//------------------------------// // Meetings. // Story: Guardians // by Pen Brush //------------------------------// “Luna, I told you to stop with the faces! They are literally killing me!” Sombra groaned as he walked alongside Luna. “Stop looking then.” Luna said childishly, making a blowfish face as she walked. “Then you stop being so darned adorable all the time!” Sombra said grabbing her face and glaring at her. “Says Mr. pillow.” Luna said smiling, making him fluffy with her magic. “Oh hush up. I stopped Pillow Ninja a while ago.” Sombra said sadly and kicking the dirt a bit while shaking, making his fur go back into place. “I only do it on your birthday now.” “You used to love it! I miss it...” Luna said sadly, tears starting to form as she looked into Sombra’s eyes as his hooves held her face. “You love torturing me don’t you?” Sombra said with a stoic expression. “No, but you shouldn’t stop doing what you love Sombra!” Luna said. “I stopped because I found things in my fur that I never knew existed.” Sombra said shuddering a little. “Those were easy to clean out.” Luna said, getting her face out of Sombra’s hooves. “... Fine. When we get home, I will be ‘Pillow Ninja’ the rest of the day. Happy?” Sombra asked sighing. “Yes!” Luna said, trotting happily again. “Why so sad Sombra?” Celestia asked, turning her head to look at the unicorn. “Just lot had been weighing on my mind Tia. Nothing too big.” Sombra said giving a weak smile and trotting after Luna. “I just gotta stay positive.” “What’s on your mind?” Celestia asked, using her magic to put Sombra on her back. “Nothing, I said I am fine.” Sombra said fidgeting a little. “And you know I hate it when you do this. It reminds me that I am the smallest.” “Your hooves get tired easily, and its either have hurt hooves or sit on me or Luna.” Celestia said, smiling, “There isn’t anything wrong with being small Sombra.” “You try saying that when you are tired in the morning and bump into the chair. That was all the cussing yesterday.” Sombra said defeated as he laid on Celestia’s back. “Being small is better than being tall, you don't bump your head on the ceiling.” Celestia said, turning back to look where she was going. “One time Tia! Let it go!” Discord shouted annoyed causing Sombra to snicker. “I don’t know why you had to make the ceiling lower so it would hit my horn, they are sensitive you know!” Celestia yelled. “It’s because it was funny!” Discord shouted with a chuckle. “You still owe me a room cleaning from when I had to save Luna and Sombra.” Celestia said smugly. “Yeah yeah!” Discord said waving his paw over his shoulder dismissively. Celestia looked behind her again at the fidgeting unicorn and decided he might like to do something, “Do you want to experience flying?” She asked Sombra. “Eeeeeee... Not sure...” Sombra said fidgeting a bit more. “I’d like to keep my hooves on the ground for the most part. Last time I went flying, it was Discord’s doing. Not fun.” “I have a spell that can give you wings.” Celestia said, her horn glowing bright yellow as blue light enveloped Sombra completely. “Ruh oh.” Sombra said sounding remarkably like a certain cartoon dog. The blue slowly left revealing Sombra, the only difference being gray and black butterfly wings with some white parts in them. “Try flying.” Celestia said, smiling as she opened her wings and took to the sky. Sombra gingerly fluttered the wings a bit before taking a deep breath and flapping them until he was hovering slightly. “This feels... So weird.” Sombra said shivering a bit. “Don’t get too close to the sun, they could melt.” Celestia advised, flying beside him. “Oh that makes me feel soooo much better!” Sombra said sarcastically as he flapped them a bit harder and actually began to float around. Soon Luna and Discord appeared next to them and flew in the sky with them. “Isn’t flying awesome Somby!?” Luna said as she flew next to him. “It’s actually.... Terrifying! I’d rather do what I normally do to get around!” Sombra said. “Only reason, I am this calm is because you guys are here.” “Just don’t look down, and it will be ok.” Luna said, closing her eyes as she flew. Sombra, being a male, blinked before looking down and having his pupils shrink to the size of pins before