//------------------------------// // Part 2 // Story: One Step at a Time // by CinnabarPony //------------------------------// Upon stepping cautiously through the portal, Silver felt the surrounding air get much colder and constricting, as the moon, stars, and any idea of separation between ground and sky was gone. And while she was certainly a little unsure, if not scared, her overbearing curiosity took over as her surroundings began to make themselves known. Stairways of every size and shape extended upwards, downwards, sideways, upside down… every direction you could possibly imagine. The construction of the place itself seemed to defy logic completely, so much so that Silverstream had trouble wrapping her head around it all. “It really it something, isn’t it?” It took a minute for Silver to realize that her friend had arrived and stood beside her, equally in awe of their surroundings. She immediately felt safer with him at her side in such a strange place. Silver then felt a smile wrap around her face, and looked up at Sombra expectantly, as if asking for permission to go and have the time of her life. He nodded, and urged her on. With a few beats of her wings the hippogriff was off, ready to explore all that such a strange and magnificent world had to offer. But before she could get far, Sombra called to her: “Silverstream, wait!” She turned around and landed in front of him, eyes filled with worry. “What is it, Sombra?” The unicorn then proceeded to take the magic necklace off and wrap it delicately around Silverstream’s neck. “Wouldn’t want to forget this, now would we?” Silver chuckled, “Of course not, silly me. Come on now, Sombra! Don’t these stairs look fun!” “They most certainly do!” Sombra said, finding it especially hard to contain his excitement upon seeing them. “But, ahem… you go on ahead, Silverstream. I’ll catch up.” While she was upset her new friend couldn’t join her, Silver could waste simply no time in wandering up, down, and around every pathway this realm held. She was simply ecstatic to find herself climbing upside down, in spirals, and in loops. She didn’t even bother trying to comprehend the complex magic that made it all possible. For hours, it seemed, all she could focus on was the dizzying fun she was having. Sombra was right, these stairs really were the best of the best! But after she had been busing climbing, flying, and playing for longer than she could keep track of, she couldn’t help but notice that Sombra had still failed to join her. And she truly did feel bad in all the fun he was missing out on. “Sombra!” her voice echoed out and faded into the darkness. “Are you there?” After a pause, her friend’s distant voice responded, “Don’t worry, Silverstream. I’ll join you right away.” “You better, this is way too much fun to have all by myself!” With that, she continued to trot upwards, no idea of where she was headed, but far past the point of caring, she was enjoying herself so much. As she walked, a question made its way into her curious little brain, “Sombra, who created these stairs? I know you said they were ponies from a long time ago. And why…” she arched her head and looked around at the endless maze of platforms surrounding her. “Why did they even hide them here in the first place?” It took a little longer than last time, but soon enough the former king’s voice emerged, “Now where is that... ah, yes! This realm was a sort of dumping ground for what these ponies of ancient times didn’t want. As for who created such a marvel, none other than the ancient alicorns of those times. For only a pony with the magical strength of an alicorn could create something so law-bending, so strange and bizarre and... incredible.” “Wow, alicorns…” Silver said as the continued to admire the beauty and absurdity of her surroundings. Truly, standing on stairs created my the magic of ancient alicorns was an honor indeed. “Isn’t that right, my pretties?” “Hm?” Confused, Silver turned around just in time to hear the most haunting sounds she’s ever heard, accompanied by what had to be the most haunting sight. Living shadows seemed to be making their way towards her, swallowing everything in their wake. Then, out of the darkness, Sombra emerged. Silverstream was at first relieved at the sight of her friend, but that was before she noticed what was following close behind. Twisted, shadowy creatures that just barely resembled ponies, except nearly triple in size and from the looks of it, far less friendly. Over platforms and around staircases they dove, with Sombra at the helm. Silverstream covered herself with her wings at first, but as they soared right over her it was clear that the young hippogriff wasn’t their target. And if they didn’t want her, there was only one place they could possibly be heading… The portal. Silverstream could just make out the swirling green vortex in the distance, unnoticeably shrinking as the magic being used to create it began wavering. “Sombra!” She called after him, as more and more of the strange creatures began flying overhead, causing