Revelations of the past
Chapter II: Sombra’s Dilemma
Princess Celestia sighed to herself, it had been a long busy day and not to mention and irritating one. She had been spending the good portion of the morning listening to the politicians and various governors argue about the boundaries of Equestria, some wanted it to remain as it is and focus on internal affairs whilst the others wanted to expand on foreign affairs. Either way it had given her a headache, she was glad when she got a moment to herself in the early afternoon and decided to take some tea. This plan however had also gone astray.
She was called into an emergency meeting along with her sister with the ambassador to the Griffin Kingdom regarding territory boundaries, something she knew would happen sooner or later. During Discords rule he had taken a small portion of Griffon territory to spread his chaos in, and now that he had been defeated naturally the Griffon’s wanted it back. She sighed as the debate droned on in front of her, to her left sat Luna who also was trying her hardest to not show her boredom as the Griffon ambassador and the Pony minister of foreign affairs argued.
“It was out land first, you HAVE to give it back!” the ambassador shouted.
“We know that but we have to sort out some affairs first!” the minister barked back.
“What is there to sort out? You didn’t own the land beforehand!”
“Yes ambassador but as I’ve been TRYING to tell you, under Discord’s rule the land was lived in by our citizens. We need to sort out where to re-locate them!”
Celestia sighed and slammed her hoof on the table hard, her patience had run out and the two bickering politicians were getting to her.
“ENOUGH! We shall take a break then discuss this further, perhaps then you two can act like civilised ponies then.” She bellowed glaring at the two.
The two muttered there replies before bowing to the Princesses and leaving the room, as the door closed both Celestia and Luna let out a large sigh of relief.
“Thank goodness that’s over for now…” Luna said.
Celestia nodded back as she and her sister left the room heading towards the balcony, on the way they were greeted by a servant and asked to be brought some tea. The servant nodded and quickly trotted away to fetch the beverage as the two Princesses opened the glass doors and took a seat overlooking the gardens. The view was always soothing to the pair, it was one of the few places within the palace where they could relax and find some peace. It had been ten years since the fall of Discord, and the Princesses where still in the process of re-building the Kingdom. They had gotten several things accomplished such as the forming of a military to strengthen their defence as well as rebuilding the towns and cities that had been wrecked or destroyed during his reign.
There was still much to get done and the two rulers had pretty much been busy non-stop since there ascension, it was a rare thing to have a break such as the one they were enjoying. They heard a small knock as the servant returned with a trolley adjourned with tea and cakes.
Luna chuckled watching her sisters eyes light up at the sight of the cakes, thanking the servant who bowed and left the two alone. They poured one another a cup of tea and selected their choice in cake and began to converse with one another, before they were interrupted again by a knock. At first annoyed they realised who it was and smiled as they beckoned him to enter, the unicorn bowed as he entered through the door.
He had a light grey coat with a messy black mane and a pair of spectacles balancing on his nose, his cutie mark, a quill dripping ink into an inkpot, was covered by a long dark blue cloak which had the Princesses emblems emblazed upon it. Holding the cloak down was a saddlebag bursting with scrolls quills and a couple of books, Celestia and Luna giggled when he stumbled on part of his cloak. Coughing and blushing slightly he composed himself and bowed.
“You asked for me your Majesties?” Ink Quill said with a bow.
“Yes Ink Quill, we have need of your services. And for what seems the one thousandth time, call us by our names, not titles.” Celestia replied giggling.
“Of course Celestia my apologies, what do you require?”
“As you know, we have been slowly re-building this land to its former glory to a place where peace and harmony come together once more.” She paused to sip some tea. “To do this we need to archive all of the knowledge of the land to help better ourselves in the future, which is where you come in my faithful scribe.”
“Celestia?”
“Currently, we are building a large Archive to store all these records, we wish for you to oversee its work as head scribe.” Luna finished with a smile.
“Thank you Luna, I’m honoured.” Ink Quill smiled with a bow.
The two offered him a cup of tea and he smiled accepting it, levitating the cup to him as well as taking out one of the books in his bag. He began to tell them about his ideas for the archives and for other various libraries they could build in the kingdom, the two smiled and listened to him fondly. Out of all the royal staff, they were very fond of Ink Quill. He didn’t see them as his rulers though he needed reminding he could call them by their names, he saw them as equals and they had found friendship and reliability in him. They were interrupted by a light knock on the door and all three turned to see who it was, appearing from behind the door was a unicorn servant.
“Come in.” Luna called.
