//------------------------------//
// A Radical Ending, Bro! 
// Story: Sombra's Surf Shop 
// by BigBadBorox_Is_Back 
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	It was early morning over the little cove Sombra called home. The guests from Ponyville were fast asleep in hammocks he had set up for them scattered about his house. Since Shining and Cadence were sleeping in his bed, he lay on the couch. Unlike his guests the dark colored unicorn had trouble sleeping. He wasn't sure if Twilight was waiting him out on his secret or simply didn't know. He had made a life for himself out here, then her and her friends came along and compromised it.

As Sombra weved through the hammocks he found Twilight's. She lay snoring but an interesting book was in her lap. It was one of his boating catalogs. He snatched it up with his magic quickly, lightly groaning at the idea of Twilight reading about his fantasies.

He hopped off the couch and headed outside. As he opened the front door he bumped into something; Babblin' Brook.

"Oh sorry Brook, I didn't see you there," Sombra smiled sheepishly," Why aren't you back home? It's late." The sea blue mare didn't say anything. She just stood there awkwardly, as if to ask something but to afraid to ask. Sombra pursed his lip,"If your still hungry there's leftovers, want some?"  

Brook half opened her mouth,"Sure."

Sombra smiled,"Alright, I'll go grab something." He waved to her as he headed back inside.

On his way to the kitchen he dodged the sleeping mares in their hammocks with only bumping into them once or twice. He grabbed a sandwich and two sodas and carefully trekked back out. He found Brook sitting on a lawn chair out in front of the surf shop, an empty  char next to her seemed to beckon Sombra.

Sombra sat down next to Bablin Brook handing her the sandwich,"Here you go," She took it but didn't take a bite. She just looked at him and smiled.

Brook looked up at the starry night sky,"I...what I came over for was to make sure you...er...and the girls were okay. When I heard that King Sombra was still alive...I...I was worried."

"You were worried about me?" Sombra laughed.

"It's not funny! He's serious business," Brook said," You know what he did right?"

Sombra rubbed his neck,"More then I should."

"What's that? Did you live in the crystal empire?" Brook gasped.

Sombra choked on his sandwich,"No way! I've...I've never been there."

Brook giggled,"You're a bad liar, but I'll believe you."

The two ponies looked up at the early morning sky. The sun began rising, gracing reds and yellows across the tropical night sky.  Babblin' Brook didn't eat a bite of her food, she looked far to worried.

Sombra bit his lip,"What would you do...if someone you knew did a bad thing?"

Babblin looked up at him with a puzzled look,"A bad thing? Well as long as they knew what they did and were sorry for it...I wouldn't mind," She bit into her sandwich casually,"Why do you ask?"

Sombra saw her mood was brightening. He rubbed his neck,"I've..I've always kinda wanted to just sail away. Ah nevermind," He looked over his shoulder,"Well the guests and I are all okay. You should get home and sleep."

"Aww...can't I just sleep here?" Babblin' Brook yawned.

"I...well there's the couch..." He was resistant since that's where he was sleeping. Brook patted him on the shoulder and lumbered inside the house groggily. As Sombra watched her walk away gears began turning in his head. He hurried inside with a plan. A plan that would put his past to rest...at least he hoped it would. He saw that she flopped onto the couch, out like a light.

Sombra carefully tread through his house as not to wake the nine other ponies. He gathered up several things, materials and trinkets you'd see on a half baked high school play. Bundling it all up, he crept back outside. With a silent giggle of delight, he darted off. 




It was afternoon in the quiet cove. The Ponyville troupe had completely forgotten about the threat of Sombra. It was simply to peaceful for him to be anywhere. Swish and Afua came over to visit, both wondering where Summer went. The rest of them wondered too, they thought he was with the okapi and griffon. They weren't worried though, he wan't one to get into trouble. 

Pinkie Pie was playing with one of Sombra's surf boards. The rest of the girls were talking with Swish and Afua about how it was to live in two different cities. The griffon caught wind of Pinkie and fluttered over with a wry grin. She grabbed another surf board, its racing stripes accenting her sea gull feathers.

"Ever been surfing Pinkie?" she asked.

The pink mare grinned,"Nope!"

"Then let's give you a lesson, eh?" The griffon laughed.

The two ran for the beach and the perfect waves. Rainbow Dash saw them and flew after them, Applejack trailed behind RD. The farmer grabbed a board for her and the pegasus. The rest of the girls watched surprised and amused. Shining Armor stretched up and yawned,"Ahhh...I could go for some lemonade right now."

Babblin' Brook smiled," Summer had some lemons inside. I'll go make some!"

Shining Armor chuckled as he watched her run into the surf shop. He leaned over to his wife and she laid her head on his shoulder. The white stallion breathed in the tropical air,"This is amazing, isn't it Cadence? We came here to find Sombra and we got a vacation...it's as if he isn't even here!"

