As the group headed down to dinner, Twilight and Sombra lagged behind the rest. Twilight's friends had been much more accepting of the former tyrant than either had expected. Applejack had stopped glaring (or, at least, glared less) after the two had come clean about everything that had happened. When Sombra had explained how he had never killed anypony, only Crystallized those that opposed him, a process which Twilight planned to reverse as soon as she learned how, Fluttershy even came out from under the bed. In the end, when Sombra vocalized his surprise, it was Rainbow Dash that replied.
"Maybe you haven't noticed, but Friendship is kinda what we do. We gave Discord a second chance, so we may as will do the same for you."
Of course, the revelation of what he truly was, and the fact that he had left his own kind imprisoned to protect the world from something even worse than his tyranny had erased any lingering doubts the ponies might have had.
Sombra could not help chuckle as they walked. "I have not felt like this in over a thousand years. To be honest, after I lost Hope, I thought I never would again..."
Before Twilight could reply, Pinkie Pie popped up between them. "You should never give up hope, silly! Things can always get better. Especially with cake!"
"That's... not the Hope he meant, Pinkie," Twilight said.
"OOOH... You were talking about your only friend growing up who abandoned you as soon as you learned Dark Magic the way Twilight was afraid we would," Pinkie replied, causing both of the others to flinch. Before either could reply, the pink pony suddenly began acting strangely. First, her ear flopped, then she had an eye flutter, and lastly her knee twitched.
Twilight came to an abrupt stop, but Sombra kept going, merely asking, "What was that all about?"
A moment later, a door slammed into his face.
Twilight helped steady Sombra as he staggered back. Both looked up as a concerned voice asked, "Oh dear, are you alright, sir? Trixie is so sorry! Trixie has always been such a clutz..."
They immediately recognized the mare that had so recently terrorized Ponyville, but she looked much different from the Trixie they had met. Gone were the starry hat and cape, replaced by silver shoes with a matching neck piece and tiara.
She was also an alicorn.
Putting the pieces together, Twilight asked, "Trixie? Are you... a princess?"
The alicorn blushed as she replied. "King Sombra saw fit to grant the title of Princess of Humility to Trixie when Trixie became an alicorn, but Trixie is hardly worthy of such an honor. Please, just call Trixie by her name."
Sombra looked puzzled as he asked, "If you are a princess, what are you doing in the guest wing?"
"Oh, King Sombra offered Trixie a room in the royal suite, but Trixie couldn't possibly accept. A guest room is more than sufficient when Trixie is in Canterlot."
"I... I cannot understand you..." Sombra said in confusion. "I understand the individual words, I just cannot comprehend the order in which you are using them..."
Trixie's ears fell in genuine sadness as she said, "Trixie is sorry if Trixie wasn't clear. Trixie would be happy to explain more if you'd like..."
Rolling her eyes, Twilight said, "Don't mind him. He practices false humility often enough that he understands you just fine."
"But... But she sounds like she means it!" Sombra protested. "I... I just don't get that!" Suddenly, he blanched as he realized what he just said. "I even used a contraction! I never use contractions! I... I think I need some air." Feeling a light but steady breeze blow against him, he added, "Thank you, Twilight."
"It's not me," Twilight said in confusion.
Suddenly, Trixie shot between them shouting, "Chrissy!" Turning to look, they saw her stop in front of none other than the changeling queen, Chrysalis. However, the changeling looked different, as well. There were no holes in her wings or legs, and her horn was straight, while a pair of glasses were perched on her muzzle. She had obviously heard Sombra's comment, as she had been fanning them with her wings until Trixie approached. Before either Sombra or Twilight could react, the pair began to chant in an eerily familiar manner.
"Moonlight, moonlight, fireflies blink. Shake your tail and give a little wink!"
As soon as they finished, the alicorn and changeling wrapped each other in a hug. Turning back to them, Trixie said, "Sorry, Chrissy- er, that is, Lady Chrysalis was Trixie's foalsitter when Trixie was younger, and... Are you alright?"
Glancing to the side, Sombra saw that Twilight had gone rigid, the glow in her eyes again shifting from green to teal. Placing a hoof reassuringly on her shoulder, he said, "Relax, Twilight, it is not her. I doubt this Chrysalis means you any harm."
Closing her eyes, Twilight took a deep breath, her whole body slumping slightly as she forced herself to relax. When she opened her eyes, they were back to their normal green glow. "Sorry," she said, "it's just that when I saw her..."
"Oh my, what could possibly make you think I would wish you ill, dearie?" The changeling asked.
Once more, Pinkie popped up, "It's probably because the last time she saw you, she had to rip you apart to keep you from killing us all."
Chrysalis' eyes widened in surprise, before shifting to understanding. "Ah, you must be the aid Miss Celestia sent. From what she's told me in the past, I'm... not particularly kind in her world."
"That is putting it mildly, but yes, that would be us, along with... our friends," Sombra replied, a slight, but genuinely happy, smile coming to his face at those words.