The servant entered and placed the letter on the trolley and bowed before taking his leave, Celestia levitated the letter up and scanned the contents whilst sipping her tea. She let out a long sigh and closed her eyes, rubbing her head with a hoof. Luna placed a comforting wing on her sister and looked at her.
“Tia? Is everything ok?”
“No not really Lu-Lu, but when is it ever?” Celestia sighed sipping some more tea.
“What’s the matter?” Ink Quill asked.
“It’s just a report from one of the northern watch posts near the Crystal Empire; apparently the Empire is a little concerned regarding reports of movement coming from within the mountain kingdom.”
“You mean Sombra’s Kingdom?” he said sipping some tea and scribbling some notes in his book.
Celestia nodded as the three sipped their tea pausing for a moment taking in the surrounding sound of the gardens, the only sound they could hear was the light breeze of the wind and the sounds of birds nearby.
“But…what does it mean though? Could Sombra be amassing an army?” Luna said breaking the silence.
“I doubt it…he’s a good ally to us and the Empire and not foolish enough to try anything THAT stupid. And if he is it wouldn’t surprise me, after all aren’t we re-building our army?” Celestia replied offering Luna some cake.
“Thank you.” She nibbled cake before continuing.” I suppose that’s true, he probably is just trying to strengthen his own borders after all; Equestria wasn’t the only ones to suffer under Discords rule. And Sombra fought valiantly alongside the Empire to keep Discords minions of chaos at bay.”
“Indeed, but I wonder why the Empire is getting concerned, after all their military overshadows Sombra’s anyway. That and like you said Lu-Lu, there allies who are both helping each other rebuild.”
There was another pause as the three looked over the gardens once more, pouring each other another cup of tea and closing their eyes to hear the sounds of the world around them again. Even though they had been discussing more affairs that they had specifically come outside to get away from and relax. Both Sisters had still enjoyed the company of one another, and were enjoying listening to the sounds of nature.
“Still…” Celestia said after a while. “Maybe we should send some ponies to the Empire, to show them we are at least listening to them. After all it could be nothing they are worried about and if we send some ponies, we are showing we care for our allies.”
“What about Sombra? Should we send some ponies to his Kingdom and see what is going on.” Luna added.
“Hmmm…yes that’s a good idea Lu-Lu; it also avoids Sombra thinking we are doing deals behind his back with the Empire. I will send a letter to Sombra and Krustallos stating we will be sending some ponies to see how they are progressing in the new age.”
Luna smiled, she was still getting used to being a ruler and it wasn’t very often she had given a good suggestion to her sister who had done the majority of ruling. It wasn’t from lack of ability to do so; Luna was still young in Alicorn years and was nervous about being a ruler at her age. Celestia, being the eldest did what most elder siblings would do, took control of the majority of things allowing Luna to ease into her role at an easy pace.
“If you’d like Celestia, I could go to the Empire as well. It might help with reassuring them as well as allow me to collect information for the archives.” Ink Quill suggested.
“That’s an excellent idea Ink Quill.” Celestia smiled at him. “You best go and get ready, I’ll be sending the ponies tomorrow.”
“Right-o!” he started “I’m going to need a lot of ink and scrolls…oh and books plenty of blank books maybe a few dozen new quills?” he muttered as he left the Princesses alone.
They couldn’t help giggling at Ink Quills quiet ramblings; it was one of the things they liked about him. The two continued to talk about other things sharing a few jokes with one another; they were interrupted by a knock on the glass door. They looked to see another servant this time a mare looking a little nervous, they beckoned her to enter and she did giving a bow before talking.
“P-princess? The G-griffon ambassador and the m-minister are-“before she could finish the Princesses hear raised voices behind her.
“I don’t care if it’s ‘your land’ we still have a duty to our citizens to help them re locate!”
“You’ve had plenty of time to do that you snob of a pony!”
“What did you call me you feather brain?”
They both loudly sighed shaking their heads.
“Best resume the meeting Lu-Lu, doesn’t seem we will be able to take a break any longer.” Celestia said with a slight titter.
Luna only sighed again nodding as the two proceeded back into the meeting room, the servant bowed as they passed her and proceeded to clear away the tea and plates on the trolley before pushing it back to the kitchens. The two bickering males stopped momentarily to bow as the Princesses entered but soon began to squabble again, their mouths where suddenly where enveloped in a magical aura. They looked over to see Celestia’s horn glowing and a serious scowl on her face.
“Ok gentlecolts…let’s try this AGAIN but this time, in a civilised tone hmm?”
