I didn’t know when I would see anyone else, but I didn’t expect it to be just an hour after I was put back in my cell.
I lay on the floor as I looked up to see Luna making her way over to me. “Are you here to execute me?” I asked, trying to sound sarcastic, though sure that my voice came off as afraid.
She opened the cell door, saying, "I am here to take you to one of the castle bedrooms.”
“Why?” I asked her.
“I thought you might be rather uncomfortable on the concrete floor.”
I wanted to ask her why she cared, seeing as she was going to let Celestia just do whatever she wanted to me, but I didn’t. I figured that, right then, it might be a bad idea to make one of the only ponies trying to stick up for me angry. Besides, she was offering me a bedroom instead of the floor of this dungeon.
“Fine,” I told her, still conveying in my tone how awful this whole situation was.
She wrapped her magic around me and led me out much like her sister did, although was much less forceful in how she handled me. I was actually a bit glad to be by her side, as, just like Celestia, the guards we passed seemed to hate me with a passion. However, unlike Celestia, they didn't seem to be able to do a very good job of hiding it. Also, much like last time I was led somewhere, we walked for quite a long time, and I had no idea where I was in relation to everywhere else. Their castle seemed much smaller in the show than it did now, and it felt like forever before we finally got to where Luna was taking me.
We entered into a simple looking bedroom, one that held only a small window that let sunlight come through, a small bed with one pillow, and a dresser. She closed the door behind us and released me, and I quickly flopped onto the bed. I felt exhausted, both physically from all the walking I seemed to be doing, and mentally from what I went through that day. I just wanted to fall asleep at that point, and hoped that it wouldn’t be too much to ask for to wake up back home, although it would be difficult to do so seeing as the sun was still out and I had no idea how I got here.
“What time is it?” I asked Luna, squinting out the window to see the sun shining directly through the window.
“Two hours after sunset,” she answered. “It seems my sister and I forgot our timekeeping duties.”
“Maybe she’s busy planning my execution,” I muttered.
“You will not be executed as long as I’m around.”
“You didn’t seem to think that before,” I told her skeptically. “Back there, you would have let her do it.”
“So I said, but do you truly think I would let that happen?”
I thought about my answer for a second, responding, “I think you’re telling me what I want to hear, so when it does happen, you look like the good guy.”
Princess Luna sighed at that, saying, “And I can understand how you would feel such a way.”
“Besides, even if you didn’t want me to die, if she orders it, then that’s it. I bet the only reason she hasn’t so far is because of Fluttershy.”
“I understand your thinking, but I can assure you that even if Fluttershy were not in the picture, I would not let that happen.”
“I don’t believe you,” I told her, turning away and feeling slightly bitter.
“Did I not protect you from Cadance? Did I not use my words to stop Fluttershy? Besides, this is a diarchy, not a monarchy. My rule is of equal hoof with my sister.”
“Did you tell that to the other people she killed?” I asked her.
“Such a thing has not happened,” she said simply, expressionlessly.
“Oh, so she just so happened to know about America,” I said sarcastically, “and told me she’s heard my case before just because she could.”
“She read your mind and saw your memories,” she told me calmly. “As did I. She told you she heard your story before to see if you would admit to being Sombra under pressure.”
“Then why did Cadance say that I was pulling some ‘cheap trick’?”
“Because other ponies have claimed to be possessed by yo- Sombra, and tried to use the excuse to avoid sentences. Most of the time, however, it was for minor crimes, such as vandalism or loitering. Your case is unique in that you are claiming to have possessed Sombra himself.”
I didn’t believe her. It sounded like an extremely convenient explanation to paint herself in a good light. I might have believed her if she told me these things before, but my perspective dramatically shifted over the past several hours. Besides that, the alternate scenario was even worse, too awful for me to stand.
I turned back to her, telling her, “So if I’m hearing you correctly, you’re saying that what I’m saying is true, Celestia knows it’s true, but wants to lock me up or kill me anyway.”
“That is correct.”
“Well, that’s just great!” I yelled. “I guess I already know how this story ends!”
“And how is that?” Luna asked me.
