Shades of Blackby Gone For NowChaptersChapter 1: RecoveryChapter 2: ApprehensionChapter 3: InfluencesChapter 4: PunishmentChapter 5: ForeshadowsChapter 6: AccumulationChapter 1: RecoveryCHAPTER 1: RECOVERY Trekking his now tiny hooves through a field of mud, a much smaller figure with a grumpy expression made his way through the intense rain, stomping with each trot. He was currently heading towards a cave no more than a few meters ahead, and behind him, one could see the gleaming crystal empire shielded from the harsh weather in the distance. Princess Cadence no doubt doing what she could to take care of her precious subjects, no matter, she'd pay soon enough! Well, eventually she'd pay, he just needed a little time was all! This little colt, with his long pitch black mane and pointy red tipped horn, was none other then the supposedly deceased, King Sombra himself. But there was a problem of course, he was a little small to be the previously intimidating tyrannical unicorn. Well, maybe he was still intimidating and we just weren't seeing it, he sure believed so. Either way, he made his way inside the cave, his coat covered in the nasty muck, dirt, and grime. He huffed and puffed in irritation. As Sombra shook himself off in the cave, finally managing to find shelter from the rain, he sighed heavily before letting off a light, "Graaaaaah....." He then regained his composure, putting on a straight face and stomping a hoof. And upon speaking, it wasn't hard to notice the extreme change in his voice, which was now much higher pitched like that of a child. "Fools! Believe me dead? I will show them all what it means to take my kingdom! They will all learn the true meaning of darkness!" Sombra began pacing back and forth in the dark cave, looking at the ground as he did so. "But I cannot just waltz in and take back my kingdom, no no no, I must form a plan." He began tapping his chin with a forehoof, looking up with a raised brow. "Slave! Bring me some crystals! I am starving, I need thinking food!" There was only silence. "S-Slave! I demand you bring me some crystals this instant!" Stomped an enraged Sombra looking towards the back of the cave, and it actually took the colt a few seconds to realize that he no longer had any slaves. His expression sunk dramatically as he seemed sad, an embarrassed look creeping onto his features as he shook his head a second afterwords and stomped once again. "N-No matter! I don't need crystals to think of a perfect plan." He continued to pace back and forth in the cave, looking towards the ground as he did so, there had to be something he could do to win back his kingdom, even in this lesser form there had to be some way he could best those meddlesome ponies. Of course he could just wait to grow up and take it back then, but, no that'd take forever! He needed to think of something now. His stomach grumbled. He gritted his teeth angrily as he shouted in exclamation of his anger. "GRAAAH!!!! If only I had my thinking stairs, or some crystals, then my plan would be concocted by now. I shall be forced to venture across the slave-lands and find some food. If I'm not mistaken there has been a strange moving cart station created to transport those without slaves to pull them, good good, I shall board this peasant cart and take it to a village to find some crystals! If they don't get me my crystals, then I shall show them the power of ultimate darkness!" He stood on his hind legs, raising his forehooves to the air and cackling in his humorously childish voice. "Bwahahahahaha!" And so the little colt continued his venture, and arrived at the train station as planned. As Sombra waited at a bench with his hooves crossed, it wasn't surprising that nopony recognized him, which was ultimately a good thing but still a little annoying. He glanced back and forth between the numerous ponies trotting through the station, and he couldn't help but feel a little out of place, it'd certainly been a long time since he made his way out of the crystal empire, buck, centuries even. He even wondered how Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were doing, to think he was defeated by a bunch of anonymous ponies made it even more frustrating. As he was sitting by himself waiting for the train, he noticed a rural pony coming to approach him with her friends, all of them wearing worried looks. Sombra sighed quietly to himself "Graaaaaaah......" One of the mare's lowered her head upon arriving in front of the little colt. "Hey there little guy, where're your parents? Are you taking the train out here alone?" Sombra scoffed, leaning his head back. "Hah! Watch your tongue slave, a king needs no parents to escort him!" One of the other mares chuckled, nudging her friend. "Aw, isn't he cute? He thinks he's a king." Another of the mares snickered, smirking down at him. "Colts these days. Well, he's obviously spoiled. His parents are probably around here somewhere." "B-But I am a ki-" Sombra began to protest, but not being able to finish due to the group of mares trotting away. Sombra turned crimson, how dare they look down upon him?! He was the king of darkness! The tyrannical lord of the crystal empire! Ponies bowed at the sight of him! He wanted nothing more than to just shackle these mares like the slaves they were and teach them proper respect, but, he had to keep a low profile, he couldn't bring too much attention to himself. He huffed once more, gritting his teeth, snarling even, just as the train was coming. There was suddenly an intercom message that rang out across the station. "All Aboard! All Aboard! Next stop, Hollow Shades!" "Graaaah..." Sombra sighed with relief, finally, the peasant cart had arrived. This was quite a big cart, and it was strange to find out there was a slave driving slaves. Perhaps he was the slave of slaves, making him like an ant, maybe he could even be considered dirt. No matter, Sombra would take the ride to Hollow Shades and find himself some crystals, then he could finally concoct the perfect plan in order to take back his kingdom! As Sombra sat on the train, he was alone towards the back, looking out the window at the vast lands of Equestria. He had a bored expression, but also seemed a little focused, leaning his head on his forehoof with half closed eyes. Just how long had it been since he was defeated by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna? It must've been ages. Ah, Princess Luna, the name brought back so many memories to the former king, and his expression even saddened somewhat when he thought back on it. It was surprising to find that even when he thought about it, he had some regrets, well, he wouldn't call them regrets, maybe questionable choices. How different would things have been if he listened to her back then? He recalled a particular scene, and coincidentally, it was on a day like this. The three of them stood in the rain, in a face off with one another. Princess Celestia and Luna vs him. It was in the middle of a barren wasteland, a canyon of sorts as even Princess Celestia's mane was different back then, instead being a bright pink, unlike the appearance it took in modern times. The two princesses wore their respective elements as they eyed the menacing unicorn, who didn't fail to regard them seriously either. Princess Luna winced as she stomped a hoof. "Sombra, please, stand down!" Princess Celestia sighed, shaking her head in regards to her sister. "He is beyond redemption little sister." Princess Luna protested, taking a step towards the unicorn once more, demanding, "I said stand down Sombra!" Sombra said nothing, as he kept his head lowered, and his horn started to glow. "Hmph..." Princess Luna snapped, her eyes wide with desperation. "SOMBRA!" The colt shook his head as he drifted back to present times, then just continuing to look out the window, followed by a heavy sigh, he muttered. "I really miss my stairs...." Upon arrival to the small town of Hollow Shades, the thunder still boomed as the night had blanketed the sky by this time. It didn't matter to Sombra however, although the night played in his favor quite well, meaning he didn't really have anything to worry about. There was only one mare that could best him in this sort of setting, and she was all the way in Canterlot. He smiled eagerly as he made his way off the train alongside the adults, and upon exiting, a shiver ran down his spine as he felt the cold chill of the night winds. By Celestia it was freezing! He really wouldn't mind having his thick red cape at a time such as this, but he had to deal, there were no luxuries for him anymore. He was finally starting to realize that. Sombra made his way over to the small inn of the creepy town. The surrounding forest was black, and bats could be heard all around, fluttering about between the nooks and crannies of the beaten wooden houses. The heavy rain didn't make the place anymore comforting. As the colt made his way through the entrance doors, a number of individuals eyed him almost immediately, all of them regarding him with puzzled looks. What was some lone pony colt doing all the way out in Hollow Shades by himself? Strange, but it was none of there business. Sombra hurriedly made his way to the wooden counter, his tongue hanging out as he did so. "C-Crystals! I need Crystals!" The stallion at the counter eye's widened as he laughed softly. "Gems, I need gems kid." Sombra's nose wrinkled. He was going to make him pay!? What the buck!? "A king needs no gems fool!" The stallion found this humorous, not only was this kid asking to eat crystals which they obviously didn't have, he thought he was a king. Not surprising, Hollow Shades always tended to get a bunch of weird visitors. "Yea, that's a pretty good point. Too bad you're no king." The rest of the ponies in the inn snickered beneath their breaths, trying to remain silent in their laughter. Sombra felt struck, his horn glowing a vibrant red and black color for a moment before it died down. He gritted his teeth angrily, opening his mouth to say something before turning away from the counter. "F-Fine! But,...But you fools will regret this in the days to come! I promise you this!" He then lowered his head angrily, puffing his cheeks as he trotted his way out of the inn in embarrassment. The rest of the inn burst into laughter after his departure. F-Fools! Every last one of them! He was the powerful tyrannical King Sombra! Ponies knelt before him, and only the goddesses of equestria could stop him, yet here they were insulting him left and right. He swore, the moment he got back to his full strength he'd show these ponies their place. Well, if he ever got back to full strength. No no no, he couldn't think like that, he'd definitely recover from this and strike back with full force. But how was he going to manage to do anything if he couldn't eat, couldn't pay for a place to sleep, and didn't have any support. This was a very bad situation, and it only got worse by the second. Sombra contemplated what to do, and as he trotted through the small town, it seemed he'd have to take a nap beneath one of the wooden porches of the houses for now. So he made his way under one, squeezing his way inside and sighing heavily. "Graah..." What a cruel town! They weren't even going to give a colt a free pass? His eyes widened, eh, that sounded very hypocritical in his mind, for he would've done the same. But still, what kind of place was this, all he needed were some crystals! He could've repaid them with riches beyond their wildest imaginations once he was king again, instead, they'd be getting a darkness nuke right to the face the moment he recovered from this dilemma. But like when he thought about this earlier, first he had to think of how he'd possibly get out of this situation. And the more he thought about it, the sadder he got, not even he could manage to think of any solutions at the moment. He sighed, letting off a small "Graaah..." What am I going to do? He lowered his head and closed his eyes, curling in some beneath the porch as he figured he might as well get some rest. But little did the former king realize, that was the worst thing he could've possibly done in this scenario. As Princess Luna ventured through the realm of dreams, she wore a pleased smile on her face. There didn't seem to be any severe nightmares going on tonight, and everypony seemed to be doing quite well in their sleep. All dreams looked to be going just fine, nothing out of the ordinary. Princess Luna made it a habit not to peek into too many dreams besides nightmares, for what these ponies dreamt about was their private business. The world around her was made of stars, and surrounded by black, the dreams of countless individuals fluttering around her like picture frames. She flapped her wings and made her way through the endless stream of dreams, like an infinite tunnel in the form of a vast database. It was the Princesses's way of organizing her dream surfing methods, easily allowing her to make her way through the dreams of countless ponies, and getting a good look at all without interfering with any. But as the Princess made her way down her infinite tunnel, there was something that caught her eye. It was in the Hollow Shades category. There were a couple of new faces sleeping in the town it seemed, that wasn't surprising to her, there were new faces everywhere everyday, especially in Hollow Shades, but what got to her was the subject of the dream, and the dreamer himself. It appeared to be a simple colt, but, there was something about him. And as the Princess focused on the dream more, her eyes widened as she felt compelled to enter upon noticing certain details of the dream. She now had to find out more about what was happening in this particular dream, and so she went inside. within the dream, the colt laid upon a couch shaped throne, with a multitude of crystal pony slaves obeying his every whim. They were feeding him crystals, and massaging him thoroughly. The colt snickered. "Ah thank you my slaves, these crystals are just perfect!" Munch munch munch. One of the collared crystal ponies replied in suit. "Of course King Sombra, your wish is our command." As Princess Luna made her way down the throne room, her eyes were wide with disbelief. This, was impossible. There was no way that could've been him, but, there was no mistaking it. There was only one who could have a dream such as this, and he'd died, he was already defeated. Princess Luna remained silent as she continued to make her way down the large throne room, arriving at the foot of the throne and just peering down at the colt in shock and silence, inspecting him, looking over him. How? How how how? How did he manage to- The colt smiled as he rose to his four hooves. "Ah Princess Luna, my slave, you've arrived. Please, feed me." He opened his mouth and closed his eyes with a expectant smile. This was such a perfect dream, of course Princess Luna would be here as well to feed him, she was one of those responsible for his defeat, and his previous- well, he wasn't going to get into that. He just smiled, awaiting the fake Luna to feed him some crystals. Princess Luna of course didn't feed him anything, she just looked down at him, wide eyed, ignoring his words. "Sombra?" Sombra groaned. "Graaah...of course it's Sombra you idiot! Now hurry and feed me!" But as Sombra looked up towards Luna with a cocked brow, he slowly came to realize she was way too realistic and lively to be fake, that she was indeed herself. It all started to come back to him, and his expression sunk by the second as he thought about why sleeping was a fatal mistake, and what Princess Luna's powers were. And he gulped, "Oh no..." Princess Luna vanished. Sombra burst from his throne in a panic as he immediately began to look for something to bash himself over a head with. I've gotta wake up, I've gotta wake up! He grabbed a steel bowl, smashing himself over the head with it to no avail. The crystal ponies all looked at their king in worry. "What's wrong my lord?" One asked curiously. Sombra gritted his teeth. "S-Silence!" If only he had fingers to pinch himself with! This wasn't a good situation! And time in a dream was fleeting compared to time in the real world, he had to get himself out of here and fast. Every second here was like an minute there, he knew these things because, he knew much about Luna. His expression saddened once again as he thought back to his past, but shook his head, snarling somewhat. And the little colt used his telekinetic magic to grab hold of one of the stone pillars in the throne room, and cringed at the thought of smashing it against his head but he had to do something, so he braced for impact, and then hurled it towards himself from afar, closing his eyes tight and letting the pillar do the rest. SMASH Sombra stumbled throughout the throne room with twirling eyes, before falling back. "Graaaaah....." *"Search everywhere!"* Sombra's eyes snapped wide as he scurried further beneath the wooden porch. He peeked between the cracks in the steps as in the distance he saw Princess Luna herself, a hoof raised, and looking flustered as she commanded her Lunar Guard to go about searching the area for him nonetheless. Sombra cringed with worry P-Princess Luna, here already? Blast her, she's always getting in my way... Sombra crept back before slowly attempting to sneak out from beneath the porch. I have to make it to the black forest, they'll find me if I stick around here. I work best in places covered with shadow anyhow. The colt smirked. Heh, sorry princess, you probably should've come during the day time. Princess Luna paced back and forth with dread written all over her face, as her guards went about the area, searching every house there was. She turned back to the inn keeper "You said there was a colt here who'd asked for crystals yes? Did you see where he ran off to?" The innkeeper bowed as he shook his head. "F-Forgive me princess, none of us saw where he went after he'd left the inn, he probably left town already...." Princess Luna spoke softly, glancing to the lower right. "No, he's still here, I am certain of it." Sombra stood between two wooden houses in a pool of shadow with a smirk. "Hmph, foolish Princess Luna, if you know it is me, then you know you've already lost." And just as a guard was coming down his path, Sombra smirked, confidently stating in his mind. For I'm already gone..... And his horn started to glow a pitch black color as he chuckled, stomping his hoof softly, expecting to become one with the shadows. But, as he stood there, nothing happened. He blinked a bit, before stomping his hoof once again. "Eh?..." He stomped multiple times as he flashed his magic. WHAT!? Why wasn't it working, you can't be serious! And as the lunar guard took notice of the colt, matching Princess Luna's description perfectly, he pointed a hoof at him. "Princess! Over here! Between these houses!" Princess Luna's eyes snapped wide as she looked in the direction of the shouting, catching sight of the retreating colt. And as Sombra and Luna caught glances with one another, that stare between them seemed to last for an eternity, before Sombra finally made his move and dashed for the forest in desperation. Princess Luna was at a loss for words, he actually did survive? And not only that, he was now some colt? She shook her head, regaining her composure before stomping a hoof, yelling in her mighty canterlot voice. "Seize him!" And with a pool of guards steadily growing behind him, Sombra gritted his teeth, dashing for the forest as he quickly as he could. And in this scenario, he only had a few seconds to make it, or he'd definitely be caught. Chapter 2: ApprehensionCHAPTER 2: APPREHENSION Blast blast blast! Meddlesome fools, interfering with my recovery process, I just got back for foal's sake! Sombra scowled as he made his way towards the black forest, his tiny hooves carrying him as fast as he could with practically the whole Lunar Guard in pursuit of him. And as he ran, he could feel himself getting winded the longer this pursuit carried on, and his expression sunk as he realized this. This was so troublesome, when was the last time he had to run anyway? Usually he could just become one with the very shadows or he had his slaves, but now, everything had become so physical. Princess Luna watched from afar, and as she took notice of Sombra's drastic change and newfound vulnerability, she winced as she herself began to trot forward. But she was in no rush, she simply began to head in their direction at her own pace. Her confidence was exuberant in the fact she didn't even feel the need to become immediately involved, she took this time to take everything in, to think about what her preferred course of action would be. But she was certain of one thing, the former tyrant would be captured, and pretty soon at that. His freedom would be short lived. Sombra halted in his tracks, lowering his head and plopping down straight onto the grass of the black forest. He was covered in shadow but then graced by the light of the moon. Meddlesome Luna! Stop ruining everything! But he was more annoyed with the entire situation itself, he was tired of this utter nonsense! He was the king of darkness yet here he was, retreating. He didn't retreat, others retreated from him! Yet he was here in this predicament, on the grass, out of breath, in fear of being captured. Fear, something he hadn't felt it since he saw the crystal ponies standing up to him alongside their new ruler, fear, it was such an irking word. He hated everything about it, what it implied, the sound of it, and what it meant. Fear meant weakness, it was a choice, and he was choosing to be afraid, to dwell on the hopeless outcomes that would result from this scenario. As Sombra laid on the grass, he slowly became infuriated, a fiery rage overcoming him as he slammed his tiny hoof onto the grass. "GRAAAAH!!!!" He stood and turned to face the oncoming swarm of midnight defenders, proclaiming. "I DO NOT RUN!!!" The lunar guards all paused as the tiny figure snapped at them. Sombra stomped a hoof, in proclamation of his limitless power. "I am King Sombra! Lord of Darkness, slaver of ponies, ruler of the crystal empire, destroyer of gak! You would do well to cower and flee mortal fools!" The lunar guards all just continued to peer down at him as one snickered, nudging his buddy. "Haha this kid's a riot!" Sombra roared. "SILENCE!" As his horn started to glow and he lowered his frame preparing for the assault. A dark whip rose from the shadows of the trees as the guards actually decided to take it seriously. As the whip lashed, knocking some of the ponies off their hooves and others into the air, Sombra sneered as he raised a brow. "Who's the riot now little fools?" He leaned his head back, raising one of his forehooves a little as he stated. "You're all but children to me! You think I need to be at full strength to best you? Then come! Let me show you just how wrong you are!" His shadowy whip then began to take on a more menacing form, shaping into what appeared to be a giant axe as it loomed over the guards, as sharp as any blade if not sharper. The guards now looked up in dread, as many raised their lances and spears in preparation for the attack. Sombra snarled. "Now perish!" SNAP! "W-What!?" Sombra muttered in shock of the sighting. His manifested shadow axe dissipating before him, as he felt his body getting wobbly with fatigue. His expression sunk, as for a fleeting moment the former tyrant looked to be without hope once more. His eyes widened as his pupils dilated, and he just peered ahead, in panic, snarling in irritation. Has my body become this limited, this weak!? This is nonsense! There's no way the drawback could've been this great! He leaped back as he rose to his hind legs and got in a fighting stance, stating in a hesitant tone. "F-Fine! Then it seems I'll have to get physical then. Come fools, I will show you all the experience that made me king." The guards after witnessing such a display, were all now highly concentrated as they regarded the colt. They couldn't kill him however, it was Princess Luna's orders that he be captured, not killed, so capture him they would. He was just a colt from the looks of it anyway, and not even he had the power to use his masterful dark magic, so if it was a physical fight he wanted, they weren't complaining. The guards tossed away their spears and lances as they lowered their frames, their mission, apprehend the colt. "Let's get him!" Sombra smirked, like lambs to the slaughter. And he waited patiently as he let the guards come to him, and come they did. One by one they trotted forward, and swung at him although he was but a colt, and Sombra maneuvered and dodged their incoming blows with ease, swiftly sidestepping their bucks and swings as he ducked and dashed between them. It was ironic, when it came to magic his smaller body made him much weaker, yet it also made it easier to handle physical hoof to hoof confrontations. But his stamina was another issue, and the colt realized this when he'd attempted to parry one of the guard's bucks. Sombra raised his forehooves, crossing them like an X in order to parry a buck from one of the anonymous lunar guards, which when it made contact, sent him flying and skidding across the grass and slamming into the trunk of a tree. He groaned as he immediately realized that it wouldn't matter how experienced he was if he didn't even house enough strength to be able to harm any of the guards. But an idea sprung to mind at that moment, their spears, although they couldn't use theirs against him, he could certainly use them. How fortunate, he sneered, rising to all four hooves before glancing down at one of the spears. "Hmph! Leaving their weapons, what fools." He then attempted to pick one up,....but to no avail. "W-What?...Just! G-Give me a second here!" The guards looked at the colt attempting to pick up one of their heavy spears, struggling just to get the stick off the ground. Even stallions had to shoulder the things just to keep them lifted majority of the time. Sombra gasped as he fell to the grass, wheezing tremendously. "Y-You've gotta be kidding me...." Then he smiled, raising a hoof in realization, before smirking once more. "Graaaah, but of course! Watch closely fools!" As his horn started to glow once again, lifting the spear for him. Heh, even with such a weak body, I should be able to accomplish this much at least! But as he found out, not even this would be as easy as he'd expected. He couldn't lift the spear not even with telekinesis, at least, not with the sharp end on the side. He sighed and lowered his head, followed by a pout "Graaaaaah..." And he turned crimson once more as he was forced to remove the sharp end and place it on the ground for all the guards to see. This was so humiliating! He should've just died. He then shook his head, regaining his composure before standing on his hind legs once again, and spinning the free stick with his telekinetic powers. "Now then fools, shall we?" "Stand aside everypony, I shall take it from here," came an all too familiar voice, graced with the accent of royalty. Princess Luna was now finally going to get intimately involved it seemed, and as she took a few trots forward, her guards immediately stepped out of her path, saluting her as they did so. Princess Luna looked to the little colt with a contemplative look, skeptical, hesitant, unsure. "Sombra," she said plainly, and with a hint of curiosity, "You survived?" Sombra was breathing heavily, starved for food and exhausted, as well as being drained from attempting to use the full extent of his magical powers which obviously took it's toll on him. But he smiled nonetheless, trying to bare some confidence in the face of his defeat, he knew there was no way he could best Luna, not like this at least. But he wouldn't go down pathetically like last time, no, he'd go out fighting if need be. But he couldn't deny he enjoyed the chance to talk with her again. "Yes Princess Luna, as you can see, that much is obvious. Although my methods have....." He paused to glance down at himself. "Backfired, on my end." He looked back to her. "But I must give you praise, you move quite fast to have found me here already." Princess Luna remained silent. Sombra continued, sneering as he took a few trots back. "Graaaah, isn't it fitting princess? It's just like old times, I must say-" The colt winced at her as he then charged, his makeshift staff still levitated with his magic as he shouted. "I wouldn't have it any other way!" As he attempted to strike her. Princess Luna simply dodged each of his blows with minimum effort, observing all of his actions as she did so. And as she watched the colt Sombra attacking her wildly, she saw the skill he possessed in his movements, each and every strike and attempted blow was just like back then, back when he'd impressed her the first time. "Good, good. You still remember." Sombra snarled, obviously offended. "Shutup wench!" And as he attempted to strike again he was held in place by powerful telekinetic magic. "Irk!...." Princess Luna lowered her frame to look him in the eyes. "Stand down Sombra." Sombra's eyes snapped wide, as the past scene flashed through his mind once again. Princess Luna stood in the rain and yelled at him in desperation. "I said stand down Sombra!" Sombra gritted his teeth once more, showing a hint of hesitation. "Hah! In your dreams!" Princess Luna launched him backwards with a powerful telekinetic push, as the colt caught his footing once again after tumbling through the grass some. Sombra was frustrated of course, "Curse her,...curse this! Who were those pathetic ponies you sent after me anyway hm? Too much of a coward to have finished the job yourself Luna?" Princess Luna's expression didn't change. "I would have dealt with you, but I owe sister my trust. But now that I've been given this second chance, perhaps it is time to do things differently." Sombra raised a brow, squinting a bit as he attempted to catch his breath. "Differently?" Princess Luna nodded. "Yes, differently." And with that, Princess Luna levitated the colt, before flinging him violently against the side of a tree trunk, knocking him out cold as he slumped to the ground afterwords, motionless. Princess Luna's expression at that moment changed, saddening somewhat as she glanced to the lower right. "For I to fell to the corruption of my own feelings, my own magic. And for a unicorn such as yourself Sombra, to have fallen so far into shadow, is not surprising. I should've been more careful. But perhaps, this is a sign." Princess Luna then levitated him once more before handing him off to once of the guards. "Come my faithful guards, we must return to Canterlot." They nodded as the guard holding Sombra placed the miniature king on his back. And without saying much of anything else, they spread their wings and departed from the small town of Hollow Shades. The townsfolk could only stare in wonder at what'd just occurred, as the princess departed back to Canterlot. It felt like seconds since he'd been knocked out, and as Sombra slowly batted his eyelids open, he couldn't really pertain what exactly he was seeing. Was he dead again? Maybe in banishment? It'd make sense. But he'd actually preferred to be dead, how unfortunate, maybe he could finally see his stairs again in the afterlife, perhaps have some nice crystals. Oh no, what happens if he was forced into a world of eternal punishment? Forced to hear gak gak gak over and over again, he still had nightmares of those times, the gak. But as he steadily opened his eyes, focusing on what was in front of him, he saw something really quite peculiar. It looked quite nice actually. It was a ceiling, decorated with golden painted swirls stretching across the large marble plating. Where was he? The tiny king leaned up immediately as he gasped! "Graah!...Huff, huff, huff." And as he got a good look at where he was, he noticed that he was in a kitchen. "Hm?" His puffy black mane was ruffled and he'd obviously slept uncomfortably, but managed to get some sleep nonetheless, but why was he in a kitchen? He attempted to remove himself from this position, but soon immediately found out he was shackled to this marble chair, his forehooves tied around his back. "Eh!?" He struggled to free himself, but as expected to no avail. Sigh, so Princess Luna had taken him prisoner, this wouldn't be fun. What'd they have in store for him? A long lecture by Princess Celestia before being banished to the furthest reaches of the galaxy? Maybe they'd turn him into a porky pine or something. Sombra snickered at the thought, why did the princesses always come up with these strange elaborate ways of punishing villains? Back when he was king, he simply locked ponies away in the dungeons, easy, simple, effective. "Don't think you're getting any special treatment." Stated Princess Luna from behind as she made her way to his side, looking down at him with a sigh. "Grah, Canterlot, a sad excuse for a kingdom. Where are all your stairs?" Stated Sombra disappointingly. Princess Luna winced before making her way over to the sink, turning the faucet and watching the running water. As Sombra just continued to sit there, observing Princess Luna from the table, his eyes widened a bit in surprise as he noticed the light of the sun coming from the kitchen window. "Graaaah....now I see..." Princess Luna remained silent, as the moment he'd said that, another had entered the kitchen with them. It was none other than Princess Celestia herself, as she was wearing a bathroom robe and had some deep crescent bags beneath her eyes. She was levitating a coffee mug as she noticed Luna standing near the kitchen sink with a worried expression. She regarded her sister with a caring smile as she made her way over to her, and filled the coffee pot with water before speaking up. "Ah, sweet little sister, good morning." She raised a brow at her. "What troubles you?" Princess Luna took in a deep breath, before sighing heavily. "I found something last night sister. Something I believe you'll want to take a look at yourself." Princess Celestia now seemed a little more concerned. "Found something?" Sombra remained in his seat, a horribly amused look plastered on his face. Oh, this'll be interesting. Princess Luna nodded before repeating herself. "Y-Yes, I found something. It's...uhm...at the table..." Princess Celestia turned to look at the table, and noticed the sitting colt with a amused look. They just stared at one another in silence. Princess Celestia turned back to the coffee pot, pouring some into her mug with a sigh. "Dear little sister, I know where you're coming from but we're far too busy to be taking in children, we built those orphanages for a reason." Princess Luna's eyes widened as she blushed. "W-What!? No sister, that's not it!" Princess Celestia raised her mug and began sipping her delicious hot coffee from it with her eyes closed. Princess Luna continued. "T-That colt...he's...uhm...he's..." She paused. Princess Celestia just continued to sip. Princess Luna's expression distorted a bit as she cringed. "He's actually,..King Sombra...." Princess Celestia's eyes snapped wide as she spit out her coffee and her mug fell to the floor shattering. She stood there for a brief moment as her brow just twitched. "What?....." And she'd actually used her Canterlot voice. *"KING SOMBRA!?"