Before the sisters banished him, he was my best friend. He was someone I could always rely on, kind of like that warm feeling on Hearts Warming Eve. Like a big brother, he protected me. Now, he's nothing more than old friend.
It was like it all happened yesterday. I could swear, I did not expect things to turn out the way they did.
Just yesterday, he was my protector, my big brother, my best friend. Now, all I can say about him is that he is nothing more than an old friend.
To whomever reads this, please help us. The crystal empire has been taken over, and ruled by a ruthless king. He demands we work day and night, farming crystals for some kind of weapon. I managed to escape, but never the less I know he will find me. Please, help us. We need help as soon as possible, anypony.
Signed Citizen of Crystal Empire
Memories of my friend filled my head as I ran, this couldn't be him, could it? It was the dark magic! He was simply corrupted by the power going to his head, right? I wish I could believe that, I really want to believe it. I just don't know what to do anymore. I tried talking to him, but it's no use. He won't let anyone get through, not even me.
My thoughts now are just a jumbled mess, memories, worries, everything just a incoherent mess, much like what's happening now. Just a big mess of crystal ponies chained together, working for our "King's" selfish goal. I feel my tired hoofs getting heavier as I keep running towards the Crystal Mountains, even more running, wonderful. Already my hoofs are trying to give out, but I'm not even past the barrier yet.
"I must get there..I must," I urge myself, trying to force my aching hooves to continue running.
"Scarcity"
I hear my name echo throughout the kingdom, echoing,and echoing. It can't be..He's back at the palace.
"Scarcity"
Again and again, the voice echos. Seeming to bounce of the new crystals forming everywhere in the ground. It sounds so close by, but it can't be can it?
"Join me,Scarcity"
That voice, that deep, brooding voice. It just keeps calling my name, trying to influence me.
"No, I'm stronger than you Sombra," I practically whisper, trying to give myself strength.
"Scarcity, it's Somie. Your Somie."
Oh how it taunts me so. As my name seems to echo off the walls, I throw the letter over the newly forming sphere wrapping around the empire.
"STOP IT!" I yell in my hoarse voice, the sound of my scream bouncing off the crystals.
"That's a good girl."
His voice again, it seems to be getting closer. I tried my best, I reached my limit. With a remorseful heart, I drop down on the ground and cover my ears with my hoofs. Maybe it'll drown out the sound of the tragedy going around me.
"SCARCITY!"
I'm woken up to the sound of a familiar male voice, and it sounds pretty angry.
"Y-Yes?" I call out groggily, my own voice sounding hoarse.
"You were screaming and shaking in your sleep again," He responds, My eyes didn't have to be open to tell he had rolled his eyes at least once through out that sentence.
I open my eyes slowly, the image of a blurry dark gray figure with red eyes in front of me is the first thing my adjusting eyes see. His eyes give off a look of annoyance, as I finally open my own groggily.
"S-Sorry...It was that dream again.." I explain as I lazily stand from my bed, stretching half asleep hooves.
"Will you ever tell me what that dream is about?" He questions, and as usual the same thing happens.
I remain silent, unsure if I should tell him or not. He is after all my best friend right? But then again..
"What's for breakfast?" I blurt out, in an awkward attempt to change the topic.
"There's a few muffins left. We'll probably have to buy some more food."
He was so calm, unlike my dream. His red eyes seem to just hold the seriousness he feels, unlike the green glowing eyes he had in my dream. Then again, it was just a dream right? Maybe it was just another nightmare, I do get those often anyways..
I trailed off into my own mind, completely forgetting about breakfast. I went straight to the "painter's den" as Somie called it, and tried to paint my dream so I wouldn't forget. A bit of a habit I had formed since I was a little filly.
"Scarcity, you forgot your breakfa-" I heard a voice call in my little "den" as I was nearly finished with my painting.
"What's this?" I head hoofsteps come closer to me as I felt Somie eying my painting.