dark shadows to dance and scatter all around her. “Where are you going? What... what are these things?” Sombra turned around, wearing a brilliantly proud smile. It was one completely foreign to Silver, however. For the kindness and friendliness so many of the unicorn’s previous smiles held was gone. His eyes were hot embers and his expression a wicked one, as his devilish creatures circled around him, eagerly waiting for a signal to continue. Sombra then let out a laugh. A hollow, empty laugh that clearly symbolized nopony’s good fortune but his own. Silver stepped back immediately. “Young hippogriff,” he began. “I’m truly sorry this has to happen. You’ve been a great use to me, all things considered...” It was then, as more and more creatures of smoke began soaring towards the exit, the structure itself began to crumble, as if a signal of somepony’s unwanted escape. Silver barely had enough time to dodge a plummeting staircase, breaking into rubble as it crashed down behind her. “But i’m afraid it’s time for my friends and I to leave this place. You don’t really believe failed architecture attempts were the only things those ancient ponies sealed away down here? I knew you were dim-witted, little one, but never that dense.” In a desperate attempt to stop what surely couldn’t possibly be happening, Silver spread her wings and tried to fly towards the portal, but a chunk of stone met one of her feathery pink wings on the way up, and pinned her back down where she started. “Sombra, no! Why are you doing this? This isn’t like you!” Sombra’s laughs only grew louder at Silver's words, as more and more creatures began circling, “You don’t know me at all! But worry not, with the help of these monsters, all of Equestria will know of me, adore me, chant my name in my presence! First Canterlot, and soon the world, will bow before their new ruler! The fantastic, the glorious, King Sombra!” The sheer giddiness in his voice was clear, an inextinguishable excitement for all the wrong reasons. “But I thought we were friends!” Silverstream shouted. She tried and tried to pull her wing out from the large chunk of rock, but nothing budged. “Think of all the fun we've had, the places you showed me! You mean... none of that meant anything to you?" “You're endearing, little one, but far too naive. Seeing the sights while this world is still full of hope and friendship was amusing enough, but there's no telling how much better it'll be under my complete control! Darkness, desperation, and plenty of stairs for everypony to enjoy! Oh, I can just see it now..." “But- but I thought-” “Why, just look at you all!” Sombra ignored Silver and instead turned his attention the beings circling around him, growing more impatient by the second. While time was of the essence, he simply couldn’t ignore such an excuse to brag. “Merciless creatures, without a drop of sympathy in the world! A true reflection of yours truly. With you little freaks of magical creation, taking over all of Equestria will be a breeze!” The dozens of monsters shrieked and growled in anticipation, all the while glaring at Silverstream like a bite-sized meal. “They hoped to never see you, their precious failed creations, again! Sounds like they should've come up with a smarter place to hide you all!” It was then more and more platforms came crumbling down, all falling dangerously close to Silverstream and Sombra alike. “Well, i’d love to stay and chat,” the stallion turned to face the slowly shrinking green portal behind him. “But it’s becoming a bit too hazardous in here for my liking. I have an empire to take back, after all.” And with that, he turned and made his way towards the portal, several dozen shadow creatures at his side like dogs on a leash. He simply couldn’t believe it.He had done it.For once, his master plan had actually worked! But there was still something that Sombra couldn’t bear to overlook, no matter how hard he tried. Silver called out to him, in such a rage-filled voice that it felt wrong to come out of such a sweet little filly. “Was this your plan all along, then? To take my magic, just to leave me here in the end? I can’t believe I was so wrong about you! You’re just a big, dumb liar!” “Really, now? And who’s fault is that? Who chose to trust somepony like me when all evidence pointed to the contrary?” "I trusted you because I thought you had a good heart! Because I thought all you really needed was a friend!" "Shame that you were so terribly mistaken, my dear. And actually, no,” Sombra didn’t even allow himself to turn around and face her. “My plan was to drive you out of your senses, and bribe the magic out of you for your escape. