Morning arrived. As Sombra gained consciousness, he could hear the birds chirping, a few ponies talking outside and hoofsteps of others left their apartment to get to work. He stretched out on his bed and took a deep breath before getting out of bed and got himself ready for the day.
Twilight had told him that he should go to her home-library while they were cleaning up his apartment after the party last night. It was probably one of the friendships lessons. He stepped out of his apartment, greeting a pony or two as he walked out of the apartment building. Everypony seemed lively outside. Foals were running around, chasing each other as the adults gently scolded them for not watching where they were going and what trouble they could've caused. Meanwhile, the adults who had jobs were walking to their workplace, sometimes stopping to greet him or their friends.
He walked around trying to find Twilight's library before asking a pony or two, who gladly showed him the way. Sombra thanked them and went on his way.
The residents here sure are friendly. He felt as if he's at home already.
Sombra stopped walking to stare at the large tree with windows, a door and a balcony. Is this where she lives?
It sure looks cozy. He walked to the door and knocked three times. He heard a shout of, "Coming!", small steps running and finally, the door opened, revealing Spike. "Oh! Hey, Sombra. You're just in time, come on in."
Sombra entered and looked around. The place was just a huge library and he wondered where Twilight and Spike slept.
This library is big, surely there's a bedroom for them, he thought. Perhaps the second floor? He thought as he noticed the stairs.
He heard an owl hooting. He turned and indeed, there was an owl staring at him before flying off to the second floor to sleep.
Twilight was at the center of the room. She used her magic to close the book and approached Sombra. "Hi there! How do you like the town so far?"
"I think I will enjoy living here. Ah, yes, when does my lessons begin?"
"Right now," Twilight said, looking somewhere while her horns lit, levitating something. "I've been preparing for this lesson!"
While she set up for her lessons, Spike whispered to Sombra, "You can tell she's excited. She loves anything to do with books."
"I can tell," Sombra nodded. I mean, she lives in a library. Green magical aura surrounded the saddlebag he brought with him. He opened the bag levitated a notebook and a quill out, sitting on the chair that was prepared. Once Twilight was done, their lessons started.
It was more of Twilight re-counting her past adventures with her friends, what they've learnt from with a bit of history facts here and there. It was interesting and informative nonetheless. They finished off their lesson at one in the afternoon. "So... Got all that?"
"Yes," Sombra said after he finished writing.
"I hope that wasn't too boring," Twilight said as she approached Sombra who was packing up.
"No, it was quite interesting. You have great friends from what I can tell, Twilight Sparkle," Sombra said.
"Yep, my friends are truly the best!" Twilight grinned. "By the way, you should head to Rarity's next. I'll show you where to go."
He never thought one mare could tire him. Rarity wanted to make a few (read: many) clothing designs for stallions. The unicorn said that he could be a model but Sombra thought otherwise. After spending the afternoon with her, he couldn't bear the thought of wearing different clothing for one photo. Although, he had to admit, Rarity's designs were very unique and beautiful, and could level the best designers he knew.
She was quite beautiful, too. He was in no way attracted to her, of course. The dragon looks smitten with her, although Rarity didn't seem to notice.
He dropped his saddlebag in his room and went to take a shower. There were food that he packed up from the Crystal Empire and from the party, and he had a few of that for dinner. He cleaned up the dishes and sighed as he sat on the sofa. There wasn't much to do tonight. Reading crossed his mind but none of the books he brought with him had sparked interest in him. He could try talking to his neighbor but they were surely tired after a long day of work.
He then made his way to his bed, deciding to sleep but the feeling of drowsiness never came. After tossing and turning many times, he decided to go for a walk. Perhaps he could go to the park?
Yes, that sounds nice.
There was nopony in the park as expected. All the streetlights were off so it was dark but Sombra didn't mind. He walked around the park before deciding to sit on the bench. He took a deep breath as he felt the chilly night breeze. Darn, he should've brought a coat. He was about to stand up when a mare's voice said, "Why aren't you asleep?"
He turned and saw Luna appearing from the trees behind the bench. Sombra patted the spot next to him as he responded, "Well, Your Majesty, I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing in Ponyville?"
"I usually have duties to take care of in the night, pony's nightmares to battle," Luna said, sitting next to him. "It can get stressful sometimes so I tend to come to the park."
"You sound like a busy mare," Sombra said.
"That I am," Luna then asked, "How are you enjoying Ponyville so far?"
"I've only been here for two days, and I feel at home already. The residents here are friendly and welcoming unlike the ones in my home town," Sombra said. "Can't blame the crystal ponies, I tried turning them into slaves."
"Friendly you say? Hmm, odd," Luna said thoughtfully, "When I first arrived here for Nightmare Night, they acted like I will turn into Nightmare Moon anytime. Luckily Twilight helped me gain their trust."
