//------------------------------// // Crystal Clear // Story: Sombra's Redemption // by Orion97 //------------------------------// Over time I have heard of torture methods designed to break an individual's very sanity. None of those compare to being locked in a room next to Midnight or Thunder Clap when they're bored. Locked next to them for six days, almost 148 straight hours. There were some normal conversations between all five of us but the rest of that time was dominated by whatever topic their bored imaginations could conceive. Whether it was carrots or the best way to build stairs, they discussed it. Twice. I love my friends dearly, but it was the longest, most painful six days of my entire life. "So then the gryphon says to the minotaur..." Thunder Clap chuckled as he continued yet another joke. "Kill me now..." Serenity moaned as she banged her head against the wall, I had to resist the urge to do the same. "A torturer would have been kinder than this..." Alsia spoke up. "So I heard minotaurs' heads are full of air..." He stutters out, already starting to laugh at his own joke. "If you finish that joke I swear I am going to tell Ice Mist that thing that happened with that gryphon in the bar three years ago." I warned him. "You wouldn't dare..." "Try me." "Fine, then I'll tell Serenity about the time that crazy mare from out of town was stalking you." He threatened, even if I couldn't see him I knew he was grinning. Serenity was on a trip out of town for the week and only he and Midnight knew what happened. Thankfully Serenity never found out and I didn't think they would tell her. "Hmm, this is a story I'd like to hear..." Serenity chimed. "So while looking for a famous guitarist that was doing a performance, we met this mare named Silver Strings." Midnight decided to begin telling the humiliating story. Whether I liked it or not. "Midnight, I can tell everyone all about that one incident at the party last year..." I told him. "Still worth it." He responded. "So this girl is a die-hard fan of this guy named Winter Muse, everything she talked about involved him. So imagine her reaction when it turned out that Winter Muse and Sombra looked almost exactly alike. After we left the performance, Thunder Clap and I saw her trying to follow Sombra home. We asked her what she was doing, something involving kidnapping or a dungeon." Midnight continued, no doubt with a grin that stretched ear to ear. I would have sworn my heart stopped in embarrassment, all while I could easily hear the sound of Serenity laughing. I think I even heard a chuckle or even a snort from Alsia. I just buried my head in my hooves and tried to cover my ears. Maybe there was a spell in the book I had that would make me deaf, unfortunately these cells were enchanted to prevent magic use. "We thought it was a joke at the time until we went to his house later on and he wasn't there, we asked around about her until we found where she lived. We were worried about him and went through the door. The first thing we see, no joke, is candles lit everywhere and Sombra tied to a chair across a table from her and they were eating dinner. She waves and says hello to us and he turns his head and whispers "Help, she's crazy." So we did the only reasonable thing and joined them for dinner." "I get kidnapped and their first instinct is to have dinner with my kidnapper and I." I eventually join the telling of the story. If it had to be told I'd rather it at least be told on my terms. "To be fair she was an amazing cook." Thunder Clap said in a nonchalant tone. "So after dinner we thanked her and told her that we had to take Sombra back." Midnight said. "But before leaving we made a deal, we wouldn't call the guards and we visit for dinner once a month and she cooks for us." "She still kidnapped me!" I tried to argue. "But you were safe and unharmed. And thus we still visit once a month, except while we were at the Thunderbolts academy." The entire time there was the soft sound of laughter from Serenity's cell as the story was told that finally slowed to a halt. "Heh, now I'm just disappointed you guys never invited me!" "Reminds me of how I met my husband." Alsia stated in a calm tone. Complete silence followed briefly after. "Now that's a fun story..." She giggled. The giggling actually worried me somewhat, based off of how she was shortly after I found her in the ruins and how she could even mention her husband was unusual. "Are you okay?" I couldn't help but ask. "Sure I am, though quite frankly I'm drunk off my ass." "How are you drunk?" "Convinced one of the guards to smuggle me some wine earlier while you were all sleeping. Shame half the bottle is gone, hell of a painkiller though." She said in an almost bubbly tone. "Okaaaay. Good enough for me. Mind sharing that bottle? My cell is next to yours and I should be able to reach it if you push the bottle out to my side." Serenity commented. "Sure, here you go." Alsia said as she slid the bottle between the bars and to