//------------------------------//
// Chapter 9 
// Story: The Shadow of Sombra 
// by Lupus_Umbra 
//------------------------------//


Sombra's POV


'That was too close.' I thought, taking in a deep breath that I didn't know i was holding. I felt goosebumps rise along my skin as I took in a deep breath, letting the little bit of adrenaline I had leave my system. It was hard to keep my composure when I was in the face of so much suspicious without any story to go with me, but thanks to the rain, I was able to avoid the questions. 

"At least I have some time now." I mumbled, crumpling up the piece of parchment Twilight gave me and throwing it in a nearby trash can. I walked down the library's stairs and watched the people around me as I made my way to my little bridge, many of them running to escape the rain, while others opened their umbrellas and moved slightly faster. I also saw some of the winged folk fly up into the sky and fly in the same direction. 

'I need to cover up.' I thought, feeling to rain slowly start to pick up. And even though I did enjoy the cold feeling the rain gave me, I didn't want to be sick. So with cold, wet fingers I begun to try and undo the knot that held my cloak at my waist. 

As soon as I got the black fabric off my waist I unfurled it with a few swings and just looked at the cloak. I remembered the memories I had with it, the missions, and the first time I received it. It was a gift I got from my teacher on what we considered my eleventh birthday. Of course, that was when I realized he didnt put a lot of thought when giving stuff to people. It was way too big for me at eleven, big enough that I just used it as a blanket until I was tall enough to wear it properly. During that time, he would tease me about my height until I grew taller from pure spite. 

"God, this thing really has been through a lot hasn't it?" looking at it, I saw how tattered and dirty it really was. The edges were torn and there were multiple holes near the center, not to mention the stains that it had. There was dirt stains, dark grass stain, and even a  few red stain I took a closer look at. "Is that blood?" 

I wanted to reminisce a little while longer, the the rain had picked up once again and I threw the cloak over my shoulders and the hood over my head. Thankfully I was tall enough for the cloak, but it nearly reached the middle of my calves. 

Now that I was covered, I started to think about the story I was going to tell them when I returned for their little tour. I wasn't really sure what I could tell them, I had no idea what towns existed in 'Equestria' or where else I could name. I already told them I was from America and they seemed to believe that it was a small town. But what can I say about where it is. I could keep telling lies and keep letting them believe what they will, but that Twilight girl made it clear last night that she suspected me of being someone from before. It was also one of the reasons why I couldn't skip town, it might just make her think getting these 'princesses' involved is the right thing to do. And that wouldn't exactly do for staying low. 

"Though I'm already doing a terrible job of that." I mused, now realizing that saving four kids and a bakery lead to this attention. I didn't regret what I did, though I almost with I skipped town after saving the Cakes. I turned the corner of a crossroad and nearly went face first into a pair of golden guards. 

Both of the guards were women who were slightly taller then me. Both had the armor and spear that I've learned to associate with the gaurds. But that was where the similarities ended though. The two of them were almost opposites, one had white hair peeking out of her helmet, while the other had black. The white haired one was pale, while the black haired one had chocolate brown skin. 

"'Scuse me." I said, shuffling to the side and trying to move around them. Though the dark haired one stuck her arm out. 

"Hold it." She said, stepping in front of me once again and giving me a stern look. Her partner stepped behind her and stood straight. I mentally rolled my eyes at what I knew what was going to happen. "What's a child like you doing out right now in this rain?" 

"Trying to get out of it." I said simply, it really wasn't funny to me, but the white haired guard did give a little chuckle. It was silenced when her partner threw her a glare and turned back to me. "I'm I suspected of something?" 

"Maybe," she said, before sticking her hand out. "It can be cleared up if you give me your right hand though." I was confused by what she wanted but I compiled, giving her the requested hand and watching her pull my sleeve up to the elbow. 

I didnt know what she was looking for, but I could tell she was surprised by what she saw. On my arm were multiple scars that were mostly small, except for the occasional stab wound. I looked at them as well, noting a few that were missing, but I didnt worry about it at the moment. 

