"Alright, let's look at the plan!" Twilight cheerfully declared. She, Spike and myself were gathered around a small circular crystal table that was covered in various scrolls and checklists. I spared a glance towards Spike and noted a look of determination on him and quill in his claw.
They're taking this a bit serious, aren't they?
"First, we're going to place all of your enchanted armoring, crown and cape inside of a travel case since you can't wear all of that here without causing a panic." She motioned with a hoof towards the case she had mentioned. "Then, we're going to send Spike through the city ahead of us towards the square. That should attract any fan-ponies that would otherwise cause us to get trapped in a sea of scrutiny." She pointed at a spot on the map that looked close to the castle. If I remember right, it's the place that I would usually overlook from my balcony. "When the crystal ponies are distracted, Sombra and I will sneak out through the side entrance here," She pointed to an exit on the opposite end of the castle, "and then we'll swing around this way through the garden district." She pointed to a fourth of the Empire that was dedicated to agriculture and harvesting. "At that point, Spike should have a sizeable crowd of ponies. We should be able to easily walk past any ponies that haven't been attracted by Spike. If we run into any problems, I'll cause a distraction and teleport us out."
"Bu-" I began to protest, before a hoof was placed on my mouth.
"I know you hate teleporting, but it's a last resort. We can't risk ponies getting caught up in a big mob if we're going to make it to the train station. Besides, If I'm forced to teleport you, I'll give you as much hot cocoa as you want." She smiled.
Well... I suppose I can deal with some teleportation if it's a last resort and cocoa is involved. I nodded and she removed her hoof.
"When Sombra is safely on board the train, I'll head back and grab Spike. The travel case should stay with Sombra at all times, since we can't let anypony else get a hold of them."
"Agreed." I wouldn't want to wear the clothing or armor after another pony had worn it anyway. I wonder if peasants have even discovered bathing yet.
"Any questions?" Twilight asked.
Spike motioned with his quill to the rest of the checklists and papers on the table. "Yeah, what's all that stuff for?"
Twilight then looked at the papers, scanning through them with flickering eyes for a moment. "Oh, those are just a few things the Princess wanted me to look out for. I wouldn't worry about it."
There must be at least ten lists, each longer than a pony across. I'll have to look through them later if she falls asleep.
"Is everypony ready?"
"Ready!" Spike replied.
"Yes." was my response. I adjusted the news-colt cap on my head to stay away from my ear and vowed to incinerate the entire disguise the second we had safely left the Crystal Empire.
The first obstacle was navigating the castle without alerting the guards. This was fairly simple as any request or question was deflected by Sparkle's Princess pass. A very near run-in with Shining Armor almost caused problems, but his alicorn wife called him into the room he had wandered out of a moment before spotting us. For some reason after that, Twilight and Spike decided to make a game of not being seen by anypony on their way out of the castle from that point on; finding all of the sneaking around to be exciting. I simply followed behind them not wanting to get caught up in their foolishness. They were more likely to hurt themselves just tip-hoofing around and I was busy planning for what I would do when arriving at Ponyville.
I might have enough privacy to modify the null-ring on my horn in the train if Sparkle and Spike both fall asleep. I have no idea how far away this town might be, but if they give me any time then I'll be able to make this device little more than a fashion statement. The only problem with that is my power will be visible to anypony as it grows. Purple strands of dark magic venting from the sides of your eyeballs tend to give off that sort of thing. I may be able to spend some of my focus to hide the effects, but at the point I'm able to overpower Sparkle it won't be needed. Perhaps I could modify the ring to provide an illusion enchantment? Then it would give the thing a purpose and actually be a benefit instead of a hindrance to me. For a different subject, there is no force in Equestria that will keep me from wearing my garments. I've spent a great deal of effort in customizing them and I'll not walk around like the rest of these degenerates with my 'bits' plain for all to see.
My stream of thought was interrupted by a tapping hoof on my forehead. "Sombra?"
Blinking, I looked around and spotted Twilight with a concerned look on her face, lowering her hoof to the ground. "Yes?" I answered.
"We're outside. You zoned out really bad back there. Everything okay?"
"Fine."
She made a face of disappointed annoyance with my short replies. "Alright, we're close to the second part of the plan. Spike has already gone off and is beginning to attract a crowd. This is where we go to the Garden District and loop around. Ready?"
"You've explained the plan barely twenty minutes ago, Sparkle. Lead the way." I pointed an upturned hoof towards the Garden District. I soon followed after her and continued planning; the details of how we actually reached the train station completely uninteresting to me. It was simply a walk through the Empire after all, and I had ruled here longer than anypony.