Cadence sighed happilly," It really is wonderful to finally get some peace and quiet." 

She groaned as she heard shouts coming from the nearby surfing class. Shining Armor couldn't help but laugh.


In the shallow water Swish was showing the mares how to paddle up to waves. Pinkie took to it like a fish to water. Applejack had some trouble with balance, her only distraction was that she was too busy laughing. Rainbow Dash couldn't stay on her board for more than five seconds. Rarity and Fluttershy cheered their friends on from the shore. Rainbow Dash's wings would throw her off balance as she tried to surf or she'd try to stand up to early and fall off. Swish egged her on about it, once she called her 'Rainbow Splash' the cyan mare grinned devilishly.

"You want a splash?" She said," I'll give you a splash!" A small wave of water was pushed as she rocketed into the air.

Swish shielded her eyes looking up to the sky. Rainbow Dash was a tiny speck up in the blue expanse. The griffon turned to the other two mares,"I didn't make her upset...did I?"

Pinkie Pie put on an umbrella hat and handed a pair of snorkel goggled to Applejack," Nope. You better get ready for a wave though."

Swish laughed," A mare making a big wave in the ocean, this'll be a sight."

Applejack slid on the goggles and snorkel," Yall'd be surprised. I learned mah lesson at that cannon ball contest..."

They looked to the distance, there was a low screech like a jet. Suddenly a wave of light flew out, blinding all who saw it. A mushroom cloud of rainbow smoke plumed into the air and the sound of rushing water was heard. The shock wave rattled the swimmers bones and blew leaves off the palm trees. Swish began paddling out to sea," Alright, Rainbow Splash! Let's go!"

The wave came closer and closer, growing in size as it barreled forward. They saw Rainbow Dash flying up along side it. Swish neared the wave and dived under the wall of water. The ocean rushed passed her and she popped out on the other side. Her and her board were on top of the huge wave, she was almost dizzy from the height. To her left Rainbow Dash was flying casually, arms folded behind her head with a wide grin.

Twilight gawked at the huge wave. A thrilling surge flowed through her as the wave was dying down and ready to contact the beach. Applejack and Pinkie Pie waved and danced about in the wave's shadow. Cadence and Shining Armor put on shades while Twilight clenched her eyes shut.


CRASH!

The wave barreled over the beach and into the small rain forest beyond it. As the expanded tide pulled back it left ponies beached and giggling. Swish was now in a tree as well as her board. Applejack had to help Pinkie Pie get her head out from being stuck in the sand and Fluttershy did her best to calm Rarity down who had gobs of seaweed and lobsters in her freshly permed mane. Twilight bounced around like a toddler while the royal couple (surprisingly) still sat in their lawn chairs as if the wave never hit them. Cadence spit out a jet of sea water with a disgruntled expression.

Afua was the first back to reality," Oh no! Summer's house!"

Everyone stopped moving and looked to the place where the house stood. To everyone's shock the house...wasn't a house anymore. It was a messy shamble of derbies and furniture. Rainbow Dash cupped her hooves over her mouth in shock, fluttering back down to earth she approached the ruins. She knelt down next to them with a look of disbelief. The rest of the party eventually walked up and made a semi-circle around the ruins. Swish put a hand on Rainbow Dash's trembling shoulder. The cyan mare looked up at her, she looked up at everypony.

"This is all my fault!" Rainbow Dash whimpered," What are we going to do?"

"It's not your fault, it was an accident," Twilight reassured," I should have put a shield spell over the house...we all could've done something..."

Shining Armor bit his lip," This is a real disaster," He winced as Cadence punched his arm. He still continued," No need for panic, we've got two princesses here. I'm sure we can find all the help we need to fix this house."

Applejack picked up a piece of broken timber," Fix? Sugar cube, we need a replacement."

"Oh dear...what will Summer think?" Fluttershy whispered.

The group fell silent. What would he think? This is his home, as far as Summer's Applewood friends know it's his only home. They didn't know of any of his family to move back with. Afua's place was cramped as it is, Swish lived in a one bedroom apartment as well as Babblin Brook. A dark cloud fell over the party, a cloud of worry.

As they sat and thought a voice called from the bay," Hey! Was there some kinda hurricane today?"

They all looked behind to see the bay's shark; Barnaby. His head poked out of the water and a concerned look was on his gruff face. Pinkie Pie was at the shore in an instant.

"Oh it's awful! Awful! We were playing out by the ocean, Swish was teaching us how to surf and then she called Rainbow Dash Rainbow Splash. Then-she-flew-up-in-the-air-and-before-we-knew-it-there-was-a-big-rainbow-explosion-that-made-a-giant-wave-that-crashed-into-the-beach-but-we-were-having-lots-of-fun-and-didn't-notice-that-Summer's-house-until-it-was-to-late," She took in a long gasp of air," It was a mistake, honest!"

