The next day
Huh, a unicorn with a heart as black as night. And here I thought this place was supposed to be peaceful.
I asked Princess Celestia who King Sombra was. She explained to me that he was a tyrannical unicorn that ruled with an iron hoof. Apparently, he ruled a place called the Crystal Empire and made its citizen his slaves. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna stopped him with the Elements of Harmony-
"The what?"
The Elements of Harmony. Thankfully Headmare Twilight talked about them in history class. They are a set of relics that represent six aspects of friendship and harmony: honesty, kindness, generosity, laughter, loyalty, and magic. Celestia and Luna used to bear the Elements. Today, the bearers are none other than my professors. Professor Applejack is honesty, Professor Fluttershy is kindness, Professor Rarity is generosity, Professor Pinkie is laughter, Professor Dash is loyalty, and Headmare Twilight is magic.
"So your professors are practically superheroes?!"
Apparently. Back on topic, Celestia and Luna banished Sombra to the arctic north, but not before he placed a curse on the Crystal Empire, making it disappear. Just a few years ago, however, it returned, and with it, King Sombra. My professors stopped Sombra, and Spike became a famous hero there for recovering the Crystal Heart, a relic that helps spread love across the empire...
"That sounds gay as shit."
...and Celestia's niece, Princess Cadence (another fucking princess wtf?!), took it over with her husband, Prince Shining Armor, who I also learned is Headmare Twilight's brother.
So yeah, there's your history lesson, back to the story.
"I didn't even ask for this fucking hist-"
Just like last time I was in the hospital, Nurse Redheart gave me a quick checkup on my vitals and all that stuff. Due to Princess Celestia healing my wounds, I didn't need to go to any more weekly checkups, but Nurse Redheart still advised me to stay in the hospital for a while just in case any problems arise and to take it easy for a while after I get out. The same applied for Professor Dash.
I was now walking through Ponyville pondering. Princess Celestia commemorated me for my act of bravery against the shadow monster, and I have a feeling I'm gonna get the same treatment from my professors. As well as my friends. But my mind was more on King Sombra. He has been defeated, twice actually, by friendship and love. So why has he returned? Surely he must know that he stands no chance in a place as peaceful as this. And why did he have to send a minion to do his dirty work?
Although, this is just speculation. Princess Celestia doesn't know for sure if Sombra is behind this. It could simply be some random entity bent on harming others. After all, no matter how much light there is, there will always be darkness, and vice versa. It's like two sides on a coin, both sides will always be present.
I was so focused on yesterday's incident that I wasn't paying attention to where I was going.
"Oof!" a voice and I said as we bumped into each other.
"Oh gosh. I'm so sorry. I should've been watching where I was going," I apologized.
"No, I should be apologizing. I wasn't watching where I was going either," said a familiar Valley girl voice.
I looked up and, yep, it's that girl that I saved yesterday. Same fur color, same mane style, only this time she wasn't wearing the cheerleader outfit, making me able to get a quick glance to her cutie mark. It was a set of pom poms blowing in the wind.
"DeffBwade, I don't think it's polite to just look at a girl's cutie mark. I mean, isn't it on their butt?
Well I can't really help it if these ponies don't wear pants and their marks look so...flamboyant.
"Whatever you say."
The girl looked at me and seemed to recognize me as well, if her gasping and eyes sparkling ab it were any indication.
"It's you," we both said simultaneously.
"Huh? Do you know him?" another Valley girl voice asked.
Both me and the girl turned to another earth pony filly. She had light blue fur, a long blue mane and tail, blue eyes, and a cutie mark of a horseshoe between a set of pom poms. Must be another cheerleader.
"He's the pegasus from yesterday," the orange pony said, to which the blue one smiled and walked up to me.
"So you're the pegasus that saved my friend's life from that freaky shadow monster," she said.
"Yes. Yes I am. I-I'm sorry, I never got to learn your names. My name is Legion," I said.
"Legion..." the orange pony said with a smile. I could've sworn it more of a soothing coo. Probably just me though.
The blue pony took the initiative. "I'm Lighthoof, and this is Shimmy Shake," she said.
"Nice to meet you two," I said to which they nodded.
"That...that was really brave of what you did yesterday. You know, stopping that thing from harming anypony else," Shimmy Shake let out a sigh, "I wish I could be as brave as you."
"But Shimmy Shake, you were brave. You were able to stop it from hurting Professor Dash more than it already did," I assured her.
"But...but I was...scared. I let my fears get a hold of me. I...I thought I was gonna...die," Shimmy started sniffling a bit at that last part.
I went up to Shimmy Shake and pulled her into a hug. Now, normally I'm not really a hugger, even to my family. But...I don't know. Something just...compelled me...to hug her. I'm not entirely if she was simply upset and I wanted to make her feel better. She let out a small gasp, but then started to hug me back. I shushed her to stop her from getting more sad.
"I thought I was gonna die as well, but I still had to fight or else more ponies would be harmed. Being bravery isn't about not being scared. It's about pushing forward and facing challenges despite being scared. So you see Shimmy, despite the possibility of death, you still were able to save Professor Dash's life," I said.
My little therapy session seemed to do the trick, for when we separated, Shimmy wasn't crying any further and had a smile on her face.
"Thank you Legion," Shimmy said.
"Those were some wise words," Lighthoof said.
"Thanks. Learned that from an old friend. And it's no problem Shimmy. I always do what I can to make my friends happy," I said, "Well. I best be on my way. I got some friends to meet up with."
"Okay. Bye Legion," Shimmy said.
I stopped for a second and turned back around. "By the way, I noticed that outfit you were wearing yesterday Shimmy. Are you two part of the cheer squad by any chance?" I asked them.
"Yep. We are the lead dancers of the squad. Why do you ask?" Lighthoof asked.
"No reason. It's just a shame that a monster choose to attack before your performance. I'm sure it would've been great," I said as I turned and started walking away, "By the way, you looked really nice in that outfit Shimmy."
I wasn't even completely aware of the compliment I just gave, nor the blush that appeared on Shimmy's face as well as Lighthoof's smirk.