//------------------------------//
// Prologue: Sombra's Return, to Reform or not to Reform? 
// Story: Sombra's Heart: Kindness Reveals a True King 
// by LunaAdmirer25 
//------------------------------//

"I cannot just sit by and be looked down upon anymore… The power I wield, it is stronger than hers, and yet she berates me, tells me to slow down, to let my power stagnate! I cannot allow this anymore!"

“She isn’t holding you back, she’s trying to teach you! She wants you to rule with grace and kindness! She wants you to be a king, not a tyrant!”

"TYRANT!? Like that Draconequus of Chaos, the one who forced us into this world!? The one who forced this upon us, the one who changed us, took us from our REAL parents!? How about our so-called ‘Mother'?! She would rather keep us here when I learned there were ways to go back! We could have been with those who gave birth to us! The ones who are our actual parents! Luna is nothing more than another being of power and control keeping us from our potential!"

“She is our mother now! Were it not for her, we would have been slaves to that disgusting creature of chaos! We’d have known only pain! We are free to choose our fate, but we cannot just take others and force them against their wills! That is just as evil, and that is why she is so strict with you!”

"... No. We're not free. Freedom has to be taken if you wish to do something others do not agree with. You must take what you want, that is freedom. I am free… I have given myself to the Shadow, and I have been given my freedom. No more will I stand by and watch the world grow soft and colorful. Now… Now I take my rightful place. Now, I become KING! And any who DARE to stop me will find themselves beaten and broken! Goodbye, ‘brother'. Maybe one day you will join me."

XxX Everfree Forest XxX

With a groggy growl of frustration, a dark figure rose from the soaking ground. Cloaked in a gray hood and cape, steel covered hooves walked, unphased by the rained-in cave. "Shadow… Such a bleeding heart. Just like her son…"

Coming through the clearing, covered in dirt and grime, from rain and mud and decayed foliage, the figure found Ponyville. As they walked into town, the ponies around were revolted by the smell and scared by the grimace on their face. It didn't take long before they found what they were looking for. The Castle of Friendship. "Foolish of them… No security, no battalions, not like her brother. Without that small pathetic dragon, she would have perished under my magic."

Just as they were about to find a way inside without being noticed… They were noticed. “I heard you perished… Brother…”

Turning, the menacing stallion covered in grime and cloak snarled. "We are not brothers… We never were. I made that clear, did I not?"

Shadow Step was under an umbrella with saddle bags carrying food. "You did… But whether or not we were related didn't matter to me. You protected me, you helped me when I struggled, like a brother would. Yet you did such horrible things when you found out the truth, and something deep down corrupted you. But now it's gone, isn't it? Please… Sombra… I know that there is good in you. There has to be if you survived the devastating magic of the Crystal Heart tearing you from the darkness."

Shaking, growling heavier and louder with every breath, Sombra turned slowly on shaky legs. Eyes glowing, horn sparking, he spoke evenly, albeit a bit hoarsely. “Tore me from darkness?... Tore me?... It broke me completely! I am nothing but a weak and brittle shell!”

As Sombra cast off his hood, Shadow gasped as Sombra was truly in pain. Before him stood a unicorn with no horn, half his face burned, his front right leg twisted horribly, the back right leg limp as if the bone was no longer there, and several scars all along his body.

Horn sparking horrifyingly, Sombra shook with rage. "When they reclaimed that forsaken heart when their magic, it broke away everything I made myself to be, it took from me everything! My powers, my strength! It burned me, cut me to the bone, broke dozens along the way! It was only dumb luck that, though ‘shattered’ from that light, I was still whole! My body, as broken as you see now, fell in the snowy tundras of the Empire, and I forced myself to run away! I hid for years! Waiting, watching, trying to find a way back to that mirror! Only to watch it travel here of all places! I went through dragons, timberwolves, changelings! I fought my way through adversity, for one more chance to claim my future!"

The screaming had brought more attention, the castle door opened to Twilight, Starlight Glimmer, Spike, and even Rarity who was visiting for the night to help decorate the castle for a special occasion. They looked to see Sombra and Shadow staring each other down.

Turning his head to glance at the ones who took from him his kingdom, he growled. “A future that was taken from me… By them!”