Barnaby pursed his toothless lips. He looked at the puppy-dog-faced Pinkie Pie then back at the others. He sighed," I've been friends with Summer the longest...I'll talk with him. I don't know what were going to do about his house..."


They all sat in silence. In the distance out in the water Twilight spotted something. She looked harder and saw a boat. A bright idea burned above her and she jumped up.

"Everypony," She announced,"I have a plan!"

"Well, what is it?" everyone else cried in unison.

"Babblin Brook, is that boating festival still going on?" Twilight asked.

"Umm, it ended yesterday," She saw a crestfallen look,"Almost all of them have left..."

Twilight turned hoof and galloped in the direction of town," Follow me while there's still time!"

Barnaby watched the party rush off on an unknown quest. The shark sighed and shook his head. He wasn't sure how 'carefree' Summer was going to take the news of being homeless.


Barnaby circled in the water for several minuets until he heard a deep laugh coming from the woods. Being a shark things rarely frightened him but he payed attention to the shore. After some more laughing and coughing a figure jumped out, clad in a red cape with cotton ball trimming. It was 'Sombra'. He had a cardboard crown and a smile like an uncle trying to look spooky.

"It is me, the terrible King Sombra!" He shouted"Tremble before me and I will spare you!"

Barnaby stifled a laugh. His humor ended when he saw Sombra's face. The unicorn was completely dumbstruck at the sight of his ruined house. He slid off his costume and stumbled over to the old shop. His hooves picked up broken piece after broken piece. The wave decimated his house and everything in it.

His face darkened," How did this happen?"

Barnaby tried to piece his words together as gently as possible "Well you see...that Rainbow Dash mare-"

"They knew it...they knew it all along, didn't they?" Sombra gritted his teeth," They pretended not to know...when I'm gone one moment they destroy my home...again..."

"Now hold on a second. Do you think those ponies would do something like that?" Barnaby chided," They're good kids, you've been clean for months now-"

Sombra stood back up. A stony expression on his face," I was...wasn't I? Where are they now?"

"They left-" Barnaby only had a moment to speak.

" Left? They LEFT, huh?" Sombra narrowed his eyes and looked back to the shark," Did they leave to grab the Crystal Heart and destroy me once and for all?"

Barnaby rolled his eyes in frustration," You're not listening! They went to town to get something for your house, to help you!"

Sombra's face softened for only a moment," Like I said...something to finish me off once and for all."

The unicorn turned and galloped over to town, ignoring his friend's shouts. His old dark smile returning to his lips...

Sombra's eyes were lined with tears. His throat was dry as he ran through the trees that led to the town. He ran into the street like he was in The Running of the Bulls. In the sky above he saw a Pegasus with a rainbow mane, his eyes glowed with his old dark magic. Ponies in the streets saw this black unicorn run like a mad man, there were mixed looks of worry. Rainbow Dash turned over to where the docks were. Sombra shadowed her direction.

While he was running his heart beat painfully. He had moved into a humble home and turned away from his old habits. In a few days the same mares who destroyed his old one. He felt betrayed and cheated. After all he tried to become clean, the same thing happened.
He was getting closer to the dock with every step. In a few moments he was just a corner away from it.

He slowed to a stop and hid behind the corner, ears tuned to listen. He planned out what was going to happen. Those mares would be trying to escape him. He'd turn out and laugh his deep dark laugh. They'd cower in fear, lips and knees quivering. He'd strut up, trapping them in a crystal cage. He'd gloat at how they had tried to destroy him again, but it was them who'd be destroyed.

However, his ears picked up a very different sound then mares trying to escape...


"Please, you don't understand!" Twilight cried," Summer's house was destroyed in a tidal wave, you have to help us!"

A sailor pony grunted,"Sorry mam, can't help you. This boat ain't for sail. Don't know a 'Summer' anyway."

Sombra slowly peeked out to see them. He saw Twilight and all of friends all talking, even begging, sailors or merchants. They all asked for a boat to buy. They seemed desperate. Sombra walked out, not as pompous as he had imagined. He moved closer to the docs, his mind conflicted.
He heard Babblin' Brook call out to them, saying something about finding a boat. He winced, they had her in on his assassination? His slow pace picked up as the mares all ran to one of the piers. The sailors they had been talking to looked at Sombra with cautious eyes.

Sombra saw the mares were all gathered at a pier where a single mast sail boat. To be truthful, this boat had seen better years. The salty old pony who owned it was barraged with offers from the mares. Sombra moved closer.

The group quieted down. Twilight bit her lip,"An accident happened. Summer...our friend's house was destroyed."

"How much you offerin'?" The sailor asked.

"Anything," Cadence said," We'll pay anything!"

