//------------------------------//
// Chapter 22. This doesn’t sound right. 
// Story: Possession in the Crystal Empire 
// by Askre 
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Chapter 22
 
Private watched unable to speak or make a sound. Everything had happened so fast after the explosion, Sombra had picked him up quickly and thrown him into the hole on the other side of the cave and used some sort of a spell that kept him silent and unable to move. Then using another spell, the Dark King had made a projection of his host in the middle of the room before vanishing.
 
The Unicorn watched as his brother came rushing into the cave and stopped by the illusion, then others came in after Barricade. Private was very surprised to see Princess Celestia among them.
 
I don’t get it; why does he want them to think I’m unconscious over there? He thought as the events continued to transpire before him. He cringed when seeing the sharp crystals almost skewer the throat of the fake version of him.
 
This doesn’t sound right, he was way too interested in me and Barricade due to our Dark Pony heritage to be this willing to harm either of us… that’s why he stuffed me here isn’t it? Private frowned and wondered if he could struggle against the silence spell he was under.
 
Then he noticed something else. A very faint flicker of a torch near the hole produced enough light that his shadow was faintly visible, stretching towards Sombra. Private glanced over to his illusion and saw that the shadow there also stretched to the Dark King. This meant there were two shadows stretching towards him.
 
They are too distracted to notice though, the light is just dim enough that you would really need to pay attention to notice this, he thought and wondered what he could do.
 
“Enjoying the show?” a voice whispered in his ear.
 
Private blinked and tried to look around but all he could do was move his eyes. There was this mysterious familiar voice again, what was it? He could feel a muzzle near his ear again, something was with him in the tunnel. The pony wondered if this cave did in fact contain some monster and here he was helpless to do anything about it and unable to warn the others.
 
“Ah Private, you are so amusing. You are still that little colt in the cage, aren’t you?” the voice continued and the muzzle was removed.
 
What? The Unicorn strained his eyes the best he could to the right, which meant only one eye really saw anything but what it saw made him really question his sanity.
 
It was faint but what he saw were a pair of glowing green and red eyes with slit pupils. Faint traces of purple mist poured from the corners and under them was a grinning muzzle, barely visible. Private could just stare back, even as he heard King Sombra outside speaking to the rescue group, here by all appearances he was staring right at the Dark King in his shadow form.
 
“Questioning your sanity aren’t you?” King Sombra chuckled, his head slowly turned to look out through the hole. “What is going on? How can there be two of me? How can there be two of you? It’s almost like none of this is happening and yet it is.”
 
Private could just stare right now, on the surface this made no sense to him. Then he thought back earlier, when he thought Sombra was speaking to him, even grabbing him and holding him, he had dismissed it when seeing that the king had still been near the ceiling laying his traps, thinking he was just cracking.
 
Yet there it was, right in front of him, relatively speaking. Then he received a further shock, a large body began materializing right next to him. It didn’t take long, barely a second and now suddenly the space in the tunnel was much tighter since King Sombra was much larger than him.
 
Why would he… oh Celestia… the body is warm, Private would have frozen in shock if he wasn’t already unable to move. So far when the spirit had touched him it had felt somewhat cold, clammy, like a dead object was touching him like a wet rope or something.  Then he saw the king’s chest rise and fall slowly as he calmly breathed and watched what was going on outside the tunnel.
 
He’s alive? The Unicorn continued to stare, wondering when this had happened and why they were still even bothering being here if he was now in his own body.
 
“Oh, believe me, Private, I was as surprised as you were. Turns out all the fear and misery I caused at the inn was enough of a boost to speed up my resurrection,” the Dark King murmured and turned his head to look down at the Unicorn.
 
“The spell worked faster than I anticipated and before I knew it, I was pushed out of your body and began drawing breath for the first time in a long while,” Sombra explained, always keeping his voice very low.
 
