> The Softness Of Her Heart
>  by KingSombraTheTyrantRuler
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> A morning in Ponyville
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a bright sunny morning in Ponyville, and a shy, yellow pegasus started her day. Fluttershy opened all her curtains, letting sunlight into her cottage. She then started her daily routine, by calling all the creatures and giving their food.

She made sure to give Angel Bunny three carrots, and then was about to start her own breakfast when there was a knock on the door. "Who can that be?", Fluttershy wondered. She opened the door and was surprised to see Derpy Hooves, the mail pony. Derpy gave Fluttershy an envelope, and then flew off to deliver more letters.

Fluttershy shut her cottage door and then looked at the envelope in her hooves. She opened it, and took the letter out. 

After unfolding it, Fluttershy read, " Dear Fluttershy, if you aren't busy, then I would like to see you at Princess Celestia's castle ASAP. 

PS: It's urgent. 

From Twilight Sparkle."

After reading the letter, Fluttershy started panicking. "I hope Twilight is well. What could be so urgent? Maybe Spike is ill? Or she found a hurt bird? Or changelings are attacking? Or Princess Celestia is ill? Or maybe..."

Angel Bunny tapped Fluttershy and gave her a look that said, 'Stop panicking and go find out.'

Fluttershy said, "You're right Angel. I should stop panicking and find out what Twilight needs help with."

Saying that, the yellow pegasus waved and then walked out of her cottage. Then, she flew as fast as she could to Canterlot.




> Cut the act.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Fluttershy reached the gates of the castle, a guard opened it and took her to princess Celestia’s throne room. Inside were Princess Celestia and Twilight.

The guard bowed, and left. Fluttershy flew to Twilight and said, “I got your letter, Twilight and I came as fast as I could. What’s the emergency? Has Queen Chrysalis returned? Or has Starlight become evil again? Or...”

Twilight stopped her friend worrying by saying, “It’s not that bad. A month ago, when Cadence asked me to go to the Crystal Empire, we found King Sombra’s horn. After reading his journal, we found out that there still is some good left in him. And...”

Fluttershy asked, “And what?”

Princess Celestia answered, “And after much thought, I have decided to bring Sombra back to reform him. And because you managed to reform Discord all those years ago, I have decided that you will be the one to reform Sombra.”

This made the pegasus nervous. She started shaking. “Is h-he here?”

Celestia answered, “The guards will be bringing him in.”

And true to her words, a few seconds later the doors opened revealing two guards and a pony in chains. The guards pushed the pony in, bowed, and then left.

Fluttershy looked at the former king of the Crystal Empire. He looked as if he hadn’t eaten anything for weeks. His eyes were full of hatred and anger.

He stared at Fluttershy, making her shake even more.

Sombra’s P.O.V:

After the guards left, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I stared at the yellow mare, and she quickly looked away.

Celestia said, “So Fluttershy, are you ready to reform him? If you aren’t, then he can be sent back to the dungeons.”

The pegasus replied, “I’m ready to reform him, it’s just that when I got Twilight’s letter, I didn’t expect this.”

Celestia said, “If you’re ready, then you can go back to your cottage. Unless you want to have some more time.”

The mare replied, “I-I think I’m ready to reform him.”

Then, she bowed and picked my chain up and left. I followed her. When we came to the gates, the guards opened it and we walked out.

I looked at the mare. She was terrified just by me looking at her. I couldn’t believe that Celestia had chosen such a weak mare to reform me.
> What?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

But if she reformed the Lord Of Chaos, then she must be acting.
I was too busy looking at her to notice that we had reached a small cottage. The mare opened the door and I followed her in.

She shut the door and then started taking my chains off. I looked around the cottage. There were many creatures there.

Was this mare a vet? Or a zoo-keeper?

She finished taking my chains off and threw them into a basket. She started, "H-hi, S-sombra. I-i'm F-fluttershy."

She tried to smile, but she was too scared. I could smell the fear in her from a mile away.

I said, "Cut the act, pegasus."

She stuttered, "W-what d-do you m-mean? W-what act?"

I told her, "When are you going to start torturing me until I reform?"

She looked confused. "W-what do you mean, t-torturing y-you?"

"The only reason Celestia chose you is because you pretend to be scared. After your act is over, you would start killing everypony around you."

"I-I would never k-kill anypony."

I stared straight into her eyes and read her mind. It was full of fear and questions such as, "Did I do the right thing by agreeing to reform Sombra? Why does he think I'm acting? Why does he think that I would ever kill anypony? Or torture him?"

I said, "You would. What did you say your name was?"

She whispered, "F-fluttershy."

I asked, "Buttershy?"

She said louder, "Fluttershy."

"Fine then, Fluttershy I don't want to be reformed. I will never be reformed, ever."

She said, "You will. I know there's some good in you. Nopony can be completely evil."

I said, "What if I told you that I am completely evil? What can a weak mare like yourself do, anyways?"

Fluttershy replied, "I can give you, the STARE."

I sarcastically said, "Oh, I'm so scared."

I laughed. "Anypony can stare."

She said, "Anypony can stare, but not everypony can give THE stare."

"Really? Then show me that stare of yours."

"I'll only use it on you if you get out of control."

The mare went to another room and came back with a basket. She gave it to me. "Eat."

I looked inside the basket and saw some carrots and strawberries. 

I said, "How do I know that you didn't poison these?"

She replied, "I would never poison anyponies food. "

"Prove that there's no poison."

"Alright."

Fluttershy ate some carrots and strawberries. I waited for a few seconds to see if anything happened to her, but nothing did.

Then, I filled my mouth with the basket's contents and swallowed them all.

The mare said, "I don't want to sound rude, but I've never seen anypony eat like that before."

"That's how somepony would eat after being starved for a month."

"Celestia didn't give you any food for a month!"

"Nothing at all."

"That's terrible! I'll get some more food for you."

'Fluttershy' flew out of the window into her garden and came back a few minutes later with three basketfuls of fruits.
She gave the baskets to me and I started eating. 

She was watching me so I said, "You can eat some, if you want."

She replied, "I'm not hungry."

I continued eating. When I finished, she gave me some water. I drank it and then saw something on the side of her flank.

I asked, "What's that drawing on your flank?"

"It's my cutie mark."

"How did you get it?"

"When I found my special talent, it just appeared."
"Oh."

She asked, "Why don't you have a cutie mark?", and then she quickly added, "No offense."

I said, "None taken," and then I answered her question,"Only ponies have cutie marks."

"But you're a pony, right?"

"No, I'm an umbrum."

"What's an umbrum? I never heard of them."

"A species made out of shadow. You haven't heard of them because long ago, they used to live in the crystal empire. But they were sealed away by Amore."

"Who's Amore?"

"The first princess of the crystal empire. She discovered the crystal heart and used her magic to power it. Her cutie mark was that."

"Oh. But why did she seal the umbrum away?"

"Because she thought they were evil."

"She should've tried to talk to them first, not imprison them. That's so unfair."

"Things are never fair, Fluttershy. How do you think it felt to spend a thousand years in ice?"

"It would've felt terrible. The princesses should've talked to you first, instead of just sealing you in ice."

"But they would never do that. Celestia is the type of pony who does things first, and thinks later. And if she can't defeat an enemy, then she'll banish them for a thousand years and then find a student and give them the burden of defeating the villain."

"That is true. When Princess Luna turned into Nightmare Moon, Princess Celestia banished her to the moon for a thousand years, and that was her own sister."

"Why did Celestia choose you to reform me? You have no magic to defend yourself."

"Because I reformed Discord, a few years ago. "

"You reformed the lord of chaos? Where is he now? Did he die after being subjected to the friendship torture?"

"I did reform Discord, he didn't die, he's immortal. And I sent him on a holiday. He'll be back after a month."

"Oh. When will you start torturing me? "
> Why?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Sombra, why do you keep thinking that I'm going to torture you?"

"Because, as soon as I let my guard down around you, you'll either kill or torture me."

"That's NOT true."

"It is."

"Then go and ask Angel what kind of pony I am."

"Who's 'Angel'?"

" A bunny."

"I don't speak bunny language."

"Oh."

"Just tell me how you're going to torture me, and I won't harm you."

"Fine. I'm going to torture you by making you take care of Angel."

The mare flew and came back with a bunny in her hooves. She gave the bunny to me and said, "Here. If Angel wants anything, then you have to give it to him."

"Taking care of a bunny isn't torture!"

"It's very hard to take care of Angel."

"I'll see about that."

Fluttershy went to the other creatures and started taking care of them.

I looked at the bunny in my hooves. It started making noises and tapping my hoof.

I asked it, "What do you want?"

It squeaked something, but I couldn't understand.

I told it, "I don't understand you."

The bunny pulled me to a basket and took all the carrots and started eating them.

"So that's what you wanted?"

It nodded.

********************************

A few hours passed, and now it was evening. Fluttershy was now putting all the creatures to sleep.

She didn't come to take Angel off me, so I thought that I had to put him to sleep.

But how to put a bunny to sleep?

I looked at the mare and thought that her mane would make a good nest for a bunny. (Where else would a bunny sleep?)

So, I walked to her and put Angel on her mane. Then, I wrapped him up.

When I was done, I stood back, admiring my work.

Fluttershy turned to me and asked, "Sombra? Why did you wrap Angel in my mane?"

I replied, "Isn't that where he sleeps?"

"No!"

"Then where does he sleep?"

"In his basket."

Fluttershy picked a basket off the floor, took Angel out of her mane, and put him in the basket.

Then, she put a small blanket on him, and put the basket on the floor.

I asked her, "Why do you keep so many creatures in your cottage?"

"I take care of them."

"All by yourself?"

"Yes."

"So, how do you plan on reforming me?"

"I don't know how."

"When you saw me in the throne room, why did you accept to have the burden of reforming me?"

"Because, you looked terrible. I wanted to help you."

"Really?"

"Yes."

I read the mare's mind to see if she was telling the truth, and she was.

I decided to find some more information about her, so I looked deeper into her mind.

When I finished, the information that I had found was that Fluttershy was an extremely shy pegasus, her element of harmony was kindness, and that she always helped everypony.

I smiled as a plan was forming in my mind.

If I was careful, everything would go the way I wanted it to.

Celestia had given me a way to get my freedom and my Empire back.

If I could corrupt this mare, then I would once again be a king.

I just needed to do it slowly and carefully.

I asked her, "Where will I sleep?"

She replied, "You could sleep on the sofa. If it's fine with you."

I said, "That will be fine enough. You are a very kind mare, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy blushed. "It's no problem."

She went up the stairs and I heard a door shutting.

Then, I looked at the sofa. There was a pillow and a blanket on there.

I lied on the sofa, and then covered myself with the blanket and slept.

Because, if I wanted to be strong enough to take back my Empire, I had to get energy.

******************************************************************
> Magic?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When I woke up in the morning, I saw a yellow pegasus standing next to me. She jumped after seeing that I was awake and said, "Good morning, Sombra. How were your dreams? Did you get a good sleep?"

I didn't reply. I was too busy thinking about how to corrupt the mare. Fluttershy said, "Sombra?"

She waved her hoof in front of my face, and I moved it. I forced out, "Morning, Fluttershy. I had a good sleep and dreams."

She asked, "What were your dreams about?"

I replied, "Nothing. Just a white wall."

"How could you call that a good dream? That must have been the worst dream ever."

"If you say so."

"Are you  hungry?"

"Maybe."

Fluttershy got an apple and put it in front of my face. I asked, "How do I know that you didn't put any poison in it?"

She replied, "I told you yesterday, I would never poison anypony's food."

"Prove it."

"How?"

"You think of a way."

The pegasus thought and thought. She finally came up with an idea. "Use your magic."

I tried to do a poison checking spell, but my horn never glowed. My magic was gone!

I told her, "My magic's gone."

"Oh."

She thought again. Finally, she showed me her idea. She bit the apple and showed me that she was unpoisoned. So, I took the apple and ate it. I decided to find out as much information as I could about this pony.

I thought of what to ask her. I was about to say something when the pegasus said, "Um...Sombra? C-could I ask you a question?"

I nodded, and she said, "Do you have any family?"

I told her, "No."

She asked, "Why do you want to take over the Crystal Empire so badly?"

"To get my revenge."

"What did the Crystal Ponies do to you that makes you want to have revenge?"

"Not the Crystal Ponies, only Amore."

"But..you turned her into a statue and destroyed her."

"She made me suffer while I was a colt, so I will make the Crystal Ponies suffer. They were her ponies, and soon they will be mine."

"Do you have to get your revenge? I mean, you can if you want to, but do you have to take revenge?"

"And what do you suggest I do?"

"Um..have a tea party? And biscuits? And um, they could apologize to you?"

I laughed, "That is something I would never do. How do you have a tea party, anyways? Pour tea over the pony sitting next to you and laugh at them?"

Her eyes became big. "No! To have a tea party, you invite somepony to your house, make some tea, get some biscuits, talk to them, and drink tea."

"Huh...I never liked tea, and I never will."

"Have you ever tried it?"

"Never. Tea is something that only grandmares drink."

"That's not true. Princess Celestia drinks tea, and she's not a grandmare. Rarity drinks it too, and she's not a grandmare either."

"As for this Rarity, who is she?"

"Rarity's my friend."

"Do I look like I pay attention to what your friends look like?"

"Her fur is white; she's got a purple mane and a diamond cutie mark."

"I remember seeing a pony like that."

"Did you ever have a friend?"

"Once in my life."

"Who was she, or he?"

"Radiant Hope, a mare who always helped me except when I needed her help the most."

"Oh...What happened?"

"She chose her home over me, and in the end, she had no home and no friend left."

"Oh..."

Fluttershy didn't talk after that, so we sat in silence for half an hour. She was looking at her hooves, and I was looking at her.

I noticed that she looked smaller than other mares. I asked, "How come you're smaller than other mares? You're just a bit bigger than a filly."

"I don't know why."

She looked at me for a second and then found her hooves more interesting. She suddenly said, "I need to take care of my friends. Do you want to help?"

She looked hopeful for a second, but I said, "I'll just sit here and watch you."

The hope faded out of her eyes. She flew off and started taking care of all the creatures in her house.

*******************************************************************

The sun had set no more than a few seconds ago, and Fluttershy was putting all her creatures to sleep. She finished doing that and flew over with some fruits in a basket.

Then, she gave some to me, and she started eating her fruits.

I ate too, after looking at them carefully. I wondered what had happened to my magic.

Did Celestia think that the pegasus couldn't handle me when I still had magic and took it while I was sleeping?

That sounded like her.

I blinked and saw that Fluttershy was staring at me. She asked, "Um...Sombra? Are you alright?"

I said, "Yes, I was thinking about something. None of your concern."

I think I said that too harshly because the mare had some tears in her eyes.

Reluctantly, to get her trust, I said, "It's just that I have a bad headache. Don't cry."

She said, "Goodnight.", and then she went to her room. I decided to stay awake and think.

*******************************************************

It was now midnight, and I decided to get some sleep. I put the pillow on the sofa and then slept.
> Cherries
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy's P.O.V:

I woke up as soon as the sun rose. Then, I folded my blanket, brushed my teeth, had a shower, and then I brushed my mane.

Then I flew downstairs and started giving every creature their food. Every creature is happy with what I give them, except for Angel.

