//------------------------------//
// Chapter Eleven: New Prisms, Old Fractures 
// Story: The Tale of One Shadow 
// by RadBunny 
//------------------------------//

 -That Evening- 

“Ah? You're here for Amber and Sombra? Alright, hold on.” Picks nodded to the two ponies who were seated in the main living room.
“Guards are here to escort you to the palace. ” The stallion said softly as he walked back to the kitchen to join his wife.
Amber nodded, walking to the door and gasping as she caught sight of the guards. One was a well built mare, coming within an inch or two of the equally lanky stallion at her side.

“Icicle Slate?! Is that-no way.”
The pair of guards glanced to each other, the stallion stepping back and letting the mare examine Amber Leaf a bit closer.
“Good to see you Amber.” The mare said softly, the soft grin breaking into a wide grin.
The two mares quickly closed the distance between them, wrapping the other up in a hug, alabit a bit awkwardly due to the armor.
“Icicle?! I can't believe it! The last time I saw you was when we had just finished school, and then-”
The mare nodded, seeming to understand where the conversation was headed.
“Yep. Me and Colds here had just enrolled in the academy for the guards, and then everything was turned upside down.” The mare said, her smile still as wide as Amber's.
“Colds. Cold-Cold Shoulder? The quiet stallion you had a cr-” Amber's voice petered out, leaning around Icicle, waving with a bit of a goofy grin at the stallion, who smiled back.
“Yep. That guy. Long story short, we're still in the guard after everything has stabilized; and are your bodyguards. I saw your name, and had to volunteer, that is, if you're ok with it.” Icicle had barely finished speaking before Amber's head started mimicking a woodpecker. 

“Of course! That's-thank you! I can't believe it's you. I didn't know if I'd see you again, not after everything that has happened.” Amber was starting to ramble, and she knew it, judging from the embarrassed blush on her cheeks.
“Pretty much my thoughts as well. How about we catch dinner, or lunch, or some meal after your appointment?” Icicle suggested as the four ponies began to walk down the street.
“Sounds perfect. Thank you again Icy, you didn't have to do this.”
Sombra caught the slight smile that tugged at Cold Shoulder's lips at the nickname. What else was there going on.

The four ponies walked down the street, Sombra and Amber situated between two crystal guards in their formation
Cold Shoulder was slightly in front, a lanky but well built earth pony stallion, fur the color of snow with green stripes of pine green through his mane. The guard behind them was Icicle, a unicorn mare, sporting a light blue coat with white blotches. Their cutie marks seemed interesting, especially to Sombra, who was used to simple marks, not the more diverse ones that seemed to have come about over a thousand years. The stallion sported a shield of light blue ice surrounded by a darker blue flame, whereas the mare had an icy sword overlaid with a snowflake. Sombra was going to ask them about their marks, if he could get a word in edgewise. Hopefully they knew where to take him; the doctor that Cadence mentioned. He had only managed to catch their names, but Amber had seemed to know Icicle, so that was good enough for him to trust them.

“Sombra huh? Have to say I'm surprised. Thought you had died.” Cold Shoulder, said, looking over to him briefly.
“No you idiot. That was what the books were altered to say. Don't you remember?” Icicle Slate responded.
“No, not really. Stasis spell and all that. It all blurred together.”
“Stasis spell my flank! You can't remember what you had for breakfast!”
“Well, it was yummy?”
“Told you. Anyhow, the demon-thing edited the history books. Lucky for you, I have one of the older ones, written during the demon's reign. Quite fascinating really.”
“Egghead.”
“Say, how many times have you read the books on Daring Doo we have? ”
“Touche.”
“Do you remember the directions to where we're escorting these two?”
“Sure. Palace. Main hall. Second hallway to the left. Left turn, end of the hall, up the flight of stairs to the right, third door on the left.”
“You're bluffing.”
“We'll see, now won't we?”

 For being named Cold Shoulder, he's surprisingly friendly.  Sombra mused as he watched the two banter back and forth.  Judging from Amber's curious expression, she was a tad put off by their lackadaisical approach. She'd probably mention something about just that.
“Erm, shouldn't you two be making sure nobody attacks Sombra instead of arguing?”
 Called it. 
Cold Shoulder instantly clammed up, his demeanor then matching his name, prompting a sigh from Icicle.
“Amber, no need to worry. You know how I am, and besides, you'll be happy to know nobody is following us. We've passed by a total of fifty-seven ponies thus far, only ten of them even noticing us. Only five of them decided to gossip or mention something. Don't you fret, we're doing our job, even though it may not appear to be it. Trust me, when Cold decides to not talk, he  won't  talk. I guess you're not used to guards being this relaxed huh?”
Amber's mouth quickly closed, shaking her head briefly.
“Erm, no, not really. I mean, you were pretty boisterous a few years ago when we were at school, but I thought guards weren't suppose to be so outgoing.” Was her uncertain reply, causing Sombra to glance over to to the mare and then to the guard. 
“Cold and I are assigned to work as a team for multiple reasons. I won't go into it now, but rest assured you're safe, and that we are doing our job.” Icicle then sighed again, glancing over Cold, who wore an impassive look on his features.
“Will you stop it already? Don't get into one of your moods again. It's not even night yet. Shining Armor did say to try and tone done the jokes anyhow for appearance sake.”

