, I'm the one true bastard and you know it." "How can you be proud of not having any family?" "How can you be proud of having one?" Gritting my teeth, I decide to return to focusing on anything but Sombra. Everything about this guy is bad news. He's aggressive, has no qualms about saying anything, is just downright bizarre, violent, and doesn't act like anypony else... I honestly think he might be up to something; he's far too selfish not to be planning something. Did Princess Luna promise to pay him something? Was he offered some kind of treasure? I really don't know. Cady said he was a jerk, but also more than that. She said he had been through some things and wasn't as guilty as history would suggest. Even though she told me that somepony had used him and wronged him before, I can't see anything beyond some monster who hurt my sister and shouldn't be regarded with anything other than the weight of the horrible reputation surrounding him. Is he supposed to be any help at all, because I can't see him doing anything beyond refusing to listen to any kind of established rules. He barely makes any effort to talk to anypony other than Princess Luna, so I can't describe him as anything other than rude and reclusive. Or maybe he just feels entitled - if he was as young as Cady said he was when he took power he probably developed some kind of royal brat attitude... even if he doesn't look like he even wants to be considered royal. "You honestly struck me as a more talkative sort," Sombra says from his place on the floor. "How'd you figure that?" "I copied a good deal of your sister's memories." I wanted to scream at him and ask him what he thinks allows him to do these things to others. Gods, I bet he enjoys what he does too. What does he see when he hurts ponies? How could he look at Twily and ever want to hurt her if he wasn't as heartless as I see him to be? "Do you have any second thoughts about what you say?" "If you're suggesting I speak without thinking, then you're mistaken." "You have a witty retort for everything, don't you?" I wish he'd shut his smart mouth... "Don't I have to at least try for it to be considered truly witty?" He goes against everything I believe in. He hurt my family, my subjects... and I think I've tolerated him long enough. My horn glows with the magenta aura my sister and I share and I whirl around, a single intent on my mind and a stun spell on my horn. Sombra's eyes meet mine for a split-second and I swear that I see his irises shine with the same light as his horn- ... I did not wake up in Pink Sunset's wheelhouse or any other part of the airship. Around me, all I could see was a ring of color, like that of a target. I drew a deep breath and tried to look around more, having to rise slowly to keep steady and push all shock back while I looked around me. I was standing on what certainly looked like the surface of an endless target stretching as far as my eyes could see... Swallowing, I pushed aside what little nervousness I still had and kept my eyes on the horizon. My ears pricked to catch what sounded like the last refrain the song in the wheelhouse- What should I do next? I'd always been the kind of pony who makes a plan and then goes with the flow of where my objectives take me, doing everything point by point in order to build a bigger picture. Unlike Twily, I didn't fret over every minor things. Small details added up to a larger picture - a final goal - but it took many milestones to get there. But here, I couldn't see any plans to form or anypony to count on for help. There was nothing but dark blue beneath my hooves and black behind me. At least I still have my armor. ...Except I don't think it's going to be much use here, wherever this is. I look around again, peering past non-existent obstructions. If this was anything like a target, then there would be a center. Perhaps this place was some sort of riddle - one with something waiting for me at the center. I closed my eyes in order to meditate on what to do. There wasn't anything to guide me in the proper direction other than these bands of color - which were incredibly wide and hard to follow, so there was a strong possibility I could end up lost. No matter what I did, I felt no winds or heard any other sounds. This strange place was barren of any landmarks, and I found this frustrating. One of the first things drilled into every new recruit's head is that if you're in unfamiliar territory, always try to find a landmark to guide you... but there weren't any here! Back when I was only given minor missions on the neighboring mountains around Mt. Canterhorn - the ones without private estates or airship docks - for scouting practice I always had a knife with me - it was standard equipment for anypony starting in the Guard, after all - to mark things with in case I got lost. It paid off too, since I often had to go back to find others who had gotten lost. Suddenly, I hear a whooshing noise and feel air brush by me, carrying something that gets stuck in the ground - I feel it land somewhere in front of me and open my eyes to find a knife. It's not just any knife either. I'm