Super Stallion

by PioneerofImagination

Chapter 25 Adventures in Other Universes Part 2

The mane 5 led Twilight, Spike, Swift Sweep, and Super Stallion to the other magic mirror . "Does this one have a time limit like the other?" Super Stallion asked.

"We don't know darling."

"Well in that case we should get to rescuing as soon as possible," Spike said. Spike walked to the mirror but Rarity grabbed him with both forelegs.

"You aren't going anywhere Spikey Wikey." Rarity then held her beloved dragon rather tightly but Spike didn't complain 1 bit.

“Spike does have a point though,” Super Stallion said. “We should go.”

"I'll come too," Twilight said. But her friends got in the way except for Rarity who was still holding onto Spike but she felt the same as the others.

"No way Twilight!"

"Rainbow's right. We just got ya back sugar cube, we ain't gonna let ya go through another one of those."

"Plus you need to help me with an un-traumatized party stat."

"Don't worry Princess Twilight I'll get the other princesses back but you should stay here in case I get stuck somewhere. Equestria needs somepony to lead."

"Can I come Super Stallion?" Swift Sweep asked. "I can’t just stand around while Luna might be in danger."

"This might seem like a bad idea but something tells me even if I say no you're gonna pull a Spike and go in anyway," Super Stallion said.

"He might," Spike said and to his surprise and delight Rarity held him all the more tighter.

Super Stallion then recalled his recent time travel adventure and that Swift Sweep was rather helpful. "All right you can come, but you gotta take orders."

"Yes sir but 1 other thing." Swift Sweep then flew off and came back with a crystal guard helmet. "Just in case." Swift Sweep and Super Stallion then flew through the mirror together as Flash Century ran into the room.

"Uh did anypony see the pegasus that took my helmet? He said it was for an emergency." After he finished he couldn't help but notice that Princess Twilight was looking at him. "Is something the matter your highness?"

"Oh, no it's just that you, well-"

"Totally reminds you of a guy that rescued you and brought you to his house for a little while where you bonded rather quickly and he took you to a dance right before you came home," Pinkie Pie finished for Twilight.

"Y-Yes how did you know that?"

"Just a hunch."

***

Super Stallion and Swift Sweep appeared on the other side of the mirror and to their surprise, they were in a different version of Equestria. "So if you were a ponynapped princess where would you be?" Swift Sweep asked.

"Probably in a dungeon or at the highest room in the tallest tower of a castle. They could also be asleep in the woods somewhere under a spelling death spell."

"You're right, we have a lot of ground to cover.” Swift Sweep and Super Stallion traveled around and couldn’t help but notice the gloomy aura of this Equestria. "I know I shouldn't judge by appearance but this seems like a rather unpleasant place don't you think?"

"It's rather hard to disagree with you on that Swift Sweep." Suddenly Super Stallion noticed something that almost made his jaw hit the ground. A statue of Discord, but this Discord had a superhero costume and below him written on the stone was "Our Hero". "This is indeed a bizarre universe."

"We need to find somepony, maybe we can get some answers. Like where the princesses are or if there's a really good restaurant nearby."

"A restaurant?"

"What, all this parallel universe adventures really works up an appetite."

"Wait here Swift Sweep I'll be right back." Super Stallion then took to the sky and looked around the place. As he did that he noticed other strange things but also saw something similar, such as a castle where the princesses of this universe would most likely be living. Super Stallion quickly flew back to Swift Sweep who was pretending to fight with his trusty broom.

"Don't worry Princess Luna, I shall protect you with my life! What's that you wish to confess your undying love for me, ditto. You want to make out as well, you don't have to tell me twice." Swift Sweep pretended to kiss Princess Luna and saw that Super Stallion had returned and immediately stopped his gestures.

"Uh, how long have you been standing? I mean hovering there?"

"Long enough."

"Oh, find anything?"

"There's a castle not too far away from here.” The 2 stallions took to the sky and arrived at the castle.

"Who goes there!?" A tall black unicorn stallion dressed in royal clothing asked as he approached the balcony that Super Stallion and Swift Sweep landed on.

"Who are you?" Swift Sweep asked.

"You 2 come to my castle unexpectedly and without my permission or sending proper notice, I insist that you tell me first. Also is your friend a flying earth pony?"

"I'm Swift Sweep and this is Super Stallion, he's a superhero. So are you one of the princesses?"