* Princess Celestia turned immediately to get a good look at the colt who indeed resembled Sombra a great deal, and there was that sense of instant recognition. She rushed to him, eyeing him up and down, observantly, curiously, brow raised as she seemed almost psychotic in her inspection. She looked back to Luna. "You're pranking me sister. This is a prank, it shall not work, not this time." Princess Luna shook her head raising a hoof. "N-No sister, I swear it's definitely-" Princess Celestia interrupted, chuckling softly and closing her eyes, placing a hoof on her chest. "You may have gotten me with the Twilight regression trick, but not this time little sister! Your playful antics have run dry!" And Princess Celestia put on a confident smirk before manifesting a bucket of water over Sombra's head, decking the little colt with ice cold water in order to wash off his deceitful disguise, which......failed to come off? Princess Celestia sighed with relief. "As you can see sister, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice-" She looked back at the colt, lowering her frame and getting in his face. "-Not going to......." She stared. Sombra now drenched, glared at Celestia with a look of disbelief at the fact she'd actually done that. "Happen?..." She remained silent for a moment before muttering. "Sombra?....." Sombra snapped. "YES YOU PITIFUL PRINCESS! IT IS I KING SOMBRA!!! IS IT THAT SURPRISING!? GRAAAAH!!!" Princess Celestia took a few trots back, eyeing him up and down once again before raising a brow with that puzzled look she'd often give when confused. She glanced back at Luna. "He's....a little small..." Princess Luna raised a hoof to her mouth, unable to hold back a light. "Pft!" Sombra gritted his teeth, his face turning a seething red as his brow twitched and pupils dilated. "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!" Chapter 3: InfluencesCHAPTER 3: INFLUENCES "What was that Sombra?" asked a blue crystal pony with an extravagant shining coat. Currently travelling through the harsh regions of the crystal mountains, in the middle of a blizzard nonetheless, was a band of ponies, well, crystal ponies, which would include all of them if it weren't for one whose coat didn't shine like all the others. This colt was none other than Sombra himself. He trotted alongside his peers, who all trailed behind a mare decked in beautiful gem crafted plate armor. She had a sheathed sword at her side and was a fiery pink unicorn with a pale white mane. She wore a grumpy expression in particular, eyeing their surroundings as they made their way back towards their home of the crystal empire. The band of ponies just traveled down a paved trail, which was only becoming more difficult to see the more this harsh weather carried on. The obvious leader of the group, the armored mare, seemed nervous, paranoid about something. She winced, eyeing the impenetrable haze of snow that blew all around them, unsure if something was watching, waiting, lurking in the distance. "Stay close everypony," she stated simply. A young light blue mare with a dark sapphire coat, moaned as she shivered beneath her cloak. "Gosh, they really need to create something more convenient one of these days. Maybe something that we can ride in?" Another of the crystal colts peeked over the trails right side, which seemed more like a cliff than a steep hill. "And maybe a fence or something, somepony can fall off here." A shiver ran down his spine. One of the fellow crystal ponies nudged Sombra once again. "Come on Sombra, say it hahaha." Sombra huffed as he confidently rose his head and stated for the others loudly. "When I get older, I'm going to be just as good as Captain Blossom! Just you wait!" The rest of his peers burst into laughter as they each had trouble holding it in. Sombra turned red, aghast. "H-Hey! I'm serious, you guys laugh now but just you wait!" He stomped a hoof in protest and although pretty embarrassed, exclaimed in his fiery passion, "I'll be one of the best the Crystal Guard has ever seen!" Captain Blossom's expression sunk a little as she let off a soft sigh, frowning a little in response to Sombra, having been revealed as the armored mare and leader of the group. His peers just continued to laugh as one placed a hoof around Sombra, speaking to him in a modest tone. "Okay Sombra, we get it, you have an obvious aspiration to be just as good as Captain Blossom, and I won't lie, you're pretty good with a sword to. But there's no way a chicken like you can ever hope to be as good as her, especially when you freak out at the sight of every enemy." Sombra gritted his teeth as if he were about to say something, but his expression sunk and his eyes saddened, as he remained silent. "Hmph!....." One of the other crystal ponies raised a hoof as she snickered. "I mean did you guys see him during the training sessions with the Lunar Guard recruits? Sombra, you kept freezing up, what's the deal? You're a unicorn right, put that magic to good use." The fellow with his hoof wrapped around Sombra bopped him on the head gently. "Yea, we were demonstrating our skills in front of Princess Luna herself you know. What's she supposed to think if we've got chickens like you freezing up in-" Captain Blossom cut into the conversation. "Alright everypony, that's enough." The young teenage mare with the sapphire coat responded in protest angrily. "But Captain, we're serious! We were training for demonstrations day for so long, and Sombra goes out of his way to become a coward right when we need him most! I mean, you'd think after hearing you say we've gotta face our fears everyday, he'd get the picture!" Captain Blossom snapped angrily. "I said that's enough Sapphire!" The young crystal pony mare flinched as she lowered her head, saddened. "I-I'm sorry Captain...." Captain Blossom groaned as she glanced back at Sombra as they trotted. "And don't think you're getting off easy either Sombra. The others are right, you need to stop being afraid and face your fears, instead of making claims that at this rate, will likely never happen. Someday you're going to get into a fight you can't run away from, especially if you plan to join the Crystal Guard in the future. There'll be instances where others will be counting on you to step up to the plate, and make the tough decision, and fear cannot play a factor, you must show bravery! Do you understand?" Sombra nodded, muttering. "Y-Yes Captain." Sapphire to kept her head lowered as they trotted down the trail, and she was still quite upset due to the fact she got in trouble for Sombra's own cowardice. She glanced at him angrily as the others went to join her. Sombra trotted alone at the opposite end of the path, which he'd preferred. He glanced at them and then rolled his eyes, angrily stomping his hooves as he made his way through the snow, trailing behind Captain Blossom. Like I care about what any of them think....... One of the fellow peers looked to Sapphire with a hint of worry. "Hey don't sweat it Sapphire, we all get in trouble due to Sombra's mishaps every now and then. It happens." Sapphire groaned, stomping her hooves as she trotted, speaking in a quiet tone. "It's just not fair! Captain always gives Sombra special treatment just because his family ditched him. And I don't blame them, look at him, he's a chicken, he's arrogant and overconfident, and he doesn't even have his cutie mark! Everything about him screams failure! And sure he's good with a sword, but not when it matters." One of her friends lowered his head beside Sapphire's as he whispered in her ear. "Yea, and you know what they say about Sombra, whose coat doesn't shine in presence of the crystal heart." This caused Sombra's expression to darken. The young stallion continued. "They say he's disconnected from love, cursed,...evil." Sombra gritted his teeth snapping angrily. "SHUTUP!!!!" As he charged his peer from the opposite end of the path, tackling him to the snow angrily, snarling as he did so. "WHAT DO YOU KNOW!?" And punching him in the face with a hoof. Captain Blossom's eyes snapped wide as she glanced back at her students in shock. "S-Sombra!? What do you think you're-" She paused, feeling her leg stuck to the ground as she immediately looked down at her trapped forehoof. And what she saw caused a shiver to run down her spine. A small paw was holding her in place, and large yellow eyes stared back at her from beneath the snow. Captain Blossom cringed as she knocked back her sheathe with her free forehoof, knocking her sword up in the air, catching it with her mouth as she swung down towards the paw, which immediately retreated back beneath the snow as she made her move. She then threw her sword back up as she caught it in her sheathe, then snapped back at her students. "Everypony! We need to go now!" Sombra who was still in the middle of pummeling his peer, got shoved off by Sapphire as the mare looked to him in a rage herself. She then got her friend back up as the others looked to Sombra only in disappointment, and hurried over to Captain Blossom. Sombra remained there for a few seconds as his own rage subsided, and he to felt quite shocked at the fact that he actually let his feelings get the better of him in that scenario. So he had the courage to attack one of his own but not the enemy? How shameful, what sort of Crystal Guard did these sorts of things? He looked back down at his hoof as he felt frozen once again, unable to move. Captain Blossom snapped at the pure black unicorn. "SOMBRA! UP!! NOW!!!!" Sombra snapped back to reality as he shook his head, looking towards his fellows who were already at Captain Blossom's side. "R-Right!" And then climbed to all fours. Sapphire looked to Captain Blossom with a frightened expression. "C-Captain! What's happening!?" Captain Blossom looked around as beginning to surround them were many wide yellow eyes, snickering and chuckling in the haze of snow, hidden within the blizzard. Her nose wrinkled as she muttered beneath her breath. "Diamond Dogs..." The young stallion who'd been assaulted by Sombra shook his head, confused. "B-But I thought they weren't interested in Crystal Ponies!" "C-CAPTAIN!" Sombra shouted as he attempted to move, but his two back hooves were held in place by large paws. Sombra glanced back at the eyes staring back at him from beneath the snow, as a look of dread washed over him and he dug at the snow desperately attempting to pull away. Captain Blossom's eyes widened as the realization came over her as she looked to Sombra. And then she looked back to their surroundings as all the wide eyes of the Diamond Dogs hidden in the haze of snow focused on the young black unicorn. Suddenly a rough feminine voice cut in, snickering. "Eheh! Give us the unicorn crystal ponies and you can trot away, things don't have to get nasty here." Captain Blossom gritted her teeth, snapping at them. "Fat chance cowards! Come out and fight! Then we'll see who can just trot awa-" But as she made her way forward, there was a soft tug on her tail as she glanced back, noticing the rest of her students with fearful looks covering their faces. This caused Blossom's own expression to sink dramatically as she paused to look around them once again, now realizing they were frighteningly outnumbered. The rough feminine voice continued. "It's not often we get unicorns with a band of crystal ponies. Leave him with us and the rest of you live, no losses guaranteed,....well, no more than one." Sombra looked wide eyed at Captain Blossom as he was still stuck, his backhooves still held by the paws. The voice continued. "Attack, and you just might succeed, but then again, you might not. You'll have achieved nothing, costing yourself your life, and the lives of all your precious students. You don't need to be a genius to take notice of the fact the odds are horribly stacked against you. I'd prefer suffering no losses myself, so, be the smart one here and trot away. Don't look back, we don't have any interest in crystal ponies." Captain Blossom herself was frozen now, stuck between two decisions. She looked back to Sombra, who looked at her in desperation, unsure of what'd happen. Should she risk the lives of all of them, for the life of one? That one being Sombra no less, or they could just trot away, it's not like he'd be killed. They could just go back and grab reinforcements then return and conduct a search. But Diamond Dog packs were the masters here, their victims tending to never be found again. Nopony could ever pertain where their hideouts were located, due to the fact the Crystal Mountains were so vast and always hidden behind a dense haze of blowing snow. There was a very slim chance he'd ever be found again. But they were all also quite skilled, her exceptionally, they could attack, Diamond Dogs weren't very well known for their combat prowess. But how would the rest of her students fare? Would they all make it out alive? Could they really take down this many enemies? But ultimately, should they take the chance? Captain Blossom gulped, as she took a trot forward, gulping. "We wont lea-" Suddenly there was a tug on her tail once again. She looked back, looking horrified as her students all still looked overwhelmed with fear themselves. Sapphire had tears streaming down her cheeks. "C-Captain!...I know,...I know that we're not supposed to be afraid. I know we're supposed to be prepared for things like this but,...but I-" She paused, glancing down for a second before looking back to Captain Blossom in her own pleading desperation. "I don't want to die! We can't do this! Not even with all of us! It's hopeless! I don't want to lose my life for him! He'd leave us behind and you know it! Please!" And those words struck the mare to the core, placing the dreaded terror she herself spoke against so many times, within her, she felt true fear. She now felt doubt, doubt she couldn't escape from. The thought in the back of her mind telling her there was a very high possibility of them not succeeding. There was an inescapable, horrible, doubt. Should they take the chance of helping Sombra? He had no family, no connections, and supposedly no talents. He'd disappear from the face of the equestria and nopony would care. They'd all live, but, was being captured by the Diamond Dogs a fate worse than death? Nopony really knew, besides those who were captured and never seen again. Why was she so afraid? Diamond Dogs may have had many numbers, but, they were far from skilled fighters! She should just take the chance! This was real experience, this was where their talents mattered most! To protect one another, to protect each other! To-...... There was nothing but a void of silence. Sapphire and the rest of the students looked up to their Captain, some of them preparing to unsheathe their swords. Captain Blossom raised a hoof, looking at Sombra with cold eyes, before stating. "Come on everypony, we're leaving." He's not worth it Blossom,..... turn and trot away. The voice snickered. "Good choice." Captain Blossom then turned, as the rest of her students looked up at her, some in shock as others glanced back at Sombra pitifully, but ultimately followed behind their Captain. Others like Sapphire, sighed with relief as they looked back at Sombra with an angry glint, letting off light. "Tch's!" Sombra at first couldn't believe, calling out to them. "Captain!....C-Captain!?" He dug at the ground, kicking his hindlegs as he screamed at her. "C-CAPTAIN BLOSSOM!!" He trembled again, fear overwhelming him again as he let off a pathetic soft whimper. "P-Please...." He paused, then screaming. "I'M SORRY FOR BEING SCARED!!" Tears swelled in Captain Blossom's eyes as she glanced back at the frightened colt, whose fate was now in the Diamond Dog's paws. She then turned away once again, leading the way down the path, trotting on ahead with the rest of her students and disappearing into the ongoing blizzard. There'll be instances where others will be counting on you to step up to the plate, and make the tough decision. As they disappeared, Sombra shook his head in disbelief. So that was it? It was that easy for them? Was it because he wasn't one of them? Was it because he'd been scared at the demonstrations? What about all that nonsense about facing fear!? But, how could he blame them, he really was a liability to them. And as half his body was suddenly dragged beneath the snow into a hidden hole, he trembled. "No...no no no no!" And as he felt the diamond dog accidentally loosen it's grip at that point, he bucked wildly beneath the snow. "O-Ouch!" Sombra pushed himself up as he got to all fours and attempted to trot hurriedly in the direction of the others. But suddenly descending from a tall unseen peek, were a pack of diamond dogs as they snarled, blocking his exit. The voice cut in once again. "Don't try it little pup, you won't succeed." Sombra then used his hoof to unsheathe his sword in a similar fashion to Captain Blossom, catching it in his mouth as he eyed his surroundings, noticing he was surrounded, the only way out being the steep drop on the right side of the path, leading down into uncharted areas of the crystal mountains. But to go off the path was suicide. The rough feminine voice snickered. "Oh he's feisty, how fun. Why don't you just use telekinesis little pup?" Sombra turned a little red, due to the fact he knew he wasn't yet skilled enough to fight like the Lunar Guard unicorns. The rough feminine voice seemed amused. "Oh, how disappointing. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to use that horn of yours....." Tears swelled within Sombra's eyes as that feeling of fear overwhelmed him again. Fear, why did it even have to exist!? What was the point of it besides to hold somepony back? And here it was, stopping him again! He hated it, he hated the fact it came at the worst possible times, the fact that it held him back, he hated everything about it! He was tired of being underestimated by everypony, being looked down upon, not being taken seriously. And as he thought about Captain Blossom's words, and the fact they'd left him, he gritted his teeth angrily. You need to stop being afraid and face your fears. Sombra's expression became suddenly determined as he snarled, wincing. I'M NOT AFRAID! But as he stood there trembling, he knew fighting wouldn't get him anywhere, no matter how brave he was this time. He glanced to the edge of the path, leading off the supposed cliff, down a horribly steep hill down into the unknown. He steadily stopped his trembling, as the diamond dogs only continued drawing closer and closer to him by the second. And just as they all thought he was finished, the young stallion turned, tossing his sword off the edge of the cliff. The voice cut in. "Finally surrendering little pup?" The rest of the diamond dogs cackled. Then Sombra charged back, straight for the edge of the path. The voice snapped. "WHAT'RE YOU DOING!?" The other diamond dogs eyes all widened in shock. Sombra roared. "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!" As he pushed up on his hind legs, taking a leap of faith straight off the path and catching his sword in its sheath, as he immediately descended down. Captain Blossom and the other students who were still making their way hurriedly down the path, attempting to create some distance between them and the diamond dogs, didn't fail to hear that familiar voice. And as they all glanced back, they noticed through the veil of snow, a tiny black figure descending down the mountainside rapidly. Sombra tossed and tumbled along the mountainside as his descent continued for a good minute, before finally landing on a flat snowy surface at one point down the mountain, on his belly with his beaten body, gritting his teeth with a look of passive fury. His small red cloak being torn, half of it hanging on the tip of a sharp rock. And as he stood there, barely able to keep consciousness, he hurled blood before motivating himself to stagger to his hooves. And he knocked his sword up with his forehoof, catching it in his mouth. Almost immediately bursting from the mountainside themselves and seemingly out of nowhere were a multitude of diamond dogs, unrelenting in their pursuit. The students all gasped in horror, as some covered their mouths with their hooves. Sapphire couldn't believe it, as she stared wide eyed at the colt who'd managed to survive such a drop. Captain Blossom was speechless herself as she just looked down, unable to say anything. And as she just continued to stare, Sombra still attempting to escape, caught glances with them on the far upper level of the mountain path, and in his eyes she could see masked behind them, a hidden rage which wasn't there before, one of pain and heartache. Sapphire continued to nudge Captain Blossom softly. "C-Captain! Come on!" Captain Blossom just couldn't believe it, he'd jumped, that was basically suicide, yet he survived. She spoke softly "S-Sombra...I'm sorry," almost as if her mind were elsewhere before continuing to lead her students away. And as Sombra gripped his sword in his mouth, wheezing heavily as he did so, his vision blurring every few seconds or so, one diamond dog had finally decided to show herself. She looked like a pale ashen wolf, with fur that blended in perfectly with the snow, her eyes a crystal blue color as she had an X shaped scar marked on her forehead. She had her arms crossed as she smiled. "You're daring little pup, the stubborn ones are always the funnest to break." Sombra winced as he just charged straight towards the diamond dog with her arms crossed. And she just looked back at him, an amused smirk planted across her face. Princess Luna placed Sombra on a pair of stairs as she sighed heavily. Sombra's expression lit up as he actually seemed genuinely happy. "Graaaaah!.....Staaaaairs..." He sneered as he began just trotting up and down them continuously. Princess Luna then made her way back over to Princess Celestia with a worried look. "That should keep him occupied for a little while." Princess Celestia sighed herself as she looked to Sombra trotting up and down the stairs in the distance. "What is it you expect me to do sister? Give him a free pass?" Princess Luna responded hastily in her defense. "I-I'm not saying that sister!" Princess Celestia raised a brow. "Then what are you saying dear little sister? Why bring him before me like this? He should be imprisoned, and handed over to Cadence to receive his proper punishment." Princess Luna's expression sunk as she looked towards the ground. "All I'm suggesting is, perhaps, he can learn. Like Discord?" Princess Celestia's eyes widened for a moment before she looked to her sister in disbelief. "Sister, Sombra cannot be reformed, we both know this." Princess Luna winced at her sister, a little frustrated by her response. "Then what about me sister?" Princess Celestia's nose wrinkled a bit in annoyance. "What're you implying Luna?" Princess Luna stomped a hoof in protest. "What I'm implying sister is that maybe I shouldn't have received any special treatment for the sole reason being that I'm your sister! You never believed I was beyond saving." Princess Celestia looked speechless, before placing her forehooves on Luna's cheeks. "Because I know you my sweet sweet sister. I knew that deep inside you were always still there, just locked away, deep within the darkness. And all it took, was a little patience, faith, and now here we are, together again." Princess Luna peered up at Celestia. "Then perhaps we need to attempt giving him some patience." Princess Celestia groaned as she turned away from her sister, glancing back at her. "Luna, why're you persistent on this matter? King Sombra is not....." Princess Celestia looked up as she sighed and looked back to her little sister in desperation. "He's not, like you. I do wish you would stop comparing yourself to him." Princess Luna's expression sunk. "You, have not seen what I have sister. I was skeptical on this matter at first as well, but I was thinking," she looked to Celestia "Perhaps I'm not the only one who's been wandering aimlessly through the darkness." Princess Celestia raised a brow at her sister before looking towards the ground, lost in thought. Princess Luna approached her sister, going to her side. "I wouldn't have been able to return without your compassion sister, your love and patience, I've always had you with me." She looked back to Sombra "But, he has-......" And she paused. Princess Celestia looked to her sister with a raised brow, before her eyes widened and she realized exactly what that look meant, and she turned back towards the now empty stairway. "..................................." Princess Celestia placed a hoof over her face. Sombra dived through a window, breaking the glass and landing in front of the castle masterfully, rolling to all fours and bursting into a sprint. Some Celestial Guards burst through the castle doors as their fellows looked at them with puzzled looks as one of them who was breathing heavily, attempting to catch his breath, pointed at the retreating Sombra. "Stop that colt!" Sombra smirked, glancing back. Hmph, fools, those stairs were a good lure. But so is my chance at freedom! CRASH!!! Sombra laid on his back as he had twirly eyes before shaking his head and groaning, then rubbing his head. "Graaah...." And in front of him, having been knocked to her bottom was a little filly with a white coat and light pink and purple mane, rubbing her head in a similar fashion. "Ooooouch...." Suddenly another little filly with a orange coat and purple mane snapped at the colt. "Hey! Watch where you're going!" Another filly with a pale yellow coat and red mane remained silent as she eyed the colt curiously. Sombra snarled as he rose to his hooves once again and bolted forward, making his way past the three fillies. "Out of my way imbeciles!!!" And diving under and leaping over the countless objects that blocked his path as he ran off into the distance. And a multitude of guards made their way past the fillies and in the direction of the colt a few seconds afterwords. Suddenly rushing out of the store was a mare with a white coat similar to the little filly's and a violet mane. She lowered her frame in front of the filly, rubbing her head, "Sweetie Belle! Darling, are you alright?!" She then looked off into the distance at the retreating colt. "You better run you little brat!" The filly revealed as Sweetie Belle patted herself off with her hooves before glancing back. "J-Jeez! What a jerk!" She smiled, looking up to the mare. "Yea, I'm okay Rarity," she chuckled. The orange filly, nodded, scowling a bit. "Yea, I'd sock him in the face if I got another chance." She then looked to the pale yellow filly with an apple red mane. "Hey, Apple Bloom, you alright?" The pale yellow filly revealed as Apple Bloom, just remained silent as she stared wide eyed off in the direction of the retreating colt. Sweetie Belle blinked a bit before looking to the orange filly. "Is Apple Bloom alright Scootaloo?" The orange filly revealed as Scootaloo, shrugged in bewilderment, "I don't know." She placed one of her forehooves in front of Apple Bloom's face, waving it up and down. "Hey, Apple Bloom? What's with you? Hellooooo~ earth to Apple Bloom." Rarity approached the filly worriedly, glancing down at her. "A-Apple Bloom, are you alright darling? What's the matter?" Apple Bloom finally spoke up. "Guys...." she fell silent for a few seconds, "That pony didn't have a cutie mark!" Sombra still sprinting through the city of Canterlot, had finally caught sight of something he could make great use of. And with a flick of his forehoof, he manifested a small black crystal which launched him forward, and onto the roof of the now departing train, landing on the edge of it, then scurrying up onto the top before turning and looking back towards the guards and bursting into laughter. "Hahahahahaha! Fools! Now what will you-" then he paused as he noticed some of the celestial guard pegasi had their forehooves crossed with annoyed expressions, fluttering right behind him. Sombra placed a hoof over his face as he muttered. "R-Right...." And then groaned. "Well then...shall we?" The Celestial Guards looked to one another, then back to the colt with smiles, nodding in unison. Sombra smiled himself, closing his eyes, "Well," before standing on his hind legs and raising his forehooves in an offensive stance, then getting bucked back by one of the guards, "OOF!" tumbling and skidding across the roof of the train. Sitting in one of the seats of the train was a small baby purple dragon as he seemed to be in quite a bit of pain. "Oooooh...." And near him was a violet alicorn with her crown fastened on her head, surrounded by a multitude of ponies eyeing her in wonder and amazement. This alicorn being none other than the famed Twilight Sparkle, sighed heavily as she regarded the baby dragon worriedly. "That's why I told you not to eat all those gems the other day." THUNK THUNK THUNK! Twilight raised a brow, before looking up for a moment, then shrugging. She looked back to Spike. "Don't worry Spike, we'll be back in Ponyville soon. I'd fly you myself, but I'm not too good yet, Rainbow is still teaching me." She then made her way next to him, rubbing his head with a hoof. "The Cutie Mark Crusaders will be hanging with Rarity and the others for a few more hours, so I thought it'd probably best we head home early since we've gotta take the train, and you're not feeling too great." Spike just continued to groan in pain, before looking up at Twilight with a tired look. "T-Thanks Twilight...uuuuugh..." THUNK THUNK THUNK One of the unicorns reading a newspaper sighed as she looked up with an irritated look. "What is that?...Sheesh..." As Twilight to sat there in wonderment, she then blinked a bit as she noticed the commotion gathered outside the train as it departed from Canterlot, a large group of ponies looking up towards the roof of the train. She raised her brow. Sombra wheezed heavily as he remained in his fighting stance, and his stomach grumbled, and the train finally started to pick up the pace, rapidly accelerating forward and taking them down the path towards Ponyville. The little black colt sneered as he regarded his enemies tiredly, as they all were unharmed due to his humorously weak blows. No matter, I don't need to beat any of you. All I need is.....He looked off in the distance towards the tracks at the mountainside, and the steep hill that lead straight into the forests. 