The young foal with a white body and pink mane dashed toward the throne room of the castle, entering the room and breathing in sharpy at the sight before her. Her mother and father were talking to some sort of creature. Hearing her intake, all three turned. Another foal, this one a dark blue stepped around her to peek inside.
“Who’s this Mommy?” The foal glanced to her sister, before a wizened chuckle escaped from their mother’s lips.
“This is Queen Pupa, she’s a Changeling from a distant land.” The two foals gasped again, taking in the changeling, who chuckled and walked over to them, crouching down and giving them a gentle smile.
“Hello,” she spoke, and the two foals screamed and hid behind the door, giggling. Pupa shook her head, smiling, and peeked her head slowly around the door. After a moment, she winked at the older foal.
“What are your names, I’m sure they’re lovely.” Pupa watched as the two shared a glance, and then beamed bright smiles.
“I’m Suhlestia-Am Ahm Loona!” They spoke at the same time, but Pupa understood them well enough. Standing up, she winked at their mother, who chuckled and made a motion with her hoof. Turning back to the foals, she slowly stepped out the door and closed it behind her.
“Well aren’t you big girls, facing down a fearsome ol’ changeling by your lonesome. Do you have a room? I would love to see it.” Pupa smiled as both gripped her in their magic, allowing herself to be pulled toward a room. Opening the door for her, the two showed off their side of the room. They were as different as night and day.
“So what’s a changeling do Miss Pupa?” Celestia looked up at the changeling with bright curious eyes. Luna looked away, hiding behind her mane, but equally curious. Pupa sat down on the ground, and looked down at the two.
“Well, most changelings collect food for the hive. A few tend to the young, and then there’s me who is in charge of ensuring our food source doesn’t know about us.” Pupa winked, and made a shushing motion with her hoof. The two nodded enthusiastically.
“What do you mean hive, like bees?” Luna tilted her head and Pupa laughed, a low chuckle that was soft and yet concise.
“No no, little ones. Changelings are sort of like ponies, except we all live together in one big area together, we call this a hive. Changelings only go out for food, and I always know where they are so there’s never any danger.” Pupa looked to the window, watching as the sun rose further into the sky.
“How do ya do that,” questioned Celestia, sitting down beside her sister.
“Well, all changelings are connected via a telepathy network. I do not know how we developed this ability, but think of it like a busy town center with a lot of voices talking at once.” Pupa winced slightly as she spoke, before returning to her warm smile.
“Doesn’t that get confusing?” Luna looked to her sister, remembering how their mother always hated when they talked at the same time.
“Sometimes, but you learn to listen for what is directed at you, and what is just background chatter.” Pupa stood up, fluttering her wings as she looked down upon the two.
“Wait, where are you going?” Celestia and Luna rose, and she chuckled as she opened the door, bowing as she stepped out.
“I have to go sign a treaty with your parents. You see, Changelings are often treated like insects if we’re discovered, and I find it is easier to confront the rulers privately and form a pact of silence, rather than try to keep it hidden entirely. That way, we have help covering up potential mistakes.” Pupa winked, and left the two alone.
“And that’s how you make a crystal bloom. They’re tasteless, but that doesn’t matter for what we use them for.” The mare smiled warmly at her son as she passed off the foal to an nursemaid, who began heading for its cot, where the foal would sleep. The colt smiled at his mother, and concentrated, lowering his horn to the ground as sparks flew off his horn. After a moment, a very small crystal rose from the floor.
“Ma, I did it!” The colt beamed as his mother blinked in shock, and then smiled warmly, shaking her head as she poked him where he was ticklish.
“Well aren’t you the little prodigy, you remind me so much of my sister, your auntie.” The mother chuckled as the colt breathed in, and began to poke her as he tried to get her attention.
“I have an auntie? Will I ever get to meet her?” The colt beamed, before glancing toward the door where his father had walked in, and was glaring openly at the mother.
“No, you will never meet her, she lives far far away my son, and your father does not like her very much.” The mother winced slightly under the father’s gaze, before he turned and marched away.