"Uh he's a stallion Swift Sweep."

"Yeah but he could be a parallel version of Princess Luna even if he isn't the same gender. I saw something like that in a comic, it wasn't good but not for that reason."

"Swift Sweep that doesn't make any sense."

"And just how many things have been making sense lately?!"

"Okay you got me there," Super Stallion answered.

"Wait, did you say Princess Luna? You know Princess Luna? And did you say your friend is a superhero?"

"Yes yes and yes," Swift Sweep answered.

"And you are?"

"I am King Sombra, the ruler of this version of Equestria. I am aware there are other versions of this land." King Sombra then invited Super Stallion and Swift Sweep into his castle and along the way Super Stallion noticed some strange things. Such as a stained glass window of the changeling queen Chrysalis with the word love under her. A few other stained glass windows were right next to it but for him that one stuck out the most.

"This place is getting stranger and stranger by the minute."

"So are Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance somewhere in this castle? Also I'm hungry. Do you have something that I can eat, we've kind of been adventuring a lot and that was a way of burning calories?" As they went into the castle a little more, King Sombra offered Swift Sweep some food that he nearly wolfed down, shocking the king. "What? I told you I was hungry."

"Indeed. Before we continue, how did you 2 find yourselves the means to travel to different versions of your reality?"

"That's kind of hard to answer," Super Stallion said. “Honestly it kind of found us. Twice now actually."

"And have there been any strange happenings in your Equestria?" King Sombra asked.

"You mean besides finding portals to other worlds?" Super Stallion asked back.

"Well I mean it's just this has all happened before. It happened a millennia ago," King Sombra said and suddenly looked to the ground with a rather somber look.

"How so glum chum?" Swift Sweep asked, finally done eating.

"Never mind. It happened a long time ago, it's not important. What's important is the here and now," Sombra answered. "And now I know where your princesses are."

"You do?" Swift Sweep and Super Stallion asked at the same time. Then suddenly Princess Celestia and Princess Luna flew into the room to their surprise.

"Well Sombra, have you had enough time to think about our offer?" Princess Celestia asked at first Super Stallion was excited to see Princess Celestia but his excitement quickly faded when he noticed they had an entirely different aura to them.

"You will address me as King Sombra here!"

"Oh my look how he tries to act bold sister," Luna said and she walked around King Sombra.

"Oh yes sister, he tries so hard to keep up appearances," Celestia said as she also started to walk around the king. The sisters tried to mock Sombra but he refused to let them push his buttons.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again you and your sister will not have your way."

"Oh and look at this sister it seems he's decided to spend time with the last of his staff and one thinks dressing like a superhero is going to help out somehow," Luna said as she stopped walking around King Sombra and walked over to Super Stallion and Swift Sweep.

"Very well Sombra at this point your stubbornness is doing more harm than good," Celestia said. "After all, not only is your world at stake but another as well." Celestia then opened a portal showing the 3 princesses, each bound and gagged by black magic rings. On top of that special collars were put around their necks.

"You can't say no forever Sombra. Time is not on your side and when you want to turn over control to us you know where to find us." Princess Celestia then closed her portal and took off with her sister.

"Well she was right about 1 thing, time is not on my side. I know this is short notice but I need you 2 to listen up. My world wasn't always like this. It was a wondrous land at 1 time, but things have changed and with your princesses captured I fear it may soon leak to your world as well. So we have to act now. I can lead you to where your princesses are being held but you cannot fight the Celestia and Luna you just saw."

"We can't?" Super Stallion asked. "Why not?"

"I saw them fighting earlier before they were captured and somehow the parallel versions of your Luna and Celestia and mine are connected. So if you damage the corrupt sisters, you damage the good sisters. I tried to help but I couldn't get to them in time and they were captured."

"I see," Super Stallion said.

Deep within the lair of the corrupt royal pony sisters the 3 alicorns sadly continued to sit still in a small dungeon cell unable to get free.

Why did this have to happen? Princess Celestia asked herself. Starswirl, I'm so sorry, why oh why didn't I listen to you? All of this could have been avoided if my common sense wasn't blinded by my emotions.

***

Long ago Princess Celestia and her sister were raised and taught under the wise and powerful Starswirl the Bearded. He taught them many things, for Celestia he showed her how to travel to other worlds. Celestia and Star Swirl would go on many adventures to many worlds, one of which was King Sombra who they quickly befriended. "My my it's incredible how much our worlds have in common," Star Swirl said.

