//------------------------------//
// Nice Surf Board, Bro 
// Story: Sombra's Surf Shop 
// by BigBadBorox_Is_Back 
//------------------------------//

	Spike sat on a long lawn chair on the Crystal Tower balcony. He had a thick pair of sunglasses and a crown two sizes to big on his proud brow. The dragon popped crystal shards into his mouth greedily like grapes as he watched the sky overhead. A small black dot came into view and he could see it was Luna as it got closer. He yawned as the midnight princess landed beside him on the balcony. She looked at him with a puzzled look.

"You are really taking this 'king' business rather well," she said.

"What can I say, I'm a dragon and we're borne leaders," Spike smirked. Luna rolled her eyes.

Luna pursed her lips,"Should we have told them-"

"That Sombra is a surfer pony now?" Spike blurted,"Nah, they'll figure it out soon enough."

"If you say so..." Luna said worriedly.





Sombra ran through the small tropical jungle with a racing heart. He diverted from the forest path and soon became lost in the trees. He sat on the sandy ground with a fern hanging over him, an umbrella in the tropical heat. He sat dumbfounded for some time, only the sound of birds singing and the roll of the near-by ocean was present.

"Oh no," he said to himself,"What's going on? I go all the way over here to Applewood to avoid those ponies and WHAT happens?" He called out to the trees,"Out of ALL of the beaches and All of the ponies, they find me."
A fat blue caterpillar inched over from a fern leaf onto one near Sombra. It munched away on it's green food loudly, the dark unicorn blinked at it.

"What are you looking at?" He yelled.

The caterpillar continued eating, ignoring the dazed unicorn.

Sombra sighed,"What am I going to do? This is such a...a mess! I was living just fine there being king, the most important pony around," He glared at the caterpillar,"Then those princesses took it from me. I got back on my hooves and almost had my kingdom back, then those six came around...are you listening?"

The bug didn't seem to be paying attention to him. Sombra groaned, "They took my kingdom! Now I'm stuck here with...with," He suddenly went quiet. Another caterpillar, a smaller yellow one with bright blue stripes, inched up next to the larger one. The striped one waved to grab the other's attention, who slowly turned to see. The big one waved back and handed a bit of leaf to the smaller one, who accepted happily. The two caterpillars ate away, sitting next to each other like old friends.

Sombra slouched, almost regretful of how selfish he sounded earlier. He thought about Brook and her friends here, they all treated him like one of their own. Then Sombra thought how it was like back at the Crystal Empire. He was on top the world, the head honcho...but he was alone on top of that world. With out Twilight and her friends defeating him, he'd never meet any of the Applewood ponies.

"You know, I think we had a good talk," Sombra smiled at the caterpillars,"Catch ya later!"


The two bugs looked to each other with lazy glances, shrugged, and went back to eating away. Sombra wandered through the palm forest a bit to find his way back and after awhile he found the sand path that leads to Barnaby Beach. He felt butterflies in his stomach as he walked back,"How ironic..." He thought to himself.

"If I go directly up to them, they may recognize me for who I was," He planned out his strategy to himself, as most paranoid kings would,"Maybe if I met them one at a time...no, they'd find that suspicious. If I had Babblin' Brook introduce me...maybe. Oh, I know! We'll have a big cook-out! I'll grill up some food and grab some Pineapple juice," Sombra beamed.

Heading back into town he passed by Afua's bookstore. Inside he found Swish and the book store owner chatting away at the counter about the new novels that came in. Sombra entered, to his delight he was met with welcoming smiles.

The brash griffon waved to him,"Hey there Summer! Did you hear about the new ponies in town?"

Summers met up with them at the counter, surprised to find a bottle of what he was looking for between them,"New ponies? There has to be hundreds, did you not see the droves of ships out in the harbor?"

Afua giggled as she leaned over. Sombra saw that she had maybe a bit much of it to drink to herself,"No, no silly Summer!" Her eyes blinked lazily,"Swish was talking about the special ones! The gang from -hic- Ponyville and the Royal couple..." Her voice trailed off.

Sombra slid the bottle over to him,"May I?" he asked Afua. 

The okapi nodded,"Knock yourself out. I know I -hic- might."

Sombra drank some of the 'juice' ,"Ahhh, thanks. Anyways, so I was meaning to ask you two something," The two friends rose an eyebrow in unison. Sombra continued"I was having a cook-out at the surf shop and I was wondering if you two wanted to join in. Interested?"

Swish laughed,"Sure, I'm game! As long as you're not cooking, you'd burn a salad!" She stuck her tongue teasingly out at him.