“Why doesn’t he like her ma?” The colt tilted his head, and giggled as the mother poked him once more, shaking her head as the smile returned to her face.
“You’ll understand when you’re older dear, would you like to practice more of the special language?” The mother chuckled as the son began to bounce around the room, before plopping down in front of her.
“Yes! Luna loves it when I teach her about the special language, she say’s I’m a very profwesional teacher.” The colt stood up tall and proud, and the mother winced slightly.
“That’s very nice dear, would you like to learn her name in the special language?”
“Ma, why does brother and me have fangs, and you have fangs, but Pa doesn’t?” Sombra sat in front of his mother as she chuckled warmly and smiled. Sombra was on a roll with strange questions, having already asked where air came from.
“Oh, that’s simple my dear, it’s because I’m not a Crystal Pony.” The mother flicked her tail against Sombra’s side, and he whined slightly as he swiped it away.
“If you’re not a Crystal Pony, what are you Ma?” Sombra tilted his head as his mother frowned slightly, and then breathed in.
“Well, I guess you had to find out someday,” she spoke, and her horn glowed green for a moment. Suddenly, she was enveloped in green fire, and when it vanished, the form of a Changeling Queen with similar features was looking down at her son.
“A Changeling? But, that means I’m.” Sombra, wide eyed and in shock, watched a black hoof calmly direct his attention into his mother’s eyes.
“Yes my son, you are half-Changeling, as is your brother.” With another flash of green fire, the mother returned to normal, and gave her son a sad smile. Sombra’s brother has been less than happy about the news, thinking it made him no longer a pure blood Prince. It was nonsensical, but she did allow him to pretend he was adopted, if only to make him happy.
“I understand if this means you don’t like me anymore, but I ask you to not hold a grudge against my race.” Biting her lip, the mother looked out the door, mind musing on the Prince.
“So that secret language is actually…” Sombra trailed off, and the mother nodded.
“Changeling, yes.” The mother turned her attention to Sombra, and realised he didn’t seem frightened by the news, just surprised.
“So the reason I have fangs, is because of my blood. What else did I gain from you?” Sombra looked curiously at his mother, and a warm smile fell on her face when she realised that fact.
“I am not sure my son, but I do know one thing I can teach you that may help, should you run into a problem that you can’t tell your father about. He doesn’t especially like Changelings you see, but he does know who I truly am. It was an arranged marriage.” The mother felt open relief as Sombra nodded, and shuffled closer. He was such a smart colt, and his magic could not be stronger. Being showered by love from birth had helped him grow to impressive strengths.
“This may be a little jarring at first, I am going to connect you to the hive mind. You’ll be able to do this yourself any time you want my son, but I will stay right beside you the first time” The mother lowered her horn, glowing green, and gently touched it to her son’s horn, teaching him the spell. Closing her eyes, she then sent them both into the hive mind.
The hive detected the moment a new consciousness entered, and slowly swarmed around the form. It began to let off spikes of fear until one consciousness curled gently around it. Still quaking, it huddled against that consciousness as the curiosity pushed against them. After a moment, the hive rolled over into happiness, and welcomed the new mind into it. Giving the mind some room to get comfortable, the hive retreated slightly, and the new mind slowly approached.
The hive celebrated the new mind, wrapped around it, encouraging it while it traded information. The new mind’s curiosity overrode fear, and soon the hive was sharing history, life stories of their cover, and magic. Eventually, the older mind dragged the new mind away, and the hive bid farewell, swarming the new mind with a feeling of belonging, just before they faded from the hive.
Opening her eyes, the mother smiled warmly as tears of open joy rolled down Sombra’s face. Bringing her son into a hug, she nodded.
“That’s right son, you will always belong to a hive, no matter how the world views you. Just as you will always belong to me, and always be my son.” After a moment, she let Sombra go as he looked to her, quickly wiping away the tears.
“Why do ponies hate Changelings Ma?” Sitting down, Sombra tilted his head. The mother smiled sadly and looked toward the door.
