Sombra grumbled to himself as he followed the princess across the new Crystal Empire. He had heard of their issues and offered his solutions to every one. And every single time he had been shown that the world wasn't how he expected it to be. The farmers weren't hiding their harvest, the orphans weren't organizing thief rings, the guards weren't slacking off and the maids weren't stealing things! While Sombra knew, at least, believed he knew that they did back in his day, it seemed the world changed since he ruled the Empire.
Sombra was contemplating if this showing off a better world was his newest punishment. SHowing how much more powerful, more prosperous, and more happy his empire was under the rule of another. He scowled but could do nothing except put up with it until he was sent to whatever his next form of punishment was. If he was a pettier creature he might have taken some joy in annoying the princess but he was a king! A king did not lower himself to such an act!
The princess was traveling on the road all alone, she had sent her guards away, he assumed so they wouldn't think she was insane when she addressed him. She turned to do just that, but she never got the chance for as she turned out of the shadows jumped a small group of crystal ponies, clamping a magic suppressing collar around the neck and then hitting her upside the head with a club to knock her out. Sombra stared in amazement, that had been faster than even he could have reacted, the pampered princess hadn't stood a chance.
Sombra felt no little satisfaction in that such a band of rapscallions could never have survived in his empire. Following the group as they dragged the princess into a nearby building, then down into its basement, and down even further. Sombra couldn't help but be impressed, they may be some slimy criminals, but they had quite the infrastructure. Passing by inscriptions on the walls he frowned, pausing a moment to look at them before nodding. These were records of his rule carved on the walls. He chuckled to himself as he finally reached where apparently they were going. At least these ponies had good taste in history.
Sombra watched as the group put the princess in a cage before removing her collar and quickly retreating, locking her inside of it and apparently waiting around for her to wake up. Sombra laid down to wait as well, the contraption was utterly inscrutable to him except that it was connected to some kind of gate.
The princess groaned as she woke up and one of the crystal ponies smiled, walking over to her and banging on the cage. "Ahh, good, you're awake usurper, I didn't want you to miss this."
Twilight looked up at him, raising an eyebrow in confusion. "Usurper?"
The pony cackled, nodding as two others start to crank some kind of device. "Yes, you and your kin who stole the throne from its rightful ruler." As Twilight opened her mouth to respond whatever she had planned was interrupted by a scream. Sombra raised his head in intersted as the cage seemed to become electrified in purple energy. After a few moments, he realized that was magic being pulled out of the princess.
Sombra watched in fascination before he felt a shudder run through his body. Frowning and looking down he saw his body starting to fade and he shrugged. Whatever reason he was brought here seemed to be over, and it was time to return to the world of shadows, or whatever torture was next. At least he'd have the satisfaction that knowing one of those who usurped him would likely be joining him in the afterlife soon.
Sombra took a step forward frowning, he had just left here... Princess Twilight in a cage, a handful of shadowy crystal ponies scattered around and one next to the cage. One who bowed lowly to him. "My king, the spell worked, you have returned to us." Sombra looked up, his muzzle breaking out into a smile as he saw the gate connected to the machine above him, and laughed. These people were loyal to him, they summoned him back to this work from the land of shadows and specters!
"YES!" Sombra laughed as the other crystal ponies bowed to him, and he looked to the princess, who locked eyes with him. "You see Princess? Even your 'utopia' has its descenters. They realize that your way is doomed. They seek a leader of strength to return order and safety to the Empire!" He started to laugh as he looked at the ponies that called him back then he frowned. No... He could see it in their eyes, they weren't truly loyal to him, only to the idea of him. They would balk when they found out what truly needed to be done to put the empire in order. But no matter, they could be used, then they would be executed like all traitors!
Sombra froze, his eyes widening as he realized what he'd just thought. These people who had sought him out without knowing if it would work. They who had hidden their organization. They who had kidnapped a princess and found a way to bring him back from beyond the grave. And he, he thought they would betray him. It wasn't the princess who was wrong, it was him. There was something broken inside of him. He would not trust anyone, he would never trust that there was goodness in others. He raised his head, shaking it slightly, saying quietly. "No more..."
The leader of the crystal ponies took a few steps forward, looking up at him. "What was that, your majesty?"
Sombra locked eyes with the man, pitying him in a way that he had never felt before. The stallion had trusted that Sombra would bring safety, and he might have, but safety wasn't worth the cost, he understood that now, even if he could not understand why. But, he would show what mercy he could, even to these traitors. They were loyal to him, but they betrayed their current rulers. The ones who knew a better way. "You are loyal to me, you will die for me?"
The leader bowed lower. "Of course we will, your majesty! The way of strength is the best way to rule!"
Sombra nodded. "Then receive your reward for your loyalty, my servant." With a flash of energy, Sombra smashed the cage holding the princess, who quickly took to the wing so she couldn't be collared again. It wasn't needed though, Twilight cringed as she landed amongst the bodies of the crystal ponies that Sombra had killed.
"WHY!?" She was barely restraining herself from blasting him to pieces.
Sombra smiled at her. "They were traitors, Princess. Even your kind have the ultimate punishment for that act. And they were my servants." He looked down at them, a moment of legitimate regret flashing behind his dark eyes. "It was the best I could give them. A painless death as they saw their dream fulfilled."
Twilight shook her head, about to start yelling again before she saw Sombra turn back towards the now flickering portal. "What are you doing!?"
"I am returning from whence I came before this day began. Take care of my empire princess, I see now that your way... It works where mine failed... My ways are dead, my world is shattered... My world never truly existed... And I have no place in your world."
"Wait! King Sombra!... Anyone... You can learn..." Raising a hoof uselessly, Twilight reached out to the departing king.
"No, some of us are beyond redemption, little princess." Steeling himself Sombra prepared to return to the shadowed lands he called home. What even he now had to admit, was a just punishment. But he paused. "Princess, can you do me a favor?"
Twilight looked up at him, nodding. "Yes... What is it?"
"Outside the city, to the east, there is a small hill. Upon that hill, you will find the foundations of a long-abandoned home. Construct a headstone there. For White Wool and Golden Strands." Begining his step Twilight knew she had only a moment.
"Who!?" Twilight hoped against hope that Sombra would have time to, and be willing to answer.
Sombra turned his head, taking just a moment before answering, it didn't hurt for her to know. "My parents. Peaceful shepherds, do not hold them responsible for my actions." And then he was gone, back to his eternal torment.