I shall always regret the amount of trouble I gave my Mother during my youth; even before I was born I was causing her concerns. To this day, those facts weigh heavy upon my heart.
-- Excerpt of Sombra’s Journal

She sat at her palace bedroom window with a long shall draped over her shoulders, looking out over the lights of Glacier Spire at night while thinking about what she should do. It had been over four months since she had been delivered to this safe haven, during which time the Princesses had brought Discord’s reign of anarchy to an end. But instead of returning to Equestria Sunbeam elected to remain in the Crystal Empire, due in no small part to her friendship with Jade. She had made a life in the palace, aiding the staff and fitting in as best a unicorn amongst sparkling ponies could.

But even those facts seemed to be a momentary pleasure. Sunbeam knew at some point somepony would notice why she was slowly becoming a recluse, why she wished to eat in her room and why she recently started wearing a dress everywhere she went. She wasn’t sure how effective her lies were on the palace staff, but she was certain Jade and King Cobalt Blade were aware something was wrong.

Her gaze turned from the wandering ponies down below to a small sketch adorning her bedside table. Depicted in it were her and Jade smiling like fillies with Cobalt standing to the side, also grinning at the two mares. It was tearing her up inside, but Sunbeam knew at some point she’d have to leave, lest she wish to be deemed a threat.

“Sunbeam, are you awake? It is me, Jade.” The familiar voice called out, Sunbeam’s melancholy thoughts were interrupted by the knock at her door.

She froze, remaining silent in the hopes of staying this discussion a few moments longer at least. Despite this, Jade remained at the door. “Sunbeam, I am concerned for you, we all are. You rarely leave your room anymore, and when you do it is not for long. Please, tell me what is wrong. Cobalt and I can help.”

Realising Jade wouldn’t leave this time, Sunbeam sighed and turned away from the door. “No one can help me with… this.”

“With what Sunbeam? Please let me help.” Jade pleaded, concern raising the volume of her voice.

Sunbeam felt so ashamed, shutting out her best friend like this. She had to. How could she know how Jade would react? What guarantee did she have that her friends wouldn’t change their mind?

“Sunbeam,” a more determined voice called out, one she instantly recognised as Cobalt’s. “Please, open the door. Whatever troubles you, we can help.”

Sunbeam sighed and dropped her head, knowing there was no point resisting if both winged unicorns were waiting on her. Though she did not move, she closed her eyes and awaited the inevitable as she unlocked her door with a flicker of magic.

Within seconds the door slammed open and Jade rushed to Sunbeam’s side, her slightly dishevelled mane proof of how long she must’ve been waiting on the other side of the door before speaking up.

“Sunbeam,” she said, embracing the unicorn from side on. “I know not what troubles you, but you do not have to face it alone. Why shy away from us, from me?” Cobalt came to her other side, a more reserved yet still concerned look adorning the figure of the Empire’s ruler. Sunbeam glanced at him and then back to Jade before sighing.

“Why on Equis would we ever turn you away?” Cobalt asked calmly. Sunbeam closed her eyes and a shimmering yellow aura removed the shall.

“Sunbeam, I do not understand-” Jade started, but then stopped herself when she noticed it.

Silence fell upon the room for a moment, Sunbeam’s one of dread whilst Cobalt and Jade were stunned. Finally, the quiet was broken by the king. “Sunbeam… you are with foal?”

Sunbeam nodded as Jade examined the bump more closely. “Why did you not tell us? Sunbeam, this is wonderful-”

“No it’s not!” Sunbeam shouted, tears beginning to form as memories of North Hayton were starting to return. Jade sat back, looking at Sunbeam in confused shock. She had never seen her like this before while Cobalt brought an armoured hoof to his chin in thought.

“In North Hayton… he…” Sunbeam continued, though it was clear doing so wasn’t easy. “In my home, he…” In her mind’s eye flashed the face of that monster, and the ensuing memories that followed culminated in tears running down her cheeks.

