//------------------------------// // I have pieces to the puzzle, but there's some missing. // Story: A shadow of what I once was. // by FaelaArts //------------------------------// “If you need anything while I’m gone, Sombra and Spike will be in the castle.” Twilight motioned behind her as she smiled to her friends, who all shared a nervous glance, before nodding. “I know you don’t entirely trust Sombra, but he’s spared my life twice. Surely that’s worth something?” Twilight stepped forward, and Applejack glanced to Fluttershy, and sighed, stepping forward. “It’s not tha we dun trust him not ta kill us, but ah just worry about him being alone in yer castle.” Applejack pointed behind Twilight, and she bit her lip, it was a fair point. Smiling warmly, she chuckled. “Well, then take him out for the day, problem solved.” Twilight waited as all sighed, and smiled in acknowledgement. “Alright Twi, got any idea what activities he might like?”Applejack tilted her head, and Twilight smiled. “Ask him about stuff, he’s quite knowledgable. I’m not sure how much he knows about agriculture, but maybe he has a few tips.” Twilight winked, and Applejack nodded. Twilight embraced her friends a final time, and noticed Sombra was standing at the door. “I’ll be back soon Sombra, do you want anything while I’m in Canterlot?” Twilight waited patiently as Sombra narrowed his eyes, and said nothing for a moment. “I require a sample of the crystal under the city.” Sombra turned, and returned inside, closing the door behind him. Twilight frowned, why would he want those crystals? Sure, they were purple, but why did he need more crystals? Shaking her head, she discarded it and turned to her friends, giving a smile. “I’ll be sure to ask Chrysalis if she can send some drones here, I’m sure you all have questions to ask them, as I do.” Twilight grinned as most gave a nod. “I’m wondering how fast those bugs can fly,” challenged Rainbow Dash, smirking before wincing as Twilight fixed her with a cold stare. “Changelings Dash, not bugs. That's insulting.” Twilight waited for a moment, and relaxed into a smile once more. Stepping away, she gave them a final wave. “Alright this is my first time trying to teleport to Canterlot, but I should have more than enough magic for the trip. Spike, wait here for my confirmation letter using the spell Celestia taught me.” Twilight waited as Spike saluted, and stepped back more, horn beginning to glow. Closing her eyes, she gritted her teeth as she poured more and more magic into the spell. Just as she was beginning to wonder if she actually had enough magic, she felt the spell complete, and vanished in a poof. “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna!” Twilight shook off her sense of vertigo as she recovered from the teleport, and bowed to the two. Celestia and Luna bowed once in return. Waving her hoof, Celestia dismissed the ponies around them, and Twilight was embraced in a loving hug. “Oh! One moment.” Twilight pulled out the letter, and burnt it using a special spell, sending it to Spike. Turning to the two she looked around for Chrysalis, and raised an eyebrow in question. “All the Changelings have moved into a private building carefully constructed with unicorn magic to mimic a hive. I will arrange a meeting with her for you tomorrow.” Celestia and Luna led Twilight out of the throne room, and into the corridors. “So, you said you had something you wished to discuss with us, something not important?” Celestia looked out the window as they passed, looking down on the bright city of Canterlot. “Well, it’s about Sombra.” Twilight immediately felt the two sister’s mood turn, their faces falling into shadow as they lowered their heads. “What is it you wanted to discuss?” Luna was quick on the rebound, both leading Twilight into a private room, where she would be sleeping during her stay. Twilight took a seat on the bed, and the two sat beside her. “Well, I was just wondering, about how he got corrupted.” Twilight bit her lip as both shared another glance, and Celestia nodded, bringing a wing around Twilight and looking down calmly. “Very well, I suppose it is only fair we pass this lesson along, if only as a warning to never delve too deep into the dark side of magic as he has.” Celestia raised a questioning eyebrow, and Twilight gulped silently, keeping a poker face. How was Celestia so good at reading events? “It was on a routine visit to check on our ally, and spread news of our victory over Discord. Sombra was too far north for the chaos magic to have major effects, and was under the protection of the Crystal Heart. Or so we thought.” Celestia raised her head as Luna began to speak. “Equestria was looking at its first peaceful reign, with allies all around us and the threat taken care of. Our parents had succeeded in spreading the message of peace over war to our neighbours, and we had plenty of time after Discord’s defeat to deal with border matters, or so we thought.” Luna bowed her head, and Celestia continued. “When we arrived at the Crystal Empire, we instantly knew something was different. For one, what used to be wooden buildings was now made out entirely of crystals, and all civilians were looking depressed, and wearing slave collars. It was all we could do not to take over the kingdom right there and then.” Celestia looked mournfully at her sister. “I thought the elements might cure him, I was wrong. I guess only the Crystal Heart can cure a Crystal Pony” Luna bowed her head, and both lit their horns, lowering the sun and raising the moon. “It only got worse, once we landed in the palace.” Celestia raised her head to the ceiling, looking grim. Luna nodded and sighed, both bringing their heads together in a silent embrace. Twilight bit her lip, feeling the despair in the room. Sombra had said it depended on what her definition of corrupt was. Maybe she would finally get some answers, instead of questions.