“Ponies fear what they can’t control, what can be anyone at any time. They fear us, and so they hate us.” The mother looked the Prince in the eyes as he glared daggers at her, and stormed away from the door. Sombra dived into his mother arms, nuzzling her.
“Don’t worry Ma, I promise never to be afraid of Changelings. In fact.” Sombra stepped away and beamed proudly, striking a heroic pose.
“I’ll rid fear from this Empire! That way Changelings can live happily here as well.” Sombra was pulled into a hug as his mother chuckled, knowing he meant every word.
“My dear, fear is an important emotion, it makes us wise to the dangers of the world. But I would very much like to see the world you envision, it would be a day come true.” The mother quickly wiped away the tear from her eyes, and looked down at her proud son. As very softly, barely a whisper in the hive mind, she dared to hope.
“It will Ma!” Sombra nodded, determined, and then turned to head out the door. Waving goodbye with a smile, the mother waved back. Turning, Sombra nearly walked into the Prince, who had a very strange look on his face. It was a smile, but a very weird one. Sombra bowed once in greeting, and continued on his way.
’I wonder if brother knows we’re half-Changeling. Oh! I wonder if I should tell Tia and Moon! No, I’ll save it as a surprise for when my brother’s Empire is free of most hate.’ Sombra bounced down the path merrily. He failed to notice his brother slink into his mother’s room. Sombra walked over to his desk and carefully moved his homework toward one side, and began to draw.
“I’ll make you proud Ma, watch me.”
“Da! Da! Can I come with you and big brother?” A gray colt with black hair approached a larger pony who was sporting a crown. Beside him, a tall stallion with a smaller crown softened his eyes and chuckled, looking to his father.
“What do you say, he’s getting to the age I was when you first took me.” The prince chuckled as the king sighed, and looked toward the carriage, two Pegasi at the front to pull it. After a moment, he turned his attention to the prince and narrowed his eyes.
“Very well, he may as well get some battle experience before the monks take him to learn all knowledge.” The king turned, and sat down in the carriage. Following and taking a seat himself, the prince smiled and patted the chair as the colt jumped up and sat down, eyes wide with excitement.
“This is so exciting, will lil sis be coming when she’s my age?” Looking to the Pegasi as they took to the sky, the colt giggled as the breeze blew his hair back, making it wave.
“No, your sister is betrothed to a zebra to ensure peaceful relations. Princesses do not learn the art of war.” The king looked down as the colt’s ears flopped back, and he nodded sadly. Blinking, he turned his head, opening his mouth.
“But doesn’t Lune learn war from her Ma?” The colt shrunk as the king hissed, and the prince shuffled closer to his brother, putting an arm around him protectively. Turning, the king fixed his cold stare on the colt.
“What have I told you about using that dead language! Your mother should have never taught you it.” Turning away abruptly, the king gritted his teeth, and everything fell silent. The prince relaxed, and removed the hoof from his brother.
“You will obey our customs son, not those of our neighbor.” The king relaxed, and looked over the side as they passed some reinforcements heading for the front line. There was an army of ponies, he narrowed his eyes and scowled.
“Okay Da.” Looking down, the colt also watched the troops, spotting very few unicorns in the crowd.
“Da, why are there so little unicorns in your Empire?” The colt looked to the king as he turned and pointed to the horn on the colt’s head, motioning to his broad back.
“We are an Earth Pony civilisation, so it is rare for us to get Pegasi and Unicorns like your sister and you. Even with our massive array of battle spells, we are often forced to rely on our strength and numbers to win battles due to this.” As the carriage landed all three stepped out onto a high platform overlooking the large plateau of green. In the far distance, a similar tower could be seen, sporting a flag of a gryphon.
“Now listen here brother,” the prince turned, leaning down and locking eyes with the colt. Nodding, the colt leaned forward, every hair paying attention to his brother’s words. The prince pointed to a small stool that was being placed next to a larger chair that the king as now sitting in.