That caused Twilight to smile, as well. To Chrysalis, she said, "Sorry about that. By the way, these are my friends, Pinkie Pie and B- Sombra." Twilight had to correct herself, having gotten so used to introducing him as 'Black Knight'.
"Sombra? As in the counterpart of our king?" The changeling asked, suddenly wary. Seeing him nod, she added, "I was under the impression that good and evil were inverted between our worlds..."
"Him being good is kind of a recent development," Twilight explained.
Frowning, Trixie spoke up, "That would explain some of his majesty's recent behavior."
Seeing their guests' curious expressions, Chrysalis said, "Our king has been somewhat short tempered, of late, and has been dealing out far harshing punishments than usual. We thought it was just stress getting to him, but if your world was affecting ours in that regard..."
"Oh, I wouldn't worry too much about that. Little Miss Dark Magic already fixed our portal problem."
Looking up, the group saw a certain draconequus floating overhead, wearing a ridiculous outfit of red and purple spandex, with 'CG' emblazoned on his chest, and a purple mask over his eyes.
"Captain Goodguy!" Trixie called in excitement.
"Hello, my dear. I'm afraid I must leave soon, but King Sombra wanted me to remind you all that dinner is waiting before I went. Needless to say, I mean the Sombra that isn't present." He suddenly leaned down and whispered to the stallion, "You're welcome for the new body, by the way. Do make sure to use it to keep me entertained." With that said, he snapped his fingers and disappeared. "Ta-ta!"
As they all headed towards the dining hall, Trixie looked to those from the other world and said, "Captain Goodguy is one of the greatest heroes in the history of Equestria! Trixie only wishes Trixie knew who he was under that mask..."
"Humility is all well and good, but don't sell yourself short, dearie," Chrysalis said. "After all, you're one of the Guardians now, too."
Raising an eyebrow, Sombra asked the Changeling, "Are you one of these 'Guardians', as well?"
"Yes, I am. Together, the four of us protect this land as best we can," she replied. "I do so hate violence, but I can't just stand by and do nothing while my little ponies get hurt. There would have been five of us if Luna hadn't... left."
"Trixie hopes Princess Luna comes back some day," Trixie said sadly. "She was the best teacher a filly could ask for, and Trixie doubts Trixie ever would have become an alicorn if not for what Trixie learned from her..."
"I've been wondering, why do you keep referring to yourself in the third person?" Twilight asked. "I know our Trixie does it sometimes, but that's just because she's more prideful than Sombra here, and-"
"Excuse you!?" Sombra interrupted, sounding highly offended.
"Sorry, almost as prideful as him," Twilight amended with a roll of her eyes.
"Much better," Sombra said with a self-satisfied nod.
Twilight ignored him and finished by saying, "-and that's clearly not the case with you."
Trixie gave an embarrassed blush and explained, "Trixie has something of a speech impediment. Trixie cannot speak in first person no matter how hard Trixie tries."
"It's quite alright, dearie, it's part of your charm," Chrysalis reassured the young mare.
Upon entering the dining hall, Twilight saw her friends already eating, along with Sombra's counterpart and... a certain draconequus, now devoid of any sort of costume.
"Sir Discord!" Trixie cried, rushing forward. "When did you arrive? Oh, if only Captain Goodguy hadn't had to leave so soon, perhaps you finally could have met him..."
"Is... Is she being serious?" Sombra asked.
"Yes," Chrysalis replied. "I know it's a bit cruel to let such a deception continue, but I just can't bring myself to ruin her sense of fillylike wonder..."
"But he's the only Draconequus in existence!" The stallion protested. "...This world makes no sense."
"Our world makes no sense. Why should this one?" Pinkie piped up. "We covered that a couple chapters ago, try to keep up."
"Come on, let's just get something to eat and head to bed," Twilight said. "We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
DAMN YOU HARD DRIVE!!!! I SHALL SENTENCE YOU TO THE FIREY PITS OF TARTARUS WHERE YOU WILL BURN FOR ALL ETERNITY!!!!
Lol still a good chapter, I wonder what this discord is like.
You forgot the tie and glasses for Sir Discord.
Hast thou attempted to turn yonder computer on then off again? I eagerly await future installments of this somber tale.
Pinkie Forth wll breaking thats a check too that.
This hardrive is innnn UNACCEPTABLE CONDITION!UNACCEPTABLLLLLLEEEEEE!!!!!!!
7946399 Well, this was Pinkie's chapter, in case the recent titles didn't make that clear.
7946401
Chill out Lemongrab and go eat a damn tart
7946487 Lol, I am rather inclined to agree with him.
7946436 I know but you know what this needs a PinkieXcheesesandwich and a spikeXember.
7946487 HHOOOOOEEEEEEEAAAAAAGH! 250 years dungeon! No trial! 250 years, in you go! (Also, thanks for getting the reference.
