//------------------------------// // Embrace the Darkness // Story: A Duo of Fangs // by Bro Dash //------------------------------// Luckily, Twilight had arrived at the hotel just moments before Sombra did. Perfect. He can get straight down to business, and have this done in minutes. Geeze. That is a major exaggeration. This will take quite some time. "Twilight.", He addressed the alicorn. "Sombra.", Twilight turned to him completely, giving him her full and undivided attention, even a look of, "I'm snooty and agitated, what do you want?" "So, as I recall, you are on a quest, goal, something of the sorts, where you desire to master all arts of magic? Even black magic. Correct?" "Correct.", Twilight furrowed her brow. "Black magic takes a certain...kind of method. That I'm not going to explain in full. But this method is easily explainable in much smaller terms. I can get you started. Not just some rare book I happened to scrounge up from years of searching, like you may have." Twilight rolled her eyes whilst shoving her thin black magic spell book deeper into her saddle bag. "I wish to offer to you the Door." Twilight blinked. "The door? The Door? The Door. The Door which is the only existing way in and out of the Realm of Pure Darkness, the very home and territory of the Forces of Darkness. Hold on. What do you want in return?" "Nothing." "Oh yeah, there's definitely a catch somewhere.", Twilight said knowingly. "You can never trust a simple offer from the Forces of Darkness. There is always a hidden price." "There is no hidden price for this, mare, only my safety and well being for introducing you to the Dark Masters." "Oh. So am I to understand you and the Dark Forces are on bad terms?" Sombra sighed. "Plain and simple. I give you access to the door, I get to keep my soul. No, the masters will not try to take your soul or reach out of the door to grasp you and pull you in, none of that will happen. The terms are this. I give you direct access to the door. I keep my soul. Such says the contract." Yet he were leaving a few things out, changed it a bit...Still telling the truth. He smirked. "So. I get the door, and access to the Dark Masters themselves." "To commune with to your heart's desire." "But I do not wish to commune with them, I wish to learn from them." "Twilight...I will refrain from arguing with you for the sake of my soul. Do you accept my offer to open the door for you?" Twilight considered it for a moment. A moment. She knew her answer already. "Well. As much as I'd absolutely love to see you simply perish, die off, and be out of my life...I don't see anything like this presenting itself in the future. At all. So, I have a choice of sentencing you to death, or saving your life. I'll spare your life." "Then the door awaits.", Sombra bowed to the front door. "So, do we have to do this in a dark alley or something?", Twilight asked. "No. Twilight, here is the simple version. There is one exisitng door into the Realm of Darkness. It has one light inside. Beyond it, you will see nothing. This door can be entered and opened from anywhere. So long as it is a transition between two places.", his horn glowed a deep color of red. The door before them shut, and then reopened, showing a simple cobblestone floor outside, and the glowing yellow lamp shed light only a short distance before all land to walk upon where gone. Something about the darkness beyond seemed...different. As if no matter which way she looked at it, it looked as if there really were nothing there but the void. "This is it?", Twilight asked. "Unsure?", Sombra asked. "I've been searching for this for two years now." "You could be a century into your search, and would never find it." "I-I'm not sure. I can't. Not right now.", Twilight stepped back from the door. Sombra closed it, reopening the hotel front doors to the public. "This offer lasts until sundown. I will open the gate for you any time before then." Twilight watched the wall clock for a few seconds. "I'll collect a few things and be here by sundown. I'm going to need all I can." "Don't bring a light. It's pointless, as it will not illuminate anything." "Noted.", she trot off. And being alone once again, Sombra began to decide on his next course of action. Which drew a blank for him. As far as he knew, he only had to wait for Twilight. Should have told her to pack lightly. A thick, blank book of spells, a quill, an inkwell, and a saddlebag to carry them with. There literally isn't anything else needed. You might not even need to write anything down. Sombra sighed. Then scowled. He just questioned his own actions in his mind. He doesn't need to worry about being a "bad stallion", but now that he thinks of it, Twilight, being the mare she