“You must sit there and not move, I’ll be right beside you the entire time.” The prince smiled as the colt sat down and nodded eagerly, turning to squint out the window. A unicorn walked over, and bowed at them.
“Your highness, the spell is ready, who should I administer it to.” As the unicorn bowed, the king motioned to the prince and colt.
“Us three, my younger son is here to experience war.” Closing his eyes, the King bowed his head as the unicorn stepped over, horn glowing, and gently tapped his forehead. Copying the action, the colt opened his eyes and realised he could see every stalk of grass on the field.
“Woah, this is cool!” The colt grinned to his brother, who chuckled, and looked away, a sad look in his eyes as he breathed out silently. The cold did not see it, instead looking toward the other side of the clearing.
“Da, they’re gryphons, why’re we fighting gryphons?” The colt pointed with his hoof, and the prince bit his lip as the king turned.
“Because they destroyed one of our watchtowers and took over the area. We must drive them out.” The king saw the first line of gryphons begin to form up, and raised a hoof to silence the room.
“What do you say son?” The king turned to the prince, who as narrowing his eyes as he bit his lip once more.
“Uh, a thousand?” The prince breathed out as the king nodded, and then leaned down to the colt, and muttered a quick side thought.
“Tell me son, how do Earth Ponies fight against flying foes?” The king felt the ghost of a smile come onto his face as the colt scrunched up his own in deep thought.
“Uh, I dunno Da, how do we fight em?” The colt looked brightly at his father, who sighed and looked to the heavens.
“How about you answer this one.” Turning toward the prince, the king waited patiently as he mused for a moment, and then smiled.
“We attack like a single entity, large and fast. They have to dive down to attack us, and we’re faster than they are.” Smiling, the Prince was pleased as the king nodded in approval. The colt breathed out and widened his eyes, imagining a giant pony stomping over the landscape.
“Sire, they have begun to move.” The king turned back to the battle and nodded to the unicorn.
“Order the troops forward, generals are to use block formation.” Looking out the window, all three watched as the two armies faced each other. After a moment, they charged and the battle began. The colt, who could see everything, widened his eyes and began to scream, unable to look away. The unicorn cast a spell, and suddenly the room was silent once more, the colt still screaming silently in the room.
“It’s best he see this before he heads off to learn all those dark spells, despite how much it is scaring him.” The prince bit his lip once more, looking mournfully to his brother who was still frozen, watching the battle in all-too gruesome detail.
“I am more concerned about relations with those damn Equestrians. If they so much as think we are evil we will have a third army knocking at our door. You better hope your brother’s smart enough to keep his mouth shut. Plus, those ominous snow clouds from the north worry me.” The king watched as his army tore through the Gryphons, and they began to flee. Turning to the unicorn, he narrowed his eyes.
“Take no prisoners.”
“Father, where’s Mother?” The colt approached his father, using the proper terms as his father had ordered upon completion of his first time seeing what war was like. The father turned, and the older brother took over the paperwork as he approached the younger son.
“You mother has passed away, Changelings came in during the night and assasinated her.” The father crouched down and brought his son into a hug, face devoid of emotion. The young colt’s eyes widened, and slowly began to leak moisture.
“B-But Ma said that-” The colt was cut off as he was shoved away, and shrunk under his father’s gaze.
“You will address her as Mother! You are far too old for those pathetic nicknames. We were at peace with the Changelings, yes. However this action demands we now declare war on them, and capture any Changelings in our city as prisoners of war.” The father loomed over his son, before relaxing and turning away, snatching the paperwork from the prince. The prince walked over to the colt, and brought him into a hug.
“I know, but you’ve gotta understand brother, Father can’t show emotion in front of anypony now. A King must be strong, and never show weakness. Go hang out with those two Equestrians, I can’t spare the time to console you right now, father’s putting me in charge of the advance team being sent out to the border.” The prince stood up, and gently nudged the colt, who nodded and left the room.
Pausing on his way to his friends, he snuck past the guards and into his mother’s old room, widening his eyes as he found her body still there. It was likely there so the father could mourn before her burial. Stepping over, fresh tears began to fall, the colt breathed in, and they stopped. He had to stay strong, like his father and brother.
