//------------------------------//
// This humiliation will not go unpunished. 
// Story: A shadow of what I once was. 
// by FaelaArts 
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“Alright everypony, we have to make sure we always have an eye on Sombra at all times.” Twilight and the others led Sombra to a corner of the castle, and opened the door to a small room with a crystal desk and a rough bed dumped in the corner. There was a small window, far too small for a pony to escape from. Walking over to the window, Twilight quickly cast a weak shield spell on it, and a pale purple shimmered in window.

“I-I’ll be over first thing in the morning,” whispered Fluttershy as she backed out of the room slowly. Twilight nodded, Fluttershy would take Sombra during the day, and Twilight during the night. Rarity and the others would take turns accompanying Fluttershy, a precaution against any tricks Sombra might devise.

Stepping back, Twilight allowed Sombra to enter the room and look around. Tapping the floor, he walked over to the desk and sat down at the hard, crystal chair, and turned to watch them. Even as a captive, he held himself regally. Twilight once more glanced to the window and put a hasty detection spell on it. If Sombra tried to sneak out in shadow form, she would hear about it. Closing the door, Twilight locked it from the outside, and turned to her friends.

“I’ll stay with ya Twi. Can’t leave you alone with that creep in your house” Rainbow Dash smirked, flaring her wings and digging at the ground with a hoof. Twilight nodded, smiling warmly. She could think of no better companion during the long night as they kept an eye on Sombra. Heading toward the entrance, she waved goodbye to the others, giving each one a warm smile.

Sitting down on their thrones, Twilight and Rainbow Dash shared a look, and breathed out, slumping. Today had been rough, but tomorrow proved to be even worse. Depending on Sombra’s actions, what might turn out to be a weird, but normal day, could also turn into a fight for Equestria.

“I’ll take the first watch Dash, you get some slee-” Turning, Twilight giggled as she realised Dash had already fallen asleep, snoring loudly. Standing up, Twilight walked toward a door and opened it, revealing a large room filled with books, most damaged beyond repair. Pulling out one in almost pristine condition, she opened it and began to read.




Fluttershy arrived shortly before dawn, much to Twilight’s annoyance. Pouring herself a cup of coffee, she glanced to Dash, who had stayed awake just long enough to rouse Twilight. Taking a sip of the wonderful beverage, Twilight led Fluttershy to the locked room, opening it and relieved to see Sombra hadn’t vanished overnight. Currently, he was sleeping with his face to the wall on the bed.

“U-Uhm Sombra, y-you’ve g-gotta w-wake up.” When Sombra didn’t sturr, Fluttershy backed up, and shrunk as Twilight narrowed her eyes in irritation, and trotted in, shaking Sombra wildly until his eyes shot open, bloodshot. Stepping to the side, she looked to Fluttershy as Sombra sat up.

“We-We’re g-going to g-o o-on a p-picnic if y-you wouldn’t mind.” Fluttershy shrunk as Sombra’s eyes narrowed, and he blinked them a few times, removing the redness from the eyes. After a few moment of Sombra sitting there, blinking, Twilight realised he wasn’t going to answer.

“Sombra, you are going on the picnic,” narrowing her eyes, Twilight lowered her horn, but didn’t release the spell. Sombra trained his eyes directly on her’s, before closing them and standing up.

“Very well.” Without another word, Sombra followed Twilight and Fluttershy out of the castle, and toward a large hill on the outskirts of Ponyville that was perfect for picnics. Fluttershy set it up quickly, and soon enough everypony except Dash arrived. Sombra took a seat, and said nothing.

“How did you convince Discord to stay at the cottage?” Twilight turned toward Fluttershy as she began to lay out the food. Pausing, she glanced toward Sombra.

“I told him it wouldn’t be wise to come along during the first few days. I managed to convince him to stay home and eat whatever he wanted from the fridge.” Fluttershy began to pile reasonable portions onto a plate, an hesitantly held it out to Sombra.

“Would you like s-eep!” When Sombra took the plate, Fluttershy jumped slightly, but forced herself to stay where she was. Being afraid of Sombra would not help her show him kindness. After a moment, Sombra began eating silently. Rarity, sensing the silence, pointed to her hat and put on a shaky smile.

“What do you think of my hat darlings? Isn’t it simply fabulous?” Rarity smiled as Applejack, Twilight, and Fluttershy all nodded.

“That is positively supleriffic! Why, we should totally have a party to celebrate. I could totally make it into a ‘Welcome Sombra’ party too. Oooh~ I can have a whole theme around crystals! Won’t that be fun?” Pinkie Pie turned eagerly to Sombra, and the silence stretched between them. Sombra continued eating.

“Er, Sombra, what do you think of my hat?” Rarity decided asking a non-Pinkie Pie question might get a different answer. To her surprise, it did.

“It is adequate.” Sombra continued eating as Rarity sat there in mute shock.

“A-ADEQUATE!” Rarity fell backward in a faint, overwhelmed by the fact her best hat had only been ‘adequate’ to Sombra’s apparent standards. Standing up, eye twitching, she quickly excused herself.

“I’m-I’m sorry darlings I must go, I uh-forgot to add a ribbon to an order!” Without another word, Rarity dashed off. Applejack stood up as well, and tipped her hat.

“Ah have ta get back to the farm also. Ah’ll see ya’ll at the party tonight.” Applejack sent Fluttershy a worried glance as the walked away. Pinkie Pie giggled in glee, and bounced up herself. Leaning forward, she brought her face mere millimeters away from Sombra’s.

“I’m so exited!Areyouexitedcauseyoushouldbeexitedohmythisisgoingtobesomuchfun” Pinkie Pie paused, smiling from ear to ear. Sombra blinked once in response. Pinkie Pie turned and gave Twilight and Fluttershy a hug, before leaping off to plan the party. After a moment, Sombra resumed eating, before putting down the empty plate once more on the ground.

“U-Uhm, w-would you l-like seconds? Is there a-anything you need?” Fluttershy smiled, hoping it didn’t look as fake as it felt. Sombra turned,  and surprisingly gave a decent answer.

“I require paper, ink, and a quill.”