"Is there a problem?" I asked, though I knew what was wrong. Her partner looked over her shoulder and gasped at my arm, and I had to keep myself from from rolling my eyes. I wasnt going to be ashamed or try to had my scars, there was no point. The dark haired guard snapped out of her shock and let go of my hand. 

"Well," she began, clearing her throat. "I guess your not of of the Diamond Dogs." She said, wiping rain that fell on her eyes. 

"Yeah, I could have told you that." I said, but her the white haired gaurd shook her head. 

"So could a Diamond Dog." She replied, leaning her spear on her shoulder and losing her stiff position. "We've been trying to catch as many as we can, and have learned not to take words at their face value." 

"I can understand that." I nodded, feeling the rain started to pick up once again. "As much as I want to hear why you had to check my arm, i want to get out of this rain even more." They both laughed at me this time separating and letting me go by. 

"Be careful kid, there are reports that there's Diamond Dogs out tonight." The white gaurd warned, I didn't reply and just kept walking, enjoying the wind that blew against me. 

I walked for ten minutes more minutes, before I saw a familiar bridge come into view. And even though it wasnt late, I felt as though I could sleep for a whole year. But as usual, work came first. I was about to go under the bridge, when I felt a familiar feeling in my chest. Though it was the same feeling that I had when I was at the hospital, it was no where near as strong, it was almost faint, but I felt it. Not only that, but now I knew what this feeling ment after the last time this happened, it was fear. 

I looked around to try to see where the fear was coming from. I felt the feeling in my chest stir again, this time pointing me in across the bridge. I don't know why but I felt like I needed to run to where it was, feeling that if I didn't, it would disappear. So I did just that, I ran across the bridge and down a empty street. 

I don't know how long I ran or where I even really ended up. But all I knew was that who ever was making this fear was close. I reached a empty alley that was between two abandoned shops. I was unsure if the feeling in my chest was right in its direction, but when I listened to the noises in the alley, I knew that this is where the fear was. 

"You gave us a real run just now didnt you." A deep, accented voice said. I walked slowly down the alley, passing overflowing trash and smashed cardboard, reaching the end and end and peaking around the corner at the end. There was a six people in the alley, all of them looked like they were in their late teens, and were wearing dark clothing that was covered in mud, and wearing bandanas around their faces. All except for one in the middle, looked completely different then the others

He was turn away from me so I didn't see his face, but from what I could tell, he looked like a greaser. He was wearing loose fitting black jeans with a black leather jacket that had a spiked collar, on his feet looked like black steel toed boots. His black hair looked like it was slicked back with enough gel to put Pauly D to shame. What stood out to me was the design on back of the jacket, two D's that were cut into the jacket that had mirrored each other, the arches crossing to where they overlapped and creating a small space in between them. In the middle of the space was what looked like a diamond that would have shone if not for the rain. I wondered who these people were for a second, before remembering the warning the gaurd gave me as I left.

'Diamond Dogs' I thought bitterly, wondering what it was that brought them here. It wasnt long until I found my answer. 

"You....Sure this is her...Dirk." Another teen said, this one wearing a dark green bandanna. All of then seemed to be catching their breath now that they weren't running. The guy with the leather, Dirk, answered.

"Of course I'm sure, the boss made sure that I knew who she was." He responded, walking forward to whoever it was they were blocking and reaching out. I heard a gasp and felt the fear increase before he answered without turning around, I saw a girl with pink hair with a white swirl going through it. "Pink and white hair, blue eyes, and her mark," he reached down, ignoring the girls pained gasp and sob, "a little crown. This is his daughter alright." He finished, gripping even harder as the girl struggled to try to break his hold. 

"P-P-Please!" The girl gasped, stopping her struggle and closing her eyes in pain."I'll give you what ever you all want, just please, don't hurt us anymore." She begged, sobbing loudly.

'Anymore? I thought, taking a closer look at the girl, she didnt look injured in anyway, but she did look terrified. 'wait! Us?'