"Hmm..." The sailor mused," Why so desperate?'

Rainbow Dash's eyes were watery," It's my fault, we need a replacement quick. Can you please help us?"

Time for Sombra stopped. Hearing their confessions cut him deep. His stomach churned remembering how he was thinking earlier. His knees wobbled until he was too weak to stand.

Babblin' Brook looked behind her for a moment. She saw Summer sitting there, distraught and eyes full of tears. Babblin' gasped,"There he is, look!" She cried.

The group turned to see him. Before he knew it all six of the Ponyville ponies rushed to him. It was piratically a dog pile. They were blubbering apologies for breaking his house. Sombra was to happy an relived to speak. Babblin' stepped in.

"Girls, girls! Give him some air!" Cadence' said. The mares backed away and she looked at Sombra with a pained expression," We...we wanted to surprise you. Your house is gone and it's our fault...it's alright if you don't forgive us. We understand."

Sombra choked down tears,"M-me forgive you? There's nothing to apologize for," he chuckled weakly," I'm just happy that you're still here."

"We couldn't leave you," Pinkie Pie said," You're in an slight split personality crisis along with emotional and economic meltdown. Not to mention all of your property and valuables have been smashed to pieces. Besides, you're our friend!'

Applejack had an idea, she pulled Twilight to the side and whispered to her. Twilight nodded and looked to the rest," Since we're responsible for this mess, it's only fair that we fix it. By ourselves with hard work."

Applejack smiled at the idea. The rest nodded, unaware of the actual plan. The mass of ponies removed themselves from the docks, rather embarrassed at the scene they made. As they awkwardly walked away Twilight grabbed Summer and his Applewood friends for a meeting.

"Say girls, you don't have any plans this month do you?"

They collectively shook their heads. Swish rose her eyebrow,"What do you have in mind, princess?"

Twilight made a similar look," I need you three to keep Summer away for awhile. We're going to give him a surprise right and proper."

"How would we do that?" Afua asked," Summer may sneak off and peek."

Cadence slid in," Let's call it a vacation. Don't worry, my husband and I will make the reservations," She giggled. Shining Armor squinted over at them.







It had been a few weeks since the Ponyville Ponies had first arrived at Applewood. Over in a familiar cove a eleven busy creatures were hard at work building something. Twilight had memorized every book on the subject she could find. She and the rest were hard at work nailing the frame work and wooden planks into place. They worked all day and long into the night over their project. 

With a few calls Cadence had arranged a cross country train trip for Summer, Afua, Swish and Babblin'. It was long enough to give the rest enough time to finish their project. After all the wood work was done and coated, Applejack and Rarity went off to gather supplies for accenting the bare wooden vessel. They came back with a distantly similar set of supplies.

Rarity had several mover ponies carrying felt cream colored furniture and birch wood counter tops. Applejack carried several cans of barn red paint like a show pony.

With what they had and could find, they fashioned their project into the best it could be.


The touring group came back at the perfect time, the last nail was set the night before. The four tourist came near the site. Summer had a blind fold on and a huge grin while the others giggled around him. When his Applewood friends saw it they gasped and giggled with excitement. The suspense was making Summer giddy.

The Ponyville Ponies lined up in front of their project. Babblin' grabbed Summer's blind fold and untied it. Summer blinked his eyes to adjust to the light. When they did he stared at what was before him;


The six mares were standing in front of an adorable ship. With red planks and white trim like a barn. The mast had a flag with a heart flapping in the tropical breeze. It had little silver portholes on the sides of it round body.  The cabin had an open door leading to a room furnished like a dream home. Near the bough of the ship was written S.S. Crystal Heart in fancy text.
They all stood eager for Summer's reaction. The troubled unicorn was overwhelmed. He hugged the nearest pony, Babblin Brook, and laughed.



Later that night there was a party on the ship. It was to celebrate the return of Summer and his friends and to toast to the maiden voyage of the ship. Swish, Afua and Babblin' retold their cross country trip to the Ponyville ponies and acted out all of their little adventures. At the helm of the ship overlooking the happy group, was Summer and Twilight. They both had a small smile on their faces.

"This is all so much to take in," Summer said humbly," I don't know how to thank you."

"It's no trouble," Twilight said slyly," Your highness."

Summer's eyes went wide," Y-you knew?"

Twilight sighed with a look to the night covered ocean,"I think we all were aware of it, you're kinda hard not to recognize."

Sombra frowned," And you still do all of this for me?"

Twilight flicked her hair," Summer, I've met several evil ponies in my times as princess. In each one of them there was some good, my friends and I just had to find it."
Sombra looked to the princess with a confused look. Twilight continued with a smile," You however, didn't need the same treatment as Sunset Shimmer or Starlight Glimmer. You already reformed. I didn't need to find Sombra because he doesn't exist anymore."