Sombra sat at his desk, pouring over his notes. He'd been reading this journal cover to cover for a month now. He couldn't believe the insight he'd gained! It made him feel powerful to have this knowledge. And to know the secret of an alicorn's magic? That was priceless. He felt a small amount of remorse for deceiving Luna, but it was necessary. He had to bring Amore back after all. Then the world could be set right. And after one month of studying, he felt that it was time to try.
Leaving his room, Sombra made his way to the dungeon. It was the middle of the night, so he wouldn't be seen as he moved silently through the palace. It didn't take him long to get to his destination. As he entered the corridor of cells, he cast a spell to seal himself in. He couldn't risk anypony interrupting. Or hearing for that matter. There was likely going to be a bit of noise with this attempt.
"I'm here, Amore."
He smiled hopefully at his mother and opened the journal.
"Let's begin."
Sombra closed his eyes and focused. He stood in a meditative state for several minutes, reaching out with his magic. He could sense there was something there, just out of reach. He focused harder and felt his magic brush against something. It was true! The ethereal plane could actually be accessed! He allowed his magic aura to push against the plane until he felt them begin to meld ever so slightly.
And that's when the pain started.
It was immense! Sombra felt as if something was crushing him from all sides. It was too much pressure! But he had to persist. He felt himself connecting with the plane and tried to harness some of the arcane magic that resided there. He felt power begin to flow through his veins, unlike anything he'd ever felt before.
He opened his eyes and focused on Amore.
"Come back, Mother."
A beam of magic projected from his horn to Amore. Sombra smiled at his success. He was wielding the magic of the alicorns! He thought how Celestia would react as she realized she was no longer unique. He thought how overjoyed Luna would be that they could be together forever. He could be as powerful as them! Or perhaps...more? All of this went through his head in the split second when the connection had been made.
And then it was gone.
Sombra felt his control slip and the ethereal plane shattered its connection with him. More pain cycled through him as the leftover magic fought to get out of his body. His knees buckled and he fell to the floor. This wasn't how it was supposed to go! He looked up at Amore's figure, still solid and unaffected.
"I'm...s-s-sorry."
He felt something stir within him. A need. A terrible, terrible need. It was easy to tell that his magic had been depleted within seconds of connecting to the plane. So it stood to reason...
"I need...more! I...need...more! I NEED MORE!!"
-----------------------------------------------------
Sombra didn't leave the dungeon for another hour, refusing to look disheveled when he walked through the halls again. That and he had to get his pain under control. His head was still throbbing as he lifted his enchantment from the dungeon entrance.
I need more.
Yes. That was the answer. But how to gain that much magic? He would need hundreds, perhaps even a thousand times as much energy. He stopped as he came to the main hall. He stared around the room, taking it in.
"Crystals..."
As he connected the dots, he felt himself salivate. That was the answer! Crystals were perfect for harnessing magic!
"Crystals!"
His voice echoed through the hall as his plan began to form.
-----------------------------------------------------
"You can't be serious, my King! Shut down the mine?"
Sombra sat on his throne, looking down at the ponies who oversaw the excavation of the Everhoof mines.
"I am serious. Do you dare to question my judgement?"
One of the ponies lowered his head.
"Of course not, your Highness. But...the mines account for much of the business we do with the other kingdoms. If we shut them down, the kingdom will become destitute."
Sombra looked down at the stallion.
"So you do question my judgement."
He looked to each of the other ponies.
"I'm doing this for your own good. I want every worker out of those mines immediately. They will be reopened when I say, and only when I say."
The rest of the ponies bowed their heads and began to leave. The pony that had spoken up though remained behind. Sombra stared down at him, a frown forming.
"Do you have something else to say?"
"Sire...these black crystals aren't as dangerous as they appear. Ever since we discovered them a year ago, all they do is turn other crystals black. We avoid them well enough. But if they're actually dangerous, maybe we should collapse the tunnels they occupy. It might slow them down at least."
Sombra's frown deepened.
"And risk collapsing all of Everhoof? I think not. I will take care of the crystals."
"So...the mines might not be closed for long?"
"I can't say for certain. Rest assured, all will be well once my work is done."
The pony bowed and ran after his companions. Sombra brooded over his bad luck. Nopony was supposed to have seen those crystals. He should have closed the mines sooner. It couldn't be helped now though. Besides, there were more pressing matters. Luna was coming to see him.
He had ordered the staff to make the palace ready for their guest. Banners were hung, the crystals polished, and a brilliant dinner was planned. Sombra felt his heart skip a beat as at the thought of seeing his love once again. As if reading his mind, a page entered the hall.