he latched onto Luna, instantly making his butterfly wings disappear. “Nope Nope Nope Nopenopenopenope.” Sombra kept repeating as he latched onto the nearest part of Luna. Which sadly happened to be her wing. “Ahhh!” Luna said, unable to fly with only one wing, and started to fall to the ground. They didn't make it to the ground, on account of a few pegasi caught them and held them up. “Uhhh...thanks.” Luna said looking at one of the pegasi. “N-n-n-nev-v-ver a-a-again...” Sombra said glaring at Tia who was above them. “A unicorn isn’t meant to fly anyway, leave that to the pegasi kid.” The pegasus that was holding him said, laughing. “I would have if my sister hadn’t wisped a pair onto my back.” Sombra said shaking his head. “Unicorns and there magic, always easily broken...” The pegasus said, shaking its head, “Anyway, my name is Commander Hurricane, nice to meet you.” “Eh... Nice to meet you.” Sombra said forcing a terrified smile. “Can I be put on the ground now?” “Sure thing.” Hurricane said, as he and the other pegasi brought Luna and Sombra to the ground, where Celestia and Discord were waiting. Sombra simply hopped onto the ground and shook himself a bit before stretching out. “Never... Again.” Sombra said sighing. “I’ll stick to my normal mode of transportation thank you.” “Ya, enjoy that.” Hurricane said before looking at Luna and Celestia, then at a flag that one of the other pegasi had brought, than back at the sisters. “I wasn’t talking about walking. Or Teleporting, thank you very much.” Sombra muttered as he walked over to Luna and sat next to her. “That’s awesome, your sisters look like the ponies on our flag.” Hurricane said, pointing a hoof to the flag. “Um... Good for... them?” Sombra said unsure. “The legendary alicorns...” Hurricane muttered. “Are you ok Sombra?” Celestia asked, walking over to Sombra and Luna. “I am fine. Just please never do that again.” Sombra said shivering a bit. “All the white one needs is a rainbow mane and tail, and the blue one the same...” Hurricane muttered, flying over to his comrades. “I won’t.” Celestia said, ignoring the crazy muttering of the pegasus. “So... Can we go now please? I am getting fairly creeped out.” Sombra said as Discord looked over the ponies staring at him. “And I think for once, Discord doesn’t like the attention.” “Oh, yes I am sorry, I assume your family would like to see our city, follow me!” Hurricane said, running on the ground instead of flying so the others could follow him. Luna and Celestia immediately followed after him, with Celestia holding Sombra in her magic to bring him. “Hey! I can walk thank you!” Sombra huffed slightly frustrated. “I know, but you wouldn’t be able to run fast enough, Celestia said, putting him on her back as she ran. Sombra rolled his eyes before standing up on Celestia’s back and hopping off before a large black crystal burst from the ground and he began to ride on it like a scooter. “See?! Told you I had a better way of moving!” Sombra shouted happily as he was riding next to Celestia. “That almost impaled me!” Luna yelled, getting further away from the crystal. “Sorry! I hopped out on the wrong side!” Sombra said giving a sheepish smile before holding out a hoof. “Come on! Hop on! It’s fun!” “Ok...” Luna said uncertainly, before running closer and jumping onto the crystal. Sombra smiled as he slightly moved under her, so she didn’t fall off and made the crystal move a bit faster, so the wind was whipping their manes. “HAHA! I love doing this!” Sombra shouted with glee. “This is fun!” Luna said, closing her eyes and allowing the wind to whip her mane around. “We are almost there...what the...” Hurricane said as he looked behind him at the sight, Luna and Sombra on a black crystal that could move, an alicorn running beside and a mismatched creature flying above them all. “Unicorns have more tricks than you give us credit for commander!” Sombra said with a smug toothy grin. “No unicorn has the power to make a black crystal ridable, those are not even supposed to move...” Hurricane muttered, looking in front of him again to run. “YAA HOO!” Sombra said as he looked at Luna before smiling even wider.” Hey Luna! Do you trust me?” “I don’t like that question...” She said, opening her eyes to