Surprisingly, Sombra was the next one to speak up.
“I actually find it rather amusing, and refreshing. I haven't been around happy ponies in a long time.” His voice was soft and genuine.
Cold glanced back, meeting Icicle's gaze, and Sombra felt the hair on his neck stand up. No words were said, but the stallion's eyes were brimming with sorrow and hurt as he looked back a Icicle, the look questioning and maintaining a sort of innocence as it asked a single, unspoken question.
 Why would you say that? 

“Oh shards. Colds, you know I didn't mean-” The general feeling between the two guards had changed from a friendly warmth to a bitter ice as the mare spoke.
Cold Shoulder didn't respond, his eyes clearly sorrowful as he kept his gaze straight ahead.
“Erm, Icicle? Care to to um, explain? If I may ask?” Amber said, walking next to the mare, Sombra in tow.
The female guard sighed, nodding as she looked over at Amber, then to Cold Shoulder.
“I s'pose. Not much for now. But Sombra wasn't the only one to suffer under the demon's rule. Truth is, most individuals don't blame him. The ones who do find it too painful to accept it wasn't a pony subjugating everyone. The guards who served under that creature had a spell. It's had various affects. I still feel it, a numbing sense of just not caring. It's scary. I'll tell you more later, but, hold on a second.” Icicle trotted over to Cold Shoulder, looking over and meeting his gaze. Something she saw in his eyes caused the guard's expression to soften, and she gave her companion a nudge on the neck and a brief whisper before returning back to her position.

“We're not like the royal guard in Canterlot, from what I understand. You can socialize within the ranks, and that sort of thing. The Princess seems to be understanding that everyone in such positions is under a great deal of stress from the after-affects. ” Icicle said as they began walking again, the palace now in view.
“So you and Cold Shoulder, you finally asked him?” Amber couldn't help but grin at the realization.
“Me? Psh. It was him who did the asking. I just said yes. He's still my coltfriend, but the demon threw a wrench into our plans. It affects everyone differently Amber, that's all I'll say.”
Amber nodded, looking over to Sombra, who's face was unreadable, different expressions flickering across his features. Regret, sorrow, brief surges of anger, all were present for brief moments.
“A wrench. That's a kinder way of saying it.” Sombra said, walking over to Amber and having their sides brush briefly.

Once inside the massive castle, they took a few twists and turns (the exact ones mentioned by Cold,) and finally stopped inside a small lobby, the two guards waiting near the main doors. The earth pony mare beckoned them over to the desk, which matched the light blue walls in color. Light danced off a few specially-placed windows, reflecting the sunlight to give the room a cheery yet calm atmosphere. A few other ponies waited on cushioned seats, some alone, others with couples. 
“We're here to see erm....” Amber blushed, realizing they didn't even know the name of the doctor.
“Amber and Sombra I assume? You'll be seeing doctor Whit, door number three. He'll be in there shortly.”
Thanking the receptionist, Amber waved to Icicle, who returned the gesture before the pair entered the room to wait.
–	–					
The guards stood still for a few moments longer, before Icicle approached the receptionist.
“Erm, we still good for our appointment in two hours? Cold and Icicle?”

–		-	-


Amber settled down on the cushioned benches, hone from solid crystal but with a soft velvety backing. The room was set in the walls of the crystal palace, offering a beautiful view of the city from the considerable height to their left, as the entire wall was a large window. The doctor's chair sat opposite them, and the overall atmosphere was one of muted calm. Any sounds that penetrated the room were dulled enough as to give the occupants peace of mind. 

“So who is Icicle? Her name rings a bell.” Sombra asked after taking a look around, finally settling down beside the mare.
“She was my best friend during my schooling years, upper levels of education. We hung out all the time, but once the demon entered, she vanished. I guess the guards were controlled after all. We suspected it, since there was no revolution, and they obeyed every word that was given to them.” Amber mused, catching herself mid-ramble.
“Sorry." Her apology was cut off by a brief nuzzle from Sombra.
“Don't be. I can't remember everything that happened, so it's good for me to know.”