looking at my old knife - minus the sheath, of course - from when I was a private. The silver blade was there, as shiny as it was when I first was given it and my initials - S.A. - were chipped into the gold hilt by none other than me. Attached to the hilt was the lanyard in pink and blue that Cady made me... the same one she was so upset I lost ages ago... which led her to show me how good she was at the magic Princess Celestia taught her by chucking the thing off Canterhorn Mountain and not getting pecans on the ice cream she bought me to make up for the 'accident', insisting I was just a vanilla and rainbow sprinkles guy. With the exception of anything Sombra has said to me, that was the biggest insult I had ever received. Even if somepony were around, I still wouldn't know what to say, so I just laughed lowly. Nervously. I couldn't have imagined it better if I were in my own mind. Whatever peace of mind this familiar sight brought vanished when my horn wouldn't light in order to pick up my knife. I blinked, slowly trying to take this all in and calm down so I could think clearly. Panicking wouldn't help me right now - I shouldn't even be thinking about it this early on, but perhaps being here was getting to me. My horn wouldn't light the second time I tried. There may not have been anypony to hide my worry from, but I still wouldn't let it show, even in this empty space. I tried a third time, but still felt next to nothing... my magic died before I even mustered it, my horn felt unused each time. If I hadn't been the one trying to use magic, then I would have sworn I was standing still... Before I could consider a fourth try, I gave up on trying to spark any magic and just reached out with my forehoof to remove it from where it was embedded in the ground when another hoof smacks mine away. "You are not cool enough to touch things." ... "You mean to tell me that I'm in my own mind?" I asked incredulously. "I've only told you seven times, so you can tell I must not be very serious about what I say." Sombra's tone was as dry as a desert and he didn't even bother to look at me when he spoke, instead twirling the knife in his magic, eyes never leaving the blade. "Who's flying the ship?" "Nopony." Gods, I wanted to shake him and get something other than these blunt responses, but of course I just watched him. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?" "Do you really think that I'm unaware of that and wouldn't have done something-" "What did you do?!" I moved so I was standing directly in front of him, blocking any way forward he had. I doubt I could succeed in intimidating him, but I could try. He looked at me like I were a cockroach or some other thing he found despicable. "Don't ever interrupt me again," he growled. That growl was proof that he was violent - that there was something that kept him from being a pony and a wholly unsettling aspect of his nature was ready to emerge at a moment's notice. My instinct to shy away got the better of me, and I backed off. It proved to be the smart thing to do - his hostility lessened, even if I would have wished for it to vanish entirely this was still better than earning his anger. "...Why is it that you can still use magic in here and I can't?" Sombra blinks tiredly, like somepony who has spent too much time trying to explain simple concepts to foals they had no patience for. "You are using magic, how is it you think that this place exists? Well, that's not how I'd correctly explain it, but you aren't worth the time for a correct explanation so that will have to do. I can use magic because I'm the one who brought you here, idiot." He's certainly not to be trifled with. There's no way I'm going to risk angering him with so many things that could possibly go wrong. "Is there any good reason you brought me here?" "Have you forgotten how you tried to attack me?" Sombra stops twirling the knife - which I can now guess to be something my mind conjured - and stares at me meaningfully and making sure to chew his gum in the most judgemental way possible. If he was aiming for making me uncomfortable, he certainly succeeded. "So... what kind of gum is that?" His expression remains the same and when he speaks again it is with an obvious monotone as if his expression couldn't clue me in to his boredom. "Spearmint." "Ah." Demons chewing gum. Makes sense. Yup. "You are going to let me out of here, aren't you?" "I assure you that it was my plan all along to remain in here for all eternity with you, bored within your mind," Sombra deadpans. After saying this, he finally tosses the knife aside and I turn my head, watching the familiar memento soar and eventually skid across the surface of the surreal landscape. In the polished surface, I caught the glimpse of images of things that had been - afternoons spent reading with my sister, a date with Cady from years ago... "Was this just a precaution of yours to show off your power?" Sombra smiled a small smile, and a cold one at that. It vanished almost as soon as it appeared. "Not in the slightest, but it was one of the first things I thought to do. I'm still getting