Angel pushes the bowl of salad away from him and I give it back to him saying, "Angel, eat your salad."

Angel puts the bowl upside down and I ask him, "You don't want to eat salad? But why? Salad is healthy, it tastes nice, it's very good for you."

Angel opens a book and taps the picture. I asked him, "You want to eat that?"

Angel nods and I say, "Ok. I'll make it for you."

I check the ingredients and see that I need three cherries, four blueberries, one apple, and some strawberries.

I open my cupboard and see that I don't have any cherries. I had everything but that.

I asked Angel, "This could be fine without a cherry, right?"

Angel shakes his head and I sigh. Because I had no cherries left, I had to go to buy some more, but the problem was that while I was gone, there wouldn't be anypony to watch Sombra, and he might...do something while I'm gone.

Angel looked at me and I sighed again. I walked to the sofa and woke Sombra.

Once he opened his eyes, I said, "Sombra? I'm sorry for waking you, you could've been in the middle of having a nice dream and I know how it feels to never be able to finish a dream, and I'd hate that, but I need to tell you something important."

Sombra sleepily said, "Hmm?"

I continued, "I need to go to buy some cherries for Angel, and I'll have to leave you here alone with nopony to watch you. When I come back, I want to see that every creature is fine and that you haven't hurt them or done anything. Ok?"

Sombra nodded and fell back asleep. I drank some water and then put my saddlebag on.

Then I walked to the cherry store. There was a long line when I got there. I joined the line and waited for it to become shorter. Slowly, it became shorter, and shorter, and shorter, until I was the only pony there.

I gave the shopkeeper 16 bits and said, "Could you please give me three cherries?"

The shopkeeper said, "The price has changed. Now it's 25 bits for three cherries. You only gave enough bits to buy two cherries."

"But last week it was 16 bits.", I said to the shopkeeper.

He said, "That was last week. Now the price has changed. So, either give more or take two cherries and go."

"But I don't have any more bits.", I told him.

"Bad luck for you then.", he said. "Take your two cherries and go."

"Can't you just give me three cherries for 16 bits?"

"No."

"But I really need three cherries. Can't you just-"

The shopkeeper cut me off. "No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Pretty please?"

"No."

What happened next was out of my control. I found myself giving him the stare.

The shopkeeper said, "You can take three cherries for 16 bits."

I thanked the shopkeeper, put the cherries in my saddlebag, and flew off.

I felt bad that I used the stare on the shopkeeper. I didn't know if I'd ever forgive myself for using it.

I only used the stare when there was no other option in a dangerous situation.

Not getting three cherries because I didn't have enough bits wasn't a dangerous situation.

I landed just in front of my cottage and opened the door, half scared of what I'd find inside.

But, instead of finding hurt creatures, I found everything just how it was before I had left.

Sombra was still sleeping. I made Angel's food and gave it to him. Then I got some grapes for me and Sombra to eat.

I waited until Sombra woke up to eat. When he woke up, I told him to make himself tidy.

So, he did. When he came down, I gave him some grapes and we both ate.

*******************************************

After making sure that Sombra was sleeping, I went to my room and got on my bed. Then, I unfolded my blanket and slept.
> Need some help?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sombra's P.O.V:

The mare named Fluttershy has been suspiciously kind to me. I'm not sure if I should trust her. I could never let anypony get too close to me. I had not forgotten about Radiant Hope's betrayal.

Didn't this mare know that I couldn't be reformed? I was snatched from my thoughts by a voice saying, "Um, Sombra? Are you okay?"

I was about to yell at the one who had interrupted my thinking when I saw it was the mare I had been thinking about, Fluttershy.

I still had to earn her trust, even if she would never earn mine. I said, "Of course I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Uh, not to be rude, but you were kind of staring at the wall for a long time.", she said.

“I was just lost in thought, that’s all.” I hastily replied. Trying not to show my distrust I kept a neutral expression.

“Oh...I see.” She replied before my ears twitched, a knock on the front door.

The pegasus went to open it, while I stayed on my guard, carefully listening in. “Ah, hello, Twilight.” Fluttershy greeted her. “How are you?”

“I am doing good, Fluttershy, thank you.” Twilight replied, “I would like to talk to Sombra, alone, please.” She requested, causing my ears to flinch in slight frustration.

“Uh, he’s still a bit...shaken, are you sure about this?” The timid mare sounded hesitant, much to my own surprise.

“Yes, I can do this. Why not catch some fresh air?”

“Uh, sure thing, Twilight.”

With the door closing and hoofsteps approaching, my expression slightly darkened as the student of the princess approached me. “What do you want?” My voice was slightly raised.

“I would like to tell you why your magic is gone.” She stated, which surprised me.

“What?”, I asked.

"I would like to tell you why your magic is gone,'' she repeated.

"And why is that?", I asked.

"Because I took it. Yes, I did take it.", she repeated, after seeing my look of astonishment and disbelief. "I drained you of your magic while you were sleeping.", she replied.

I didn't believe what I was hearing. " But why? ", was all that I could say.

"Well, for one," she started, "I wanted to do some tests on your magic, seeing if I could turn it into normal magic."

"But my magic is normal! It's only different because I'm an umbrum, and because I use dark magic.", I exclaimed.

" I...don't believe you.", she said a few seconds after I had finished talking. "You'll get your magic back when I'm finished testing it."

“No way!” I yelled at her, “Give it back, right now, it can't be used as an experiment!”

“I am sorry, but on Celestia’s orders, I can’t give you your magic back.” The purple unicorn tried to defend herself, taking a step back in fear.

But it didn’t matter to me. “Give it back, I demand it!” My voice was louder and more forceful, with the mare taking a defensive stance.

“Stop!” A new voice made both of us flinch, “Both of you!” We turned around to see a slightly upset and worried Fluttershy. “You can’t force him to do this, Twilight!”

Celestia’s student stayed silent for a moment before sighing. “I'll have to come back another time, I guess…” With that, she left.”

Fluttershy looked concerned at me. “She did not..hurt you, did she?”

“Somehow, I could not help but appreciate her concern. “I am fine.”

“Oh...okay.” She nodded, then fed her animals and dropped a bowl of berries next to me.

Fluttershy’s P.O.V:

I was just giving Angel his carrots when I heard a commotion coming from my living room where Sombra and Twilight were. 

“No way!” I heard Sombra yell. “Give it back, right now, it can't be used as an experiment.”

“I am sorry, but on Celestia’s orders, I can’t give you your magic back.” Twilight yelled back.

I started walking there and as I heard Sombra yell again, “Give it back, I demand it!” I flew.

I tried saying, “Stop fighting.”, but my voice was so quiet that they didn’t hear me. As they continued to fight, I took a deep breath and yelled, “Stop!” This time they heard me and froze. “Both of you! You can’t force him to do this, Twilight!”, I said in my normal voice.

Twilight sighed, “I'll have to come back another time, I guess…” With that, she left.

Looking concerned, I asked Sombra, “She did not...hurt you, did she?”

“I am fine.”, was his reply.

“Oh...okay.” I nodded to show that I understood, and then flew off and came back with a bowl of berries and put them next to Sombra before walking back to Angel.

“Wait!”, I heard Sombra say. I turned around and he asked, “Are you not going to eat anything?”

“No.”, was my reply. “I need to give every creature their food first, and then I’ll eat.”

“Oh.”, said Sombra. “Do you want my help?”

I was taken aback by his proposal, but said, “Sure, I’d love it.”

Sombra smiled and asked me, “So, what should I do first?”

**************************************

I was sitting in the living room, as Sombra told me to rest while he finished putting Angel Bunny to bed. 

I had spent the day teaching Sombra about how to  take care of the creatures, what to feed them, and things like that.

What had surprised me was that Sombra seemed interested and had willingly offered to help me. It was a good sign, as it showed that Sombra was reforming.

Sombra’s P.O.V:

Fluttershy gave me a bowl of berries and started walking away when I said, “Wait!” Fluttershy turned around and I asked, “Are you not going to eat anything?”

“No.”, was her reply. “I need to give every creature their food first, and then I’ll eat.”

“Oh.”, I said. “Do you want my help?”

She smiled, “Sure, I’d love it.”

Putting a smile on too, I asked, “So, what should I do first?”

**************************************
After a long talk, I had convinced Fluttershy to rest. It was a little tricky, but who wouldn’t listen to the handsome and powerful Sombra?

The creatures were cute, I liked feeding them. I sighed. Such a shame that when I took over the Crystal Empire I wouldn’t be able to do that anymore. 

I shook my head, reminding myself that the only reason I was doing this was because I wanted to get Fluttershy to trust me.

Because if she trusted me, then she’d get the other element bearers to trust me, which would lead to an easy way to get my magic and my empire back.

I was so great at plans. I quickly finished feeding the creatures, and then I washed my hooves. After drying them, I sat next to the yellow pegasus and we started eating the berries.

**************************************

Fluttershy's P.O.V:

It was now night, and I had just finished putting all the creatures to sleep. Sombra had helped.

He surprised me again, by his offer, but I had accepted it. Sombra was now sleeping on the sofa as he was tired out from chasing Angel Bunny around the cottage.

He looked so cute while sleeping, so peaceful and happy. I wondered what he was dreaming about.

Shortly after thinking that, I fell asleep.
> S-sorry for sleeping on you...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sombra's P.O.V:

I opened my eyes and saw that something soft and yellow was on top of me. 

Looking closer, I saw that it was that pegasus, Fluttershy.

Why was she sleeping on top of me? Didn't she have her own place to sleep?

I shrugged and fell back asleep.



When I woke up again, I really had to use the bathroom. And to use the bathroom, I had to move. 

And to move, I had to move the cute sleeping pegasus who was on top of me.

I shook my head. What was I thinking?! Cute?! But anyways, it felt so cozy here. Much better than it did the other nights.

I tapped Fluttershy lightly. "Wake up.", I told her. But she still didn't move.

Oh how I wish that I had my magic now. Then I could move her. But no, that foal of a bitamax had to come and take my magic!

Now I really needed to go. "FLUTTERSHY WAKE UP!", I shouted, causing the pegasus to jump awake, and blush when she saw that she had been sleeping on me this whole time. 

"Now if you'll excuse me," I said quieter. "I need to go use the bathroom."

Fluttershy's P.O.V:

I was having the best dream ever when I heard somepony shout, "FLUTTERSHY WAKE UP!" I jumped in fear and saw that it was Sombra who had shouted.

I blushed seeing that I had been sleeping on him. He said in a quieter tone, "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go use the bathroom."

“Ah...sorry....” I apologized, my ears lowered. “I will give the animals their breakfast then."

With that, I walked out of the room and went after my daily chores. 

To my surprise, when I was about to feed the animals, Sombra walked into the room, carrying a bowl of different vegetables for the animals.

”Let me help you.” He offered, but his expression was neutral, with me only able to nod in complete awe.

The ringing of the door bell made me jump as I startled slightly, yet I did not hesitate to answer it. 

A smile formed on my face to see it was Applejack, dragging a cart of...apples behind her?
“Howdy, Fluttershy. Ah had some leftovers from selling and thought ya might have some use for them.” 

My friend greeted me before spotting the former King, her eyes widened in surprise. “Uhh...do mah eyes deceive me?”

Now, I couldn't help but chuckle sightly. “No, they don't, Sombra wants to help me.”

As if having sensed her confusion, Sombra said in a neutral tone, “Just because I am a King, does not mean I know how to repay being housed. Nor am I afraid to do things myself if necessary. "

"Ah've got to go now Fluttershy. See ya.", Applejack waved and left.

" Uh, bye Applejack. ", I waved after her. I continued feeding the creatures. It was much faster with Sombra's help.

We had finished feeding the creatures and were now eating grapes. I remembered what happened in the morning and said, " Um...Sombra? "

"Yes?", he asked.

" I'm sorry for falling asleep on you. I should've um-", I started but Sombra cut me off.

"It wasn't your fault, Fluttershy.", he said gently. " You just were very tired and fell asleep, that's all."

I was surprised by his gentle tone, and smiled, "Thanks Sombra, for understanding."

"You're welcome, Fluttershy.", he smiled back.

Sombra's P. O.V:

After the mare said, " Thanks Sombra, for understanding."

I put on a smile and replied, "You're welcome, Fluttershy."

Even though I was supposed to hate her, because I wanted too, I kind of liked how her name sounded.

And she was so kind... I shook my head; I shouldn't be thinking about those type of things.

The mare asked, "Sombra? Are you fine?"

"I am.", was my reply. " There was a fly near my ear, that's all. And that I'm a little tired."

"Okay.", she nodded. " You could have a nap if you want.."

I politely declined. "No thanks. I think I can stay awake."

"Okay.", she said.




Fluttershy's P.O.V:

It was now night, and Sombra had gone to sleep after helping me again.

I was in bed, but couldn't sleep. 

I was too busy wondering why Sombra helped me.

He was showing signs of reformation, and I couldn't be happier.

But if he was reformed, that meant he had to go soon, right?

He wasn't like Discord; the two were very different.

I didn't want Sombra to go, did I?

I kind of liked him, even if he scared me at first.

I was growing comfortable around him.

And that scared me a bit. What if he didn't like me?

And what would my friends and everypony else say?

That, I didn't know. My eyelids grew heavy, and the next thing I knew, I was asleep.
> He's handsome...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy's P.O.V:

I was alone, in a dark place. "Hello?", I asked, hoping that somepony would hear me and take me out of this place."Anypony here?" 

The only answer that I received was silence. Now I was scared. I walked forward, and kept walking until I saw a light.

I ran towards it. Once there, I saw a mirror. Looking into it, I was no longer myself. I had...fangs. 

And my wings weren't normal either. They were like a batpony's wings. That meant...

No! That couldn't be possible! The last time that I looked like this was when I transformed into Flutterbat. 

I looked away from the mirror, not wanting to look at myself any longer. I heard somepony coming. 

"What's wrong, Fluttershy? Don't you like the gift that I have you?", they asked. I looked up and saw Sombra.

"Sombra?", I asked. "Where am I?"

"We're in the castle. Don't you remember?", he asked. Seeing my confusion, he told me, "You're my queen now. We rule the crystal empire together." He walked closer to me, and whispered in my ear, "You love me, Fluttershy. Admit it."

He stood in front of me, and I noticed that he wasn't wearing his cape. If we were ruling, then why wasn't he wearing it?

"You like what you're seeing, don't you?", Sombra asked me.

What did he want me to see? I saw him everyday. But as I stared, I noticed something. 

The way he smirked, it made me feel something. And then I noticed how beautiful his eyes were.

I just couldn't look away. He was so...handsome. I wanted nothing more than to kiss him, and run my hoof through his mane.

To stare into his red eyes forever, as he kissed me.

I woke up, running to the mirror to make sure that I was myself. 

My wings were normal, and I had no fangs. I breathed a sigh of relief. I wasn't Flutterbat.

I was myself, Fluttershy. I wondered why I had that dream.  It left me completely confused.

I hoped it didn't mean anything bad.





All day my mind kept wondering back to that dream. I couldn't think about anything else.

If Sombra wasn't helping me, then I wouldn't have been finished by now.

"Fluttershy?", the sound of Sombra's voice pierced through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality.

"Yes?", I asked.

"You were staring into space for five minutes. Is there anything wrong?", he told me.

