King Sombra smiled politely and said, "I must admit that when Celestia said she would send help, I certainly didn't expect this."
"And what do you mean by that?" 'Black Knight' replied evenly, waiting to see how much his alternate self would reveal.
"I was lead to believe that those who are good in your world are evil in mine and vice versa," the king replied. "For her to send my counterpart seems like trying to put out a fire with oil."
Before the former tyrant could reply, he was surprised by another speaking up. "With all due respect, your highness," Rarity said, "his name is actually Black Knight, despite the uncanny resemblance."
"Yeah, Princess Celestia vouched for him herself!" Rainbow Dash added.
"He's a lot nicer than our King Sombra was," Fluttershy said. "Although I suppose that's not saying much..."
"We saw him explode!" Pinkie Pie shouted.
"Our Sombra, she means," Twilight clarified. "I know you've just met us, but I give you my word that we're all here to help, including him."
"My thanks for your faith, as always, Lady Twilight," 'Black Knight' replied. "The rest of you have my thanks, as well, even if the support was unexpected."
"Of course we'd back you up," Rainbow Dash said. "After all, what are friends for?"
"Friends?" He mumbled in stunned confusion.
"Wait, if you were expecting help, then why were we almost arrested as soon as we got here?" Asked Applejack, who had remained conspicuously silent when the others had come to the stallion's defence.
The king turned to the guard and raised a single eyebrow questioningly.
"My apologies, your highness," the guard said. "We mistook them for the Mean 6, that group of troublemakers that sometimes comes around from Ponyville."
"Then you need to listen better when I give orders! Now, get back to your post," The king snapped. Scowling at the retreating guard, he turned back to his guests. Giving an apologetic smile, he said, "My apologies, the recent threats to the kingdom have left my temper rather frayed." Gesturing towards the balcony, he went on, "Now come, we have much to discuss."
"Is it true that the Elements of Harmony don't exist in this world?" Twilight asked.
"Indeed, or if they do exist, nopony has found them yet," he replied. "And I'm glad Celestia sent the six of you... among others. I've really run out of options and I'm desperately in need of aid. I've heard so many stories of your use of the Elements in saving your home world. Celestia has done little else but talk of how proud she is of all of you." Turning to Twilight, he added, "Especially you, Twilight Sparkle." His smile fell away as he examined the young mare's glowing eyes. "Although, on her most recent visit, she seemed rather concerned about-"
A shrill scream from Fluttershy suddenly cut him him off. Following her gaze, the others looked up to see a terrifying sight.
"Well, well, Sombra!" Luna said as she descended towards the group, resplendent in black and red royal adornments. "Who are your new little friends?"
"Heh, where's that pretty lady friend of yours?" Celestia asked with a sneer, her own golden crown reminiscent of dragon horns. "I wasn't done playing with her when she left."
"What are you two doing here?" King Sombra demanded. "Haven't you caused enough trouble of late?"
"I'm just here for a friendly 'hello'!" Celestia said in an all-too-innocent tone. "Have you reconsidered my offer?"
"You and your offer can go buck yourselves!" King Sombra snarled back.
Twilight opened her mouth to intervene, but hesitated when she felt a hoof on her shoulder. "Not yet," 'Black Knight' whispered to her. "He's obviously used to dealing with this pair, so let us see how he handles it."
"Come now, Sombra, I'm really being quite reasonable," Celestia said with a smirk. "Just tell me how to get to the other world, and you won't have to worry about us causing you any more trouble in this one. I'll even let our counterparts come over here to help you clean up!"
"Although it won't be our fault if we have to get a little rough while convincing them," Luna said with a snicker.
"I would never agree to put another world at you mercy! Now, leave!" As King Sombra finished his declaration, a beam of magic shot forth from his horn, striking the ground between him and the two alicorns. From the point where it struck, a wall of magic blossomed outward until it encompassed the entire castle.
Celestia frowned before taking to the air. "Don't think this is over, Sombra! You can't say 'no' forever!"
"Yeah, we'll be back!" Luna added, as she followed her sister into the sky.
"They're headed towards Ponyville!" Applejack cried and she raced towards the door.
The others turned to leave and chase after the alicorns as well, when their host spoke up. "Indeed, a more wretched hive of scum and villainy has never been seen. Unfortunately, with the Castle of the Two Sisters so near, there is little my guards can do about its corruption."