Shadow stepped towards Sombra. "A future you let yourself destroy. If you'd have been kinder, if you'd have been patient, maybe one day you'd have opened that mirror. But you let your greed and power corrupt you into a terrible being. One who would hurt the very people that cared for him… you helped me when we were young, yet you tortured me when all I wanted to do was talk."

Growling, Sombra’s horn started to spark. “You were the key… I saw it, you could open the portal! You were there! I had to MAKE you open it!”

Shaking his head, Shadow stepped closer. "You were wrong. The mirror was lost to us thanks to Discord, he hid it within the empire, where you enslaved the crystal ponies to dig it up for you, that is why Mother could not bring us back to the human world. It's power, the portal, would only open once a month. You only had it for a few days, if you were patient you'd have seen it open yourself, without me."

"NO! I SAW IT! You were there, in the mirror! You were changed, you and I stood there, in our true forms! I saw myself, sitting upon a throne of shining crystals, such as the ones from that wretched empire! Jewels of power I used to conquer everything!" His horn sparking further, the former king was growing angrier as he spoke. "That is why I beat you against it, forcing you to the mirror, to open it! Nothing worked, not even my most powerful magic! It had to open!"

"And it did when we returned from our thousand year trip through time. It opened and I slipped inside, and found myself with no memory in a world I didn't know." Shadow stepped even closer, which prompted Twilight to get ready to fly, but she saw him glance her way, telling her to stay put.

"Then it worked like I thought it would! You could open it! If only you had not escaped… How did you escape my observatory, how did you get away? HOW DID YOU OPEN THE PORTAL!?" The rain lit up as the ambient magic Sombra's horn was sparking with was causing a storm to brew.

Shadow stepped close enough to touch Sombra, who stood his ground even if it was technically against his ability to move away due to his injuries. "It opened on its own like I said. The time jump separated the magic the portal needed from it, but once we returned the magic opened it for a brief time. How I escaped? I used my own magic to break free of my bonds, though I was still tied to the mirror. I took it from the floor and carried it to the edge of the empire, and when you engulfed us, it engulfed me, but only half the mirror. The other half stood just outside the range of your influence."

Sombra growled loudly, his eyes slitting. "Fine, then send me through the portal, show me how! Deal with me! FINISH ME!" Just as his horn zapped forth a shock of magic, it dissipated before it even hit Shadow, and it only flashed for a second.

Shadow knew why, as he came in and pulled Sombra into a hug. "Brother… Sombra… The portal can open any time now, thanks to my friend Twilight. But she can easily shut it off too. We won't let you just go through it, especially when you are still in pain, blaming everything that has happened to you on others. I'll bring you back… The Sombra I remember from childhood, the one who protected me, the one who laughed with me as we grew under our surrogate mother Luna. I will bring back my brother."

Though angry, though seething with hate and rage, though hurting, Sombra remembered those times well. Though not his real brother, Sombra cared about Shadow, he cared for Blitz as well. Sombra collapsed against the darkly coated pony holding him and shook as the memories of when they tricked several royal guards and ate the pantry dry. Some of his heart ached for that love back, but another part of his heart was boiling to tear Shadow to bits.

Helping the weakened hornless unicorn onto his back, Shadow carried his brother, turning to Twilight and the others. "Call a meeting at my house. We'll be discussing this further I'd imagine."

As Sombra saw the castle getting further away, he shook again in anger. "My future… It's slipping again…"

XxX The Human World XxX

After monsters, actors turned demons, and everything under the sun, it was finally time for the seven girls of Canterlot High to just relax at the beach. Rarity was getting a tan, whilst Pinkie and Rainbow were playing volleyball with some of the Crystal Prep girls, who were there because of the Yacht they managed to secure for the party. Pinkie was at the ice cream stand, manning it instead of devouring it, along with Sunset and Twilight going over their notes of magic in this world.

Fluttershy was looking out into the sea. It had been a long time since Shadow left them to be with the ponies. She had come to terms with it, but she still felt her heart was in two. "If only I had been more assertive, I could have told him of my feelings before then. Maybe… No, I mustn't think about that. He still visits and helps me, he still sees me as a good friend. I should move on… If I can…”

Just then, however, she saw a twinkling shell in the water that had washed up around her feet. Picking it up, she noticed some strange markings on it, and some of the inside was crusted with metal, which was strange. Taking it up to Sunset, she sat with her. "Sunset? Um, sorry to bother you, but I found something… strange… in the water."