Sombra grumbled as Afua giggled. Sombra pouted at the okapi and held the bottle close to him,"I was going to grab some more of this but you, Afua, are just drinking water. You've had more then enough."

Afua groaned,"I'll tell you when-"

Swish threw a hand that covered Aufa's mouth,"Don't. Even. Finish. That."

After grabbing a few things, Afua stumbled along with Swish and Sombra as they left the book store. The three walked (or tripped) through the lively streets. As they walked the sky over head was turning a sunset orange as a average summer night began. The mellow glimmer of the street lamps along with the humid air and cicadas buzzing made a simple yet elegant setting in the outer Applewood streets. Sombra led Afua down a sand tributary trail off an asphalt road while Swish carried two bottles of Sourbite brand pineapple juice. Enjoying the summer evening they ventured on to the shark's cove.

Sombra strutted through the jungle until he reached Barnaby Beach. He was met with what he had expected, an ambush. The Ponyville Crew stood in a semi circle around him, Afua and Swish. Each pony with their elements glowing and the royal couple stood ready at the rear. Sombra looked to each of them with an horrified look, almost frozen stiff from surprise. Swish nearly dropped the juice and Afua...well she didn't react very much at all.

"Wait, wait...settle down girls," Cadence said,"Sorry mister. We mistook you fore somepony else."

Rainbow Dash slapped her forehead,"Oh COME ON! This is so obviously him, he's the same color and everything!"

"Yes, very obvious," Twilight said critiaclly,"Almost...to obvious. You're Summers correct?"

Sombra smiled, hiding his relief,"Yes, yes that's me. I see that some very special ponies have chosen my place to stay, you're all welcome here," He walked through their formation leaving Afua with them,"Could you get her a chair for her, I need to get cooking."

Twilight flew up to Sombra,"Cooking POISON I suspect!"

Swish laughed,"Some would call his cooking poison," She showed the Ponyville Crew the bottles she was carrying,"Ever try some of this?"

"Sourbite?" Fluttershy read,"Is it any good?"

Afua giggled,"You -hic- bet it is!"

Rolling her eyes, Swish helped the okapi to a lounge chair near by the surf shop. At the end facing the beach, Babblin Brook stood behind a bar waiting as Sombra walked up. The unicorn blushed a little,"Sorry Brook, about running off earlier."

Brook waved a hoof in the air, shooing away Sombra's meek apology,"Don't worry Summie! I started up the grill a little while ago, you know what? I thought it was kinda funny you leaving for some more food, like we totally have so much here! Unless you were packing for extra company, which we have but anyway..." the mare said rambling. 
Sombra nodded his head motioning her to come outside, Brook continued talking about bits of everything as she went. Once next to Sombra, she felt his hoof over her shoulder. Brook went quiet in an instant.

"Brook, could you get some of the tables out back?" Sombra asked,"We've got a lot of company and I'm sure Applejack and Rainbow Dash will help."

Babblin' Brook had a sullen look,"You don't want me to help out with the food?"

"Later Brook. Now go on, we don't want our guests to get sand in their food!" Sombra inched the mare along until she walked on her own. Out on the beach sat The Ponyville Crew, Shining Armor, Cadence with Swish and Afua. Babblin' Brook called Applejack and Rainbow Dash over, who happily agreed to help out. Meanwhile Swish sat and chatted with the rest of the guest while Afua slowly sobered up.

"It's funny," Swish smiled,"I met you earlier Twilight, but I had no idea I'd be eating dinner with you and your friends. It's pretty awesome...hanging out with a Princess, ya know?"

Twilight nodded humbly,"I'm just glad we could find a nice place to stay." Twilight sat in the sand with her friends, enjoying the late afternoon sea breeze. The idea of the dreaded King Sombra was a faint image in her mind. Sombra was a faint part of all of their minds. Where ever he was, it wasn't here...or at least his dark power wasn't.

Cadence smelled the air, it lacked the tantalizing smells of grilling. She looked wryly to Swish,"I Summers really as bad of a cook as you said earlier?"

Swish laughed,"No, I just like messing with him. He takes pride in the food he makes, you ponies are in for a real treat tonight!"

Cadence put on a pleading look toward Shining Armor,"Honey, could you check up on our host?"

Shining kissed his wife,"My pleasure."

The girls kept chatting while Shining went to the surf shop. His masculine senses kicking in at the idea of the grilled food. He walked up the the bar table and looked inside the front part. A storm door was rolled up above the counter and part of the bar itself was a half-door and at the back wall was a wood door leading to the rest of the house. Inside were Hearths Warming lights and dull yellow light bulbs strung through the rafters with a ceiling fan. On the back shelf was a variety of items; swimming equipment, trinkets, post cards, and what seemed to be prized the most was the slew of surf boards. Some were just propped up on the wall not even hung, there were so many.

