Sombra's ears twitched as he heard approaching hoofsteps. four-no, five individuals. Muffled voices also wafted down the hallways, slightly distorted and unintelligible.
------
“I just wish I knew why. Amber Leaf sighed, unsure of whether to feel fear or joy at what was going to happen in a few minutes. Perhaps both.
“Everyone has darkness in their heart Amber. Anger, jealously, pain, it's always there. It's just up to us to control it, or, if need be, release it for a time. But this entire empire has seen what happens when you let it rule you.”
Shining glanced over, the two mares looking over at him in shock.
“What? I may not be a bookworm like Twily, but I can be introspective if I want to.” He grumbled, clearly a bit miffed at the response.
“Twily?” Amber asked, as the guards led them down a long spiraling staircase, which appeared to wrap around a central elevator shaft. Why they didn't take the elevator she was uncertain, but appreciated the chance to talk to the rulers.
“My little sister, Twilight Sparkle, a Princess now as a matter of fact. I'd be happy to tell you more about her later.”
Once again, Amber wasn't sure what to think of Shining. One minute he was guarded and almost angry- the next....
Reminds me of Sombra.
“What else can you tell me about Sombra?” Cadence asked softly as they continued to walk.
The question shook Amber out of her daze, and a gentle smile graced her lips.
“He's complicated. His family's death made the two sides of him sharper and more defined. He can be very protective and stubborn.” At this Cadence shot a quick glance over to Shining, at which he tried to ignore (failing miserable, judging from the slight blush on his muzzle.)
“Even at times, such as with the wolves, he can be terrifying. When I talk with him though, he is just the same pony, deep down. He tries not to let his deeper emotions show, something about stallions not being emotional or something,” (another glance from Cadence.)
“When I'm with him, Sombra just relaxes, I think is the best way to describe it. He's a complete softy, but doesn't like showing it around ponies he doesn't know. There's more, but I don't want-I mean, with respect-” Amber stuttered, unsure how to politely inform royalty that it was none of their business yet.
“It's ok Amber, no need to tell us everything. Your description helps, because now we know what to look for to see if he is acting normally. Also, I am looking forward to meeting Sombra, not the demon.” Cadence said, the five of them finally stepping off the bottom step.
“He also seems to have a liking of stairs.” Shining grumbled, looking up at the staircase, and then back to the elevator with a hasty 'out of order' sign scrawled on it.
“Need to get that elevator repaired.” The unicorn muttered, following the two guards and two mares into the main prison area.
------
Sombra heard the door open, and the rustle in the shadows as the guards snapped to attention. His ears flickered towards the noise, the only sign that he heard them. Instead focusing on the crystals in his telekinetic grasp, the stallion let them melt away into a magical mist. He only held one large red crystal, turning it over and over with his magic. It was a sort of meditation and calming mechanism. He could sense the flaws in the stone, heat it, cool it, manipulate it.
It was rather comforting, to be in control. A feeling he hadn't felt in a thousand.
The crystal, now molten, warped into a twisted shape as his focus broke. A faint scent attracted his attention; it was crisp and clean with a hint of a tree not found in the crystal empire.
It couldn't be.
Try as he might, Sombra couldn't bring himself to look up from the crystal mass that now sat on the floor in between his hooves. The same result for the second and third time he tried to look up. Finally, he slowly edged his eyes upwards.
Teal hooves.
Light purple mane.
Light blue eyes.
Her eyes.
Sombra's vision blurred, and his hooves began to tremble. He could feel a few tears trickle down his face, but couldn't stop staring at the pony in front of him.
He couldn't even speak.
-----
Amber Leaf walked towards Sombra's cell, Shining and Cadence hanging back with the guards. She couldn't pin down the emotions she was feeling. Fear? Joy? Sadness? Regret?
Anger?
Amber sat down, looking at the stallion who stared back at her. His eyes were wide with shock, and his jaw trembled slightly.
“A-Amber?” Sombra's deep voice was barely above a whisper. All Amber could do was nod.
– -------------
The words failed Sombra again as he closed his eyes. Was this another dream?
A gentle touch caused the stallion's eyes to fly open. Looking over, he saw, and felt, Amber's hoof gently resting on his cheek.
“You're real?” He managed to ask.
How many dreams have I had like this?
Amber nodded, her eyes soft and caring, but Sombra saw something else lingering there.
“You remember me?” Amber's voice was as gentle as her eyes, with a hint of uncertainty. That alone caused more tears to flow down Sombra's cheeks.
“You think I forgot you?” His sides began to shake.
Does Amber have no idea how much she means to me?
Perhaps not.
“I wouldn't be here, without you.” Sombra whispered, leaning against her hoof that still rested on his cheek.
-----
Cadence glanced over to the guards, nodding to them.
“Let him out.” She said, prompting a shocked look from Shining.
“But-”
“Demons can't fake love, Shining.” Cadence whispered, looking over to the two ponies again as the guard approached them.
“I don't have to use my powers to sense what those two feel, but it certainly confirms it. Sombra is, who he, and the other Princess's, say he is.”
A tad miffed, Shining nodded nonetheless.
“Just being careful.” He muttered, prompting a nuzzle from his wife.
“I know.”
--- ----
The guard opened the prison cell, and for a moment, the two ponies were frozen, simply staring at one another.
It was Amber who moved, standing and walking over to Sombra, sitting nose-to-nose with him.
“Is it really you?” She asked.
The hurt in his eyes was instant and glaring before he looked to his hooves.
“I'm so sorry Amber. I'm s-sorry.” The stallion managed to choke out before his sides began to tremble again.
Despite being quite shorter than him, it was clear to everyone in the room that the Amber's hug around Sombra's neck meant more than all the wealth of the empire to him.
“You're home.” Amber whispered.