"Yes, thanks so much for showing us around King sexy, I mean King Sombra." Celestia then face palmed herself.

"It's uh, it's no problem," King Sombra said back.

"Well I think I'm going to look more into this thing called coffee Celestia, why don't you stay here with King sexy," Star Swirl said. While he was a great teacher and father, he was not above teasing.

"Star Swirl!" Celestia said clearly annoyed.

"I know I know I'm hilarious, but you can tell me later." He then teleported away and King Sombra placed his hoof on the elbow of the frustrated princess.

"So can I take it from your little slip of the tongue that you find me attractive. I feel the same towards you."

"You do?"

"I trust you can't think it's that far fetched, surely there are quite a few stallions from your world that seek to win your heart."

"Well more than a few honestly though none of them hold a candle to you. I have to admit I've grown quite fond of you in the little time we've had together. It's like something out of a fairy tale."

"Well to tell you the truth I've always been rather fond of fairy tales myself." After that Princess Celestia and King Sombra talked for hours. It was like they were on a first date after Star Swirl returned he and Princess Celestia left and returned to their world.

"Quite a fun little adventure wasn't it?" Star Swirl asked when they returned home.

"More than that. I think I'm in love," Celestia said, overwhelmed by her emotions surprising Star Swirl.

"My my, It looks like my not so little princess is growing up," Star Swirl said with a warm smile.

"I can't wait to see him again," Princess Celestia said excitedly. "I'll wake early and go see him again right after breakfast and then we'll-"

"No you won't," Star Swirl interrupted, his warm smile now replaced with a very serious look.

"But-"

"No buts," Star Swirl interrupted again. "Our 2 universes may be connected but that doesn't mean the connection isn't unstable. If we cross over too many times, it can cause major consequences for both universes."

"So we can't ever go back?!" Celestia asked.

"No I didn't say that," Star Swirl answered, starting to lighten up. "Calm down before you give yourself a heart attack. We can go back and visit your possible future husband. But we have to limit our travel so the connection doesn't cause any of the numerous problems misusing the portal could provide."

"Oh that's good to hear though my future husband might be going a bit too far."

"Oh come now I'm not getting any younger I want to have some grandfoals that I can spoil rotten."

As the days went on Princess Celestia would travel back and forth between worlds with Star Swirl and found things the other world had to offer. Such as that world's version of Princess Luna. And of course she was spending much time with King Sombra. From simple picnics to tango dancing.

"You dance so divinely my beautiful princess," King Sombra said as they finished dancing and found a peaceful spot to rest.

"I was just about to say that to you my handsome king," Princess Celestia said back. The 2 ponies then shared one of many passionate kisses they had together. "I love you so much."

"I was just about to say that to you." They then kissed each other once again as they laid on the ground gently holding each other as well. "Do you have to go soon?"

"I wish I didn't have to truly. But I have my own kingdom to run and Star Swirl might miss me." Speaking of Star Swirl I should get back before he notices I'm gone. Princess Celestia then made her way home and entered the study in darkness but was shocked when the lights came on via Star Swirl's horn.

"I was wondering where you were but I was hoping it wasn't where I thought you were."

"Star Swirl please, it's not what you think."

"Oh it's not is it?" Star Swirl then gave Princess Celestia his infamous hard stare. "How long have you been doing this?"

"I-I've b-been doing this for a month or 2 now."

"I told you traveling too much could be dangerous. Why in the wide world of Equestria would you do this?" Princess Celestia didn't answer but she cried a little and from her look alone Star Swirl got his answer. "I see that is unfortunate, it just makes what I have to do all the more harder."

"What?" Suddenly Star Swirl faced the mirror and cast a spell upon it. When Celestia ran to the mirror her fear was confirmed, the portal was closed. "NO! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS?"

"I had to do this to ensure the stability of his and our world.” Celestia then grabbed Starswirl by the shoulders.

"Bring it back! Please!"

"It's for your own good Celestia."

"No he is for my own good!"

"I'm not going to argue about this with you. I'm well aware that you care deeply for him but some things are just more important. Making decisions you don't want to make is part of being a ruler."

"This wasn't my decision!"

"Yes I had to make it for you."

"No you didn't, we could have worked something out if you didn't act so gung-ho! HOW COULD YOU BE SO SELFISH!"