“Either I’m going to be locked up here forever, executed, or be forced into having the Elements of Harmony or the Crystal Heart used on me. And even if it came to that and I survived, she still would keep me locked up because she hates me for no reason!”
Luna went silent for a second, saying quietly, “She does not hate you for no reason.”
“Yes she does,” I shot back. “She does hate me for no reason. Either she was telling the truth about hearing stories like mine and will kill me for no reason, or she was lying and knows I’m not him. And I don’t care about whatever Sombra did to her because I’m. Not. Him!”
I was seething. I was less upset by the prospect of being trapped here forever and more upset with how I was being treated. Celestia used to be one of my favorite characters, and now she was at the absolute bottom of the list. They all were, besides Luna and Fluttershy, and even then, Luna was still iffy to me. If anyone else, anyone else, were in my position, they wouldn’t have been treated this way, and I hated it. I hated all of them.
“You shouldn’t hate them,” Luna told me, reading my mind. “While they did make a poor decision-”
“A decision that, from what you yourself said, could have killed me,” I interrupted.
“They were simply reacting to how Celestia and Cadance felt about you,” she finished.
“So Fluttershy is the only one with any sense of compassion. Got it,” I told her as I turned away from her again. “I’m glad Celestia and the princess of love have so much compassion.”
She sighed at that. “Right now, you are too upset to think critically, so I will be going. However, I can assure you that I will speak to both of them, all of them actually, about what they were planning and how it might have turned out.”
Yeah, I'm the one not thinking," I thought to myself. “Nothing like a stern ‘talking to’ to make them realize what they were going to do.”
“As well, until we can see how we are to deal with your unique situation, I will see to it that you are treated as a guest under my watch.”
“Sure, maybe under your watch,” I muttered.
“Until then Somb- Alex, see to it that you have a restful sleep. I have to leave to remind my sister to lower the sun.” I heard her start to walk away, then stopping. “I am putting a lot of trust in you. Much more than my sister has or likely will. You would be wise not to break it.”
With that, she left, closing the door behind her. I let out an exasperated sigh. Of course she had to add in that last little line. She didn’t trust me. Even after she claimed to have read my memories, she still thought I was lying. She just wanted to keep a better image of herself in my eyes when her sister tried to have me killed by using the Elements on me, just in case they didn’t work.
I found myself hoping that Fluttershy would show up sooner rather than later as I closed my eyes, sunbeams shining on my face as I went to sleep.
It took a while before Twilight realized that the sun hadn’t set yet. She was tired, but certainly wasn’t going to be falling asleep with the sun still in the sky. Celestia must have just forgotten about it, given the day's events.
Or maybe she was fighting with Sombra.
Princess Celestia assured them that she and Luna could handle him, and Sombra himself said he surrendered, but the sun in the sky said otherwise. She was clearly having trouble containing him, and couldn't lower the sun as a result. As she stared at the light in the sky, she began to think that she should quickly gather up her friends and making her way over to Canterlot to help her put a stop to Sombra. She was on the verge of doing so when slowly, very slowly, the sun began to set.
She laughed slightly at herself for getting worked up. Obviously Celestia and Luna could handle him. Sombra versus the two sisters wouldn't be a fair fight. If he was smart, he wouldn't have dared to test the two in battle together. But, foolish and power-hungry as he was, he had, and was now defeated, leaving all right in the wide world of Equestria.
Or maybe she was just as distracted as Twilight and forgot to lower the sun, and Sombra truly had surrendered.
He wouldn't just surrender, would he? Sombra would never consider surrendering. He was too prideful for that. It seemed more his style to attack when he received the chance. To be sneaky and wait for a particular moment to strike. Yes, that must have been his plan. To lie about who he was so that he could be spared and try to take over Equestria entirely.
Or he was being honest when he said he wasn't Sombra.
The Princess of Friendship put her thoughts towards the former king, thinking about the way she and her friends handled the situation. They were prepared to use the Elements of Harmony on him, which might very well have hurt him. But she was justified wasn’t she? After all, Sombra had hurt a lot of ponies during his reign, as well as the two former times he came back. In particular, he tried to hurt her brother, her sister in law, and her niece. That wasn't something that Twilight would be forgiving him for anytime soon. Besides, it wasn’t like he wasn’t going to get what was coming to him. Even if he did surrender, what he did couldn’t just go unpunished. Besides, even in the slight possibility that he wasn’t Sombra, the Elements of Harmony wouldn’t have hurt him. That was why she was going to do what she did.