In an instant Jade embraced the crying mare while giving her space near her flank. “I am so sorry Sunbeam.” Sunbeam hugged back, letting her tears run into Jade’s coat. “I did not realise.”

“Do you know where the father is?” Cobalt asked, his brow furrowing. “I have some choice words for that pathetic stallion.”

Sunbeam shook her head. “I-It… wasn’t a stallion…” She inhaled, knowing full well what she was about to say would bring. “He… he said he was… a son of Tirek.”

Jade gasped, and looked to see Cobalt’s expression quickly morph from shock to one of determined thinking. Jade knew that look, one he wore when he weighed up important decisions, especially those related to national security. Subconsciously, her hold on Sunbeam tightened by a fraction.

“Cobalt, wait!” Jade called out, raising a hoof before he teleported away, most likely to contemplate what to do. But Sunbeam’s quiet sobs reminded her where she was; embracing a friend who had seen and experienced things no living being ever should.

“W-What happens now?” Sunbeam asked through the tears. “I’ll be banished, won’t I? Or even…”

Sunbeam opened her eyes and looked up, seeing a compassionate, yet determined face looking back at her. “But, but I’m-”

“You are my friend,” Jade interrupted. “What happened to you was a travesty, one I am sorely appalled you had to endure. But that should not define you, for I have seen the kind, helpful mare you truly are.

“And upon my crown I swear to you; no one, not even my husband, shall lay a hoof on you as long as I am Queen.”

Sunbeam didn’t know what to say. So many warring emotions ran rampant through her mind and here stood her best friend; willing to stand beside her and even defend her if necessary. With renewed tears she embraced Jade tightly, one the queen returned as the two sat in the quiet room.

-\--\*/--/-

Sunbeam felt very dizzy when she woke, finding herself in her bed once more. Drearily looking to her right, she saw Jade sitting and staring out the window as she herself had done not ten hours earlier. The un-queen like bags under her eyes told Sunbeam that she must’ve stayed up long after the unicorn fell asleep.

Before she could say anything, a nauseous feeling quickly spread all over her body. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a silver pail and grabbed it before vomiting loudly. A few minutes went by before she felt confident enough that there was no more on the way. Silently cursing morning sickness, she pulled her head back to see that Jade had been holding both the pail and her mane back with her magic.

“I guess that explains the mystery of the foul teleporting pail,” Jade said with a sympathetic smile. Sunbeam blushed. In her ill-conceived attempts at hiding her morning sickness, she had been using her newly-learned teleportation spell to send her pail to random areas of the palace and then stealing it back once it was clean, much to the confusion and annoyance of the cleaning staff.

“If in your position, I would have teleported it to the edge of the city. Though with your limited teleportation experience I am unsure how far you could teleport it. Given what I have seen, perhaps your spell could reach halfway down one of the main parades.” Jade looked back to see Sunbeam staring at her.

“Oh… I was rambling again, huh?” Jade asked with a sheepish grin, to which Sunbeam nodded.

“Oh, I don’t mind.” Sunbeam replied as the two began to laugh. The laughter stopped, however, when a knock rang out and the door opened to reveal a soldier in the glittering silver and gold trimmed armour of the Imperial Royal Guard.

“My apologies for interrupting, Your Highness,” He said with a bow to Jade. “The King has requested your presence, and that of Lady Sunbeam, in the Throne Room.” Jade nodded in thanks for the message, and he turned to return to his post. Sunbeam sighed but looked up when a hoof rested on her shoulder, seeing Jade looking back with that look of reassurance she wore so well.

Jade shook her head. “That is for the King to decide,” She replied, but carried on upon noticing the unicorn looking down. “But I meant what I said last night. Should the need arise, I shall fight alongside you.”