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite work out that way. But whatever gets the job done.” “Ok… ok, fine!” tears were beginning to stream down the hippogriff cheeks, and she found herself powerless to stop them. “Maybe you never cared about me! About our friendship! Fine! But you care about Equestria, don’t you? It’s such a beautiful place, Sombra, where everypony can be themselves, and adventure lies behind every corner… y-you’re the only who showed me that! I-” Her claws began slipping and she struggled to keep herself steady on the platform. “I just don’t understand… don’t you love it as much as I do?” “I’ll love it when it’s mine, dear. And mark my words, it will be.” He was right there. Some of the most powerful magical forces were by his side, and his destiny lie before him with absolutely nothing standing in his way. But as he stood right on the border between failure and success, a thought popped into his brain. Uninvited and unwanted, he wished nothing but for this notion to go away so he could continue on with his conquest. But it was too late. The thought had already stuck. As he stood there, the gargantuan structure crumbling behind him, his monsters whining and urging him to take the lead in their freedom, he found himself frozen. For this was truly something that the unicorn hadn’t even dared to consider before now. Equestria would be at his mercy in a second if he walked through that portal, sure. Except he hadn’t accounted for one small detail. No matter how much he accomplished, no matter how great he became, Silverstream would never be there to see it. Sweet Celestia, what was he doing? Sombra whipped his head around, only to see his friend struggling to avoid large chunks of stone pouring down from above. It was so clear to him now, he’d known it all along. For all the fun an eternity of ruling Equestria would bring, it wouldn’t even come close to his and Silverstream’s single day together. And they were going to be spending a whole lot more, he’d make sure of that. His hooves nearly refused to budge, his body was unwilling, and his brain tried to convince him of just how stupid he was being. None of it mattered. As sickeningly cliche as it might've been, he knew in his heart what he was doing was right. He bolted for Silver as fast as his legs could carry him. But his own stubborn instinct wasn’t the only thing standing in his way. As soon as the shadow creatures noticed their supposed master was abandoning them, all bets were off. With fearsome, animalistic growls their made their way after him, galloping it seemed on nothing but air. The monsters were quick to overtake their former master and cloak him in shadow from above, but none could get too close. For every monster that blocked Sombra’s determined path, a beam of dark magic made quick work of them. Deep down, there was disappointment in Sombra, but it was all overshadowed by Silverstream and his desperation to reach her. “That’s my friend, you!” Arriving right in the nick of time, he blasted a hungry monster to bits on its way towards the trapped hippogriff. “Sombra!” In that moment, her relieved smile was the best thing he could imagine seeing. “Silverstream, i’m sorry. I should’ve realized…” Just then, a hunk of stone tumbled down from the sky and smashed between the two, scattering into countless pieces. “Uh... not to be rude, Sombra, but maybe your apology can wait? We’ll be crushed if we don’t get out of here soon!” “Right!...uh… come on then!” with a spark of his horn the rock restraining Silver was lifted, and the hippogriff sighed in relief as she folded a newly-bruised wing to her side. “Sombra…” “Come with us, Sombra…” “We can have it all…” With a mighty beam of magic a trio of monsters behind him was eradicated, leaving the unicorn responsible panting from exhaustion. “I’ve got all I need right here, thank you very much.” he gave Silver a smile. “Wow. Aren’t these guys rude.” “More than just rude. These creatures are bloodthirsty manifestations of dark magic. That’s why we must-” Silver gasped, “Sombra, look, the portal! It’s getting smaller!” Sombra looked past the falling debris and overarching platforms, only to see Silver’s observation confirmed. Its magic dwindling, the portal back to Equestria was indeed getting shrinking far faster than before. Soon, not even a pony would be able to fit through. Just then, the platform below the pair began to shake, signaling that it wouldn't be free-standing much longer. “Well, what are we waiting for?” Silver’s wing bruised up and Sombra drained of energy, the two had no choice but to make their way to the portal by hoof, hopping from staircase to staircase and dodging pieces of debris by the dozens. Meanwhile, the rest of Sombra’s shadow creatures had regained their targets and were in hot pursuit. “Sombra, the portal!” Silver cried out, as her legs began to burn and the terrible sight of an ever-shrinking vortex was just out of reach. “We’re going to make it, stay by me!” Hungry living shadows blanketed everything behind them in darkness, but the two summoned the strength from somewhere to keep going. Hundreds of monster cries were unbearable on the ears, and the portal was quickly caving in on itself... With one final leap and a dizzy, slightly nauseous side-effect, they were through. Enraged non-pony shrieks died out behind them. Both unicorn and hippogriff lay belly-up on the grass in the middle of a dark forest, just as