But then Luna said they might hurt him anyway, and she made the same decision.
If it were any creature else, she would have immediately given them a chance. She knew that. She wouldn’t dare risk hurting some creature who might have done no wrong. And yet, when it came to him, she made what she knew was the wrong decision. Tirek, Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, any of them she would have listened to. But when it came to him, she made the wrong decision, and knew that she did. And it made her afraid.
She began to shake. Celestia and Luna were about to retire. She couldn’t afford to make a wrong decision. Had it not been for Fluttershy, however, the scene might have ended quite differently, and no second thought might have been given to her actions. Celestia put the decision in her hooves, and she made the wrong decision, saved only by her friend. Every creature deserved a second chance and the benefit of the doubt. Even Sombra, even after the things he did. And yet, she chose a decision that might have ended in denying him that.
The princess started to cry.
This got me thinking... if prior Sombras told Celestia about America before. Didn't she think for a minute that why every Sombra-look-a-like claim the exact same thing if such method didn't work the first time?
Wonder how many others are having similar breakdowns.
Things that make you go Hmmm.
Bless Luna for her patience and longsuffering. Let's see her next move in... Oh, one world hour. They've already shown they hold no import to the sanctity of the mind, what's a little dreamwalking-based espionage?
Time to sleep!
Keep going! ;)
10141767
I believe she was reading his mind to get that information and lied about the others mentioning America, from the way Luna said it sounded like criminals sometimes claim Sombra is controlling them as a defense to try and get out of trouble.
So it's not that other humans are showing up and the princesses are killing them, it was just a trick to make who they thought was Sombra give up his supposed ruse.
Hands?
10141821
Where?
10141837
10141838
Fixed
10141843
Thx.
A decent read nonetheless
This is.. One amazing story... damnit I should have waited a month or two for more chapters... I waited 2 months for Quantum Leap Foward chapters to come out why couldn't I do it for this
Why does this not have a human tag? I mean a human mind is still human.
Ok sooo if they read his mind then.... Shouldn't they know he knows about the magical land of Equestria by way of a show depicting all of them?
10141879
More basic than that, if they actually read his mind and saw his memories, then they both know he isn't lying. Celestia has no excuse at this point anymore.
I wonder how many others are reflecting on their actions? I definitely would love to see rainbow's and Applejack's point of view at this stage.
This mind reading business is a little concerning, what exactly did they see? Do they now know how Alex identifies them or what?
I assume such things like memory reading is frowned upon if not completely illegal in this universe. I wonder if they'll apologise for that as well if it is proven Alex was being truthful.
once again hindsight is a bitch when it happens, well at least it wasn't the kind where you made a decision then it was no take backs on the choice.
10142036
Nah, ponies don't seem to have the same kind of adversity to mind magic we would have. Luna walks dreams every night and ponies consider that a blessing, Twilight causes chaos in an entire town with a stuffed toy and it's brushed aside with an apology. Starlight finds her mind control spells in a public library and similarly gets away with just an apology. Intent seems to matter more than the actual mind control in Equestria by the looks of things. If you do mind-reading with good intentions, it's okay. If you mind control control and screw up, but never meant any harm, apologize and you will be okay.
Mind control with the intent on conquering the world and be unrepentant about it, then screw you, get disintegrated.
Twilight finaly start thinking with logic after Celestias influence over her is not in play and Fluttershy showed her hypocritic behavior. But to be fair...
Celestia:
Raised her with knownlage and kindness and showed her that she 'knows best'. She made her a Element user and keep supporting her. She literally
stalkedguided her entire life... Made her a imortal being.Pretty sure we all would be Celestias
lapdog / oppionionless slavefaithful follower.Cadance was personaly endangered and was also raised to follow Celestia.
If not for Luna and Fluttershy he would be dead were he stand/lay/cowered in Despair.
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Wile moraly your right... Imagen someone ruining millions of lifes like: 'Bin Laden/Adolf Hitler/Kathleen Kennedy' stand before you...