That was when i saw the other girl, this one with silver hair. She was laying flat on the ground with her back towards me. Though I couldn't see exactly what happened to her, I could tell that she was still breathing. Though she was still alive, that did nothing to relive the anger that I felt in my chest. 

I didn't know what I was going to find when I was guided here by fear, I didn't know what I was going to do when I found these three in a alley, I didnt know what I was going to do when I saw the purple haired girl crying. But I knew what I was going to do now. I reached to my side instinctively, feeling the cool metal of my mask as I grabbed it and brought it up. I looked at the slightly dented mask with a cold resolve that fused with my anger. I turned the mask and began to clip it to my face, when I felt the mask settle snuggly on my face, I slowly began to step out of the corner. 

"Let me make make one thing clear brat." Dirk said, neither him nor his gang noticing me. He used his free hand to take a hold of the girls face and forcing her to look up to him. "We need you alive for our own reasons, but the boss didn't say anything about you being in good health. So unless you want to end up like your friend there, you're going to keep your mouth shut. Got it?" She didn't speak, she only nodded. "Good." Dirk said. 

I began to form my plan as I watched them, taking note of the tight space I was in and the objects around me, my masters lessons coming back to me as I thought. 

"Fighting a group of people isn't an easy thing to do." He would tell me in one our lessons after watching me take a thorough beating from a group of boys around my age. "I should tell you right now that if your against a group, the smart and best idea would be running away. But since your a hotheaded idiot that doesn't like good ideas, I'd say you should try to take them by surprise. Most people are pretty slow to react when off gaurd and wont be able to make a good move for awhile. I'm sure you can imagine how scrambled a group would be if caught off gaurd"

And what about after the surprise is gone." I remember asking though a mouthful of blood, to tired to acknowledge his insult. He didn't answer at first, he only gave me a amused grin. 

"Well, after the surprise is gone, you fight dirty."

With an idea in mind, I walked forward and picked up a brick from the muddy ground. They set themselves in a sloppy formation with the boss, Dirk, far ahead of the rest of them, too far to help the those behind him if I act fast enough. They all were paying attention to their boss as he was in the process of tying the purple haired girl. I walked until I was right behind the teen who was left alone in the back, and with my mind set, I tapped his shoulder. I smiled under my mask at his surprised look as he turned around to face me. 

"Hi there." I greeted happily, before bringing the brick around and smashing his face with it. I surprised myself with my strength, as not only did the brick I was holding completely shatter, but the dog I hit was sent flying towards another two goons. They were caught completely off gaurd, neither of them even turning around, one of them was caught under the dog I sent flying, but the other was only sent stumbling. That was my next target. 

Recovering from my shock I crouched down and grabbed a hand full of mud before taking off at a sprint. The dog recovered faster then I thought he would and he turned around, drawing rusty shank from his trousers and immediately pointing it at me. I was ready though, and shoot my hand out towards him. He was still to far for me to punch but that wasnt what I was trying to do. 

"Agh, fuck!" He yell, hunching over as he began rubbing at his eyes, trying to clear them of the mud that I threw at him. The hand that held the knife began to wave in front of him, looking for a target that wasnt there. When I finally got close enough, he began to shell up, protecting his face and throat. But I didnt go for either of them, instead I swung my leg towards the inside of his leg, I heard a sharp snap come from it and a howl of pain from the teen. I didnt let him suffer though, grabbing the shaggy hair on top of his head before he fell and slammed the back of his head into the building next to us, knocking him out cold. I was once again surprised at the strength. 

I quickly turned around and watch the teen that was knocked down push is friend off of him and get back up. I didnt give him the chance. 

I ran, the dog noticed and tried to shoot to his feet, but he was too late. When I reached him I swung my leg and deliver a soccer kick straight to his cheek. The kick, like most of my hits, had sent him flying down the alley back to where I came from and slamming against the wall. Unlike most of the hit, I began to worry at whether I killed him or not. 

"Who the fuck are you?" A calm voice said, unturned around and finally was able to get a good look at Dirk. He, unlike the others, was a adult that looked to be in his twenties. He had pale skin and muddy brown eyes. He had face that showed he's fought before, with a jagged scar on the right side of his lip and a crooked nose, showing it was once broken. He still had a firm grasp on the girl, which had thankfully stopped crying. 