is, will either whole heartedly fail, or succeed and fail regardless. Sombra's soul was taken. He never offered it. And in it's place, a doppleganger were born. They could very well do the same to Twilight. Or could they have no power over a being with such power? Sombra were just an average unicorn. What he told Grim was true, he went after, literally, the first flank he laid eyes on, having been resurrected but nay three moments before. He were just strolling the market as if it were a mare market. Yet...despite his original intentions, he has a far different quota. And cannot remove Fluttershy from his worries by any given effort, minimal or maximal. He will escort Twilight. It has been decided. Make sure Celestia doesn't find out a new darkness plagues Equestria, dodge a bullet...and give Fluttershy another round of attention. It can fail. Very easily. But he will try. Sombra sat down, looking up at the high ceiling above. Remarkably, clouds were inside the building. A few pegasi were aloft in their fluffiness. By the by, and I know you're going to read this, that's why I put it here, I type all of my break lines. Like the one above. As if I were typing the word "four." Fluttershy went over the booklet Octavia had presented her once more. She'd fed her pet lioness, such a sweet beast. Refilled all the bird feeders, dog bowls, tossed each rabbit their daily carrot and celery, gave the phoenix a chunk of charcoal for greeting her warmly. The lamb refused her food, but drank greedily, Octavia noted she may do this exactly, and that there is nothing to worry about as she had it covered already. Fluttershy giggled cutely as the lamb nuzzled her cheek. The one animal Fluttershy actually feared was the cockatrice, a deadly beast, but it were harmless. Literally. It were a dispelled cockatrice. Every cockatrice is born of a mixture of horrible magics intertwining a group of random unfortunate animals. The hate and destruction, even the evil, were removed completely. It left a full white cockatrice with no fangs and claws no sharper than a dog's. It were cute, wobblying as it did. Had to be one of Octavia's friendliest pets. The cockatrice were the last, and it didn't eat or drink, it was a mythical beast. But it did need to be groomed, and Fluttershy began doing so immediately. Within seconds, the friendly cockatrice were cooing happily. In minutes, he were asleep. Octavia arrived home shortly after Fluttershy had finished everything Octavia had asked of her. The mare paid her generously for a job well done, and both parted ways for the day. Fluttershy flew off loftily to meet Rarity at the designated lcoation they had planned to join together at. Rarity had ordered herself a cup of tea for herself and Fluttershy. Probably but moments before, as the second cup were still steaming. "Fluttershy! Done with your chores for the day?" "I tended to all of Octavia's pets, groomed all of them, except for Abiliese, her phoenix, as requested. She has a pet cockatrice!" "Pardon?", Rarity asked, putting down her tea cup. "A pure cockatrice. By lore, they're born from evil magics and unfortunate little animals. But that magic can be dispelled. And in it's place,a harmless little cockatrice.", Fluttershy sighed as she took her seat. "I wish I had a dispelled cockatrice." "Darling.", Rarity cleared her throat. "That wouldn't be a very good idea, and it surely does not sound like a soundly safe idea either. But I will not convince you otherwise. It is your choice alone." "What about you, Rarity? How was your day?" "Fabu-", she halted. "Horrid. Sombra appeared today." "Oh. Right. I had almost forgotten about him." "Yes. Well. Be informed, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and I have talked it over, and Twilight wants to give him a chance. With you, and with freedom. So long as he plays nice. I apologize in advance for asking this of you, but if he does hurt you or even verbally berrates you, please, do not hesitate to tell us. I understand that it...may...be...possible to...uhm...If you...", Rarity huffed. Paused. Then smiled. "If you happen to fall in love, don't use that as an excuse to defend him. I'm not sure how that sounds to you. But...I do so hope you understand that we only want for you to be safe, darling. You of all mares do not deserve to even be considered by an abusive savage. Emphasis on savage on account for Sombra's recent efforts to attempt to take over an entire kingdom singlehoofedly." "I-I'm not sure, though. It worries me more that he doesn't scare me. I was terrified of him in the Crystal Kingdom." "Do you know what may have changed that, dear?" Fluttershy sighed. "Certainly not magic." True. Fluttershy knows what magic feels like. If someone so much