“This put me in a little bit of a bind. All my current plans relied on me still being a spirit with some of the extra benefits that come with being dead. One day I will be stronger alive, but right now I’m still recovering. You don’t just walk away from being dead in tip top form,” he looked back outside. “It was actually your brother who gave the spell its final push to recreate me. His fears were so strong that even I didn’t anticipate suddenly being pushed out like that. I can tell you, snow does not taste very good and I got quite a mouthful.”
 
Come to think of it… he’s never been inside of me since I woke up at the camp, Private thought. Then what is it that’s outside, some kind of an illusion spell?

“I couldn’t let anypony know that I was now alive again. If it reached Celestia then she would know I was still weak. So I maintained the illusion that I was still a spirit using what little had already managed to build up in me. Fortunately it has been enough so far. The real reason I was rather distressed that there was nothing here was of course that I needed these items to defend myself when your rescue party came. What I’m playing out there is what I had originally planned to do. Now it is merely a distraction while I make my escape,” King Sombra said and looked back at Private who stared back, barely able to believe what he was hearing.
 
“Did you know that the essence of myself that I infused into you all these years ago is still there, still active? It’s been a great help to me actually, I’m right now talking through my illusion self out there to them, but I’m using my parts that are in you to create the illusion,” he said and smirked. Then he closed his eyes and sighed. “Oh Celestia, why are you so preachy?”
 
Private glanced back out of the hole and saw that Celestia was standing firm, her wings spread out as she spoke to what the mare thought was King Sombra. Shining Armor and Twilight had erected a shield that was keeping the falling rocks at bay for now, but their expression indicated that they weren’t sure how long it would hold.
 
“Look at her. Still as radiant and beautiful as ever, wings like that of a swan, white as an unblemished pearl, the ethereal mane of so many hues, but it will never be will it? First because of my mother who could not stomach the idea I wed an Alicorn, even one as powerful as Celestia. Then simply because I’ve burned too many bridges, some that I will not be able to rebuild,” King Sombra said as he opened his eyes and looked out the hole as well.
 
“Who would want to wed the King of Monsters, the Tyrant of the Crystal Empire, the Lord of Fear and Hate, the Shadow Monarch? No, I must stay away from the daylight,” Sombra whispered so low that Private barely heard it. The Dark Unicorn narrowed his eyes. “Get out of there you foolish mare, I don’t want to kill you. It’s only the pretenders I want… oh, but you will protect, won’t you? Your compassion is infuriating.”
 
Private realized that the king was not talking to him at all. He looked between the opening of the hole and Sombra, finding this even more difficult to believe.
 
How does he plan to escape anyway? He said the tunnel we’re in was sealed… wait that’s what he told me, I’ve never seen into it, the unicorn tried to see back but couldn’t, not while he could only move his eyes.
 
“Why did she have to come as well? I only wanted the pretenders to follow us here.” King Sombra rubbed his forehead with one hoof. This movement caused his leg to push against Private, causing the Unicorn to turn a bit. Now he couldn’t see out the hole, but he could see a bit down the tunnel. There was nothing but darkness though, not enough light to see further on. Yet the he had a feeling king hadn’t told him the whole truth about it.
 
I just realized that he is out of my… Private stopped thinking when King Sombra immediately turned his head to look at him.
 
“I can hear you through my essence that’s within you, so don’t get any bright ideas,” he whispered sharply.
 
You could have said that earlier, so now what? the smaller Unicorn grunted.
 
“Would you believe a big chunk of my previous plans are down the drain because Celestia decided to show up,” King Sombra growled low and hoofed his face as if he couldn’t believe he just confessed that.
 
Why? I mean, you practically have her where you want her. Why not just kill her while she is distracted by that illusion, Private thought but then recalled Sombra saying something about not wanting to kill her.
 
“Would you be able to kill that blue mare you fantasize about?” the king asked and glanced down at Private, who would have arched his brow if he could.
 
Wow, you’re serious, Private wasn’t sure how to digest this confirmation, the pony that had been tormenting him for days now, killed and tortured just about everyone on their path to this mountain actually had feelings for Celestia.
 