"It's...My dream..." I responded as I moved out of the way so he could see it.
He would have to know sooner or later, and the painting wasn't done yet,so maybe I could get away with this one.
"This is...your dream?" He questioned as he lifted his gaze from it to me.
My amber hues met his ruby gaze, and with that I felt like I had forgotten the basics of speech. I just couldn't explain it now that he had his eyes on me.
It was a very different painting from those I usually do, It was a dark, ugly painting. Crystal ponies were around a large hill top, gathered in a circle and chained to the ground. And at the top? A dark grey stallion, clothed in armor, and with a mare imprisoned on to his side.
It wasn't complete, the pony at the top didn't have a face yet, and the mare who did resemble me wasn't completed either.
"It was just a stupid nightmare, don't worry." I tried to say, as I nuzzled his neck in a comforting manner.
"Perhaps you're right." His tone didn't sound so sure, but I could try couldn't I?
I smiled at him, putting a hoof around his shoulders. "You see? I'll go get rid of it."
"NO. I mean..No it's alright, I'll get rid of it for you. Go eat breakfast."
I could have sworn his voice sounded even deeper than his own and had a menacing tone to that simple no. Maybe I just imagined it, I am still a little sleepy after all. His voice sounded normal after that anyways.
"Alright, You'll eat breakfast with me right?" I said with a pout, putting out my best puppy eyes towards Sombra.
He always studies so much, he barely eats. Usually I eat the food, and then we go out and buy more, and from there the cycle continues.
"Fine, but-"
"I don't like but..." I interrupted, probably sounding like a whiny filly.
"Yes but. I can't stay for too long, I need to go brush up on my studies at the library."
I rolled my eyes, knowing he was going to say those exact words. He was so predicable at times.
"But..." I tried to start out.
"You said you didn't like but," He smirked , using my own words against me.
"Fine, you win," I finally gave in, he was going to the library whether I liked it or not.
"Look at all those crystal ponies...They look so pretty.." A young silver furred filly said as she sat by herself.
Unknown to her, a young colt was watching her. He took curiosity at the pony that had no crystal gleam to her pelt. She had her head lowered, was something wrong? And why was she in the harsh cold with nothing more than a black scarf? As he approached the filly, he noticed her forelock hiding the side of her face. He also took note of back, she had no wings either. What kind of pony was she? The male unicorn had never seen any ponies beside the unicorns and pegasi, plus the occasional crystal-like ponies that stepped outside of the large kingdom.
"W-Who's there?" She called out, hearing hoofsteps but she was not sure which direction they came from.
The colt took a few steps back, afraid of what the mare could do, and what she would do if she found out that the male was watching her. Many of the others were quite mean and disregarded him with not another thought, maybe she would be the same.
"Come on out...I kn-know you're here.." She said gently, trying to coax the male to reveal himself.
"You'll make fun of me.." He said lowly, hoping the filly wouldn't hear his pathetic sounding voice.
Her ears perked, picking up his low voice, "I promise I won't, just please come out."
"I'm b-behind you..."
The filly turned slowly turned around, only to be face to face with a dark furred colt. As their eyes met, he mumbled a shy 'hi' to her,as he stared into her soft, amber eyes.
"How long have you been there?" She questioned, tilting her head to the side in confusion.
"A while.."
The filly sat on the snow once again, raising a hoof for the male to shake. Her expression wasn't one of anger nor annoyance, it was one of kindness.
"Hi, I'm Scarcity." She introduced herself, her hoof eagerly waiting for a shake from the young male.
He took her hoof in his own in an awkward shake, before introducing himself, "M-My name's..." His eyes gazed towards the ground afraid to stare at her face again, "Sombra.."
His cheeks dusted pink with embarrassment, as he put his hoof behind his neck in an shy manner.
"Sombra? Hmm.." She lifted her hoof, and tapped it to her chin in thought.
"It's too long for me..How about..." She pondered on a nickname, "Somie!" She declared.