Those words gave Sunbeam some measure of hope and, with a deep breath, she followed the queen out the door and down the corridor. The halls glistened with the trademark sheen that the cleaners were so renowned for. Some were still at work, pausing only to bow in Jade’s wake and offer a curious glance or cheerful smile to Sunbeam.

Reaching one of the four staircases of the palace, the two friends began their climb. One main complaint that Sunbeam had with the palace was the stairs themselves. The real reason why she decided to learn the teleportation spell was to avoid using them, as she always swore there seemed to be more steps each time she used them. But since she was walking towards the decision on her future, and being alongside Jade, Sunbeam shelved her curses towards the stair-crazed architect.

“Sunbeam!” A voice brought Sunbeam out from her thoughts one floor from their destination. Looking down the hall she saw her friend Mirror Shine, a mare on the cleaning team, rushing away from her job of wiping down the walls to meet them. Her black maid’s uniform, much like her pale coat and lavender mane, shone like diamonds as she approached.

“Sunbeam, where have you been?” She asked. “It’s been ages since we last caught up. Why haven’t you been around? I-” Mirror would have continued her concerned questions had she not noticed the Queen standing a few feet away. At once she bowed. “M-My apologies, Your Highness. I didn’t know you were standing there.”

“It is alright, though Sunbeam and I have urgent matters to attend to in the throne room. Once we are finished, and if she feels up to it, you may speak with her then.” With that, Jade turned and continued ascending, leaving Mirror looking to Sunbeam for answers.

“I’ll tell you later,” Sunbeam added, forcing a small smile before catching up with Jade. Together they stood at the crystal doors before they swung inward to reveal the throne room.

“Her Highness, Queen Jade, and Lady Sunbeam.” Imperial Guard Captain Fracture announced as the two mares walked in. Sunbeam had been in this room a scant few times, and each occasion made her look on in wonder. The ceiling was twice the height of the rest of the palace and crystal stalagmites formed pillars in-between open sections of wall. Through these spaces one could look out over all of Glacier Spire and many kilometres beyond.

And at the end of the carpet stood an elevated throne within a shimmering outcrop of crystal, its owner sitting with the poise only a ruler could possess. A regal red cape ran down his back and covered his light blue wings, while amongst his midnight blue mane and horn sat the small crystal wreath that represented his station as King.

“Leave us,” he muttered, his expression unreadable as his golden eyes were focussed solely on Sunbeam. With nothing but a nod from Fracture, the guards filed out of the room until the unicorn and lesser alicorns were its only occupants.

For a long time nothing was said, which only made Sunbeam more nervous. She knew Jade would be there if necessary, and while she trusted Cobalt enough that anything worse than exile was beyond him, she still felt terrified for her future.

“W-Well?” Sunbeam asked when it was apparent Cobalt wouldn’t be the first to break the silence. “A-Aren’t you going to punish me?”

“Why would I do that?” Cobalt replied, maintaining control over his emotions.

Sunbeam was surprised. This wasn’t how she was expecting this would play out. “B-Because I, I’m carrying the child of a son of Tirek. How-”

“That is the name of the vile beast who did this to you.” With a light blue magic, Cobalt raised a book and flipped through it until he found it. Once he did, he turned to show Sunbeam, a picture of the monster greeting her before he began reading out loud.

“‘Ragnarok, the third son of Tirek and Spirit of Destruction. Amongst the thirteen sons, only Grogar, Spirit of Rage, and Discord, Spirit of Chaos, are mightier.’” Cobalt then looked up to the worried features of Sunbeam. “You are fortunate he spared you.”

“Fortunate?” Sunbeam asked incredulously before pointing to her foal bump. “You call this fortunate?! And what if this Ragnarok comes back to find us?”

“Princess Celestia herself buried him under two kilometres of glass, along with all of his servants and over four hundred of her bravest soldiers. He will never rob anyone of anything ever again.” Cobalt explained coldly before softening his tone as he descended from the throne to stand before the unicorn. “Furthermore, there is a chance that sparing you may be the undoing of Ragnarok’s plan.”