"Don't know why I should tell you that." I said, taking a deep breath and fixing my cloak.

"Do you know who you're messing with kid?" He said, the other boys starting to gather around him as he spoke. "You're messing with the Diamond Do-"

"Listen." I growled, feeling anger rise at him calling me kid. "I'm not in the mood for humoring you or your gangs little power play. Kidnapping children, you lot must have no shame. You all are pretty young, so I'm going to tell you this while you all still have your legs."I pointed towards the girl. "Leave the girls, take your boys, and get lost. Otherwise I'll make what I did to your boys look like mercy to you."

Dirks eyes narrowed as he took in my threat, and he looked like he was about to lunge at me along with the other two. I felt my anger rise in my chest as he looked me in the eyes. Something in my mind telling me that they werent worthy of my time. And as the anger in my body began to rise, he tossed the girl aside and he began to take a stance. 

It was a wild stance, with his legs were spread wide and his hips were set ready to take any blow that came. But instead having his hands up to protect his face, he kept them at his sides close to his hips and open. His hands looked more like claws the way he held them. I was about to call him out on his stance, ready to criticize him, but then his hands began to change. They started to glow grey at first, looking like his hand was surrounded by the rain water that fell around us. But then the glow started to become more solid, now looking similar to the translucent wings that were on some peoples backs. But instead of wings, sharp, grey claws appeared over both of his hands. 

I gapped for a second, not expecting the man to have anything like this. The other dogs did the same thing, only difference being that they had smaller claws and different shades of grey to their claws. But once again, the anger in my body came back with a vengeance. I gave them the chance to run, the chance to save save himself and this is what he does. Threaten me with their claws. I felt a feeling in my chest rise along with the anger, wanting so desperately to come out and manifest. But there was no way for it to come out, not in anyway that I knew. The feeling started to hurt, it was bad enough that it sent me kneeling. 

"Too late to be shitting your pants now." One of the unnamed ones said, mistaking my pain for regret. I didnt say anything back, in too much pain to think straight. I heard them walk towards me, taking slow, cautious steps. 

'It hurts. I thought, gripping my chest. 'what's going on? How do I make it stop?'

"Release it shadow,  A familiar voice answered. I gasped and put my hands to my head, the pain intensifying as he spoke. 

"How?" I groaned softly, my face touching the muddy ground. 

"How you ask." The voice chuckled as though he heard a child ask a obvious question. "As if I didnt just tell him. This is something you must do yourself Shadow, not something I interfere with yet. In order for me to grow, you must learn"

I mentally cursed the voice at his ominous answer, what the hell does he mean by release it? And for him to grow? I shook my head and got to thinking. He told me that I I to release what was inside me. It sounded like such a simple way to relieve myself, yet I had no idea how. 

I felt a pair of hands grip my cloak and begin to lift me up. When they finally got me up they ripped my hood away and left me to face Dirk, I still had my mask on but he didnt look interested in that. He had a smirk on his face that promised me pain for as long as it could last. He spoke, but I couldn't hear him, the pain blocking all other senses. 

"Don't let these miserable mutts do as they please to you.". The voice said, sounding more demanding this time. "Release my magic and shows these mutts my power."

I decided would try to do as he told me, figuring that anyway I could think of wouldn't work. So I closed my eyes, ignoring Dirk as he lifted his claw to me. I tried to reach into my body, seeing if I can feel that feeling in my chest. After a second, I felt something, it was that same feeling that I felt all day, the river. Though right now it felt more like a raging inferno then the cool water I felt earlier. I tried to pull on it, but that wasnt working, so I then tried to push, again it didnt work. I tried to call on the voice again, to hopefully give me some help, but it ignored me, leaving me to suffer. 