Sombra turned his head to look back outside. He hated to admit it but he genuinely hadn’t seen this coming. He had expected Cadance and Shining Armor to come, maybe Twilight if she survived the inn, but not Celestia. The king had been positive that she would stay away or at least let others take care of things.
 
I better get out of here before she realizes she is talking to an illusion of me. She won’t be fooled for much longer, he thought. Slowly he started to rise and back down the tunnel. He halted when suddenly a booming voice shouted.
 
“I’m tired of talking with this illusion, Sombra. Show yourself!!” It was Celestia.
 
Not wanting to drop the act just yet, Sombra composed himself and still speaking through the illusion decided to ask: “What makes you think this is an illusion?”
 
Out in the cave Celestia was glaring at the Sombra standing by the cave wall. Above her, Shining and Twilight’s shield was beginning to crack at the constant barrage of rocks. The Sun Princess ignored it, having already guessed they were in less danger than they appeared. The biggest rocks kept falling on the shield where there was no risk they fall on them.
 
“The light may be dim, but I’m seeing two shadows producing from you,” she stated.
 
Sombra looked down and now first noticed the shadow leading towards the hole nearby. Sighing in frustration he hung his head and muttered something inaudible. Then much to everyone’s amazement, save Celestia, he vanished and so did Private Iceland and the crystals threatening to skewer his throat, the rocks also stopped falling.
 
The lights of the crystal torches began illuminating a bit brighter light, revealing faint outlines of a big hole at the end of the cavern. Five of the six ponies blinked when seeing Sombra emerge from it. Twilight raised an eyebrow, the dark king looked more ragged, dirty and unkempt, then she noticed his chest moving in the steady breathing rhythm.
 
He's alive? She looked at Cadance who had noticed the same and come to the same conclusion.
 
“You are good, Celestia. Nothing gets by you, does it?” Sombra spoke, looking at the Sun Princess. Before she could respond they were interrupted by Barricade.
 
“Where is Private you bastard!?” the unicorn growled and probably would have charged if Shining Armor and Flash Sentry hadn’t held him back.
 
“Oh have no fear, Barricade, your brother is here,” Sombra said, his horn began glowing red putting everyone on their guard, but all that happened was Private was dragged out of the hole. The spell keeping him still and silent was lifted and the pony was allowed to stand.
 
“Well so much for our plan,” Cadance muttered, though deep down she was rather glad not having to put it to the test if the Crystal Heart would spare Private or not if possessed by Sombra.
 
“I see you are breathing, Sombra. Things not going quite like you foresaw them?” Celestia asked, being careful not to make any moves just yet, Private was still next to Sombra and seeing that the dark king was alive there was no telling what he would do now that he didn’t need his former host.
 
“Well you know how it goes with magic, especially when it’s never been done before and is not thoroughly tested,” King Sombra responded with a snort.
 
“Since you are alive, you have no further use of your former host,.Why not release him?” the white Alicorn wondered. She had noted that Private didn’t dare move from the spot he stood on next to Sombra.
 
“Ah, but that’s where you are wrong, Celestia,” Sombra chuckled and grabbed Private with one leg and pulled the Unicorn closer to him. “I still have quite a bit of use for Ti… Private.”
 
Celestia raised one eyebrow at the faux pas, Sombra had clearly been about to say another name but had quickly corrected himself. The Dark King tried his best to smile, pretending he hadn’t almost called Private something else.
 
The Sun Princess began thinking back, way back, well over a thousand years to a distant memory when she and her sister had visited the Dark Pony Empire. She remembered meeting Queen Rabia, who fully believed in her own superiority. Then she recalled being presented to Prince Sombra.
 
“Tell me, Prince, who is that young pony who hides behind you?”
 
“Hm? Oh… ah that would be my, well, let’s just say he is my aid. Timido, you can come forth. It is alright. She is a foreign mare, you can address her.”
 
“Timido, interesting name. It’s nice to meet you, I am Princess Celestia and this is my sister, Princess Luna.”
 
Oh no, Princess Celestia realized now what was happening.
 