The body was sucked dry, gray and devoid of the life that had once flowed through his mothers veins. The colt looked sadly to the horn, where the changelings would have drained the life out of his mother, however something caught his eye. Just under the chin, hidden by the scarf normally worn by his mother, was some sort of mark.
Breathing in, he leaned down and carefully pulled the scarf away, revealing two bite marks. Inhaling sharply, the colt glanced to the door, relieved to see he hadn’t been caught, and quickly covered up the mark. Sneaking out once more, the colt paused on the path to his friends house, staring at nothing in the distance.
“Sombra! What’s wrong?” A small filly with a white coat and pink mane approached the colt, a smaller filly with a dark blue coat coming to stand beside her. The colt blinked, and shook his head rapidly, and breathed in, turning to his friends as he bit his lip.
“My Mother just died to-Changelings.” The colt was relieved that the two didn’t notice his hesitation, and quickly consoled him. The colt closed his eyes and let fresh tears spring onto his face. This was the very first lie he had ever told to his best friends, guilt sprung up in the wake of his newfound greif.
“I’m sorry brother, but Da says I’m not old enough to go get the book by myself.” Sombra trotted beside his brother as he walked down the street, biting his lip as the Prince glared in irritation at Sombra, and grumbled under his breath. They passed a small group of kids sitting in a side street.
“What’s so special about this book you had to get it ordered and delivered here? You have five copies of the same book in the Empire’s library.” The Prince opened the door and entered the bookstore.
“This one is the Equestrian edition, it has fifteen new spells!” Sombra put a slip of paper on the front desk, and the pony brought over the book, taking the money as he handed it over. Holding the book in his magic, Sombra beamed, hopping after his brother as they began the trip back to the castle.
“Sorry,” a filly spoke as she accidentally bumped into Sombra, and walked away quickly. Sombra patted his clothes, and knew his money had been stolen. Turning, he chased after the filly, the Prince trotting behind him. It wasn’t his money that had been lost.
“Hyah!” Sombra pounced on the filly and held her down with body his body and a small portion of magic. Rummaging through the filly’s pockets, and taking back his pouch of money, nodded with a smile as he stepped away from the filly, still holding her down with his magic. The filly stood up, but found herself unable to flee as Sombra glared at her.
“That was rude! Why’d you go and do that!” Sombra flinched as the filly spat at him, and glared with burning hate. It was only then he realised he could see her ribs showing through her coat.
“Oh sure, like you’d know what I’ve been through. My parents abandoned me on the street! Do you know how hard it is to survive without a family? The orphanage barely feeds us, and you have to gall to ask WHY? You’re just a noble prince, you could NEVER understand how much everyday hurts when you go to sleep on the cold, hard crystal.” Once more the filly tried to spit at Sombra, who blocked it with a levitation spell. Sombra looked seriously at the filly his own age, and closed his eyes for a moment, and bowed.
“I see.” Sombra opened his eyes, releasing the magic as he dropped the bag of money beside the filly, and turned. The Prince snorted, and led the way out of the clearing.
“You need this money more than I. I apologise about the fact I already spent some on a book.” Sombra turned the corner and followed his brother back toward the castle. The filly paused, blinked, and ran out into the street.
“Why are you doing this, I just robbed you. You should be angry!” The filly saw Sombra pause and glance back, giving her a warm smile.
“Everyone deserves a second chance,” he spoke, turning to head on his way.
Sombra marched down the street toward the bookstore, proud to be finally old enough to walk the path alone. It had taken some convincing, but eventually the King had agreed. It had certainly helped his case when Sombra demonstrated he could defeat one of the guards in combat.
Sombra paused, feeling eyes on him, and turned, seeing a familiar face looking slightly less hungry, and a lot more curious. Sombra paused, and turned, looking fully at her. After a moment, the filly entered the street, and tossed the empty bag at him, hitting him in the face before it plopped onto the ground.