You think moral highground is your focus?
You wannt to know if you can finaly get rid of em or...
Not yet
/////
Edit / addition
10142148
Literally the normal pattern. They screw up, think about it AAANNDDDA make it better in the end. BUT
never before did they consider cold blooded murder before.
No matter if Somba deserved death. To do it THAT WAY no trial or chance to speak his case? That normaly a pure villain move... Guess it true than:
"Live long enough a hero to become the villain..."
Fluttershy excluded!!! Plus Luna learn that lesson.
It’s nice to see Twilight recognizing her mistakes and faults, it’s something that can be hard to do, while keeping it somewhat realistic.
10141797
Its literally the only thing Celestia cant shittalk her way out. Hard evidance.
From there on they can start helping him, get Celestia to calm her tits and start to... Redeem themself?
10141814
Easyer to say than it done... Would you give 'Kathleen Kennedy' a second chance if she say 'sorry' and tells us she would not do whats she did in the past?
Than again... We cant force mindread to see the truth behind ones words... Plus AJ honesty sence already told em he was truthful.
10141879
I guess they skiped deeper Intrusion and were reading the immediate mind (what he was thinking at the moments to himself and his emotions).
10141946
Literally in deniel like AJ.
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Thank Lunas moon Celestia shares her decision making now. Otherwise... He be dead maaan... He be lucky if it was a fast painfilled death.
10142036
Might makes right in Celestias place it seems...
Good Luna keeps her in check!
Than again... Ones this all is over we might see the Celestia we know and like. Hard to think if you blood is boiling and your hate makes supernovas blush...
10142099
Sounds about right Odd but seems that way anyway... Well... Sombra etc. are anomalys.
We all have a strong oppinion on what just happend but dont forget
===》》》 THIS IS A SPECIAL CASE! 《《《===
For all we know... They are the Character we love and care for... Outside this clusterfuck of
Sombras return !!!
At least in body...
10142130
We know from Cadance's ascension that becoming an alicorn is not something Celestia controls, though, as that was a life and event Celestia had zero involvement in. She also can't really "make" someone an Element Bearer. That's up to the Elements of Harmony themselves. Twilight tried just making Spike an Element Bearer against Discord, and it failed spectacularely.
Best you can argue is that she guided Twilight in the direction, but that's not really morally wrong? Especially since in the end, Twilight was handed the keys to the kingdom and Celestia willingly stepped down from the thrine.
Keep going dude don't leave us on a cliff hanger man.
I'm really loving this story!
The one thing I find bothersome is Alex. Sure, his viewpoints got upside down but he is too irrational, which given the danger he is in, it is understandable. But he is being far, far too emotional and spiteful towards Celestia and the others. He has only once stopped to partially think about Sombra's deeds and how his actions have affected everyone. He MUST see things from their point of view completely and think about everything Sombra has done.
Sombra is a monster. Plain and simple. He is the most dangerous villain they faced (Discord doesn't count because, whilst being far more dangerous than Sombra, he is also a prankster and doesn't really wish harm onto others unless he is raging mad). His crime list is ten kilometers long, and he deserves all the hate he gets. No one. Absolutely no one can make a stand for him, or give him a chance. He once got it and squandered it. Sombra is truly evil.
Alex must stop fearing for his own life and start thinking on how to fix the problem more than just "telling the truth". He must prove it, ask questions, and sit down with Celestia, Cadance, Shining, the Mane 7, Starlight, Luna, and Discord and talk. Do anti-lying spells, anti-dark magic fields, let them do dispel on him, anything to ensure they believe he is being truthful... and then ask Celestia what Sombra did to her to hate Sombra so (I believe it's because she loved him, gave him a chance, and he backstabbed her, using her for his own goals. Correct me if I'm wrong). And ask the big question "Can you really judge someone who is innocent just because you hate the body of the monster said innocent person, who isn't even from your world or species, is essentially trapped within the body of said monster as guilty and forced to pay for crimes he did not commit?"
10142220
Pretty sure you are mixing up the two versions of Sombra from the comics.