used to this ability after all." "Can't I leave?" "Not unless I let you." "Well then, will you please let me?" "You aren't even going to bother to make any attempt to overpower me?" "With what?" "Did I ever say you couldn't use magic?" Was that important? My forehooves shift with anticipation of being in Pink Sunset's wheelhouse again. "You... implied it, I think?" "Not at all, your magic isn't just going to take the same form it would elsewhere." "How do you know this?" I question, trying to conceal some of my suspicion. He is still a demon and somepony who I can't place much trust in. "I can feel it. Literally." What, can this guy sense magic or something? "But you will let me out of here, won't you?" "Of course. Do you think I'd want to stay in a place this dull forever? It truly does reflect you, if I must say so myself. And it isn't unexpected that you wouldn't want to learn something new." "Why is that?" "The lack of a thirst for knowledge runs in your family," Sombra says smugly, the next smile he flashes me, baring fangs that he must have been hiding all this time. I shudder and pull away, unable to think of anything but the wolf-like grin he wears and the insult that came before it. However, I don't have to look at him - or my own mind - for much longer because his horn lights up with crimson aura and everything begins to fade away... ... Right in front of me is the wheel of Pink Sunset. While it may be a cliché statement, everything looked exactly as we had left it - only the soft background noise of metal betrayed any change - the song currently playing was a few lines ahead from where I remembered it being. The sun had not moved in the sky and even the clouds looked the same, even though I'm certain at least a few minutes should have elapsed... ...And Sombra was right next to the wheel, smugly chewing his gum and looking down at me. Literally; he was the taller between us. "Can I help you with anything?" "Yes," Sombra replies, as smug as ever as he flashes me that wolf-smile again. "And?" His gaze shifts to the wheel before returning to me. "You want to fly the ship?" If he notices the uncharacteristic deadpan in my voice he doesn't say anything. "Absolutely." "Even though you're technically a terrorist?" "Absolutely! Did you want me to add that I became involved with a 'business' family to your list?" "...You're involved with the Mafia?!" "Business," he corrects smoothly, "and I'm only a part timer." "What's that supposed to mean?" "I get an undeserved amount of respect and more flexible hours despite there being ponies with more seniority than me. That's about it. I don't really get paid or anything. At least, not in the traditional sense." "What kind of mercenary doesn't like money?" "Money isn't exactly very useful to me," he says with a shrug, "and it's flattering that you are aware of my profession, even if it is mostly a summer job - and one I happened to skip this year. When I wanted payment, I admit my request was a bit odd but was granted without much trouble." Do I want to know what he asked for? Did he order the death of somepony or- My mind goes blank as I hold back a swallow and reach into the folds of his cloak with a quick flicker of magic and withdraw a small piece of what looks to be plastic, which he thrusts under my muzzle and I realize- -it's a library card for Canterlot's public library, registered in his name. His actual name. "I've always wanted one of these," he gushes, "As soon as I learned what they were, I knew I had to have one - and it even has my name and a rather dashing photographic portrait of me on it!" "Y-You could have had gold, rare weapons, contraband, or some immense wealth-" "There's no greater wealth than knowledge," Sombra scoffs. "-and you somehow got a library card in your name instead?" "It's not like I have any late fees or anything. What kind of monster do you think I am? Sure, it took a couple dozen death threats and a decent amount of bribes for this me to receive this and have it created under my own name but librarians - true, admirable librarians - are an organization all their own and let me have one once they learned I loved books and wouldn't do a thing to destroy them." "I-I..." Dear gods, he almost sounds like Twilight... maybe that's why the didn't get along - part of them both knew they were alike... almost alike, at least. I don't think Twily could ever end up anything like Sombra. "So captain, is this lovely identification of mine proof that I can fly this airship?" He's trying to convince me to let him fly an airship... by showing me his library card... "Well?" Sombra asks, looking expectant, mischief flashing in his eyes when he sees my reaction. What even... He twirls the library card and catches it in his magic without looking anywhere else, so I get a full view of his smug expression. "You know, I think you might amuse me after all. So how about it, then? Will you let me fly this ship?" My forehoof meets my face and I mutter a few words to whichever goddess or god cares to listen, only giving Sombra an answer when I'm halfway to the wheelhouse's door: "Knock yourself out."