“Don’t think because I used it that I forgive your family for making us orphans live in poverty! Even with that money rationed we’re still starving most nights! And don’t think a bag of money is going to change things. I don’t need your god damned sympathy!” The filly leaned in and glared openly at Sombra, who once more regarded her seriously for a moment.
“Follow me,” he spoke, and turned, setting off at a brisk walk. The filly tilted her head and blinked, before deciding to see where this was going. Trotting after Sombra, she widened her eyes as she realised Sombra was taking her to the castle.
“Are you insane? I can’t go in there!” The filly watched Sombra turn, and looked at her with a very adult expression.
“Follow me,” he spoke again, and continued on his way. The filly bit her lip and growled, following after Sombra. As they reached the guards, they bowed their heads toward Sombra, but did not block his way. Ascending the castle to the throne room, Sombra bowed before the King. The filly blinked and panicked for a moment, mimicking the action.
“Rise my son, what is your issue?” The King gave his son full attention, even as the guard huffed in annoyance as he was used as a table, papers dumped in his hooves. Sombra rose and approached his father, stopping a few steps away. The filly slowly followed, looking around nervously.
“There is an orphanage that is in desperate needs of funds, repairs, and food. I am disappointed you have not resolved this sooner father.” Sombra’s ear flickered at the sharp intake of breath from the filly. This colt had just insulted the King! The King raised an eyebrow, and leaned forward.
“Very well my son, and where will you find the funds for this venture of yours?” The King waited patiently as Sombra looked away and frowned, thinking it over carefully. Turning back, he bowed once more.
“I ask thus: reduce the amount of servants and five course meals we receive at the castle. Just because we are royalty does not mean we should live like it.” Sombra bowed once more, before standing tall before his father, staring directly into his eyes. The King leaned back, and smiled for a brief moment, before it was gone once more. Turning, he took the paperwork from the guard, and began signing it once more.
“Consider it done. Guards, escort my son down to the orphanage with the appropriate documents for the orphanage to sign.” Sombra bowed once, and the guards stepped away from the King to grab the paperwork. As soon as they returned, Sombra began to make his way out of the castle. The filly followed mutely behind.
“Why are you going to such efforts for me?” The filly blinked as Sombra slowed to fall in line with her, and give a warm smile.
“I dunno, maybe I just like you,” he spoke, speeding up to once more fall in line with the guards in front. The filly’s eyes widened, and a light blush fell on her cheeks, before she narrowed her eyes and pouted.
“Don’t think this means I like you back royal flank face! Cause I DON’T!” Her shout drew some eyes, but all relaxed as Sombra snickered up the front, trying to hide his smile as the filly glared at him.
“Come on, it’ll be starting soon.” Sombra waited at the top of the stairs as the two slowly made it to the top, and collapsed. Their parents smiled gently as they passed, and walked over to join the Prince, and the King. Luna glowered at Sombra, who was holding a book in his magic, a energetic glint to his eye.
“They’re letting me participate today because I’m a magical prodigy.” Sombra stood up straight and pointed to himself, closing and beaming with pride. The fact they had allowed him to learn the spell, let alone participate today, just showed how much his teachers believed in his skill. Luna rolled her eyes to Celestia, or Tia as she was known by them.
“Oh be quiet Sombrero, your inflated ego is showing.” Tia glared irritably at Sombra as he chuckled and held out a hoof, smiling mockingly.
“Need a hand, Milady?” Sombra’s smile only widened as Tia slapped his hoof away, and marched toward the three cushions set down near the rulers, and plopped her royal flank down on the white one. Luna giggled, and picked out a dark blue one, leaving Sombra to sit on the pink one as silent revenge, on account of him being a big dummy head.
“This is so cool! I’m going to be raising the Sun!” Sombra beamed to the others, and they smiled, nodding and letting his excitement rub off. Tia looked to the night sky and at all the stars, wondering if he would be also creating the lovely night. No matter what bedtime her parents set, she refused to sleep until she got one glance of the night, even on her very first day in the world.