One was the child of shadow demons who never interacted with Celestia in his backstory, and the other was a good guy from a mirror dimension who Celestia was in love with.
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Celestia probably going for a extended vaccation... If you didnt take vaccation days for 1 year you have quite a nice amount of free days... Do that for about a millenia!!! She dont leave the Throne permanently just enjoys her overUNDERUSED right to vaccation days...
Luna needs some time to recover from her Lunar-timeout & recover from getting element rainbow spanked... After they from there respectable vaccation days they see if Twilight makes a good Leader or not
Please stop with the mess of punctuation you have going on. When a quote ends you don't ended it with a comma, quotation, then period. Or question mark, quotation, period. With quotes that end with question marks or exclamation points, leave them, you don't need the period after that. With others that directly end the quote, turn those commas into periods.
Incorrect: "I'm. Not. Him!".
Correct: "I'm. Not. Him!"
10142399
Oopsie doopise, will get that fixed.
10142399
Better?
10142416
I put a hint in that direction at the end of the last chapter
10142421
Very much, thank you!
So they're all just shit people, good to know. They KNOW he isn't Sombra but is still a prisoner, still hated, and they still want to kill him and they have no regret, compassion or empathy. All of that is a VERY valid reason to hate them all and distrust them.
He should tell all of this to Fluttershy when he next sees her.
10142220
Well, remember that this guy has just mysteriously been ripped away from his home, dumped in an alien body and with that same suddenness and no chance whatsoever to get used to that whole ordeal is now being told he is going to be executed for crimes he never committed, in all cases bar Luna and Fluttershy by the very same characters he once admired back when he still thought they were fictional. And every time he does try to convince them and even prove he isn't Sombra, they deny his claims without even properly hearing him out. Heck, with this chapter's revelation that Celestia has seen his memories and damn well knows he isn't Sombra, what hope does he have that he could possibly tell them anything that would sway their minds?
Yeah, he's being a negative nancy, but justifiably so. The only thing that's spared him was Fluttershy's mercy. And even right now, his life still just hangs by the tiny thread that is Luna, who herself still barely stops herself from calling him Sombra. There's nothing he can say that will convince Celestia or the others, it's all up to Luna now. And he knows it.
10142220
https://e621.net/posts/1492259?q=tjpones
Probably Celestia on everything displeasing her if she isnt a 'nice ruler'.
She literally see the Flower as Alex
10142416
NOT BAMBOOZLED! WHYYYYYY!
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I do not know, but i wish to raise a call to arms!
10143085
Pls no
10143097
AVAST, THOUST WRITER HAS SPOKEN TO US COMMON FOLK.
10142152
Well that's possible but he also thought about the show with Celestia in presence
10142480
It does seem that way.
They have objective evidence that he is not Sombra and still treat him like a villain who cannot be trusted or allowed free despite knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is not the real Sombra.
There seems like no way to justify this or make Celestia not blindly hateful and vindictive towards somebody she knows for a fact does not deserve it.
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10143287
That's why I jumped ship from this story in the first chapter. I have never done that before. (Actually no, I might have way back in the day...)
It's the equivalent of hating someone just because they need someone to hate, when in fact he doesn't need need to be hated anymore or anything. I mean. Nightmaremoon and Luna. Let's hate Luna until she needs to die. Why not? They're technically the same person/pony!
I'm not quite sure how to feel about the persistence of ponies being pretty awful, especially if Celestia has proof Alex isn't Sombra. I suppose I need to wait and find out what Sombra did that shook Celestia to her core, made her want only to punish him. Maybe she can't bear to see someone who looks like Sombra simply because it brings terrible memories.
However, at some point, Alex should be treated better, especially if Luna or Celestia have any empathy or compassion at all. Especially if Luna has it, considering that she now has to speak the truth in front of all, and she can't keep silent or simply follow Celestia's clearly unreasonable lead if Luna knows the concept of innocence.
In the end, whatever the result, they'll have to figure out where Sombra went - if he is indeed alive in some sense and Alex is simply occupying his body because of some resurrection ritual going wrong.
10144009
Except that Celestia and Luna read his mind and saw his memories.
They know very well that this is not Sombra because they have actual evidence to prove it.