"I'm selfish, you're the one that was risking the connection of the worlds! And don't you dare take that royal Canterlot voice with me, young mare!"

"DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE A FILLY!"

"DON'T ACT LIKE ONE!"

"I CAN ACT HOWEVER I WANT AND YOU CAN'T TELL ME OTHERWISE YOU AREN'T MY FATHER!" Princess Celestia then flew off in complete rage and Star Swirl lowered his head rather depressed.

"So much for her growing up."

***

Oh Star Swirl why oh why didn't I listen to you? Celestia asked herself as she cried. She also thought about Squeaky Clean and what if she never saw him again. Which made her cry even more.

Meanwhile King Sombra was leading Swift Sweep and Super Stallion to where their princesses were being kept. "My land wasn't always this way. It was once a peaceful beautiful land, but the princesses have turned it upside down with their magic."

"Wow all by themselves?" Swift Sweep asked. “How’d they do that?”

"A little bit at a time. Destroying things with their magic, making pegasus cities lie in ruin stopping them from making it rain so the crops can't grow, and they even forced away the earth ponies from the castle so nothing can grow in the capital.”

“Wow, that must be a lot to handle,” Super Stallion said.

“After that they came to me to offer me a deal. After taking your princesses and said they were willing to release them in exchange for the spell that would allow them to cross over to your world. To be honest it's quite tempting, but I can't allow another world to fall victim to their evil."

"Right, so what are we going to do?"

"Well Super Stallion I think that's where you come in and perhaps solve the whole thing."

"Really how do I do that?"

"Well you're a superhero and if you're half as good as the one we already have you can rescue the 3 princesses no problem. I'd ask Sir Discord but he and lady Chrysalis, but they said they were dealing with some sort of anomaly.”

"Why can't you go rescue them?" Swift Sweep asked.

"My magic is mostly defensive in nature. I wouldn't be much help. I know we just met but I desperately want my sweet Celestia rescued as fast as possible. A-and the other princesses too I mean."

"Your sweet Celestia?" Super Stallion asked, feeling a little jealous.

"Oh did I not mention that before?"

"No, I'm pretty sure I would have remembered that."

"Were you 2 seeing each other through some kind of inter dimensional dating service?"

"Uh Swift Sweep, how would that even work? A stallion gets dumped by his marefriend so he searches for a parallel version of her to date her instead? Actually that might work for some ponies,” Super Stallion said.

"Uh no we didn't meet each other through an inter dimensional, we didn't meet each other that way. It was a long time ago when she and her close friend Star Swirl the Bearded found a way to my world."

***

"Hurry up, we finally have her!" A guard dressed in a black armor ordered as several other guards were swarming the princess like bees trying to restrain her.

"What's going on here?" Star Swirl asked as he returned after looking at some plant life. "Celestia, did you insult their helmets or something?"

"Why would I insult their helmets?"

"Well they are kind of stupid." Suddenly one of the guards got in front of Star Swirl but in a protective manner.

"Stand back this alicorn is very dangerous. She's been causing trouble for years now."

"Oh that's what this is about?" Star Swirl asked as he laughed a bit afterwards. "I see what the problem is, she's not your Celestia, she and I are actually from an alternate universe so she's not who you think she is." The guard then stared at Star Swirl as if he had lost his mind. "What?"

"Okay grandpa I think it's time we got you back home." The guard then grabbed Star Swirl by one of his legs and tried to get him out of there but Star Swirl was stronger than the guard had given him credit for.

"You will kindly remove your hoof young stallion," Star Swirl said. "I said remove it," Star Swirl repeated with a tone more demanding than the last one. The guard then started to chuckle a bit as he was a little amused at the old stallion trying to act tough.

"Oh really, what are you gonna do, gramps? Bop me one?" Suddenly Star Swirl gave the guard a mean left hook that knocked the guard flat on his rump.

"That'll teach you to disrespect your elders." Star Swirl then went over to the other guards and stopped them with stun spells. Princess Celestia was shocked at how easily he managed to take down the guards. "What? There's still plenty of strength left in these old bones.”

The 2 then made sure the guards were alright and came across King Sombra who could tell right away Star Swirl was a talented unicorn. King Sombra was also smitten with this Celestia and brought the 2 of them to talk. It didn't take long for him and Princess Celestia to confess their feelings to one another. While he fell in love with Princess Celestia he also greatly admired Star Swirl the Bearded for his vast intelligence.