“I will end it if it is born a monster. But, if born a pony, then the task will fall to you to raise it and keep it in check.”

“Should your child be born an ordinary pony, then you should raise it as one. With the right guidance and care, its upbringing may be enough to keep it from fulfilling the legacy its father desires.”

“Well, a foal does need somepony to care for it,” Jade replied, “and you would receive all the aid in the Empire if that is what you wish.”

“No one is born evil, Sunbeam,” Cobalt countered. “A being is defined by the lessons they learn and the experiences they live through. Ragnarok was taught the foul lessons of Tirek’s vitriolic darkness, and knows only the experience of enduring Tartarus’ horrors.

“But your child, should you still wish it, will be raised in one of the most peaceful and love-filled nations Equis has ever witnessed and, as Jade mentioned, you would receive any and all aid you require in raising it.”

“B-But…” Sunbeam stuttered, trying to find some excuse she could use to avoid this. Despite the reassuring words, her fear of what this child could become still terrified her. She stopped, however, when Jade placed a hoof on her shoulder and looked her dead in the eye.

“Sunbeam,” she spoke, the calm yet firm tone of a Queen in her voice. “Would you really condemn an unborn foal to death merely due to its lineage?”

That question stopped Sunbeam’s argument in their tracks, shaking her to the core. When all bias and fear-mongering was removed, that was exactly what she was doing. She walked away from the two nobles and stood at the glassless window, looking down on the southern parades of Glacier Spire, her thoughts running through everything said. Despite the claims her fears practically yelled at her, there was calm and well-thought out truth to Cobalt and Jade’s words, and she knew she could trust them.

“But,” she asked, her fears mounting one last attempt to worm her way out of this. “But what if I fail? What if I’m a terrible parent, and it hates me.”

“No child is perfect,” Jade said with a small smile, glad Sunbeam was finally seeing the truth of their words. “After all, Cobalt once stole his mother’s jewellery to give whilst courting me.”

“You are never going to let me live that down, are you?” Cobalt asked, the slightest red tinge adorning his cheeks as he joined them, Jade giggling all the while.

“My point, Sunbeam, is that raising a foal is never an easy task. Every parent I know will attest to this. But they will also agree that the end results are worth all the pain and tears; that at the end will stand a filly or colt that brings you nothing but pride and happiness.

“And, as we have both already promised, we will be there to aid you throughout that journey. The only remaining question is will you follow that path?”

“The choice is yours and yours alone Sunbeam.” Cobalt added. “We cannot force your decision.”

Sunbeam took this all in and closed her eyes in thought. The wind passed through her mane and every possible outcome played out in her mind. Cobalt and Jade waited patiently and, after a few minutes of silence, Sunbeam opened her eyes, shaky determination radiating from them.

“I am so proud of you,” Jade replied as she embraced Sunbeam, and looking over the unicorn could see Cobalt’s mask of authority had fallen, revealing a small, proud smile.

-\--\*/--/-

“I told you you’d get in trouble,” Quartz Guard told his unicorn friend as the two ten year old colts sat outside the door of Headmistress Rosetta Stone. Every now and then some other students or a teacher would pass by, offering either a snickering glance or a disapproving stare. Sombra was used to those. Such disdain from the majority of his peers was the reason he once again waited for whatever punishment was being hammered out behind that door.

“I know,” the unicorn sighed, looking to his only real friend before donning a small smile. He was thankful to have a colt like Quartz as his friend, as the shimmering grey pony always stood up for him no matter what snide jokes or back-hoofed comments were thrown. “But you didn’t have to punch Lapus in the face.”

Quartz shrugged. “Well, he’s always been a jerk. Plus, after what he said about your-”

The door chose this moment to swing open as Sunbeam backed out of the room, offering its occupant an apologetic look before turning to the two grey colts.

