//------------------------------//
// Chapter 19. You can’t do anything? 
// Story: The Last of the Dark Ponies 
// by Askre 
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Chapter 19

Private sighed as he curled up in the furthest corner of the bedchamber. He was worried he had really messed up and it was just a question of time before something terrible was done to his family.

He did his best to ignore the bed, the idea that he might be forced to share it with the king revolted him now. After the demonstration earlier, it was very clear that whoever Sombra used to be, that pony was long gone.

“Psst. Private!”

Private raised his head, he could have sworn he heard a voice addressing him. Then he blinked when seeing a flickering image of a pony, he couldn’t quite make out who it was. The shape suggested an earth pony.

“Uh hello?” he slowly rose up and approached the image.

“Sorry, can’t make it clearer. King Sombra will detect the magic otherwise. I’m actually breaching protocol by reaching you right now. The Council of Time Ponies has declared we sit this one out,” the pony addressed him, there was a hint of anger in the tone of his voice.

“D-Doctor Whooves?” Private blinked when it finally dawned on him who it was. A very old friend, someone he was not really supposed to tell anyone he knew.

“Yes Private, it’s me. I’m really sorry I can’t be of much more help. I was tasked by Princess Celestia to locate King Sombra before the council declared him a no go. He’s already messed around with time magic before, back when he pulled you back in time when you were a colt. Using scrolls of old time magic that were stolen from us a long time ago. Possibly by him. They do not want to risk him gaining access to a pure time pony and extract our more proper time magic,” Whooves said, his image flickered again.

“You can’t do anything?” Private asked pleadingly. “I mean, he has Coal, Dinky, my parents, Rainbow Dash and Barricade. It’s a torture here.”

“I am so sorry, Private. I have wanted to help you as far back as when you were possessed, but this is your journey and I can’t cross it with you,” Whooves told him, his image became a little clearer and the unicorn could make out a sympathetic smile.

“There is one thing I can do though, remember the memories I locked away in your mind?” the time pony then said.

“Wait… you did what?” Private blinked, he had no recollection of such an event.

“Oh right, you wouldn’t remember that. Okay, I told you once that some of the time traveling memories you had needed to be locked away. I wasn’t entirely honest why we had to do that.” Whooves sounded mildly embarrassed now. “Private, this is going to sound really strange to you. But you have met King Sombra, before he was King Sombra.”

Private tilted his head, looking utterly confused. Doctor Whooves fell silent for a little while, looking like he wasn’t sure how to continue, his image flickered again.

“I was ordered to lock those memories away by the council. We knew you would encounter King Sombra again, we knew you had met him before as a colt and they did not want to risk you reminding him that the two of you had met before in his furthest past. He is dangerously sharp, he would immediately realize you had access to time magic, much more stable time magic than he used,” Whooves began speaking again.

“Wait… if I met him… why doesn’t he remember meeting me?” Private was getting a headache, however, it wasn’t an unusual feeling when talking with his old friend. Especially when time travel was involved.

“Well he was just a prince in the Dark Pony court back then. He met hundreds of dignitaries from all over, he wouldn’t remember one encounter with some Equestrian tourist, it happened so long ago,” Whooves explained with a chuckle.

“Okay… so how will this help me?” the unicorn asked, still very confused.

“Say ‘Coda Umbra’,” Whooves simply said.

“Why should I say Coda Umbra…” Private started to frown but then froze as memories started to flood through him. For a moment he could only stand and stare vacantly as events he had long forgotten swept through his mind like a tsunami.





The Dark Pony Empire, over a thousand years ago.

“Look, just stay close and we’ll be fine,” Doctor Whooves said as he, Private Iceland and Dew Doe entered the marketplace. It was full of Dark Ponies. Most had the same dark gray coat and black mane and tail, though some did have browner manes or even slightly golden.

“I still can’t believe you brought us smack down in middle of the Dark Pony Empire,” Private whispered sharply to the pony who looked like a brown earth pony, but was in fact a time pony. He eyed the ponies around them, most were moderately tall compared to them.

“I wasn’t trying to,” the time pony muttered sheepishly. “Still it is a good opportunity as any other, can you tell what period of the Empire we’re in?”

“Oh, this is definitely Queen Rabia’s reign,” Private said and pointed at nearby banners that had dark insignias in the shape of a unicorn’s head with a curved horn. “That’s her royal banner with her insignia on it.”