as prodded at her with any spell, infinitesimally small, even, she'd feel it. It's an odd feeling she can't place, but it's all too familiar. "How do you know?" "I can feel it." "Well, I don't mean to be rude, but it's not a good idea to trust a feeling like that." "No, I mean I could actually know if he used magic on me. He's only done it twice so far. The first time was merely the brace he used to keep me...well...me. The second time was when he transformed me back to my old self. With...a few things left out." "Oh? What did he do to you?", Rarity demanded. "He just...didn't remove my fangs is all..." "Fluttershy!", Rarity halted. "Fluttershy.", she spoke softly. "That would be worth bringing to our attention. I'm sure if Applejack heard this conversation, she'd go on a stallionhunt just to findhimandkickhisteethin. Please excuse the brash statement." "It's fine..." "He intentionally left out that key feature. Hmph. Probably for his own sick victory in his tiny, savage mind. Hmph!", Rarity turned her nose up. "W-Well, I don't mind. I mean, it's why he chose me in the first place..." "Darling, don't convince yourself that it's "fine." It's not uncouth, but it isn't a pretty sight. We can simply get Twilight to unweave whatever magic he has done, and replace it with her own. If Sombra can do it, I'm sure Twilight could do it better. And without the fangs." Fluttershy tucked her fangs completely into her lips. "And that Sombra. Hmph. When I find him, I'm going to find the hottest object available and-" Sombra cleared his throat. Rarity turned to him with a scowl, and the first words out of ehr mouth were almost, "I'm going to murder you.", but she refrained from doing so. First so by questioning why. "What do you want?", she asked bitterly. Sombra were quiet for a moment. He looked at Fluttershy, then rounded to her side, and sat down. "Don't you ever talk about her like that again." "Wha- talk abou- What do you even mean?! I've done-" "The absolute worst you could possibly do by talking down to your best friend." Rarity came to a screeching halt. "There is a very specific reason why she has fangs, and why her fangs are still fangs, Rarity. No amount of magic can fix that. If Twilight couldn't do it the first time, I can't do it the second time. It is permanent. Understood?" Rarity made to speak, but nothing formed. After a good few moments, she blinked a few times, then looked at Fluttershy, then Sombra. "You mean..." "I can't get rid of them. Neither can Twilight. Nor Celestia. Nor Luna. Nor them all combined. You can thank your purple friend for ruining that for her." "This is Twilight's doing?" "Unintentional, but true. It was a hastily cast spell meant to alter a pony's physical nature and mind. Not to revert her back to what she was. Twilight more than likely did not know this. By Celestia's law and magical might, the only way to perform these magics successfully, is through black magic. Of which I don't have access to, and Twilight did not have when she first cast the spell." "But how is Fluttershy Fluttershy, then?", Rarity retorted. "I reshaped her form. It's like putting a costume on, nothing more, nothing less. The magics used to suppress her vampire fruit bat mind are of the same type. Like putting a voice altering collar on." "So she will have those fangs forever...", Rarity gasped. "I apologize wholeheartedly, dear." "I don't mind.", Fluttershy said hushedly. Sombra smiled and nuzzled her affectionately. Fluttershy reacted by shying away with a deep red blush. "That...is why you have my attention, love.", Sombra chuckled lowly. "Well...", Rarity began. "I...thought differently of you. You're so...passionate..." "Thank you." "Well, it doesn't excuse what you've done and who you are, but you've sure managed to change my mind quite a bit. This will take quite some time to process." Rarity looked down at her tea, lifted it up, and downed it. "There is not enough tea.", she stepped down from her seat, headed towards the cafe vendor. "Fluttershy. I think I should explain why I am so...well, I'd say it's interest right now. But I hope it can grow into something much deeper." "Oh?" "Fluttershy...I don't know where to begin, but I think your kindness would be the right place." Which meant he were figuring this out as he spoke. "Greed saw the massive well of magic. You've got such an impressive display of magical affinity, it dwarfs Twilight's own. You're powerful, and that grabbed my attention. I saw the fangs next, and I already said that I loved them. They made my heart thud when I got close enough to make them out on your framed features.", he paused, darting his eyes over her form as to observe her once more. Rarity began her trek back from the cafe. "There