An unknown obstacle will be the friends of Sparkle. Knowing that they've fought a partially working phylactery version of myself before, they will be distrustful or outright hostile towards me. At least one of them might attack me on sight if I leave the train first and if they are expecting the return of their friend. I will have to remind Sparkle to leave the train first and inform her friends of me before leaving. Yes, my armor would protect me from any harm a hoof might accomplish but I'd rather not be forced to clean myself more than once a day. My grooming schedule may also depend on how dirty the village is. If it's anything like a thousand years ago then I should need several baths a day just to keep disease away from this mortal shell. When my power fully reforms I won't have to worry about it anymore and I can ascend into my shadow form. This does make me wonder how they defeated me in such a state however...
"Sombra!" Twilight hissed while hiding from behind a nearby hay cart. "Get down!"
Too confused to question, I quickly ducked alongside Twilight. "Why are we hiding?" I asked.
"Princess Luna is here!" She replied, peeking from the side of the cart.
Right... Princess Luna hadn't learned of my return yet. I would greatly appreciate not being locked in a fight to the death with the Moon Goddess at the moment. Weakened and hindered as I am.
"Do you know why she is here?"
"Maybe she's looking for me?" Twilight answered uncertainly. "Stay here, I have a plan."
Before I could point out how foolish this was, as simply staying put would have Luna wander off, Twilight got up and stepped around the cart.
"Princess Luna! It's a surprise seeing you here!" She announced herself with exaggerated surprise. She was a very bad liar. I could also use this to my advantage. Ask her any question, and a lie would be bright as the sun to witness.
"Princess Twilight Sparkle, we are pleased to meet you here." Luna greeted her, hoof falls clacking closer against the crystalline street.
"What brings you to the Crystal Empire?" Twilight sweetly inquired.
"We have sensed trouble in these lands, Princess Twilight. Dark powers have returned here, yet they hide from sight." Her tone was serious and annoyed.
Of course I'm not going to show myself! I'm not an idiot, Luna. The last time I did something like that I was obliterated swiftly by you and your sister, if you remember.
"Really? Do you know where they might be coming from?"
"Originally we had seen a vision of a dark cavern of ice near this city. By the time we had awoken for our duties, the darkness had moved towards the center of the city. Now it is on the move again, but it is difficult to precisely locate." I was still hiding behind the cart trying to remain as calm as possible. If she even spotted a hair from my mane I would be done for. I couldn't even run from my spot, as the cart was in the middle of the street and the Lunar Princess had a commanding view of the area. This was also further complicated from my stature as slightly larger than the average pony from so much exposure to dark magic.
"Is there any way I could help?" Twilight offered.
"Nay. This task is one suited for us alone. You are needed by Princess Cadance for her request here, after all. We would not take you from your task."
Well, if her sister is supposed to be the Sun, then it makes sense that Luna is the 'chilly' one. I really don't want to see what her bad side is like. No, rainbows coming from out of nowhere do not count.
"Well... good luck then, Princess Luna!" Twilight wished her happily, and Luna began to move past her without a word and came closer and closer to my cart.
Oh, carve my horn and call me a mud pony! I quickly got to my hooves and sneaked around the side of the hay cart. Attempting to sneak around a crystal street with hooves isn't as easy as Twilight made it look in the castle; my hooves making tiny clacking sounds. I had almost made it half way around the cart before I heard Luna stop.
"Princess Luna?" Twilight asked, "Is something wrong?"
"The shadow... it moves."
Aaaaaah!!
I heard Luna turn around swiftly, as if looking directly to my cart. "It moves close by..."
AAAAAAAAHHHHH!!! If she catches me, I'm doomed! Doomed!
It was with after that last thought, that the cart was shoved aside in a spectral purple magic and revealed my cowering figure behind it. My hat was shielding most of my face as I was looking to the ground.
Maybe if I don't move, she'll mistake me as a regular pony?
"A unicorn?" She asked rhetorically. "What is your purpose in the Crystal Empire, subject?"
Hah, I don't even have to act scared! "V-visiting, your highness!" I squeaked, bowing.
To my dismay, I heard a grumble of annoyance from Luna.
"Please, you need neither grovel or fear me."
Shaking in place, I gathered myself up and still stood with my hat between my face and Luna's. "Y-yes, your highness."
"Princess Luna?" Twilight asked.
"Yes, Princess Sparkle?" Luna replied, and I noticed her look away. Maybe if I just inched away slowly while she wasn't looking, then-
"YOU!" She bellowed suddenly, the volume knocking me on my flank and sending my disguise flying off into a nearby bush. I'm doomed.
"Princess Luna, wait!" Twilight exclaimed. I pushed my upper body from the floor, the rest of me prone and on my side. "He's not who you think he is!"
Careful, Sparkle...
Luna's eyes narrowed in heavy suspicion towards me before addressing Twilight. "Explain." She replied sharply.
