At first it was a dull awareness, noises that disturbed the darkness that clouded his mind. Faint voices that drifted through his consciousness on shadowy winds, almost recognizable. There was one voice that pierced the dull fog with a white beam of light, dragging him back every time he wanted to sink to the peaceful inky darkness. The voice spoke again, this time clearly telling him to rest, that he was ok.
And so, he did.
His chest swelled suddenly, expanding in a deep breath as Sombra woke with a start. The familiar beeping of a heart monitor was hardly music to his ears-
But the sound of a mare breathing beside him, hoof wrapped around his, was the sweetest song he had ever heard.
So, it was your voice I heard…
Two beautiful orbs then opened, accompanying a yawn as the mare lifted her head from the small pillow placed on the bed next to him. At feeling a squeeze on her hoof, she looked up and met Sombra’s gaze; eyes promptly shimmering with tears.
“You’re back…..”
His only response was to pull her close into a tight hug as she sobbed into his shoulder. Even though smiling hurt- Sombra could hardly help himself.
“I left once. I’m never leaving again….I promise.”
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Sombra stared at the gravestone in front of him, reading the name and inscription fully before sliding over a few feet, standing at attention all the while.
He then read the next inscription in a similar fashion.
And the next.
And the next.
The casualties of Silas’s uprising were not few in number, but not catastrophic either. They were however enough for a new, small plot of land on the cemetery. Sombra had made a point to read over each grave in respect. It would be easy to blame himself, but that feeling had come and gone many times.
He finally came to a small section of barren dirt, off to the side where some other simple graves stood; those of Silas and his minions. Left unremarkable so their acts could fade into time as a mere flare of unrest.
“Perhaps your path could have just as easily been mine….” The stallion rumbled, shaking his head sadly.
But, the paths were sealed, and nothing could change the past. Only to move forward. A month after the uprising of the demonic cult, the Crystal Empire was rebuilding. The physical scars were healing, and the mental ones were starting to begin that process.
It had taken Sombra a full week to be cleared for discharge from the hospital, mainly from magical energy depletion and various lacerations. But, after another week of exercise, he had been able to resume duties as a guard once again. He didn’t miss the whispers, the occasional glares, or even the cold shoulder that was turned his way. It was natural of course, to blame him. If only things were that simple though- blame on a singular pony. Even Silas had been corrupted by another magical entity…
That being said, the amount of ponies that seemed not only friendly, but grateful for him to be alive vastly outnumbered those who didn’t fully grasp what had happened. It was a very odd, but pleasant change to be randomly hugged by an elderly mare.
Apparently he had saved her grand-daughter from the stadium collapse, and that mare’s simple gesture had made Sombra’s day.
The stallion sighed, slowly looking over the cemetery one final time. He had read all the graves, paid his respects, and now at least felt some sense of fulfillment, paying tribute to those who died before their time. Or perhaps it was their moment- it was those conundrums that made him very grateful to not be omnipotent.
Sombra turned and walked back to the entrance, where a certain mare had been waiting for an hour or so.
“All done? Alright, we can make it home for lunch I think!” She called over as he got closer.
Yes, the past had been set, but as for paths of the future....his was looking brighter every day.
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Epilogue
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‘And so, as the stallion drew his final breath, I couldn’t help but look down at him with sadness. Not anger or rage, but at a sorrow of lost and misplaced potential…..’
“Yoooo hooooooo. It’s lunch time.” Amber called, poking her head into the study, seeing her favorite stallion scratching away with a quill and ink.
Trying to get Sombra to use a typewriter had been a disaster. Metal wasn’t even supposed to be flammable….
Hence the quill and ink.
The dark pony grinned, looking up at Amber briefly.
“One more minute and I’ll be down. I’m just about done….eh, I’ll finish it after lunch. We’re going to the park for a picnic still?”
The mare nodded, happily skipping down to the living room.
Sombra paused, looking at a partially-bound book on the desk. From a drawer, he withdrew a small crystal box, in which sat a very neat jeweled bracelet.
A picnic, yes, but the meal was the last thing on Sombra’s mind. Of course he had doubts, but…..
Over the seven months since the cult’s attack, those doubts had faded with every fun event, peaceful sunset, or simple meal he had spent with Amber. And now, he’d ‘hopefully’ make sure there’d be many more of those to come.
He sighed happily, looking once more to the book as he pocketed the engagement bracelet in a side satchel. The memoir, or historical biography, was almost done. And apparently ALL the princesses wanted a copy. So no pressure. At all.
Sombra looked at his polished guard armor, which hung in the corner, ready for use the next week; fresh chevrons on his shoulder as he had risen in rank. Between that and Amber…he had never felt more at home.
Putting on his red scarf, Sombra smiled as a slight breeze caused it to flutter. He never should have given it to Amber on that fateful day. But now, it was always with him.
The tomb’s title words and description seemed to smile at Sombra as the stallion took his leave, leaving the door slightly ajar.
‘The historical and personal account of the crystal pony known as Sombra; his fall to darkness, and rise to the light.
The Tale of One Shadow.’