"N-no. Nothing's wrong. Everything's just fine.", I told him, hoping that he wouldn't question.

"Are you sure?", Sombra asked.

"I'm sure. I'm just tired, that's all.", I lied.

I knew that Sombra would see through my lie, and I think he did. But he didn't question me, for which I was thankful.




King Sombra's P.O.V:

Today, Fluttershy was acting... strange. She stayed away from me, but I could tell that it wasn't out of fear.

We were having grapes, when she just turned into a statue for five minutes.

"Fluttershy?",  I said her name, pulling her back from where ever her mind was.

"Yes?", she asked.

"You were staring into space for five minutes.", I told her. "Is there anything wrong?", I asked her. Strangely I was concerned.

"N-no. Nothing's wrong. Everything's just fine.", she replied.

"Are you sure?", I asked her.

"I'm sure. I'm just tired, that's all.", she said quickly.

I could tell that she was lying, but did nothing apart from raising my eyebrow.

What happened to her? Why was she acting so strange? And why did I care about her?

So many questions, and no answers.

"Then I guess you'll need to sleep now.", I finally said.

"Uh...yeah...sleep.", she said and went to her room.





I decided to sleep, as there was nothing else to do. 

I don't think that I was allowed to go outside of Fluttershy's cottage.

So there was nothing  else to do. I didn't have my magic, so  running away wasn't an option.

And if I did run away, when I got caught, I might be stuck with somepony else as my reformer.

Fluttershy was the best out of them all. She wasn't treating me badly, or keeping me in chains like the others would've done.

And helping her with her creatures to earn her trust was better than rearranging books, bucking apple trees, having pins stuck in myself, baking, or what ever that rainbow pony does.





Fluttershy's P.O.V:

After going to my room, I sat on my bed. I didn't know what to do.

After that dream I had, I didn't talk to Sombra much. I tried not to look at him, afraid that I'd suddenly say how handsome he was.

But it wouldn't be long until Sombra noticed how I was acting, and thought that something was wrong.

And I couldn't lie to him again. How do you expect a pony not to lie to you if you lie to them?




King Sombra's P.O.V:

A week has passed, and Fluttershy still has been acting strange.

She's been avoiding me, refusing to look into my eyes or at me, and she's been talking less.

And she's been spending more time in her room. I knew something was wrong, and I had to find out what.

So I did what anypony else would do. I went to her room. Ponies say that you should never go to a mare's room, but I ignored that. Something was wrong and I had to know what.

I opened the door, but she didn't more her head off her hooves. "Fluttershy?", I said her name, pulling her out of her thoughts. "What's wrong? Don't tell me that nothing's wrong, you've been acting strange for the last few days."

She sighed and said reluctantly, "I had a dream about...you."

"You dreamed about me? I'm flattered. But there's nothing wrong with dreaming about a handsome stallion like myself.", I teased.

Fluttershy's P.O.V:

It's been a week, and I know that Sombra must be wondering why I was behaving so strangely around him.

I've been having that dream every night, and I don't know why. Is it trying to tell me something?

I don't know. I heard the door open and close, but didn't bother checking who cane in.

"Fluttershy?", I heard Sombra say me name, pulling me out of my thoughts. I looked at him. "What's wrong? Don't tell me that nothing's wrong, you've been acting strange for the last few days."

I sighed knowing that there was no way out of this. I knew that he would ask this question eventually. That it would happen sooner or later. I reluctantly told him, "I had a dream about...you."

"You dreamed about me?", he asked. "I'm flattered. But there's nothing wrong with dreaming about a handsome stallion like myself."

I blushed. "Y-yes, I drsned about you. I dreamed that I ruled the Crystal Empire with you…”

“I see.", he said. "But know that will never happen. There's no way that I'd be able to take over to crystal empire again, or convince you to be my queen." 

I thought he was done, and then he joked, "And don't worry, you can keep dreaming about me. I'm fine with the fact that you find me handsome."

If anything happened, it was me blushing harder, trying to cover my face.

He kissed my hoof, acting like a gentlecolt, and then left.

My blush didn't fade.
> Do you like it?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

King Sombra's P.O.V:

"Do you like it?" asked Fluttershy as she showed me my new room. For the last week she's been moving things and cleaning, and now I finally know why. "Because you've been helping me so much, I decided to give you a gift."

I looked around the room. Although it wasn't like the one that I had back when I was ruling the Crystal Empire, it was better than sleeping on a sofa. "Yes, I like it."

I even put a smile on so that she wouldn't think that I didn't like it. And so that her feelings weren't hurt. Why did I even care about how she felt?

Just as she was about to say something, a pink ball jumped in through the window. Wait. A pink ball? The last time I checked, balls couldn't jump.

Fluttershy jumped and squeaked, "Pinkie, you scared me."

I looked at the pink ball and saw that it was a mare. With a curly pink mane. That explains why she was called Pinkie.

Because she's pink. I nearly laughed at my own joke, but stopped myself as I didn't say the joke out loud, and if I did say it, then the pegasus would make me apologize to the pink ball, and I didn't want to do that.

I was a King, and Kings never apologize to anypony. I heard the mare say, "Sorry Fluttershy, but I remembered that I never threw Sombra a welcome to Ponyville party, or a you're going to be reformed and have so much fun with us party. And now that you've given him a room, I can throw him a you've got a room party. Ooh! Ooh! I know! I can throw him a welcome to Ponyville party, and a you're going to be reformed and have so much fun with us party, and a you've got a room party! Three parties mixed into one! Twilight kept trying to stop me from coming here for some reason. Do you know why?"

She said this all as fast as she could. And then she turned to me. And gasped. Her gasp was so loud that I had to cover my ears. "I never introduced myself!", she screamed. "Hi Sombra, my name's Pinkie Pie, but my full name is Pinkamena Diane Pie, but ponies know me as Pinkie Pie, and they call me Pinkie. I would've asked you your name, but I already know your name, because you're the evil unicorn guy who tried to take over the Crystal Empire, but was defeated by the Crystal heart, and then when Discord disguised as Grogar resurrected you, you tried to take the Crystal Empire again, and we defeated you again, but you tricked us, and destroyed all the elements of harmony and nearly took control over all of Equestria, but Discord helped us realize that we didn't need the elements, and then we did our friendship thing and defeated you, but then you survived somehow, and Celestia kept you locked in the dungeons, and then she decided that if Discord could be reformed then so could you, and then she decided that Fluttershy would be able to reform you because she's the one with the kindest heart, and that's how you're here. And how I know your name. And because I didn't get to throw you a coming to  Ponyville party, or a you're going to be reformed and have so much fun with us party, I'm going to throw you a you've got a room party, and a you're going to be reformed and have so much fun with us party, and a welcome to Ponyville party and you must come. Because if you don't, then you'll regret it. And when I say that you'll regret it, I mean it. Anyways, the party's going to be at Sugarcube corner this evening, and I want both you and Fluttershy to come. Understand? Bye now, I've got to go and start getting everything ready for the party!"

And like that she was gone. She left me with the mystery of how she was able to talk so fast without needing to breathe, and how she was able to bounce.

Fluttershy giggled as she took in my state of disbelief. I managed to ask, "How did she manage to do all that?"

"It's better not to question it. Pinkie does the most impossible things. Once Twilight tried to understand Pinkie's Pinkie sense, but she was unable to." And that was Fluttershy's reply.





Fluttershy’s P.O.V:


I couldn't help but sigh. This was to be expected, that PInkie would want to welcome him. But how would other ponies react? Would Sombra behave? Would he fight with Twilight and force her to give his magic back when he sees her? Will he try to escape? All those questions flashed through my mind.

“Is something wrong?” Sombra asked, tearing me out.

“It's just, I don't mind Pinkie, but I am not sure how the other residents would take it and such, you know?” I lowered my head.

His expression became a weak smile. “I understand but don’t worry about me. I often attended parties in the past and I can get along with foals, believe it or not. Besides, I don’t think that the pink mare thought it through.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.

“Do you think Celestia will allow this?” he explained. "I'm not reformed, and if the pink mare throws me a party and invites everypony in this town there, won't they be in a state of fear after seeing me? I don't think that Celestia told everypony that I was being reformed."

"Um...I think she might, and it's only a party. And I'll be there to keep an eye on you, so that you won't try to do anything. And if you do try to escape or take your magic back, or something like that, which I don't think you'll do, I'll be able to use the stare, and me and my friends could use our friendship against you.", I told him.

"You need not worry, Fluttershy; I won't do anything like that. Trust me.", he said, and our eyes met.

I blushed as I started thinking about how beautiful his eyes were, and nodded. "Okay, I'll trust you. But that doesn't mean that I'll let you go anywhere out of my sight. And I want you to behave yourself. Understand?"

"Yes mother, I do.", he replied, and smiled as my cheeks went red. 



> Getting drunk isn't a good idea
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

King Sombra's P.O.V:

It was now evening, and Fluttershy was pulling me to Sugarcube corner. She pulled me by my tail, which I wasn't happy about.

She was going to ruin how it looked! I wanted to wear my armor and cape, but the mare didn't let me. She had forced me to wear a suit, which her marshmallow friend had made. 

*Flashback:*

Fluttershy started, "Quickly eat and then we'll go to Rarity so that she can make you a suit for the party."

"Can't I just wear my armor and cape?" I asked her.

"No," she replied. "You can't scare ponies; it's a party."

"But scaring them is fun!"

"I won't let you scare them. Now it's time to go."

She dragged me out of her cottage, and to this shop. I saw a white unicorn there.

"Fluttershy! What a surprise!" the unicorn started. Her eyes fell on me, and she asked, "Why is he here?"

"It's nice to see you too, Rarity. Could you make a suit for Sombra? Pinkie's giving him a party at Sugarcube corner and I can't have him scaring ponies," the pegasus told her.

"I see." The white marshmallow started measuring me. 

*End of flashback.*


I sighed quietly. I had attended parties and galas in the past before, but nothing like this. Though...I  had to admit to myself…the suit did look nice on me. Still, I would have preferred my armor and cape.

We finally reached Sugarcube Corner and Fluttershy gave me a slightly serious look. “Here we are. Please, behave yourself.”

A nod was the only answer I gave before we entered. As expected, every guest turned towards me with surprised or scared expressions, but I kept myself neutral.

Barely a moment later, Pinkie jumped in front of me with a cheerful smile and I jumped slightly back. “Hey there, glad you could come and hope you enjoy yourselves!”

Before I could form any sort of reply, she hopped away. I'm sure that even if I still had my dark magic, I  would never be able to understand this mare.

“I-is there anything that I can get you, Mr. Sombra?” A light blue mare, Mrs Cake, if I am not mistaken, asked me, slightly shivering.

I smiled, which made her jump in fear. I remembered that my fangs showed when I smiled. “I apologize for scaring you. I keep forgetting how my fangs show when I smile. And yes, there is something that you could get me. Do you have any…strong drinks?”

“I’m afraid that I don’t,” she replied.

“Oh. Do you know where I could get any?” I asked.

“Berry Punch sells those types of drinks. Pinkie would be more than happy to tell you where her bar is.”

“Thanks,” I said, and the mare left. She seemed eager to leave. I shrugged, and looked for the pink mare.

I found her, and was about to go to her when I felt something on my mane and back. Touching my mane with my hoof I felt a foal. I turned my head and saw another one on my back.

“You foals are brave, aren’t you?” I asked them. “Coming up to a scary pony like me?” They didn’t seem scared. “Who has fangssss?” I hissed the last word, even showing my fangs to them. 

I put them in front of me and saw Fluttershy. She said, “Remember to be good, Sombra?”

I sighed. “I will.” She left and the foals were back on me. 

One was a pegasus while the other was a unicorn. They looked alike. The pegasus giggled, “Sombry! Sombry!”

The other joined in, and they played with my mane. “Sombry! Sombry!”

“My name isn’t Sombry; it’s Sombra!” I told them.

But that only made them giggle more, and continue saying, “Sombry! Sombry! Sombry!” They started crawling onto my mane. How could foals do that?

I looked for help and saw the pink mare. “Help me!” I told her. 

She came only to giggle, “No Sombry!” and bounced away.

I sighed. I took the foals off my mane and stroked them. Soft. I haven’t touched a foal in years. Not since she-

At that moment my head was flooded with memories of her, ones that I had kept locked away. My heart felt the pain again, and I collapsed, breathing hard.

Fluttershy came to me and asked, “Sombra?”

“Somepony, help!” was the last thing that I heard as I faded into unconsciousness.





Fluttershy’s P.O.V:

“W-will he live?” I asked the doctor. “W-what happened to him? Is Sombra going to be ok?”

“He will live; don’t worry,” the doctor told me.





King Sombra’s P.O.V:

I opened my eyes and saw that my surroundings were white. What? Where was I?

I sat up and saw Fluttershy. She was…crying? “What happened? Where am I?” I asked.

She looked up from her lap and ran towards me. She hugged me. “Sombra, you’re alive!”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” I asked. “Anyways, what happened?”

“The doctor said that you had a small heart attack. You’re in the hospital now. You’ll have to stay here for a while.” she told me.

Ignoring what she said, I got out of the bed to find the closest bar and get myself drunk. “Sombra! You have to stay here!” she ran after me.

“No,” I told her. “You can come with me, but I’m not staying here.” Not waiting for her answer, I ran out of the hospital and started looking for a bar.





After asking a few ponies, (all of whom were frightened by my presence) I had found Berry Punch’s bar.

Once in, I walked to the counter. “What can I get you?” she asked.

“I would like something strong. The strongest drink that you’ve got,” I told her.





By now, I had lost count of how many drinks I had. But they were just so good; I couldn’t stop.

I think I could say that I was completely drunk by now. I saw a yellow mare coming in. 

“Hello lovely mare,” I began. “Come wiz me?”

“Sombra, I need you to stop drinking now.”

“No; I wants to drink more!” I continued drinking more. She pulled the bottle out of my hooves. “Hey! Giz that back now!”

“No Sombra!” She put it on a table and I grabbed it, finishing it. 





Fluttershy sat in a corner, an unhappy expression on her face. I staggered over to her and asked, “Come wiz me lovely mare? Lez get more drinks?”

Before she could do anything, I had pulled her with me over to my table, and poured a drink into her mouth. She tried to spit it out, but I forced her to drink it.

“Drink more” I told her.





Now the lovely mare was drunk too. “I luv you Shy” She giggled as I kissed her.

“I luv you too Sombry” She laughed “Sombry, lez go somewhere”

“Yeah lez go somewhere”





“And then I exploded her! Haha!”

“So funny!”

“And thatz how everypony feared me! I exploded them all!”

“Yes, more explosions! Tell me more!”





We were at the cottage. “Lez go in and have parteez”

“Yea party!”

And that’s how Fluttershy’s cottage was turned into a wreck. 





“Lez have party with everypony!”

“Yea!”





That’s how Ponyville was full of drunk ponies, making a big mess of the streets.





“Shy lez sleep now”

“Togezer?”

“Togezer”





I woke up to find that I had a huge headache, and the cottage was a wreck. What happened? I couldn't really remember anything from the night before, so I just laid there, looking at the ceiling.

And then I realized that I was in Fluttershy's bed. Fluttershy's bed. A mare's bed. I quickly tried to get off, but Fluttershy woke up before I could. She rubbed her eyes with her hoof, and then she saw me.