I felt the punches and cuts that Dirk gave me with his claws, but compared to the agony in my body, it was nothing. I continue to push and pull on the fire, frustration building as nothing I did worked. The frustration turned to anger, adding to what I already had. Every second I tried only added to my anger, until I felt it reach a bottleneck. A point where it couldn't rise anymore. But that didn't stop my anger, it only increased the pain, and after enduring the agony, I couldn't handle it any longer. 

I screamed......and then the world went black. 





Celestia's POV


Canterlot


'How boring.' I sighed mentally, bringing the tea that I had to my lips. Today had turned out as most days usually do. I wake up, I have breakfast, I meet up with nobles who always complain but never solve anything, have lunch, repeat with the nobles, and then switch shifts with Luna. 

Right now, I was in the middle of settling a request between two noble mages, Stuffed Pockets and Diamond Glow, both of them thinking that they would have a better chance at getting what they want, a new opera house where our civilian housing is. 

"Again Princess, this new opera house can bring Canterlot another way to collect more money for its betterment." Stuffed said, once again pointing out how this opera house can change canterlot. 

"The first opera house we built is doing just fine on it's own Stuffed." I explain trying not to roll my eyes at the man. "Not only that, but wanting to build it where our citizens live is going to cause more problems then just us getting the materials and money together."

"We've already taken the citizens into account if your worried about that Princess." Diamond chimed, looking as though she had been waiting for me to bring this up. 

'Oh dear.' I sighed, preparing myself to listen to what is sure to be the list of ways to convince the citizens. 

That was until I gasped, feeling a surge of magical power so strong that I dropped the tea cup I was holding. I stood up suddenly and nearly ran to the exit.

"Princess!" Diamond gasped, also standing from her seat, not being skilled enough to feel the power that I was feeling. 

"I'm sorry you two, something came up abruptly and I must attend to this matter." I walked past the both of them. "I will try to schedule another meeting with you as soon as I possibly can, but this matter can not wait." 

I walked out the door before I could get a reply, not care if I did or not. As soon as the door shut, I grabbed the nearest gaurds attention. 

"Tell my senechal to cancel all meeting and to accept no more until further notice." I started, the gaurd only saluted and ran off. With that done, gathered my magic to prepare a teleport to my sister. I was interrupted but a zapping right next to me. I looked and saw Luna, still dressed in her pajamas, looking as though she was lost for a second until her eyes settled on me. 

"Sister!"

"Luna," I snapped my finger and in an instant, Luna wore more formal attire. "I take it you feel the power as well." 

"I did sister," she nodded, not minding the sudden outfit change. "He has returned Sister." 

"No he hasn't Luna." I said, feeling the magic as it spread even farther. "I can feel it, its different then his magic." 

"How so Celestia? This magic seems so similar, I cant see any difference." 

I didn't answer her immediately, in true I couldn't see much difference either. It was such a strange occurrence, who ever was making this power surge is someone with potential. Whither or not that potential was good has yet to be seen. 

"This magic is not corrupted by dark magic, not like his was." I said, not trusting my own words, and by the look Luna had, she didn't either. "Let's go to the balcony, let see if we can find where it's coming from." Luna only nodded and we both gathered magic, and with a release, we appeared on the balcony. 

I heard Luna appear besides me a second before I did. Immediately we opened our senses again and traced where the magic was coming from. As it turned out, we didnt need to use magic sense to see where the magic was coming from. I gasped at what I saw as did Luna. 

Where Ponyvile was supposed to be could no longer be seen, as right above the town, there was what looked like a blanket of shadow in the sky. The shadow was so thick that not even the surrounding lights could pierce the darkness. 

"Celestia, is that what I think it is?" Luna asked, wonder and awe in her voice as she looked at darkness, which had begun to recede. 

"I believe it is little sister." I answered, now knowing for a fact that this was not the work of the shadow mage. "Its an eclipse aura." 

"But how, I thought that there was no more of their kind anymore." Luna asked. "Especially those of true shadow magic." 

"I don't Luna, but what I do know is that we must find out who it is." I told her, watching the eclipse shrink and crack before me. Without saying a word, Luna and I had given each other space to bring out our wings, and with out a second thought, we took off towards Ponyville. Towards the new Umbral mage.