A knock at the door sounded, a stallion walking in with a gentle smile on his face. Sporting a dark blue coat, with a lighter blue cutie mark to match. It was of a book, but with a small knife stuck in the image. Quite odd-looking...
“Amber, Sombra, it has been a while. Do you remember me? I'm Doctor Whit. The stallion said simply as he settled down on a cushion opposite the couple.
“N-no, sorry...wait!” Amber scrutinized the stallion again, then let out a gasp.
“You! I, yes. I remember you! Sombra, he's the one who you talked to after your family.” Her voice drifted off, not wanting to delve deeper into the matter.

Sombra's brow furrowed, the memories torn and distant. It was like trying to pull a rock from a swamp, the memories refusing to fully reveal themselves at once.
“I remember your face, but it's blurry. Everything is from back then. I do feel like I know you though.”
Doctor Whit nodded, settling down into the cushion.
“Understandable, you've been through a lot as of late. I suppose we'll go through introductions again then. My name is Point Whit, but Doctor Whit is fine. I specialize in general therapy for mostly the royals and the guard, but also see plenty of the city's other inhabitants, especially as of late. Seeing as how you've had a tumultuous day or two, Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence thought it'd be beneficial to check up on how you're doing.” The stallion then let out a deep chuckle.

“In fact, once I informed them that I had previously spoken to you two they essentially ordered me to speak with you. These meetings are meant to serve two purposes. The first is to make sure you're acclimating to life here. The entire Crystal Empire is still a bit in shock from coming back to the world after a thousand years; but the demon's rule left a blemish on more than a few lives. The second purpose is to give the rulers an idea of what happened, to fill in the history with what you remember. We are reconstructing things on our own, but Princess Cadence specifically was wondering about what exactly happened preceding the demon's rule. I am under the impression Celestia and Luna are curious as well. To that end,  I've been asked to report what you tell me to Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence, at least on those specific matters. Does that make sense?”

Sombra blinked a few times, digesting the information before nodding. It made sense, seeing as how so many records were destroyed or altered.
“So, provide information on the demon, essentially?” He asked cautiously. The stallion wasn't entirely enjoying the direction these meetings were to go.
“Only as a secondary function. That is only if you are willing, and if it comes up. If not, then the Prince and Princess are content to wait until you've recovered to ask any formal questions. The main reason you've been asked to see me is because you've suffered a massive trauma, whether you're aware of it or not. I'm here to help you deal with what has happened.” Doctor Whit replied.
“I'm fine-” Sombra was cut off by a not-so-gentle shove from Amber.
“You blew a hole in the side of our house.” The mare quipped, deadpanning as she looked over at him.
“Fair enough.” 
The charcoal-furred stallion sighed, settling down into the cushion further.
“I suppose someone needs to know. I  want  ponies to know, but, I don't know what to expect from myself. The memories are fuzzy. I haven't thought about it as of late, too much to take in. Is that alright?” Clearly a bit embarrassed at his own shortcomings, Sombra sank sheepishly into the cushion a bit more, prompting a smile from the Doctor.

“Of course. My schedule is clear for today, and we'll be meeting every few days regardless, so however you wish to proceed is fine. I've had patients not say anything for an hour, and that is completely acceptable, as long as they're being helped by it.”

The room was silent for a good minute, Sombra's eyes reflecting a swirling froth of emotions. Amber Leaf edged a bit closer, laying her head across his muscular shoulders. The stallion's features cracked into a faint smile as the mare nuzzled his mane, and a bit of tension bled from his frame.
“Alright. I guess, if we want to have history be correct, I'd better start for when I found the book.”


---

“There's a report, I won't bore you with it, where I killed some ice wolves. It was the ones who killed my family; it wasn't long after they died. That was where it started, I think.” The stallion said, voice wavering slightly.
“That was where I realized that there was a questionable part of myself. I should have told someone other than Amber. It wasn't right for me to hide it, even when ponies asked.” Sombra sighed, shaking his head slowly.
“I loved it. The power I felt. I won't go into it, I dare not touch that topic yet. That moment though, is where I started looking.”

Pausing, Sombra glanced up to Whit, to see if the other Stallion had anything to interject.
“Looking?” The doctor asked, genuinely curious, his expression not showing any accusatory flickers, no angry flares, just a calm and simple desire to help.

“Power. Control. I had always wanted to be a guard, and it sort of just fit in. I could learn about topics, and still seem normal. I should have told someone!” He grit his teeth, kneading at the pillow underhoof. 
“So obvious now. Don't get me wrong, Amber's family was great, taking me in after my family was killed. I had a marefriend, a place to stay, and was enrolled in the guard. Things actually were going well, at least that's what it would seem like to most.” The stallion then paused, not able to meet either Whit's or Amber's gaze. His throat actually closed up, and the stallion could feel tears brimming, emotions he hadn't felt in ages washing against the dam in his mind, some cresting over the brim and spilling over.