The filly smiled ear to ear, as she waited approval from the colt. She felt proud of her idea, but she wanted to hear the male's opinion.
"Somie?" He questioned her nickname, only to see her face sadden, "I love it!" He lied, not wanting to hurt her feelings.
"I'm so happy you like it!"
It seems so hard to believe that their meeting had happened quite a long time ago, to Sombra it felt like it had just had been yesterday. How time passes, now Scarcity had grown up to become a lovely mare, and he had begun his long studies that were complex but powerful.
"Somie! Breakfast!" Scarcity called, breaking his thoughts.
He knew the first thing she'd do is force some food on him, do her puppy eyes and make him eat it. Who could say no to those eyes? Plus, patience wasn't her forte either. With a roll of his eyes, he dragged himself to the kitchen, knowing it was not a smart idea to keep her waiting.
The second he entered, he felt her gaze upon him. Any second she would say something ab-
"Hey bed-head," She smirked, letting out a small chuckle.
Oh that smugness..How he wanted to knock that smirk of her cute little face. Suddenly an idea hit him, oh how cruel.
"You like it? Maybe we should try it out on you." He answered with the same smug tone that she had.
"Wait..No!"
It was too late, with a glow of his horn the magical aura surrounded her mane and removed the two pins keeping her style in place.
"I'll get you for that!" She growled, before attempting to tackle the larger pony to the ground.
Her mane fell out of it's normal style,and hung over her shoulders and back, making her look quite...different. Sombra, distracted for a moment was tackled to the ground by the small mare, who used her earth pony strength to her advantage.
"Fine, I give in. What does her highness want?" He tricked her, seeing if she'd take the bait.
"You must actually eat something with me," She smirked, thinking she had some kind of advantage over the stallion.
"Hmm..." He pretended to ponder, tapping his chin with his hoof.
"Well, I guess I won't be moving an inch," She lifted her head, showing her 'superiority' over the larger male.
"Oh, is that so?"
"Yes, There's no way you're getting me of-" She was cut off by Sombra rolling under her, and pinning her from above in the position he was in just a few seconds ago. The mare blinked, everything had happened just so quick.
The female underneath him pouted in a childish manner, "No fair.." She mumbled, her ears lowering in a submissive state.
He stared into her amber eyes, studying her state like a book. He did like having power over the mare, oh yes. His smirk widened as she started to notice their state. Her eyes widened slightly, as she noticed their 'situation', oh how she hated the dark stallion on top of her now.
"Miss Scarcity, I have come to pick up the painting I ordered!" A loud voice rang through, and a loud snap was heard as the door flew off it's hinges.
"Hello?" The pony called throughout the house, passing by each room until she reached the kitchen.
"Ah Miss Scarcity! I have come to pi-" The pony covered her eyes with a hoof, her cheeks dusting a light pink, "Am I interrupting something?"
Scarcity struggled under Sombra's hold as she saw one of her customers, her cheeks reddening even more.
"N-No, We just..." Scarcity started, thinking of something that made the slightest bit of sense for the current predicament she was in, "Slipped! Y-Yeah..That's right!" She lied, her crimson cheeks telling another story.
Sombra glanced up at the crystal pony and awkwardly stepped of the mare, his cheeks tinting a pink as well.
"L-Let's go find your painting.." She said to the crystal mare, still trying to recover from the situation from before.
"Y-Yes lets.." The mare walked with her, the two ponies going to the den.
Sombra on the other hand needed some time to gather up his thoughts. Gathering up his books, he took off to the library through where the door had once been. At least he could practice and contain his thoughts all in one place, by himself. Plus, he needed some fresh air..Yes, that's what he needed.
"You and your dark knight, hmm?" The gossipy crystal pony said to me as I searched for her painting in the back.
The pony was curious, especially after that scene that she had witnessed back in the kitchen. Did the two have a secret romance no one knew about? Or maybe it was a one-sided romance? The stories, the questions! Oh how the blue pony with the crystalline pelt had to know!