"Oh, right. We're evil in this world, ain't we?" Applejack said. "Ah suppose that means all our friends and family are, too, huh?"
"I'm afraid so," the king replied. "I'm sorry to have put you all in this position, but hopefully this will all be over soon and you can return home. Follow me to my study. Hopefully, something there might assist you in overcoming those two. I've been recording all of the similarities and differences between our worlds with the help of my dear, sweet Celestia."
The ponies following him suddenly ground to a halt.
"Your..." Pinkie Pie started surprise.
"...dear..." Applejack continued dumbfoundedly.
"...sweet..." Rarity went on in a stunned whisper.
"...Celestia!?" Twilight finished in shock.
"...I think I am about to be violently ill," 'Black Knight' muttered to himself, looking decidedly queasy.
"Yes," the king replied, seemingly unaware of their reactions. "I fell for her the moment I laid eyes upon her beauty, and our love has only grown over the thousand years since."
Once everypony had calmed down, they had made their way to the king's study. The walls were covered with pictures and notes, and Twilight immediately borrowed parchment and quill so that she could take notes of her own.
"When your Luna had the darkness driven from her heart, ours embraced it," King Sombra explained. "Things have gotten worse so quickly that it's been hard to wrap my head around it. Now I have Sir Discord defending the north against attacks from Empress Cadance and the Crystal Empire, while Lady Chrysalis guards the lands to the south. I've been alone in defending Canterlot and the surrounding areas."
"Sir Discord!?" Rainbow Dash echoed in surprise.
"Lady Chrysalis!?" Rarity said, as well.
"I think it's best not to think too hard about all this," Fluttershy said, the king obviously not the only one having trouble wrapping his head around things.
Noticing Twilight furiously scribbling away at the parchment, 'Black Knight' leaned over to her and whispered, "I would agree with the timid one on this. Overthinking inter-dimensional inconsistencies is a swift road to madness."
Twilight hesitated before protesting, "But... but... what if this world doesn't make one hundred percent sense!? I need to record it all for posterity!"
"Our world doesn't make sense!" Pinkie Pie interrupted. "Why should this one? Who needs continuity?"
"Besides, there will always be time for this later," Black Knight added.
Sighing, Twilight reluctantly laid down the quill and parchment. "I suppose you're right. We do have more important things to worry about.
"So, King Sombra," Rarity said, "why don't you tell us about the first time you met our dear princess."
"Oh! I... you don't want to hear about that," the monarch replied in embarrassment.
"Oh, but I do!" The unicorn responded eagerly.
"Oh yes, please!" Fluttershy joined in with a level of exuberance unusual for her. "Tell us!"
"Well, it was a long time ago," the king began. "Long before any of you were born..."
"Even Fluttershy? Wow, that is a long time ago!" Pinkie Pie commented, drawing a glare from the pegasus in question.
"More mushy stuff, blegh," Rainbow Dash muttered, but made no move to leave as the story continued.
Applejack's attention was elsewhere. Ever since they had reached the throne room, uncertainty had been gnawing at her. 'A similarity's one thing, but who's gonna mistake somepony else for themselves?' The young mare thought. Turning away from the king, she looking towards his double... only to see the door closing behind him as Black Knight and Twilight left the room. 'That's it! Ah'm getting to the bottom of this one way or another! If he is Sombra, and he's got Twilight under some kinda spell, Ah ain't letting that stand a moment longer. And if Twilight ain't hypnotized or anything... well, Ah'll cross that bridge when I get there. Still, no point in worrying the others if Ah'm wrong.'
Making sure the rest of her friends were focused on King Sombra's story, Applejack slipped out the door after the pair.
"Are you okay?" Twilight asked, as she left the castle alongside her world's version of Sombra. "You've been acting a bit odd lately."
"Just dealing with old grudges and new revelations," the stallion replied. "...And what is it with goodhearted royal stallions and shield magic?"
Twilight shrugged and they walked in silence for a moment. Then she grinned and said, "I like the idea of dealing with the Evil Celestia and Luna without putting my friends in danger - I mean, that's why I learned Dark Magic in the first place - but you just wanted an excuse to avoid listening to him going on about the other Celestia, didn't you?"
"Can you blame me? I feel ill just thinking about it," he replied. "Between that and your friends..."
