The band of travelers entered the arctic, scouting the area for a secluded area possibly fit for a campsite. A young golden mare with a violet mane pointed to one spot; poking up from the ground was a large rock, providing shelter from the harsh winds. They started to put down tents, but the mare spotted something peeping out of the snow. She placed a hoof on it, but immediately leaped aside as the gray mound emitted a muffled moan. "Evergreen, I think I found someone!" She called. A tall lime-green stallion with a darker emerald mane strode forward. He lowered his head for closer inspection, then nodded. "Dig them up. Hopefully we can help them."
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The weakened stallion groaned, his silver form bruised and battered from his defeat. He lifted his head slowly, blinking open his eyes to reveal to him his surroundings. Surprisingly, he sat underneath a cloth a few feet above his head. His gaze further discovered he was sheltered in a tent. How? When? He inhaled the delicious aroma of soup wafting from the entrance. This is mere peasant residence. How would one of such high ranking end up so low in a social class? The former king pondered in his mind, ungrateful he was even alive after the mighty blast that sent him flying out into the harsh arctic. He attempted to rise to his hooves, only collapsing in a sore heap. Curse that alicorn, and that princely mate whom sits on a such a high horse. True, Sombra had nerve, considering what he thought of his importance in the empire. Being a talented unicorn stumbling among magicless, flightless gems made him... 'unique'. He had taken this to his advantage, believing he was of greater importance. Oh, how ironic his positioning in the world now.. Sombra always hated irony. He heard hoofsteps outside, panic coursing though the stallion. Why was he here, anyways? Perhaps he had been enslaved? Oh, the irony of that...
Suddenly a mare's face poked into the tent, her smile sweet, as she observed the stallion. "Back away, peasant! I am in no mood to speak to you." She flinched, seemingly hurt by his sudden reject. Without another word, she pushed a bowl of soup into the tent. Sombra then heard muttered voices, but paid no heed as he attempted to crawl closer Why was I not given a spoon? He shrugged it off, leaning over the bowl like a dog with a food dish. As soon as he dipped his tongue in, he recoiled as the stew scorched him. He gasped, falling backwards onto his hind legs with agony as he rested his poor tongue. "Peasant! Warn me next time before you feed me Tartarus! Are you trying to poison me of the sort?" He snarled. Immediately, a head popped back in, retrieving the soup and disappearing back outside. He sighed, trying to figure out why he had been taken captive. Were they planning to blackmail the empire? Hah, that would be hilarious. The crystal ponies were explicit they thought he was a tyrant. He even held that title with honor.
Again, the mare returned, entering the tent entirely, and nestling down across from Sombra. He now got a chance to see one of the many ponies that had him captive; She was a somewhat young mare, her coat a beautiful golden, and her mane a radiant violet.
"Are you feeling better?" She asked, and.. Was that care in her eyes? He huffed, turning his head away.
"Why do you care?"
Again, she gave that look, like an abused dog when you approached.
"Because I found you. Evergreen agreed we should rescue you in the first place. I'm Patches, by the way. I'm the groups' tailor. Evergreen is our healer, and also our leader. Our cook is Cobbler.. sometimes he forgets to blow on the soup, as you figured out earlier.." She smiled. Sombra snorted.
"Why did you rescue me? I am a tyrant, King Sombra, the feared unicorn that rules the crystal empire... Well, ruled."
She appeared confused. Looking down at his dirty coat, he might as well be talking nonsense.
"I do not appear of regal standards?"
She shook her head.
"I believe your a king. However, your not a unicorn."
Now he gave the confused look. "What, are you blind? You fail to see my horn?" He slid his hoof up onto his forehead. But, where his horn should be instead sat an indent, covered with bandages. "My..My horn is gone?' He was nearly in tears. His beautiful horn, filled with such power; power to overthrow empires, power to punish those whom disobeyed.. Gone. Normally his horn would grow back.. Why not now? Was he abusing his unicorn magic? "Leave me be.. please.. for a few moments.." He whispered. She reluctantly obeyed, sliding out of the tent. She lingered by the entrance for a moment, before returning to the rest of the group.
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Evergreen paced in the center of their 'camp'. At the sound of approaching hoofsteps he looked up to see Patches. "Has he calmed down?" He asked.
She shook her head. "I don't know what to do.." She sighed.
The lanky stallion nodded. "That is fine. We will attempt to speak to him later; the day is still young. There is plenty of time.."
Patches stared at her leader expectantly. Evergreen raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
She opened and closed her mouth, fighting for words as a fish would fight for water.
"I...I was thinking... perhaps I could look after him?"
Evergreen narrowed his eyes. "Why are you so concerned with a stranger? As far as we know, he could have been knocked out in a war he caused."
"Please! Just until he's well! Let him prove to you he can be friendly."
The mare lowered her head. The green stallion sighed. Oh, he hated when she was sad. They've been friends since they were both mere foals in diapers.
"Fine," He grunted. "But please be careful."
Patches beamed, nodding. "Oh, he could join us! We could use another member! Maybe he can teach us some things! This is so exciting!" She bounced away to her tent, giggling.
Evergreen rolled his eyes. So optimistic.. So naive.. If this stranger proves to be an enemy.... His thoughts trailed off. I'd like to see how this all ends..