60 seconds. SLAM, SLAM!!!! Sombra's eyes snapped wide as he looked to both sides of him, as landing on the train cars alongside their guards, were Princess Luna and Princess Celestia themselves. Princess Celestia had a serious look as she said plainly, "Sombra." Princess Luna continued. "You really didn't think it'd be that easy did you?" Sombra's expression sunk as the exhaustion in his face only seemed to worsen at that point, he raised his forehooves in a defensive stance once again before his horn started glowing a black and green color, while he remained, standing between the two Princesses. He sighed heavily, Graaaaaaaaah, make that a few minutes...... Chapter 4: PunishmentCHAPTER 4: PUNISHMENT Sombra groaned heavily as he sat chained up in the back of a dark cave. He was like some sort of pet, humiliated, defeated, as he kept his eyes focused on the ground. At least they'd bandaged him after capturing him, although stripping him of his weapons as well as his cape, and ultimately his pride. He had his forehooves crossed with a somewhat sad look, although spiritually, he was absolutely crushed. He just continued focusing on the ground, lost in thought, waiting for something in particular. And soon enough, that something soon came around to arriving. He heard the sound of walking in the distance, coming from further down the cave, or whatever this place was, which seemed to be some sort of network of underground tunnels. Soon appearing before him, emerging from the shadows of the cave would be a group of diamond dogs. Particularly the female who'd captured him, her paws clenched behind her back as she wore a welcoming smile. "Well, hello there little pup, have you decided to assist us?" Sombra remained silent for a moment, just groaning in irritation as he kept his eyes focused on the ground, glancing up at the diamond dog every now and then as she just continued to smile at him. After a moment, Sombra finally let off "F-Fine! I'll help you, can I please just get some food!?" The diamond dog's smile only spread into a grin as she heard those words. She made her way over to Sombra, lowering her frame in front of the little colt before rubbing him on the top of the head. "Hey, we may ponynap unicorns, but it doesn't mean we're cruel heartless monsters." She leaned her head back, signaling her fellow to toss her a peculiar sack wrapped around his waist, which he untied and tossed over to her as she caught it almost absently. She then jingled the leather sack in front of Sombra as it made a clanking noise, as if a bunch of heavy objects were bundled inside. Sombra's expression lit up as he licked his lips, attempting to snatch the sack from her paws, which she'd held away from him at that exact moment. "Ah ah ah, patience little pup. So before giving you these, promise me you'll obediently go about your duties." She raised a brow at him curiously, waiting for a response with a contemplative look. As his stomach grumbled, Sombra nodded hurriedly, pulling on his chain. "Yes I'll do it! I promise I promise! Please just give me the food!" The diamond dog snickered as she smiled at him softly, dropping the leather back in front of him as she was knelt down in front of him. Sombra snatched the bag off the ground as he'd opened it happily, peering inside with a hopeful expression. But as he remained there looking into the sack for a good long while, that happy expression slowly sunk, as he grew shocked, confused, annoyed. "W-What?" The diamond dog stood and then turned back towards the far end of the cave, leading throughout the network of underground tunnels before glancing back at Sombra, making her way back to her fellows. "Oh sorry, forgot to mention little pup, we don't get pony food up here in the crystal mountains. You'll have to make due with what we give you." Sombra snapped angrily as he pulled out one of the crystals from the sack. "HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO EAT THESE?!" The diamond dog snickered as she smirked. "Learn to chew,....hard..." She and her fellows then began walking away, going deeper into the cave as they left Sombra to enjoy his, food. Sombra's stomach grumbled once again as he just continued to stare at the crystal in his hoof hesitantly. He sighed heavily as he attempted to chew the thing, although it didn't do much. He attempted it again, this time chewing as hard as he could as he'd actually attempted to crack it, and a hopeful smile crept onto his face once again. "Y-Yes!" He then repeated the hard chewing process, up until the point a small piece of the crystal had actually snapped off, and he grinded it in his mouth, chewing the small piece as his teeth to began to throb in pain, but as he chewed, tears swelled within his eyes, he was happy. Although it wasn't scrumptious, he was happy it was edible. So he continued to sit in his spot, and crack off small pieces of the crystal, savoring each little piece that came off, happily. As Sombra stood atop the train, he eyed Princess Luna in particular, sighing. There was no way he was going to last long if he couldn't even manage to avoid her telekinesis. He then eyed the other guards that accompanied them, it was practically him versus a small army since they had both Princesses to aid them. But as the train only continued to pick up speed, Sombra took notice of his destination in the distance. All he had to do was avoid getting captured up until the point they reached the mountainside. He could take care of everything else from there. Or at least he believed he could. Nonetheless he put on his confident smile and looked to Princess Luna "So! You two actually think you're going to catch me hm? That's funny." Yes he was bluffing, and he was horribly embarrassed about the fact that it was such a bad once. But what else could he say? Princess Luna groaned as she seemed a little irritated by the colt's behavior. "Sombra! Return to the castle this instant." Sombra gritted his teeth, turning red as he stomped a hoof, a little annoyed by her tone of voice. "S-Silence! I am not your pet, Luna! Don't treat me as such! Remember who you're talking to!" He placed a hoof on his chest as he closed his eyes, speaking confidently. "I am the King of Darkness! I am King Sombra! Almighty ruler of-" Princess Celestia giggled in the background, attempting to hold in her laughter. "hmmhmhm......" Sombra only grew more infuriated as his brow twitched. "You two constantly underestimate me, but just you wait! One of these days you'll both be bowing before me! You'll both be no more than mere slaves!" Princess Celestia had her hoof raised to her mouth, as she'd actually managed to hold in her laughter before exhaling heavily. "Please, K-King Sombra. You must realize that you're hopelessly outnumbered, be smart about this little one, I would prefer not to use force." She glanced down at the colt amusingly, although he'd certainly been a horribly potential threat, she couldn't help but feel pleased due to how harmless he now seemed. Maybe Luna was right, maybe there was now a chance for him to become reformed since he'd became like this, for now, he certainly was no king of darkness. And as she stood there thinking about it for a moment, she felt she had a perfect idea of how to go about this entire situation. Princess Luna took a few trots forward as her horn started to glow. "This nonsense shall last no longer!" Sombra gritted his teeth as he flicked his forehoof on impulse, and emerging from the roof of the train would be a mini black crystal, blocking Princess Luna's line of sight. Princess Luna's brow raised as she scoffed. "Don't tell me you truly think this weak spell shall stop me from-" And dashing to the side, then sliding beneath her would be a small black figure, as her eyes widened and she glanced down at him, before he'd already made it past her, propelling himself up in a spin, then landing on his hind legs and dropping to all fours once again. What? Princess Celestia chuckled as she seemed so entertained by all of this. Interesting, he's now relying on his physical capabilities rather than his magic. Such a well executed distraction, you certainly were a dangerous character, King Sombra. Luckily for us though, Princess Celestia flicked her hoof in Sombra's direction, as a great floating wall of flame had emerged, blocking his path. She smirked afterwords. You aren't even half the unicorn you used to be, you're a little too small to be playing with us anymore. As Sombra looked up at the great wall of flame, he snarled as he peered back at Celestia with a paranoid expression. Princess Celestia waved at him with a soft smile. Sombra's nose wrinkled as he scowled and then looked back to the wall of flame. Now what!? He then blinked a bit as a devious smile crept onto his face, and he grinned menacingly. "Grah, of course." His horn then started to glow as the guards approaching him all raised their brows, wondering what he was going to attempt next. Sombra then disappeared, poofing away in a ball of black smoke. The guards all gasped as they looked around for the colt, lost in confusion. Princess Celestia's glanced down at the roof of the train. Ah, clever Little Sombra. She then looked to Luna. "Sister." Princess Luna was glancing at the roof of the train as she'd already figured it out as well. "I know sister, worry not, I shall retrieve him, I am done playing these games." And with that Princess Luna disappeared as well. Sombra made his way through the train, shoving all the ponies who'd been standing in his way. Wasn't this a train ride anyway? Why the buck were some of them even standing? He groaned as he hurried towards one of the back carts, realizing it wouldn't take long for Celestia and Luna to figure out what he'd done, seeing it was really his only option besides teleporting behind the flame wall, at which point Celestia would've just created another. As he made it to one cart in particular he felt was far enough, the young colt looked out one of the windows as he noticed they'd finally reached the mountainside. Other ponies peered at him curiously, especially those he'd shoved. Who was this colt, and what was his hurry? One of the mares whispered to her friend, "Is that kid okay?" And looking through the window of another cart, was Princess Twilight Sparkle, eyeing the colt curiously with a raised brow. Spike simply continued to groan in pain, sitting in his seat. "Oooooooh....." Sombra smirked as he made his way over to one of the windows, opening it, then sticking out half his body as his mane blew wildly with the wind as he peered downward at the steep drop, down into the forests. "PERFECT!" The ponies in the cart all gasped in horror. One of the stallions yelled, dashing towards him in an attempt to save his life. "What're you doing kid!?" One of the mares cried out, shaking her head. "This isn't the way little colt! There's always still hope!" Sombra rolled his eyes, groaning. Grah! Shutup idiots! At that moment bursting into the cart was Princess Luna, as she eyed the individuals before catching sight of the retreating Sombra, her own eyes snapping wide at the sight of her prey. "Sombra!" Everypony then looked to Princess Luna, puzzled. What was she doing here!? Sombra cringed at the sound of that voice as he immediately took the leap outside the window. The rest of the ponies gasped in disbelief! He'd actually jumped!? Twilight's own eyes snapped wide as she heard the commotion going on in the other cart, and looked right at the moment Sombra had leaped out. She gasped. "W-WHAT!?" Spike looked up at Twilight, groaning in pain. "W-What happened Twilight?" Twilight suddenly dashed for the opposite side of their cart, hurriedly in a panic. Spike looked confused as she'd departed, calling out to her. "Twilight? What's wrong?" And in the next moment, Twilight had disappeared, poofing away in a ball of violet smoke. As Sombra began his descent, he smirked. GOOD! Now I'll just use another teleportation spell the moment before hitting the ground, then I'll have the cover of the trees, plenty of time to make a break for it. Foolish Luna, these next few seconds of attempting to figure out my plan will cost you. I'm now home fr- SNATCH! Sombra's world suddenly went in slow motion. His eyes were wide as he had a baffled look written all over his face. He didn't know what to think? It wasn't possible was it, was he really just,.....caught? By what!? Princess Luna, was she really that good!? How could she have- but as the colt paused to regard his 'savior', he looked even more shocked than before. Holding him in her hooves, smiling down at him, was,.....it was!!!.....- Twilight smiled. "Whew, that was close! Listen little guy, I don't know what you're going through, but this isn't the answer." Tears swelled in Sombra's eyes as he tore at his own mane in frustration. "GRAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!" As Twilight flapped her wings, she'd made her back up to the train hurriedly, before catching sight of Princess Celestia standing at the top. Princess Celestia!? Twilight's eyes widened as she made her way over to her. Princess Celestia gasped, "Twilight!?" Twilight looked puzzled as she landed atop the cart, obviously surprised to see Princess Celestia here. "Princess Celestia? So you were the one making all that noise atop the train? What're you guys even doing up here?" Princess Celestia eyed Sombra in her hooves. Twilight glanced down at colt affectionately. "Oh, you guys were after this little guy? Yea Princess, he tried to jump from a window, but I managed to reach him before it was too late." She chuckled as she ruffled his mane. "Aw, he's crying tears of joy, he must be so relieved. " Sombra looked defeated, broken, he was crying into his forehooves. , It just isn't fair! Why oh why must I be surrounded by such fools!? Princess Celestia spoke in a soft tone, "I really doubt those are tears of joy. But either way, excellent work my student. You always seem to be there just in time to save the day, I'm so proud of you." She ruffled Twilight's mane with her forehoof in a similar manner. Twilight chuckled as she smiled at Princess Celestia. "Thanks Princess, I wouldn't be where I am today without your guidance of course. Who is this little guy anyway?" She raised a brow at Sombra. Princess Luna then poofed back up to the roof of the train. "S-Sister! Sombra, he!-" her eyes widened as she took notice of Twilight, who was actually holding onto the colt. "Twilight Sparkle!" Her expression lit up. Twilight's eyes widened at Princess Luna, "Sombra?" And as she took a moment to recall where she recognized that name, shock and fear washed over her as she immediately glanced down at the colt once again, who indeed resembled the evil king of darkness they'd barely managed to defeat. Twilight dropped him to the roof of the train as she gasped. "S-Sombra!!! W-What!? What is he, how did he-" Sombra just remained silent as he pouted, sitting on his behind as he was slumped. "Graaaaaah...." The guards immediately apprehended him as he didn't put up any resistance, carrying him off and into the air. Princess Celestia glanced back to ensure he truly wasn't putting up anymore of a fight as she then looked back to her student. "Yes Twilight, King Sombra has returned. Although thankfully, he isn't much of a threat anymore, as you've probably noticed." She paused giving her student a kind smile. "I'd be willing to explain more if you accompanied us back to the castle." Princess Luna cut into the conversation, bowing her head to Twilight. "I thank you for apprehending him Twilight Sparkle." Twilight's expression sunk as she still seemed distraught, horrified, confused. "T-That's crazy, King Sombra is back?" She shook her head, "But he was destroyed, I thought, I could've sworn I saw him get-" Princess Celestia chuckled. "We all thought he'd been permanently defeated Twilight, please, don't trouble yourself about it. Fate has a funny way of turning up the strangest things." Princess Luna made her way over to Celestia. "Sister, I do not wish to dally here much longer. I worry that he may escape again if we leave him alone for too long." Princess Celestia smiled. "Aha, I doubt he has the drive to attempt anything more sister, but you're right, better to be safe than sorry." Twilight looked up at Princess Celestia. "P-Princess, I've gotta take Spike back to Ponyville, but, please, if anything happens..." Princess Celestia looked at Twilight a little thrown back by the fact she was so worried about their safety, which should've been expected, it just seemed a little humorous. Well Twilight didn't know how weak Sombra had now become, he certainly wouldn't be becoming any King of Darkness anytime soon, although his spells were quite nasty still, there was always a way to keep such things in check. She chuckled and closed her eyes though, further responding to her faithful student. "Worry not Twilight, we can handle things from here. You attend to Spike," She turned away and spread her wings, preparing herself for flight, before looking back at her. "And thanks again for the 'save' hmhm." Princess Luna was smiling as well, as she to nodded to Twilight Sparkle, before spreading her wings and looking up towards the sky, as Celestia and her took flight mere seconds afterwords. Twilight watched them depart with a worried look as she sighed heavily. King Sombra...I can't believe he's back.... King Sombra seemed lifeless, apprehended again, due to yet another stroke of badluck. These days it only seemed common, perhaps if he just didn't do anything at all, something good would happen, or maybe things would actually go right. He just kept his yes focused on the ground as the guards held him up by his hooves, leading him through the city. There was certainly a large crowd watching him, but he didn't care, the fact none of them were attempting to rip him to pieces meant they obviously didn't know who he was. Nopony did these days, sheesh, you'd think after building up such a reputation it'd mean something, but not after a couple centuries it seemed. He sighed heavily as he closed his eyes, just sinking further into his own depression as he was led through the streets of Canterlot. Suddenly bursting through the crowds though was a little red headed filly, as she didn't hesitate to close the distance between herself and the black colt. "Hey you!" Accompanied by her two strange friends nonetheless. The small white filly called out to the red headed one. "A-Apple Bloom, wait a second!" The orange filly followed in suit. "He might be dangerous!" Sombra eyed the filly with disinterest, but recognition. He raised a brow, oh, it was that filly from earlier, the friend of the one he'd bumped into. Great, what was she here to do? Give him a lecture on how to properly retreat from a pack of guards and avoid others in the process? The red headed filly asked curiously. "What's your name!?" Sombra blinked a bit, as he was a little offended by her tone, and her ignorance of his reputation. "What!? How do you not know the great!-....." But his expression sunk, as did his voice. "Oh, forget it....." He looked at her with a bored look, not even caring about anything anymore. "It's Sombra..." He purposely left out the 'King' not like anypony ever acknowledged it anymore, he was nothing more than a weak colt now, just like back then. The red headed filly bounced with a hopeful smile, pleased that he'd cooperated. "Sombra! What a nice-" Suddenly one of the celestial guards gently moved the red headed filly out the way. "Sorry kid! We've gotta deliver this little punk back to the caste! Princess's orders!" The red headed filly's eyes widened worriedly. "W-What? But what'd he do?" The celestial guard responded, "That's none of your concern! Now scram kid!" With that the guards went about their duty, and continued leading their prisoner Sombra back towards the castle. As they left, the red headed filly called back to the little black colt in the distance. "My name's Applebloom! It was nice to meet ya!" Sombra still didn't seem interested, he just rolled his eyes and groaned, looking towards the ground. Children.... The rest of the process went about as he'd expected. Still without food, he remained locked away, shackled and collared like some savage beast until the princesses were ready to see him and give his punishment. He didn't really mind, he was familiar with how this worked, seeing as he'd been through it before, the sense of nostalgia only causing him to snicker. He leaned his head back, pondering where he'd be spending the rest of eternity at. Where could she possibly banish him? Well either way he was ready, it's just too bad his freedom was so short-lived. Or maybe they'd hand him over to Cadence? So many possibilities, but thankfully nothing he came up with in his head sounded too bad. One of the guards opened his cell later, as expected as well, and he just glanced down at the colt. "Her royal highness is ready to give you a befitting punishment." Sombra shook actually with anticipation as he sneered playfully. Let's see what you've got Celestia.... Sombra was then led to the throne where both Princesses were expectantly waiting him, both with smiles planted on their faces. After being forced to kneel, Sombra looked to them in disgust, what were they so happy about? Yea! He'd been caught again, so what, it wasn't a big deal. His nose wrinkled as he regarded them, but then smirked back at them himself, baring an overconfident attitude. "So what's it gonna be Celestia?! Countless millenniums at the bottom of the ocean? The rest of eternity exiled on some barren world!? Bring it, I'm ready!" Princess Celestia stated simply. "Nothing." There was a brief silence in the room, followed by the sound of crickets. Sombra's eyes widened as he turned a little red. "N-Nothing?" He looked speechless. Princess Luna snickered, covering her mouth with a hoof, turning away to hide her laughter. Princess Celestia kept her straight face, and kind smile. "Yes, you heard me correct Sombra. Your punishment will be nothing, you are now but a colt, children make mistakes and learn from them. You only need to be taught a lesson." Sombra was furious! They couldn't be serious!? Were they really going to treat him with such insult!? Did they really not take him seriously at all at this point!? Was he really considered that much of a joke!? He snapped! "This is absurd! You can't be serious Celestia! I demand to receive a proper punishment this instant!" Princess Celestia raised a hoof, and chuckled. "Nope!" Sombra trembled with rage, bound by his shackles, his already weak magical capabilities further held back by this blasted collar! He wanted to destroy them, to enslave them, he wanted so many things! But, he wouldn't be getting them, not even the right to be treated like a respectable villain. He lowered his head and his pride was crushed. "Graaaah...." Princess Celestia continued. "But here's what I will do Sombra, you see, now that you're a colt, I think this is the perfect time to educate you, the right way." Princess Luna was still snickering, at this point bursting into laughter. "AHAHAHAHA! F-Forgive me! I..I cannot-" She fell to her sides as all the guards looked to her, completely shocked by her behavior, it wasn't often the night princess acted in such a manner, not that it wasn't a pleasant sight however. Sombra couldn't believe this, this was actually happening. This was even worse than banishment! He gritted his teeth, unable to hide the red flush his face now had, and he was actually trembling with embarrassment. They were no longer equals, they no longer considered him deserving of the right to be treated as such, they literally thought of him as no more than a stubborn child! And they were enjoying every second of pointing this out to him, show some mercy for pete's sake! He remained silent, just glaring up at Princess Celestia and the laughing Princess Luna. Princess Celestia lowered her head somewhat, as if showing the difference now in not only size, but in power between the two as she was regarding Sombra in the manner she'd regard the children. "You will be sent to Ponyville, and you will attend school, where you will learn the many customs of equestrian society. You will also learn how to live as a 'normal' pony, and maybe work towards finding your destiny, which may I mention, you failed to do even by the end of your previous life." Sombra scoffed, snapping angrily at the alicorn. "And what makes you think I won't just destroy the place and escape!? Don't take me as a fool you...you....JERK!" Seriously, she was such a jerk. Princess Luna, who was attempting to climb back to her hooves, holding onto the side of the throne and biting her lower lip then covered her mouth once again. "Pffffffft!" Princess Celestia snickered as she raised a brow at Sombra, amused. "Hm? Oh, well you see Sombra, that collar of yours will be preventing you from committing any such acts. It'll allow me to determine your whereabouts, and it'll be more than enough to prevent you from using any of your destructive magic." She thought of Twilight and her friends. "And there are a certain group of individuals, I'm quite sure will prevent any such thing from happening. So I suggest you cooperate." Sombra shook his head. "Never! I will never comply with such a humiliating-" To this Princess Luna cut him off, stomping her hoof angrily at the colt, and speaking in her Canterlot voice. "No Sombra! It is time you stopped this nonsense! You're no longer a tyrant, it is time you accepted the situation you're in! You're getting far better than you deserve you ungrateful colt!" Sombra flinched, as his expression sunk. "Tch!" Princess Celestia chuckled as she began writing out a letter. "Good! Then we'll begin as soon as we can." Sombra just sighed as he glanced up at her. "Well, make sure you give me a decent sized home!" If he'd be forced into this, fine, he could use their foolishness to devise a more reliable plan, a perfect plan, a plan with no holes or possible outcomes of failure. He just needed some time, and some privacy, a vacant house would be a nice start. Princess Celestia raised a brow, before chuckling, amused. "Oh no, you're a colt, we can't have you living by yourself now can we?" So the insults only kept coming. Sombra groaned. "Graaah, you've gotta be kidding me...." He whimpered. Later that night as Apple Bloom was sitting in her room, she was leaned down at her bedside, scribbling with colored pencils on a drawing. She was leaning her head on one hoof as she seemed to be pouting about something. Applejack appeared in the open doorway with an apron on as she knocked on the door, but didn't enter, just to get her little sister's attention. "Up and at em Sugarcube, Granny and I made some Apple Pie, hurry along now and get downstairs before it gets cold!" Apple Bloom moaned, rolling her eyes as she dropped back to all fours. "Okay okay, I'm coming!" And left her drawing on the bed, heading over to the doorway with Applejack as the two siblings then made their way downstairs. And as the drawing remained there, it was revealed to be a decent sketch of the cutie mark crusaders, and scribbled out was a fourth figure, a poorly drawn black figure, once there, but purposely removed. Because there was no way he could be recruited, it's not like they were ever going to see him again. Right?...... Chapter 5: ForeshadowsCHAPTER 5: FORESHADOWS "Isn't it beautiful little pup?" Sombra was currently decked in a raggedy apron as he embarrassingly made his way around a private bedroom chamber. Of course the walls were made of rock in this fairly large room but other than that, it really was quite nice. The furniture laid about was beautiful, and as Sombra looked over each piece carefully, it wasn't hard for him to realize that all of it was most likely stolen. It'd make sense, the diamond dogs were practically master thieves after all, they even managed to ponynap unicorns. He just continued to go about each section of the room, cleaning off different pieces of furniture as he used his telekinetic magic to lift the sponge from a pale gray bucket and proceed with his new duties. Still, in this situation he couldn't just ignore his new superiors, so he glanced back. "I guess it's nice." The female diamond dog sat in a chair as she just had her legs crossed and she smirked at the black colt. "All of this came from ponies you know, pony architecture, pony craftmareship, all