where Serenity could reach it. I heard her take a few big gulps before passing it back to Alsia. What surprised me most is how clear Alsia's speech was despite having drank so much. My thoughts were interrupted as the warden called down the hall. "Prisoners! You're being released. Wait until each of the cells are unlocked before exiting." He ordered. Finally, no more being trapped in a cell between Thunder Clap and Midnight, maybe I would not go insane after all. The large brown stallion made his way to each of our cells and unlocked them. As we walked out I realized he had not unlocked Alsia's cell. I asked him why she would not be released as well. "She's too dangerous, you go. She stays." "She comes with us or we stay." I told him defiantly. "Come on, what are you doing!?" Thunder Clap shouted. "We're free to go!" "She comes with us." After a tense moment between us the warden relented. "Your funeral. If she even blinks wrong, ALL of you are going back into the cells!" He barked to all of us before releasing Alsia with us, still cradling her bottle of wine. As we traced our way down the hall I made sure to pick my bag off the hook in was resting on. The guard put it here almost immediately after taking it from me just before we entered our cells. I couldn't help but notice something felt different about it as I picked it up but I made a mental note to figure out why a little later on. The warden led us out of the now too familiar dungeon and down the passage leading outside. Soon we began to hear the faint sound of chanting, growing louder and louder like a thunderstorm as we walked on. As the doorway to the front of the Crystal Spire came into view the chanting became like a booming roar. Once we emerged outside it hit us outside as the crowd saw us and the volume became truly apparent. "Free the heroes! Free the heroes! Free the heroes!" The crowd shouted in unison as we formed in a line at the top of the steps, though the Crystal Spire's steps were more comparable to a stage, which made them ideal for the purpose of addressing crowds. The number of people seemed to number in the thousands. We couldn't help but smile in pride as they cheered when they saw us, though Alsia decided to stand a short distance behind us, out of the crowd's focus. Before I could think of how to respond to the overwhelming response the warden whispered in my ear. "They have been gathering in number demanding your release, with the input of General Crimson Spark and your friend the dragon, the king has authorized your release." Scanning the crowd, they were the first two I noticed and I nodded to them in thanks. Rune seemed to be healing well and Crimson was standing beside her daughter, behind them stood countless others that wished to see us freed. "Since allowing civilians back into the city yesterday the crowd size tripled overnight. They know that your efforts helped save the city." The warden whispered to me again. Over the cheers of the crowd I could hear someone approach from behind us, we turned our heads and saw that it was none other than King Ralen. I stepped to the side to allow him room. "Hello citizens of the Crystal Empire!" He began, the noise of the crowd quickly died down until he was able to speak without interruption. "We are here to recognize the individuals that made the greatest impact in aiding the survival of our fine city and to apologize for the misunderstanding that occurred when they were taken into custody." He backed up a couple steps and gestured to us. "Their names are Lucien Azure Sombra, Thunder Clap, Midnight Hope, Serenity and Rune." He looked to each of us in turn and down to Rune whom was smiling sheepishly in the crowd. A roar of applause followed. "We thank you for your service and you are to be formally recognized in a ceremony that will be held in this very spot one week from now." He turned back to the crowd. "Of course I would like to congratulate every fearless individual that put their lives on the line in this city's defense against the nightmarish horde that besieged it. Every last officer and grunt fought bravely and they should be proud of their actions." The massive group before us cheered heartily in agreement. "To the families of our brave guards that fell in battle, rest assured that they gave their lives so that we may stand here today. You will be taken care of." Once more they cheered. The entire time the king spoke he maintained a big and charismatic smile and spoke with confidence that echoed years of experience. King Ralen spoke on for a short while about a number of things before concluding. All but a small portion of the crowd dispersed which seemed to consist mostly of ponies that seemed eager to meet us and a fair number of journalists. As the king turned to depart he spoke to me briefly. "When you are done meeting with the ones wishing to see you I would desire that you meet me in the throne room right away." He said quickly before heading inside. I turned back towards the now