//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Loyalty to the King // by Fullmetal_Pony //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash, along with Hoops and Dumb-Bell, stood at the starting line. Rainbow prepared herself for what could be the greatest race of her young life. Little did she know that today was the day that would not only define the future of Equestria but herself as well, whether it be for better or worse. Fluttershy gave the signal to start and all three zipped passed her causing her to fall off the cloud she was on. The three maneuvered through rings that were throughout the course. Dumb-Bell was taken out of the race early when he crashed into a cloud pillar. Only Dash and Hoops remained and they flew through a few more rings before Hoops slammed into Rainbow knocking her away. “Ha! Later, Rainbow Crash!” “Hay!” Rainbow quickly caught up and flew past Hoops sending him into a spin. Dash’s speed picked up as she headed to the ring that was close to the ground. She went faster and faster, a cone began to form around her as she pushed herself harder and harder until it happened. *BOOM!* Rainbow Dash shot up into the air leaving a trail of rainbow in her wake from having just preformed a sonic rainboom. Rainbow couldn’t be more proud of herself. She had just done the impossible. She then crossed the finish line victorious and got her cutie mark. Later that evening Rainbow turned in for the night and fell asleep, then found herself surrounded by darkness. “Hello…is anypony there? Where am I?” “Greetings,” said a mysterious yet young sounding voice. Out from the darkness stepped a unicorn colt. He had a black mane and tail with a grey coat. “Who are you and where am I?” “This is the dream realm and my name is Sombra.” “Oookay, are you some kind of figment of my imagination or something?” Sombra let out a low chuckle. “I assure you I am quiet real. This is the only way I can communicate with you at the moment.” “Well I’m Rainbow Dash. So why are you in my dream?” “I felt a disturbance, a surge of magical energy, your sonic rainboom. I have to say I’m impressed. I thought such a feat was mere myth. You Rainbow Dash are one talented little filly.” “Yeah, I am pretty awesome aren’t I,” she said like it was no big deal. “I should say so.” “So what’s your story? If you’re just a colt then how are you able to enter my dreams?” “Ah I am no colt. I have merely chosen to appear before you as one because my adult form can be…intimidating at times.” “I don’t scare that easily.” “I bet you don’t, still its better this way if I’m eye level with you.” “So how old are you?” “I’m over a thousand years old.” “WHAT! No way, only alicorns can live so long.” “It’s the truth. I am a powerful unicorn and know many spells which is how I am able to enter your dreams. As for my story I don’t want to go into the details at the moment. But I do hope that we can get to know each other better and be friends. Also I wouldn’t mention me or our meetings to anypony. They might start to think you’re crazy.” “You may have a point there…and you do seem cool so far so yeah why not.” “Thank you Rainbow Dash and mark my words, this sonic rainboom is only the beginning, you’re going to go on and do great things.” “You think so?” “I know so.” (5 years later) Five years have passed since Rainbow Dash first met Sombra and in that time they had become close friends, and aside from Fluttershy and Gilda her only friend. On this night Rainbow and Sombra were racing through the sky (Sombra having temporally turned his horn to wings) as they have done from time to time. Sombra did his best to catch up but she had gained too much of a lead. Rainbow crossed the finish line triumphant with Sombra trailing behind her. They both came to rest on a cloud. “Even in a dream I can’t hope to match your speed.” “Hey come on when you first started flying you could barely get off the ground and now you’re flying better than some of the graduates from flight school, and considering my talent is flying you can’t exactly expect to keep pace with me.” “True, you are the fastest flyer in Equestria.” “And that’s how I know that someday I’ll be a Wonderbolt.” “You may even be the youngest initiate in the history of the Wonderbolts.” “I don’t doubt it,” she said looking proud. Sombra cleared his throat. “Rainbow we’ve known each other for a while now, yes?” “Yeah, and?” “Well it’s just that…at any point have you ever thought of me as more than just a friend?” he said while rubbing the back of his neck and looking away. Rainbow blushed a little. “Oh…well…no but I’m not opposed to the idea, it’s just…you’re cool and all but even after all this time it still feels like I hardly know you.” “Because I’ve avoided telling you about my past. Well that changes now, it’s time you knew.” “Really, you’re going to tell me.” “Better than that, I’m going to show you.” His wings disappeared and his horn returned. “My youth is of little importance, it’s what I did when I reached adulthood that defined me. For you see a thousand years ago I