perfectly carved by ponies themselves." Sombra groaned, rolling his eyes as he just continued to scrub. "Yea I think I get the point." The diamond dog leaned her head back as she snickered. "Eh, I don't know if you do. You see, ponies just abandoned all these things, barely put a fight for them." She paused. Sombra's expression sunk a little as he made his way over to another piece of furniture sluggishly. Then continued. "Just like they did with you." His eyes widened, as he looked back at her, as if shocked before wincing. He spoke, but his voice was shaky and hesitant, as if he didn't even believe his own words. "T-That's not true! You left them no choice!...." The diamond dog hopped from her chair and began circling the colt slowly as she spoke. "Oh, they certainly had a choice, you just weren't important enough apparently." She smiled, "Like furniture." Sombra gritted his teeth as he snarled, and turned, tossing the sponge at her. "SHUTUP! I'm not furniture!" She sidestepped it with ease, placing her paws behind her back and slowly started approaching the colt. "Have you ever had power little pup? Power is a very dangerous thing, especially for ponies like you." Sombra charged angrily as he'd attempted to strike at the diamond dog as she'd parried his frail blows before tripping him with a kick and forcing his head to the ground. She raised a brow. "It corrupts, and runs just as deep as any form of actual magic. Most ponies have power, and with that power they've bought peace, and they've crafted perfect societies. They've become bigoted, in the sense they don't have to worry about anypony but themselves. I guess it happens to all who have such a taste of power," She chuckled, "Especially the ones who start off as trash, and work themselves up to the top." She leaned her head back and sneered once again. "Like you and I, you're nothing but trash, and I do enjoy being in power. I have to wonder though, just how dangerous somepony like you would become," She pulled hard at his mane before lowering her head and whispering into his ear, "If you got an actual taste of real power. What would you do with it little pup?" Sombra scowled as he spoke in an annoyed tone. "Don't compare yourself to me! We're nothing alike!" The diamond dog snickered before gently letting go of Sombra's mane and standing back to her hind legs. "Heh, talk is cheap little pup, say that again when you aren't so weak. You'll find out that maybe, we're not so different after all." She then turned, making her way for the door before stopping, picking up the sponge, and tossing it back at the colt. The sponge hit Sombra's head, causing dirty murky water to run down his face and course through his mane, as he gritted his teeth angrily, but what was he to do? All he could do was take it, all he could do was accept the fact he was weak, there were no other options. The diamond dog smiled softly, "Now finish cleaning up, I'm taking you crystal hunting with me after you're done." Sombra's expression sunk as he continued to scrub, trying to hold himself back from crying, from revealing any form of weakness. He had power, he wasn't a coward, he wasn't a weakling, he could be just as great, just as strong as the rest of them. And when he was ready, he'd show them, all of them, just how powerful he was. The diamond dog continued. "Because you're my piece of furniture now, and furniture, doesn't talk back to its owner." She then left the room, shutting the door behind her as she did so. And Sombra sat there motionless on the floor for a moment, as he'd looked defeated, lifeless, and broken now that she was gone. He just stared at the floor in silence, his eyes watering, before he just continued scrubbing. They were wrong, he wasn't a coward, he wasn't weak, he wasn't furniture. He, was, strong. "Come Sombra, it's time to find you a suitable place to stay!" Stated Princess Celestia. Sombra was currently munching on some sliced oranges, they weren't crystals, but they'd have to do for now. He glanced down at his blasted collar that was severely weakening his magical capabilities with annoyance. "Must this truly remain Celestia? Do you really think this will stop me?" Princess Celestia smiled, "Yes, I do as a matter of fact." Sombra groaned due to the fact she never seemed to be affected by his threats, which were obviously bluffs. As the two of them made their way through Canterlot Castle, they were actually searching for Princess Luna, who'd last been seen relaying orders to her Lunar Guard. It was obvious based on her expression, Princess Celestia wasn't too happy about the situation. Didn't Luna know it was already time to go? She rolled her eyes, she felt as if she'd been thrown back in time, back to the days when Twilight was a little filly and she used to cover taking her to school when her parents were absent. Just add in the fact that Sombra on the otherhoof possessed the intelligence of an adult and still came off as bratty, you had practically the same exact scenario. Okay, not really, but she still had some sense of nostalgia regarding the matter. As the two ponies continued to trot throughout the castle, they'd eventually arrived in the private gardens. And thankfully, Princess Luna was there, but not relaying orders to her entire guard, there was only one present it seemed. Sombra raised a brow, looking that guard up and down. She had a black coat with violet eyes, and a snow white mane with purple streaks acting as bangs. Her armor was a pitch black color with the crescent moon symbol carved into the breastplate. She was also a bat pony unsurprisingly, and looked to have some form of significance to Princess Luna's guard. "Who's this Luna?" Sombra questioned amusingly. Princess Luna's eyes snapped wide as she'd even jumped a little due to the familiarity of the voice. She then turned, looking to Sombra and Princess Celestia in surprise before exhaling, "S-Sister! Sombra, what're you two doing here?" Princess Celestia sighed, "Dearest sister, what do you mean? You're the one who'd made the scheduled time. We must head to Ponyville, Twilight and her friends are down there waiting for us as we speak." Princess Luna's eyes widened. "O-Oh of course! Forgive me Silver Shade, I must be going." The lunar guard revealed as somepony known as Silver Shade saluted the princess in suit. "Of course Princess Luna, thank you for your time." She then took a few trots back before glancing down at the little colt with a smile. Sombra looked up at her, puzzled. And soon that smile on the bat pony's face formed into a sneer, as she just simply flapped her wings and flew away. Sombra blinked a bit, watching her depart, then shrugged after a moment. Freak. Princess Celestia smiled as she shook her head. "Well then, shall we depart now that business is taken care of?" Sombra blinked a bit, "Yea uhm, if you haven't noticed, no wings on this body." Princess Luna used her telekinetic magic to levitate the colt onto her back before nodding to her sister, then spreading her wings and stating simply, "Problem solved." Sombra trembled as he stared at his fingerless hooves. "Solved!?" Princess Celestia chuckled, as the two princesses, then took flight, disappearing off into the vast sky. Twilight Sparkle and the rest of the mane six were already down in the center of the small town, awaiting the princesses arrival, along with their new, guest. Twilight sighed as she thought back to the letter Princess Celestia had sent her regarding Sombra's arrival, but the problem was, she'd yet to tell her friends about the entire situation. How would they react to Sombra returning? And even worse, how would they react to the fact that one of them would probably have to watch over him? Twilights face scrunched up a bit at the thought. But she was going into this situation a little more open-minded than last time, due to the fact that Discord was actually able to be reformed left quite a few possibilities open to her. But still, this was Sombra they were dealing with here, was there really anyway that he could be turned into a good pony? Twilight had her doubts but she didn't want to be pessimistic about the situation either. Applejack kicked at the dirt, a little eager. "Aw shucks, Apple Bloom would be stoked to have a new friend to play with! I reckon this little fella is gonna be a lot of fun!" Rarity nodded. "You said it darling, although Apple Bloom already has Big Mac and the rest of your unbelievably huge family to keep her company! Sweetie Belle on the other hoof could really use a new friend." Rainbow Dash then fluttered over the two of them, dashing through the sky before landing in style. "Hah! Yea right, what this kid's gonna need is a trainer, somepony to teach him the ropes! I've got all the time in the world, so it's obviously best he stays with me, the most awesome adult around! Come on you can't deny it!" She placed a hoof on her own chest in confidence. Fluttershy then cut into the conversation, shaking her head at Rainbow Dash. "Oh no no no Rainbow Dash, didn't you hear Twilight? This little colt is complicated, meaning he's going to need the comfort of many kind animals when he's feeling down. Obviously just being around ponies hasn't helped, he needs more, he needs affection, a friend, a pet." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, "Pshhhhhhh~ Yea Fluttershy, forcing the kid to hang around Discord would really be what's best for him." Pinkie Pie bounced happily around the two pegasi. "Hehe! Well obviously he's going to need to learn how to look at life in a super spectacular super awesome amazing way sillies! At Sugarcube Corner we'll play games and all sorts of super fun stuff! He obviously needs to come with me!" They all then burst into argument. Twilight could only cover her face with a hoof and shake her head. Soon descending from the skies, and this time, not being escorted by a chariot were both princesses themselves. The citizens of the small town all gasped as they all immediately went into their bowing positions at the sight of both princesses. Princess Celestia sighed, "I really wish they didn't feel so compelled to do that all the time." Princess Luna chuckled, smiling, "It's only tradition dear sister." Upon landing, the mane six who laid at the center of the town kept their heads down as they eagerly awaited for the princesses to give them permission to rise. Princess Celestia nodded, "You all don't have to bow you know hmhm." Twilight blushed as she and everypony else slowly started to rise. Princess Celestia looked to Twilight with a smile. "Twilight,....are you ready?" Twilight gulped as she shook her head, muttering, "N-No...." Princess Celestia nodded with a smile, "Good!" The rest of the mane six watched eagerly as they eyed around for the new colt. Suddenly launching himself mid-air and then diving down angrily at the mane six was Sombra. "GRAAAAAAH!!!" Rarity screamed "EEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!" As Princess Luna snatched him with telekinetic magic. "No! Bad Sombra!" As the mane six watched him, most of them suddenly looked as if they were looking at a piece of rotten meat, their faces scrunched up in hesitation and puzzlement, a little confused. Sombra was like a wild animal, wincing at all of them. "Let me at em! LET GO OF ME THIS INSTANT LUNA!!!" Rarity snickered as she took a few trots back. "Y-You knoooow~ Applejack, on the other hoof, you can have this one. I'm sure Sweetie Belle will be fine with just the two of us hehe." But as she took a moment to look the colt up and down, there was a hint of recognition. Wait a second, this was the same colt who'd shoved Sweetie Belle. "Hey, you're that little brat!" Rainbow fluttered on over to the colt, getting in his face. "Sombraaaa?...Where have I heard that name before?" Sombra attempted to slap the mare, hissing as he did so. Rainbow easily parried his tiny hooves absently, swatting them away as they came. "Sheesh, calm down kid." Princess Celestia's eyes widened in confusion before looking down at Twilight, "You didn't inform them Twilight?" Twilight whimpered, lowering her head, "F-Forgive me Princess, I, I didn't really know how to put this into words." Applejack raised a hoof, "Sombra, ain't that the name of the fellow who tried to take over The Crystal Empire?" Rarity nodded, adding in. "And failed horribly might I add." Sombra scowled at the white mare. "Shut it wench!" Pinkie Pie gasped as she got in his face like Rainbow had. "OOOOH! It is him! Wow! He's all tiny and stuff now!" She looked him up and down curiously. Sombra turned red as he crossed his forehooves. "I said shut it!" Fluttershy cowered as she hid behind Applejack. "S-S-Sombra!?...But, but isn't he supposed to be?...You know?..." Applejack scratched the back of her mane. "Erhm, yea, I'm a little confused here ya'll." Rarity, trembling a little herself as well looked to Applejack. "Who isn't darling!? We've got a tyrant on our hooves!" Rainbow then looked to Princess Celestia, "And you want us to take care of him!? Are you all nuts!?" Twilight then made her way to the front of the group, facing the rest of them. "Sorry guys, I really should've told you all about this sooner. I just didn't want to worry you is all." Rainbow made her way over to Twilight, bopping her on the head. "Yea you should've egghead!" She paused, then taking a look at Sombra worriedly. "But it's cool I guess, I mean...he can't do anything anymore, right?" Pinkie Pie chuckled as she bounced her way over to the colt, giggling as she just continued to bounce in front of him. "Hehe! Aw look at how unscary he is now! He even has a collar!" Sombra snapped at Pinkie. "Shutup! Jeez you're annoying!" Applejack began tapping her muzzle. "Hmmmm, kinda reminds me of Winona's." Princess Celestia nodded, chuckling, reassuring them. "Yes, I assure you, he's no more than a stubborn child now everypony. The tyrant Sombra was certainly vanquished back at the empire, what we have here is a colt in dire need of table manners, that is all." She then eyed him, "But doesn't mean we should completely underestimate him. If we do this right, with your help, he can certainly grow into a respectable adult someday." The mane six then started eyeing one another before nodding and chuckling, muttering their agreements to one another as Sombra could only look on in disbelief. What was this? An auction house? Where was the fear? The dread? Why was there so much bucking agreement amongst them, he really needed to look at himself in a mirror cause honestly, this was all getting quite old to him. He pouted though, still being held up by telekinesis. Princess Luna then raised a hoof, cutting them all off. "Excuse me, attention everypony, please remain still for a moment." She then made her way over to each of the mane six as they stood there, peering up at the night princess curiously as she eyed each and every one of them. She then raised her hoof over Twilight's head as she smiled softly, "You first Twilight Sparkle." Princess Celestia just continued to smile as she watched, as if knowing what'd occur. But even Sombra looked a little puzzled, unsure what the night princess was planning to do with that hoof. Twilight, obviously nervous, muttered, "P-Princess Luna?" The rest of the mane six just watched curiously. Princess Luna smiled, "Worry not Twilight Sparkle, this won't take long at all." She then closed her eyes as her horn started to glow and she had a look of pure concentration. Soon appearing over Twilight's head would be what appeared to be a hazy scene, and in that scene depicted Sombra constantly harassing Spike, tearing down Twilight's books, and running up and down her stairs. But mainly, constantly harassing and yelling at Spike, as Spike, currently sick, just attempted to get sleep, plugging up his ears with earplugs. While Twilight was tearing at her mane in frustration, then screaming, waving them in the air with her eyes closed as she'd screamed. Rainbow Dash began to snicker as she looked at the scene, "Heh heh.....pfffffft." Twilight began turning in circles worriedly, "W-What is it!? What's wrong?! I can't see it!" Rarity nudged Rainbow Dash humorously "Looks like Twilight isn't getting the little devil." Princess Luna took a few trots back before glancing down at Twilight with a sigh. "Thank you Twilight." Twilight just stared, a little dumbfounded as she raised a brow. Princess Luna then made her way over to Rarity, repeating the process. Rarity gulped, as she just stood there, awkwardly glancing to the left and right. The scene appeared over Rarity's head in a similar manner, and in it, one could see her and Sombra arguing with one another. Sombra pointed to Rarity's stairs in the boutique, proclaiming how they wouldn't be good enough to be 'his' temporary pair of stairs. He also insulted her fashion, tossing around her fabrics and making makeshift evil capes and clothes to his liking. Rarity looked as if she were about to lose her mind in the scene, heading over to the kitchen with a twitching brow before grabbing a butcher knife and then grinning at the colt fiercely. Princess Luna's eyes snapped wide as she immediately cut off the scene at that point. Applejack then nudged Fluttershy. "Remind me to never make Rarity angry." Fluttershy nodded, then speaking softly. "A-Agreed." Rarity scoffed, looking up, "Oh come now, it couldn't have been that bad!" Princess Luna could disagree, as she gulped glancing down at Rarity, then making her way over to Pinkie Pie, and raising a hoof over her head. Pinkie Pie bounced with excitement. "Oh oh are you reading my brain!? What's it say what's it say!?" Princess Celestia then cut in, raising a hoof herself in an explanatory manner. "Actually Pinkie, reading your brain wouldn't be so far from the truth. You see, what Princess Luna is doing is performing a spell she likes to refer to simply as, Deja Vu." Twilight blinked, looking up at Princess Celestia. "Deja Vu?" Princess Celestia nodded. "Yes Twilight, Deja Vu. Essentially, Princess Luna is looking into each of your minds in a similar manner to how she watches over your dreams, from there she is able to create the most likely scenario based off what she's seen, and what she knows about little Sombra here." Twilight looked at the night princess in disbelief, "T-That's amazing!" Princess Celestia chuckled. "It is." After seeing a horribly miserable Pinkie Pie, Princess Luna sighed heavily once again as she shook her head. I do hope at least one of them has what it takes to reform him, perhaps sister was right. She then looked to Rainbow Dash worriedly. Rainbow placed a hoof on her chest once more. "Hah! Worry not princess! Prepare to be amazed, hah, I'm the perfect pony to whip this troublesome kid back into shape! You'll see!" Princess Luna then raised a hoof over Rainbow's head as in the scene, it showed Rainbow Dash wearing a bath robe as she had bags beneath her eyes and an annoyed expression. She exited her cloud house holding Sombra over the edge before simply dropping him then making her way back into her house, shutting the door behind her. Rainbow Dash smirked, "Heh! See, I told ya!" Everypony else was quiet as they just stared at Rainbow Dash with blank expressions. Rainbow blinked, wide eyed, confused. "What?" Princess Luna made her way over to Fluttershy, okay, this one definitely couldn't fail. Fluttershy was the pony who'd done the impossible, she'd reformed Discord, and nopony was worse than Discord. Sombra would be cake to Fluttershy, there was no way she could be bested by the little black colt. So Princess Luna raised her hoof over Fluttershy's head as the timid mare trembled during the process. Honestly, everypony was thinking the same thing, Fluttershy would be the one to be able to handle Sombra, as depicted by the Deja Vu spell. And as the scene appeared over Fluttershy's head, everypony watched with interest as they saw Fluttershy's home looking normal as usual. The rest of the mane six smiled with relief, as did Princess Luna and Celestia, they all nodded to one another. Then Fluttershy's home exploded. Everypony's eyes snapped wide. Fluttershy was suddenly in a world bathed in fire and destruction, Ponyville being no more than a giant crater as Sombra was nowhere to be seen. Fluttershy was wearing sinister looking plate armor and looked as if she were some war veteran, riding atop Discord as if he were some mount and chaos reigned down all across the lands of Equestria. Fluttershy whimpered, "I-Is everything okay?" Suddenly everypony spoke in unison, nervously, each of them possessing a shakyness to their voices. "Y-Yep! 'All Okay!' 'Yep nothing wrong here' 'Everything is toooootally fine!'" Fluttershy blinked a little confused. Princess Luna sighed as she looked to Applejack. This was their last chance. Applejack nervously glanced up at the night princess. "Ulp...." Sombra snickered as he glanced over at Princess Celestia. "Looks like I might be getting what I want afterall." Princess Celestia scowled at the colt in annoyance. But as Princess Luna kept her hoof raised over Applejack's head, she seemed lost in the vision. And nopony else could see what was depicted in Applejack's scene, but Princess Luna seemed a little speechless by whatever was occurring, although there was nothing there. She then glanced down at Applejack wide eyed. Applejack bit her lower lip and had shifty eyes as she blinked nervously, "Uuuuugh, is everything alright?" Princess Luna nodded, smiling, "Everything is just perfect!" She then raised a hoof as she lowered her head to Applejack's level. "Applejack, would you be so kind as to be the one to take in Sombra? I do not have all the answers, but I do believe that you're one of the sole individuals that would be able to accomplish the task of getting him off to a better start." Applejack blushed a little, "Aw s-shucks princess, me? Well, sure, I deal with kids all the time, I mean I do got a pretty big family. And without your parents around, learning how to watch over a bunch of little ponies ain't easy I tell ya. One should be no problem," she eyed the evil little colt, "Eveeeen,...if he used to be some tyrannical pony lord." Princess Luna smiled softly. "It's settled then! Applejack, I thank you again for your kindness. There are truly no words to describe my gratitude concerning this matter." She bowed before the earth pony, lowering her head, as did Princess Celestia. The rest of the mane six, although a little disappointed they weren't chosen, also let off sighs of relief. Sombra scowled, enraged, "W-What!? But her vision didn't even depict anything!" Princess Luna glanced back at him. "Exactly." Sombra winced, "Rrrrrrrrrrrg.........." Twilight looked to Princess Celestia, "Don't worry Princess Celestia, we'll make sure to watch over Sombra just as much. Even if he's staying at Applejack's place, doesn't mean we won't help her manage him. I'm sure he'll be quite a pain in the butt, but you can trust us with this." Princess Celestia smiled, "Thank you Twilight, you and your friends have done so much. I don't know where I'd be without you all." She looked up towards the sky. "I have a feeling everything is going to be just fine." Rainbow Dash smiled as she'd sneered at the little colt. "Heh, you bet! Watch yourself little tyrant, because it looks like you're hanging with us for the next few weeks." Sombra winced at the rainbow maned mare. Graaaah.... Meanwhile outside the Crystal Castle of the Crystal Empire, a lone hooded figure approached from a distance. The guards of the crystal empire eyed this individual curiously, as one raised his spear. "Halt! Who goes there?!" The hooded figure gave them no reply. As she only continued her approach, there was suddenly a voice that rang out in her head. "Remember, in and out, don't waste any time." The hooded figure nodded, "Of course my queen." The guards repeated themselves. "WE SAID HALT!" The hooded figure then moved swiftly, instantly reappearing in the front of one of the individual guards as her forehooves moved with incomprehensible speed, her moves masterful and precise as she landed blows upon the guard in a matter of seconds, tripping and then bucking him against one of the walls. She repeated the process, reappearing in front of another one of the guards as she stood on her hind legs, landing blow after blow against him, then disarming him masterfully and knocking him upside the head and uppercutting him before knocking him off his hooves and slamming him in the head with practically no reaction. The rest of the guards then went into full assault, charging after the mysterious figure. "DON'T LET HER GET TO THE PRINCESS!" The hooded figure wore a cold expression. As Shining Armor laid in his bed, he chuckled while laying beside his love, Princess Cadence. "Hah, now that's just crazy." Princess Cadence chuckled herself as she leaned up, shaking her head, "No! I'm serious you goof, we really should." Shining Armor raised a brow, "You're being serious right now?" SLAM! Suddenly their door burst open, as a guard was standing in the doorway. "P-Princess! You must hurry and hi-" but he was cut off, his world going black as he fell to the side limp, as standing behind him was the hooded pony. Princess Cadence gasped as she'd immediately rose from her bed, her horn glowing a vibrant blue color. "WHO DARES ASSAULT MY SUBJECTS AND THREATENS ME WITHIN MY OWN KINGDOM!?" Shining Armor reacted in suit as he rolled from out of bed and his horn started to glow as well. "Who are you!?" The hooded pony didn't show any expression, she only spoke, "Sombra sends his regards." Princess Cadence's eyes widened as she raised a brow, "S-Sombra? What're you talking about? Are you some insane cultist or something. Not to be the barer of bad news for you, but, the Crystal Empire is now under my rule." Shining Armor looked just as baffled as he shook his head. "Yea what're you talking about? Sombra's been-" The hooded pony then tossed down a picture as she'd smirked, "Make of it what you will." She then took a few trots back as she lifted her hood somewhat, revealing a flash of green in her eyes before they reverted back to violet. "See you." Shining Armor's own eyes widened as he bolted after her, "Where do you think you're going!?" But as he'd approached, the hooded pony tossed down a small circular orb which created a veil of black smoke. Shining Armor coughed as he'd snarled afterwords, "W-What!?" Princess Cadence had a look of hysteria written over her face as she'd looked down at the picture. As the smoke cleared, it was revealed that the hooded pony had certainly made her escape. Afterwords, a multitude of guards showed up in front of Cadence's bedroom chambers. One of the guards spoke, "M-My Princess, my Prince! Are you two alright!?" Shining Armor was furious, "Mind telling me how one pony managed to make it through my entire guard!?" The guards lowered their heads, as one spoke, "Our humblest apologies my Prince! B-But, she, she wasn't using any ordinary means of combat. Whoever she was, she was obviously highly skilled, and had a pretty good idea on the layout of the entire castle, we've, we've never dealt with anything such as that before." Shining Armor groaned as he'd done a facehoof, before scowling at his guard. "Well fan out and find her! I'll be with you all soon, she couldn't have gotten far!" The guards all then saluted their prince as they bolted off in search of the mysterious attacker. Shining Armor then made his way over to Cadence worriedly, before looking her up and down. "C-Cadence! Are you alright?" He paused before sighing heavily, "I'll ensure that the guard is more fortified from now on, no excuses, after this little stunt, I'm upping their training regime a ton. I swear, something like this won't be happening again." But Cadence didn't say anything, she only continued to stare at the picture. Shining Armor raised a brow, "Cadence?" Before he to glanced down at the picture as well. And depicted in the picture, was a little black colt, accompanied by Princess Luna and Celestia in the Canterlot throne room. Later that night, as Sombra sat in the apple family home, he was actually more behaved than expected, and just sat at the table with a somewhat nervous look. Surrounding him were a multitude of visiting ponies, as they all were just digging into a large assortment of different apple baked goods. Suddenly Granny Smith approached the colt as she'd placed an Apple Pie in front of him. "Now what're ya doin sonny!? You can't just sit there and expect not to eat!" Sombra glared at her, before muttering and looking away. "I'm not hungry." But his stomach grumbled. Applejack then suddenly appeared behind him, grabbing the colt and raising him to the air. "Attention everypony, as you've probably noticed! We've got a special guest with us tonight! One who'll be stayin with us for a little while until he learns some proper manners!" All of the ponies raised hooves, greeting the colt in unison. Many of them holding jugs of apple cider. Sombra was an apple red color in the face, as he gritted his teeth, glancing down at Applejack. "A little warning next time?" Applejack then lowered the colt down before raising a hoof in regards to the visiting members of her family. "Sombra, I'd like you to meet some of the members of the Apple Family!" Sombra's eyes widened. "S-Some!?" Applejack proceeded, taking in a deep breath before going off, "Apple Fritter, Apple Bumpkin, Red Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp, Big McIntosh, and Granny Smith. Peachy Sweet, Apple Cobbler,....and-" She paused before glancing around. "Where's Apple Bloom?" Apple Bloom sat at her bedside once again, sketching a picture of her and Babs Seed. She had yet again, a bored look as she'd looked over the picture. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK! Apple Bloom looked to her closed door before heading on over. "Comin!" And opening it. Applejack stood in the doorway, "What're you doin up here Sugarcube? Everypony's eatin downstairs." Apple Bloom sighed, "I'm not that hungry right now." Applejack winced a bit, before shaking her head. "Nope, I don't think so, you're comin down and grabbin a bite to eat. Plus, there's somepony I want you to meet. It's our job to ensure that he can grow up to be just as respectable as a member of the Apple Family," She paused before exhaling, "And I don't think I can do that without you Sugarcube." Apple Bloom's brow raised before she sighed. "Fiiiiiine...." As Sombra sat in his chair, just glaring down at the Apple Pie, he muttered. "I've never had an apple before, let alone an apple pie. I'd rather not." Everypony gasped, before Granny Smith slammed her hooves on the table in disbelief. "NEVER HAD AN APPLE BEFORE!? WHAT IN TARNATION!?" Suddenly entering into the dining room was a small red headed filly with a curious look. "So, where is he?" Applejack pointed a hoof in Sombra's direction, before Apple Bloom followed that hoof, catching sight of the colt. And once she did, she to, looked on in disbelief. Sombra, leaning his head on a hoof, just looked to Granny Smith as it looked as if the two were lost in an argument. The rest of the Apple Family looked on in interest, chuckling as they saw the two go at it. Applejack lowered her head next to Apple Bloom's. "Meet Sombra, Sugarcube." Chapter 6: AccumulationCHAPTER 6: ACCUMULATION Sombra could feel his time running short, the sinister evil closing in around him. He breathed heavily as he glanced around nervously, sitting behind a small patch of bushes. Actually, surrounding him was what appeared to be more shrubbery and forest scenery. He was sitting in a recluse spot, in the middle of a forest. Sombra didn't have time to recite his thoughts as he often did, he was in too much of a hurry. He was running out of time. He grabbed a stick from the ground as he lowered his frame, attempting to ram that stick behind his collar, and forcefully remove it. He tried every strategy he could think of, he attempted slipping his head out, breaking the collar, causing it to malfunction, but absolutely nothing worked. He gritted his teeth angrily, "Blasted thing! Useless stick! GRAH!" Sombra tossed the stick, before commenting. "Pathetic!" Suddenly a looming black figure peeked its head over the bushes, looking at Sombra with wide eyes. The colt froze, as a chill ran down his spine. He slowly turned to look back at the ominous figure with wide eyes of his own, as he felt the fear building up within him. N-No...too soon...it's far too soon! Impossible! Sombra immediately climbed to all four hooves as he broke off into a sprint. An expression of pure angst came over his face as he blindly ran through bushes, dodged trees, and hopped over other obscurities that blocked his path of escape. He breathed heavily as he trotted. The figure just continued to stare at him run off, as it then glared at him. Sombra continued to run, but it wasn't long before he felt a sudden tug at his hind legs and tripped, falling face first into a trail of mud. Sombra cried out to the skies, digging his front hooves into the muck beneath him. "NO! I SHALL NEVER RETURN TO THAT PLACE!" As it was revealed that what was wrapped around his hind leg was a rope. The figure stepped from the shadows further back with a somewhat annoyed look but also a playful smirk. "Hah, simmer down sally." There stood Applejack, as she just rolled her eyes and began tugging on the rope, dragging the colt closer. Sombra had a death grip on the now dry dirt, as he shook his head continuously. "NEVER; PEASANT SCUM! SLAVE!" Applejack ignored his insults and only continued to pull him closer and closer until he was only practically a foot away from her. She sighed and just looked down at him tiredly, before flashing the late king a smile. "You do realize this is somethin I do often, right...sugarcube?" She lowered her head, raising a brow at him. "You ain't goin anywhere." Sombra remained silent, looking as if he'd lost his mind as he covered his head with his forehooves. Applejack just chuckled before turning around in the opposite direction, putting the end of the rope in her mouth and then making her way back towards the farm. "Welp, best hurry back then, Granny'll probably be preparin dinner by now." Sombra's eyes snapped wide. "D-Dinner?...You mean APPLES! Nothing but APPLES!" Sombra sat at the kitchen table with thick bags underlining his eyes. He looked exhausted, as if he'd been subjected to many days of torture and sleep deprivation. He gulped, and actually looked fearful, something he didn't often reveal to anypony due to his prideful nature. But this place was an exception. Princess Celestia was cunning, and far more cruel than he ever could've ever imagined. How was she capable of something such as this? How was it possible to subject somepony to this form of hell? No, Princess Celestia was something far more conniving, he'd underestimated her greatly. "Welp, sorry little guy, looks like you ain't gonna be gettin what you're lookin for for a long while." Applejack was wearing an apron as she made her way into the dining room from the kitchen. In one hoof she held a freshly made apple pie, and wore an amused smile before setting it slowly on the table. "Looks like you'll have to make do with what we're givin' ya." Sombra stared at the freshly sliced apple pie for a long while, angrily, menacingly as he was certainly on the edge of sanity. No, not again, he would not go through with it again! NOT AGAIN! "I ALWAYS MAKE DO WITH WHAT YOU'RE GIVING ME! AND ALL YOU'RE GIVING ME IS APPLES, APPLES, APPLES, APPLES, APPLES!" Sombra slammed his hooves on the table, before pointing menacingly at the apple pie. "T-This....THIS DIABOLICAL CREATION IS FIT ONLY FOR THE COMMON PEASANT! I am a king! I should be served only the finest gems in all the land, yet I am served with this......" Applejack glared at him in annoyance, before getting in his face and shoving a hoof up against his muzzle. "Listen here Sugarcube, I'm doin my best alright. How long are you plannin ta keep this up? Runnin away from the farmhouse, refusing to eat any meals we cook for ya, always complainin about every little thing. Ya see here, the princess trusts me to do this, so I'm not gonna let her down, ya get me?" Applejack sighed before scooting the pie closer to him. "Now just try to bear with it, sheesh. I'll get ya some of those gems somehow if it'll get ya to cooperate." Applejack closed her eyes and just made her way back to the kitchen at that time, as she could be heard in the distance speaking to Big Macintosh as well as Granny Smith. Sombra remained at the table as he grumpily crossed his hooves. He looked at the steaming apple pie in annoyance, but soon his expression eased into one of disappointment, shame. What was he doing here? After all he'd achieved, after everything he'd accomplished, what was he now? He truly was no different from a sheltered child at this point; it was nonsense. The more the days drew on the more he felt his conviction slipping away from him, how could his enemies casually treat him like this was beyond him. He lowered his head with a sigh, before scooting back from his seat, still refusing to eat for a moment longer, but then, soon enough he reached hesitantly, for that one piece of apple pie. Apple Bloom was just laying on the floor, smiling as she looked through some pictures of her and her fellow crusaders. As Sombra entered through the door, he flashed Apple Bloom a look of disgust before making his way to a small makeshift bed with some stacked pillows and blankets, before laying down and turning on his side to face the wall. Apple Bloom smiled widely, "Sombra Sombra! Come over here and look at this." Sombra's nose scrunched up as he remained facing the wall. "Don't talk to me as if we're of the same status brat. Once I get my strength back, you'll all be bowing before me, and everything will be as it should be." Apple Bloom puckered her lower lip and whined. "You're always sayin stuff like that." Sombra snapped, but closed his eyes as if he were trying to go to sleep. "That's because it's true! Relish in these small victories, they won't last long, it's only a matter of time." Apple Bloom frowned somewhat. "We're only tryin to help ya." Sombra scowled, glancing back at the filly. "I don't need any help, never have, never will." Apple Bloom glared at him, before leaning up. "Everypony needs help at least once in their lives." Sombra sighed before burying his head into his pillow. "Hmph, don't you have some 'crusading' to do? What was your little group called again? Oh that's right, the Cutie Mark Crusaders? Hah! What are you?....Children!?" Apple Bloom was just silent as she looked at Sombra with wide eyes. Sombra fell silent for a bit to before muttering, "Don't answer that. Grah, this has been too distracting, I'm going to sleep." Apple Bloom put on a cheesy smile before chuckling and going back to her pictures, then muttering. "Goodnight, Sombra." Sombra rolled his eyes in disgust before covering his head with an extra pillow. "Tch!" Meanwhile at Golden Oak's Library, despite the time, Twilight Sparkle was up, flipping through the pages of a particular book. She didn't appear tired, and more concentrated on the contents of what she was reading, as she often was when she dedicated herself to learning. She kept a small lit candle by her side as she read downstairs by her main study. Surprisingly even Spike was up at the time, rummaging through kitchen snacks as he to maid his way into the main area, before leaning back against a book shelf and looking at Twilight for no particular reason. Twilight smiled remaining focused on her book, "Spike you should probably go get some rest. It's getting late you know." Spike tossed a small gem up into the air, before catching it in his mouth and munching down on it, swallowing it. "You're one to talk Twilight. What're you reading so late anyway? Anything interesting?" Spike's eyes widened as he felt surprised by his own question, realizing that it was more than likely nothing he'd ever have any interest in. Twilight stated simply, "Tracking Spells. I'm planning to enchant Sombra's collar, in order to track him down if he manages to escape. The collar itself already reduces his magical capabilities significantly making him as dangerous as any earth colt, but the tracking could use some work." Twilight sighed before glancing worriedly back at Spike. "Applejack is only one pony Spike, she could definitely use some help watching over a former tyrant. I can't help but worry sometimes." Spike shrugged with a smug smirk. "Applejack has been doing just fine Twilight. Sombra hasn't been able to escape once, and it's not like even if he does he can do anything. Princess Celestia would find him eventually." Twilight shook her head, remaining concentrated. "Spike this is King Sombra we're talking about here. It isn't smart to underestimate him, especially after he came so close to succeeding once. I know he's far less powerful now but, whose to say he doesn't have another trick up his sleeve which he hasn't revealed yet? I mean, he's here now isn't he? And we all thought he was destroyed at the Crystal Empire." She continued, "It doesn't hurt to be safe, is all I'm saying." Spike yawned before making his way for the stairs next. "Ugh, well I guess that's true. Well I'm going to head to bed Twilight." Twilight flashed him a smile, "Alright, goodnight Spike." Spike closed his eyes and yawned once again before smiling back at Twilight tiredly. "Goodnight Twi-" But before he could finish, the baby dragon was knocked off his feet by a loud, practically forced burp as green flames spewed from his mouth, along with a letter. He fell on his butt before letting off an irritated groan. "Ooooooh...." Twilight's eyes widened as she scooted back from her study and immediately made her way over to the letter. She glanced down at it, before cocking a brow and appearing confused. "Huh?" Spike scratched the top of his head before agreeing. "Yea, what's Princess Celestia want at a time like this?" Twilight shook her head. "That's the thing, this isn't a letter from Princess Celestia." She used her levitation magic to lift the letter before inspecting it, more precisely the way it was sealed. The information now caught Spike's attention as well, as he'd looked just as confused. "Then who is it?" Twilight shrugged, before unsealing the letter and opening it to look over the contents. "Let's find out." Her eyes scrolled over the letter instinctively before her expression steadily sunk more and more. After a few good seconds, she exhaled before letting off a sigh. "It's Cadence, Spike. This isn't good, this isn't good at all." She paused for a good while, before looking over the letter again. "She wants to talk to me in private, she thinks Princess Celestia and Luna are hiding something very important from her." Spike blinked before looking a little skeptical. "Well uhm, she wouldn't be far from the truth." Twilight groaned, "Ugh! That's not the point Spike. Cadence nor Shining can be allowed to know about Sombra, it'd jeopardize this entire idea of reforming him. Of course Cadence would want him imprisoned for his crimes against her subjects, it's only natural." Spike cut into the conversation. "But isn't that their right Twilight? He did do horrible things to their subjects for a long time." Twilight turned away from Spike, feeling conflicted about the entire thing. "You're right Spike, but Cadence wasn't in charge of them at that time either. Still; even so, I see what you're saying. Sombra doesn't deserve a free ride for what he's done, but then why is she contacting me? I-It's not like she knows I know anything right? I mean she's practically asking me to lie to her! I don't want to lie to them Spike, but I feel I don't have any other choice. Why doesn't she just go to Princess Celestia if she has suspicions?" Twilight cocked a brow looking confused. "How the heck did she find out about it anyway?" Spike shrugged. "Gee, I don't know Twilight. Maybe because she wants somepony's opinion? To her you probably don't know anything, she probably just wants your advice. You are considered very smart you know." Twilight stomped grumpily, before groaning. "Which is why I can't tell her the truth!" Twilight paused before pacing back and forth, tapping her muzzle. "Well this is Cadence and Shining we're talking about here I mean...i-it's not like they'd go against Princess Celestia's wishes, they'd understand if I explained it to them. Sure Princess Celestia was hiding it but that was for their own good, Cadence will certainly understand, especially once she knows King Sombra's a harmless colt, he can't hurt anypony anymore the way he is now." Spike sighed, "If you say so Twilight." He'd paused "So, got any idea when they're planning to stop by here?" Twilight nodded plainly, and disappointingly. "Tomorrow afternoon. Talk about bad luck." Spike began making his way upstairs. "Well there's no point in worrying about it now." Twilight took one last skim through her book before closing it, followed by yet another distressed sigh. She looked worried for obvious reasons and just muttered, "I hope you're right Spike." The night was young, to say the least. Even Princess Celestia and Luna were awake, although Princess Celestia was a bit more uncommon. Humorously she was even wearing a bath robe as she'd yawned. Princess Celestia gave Luna a tired smile as she watched her sister overlook the city from the throne room porch, she cocked her head to the left. "Luna, what's troubling you?" Princess Luna seemed distracted, as she just squinted a bit. "Sombra, I can't see him." Princess Celestia's own eyes widened curiously before she felt a little more curious now. "What're you implying?" Princess Luna shook her head, "Perhaps he's still awake. Although it troubles me, I will continue to watch." Princess Celestia chuckled before closing her eyes and smiling. "I'm sure you will Luna. Please don't strain yourself." With that the Princess turned and made her way back, further into the castle to likely head to bed. Princess Luna continued to look off into the distance. She sighed, "Why must you cause so much trouble for yourself? Sombra..." Sombra watched over Apple Bloom's bedside, content with just looking at the sleeping filly. He had a blank expression, almost as if he were questioning himself. He recalled an old conversation he had with the filly in particular, back when he'd first arrived at this house, he glared somewhat at the sleeping filly. Don't you want to discover what your destiny is Sombra, doesn't it matter to ya? Destiny isn't always as spectacular as you make it out to be. But it's still better discovering it, rather than never knowing for the rest of your life. Sombra turned away from her bedside, and just made his way out of Apple Bloom's room. He felt disconnected, and looked utterly displeased; however, he knew such thoughts were only distracting. He muttered, "Stupid children." What would you know of the glory of destiny? Sombra thought back to a particular memory, one where he himself was surrounded by nothing but a barrage of roars and encircled by streams of flames. The chaos was erratic and wild, unpredictable in every sense of the word. He however, found himself standing still, simply glaring down at a particular individual. He also wore a strange pendant, one that began to pulse and shimmer with black magic, crackling as if reacting to Sombra activating the magic in his horn. He gave that particular individual a cold stare, before muttering something. His words were mute. That individual looked up at him, and she only smiled softly, as if pleased, satisfied. She was a diamond dog, and her eyes weren't sad, nor were they afraid, and they were locked on the colt almost as if she'd pitied him. She smirked, "Good boy." Sombra immediately cut off the memory there, simply heading straight for the window and glancing back at Applebloom. For the first time since he'd arrived, her regarded the filly with a sense of pity and saddened eyes. "Don't get your hopes up." The colt landed outside, in a small patch of grass outside the Apple family household. He glanced back at the place of his imprisonment before he glared. "No more games." Then broke off into a sprint towards the forest once again, a common routine of his, except this time, things were different. Applejack thought she could best him? When he himself were once shadow? He was an embodiment of the night, he wouldn't be caught so easily by her once again, and especially not after so many attempts. No because this time, his plan was full proof, it'd take a genius to figure it out. He made his way through the trees and shrubbery, before skidding onto the dirt path with a serious expression, then following it deeper into the forest. What!?..... Sombra halted, before just sighing heavily. "There's always something..." Blocking his path would be the hooded pony, staring silently at the black colt with curious eyes. Applejack went about her daily routine of constantly checking up on Sombra. She went into Apple Bloom's room before giving the sleeping filly a gentle smile herself. She then looked over in the direction of Sombra's bed, noticing a small lump beneath the covers, and it brought a smile to her face. "Haha aw shucks, he really is harmless when he's like this when ya think abo-..." She blinked a bit just staring at the motionless lump before her brows furrowed and she made her way over, and pulled down the covers only to find a pillow. "What in tarnation!?" Applejack simply sighed before placing a hoof over her face. She cocked a brow before hurrying over to the window and glancing out towards the forest. How did he manage to get down from this height though? Applejack shook her head, realizing she didn't have time to be worrying about that. She hurried on over to her own room to retrieve her lasso, before making her way downstairs and outside the front door. She gave an intense glare in the direction of Everfree Forest. Sombra just frowned, before closing his eyes and lowering his head. "Graaah, so, are you just gonna stand there or are you going to say something slave? If the latter, I'd suggest moving out of my way before you upset me." The hooded pony just spoke simply, "Pitiful." Sombra's eyes snapped wide then, before he'd glared up at her from his position. "What was that?" The hooded pony continued, as her eyes were halfway closed with a tired stare. "You're pitiful." She paused, before her eyes glanced down, her focus now on his collar. "Slave Sombra....Oh how low you've fallen." Sombra said nothing more as his face darkened. He kept his head lowered as his form soon began to dissipate, despite the fact he was wearing the collar. It was as if the colt was knocked into a trance, and for a split second he looked intentionally at the hooded pony before disappearing entirely, becoming one with the shadows which covered the forest at midnight. The hooded pony's eyes widened, as she remained focused on his previous position. Sombra was silent, as he was already behind the pony. "Watch your tongue you wench..." Manifesting from shadow at his sides would be two lances of pure black shadow, solidifying themselves in a strange manner. They shot towards the hooded pony. The hooded pony glanced back at Sombra with wide, still somewhat fascinated eyes. At that moment the pony sidestepped off the path, into a position bathed by pale moonlight. The shadow lances continued, only to shatter into pieces the moment they entered the perimeter of the moonlight, burning away and dissipating into the air like ash. She'd glared at the once king at this point. Sombra gritted his teeth. "Tch!...Who are you?" The hooded pony smiled then, before nodding and then bowing before him. "Yes, yes it's true, you are indeed still the wise and powerful King Sombra of the past, despite your current state. Even now it's obvious you're still a danger to most if you really intend to harm somepony." The pony then spread her front hooves in the form of a courteous bow. "I've come to bring you warning King Sombra." She flashed him an amused smile, glaring at him somewhat. "Do you recall the Crystal Empire?"
Chapter 1: RecoveryCHAPTER 1: RECOVERY Trekking his now tiny hooves through a field of mud, a much smaller figure with a grumpy expression made his way through the intense rain, stomping with each trot. He was currently heading towards a cave no more than a few meters ahead, and behind him, one could see the gleaming crystal empire shielded from the harsh weather in the distance. Princess Cadence no doubt doing what she could to take care of her precious subjects, no matter, she'd pay soon enough! Well, eventually she'd pay, he just needed a little time was all! This little colt, with his long pitch black mane and pointy red tipped horn, was none other then the supposedly deceased, King Sombra himself. But there was a problem of course, he was a little small to be the previously intimidating tyrannical unicorn. Well, maybe he was still intimidating and we just weren't seeing it, he sure believed so. Either way, he made his way inside the cave, his coat covered in the nasty muck, dirt, and grime. He huffed and puffed in irritation. As Sombra shook himself off in the cave, finally managing to find shelter from the rain, he sighed heavily before letting off a light, "Graaaaaah....." He then regained his composure, putting on a straight face and stomping a hoof. And upon speaking, it wasn't hard to notice the extreme change in his voice, which was now much higher pitched like that of a child. "Fools! Believe me dead? I will show them all what it means to take my kingdom! They will all learn the true meaning of darkness!" Sombra began pacing back and forth in the dark cave, looking at the ground as he did so. "But I cannot just waltz in and take back my kingdom, no no no, I must form a plan." He began tapping his chin with a forehoof, looking up with a raised brow. "Slave! Bring me some crystals! I am starving, I need thinking food!" There was only silence. "S-Slave! I demand you bring me some crystals this instant!" Stomped an enraged Sombra looking towards the back of the cave, and it actually took the colt a few seconds to realize that he no longer had any slaves. His expression sunk dramatically as he seemed sad, an embarrassed look creeping onto his features as he shook his head a second afterwords and stomped once again. "N-No matter! I don't need crystals to think of a perfect plan." He continued to pace back and forth in the cave, looking towards the ground as he did so, there had to be something he could do to win back his kingdom, even in this lesser form there had to be some way he could best those meddlesome ponies. Of course he could just wait to grow up and take it back then, but, no that'd take forever! He needed to think of something now. His stomach grumbled. He gritted his teeth angrily as he shouted in exclamation of his anger. "GRAAAH!!!! If only I had my thinking stairs, or some crystals, then my plan would be concocted by now. I shall be forced to venture across the slave-lands and find some food. If I'm not mistaken there has been a strange moving cart station created to transport those without slaves to pull them, good good, I shall board this peasant cart and take it to a village to find some crystals! If they don't get me my crystals, then I shall show them the power of ultimate darkness!" He stood on his hind legs, raising his forehooves to the air and cackling in his humorously childish voice. "Bwahahahahaha!" And so the little colt continued his venture, and arrived at the train station as planned. As Sombra waited at a bench with his hooves crossed, it wasn't surprising that nopony recognized him, which was ultimately a good thing but still a little annoying. He glanced back and forth between the numerous ponies trotting through the station, and he couldn't help but feel a little out of place, it'd certainly been a long time since he made his way out of the crystal empire, buck, centuries even. He even wondered how Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were doing, to think he was defeated by a bunch of anonymous ponies made it even more frustrating. As he was sitting by himself waiting for the train, he noticed a rural pony coming to approach him with her friends, all of them wearing worried looks. Sombra sighed quietly to himself "Graaaaaaah......" One of the mare's lowered her head upon arriving in front of the little colt. "Hey there little guy, where're your parents? Are you taking the train out here alone?" Sombra scoffed, leaning his head back. "Hah! Watch your tongue slave, a king needs no parents to escort him!" One of the other mares chuckled, nudging her friend. "Aw, isn't he cute? He thinks he's a king." Another of the mares snickered, smirking down at him. "Colts these days. Well, he's obviously spoiled. His parents are probably around here somewhere." "B-But I am a ki-" Sombra began to protest, but not being able to finish due to the group of mares trotting away. Sombra turned crimson, how dare they look down upon him?! He was the king of darkness! The tyrannical lord of the crystal empire! Ponies bowed at the sight of him! He wanted nothing more than to just shackle these mares like the slaves they were and teach them proper respect, but, he had to keep a low profile, he couldn't bring too much attention to himself. He huffed once more, gritting his teeth, snarling even, just as the train was coming. There was suddenly an intercom message that rang out across the station. "All Aboard! All Aboard! Next stop, Hollow Shades!" "Graaaah..." Sombra sighed with relief, finally, the peasant cart had arrived. This was quite a big cart, and it was strange to find out there was a slave driving slaves. Perhaps he was the slave of slaves, making him like an ant, maybe he could even be considered dirt. No matter, Sombra would take the ride to Hollow Shades and find himself some crystals, then he could finally concoct the perfect plan in order to take back his kingdom! As Sombra sat on the train, he was alone towards the back, looking out the window at the vast lands of Equestria. He had a bored expression, but also seemed a little focused, leaning his head on his forehoof with half closed eyes. Just how long had it been since he was defeated by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna? It must've been ages. Ah, Princess Luna, the name brought back so many memories to the former king, and his expression even saddened somewhat when he thought back on it. It was surprising to find that even when he thought about it, he had some regrets, well, he wouldn't call them regrets, maybe questionable choices. How different would things have been if he listened to her back then? He recalled a particular scene, and coincidentally, it was on a day like this. The three of them stood in the rain, in a face off with one another. Princess Celestia and Luna vs him. It was in the middle of a barren wasteland, a canyon of sorts as even Princess Celestia's mane was different back then, instead being a bright pink, unlike the appearance it took in modern times. The two princesses wore their respective elements as they eyed the menacing unicorn, who didn't fail to regard them seriously either. Princess Luna winced as she stomped a hoof. "Sombra, please, stand down!" Princess Celestia sighed, shaking her head in regards to her sister. "He is beyond redemption little sister." Princess Luna protested, taking a step towards the unicorn once more, demanding, "I said stand down Sombra!" Sombra said nothing, as he kept his head lowered, and his horn started to glow. "Hmph..." Princess Luna snapped, her eyes wide with desperation. "SOMBRA!" The colt shook his head as he drifted back to present times, then just continuing to look out the window, followed by a heavy sigh, he muttered. "I really miss my stairs...." Upon arrival to the small town of Hollow Shades, the thunder still boomed as the night had blanketed the sky by this time. It didn't matter to Sombra however, although the night played in his favor quite well, meaning he didn't really have anything to worry about. There was only one mare that could best him in this sort of setting, and she was all the way in Canterlot. He smiled eagerly as he made his way off the train alongside the adults, and upon exiting, a shiver ran down his spine as he felt the cold chill of the night winds. By Celestia it was freezing! He really wouldn't mind having his thick red cape at a time such as this, but he had to deal, there were no luxuries for him anymore. He was finally starting to realize that. Sombra made his way over to the small inn of the creepy town. The surrounding forest was black, and bats could be heard all around, fluttering about between the nooks and crannies of the beaten wooden houses. The heavy rain didn't make the place anymore comforting. As the colt made his way through the entrance doors, a number of individuals eyed him almost immediately, all of them regarding him with puzzled looks. What was some lone pony colt doing all the way out in Hollow Shades by himself? Strange, but it was none of there business. Sombra hurriedly made his way to the wooden counter, his tongue hanging out as he did so. "C-Crystals! I need Crystals!" The stallion at the counter eye's widened as he laughed softly. "Gems, I need gems kid." Sombra's nose wrinkled. He was going to make him pay!? What the buck!? "A king needs no gems fool!" The stallion found this humorous, not only was this kid asking to eat crystals which they obviously didn't have, he thought he was a king. Not surprising, Hollow Shades always tended to get a bunch of weird visitors. "Yea, that's a pretty good point. Too bad you're no king." The rest of the ponies in the inn snickered beneath their breaths, trying to remain silent in their laughter. Sombra felt struck, his horn glowing a vibrant red and black color for a moment before it died down. He gritted his teeth angrily, opening his mouth to say something before turning away from the counter. "F-Fine! But,...But you fools will regret this in the days to come! I promise you this!" He then lowered his head angrily, puffing his cheeks as he trotted his way out of the inn in embarrassment. The rest of the inn burst into laughter after his departure. F-Fools! Every last one of them! He was the powerful tyrannical King Sombra! Ponies knelt before him, and only the goddesses of equestria could stop him, yet here they were insulting him left and right. He swore, the moment he got back to his full strength he'd show these ponies their place. Well, if he ever got back to full strength. No no no, he couldn't think like that, he'd definitely recover from this and strike back with full force. But how was he going to manage to do anything if he couldn't eat, couldn't pay for a place to sleep, and didn't have any