a swirling green portal blinked out of sight behind them. For a moment, all Sombra could do was lie there, in shock of his decision and in awe of his luck. “Woah…” Silverstream slowly got to her feet, her mind was racing and she was just as relieved and absolutely bewildered as Sombra. Their synced hyperventilating was just about the only sound in the serene, nighttime forest. “That was… that was…” “A little too close for comfort, i’m sure,” Sombra eventually made his way to his hooves himself, but he stood slouched over and obviously ashamed, as if he was somehow intimidated by the hippogriff dwarfed by his sheer size, who was wearing the faintest scowl. “Silverstream, you must forgive me. I had this fantastic plan, the most brilliant, evil, and wonderful plan you've ever seen. I really didn’t do any of this just to access your magic, Silverstream, you must believe that. I really did enjoy my time...hanging out with you today. But I thought… I thought that my plan needed to become a reality, no matter the consequences. I thought that was the only way i’d be happy once returning to this world.” The hippogriff’s expression softened at this, as she gave the former king a concerned look, while not daring to interrupt. Around the two, the sky, grass, and trees were gradually being warmed and bathed in soothing oranges and yellows, as Celestia’s morning sun began peeking over the horizon. “I got so carried away, I guess more than a thousand years of evil will do that to you. Of course, I should’ve realized that I had something that would have made be happy all along.” At this, Silver’s eyes widened and her mouth burst into a grin, “You don’t mean…” Sombra sighed, “Yes, I suppose I do. Friendship, yours in particular, is perhaps far more powerful a force than I originally thought. Just- don't ever tell anypony I said that. Especially not the princesses...” Silver chuckled. “But young Silverstream, thank you for showing this to me. Taking over all of Equestria, well… I won’t take it off the bucket list just yet, but if laying low for a little while means going on more adventures with you, I suppose it can wait.” “Oh Sombra!” she wrapped the unicorn in a bone-crushing hug. “Apology accepted! I’m just glad everything’s back to the way it was!” The two then looked up in sync to find a sky becoming progressively lighter, as the sun made its way above the trees and warmed the morning sky. Silverstream then began to stare at the empty space where the portal once existed, “I wonder what those monsters back there-" Sombra waved a hoof dismissively, “Don’t worry about them. There's a reason these creatures were hidden in such a place. I think a couple thousand more years in exile will do them well." “So…” Silverstream pawed at the ground with her claw. “I guess i’ll be starting school pretty soon. Accept-” She looked all around her, eyes meeting nothing but trees and other foliage. “I’m not even sure which direction school is from here…” there was a clear hint of worry in her voice. “And i’m not sure I can fly that whole distance, either…” she looked down at her wing, still rather bruised and sore. “Don’t worry, my dear friend,” Sombra smiled. "You can leave that to me.” It was early morning, and a brand new Monday at Twilight Sparkle’s Friendship school was getting off to a rather uneventful start. Students were awfully drowsy from getting up so early, and even the professors seemed to drag their hooves a bit as they entered their classes. Professor Rainbow Dash, as per most Mondays, probably wouldn’t even show up until noon. Except as dozens of students began pouring into the building and filing into class, it didn’t take long for many to notice that a certain spunky hippogriff had so far failed to join them. None had reason to concern themselves for too long, however, for their classmate’s arrival was signaled by a mass of terrifying black smoke descending onto them from the heavens. Several students were in awe, others cowered or ran, as the large, ominous cloud landed at the very base of the building. It faded away to reveal Silverstream and a tall, menacing, awfully familiar unicorn by her side. “Hey you guys!” she called out to the mass of students and teachers that had gathered in obvious shock and disbeleif at the school’s entrance. “Oh dear, I really hope i’m not late…” “Nonsense, we’re right on time. And if these so-called professors give you any trouble about it, i'll-” “Now now, Sombra. What did we say about blasting other ponies into oblivion?" Just then, the bell sounded. "Oh! I’ve gotta get going!” she gave the unicorn the biggest possible hug goodbye, which he returned. “Have a great day at school, Silverstream!” “Thanks for dropping me off, King Sombra! I’ll see you soon!” As Sombra disappeared in a plume of dramatic smoke, Silver flew carefully up to the grand gates of the school building and gave her agape classmates a warm smile. “So, who’s ready to learn about friendship? I know I am!” and just like that, she pushed open the doors and entered, ready to start her Monday off right.