"Funny, they talk to me easily and I have already made a few friends."
"Consider yourself lucky," Luna huffed.
Sombra chuckled. "Perhaps it is because they believed you were just a bedtime story and never expected you to be real, Princess,"
"That could be it," Luna nodded, "And I am very much real."
The mare looked around. Sombra could've sworn she looked a little disappointed. "It seems like some things never change after a thousand years."
"And that is..?"
"They choose to sleep instead of appreciating my night," Luna said. "They do not know how hard I worked to make the night sky beautiful. But it doesn't matter, I assume."
"Well, I am awake. And of course, I have noticed your night." Sombra made an attempt to cheer Luna up.
"You only say that to cheer me up," Luna looked at him.
"Nay, I am being sincere, Your Highness."
"Truly?"
Sombra nodded. She then smiled, making Sombra feel odd. Was it fear? No, that is not it... Nervousness? Well, close. Luna had a beautiful smile.
"Well, I thank thee for appreciating my night!" Luna said, happiness radiating off her.
"And I appreciate that you took the time to make it as beautiful as you," Sombra said, making Luna blush slightly.
Sweet Celestia, what the hell was that? Why did he say that? Sombra punched himself internally.
"Well, I thank thee for the compliment," Luna chuckled. "You do not look bad yourself, King Sombra."
"Please, just Sombra is fine," Sombra stuttered.
"You may call me Luna, then," Luna smiled. "It is nice to meet you. Again."
Again? What does she mean?
Oh. That's right. Luna was there with Celestia. The sisters had defeated him last time.
"Likewise, Luna," Sombra nodded. They soon striked up a conversation and talked for hours. They went from talking about their work life to their foalhoods, laughing together about the time a younger Luna scared a younger Celestia with a cockatrice plush. The mare might've completely traumatized her sister, because she tend to avoid chickens, alive or not.
Catching their breathes, Luna said, "It must be late. You should head back,"
"Of course," Sombra agreed, still chuckling. They stood. "Will I be seeing you again?"
"If that's what you want. It is fun conversing with you, Sombra," Luna smiled. She wanted to pull him into a hug, to tell him how much she appreciate him staying up for her, but decided against it. Sombra could tell anyways. Luna seemed much more happier than when she first arrived.
They said their goodbyes. Luna flew back and Sombra, deciding that he had enough walking, used his umbrum magic to travel back to his apartment. Hopefully the residents didn't see him flying about. They might think he was back to being 'evil'.
As he laid on his bed, he thought about how he felt at home in this town. He was glad he had accepted the offer and moved to Ponyville. He closed his eyes, thinking about his lesson with Pinkie Pie next morning.
Meanwhile, Luna had arrived back to Canterlot Castle. She trotted - almost skipping- to her room. As Luna entered her room, Celestia spotted her younger sister looking happier than usual. She knocked on the door and entered when she got permission.
"My, you look happy. I've never seen you like this," Celestia joined Luna, who was sitting on the large, soft rug.
"Can't I be happy?" said Luna playfully.
"That's not what I'm saying," Celestia said, "What's made you so happy?"
"If you must know, I met Sombra at Ponyville's park. He was quite fun to converse with!"
"Ah, I see what this is," Celestia said misheviously after a pause.
"What?"
"Do you feel anything when you are with him?"
Knowing exactly what her sister is trying to do, Luna said, "Tia, I just got to know him! You can't just have feelings for a stallion you just met,"
"Of course, of course," Celestia said dismissively, convinced that Luna does have feelings for Sombra. The older alicorn then tuned a bit serious. "Speaking of which, has Sombra shown any violent reactions?"
"Not that I know of. He did mention that he had lessons with Twilight," Luna informed. "Why do you ask?"
"If this reforming is a success, I plan on releasing Discord and get him to use his magic for good," admitted Celestia.
"Reform - Discord?!" Luna exclaimed. "Sister, you're not being serious."
"I am quite serious,"
"He is the embodiment of chaos! There was a reason we trapped him in stone!"
"If Sombra is able to redeem himself, why not Discord?" There was something else in Celestia's voice and Luna noticed it.
"You are still in love with him," Luna stated, approaching her sister. She knew she was right when her sister didn't respond. "I know that you miss him but you have to let him go."
"Just trust me on this, Luna. Perhaps Twilight and her friends can -"
"'Tia, please..."
"Trust me, Luna." Celestia insisted, and Luna paused before nodding in defeat. Once Celestia got determined about something, you cannot stop her.
"I hope you know what you are doing, sister." Luna said in a defeated tone, watching Celestia leave her room.
"Well, what's the worst that could happen?" Celestia pulled on her serene smile, leaving the room.
Luna sighed tiredly as the door closed.