support. This was a very bad situation, and it only got worse by the second. Sombra contemplated what to do, and as he trotted through the small town, it seemed he'd have to take a nap beneath one of the wooden porches of the houses for now. So he made his way under one, squeezing his way inside and sighing heavily. "Graah..." What a cruel town! They weren't even going to give a colt a free pass? His eyes widened, eh, that sounded very hypocritical in his mind, for he would've done the same. But still, what kind of place was this, all he needed were some crystals! He could've repaid them with riches beyond their wildest imaginations once he was king again, instead, they'd be getting a darkness nuke right to the face the moment he recovered from this dilemma. But like when he thought about this earlier, first he had to think of how he'd possibly get out of this situation. And the more he thought about it, the sadder he got, not even he could manage to think of any solutions at the moment. He sighed, letting off a small "Graaah..." What am I going to do? He lowered his head and closed his eyes, curling in some beneath the porch as he figured he might as well get some rest. But little did the former king realize, that was the worst thing he could've possibly done in this scenario. As Princess Luna ventured through the realm of dreams, she wore a pleased smile on her face. There didn't seem to be any severe nightmares going on tonight, and everypony seemed to be doing quite well in their sleep. All dreams looked to be going just fine, nothing out of the ordinary. Princess Luna made it a habit not to peek into too many dreams besides nightmares, for what these ponies dreamt about was their private business. The world around her was made of stars, and surrounded by black, the dreams of countless individuals fluttering around her like picture frames. She flapped her wings and made her way through the endless stream of dreams, like an infinite tunnel in the form of a vast database. It was the Princesses's way of organizing her dream surfing methods, easily allowing her to make her way through the dreams of countless ponies, and getting a good look at all without interfering with any. But as the Princess made her way down her infinite tunnel, there was something that caught her eye. It was in the Hollow Shades category. There were a couple of new faces sleeping in the town it seemed, that wasn't surprising to her, there were new faces everywhere everyday, especially in Hollow Shades, but what got to her was the subject of the dream, and the dreamer himself. It appeared to be a simple colt, but, there was something about him. And as the Princess focused on the dream more, her eyes widened as she felt compelled to enter upon noticing certain details of the dream. She now had to find out more about what was happening in this particular dream, and so she went inside. within the dream, the colt laid upon a couch shaped throne, with a multitude of crystal pony slaves obeying his every whim. They were feeding him crystals, and massaging him thoroughly. The colt snickered. "Ah thank you my slaves, these crystals are just perfect!" Munch munch munch. One of the collared crystal ponies replied in suit. "Of course King Sombra, your wish is our command." As Princess Luna made her way down the throne room, her eyes were wide with disbelief. This, was impossible. There was no way that could've been him, but, there was no mistaking it. There was only one who could have a dream such as this, and he'd died, he was already defeated. Princess Luna remained silent as she continued to make her way down the large throne room, arriving at the foot of the throne and just peering down at the colt in shock and silence, inspecting him, looking over him. How? How how how? How did he manage to- The colt smiled as he rose to his four hooves. "Ah Princess Luna, my slave, you've arrived. Please, feed me." He opened his mouth and closed his eyes with a expectant smile. This was such a perfect dream, of course Princess Luna would be here as well to feed him, she was one of those responsible for his defeat, and his previous- well, he wasn't going to get into that. He just smiled, awaiting the fake Luna to feed him some crystals. Princess Luna of course didn't feed him anything, she just looked down at him, wide eyed, ignoring his words. "Sombra?" Sombra groaned. "Graaah...of course it's Sombra you idiot! Now hurry and feed me!" But as Sombra looked up towards Luna with a cocked brow, he slowly came to realize she was way too realistic and lively to be fake, that she was indeed herself. It all started to come back to him, and his expression sunk by the second as he thought about why sleeping was a fatal mistake, and what Princess Luna's powers were. And he gulped, "Oh no..." Princess Luna vanished. Sombra burst from his throne in a panic as he immediately began to look for something to bash himself over a head with. I've gotta wake up, I've gotta wake up! He grabbed a steel bowl, smashing himself over the head with it to no avail. The crystal ponies all looked at their king in worry. "What's wrong my lord?" One asked curiously. Sombra gritted his teeth. "S-Silence!" If only he had fingers to pinch himself with! This wasn't a good situation! And time in a dream was fleeting compared to time in the real world, he had to get himself out of here and fast. Every second here was like an minute there, he knew these things because, he knew much about Luna. His expression saddened once again as he thought back to his past, but shook his head, snarling somewhat. And the little colt used his telekinetic magic to grab hold of one of the stone pillars in the throne room, and cringed at the thought of smashing it against his head but he had to do something, so he braced for impact, and then hurled it towards himself from afar, closing his eyes tight and letting the pillar do the rest. SMASH Sombra stumbled throughout the throne room with twirling eyes, before falling back. "Graaaaah....." *"Search everywhere!"* Sombra's eyes snapped wide as he scurried further beneath the wooden porch. He peeked between the cracks in the steps as in the distance he saw Princess Luna herself, a hoof raised, and looking flustered as she commanded her Lunar Guard to go about searching the area for him nonetheless. Sombra cringed with worry P-Princess Luna, here already? Blast her, she's always getting in my way... Sombra crept back before slowly attempting to sneak out from beneath the porch. I have to make it to the black forest, they'll find me if I stick around here. I work best in places covered with shadow anyhow. The colt smirked. Heh, sorry princess, you probably should've come during the day time. Princess Luna paced back and forth with dread written all over her face, as her guards went about the area, searching every house there was. She turned back to the inn keeper "You said there was a colt here who'd asked for crystals yes? Did you see where he ran off to?" The innkeeper bowed as he shook his head. "F-Forgive me princess, none of us saw where he went after he'd left the inn, he probably left town already...." Princess Luna spoke softly, glancing to the lower right. "No, he's still here, I am certain of it." Sombra stood between two wooden houses in a pool of shadow with a smirk. "Hmph, foolish Princess Luna, if you know it is me, then you know you've already lost." And just as a guard was coming down his path, Sombra smirked, confidently stating in his mind. For I'm already gone..... And his horn started to glow a pitch black color as he chuckled, stomping his hoof softly, expecting to become one with the shadows. But, as he stood there, nothing happened. He blinked a bit, before stomping his hoof once again. "Eh?..." He stomped multiple times as he flashed his magic. WHAT!? Why wasn't it working, you can't be serious! And as the lunar guard took notice of the colt, matching Princess Luna's description perfectly, he pointed a hoof at him. "Princess! Over here! Between these houses!" Princess Luna's eyes snapped wide as she looked in the direction of the shouting, catching sight of the retreating colt. And as Sombra and Luna caught glances with one another, that stare between them seemed to last for an eternity, before Sombra finally made his move and dashed for the forest in desperation. Princess Luna was at a loss for words, he actually did survive? And not only that, he was now some colt? She shook her head, regaining her composure before stomping a hoof, yelling in her mighty canterlot voice. "Seize him!" And with a pool of guards steadily growing behind him, Sombra gritted his teeth, dashing for the forest as he quickly as he could. And in this scenario, he only had a few seconds to make it, or he'd definitely be caught.
Chapter 2: ApprehensionCHAPTER 2: APPREHENSION Blast blast blast! Meddlesome fools, interfering with my recovery process, I just got back for foal's sake! Sombra scowled as he made his way towards the black forest, his tiny hooves carrying him as fast as he could with practically the whole Lunar Guard in pursuit of him. And as he ran, he could feel himself getting winded the longer this pursuit carried on, and his expression sunk as he realized this. This was so troublesome, when was the last time he had to run anyway? Usually he could just become one with the very shadows or he had his slaves, but now, everything had become so physical. Princess Luna watched from afar, and as she took notice of Sombra's drastic change and newfound vulnerability, she winced as she herself began to trot forward. But she was in no rush, she simply began to head in their direction at her own pace. Her confidence was exuberant in the fact she didn't even feel the need to become immediately involved, she took this time to take everything in, to think about what her preferred course of action would be. But she was certain of one thing, the former tyrant would be captured, and pretty soon at that. His freedom would be short lived. Sombra halted in his tracks, lowering his head and plopping down straight onto the grass of the black forest. He was covered in shadow but then graced by the light of the moon. Meddlesome Luna! Stop ruining everything! But he was more annoyed with the entire situation itself, he was tired of this utter nonsense! He was the king of darkness yet here he was, retreating. He didn't retreat, others retreated from him! Yet he was here in this predicament, on the grass, out of breath, in fear of being captured. Fear, something he hadn't felt it since he saw the crystal ponies standing up to him alongside their new ruler, fear, it was such an irking word. He hated everything about it, what it implied, the sound of it, and what it meant. Fear meant weakness, it was a choice, and he was choosing to be afraid, to dwell on the hopeless outcomes that would result from this scenario. As Sombra laid on the grass, he slowly became infuriated, a fiery rage overcoming him as he slammed his tiny hoof onto the grass. "GRAAAAH!!!!" He stood and turned to face the oncoming swarm of midnight defenders, proclaiming. "I DO NOT RUN!!!" The lunar guards all paused as the tiny figure snapped at them. Sombra stomped a hoof, in proclamation of his limitless power. "I am King Sombra! Lord of Darkness, slaver of ponies, ruler of the crystal empire, destroyer of gak! You would do well to cower and flee mortal fools!" The lunar guards all just continued to peer down at him as one snickered, nudging his buddy. "Haha this kid's a riot!" Sombra roared. "SILENCE!" As his horn started to glow and he lowered his frame preparing for the assault. A dark whip rose from the shadows of the trees as the guards actually decided to take it seriously. As the whip lashed, knocking some of the ponies off their hooves and others into the air, Sombra sneered as he raised a brow. "Who's the riot now little fools?" He leaned his head back, raising one of his forehooves a little as he stated. "You're all but children to me! You think I need to be at full strength to best you? Then come! Let me show you just how wrong you are!" His shadowy whip then began to take on a more menacing form, shaping into what appeared to be a giant axe as it loomed over the guards, as sharp as any blade if not sharper. The guards now looked up in dread, as many raised their lances and spears in preparation for the attack. Sombra snarled. "Now perish!" SNAP! "W-What!?" Sombra muttered in shock of the sighting. His manifested shadow axe dissipating before him, as he felt his body getting wobbly with fatigue. His expression sunk, as for a fleeting moment the former tyrant looked to be without hope once more. His eyes widened as his pupils dilated, and he just peered ahead, in panic, snarling in irritation. Has my body become this limited, this weak!? This is nonsense! There's no way the drawback could've been this great! He leaped back as he rose to his hind legs and got in a fighting stance, stating in a hesitant tone. "F-Fine! Then it seems I'll have to get physical then. Come fools, I will show you all the experience that made me king." The guards after witnessing such a display, were all now highly concentrated as they regarded the colt. They couldn't kill him however, it was Princess Luna's orders that he be captured, not killed, so capture him they would. He was just a colt from the looks of it anyway, and not even he had the power to use his masterful dark magic, so if it was a physical fight he wanted, they weren't complaining. The guards tossed away their spears and lances as they lowered their frames, their mission, apprehend the colt. "Let's get him!" Sombra smirked, like lambs to the slaughter. And he waited patiently as he let the guards come to him, and come they did. One by one they trotted forward, and swung at him although he was but a colt, and Sombra maneuvered and dodged their incoming blows with ease, swiftly sidestepping their bucks and swings as he ducked and dashed between them. It was ironic, when it came to magic his smaller body made him much weaker, yet it also made it easier to handle physical hoof to hoof confrontations. But his stamina was another issue, and the colt realized this when he'd attempted to parry one of the guard's bucks. Sombra raised his forehooves, crossing them like an X in order to parry a buck from one of the anonymous lunar guards, which when it made contact, sent him flying and skidding across the grass and slamming into the trunk of a tree. He groaned as he immediately realized that it wouldn't matter how experienced he was if he didn't even house enough strength to be able to harm any of the guards. But an idea sprung to mind at that moment, their spears, although they couldn't use theirs against him, he could certainly use them. How fortunate, he sneered, rising to all four hooves before glancing down at one of the spears. "Hmph! Leaving their weapons, what fools." He then attempted to pick one up,....but to no avail. "W-What?...Just! G-Give me a second here!" The guards looked at the colt attempting to pick up one of their heavy spears, struggling just to get the stick off the ground. Even stallions had to shoulder the things just to keep them lifted majority of the time. Sombra gasped as he fell to the grass, wheezing tremendously. "Y-You've gotta be kidding me...." Then he smiled, raising a hoof in realization, before smirking once more. "Graaaah, but of course! Watch closely fools!" As his horn started to glow once again, lifting the spear for him. Heh, even with such a weak body, I should be able to accomplish this much at least! But as he found out, not even this would be as easy as he'd expected. He couldn't lift the spear not even with telekinesis, at least, not with the sharp end on the side. He sighed and lowered his head, followed by a pout "Graaaaaah..." And he turned crimson once more as he was forced to remove the sharp end and place it on the ground for all the guards to see. This was so humiliating! He should've just died. He then shook his head, regaining his composure before standing on his hind legs once again, and spinning the free stick with his telekinetic powers. "Now then fools, shall we?" "Stand aside everypony, I shall take it from here," came an all too familiar voice, graced with the accent of royalty. Princess Luna was now finally going to get intimately involved it seemed, and as she took a few trots forward, her guards immediately stepped out of her path, saluting her as they did so. Princess Luna looked to the little colt with a contemplative look, skeptical, hesitant, unsure. "Sombra," she said plainly, and with a hint of curiosity, "You survived?" Sombra was breathing heavily, starved for food and exhausted, as well as being drained from attempting to use the full extent of his magical powers which obviously took it's toll on him. But he smiled nonetheless, trying to bare some confidence in the face of his defeat, he knew there was no way he could best Luna, not like this at least. But he wouldn't go down pathetically like last time, no, he'd go out fighting if need be. But he couldn't deny he enjoyed the chance to talk with her again. "Yes Princess Luna, as you can see, that much is obvious. Although my methods have....." He paused to glance down at himself. "Backfired, on my end." He looked back to her. "But I must give you praise, you move quite fast to have found me here already." Princess Luna remained silent. Sombra continued, sneering as he took a few trots back. "Graaaah, isn't it fitting princess? It's just like old times, I must say-" The colt winced at her as he then charged, his makeshift staff still levitated with his magic as he shouted. "I wouldn't have it any other way!" As he attempted to strike her. Princess Luna simply dodged each of his blows with minimum effort, observing all of his actions as she did so. And as she watched the colt Sombra attacking her wildly, she saw the skill he possessed in his movements, each and every strike and attempted blow was just like back then, back when he'd impressed her the first time. "Good, good. You still remember." Sombra snarled, obviously offended. "Shutup wench!" And as he attempted to strike again he was held in place by powerful telekinetic magic. "Irk!...." Princess Luna lowered her frame to look him in the eyes. "Stand down Sombra." Sombra's eyes snapped wide, as the past scene flashed through his mind once again. Princess Luna stood in the rain and yelled at him in desperation. "I said stand down Sombra!" Sombra gritted his teeth once more, showing a hint of hesitation. "Hah! In your dreams!" Princess Luna launched him backwards with a powerful telekinetic push, as the colt caught his footing once again after tumbling through the grass some. Sombra was frustrated of course, "Curse her,...curse this! Who were those pathetic ponies you sent after me anyway hm? Too much of a coward to have finished the job yourself Luna?" Princess Luna's expression didn't change. "I would have dealt with you, but I owe sister my trust. But now that I've been given this second chance, perhaps it is time to do things differently." Sombra raised a brow, squinting a bit as he attempted to catch his breath. "Differently?" Princess Luna nodded. "Yes, differently." And with that, Princess Luna levitated the colt, before flinging him violently against the side of a tree trunk, knocking him out cold as he slumped to the ground afterwords, motionless. Princess Luna's expression at that moment changed, saddening somewhat as she glanced to the lower right. "For I to fell to the corruption of my own feelings, my own magic. And for a unicorn such as yourself Sombra, to have fallen so far into shadow, is not surprising. I should've been more careful. But perhaps, this is a sign." Princess Luna then levitated him once more before handing him off to once of the guards. "Come my faithful guards, we must return to Canterlot." They nodded as the guard holding Sombra placed the miniature king on his back. And without saying much of anything else, they spread their wings and departed from the small town of Hollow Shades. The townsfolk could only stare in wonder at what'd just occurred, as the princess departed back to Canterlot. It felt like seconds since he'd been knocked out, and as Sombra slowly batted his eyelids open, he couldn't really pertain what exactly he was seeing. Was he dead again? Maybe in banishment? It'd make sense. But he'd actually preferred to be dead, how unfortunate, maybe he could finally see his stairs again in the afterlife, perhaps have some nice crystals. Oh no, what happens if he was forced into a world of eternal punishment? Forced to hear gak gak gak over and over again, he still had nightmares of those times, the gak. But as he steadily opened his eyes, focusing on what was in front of him, he saw something really quite peculiar. It looked quite nice actually. It was a ceiling, decorated with golden painted swirls stretching across the large marble plating. Where was he? The tiny king leaned up immediately as he gasped! "Graah!...Huff, huff, huff." And as he got a good look at where he was, he noticed that he was in a kitchen. "Hm?" His puffy black mane was ruffled and he'd obviously slept uncomfortably, but managed to get some sleep nonetheless, but why was he in a kitchen? He attempted to remove himself from this position, but soon immediately found out he was shackled to this marble chair, his forehooves tied around his back. "Eh!?" He struggled to free himself, but as expected to no avail. Sigh, so Princess Luna had taken him prisoner, this wouldn't be fun. What'd they have in store for him? A long lecture by Princess Celestia before being banished to the furthest reaches of the galaxy? Maybe they'd turn him into a porky pine or something. Sombra snickered at the thought, why did the princesses always come up with these strange elaborate ways of punishing villains? Back when he was king, he simply locked ponies away in the dungeons, easy, simple, effective. "Don't think you're getting any special treatment." Stated Princess Luna from behind as she made her way to his side, looking down at him with a sigh. "Grah, Canterlot, a sad excuse for a kingdom. Where are all your stairs?" Stated Sombra disappointingly. Princess Luna winced before making her way over to the sink, turning the faucet and watching the running water. As Sombra just continued to sit there, observing Princess Luna from the table, his eyes widened a bit in surprise as he noticed the light of the sun coming from the kitchen window. "Graaaah....now I see..." Princess Luna remained silent, as the moment he'd said that, another had entered the kitchen with them. It was none other than Princess Celestia herself, as she was wearing a bathroom robe and had some deep crescent bags beneath her eyes. She was levitating a coffee mug as she noticed Luna standing near the kitchen sink with a worried expression. She regarded her sister with a caring smile as she made her way over to her, and filled the coffee pot with water before speaking up. "Ah, sweet little sister, good morning." She raised a brow at her. "What troubles you?" Princess Luna took in a deep breath, before sighing heavily. "I found something last night sister. Something I believe you'll want to take a look at yourself." Princess Celestia now seemed a little more concerned. "Found something?" Sombra remained in his seat, a horribly amused look plastered on his face. Oh, this'll be interesting. Princess Luna nodded before repeating herself. "Y-Yes, I found something. It's...uhm...at the table..." Princess Celestia turned to look at the table, and noticed the sitting colt with a amused look. They just stared at one another in silence. Princess Celestia turned back to the coffee pot, pouring some into her mug with a sigh. "Dear little sister, I know where you're coming from but we're far too busy to be taking in children, we built those orphanages for a reason." Princess Luna's eyes widened as she blushed. "W-What!? No sister, that's not it!" Princess Celestia raised her mug and began sipping her delicious hot coffee from it with her eyes closed. Princess Luna continued. "T-That colt...he's...uhm...he's..." She paused. Princess Celestia just continued to sip. Princess Luna's expression distorted a bit as she cringed. "He's actually,..King Sombra...." Princess Celestia's eyes snapped wide as she spit out her coffee and her mug fell to the floor shattering. She stood there for a brief moment as her brow just twitched. "What?....." And she'd actually used her Canterlot voice. *"KING SOMBRA!?"* Princess Celestia turned immediately to get a good look at the colt who indeed resembled Sombra a great deal, and there was that sense of instant recognition. She rushed to him, eyeing him up and down, observantly, curiously, brow raised as she seemed almost psychotic in her inspection. She looked back to Luna. "You're pranking me sister. This is a prank, it shall not work, not this time." Princess Luna shook her head raising a hoof. "N-No sister, I swear it's definitely-" Princess Celestia interrupted, chuckling softly and closing her eyes, placing a hoof on her chest. "You may have gotten me with the Twilight regression trick, but not this time little sister! Your playful antics have run dry!" And Princess Celestia put on a confident smirk before manifesting a bucket of water over Sombra's head, decking the little colt with ice cold water in order to wash off his deceitful disguise, which......failed to come off? Princess Celestia sighed with relief. "As you can see sister, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice-" She looked back at the colt, lowering her frame and getting in his face. "-Not going to......." She stared. Sombra now drenched, glared at Celestia with a look of disbelief at the fact she'd actually done that. "Happen?..." She remained silent for a moment before muttering. "Sombra?....." Sombra snapped. "YES YOU PITIFUL PRINCESS! IT IS I KING SOMBRA!!! IS IT THAT SURPRISING!? GRAAAAH!!!" Princess Celestia took a few trots back, eyeing him up and down once again before raising a brow with that puzzled look she'd often give when confused. She glanced back at Luna. "He's....a little small..." Princess Luna raised a hoof to her mouth, unable to hold back a light. "Pft!" Sombra gritted his teeth, his face turning a seething red as his brow twitched and pupils dilated. "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!"
Chapter 3: InfluencesCHAPTER 3: INFLUENCES "What was that Sombra?" asked a blue crystal pony with an extravagant shining coat. Currently travelling through the harsh regions of the crystal mountains, in the middle of a blizzard nonetheless, was a band of ponies, well, crystal ponies, which would include all of them if it weren't for one whose coat didn't shine like all the others. This colt was none other than Sombra himself. He trotted alongside his peers, who all trailed behind a mare decked in beautiful gem crafted plate armor. She had a sheathed sword at her side and was a fiery pink unicorn with a pale white mane. She wore a grumpy expression in particular, eyeing their surroundings as they made their way back towards their home of the crystal empire. The band of ponies just traveled down a paved trail, which was only becoming more difficult to see the more this harsh weather carried on. The obvious leader of the group, the armored mare, seemed nervous, paranoid about something. She winced, eyeing the impenetrable haze of snow that blew all around them, unsure if something was watching, waiting, lurking in the distance. "Stay close everypony," she stated simply. A young light blue mare with a dark sapphire coat, moaned as she shivered beneath her cloak. "Gosh, they really need to create something more convenient one of these days. Maybe something that we can ride in?" Another of the crystal colts peeked over the trails right side, which seemed more like a cliff than a steep hill. "And maybe a fence or something, somepony can fall off here." A shiver ran down his spine. One of the fellow crystal ponies nudged Sombra once again. "Come on Sombra, say it hahaha." Sombra huffed as he confidently rose his head and stated for the others loudly. "When I get older, I'm going to be just as good as Captain Blossom! Just you wait!" The rest of his peers burst into laughter as they each had trouble holding it in. Sombra turned red, aghast. "H-Hey! I'm serious, you guys laugh now but just you wait!" He stomped a hoof in protest and although pretty embarrassed, exclaimed in his fiery passion, "I'll be one of the best the Crystal Guard has ever seen!" Captain Blossom's expression sunk a little as she let off a soft sigh, frowning a little in response to Sombra, having been revealed as the armored mare and leader of the group. His peers just continued to laugh as one placed a hoof around Sombra, speaking to him in a modest tone. "Okay Sombra, we get it, you have an obvious aspiration to be just as good as Captain Blossom, and I won't lie, you're pretty good with a sword to. But there's no way a chicken like you can ever hope to be as good as her, especially when you freak out at the sight of every enemy." Sombra gritted his teeth as if he were about to say something, but his expression sunk and his eyes saddened, as he remained silent. "Hmph!....." One of the other crystal ponies raised a hoof as she snickered. "I mean did you guys see him during the training sessions with the Lunar Guard recruits? Sombra, you kept freezing up, what's the deal? You're a unicorn right, put that magic to good use." The fellow with his hoof wrapped around Sombra bopped him on the head gently. "Yea, we were demonstrating our skills in front of Princess Luna herself you know. What's she supposed to think if we've got chickens like you freezing up in-" Captain Blossom cut into the conversation. "Alright everypony, that's enough." The young teenage mare with the sapphire coat responded in protest angrily. "But Captain, we're serious! We were training for demonstrations day for so long, and Sombra goes out of his way to become a coward right when we need him most! I mean, you'd think after hearing you say we've gotta face our fears everyday, he'd get the picture!" Captain Blossom snapped angrily. "I said that's enough Sapphire!" The young crystal pony mare flinched as she lowered her head, saddened. "I-I'm sorry Captain...." Captain Blossom groaned as she glanced back at Sombra as they trotted. "And don't think you're getting off easy either Sombra. The others are right, you need to stop being afraid and face your fears, instead of making claims that at this rate, will likely never happen. Someday you're going to get into a fight you can't run away from, especially if you plan to join the Crystal Guard in the future. There'll be instances where others will be counting on you to step up to the plate, and make the tough decision, and fear cannot play a factor, you must show bravery! Do you understand?" Sombra nodded, muttering. "Y-Yes Captain." Sapphire to kept her head lowered as they trotted down the trail, and she was still quite upset due to the fact she got in trouble for Sombra's own cowardice. She glanced at him angrily as the others went to join her. Sombra trotted alone at the opposite end of the path, which he'd preferred. He glanced at them and then rolled his eyes, angrily stomping his hooves as he made his way through the snow, trailing behind Captain Blossom. Like I care about what any of them think....... One