“Hey, can we see the spell?” Tia pointed to the book that Sombra had plopped down in front of them, and he paused. Nopony had told him he couldn’t, and it wasn’t as if they were going to raise it themselves. Sombra nodded, but opened his mouth in warning.
“Okay, but promise me you won’t teach it to anypony.” Sombra smiled warmly as both swore, and levitated the book open to the page, showing the spell and raising his head as the unicorns that would be casting it began to file in. Sombra waved to his mentor, who gave a tired old smile and waved back.
“Mnnnn,” groaned Tia as she tried to cast the spell, catching the two’s attention. Sombra opened his mouth, sighing in irritation.
“You can’t cast it silly, a team of unicorns is needed for that much po-” A collective gasp cut Sombra off as the sky began to lighten, Tia not even noticing as her eyes closed, another layer of magic emerging on her horn. As the rays began to peek over the horizon, a beautiful array of colors washed over the sky, awning everypony who had come to see the sun rise.
“RRrr-pah-hah.” Tia felt the spell cut off, and opened her eyes, sweat beading on her forehead as she gasped for breath. Blinking, she realised everyone was looking to her, and more specifically to her flank, where a sun symbol could be seen. Tia turned to her sister, and beamed.
“You try sis!” Tia watched as Luna concentrated, but was unable to reach the same level of magic as her sister, being slightly younger. Tia smiled and brought her horn into contact with her sister’s, sending some magic along to help. Both quickly groaned under the strain, and slowly the sun began to set, and the moon rose over a starless night. Gasping for breath, both collapsed once more.
“Moon,” stuttered Sombra, looking at the cutie mark emblazoned on Luna’s flank. Both turned to look around to the shocked face, and beamed in immense pride. The unicorns began to stamp their hooves, clapping the two young fillies. Sombra congratulated the two as well, feeling his body turn to ice when he saw the look his father and brother sent him.
“Sorry, I gotta go, be right back.” Sombra quickly excused himself, knowing Tia and Luna were so caught up in being the center of attention to give him more than a passing glance. Picking up the book, he slowly followed his father and brother inside a private building after they quietly bowed to the parents of the two Alicorns. Once alone, Sombra was quick to speak.
“Father I’m sorry I-” Sombra cried out, but quickly silenced himself as his magic dropped the book and he was sent sliding across the floor on his side. The Prince loomed over his brother, eyes burning with hatred.
“Do you realise what you have done!?” The Prince picked up Sombra roughly and glared as Sombra shrunk, and tried to open his mouth to speak. The Prince tossed Sombra to the side, and began pacing in disgust. The King stepped in front of the Prince, disapproval in his eyes. Wincing, the Prince looked over to Sombra, as he slowly got to his shaky feet. The King turned, looming over Sombra but only his cold voice and calculated eyes attacked Sombra, who found himself unable to look away.
“Raising the Sun and Moon was our best deterrent against invaders of a non-Gryphonian race, and without it, a lot more ponies are going to have to be called out to fight in battles. You have doomed thousands of ponies to their deaths son, congratulations.” The King turned, and left the room. The Prince glared once at Sombra as he left, but quickly covered it behind his stoic mask.
“I-I,” was all Sombra could speak, before he fell to the ground, looking ahead in silent horror, remembering the all too vivid memory of his first experience with war. Tears streamed down his face as the dying screams of ponies slammed into his head, and the image of his mother, all silently accusing him.
Sombra closed his eyes, scrunching his face, and stood up, breathing in and out slowly as he waited. Eventually, the images faded, and the tears vanished. Concentrating, the colt cast a spell he had picked up from Luna, one which removed all traces of crying from a face. Bloodshot eyes, stained cheeks, all were quickly wiped from his face.
“You are stronger than this,” he told himself, nodding, and breathing in once more, steeling himself. Pulling a smile over his face, eyes sparkling, he left the room, walking over to congratulate his friends. Their parents were beaming, proud of their children.
Sombra ignored the two pointed glares occasionally sent his way when no one was looking.