Shining Armor was wondering where Summers was,"Summers? You in there?"

The welcoming, twangy voice of Summers came from inside,"Yes Your Highness? I'm in the kitchen." Shining was about to ask if he could come inside but Summers interrupted him," You're royalty, right? Don't bother asking if you can come in."

Shining shrugged with a smirk and opened the half door, stepping inside. He went through the wooden door and found a surprisingly beautiful interior. The main part had a light blue carpet on top of a pale brown floor and a ladder leading upstairs. Near a window to the left was a worn, but comfy brown couch and a cracked surf board coffee table. There were several paintings and framed photos on the walls. Most of the photos were of Babblin Brook holding a surf board and a trophy. The painting were the works of an amateur background artist. In the corner, close to the door leading to the kitchen was a polished drift wood log painted to look like a live tree. Shining admired the look of Summers' home, soon the sounds of a busy chef broke his trance.

Shining called from toward the kitchen,"Are you doing okay in there? Need any help?"

The royal pony heard a charming laugh,"Your Highness doesn't need to help me. I really shouldn't even be talking with you so causally..."

Shining walked into the kitchen with a stern look. Inside he found Summers washing an assortment of fruits and vegetables being washed in a massive sink. The kitchen itself was made of several different kinds of wood with cabinets and baskets on the walls along with an old looking fridge. Shining moved up to Summers with his look still stern, the grey unicorn kept his gaze from the royal's.

"I...I'm sorry, I just finished some sauce for the food. I'm washing the rest now," He glanced up,"I'm not being unacceptable am i?"

Shining blew a frustrated breath,"Are you afraid of ponies who live in a castle, Summers? You're acting so strange."

Sombra busied himself thinking,I would never have been so...casual when I was a king. It's as if he doesn't even know what royal life is like! Sombra smiled widely,"No, I'm just not used to royals being so...laid back."

Shining punched Summers' shoulder brotherly,"Just forget I'm from a castle. Oh, and call me Shining."

Sombra felt conflicted. A deep part of him thought this was a ploy, a trap to get him weak so they could stamp him out once and for all. A newer sense in his mind thought,Alright, let's start up the grill, Shining!
Practically forcing himself to move, Sombra put down what he was doing,"Hey man, could you finish chopping up those bell peppers? I'll grab us something to drink."

Shining went to his requested task without question. Sombra opened his fridge with butterflies in his stomach,"You a cola kinda guy?"

The royal looked up from his sloppily chopped peppers,"You mean soda? Not since I was frat pony at CU. My wife's been pretty strict on what we all eat," he chuckled.

Sombra walked back over to the counter with two beet bottles in a red magic cloud, one floated over to Shining,"So Mr. Armor..." He was about to ask about why the Ponyville ponies were here but he already knew that. He looked at the food,"Help me bring this out to the grill, alright bud?"

Shining nodded and lifted half of ti with his blue magic cloud, while Sombra grabbed a the rest with his. Shining followed Sombra out and to the back end of the house, where a large rustic grill with platters on each side sat sweltering. Sombra put his food on a platter and with his magic, stuck different fruits and vegetables on kebab sticks. Along with this he popped the cap off his soda and took a swig.

"So Shining, who dose the cooking at the Crystal Palace?" Sombra asked casually.

Shining opened his bottle as well,"Well, we have ten different chefs...did you want me to count the kitchen staff too?"

Sombra chuckled as he put the first few kebabs on the grill,"You know I could teach you, though you probably have better chefs at your place," Sombra grinned while the food's juices sizzled on the hot iron grate.

Shining shook his head,"Thanks but I'd never catch on, I was never good at cooking food. Eating food, on the otherhoof, that I CAN do," the two stallions chuckled.

Out on the beach The Ponyville Crew sat with their Applewood friends on the lounge furniture Babblin' Brook brought out. Twilight was talking with Swish and Brook about their plan to conquer Sombra. It involved several complicated trap mechanisms, to handle his kind of magic, a slew of crystals and the possibility of Cadence being thrown again. The food was done but Sombra was reluctant to go out. Shining saw this.

"Hey Summer, you alright?" Shining asked.

Sombra sighed,"Well Shining...I'm afraid. Afraid to go out there..."

"Why, don't tell me a big unicorn like you is afraid of a few mares!" Shining smirked.

Sombra shook his head,"No, it's not them...it's her," He pointed to Bablin' Brook.