“Quartz, you can go in now.” She said, a hoof pointing to the door all the instruction necessary for the crystal pony to trot in. He offered one last glance back at Sombra before Sunbeam closed it behind him. With a sigh, she then fixed him with an annoyed glare before walking past him.

“Wait, we aren’t teleporting home?” Sombra asked as he slid off the chair, confused that she wasn’t telling him off inside their home by now.

“No,” Sunbeam replied, stopping but not looking back at her son. “This way you can experience the embarrassment first-hoof.” With that she began walking again, with Sombra rapidly falling in line behind her after grabbing his saddlebags. A few students they past grinned and giggled at him, one such pony being the shimmering Lapus Lazuli from before. The unicorn glared at the azure colt, whose smug grin showed satisfaction at the result of his now blackening eye.

Once outside the academy mother and son turned left, heading for the south east parade of Glacier Spire before turning towards the Palace and inner district. As they moved further inwards through the cold winter breeze, Sombra kept his gaze down, trotting close behind his mother’s blonde tail and trying to ignore the glances from passers-by. She was right; this was more embarrassing than simply getting yelled at back home. His mind dwelling on whether things could get worse, those thoughts were answered when he bumped into Sunbeam.

Looking around her, Sombra quickly realised why. Standing in their way was none other than Gilded Statute; a highly influential noble and a constant thorn in his mothers’ side. His tailor-made suit, pristine white coat and slick black mane and tail were enhanced only by the natural shine of his crystalline coat. Once his blue eyes zeroed in on the young unicorn his trademark cocky smile emerged.

“Trouble with your miscreant son, Milady?” He asked, mockingly bowing to Sunbeam despite them holding the same rank of power within the Empire. At the mention of him, Sombra hid behind his mother slightly.

“That’s none of your concern, Statute,” Sunbeam replied in a cold tone. “What’s more, I am in no mood for anything you have to say. You’re also in the way of me getting home.” She pointed to a grand-looking building only a few houses down. “Step aside.”

If the show of restrained aggression had any effect on Statute he didn’t show it, instead still wearing his smug grin. “I was only asking a question, clearly not enough of a crime to warrant such aggression. Although…” He peered around to once again spot Sombra. Despite the smile on his lips, there was a coldness in the lord’s eyes that sent a shiver down Sombra’s spine. “The saying that an apple doesn’t fall far from its tree does spring to mind.”

The ponies within earshot were watching on to see where this led. Sombra, meanwhile, witnessed his mother sport a face of shock before it rapidly morphed into one of rage. She instinctively lowered her head, pointing her horn at Statute and readied a spell. Sombra’s mouth dropped open in surprise, and even Statute began looking nervous at the magic before him.

A bright flash shone for but a moment, and Sombra opened his eyes he and his mother were by the front door, in the familiar surroundings of their home. To his left was the kitchen, cordoned off by the bench, while to his right sat the living room; three lounges surrounding a soft rug and the large fireplace. The living room area also housed the stairs to the bedrooms while beneath them was the hall that led to the laundry, Sunbeam’s personal study and the back yard.

Sombra dared to look back at his mother and saw her on the verge of exploding. Her teeth were bared and she angrily huffed, staring menacingly into the space before her. While terrified, Sombra was also ashamed that his actions allowed her to get this enraged.

“Sunbeam?” A voice called out before Mirror Shine appeared at the top of the stairs. “I thought I heard-” She trailed off as she saw the state Sunbeam was in, quickly rushing to her friend’s side. “Sunbeam, what’s wrong?”

The unicorn took a few minutes to breathe deeply and regain some composure before responding. “Nothing.” She then turned to Sombra, who had been trying to make himself as small as possible. “Sombra, this is the third time this semester you’ve been sent to Headmaster Stone’s office. You can’t keep fighting all the ponies that make fun of you for being a unicorn.”