“I couldn't take it.” He whispered, hooves slowly pressing on themselves in a sort of self-comforting gesture, even though the stallion seemed oblivious to it.
“I thought I had gotten over my family's death, and I had, in a sense. I had accepted them moving on, and that I wouldn't see them again. What I hadn't accepted-” The tears then came, hot enough to cause him to wince as the stalwart stallion's demeanor cracked.
“I couldn't save them! I was tossed aside like a useless piece of trash, and my family was murdered in front of me. I still needed to be better.” The stallion's voice was raspy, the words having be forced out syllable by syllable.

"It was then that I then found the book. It didn't touch on dark magic by name, but something felt.... off  about it. Even so, the things it spoke of were exactly what I was looking for. Power, unlimited control; it sounded too good to be true, but I was desperate. Nobody would know it though. Well, Amber probably did, I know she did. This is about six months or so before the demon came to the world.”
The stallion paused once again, still not meeting Amber's gaze.
“Amber once asked me if the reason I was being so distant was because of her, if she was doing something wrong-” Sombra's voice cracked as he felt the mare beside him tense slightly.
“She was perfect. She didn't leave my side even when I started to seclude myself in the library, pouring over book after book, each becoming a bit darker than the last. I always finished my studies with a few pages from that first book, that spoke of the power I so wanted.”

Sombra's hoof drifted over to Amber's, curling around it despite him still staring straight ahead, prompting the mare's expression to soften. She didn't know how much Doctor Whit saw, but she could see every twitch of pain that flickered across Sombra's face as he spoke, the hesitation on certain words or subjects....
 To think he hadn't told anyone this, I didn't know.

“It was small spells at first, ones aimed to boost your magical capacities, refine certain aspects of spell-casting.” The stallion's eyes narrowed, his hoof clenching Amber's tighter.
“All farces. They were just preparations for the final spell. It was all a ritual to summon that creature, hidden among fancy writing and twisted lies and half-truths. It started out so simple and insignificant, and then it was too late. The final spell, to allow a full representation of your magical prowess.”	
He drew a sharp breath, eyes wide in horror. Amber looked over to Somba, his hoof shaking like a leaf.
“I can still see his eyes.” The stallion's breath had quickened, gaze distant and unfocused.
“Sombra, Sombra! It's ok, you're safe here.” Doctor Whit's tone was calm yet powerful, enough to put Amber slightly at ease- but the fact it had no affect on Sombra was more than unnerving to her.
“It looked at me, and smiled. I heard its voice, I can still hear it! It was in my head, and my ears! I couldn't block it out!” Sombra's voice rose in volume and pitch, fluctuating as his eyes darted around at unforeseen foes. 
“Sombra! It's ok, come back to us.” Whit managed to maintain a calm demeanor, even as he reached for a small crystal; a summons for security no doubt. Some patients surely got out of hand now and again.
 That's the last thing Sombra needs.

Amber stood up, walking over in front of Sombra's unfocused and terrified gaze. The stallion had been like this before, in a way. This was different though, he wasn't half asleep or dreaming. Sombra was living a nightmare right in front of her.	
 Not while I'm here. 

The mare sat down, leaning her head forward to rest against Sombra's forehead. That touch alone caused the stallion to jerk slightly, but not snap out of his daze completely. Amber drew her touch across his face, setting underneath his eye, and then to the stallion's cheek, where she nuzzled his soft fur, a gentle caress that sent a tingle down her spine.
The stallion's breathing began to slow, becoming more erratic and breaking from the fast panting that had afflicted him before. Amber could feel his muscles twitching, some part of his mind struggling to gain control. She moved her touch down to Sombra's neck, Amber resting her neck across his. 
Seeing the stallion she cared about traumatized caused Amber's own emotions to well up, and a few tears wet her eyes as the mare  wrapped her hooves around the larger pony in a hug, nuzzling into his mane.
“It's ok. Sombra, it's ok.” She whispered as Sombra seemed to startle, jerking slightly, breaths now slowing drastically.
“A-Amber? What-what just happened?” Sombra muttered, a cold sweat having broken out across his fur.
“Just rest for now, it's alright.” The mare's simple response seemed to put him at ease, and the stallion complied by laying his head down on the cushion.
“I'll leave you two be for now. I'll check back in a few minutes if that is alright.”
Doctor Whit's words were only acknowledged by a brief nod from Amber, and the stallion walked outside the room, shaking his head slowly.
 That poor pony, what did he do to deserve all of this?