A stallion ran through the forest feeling the heat licking his flank, making his skin blister. The village ponies had started chasing him with torches and pitchforks but running after him through a forest as thick as the Everfree; the trees and plants had instantly caught fire, spuring both groups from its path of destruction. They would not come after him now but that didn't mean he was safe. Running through the smoke singed his eyes and lungs. His eyes watered making his blind dash far more precarious. Every breath made his lungs feel akin to a kiln; but if he stopped running, spend a single thought on giving up he would surely fall and be devoured in a fiery blaze his body transforming into nothing more than smoldering ashes. The flames moved faster seeming as though it was aimed dragon fire. The flames greedily lapped at his flank; it scorched him and simultaneously made him want to simply give up and spurred him onward. Finally he came to a lake a way to escape the flames and cool his own body. The water rippled violently as ash coated it surface distorting the image of the inferno behind him.
The stallion coughed violently for a moment blood speckling the water's surface before he dunked his head beneath the murky blue liquid; underneath the surface a bubbly scream escaped his lips. The action rising before harmlessly popping on contact with the mossy surface. Hidden below the water laid a chilling sight, a titanic sea serpent whose mouth suggested it would fine swallowing him whole to be a simple feat. Bubbles rose from its nose, slowly rising before finally touching the surface. The stallion glanced at the side of the forest he'd come from, the sound of trees falling and charring branches filling his ears.
He continued into the dangerous waters cautiously; his legs moving through the water stirring it's surface. He was already nearing the other side when the bundle slide off his back. The stallion immediately threw his body into motion, turning around and diving for it. When all four hooves has put their stamp on the smooth mud he stared at the bundle at his side holding his breath; he prayed with all of his soul to the Goddesses. Please breathe please please please!
A wet cough escaped the now dripping bundle before it took a deep breath and began to cry. The stallion unwrapped it to reveal a peculiar foal. It's mane wavy and as black as a bottomless pit; eyes added to the bizarre appearance, smoldering grey eyes matching his gunmetal coat. The stallion hugged the colt letting his tears flow freely for seconds before continuing forward. "Just a little longer, squirt, we're almost there."
The stallion trotted at a slower pace now as his body was weak from sores and bruises. He tiptoed around minotars and wouldn't meet the eyes of a cockatrice. As his body grew weaker his destination grew closer till finally he collapsed by the gate. He prayed and pleaded that they would be found by a patrol of guards rather than awakening to a timberwolves teeth sliced through him as though his body were made from wet paper.
His wish was granted. When he next awoken his body laid in a small bed; his foal resting beside him. Outside doctors whispered about his grim prognoses. He didn't need to hear a doctor say it, he knew he was dying. He managed only one step on his wobbly hooves before his body collapsed in a heap, alerting the doctors. When they came in the stallion could only manage a single question "Please, I beg of you, take me to see the princesses."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Princess Luna there has been an emergency summoning for you in the throne room. A stallion has come with a dire request."
"This late in the evening?" how unusual she thought before nodding and walking to the court with the guard a hoofstep behind her. Although she felt her presence unneeded she went regardless; her sister harassed her every time she was even a minute late. As Luna wasn't allowed her own court it was strange for a pony to ask for one so late in the night. Perhaps it was a traveler who needed aid or some villager who was once again here to complain about the dangers her nights brought; Luna grumbled at the thought.
Her sisters flank was already perched upon her golden throne when she arrived; her own smaller silver one sat quietly waiting for her. "Luna, I realize this audience came as a surprise but we must always be ready to hear my little ponies troubles so we may help. It is our duty as gods, yet you continue to be late." Luna stifled her anger and bowed to her sister.
"I have failed you once again, sister, please forgive me." Luna's tone was even but her face reflected off the marble back to her own eyes. Her mouth was a deep frown while her eyes glared angrily. She fixed her expression before continuing to her seat. Finally the throne rooms door opened to display a dying stallion and a foal barely a day old.
He leaned heavily upon one of the guards while his other arms held the foal. The two were placed before them after which the guards returned to their posts by the door. The stallion attempted to bow before them but when his legs began to quiver he chose to kneel instead, his forehead pressed low to the ground. "I beseech you to bless my son so he may be whole. He has been tainted with dark magic by his mother who practiced black magic. He is but a foal who has done no wrong, please save him your highnesses. " Luna waited to see what her sister would do before giving a response of her own, no pony that had been tainted by black magic could be saved, few kept their minds fewer lived more than a few years depending on their use of the dark art. The most powerful dark mage had been killed long ago by the sun goddess and he had been forced to absorb the life force of many to keep his strength.
Celestia rose from her throne wrath visible on her face "You insult with your very presences. Your foal's mistake was having a witch for a mother, black magic is condemnable by death. The colt is unsaveable, his very soul tainted. Leave n-"
"Wait!" Celestia looked at Luna in confusion. "Sister, I agree with the stallion that a child is not guilty of their birthgiver's crimes. If I were to keep him I could train him to return to light rather than condemning him to damnation."
"Luna.. are you disagreeing with me?" Luna thought carefully over her words.
"Sister I promise to not let raising him affect my schedule and if I fail and he is taken over by the darkness running through his veins... I will end it myself." Celestia glared at her younger counterpart before looking away.
"Hmph. Fine but he is not too leave the moon wing of the castle." With that she returned to her seat while Luna left her own to receive the foal.
The stallion lifted the colt towards her. "His name is Sombra" When Sombra left his father's arm he began to whimper, a quiet sniffling before breaking out in tears. "Thank you, Princess Lun-" The stallion collapsed knowing his son would be saved filled him with relief he took one final breath, a smile on his lips, and closed his eyes.