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked in confusion. "What about them?"
"They called me their friend. ME," Sombra went on. Seeing Twilight still looking confused, he added, "You read my journal..."
Twilight's eyes widened in realization. "Oh. Right. I supposed having your only friend abandon you when you needed them, would make you wary of others calling you a friend." Twilight smiled as she went on, "But you saw how they reacted when I started using Dark Magic. Sure they were worried, but they stood by me. Just give them a chance."
"It is the opposite that is the issue," the former tyrant said. "If they find out who I really am, an evil king who enslaved an empire, will they give me a chance? Should they?"
"That's a darn good question, now ain't it?"
The pair turned around in surprise to see Applejack standing behind them.
I believe AJ is gonna kick your butt Twilight.
RUN!!!!!!
thatwasfast.bitmap
7765386 Heh, that certainly seems likely.
7765390 Lol, well played.
7765405 Indeed! They give so much wonderful material to work with!
Rip In Picante Sombra
May his last words be remembered; HorseApples!
7765428 Oh, he ain't gettin' off that easily!
derpicdn.net/img/2014/8/11/696903/thumb.png
Sorry, couldn't resist
laid
see
beyond that well done an excellent chapter i cannot wait for more!
7765484 Lol, thanks for catching that. Not sure how that one happened. Fixed now.
7765489 Thanks for catching those! Fixed!
Cliff hangers oh how I love and hate them due to the fact I have to wait to see what happens so I usually skip the commercials. Love the cliff hanger by the way oh and Twilight is gonna get her butt kicked. Love the chapter
7765623 Yep, Twilight did a bad. We all know how Applejack feels about ponies lying.
Well, that worked out roughly as I expected, in record time, so while my previous problem with that situation still stands, at least you worked through it quickly and the story can actually do pretty much the expected with it. Still a bit sore that it had to come from handing him an "idiot ball" like that, but I suppose it had to come at some point anyway.
Do us a favour and show off the other "good villains" before they go back please, by the way. I particularly want to see Sir Discord. I envision him being a bit of like a kind, mischivous grandpa, causing chaos by giving every child in a kindergarten a cone of their favourite ice cream all at once. Kind-hearted, but not above mildly annoying you a bit even while he does something nice for you.
7765709 Well, glad you're satisfied with it. Hopefully you'll enjoy more what I have planned from here on out.
Well, all we know about him from the comics is that he is a superhero called Captain Good Guy. Beyond that, we'll see what I come up with.
7765770
I would let yourself allow you a bit of creative flexibility, in all honesty. The ideas in these comics aren't that good and I think, from your writing, that you could improve on whatever it is they do.
7765775 Well, the comics are really just being used as set-up. I used Chrysalis' arc to introduce 'Midnight', Reflections for the Sombra reveal to Twilight's friends, (so that his identity could remain secret to others for now,) and Nightmare Rarity... well, I have something BIG planned for that!
7765797 Well, you better hurry up with the next chapter, because that cliffhanger is going to bother us all.
That said, this was a nice setup chapter.
~Crystalline Electrostatic~
19:47_12/2/2016
Finally we get to see what happened at the end of that cliffhanger...and we are back to waiting.
7766099 You're 25 chapters in. You should know what to expect from me by now.
7766099 yup, well hay i got myself a neat old new pocket watch to help keep track of time.
This story has more cliffhangers than Homestuck
*gives a cookie, upvote, follow, and fav*
Oh my gosh.... That cliffhanger.... Pleeeeheheheeeease release the next chapter soonish.
Shits.. gonna.. hit.. the... fan!
7766201 I'll take that as a compliment!
7766781 Ya got that right!
7766979 You can buy any or all of them here: https://www.idwpublishing.com/product-category/my-little-pony/my-little-pony-my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic/
And before you ask, they are almost impossible to find for free, and I fully support purchasing them, anyway.
Bruh, I'm ready for more!
This part felt way too quick, please write moar!
Yay another chapter! I am glad that Applejack overheard Twilight and Sombra. Hopefully that can get everything out and in the open so they can deal with it.
7770985 Yeah, it will definitely be far the best in the long run. In the short term... few things as scary as a pissed off Apple.
We all know a dark magic twilight and Sombrero will just tell her to calm down or take a beat down.
7772029 No, Twilight's personality hasn't changed that much.
"Oh buck!"