"This is Play Write! He's a unicorn that was helping Princess Cadance with a play for the Crystal Empire about the defeat of Sombra. Princess Cadance called me here because he got too involved with his role, and tried experimenting with dark magic. That's why he has a null-ring on his horn. I had him show me what he learned, and it caused a vortex of shadow inside of the castle. I was going to take him to Ponyville in order to help him with his control over magic." She hastily explained.
I take it back. She is very good at lying.
"The reason this 'Play Write' appears to be King Sombra is...?" She asked while pointing a hoof accusingly at me.
"A-ah... um!" I helpfully stammered, my pitiful heart still hammering in my chest.
"He's been living 'in character' for almost a month now, so he never takes off his costume."
Luna wasn't convinced. "If he was truly as you say, then he would be wearing Sombra's attire. He is unclothed, Sparkle."
Twilight looked to me with a look of desperation, before remembering the nearby luggage I had been dragging behind me with a strap around my neck. Its contents were still safe but the object itself had been thrown to the ground from Luna's shout earlier. "It's all inside of his travel case!" she explained.
Luna lowered her accusatory hoof to the street, still suspicious. "We will trust you, Sparkle." She then looked to me with a glare that promised swift death. "If this subject gives you any difficulty, you would be wise to inform us."
"Eheh, of course, Princess Luna. It shouldn't be a problem." She nervously blurted.
Luna observed myself and Sparkle for a moment before taking to the sky with a powerful leap and flapping of wings, causing a few crystal ponies that had gathered to witness the spectacle to Ooh or Ahh.
I then promptly fell to the street in relief that all of my organs were still intact.
"Whew!" Twilight exclaimed, wiping sweat from her forehead and plopping down next to me on her flank. "That was way too close."
I simply lay on the street and attempted to regain control of my breathing, a hoof pressed to my chest and my mane getting in my face from being sweaty combined with the stress of everything.
"I think-" I huffed, "We need a new plan."
I swear, if she says anything about a letter i'll-
"I should've sent Princess Luna a letter. Maybe If I sent her one right now then-"
"No, you-" I caught my self before calling her an idiot to her face, "You can't! If you send a letter now then she'll know you were lying to her face!" Not to mention the fact that an angry Luna would care even less about my 'reformation process and change of heart'. I would like the chance to make at least ten more phylacteries before being obliterated again, thanks.
Her stature shrank a bit in sadness. "I didn't mean to lie to her, but I didn't want you to get caught either."
I know in this kind of situation that you are supposed to place a comforting hoof on the other pony's shoulder, but coming from me I would think it not very effective. Instead, I opted to right myself and offer a hoof so she could stand easier. It was a small gesture, but the lightening of her mood seemed to help her trust me more. I have to play along until my power fully forms, after all. If she trusts my judgement and council more than Luna's, then I might buy myself some time before her ingrained loyalties to the Princesses kick in. Well, if she had loyalties. Had Sparkle always been a princess?
"Thanks..." Twilight said while accepting my hoof and standing. "Well, we still have a train to catch." she looked to a device on her hoof before exclaiming, "Oh no! We're going to be late now!"
Don't tell me-
"We're gonna have to teleport! Brace yourself!" She charged her horn over my immediate protest, and the only thing I could do was grab a hold of my travel case before the sensation of being squeezed through a pinhole and erupting from the other side made me want to vomit.
*POOF*
We exited the teleport onto the train station platform, my luggage underneath me as I landed atop of it and heaved. "Aaaaauuugh!"
"Sorry!" She worriedly exclaimed while checking on me. "It wasn't too bad, was it?"
"Nev-" I held a hoof to my mouth, a bit of vomit nearly escaping and forcing me to swallow it. "Never again!" I gasped.
A few ponies and a guard had moved to investigate the commotion and spectacle of a Princess and vaguely familiar pony teleporting nearby.
"Is that...?"
"Princess Twilight Sparkle?"
"Who's her friend?"
"Hey... He looks kinda familiar!"
"Yeah! Kinda like..."
"No... It can't be!"
"Everypony calm down!" Twilight yelled over the growing panic. "Everything is under control; nothing to see here!"
I heard the sound of magical buildup in her horn again. "Noooo!"
*POOF*
"-oooooouuuuuuhhh!" I wailed in complaint, holding my stomach and rolling on the floor. "I just said-"
"I know, I know! I'm sorry but it was getting out of control!" She swiftly interrupted, digging through a white box with a red addition sign on it in the cabin we had been teleported into. There were two benches and a window facing away from the station platform in addition to a small closet next to the benches and adjacent to the door leading into the room.
"Here!" She said hurriedly, "I still have to run and catch Spike before the train leaves. Good luck!"