And after seeing me, she screamed. Luckily, her scream wasn't as loud as anypony else's, but my head hurt a little more. "What are you doing here?!" she asked, panicked.

"I...don't know," I replied.

"Why does my head hurt? What happened last night? Did you..." she trailed off.

My cheeks turned red. "No."

Before she could ask anything else, a white light appeared out of nowhere, and I had to shield my eyes with my hoof. Once it faded, I saw a very angry Twilight Sparkle.

Before I could even do so much as open my mouth to tell her that it wasn't what it looked like, we were both enveloped in magic and teleported to the Canterlot Castle's throne room. I found an empty vase and vomited into it.

Sparkle bowed to Princess Celestia, and Fluttershy did the same. Sighing, I copied them. Celestia motioned for us to rise, and Sparkle began, "Princess Celestia, I've found the pony responsible for getting the whole of Ponyville drunk."

I gulped as the Princess stared at me with a look as hard as stone. Then she coldly said, "Explain yourself, Sombra."
> "Could I say that it was an accident?"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sombra's P.O.V:

Before she could ask anything else, a white light appeared out of nowhere, and I had to shield my eyes with my hoof. Once it faded, I saw a very angry Twilight Sparkle.

Before I could even do so much as open my mouth to tell her that it wasn't what it looked like, we were both enveloped in magic and teleported to the Canterlot Castle's throne room. I found an empty vase and vomited into it.

Sparkle bowed to Princess Celestia, and Fluttershy did the same. Sighing, I copied them. Celestia motioned for us to rise, and Sparkle began, "Princess Celestia, I've found the pony responsible for getting the whole of Ponyville drunk."

I gulped as the Princess stared at me with a look as hard as stone. Then she coldly said, "Explain yourself, Sombra."

"Heheh," I rubbed the back of my head while laughing nervously. I was in trouble and I knew it. "Could I say that it was an accident?"

"No, you can't. You have to give a proper reason, Sombra," Celestia told me.

"Um..." I thought of how to justify my actions. "Um...Well... Because I wanted everypony to have a good time!" I came up with something.

The Sun Princess narrowed her eyes. "You wanted everypony to have a good time? You. Wanted. Everypony. To. Have. A. Good. Time?!"

I wished my mane was long as Fluttershy's so that I could hide behind it. Because the glare that Celestia was giving me was enough to send me to the sun. I'm not joking. I could have literally evaporated right there and then! "Um...yes?"

I flinched when she asked, "And why would you of all ponies want anypony to have a good time?"

"Because Fluttershy's doing a good job of reforming me?"

Before she could say anything, Fluttershy said, "Um...Princess Celestia?"

Fluttershy's P.O.V:

I noticed how Sombra was looking more and more ready to collapse out of fear, and said, "Um...Princess Celestia?"

"Yes, Fluttershy?" the Princess asked.

"Sombra isn't lying," I said. "He's nearly reformed...and I'm sure he had good intentions..."

The Princess raised her eyebrow. "But how is giving anypony a hangover to deal with good?" 

"Um...I don't know?" I hid behind my mane.

"Exactly," she said. "For getting a whole town drunk, your punishment is to... I'll leave it to Fluttershy to decide it. Now you both may leave."

We bowed and left.





I was pacing around my cottage. Princess Celestia decided that I should be the one to decide Sombra's punishment?!

Punishing ponies were not my thing. I might punish them too hard... While I was pacing, Sombra was sitting patiently, waiting for me to say something. I had told him that he didn't have to sit there, but he said he wanted to.

Think, Fluttershy, think! I could punish Sombra by grounding him like a foal... But would that be too much? "Um, Sombra?" I asked.

"Yes?" he looked up from his hooves.

"Um...your p-punishment is to stay here and not leave the cottage for a whole day..." I added quietly, "If that's okay with you."

"Isn't one day too less?" he asked. "Punishments are supposed to make the pony regret whatever they did, so that they would never do it again..." he trailed off.

"...Then a week?" I asked.

"Still too less," he told me.

Why was he being so... not against it?! It's like he was happy to be punished! I gave a frustrated growl and thought of the longest time possible. "Six months?!" I blurted out.

He smirked. "That shall be...enough."

I sighed in relief and then decided to give Angel some more carrots.





Sombra's P.O.V:

I managed to convince the pegasus to go to sleep, and since then I've been having a staring contest with the bunny. "Ha! I win! You blinked!"

He seemed to nod in defeat, not bothered to have lost. I looked over to Fluttershy, she was sleeping peacefully, causing me to smile. It looked so adorable.

I could not help but sigh quietly. She was the first pony in years to actually care for me and I…care for her, I guess. She was a kind, sweet mare, and beautiful too. I wonder how she is still single with that beauty.

The stallions in this town should be fighting just so that they could have her! But they weren't. They were probably too stupid.

In the long run, I guess all this trouble was worth it. Getting defeated, imprisoned, going through a reformation process, and getting a whole town drunk- everything. Every single thing.

But was it true love? And how could I admit it? And the most important question of all...did she love me? I hope she did...

Fluttershy kind of reminded me of... her. They had many things in common. Both were kind, and beautiful, and underappreciated. 

The ponies around her never knew how much she meant to them until it was too late. Only after she was...gone, they realized what they had lost.

And that had been the darkest day. The most miserable one. I remember, on the day of her funeral, there hadn't been a single pony smiling.

Each had felt the same sorrow, and had tears pouring down their faces. Even the mare who was the happiest one, she was crying more than anypony.

But the only one who had been deeply affected by her death was me. I had been the saddest, with my heart shattered. I remembered when the doctor had pulled me aside to inform me of what had caused her death, I had been so angry.

I had never felt that angry in my life. So much rage. And when I had told the Princess, she had just said she'd stop it. But no, she never did.

More and more ponies were being killed each day. Soon there was a funeral every day or the other. And that's when my eyes opened for the first time.

The Princess couldn't protect the Empire any longer. She was weak. And I knew that I had to do something. I had to stop the monster before any more ponies died.

And that's exactly what I did.
> Memories
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

King Sombra's P.O.V:

"Will she live?" I asked as I looked at her unconscious form. I made eye contact with the doctor. "Please tell me she will, please!"

He had sorrow in his voice as he said, "I'm sorry, Sombra. We did our best...but the wounds were too deep to heal. She...We couldn't save her."

"No!" I cried as I collapsed. "No! No! No! This can't be happening. It can't be happening!" I stood and asked, "What killed her?"

I followed the doctor into a room and he showed me a picture. It was... "What is that?"

"It's an ice timberwolf. They're much more dangerous than their cousins in the Everfree forest, because if they make a single wound on a pony, the pony dies." he informed me.




A day after her funeral, I walked to the library, determined to find out more about this ice timberwolf. So far I had found out that they could be stopped by very strong emotions.

So I went to Princess Amore and told her. She said she'd do what she can, but that was proved to be a lie when ponies started dying every day. 

And then I knew that the Princess was unable to protect the Empire. She was weak, and we all would die. So I decided that I would save us all.

Turning the Princess into a statue and shattering her helped release some of my anger.  




"Sombra?" I can hear somepony calling my name. "Sombra?"

It's a mare. She's got a sweet voice that reminds me of... Her. 

"Sombra?" The mare continues to say my name while tapping me. "Sombra, wake up!"

I bolt up and rub my eyes to see Fluttershy. 

"What happened? Why did you wake me up?" I ask.

"You were talking in your sleep, Sombra. And having some... Shouting matches. And your horn is hot. Very hot," she explains.

I put a hoof on my horn and move it away instantly, as it is burning hot. 

"You might have a fever..." Fluttershy says.

I tell her, "Don't worry, I haven't got a fever. It's just that when a unicorn has dreams of the past or some unpleasant memories, they normally cause magical explosions. But because that alicorn mare took all my magic away... I was unable to do any magic. My horn kept trying to, but as I no longer possess magic, my horn was close to exploding from the heat."

Fluttershy looked confused. "So your horn got really hot when trying to produce magic and nearly exploded because you had none?"

I nod. "Yes."

"And if this keeps happening your horn will explode?"

"Yes."

Fluttershy became enraged and surprised me by stomping her hoof on the floor and angrily saying, "Then I'm going to march up to Twilight, and demand that she give you back your magic this instant!"

"There's no need to do that," I say, even though I do want my magic back.

"There is!" Fluttershy shouts. "What if your horn explodes? It'll hurt you a lot, and it'll be all because of Twilight."

"And what if this thing never happened again, and my horn doesn't explode?" I say.

"Don't you want your magic back?"

"I do, but..." I take a deep breath. "I'm almost afraid to have it back. What if I do something bad? What if I become insane with power again?"

"You're a good pony, Sombra. You won't become insane with power, and if you do, then I'll be there to save you."

I stare into her beautiful turquoise eyes. "I know you'll be there, Fluttershy. But I can't risk hurting anypony." I whisper to myself, "I can't risk hurting you."

Fluttershy hugs me as I say, "And I don't even feel like I deserve to have magic. Not after everything I've done. I need to... Earn it back."

Fluttershy says, "If that's what you want to do, then I won't stop you."




Fluttershy's P.O.V:

As Sombra makes pancakes and feeds all the animals, (he offered to) I have a shower.

I take my time washing my mane and tail, and everything else.

Once I'm done, I wrap a towel around my head, and dry my body before stepping out of the bath.

Then I dry my mane and hang the towel on the rack so that it can dry.

After brushing my mane, I walk downstairs to see Sombra trying to give Angel a bowl of carrots.

Angel keeps pushing the bowl away, and as I draw closer, I hear Sombra saying in frustration, "Just eat the damn carrots, bunny!"

Angel is also frustrated, and throws the bowl at Sombra.

Sombra throws the carrots at Angel, and soon, there are carrots everywhere.

I step forward before they throw other things, and say, "Sombra, Angel, stop fighting!"

Sombra is relieved to see me and says, "Fluttershy! Can you tell this stubborn bunny that he should eat  his carrots?"

Angel is also relieved to see me and tells me to smack Sombra across the face and tell him that today is Tuesday, which means that Angel gets to choose his own breakfast.

I say, "Sombra, today's Tuesday, so Angel gets to choose what to have for breakfast. I wrote it on the feeding schedule. And Angel, two things. First of all, it's very rude to tell me to smack Sombra, and I don't want you to ever smack him, throw anything at him, or even think of smacking him. Second, Sombra didn't even know that you're allowed to choose your own breakfast today, so don't blame him. If you were a good bunny, you would have sat down and waited for me, and I would've explained everything to Sombra. And to both of you, I don't want you to ever fight, and now that you've created this mess, you have to clean it up." Angel starts walking off. "Together. Both of you have to clean together. Or there will be consequences," I say, doing my best to use a commanding tone. 

Angel and Sombra sigh, and begin cleaning up.




"Now that everything's all cleaned up, I want both of you to apologize to each other," I say.

"Do we have to?" both Sombra and Angel ask at the same time.

"Yes, you have to. And if you don't... Then neither of you can have breakfast."

"I'm sorry," Sombra and Angel say.

Sombra turns to me. "Now can I have breakfast?"

"Yes."

While Sombra makes pancakes, Angel chooses his breakfast.




King Sombra's P.O.V:

"Sombra," Fluttershy calls out as she comes down the stairs. "I'm going to the market. While I'm gone, please don't start a fight with Angel."

"Don't worry Fluttershy, I won't start any fights."

Fluttershy smiles and then hugs me. "Be good!" she says before leaving.

As soon as she closes the door, Angel growls at me. I growl back at him, and before I can blink, we've started fighting.

I dance around him to the tomatoes, and begin throwing them at him.

Angel throws cherries at me. I make sure that my mane is still fine before throwing the leftover pancake mixture at him.

The bunny isn't happy about this and with a battle cry,  throws a bucket of dirty water at me, ruining my mane style that I had spent so long working on.

"You devil! Do you have any idea as to how long it took me to perfect my mane style?! It took me one whole bucking hour, and you, the demon bunny, has just ruined it!"

In my anger I threw an open bag of bird seed at the little demon, and  thanks to the pankcake mixture, he was now covered in it.

He threw carrot peelings, and I managed to dodge them. 

I threw banana peelings at him.

Suddenly, we hear somepony knocking at the door, and after looking through the spy hole, I see it's Fluttershy.

"It's Fluttershy," I tell Angel. "If she sees this mess, she'll be angry, so we need fo clean it up. Together."

Angel knows this, and helps me.

We run around, using everything we can to tidy up our mess.

Five bags are full of it, which we quickly hide in the garden.

Gasping for breath from having run around so much, we dash to the bathroom upstairs and wash each other.

After looking in the mirror to make sure that we're completely clean, we slide down the railing and instead of having a smooth landing, fly off it and land in a heap at the door.

I dust myself off, and Angel moves out of the way as I open the door.

"Hi Fluttershy!" I beam at her.

"Um... Hi?" She looks around and then asks, "You two didn't fight while I was gone, did you?"

"I assure you Fluttershy, we didn't fight at all. I was... Playing a game with Angel!"

"And what game was that?" 

I think... And then remember about my ruined mane style. "It was more of a challenge, to be honest. We were so tired from helping you clean the whole cottage, that we decided to see who could sleep the longest. I was going to win, but then your knocks woke me up, so Angel won."

"Oh. I'm so sorry! If I hadn't knocked, then you would've won!"

"It's fine, Fluttershy. There's always time to  have another challenge, and this time, you can join us."

Fluttershy nods, and I sigh in relief at the fact that she believed me.




Fluttershy's P.O.V:

Sombra had fallen asleep some time ago as he was extremely tired from the day... I wonder, what did he do that made him so tired that he fell asleep when it was only six in the evening?

I had dusted the whole cottage, played with Angel, did a whole bunch of other things, and I was still left with nothing to do.

I turn to Angel and ask, "So... What should we do now?"

No sooner than I had asked the question did somepony knock at the door. 

Before I can even move, Angel opens the door to reveal Pinkie Pie who is bouncing excitedly in one spot.

Pinkie Pie bounces in and hugs me, making me let out a squeak of surprise at the sudden hug.

"P-pinkie! Too...tight!"

"Sorry! I just came to invite you and Sombra to a party!"

I close the door and say, "Sorry Pinkie, but unless the party's going to be six months later, Sombra can't go. He's grounded."

"Why's he grounded?" Pinkie asks.

I explain, "I had to ground Sombra as a punishment for getting the whole town drunk."

"Oh..." The pink mare's mane became flat. "I understand. But can you still come?"

"I- I guess I could," I reply. "Angel could watch Sombra."

"Ok!" Pinkie Pie then hops out of the cottage, and away.

As soon as Pinkie's gone, Angel shuts the door and tells me that he'd be happy to watch Sombra.

I thank him, and am about to get some water to drink when I hear Sombra sleep shout, "What do you mean, you can't just get rid of the Ice Timberwolves? You have magic! You're a blasted Princess!"

I immediately rush to his side and put a hoof on his horn. Just as I feared, it is hot.

I begin to wake him. "Sombra! Wake up!"

I shake him, tap him, but he still doesn't wake. I get an idea and ask Angel to get me some cold water.

He comes back with a bucket of it which I put my forehooves in and then begin splashing water on Sombra.