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“I am telling you my liege, any attack now would be most unwise.”
Sombra let out a frustrated groan as he looked down upon the map that lay on the table in the room he was in, to his left was his Captain Dark Light, a dark grey Pegasus with yellow eyes and a black mane who wore dark grey battle armour and to his right and owner of the voice, his royal advisor and tactician. Dream Weaver, a pure white unicorn with cold ice blue eyes wrapped up in a black cloak and hood.
“I know we are at…a slight disadvantage.” Sombra began
“Slight being an understatement...” Dark Light muttered under his breath.
Sombra shot him a glare before turning his attention back to the map.
“But we need to expand, urgently and I don’t have to remind you the ponies are getting restless.” He finished.
Dark Light and Dream Waver both nodded, although on the face of things least as far as Equestria and the Empire where concerned. The Mountain Kingdom was faring well in the dawn of the new age, having a prosperous trading relationship with both nearby Kingdoms. However this was a façade, the kingdom during the later years of Discords rule had been in a state of civil war due to the current king’s corruption by Discord. Sombra, former advisor to the king had led one of the three factions fighting for control of the throne with the other being Dream Weaver and the King Soul flare. At some point during the civil war, Sombra and Dream Weaver had met in secret and forged an alliance. Dream Weavers faction was nearly defeated by Soul Flare and he agreed to Sombra’s rule and he would be made the chief advisor, together their armies united and routed Soul Flare and imprisoned him. Soul Flare escaped however revealing himself to be one of Discord’s commanders, Entropy.
The ponies rejoiced for Sombra usurping the tone however, the war had taken its toll on the kingdom. They were running low in money and to make things worse, Discord was still in power and proved a dangerous threat with his army of chaos. Desperate to secure his position and keep his people safe, Sombra formed an alliance with Emperor Krustallos of the Crystal Empire allowing the Empire to temporarily take control of his forces in order to repel the chaos.
At first this worked tremendously, both Sombra and Krustallos fought side by side in battle repelling the chaos army from their respected domains. However Sombra began to get more and more power hungry with every victory he achieved and although he kept it hidden, he pondered Krustallos may of known. It was around the time of the intervention of Celestia and Luna that Sombra made his name famous to all corners of Equestria, using magic which after the war became forbidden, he single headedly wiped out the feared commander of Discord’s army Entropy and his army at the great divide between the artic north and Equestria’s borders.
With Discord defeated a triple alliance was formed between the three nations and Sombra was officially recognised as the new ruler for the Mountain Kingdom, however during the celebrations Celestia and Luna could sense something was different about Sombra. Although many ponies had been saying what an honourable and good leader he was, they couldn’t help something sinister behind his blue eyes. As the celebrations died down and Sombra bid fare well to the two Princesses and Krustallos, he watched them leave a slow soft smirk forming on his face. As they all disappeared from sight he closed his eyes and re-opened them again revealing his now red and green eyes.
Ever since the end of the Discord era the mountain kingdom had been getting more and more restless, Sombra poured more of his attention into the re-forming of his army which had to be done in secret less the other nations caught wind of it. He also had to keep an illusion spell up in public to mask his eyes, for the past ten years Sombra had slowly but surely created a large and disciplined military whilst simultaneously keeping up the façade of a peaceful nation. This had sadly had a knock on effect and soon his subjects began to become corrupted like there king and were beginning to become restless. They knew of the army and wanted their king to expand their kingdom. Sombra slightly feared a second civil war if he didn’t do something soon, normally he would of gladly gone to war against the Empire to claim territory had it been Discord still in charge. That however was not the case.
With the two princesses ruling Equestria, Sombra had to tread carefully, he knew about the power the elements and what they could do and that is what he feared most. He knew if he attacked the Empire then Equestria would surely aid them in repelling the mountain kingdom, and Sombra had no intention of being turned to stone like Discord either. He let out a large sigh sitting back into his throne.
Dream Weaver pondered over the map on the table, making several calculations whilst tapping his hoof to his mouth. He pondered and pondered trying to think of ways that the elements couldn’t be used against them, groaning in frustration coming with no real solution he back hoofed the small miniatures resting on the map and began pacing. Dark Light stood still watching him with a blank emotionless expression; he wasn’t trained to think like a strategist like Dream Weaver, he was trained to kill anything that stood in his Kings way. But even he had trouble thinking of a way that a strictly military could do that would prevent the use of the elements, he let his mind trail off as Dream Weaver muttered. Sombra closed his eyes deep in thought, trying to come up with a plan to begin his campaign. Could he try planting a spy to steal the elements? Maybe research into counter sells? Dream Weaver muttered something which made Sombra open one eye watching his advisor pace back and forth.