"And that's how your guards can improve their fighting methods as well as protecting the castle," Star Swirl said as he handed the king several pages that he drew from a sketch book he had on him. King Sombra looked over them more than impressed.

"You were able to think up all this in the short amount of time between the last time we talked."

"That's why I got the beard." Star Swirl would also ask King Sombra about his world but always made sure not to take up a lot of his time. Star Swirl didn't need to be as smart as he is to figure out King Sombra and Princess Celestia wanted to spend as much time alone as they could. They longed to see each other so badly that Princess Celestia even found a way to get to him when Star Swirl closed the portal.

"You came back so soon Celestia? Not that I'm complaining."

"I wanted to see you so badly and I just couldn't wait any longer." Celestia then embraced her lover that he was more than happy to get as well as return. "But I feel so bad for going behind Star Swirl's back. He's my only friend."

"Shh don't dwell on it," Sombra said, trying to comfort her.

"I can't help but dwell on it. He's done so much for me, practically raised me and taught me what it meant to be a ruler."

"If he cared about you so much he would understand what you're doing."

"I suppose you have a point." Princess Celestia then kissed her beloved king while also trying to fight the urge to cry over the guilt of sneaking around Star Swirl's back.

***

"Sombra," Swift Sweep said to the king who had looked back at Swift Sweep as if he somehow broke him out of a trance.
"Y-Yes what is it?"

"You said that you and Princess Celestia were a thing but then you stopped talking all of a sudden while you stared out into the sky."

"Oh. Sorry I guess I just got a little lost in my own memories. So as I was saying we knew each other romantically but that's not the thing now. We were all but controlled by our affections for one another that they practically blinded us. But that’s the past, let’s focus on the present. If you can rescue the princesses my Celestia and Luna will have no leverage."

"And then they won't be able to negotiate," Super Stallion said, getting to where King Sombra was going.

"Exactly," Sombra said with a smile. "And who knows perhaps after all this Celestia and I can find a way to be together at last perhaps. A blessing may come from this tragedy." Sombra then looked to the sky again this time with a smile while Super Stallion started to sulk a little but tried not to show it as he had a job to do.

"Well it's about time I get going then isn't it." Super Stallion then made his way to where the alicorns were being kept at a slow pace to get in and out without being noticed. Swift Sweep came along as he wanted to rescue Princess Luna as much as Super Stallion wanted to rescue Princess Celestia.

"This is a pretty unusual adventure isn't it?" Swift Sweep asked.

"Yes and the sooner it's over all the better."

"Is something bothering you?"

"Well it's just that, well how do I put it." How do I tell him how I'm feeling right now without giving away my secret identity? "I overhear a couple things once in a while with my super hearing.”

"Okay so?"

"Well I've overheard a thing or 2 about the social lives of others. Isn't Princess Celestia dating somepony already?"

"Oh yeah Squeaky Clean! He's my best friend and from what I can tell he's absolutely crazy about Princess Celestia." Swift Sweep's smile then vanished as he remembered what King Sombra said. "Oh when all this is over King Sombra might try to get back together with Princess Celestia and if that's the case she'll have to break up Squeaky, but I don't think that's going to happen."

"You don't?"

"I mean sure King Sombra may be smart, handsome, charming, and have a romantic history with Princess Celestia but. Actually I have no idea where I was going with all this. But she probably won't break up with Squeaky."

"Oh I see, well we're almost there so get ready for whatever might happen."

"Right, don't worry Luna we're coming! And Celestia and Cadance, I remembered. So what's the plan? Do you want to bust through a wall or something?"

"Yes actually."

"Really?"

"Yes. I bust in and get their attention while you get our royals free."

"No problem, I can search the place in no time."

Super Stallion then flew straight at the castle and as he said, he busted right through a solid wall. "Is it weird I don't do this more often?" Super Stallion then flew around breaking a few more walls.

"My my an earth pony superhero, the multiverse is just full of surprises isn't it sister?" The parallel Celestia asked as she and her Luna watched via a crystal ball.

"Yes sister, but thanks to my spell we already knew about it,” the parallel Luna said. She had a spell that turns her into a shadow. When she and her sister left Sombra’s castle, Luna used the spell to eavesdrop and learned of their plan. "So how do you want to handle this?"

"You go and make sure Swift Sweep doesn't rescue those 3 while I keep Super Stallion at bay. Once you take care of him we can take down Super Stallion together."