"But-"
*POOF*
"Cocoa..." I complained meekly. I had been promised coca if there was teleporting, and by the Crystal Heart was I going to get some cocoa!
I tried to move, and my stomach reminded me of its immense confusion with the situation by nearly making me vomit again. I then flopped back down onto the carpeted floor.
After I recover then... wait, why is my head cold? I moved my head around and some kind of frigid material fell in front of my muzzle and flopped over onto the floor. Now my head wasn't cold. Want kind of... Enchantment? I poked it experimentally. Why would anypony enchant something to be cold? Now my attention was fully focused on pondering the existence of randomly enchanted items that could be found in the most mundane of places. Perhaps there was a 'cocoa heating' enchantment I could learn? Or better yet, a candy vine spell! Turn actual plant vines into red vines! Delicious. Then I grew cautious. What if they don't even remember how to make candy vines? That would be a tragedy! I'd have to control a baker simply to make some for myself at that point! Well, I was going to do that anyway. I mean mind controlling a baker specifically for that purpose ahead of my eventual conquest of everything... minus Teleportation. Sparkle can have that spell all to herself if she wants.
*POOF*
"Aaah!" I yelped in surprise. I'm not even going to lie and say it was a menacing growl. That was a complete, unedited colt-like yelp of unexpected. Twilight and Spike had re-appeared suddenly and much faster than I had anticipated, thus I was fully unprepared for their return.
"Everypony here?" Twilight asked, before looking down and spotting me curled up in shock. "Sorry!" she sheepishly smiled in apology.
Then the dragon spotted me as well, and snickered. Just you wait until you're older, Dragon. I'll find a way to control you too. I grumbled internally.
"Are you alright, King Sombra?" She continued.
I've just gone through a near death encounter with a goddess, sneaked around an Empire, teleported against my will twice in the span of a few seconds and my body had decided it didn't feel like eating today afterwards as well.
"Never... better!" I grimaced, holding my aching stomach from all the dry heaving it had been doing since teleporting.
"I hope nopony comes inside the cabin to look for tickets. They'd spot Sombra right away." Spike reminded everypony.
"Oh! I actually thought about that." Twilight chirped happily, pulling a large blanket from the closet in the cabin. "Have this!" she exclaimed while draping the soft fabric over me like a tarp. Now everything was fuzzy and a shade of light blue and white from the blanket covering my body and face.
"Splendid. Now I can vomit in peace." I replied tiredly. It was about as close to a 'thank you' that Sparkle was going to get from me at the moment.
"All aboard for Ponyville!" I heard a distant voice call out from the platform. "Last call for boarding!"
Sounds of hoof-steps coming down the hall set everypony on edge.
"Is that one of the conductors?" Spike asked.
"No, they're probably just one of the ponies that collects tickets." Twilight replied, levitating three tickets and opening the door slightly, poking her head through the opening.
Their conversation was overpowered by the sound of the train starting. A loud whistle added to my discomfort by nearly giving me a headache.
From now on, I am never going to be without my garments. This is plain ludicrous. The crown itself is enchanted to deal with minor annoyances like headaches and loud noises. I didn't even get cocoa as promised for the teleportation! Sparkle will rue the day that-
"Hey, grumpy." Spike non-nonchalantly said, "Here's your cocoa. Twilight made some while you were laying down."
That quickly? It must be a spell of some kind then! I lifted the blanket enough to take the beverage from Spike before draping the blanket over myself once more to shield me from their gaze. If they want to watch me enjoy cocoa, they will have to wait until I have enslaved them. Then they can watch me drink all of the cocoa in Equestria!
"Yep, he's in his happy place." I vaguely recall Spike saying. I had noticed that halfway through my cup that my eyelids were beginning to grow very heavy.
"You... spell." I incoherently grumbled.
"What?"
"Spell on... cocoa. Can't..." I tried to explain before my head nearly drooped my muzzle into the cocoa. I overcompensated for this and whipped back enough that the blanket flew from my head and onto my back. "Why..." I lazily grumbled at Twilight.
"Sombra... I think you're tired already." She replied, lightly poking the side of my face with her hoof. I made a half-hearted attempt at a growl in response.
"Grrr..."
She smiled at this. "Get some sleep, King Sombra. You've got a big day tomorrow!"
She's... I'm not a foal! I'm... perfectly stallion. I am in control of my body! I... I um... "Eeh!" I blurted, pointing a hoof in her vague direction.
Eyes so heavy... must... stay awake...
"I think he's finally passing out, Twilight."
"That took a really long time to work..."
"It should've worked faster!"
"Oh well, I'm sure there's an explanation for it. Let me just see if his Null-ring is still... No..."
"What's wrong?"
I was far too exhausted to remember the rest of what had happened, as I had passed out at that point.