Star Swirl, Puledro and Wa-waush-ka'-ehe walked towards the Neighboo airship pulling floting crystal moving dollies. Spotting them, Clover and some of the kings guards came out of the ship to help them.
"Well, we have all the essential parts we need." Star Swirl said as the partes where loaded onto the airship. "I'm going back... Some unfinished business. I won't be long."
"Why do I sense we've picked up another needy life form?" Clover asked as the guards loaded the last of the parts on board.
"It's the colt who's responsible for getting those parts." The elder unicorn sighed. "Get the crystal power generator installed."
"Yes, Master. It shouldn't take long." The unicorn mare said as her master left with the dollies.
Sombra and Star Swirl walked toward the hovel after selling the Sombra's chariot.
"Here these are yours." The elder unicorn said levitating a large bag of bits out of his saddle bag, giving it to the colt.
"Yes!" Sombra said as they entered the hovel. "Mom, we sold the chariot. Look at all the money we have!" He said walking over to where his mom was, putting the bag of coins onto the table causing some of them to spill out.
"Oh, my goodness, That's wonderful." The pegasus mare exclaimed.
"And he's been freed." Star Swirl said wlking over to the two.
"What?!?" The young colt exclamed not sure he heard right.
"You're no longer a slave." The elder unicorn explained.
"Did you hear that?!" Sombra said happily looking at his mother.
"Now you can make your dreams come true. You're free!" Shadow Flower said before turning to Star Swirl realizing something. "Will you take him with you? Is he to become a Crystal Knight?"
"Yes." he said nodding. "Our meeting was not a coincidence. Nothing happens by accident."
"You mean I get to come with you in your airship?!" Sombra said, the smile on his face growing bigger and bigger.
"Sombra," Star Swirl said croching down a bit to his level. "Training to become a Knight is not a easy challenge. And if you succeed, it can be a hard life." he explianed.
"But I want to go. It's what I've always dreamed of doing. Can I go, Mom?!" The black unicorn colt asked looking at his mom.
"Sombra, this path has been placed for you; the choice is yours alone." She explained.
"I want to do it." he said after thinking about it.
"Then, pack your things." Star Swirl said getting back up.
"Yipee!" Sombra said giving his mom a hug and started to run to his room, before stopping when he realized something. "What about Mom? Is she free too?"
"I tried to free your mother, but Gerardo wouldn't have it." Star Swirl sighed saddly
"You're coming, aren't you, Mom?" Sombra asked, an unsure look coming over his face.
"Son," Shadow Flower began. "My place is here. My future is here. It is time for you to let go."
"I don't want things to change." The black unicorn colt said saddly.
"But you can't stop change any more than you can stop Celestia's sun from setting." his mom said giving him a hug, trying to hold back her own tears. "Now hurry." She said nuging him to his room before turning to Star Swirl. "Thank you."
"I'll watch after him. You have my word." he said looking over at her. "Will you be all right?"
"Yeah." The pegasus mare said rubbing her eyes.
Meanwhile Sombra was hurrying to throw the last of his things into a saddle bag. He walked over and pushes the button on his droid finaly getting it to work.
"Oh! Oh my, oh. Hello Master Sombra." The crystal droid greated.
"Well, 2DK, I'm free... and I'm going away in an airship." Sombra explained
"Master, Sombra, you are my maker, and I wish you well. However, I should prefer it if I were a little more... comepleted." 2DK said looking down at his nonexistent legs.
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to finish you, 2DK... Give you legs and all..." The colt said picking up somethings. "I'm going to miss working on you. You've been a great pal. I'll make sure Mom doesn't sell you or anything." He said a bit sarcasticly.
"Sell me?!?" The buttler droid exclamed.
"Bye." Sombra said leaving his room.
One of the crystal probe droid beepped and whistled as it returned to Aria Blaze. The purple pony then put her hood up before getting on a crystal powered scooter and bagan to follow the droid.
Star Swirl and Sombra ran towards the Neighboo airship as Aria Blaze began to sneek up on them.
"Star Swirl, sir, wait up!" Sombra said as he began to lag behind.
"Sombra, drop!" Star Swirl shouted turing around to see the hooded pony riding towards them.
Doing what he was told Sombra dropped to the ground just in time as the floting scooter flew over him. Aria Blaze then jumped off and activated a red crystal saber before hiting the ground.
"Tell them to take off!" Star Swirl shouted to Sombra who was now running to the airship as he activated his own crystal saber blocking the hooded ponies attack.
"Star Swirl's in trouble!" Sombra said as everyone ran into the cockpit
"Take off. Over there! Fly low!" Clover said watching the fight as the airship began to take off.
Star Swirl and Aria Blaze continue their sword battle as the airship began to kick up dust. Seeing the ship few feet directly above him Star Swirl quickly jumped onto the bording ramp before it retacted and took off leaving Aria Blaze standing alone.
Sombra and Clover rush into the hallway to find Star Swirl collapsed on the floor opposite the entry breathing hard, wet with sweat and covered in dirt.
"Are you all right?" Sombra asked concerned.
"I think so." The elder unicorn said catching his breath.
"What was it?" Clover asked referring to the fight.
"I'm not sure... but it was well trained in the our arts. My guess is it was after the King." He explained.
"What are we going to do about it?" Sombra asked worried.
"We will be patient." Star Swirl said getting up. "Sombra, meet Clover The Clever." He said introdusing the two.
"Hi." Sombra said shaking her hoof before noticing her crystal braclet. "You're a Crystal Knight too? Pleased to meet you." He said shacking her hoof more vigorously as Star Swirl laughed.