"Fine with me," the parallel Luna said before the sisters split up.

"Don't worry Luna, Celestia, and Cadance,” Swift Sweep said when he saw somepony. "Princess Luna?"

"Swift Sweep it that you? Thank goodness, I need your help. I was able to escape but I was hit by powerful spells along the way."

"What about Princess Cadance and Princesses Celestia?"

"She," Luna stopped to fake a cough so she could think up a lie. "They're still captured. Swift Sweep, give me your hoof please." So I can pull you in and blast as up close as I can. The Luna that Swift Sweep was looking for was watching from the crystal ball.

No Swift Sweep it's the trap, hurry fly away! Luna then fell on the ground and had to fight the urge to cry while Celestia looked at her with sympathy and guilt as she felt responsible for all of this.

"So Princess Celestia and Princess Cadance are still captured?"

"Yes I didn't have time to rescue them, I had to escape. Please help me."

"I see, you aren't Princess Luna. At least not my Princess Luna."

"What?" The evil Luna asked as the captured princess were rather shocked.

"Princess Luna would never just run away to save herself. She cares about everypony and that's what I love about her the most." Hearing that Luna blushed a little. “Also, that was the fakest cough I ever heard.”

"Fine, it doesn't matter 1 bit if you figured it out. You're still MINE!" The evil Luna then charged right at Swift Sweep ready to take him down. As she charged at him a memory flashed through Swift Sweep's mind.

***

Back when Stone Wall was still captain of the guard and Swift Sweep had been hired so that Squeaky wouldn't have such a hard time cleaning all the time, Swift Sweep walked by Stone Wall who was doing a little paperwork. "Hey Stone Wall you fought a lot before right?"

"Yeah what of it?"

"Well what if you're gonna fight something you know is stronger than you how do you beat them?"

"Stronger than me huh? Tall order but there’s all sorts of ways to beat something stronger than you. Like finding a way to put said pony or creature in a headlock. That would make my opponent lose consciousness. Why did you ask?"

"No reason, just curious." Swift Sweep then walked off to do some cleaning.

***

Swift Sweep moved right before Luna could tackle him and then wrapped his forelegs around her neck in a powerful grip. "Nap time!"

"Wha-" Before Luna could react, Swift Sweep knocked her out right away which made her drop to the ground. This caused the good Luna too. Swift Sweep flew around and managed to find the princesses and got the cell open by jimmying the lock. But then noticed they were bound with magic.

"That’s gonna be a problem. I can't untie magic.” Princess Celestia then jerked her head towards Princess Cadance trying to get Swift Sweep to notice the magic canceling collar but Swift Sweep didn't seem to clue in. "I don't get it hang on let me get those magic collars off all of you so you can use your magic to free yourselves then you can tell me."

"Nice work Swift Sweep not just on rescuing us but also on figuring out that Luna was a fake. But there's still the matter of the other me."

"I might have an idea on that," Swift Sweep said as he picked up one of the magic canceling collars. "One of these should come in handy."

Not too far away Super Stallion was flying around outside the castle keeping the evil Princess Celestia busy. She tried and tried to blast him but Super Stallion was far too quick for her.

"You can't dodge forever!"

"You can't fight forever," Super Stallion quickly retorted. While dodging he was trying to figure out how to either knock her out and restrain her without hurting her. However when he saw something out of the corner of his eye he quickly figured out how to do just that.

"Will you just stand still already!"

"Okay," Super Stallion said as he stopped moving around and stood perfectly still in midair.

"Really?"

"Yes not that it matters you won't really have time to do anything."

"What in my Equestria is that supposed to mean?" Suddenly the good Princess Celestia placed the magic canceling collar on her parallel self. With her magic gone, Super Stallion then blasted the evil Princess Celestia with a spell that restrained her legs and wings. Super Stallion then caught her and placed her on the ground.

***

Back at Sombra's castle the evil royal pony sisters were taken into his custody and the 3 princesses explained when Super Stallion, Swift Sweep, and Spike left Princess Celestia sensed something else was off. Celestia looked at another mirror that was also brought to the Crystal Empire. Luna and Cadance followed along and suddenly the alicorns were pulled into it before the others could help.

As it turns out the evil sisters found a way to reopen the portal, but not by much. They couldn't go through but they could pull ponies on the other side if they got close enough. "So what's going to happen to your Celestia and Luna King Sombra?" Princess Cadance asked.