“If only there was a blasted way to counter the elements!” Dream Weaver growled slamming his hoofs on the table. “But they are linked to everything on the damn planet, nothing can stop their power.”
Sombra opened his eyes wide and slowly began to grin baring his teeth, why hadn’t he thought about it before hand? He had read about it in the past, it was the perfect solution!
“Then we shall summon something not from our world…” Sombra said startling Dream Weaver and Dark Light.
“What did you say my liege?” Dream Weaver asked.
“We summon a creature to us, it can be done can it not?”
“Yes sire, but no pony has even tried it, how would we even attempt it?”
Sombra’s grin grew darker as he let out a loud echoing dark chuckle walking over to the table.
“Because my dear advisor, during the reign of the imposter King Soul Flare. I discovered an old book deep within our archives that contains such a spell.”
Dream Weavers face changed from confusion and doubt to one that matched his Kings; Sombra led the two down the stairs and towards the basement where the older records of the mountain Kingdom resided. Using his magic to open the magically sealed lock, the three entered the dark room.
“This is a separate room that only the one who rules this kingdom can open, in here contains many spells and enchantments thought to of been long forgotten.”
“Then how did you know about this room beforehand sire?”
“Before ‘Soul Flare’ took the throne I was advisor to his ‘father’ King Rock Heart, he once showed me this room during his rule.”
Dream Weaver nodded levitating a book over to him, Dark light looked around the room still bearing his blank emotionless face. Sombra turned to Dream Weaver when he had heard his advisor let out a loud gasp.
“S-sire? These spells….there dark magic.”
Sombra stopped turning around to look at him, he knew that dark magic whether it was necromancy or shadow magic was forbidden. When the Princesses had taken the rule of Equestria, they along with Krustallos and Sombra had agreed that they would forbid the four kinds of dark magic, only two schools of it had any form of text left which was shadow magic and necromancy. He had secretly kept the tomes secret much like his predecessor Rock Heart.
“And? Is that going to be a problem Dream Weaver?”
Sombra nodded to Dark Light who in response nodded and slowly went to go for his sword, should Dream Weaver suddenly freak out and try to escape. The fact Dream Weaver knew of the existence of the spells was enough for Sombra to warrant his death, he soon smiled though as Dream Weaver began to laugh slowly at first before the volume of it increased.
“Problem? Oh no sire…in fact, I can see the Empire now in flames with your banner blowing from the tallest tower!” Dream Weaver cackled almost manically.
Sombra nodded contently as Dark Light stopped going for his sword, he valued the loyalty the two before him gave to him, it reassured him.
“How long will it take for you to prepare the ritual, Dream Weaver?” Sombra simply replied.
Dream Weaver looked up from the book he was looking through and around the room, tapping his chin he grinned at Sombra.
“It will be ready by tomorrow your highness…”
“Good, I will let you get to work Dream Weaver.”
Dream Weaver bowed as Sombra left the room followed by Dark Light leaving the advisor to his preparations. Sombra was greeted by a messenger who bowed and levitated a scroll up to him.
“This came for you an hour ago sir, it’s from Canterlot.”
“Canterlot? What one earth do the Princesses want…” he said as the guard left and read the scroll.
He growled in slight annoyance crumpling up the scroll before incinerating it, Dark Light walked up beside him.
“Is everything alight my King?”
“The Princesses are sending an envoy to see how our kingdom is doing, they’ll be here tomorrow.” Sombra replied with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
“I see Sir, how would you like the guard to respond?” Dark Light asked him.
Sombra paused for a moment to think, he didn’t know why the Princesses where sending the envoy and saw it as a waste of time. He also didn’t want the envoy to know of his military expansion or the ritual that would be taking place on the same day, letting his thoughts wonder for a moment he was brought out of it by Dark Light’s voice.
“Sir?”
“Treat them as you normally would Captain, greet them offer them hospitality the works. Keep them away from the barracks and my throne room at all cost, we will….deal with them in the evening.” He replied to Dark Light with a dark smile.
Dark Light saluted him before heading towards the barracks, Sombra slowly made his way to a balcony nearby to look over his kingdom. From where he stood he looked to the south seeing the Empire just in the distance and began to chuckle to himself.
“Soon my little Crystal Ponies…soon you and your precious Empire will be all mine.”