Luna hesitated, hearing Sombra’s harsh tone.
‘This’ll take some time.’ said Luna, drinking some purple liquid with a straw.
‘You can make those dark amethysts of yours that neither I or my sister really can, and we can’t break them either. For somepony who’d represent those who didn’t want to live under our rule, magic that we can’t emulate, and to a small degree, can’t challenge, you’d be ideal. Not that it’s a matter of force... you can grasp the symbolism. They’d adore you, as envoy or even something more I’m not sure.’
‘Okay so what? That doesn’t mean I know anything about what they’d want, or how I’d even negotiate with you? I guess I’d do that.’
‘You’re getting ahead of yourself, my Som-bra. Even if you somehow ended up some place high up, that’d come much later and you’d be surrounded by advisers, they’d know your background, approximately.’
Like a proper tyrannical King from a book eh? Or a puppet one? Don’t think a real one would have to be like that, though it’s hard to think of it being any other way.
‘You been thinking about this for a while? Long enough so that you had to mention it for the first time when I brought Robyn?’
‘Aww don’t be mean Sombra!’ she said and snuggled against him. It felt peculiar in the dream.
‘Yeah yeah, I love you too, just tell me why. It kinda weirded me out.’
‘I thought your mother might be pleased to hear is all. I didn’t think you’d mind, sorry.’
‘That’s okay, I guess. And why the Crystal Kingdom? They’re obscure as anything.’
Several giant sapphires slowly raised up out of the ground with no resistance as if it was liquid.
‘Cus they want independence, like I mentioned, Som-bra. It hasn’t been made public yet, they appreciate the disruption it’d cause if they announced it prematurely, without us being ready. They haven’t got a representative in particular either, a few floating around but there isn’t a popular one yet. I’m not sure how’d they’d react to you, but it's worth a try I think.’
‘And are these what they have there? These sapphires.’
‘Yup, and anypony who’s in there is all sparkly!’
‘Yeah, I knew that, that’s pretty famous.’
A literal light bulb appeared above Luna’s head.
‘Hey, you know what? Why’s it called the Crystal Kingdom when it's just a big city?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Because they wanted independence all along I bet! Right from the the unicorn that founded it.’
‘Oh. I guess that’s possible.’
He’d really been expecting a joke.
‘No just kidding, they wanted you to be their king, Som-bra. King Som-bra.’
Sombra’s laugh felt like it was echoing through a cave.
‘That totally sounds like a griffin thing, Luna, actually saying my name in a title like that.’
‘Som-ka! How can I be of service?’
Out of nowhere an impressively scarred griffin was sizing him up.
‘Who you talking to, punk?’
After a moment of doubt Sombra remembered where he was.
‘Luna if things are getting this silly don’t you think it’s about time I wake up?’
‘Yeah, punk, go smash yourself.’
And then the griffin made a chirp that sound it came straight from a robin for some reason. Probably because there’s one right outside your window.
Sombra woke to loud birdsong. Familiar, in a few ways. Oh I’m meant to talk with Robyn about moving into the palace, or something? Yeah, something. He was really groggy, even though he didn't think he’d slept badly. Dream exhaustion? Is that a thing?
He ate the daffodil sandwiches Robyn had laid out for him, though she wasn’t around at the moment.
A wild idea came to him. That’s crazy, you don’t have a reason to do that. Probably wouldn’t end well. You really shouldn’t be thinking about this. He stood up. You really shouldn’t be doing this. He walked towards the door. Okay you dumb dumb.
With the green bag he typically took to Canterlot palace, Sombra headed out to Tinker’s house, and he wasn’t looking forward to the lengthy bus ride. He’s not even gonna be there is he? That’ll save you the hassle.
With a heavy heart, and little idea as to why, Sombra knocked on Tinker’s door. He waited for a while, and then knocked again, still nothing. What a depressing way to spend a day. I guess you don’t get to envision him as some version of Luna, hooray. That’s a really, really horrific idea. As he was turning round to abandon the place eternally, the door opened a tiny bit before being shut heavily.
‘Hello?’
There was no response.
Hesitantly this time, Sombra turned around, but the door didn't move. Hope he’s okay, I guess? Nervous, and with the sense he was making a terrible decision, Sombra left, finding a bus back as quick as he could. That one was one spooky door, ahaha.
At least Robyn was there to welcome him back.
‘Heya, you were out for a while.’
‘Yeah, you weren’t here this morning either though?’
‘I was out for a walk, don’t think they’ll be nearly as nice places once we’re in Canterlot.’
Probably not.
‘So you’d be okay if I was like, in the palace and you were just in Canterlot?’
‘Yes of course, Sombra. Being in Canterlot at all is more than enough, you know how expensive real estate is there? You’re really lucky it’s Luna of all ponies.’
‘Or maybe you’re the lucky one!’
‘That Luna’s humour?’
‘No don’t be silly, she’d be like, “Or maybe you’re the lucky one coming into a very early retirement because of your son’s hard work.”’
Robyn was greatly amused.
‘I’ll let her know tomorrow then, I guess we’ll move pretty soon after that.’
‘She’s a great mare isn’t she? Do you think as most ponies as like, versions of her?’
‘Where’s this coming from?’
‘It’s only how Alex saw me at one point, apparently.’
‘That doesn’t make me happy.’
‘I thought it might not.’ Robyn sighed.
‘I’m going to my room, and no, don’t worry, I’m not angry at you.’
Are you? Who knows.