“Any idea when in her reign, she did rule for a very long time,” Doctor Whooves wondered as he kept glancing around, like he was looking for something.

“I didn’t study Dark Pony history as thoroughly as my parents, but judging by how things look.” Private covertly glanced around, fortunately nobody was paying too much attention to them. “This is late in her reign.”

“Hmm, I’m going to investigate the energy I detected earlier. I want you two to try and determine when exactly we are,” Doctor Whooves said and before the two ponies could protest, he was off.

“And he leaves us alone yet again,” Dew Doe sighed and eyed around. “I swear we need to put a tether on that pony.”

Private just nodded, he really couldn’t complain. This gave him the opportunity to look more closely at the Dark Ponies, his own distant ancestors, and all the things in the market. He was so engrossed in looking at everything that he didn’t notice a commotion further off in the market.

Dew glanced over when hearing the voices, she raised an eyebrow when seeing armored ponies walk into the square. With them walked a tall dark gray unicorn mare wearing a crown and regal armor and cape. The pegasus reached for Private and shook him to get his attention.

“Private, who is that? Is that who I think it is?” she asked, she wasn’t sure if she needed to be worried or not.

“Hm, wha?” Private looked over and blinked when seeing the entourage. His jaw dropped in awe “Oh wow… that’s Queen Rabia.”

The queen held her head high and looked quite dignified. She kind of reminded them of a more sterner looking Celestia, just without any wings. It was then Private realized that he and Dew Doe stood a bit out, especially the pegasus with her blue coat and candy cane colored mane, then there were their cutie marks. They couldn’t look more foreign than that.

Queen Rabia was in fact looking over the bowing populace as she walked along the market with her armed escort. Private held his breath when her eyes landed on him and Dew Doe and didn’t leave. The tall mare halted her walk immediately and a frown formed on her face.

Oh crap, Dew Doe noticed this as well and her eyes opened wider when the queen turned and started to head right towards them. Whooves had often lectured them that they really should stay away as much as possible from historically significant figures. That didn’t always work though.

“What do we do, what do we do?” she whispered to Private who was right now too awestruck to respond.

They were very soon surrounded by the guards and standing before them was Queen Rabia, the mare looked down at them with a critical expression.

“You two, you are Equestrians are you not?” Rabia asked sharply. Although looking quite stern, it was hard to really gauge was the queen could possibly be thinking.

“Um… yes your majesty,” Dew Doe smiled nervously and did bow, so did Private.

“And what,” Queen Rabia started to circle them, only carrying that critical expression as she examined them. “Brings two of Celestia and Luna’s subjects to my realm?”

As she moved, the two smaller ponies noticed another mare who had been obscured from view by the queen. She was smaller than Rabia but taller than them, she wore regal clothing as well. This one looked at them more curiously, but Private also noticed a striking resemblance to the queen.

This must be Princess Ira… the last queen, Private was really struggling with his giddiness right now.

“We are just visiting, we travel a lot,” Dew Doe answered the queen. Fortunately, she remembered Private telling her once that Dark Ponies were matriarchal society so it wouldn’t sound or look odd that she spoke with the queen while Private remained silent.

“Equestrians rarely if ever travel this far, aside from the occasional merchant.” Queen Rabia narrowed her eyes on the pegasus mare who flinched a little. It was if the queen could see right into her soul. But then the tall mare’s featured eased a bit. “However, you are here, so I cannot deny it and my empire has no quarrel with your kingdom.”

“What are your names?” she then asked, her voice softening a little. She gave Private a brief glance, a small smile crossed her lips. The unicorn wasn’t sure but he could have sworn the tall mare was liking what she was seeing.

“I am Dew Doe and this is my friend Private Iceland,” Dew gestured to Private who was really relieved that he was good at hiding his true emotions. Underneath his neutral expression, he was grinning like an idiot.

“Indeed, as you have no doubt guessed, I am Queen Rabia, the ruler of this realm. My daughter, Princess Ira.” the queen gestured to the mare Private had already guessed the identity of. Unlike her much more formal mother, Ira smiled and waved a little.

“Now since Equestrians are such rare visitors and I would hate to think that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna hear I don’t treat guests to my realm kindly, I must insist you come with us to the palace, we would be glad to have you there as our guests,” Queen Rabia stated with a nod. It hadn’t escaped the traveling ponies how she put emphasis on the title princess, when referring to their rulers.