7946588 Thank you, good sir. When i am in charge, i may decide to make your reconditioning less severe! But sound sword will still need to be used! ;)
7946640 http://maltrazz.deviantart.com/art/MLP-Awakening-Next-Gen-Parlour-Trick-597098139
I... I need a moment...
7946648 Oh, I will be long gone by that point. Still plenty of the multiverse left for me to explore. Thanks, though.
7946664 Take a couple. After all, that's canon.
Oh boy... This gonna get bad when Sombra really gets "good"... for the other side that is...
7946671 UNACCEPTABLLLLLEEEE! But now back to being serious: i really do love how this story is going. Especially with you playing the original concept of this arc's parallels between the respective worlds due to the dimensional imbalance. That's a mighty fine touch to be had.:)
7946981 Glad you like it! Hopefully, I was not too on the nose with Trixie and Chrysalis.
I like the idea that every Discord in the Multiverse is in fact the same Discord, or he is at least aware of the other ones. He always seems to know more than he lets on...
Just reading through this entire fic at once and this video sums it up perfectly.
7947037 Exactly!
7947123 Lol! Glad you liked it!
I feel like waiting for Twilight becoming a dark alicorn is slowly eating away at my essence until I die before that chapter comes out.
Well, that got dark.
7946985 No, i think you did pretty good with them. This is how i imagine they'd be like if the girls actually met them.:)
7946401 OONNEE MILLION YEARS DUNGEON
I love this story
7947705 HHRRRAAAAAARRGGGAAAAAARRHHH!
And of course, Pinkie breaks the fourth wall...
7948302 Well, I couldn't have a chapter named after her Element without that, now could I?
All the light-hearted stuff just makes it more difficult knowing how this story is going to end...
BTW, are you still planning on doing that Sombra-Twilight sibling story too?
Damn it, I reached the end
7949432 Not the end, just the end for now.
I hope you're computer will be fixed soon.
And great and funny chapter!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you might add Flim and Flam in the next chapter I think Sombra would have a breakdown if he met them. Sorry it was just a crazy thought I had in my head.
And I hope you are doing okay my friend.
[KIND GENTLE SMILE]
Was the chaotic good DND reference intentional, or were you luck?
7954516 Ask the writers of the comic, I just used the canon name.
Sorry to hear about your hard drive dieing.
I finally got around to reading the last two chapters. I do like how Sombra—"our" Sombra—is reacting. He's not exactly flipping out at being called "good", and he does seem to have mellowed a bit.
Still wondering if he plans on trying to take over Equestria again.
His concern for Twilight is especially touching. Can't wait to see them kiss and
CONQUER EQUESTRIA IN A TIDAL WAVE OF MAGICAL DOMINATIONdo other couple things. But then I'm an incurable Romantic.And now that we've seen alacorn Trixie Twilight needs to ascend pronto because FLIPPING TRIXIE DANGIT NOT EVEN AU STARLIGHT GLIMMER OR SUNSET SHIMMER WHAT THE FLOPPY DISKS?
Excellent work! Sorry to hear about your hard drive, but I do hope to see more soon.
7969236 I'm glad you like it!
Plan to? No. However, Sombra knows first-hoof that things don't always go according to plan...
Oh, don't worry. The moment of ascension grows ever nearer...
I don't care if I must relinquish my man card Reflections Trixie is too damn adorable for me to care about your hard drive denying me a longer chapter. The cuteness has defeated the rage in this instance especially when Sombra was stumped by her humility. Her and Chrysalis' greeting is also way better than Twilight and Cadence's because I damn well said so that's why.
It makes me hope Trixie (the main universe one that is) will play a role later in this or the sequel. She had some great development in season 6 and is my favorite show-reformed pony (Diamond Tiara is a close second).
The battle next chapter stands to be quite humorously one-sided indeed but you never with these dastardly villains, they might just have a trick or two up their sleeves. If they had any sleeves that is..
8085330 No worries about the lack of reviews. My writing is on hold, so I can hardly complain.
Heh, I'm glad you liked my portrayal of Trixie and Chrysalis in this world. They never actual appeared in the comics, so I had to work from scratch with them.
Yeah, Sombra gets to be the hero next chapter, although... I feel a bit of deja vu. Something about things 'going too well'?
8085330 Oh, and as for Trixie, she won't do much more in this story but she will play quite an important role in the sequel.
7949165 Sorry, somehow I completely missed this comment.
Oh, did I spoil the ending for you at some point?
Planning, yes, although this will remain my primary focus for the foreseeable future.
8130664 I've seen the poster for the sequel. So I can make educated guesses given how fucked Equestria seems to be and all four alicorns and warring with one another.
8130690 Ah, so I didn't spoil just how bad things get in that. Good to hear.
8130697 Oh god...
8130697
...
You son of a-
*TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES*
8182693 Just highlight it.
8182728 Look forward to the sequel then...
I hope you know what you’ve done..... Woona would not be pleased
This reminds me of something...
Congratulations you have wasted a minute of your life.