Closing her book, for now, the orange-skinned former pony looked to her friend. "What's that, Fluttershy?" Taking the shell offered, she looked all around it and noticed the engraving. "This… Seems familiar. I can't place my finger on it, but this definitely means something… The metal I've no clue on, but this symbol gives me a weird vibe."

Twilight hummed as well. “Maybe it’s because of the Sirens? Legend has it Sirens were once from the sea, maybe they tried to return there when they got here.”

Shaking her head, Sunset knew it wasn’t. “Though we’ve not heard a peep from them since the concert, this isn’t them. This is something else. I’m not certain the metal on the shell has anything to do with them, but it’s important to the symbol. Not only that but, this isn’t an ordinary shell…”

Grabbing hold of it and giving it a rough investigation, Twilight hummed loudly. "You're correct, this isn't a normal shell. It's… some sort of jewel, but also a shell. It's strange. Let me see if there's anything on jeweled shells or this symbol."

Looking to Fluttershy, Sunset smiled. “It’s probably nothing, but just in case right? So, how you feeling? You’ve not been the same since Shadow left.”

Looking down, Fluttershy shook her head. "I'm fine… Well, I'm not but… I will be." Sighing, the young animal lover sat there looking at her hands. "It's just… Shadow was the one I cared a lot about. He helped me so much, I developed feelings for him. Now he's off prancing around with a pony, and I'm here feeling sorry for myself for being unable to tell him how I felt. And now, it would be horrible to push my feelings on him, but I can't stop feeling hurt over it all."

Closing her book, Sunset climbed up on her knees and pulled the girl into a hug. "It's ok, Fluttershy. Love can be hard, but you've got to move forward. Lot's of good guys just waiting for you to find them. Just be yourself, and look for love elsewhere. Won't do you or Shadow any good feeling sorry for yourself."

Wiping away the few tears welling in her eyes, Fluttershy hugged her friend back. Even if it wasn't fixed, it helped her feel better.

As the two separated, Twilight spoke up. "I found something interesting. Nothing about Jeweled shells with engravings on them, but I have found some small and very limited references to jewels that are uncategorizable. They aren't normal gems, but they all have metal on them. Some engraved, but most of them not."

Looking at the computer, the girls all wondered what it meant. In her gut, Sunset knew she saw the symbol somewhere. "Well, it's a long shot, but I might as well give the princess a call." Grabbing her newest book connected to the pony world, Sunset drew the engraving and asked to look into it. "There. It may be nothing, she may not find anything, but I figure we can give it a shot."

With that, they all enjoyed their beach time for the day. They had all summer after all, after Prom they needed to unwind, especially after Pinkie's party wiped them out. Almost literally in some cases.

XxX xx XxX

Sombra was in Shadow's bed as everyone in the other room talked. Well, all but Fluttershy, who was helping heal him as best she could. Though he winced a bit in pain once Fluttershy tensed from the very loud voice of Rainbow Dash. "I say chuck him to the sun! What he did was just wrong! You weren't there when we saw all those Crystal Ponies were zombies with no memories!"

"Rainbow, you forget, I was IN the war for the Empire! I saw them chained and without hope! Trust me, I know what he did, but it wasn't him! Not the pony I knew as a brother." The table conference was going on rather loudly at times, but Fluttershy wrapped the last scar in gauze and gel all the same.

As she packed the things, she looked to Sombra. "Don't worry… I'm sure you're not totally evil. After all, you wouldn’t be here if you were."

Growling, Sombra turned his back to her. “Being ‘evil’ has nothing to do with me being in ponyville…”

"I meant…" Fluttershy turned his head. "Alive. We all saw that you were broken apart from within. You should have died. All the times we ‘killed' using magic, it only killed the evil within the pony who was corrupted by it. The good survived. You're more bruised and battered than any other, but you still alive. Maybe not the best version of you, but there's still good inside your heart." She turned with a big smile, and Sombra just laid there, awaiting his next punishment or vengeful beating. He figured it was coming after all he did.