Dew Doe glanced at Private, unsure what to say or do. On one hand Doctor Whooves had told them to find out when in Queen Rabia’s reign they were. On the other, they sort of were missing one friend since he was out looking at the energy he had detected. They couldn’t really reveal him without having to explain him.

This wouldn’t be the first time they were guests at a royal palace without the Doctor being there with them. She thought back when they were stuck in Spartacornia and King Horsenidas had hosted them. The king had been surprisingly hospitable, considering that the Spartacorns had a reputation of detesting non-earth ponies.

“I guess we accept then,” Dew Doe said with a smile. Private somehow managed to show no expression but internally he was squealing in joy. He had realized that if Queen Rabia was still alive and Ira still just a princess, the lost son had to still be there.

“Good, that’s settled then, one more thing though. I am aware that you are probably not aware of all our customs, but I must insist that in the palace the two of you keep a separate room and only be escorted by someone of your own gender. In the palace, unmarried stallions are not allowed to mingle with unmarried mares unless the mare is looking for courtship,” Queen Rabia instructed them.

“Oh that’s quite fine, we’ll respect your customs. I take it then that Private and I will be staying in separate wings?” Dew Doe asked and nodded when Queen Rabia confirmed she was correct. Private made no protest, this was Dark Pony culture after all, plus this meant an even higher chance that he would meet the lost son.

“Have no fear, your friend will have good company. My son will no doubt be glad to attend to him, I give you over to Ira,” Queen Rabia said and gestured for her daughter to come closer. Dew Doe glanced at Private when hearing the Dark Pony mention her son. She arched her brow. Although not showing anything outwardly, she could tell from his eyes that the unicorn was practically exploding from joy.

Huh, wonder who the son is that’s making Private so excited, she thought.

“Hello, it is nice to meet you.” Princess Ira suddenly stood before Dew Doe, all smiles and then grabbed the mare in a hug. “I’ve always wanted to meet an Equestrian.”

Dew Doe grimaced slightly, the princess was really strong. She did her best to return the hug. The two of them were then escorted out of the market place by Rabia’s entourage and towards the palace.

Private had to admit feeling a little ignored. Rabia had only addressed Dew Doe and Ira and didn’t even look at him as the Princess began chatting it up with the pegasus. He was though sure that no ill was meant, it was just their culture. He was a stallion and they had a different place in Dark Pony society. He looked at the guards. They remained stoic and emotionless as any other royal guard he had seen.

He wondered if Queen Rabia was truly being generous or if she was playing some sort of a political game. The Queen had been notorious for playing her cards close and never truly showing what she was up to. His parents had told him that Rabia definitely knew when to appear kind and generous and when to appear strict and brutal.

Private looked up when hearing Ira mention the palace to Dew Doe. His excitement rose more when seeing how close the large structure was. They were already almost at the gates and they were opening.

I’m meeting the lost son of Queen Rabia!!!! He almost squeed out loud when seeing the large unicorn stallion appear before the entourage. He was wearing a blue cape and had simpler version of Rabia’s armor.

“This was a short walk, mother,” the unicorn stallion addressed the queen as the group arrived at the gate.

“We encountered a curiosity that cut the walk short. We have Equestrian guests, Sombra,” Queen Rabia addressed her son and gestured to the two ponies.

Sombra only gave Dew Doe a brief glance and a nod before his gaze fixed on Private who was really battling the urge to prance around in joy. The Prince did not stop staring at him, in fact he was smiling.

Eeee, he is so handsome. Private wasn’t really sure anymore how he still managed to keep his normal neutral expression.

“I trust, Sombra, that it will be no trouble for you to attend to the stallion? Your sister will be attending the mare,” Rabia told her son.

“Oh, it is no trouble at all, mother,” Sombra said and immediately walked over to Private.

Dew could do little but be pulled away by Ira, who was quite eager to start showing the mare around. Queen Rabia and the guards also departed into the palace, leaving Private alone with the prince.

Okay calm down...just keep calm. Keep it professional. I’m only observing history, okay mildly participating in it. But… lost son of Queen Rabia! Private slowly looked up at the prince, not sure what to make of the warm look he was receiving.

“What is your name?” Prince Sombra inquired and placed a hoof on Private’s back.