"We are just friends." I responded back to the mare, blowing some dust off a few old paintings I had passed by.
These ponies were sure curious. A little too curious for their own good, and annoyingly so.
"Are you sure? He had you pinned pretty good." The pony responded in sing-song voice.
I bit back a growl as I rolled my eyes at the mare behind me. Now I wanted her out of my house, and she owes me some bits for a new door as well.
"Is this it?" I heard the feminine voice behind me, as she pointed to a piece that was covered by a tarp.
For the third time today, I wanted to slap the crystal of this pony. Couldn't she see that I looked everywhere for the painting? I'm sure if I would have seen it I would ha-
To my surprise and irritation, the female lifted the tarp of the painting. It was probably just another old sketch I did when I was a fil-
"Here it is!" She exclaimed, her eyes 'carefully' examining it.
The second I turned my head to glance over my shoulder I caught sight of the painting. Bring my hoof up to my face, I buried my face in it from embarrassment. Maybe I was so caught up about looking for it that I had passed it?
As I walked up to it, I noticed it was under the 'Commissions' shelf, and seeing the resemblance to pony in front of it, I took in a happy breath.
"I believe you have found it Miss." I put on a fake smile as I took it down to give it to her.
Thank Celestia, finally the pony would be out of my mane and out of my hou-
"I don't like it.."
"Why don't you like it?" My brow knitted together in confusion, the resemblance was uncanny!
"You made my eye the wrong shade of teal." I bit down on my lip, trying not say anything I would regret later.
"You're...Right. I shall fix it, come back next week."
"Good, See you next week" The pony said as she walked out the door with her held up high, "And Happy Heart's Warming."
I took in a deep breath and exhaled as I shut the door. With anger boiling in my chest, I kicked a nearby vase with my hind legs, knocking it to the ground. I ran a hoof through my mane, as I tried to keep myself calm. It was Heart's Warming Eve, I should be respecting and rejoicing the others around me.
"Great, now I don't get paid.." I mumbled under my breath as a I walked around our small house.
What was I to do now? I didn't have a gift for Somie, nor did I have bits to buy him a late present. Sure I could paint him something, but I practically do that on a normal basis. I continued to walk, until I reached my den and went inside. This was a good way to let it out right? Out of anger, I pushed over paint buckets and canvases, making a mess all over the ground.
"Why today?" I whimpered as I threw myself on some pillows in the edge of the room.
"Why..." I choked out as tears started to develop in my eyes.
"Somie, you know what today is?" The young filly said eagerly.
"Hmm...Is it, Tuesday?" The colt pretended to wonder, knowing this would tick off his friend.
"No! It's Heart's Warming Eve!" She pouted, thinking that the colt had forgotten the special day.
"Oh, It is?"
"Yes!"
Unknown to young Scarcity, the colt had the filly's present just behind his back. It had been the pins he caught her glancing over with interest at the crystal market, a similar blue matching the strange stripe of blue in her tail. Now, the filly had her forelock in her eyes, and her crest falling over her neck and shoulders.
"See, I got you a present!"
Trying her best to be steady on two hoofs, she took the flower crown she had made for the him. Using his own body for support to stand, she carefully placed it on top of his head. Sure it was a little small, but to the young silver pony it looked just perfect on him.
"Well then, I guess I could give you yours..."
"You got me a present?" Her eagerness and excitement were clear as day through her voice.
"Now close your eyes," He instructed, carefully maneuvering the pins through her mane, "Almost there..."
"Come on!" The female said impatiently, stepping on the ground repeatedly, "I wanna see it!"
"Hold on..." He pinned it carefully, putting it in such a manner that it wouldn't fall out on it's own, "There."
"Let me see, Let me see!"
The filly raced to the nearest mirror, excitedly wondering what her present was. She knew she felt a slight tug on her mane, so maybe it was a clip? Or maybe a flower? Oh was she excited!