King Sombra's P.O.V:

I wake up to Fluttershy's  concerned gaze. She says some things I can't make out, and then tells me why she woke me. 

"Sombra, I guess you might be wondering why I woke you. Well, you were having another... Dream of the past. Your horn got hot again, and I know you won't like this, but I really should talk to Twilight about giving you back your magic, or at least, some limited amount. If this continues, if you keep having nightmares, your health might be at risk, which is something I dread.”

I shake off my grogginess, and sit up straight. "Come again?"

"You need your magic back, Sombra! Or at least a small portion of it! I don't want you to get ill, or your horn to explode!" She takes a deep breath and says, "I'm going to Twilight and demanding that she give you at least a small portion of your magic. And nopony, not even you will stop me."

"Fluttershy, it isn't necessary..." I try to argue, but the mare puts a wing over my muzzle.

"Sombra, like I said before, this could cause you some serious health problems, and I don't want that to happen!" She moves her wing from my muzzle and asks, "How do we cool your horn? "

"Cold water," I said. "Also, I don't need to get my magic back. I could just sleep in a pond-"

"Sombra. This isn't a joke! You can't sleep in a pond because you'd drown! And you said cold water cools your horn?"

I stand up, ready to walk to the taps or the pond and say, "Yes. And if we-"

Fluttershy flies up angrily and dunks my head in the bucket of cold water that I somehow didn't notice before. She keeps her hooves on my neck to prevent me from moving my head.

I panic at the unexpected action, and only when she notices that I'm running out of breath, Fluttershy releases her grip and I move my head out of the bucket and take large gulps of  air.

"Why- Why did you do that?" I ask, shocked.

"I had to get you to think rationally somehow," Fluttershy answers. "Now listen to me carefully. I don't want you to get health problems, or become insane, so I'm going to try and persuade Twilight to give you some of your magic back. Understood?"

Being much calmer now, I started to realize she had a point. Earning my magic back was one thing that I wanted to do, but in order to prevent health issues, having access to some basic magic spells might be not a bad idea.

Now, I could not help but sigh as I lowered my head. “You know, Fluttershy…” I began, my heartbeat slightly rising. “You’re the first pony to show me kindness in a very long time."

She blushed in response. “I know, it’s my element after all. Plus, as my guest, its my duty to make sure you’re comfortable.”

“And I know to appreciate that…” I mumbled, blushing myself, then noticed her eyes were darting around nervously. “Is something wrong?”

“Uhh…well…” She tried to find the right words as she slowly looked up to me. “That night when you got the whole town drunk, and we, you know…Do you think we really…”

It clicked quickly in my head, my blush growing more intense. “I don’t think so…Why you ask?”

Fluttershy started to tremble. “I…I don’t know if I would be a good mother…”

Without any hesitation, I pulled her into a hug, Angel tried to hug her left hindleg. “Shh, calm down. I think you would be a great mother.” My voice was soothing.

“R-really?” The shy pony asked in confusion, my lips forming a weak smile.

“Yes, I mean, look at how good you care for your pets, If you’re so good at that, I am pretty sure taking care of a foal is little trouble for you.”

“I guess…I am just not sure if I am ready for this…It would be a big change…”

“If this would happen, I would try to support you as good as I can.” It felt so natural to say this, I couldn’t tell why. “Besides, I am pretty sure Twilight and Celestia would have my head for this.” It just slipped out, as I imagined with fear how this would end me but Fluttershy chuckled at this.

“Not on my watch.” She said and Angel did a hooves up with his paw, as if to show he appreciated my indirect joke to cheer her up.

Fluttershy then hugs me and says, "I hope you don't think I'm a bad pony."

"Why would I think that?"

"Because I almost drowned you before."

"You only did it so that I could stop being an idiot and realize that having a little magic so that I wouldn't get health issues wasn't a bad idea."

"But still, I could've-"

I cut her off with a kiss on her lips. "Think nothing of it."

Fluttershy blushes. "I-I'll go and try to persuade Twilight now."

"But it's night. Surely she'd be sleeping."

Fluttershy looks at the clock and is surprised to see that it is ten past nine.

"I guess you're right. And it's bedtime now. Are you still tired?"

"Sure am."

"What should I do if your horn gets hot again?"

"Ice-cold water, but give me a warning before you dunk my head into it."

Fluttershy doesn't respond and I see that she's fallen asleep in my hooves.

I smile at the cute image of her asleep, and then try and carry her up the stairs carefully.

Once I've put Shy in her bed, and put a blanket on her, I turn to leave but Fluttershy holds on to my hoof.

She sleepily says, "Please don't leave.... Stay with me."

"If that's what you want."

"Sleep with me Sombra."

I blush. "Are you sure?"

The response I get is Fluttershy pulling me into her bed and under the blanket.

She then wraps my hooves around her and looks into my eyes. "I'm sure."




Unknown creature's P.O.V:

"Fluttershy!" I call out. "I'm back!"

Hearing no answer, I ask, "Shy?"

I don't understand. She promised that she'd stay awake on the night of my return so that she could give me a hug that would rival Pinkie Pie's!

Yet here I am, shivering and soaked in the cold rain, waiting for what seems like hours waiting for her to open the door.

I teleport myself into her bedroom and am shocked to see...

She's sleeping with Sombra.
> I'm A Monster!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discord's P.O.V:

"Fluttershy!" I call out. "I'm back!"

Hearing no answer, I ask, "Shy?"

I don't understand. She promised that she'd stay awake on the night of my return so that she could give me a hug that would rival Pinkie Pie's!

Yet here I am, shivering and soaked in the cold rain, waiting for what seems like hours waiting for her to open the door.

I teleport myself in and am shocked to see... She's sleeping with none other than King Sombra.

They're hugging each other, smiling in their sleep.

Twilight had told me that Fluttershy was reforming Sombra, but I hadn't expected this.

They- I- I can't even form coherent thoughts right now.

I'm enraged. They're in love. Fluttershy is mine. She's my mare.

She is mine. Only mine.

I was gone for only two months and she's replaced me.

She wakes up and looks at me through her half open eyes. "D-discord?" she asks sleepily. "You're back?"

"Yes Fluttershy, I'm back," I hiss.

She wipes the sleep out of her eyes and gently moves out of Sombra's embrace and says, "I'm so sorry I didn't stay up for you. It's just that I was so tired..."

"You should be sorry that you didn't stay single for me! I've only been gone for two months, and you already replaced me! You betrayed me, Fluttershy, you betrayed me!"

"D-discord, it's not what it looks like, I swear!"

I ignore her.

Singing songs aren't my thing, but I need to do something or I'll go insane.




"The world is a place

Where the villains wear a smile on their face

While they take what you can never replace

Stolen moments gone forever

But tables can turn 

As my enemies will soon enough learn

I will strike a match and then watch them burn

On the pyre of obsession

You run ’till you drop, chasing on advantage

You’ll pay any price if you think it’s free

I will carry hell to your doorstep; I will make you pay

You will reap the hate you’ve sown on my judgment day

Sleepless nights and days of damnation

Soon and evermore

I will bring the Chateau D’If knocking upon your door

And love is a lie swearing that no matter what it won’t die

Disappearing like a star in the sky

In the hot light of morning

But what do I care?

There are women to be had everywhere

First there’s retribution I must prepare

Mighty vengeance is mine

I have a nice show that will tempt you onward

And just when you’re sure that the prize is yours

I’ll deliver hell to your doorstep dressed in rich facade

Then, I’ll burn you to the ground like an angry god

Once you’re in my shining cathedral heed the tolling bell

It’s the final sound you hear as you descend to hell

Fall down on your knees

Fall down and let me hear you pray

Fall down on your knees

’till I can hear you bargaining, scheming, begging and screaming to me

I will carry hell to your doorstep; you will rue the day

You will reap the hate you’ve sown, no matter how hard you pray

It’s a place without any mercy, fashioned in cold blood

Stones of fear and stones of doubt

No forgiveness, no way out

Only justice

Then, amen!"


"Goodbye, Fluttershy. Goodbye forever. I was a fool for trusting you. I should've known better. You're a pony, and ponies always betray. I didn't think that you'd betray me like She did, but you proved me wrong. I was a damn fool for trusting a pony!"

As I teleport away to my chaos dimension, the last thing I see is Fluttershy's heartbroken face and tears falling from her eyes as she collapses.

Fluttershy's P.O.V:

"No... Discord..." I cry. Discord just came back and now he's gone again all because of me.

And this time, he's gone forever. He's not coming back.

All because he wrongly assumed that I replaced him with Sombra.

I hear Sombra getting out of bed and he asks, "Fluttershy? What happened? Why are you...crying?"

I don't answer him, I continue crying.

He can sense my grief and wraps his hooves around me, pulling me into a hug.

"Fluttershy..." he says. "You can tell me what happened. I won't judge you or anything. If you tell me, it'll help you."

I cry into his chest for a few more minutes before choking out, "D-discord..."

"Discord?" he asks, alarmed. "What did he do? Did he hurt you? If he hurt you, I swear-"

"Discord didn't hurt me, Sombra. I hurt him."

"W-what?"

"Discord returned tonight, and found us sleeping together. He wrongly assumed that- that I replaced him."

Sombra is unsure of what to do and just moves his hooves up and down my back in a comforting gesture.

"I hurt him, Sombra. He's gone now. He's disappeared. And he said that he'll never come back again. He's heartbroken because of me. He- he-" I choke on my words, crying.

Sombra says in what he hopes to be comforting, "Don't cry Fluttershy, don't cry. It'll all be fine, I promise. Just don't cry."

King Sombra's P.O.V:

Fluttershy cries even more. I've never comforted anypony before, so I don't know what to do.

I just let her cry into my chest while rubbing her back.

What should I say? She cried even more after my first attempt at giving her comforting words.

I think the best thing to do would be to wait for her to stop crying.




Alright. Now there's a literal ocean of tears surrounding us. 

A damn ocean.

I don't know what I should be surprised at. Should I be surprised at the fact Fluttershy managed to cry for that long, or at the fact that she managed to get that much tears out of herself?

I'll be surprised at both. But it's been three days and I'll be damned if I don't do something.

So I do the first thing that comes into my mind. I sing.




"Can we make amends?

Do we just pretend?

That we're over all the violence?

Are we done with this?

Put it all to rest

Turn the screams now into silence

Will you be a man? 

Can you make a stand?

Will you own up or deny it?

All the time we lost, was it worth the cost?

Of breaking a family in two?

Destroyed all we knew

Tyrant, so defiant

Lonely as your heart is sinking

Consequences, no defenses

If only you had been thinking

Compliant, for a moment

Why did both of us have to believe that we were right?

Tyrant!

Can I clear my mind? Leave it all behind?

Start to pick up all the pieces

Can I hide the scars? Just like prison bars?

That have always seemed to confine me?

Will we save it all? Even from the fall?

Is there time left for revival?

Can I be convinced that some hope exists?

With these wounds cut so deep in my soul

Can we become whole?

Tyrant, so defiant

Lonely as your heart is sinking

Consequences, no defenses

If only you had been thinking

Compliant, for a moment

Why did both of us have to believe that we were right?

Tyrant!

There's so many things that I wanted to say

But the love turned to hate 

We kept pushing away

And the words that came out turned it into a mess

And it's like pulling teeth cause you'll never confess

Now the damage is done

The hurt and the pain when nobody has won

Have we forgot it's your blood inside of my veins

That feeds my heart

Tyrant, so defiant

Lonely as your heart is sinking

Consequences, no defenses

If only you had been thinking

Compliant, for a moment

Why did both of us have to believe that we were right?

Tyrant!"


It's a song of all the pain, regret, guilt, and anger that I've kept in my heart all these years.

I don't even notice that I've been crying until Fluttershy wipes my tears away with her hooves.

She's finally stopped crying.

"Sombra?" she asks. "Are you okay?"

"No, Fluttershy. I'm not okay. I haven't been okay since I lost her. So many years since her death, and I still haven't gotten over the pain. So many years since my bad choices, so many years I did things that are unspeakable, and I still haven't recovered." I close my eyes and bow my head. "It's been a thousand years, Fluttershy, a thousand years. And I'm so tired. I'm so tired of hiding my emotions, of hiding how I truly feel. I'm so tired of locking my emotions away. I'm so damn tired!"

Fluttershy hugs me, her chest fur soaking up my tears. "Let it all out, let it all out," she says, and I do.



Fluttershy's P.O.V:

After both of us have finished getting rid of my ocean of tears (I can't believe I actually managed to produce such a large amount of tears) Sombra lays on the sofa and I curl up on his lap, much like a cat.

He says, "I miss her a lot. I'd give anything to see her again."

"What was her name?"

"Radiant Hope. Her beauty rivaled that of Crystal Roses. We met at a Hearths Warming  ball, and fell in love. It was love at first sight. We dated for a few months. Like all ponies who date, we wanted to make love. 

We weren't planning for a foal, just wanted to... When Hope found out she was pregnant, she panicked.

I told her that I'd support her, but she... She pushed me away.

She locked herself up, refusing to come out or speak to anypony.

I decided to let her have some time alone, but when she stayed locked up longer than I thought she would, I asked her to let me in.

She refused, so I broke the door down. We had a fight.

Both of us said things we didn't mean to, things we regretted.

The fight led to us breaking up.

Even though Hope was no longer my marefriend, I still loved her.

And then one night... It happened.

I went to a bar and was buying my drinks when I heard her scream.

I dropped my bit bag and ran out to find her not far. She was being attacked by a strange beast made of ice.

It was unlike anything I had ever seen before.

But it was made of ice, and I had to act fast. By the time I had thought of using a fire spell to get rid of it, it was too late.

The damage had been done. Ice was spreading up Hope's body faster than I could stop it.

The last thing she said to me was that even though we had our disagreements, our fights, even though she pushed me away, she never stopped loving me.

I teleported us to the hospital where I waited for the doctors to work their magic. 

But an hour later the doctor took me aside to tell me she had died. The beast that had killed her was called an Ice Timberwolf.

A couple of other ponies had already died from its venom.

I went to Princess Amore and told her about it. She said she'd do what she could, but when ponies started dying every day, I knew I had to do something.

I had to avenge Hope. So I started learning dark magic.

I learnt it, and once I could perform all spells with ease, I marched to the Princess's Palace.

I shouted things. In my anger, I turned her into a Crystal Statue and shattered her into a thousand pieces, which were spread all over the Empire by the wind.

I used Dark Magic so much that I became an umbrum.

Knowing that strong emotions could keep the beasts away, I took over the Empire, and used the ponies hatred of me to keep the Ice Timberwolves away.

They hated me because I was a cruel ruler. I was hoping for them to admire me, they did at first, but the power went to my head and the dark magic began to corrupt me.

Eventually the Princesses came and I was banished.

When the Empire returned, I had changed. I was insane with the need for revenge.

I locked all my emotions away, taught myself to show no emotion.

I became a true monster. And I still am."

"No you aren't. You're not a monster, Sombra."