was known as King Sombra, ruler of the Crystal Empire.” Then there was a flash of light. Rainbow rubbed her eyes and when she could see again she was in a very different place. Dash found herself on a balcony overlooking a city made of obsidian crystal and saw ponies in chains along with snow everywhere. “Welcome to my empire.” Rainbow turned around and the first thing she noticed was how tall Sombra had become. He stood a good head or two above her and sported a powerful physique. Next she noticed his armor and regalia. His horn was smooth and curved, his eyes had changed, and…are those fangs? “What is all this?” “This is what the Crystal Empire was like during my reign a thousand years ago.” Sombra walked to the edge of the balcony to gaze upon the city. “I went by many names back then, most of them negative. They called me a tyrant, a monster even, just because I saw the world in a different light. I went from being a nobody to royalty, and then in an instant I lost everything.” “How?” “The princesses came and used their Elements of Harmony to exile me to the frozen north, but not before I cast a spell to make the empire vanish for as long as I remained imprisoned.” “That explains why I’ve never heard of this place. Wait princesses? There was more than one back then?” Sombra turned to face Dash. “Yes, there was Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, Celestia’s younger sister. Although you know her as Nightmare Moon.” “The Mare in the Moon. That’s just an old story designed to scare foals.” “Oh it’s quiet real. She was banished to the moon shortly after my defeat. One day I will return. I’ll take back my empire and I will be king again. I am King Sombra, lord of shadows, master of the dark arts, and I will have my vengeance! Now that I’ve told you about my past I have one important question for you. Do you hate me?” “I…well no…it’s just this is a lot to take in, I’m not sure what to think.” “I understand, you need some time to think things over, and thank you for not rejecting me right away. But know this, it’s a cruel world out there and the only way to get ahead in life is to be just as cruel. I’ve lived long enough to know you don’t get the things you want by being nice or playing fair, if you want something you have to take it. I’ll visit you in one week, and if you decide that you never want to see me again…well I’ll be heartbroken but I’ll respect your decision. See you in a week.” Rainbow awoke with a start, it was morning and she had a lot to think about. A week passed by and Rainbow fell asleep waiting for Sombra to arrive. She had made her choice. It wasn’t long before Sombra appeared before her. “So have you thought about what I said?” “I have.” “And?” She let out a sigh. “I don’t hate you. I’m sure you have your reasons for doing the things you did and even though I don’t agree with it I know you have a kinder side to you from all the time we’ve spent together. So what I’m saying is that I would like to continue this and give us a chance, then see where thing go from there. But I have to ask, why me? Wouldn’t you be better off with some powerful unicorn or something?” “No, I don’t want to be with somepony just because they are powerful. True your sonic rainboom is what first caught my interest but you Rainbow Dash are the reason I stayed.” Rainbow blushed and looked away while Sombra walked over and hugged her. “And thank you for giving m- err us a chance. You’re a loyal friend Dash.” (3 years later and one week before Nightmare Moon’s return) Rainbow Dash and Sombra have been in a romantic relationship for the past three years and still going strong. In that time Sombra had found a way to mentally communicate with Rainbow during the day but she would still often take naps just to be with him. She was also slowly coming around to Sombra’s way of thinking, especially after the years of bullying she went through in Cloudsdale. Eventually she decided to follow Fluttershy and moved to Ponyville to start over with mild success. Although she was not happy at the moment having just read over another rejection letter from the Wonderbolts. She proceeded to crumple it up and threw it away. “Damn it!” Let me guess another rejection letter. Yeah! Every time I apply they give me the same line of bull “Sorry but we’re not actively seeking new members at this time,” give me a break. It’s just like I’ve been saying, you don’t get the things you want- By being nice or playing fair. I know, but what can I do? We’ll have to revisit this train of thought later. Right now there is something I need to tell you. What? Something is going to happen soon, something important. I can feel the stars aligning. I can’t say exactly what it is or when it will happen just that it’s soon, like in the next few days. So stay safe and keep your eyes peeled. Thanks for the heads up, I’ll be sure to look for anything out of the ordinary. Just try and be subtle about it, although I know that’s not your strong suit. Hey! I can be subtle. Sure you can. I’ll talk to you later, love you. Ok, love you too.