Shining rose an eyebrow,"Why in the world would you be afraid of her?"

Sombra seemed hesitant,"Can you keep a secret, stallion to stallion?"

Shining cast a shady glance to the mares,"Sure, I won't tell a soul."

Sombra rubbed his face,"Well, I did some bad things when I was younger...made some enemies. I'm not the same pony I was before but..." His voice trailed off.

Shining was intent on finding out,"But what Summers?"

"I'm afraid she'll think less of me if she ever finds out who I was," Sombra sighed,"I don't want to see her hurt..."

Shining nodded,"Spoken like a true gentlehorse. Don't worry about it," he patted Sombra's back,"You'll be fine!"

Sure, you say that now, Sombra thought to himself,but what will YOU do?


The two stallions walked out to the group of mares with the freshly cooked food in tow. They all eyed it hungrily and once it was served, dug in. Summers sat at the head of the table and just smiled and listened to everypony else's chatter. He was mostly interested in hearing Bablin' Brook talking about her ventures of surfing to the Ponyville ponies.

"...then there was this HUUUUUGE wave, I mean gigantic and you know what I did?" Brook asked the ponies. They all leaned in, intent on the conclusion," I rode that sucker like no tomorrow! I felt like I was flying it was so tall! It got real close to land and once it touched down I landed in a palm tree, you should've sen it!"

Swish groaned,"Brook, you tell that story ALL the time. It was ME who rode that wave, not you!"

Brook shooed her away,"Shh! Not so loud!"


Summer smiled. He went back to tuning out the whole event and just sit and think, How am I getting out of this one? He heard something but didn't pay attention to it. Suddenly something shook his soulder, it was Babblin' Brook.

"Umm hey Brook! Is the food good?" Sombra asked.

The sea blue mare nodded,"It's awesome Summie, but Twilight wanted to ask you something. You were totally spaced out so I woke ya up!"

Summers gulped,"Yeah Twilight?"

Twilight looked over from where she and her friends were sitting,"We didn't get to talk much Summer. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?"

Sombra hid his face with a hoof. He was panicking,"Well...I um...I'm not from around here I moved from a place with crystals...er...thistles, yeah thistles..." The Ponyville mares listened seemingly unaware of Sombra's poor cover story,"When I moved here, I saw that Bablin' Brook was surfing and decided to watch. She got hit by a big wave and didn't come back up to the surface," Sombra's nerves calmed slightly as he told the truth.
"I threw off my cape and jumped into the water. Swimming really far down I grabbed Brook. She was unconscious then and would've been in been BIG trouble if I didn't save her. After that I just stayed here, isn't that right everyone?"

Afua, Swish and Brook all nodded in agreement. Rarity seemed puzzled,"Darling, what were you doing wearing a cape out in this weather?"

Rainbow Dash folded her arms,"Yeah, and why did you slip out crystals?"

Sombra's eyes darted around. Twilight had a malicious look,"You're not who we thought you were...you're Sombra aren't you?!" She cried.

The Applewood natives gasped as well as the royal couple. A lump grew in Sombra's throat. He was expecting to be blasted away or taken to tartarus with Tirek but Brook slammed her hoof on the table,"No way! Sombra was a cold, evil and awful king. Our Summer is one of the nicest stallions you'd ever have the pleasure to meet! Just 'cuz he's red and black dosen't mean he's evil, shame on you!"

Twilight's face was pale from embarrassment,"Oh...oh I'm so sorry...It's just that we were sent here to find him. I suppose I was just a little on edge... that's all. Sorry Summer."

When Twilight said Sombra's fake name, it felt like a stab to him. He wiped some sweat away,"No, no it's alright. I...I'm very tired. I'll just be heading off to bed, there's hammocks upstairs when you ladies get tired," He got up quickly and headed for his house,"Goodnight everyone!"

Applejack watched him leave,"Is he always as jumpy as an flea bitten jack rabbit?"

Afua giggled,"No...maybe it's because of all of the new mares in town, eh?"

Brook pouted,"Go to bed Afua," she yawned,"Oh Celestia it's getting late. I'd better go on home, see all of you in the morning!"

Swish helped Afua to her feet,"Uh...we'd better get going too. See you all later."

The Applewood dwellers left back into the sandy path through the palm trees. Only the sound of the ocean and the flicker of some tikki lamps took up the tropical night.

Fluttershy put a hoof to her lip,"Kinda felt like Canterlot wedding for a little bit...scary."


Meanwhile inside the surf shop, Sombra lay in his straw bed panicking. He missed a one way trip to being in irons by the skin of his teeth. Only because of Bablin' Brook...