The Tale of One Shadow

by RadBunny


Chapter Eight:: Different Colors

The next morning
------

Sombra looked up to Princess Cadence, an impassive expression on his face.
“You know why I cannot grant that request, not now.” Cadence said softly.
Of course he knew, Sombra wasn't a fool. It was the fact her answer was logical and made complete sense that was driving him mad.
“Then what can I do? If I am not allowed to enter the guard yet what shall I do? I refuse to sit and spin my hooves.” Sombra replied, as respectfully as possible of course.
Cadence sighed, levitating a large list in front of her and reading over it.
“The city is undergoing renovations, as you may or may not have noticed as of late. We could always use assistance in that regard. We are trying to move the crystal empire forward one thousands years. That means redoing the plumbing, lighting, roads.” She rolled the list back up, placing it among a large stack of similar scrolls.
“You get the idea.”
Sombra nodded, the beginnings of a smile twitching at his lips.
“Just tell me what I can do to help Princess Cadence, and I'll do it.”
The surprise may not have shown on Cadence's face, but her eyes widened slightly. Clearly she had been expecting a rebuttal of some sort...
“Well, since you are a powerful magic user, we could use your help on the roads, specifically heavy piping sections that are being replaced. You'll be a construction worker, plumber, and see to any other job that needs doing.”
His next answer only further surprised Cadence.
“When do I start?”
– – –
“Your special some-pony?” The kind voice muttered in Amber's ear.
She jumped with a start, causing the bearded pony standing next to her to break out into a laugh.
“Apologies miss! I tend to do that, sneaking up that is. I didn't mean any harm.”
Amber ran her eyes over the newcomer briefly. He was an older stallion, sporting a white coat with a grayish-black mane and tail. His eyes shone a simple golden, radiating a gentle calm and kindness. A black royal emblem stood out on the stallion's flank, the only other distinguishing characteristic.
“Silas Necross at your service.” The unicorn said with a bow.
“Princess Cadence called me here to help with Sombra, one of three advisors actually. Apparently he wants to help around the Empire. I'm simply here to be a link between the Princess and Sombra, and yourself of course.” He added.
Amber bowed her head back, already feeling at ease around the advisor.
“It's good to meet you Silas. I'm Amber, and to answer your question, yes, he is.” She said with a slight blush.
The color on her cheeks prompted a cheery grin from Silas.
“Ah, I remember the days, oh good heavens, I feel old. My wife passed away years ago, but love is such a powerful thing.” He shook himself out of his reverie.
“Bah, enough of that. Time for getting to know each other can wait until later-”
“Ah. Silas. I see you've met Amber.” Another voice called out.
The two ponies turned to look at the new arrival. It was another unicorn stallion, close to the stature of Sombra, but with a light blue coat, and a cutie mark depicting a scroll and shield.
“My name is Pens, Pens scroll actually.” He let out a slight snort at Amber's bemused expression.
“Not the most creative name, but it is mine. I am also here to help with Sombra's acclimation to the Empire, and I hope to-”
“Yes, yes, we get it. Go file some forms or something. I already made my intentions, and yours as well, known to Amber. It's not that big of a deal you oaf.” Silas said with a wave of the hoof, causing Pens to sputter.
Silas turned to Amber, shrugging his shoulders briefly.
“Pens gets a bit caught up in the legality issues. Work forms and stuff like that.”
Sombra then excited the royal meeting chamber, eyes narrowing upon spotting Silas.
“And you are?” The dark stallion asked.
Silas introduced himself in a similar fashion, earning a grateful nod from Sombra after introductions were made.

“Thank you. I would appreciate any and all help. I'm set to start working in a day or two, so at least I'll have something to do.”
Nodding with approval, Silas, cast a glance to each of the two ponies, then glancing down the hallway where Pens was still fuming.
“I need to get go handle whatever it is Pens is all fussy about. It is good to meet you two, and I look forward to helping you both through this. Please come and see my anytime- we'll talk again soon.”
With that, Silas left, rolling his eyes at Pens.

“An interesting individual.” Sombra remarked as they left the palace and headed towards one of the many parks in the city.
“Indeed. Pens seems a bit uptight, but Silas should be a pleasure to work with.” Amber agreed, stopping as Sombra paused.
A slight squeak left her muzzle as Sombra brought his head down to nuzzle her cheek gently, then shifting his affections to her mane before continuing on.
“You've gotten more affectionate as of late.” Amber said, her cheeks still burning as she walked alongside him.
Sombra's head lowered slightly, along with his ears.
“Erm, sorry. I didn't mean to. I....-” His sentence cut off after Amber jostled his shoulder, her eyes damp.
“Amber?”
The mare appeared to be fighting back tears as they entered the small city part, enchanted to keep the grass somewhat green year-round, even during snow. Amber stopped at a bench, the crystal softened with magic to provide a simple cushion to any individuals wanting to rest in comfort. She didn't meet his gaze even as tears traced down her teal fur.

“Amber, please, what is wrong?” Sombra asked, her silence unnerving the stallion to no end.

Amber couldn't stem the drops of liquid that burned their way down her cheeks, sides quivering with barely pent up sobs.
I thought I had gotten all this out of my system. So much for lying to myself.
She turned to look at Sombra, his concerned expression igniting a slight twitch of a smile which quickly faded.
“I thought you- I watched you die Sombra!” Amber's voice rose in volume before her sobs cut off any further words. Tears stained Sombra's fur as the mare buried her muzzle into his shoulder.
Sombra's shock wore off quickly, and out of reflex he reached over and held Amber's hoof in his, also laying his neck across hers.

“You fell through the ice, and I thought that was it. I w-was still I shock w-h-when it rose up in your body. Sombra those eyes! I can still see them!”
Amber paused, still clearly in turmoil. She turned her head to look into his eyes, and the pain in her eyes tore at Sombra's heart.
“That thing hated me Sombra. The first thing it did was toss me into a dungeon. I've never felt so alone. Watching my parents and friends work in chains while stuck behind bars.”
“It knew.” Sombra whispered.
Amber's eyes widened as she shot him a curious look.
“What do you mean?”
Sombra sighed as he nuzzled Amber's mane, a simple yet comforting gesture.
“It knew you were special to me. I was trapped in my own mind. It didn't have access to all my memories, but some. The general stuff. Thinking of you gave me power enough to fight it. And the demon hated that.”
A long sigh left the stallion's frame, his caresses continuing to travel along Amber's mane.
“I am sorry. I'm sorry that I caused so much pain to you.....”
Sombra stopped talking as Amber drew her head back and looked him in the eye, a stern expression on her features.

“Do I need to slap you again?”
For a second, Sombra was genuinely unsure whether Amber was joking or not.
“You've apologized to me enough Sombra. You don't have to earn my forgiveness.”
“But it feels like I have to!” He replied testily.
Silence hung in the air for a few moments, the stallion then hanging his head in shame.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just difficult for me to understand.”
Amber gave his hoof a squeeze, enjoying his continued affections a lot more than she'd like to admit.
“I'm here for you Amber. You're, not alone anymore.” Sombra said softly into her ear.
Amber didn't reply immediately, a few final tears squeezing out of her eyes.
She finally managed to squeak out two words, and she hoped Sombra could understand how comforting it was to just know that much; that he was there for her.
“Thank you.”