"Your Highness! Princess Luna has arrived!"
Sombra turned around with a flourish of his cape.
"Excellent! Show her in."
The page bowed and opened the doors. Luna came walking in, a big smile on her face.
"Good day to you King Sombra. How art thou?"
Sombra had to stymie his laughter. He nodded to the page and the pony ran off.
"A bit formal, don't you think?"
Luna looked around the hall.
"We wanted to appear formal until..."
Her smile grew as she saw nopony was around.
"I knew we were alone."
She leaned forward and kissed Sombra. He felt his heart leap at the warmth of her lips, a smile growing on his face. She pulled away, giggling after a moment.
"I see that made your day."
Sombra sighed.
"You have no idea."
He turned towards a hallway and motioned to it.
"Care for a walk in the gardens?"
Luna nodded enthusiastically, falling into step beside him. They arrived at the gardens and began to stroll. Luna looked at Sombra, concern in her eyes.
"You seem tired, my love."
Sombra nodded.
"Wearing this crown has been the most difficult thing in my life. I hope that will change one day."
"You'll grow used to your responsibilities. Then you'll wonder how you ever fretted about them."
He smiled at her.
"Is that how you feel?"
She winked.
"Remember, I raise the Moon. So yes, I feel that way."
He chuckled.
"You truly are amazing. And you can always make me laugh."
"You look like you could use it right now. Is there something bothering you?"
"Nothing too concerning. A little trouble in our mines, but it will soon be taken care of."
"There's always something I suppose. Celestia always goes on about everything that happens during the day. It gets a bit annoying honestly. And she never asks about my nights."
"Is there something wrong?"
"Oh no! Nothing at all. It would just be nice if she asked."
Sombra rolled his eyes.
"Your sister seems to be very...self-involved."
Luna shrugged.
"It's not her fault so much happens while the Sun is up."
"It's a shame more ponies aren't up to enjoy your nights. They're truly miraculous."
She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
"You're sweet."
Sombra looked up at the tree in the center of the garden.
"I wish Amore could help me. Then again if she were here, I wouldn't be wearing this crown."
"I'm sure she's watching over you."
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
"You think she's..."
Luna's eyes grew sad.
"I've searched through the dream realm, hoping I'd find her somewhere. Maybe she'd been kidnapped, or had run away, or something else to explain it... But I can't find her anywhere."
Sombra felt a pressure in his chest. At first he thought it was guilt. But after a moment, he realized that it was grief. Luna couldn't find Amore.. Could she really be gone? He felt tears welling up.
"It makes her fate seem so...final. I...I don't want to admit it though."
A tear rolled down his cheek. Luna reached up and wiped it away.
"I know. And you don't have to. Not yet at least. The wound is still fresh."
Sombra nodded. His sadness grew, but he refused to let it consume him. He shook his head and stood tall.
"I have a wonderful dinner planned for us this evening. Would you like me to tell you about it?"
Luna nodded, a sympathetic smile on her face.
"That would be wonderful."
-----------------------------------------------------
Shade opened his eyes.
"So that's why..."
Luna looked at Shade.
"What?"
"The mines, the crystals...he wanted to bring Amore back."
Celestia leaned forward.
"Do you mean to say that that is what caused the War?"
The stallion shook his head.
"No. That was part of it, but it wasn't the whole picture."
Luna was sitting back in her seat.
"I always wondered what trouble the mines were causing..."
Shade chimed in.
"When I was there, every crystal as far as I could see was black as night. All of them radiated Sombra's magic. He was stockpiling his own reserve to try and revive Amore."
Celestia shook her head.
"He willingly drained his magic into every crystal?"
"Every one. And probably more. Most have them returned to normal now. It took all of his magic to attempt to keep his spirit alive outside a proper vessel."
Luna sighed.
"I can't believe all of this was happening right under our noses. All he had to do was reach out for our help."
I was desperate. I couldn't think straight. And after the journal...I couldn't confess.
Shade sighed and shook his head.
You should have confessed from the start.
Celestia looked at Luna sympathetically.
"You couldn't have known Luna. And besides, we were dealing with our own issues at the time. We'd just defeated Discord and Tirek was about to enter Equestria."
Luna nodded.
"I know, I know. But I still should have known something was off."
Shade felt his mind growing darker.
"This is it...The tipping point."
Celestia looked at Shade.
"What was that?"
Shade rubbed his temples, feeling something pushing to get out.
Sombra? What's wrong?
The Shadow has come. His memories and my own are about to become one.
Should I be worried?
I can still guide you through, but I don't dare possess you again. There's a chance it wouldn't be me that takes over.
Shade nodded.
"I understand. Do you want to say anything?"
