//------------------------------// // Still, there is something that bothers me. // Story: A shadow of what I once was. // by FaelaArts //------------------------------// ’They’re attacking! They’re heading for the chamber!’ Sombra opened his eyes and sat up on his bed, stifling a yawn. Glancing to the window, only an hour had passed since the fight. Turning, he heard a knock at his door, and watched as a very particular annoyance walked in, and situated a glare at him. “Sombra, just what was that back there, you almost killed Chrysalis!” Twilight stepped forward, bringing her face closer to Sombra’s. Narrowing his eyes, he didn’t answer, and they slowly began to glow green. “I am not leaving without an answer, we don’t kill ponies Sombra!” Twilight leaned forward once more, before growling and moving over to the table to glance at his papers, blatantly snooping. Sombra narrowed his eyes, and purple mist began to leak out of them. “How many were injured.” Sombra waited as Twilight jumped and turned, eyes wide before she narrowed them and glanced toward the window, biting her lip. “Quite a few have minor injuries, but only two had to be taken to the hospital.” Twilight was actually quite relieved that they hadn’t been more seriously injured. The fighting had been overwhelming. At the end she had almost thought for a second they might lose. “And if the fighting had continued?” Sombra’s eyes stopped leaking purple mist, and he closed them, opening them as he looked to the small window, the green glow fading from his eyes. Standing up, he approached it, and looked outside. “A lot more ponies would have died, it doesn’t mean you have to try to kill her!” Twilight walked around to Sombra's side, and glared at him as he looked out the window. “My action was justified,” he replied, narrowing his eyes. “Justified or not we do NOT kill ponies!” Twilight pulled Sombra so he turned to face her, glaring venomously at him. Sombra regarded her, and turned once more back to the window. “When was the last time Equestria had a war.” Sombra watched as a blue pegasus walked by the road, and vanished from view. Caught off guard by the sudden change of subject, Twilight stumbled, before finally stuttering an answer. “About a thousand years. After Celestia signed treaties with all neighbouring kingdoms all agreed to never fight a war again, as it was just a waste of life. It was shortly after the Crystal Empire vanished if I recall correctly.” Twilight nodded sternly as she once more narrowed her eyes pointedly. Sombra glanced to her, before once more looking out the window. “A thousand years, passing by in the blink of an eye…” Trailing off, Sombra closed his eyes leaned his head on the shield Twilight had put on the window. Twilight felt her alarm spell go off inside her head, and quickly silenced it with a spark of magic. There was no point in leaving it on anyway. “Oh... You grew up during that time didn’t you,” whispered Twilight, taking a step closer so she could see out the window. Twilight bit her lip, and looked away, sighing loudly. “Did you have to do that often? Kill ponies?” Twilight wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer, but she couldn’t resist asking. Sombra opened his eyes, and his expression softened. “It was-” Sombra was cut off as the door opened up behind them and Rainbow Dash stepped in, seeing them both looking out the window. Hidden behind his back, Dash missed Sombra’s expression as it once more hardened, and he raised his head and moved toward his bed, sitting down and glaring at both Twilight and Dash. Signing, Twilight turned to Dash. “What’s out that window,” she spoke, trotting over and glancing outside. Seeing nothing of interest, she turned to Twilight and smiled, before motioning toward the door where Spike was catching his breath. “Spike got a message while you were out fighting, I think you should give it a read. I was wondering...Where’d you send those batponies to anyway?” Dash glanced around, and scratched the back of her head as she began to hover in the air. “Sorry *hah* here it is.” Spike stumbled in and handed Twilight the letter, before heading back out of the room. Twilight sighed and turned to Dash, waving the letter in her magic. “I sent them to scout the Changeling base. I need to know if they've abandoned it now that the attack has failed.” Twilight turned her attention to the letter, and opened it quickly, skimming it before widening her eyes and reading it again. Dear Princess Twilight. My sister has requested to journey to Ponyville and stay there for a few days, and her duties have finally eased enough for her to do so. She will be arriving this afternoon on the inbound train, and I would be most delighted if you would allow her to reside in your castle for the duration of her stay. If there is any problems, simply send me a reply. Sincerely Celestia “Luna’s coming to visit!” Twilight felt her wings burst open as excitement coursed through her. It had been ages since she had seen Luna, and she was making a special trip out to see them. Turning to Dash, she saw the same eagerness mirrored on her face. However, Sombra did not share their enthusiasm. Horn glowing, Sombra levitated them out of the room and closed the door, almost slamming it. Twilight turned and widened her eyes. A few days ago he had been barely able to lift a pen, and now he was able to lift two full ponies? His magic was returning quicker than she thought. “No matter, we must go tell the girls!” Twilight beamed and they both galloped out of the castle to go spread the news. Dash saluted, and began to bank in a different direction. “I’ll go grab Fluttershy and Aj and meet you at the station.” Dash turned and was off without another word. Twilight smiled and settled into a trot, heading for her friends houses. Luna! Oh how nice it would be to talk the night with her!