look at him under her. “Come on! Just answer please!” Sombra said giving her his version of the puppy eyes. “Yes, I trust you.” Luna said, hoping he wasn't going to do something stupid. “Then grab me and don’t let go!” He said as he let out a cackle and looked straight ahead. “Ok.” Luna said, grabbing him and holding him tightly. . Sombra simply smiled widely as the Crystal suddenly stopped sending them both soaring in the air for a few minutes. “What are you...doing!” Celestia huffed as she trotted next to them. “Wait for it!” Sombra said smiling. Soon another large and massive crystal exploded the ground making them land on it safely. “See!? I knew what I was doing!” “This is awesome!” Luna said, letting go of Sombra. Sombra smiled happily before snickering at Celestia. “Hey Celestia! Want to jump up here too? I am sure your hooves are getting tired!” Sombra said laughing out loud at his joke. Celestia rolled her eyes and started to fly over the crystal. “I would rather fly.” She said casually, looking down to talk to Sombra. “Not long now.” Hurricane said, abandoning running and going to flying as they flew, and slid in Sombra and Luna’s case, through some trees, into a busy town area. “Whoop!” Sombra said pulling back slightly making the crystal come to a halt in front of the guard pony standing in front of the gate. Sombra craned his neck over the side and saw the guard staring at the Crystal. “Herro~!” “That was fun!” Luna said, jumping off the crystal and stood next to Sombra, the Guard turning his attention to Luna instead of the crystal. Celestia sighed and looked at hurricane. “Sorry about them, they are childish, as well as Discord.” She said apologetically. “No worried, you all seemed to have fun, thats all that really matters.” Hurricane said, smiling evenly. “Well maybe you aren’t so stiff!... Like Tia is!” Sombra said snickering. “Private Pansy! Report!” Hurricane yelled, while a timid brown pegasus flew over to him. “I feel as if something is going to go horribly wrong and one of us is going to end up with a confectionary to the face.” Sombra said scratching his chin. “We...we have the elements ready, two for each race of pony...” Pansy said quietly. “Thats good! Now we truly are all gathered in harmony with each other.” Hurricane said, smiling, then turned to the ponies, and mismatched creature. “Welcome to Equestria.” He said. Something tapped Sombra on his back and he looked behind him to see a pink face smiling at him. “Hi! I’m chancellor Puddinghead!” The pony said excitedly. “Uuuuh... Hi?” Sombra said tilting his head. “Nice to meet you!” Puddinghead said, skipping around him. “She seems nice.” Luna said. “Seems a little childish...” Celestia muttered. “Oh like you haven’t dealt with that before.” Discord said as he floated by. “I wonder where smart cookie went!” Puddinghead said, turning and looking. “I’m right behind you chancellor, I’m talking to clover.” Cookie said, walking over to her pink companion. “Well this day is turning out to be rather interesting.” Sombra said. “Don't be rude.” Celestia said, frowning. “Ya, it isn't nice Sombra.” Luna said nodding. “What did I do?” He asked with a mock offended tone. “You're being rude to these nice ponies.” Luna said, smiling at the ponies that were around them. “Oh pshaw! I was doing no such thing!” Sombra said in a posh accent and sticking his nose in the air. “I would never stoop to something so vulgar.” “What a handsome stallion.” A voice said from behind Sombra. “Hello Princess platinum.” Hurricane said, sticking his tongue out as he walked over to the unicorn who held a box in her magic. “Hello dear, who are these nice looking mares and the handsome stallion?” The unicorn, presumably Princess Platinum, said. “Visitors, we caught this ‘handsome stallion’ falling through the air.” Hurricane snorted, trying to contain his laughter. “Again, I was given those wings. Not my idea.” Sombra said defensively. “Nopony is powerful enough to make wings on a unicorn dear, I don’t think I have your name.” Platinum said, standing next to Sombra as she looked into his eyes. “I am Celestia, this is Luna, Discord and Sombra.” Celestia said, pointing her hoof at her siblings. “Wassup.” Sombra said smiling at the unicorn. “You’re a handsome