"I am. Have I restored Amore? No, I haven't. You're reforming me, true, but because of me, Discord is gone. He's hurt you, and now nopony knows what will happen. He might wage war on Equestria. And whose fault will it be? Mine. Who traumatized the Crystal Ponies? Who killed most of them mercilessly a thousand years ago? I did. Whose fault is it that Luna turned into Nightmare Moon a thousand years ago? Mine. When she and Celestia came to banish me, I used the nightmare spell on both of them. Celestia was stronger than Luna and managed to break her out of it only after the damage had been done. Whose fault is it that Hope's dead? Mine! I was too late to save her! If only I had thought faster she'd still be alive and- Everything's my fault! I'm a monster!"

I got up and wrapped my hooves around Sombra. "You're not a monster. You're just a stallion who's been through a lot."

"But-"

"No buts. And that's what your nightmares have been about, am I right?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because you would- I was afraid you'd hate me. And think of me as what I am- a monster."

"You are not a monster Sombra."

Sombra opened his mouth again, but before he could say a word, I pressed my lips against his, starting a kiss.

This catches him off guard and he kisses back.

It's a deep, passionate kiss, and we break it a few minutes later for air.

I smirk at Sombra's expression. "Now, that's a nice way of saying 'be quiet', isn't it?"

Sombra's dreamy expression remains. "Indeed it is..."
> W-we're just very close friends!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy's P.O.V:

I wake up to find that I'm trapped in Sombra's embrace. I try to lift his hoof off me or even wriggle out, but he's hugging me too tight.

"Sombra?" I tap him a couple of times but he doesn't stir.

I blush as I realize I'm now trapped by my handsome stallion Sombra and decide to wait until he wakes up to get out of bed.

But then I remember... Today is spa day! Rarity would be upset if I missed that!

I began shaking my way out of Sombra's embrace, and my movement wakes him up. "Fluttershy...why are you moving so much?" he mumbles.

"Today is spa day and Rarity will be upset if I'm late for it!" I exclaim.

"So why aren't you going?"

"...I'm a little...trapped."

Sombra looks at me and blushes. He lifts his hoof, allowing me to get out. But as I get up, he pulls me back down. "Can you stay with me for a little longer?"

"But Sombra..."

"Fifteen minutes? Ten minutes? Even five minutes?" he asks me, making those adorable pleading eyes that I can't resist.

"Fine," I slip back into his embrace. "Ten more minutes."




"Sombra, ten minutes are over now and I really need to go."

"One more minute?"

"Sombra... How about this? Once I'm back, we'll spend a very long time sleeping together."

"But I wanna sleep with you now..." he says, half slurred.

"Now Sombra, I really don't want to be late for Rarity, and I want to sleep more with you. But it would be rude of me not to go, as this is going to be our first spa day in months..."

Sombra wraps his hooves around me tighter. "Please?"

I'm about to give in when Angel bunny hops into the room, bites Sombra's hooves, causing me to fly straight up and into the ceiling in shock which causes me to cry in pain and fall with Sombra catching me while muttering curses under his breath.

I recover first. "Angel bunny! How dare you!" I shriek. "You hurt Sombra!"

He tells me that Sombra was causing me to be late.

"So what if he was? He was just having some fun! Now, apologize to Sombra and me or I'll punish you!"

Angel lets his ears droop, looks at the floor and apologizes.

"I forgive you. There's one thing I need to do before I can go, aside from brushing my teeth and mane. Thanks to you, I need to bandage Sombra's hooves."

I look at Sombra who says, "I never knew that bunnies of all things could be so harmful."




With everything wrapped up, I made my way to the spa to find Rarity and Applejack there.

"Fluttershy darling," smiles Rarity. "How are you?"

"I'm doing as well as could be expected after flying into the ceiling. How are you both?"

"I am doing simply marvelous on this wonderful-" 

Rarity begins a speech and Applejack interrupts her, drawing a glare from my unicorn friend.

"You say y'all flew into the ceilin'? How did that happen?"

"Well... Sombra wasn't letting me get out of bed because he wanted me to stay for longer, and when he didn't let me go after ten minutes, Angel came in and bit his hooves which caused him to let go of me, allowing me to fly into the ceiling in shock. But luckily Sombra caught me. If he didn't... I think I'd be in the hospital."

Rarity's eyes widen. "Fluttershy dear, did I hear you correctly? King Sombra is in your cottage? Sleeping with you?"

"Didn't y'all hear that Fluttershy was given the task of reformin' Sombra by the Princesses?"

"Heavens, no, I've been so busy lately that I've been unable to pay attention to anything but my work!"

AJ looks at me. "Y'all said ya were...sleeping with Sombra. That's true?"

"Ye-" I catch on to what that means and blushing furiously, say, "N-no! Not in that way!"

"I hope that is true dear, because it is very unladylike to sleep with a stallion you barely know. Especially one such as...Sombra."

"What's wrong about Sombra?"

"Simply everything, darling."

We get to our spa room and I ask, "What does that mean?"

"What it means is, that stallion is pure evil. You can never know what he's planning."

"I'm sure Sombra's not planning anything."

"You can never be sure."

Applejack asks, "So, Shy, how is it? Livin' with Sombra and all that."

"It's been good lately. He's been helping me feed the animals, clean the cottage, and everything else."

"An' gettin' a good nights sleep?"

"Yes. It's been easier to sleep when Sombra's near me. For some reason... I feel safe when I'm near him."

"Do you have...feelings for him, Fluttershy?" Rarity asks.

"What? Yes. I mean, no!" I sigh. "I don't know."

"She's blushin'. That means our lil' Shy's got a fine, might likin' for Sombra."

"Just make sure to marry him first darling," Rarity teases. "If you don't make a move first, other mares will."

My cheeks are red. "Ra- rarity!"

"Though Shy, do ya think he likes you?"

"Sombra? Well-"

"Obviously he does darling. Otherwise, why would he be so reluctant to let go of Fluttershy in the mornings?"

"Ah agree with ya. It certainly makes sense. So, Shy, have ya planned out yer weddin'?"

"W-what?!"

"I'll be sure to make the perfect suits and dresses for such an occasion!"

"An' ah'll be more than happy ta provide the cider."

"G-girls, I'm not planning on marrying Sombra any time soon! W-we're just very close friends, that's all!"

"Ah see. Ya wanna date him first, get ta know him before ya marry him. Ah understand."

"Remember that Sombra has to take you out to restaurants, not you taking him!"

"G-"

"Relax Shy, we're jus' teasin' ya."

I take a breath of relief. 

"Even so, if you do marry Sombra, be sure to tell us before the wedding happens."




King Sombra's P.O.V:

As soon as Fluttershy leaves, I pull myself out of bed as carefully as I can and wince at my bandaged hooves.

"Holy Tartarus, it's bleeding!" 

I glare at the source of my pain, the bunny. "Even bandaged, I'm still a good fighter. So what do you say to a fight, bunny?"

Angel glares at me and nods. It is on.
> The Epic Fight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

King Sombra's P.O.V:

The bunny nods and glares at me. It is on.

Quicker than I can blink, he gets a basket of tomatoes and begins throwing them at me. 

I dodge to the side, letting them stain the wall.

I get a basket of grapes (good thing Shy leaves the baskets around) and throw them.

Angel facehooves (or should it be 'facepaws') as if asking me of that was seriously the best thing I had.

Then he throws potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and apples at me, and I jump out of the way.

I need to up my game if I'm going to win this.

...But how?

Perhaps getting heavier stuff to throw...or bigger stuff.

I grab the sofa pillows and chuck them at Angel. "Point Sombra!"

They knock him over, but he quickly recovers and throws a vase at me.

It shatters.

"Abandoning the vegetables now, are we?"

I throw more pillows at him. They miss.

I find some boots and throw it and the demon. "Point Sombra!"

He manages to hit me with another vase. He squeaks something that probably is 'point Angel'.

I decide to stop throwing things and instead, fight him directly.

I punch him. "Point Sombra!" He falls and smashes a tomato against himself for dramatic effect.

"I know you aren't dead, and you wouldn't be able to fool Fluttershy."


He gets rid of the tomato sauce and kicks me. 'Point Angel!'

I grab hold of him, swing him around, and send him flying into the wall. "Point Sombra!"

He gets up and bites my hindhoof.

"Ow!"

'Point Angel!'

I get him and use him to get rid of the blood. Then bite his ears with my fangs.

"Point Sombra!"

He licks his ear and then rushes at me, promising pain.

So I grab some eggs at throw them at him. They slow him down, giving me enough time to run out of the house and straight into… Fluttershy's garden?

Or it could be a forest but since it's right in front of her house I'll assume it's her garden.

Why did Fluttershy never show me this? Her garden work is amazing! …But I never knew gardens were this big.

And I can't hear any sign of the bunny coming after me. 

A sudden growl interrupts my thoughts and I turn around and see… not the bunny but a creature much like the one that destroyed me. It's a timberwolf.

A Tartarus be bucked timberwolf. What should I do? I've got no magic thanks to Sunbutt's pet, and I don't think I'd be able to fight a timberwolf.

There's one question I've got though. How did a timberwolf find its way into Fluttershy's garden? 

My eyes widen. Unless this wasn't Fluttershy's garden, it was the Ever-bucking-free forest!

While I'm trying to think of how to fight the wolf, several more have surrounded me and they begin to advance, growling.

I gulp. I'm definitely going to die.

But that won't stop me from attempting to fight. As one comes close to me, I kick its jaw, making it fall back.

Then I turn around and kick another. And the rest of them. But as I'm about to do the last one, it swipes at my flank with its claws. And that hurt a lot more than the bunny's bites.

“Tartarus!” My flank is bleeding heavily. I try to move away as best as I can, but the others have recovered. And they are certainly not happy.  




Fluttershy's P.O.V:

I hum a little tune as I fly to Sugarcube Corner. It's rare for me to hum or fly in public, but I felt so happy, I couldn't help it.

“Hello Fluttershy," Mrs Cake greets me with a smile. “How are you today?”

“Hi Mrs Cake, I'm feeling perfect. How are you?”

“I'm feeling fine. Are you here to talk to Pinkie or to buy some stuff?”

“Both, actually.”

“Well, Pinkie's not here right now but you can buy some stuff while waiting for her.”

“Sure.”

“What would you like?”

I'm about to answer when the shop door flies open and Angel Bunny comes in. He says… that he and Sombra were having a fight and he's sorry for messing my house up but that didn't matter now because Sombra's in the Everfree forest!

“Are you sure? T-that Sombra's in the E-everfree forest?” 

Angel nods. I take off so fast that I cause a sonic rainboom, and as I get closer to the forest I pray to the heavens, hoping that Sombra is alive and uninjured.
> Hospital
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy's P.O.V:

For the first time in days, Sombra opened his eyes and groaned. “Sombra!” I shout in joy. 

“Flu…tter…shy?” He says slowly. “Why…everything…white?”

“You're in the hospital Sombra. The timberwolves hurt you so bad, the doctor said the soonest you'll be out of here is in a month.” I stroke his mane softly. “I was so worried. I thought- I thought you were going to-” Unable to finish my sentence, I sob.

Despite his numerous injuries and bandages, he managed to wrap a hoof around me. “S-sorry…It's all my fault. I had a little... Uh, fight with Angel even though you said we shouldn't fight. And I ran into the Everfree forest, thinking it was your garden.” he formed an apologetic smile.

"You did what?!" I shake my head. "We'll get back to that topic later. For now, I'll just tell you how happy I am that you're okay."

“Ah, he woke up, good.” Nurse Redheart walked in with a clipboard and quill. "Time for the test to make sure you're all right."

She then shone a light into his eyes for a few seconds. "Pupils reacting normally, good. You were very lucky. Your injuries were so severe we had to call Zecora to save your life.”

She then pokes him with a pin, causing Sombra to jerk his leg away. She scribbles something onto her clipboard and then leaves, saying something about coming back later.

“I…really thought this was the end for me…” Sombra mumbled weakly.

As I was about to reply,  the door got thrown open and I turned around in surprise. Twilight ran in, a worried look on her face.

“Fluttershy!” She exclaimed in what sounded  like guilt? “I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!” Before I could react, she had wrapped me into a hug, wetting my chest with her tears.

“W-what are you sorry for?” I ask, confused.

“It’s my fault that happened because I took his magic away! He could have escaped or defended himself, if he had  his magic! Celestia never told me to take it, I was just curious!” She sobbed and I pushed her away from me, shocked and angry.

But before I could say anything, Sombra did. "You took my magic away, saying that your precious mentor told you to." He scoffs in disgust. "You lied to me and Fluttershy. You lied using the name of your Princess. I- I honestly don't know how Fluttershy is friends with you."

Twilight is shaking now. "Sombra, it-"

"No, Fluttershy, you can't just say it's fine! You can't say it's ok! I nearly died because of her. Sure, it was more of my fault for going into that cursed forest without knowing about it, but- I could've at least done something. And to think I've been living like a bucking mud pony for months, just because of a lie! This is just unnaceptable." Twilight runs out crying, while I stand there with my ears pinned against my head.

"And before you start shouting at me and say that she already feels guilty enough, let me tell you something. A unicorn without their magic is good as dead. Remember those visions? What they did? I nearly died then as well. So if once I'm out of the hospital and we get my magic back, if you're still friends with her-"

I'm crying. "I won't forgive her right away, Sombra. When you put it like that... It makes it sound really bad. But breaking my friendship with her permanently-"

"If she took away your power of flight for no reason, or even took any other of your friends powers for no reason other than to study it, what would you do? I mean, your orange earth pony friend, if she didn't have her strength, what would happen?"

"Most of Equestria would be left without food..." I whisper.

"Would you forgive her if she did that?"

"N-no..."

"If she hurt some of your animal friends on purpose?"

"I'd- I'd never forgive her!"

"Exactly. And I know I mean more to you than them."

"...I'll take a while to think about it."

"Don't come back until you've decided."

King Sombra's P.O.V:
I watched Fluttershy leave, her saddened expression haunting me.

I shouldn't have been so harsh with her...

The nurse came back, saying, “If there is anything you need, don't hesitate to tell my colleague Candy who will be taking care of you for the night," and as she spoke, a white unicorn mare entered with my dinner tray held in her magic.

Her blue eyes darted around, scanning her surroundings, and she was trembling, looking highly afraid and ready to run out at any moment. 

I noticed she had a pink mane with white stripes. 

“Here’s your meal, S-Sombra…” She stuttered. “N-nurse Candy, at your service.”

I just nodded, and got a better look at her when she returned around. Her cutie mark was a notepad, and her flank was rather curvy. What a beautiful mare…

Then I shook my head. Focus!

“Is Candy new?” I asked Redheart who shook her head.

“She's a transfer from Canterlot. You have to excuse her, she had it a bit rough lately and being around you is not really helping her, no offense."

I wondered why but dismissed it as I ate, after which I fell asleep.




Surprisingly my dreams were peaceful, with no timberwolves chasing me.

As I yawned and stretched myself as best as I could, the door opened and Candy brought me breakfast. Just like yesterday, the mare trembled as she did so.

“Y-your breakfast, Sombra.” Her voice was stuttering, her tone fearful, making me feel great unease.

“There is no reason to be afraid of me. I can’t do anything while stuck in the hospital, can I?” I illustrated my point by trying to raise a hoof, and struggling, groaning in pain. 

“Right…sorry.”

“Redheart said you had it rough lately. Do you…want to talk about it?” My lips formed a weak smile. 

In response, she snuffed her hooves nervously. Seeing this I quickly said, "You don't have to if you don't want to."