Luna looked at Shade in confusion.
"What's happening?"
"We're at Sombra's breaking point. This is where he and the Shadow become one. And he won't be able to talk himself again."
Luna leaned forward, her concern growing.
"Can't you come forward just once more?"
Shade shook his head.
"It's too big a risk."
"Please..."
He could see the longing in his sister's eyes. He wanted to oblige her so much, but Sombra had spoken.
"He says he's sorry. And that he loves you."
Shade stood up and approached Luna.
"And he said to give you this."
He kissed her on the cheek. Luna lifted her hoof, caressing the spot.
"He's...not coming back..."
Shade shook his head.
"He says he's even going to talk to me less. There's just too much now. We're about to enter Sombra's fall into madness and the Crystal War itself. He said he'll try to keep the worst of it back, but he can't guarantee anything."
Celestia closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"We've seen most of it before Shade. We'll endure."
Luna nodded in agreement.
Shade took his seat again and focused on the crystal...
-----------------------------------------------------
Sombra sighed as he sat up in bed. Luna was fixing her hair in the nearby mirror. He smiled at her.
"We must do this more often."
Luna smiled back.
"I wish we could."
Sombra furrowed his brow.
"Then why don't we?"
Luna laughed.
"Easy there. I didn't think you could recover that fast."
"Not that! I mean this. Us! I want you in my life more than the occasional visit."
Luna froze and turned to him.
"What are you saying?"
"I want you to stay here with me, Luna."
Luna stared at him. He couldn't tell what she was thinking.
"Well?"
"Are you...proposing to me?"
Sombra suddenly realized what he'd done. He felt his face grow hot, undoubtedly turning red.
"Well...I guess I am."
Luna's eyes grew sad.
"Sombra...we've talked about this."
Sombra got out of the bed and growled.
"No, Celestia has talked about this. And she's made it very clear she doesn't want you and me to be together."
"Sombra, that's not the point-"
"And of course the age issue comes up every time!"
"Don't I get a say?! I don't want to watch you die!"
"Then I won't!!"
Luna jerked back in surprise.
"You what?"
Sombra smiled.
"I won't die. You and Celestia are immortal, so there must be a way. And I'll find it!"
Luna shook her head.
"Sombra-"
"NO!"
She jumped back, shocked at his volume. Sombra began pacing.
"I'm tired of being told I can't have you just because of something as inconvenient as Death! I will find a way. And then there will be no reason for us to not have the fairy tale ending we deserve. Just you and me...forever."
Luna had begun to cry.
"You can't...it's not...Sombra, you'll waste your life away on such a hope. And that would be worse than watching you die!"
Sombra stopped and looked at her.
"So you'd rather I give up on us?"
The mare gasped in shock.
"How could you- I never said that!"
"But if I don't at least try, I'll always hate myself. Because what if I can figure it out? And what if I don't because I decided love wasn't worth the fight?"
Luna shook her head.
"You're twisting words and trying to rationalize driving yourself crazy. I can't watch you do this to yourself! Please!"
Sombra watched as Luna broke down, crying into her hooves. He felt his rush dissipating as he watched her cry. After a moment, he pulled the princess into an embrace.
"I'm sorry, my love. I didn't mean to upset you. It's just...frustrating. I love you more than anything."
Luna pressed her face into his chest.
"I love you too. I just...don't want to get lost in a fantasy."
Sombra let go and pulled away.
"If you would rather part ways and be spared the pain, I understand. But I will never stop loving you. And I will be immortal."
Luna wiped her tears and stood up.
"Then you won't give it up?"
He shook his head.
"I can't Luna. I need more time in this life. I need more."
Luna walked to the bedroom door, only pausing for a moment.
"I guess that's where we differ. Because I always thought you were enough as you are."
She exited the room, leaving Sombra alone. He felt a tear on his cheek as he closed his eyes to focus. A wisp of magic left his horn and shot out the window, heading in the direction of the Everhoof mines.
"I'm closer than you think, my love. And soon, I will ascend beyond even your sister."
When he opened his eyes, he found himself in front of the mirror. His lip trembled as he took in the sight. His eyes had become bloodshot. And the more he blinked, the more his eyes changed. The bloodshot coloring slowly turned green, surrounding his crimson irises. He wanted to cry, but no tears came. Instead, a stinging pain arrived. He winced as he looked at his reflection. A purplish smoke started to emit from his eyes. It trailed off to the sides for an inch or so before fading.
Sombra stared at his reflection, unsure of what to make of this transformation. A small jolt through his veins told him something was at work. But he barely felt any of it. The only thing he felt in this moment was his heart breaking.