“B-But it wasn’t my fault.” Sombra replied, trying stand up for himself. “Lapus was the one who-”

“I don’t care who started it, I’m ending it.” Sunbeam interrupted as Mirror looked on worriedly between the two. “You’re grounded for a month. The only reason you should have to leave this house is for school. Now go to your room.”

Sombra stared at her for a moment before running up the stairs as fast as his small legs would carry him. He turned right and slammed his bedroom door before leaning against it as tears started building up. The blue wallpaper and toys strewn across the floor were of little comfort as he sat there crying, his mind fixated on the angry glare of his mother.

He wasn’t sure how long he’d been sitting there; whether it be minutes or hours didn’t concern him. Sniffing away the last of the tears, Sombra moved over to his bed and pulled something small out from underneath it with his red-hued magic. Turning it over, Sombra blew the dust off the cover of one of the spell books from his mother’s study, and turned to a bookmarked page.

-\--\*/--/-

“He said that?” Mirror asked incredulously as she and Sunbeam sat at the kitchen bench, each with a cup of tea and some sandwiches she had prepared. Evening had fallen upon the empire through the front windows as Sunbeam had explained the days’ events; her day organising the expansion attempts of new towns in the Empire, the meeting about Sombra’s latest fight, and then her encounter with Gilded Statute.

“I wanted to blast him right then and there,” Sunbeam admitted tiredly, all the energy from her earlier rage subsided. “But if I had I would’ve proved his point. I have to set a good example for Sombra.”

“I know,” Sunbeam sighed. “But I thought Sombra had learned his lesson after the last time this happened. I mean, he said he didn’t care about being teased for being a unicorn anymore.”

Sunbeam sighed again, looking up at the roof towards Sombra’s room. “What do I do now?”

“I think you should give him a little space for the moment. Maybe talk it out in the morning.” Mirror gave her a reassuring smile. “After all, it’s not like you drifted apart after the last time you were mad at him, right?”

“Thanks Mirror.” She said, giving the crystal mare a hug. Sunbeam felt a small smile emerge at Mirror’s words. She was lucky Mirror quit her job to serve as her housekeeper, but even more so to have her as a friend. “Hey, could you send some food up to Sombra? I may’ve grounded him but that doesn’t mean he should skip dinner.”

“On it,” Mirror said with a grin, carrying the sandwich on a plate as she headed upstairs. Arriving at Sombra’s room, she gave it a good knock. “Sombra,” she asked, her tone gentle. “It’s me, Mirror. I’ve brought you some dinner.”

Silence from within the room greeted her, causing concern to start slowly coiling within her. She slowly opened the door, finding the candles unlit and a lump underneath the bed sheets.

“Hey, Sombra?” Mirror asked again, setting down the plate as she moved over to the bed. “Are you okay?” She prodded the lump with a hoof, only to find it offer less resistance than expected. Confused, she ripped the sheets away and terror filled built up at the result.

-\--\*/--/-

A sneeze was the only sound apart from the chilling wind as Sombra slowly walked away from the only home he’d ever known. Looking back he could still see the towering spires of the palace shimmering in the distance. The long-range teleport had taken all the magic his little body could muster, ending up just beyond the borders of the city. His mother had always mentioned Sombra had a large wellspring of magic for a colt, but he often brushed it off, not believing it himself.

Another gust rushed past him, tugging at his favourite red scarf. Making sure it and his saddlebag full of hidden snacks were secure, Sombra set off at the same tired pace as before, trudging through the light snow that had begun to fall. All the while, his mind replayed all the events of the day; Lapus’ awful insult that sparked the fire, then witnessing his mother’s barely contained fury.

I’ve never seen her that mad before, he thought to himself. She must really hate me. This sobering thought stopped him, and he sat down, his feelings started to get the better of him again. He sniffed once more before the breeze sent a chill through him once more.

Sombra looked up, his ears swivelling to try and find the faint voice. Seeing no one around, he shrugged, assuming it was the wind and started walking again.

