Sombra: A Tragedy

By the time Luna woke up the next morning, the sun had already risen. Although she usually preferred the night, Luna had to sleep at night so she could stay awake during the celebrations. Besides, if there was any trouble, the night guards could always wake her if need be.

Luna got out of bed and went over to her dresser. She looked in the mirror and saw her mane disheveled. Using her magic, she raised the comb that was sitting on top of the dresser and combed her mane until it was presentable. She then went to her window to look out onto the waking world.

There was a knock at the door.

Luna spoke. "You may enter."

The door opened and one of the castle guards came into the room.

"Princess Celestia requests an audience with you in the throne room."

"Tell her that I will be with her as soon as I'm ready."

The guard gave a nod and left the room.

Luna continued to look out her window for a little longer. She wondered if Sombra was up yet. He would always sleep until Luna would send a guard to wake him up. Since his only duties were to the Elements of Harmony, there was no reason for him to be up early. However, sometimes he would be up early during the Harmony celebrations.

Luna left her room and made her way through the many hallways to the throne room. The throne room was empty except for her sister who was on the throne looking at a piece of parchment floating in front of her.

Celestia looked up from the parchment when Luna had finished crossing the room.

"Please tell me you know something about this."

The parchment floated to Luna who grabbed it with her magic. On the parchment was a note to her which said:

Dear Luna,

I'm sorry I won't be able to stay for the celebrations. Something has come up. I'll make it up to you.

Sombra

Luna looked up from the note. "What?"

"This was found in Sombra's bed chambers. He is no where to be found. The Royal Guard has already searched all of Canterlot. Do you know where he went?"

Luna gave her sister a confused look. "No."

"I'm told he was with you last night."

"Yes. But that doesn't mean I know where he is."

"I was hoping he had told you something."

Luna shook her head.

Celestia continued, "Did he say anything out of the ordinary?"

"No, but..."

"But, what?"

"We did have one of our talks last night."

"What did you talk about?"

"Just the usual. Except we did talk about the Elements."

Celestia's eyes narrowed.

Luna continued, "I told him about the castle we found in the Everfree Forest."

"Luna!"

"It's not a big deal!"

"We agreed to tell nobody where the Elements are located!"

"It was a small slip up. No big deal."

"It is a big deal, Luna. We don't know what Sombra could do."

"There's nothing Sombra would do."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes." Then Luna realized what Celestia was saying. "You don't trust Sombra?"

"It wouldn't be the first time he made a bad decision."

Luna glared at Celestia. "Sombra has changed, Celestia. Why is it so hard for you to accept that?"

"I'm just trying to look at the different possibilities so we can be prepared."

"Well, you're wrong." Luna turned the leave the room.

"Wait!" Celestia said.

Luna stopped, but didn't turn around or respond.

"Do not think of me badly because of my duty to Equestria. I must be cautious where others are not."

"I understand." Luna turned back to Celestia. "Now if you'll excuse, I need to go prepare my self for today's celebrations."

"And so must I," Celestia said.

Together they left the throne room.

Sombra woke up to the bright light of the morning sun. It took him a moment to realize where he was. He and that fox had made it to the bottom of the mountain that Canterlot had been built on. Looking around, he found himself surrounded by forest.

You must sleep.

Sombra jumped. "What the!?" Then he remembered the fox. He looked around and couldn't find it. "Where are you?"

I am not visible while the sun is in the sky

"Oh, right."

Our journey is long. You must sleep now so we can travel at night.

"Fine." Sombra laid his head back down and went to sleep.

Back in her bed chambers, Luna was preparing for the celebrations when there was a knock at the door. She hoped this wasn't another guard telling her to go do something. "Come in!"

It wasn't a guard. Luna saw the pony through her mirror. "Diona!"

"Good morning, Luna! Sleep well?"

"Very well." Luna couldn't hide her uneasiness.

"What's wrong?"

Luna thought there was no reason to keep any secrets. "Sombra is missing."

"What? Why? When?"

"It was some time during the night. We don't know why."

"Oh my stars! What are we going to do? I was supposed to have a starring contest with him today!"

That made Luna laugh. "You'll have to postpone that."

Diona gave a sigh. "Oh, well. Maybe I'll challenge Buzz to a starring contest."

"But he'll let you win."

"I know. But it's better than getting competitive with Cloudfire."

They both laughed at that.

Diona continued. "Welp, I have others that I need to check up on. See you later, Luna!"

"See ya, Diona."

Diona left the room leaving Luna alone.

Luna turned back to her mirror. She checked to make sure she didn't miss anything then left her room to join the celebrations.