“Sombra, I’m afraid I must insist that you release him and surrender. You have already lost, your plans have fallen through, there is no place left to run. You’re newly resurrected and thus weak,” she said firmly, wanting to give Sombra one last chance.
 
“No, I don’t think I will. I think I will go back down this tunnel and make my escape. I’m taking Private with me as a hostage to insure you don’t follow me and if you do, you can start preparing his funeral,” Sombra growled, his eyes flashing green for a moment.
 
“You aren’t going anywhere; I’ll bash your head in first!” Barricade snarled and tried to rush forward, but he was tackled down by Shining Armor.
 
“Are you insane or did you not just hear the death threat he gave,” the prince whispered sharply to the enraged Unicorn.
 
Celestia breathed a sigh in relief when Shining Armor contained Barricade. When the dark gray Unicorn had charged, Sombra’s horn had lit up and a string of red magic energy had begun encircling Private’s throat. She would never have been quick enough to save him before his windpipe would have been crushed. Fortunately, the dark king stopped the spell when the twin brother was halted.
 
Too many ponies have already died. I can’t let more die, she thought, but she couldn’t see an opening. Sombra was perhaps weak, but he clearly had enough magic to act on his threat.
 
“Now that the brotherly concern has been displayed, I’m going to bid my farewell. I warn you again, do NOT follow us!” King Sombra growled and started to back down the hole, pulling Private along with him.
 
“Aunt Tia, we can’t let him go,” Cadance whispered to Celestia.
 
“Sombra wait!” Twilight called suddenly and stepped forward, all eyes went to her and Sombra even stopped.
 
“Let him go, take me with you instead. I am a much more valuable hostage anyway,” she offered.
 
“Twilight, what are you doing?” Shining Armor protested, Cadance’s jaw dropped.
 
“I know what I’m doing, I’m…” Twilight stopped when hearing Sombra snort in contempt.
 
“Oh yes, let’s see I’m in a weakened state, no use denying that since Celestia spelled it out, so I should totally trade out my hostage who can do nothing against me with someone that could probably blast me the moment I drop my guard,” the king said and laughed mockingly. “Seriously Twilight Sparkle, you think I’m going to be trading Private for money or something?”
 
“No I…” the purple pony faltered. She had thought the king would jump at the chance of having an Alicorn at his mercy instead.
 
“You see Twilight this is all about the morality. Private is a nopony yes, his life means squat compared to yours or those pretenders or Celestia. But even if he is just a small nopony, you, all of you will go out of your way to ensure his safety. That’s what you moral ponies do, you save lives and it is an agony to you not being able to save somepony from harm. Don’t even try to pretend not to care. That’s not going to fly here. I won’t be fooled by that kind of ruse,” Sombra snorted and took another step down the hole, dragging a whimpering Private with him.
 
“If he dies because you said you didn’t care and did it to stop me, how are you going to explain it to his parents, his friends, his little niece? You can’t. This is why I am taking Private and not you,” he told her. “So I say again, prepare a funeral if you dare follow me.”
 
With that King Sombra disappeared down the tunnel with Private. Twilight hung her head sighing, Celestia walked over to her and patted her reassuringly on the back.
 
“I will give you credit for trying,” the Sun Princess said kindly to her former student. “Sombra was just more pragmatic than you anticipated.”
 
“So now what?” Flash Sentry asked, eyeing the hole.
 
“We allow Sombra a head start before following,” Celestia told him much to everybody’s surprise, but before anyone could say anything she was already raising her hoof to indicate she was not finished.
 
“Don’t worry, I do care and I have no intention on seeing Private Iceland killed. However, as Sombra pointed out, we can take him out when he drops his guard and that is what we need him to do. He needs to think that we are in fact not following him,” she explained to them.
 
“And you, please stay back from now on, we are the back up if the Princesses need us, not the other way around,” Shining Armor snapped at Barricade as he allowed the other Unicorn to rise up.
 
“Yeah, yeah whatever!” Barricade snorted and started to dust off himself as got back up.
 
End chapter 22