//------------------------------// // ~Part 2: Wizards and Secrets~ // Story: Shadows of My Past // by Calligraphy Legends //------------------------------// When Ombra awoke, he found himself lying beside a warm fire. He could still hear the howling wind despite the crackling flames. His mane laid around him wildly, but at least he was dry. He lifted his head to take in the small room, trying his hardest to rise to his feet. The only things in the room were a couple of couches, a quilt, a rug, and several shelves filled with books. He wasn’t sure how many days he had spent trekking in the storm, but it was long enough. “Easy there,” a deep voice said, “that storm did a number on you.” A gray unicorn came into his line of sight. He was a tad aged, but wisdom stood behind his hazel eyes. His hoofs were as white as the snow raging outside, matching his beard, mane, and tail. Ombra didn’t say anything, he didn’t know what to say. “I bet you’re thirsty?” the unicorn asked, Ombra merely nodded. “Hungry too, I suppose?” Ombra nodded once more. “Alrighty then, let’s go.” Ombra followed the grey pony shakily, his legs still weak from his journey in the blizzard, to a small kitchen. The unicorn soon set some water and food in front of him, Ombra wasn’t sure what to do. He knew from traveling around the Empire that there were many different customs. However, he had no clue where he was. He didn’t know this ponys customs or culture, he wasn’t sure if he should say something, let the stranger eat first, eat in silence, etc. etc. “What are you waiting for?” the unicorn asked, narrowing his eyes. “Eat.” Ombra ate quietly, still unsure of how exactly he was supposed to act. He wanted to thank the unicorn, he had a million questions. But, he was also nervous about having to explain where he came from and who he was. “What’s your name?” the unicorn asked. “Cristallo Ombra,” Ombra answered, his voice cracking a little from not being used for so long. “Cristallo?” the unicorn raised his bushy white eyebrows. “Most ponies call me Ombra.” “I’m Starswirl. How’d you end up out here?” “I-I’m just a little lost.” When Ombra said it, he realized how true it was. He was lost in more ways than one. “What do you mean, lost?” “I just don’t know my purpose.” “You’ve got a horn, clearly you must know some magic. If a unicorns special talent doesn’t relate to something specific, magic is the clear path. Anypony taught you how to use it?” “I’ve tried, but I am struggling with my magic. I have ever since I was colt.” “How about I give you a few lessons?” “Really?” “I know a thing or two about magic.” It wasn’t long before Starswirl became fond of the young unicorn, he enjoyed teaching him how to properly use his magical gifts. However, Ombra wanted more. He wanted to be better at magic than his sister, than his father. He wanted to prove that he was the greatest unicorn to have ever lived. Starswirl knew nothing of this, in fact, he knew little to nothing of Ombra's past. And Ombra didn't know much about Starswirl's. The two stallions liked it that way. One day, when Starswirl was away on one of his many travels, Ombra was studying in the library. He poured over every tome he could find, trying his hardest to increase his magical abilities. Whilst in the library, he stumbled upon a secret. He was skimming through some spell books when he noticed that Starswirl had a duplicate book on the shelf. Curious, he pulled on the two and found the shelf pushing back and sliding open. Ombra wasn’t sure he should continue on into the room, but curiosity ultimately won over. There were several books set out on pedestals lining the hall. Each one was locked and needed a specific key to be opened. Then, he reached the end of the hall. A black, soft leather bound book sat, seemingly, waiting for him. Red curls wrapped all around the book, they felt alive. An iron chain lay broken, it looked as if it had been...burned? Ombra opened the book and read over the pages, it was filled with spells and magical tips. What he didn’t know as he read and practiced these things was the magic he was using. Dark magic. He was merely utilizing dark magic, but it hadn’t overtaken him. He didn’t tell his mentor that he discovered the room. He wasn’t sure why, he just felt like he shouldn’t. Whenever Starswirl was out for the day, Ombra snuck in there to read the book. All the while the dark spirit living within its pages began corrupting his mind. While Ombra was studying the positive magic with Starswirl and the dark magic on his own, his family remained in their home. They sent out countless search parties, all three of them often went. Alas, they found no trace of him. Amorette grieved, believing that her son froze to death in the blizzard. Stella believed in her heart that her brother was alive, she just didn’t know where he could be. Galaxite missed his son, he truly did, but he was also angry with him. Angry for the pain he was causing his mother and sister, for just leaving without thinking, and mostly for letting him down. Galaxite believed his son was capable of better things. Around the time Ombra began using dark magic, Amorette became pregnant. This seemed to lift her spirits a bit, along with Stella’s. And not too long later, the Crystal Empire had a new princess. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. A beautiful soft pink pegasus, like her mother. In fact, she was practically a splitting image of her mother. Except for her mane and tail. Which were lavender, pink, and blonde. Not long after Mi Amore (as she came to be called) was born, word reached Starswirl. Who casually passed the information onto Ombra, not knowing of the unicorns past and figuring that someday Ombra might actually appreciate the news of, perhaps, his home. Ombra passed it off casually, but inside he was fuming. The next morning, Starswirl left on business. Ombra tried to practice his magic in the hidden room, but couldn’t focus. “How could they?!” he grumbled; his mind was foggy from the dark energy corrupting him. “They all just replaced me with some little princess?! What about me?! Weren’t they worried about me?!” “Teach them a lesson,” a deep and almost gravelly voice whispered. “Who are you?” Ombra asked, looking around the room but finding himself to be alone. “I’m the only one who cares about you anymore. They just let you go, not caring if you lived or died. Now, they are just moving on and replacing you?! You must teach them a lesson.” “Fine, I’ll go and show them what I can do.” “You could, or you could do something else.” “Wh-what could I do?” “Just let me in, let me help you. Together, we will show your family how wonderful you are. Then, they will want you as the ruler. You will be adored by all!” “All I have to do is let you in?” “Yes.” “Okay, help me.” The voice laughed as it penetrated not Ombra’s mind or magic, but his soul. He yelled out as he felt himself being twisted to the mystery creatures will. His previously gold hooves turned to shadow black and his teeth sharpened to points, but that was just the beginning. The purple streak drained out of his mane and tail, leaving behind a dark cloud of ink. His evening green eyes brightened and drained into the whites of his eyes, turning blood red as his pupils contorted. The most painful part was his horn. He cried out in pain as it was smoothed and curved, causing tears to pool in his eyes. As the transformation was completed, the tears turned violet and became a trail of smoke. His cries of pain turned to cruel laughter.