small crowd and walked down the steps beside my friends. Rune rushed up and hugged Midnight while I saw Ice Mist approach from the crowd to hug Thunder Clap. Serenity remained away from the crowd and talked with Alsia, still nursing the bottle of wine and taking a sip between pauses. Crimson and her daughter Autumn were the first to come meet me. "Thank you again for returning her. It's unfortunate that they imprisoned you but at least it wasn't for too long." "True, and I'm glad I could have helped but honestly I believe it may have been Alsia that was most responsible for keeping her safe." I said gesturing to the tall dark mare with the wine. "Really? I should thank...wait a minute...I saw her. She was at the front of the army, do you have any idea who-" She began to raise her voice before I interrupted her as politely as I could. "Yes, I know, but hear me out. She is not evil at heart. She was forced into working for an even greater power at work, he has her family. She isn't the enemy and I think the threat is still out there, consolidating power for an even larger assault, but we should have time to prepare at least." I explained to her, she seemed to think it over to herself for a few long moments. "I see...it would still best to be careful but if she did protect Autumn I owe her a thank you at least." She glanced over to Autumn. "Autumn, did that mare protect you?" "Yeah, she hid me from the monsters and I told her about you and lots of other things and she told me what her family is like. She said that she has a husband and two daughters about my age that she's worried about." Crimson's expression of suspicion slowly changed to one of pity as she slowly began to understand Alsia's motivations more. Without wasting much more time she walked over to Alsia. "Excuse me." She said, walking in on her conversation with Serenity. "Oh no, please don't send me back into the dungeon..." Alsia all but whimpered. "No, not that. Look, I know what you did and I want to believe that you really had no choice, but either way I owe you my sincerest gratitude for protecting my daughter. Thank you." "Oh...um no problem...I know what it's like to be a concerned mother..." Alsia said as her expression grew more sorrowful. "I know, Sombra and Autumn told me what they knew. I don't know how but I pledge that if we can find a way to rescue your family." Crimson smiled reassuringly While they began to talk to themselves I discreetly excused myself to go talk to King Ralen, letting Serenity know where I was going as I passed her. I walked into the spire and found the way leading to the throne room. The silent halls echoed tranquility and beauty, small wonder why philosophers and artists frequently sought to come here for inspiration. The only noise there was came from myself, my own breathing was easy to hear in the large, crystalline structure. Oddly enough my bag was silent too. Usually the tome inside it would make some kind of sound as it shuffled along with my steps. As I walked across a large, open passageway leading to the throne room I opened my bag up and looked inside. The book was missing. I tried to calm myself as I nearly broke into a cold sweat. Maybe it felt out when the guard had it? It must have. I would have to check after talking to the king. I desperately hoped that anyone that would find it would simply dismiss it as a dusty old book. I inhaled deeply and pushed out the massive double doors before me. A handful of guards were between me and the King, sitting eagerly in his throne, awaiting me to come closer. "Ah, I am glad you came quickly." He said with an inviting smile before turning to the guards, his expression turning solid. "Guards, I am fine for now, please give us some privacy." They saluted him in response and marched out of the room. As soon as the last one closed the doors behind him King Ralen stepped down from his throne and walked closer to me. "I like to be able to speak to everyone in the empire as equals." He said as he lifted the crown from his head and gently set it upon his throne. "Here, I am just Ralen, but in public I am still King Ralen." I nodded. "Good, now I'd like to properly introduce myself to you." He began. "My name is Ralen, it is a pleasure to meet you." He smiled as he extended a hoof towards me. "Mine is Sombra, good to meet you as well." I shook his hoof. "Now, I apologize for you and your compatriots having to be locked up, especially after what you did. But I did it with good reason. When you came in with that strange mare, the one that led the attack on empire..." "Alsia." "Right, Alsia. I had advisors telling me they believed your group to be turn-coats and wanted you imprisoned indefinitely. I wanted to celebrate what you and your friends did. We quickly reached a compromise and locked you up for the better part of a week. We didn't do this without a purpose. The whole time we secretly had our best magic users examining the cells and each of you, to be sure none of you were under any