"Oh my...."
The filly looked at her reflection, and she was shocked at was she saw. It was the pins she wanted! But how could he get them? The market had closed down a while ago, and the pins weren't exactly cheap either. The little pony let out a happy scream, as she raced back to Sombra and tackled him with all her might.
"Thankyou,Thankyou,Thankyou,Thankyou!"
She wrapped her hooves around him in a hug, and gladly nuzzled his neck. Her eyes were fully closed, and she didn't hear any complaints from her friend either. Sombra was taken back, sure it was a nice gesture, but all of this? His cheeks felt warm as he wrapped his hoofs back around her in an awkward embrace.
It had been years since that had happened, they'd both grown in their own ways. The mare had discovered her love and talent for art, while the stallion had discovered how much he could learn about magic. Sure, they both did have their childish moments like the one in the kitchen, but they were grown up ponies now.
"Scarcity?" A familiar male voice echoed through out the den.
"C-C-Come in.." I managed to stutter out, my voice still odd from the sobbing.
"What's wrong?" I heard hoofsteps coming closer.
"N-Nothing.." I lied, as I turned my head away from the approaching stallion.
I mean, how could you tell someone that you didn't have a present for them when it was a gift giving holiday? Or that you had failed to sell anything in an entire month? I was starting to be become a little too dependent on him, and I didn't want that.
He lowered himself to my level, and sat next to me, "I know something's bugging you," His eyelids were low, I could tell he had been practicing some new spells. He looked so tired, it just pulled at my heart a little.
I would have to tell him anyways, so without a second thought, I took in a breath and let it all out, "It's the crystal ponies...They haven't bought anything from me since last month," I turned to the wall, I couldn't bare to see his face.
"That's it?"
My heart felt as if it stopped, I couldn't believe it. I blinked once, then twice before turning my head to meet his own. Just like when we were younger, his red eyes met my own amber hues. As we stared at each other, my heart started to beat faster, I just couldn't... Why did he have to be so kind?
"Y-You're not-"
"Mad?" He finished for me, his gaze now on my quivering lips as his own turned up into a smirk, "Why would I be?"
"B-Because..." I glanced around the room trying to gather my words, "I don't have a..I mean.."
"Scarcity," He lifted my head with his hoof, and turned it so I would be facing him, "Spit it out."
"I haven't been able to get you a gift.." I whispered, afraid that he would be mad or disappointed with me.
"Tell you what, how about you get me a gift when you have the bits?" He replied, his tone was...surprisingly calm.
"R-Really?"
"Yes, don't worry about it okay?" He smiled, wrapping a hoof around my back.
"Thank you Somie." I smiled back, as I nuzzled his neck.
"It's fine," He smirked, "Besides I forgot to get you a gift too."
I quit my nuzzling and glared at him, "You what?" My ears lowered down in anger.
He kept that smug smirk on his face, "You heard me." He lifted his head, smiling like he owned the world.
I mimicked his expression as I spoke my next words, "You know what?" I started to lift my body off from the ground, no longer in the laying position anymore.
"What?" He blinked innocently.
"I'm getting you for that!" I lunged at him, tackling him to the ground like I did this morning at breakfast.
I should have known from the beginning, that new magic I saw him experimenting with was trouble. But as usual, I shrugged it off with a stupid smile,thinking it was just some spell. Now, he was unruly, dark, and dare I say even sadistic. He enjoyed my fear, I could feel his eyes watch me with delight as I ran away trying to defend myself from the superior power. But how he was wrong, he knew nothing about true strength.
Images of the crystal ponies chained together flashed in my mind, their faces exhausted and scared. The ponies I had done paintings for, the same mares and stallions who I had befriended.
No. I wouldn't let this continue, I swear on my life.