7773214 That's darn right!
Dem Star Wars references ftw.
Sorry for not commenting on the previous chapter, I read it, meant to say something but it just completely slipped my mind. So to cover both chapters, did Light Sombra seriously believe the Black Knight excuse? I don't think so if he's anything like Dark Sombra intelligence wise especially since he can tell Twilight's been using some dark magic. More likely he's waiting so he can ascertain Dark Sombra's true intentions though I had a good chuckle at Dark Sombra being ready to throw up when he learned Light Sombra was in love with Celestia. That's right, screw sunbut Twilight Sparkle 4 life.
Well Dark Sombra has well and truly been revealed now though really, if Applejack heard what he just said shouldn't that give her some doubts about immediately distrusting him? I mean she wont be besties with him or anything (until he proves himself reformed) but it's clear the idea that the Mane 6 consider him a friend is something he wants, he just doesn't want to be abandoned again. Then again this is Applejack who is nothing if not stubborn when she makes up her mind on somepony.
I want to see Sir Discord and Lady Chrysalis just to see how they act. What about Tirek or the Dazzlings? Most importantly where is the alicorn princess Sunset Shimmer who should definitely exist and be good to start with in this universe, best pony has to kick some ass?
7777367 Lol, no worries. And Light Sombra is certainly still suspicious, but is just too polite to contradict his guests. Although, I think the whole 'screwing sunbut' part is what Dark Sombra took offense to.
Indeed. Of course, that's why Applejack confronted them, so that they would have a chance to explain themselves, rather than going straight back to the others.
Actually, Sunset is a special case, that will be explained later. Suffice to say, there is a reason that there is not a second version of her. I DO plan to have Sir Discord and Lady Chrysalis show up at least briefly, though, as well as another alicorn princess that has been hinted at.
I really don't care if you rewrite the comics, because I haven't read most of them and what's the point of having fanfiction if you're just going to parrot the original material? I mean, if it's the exact same story, then why am I not reading the original story?
Because it's interesting to see a different take or variation, that's why. Don't let the people whining about changes push you around. Listen and decide for yourself.
And hmm, snappish? I hope that "our" Sombra getting less evil isn't making "their" Sombra more evil.
Then again while I haven't read the comics, didn't Evilestia and Eviluna become good without "ours" turning? Thought I absorbed that through cultural osmosis somewhere.
Ah well. More interested in stronk Appulpone's reaction. For some reason I can't quite see her flipping all the way out, but some harsh words are definitely in store. Also in how Twilight and Sombra handle it.
7778461 Oh, I didn't change what I had planned, just pointing out that they weren't patient enough.
Well, it may be playing a part in his shifting personality, but everything will work out in the end...
That's because alternate Sombra turned Evil instead, keeping the relative darkness of the two worlds in balance. Or some such excuse.
Good call. There's a reason Applejack chose to confront them rather than go for aid. Because the last line was not the only one she overheard.
7778506 I never understood why good vs evil has to be a zero-sum game in these instances. Ah, well. Hopefully Our Sombra and Applepone come to an understanding of sorts so that many awesome things happen, like kicking the crap out of Evilestia so that maybe Our Sombra can work some aggression out and chill a bit when he sees our Celestia because she is so awesome and fluffy and warm. Or she looks warm, anyway; I'd imagine so.
Sorry for using the spoiler tag so much, it makes me feel like I'm writing something dirty.
7779575 Not all that far off from what I have planned, actually.
-
"You have no idea how long I have wanted to kill somepony who looks exactly like you."
I think now would be a good time for Sombra to use the nightmare/amnesia spell he used on the crystal guard.
love the story
7783140 Had this happened before the scare with Chrysalis, he would have done that without a second thought and dealt with Twilight being upset afterwards. Now, however, he is starting to think about her desires first...
I'm late!
One might think of the... 'romance'... Sombra and Celestia have there...
Empress Cadance sounds so... catchy.
7788111 Better yet, ask yourself if there might not have been a 'product' of said 'romance'.
Indeed? Well, the term 'empress' may be making a return when we reach the sequel...
7789783 You just know how to tease us, don't you? Get us all worked up for the next parts!
7790580 Indeed!
I can't wait to read more of this... tore through the whole story in just a day and am already hungering for more! The pacing is simply perfect, so are the characterizations <3