strange influence or control. Understand that for all we knew she had manipulated all of you." Ralen explained reasonably. "Honestly, I was surprised to find out that you were all acting out of free will and seeing as you had done no less than save the city I knew you'd have no reason to betray us." "I understand. I know it may be hard to see but Alsia isn't evil at heart. There's a greater force behind all of this, whatever is was had been manipulating her, I think directly at first but he also has her family, even now." I told him. "Interesting. I will speak with her myself later but that is not what I wanted you here to talk about." He said as he walked behind his throne to retrieve something. When he returned he held a familiar dark tome in his hooves. It felt like my heart skipped a beat. "Make no attempt at lying. You know exactly what this is. I don't know precisely but I have a pretty good idea. I know this is ancient and written in blood and my advisers tell me it's full of dark magic. You're going to tell me where you found it, how much you've used it and on what you've used it. Am I clear?" He said in a calm but serious tone. "Yes, sir." I said nervously as he passed me the book. "I found it when I was just a foal. Along with my friends, we found some ruins far outside of the city, following a rumor from one of Thunder Clap's friends so he, Serenity, Midnight Hope, and myself all went to investigate it. Once we got there a blizzard prevented us from coming back until the next day. So we ventured further until we found a dark tome on a pedestal at the peak of a strange temple. As we returned we were attacked by a giant spider, I managed to kill it but one of them had bitten Midnight." As I told the story I watched King Ralen's expression morph from one of suspicion to surprise and intrigue. I found a more comfortable position to stand in as I continued my story. "I first used the tome there, I tried a spell inside and when I did I blacked out. I saved him but nearly at the cost of my own life. I have used it at other times past that but in very small cases. The next major use was when I revived Thunder Clap in the hospital after he had been struck by lightning. He had been declared dead but in the book I found a way to expand power potential by raising black crystals. With that I revived him and he has since been stronger and faster than ever. Finally I used it once more when with Rune's help I created the fire blast that killed most of the undead. I have not used it since." "I see...that's quite something. My advisers warned me that you could be susceptible to dark influence because of the book but if that's true it would have likely occurred long ago. This...we could use this." He said as he rubbed his chin. "I believe what you've told me. I can spot a liar and you don't seem to be one and if you are you've got one hell of a poker face." He said with a small smile. "I want you to hone your abilities in a controlled environment, under watch. After we're done here today come back tomorrow and you will be escorted to the secret bunker. We will establish how long and how often you will train tomorrow. I would love little more than to send off you and your friends as heroes and recommend a good vacation spot but I think we both know that this is all far from over. Next time this force makes a move, we must be ready for anything. We are receiving generous amounts of dragon, gryphon, and zebra reinforcements and supplies, Equestria doesn't have many troops to send here but we've received more weapons and food than we honestly know what to do with. They're afraid that if the city falls the enemy will only grow in power until in threatens their borders as well." He said with determination. "Anything you'd like to add?" "Actually there is one thing. After the recent battle I had an idea, a blast that would protect the pure of heart and safeguard them from darkness. It's experimental magic. The artifact will need to be a carefully crafted from a rare blue crystal. I just need access to a specific crystal called "Spero" crystal. I'll do my best to perfect the idea but if it works it might just save the city again in event of attack." "Hm...if all you need is crystal. I'll get you what we have of this "Spero" crystal. That should conclude our meeting for today. I shall see you tomorrow at sunset. Goodbye Sombra, go celebrate with your friends, enjoy life. You've earned it." King Ralen ended on a reassuring note as he put his crown back on and reclaimed his spot on the throne. As I left I put the dark tome back into my back and I descended back down the stairs leading to the entrance of the spire. Once I reached the ground floor I opened the doors leading outside I saw my friends waiting eagerly. There stood Thunder Clap, Serenity, Midnight Hope, Rune, Alsia and Ice Mist, as well as Crimson Spark with Autumn standing beside her. Whatever happened, whatever the future held, I knew one thing was certain. I would not face it alone.