"Well a long time ago my Celestia and Luna were good but were corrupted by a powerful evil. But with them here I should be able to remove the evil from them."

"Is that going to be difficult?" Super Stallion asked.

"If I did it all at once it would be pulled into me and then I would be corrupted but by doing it in chunks at a time that won't be an issue."

"Well I guess we can finally take you all home now," Swift Sweep said.

"You all don't have to go," King Sombra said as he approached Princess Celestia and gently picked up her hoof. "Princess Celestia I never forgot about you even after all these years and perhaps now this is our chance to be together." King Sombra then gave Princess Celestia a gentle kiss. "We can forget about the mistakes of the past and make a future together.”

***

Even after Star Swirl had closed the portal Princess Celestia found a way to return to the one she loved. But even then she couldn't stop feeling bad. On top of that, more and more problems were happening with the worlds connecting and knew she needed his help. "Um Star Swirl," she said rather sheepishly.

"Yes?" He responded as he was working in his chambers.

"You know how you closed the portal to protect the balance of the worlds?" Suddenly Star Swirl turned around and gave her a rather cold stare.

"What did you do?" Princess Celestia then explained everything to him and he simply shook his head and walked to the portal. "You're kind of an anomaly princess," Star Swirl said.

"Huh?"

"You're smart, gifted, and have a heart as golden as the sun you raise." Princess Celestia then blushed a little. "Yet, you often tend to act LIKE A LITTLE TARTARUS SPAWN!" Princess Celestia jumped back. "All right, here's the thing from what I can tell, the portal has become stronger from the world's abnormal connection and now it needs to be closed on both sides."

"It does?"

"Yes." Star Swirl then wrote down the spell and gave it to the princess.

"You, you want me to do it?"

"Yes this way you can say goodbye to him," Star Swirl answered as he gave her a look of sympathy. When Celestia told Sombra what she had to do he was as heart broken as she was.

"Please don't do this, there must be another way."

"I wish there was, from the bottom of my heart I wish there was. But there isn't. I have to do this to protect both our worlds." Princess Celestia then started to cry and King Sombra did as well but in the end knew they both had to do what was best for their worlds.

"Will I ever see you again?"

"No I don't think you will but I'll never forget you." As Princess Celestia began to cast the spell on Sombra's side the 2 of them stared at one another until she jumped through the portal right before finishing the spell.

***

"Did that sound like a marriage proposal to you?" Swift Sweep whispered to Princess Luna.
"Yeah a little bit," Princess Luna whispered back.

"Sombra, here’s the thing. We leave parts of our lives in the past for a reason. As much as I enjoyed our time together, that part of our life it's over now and it's just best that we move on." Princess Celestia then gently kissed Sombra's forehead.

"The funny thing is, I had a feeling you were going to say something like that." Sombra then hugged his former lover. "Farewell my sweet Celestia."

Super Stallion and Swift Sweep brought the princesses home. Shining Armor hugged Cadance on the spot and Twilight did the same for Celestia. After that Princess Celestia then asked Super Stallion to escort her resting chambers.

“Princess, can I ask you something personal?”

“Okay, you did rescue me afterall.”

"I was half expecting you to take that king up on his offer. Why didn’t you?”

"Well, when Sombra made that offer. I thought a little about my past but when he kissed me all I could think about was Squeaky Clean. When I was young I thought I was so in love, but now I know I'm in love and that's why I wanted you to come with me."

"I beg your pardon, your highness."

"I want you to use your super hearing to find him and bring him here so I can tell him to his face just how much I love him. He always thought he was lucky to win my heart, but I think it's the other way around. He makes me feel like the luckiest mare in the multiverse. I may not know everything about him, but I want to and that I want him by side for everything, the good and the bad. So please find him so I can tell him myself.”

Super Stallion smiled. "You already have." Super Stallion then removed his sphere, revealing his secret identity and utterly shocking Princess Celestia.

"I have, so many questions," Princess Celestia said after a solid minute of silence.

"I'd imagine so."

Author's Note:

This chapter is a bit of an adaptation of the Reflection arc from the IDW comics issues 17-20.
If you haven't read it I highly recommend it.

Re-Edit: 11/2/2023 Poor Sombra, guess it just wasn't meant to be. I think Dana Terrace said it best. Not every relationship ends in marriage, but that doesn't make them any less special.