"No, it's alright." She took a deep breath, steeling herself. “W-Well…not too long ago…I got kidnapped and enslaved…I barely managed to escape.” She lowered her head, staring at the ground, ears flattening as she did so. A lone tear fell as she said "They wanted me to be a…s-se…” she could not finish it, yet I was able to understand what she meant as that had been all too common in other lands during my rule.

"I had enslaved the crystal ponies, but I never did…that. Even I had standards..."

“W-what?” She looked at me in surprise.

I echoed her look, realizing I must have said that out loud.
“I used to be a tyrant King..." I began, filled with guilt and regret. "I enslaved the Crystal Empire but I never did anything that low. And with Fluttershy reforming me...I regret what I did…” In guilt, I lowered my head.

She took a step back and then one forward, as if unable to decide what to do.

Eventually she settled on going to the door. "I... I've got to go."

Then she ran out of the room. I sighed. 

If for once, a pony approached me, knowing my past but not fearing me... I would be happy.
> Me or her?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy's P.O.V:

I didn't know what to do. Twilight was like a sister to me... But I loved Sombra.

When I found him unconscious in the Everfree forest I realized how much he meant to me.

He was more than a friend. And yet, I couldn't just end my friendship with Twilight...

Even if she was- even if she did lie and take Sombra's magic...

But... That was his magic. I remember how painful it was when Tirek drained us of all our magic and I couldn't even fly.

And Twilight lied using Princess Celestia's name. I... I don't know. It's so frustrating!

I let out a small shout. I- Sombra means more to me than Twilight.

But I've known Twilight for longer.

Yes, but... what she did to Sombra is unforgivable. She did it just so that she could study his magic.

For her selfish reasons. I can't leave Sombra. No, he'd feel betrayed. Twilight would feel bad too, but she's got other ponies to lean on.

If  I left Sombra, he'd have nopony. He'd be alone.

I give out another scream of frustration. Angel hops to me and gives me a look followed by a few signs.

"I guess you're right Angel. Twilight is a sister to me, but my heart is with Sombra."

....I suppose I should go get Sombra's magic back. And tell Twilight what I've decided.







I nervously knock on the door of the Castle of Friendship. Almost immediately it is opened and I can see Spike.

"Um...Hi Spike...Is Twilight here?"

"She's here, though the state she's in... I'll let you see for yourself," Spike says, letting me in. "She's in the map room."

I make my way there and open the door. Twilight is crying. "Twilight...?" I approach her. 

She mumbled something I can't here. She then looks up at me. "Why did you come?"

"I...Sombra...Sombra said-" I can't even get the words out. Seeing her in such a sorry state, I don't have the heart to tell her. But I remember what she did to Sombra. I have to do this for him. "Twilight, Sombra gave me a choice, to either stay with you and leave him, or the other way around. I chose him. I'm sorry, but..."

Twilight sits up. She looks totally broken. "It's fine, I did hurt him after all. Taking his magic away like that without his consent... He may be a villain but he's still a pony. I should have asked..."

I'm about to sympathise with her but remember her crime. I get straight to the point.

"Before I leave, I need you to give me Sombra's magic back."

Twilight levitates a jar over to me and then collapses back into her seat, continuing to cry. I walk to the door and hesitate for a moment but shake my head. I chose Sombra- I- it was my choice. I can't stay to comfort Twilight. 






Sombra's P.O.V:

A few days pass. Fluttershy still hasn't returned. Perhaps I was a little too harsh with my words?

No, no, this is a test to see who Fluttershy would choose.

The nurse Candy enters while I am thinking. "Patient Sombra... Here's your dinner." 

She isn't stuttering like before and despite the occasional tremble, seems perfectly fine.

“Thank you.” I smiled at her, which seems to slightly increase her trembling. I raise my hooves. “I told you, you got nothing to fear from me.” 
My tone was calm rather than irritated.

“I know. It’s just…you kinda have an intimidating aura.” She admitted, her head slightly lowered and it was nothing she could be blamed for.

I suppose my appearance, especially my glowing eyes and blood red horn wouldn't make a pony feel at ease.

“And it wakes a bad memory” She added, to my surprise. “In school, many saw me as a nerd, avoiding me… and even bullying me. They used to make fun of me and- and- ” Here her voice cracked and I sympathised with her.

“I was bullied too for my appearance as a colt; I understand your feelings. And I'm sure, you will find a stallion who appreciates you, just like I found a mare...” It was a painful memory but true nonetheless.

“Thanks…” She smiled weakly. “Actually, Zecora wanted to check on you.” A nod was my reply as the zebra walked in and Candy left to give us some privacy.

“I suppose you are the witch doctor Zecora who I have been hearing about?"

She nods. "I would have said my name; but it seems my potions are gaining fame. Indeed your life was not easy to save; I must say, you are quite brave. You were surrounded by timberwolves and still fought; it seems you were well taught."

After deriving the meanings from her rhymes I answered, "Well, I have never been taught how to fight, rather I just acted on instinct." I attempted to sit up and bowed my head a little. "Thank you Miss Zecora. If it weren't for you, I don't think I'd be here."

She blushes. "Is that not quite a surprise? Thank me not, but the one with a cutie mark of butterflies. She was the one who sought me out and cried by your side for days. The doctors here had tried all of their medicines but not one helped you get out of that state. Surely you do not feel any aches or pains?"

She doesn't end that with a rhyme. "The only ache I feel is that of bedsores," I say.

She laughs and then looks at the clock. "It is half past three, now I must go. Or I fear my potions will overflow."

With that she departs. I sink back onto my pillows and close my eyes.

Not a moment after that, my ears prick up at the sound of the door opening. 

I open my eyes, even though I can already tell who it is. "Ah, Fluttershy... You came back."

Her eyes are glossy and I swear that a tear fell from one.

She smiles upon seeing me, and hugs me. "Sombra."

"So, who did you choose?"

She sits up. "I chose you. It was hard to leave Twilight," at this point her tears begin anew "but then I thought of how much pain you must have been in and how she was so selfish."

I gulp. This would have been rather hard for the Element of Kindness herself, choosing between leaving a friend in pain or her housemate in pain.

She wipes her eyes and produces a jar from her bag. The contents of it are dark red and a little black. "I got your magic back."

She hooves me the jar and I smile. I open the lid, and it flies out. The magic flies around the room before circling back to me and going in through my horn.

I give a groan of happiness. My magic is back. It takes all I have not to dance on the spot.

I get off the bed. Nothing hurts. All signs of my injury is gone.

All of my self control is lost as I begin dancing in joy. "My magic's back! My magic's back!"

Fluttershy's P.O.V:

My eyes widen to pinpricks as I'm suddenly levitated into the air. My heart begins racing.

I try to take calming breaths and attempt to move out of Sombra's magic, but that's impossible.

I mentally facehoof. 

"S-s-sombra, could you per-perhaps put me back on the ground now?" I say.

But he's so busy dancing and celebrating that my quiet plea can hardly be heard.

I try a little louder, but to no avail. 

I begin crying in fear. "S-sombra, please put me down!"

My cries eventually grab Sombra's attention and he puts me down.

His joyful grin turns into an expression of concern as he looks at me. "Are you okay, Fluttershy?"

I shake my head. "N-no Sombra. I'm not. F-first I had to make a hard choice, and n-now..."

"Fluttershy?"

I spit it out and take a deep breath. "Sombra, I've always had a fear of heights. Why do you think I hardly fly, and that when I do, it's not so high?" I wipe a tear away. "When you levi-levitated me into the air, I was so-so scared."

Guilt overtakes him. "I'm so sorry Fluttershy! I didn't even realize I had levitated you! I was just lost in my joy..."

I take a few more breaths, trying to calm myself. He hugs me. "I'm sorry." He continues apologizing.

I eventually manage to calm myself. "I-I forgive you." I stand up. "I- I guess I'll go tell the nurse that you're better now..."
> Home Sweet Home
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy's P.O.V:

"Ah," Sombra gives a contented sigh as he lies on the sofa. "Home sweet home."

I smile and sit next to him. "It's much more sweeter with you back."

His stomach growls and I giggle. "Seems like some pony's hungry~" I tease.

He pouts. "Who can blame that somepony for being hungry when they've had nothing but hospital food for Tartarus knows how long?"

I giggle again. "What would you like to eat?"

"Surprise me. As long as you make it, I'll be happy."

"Okay." I walk to the kitchen. What should I make? Hmm...

Angel bunny appears out of nowhere and taps my leg. He taps a picture of pasta and an oven. "That'll be perfect! Thanks Angel," I gasp, hugging him.

My smile disappears as I check the cupboards. "But we're all out of ingredients... I would go to get some more, but I don't feel comfortable leaving you and Sombra home alone, especially after what happened last time..."

Angel rolls his eyes, hops off, returns with a shopping basket and taps his chest several times.

"You want to get the ingredients for me? Thanks Angel! Now, here's a list of everything I need..."

He hops out of the door at once and I start getting the oven ready. I set the temperature, get the utensils ready and then wait...

Nearly an hour later Angel returns, dragging a heavy shopping basket behind him. I relieve him of his burden and thank him again, after which he takes a few carrots from the fridge and goes.

I make sure there's everything I need. Pasta, eggs, milk, etc...

Yeah, it's all there.




Sombra's P.O.V:

I open my eyes and sit up to the smell of something that makes my mouth water.

I can't tell what it is, but it smells great.

"Sombra ~" My Flutter-Angel comes in. "Time to eat~"

I follow her to the kitchen and she covers my eyes once I sit down.

Then she uncovers them and I'm confused at the sight before me. "What's this?"

"It's pasta bake," she explains. "I'm sure you'll love it."

With that said, she gives me my portion from the tray, and then gives herself some and sits down.

She waits for me to start eating.

I tentatively put a forkful into my mouth... And begin to devour my whole plate in the span of a few seconds.

Fluttershy is startled at the speed, but gives me more, which I take my time to enjoy.

"This is absolutely wonderful Fluttershy," I say in between bites.

"See, I told you that you'd love it!" Fluttershy beams.

I smile.

I never could have guessed she was this great at cooking as in all my time here, I don't think we've had anything other than fruits, vegetables and cereal. And maybe a lot of other things too that slipped my mind.

Once we've finishes eating, my wonderful yellow pegasus giggles. "What's so funny?" I ask.

"I'm not laughing at you; I'm just happy to finally be able to have dinner with you again. It's been so long..."

"I'm happy too. I missed everything."

Fluttershy looks at me, as if wanting to say something, but hesitates. "What is it?"

She gently pulls me to the living room and puts me on the sofa. She nuzzles me.

"Sombra... I want to show you how much I love you... If you don't mind."

I chuckle. "Have you been planning this for the whole day?"

She blushes. "N-no-"

"It's ok," I laugh again. "To be honest, I was thinking of it again, but this might have been a little sonnet than I thought."

"I- we can wait if you want."

"It's fine. After spending such a long time apart, I'd say we have the right to go ahead at full speed." A thought comes into my mind. "Angel is out of the house... Right?"

Fluttershy almost flies into the ceiling in panic, but I manage to catch her with my magic. She runs out of the room and returns a few minutes later. "Now he's spending the night at Pinkie's."




Fluttershy's P.O.V:

I wake up in the morning to find Sombra's horn right under my chin... Just like in the dream.

I move my neck away from his horn and then relax.

I feel something hard against my stomach.

Naturally I look down and blush as the memories of last night come flooding back to me.

It surely was an enjoyable night... that's for sure. And it involved a lot of love...

Sombra begins to to stir. He's confused as to his surroundings but that's replaced with a smile.

"Good morning Fluttershy." He sits up and hugs me. "I missed my Flutterpillow. So soft and warm... I wonder how I managed to survive without you." 

My cheeks went red at this. “Oh, please…” Was he always such a charmer?

“What? Can’t take a compliment, dear?” He smirked, taking advantage of this situation, deepening my blush.

“I-I'm just not used to such compliments," I shyly replied, letting my mane fall in front of my face, causing him to nod.

“I see. I know how you’re feeling. I had to show the nurse who took care of me that she had nothing to fear from me, and I also boosted her confidence.”

“That’s was nice of you.” Pride was in my voice.

“Yes. I…” He looked briefly away, “Hope our first time wasn’t too awkward for you or anything.”

“Awkward, yes, but I don’t blame you?” I could tell he felt guilty for the incident.

“Good, because…is something wrong?” Now, concern was in his voice, making me chuckle awkwardly.

“Do you mind if I bubble wrap your horn or anything? I'd prefer to not be fatally stabbed in the night...”

He blinked. "Come again, love?"

"Okay. So, I had this dream that we were sleeping peacefully and then your horn stabbed my throat. And this morning when I woke up with my throat near your horn..." I tucked my mane behind my ear, and then let it fall again. "I'm not scared of you; I trust you with my life, but just please let me do this t-"

My explanation was cut short by Sombra bursting into laughter. I watched him, bemused as he continued laughing for a few minutes.

When he had finally stopped, I asked him, "Sombra... Did you find something funny?"

"Fluttershy dear," he faces me. "I understand that you trust me. If a dream of yours made you feel a little unsafe, and you worried that I might accidentally stab you with my horn in the night, I'd do anything to keep you safe. But really, I'm sure my horn's not that sharp." He touches the tip of it with a hoof "Se-Ouch!" He shakes his hoof in pain and I see it's bleeding. 

He sheepishly chuckles under my gaze.

"Heheh... Seems like I might not know my horn as good as I thought I did... It's not even safe for me..."

"...I'll go get a first aid kit. And some bubble wrap too."
> Bubble Wrapped Horns and Unicorns
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy's P.O.V:

I examine the cut on Sombra's hoof, deciding to treat that before wrapping his horn as quite a lot of blood is coming out of it.

My eyes widen. "Wow. That's... Deep."

Sombra looks at his hoof. "Won't the first aid kit be enough for it?"

"Stretch your hoof out." He does as I command. "Now, do you think the first aid kit will be enough for it?"

"I guess I'll have to go to the hospital..."

"Don't worry, this time I'm with you." I wrap a bandage around his hoof and it gets soaked by blood within a few seconds. "We should go quickly or you'll lose too much blood."

"How far is the hospital from here?"

"Far enough that we might not make it in time..." I'm about to start  pacing out of worry when I remember something. "Can you teleport?"

Sombra scoffs. He's surprisingly calm for a pony who's got enough blood pouring out of them to give a batpony a full meal. "What sort of a question is that? Of course I can. Just tell me where it is and we'll be there in a flash."

"It's across from Twilight's castle."

I blink and we're there. I pull Sombra to a hospital room, which happens to be the one he was in last time, and luckily a nurse is there.

She has a pink mane with white stripes that I think I've seen before. What was her name again? Candy or something?

"Nurse Candy, right?"

She turns around and sees Sombra. She bats her eyelashes and looks at my unicorn's face. "Sombra, back so soon? Did you miss me?"

"Now isn't the time for jokes, Nurse," I almost growl, scared for Sombra and angry that she's trying to flirt with my lover. "As you can see Sombra's losing quite a lot of blood."

She follows the direction my hoof is pointing in with her eyes and  runs out, coming back a few seconds later with a first aid kit.

She takes a needle and thread out of it. "This is going to hurt a little so I'm going to give you a few painkillers."