stallion Sombra.” Platinum said, smiling. “Well thanks. Not too often I’m told I am nice to look at.” Sombra said. “You look like you should be a prince.” Platinum smiled, fluttering her eyelashes, “Maybe even a king.” “Oh no, I am not cut out for that.” Sombra said sheepishly. “He is too childish anyway...” Celestia muttered, looking at the box held in Platinum’s magic. “What’s in that box?” Luna asked, curiously. “Just the Elements of Harmony that we made to keep peace with each other.” Platinum said, opening the box to show the jewelery. “They are pretty...” Luna said, her wings opening to keep her balance as she leaned for a closer look. “They are also jewelry.” Sombra muttered while deadpanning. “They are still powerful, my little Somby Womby!” Platinum said, taking them out of the box with her magic to show them off. “Somby Womby?” Sombra mouthed to himself before turning to Luna. “What is going on?” “She likes you?” Luna replied back, shrugging. “Oh my goodness!” Platinum said as she looked at both Luna and Celestia. “What?” They both asked. “You both have a horn and wings, your a combination of all three tribes! Like the ponies on our flag, thats positively wonderful!” Platinum exclaimed, putting the elements back in the box. “... I want to call bullcrap. But that has to be more than coincidence.” Sombra said scratching his head. “It means that we have found our saviors, the ponies that will keep peace and help the peace stay within all of us!” Hurricane and Platinum said in unision, Hurricane less enthusiastic. “Okay Miss Platinum, I think you may be overreacting just a bit.” Sombra said a bit nervous. “I do not believe I am! Clover! Tell these ponies your vision please.” Platinum said, looking behind her at a gray unicorn. “Oh boy... Story time.” Sombra said lowering his head with a disgruntled expression. “Well, I saw in my vision that if we did not have two ponies that represented all three tribes as our rulers, then we would go right back to being three tribes that hated each other, so now we have finally found them!” She said smiling widely. “I think thats good enough for me!” Luna said, smiling back. “Anything is good enough for you Luna.” Celestia said. “Yeah, she could have literally made that up.” Sombra said looking at Luna. “Now we just need to find out if you raise the sun and the moon, since we always were never able to raise it ourselves.” Clover said looking to Luna and Celestia. “So you lied about using your magic to raise the sun and moon?!” Hurricane said angrily. “Oi, everyone calm down.” Sombra said glaring at Both Clover and Hurricane. “Everyone?” All the ponies besides the siblings asked, looking at Sombra. “Uh, yea. You know, like everyone meaning the other people near us?” Sombra said. “People? You mean everypony right?” Hurricane asked, scratching his head. “...Yeah sure whatever. Anyway my point is, don’t go throwing spears until you know the facts.” Sombra said. “Whatever, do they raise the sun and moon or not? They clearly have the sun and moon as cutie marks.” Hurricane said huffily. “Does my flank not have a black crystal on it?” Sombra deadpanned. “Your cutie mark doesn't matter.” Hurricane said, looking at Clover. “That isn’t what I meant!... Gah!” Sombra yelled out in frustration before smashing his head against the dirt. “Stupid. Pony!” “You unicorns are always easy to anger!” Hurricane said laughing. “And you are simply a moronic bird.” Sombra said looking at Hurricane. “We pegasi happen to be the best warriors ever, do you wish to fight me!?” Hurricane yelled, getting into Sombra’s face. “You want to be encased in a dome of black crystal?” Sombra asked smiling wickedly. “We were already encased in a cave because of windigos, wasn't fun...” Smart cookie interjected from behind Sombra. “Now imagine being encased in black Crystal. No light can go through it. It’s almost purely indestructible, and even better never ever cracks. Now tell me mister Hurricane...” Sombra said leaning his face against Hurricane. “You want to live like that again? Only this time, you won’t be able to get out.” Sombra said the last part with venom in his voice. “That's exactly like the cave.” Hurricane said. “That may be, but this time you get out.” Sombra said grinning