With dark grace, he stood on the balcony of the crystal palace. His smile like one of a man who had gone mad, and his eyes? There was nothing but his lust for power in them, this was not my Somie. Oh, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. No, his taunting didn't stop there, he had the nerve to laugh over the weak, and tired citizens. He threw his head back and laughed as if he had been told the funniest joke in all of Equestria, the familiar laugh that the stereotypical villain did in filly tales.
"You will not prevail Sombra," I said aloud, knowing he would hear my hoarse voice.
As I rose to stand up for both the crystal ponies and myself, I lifted my head so that my gaze would meet his. My eyes were narrowed, and full of new found motivation, and by his expression he hadn't been expecting that.
Good.
"He will be brought down," I told myself as I ran towards the palace, he wasn't going to win this war.
I woke with a gasp, my unpinned, loose mane stuck to the back of my neck from the sweat. This couldn't be, not again. I never had a dream this connected before, nor had one continue where the other left off. Was this some kind of message? A warning, perhaps?
"Scarcity, what's wrong?" I heard his voice ask from outside my room, it was if he detect when I was troubled with something, even if it was small and dumb.
"I-It came back.." I stammered out, curling up in fear.
I wish the dream would at least let me see by what it meant by dark magic! Then maybe I could stop Somie from doing it, and I wouldn't have to worry abut it. I mean, who has heard about dark magic in Equestria?
"What came back?" He said with a sigh as he lit a nearby candle.
"I-It.." I stuttered stupidly, while I rocked back and fourth in my nervousness.
I heard hoofsteps approach my shaky form I felt the warmth of a candle nearby, this wasn't helping much either. How could I pick up the pieces if I couldn't find any of them?
"Scarcity..Please," He sat down next to me on my bed, his eyes filled with worry.
The room was dark, excluding the light from his magic and the fire flicking on the candle. But something felt..off. Maybe I was still paranoid from my dream? No, that couldn't be it. Something felt..out of place.
"Scarcity, come on." He pleaded, the circles around his tired eyes which glinted with concern.
I took in a breath, trying to gather up my words, "Remember the painting..?" I started out, trying to pick it up from somewhere.
He blinked a few times, and I could see his expression change to one of fear, "Y-Yes...Why?"
Never once in my life had I heard him stutter, or tremble. Should I continue? He did have to know the truth right? This couldn't be the stallion that turns into..that creature. They were just so different, it just didn't seem right.
I bit my lip, was is the right thing to do? I shut my eyes as I chose my next words very carefully, "I-I had a second sight of it.." My eyes instinctively opened to see his face.
Now, I regretted my last choice of words. His ears lowered in fear, and I felt a shiver go up his spine. I just made the poor stallion afraid, and for what? A stupid dream?
A nagging voice in the back of my head said to continue, and that he needed to hear the rest. But I wasn't sure if I could continue, especially since those little words I had spoke before made him react that way.
I curled up at his side, and nudged him gently trying to calm his nerves. I nuzzled his chest in a comforting manner, trying to ease him. The second I started, I felt his heart beat rapidly.
"Somie..Are you alright?" I questioned, lifting my head to see his face.
He shut his eyes, and I saw his mouth open and immediately shut. What was he going to say? Now I wanted to know, what had him so scared? I know that the painting wasn't exactly delightful, but what would cause he be so afraid?
Something was wrong, I could tell. Now more than ever I wanted to know, "Sombra, what's wrong?" I said more sternly this time, calling him by his full name. It might not seem like a big deal, but I had always called him by his nickname since we met, not once had I used his name.
I saw a bit of green flash before his red eyes, "Don't call me that," he responded in a voice deeper than his own. It had a snarl added at the end of the tone, now I was sure something was wrong.
Allowing myself to caught up in my mind, I laid my head above my hoofs. I would ask him tomorrow morning, he would probably leave he second I fell asleep anyway. I shut my eyes as I felt the warmth from the candle disappear, hopefully the morning would be better.
As I started to drift off into sleep, I felt both confused and curious about the new situation at hand.
