Sombra: A Tragedy

Sombra couldn't move. The shock of seeing that creature was overwhelming. All he could do was stare out into the night and hope that he could figure what to do.

Discord had another servant. Sombra knew that already. Most of them had abandoned Discord in that final battle. Was there really still servants loyal to him? Or was he just seeing things? He hoped for the latter. If there were other servants still serving Discord, then it might be a smart idea to join them. Only because Sombra would rather survive Discord's return than have to deal with betraying him.

Sombra suddenly felt himself feeling exhausted. He couldn't even remember what that fox had told. That is, if the fox had been real. He shrugged it off and made his way out the door and down the stairs. His body was still feeling the shock so he decided to retire to his bed chambers where he could sleep.

Sombra's bed chambers were located within Canterlot castle. He was the only non-royal pony that lived there. It was because of Celestia and Luna that he had received such a privilege. Back in the time of Discord's reign, many families had been separated, including Sombra's. Sombra had been too young to remember anything about his family when he was separated from them. It was a miracle he survived at all. As a little colt he had befriended Luna. Luna and Celestia had also been separated from their families, but they still had each other. Celestia, being the eldest and almost a full grown mare, took on the responsibility of raising Luna. She also took in Sombra to be a friend to Luna. When both Sombra and Luna grew up they had to part ways. Sombra wanted him and Luna to join forces with Discord, but Celestia knew that her and her sister's place were with the newly formed rebellion. Even though they were on different sides, Luna and Sombra remained friends. It was through this continued contact that Sombra was told by Luna that he was destined to harness the Element of Loyalty.

After the defeat of Discord, many families were able to reunite. That was not the case for Sombra. He searched all over Equestria and never found a family who had lost a young, grey furred colt. For all he knew, he was an orphan. He ended his search in Canterlot after discovering that Luna and Celestia were in the same situation. He asked for a place to stay while he made a home for himself, but Celestia instead offered him a permanent residence in the castle. While there were many things that Sombra didn't like about that idea, he knew that he would get to see Luna everyday so he accepted the offer.

Sombra made his way through the labyrinth of halls that led to his bed chambers. He finally made it and didn't hesitate to go inside. The room was dark except for the floor where the rays of the moon shone in. He intended to keep it that way since he wasn't planning to stay up any longer. That's when he noticed the pair of red eyes in the corner of the room where his bed was.

Sombra aimed his horn in the air and sent sparks flying to all the candles in the room. He looked back at his bed and saw the same shadow fox from earlier. What he had seen was real.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Sombra asked.

Don't pretend like you don't know who we are and why we are here.

"We?"

You must excuse our... my speech. I am not used to speaking for myself alone.

Sombra noticed that the fox had no mouth. "How are you talking?"

The same way Discord spoke to you. He did that through me.

Sombra remembered the critter that caught his eye right before his conversation with Discord. "Were you that critter I saw in the garden?"

Yes, that was me.

"But you're a fox. What I saw was much smaller. You wouldn't have disappeared into those shrubs so easily."

I am a creature of shadow. I can go where ever I please. The fox faded and reappeared on the window sill. It then faded again and appeared right in front of Sombra. I can also take on any form. The fox melted into a small shadow rabbit. Then it grew to Sombra's size and took the form of a pony. Do not underestimate me. The shadow pony faded and was replaced by the fox back on the bed.

"Ok, then. Now that I'm here, what do you want me to do?"

Pack up any provisions you might need. We start our journey to the Everfree Forest tonight.

"What!? Why?"

Because the longer we take to retrieve the Elements, the longer we delay Discord's return.

"But there are celebrations I'm supposed to attend tomorrow!"

We can't wait any longer! We need you to get the Elements as soon as possible!

"Why can't we wait?"

There are other forces at work which grow stronger the longer we wait. Forces that oppose this quest.

Sombra narrowed his eyes at the fox. "I'm pretty sure these 'forces' are just something you made up."

A creature of shadow would not joke about the light of the sun, our one true enemy.

Sombra became confused. "The opposing force is the sun? That doesn't seem so bad."

You do not understand what you say. Light is shadows weakness. Shadow can only exist where there is no light. During the day I lose my power and become invisible. Every day we draw closer to a most dreadful day for us. The longest day. You call it the Summer Sun Celebration, but it is not so. On that day, the sun is so strong that I and my brothers lose all our power for any entire cycle of the moon. We cannot wait until then.

"Sunlight makes you invisible?" Sombra paused to think about that. "How was it that I saw you earlier in the garden?"

The fox just stared at Sombra. That is a very good question. Why could you see me?

"I don't know. That's why I asked you." Sombra was becoming frustrated again.

We'll have to look into that later. You need to pack so we can leave before daylight.

For no known reason, Sombra had a strong feeling that he should do what this fox was telling him to do. "Fine."

As unwilling as he was, Sombra began to pack. He only took the smallest of necessities since he could use his magic for anything else he would need. He put on his saddlebag and started to leave, then stopped. "Wait. I need to do something first."

Sombra used his magic to bring a piece of parchment and a quill to him. He wrote a quick note on the parchment and floated it to his unused pillow. Then he used his magic to extinguish all the candles in the room. Now veiled in darkness, he left the room with the fox following close behind.

Sombra made his way quietly through the halls making sure to avoid any guards. He made it to the enormous doors that would lead him outside to the front gate. Without making a sound he opened the door, slipped out, and closed it back up.

Next would be the front gates which were closed and locked every night. Sombra walked to the gate looking around for any guards. There weren't any. He stopped at the gate and tried to think of a way through.

Allow me to help.

Sombra suddenly felt weightless.

Just walk forward.

Sombra did as he was told. To his surprise, he walked through the gate as if he were a cloud. Then the feeling of weightlessness left him.

"How did you do that?" Sombra asked in a whisper to the fox.

It's a shadow trick. Are there any more obstacles?

"I don't think so."

Then we must make haste.

The fox suddenly started running ahead. Sombra had no choice but to follow him.