Sombra just nodded, steeling himself as she was as about to treat him. He hissed and grunted at the pain, grimacing but stayed focused as she injected him with painkillers, applying pressure and bandaged the wound. I imagined he must have gone through worse before this all.

Nonetheless, Candy had stitched his hoof up in a few minutes, yet a concerned expression was on her face. “It might cause a scar. Try to keep work to a minimum and change the bandage every now and then.” My response was a nod, glad we could go home right away.





Sombra's P.O.V:

Once we return from the hospital, I head to the sofa and lie down on it.

Fluttershy closes the door and sighs. I put my hoof on my forehead, or more accurately, attempt to, but my sweet pegasus flutters over to me and grasps my hoof.

"Until I bubble wrap your horn, you have to keep your hooves away from it," she says in a gentle voice.

"Bubble wrap my horn?! Fluttershy dear, you can't be serious..."

"I know it sounds like I'm joking, but I'm actually serious. I can't have you getting hurt again!"

I open my mouth to tell her that I definitely don't need my horn to be bubble wrapped, but she's already walking up the stairs, probably to get it.

She returns a few minutes later, with the aforementioned bubble wrap and scissors in her hooves. She also has a roll of tape.

Then she walks around the sofa, to the front part of it against which I'm leaning my head, and she unrolls some of the wrap.

I concentrate on her heavenly scent and angelic face as she leans above me, cutting a part of the wrap and taping it around the point of my horn.

It takes a few seconds, and I can feel her care just through her actions.

She then puts a hoof on the point, and moves it away. Her hoof is fine. She proceeds to sit on the sofa, as close to me as she can.

"So, will I have to use this bubble wrap forever?"

"Hmm...That's a good question." She blushes as I stare at her in disbelief, and turns her head to the side so her mane obscures her face. "W-well, it's better to be safe than sorry, right?"

I sigh. "But how will I ever leave your house again? I can't go out in public like this."

"Uh...You can wear a hat?"

"A hat," I repeat dryly.

"Then perhaps we can change your manestyle?"

I shake my head. "I like my mane the way it is."

"And I like it too," she whispers, blushing so much that her cheeks are redder than Apple... Apple-something's brother. "But if it causes you so much trouble, then maybe we can just forget about the bubble wrap?"

"No, it's fine," I smile at her. "I don't want you to get hurt from my horn."

Fluttershy's P.O.V:

I nod and we sit in silence for a while.

"So... About earlier," begins Sombra. "I think you may have  treated Candy a  little too harshly... I mean, I know it was an emergency, but..."

"Sombra. She was trying to flirt with you. Did you really expect me to be happy about that?" I say, with the tone of my voice changing to one of barely concealed anger as I recalled that specific moment.

"Woah, calm down a little," he says.

"What would you have done if some stallions tried to flirt or flirted with me?"

"I'd teach those bastards their pla-"

"See. Your reaction would be no different than mine."

"..." He's at a loss of words.

I'm about to say something, but then somepony knocks on the door.

I jump at the sudden sound, and Sombra gets up. "I'll open it."

I recover from that small shock, using the breathing technique that Princess Cadence taught me, and stop him. "No, you're injured. I'll answer it."

"Flutter-"

"No."

With that, I push him back onto the sofa and open the door.
> Regrets and Spa Day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight Sparkle's P.O.V:

As I walked back from the hospital with my head hung down in shame for what I had done, I pondered over his words.







"You took my magic away, saying that your precious mentor told you to." He scoffs in disgust. "You lied to me and Fluttershy. You lied using the name of your Princess. I- I honestly don't know how Fluttershy is friends with you."

"Sombra, it-"

"No, Fluttershy, you can't just say it's fine! You can't say it's ok! I nearly died because of her. Sure, it was more of my fault for going into that cursed forest without knowing about it, but- I could've at least done something. And to think I've been living like a bucking mud pony for months, just because of a lie! This is just unacceptable." 







Sombra wasn't wrong in the slightest.

I had indirectly brought him into danger, while also risking my friend’s trust. What a good friend I was…

As soon as I reached the Castle, I ran to the Map Room, too exhausted to teleport to my room.

I remained there for a few hours, alone in my misery, and then the doors opened.

Fluttershy came in, looking sad.

"Twilight...?" 

I mumble something incoherent and then look up at her. "Why did you come?"

"I...Sombra...Sombra said-" She hesitates for a few minutes, and then her face hardens. "Twilight, Sombra gave me a choice, to either stay with you and leave him, or the other way around. I chose him. I'm sorry, but..."

I sit up, and I feel a pang in my heart, knowing what she's going to say. "It's fine, I did hurt him after all. Taking his magic away like that without his consent... He may be a villain but he's still a pony. I should have asked..."

She turns around, and then faces me again. "Before I leave, I need you to give me Sombra's magic back."

I levitate it to her and slump back as she runs out, never to come again.







A few days passed, with me mostly lying in the bed, crying over my stupidity. Spike was busy, so I was alone for the most part. 

Alone...like I should be...

I stood up. Sitting around moping wouldn't do anything. It wouldn't get Fluttershy to forgive me. It wouldn't make Sombra forgive me.

I should probably go and pay them a visit. 

My mane was a mess, and my eyes were red from crying, but I didn’t care.

Upon venturing out of the Castle, I was grateful that it was still early in the morning, so nopony was outside. If anyone saw me in this state...I shuddered at the mere thought.

I quickened my pace, not wanting to waste any time. As soon as I reached Fluttershy's cottage, I knocked on the door, hoping that Sombra wouldn't be the one to open it. He was.

As soon as Sombra saw me, his expression became upset and disgusted in contrast to the smile he had been bearing half a second ago. “What do you want? Haven't you caused enough damage already?” His tone was hostile, causing me to tremble.

“P-please…I just want…to apo-” My voice cracked as his eyes started to glow purple-green in anger.

“Apologise?! After all that you've done? What good would that do now? Apologies don't solve everything, " he continued in a calmer tone. "Some Princess of Friendship you are," the former King sneered.

I could feel the tears building up, threatening to fall. He was right. Apologising wouldn't fix the damage.

Sobbing, I ran out.






Spike's been worried about me, despite how much I tell him that I'm fine.

He says I need to eat something. Go outside and get some sunlight. 

I don't want to. What's the point of doing either of those things?

It won't fix my mistake.

I've lost a close friend and almost killed somepony.

Nothing will fix this...Nothing will…







Fluttershy's P.O.V:

Sombra slams the door shut and returns to the living room. Concerned as to what could've put him in a bad mood this early in the morning, I ask, "Sombra? Who was it?"

" Her, " he spits, and I immediately understand who he meant.

"Oh…" I falter, a little bit of pain surfacing. I look around, desperate to change the topic, and say, "It's a nice sunny day today. Let's have a picnic with all my animal friends."

He nods but doesn't smile. "Ok."







Sombra's mood remains down throughout the picnic, and I get another idea.

Today's Spa Day with Rarity...Perhaps she wouldn't mind if Sombra tagged along?

"Sombra? Let's go to the spa."

"The spa? "

"Yes, we both need to relax, and the spa is the perfect place for that."

He shrugs and stands up. "Even though that's not my thing, I'll do it because you want me to."







Sombra's P.O.V:

Once we reach the spa, I magically open the door and walk inside. Fluttershy smiles and waves at some mare with a purple mane and white fur, who I'm sure I've seen before.

Ah yes, the fashionista, Rarity.

"Darling," says the marshmallow unicorn, "it's been quite a while since I've last seen you. And I see you've brought Sombra along as well? "

"Yes, I thought it might help him to relax,” she replies and it makes me feel nervous. Back in the Crystal Empire, spas didn't exist, so I didn't have any experience with it. Both mares seemed to notice my nervousness as my hoof trembled slightly.

“Don’t worry, Sombra,  I am sure you will enjoy it,” Rarity assured me, before her expression became one of dismay. “Perhaps we can give your mane a new look. To be honest, it looks absolutely dreadful. No offence.”

“No thank you, I prefer my mane the way it is, loving how it flows. I dare say it might be way better than yours,” I tried to sound polite but it made her gasp.

“How dare you?! My mane is as stylish as can be! I have the best coiffure in all of Equestria! The flowing looks nice, yes, but the mane needs a new design to fit it and I know this better than anypony else! I am a-”

“Then you should also know when not to bother other ponies with it! Yes, you may be a fashion expert, but-” my voice was raised, just before Fluttershy stepped between us with a hoof in the air.

“Please don't fight in the spa. Let's relax and enjoy it, okay?”

My marefriend's meek voice had some traces of fear in it, and not wanting her to be scared, I sighed and nodded. "Okay."
> Magic Is A Wonderful Thing
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sombra's P.O.V:

It felt wonderful having magic again. And this was exactly what the subject of our conversation was. 

Fluttershy smiles and says, “I'm happy that she returned it,” and I nod. She still feels some distress and regret about leaving her…

“Fluttershy… Would you like to get some ice cream?” I ask, wanting to get her mind off that.

“Ice cream?” she asks, glancing around. 

“Yes, from Sugar Cube Corner,” I say, gesturing towards the building. 

“I…” she hesitates a little, probably thinking of the possibility of the shop having customers, even at this time. I place a comforting hoof upon her shoulder, and she says, “Okay.”






It was only a short walk, with ponies greeting us on the way and I held the door open for her, which she appreciated with a smile. “Quite the gentlecolt,” she commented, blushing. 

“Welcome to Sugarcube Corner, how can I help you?” Pinkie Pie asked as we made our way to the counter, and I took the word for her.

“One table for two, please.”

“Sure thing, take one wherever you like!” she stated, much to our surprise, until we noticed we were the only ones there, so we took the nearest one. She then handed us two menus and we read them to decide.

A sigh escaped the usually happy mare. “Have you heard about Twilight, Fluttershy? I am getting worried. She is so depressed and does not react to anything I try…It's concerning.”

With a concern of her own, the Pegasus opened her mouth but I took the word for her with slight frustration. “She simply feels guilty over what she has done to me. Just give her time, I am sure she will feel better eventually.”

Both mares stared at me for a moment before nodding and I made my order. “I think I'll take a Strawberry cake.”

“Chocolate for me,” Fluttershy added and we waited patiently and quietly for our orders, not saying a word, as I didn't want to ruin the moment and neither did Fluttershy.

As it arrived, we both took a bite and… my eyes went wide, with a smile forming on my face. “This is the best cake I've ever tasted…!”

“I’m glad to hear it, the Cake family surely lives up to its name.” With closed eyes, a cute giggle escaped the yellow mare’s mouth. “I would have never thought you would be so simple.”

I just shrugged. “Just because I was a king, doesn’t mean I don't prefer a simple meal from time to time. Did you think I have a huge buffet every time, like royalty shown in the media?” Now, I cracked a smile of my own.






After leaving the Café, we decided to return home as we were both exhausted. “Thanks for the ice cream,” says Fluttershy quietly, with a smile upon her beautiful face.

I also smile and reply, “Seeing you happy is worth it.”

She's about to say something, but her smile suddenly falls and is replaced by an expression of anxiousness. 

“Fluttershy? What happened?”

She doesn't utter a word, but merely points in the direction of the Castle of Friendship or whatever it was called, above which huge storm clouds have formed. The rest of Ponyville is bright and sunny, but only that area is the exact opposite. 

“I'm sure nothing happened,” I say, despite knowing that something did happen.  “Don't worry about it, let's head home.”






Discord's P.O.V:

She's forgotten me completely. All she cares about is him… He makes her happy… I should be in his place. I should be the one by her side, making her laugh. I should be the cause of her happiness.

Damn her… Damn her… How dare she forget me… I will make her pay for this. No, I will make Sombra pay. I will get my revenge…

Perhaps a little visit to Ponyville is in order. But going as myself won't do, especially when Fluttershy will most likely talk me out of my revenge, if we ran into each other. Nor can I go without a plan…






Twilight's P.O.V:

Spike had convinced (forced) me to leave the Castle, saying that I couldn't be cooped up there forever. I was walking around aimlessly, looking at the moon every so often, and the stars which accompanied it.

Yes, it was currently night. As less ponies would be awake, he had said that it was perfect for me to go out without fear of being judged.

I mulled over what he had last told me. “You corrected your mistakes the best you could, you even paid the hospital bill, and it's their choice whether to forgive you or not. You owe them nothing now, so stop beating yourself up for it. Come on, leave the past in the past, Twilight. I…I can't bear to see you like this anymore. It's killing a little part of me every single time I see you like this…”

Could I really leave the past behind and forgive myself? But…Sombra could've died during the conflict with the timberwolves, and it would've been because I took his magic away. 

Evil as he used to be, he wasn't evil now, and Fluttershy trusted him. They were even dating, and what was I doing,  taking one of my friend's happiness away?

No, I couldn't forgive myself for this no matter how hard I tried…

At the sound of hoofsteps, I straightened up from my slumped posture and wiped my eyes before looking around to see who it was. A mare with purple fur that was a few shades darker than mine approached, and her pale blue mane seemed to glimmer in the moonlight. 

Once she was close enough, I perceived that her fur was also sparkling. Her azure eyes seemed to bore into mine and I felt as though there was something strange about her. 

“I presume that you go by the name of Twilight Sparkle?” she asks, and I nod, wondering if she came from Canterlot as that type of speech would emit from a Noble's mouth.

“Yes,” I say, managing not to stutter. A moment passes, and I pose a question of my own. “Who are you?”

“I shall tell you…but first, follow me. We mustn't be seen here,” she replies, and her horn lights up. A second later, we're in an alley, and she casts several spells, some of which I suppose were defensive ones, before turning to face me. “My name is Radiant Hope,” the mare revealed, and for some reason, I felt as though I had heard that name before. It seemed familiar.

“I have come from the Crystal Empire,” she continued. “I have but one reason, which is that I have decided to leave the past behind. I am of the ponies from before limbo, and during Sombra's rule, I have experienced much suffering. Recently, I came to know that Princess Celestia has given the task of reforming him to the bearer of Kindness, and I am justifiably enraged at this news. He should burn in Tartarus; he should be left to rot!”

As Hope said this, anger filled her voice, and I ask, “I hope you don't mind, but what did he do that you hate him that much?”

“Haven't you studied history? Haven't you read a single book on the history of the Crystal Empire?” she questions, and upon seeing me nod, says, “Then how can you ask such a question?”

“Sorry,” I replied, “I haven't been thinking clearly.”

“Well, Princess, I would advise you to start thinking clearly now. Equestria may be lenient in dealing with their villains, but Sombra is one who must be dealt with severely. Ask me not how I know this, but soon, he will desire to travel to the Crystal Empire once more. He will seek to recapture it. Stop him, for we can suffer no longer. Destroy him…once and for all…”







Sombra's P.O.V:

Fluttershy had just fallen asleep, and I was watching her with a smile on my face, when suddenly, I heard a knock at the door.

I headed downstairs with a scowl on my face, ready to curse whoever it was into oblivion if it wasn't important, for they had destroyed my much needed peace. 

Upon opening the door, I stepped back in surprise after seeing who was there. It was impossible… She couldn't be here… She had died long ago…

But here she was, right in front of my very eyes, and this was no illusion.

She stepped forth, allowing herself in, and said, with a smile on her face, “Hello Sombra, long time no see.”