He’s touching me. I’ve never been so okay with being touched in my life. Private thought before he quietly repeated his name to the prince.

“Interesting name,” Sombra murmured and chuckled a bit. He gently caressed Private’s back before taking his hoof off and turned towards the palace. “Come now, Private, let me show you around.”

Private followed the prince inside, trying not to skip as he did. Sombra was a good guide and Private was equally impressed to see the royal palace in such pristine condition. The only thing that put some damper on it was that he never saw Dew Doe. The prince seemed to stay clear of certain areas of the castle at times, only going there if some time had passed.

“It is our lot in life. We stallions must not be in the way of the mares as they conduct business. We go either before them to protect the land or come after them,” Sombra had simply told him when Private inquired about this, confirming that the prince was indeed actively avoiding the mares. The only females Private saw were servants or soldiers.

The day passed and before Private knew it he found himself eating dinner in Sombra’s private parlor with the prince. They were waited on by a young, dark pegasus stallion that the prince referred to as his aid, after some hesitation. The pegasus had a black mane and tail like most dark ponies, but there were silver streaks in his hair.

Private wondered about the aid, who dutifully brought them their meals and filled their drinks. The young Dark Pony would sometimes give the prince a warm smile as he served him.

“I will be entertaining my guest for the remainder of the day, you are dismissed for today, Duro,” Sombra addressed his aid in the end. 

“Of course, my prince,” the pegasus bowed his head. Private could have sworn he saw a hint of disappointment in Duro before the Dark Pony left them to dine in peace.

“Mother rarely dines with us anymore. usually I would be sharing my meals with Ira, but she is attending to your friend,” Sombra then turned his full attention to Private as they continued to eat.

Private nodded, but found it difficult to concentrate on his food. He still just couldn’t get over the fact that he was eating dinner with the lost son of Queen Rabia. Now he only needed to meet Commander Hurricane and his life would be complete.

The only real complaint he had right now was that the drinks were all alcoholic. Of course sodas wouldn’t be invented for a long time and he somehow doubted they served simple juice to the royalty for dinner.

Suddenly a hoof touched his mane and started to gently caress it. Private blinked and glanced at Prince Sombra, who had reached towards him with his hoof and smiled apologetically.

“Please forgive my forwardness, but I’ve seldom seen a mane in this shade of gold,” he said, but didn’t withdraw his hoof. “I’ve heard you Equestrians are quite a bit more colorful than us Dark Ponies.”

“Um yeah…” Private muttered, not really showing he was quite enjoying this. Sombra kept snaking his hoof around in his mane, clearly fascinated by it.

“Fascinating,” Sombra murmured, his hoof traced the mane towards the cheek and for a moment he caressed it as well. “Yet your coat could be taken from any Dark Pony. Remove the mark on your flank and you would fit right in.”

I’m never washing this cheek again... or my mane. Private thought, then he realized that though giddy and happy on the inside, he was still as usual sporting his neutral bored expression. Sombra pulled his hoof back.

“I’m making you uncomfortable. I apologize, I should not be so forward with guests,” the prince said and resumed eating.

Noooo. No. No. NO. Keep doing it. I don’t mind. Aaaarg curse my antisocial face and my inability to socialize!! Private so really wanted to protest outloud, but just couldn’t find the right words to assure the prince who looked very ashamed now.

“It’s… uh alright,” Private tried his best, but it his dry tone didn’t really make it sound like he had pictured it in his mind. If anything it just confirmed what the prince clearly thought. Sighing he resumed his meal as well.





Modern times.

Private shook his head to try and stem the tidal wave of memories. It was just so much flashing through his eyes. When they finally passed, he looked at Whooves utterly baffled and bewildered.

“Wait… I met him… wait Dew was there, too…” Private whispered as his brain slowly tried to make sense of all this new yet still old information that had been locked away from him.

“Her memories are locked as well. This was our last proper time trip together. I didn’t want them to find another excuse to force your memories to be locked,” Whooves explained to him with a deep sigh, his image began fading. “I have to go now. This is all I could do. The rest is up to you.”

Private said nothing as his friend vanished completely.  He was still processing this confusing turn of events. Then his eyes bulged out as something suddenly occurred to him.

“He DOES remember me!” Private scowled and ran out of the bedchamber.

End chapter 19