This time he definitely heard someone. A shadow zoomed over him before its owner landed, his midnight blue mane blown about by the wind.

“Sombra, what are you doing out here?” The winged unicorn asked as he came up to the colt. “You had us all worried.” Sombra didn’t reply, looking away in embarrassment. Of course his mother would go to the King and Queen for help, she considered them as family. Why didn’t he think of that?

“It does not matter,” Cobalt sighed once he realised Sombra wouldn’t reply. “Come along, we should be heading back.” With that, the King charged his horn and fired off a flare spell, the light climbing high before bursting in a blue flash and descending slowly.

“I-I’m not going back.” Sombra stuttered, though whether that was due to the cold or his fear of defying the King was unclear.

“Sombra, what is wrong?” Cobalt sat next to the young colt, draping a wing around him when he didn’t respond. “You can tell me, I will not laugh.” Looking up at the reassuring smile of the King, Sombra sighed as he focussed on what happened.

“Well, at the academy, there’s this one colt, Lapus Lazuli. He’s always picked on me because I’m not a crystal pony, calling me ‘dirt pony,’ ‘wannabe noble,” and other stuff. I’ve tried ignoring him, but then, today…” Looking back up Sombra saw that Cobalt was still listening. “Well, today, he called Mum a ‘horned leech,’ said she was sucking up to you and Aunt Jade to be popular.

“When he made fun of Mum, that’s when I started fighting him. My friend got involved too but I was the one who got into a lot of trouble. Then, when Mum came and got me, she was really mad. And then she bumped into that Gilded Statute pony and she got even madder. She… she yelled at me… as if she hated me.” Emotions getting the better of him once more, Sombra sniffed as he tried wiping away the tears that no doubt made him looking like a wimp.

“Sombra,” Cobalt finally spoke up after allowing the colt to calm down. “Believe me when I say that your mother loves you more than life itself. Why else would she rush to your aunt Jade and I, begging us to help find you?” Sombra looked down, considering Cobalt's words as he continued.

“I understand that it may be hard to ignore barbs aimed at you and your mother, but you need not defend your mother from foalish insults. This ‘Lapus’ has only said such things to get under your coat and agitate you.”

“I know, but you reacting angrily will only give him what he wants. And do not worry about Statute. Your mother and I can handle him.” With that, Cobalt stood up and turned, angling a wing to show Sombra his back. “Now, how about I take you home? I am sure your mother is anxious to see you home safe and sound.”

-\--\*/--/-

“Don’t worry Sunbeam,” Mirror said as she watched Sunbeam pace by the lit fireplace. “I’m sure the King and Queen will find him.”

“But I should be out there looking for him,” She replied. “I know that any moment now Sombra could come home, but I can’t just sit here and wait.”

A knock from the door stopped Sunbeam’s speech, as she stared at it while Mirror Shine went to open it. All the while Sunbeam was praying to the White Mare that Sombra would be on the other side of the door. The opened door revealed both the King and Queen, and clambering down from Cobalt’s back was a tired-looking grey colt.

“Sombra!” Sunbeam nearly yelled, rushing over and hugging her son the second he was inside. “You had me so worried. Why did you run away like that?” She backed up to see him looking uncertain. Cobalt cleared his throat, gaining Sombra’s attention for a moment before encouraging him with a nod.

“I-I’m sorry I ran away Mum,” Sombra began, struggling to look Sunbeam in the eye. “But, but I wasn’t sure, if you wanted me around anymore…”

It took only a second for Sunbeam to understand his words. “Sombra, I was disappointed that you got in trouble again, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t love you. No matter what happens, I’ll always love you. And, I’m sorry too. It was wrong of me to yell at you like I did. I was just angry at what Gilded Statute said about you.” Mother and son then embraced as the three ponies watching on had relieved smiles on their faces.

Before the Darkness

by Riku006

2: Early Concerns