something about your gentleness, kindness. I don't know what it is, but I can't stop thinking about it. It does worry me. The more I think of it, the more worries come. Your well-being actually being one of those worries." Fluttershy smiled a small, warm smile. "Fluttershy, I can't tell you I love you, it's too soon, we haven't spent time together. Yet...I want to. By Celestia's name, I wish I coudl tell you I love you, but I know it's just looks and no mind to it. Yet, in the short time, that thought changed. I want to say that I've fallen for you Fluttershy. In a way that focuses on you and only you." "Oh how adorable!", Rarity giddily hurried back to the couple. "Shut up, peasant." Rarity' features' deadpanned, and she slammed one tea pot into Sombra's head. Yet it hit a magical barrier instead. "I hope you rot in tartarus." "I'll see you there.", Sombra remarked. "No you won't, I'm generous and have done nothing but good. You've once even enslaved a kingdom." "Wench." "Tyrant." Sombra paused, then turned to Rarity. "Too far." "Have I?", Rarity asked. "Rarity, please.", Fluttershy leaned against Sombra's side. The white unicorn sighed. "Fine...I can't help it though. I hate you. So much." "It actually hurts, you know.", Sombra stated. "I didn't know a villain could feel, so excuse me." "Villains don't. Good people do." Rarity were silenced. She were now on the opposite end of the spectrum. She were the distasteful one, and Sombra the helpless prey. Wow. This feels very different. Fluttershy dug her muzzle into Sombra's coat, sighing. "Please don't fight anymore." Sombra gave Fluttershy heed, then sat upright. "Rarity. For Fluttershy's sake." Rarity sighed, shaking her head. "Alright then." "Then it is agreed." Rarity and Sombra stared one another down before Rarity nodded, and returned to her tea. "No more fighting then. No more name calling. No smart remarks." "Thank you Fluttershy.", Sombra nuzzled the vanilla mare affectionately. Fluttershy placed a small kiss on his cheek. "For you, love." Sombra smiled. Warmed his heart like a perfectly built brick oven. Twilight came galloping into the cafe square but the next moment after, saddlebags overweighed tremendously and stuffed to bursting. She came to a stop in front of the couple, smiled as she wheezed, fell onto her side for a moment to catch her breath, and Sombra laughed. "Sombra.", she panted. "You need only three things. A blank spell book, an inkwell, and a quill." "But...But what about...taking notes?", she wheezed. "I said it's all you will need, I tell you the truth. Plus, it'd be best to travel lightly. You may have to run from something dangerous." Twilight rolled onto her stomach. "Like what?" "I don't know. But I've run from many a things in the darkness." "Then why not tell me how to avoid them?" "You can't run away. You can't hide, either. In the pitch black void of the darkness they follow a simple rule. If you can't see them, they can't see you. Yet, they take away the part where they can't see you. They will never be hindered by the darkness. You will." "That's it?", Twilight asked. "Yes." Twilight stood up. Then shed everything, dumping everything into a miniature vortex. All that remained were her saddlebags and the three listed materials. "Then let's go!" Sombra looked at Fluttershy, who turned her head towards the purple alicorn as if gesturing to her. Sombra shook his head as he approached Twilight, then cast his horn aglow. The doorway ahead of them, the very door into the cafe, opened to the familiar darkness Sombra had waltzed far too much, and the unforgettable sight Twilight had seen but some small time before. "There has been much quarrel since I reappeared. Twilight, I'm going to earn your trust, and by doing so, will accompany you through the darkness. I led you to the door simply to stay alive. Fluttershy has my heart in her hooves, and I don't want to let that go. If you went alone, I fear your enthusiasm and excitement in the situation would cost you your mind and soul, and would ultimately piss Celestia off, because you are too stupid to know how to deal with double crossing heathens of the dark. May they hear me, and I hope they do, this is who and what they are. You will understand this, and you will not ever forget this. Am I clear, Twilight?" Twilight shifted her gaze between both of Sombra's eyes, then nodded slowly. "You probably won't even need anything at all.", Sombra sighed. "I'm not just accompanying you, the only reason why you will be allowed in here is by my will and under my command. I don't need your body being taken over by the darkness and another war starting because I feared death." Twilight shut her mouth. "Let's go." They entered the threshold of the darkness.