Also, there were never any others. Celestia read his mind and lied about there being others to try and catch him in his "lie" and make him admit to being Sombra.
There is not really a justification for Celestia still wanting to execute somebody she knows is innocent just because he looks like somebody she understandably hates.
Also, did you just say it is pointless to expect anybody to treat him decently or defend him even when Luna knows he is definitely innocent? Does that mean Luna should not do everything in her power to save the life of someone she knows doesn't deserve to die and it is unreasonable to expect her to?
10144009
Wile its understandebel why the hate is so strong its also still wrong to punish him for looking like someone. I can understand if he has to be protected by guards to keep a possible mob in check BUT its already down to extreamly unlikely that he is Sombra. Unless Celestia orders Luna & Discords execution for past crimes its hypocritic ×2 to make a exception for Alex. If Celestia has any decent reasoning she calls on Discord to determine if he is Sombra or not. Its less than a day in story BUT its literally somepony looking like Sombra and Celestia wants him dead. UNLESS Celestia dont want to be called on her bluff what makes her a cold blooded murderer without empathy.
Everypony demanding action after someone looking like Sombra makes perfect sence BUT that what investigations are for. Or else there is no law only mobs demands for blood in general. To be punished still after one if proven Innocent is wrong. Go after Sombra not his body double.
10144009
Wile its understandebel why the hate is so strong its also still wrong to punish him for looking lile someone. I can understand if he has to be protected by guards to keep a possible mob in check BUT its already down to extreamly unlikely that he is Sombra. Unless Celestia orders Luna & Discords execution for past crimes its hypocritic ×2 to make a exception for Alex. If Celestia has any decent reasoning he calls on Discord to determine if he is Sombra or not. Its less than a day in story BUT its literally some looking like Sombra and Celestia wants him dead. UNLESS Celestia dont want to be called on her bluff what makes her a cold blooded murderer without empathy.
Everypony demanding action afte someone looking like Sombra makes perfect sence BUT that what investigations are for. Or else there is no law only mobs demands for blood in general. To be punished still after one if proven Innocent is wrong. Go after Sombra not his body double.
/////
To quote you:
He cant 'work really hard to dispel' since he dont get the chance. It LITERALLY "Just kill him for we wannt him dead no matter what" in Celestias eyes.
Its not about Justice not about protection she just want blood. She dont care if its actualy Sombra that suffers as long as she can feel better because she never could handle THE REAL SOMBRA herself.
"even if Luna know" ? ... ... ... Wtf dude ?!
At this point it seems you wannt to see him fall 'just because' ...
This story sure shows why justice needs to be handeld by individuals that not emotional compromised.
Call in Thorax, Spike or someone with the balls to call out bullshit.
Doesn’t he still have the bite wound when he tried to wake himself up. To my knowledge no ones treated it yet and it was deep enough to bleed. If it’s not properly treated it could get infected.
10144208
Depends on how your biting and how much. I was imagining him just piercing the skin
Hes gonna become the monster the fear
10144826
That is the realistic result, but in the timeline we saw where Nightmare Moon won in the show life was apparently still sustainable.
Weird, isn't it?
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10144033
I meant with most ponies in general, and I meant that he can't afford throwing a in a sulking pity part for himself as seeing himself as always the victim from everyone. If he keeps on resenting the Mane Six like them he will surely start projecting that air of around everyone and they will dismiss him all the same and will miss his change for him to change their mind about him, as he is still fresh in their memories . At the moment he needs to build bridges with the ponies around him showing them that he isn't a threat to them, even if he doesn't believe that himself the sheer fact that he is trying his hardest to fit in. Heck he could start getting them to change their minds about him because of the bonydom, assuming that they don't find it creepy of course, and gush over what he liked so much about them and the show, just to show that know shows more then he lets on about them, as well as sparking curiosity about him to get them to want to get to know him. Heck he could try to ask Twilight to learn basic magic just to have a dialogue going with her that is sure to get her attention having a scholarly nature that she has, or even offer her to make test on him to examine or appoint someone to teach him the basics, he must avoid building up a persecution mind set if he wishes to survive in this world longer then a week, as well as to avoid spiraling into a depression.