But after hours went by, the entire group came in. Twilight spoke as she walked in front of everyone. "We're clear on what needs to be done. First and foremost, you're to remain in ponyville; we'll have a guard come to secure the borders. Second, you'll be kept away from my castle. We can't have you running amok trying to get to the other side of the portal into the human world. Third, and finally, the Princesses all will come to check on you, and make sure you cannot do anything unruly, though we've seen clearly that you're unable to cast any magic so far."

Huffing, Sombra didn't even turn to them as he tried to think about his situation. "That all? You're predictable. Keeping safe behind lies and colorful misconceptions. Fine, confined to the town I am restricted from the castle premise and under watchful eyes, even collared. That is all?"

Shadow came up to his brother. “No, that is not all. We are giving you a chance here, brother. Once you’re able to move normally again, you can start proving yourself a better pony. You can prove to everyone you’ve changed for the better, helping around town, making friends maybe, whatever. You prove yourself, and we can arrange some of those restrictions to come off. Including the castle restriction, and maybe even arrange for you to go to the human world, though you WILL be watched and guarded.”

That got his attention. Sombra turned to face the entire group. "You would give me that chance, so I may reach the other side? You'd allow me to cross over? The very thing I became a tyrant to do?"

The multi-colored pegasus known as Rainbow Dash flew up. "Hey, take it or leave it! My special somepony here is fighting for you, even against all our better wishes! We've seen many horrible beings and ponies come around, and kicked their flanks up and down every inch of Equestria! But in all that time… We've seen most of them come around, even Discord of all things! So if they could prove themselves better given the chance, then we might as well give you that chance as well. So again, take the deal or leave it. This time, maybe you'll see that being a good pony will get you what you want."

Sombra was conflicted, as within his mind and heart he was at war with himself. One side, he wished to prove himself and finally meet his destiny, maybe even find happiness once again. But another was crafty, hoping for that one chance when things were clear, and the portal open, he could sneak through before they could even find him.

However, both outcomes had one flaw, and he knew he had to begin the path of redemption they lay for him. "We shall see… But I have been thrown to the side before, and even when I was a ‘good' pony, I was held back and berated. You prove you will honor your word, and I’ll prove I can honor mine."

With that said the group dissipated, although Shadow crept up. "Sombra. I can tell you this much about the Human world. I saw no throne, no kingdom. All I saw was a world that had no magic… Well, except nowadays. But running theory is because of the portal. Without its connection to Equestria, which is full of magic, no magic existed in the human world. But there is so little magic there, your visions in the mirror are not real. No throne, no power, just normal people, like the normal ponies here."

Sombra didn't respond with anything, he was static as he absorbed the information. "I read much about the mirror… Many hidden books contain rumors and theories stating it is capable of showing the future, a destiny. Before I found it, all I wanted was to return to my home, my father. It was not open, but it was reflecting something, it was showing me something, it was then I knew those rumors were true. A Throne of jewels, a power unrivaled, a kingdom, it was showing me my destiny. Maybe it no longer exists after a thousand years, but I must go back. I cannot stay here when my birthplace is open to me."

Nodding, Shadow turned. “I just hope you know what you are doing, Sombra.” With that, he left the pony of shadows to sleep.

Sombra looked out the window, looking at the moon. “Stay out of my dreams…” And in minutes, the former tyrant fell to sleep. He wondered how long until he would finally cross the portal, a week, a month? Maybe years? As the night passed, his dreams were filled with the one thing that kept his resolve to see his father strong.

Standing before him, in the darkness, was a figure, blurry and disfigured, sitting in a chair. It spoke softly. “My son… You must return… Without you, my kingdom falls. Without your power, we cannot regain our glory. Return, and be by my side once more. Sombra.”

Darkness overlapping him, Sombra fought as it pulled him away, his body aching in pain as it filled his body, his eyes wide as he stared at the figure. “Father… FATHER! I will return! I swear it!”

Eyes opening as the sun rose, Sombra gently slid from his bed and limped his way into the main room, where breakfast was made, and a note was waiting for him. Unable to use his magic, Sombra bit the letter open and tossed it to the floor to open it. Reading it, he frowned. "My first task should be simple then. Must be because of my injuries. I must go see Fluttershy and help her with her sanctuary. Should be simple." After eating, he slowly limped his way from the house, determined to do whatever it took to cross over. As he looked towards the castle, his eyes glimmered. "Soon… Father."