wickedly. “Power of friendship will save him!” Puddinghead. said, jumping onto Sombra’s back in a tackle. “What are you doing?” Sombra asked plainly looking up to see the pony on his back, as he was still standing. “Just so you know, you are weightless compared to being tackled by her.” Sombra said pointing to Luna. “Are you saying I’m fat?” Luna said, tears starting to form. “No! Of course not! Just that I am smaller than you! And she is smaller than me. It’s like reverse now.” Sombra said smiling at Luna. “Ok...” Luna said, trying to snap Celestia out of her trance by waving her hoof in her face. “I tackled you to save him with the power of friendship!” Puddinghead said. “How is the power of friendship going to transfer through you jumping onto my back?” Sombra asked looking up at Puddinghead. “Isn’t that like... The opposite of what you are going for?” “Because...I can do this!” She said, squeezing Sombra tightly as she hugged him. “... Well... Thanks for the hug, but I think your plan failed. Anyway I wasn’t going to actually do anything.” Sombra said shrugging a bit. “He was just being a jerk, so I was just trying to scare him a bit.” “Your not angry anymore, so it worked well enough!” Puddinghead said happily, jumping off Sombra. “Ooooooh kay?... Hey is anyone else hungry?” Sombra asked looking at Luna and Celestia. “Pansy! Get the funny unicorn some food!” Hurricane ordered, Pansy flew quickly away and came back with some carrots, before bringing them to Sombra. “Oh.. Thanks, dude!” Sombra said taking one of the carrots and munching on it. “N-no problem.” Pansy said, landing on the ground. “I think Celestia is dreaming or something, she is in fantasy land since clover said something about us being princesses.” Luna said, still trying to make Celestia blink. “Oh I know what to do!” Sombra said as he ran off for a second into the town. He soon came back with a box and handed it to Luna. “There you go! Cake!” “Where did you get that... so fast?” Hurricane asked, impressed by a unicorn’s speed. “Oh this pony was selling cakes and I gave him a crystal in return for it. Apparently Black crystals are worth quite a bit.” Sombra said smiling. “No! You gave him the special crystal I gave you!” Luna exclaimed, looking sad. “No no no! I just took one from the ground! Like this!” Sombra said as he put a hoof to the ground and a Black crystal popped out next to her hoof. “Like that!” “Oh... ok!” Luna said, relieved. She picked up the cake from the box with her magic and floated it over to Celestia’s nose, her nose twitched and she shook her head and looked around. “What happened exactly?” She asked. “Oh some stuff.” Sombra said shrugging. “Discord, explain?” Celestia asked, looking at the sky to where Discord was. “I am just as confused as you are. All I know is that Sombra was attacked by the puddinghead one, then he grabbed a cake, and something with you and Luna having to move the sun and moon.” He said shrugging. “Your no help at all.” Celestia said, sighing, “Alright, in answer to your question, we do raise the sun and moon.” Celestia said, smiling weakly. “Oh this is good news indeed!” Clover said bouncing in place for a moment. “Why?” Celestia asked, still a little confused about everything. “Well you are the beings of harmony! By being a pony of all three races, you and your sister can help lead us through the ages so that Harmony is never lost!” Clover said excitedly. “Yay!” Luna said, bouncing up and down. “Ok...” Celestia said, less enthusiastic than Luna. “You need proper Princess attire, I will make the things for you.” Platinum said, hugging Sombra quickly before teleporting away. “I feel as if this is going to end badly.” Sombra said shaking his head. “Always the unicorn being the negative nelly.” Hurricane said smiling. “Tell me one good thing that will happen if a sudden monarchy takes place.” Sombra deadpanned. “We will have eternal harmony.” Hurricane said, shrugging. “Look, I don’t have to be a unicorn to know that harmony will not last for ever.” Sombra said deadpanning. “That is a good reason for harmony Somby!” Puddinghead yelled excitedly, appearing in front of him with a cookie and shoving it into his mouth. “Ya... she does that.” Hurricane said amused. Sombra coughed for a moment