of the fellow peers looked to Sapphire with a hint of worry. "Hey don't sweat it Sapphire, we all get in trouble due to Sombra's mishaps every now and then. It happens." Sapphire groaned, stomping her hooves as she trotted, speaking in a quiet tone. "It's just not fair! Captain always gives Sombra special treatment just because his family ditched him. And I don't blame them, look at him, he's a chicken, he's arrogant and overconfident, and he doesn't even have his cutie mark! Everything about him screams failure! And sure he's good with a sword, but not when it matters." One of her friends lowered his head beside Sapphire's as he whispered in her ear. "Yea, and you know what they say about Sombra, whose coat doesn't shine in presence of the crystal heart." This caused Sombra's expression to darken. The young stallion continued. "They say he's disconnected from love, cursed,...evil." Sombra gritted his teeth snapping angrily. "SHUTUP!!!!" As he charged his peer from the opposite end of the path, tackling him to the snow angrily, snarling as he did so. "WHAT DO YOU KNOW!?" And punching him in the face with a hoof. Captain Blossom's eyes snapped wide as she glanced back at her students in shock. "S-Sombra!? What do you think you're-" She paused, feeling her leg stuck to the ground as she immediately looked down at her trapped forehoof. And what she saw caused a shiver to run down her spine. A small paw was holding her in place, and large yellow eyes stared back at her from beneath the snow. Captain Blossom cringed as she knocked back her sheathe with her free forehoof, knocking her sword up in the air, catching it with her mouth as she swung down towards the paw, which immediately retreated back beneath the snow as she made her move. She then threw her sword back up as she caught it in her sheathe, then snapped back at her students. "Everypony! We need to go now!" Sombra who was still in the middle of pummeling his peer, got shoved off by Sapphire as the mare looked to him in a rage herself. She then got her friend back up as the others looked to Sombra only in disappointment, and hurried over to Captain Blossom. Sombra remained there for a few seconds as his own rage subsided, and he to felt quite shocked at the fact that he actually let his feelings get the better of him in that scenario. So he had the courage to attack one of his own but not the enemy? How shameful, what sort of Crystal Guard did these sorts of things? He looked back down at his hoof as he felt frozen once again, unable to move. Captain Blossom snapped at the pure black unicorn. "SOMBRA! UP!! NOW!!!!" Sombra snapped back to reality as he shook his head, looking towards his fellows who were already at Captain Blossom's side. "R-Right!" And then climbed to all fours. Sapphire looked to Captain Blossom with a frightened expression. "C-Captain! What's happening!?" Captain Blossom looked around as beginning to surround them were many wide yellow eyes, snickering and chuckling in the haze of snow, hidden within the blizzard. Her nose wrinkled as she muttered beneath her breath. "Diamond Dogs..." The young stallion who'd been assaulted by Sombra shook his head, confused. "B-But I thought they weren't interested in Crystal Ponies!" "C-CAPTAIN!" Sombra shouted as he attempted to move, but his two back hooves were held in place by large paws. Sombra glanced back at the eyes staring back at him from beneath the snow, as a look of dread washed over him and he dug at the snow desperately attempting to pull away. Captain Blossom's eyes widened as the realization came over her as she looked to Sombra. And then she looked back to their surroundings as all the wide eyes of the Diamond Dogs hidden in the haze of snow focused on the young black unicorn. Suddenly a rough feminine voice cut in, snickering. "Eheh! Give us the unicorn crystal ponies and you can trot away, things don't have to get nasty here." Captain Blossom gritted her teeth, snapping at them. "Fat chance cowards! Come out and fight! Then we'll see who can just trot awa-" But as she made her way forward, there was a soft tug on her tail as she glanced back, noticing the rest of her students with fearful looks covering their faces. This caused Blossom's own expression to sink dramatically as she paused to look around them once again, now realizing they were frighteningly outnumbered. The rough feminine voice continued. "It's not often we get unicorns with a band of crystal ponies. Leave him with us and the rest of you live, no losses guaranteed,....well, no more than one." Sombra looked wide eyed at Captain Blossom as he was still stuck, his backhooves still held by the paws. The voice continued. "Attack, and you just might succeed, but then again, you might not. You'll have achieved nothing, costing yourself your life, and the lives of all your precious students. You don't need to be a genius to take notice of the fact the odds are horribly stacked against you. I'd prefer suffering no losses myself, so, be the smart one here and trot away. Don't look back, we don't have any interest in crystal ponies." Captain Blossom herself was frozen now, stuck between two decisions. She looked back to Sombra, who looked at her in desperation, unsure of what'd happen. Should she risk the lives of all of them, for the life of one? That one being Sombra no less, or they could just trot away, it's not like he'd be killed. They could just go back and grab reinforcements then return and conduct a search. But Diamond Dog packs were the masters here, their victims tending to never be found again. Nopony could ever pertain where their hideouts were located, due to the fact the Crystal Mountains were so vast and always hidden behind a dense haze of blowing snow. There was a very slim chance he'd ever be found again. But they were all also quite skilled, her exceptionally, they could attack, Diamond Dogs weren't very well known for their combat prowess. But how would the rest of her students fare? Would they all make it out alive? Could they really take down this many enemies? But ultimately, should they take the chance? Captain Blossom gulped, as she took a trot forward, gulping. "We wont lea-" Suddenly there was a tug on her tail once again. She looked back, looking horrified as her students all still looked overwhelmed with fear themselves. Sapphire had tears streaming down her cheeks. "C-Captain!...I know,...I know that we're not supposed to be afraid. I know we're supposed to be prepared for things like this but,...but I-" She paused, glancing down for a second before looking back to Captain Blossom in her own pleading desperation. "I don't want to die! We can't do this! Not even with all of us! It's hopeless! I don't want to lose my life for him! He'd leave us behind and you know it! Please!" And those words struck the mare to the core, placing the dreaded terror she herself spoke against so many times, within her, she felt true fear. She now felt doubt, doubt she couldn't escape from. The thought in the back of her mind telling her there was a very high possibility of them not succeeding. There was an inescapable, horrible, doubt. Should they take the chance of helping Sombra? He had no family, no connections, and supposedly no talents. He'd disappear from the face of the equestria and nopony would care. They'd all live, but, was being captured by the Diamond Dogs a fate worse than death? Nopony really knew, besides those who were captured and never seen again. Why was she so afraid? Diamond Dogs may have had many numbers, but, they were far from skilled fighters! She should just take the chance! This was real experience, this was where their talents mattered most! To protect one another, to protect each other! To-...... There was nothing but a void of silence. Sapphire and the rest of the students looked up to their Captain, some of them preparing to unsheathe their swords. Captain Blossom raised a hoof, looking at Sombra with cold eyes, before stating. "Come on everypony, we're leaving." He's not worth it Blossom,..... turn and trot away. The voice snickered. "Good choice." Captain Blossom then turned, as the rest of her students looked up at her, some in shock as others glanced back at Sombra pitifully, but ultimately followed behind their Captain. Others like Sapphire, sighed with relief as they looked back at Sombra with an angry glint, letting off light. "Tch's!" Sombra at first couldn't believe, calling out to them. "Captain!....C-Captain!?" He dug at the ground, kicking his hindlegs as he screamed at her. "C-CAPTAIN BLOSSOM!!" He trembled again, fear overwhelming him again as he let off a pathetic soft whimper. "P-Please...." He paused, then screaming. "I'M SORRY FOR BEING SCARED!!" Tears swelled in Captain Blossom's eyes as she glanced back at the frightened colt, whose fate was now in the Diamond Dog's paws. She then turned away once again, leading the way down the path, trotting on ahead with the rest of her students and disappearing into the ongoing blizzard. There'll be instances where others will be counting on you to step up to the plate, and make the tough decision. As they disappeared, Sombra shook his head in disbelief. So that was it? It was that easy for them? Was it because he wasn't one of them? Was it because he'd been scared at the demonstrations? What about all that nonsense about facing fear!? But, how could he blame them, he really was a liability to them. And as half his body was suddenly dragged beneath the snow into a hidden hole, he trembled. "No...no no no no!" And as he felt the diamond dog accidentally loosen it's grip at that point, he bucked wildly beneath the snow. "O-Ouch!" Sombra pushed himself up as he got to all fours and attempted to trot hurriedly in the direction of the others. But suddenly descending from a tall unseen peek, were a pack of diamond dogs as they snarled, blocking his exit. The voice cut in once again. "Don't try it little pup, you won't succeed." Sombra then used his hoof to unsheathe his sword in a similar fashion to Captain Blossom, catching it in his mouth as he eyed his surroundings, noticing he was surrounded, the only way out being the steep drop on the right side of the path, leading down into uncharted areas of the crystal mountains. But to go off the path was suicide. The rough feminine voice snickered. "Oh he's feisty, how fun. Why don't you just use telekinesis little pup?" Sombra turned a little red, due to the fact he knew he wasn't yet skilled enough to fight like the Lunar Guard unicorns. The rough feminine voice seemed amused. "Oh, how disappointing. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to use that horn of yours....." Tears swelled within Sombra's eyes as that feeling of fear overwhelmed him again. Fear, why did it even have to exist!? What was the point of it besides to hold somepony back? And here it was, stopping him again! He hated it, he hated the fact it came at the worst possible times, the fact that it held him back, he hated everything about it! He was tired of being underestimated by everypony, being looked down upon, not being taken seriously. And as he thought about Captain Blossom's words, and the fact they'd left him, he gritted his teeth angrily. You need to stop being afraid and face your fears. Sombra's expression became suddenly determined as he snarled, wincing. I'M NOT AFRAID! But as he stood there trembling, he knew fighting wouldn't get him anywhere, no matter how brave he was this time. He glanced to the edge of the path, leading off the supposed cliff, down a horribly steep hill down into the unknown. He steadily stopped his trembling, as the diamond dogs only continued drawing closer and closer to him by the second. And just as they all thought he was finished, the young stallion turned, tossing his sword off the edge of the cliff. The voice cut in. "Finally surrendering little pup?" The rest of the diamond dogs cackled. Then Sombra charged back, straight for the edge of the path. The voice snapped. "WHAT'RE YOU DOING!?" The other diamond dogs eyes all widened in shock. Sombra roared. "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!" As he pushed up on his hind legs, taking a leap of faith straight off the path and catching his sword in its sheath, as he immediately descended down. Captain Blossom and the other students who were still making their way hurriedly down the path, attempting to create some distance between them and the diamond dogs, didn't fail to hear that familiar voice. And as they all glanced back, they noticed through the veil of snow, a tiny black figure descending down the mountainside rapidly. Sombra tossed and tumbled along the mountainside as his descent continued for a good minute, before finally landing on a flat snowy surface at one point down the mountain, on his belly with his beaten body, gritting his teeth with a look of passive fury. His small red cloak being torn, half of it hanging on the tip of a sharp rock. And as he stood there, barely able to keep consciousness, he hurled blood before motivating himself to stagger to his hooves. And he knocked his sword up with his forehoof, catching it in his mouth. Almost immediately bursting from the mountainside themselves and seemingly out of nowhere were a multitude of diamond dogs, unrelenting in their pursuit. The students all gasped in horror, as some covered their mouths with their hooves. Sapphire couldn't believe it, as she stared wide eyed at the colt who'd managed to survive such a drop. Captain Blossom was speechless herself as she just looked down, unable to say anything. And as she just continued to stare, Sombra still attempting to escape, caught glances with them on the far upper level of the mountain path, and in his eyes she could see masked behind them, a hidden rage which wasn't there before, one of pain and heartache. Sapphire continued to nudge Captain Blossom softly. "C-Captain! Come on!" Captain Blossom just couldn't believe it, he'd jumped, that was basically suicide, yet he survived. She spoke softly "S-Sombra...I'm sorry," almost as if her mind were elsewhere before continuing to lead her students away. And as Sombra gripped his sword in his mouth, wheezing heavily as he did so, his vision blurring every few seconds or so, one diamond dog had finally decided to show herself. She looked like a pale ashen wolf, with fur that blended in perfectly with the snow, her eyes a crystal blue color as she had an X shaped scar marked on her forehead. She had her arms crossed as she smiled. "You're daring little pup, the stubborn ones are always the funnest to break." Sombra winced as he just charged straight towards the diamond dog with her arms crossed. And she just looked back at him, an amused smirk planted across her face. Princess Luna placed Sombra on a pair of stairs as she sighed heavily. Sombra's expression lit up as he actually seemed genuinely happy. "Graaaaah!.....Staaaaairs..." He sneered as he began just trotting up and down them continuously. Princess Luna then made her way back over to Princess Celestia with a worried look. "That should keep him occupied for a little while." Princess Celestia sighed herself as she looked to Sombra trotting up and down the stairs in the distance. "What is it you expect me to do sister? Give him a free pass?" Princess Luna responded hastily in her defense. "I-I'm not saying that sister!" Princess Celestia raised a brow. "Then what are you saying dear little sister? Why bring him before me like this? He should be imprisoned, and handed over to Cadence to receive his proper punishment." Princess Luna's expression sunk as she looked towards the ground. "All I'm suggesting is, perhaps, he can learn. Like Discord?" Princess Celestia's eyes widened for a moment before she looked to her sister in disbelief. "Sister, Sombra cannot be reformed, we both know this." Princess Luna winced at her sister, a little frustrated by her response. "Then what about me sister?" Princess Celestia's nose wrinkled a bit in annoyance. "What're you implying Luna?" Princess Luna stomped a hoof in protest. "What I'm implying sister is that maybe I shouldn't have received any special treatment for the sole reason being that I'm your sister! You never believed I was beyond saving." Princess Celestia looked speechless, before placing her forehooves on Luna's cheeks. "Because I know you my sweet sweet sister. I knew that deep inside you were always still there, just locked away, deep within the darkness. And all it took, was a little patience, faith, and now here we are, together again." Princess Luna peered up at Celestia. "Then perhaps we need to attempt giving him some patience." Princess Celestia groaned as she turned away from her sister, glancing back at her. "Luna, why're you persistent on this matter? King Sombra is not....." Princess Celestia looked up as she sighed and looked back to her little sister in desperation. "He's not, like you. I do wish you would stop comparing yourself to him." Princess Luna's expression sunk. "You, have not seen what I have sister. I was skeptical on this matter at first as well, but I was thinking," she looked to Celestia "Perhaps I'm not the only one who's been wandering aimlessly through the darkness." Princess Celestia raised a brow at her sister before looking towards the ground, lost in thought. Princess Luna approached her sister, going to her side. "I wouldn't have been able to return without your compassion sister, your love and patience, I've always had you with me." She looked back to Sombra "But, he has-......" And she paused. Princess Celestia looked to her sister with a raised brow, before her eyes widened and she realized exactly what that look meant, and she turned back towards the now empty stairway. "..................................." Princess Celestia placed a hoof over her face. Sombra dived through a window, breaking the glass and landing in front of the castle masterfully, rolling to all fours and bursting into a sprint. Some Celestial Guards burst through the castle doors as their fellows looked at them with puzzled looks as one of them who was breathing heavily, attempting to catch his breath, pointed at the retreating Sombra. "Stop that colt!" Sombra smirked, glancing back. Hmph, fools, those stairs were a good lure. But so is my chance at freedom! CRASH!!! Sombra laid on his back as he had twirly eyes before shaking his head and groaning, then rubbing his head. "Graaah...." And in front of him, having been knocked to her bottom was a little filly with a white coat and light pink and purple mane, rubbing her head in a similar fashion. "Ooooouch...." Suddenly another little filly with a orange coat and purple mane snapped at the colt. "Hey! Watch where you're going!" Another filly with a pale yellow coat and red mane remained silent as she eyed the colt curiously. Sombra snarled as he rose to his hooves once again and bolted forward, making his way past the three fillies. "Out of my way imbeciles!!!" And diving under and leaping over the countless objects that blocked his path as he ran off into the distance. And a multitude of guards made their way past the fillies and in the direction of the colt a few seconds afterwords. Suddenly rushing out of the store was a mare with a white coat similar to the little filly's and a violet mane. She lowered her frame in front of the filly, rubbing her head, "Sweetie Belle! Darling, are you alright?!" She then looked off into the distance at the retreating colt. "You better run you little brat!" The filly revealed as Sweetie Belle patted herself off with her hooves before glancing back. "J-Jeez! What a jerk!" She smiled, looking up to the mare. "Yea, I'm okay Rarity," she chuckled. The orange filly, nodded, scowling a bit. "Yea, I'd sock him in the face if I got another chance." She then looked to the pale yellow filly with an apple red mane. "Hey, Apple Bloom, you alright?" The pale yellow filly revealed as Apple Bloom, just remained silent as she stared wide eyed off in the direction of the retreating colt. Sweetie Belle blinked a bit before looking to the orange filly. "Is Apple Bloom alright Scootaloo?" The orange filly revealed as Scootaloo, shrugged in bewilderment, "I don't know." She placed one of her forehooves in front of Apple Bloom's face, waving it up and down. "Hey, Apple Bloom? What's with you? Hellooooo~ earth to Apple Bloom." Rarity approached the filly worriedly, glancing down at her. "A-Apple Bloom, are you alright darling? What's the matter?" Apple Bloom finally spoke up. "Guys...." she fell silent for a few seconds, "That pony didn't have a cutie mark!" Sombra still sprinting through the city of Canterlot, had finally caught sight of something he could make great use of. And with a flick of his forehoof, he manifested a small black crystal which launched him forward, and onto the roof of the now departing train, landing on the edge of it, then scurrying up onto the top before turning and looking back towards the guards and bursting into laughter. "Hahahahahaha! Fools! Now what will you-" then he paused as he noticed some of the celestial guard pegasi had their forehooves crossed with annoyed expressions, fluttering right behind him. Sombra placed a hoof over his face as he muttered. "R-Right...." And then groaned. "Well then...shall we?" The Celestial Guards looked to one another, then back to the colt with smiles, nodding in unison. Sombra smiled himself, closing his eyes, "Well," before standing on his hind legs and raising his forehooves in an offensive stance, then getting bucked back by one of the guards, "OOF!" tumbling and skidding across the roof of the train. Sitting in one of the seats of the train was a small baby purple dragon as he seemed to be in quite a bit of pain. "Oooooh...." And near him was a violet alicorn with her crown fastened on her head, surrounded by a multitude of ponies eyeing her in wonder and amazement. This alicorn being none other than the famed Twilight Sparkle, sighed heavily as she regarded the baby dragon worriedly. "That's why I told you not to eat all those gems the other day." THUNK THUNK THUNK! Twilight raised a brow, before looking up for a moment, then shrugging. She looked back to Spike. "Don't worry Spike, we'll be back in Ponyville soon. I'd fly you myself, but I'm not too good yet, Rainbow is still teaching me." She then made her way next to him, rubbing his head with a hoof. "The Cutie Mark Crusaders will be hanging with Rarity and the others for a few more hours, so I thought it'd probably best we head home early since we've gotta take the train, and you're not feeling too great." Spike just continued to groan in pain, before looking up at Twilight with a tired look. "T-Thanks Twilight...uuuuugh..." THUNK THUNK THUNK One of the unicorns reading a newspaper sighed as she looked up with an irritated look. "What is that?...Sheesh..." As Twilight to sat there in wonderment, she then blinked a bit as she noticed the commotion gathered outside the train as it departed from Canterlot, a large group of ponies looking up towards the roof of the train. She raised her brow. Sombra wheezed heavily as he remained in his fighting stance, and his stomach grumbled, and the train finally started to pick up the pace, rapidly accelerating forward and taking them down the path towards Ponyville. The little black colt sneered as he regarded his enemies tiredly, as they all were unharmed due to his humorously weak blows. No matter, I don't need to beat any of you. All I need is.....He looked off in the distance towards the tracks at the mountainside, and the steep hill that lead straight into the forests. 60 seconds. SLAM, SLAM!!!! Sombra's eyes snapped wide as he looked to both sides of him, as landing on the train cars alongside their guards, were Princess Luna and Princess Celestia themselves. Princess Celestia had a serious look as she said plainly, "Sombra." Princess Luna continued. "You really didn't think it'd be that easy did you?" Sombra's expression sunk as the exhaustion in his face only seemed to worsen at that point, he raised his forehooves in a defensive stance once again before his horn started glowing a black and green color, while he remained, standing between the two Princesses. He sighed heavily, Graaaaaaaaah, make that a few minutes......
Chapter 4: PunishmentCHAPTER 4: PUNISHMENT Sombra groaned heavily as he sat chained up in the back of a dark cave. He was like some sort of pet, humiliated, defeated, as he kept his eyes focused on the ground. At least they'd bandaged him after capturing him, although stripping him of his weapons as well as his cape, and ultimately his pride. He had his forehooves crossed with a somewhat sad look, although spiritually, he was absolutely crushed. He just continued focusing on the ground, lost in thought, waiting for something in particular. And soon enough, that something soon came around to arriving. He heard the sound of walking in the distance, coming from further down the cave, or whatever this place was, which seemed to be some sort of network of underground tunnels. Soon appearing before him, emerging from the shadows of the cave would be a group of diamond dogs. Particularly the female who'd captured him, her paws clenched behind her back as she wore a welcoming smile. "Well, hello there little pup, have you decided to assist us?" Sombra remained silent for a moment, just groaning in irritation as he kept his eyes focused on the ground, glancing up at the diamond dog every now and then as she just continued to smile at him. After a moment, Sombra finally let off "F-Fine! I'll help you, can I please just get some food!?" The diamond dog's smile only spread into a grin as she heard those words. She made her way over to Sombra, lowering her frame in front of the little colt before rubbing him on the top of the head. "Hey, we may ponynap unicorns, but it doesn't mean we're cruel heartless monsters." She leaned her head back, signaling her fellow to toss her a peculiar sack wrapped around his waist, which he untied and tossed over to her as she caught it almost absently. She then jingled the leather sack in front of Sombra as it made a clanking noise, as if a bunch of heavy objects were bundled inside. Sombra's expression lit up as he licked his lips, attempting to snatch the sack from her paws, which she'd held away from him at that exact moment. "Ah ah ah, patience little pup. So before giving you these, promise me you'll obediently go about your duties." She raised a brow at him curiously, waiting for a response with a contemplative look. As his stomach grumbled, Sombra nodded hurriedly, pulling on his chain. "Yes I'll do it! I promise I promise! Please just give me the food!" The diamond dog snickered as she smiled at him softly, dropping the leather back in front of him as she was knelt down in front of him. Sombra snatched the bag off the ground as he'd opened it happily, peering inside with a hopeful expression. But as he remained there looking into the sack for a good long while, that happy expression slowly sunk, as he grew shocked, confused, annoyed. "W-What?" The diamond dog stood and then turned back towards the far end of the cave, leading throughout the network of underground tunnels before glancing back at Sombra, making her way back to her fellows. "Oh sorry, forgot to mention little pup, we don't get pony food up here in the crystal mountains. You'll have to make due with what we give you." Sombra snapped angrily as he pulled out one of the crystals from the sack. "HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO EAT THESE?!" The diamond dog snickered as she smirked. "Learn to chew,....hard..." She and her fellows then began walking away, going deeper into the cave as they left Sombra to enjoy his, food. Sombra's stomach grumbled once again as he just continued to stare at the crystal in his hoof hesitantly. He sighed heavily as he attempted to chew the thing, although it didn't do much. He attempted it again, this time chewing as hard as he could as he'd actually attempted to crack it, and a hopeful smile crept onto his face once again. "Y-Yes!" He then repeated the hard chewing process, up until the point a small piece of the crystal had actually snapped off, and he grinded it in his mouth, chewing the small piece as his teeth to began to throb in pain, but as he chewed, tears swelled within his eyes, he was happy. Although it wasn't scrumptious, he was happy it was edible. So he continued to sit in his spot, and crack off small pieces of the crystal, savoring each little piece that came off, happily. As Sombra stood atop the train, he eyed Princess Luna in particular, sighing. There was no way he was going to last long if he couldn't even manage to avoid her telekinesis. He then eyed the other guards that accompanied them, it was practically him versus a small army since they had both Princesses to aid them. But as the train only continued to pick up speed, Sombra took notice of his destination in the distance. All he had to do was avoid getting captured up until the point they reached the mountainside. He could take care of everything else from there. Or at least he believed he could. Nonetheless he put on his confident smile and looked to Princess Luna "So! You two actually think you're going to catch me hm? That's funny." Yes he was bluffing, and he was horribly embarrassed about the fact that it was such a bad once. But what else could he say? Princess Luna groaned as she seemed a little irritated by the colt's behavior. "Sombra! Return to the castle this instant." Sombra gritted his teeth, turning red as he stomped a hoof, a little annoyed by her tone of voice. "S-Silence! I am not your pet, Luna! Don't treat me as such! Remember who you're talking to!" He placed a hoof on his chest as he closed his eyes, speaking confidently. "I am the King of Darkness! I am King Sombra! Almighty ruler of-" Princess Celestia giggled in the background, attempting to hold in her laughter. "hmmhmhm......" Sombra only grew more infuriated as his brow twitched. "You two constantly underestimate me, but just you wait! One of these days you'll both be bowing before me! You'll both be no more than mere slaves!" Princess Celestia had her hoof raised to her mouth, as she'd actually managed to hold in her laughter before exhaling heavily. "Please, K-King Sombra. You must realize that you're hopelessly outnumbered, be smart about this little one, I would prefer not to use force." She glanced down at the colt amusingly, although he'd certainly been a horribly potential threat, she couldn't help but feel pleased due to how harmless he now seemed. Maybe Luna was right, maybe there was now a chance for him to become reformed since he'd became like this, for now, he certainly was no king of darkness. And as she stood there thinking about it for a moment, she felt she had a perfect idea of how to go about this entire situation. Princess Luna took a few trots forward as her horn started to glow. "This nonsense shall last no longer!" Sombra gritted his teeth as he flicked his forehoof on impulse, and emerging from the roof of the train would be a mini black crystal, blocking Princess Luna's line of sight. Princess Luna's brow raised as she scoffed. "Don't tell me you truly think this weak spell shall stop me from-" And dashing to the side, then sliding beneath her would be a small black figure, as her eyes widened and she glanced down at him, before he'd already made it past her, propelling himself up in a spin, then landing on his