//------------------------------// // Bunch of Brats // Story: When Darkness Shines // by TeonnaKatzGuardianStorm //------------------------------// As soon as Cadence awoke the next morning she went to see her mother. She made up her mind that she was not going to marry Sombra and wanted to request a new betrothal. Unfortunately for her Sombra's mother was with her in the throne room. "Mother, may I speak with you privately when you are done?" Cadence said as she entered the throne room. "If it concerns my son he has already spoken with me." the umbrum queen said sharply. She was known for her no-nonsense attitude and Cadence hoped she could see that in her son. Amore smiled,"Would you love go get him for us?" Cadence nodded and stepped out the throne room to gather Sombra. The faster this betrothal was annulled the sooner he could get out of her kingdom. She knocked loudly on his door. "Sombra! The queens wish to see you in the throne room! NOW!" She chirped before heading back to the throne room. She didn't care to make sure he was following her, he had already proved he couldn't do that on his own. Sombra's sleepy form stuck his head out the door. "You do not have to knock so loud darling, I was already awake." He stepped out of his room in his normal regalia. He then shuffled behind her to the throne room. The prissy pegasus walking very quickly and Sombra hoped this was good news about the betrothal being canceled based on Cadence's tantrum last night. She hadn't even given him a chance to explain! She tossed open the throne room door and Sombra in his sleepy state walked right into it as it closed, macking him right on the muzzle. He shot her a glare that she returned with a huff and looked away, flicking her tail in annoyance. "Let's get this over with." She said as she sat down next to her mother. Sombra sat down on the other side next to his mother, Queen Rabia. "As you two know you were betrothed and despite the mishaps with the unity celebration the Crystal Empire seems like a forgiving and welcoming place." Rabia shot her son a glare clearly noticing his absence at the unity celebration. "Despite the unforseen events the Crystal ponies have taken a liking to the umbrums in the Empire and with the marriage between our two kingdoms I see a stronger Empire with you both as it's rulers." Queen Amore said with a smile towards her daughter. Wait a minute. "Mother!" Cadence shot up and said too loudly before realizing that was improper. (She didn't even need to look at Sombra to know he chuckled at her display.) Amore raised an eyebrow. "What I mean to say is that me and Sombra... Well we just are not compatible. He is inconsiderate and quite rude. I do not think he would make a good king here." "Now Cadence-" Amore tried to reason but Sombra cut her off. "Excuse me for not being up to your standards Darling but some of us have better things to do than be pretty all the time." Sombra glared at the princess as his mother stared in shock. However she quickly regained her composure to rein in her son. "Sombra!-" Cadence stomped over to the dark stallion, her tail waving and her ears pinned back in rage. "Least I care about my subjects and don't go frolicking off with the first mare I see on the street." "Cadence!-" Sombra snarled cutting the queen off again. He bared his teeth with a growl and his pupils were very thin slits as he became overtaken by shadow. She could see smoke forming on the sides of his eyes. He raised his face close to hers before angrily enunciating each word, "You know nothing about Radiant Hope so keep her. Out. Your. Mouth." "ENOUGH!" The two turned to see a raging Queen Rabia. Her eyes a shade of purple and dark purple smoke on either side of her face. The closer you looked the more in shadow she was. "Irregardless if you two like it or not you are expected to do your duty as royalty. Sombra you were raised better than this and I assume you were as well Princess Cadence." Queen Rabia grumbled. Cadence sat back down and turned to her mom. "Mother you know more than anyone how much I wanted to be betrothed but Sombra is just impossible to work with." Amore closed her eyes a moment and sighed. "Yes my little Cadenza but this is the best I can give you. We can't get exactly what we want but we can make the best of it and do our royal duty." Sombra rolled his eyes and turned to his mother. "She hasn't even given me a chance since I got here. I know times are difficult but do we really need this?" Rabia groaned in frustration, her shadows starting to fade. "Sombra my hooves are tied. You know why we need this alliance and like Amore said you need to make the best of it." If there's anything those two could agree on more was how much they couldn't stand the other and the thought of marriage between them was a nightmare. "Fine!" They turned and left the throne room. Sombra headed out to find Radiant Hope while Cadence ran to her bedroom. Once inside her room she curled up on her bed. How could her mother do this to her. What did her Empire need from the umbrums so bad that she could not marry somweone else? Anyone else? Sombra shifted to a shadow and reappeared in Radiant Hope's residence. The heavily pregnant mare a little shocked to see Sombra but nonetheless welcomed him with open arms.