before patting his chest as he swallowed. “One: Ow.... Two: Can I get some milk or water?” Sombra said in a weak voice. Puddinghead appeared again and poured milk down his throat before disappearing again. “For an earth pony, she seems to have some sort of magic.” Hurricane said in between laughter as Sombra couched. “Or she just takes advantage of your inability to keep an eye on her.” Sombra said clearing his throat a bit. “She isn’t my responsibility.” Hurricane said, laughing. “Still though.” Sombra said rubbing his neck. “Sorry about Puddinghead Sombra, she is really energetic and loves new ponies.” Smart Cookie said, rubbing her neck. “Eh, it’s fine. Try living with this lot.” Sombra snickered as he gestured to the group of his siblings. “By the way, what is that mismatched creature flyin above us?” Hurricane said, looking at Discord. “Oh he is a draconequus. Pretty much a creature of chaos.” Sombra said smiling. “He your pet?” Hurricane asked, interested. “Oi! I am no one’s pet Tweety Bird.” Discord said glaring at Hurricane. “What’s a Tweety bird?” Hurricane asked confused. “Pretty much a small incapable bird. That gets eaten by cats.” Discord said still glaring at Hurricane. “I didn’t say you get eaten by cats...” Hurricane said. “I asked if you're a pet.” “Yeah and I responded with ‘No, I am not’.” Discord said rolling his eyes. “You didn't say that at all, you said your not a tweety bird.” Hurricane said smiling. “I GET IT, I GET IT... Just shut your muzzle.” Discord said facepalming. “Nice pet you have there.” Hurricane remarked to Sombra. “He’s not my pet. He is his own being and I would greatly appreciate it if you didn’t insult my family.” Sombra said slightly angry. “Oh no! Sparky!” Luna yelled worriedly. “Sparky?” Hurricane asked, looking at Discord, wondering if he was named Sparky, “Seems like he has a pet name.” “Sparky is a husky we have back home you twit.” Sombra snorted as he looked up at Discord. “Hey! Discord! Can you go check up on Sparky!?” “Yeah yeah, be back in a minute.” Discord said flying off towards their home. “Alright then...” Hurricane said. “I think its time we found these ponies a place to sleep for the night Hurricane.” Smart cookie said, walking over to Sombra. “I can go home thanks.” Sombra said forcing a smile. “We are staying the night Sombra.” Celestia said forcefully. “When did you get all angry and mean?” Sombra asked looking at Celestia surprised. “Since you're being mean to the ponies who are offering us something and being nice to us.” She replied. “I’m sorry, but I don’t like spending the night with ponies I literally just met!” Sombra retorted annoyed. “Sombra~” Luna said in a sing song voice. “No Luna! I am not going to be swayed by your puppy eyes again!” Sombra said covering his eyes. “I wasn’t trying to sway you, zap!” Luna said, using her magic to turn Sombra into a toy Plushie. “Mr Plush!” Luna yelled. “That takes care of that problem...” Celestia muttered. “I learned how to make it so he can't use his magic as a plushie, so its safe for him to talk!” Luna said, using her magic to allow Sombra to speak. “Luna you know I hate it when you do this.” Sombra said. “I love you as Mr Plush.” Luna said, hugging the plushie tightly. “And I despise it. Please change me back.” Sombra said. “This is highly amusing.” Hurricane said, laughing as he rolled on the ground. “The spell lasts for 2 days, nothing can break the spell, I’m sorry Sombra, thats a side effect of the spell.” Luna said. “Then I am not talking.” Sombra said going quiet. “You want a plushie you get a plushie. A lifeless simple piece of cloth.” “Ok!” Luna said, putting him in her mouth so she could save her magic. “Follow us.” Hurricane said, smiling as he and the other ponies walked into the town followed by the siblings, with Luna happily squeaking Sombra by squeaking him with her mouth. She decided she would like to have him as a plushie for a month, so she casted the spell again to make it last longer. “Hay, Luna? Can I see your friend?” Hurricane said, smiling. “Sure.” Luna said, using her magic to give Hurricane the Sombra plushie. “You look better as a plushie.” Hurricane said smiling at Sombra as he still refused to speak. He shrugged and let Luna take him back into her mouth.