hind legs and dropping to all fours once again. What? Princess Celestia chuckled as she seemed so entertained by all of this. Interesting, he's now relying on his physical capabilities rather than his magic. Such a well executed distraction, you certainly were a dangerous character, King Sombra. Luckily for us though, Princess Celestia flicked her hoof in Sombra's direction, as a great floating wall of flame had emerged, blocking his path. She smirked afterwords. You aren't even half the unicorn you used to be, you're a little too small to be playing with us anymore. As Sombra looked up at the great wall of flame, he snarled as he peered back at Celestia with a paranoid expression. Princess Celestia waved at him with a soft smile. Sombra's nose wrinkled as he scowled and then looked back to the wall of flame. Now what!? He then blinked a bit as a devious smile crept onto his face, and he grinned menacingly. "Grah, of course." His horn then started to glow as the guards approaching him all raised their brows, wondering what he was going to attempt next. Sombra then disappeared, poofing away in a ball of black smoke. The guards all gasped as they looked around for the colt, lost in confusion. Princess Celestia's glanced down at the roof of the train. Ah, clever Little Sombra. She then looked to Luna. "Sister." Princess Luna was glancing at the roof of the train as she'd already figured it out as well. "I know sister, worry not, I shall retrieve him, I am done playing these games." And with that Princess Luna disappeared as well. Sombra made his way through the train, shoving all the ponies who'd been standing in his way. Wasn't this a train ride anyway? Why the buck were some of them even standing? He groaned as he hurried towards one of the back carts, realizing it wouldn't take long for Celestia and Luna to figure out what he'd done, seeing it was really his only option besides teleporting behind the flame wall, at which point Celestia would've just created another. As he made it to one cart in particular he felt was far enough, the young colt looked out one of the windows as he noticed they'd finally reached the mountainside. Other ponies peered at him curiously, especially those he'd shoved. Who was this colt, and what was his hurry? One of the mares whispered to her friend, "Is that kid okay?" And looking through the window of another cart, was Princess Twilight Sparkle, eyeing the colt curiously with a raised brow. Spike simply continued to groan in pain, sitting in his seat. "Oooooooh....." Sombra smirked as he made his way over to one of the windows, opening it, then sticking out half his body as his mane blew wildly with the wind as he peered downward at the steep drop, down into the forests. "PERFECT!" The ponies in the cart all gasped in horror. One of the stallions yelled, dashing towards him in an attempt to save his life. "What're you doing kid!?" One of the mares cried out, shaking her head. "This isn't the way little colt! There's always still hope!" Sombra rolled his eyes, groaning. Grah! Shutup idiots! At that moment bursting into the cart was Princess Luna, as she eyed the individuals before catching sight of the retreating Sombra, her own eyes snapping wide at the sight of her prey. "Sombra!" Everypony then looked to Princess Luna, puzzled. What was she doing here!? Sombra cringed at the sound of that voice as he immediately took the leap outside the window. The rest of the ponies gasped in disbelief! He'd actually jumped!? Twilight's own eyes snapped wide as she heard the commotion going on in the other cart, and looked right at the moment Sombra had leaped out. She gasped. "W-WHAT!?" Spike looked up at Twilight, groaning in pain. "W-What happened Twilight?" Twilight suddenly dashed for the opposite side of their cart, hurriedly in a panic. Spike looked confused as she'd departed, calling out to her. "Twilight? What's wrong?" And in the next moment, Twilight had disappeared, poofing away in a ball of violet smoke. As Sombra began his descent, he smirked. GOOD! Now I'll just use another teleportation spell the moment before hitting the ground, then I'll have the cover of the trees, plenty of time to make a break for it. Foolish Luna, these next few seconds of attempting to figure out my plan will cost you. I'm now home fr- SNATCH! Sombra's world suddenly went in slow motion. His eyes were wide as he had a baffled look written all over his face. He didn't know what to think? It wasn't possible was it, was he really just,.....caught? By what!? Princess Luna, was she really that good!? How could she have- but as the colt paused to regard his 'savior', he looked even more shocked than before. Holding him in her hooves, smiling down at him, was,.....it was!!!.....- Twilight smiled. "Whew, that was close! Listen little guy, I don't know what you're going through, but this isn't the answer." Tears swelled in Sombra's eyes as he tore at his own mane in frustration. "GRAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!" As Twilight flapped her wings, she'd made her back up to the train hurriedly, before catching sight of Princess Celestia standing at the top. Princess Celestia!? Twilight's eyes widened as she made her way over to her. Princess Celestia gasped, "Twilight!?" Twilight looked puzzled as she landed atop the cart, obviously surprised to see Princess Celestia here. "Princess Celestia? So you were the one making all that noise atop the train? What're you guys even doing up here?" Princess Celestia eyed Sombra in her hooves. Twilight glanced down at colt affectionately. "Oh, you guys were after this little guy? Yea Princess, he tried to jump from a window, but I managed to reach him before it was too late." She chuckled as she ruffled his mane. "Aw, he's crying tears of joy, he must be so relieved. " Sombra looked defeated, broken, he was crying into his forehooves. , It just isn't fair! Why oh why must I be surrounded by such fools!? Princess Celestia spoke in a soft tone, "I really doubt those are tears of joy. But either way, excellent work my student. You always seem to be there just in time to save the day, I'm so proud of you." She ruffled Twilight's mane with her forehoof in a similar manner. Twilight chuckled as she smiled at Princess Celestia. "Thanks Princess, I wouldn't be where I am today without your guidance of course. Who is this little guy anyway?" She raised a brow at Sombra. Princess Luna then poofed back up to the roof of the train. "S-Sister! Sombra, he!-" her eyes widened as she took notice of Twilight, who was actually holding onto the colt. "Twilight Sparkle!" Her expression lit up. Twilight's eyes widened at Princess Luna, "Sombra?" And as she took a moment to recall where she recognized that name, shock and fear washed over her as she immediately glanced down at the colt once again, who indeed resembled the evil king of darkness they'd barely managed to defeat. Twilight dropped him to the roof of the train as she gasped. "S-Sombra!!! W-What!? What is he, how did he-" Sombra just remained silent as he pouted, sitting on his behind as he was slumped. "Graaaaaah...." The guards immediately apprehended him as he didn't put up any resistance, carrying him off and into the air. Princess Celestia glanced back to ensure he truly wasn't putting up anymore of a fight as she then looked back to her student. "Yes Twilight, King Sombra has returned. Although thankfully, he isn't much of a threat anymore, as you've probably noticed." She paused giving her student a kind smile. "I'd be willing to explain more if you accompanied us back to the castle." Princess Luna cut into the conversation, bowing her head to Twilight. "I thank you for apprehending him Twilight Sparkle." Twilight's expression sunk as she still seemed distraught, horrified, confused. "T-That's crazy, King Sombra is back?" She shook her head, "But he was destroyed, I thought, I could've sworn I saw him get-" Princess Celestia chuckled. "We all thought he'd been permanently defeated Twilight, please, don't trouble yourself about it. Fate has a funny way of turning up the strangest things." Princess Luna made her way over to Celestia. "Sister, I do not wish to dally here much longer. I worry that he may escape again if we leave him alone for too long." Princess Celestia smiled. "Aha, I doubt he has the drive to attempt anything more sister, but you're right, better to be safe than sorry." Twilight looked up at Princess Celestia. "P-Princess, I've gotta take Spike back to Ponyville, but, please, if anything happens..." Princess Celestia looked at Twilight a little thrown back by the fact she was so worried about their safety, which should've been expected, it just seemed a little humorous. Well Twilight didn't know how weak Sombra had now become, he certainly wouldn't be becoming any King of Darkness anytime soon, although his spells were quite nasty still, there was always a way to keep such things in check. She chuckled and closed her eyes though, further responding to her faithful student. "Worry not Twilight, we can handle things from here. You attend to Spike," She turned away and spread her wings, preparing herself for flight, before looking back at her. "And thanks again for the 'save' hmhm." Princess Luna was smiling as well, as she to nodded to Twilight Sparkle, before spreading her wings and looking up towards the sky, as Celestia and her took flight mere seconds afterwords. Twilight watched them depart with a worried look as she sighed heavily. King Sombra...I can't believe he's back.... King Sombra seemed lifeless, apprehended again, due to yet another stroke of badluck. These days it only seemed common, perhaps if he just didn't do anything at all, something good would happen, or maybe things would actually go right. He just kept his yes focused on the ground as the guards held him up by his hooves, leading him through the city. There was certainly a large crowd watching him, but he didn't care, the fact none of them were attempting to rip him to pieces meant they obviously didn't know who he was. Nopony did these days, sheesh, you'd think after building up such a reputation it'd mean something, but not after a couple centuries it seemed. He sighed heavily as he closed his eyes, just sinking further into his own depression as he was led through the streets of Canterlot. Suddenly bursting through the crowds though was a little red headed filly, as she didn't hesitate to close the distance between herself and the black colt. "Hey you!" Accompanied by her two strange friends nonetheless. The small white filly called out to the red headed one. "A-Apple Bloom, wait a second!" The orange filly followed in suit. "He might be dangerous!" Sombra eyed the filly with disinterest, but recognition. He raised a brow, oh, it was that filly from earlier, the friend of the one he'd bumped into. Great, what was she here to do? Give him a lecture on how to properly retreat from a pack of guards and avoid others in the process? The red headed filly asked curiously. "What's your name!?" Sombra blinked a bit, as he was a little offended by her tone, and her ignorance of his reputation. "What!? How do you not know the great!-....." But his expression sunk, as did his voice. "Oh, forget it....." He looked at her with a bored look, not even caring about anything anymore. "It's Sombra..." He purposely left out the 'King' not like anypony ever acknowledged it anymore, he was nothing more than a weak colt now, just like back then. The red headed filly bounced with a hopeful smile, pleased that he'd cooperated. "Sombra! What a nice-" Suddenly one of the celestial guards gently moved the red headed filly out the way. "Sorry kid! We've gotta deliver this little punk back to the caste! Princess's orders!" The red headed filly's eyes widened worriedly. "W-What? But what'd he do?" The celestial guard responded, "That's none of your concern! Now scram kid!" With that the guards went about their duty, and continued leading their prisoner Sombra back towards the castle. As they left, the red headed filly called back to the little black colt in the distance. "My name's Applebloom! It was nice to meet ya!" Sombra still didn't seem interested, he just rolled his eyes and groaned, looking towards the ground. Children.... The rest of the process went about as he'd expected. Still without food, he remained locked away, shackled and collared like some savage beast until the princesses were ready to see him and give his punishment. He didn't really mind, he was familiar with how this worked, seeing as he'd been through it before, the sense of nostalgia only causing him to snicker. He leaned his head back, pondering where he'd be spending the rest of eternity at. Where could she possibly banish him? Well either way he was ready, it's just too bad his freedom was so short-lived. Or maybe they'd hand him over to Cadence? So many possibilities, but thankfully nothing he came up with in his head sounded too bad. One of the guards opened his cell later, as expected as well, and he just glanced down at the colt. "Her royal highness is ready to give you a befitting punishment." Sombra shook actually with anticipation as he sneered playfully. Let's see what you've got Celestia.... Sombra was then led to the throne where both Princesses were expectantly waiting him, both with smiles planted on their faces. After being forced to kneel, Sombra looked to them in disgust, what were they so happy about? Yea! He'd been caught again, so what, it wasn't a big deal. His nose wrinkled as he regarded them, but then smirked back at them himself, baring an overconfident attitude. "So what's it gonna be Celestia?! Countless millenniums at the bottom of the ocean? The rest of eternity exiled on some barren world!? Bring it, I'm ready!" Princess Celestia stated simply. "Nothing." There was a brief silence in the room, followed by the sound of crickets. Sombra's eyes widened as he turned a little red. "N-Nothing?" He looked speechless. Princess Luna snickered, covering her mouth with a hoof, turning away to hide her laughter. Princess Celestia kept her straight face, and kind smile. "Yes, you heard me correct Sombra. Your punishment will be nothing, you are now but a colt, children make mistakes and learn from them. You only need to be taught a lesson." Sombra was furious! They couldn't be serious!? Were they really going to treat him with such insult!? Did they really not take him seriously at all at this point!? Was he really considered that much of a joke!? He snapped! "This is absurd! You can't be serious Celestia! I demand to receive a proper punishment this instant!" Princess Celestia raised a hoof, and chuckled. "Nope!" Sombra trembled with rage, bound by his shackles, his already weak magical capabilities further held back by this blasted collar! He wanted to destroy them, to enslave them, he wanted so many things! But, he wouldn't be getting them, not even the right to be treated like a respectable villain. He lowered his head and his pride was crushed. "Graaaah...." Princess Celestia continued. "But here's what I will do Sombra, you see, now that you're a colt, I think this is the perfect time to educate you, the right way." Princess Luna was still snickering, at this point bursting into laughter. "AHAHAHAHA! F-Forgive me! I..I cannot-" She fell to her sides as all the guards looked to her, completely shocked by her behavior, it wasn't often the night princess acted in such a manner, not that it wasn't a pleasant sight however. Sombra couldn't believe this, this was actually happening. This was even worse than banishment! He gritted his teeth, unable to hide the red flush his face now had, and he was actually trembling with embarrassment. They were no longer equals, they no longer considered him deserving of the right to be treated as such, they literally thought of him as no more than a stubborn child! And they were enjoying every second of pointing this out to him, show some mercy for pete's sake! He remained silent, just glaring up at Princess Celestia and the laughing Princess Luna. Princess Celestia lowered her head somewhat, as if showing the difference now in not only size, but in power between the two as she was regarding Sombra in the manner she'd regard the children. "You will be sent to Ponyville, and you will attend school, where you will learn the many customs of equestrian society. You will also learn how to live as a 'normal' pony, and maybe work towards finding your destiny, which may I mention, you failed to do even by the end of your previous life." Sombra scoffed, snapping angrily at the alicorn. "And what makes you think I won't just destroy the place and escape!? Don't take me as a fool you...you....JERK!" Seriously, she was such a jerk. Princess Luna, who was attempting to climb back to her hooves, holding onto the side of the throne and biting her lower lip then covered her mouth once again. "Pffffffft!" Princess Celestia snickered as she raised a brow at Sombra, amused. "Hm? Oh, well you see Sombra, that collar of yours will be preventing you from committing any such acts. It'll allow me to determine your whereabouts, and it'll be more than enough to prevent you from using any of your destructive magic." She thought of Twilight and her friends. "And there are a certain group of individuals, I'm quite sure will prevent any such thing from happening. So I suggest you cooperate." Sombra shook his head. "Never! I will never comply with such a humiliating-" To this Princess Luna cut him off, stomping her hoof angrily at the colt, and speaking in her Canterlot voice. "No Sombra! It is time you stopped this nonsense! You're no longer a tyrant, it is time you accepted the situation you're in! You're getting far better than you deserve you ungrateful colt!" Sombra flinched, as his expression sunk. "Tch!" Princess Celestia chuckled as she began writing out a letter. "Good! Then we'll begin as soon as we can." Sombra just sighed as he glanced up at her. "Well, make sure you give me a decent sized home!" If he'd be forced into this, fine, he could use their foolishness to devise a more reliable plan, a perfect plan, a plan with no holes or possible outcomes of failure. He just needed some time, and some privacy, a vacant house would be a nice start. Princess Celestia raised a brow, before chuckling, amused. "Oh no, you're a colt, we can't have you living by yourself now can we?" So the insults only kept coming. Sombra groaned. "Graaah, you've gotta be kidding me...." He whimpered. Later that night as Apple Bloom was sitting in her room, she was leaned down at her bedside, scribbling with colored pencils on a drawing. She was leaning her head on one hoof as she seemed to be pouting about something. Applejack appeared in the open doorway with an apron on as she knocked on the door, but didn't enter, just to get her little sister's attention. "Up and at em Sugarcube, Granny and I made some Apple Pie, hurry along now and get downstairs before it gets cold!" Apple Bloom moaned, rolling her eyes as she dropped back to all fours. "Okay okay, I'm coming!" And left her drawing on the bed, heading over to the doorway with Applejack as the two siblings then made their way downstairs. And as the drawing remained there, it was revealed to be a decent sketch of the cutie mark crusaders, and scribbled out was a fourth figure, a poorly drawn black figure, once there, but purposely removed. Because there was no way he could be recruited, it's not like they were ever going to see him again. Right?......
Chapter 5: ForeshadowsCHAPTER 5: FORESHADOWS "Isn't it beautiful little pup?" Sombra was currently decked in a raggedy apron as he embarrassingly made his way around a private bedroom chamber. Of course the walls were made of rock in this fairly large room but other than that, it really was quite nice. The furniture laid about was beautiful, and as Sombra looked over each piece carefully, it wasn't hard for him to realize that all of it was most likely stolen. It'd make sense, the diamond dogs were practically master thieves after all, they even managed to ponynap unicorns. He just continued to go about each section of the room, cleaning off different pieces of furniture as he used his telekinetic magic to lift the sponge from a pale gray bucket and proceed with his new duties. Still, in this situation he couldn't just ignore his new superiors, so he glanced back. "I guess it's nice." The female diamond dog sat in a chair as she just had her legs crossed and she smirked at the black colt. "All of this came from ponies you know, pony architecture, pony craftmareship, all perfectly carved by ponies themselves." Sombra groaned, rolling his eyes as he just continued to scrub. "Yea I think I get the point." The diamond dog leaned her head back as she snickered. "Eh, I don't know if you do. You see, ponies just abandoned all these things, barely put a fight for them." She paused. Sombra's expression sunk a little as he made his way over to another piece of furniture sluggishly. Then continued. "Just like they did with you." His eyes widened, as he looked back at her, as if shocked before wincing. He spoke, but his voice was shaky and hesitant, as if he didn't even believe his own words. "T-That's not true! You left them no choice!...." The diamond dog hopped from her chair and began circling the colt slowly as she spoke. "Oh, they certainly had a choice, you just weren't important enough apparently." She smiled, "Like furniture." Sombra gritted his teeth as he snarled, and turned, tossing the sponge at her. "SHUTUP! I'm not furniture!" She sidestepped it with ease, placing her paws behind her back and slowly started approaching the colt. "Have you ever had power little pup? Power is a very dangerous thing, especially for ponies like you." Sombra charged angrily as he'd attempted to strike at the diamond dog as she'd parried his frail blows before tripping him with a kick and forcing his head to the ground. She raised a brow. "It corrupts, and runs just as deep as any form of actual magic. Most ponies have power, and with that power they've bought peace, and they've crafted perfect societies. They've become bigoted, in the sense they don't have to worry about anypony but themselves. I guess it happens to all who have such a taste of power," She chuckled, "Especially the ones who start off as trash, and work themselves up to the top." She leaned her head back and sneered once again. "Like you and I, you're nothing but trash, and I do enjoy being in power. I have to wonder though, just how dangerous somepony like you would become," She pulled hard at his mane before lowering her head and whispering into his ear, "If you got an actual taste of real power. What would you do with it little pup?" Sombra scowled as he spoke in an annoyed tone. "Don't compare yourself to me! We're nothing alike!" The diamond dog snickered before gently letting go of Sombra's mane and standing back to her hind legs. "Heh, talk is cheap little pup, say that again when you aren't so weak. You'll find out that maybe, we're not so different after all." She then turned, making her way for the door before stopping, picking up the sponge, and tossing it back at the colt. The sponge hit Sombra's head, causing dirty murky water to run down his face and course through his mane, as he gritted his teeth angrily, but what was he to do? All he could do was take it, all he could do was accept the fact he was weak, there were no other options. The diamond dog smiled softly, "Now finish cleaning up, I'm taking you crystal hunting with me after you're done." Sombra's expression sunk as he continued to scrub, trying to hold himself back from crying, from revealing any form of weakness. He had power, he wasn't a coward, he wasn't a weakling, he could be just as great, just as strong as the rest of them. And when he was ready, he'd show them, all of them, just how powerful he was. The diamond dog continued. "Because you're my piece of furniture now, and furniture, doesn't talk back to its owner." She then left the room, shutting the door behind her as she did so. And Sombra sat there motionless on the floor for a moment, as he'd looked defeated, lifeless, and broken now that she was gone. He just stared at the floor in silence, his eyes watering, before he just continued scrubbing. They were wrong, he wasn't a coward, he wasn't weak, he wasn't furniture. He, was, strong. "Come Sombra, it's time to find you a suitable place to stay!" Stated Princess Celestia. Sombra was currently munching on some sliced oranges, they weren't crystals, but they'd have to do for now. He glanced down at his blasted collar that was severely weakening his magical capabilities with annoyance. "Must this truly remain Celestia? Do you really think this will stop me?" Princess Celestia smiled, "Yes, I do as a matter of fact." Sombra groaned due to the fact she never seemed to be affected by his threats, which were obviously bluffs. As the two of them made their way through Canterlot Castle, they were actually searching for Princess Luna, who'd last been seen relaying orders to her Lunar Guard. It was obvious based on her expression, Princess Celestia wasn't too happy about the situation. Didn't Luna know it was already time to go? She rolled her eyes, she felt as if she'd been thrown back in time, back to the days when Twilight was a little filly and she used to cover taking her to school when her parents were absent. Just add in the fact that Sombra on the otherhoof possessed the intelligence of an adult and still came off as bratty, you had practically the same exact scenario. Okay, not really, but she still had some sense of nostalgia regarding the matter. As the two ponies continued to trot throughout the castle, they'd eventually arrived in the private gardens. And thankfully, Princess Luna was there, but not relaying orders to her entire guard, there was only one present it seemed. Sombra raised a brow, looking that guard up and down. She had a black coat with violet eyes, and a snow white mane with purple streaks acting as bangs. Her armor was a pitch black color with the crescent moon symbol carved into the breastplate. She was also a bat pony unsurprisingly, and looked to have some form of significance to Princess Luna's guard. "Who's this Luna?" Sombra questioned amusingly. Princess Luna's eyes snapped wide as she'd even jumped a little due to the familiarity of the voice. She then turned, looking to Sombra and Princess Celestia in surprise before exhaling, "S-Sister! Sombra, what're you two doing here?" Princess Celestia sighed, "Dearest sister, what do you mean? You're the one who'd made the scheduled time. We must head to Ponyville, Twilight and her friends are down there waiting for us as we speak." Princess Luna's eyes widened. "O-Oh of course! Forgive me Silver Shade, I must be going." The lunar guard revealed as somepony known as Silver Shade saluted the princess in suit. "Of course Princess Luna, thank you for your time." She then took a few trots back before glancing down at the little colt with a smile. Sombra looked up at her, puzzled. And soon that smile on the bat pony's face formed into a sneer, as she just simply flapped her wings and flew away. Sombra blinked a bit, watching her depart, then shrugged after a moment. Freak. Princess Celestia smiled as she shook her head. "Well then, shall we depart now that business is taken care of?" Sombra blinked a bit, "Yea uhm, if you haven't noticed, no wings on this body." Princess Luna used her telekinetic magic to levitate the colt onto her back before nodding to her sister, then spreading her wings and stating simply, "Problem solved." Sombra trembled as he stared at his fingerless hooves. "Solved!?" Princess Celestia chuckled, as the two princesses, then took flight, disappearing off into the vast sky. Twilight Sparkle and the rest of the mane six were already down in the center of the small town, awaiting the princesses arrival, along with their new, guest. Twilight sighed as she thought back to the letter Princess Celestia had sent her regarding Sombra's arrival, but the problem was, she'd yet to tell her friends about the entire situation. How would they react to Sombra returning? And even worse, how would they react to the fact that one of them would probably have to watch over him? Twilights face scrunched up a bit at the thought. But she was going into this situation a little more open-minded than last time, due to the fact that Discord was actually able to be reformed left quite a few possibilities open to her. But still, this was Sombra they were dealing with here, was there really anyway that he could be turned into a good pony? Twilight had her doubts but she didn't want to be pessimistic about the situation either. Applejack kicked at the dirt, a little eager. "Aw shucks, Apple Bloom would be stoked to have a new friend to play with! I reckon this little fella is gonna be a lot of fun!" Rarity nodded. "You said it darling, although Apple Bloom already has Big Mac and the rest of your unbelievably huge family to keep her company! Sweetie Belle on the other hoof could really use a new friend." Rainbow Dash then fluttered over the two of them, dashing through the sky before landing in style. "Hah! Yea right, what this kid's gonna need is a trainer, somepony to teach him the ropes! I've got all the time in the world, so it's obviously best he stays with me, the most awesome adult around! Come on you can't deny it!" She placed a hoof on her own chest in confidence. Fluttershy then cut into the conversation, shaking her head at Rainbow Dash. "Oh no no no Rainbow Dash, didn't you hear Twilight? This little colt is complicated, meaning he's going to need the comfort of many kind animals when he's feeling down. Obviously just being around ponies hasn't helped, he needs more, he needs affection, a friend, a pet." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, "Pshhhhhhh~ Yea Fluttershy, forcing the kid to hang around Discord would really be what's best for him." Pinkie Pie bounced happily around the two pegasi. "Hehe! Well obviously he's going to need to learn how to look at life in a super spectacular super awesome amazing way sillies! At Sugarcube Corner we'll play games and all sorts of super fun stuff! He obviously needs to come with me!" They all then burst into argument. Twilight could only cover her face with a hoof and shake her head. Soon descending from the skies, and this time, not being escorted by a chariot were both princesses themselves. The citizens of the small town all gasped as they all immediately went into their bowing positions at the sight of both princesses. Princess Celestia sighed, "I really wish they didn't feel so compelled to do that all the time." Princess Luna chuckled, smiling, "It's only tradition dear sister." Upon landing, the mane six who laid at the center of the town kept their heads down as they eagerly awaited for the princesses to give them permission to rise. Princess Celestia nodded, "You all don't have to bow you know hmhm." Twilight blushed as she and everypony else slowly started to rise. Princess Celestia looked to Twilight with a smile. "Twilight,....are you ready?" Twilight gulped as she shook her head, muttering, "N-No...." Princess Celestia nodded with a smile, "Good!" The rest of the mane six watched eagerly as they eyed around for the new colt. Suddenly launching himself mid-air and then diving down angrily at the mane six was Sombra. "GRAAAAAAH!!!" Rarity screamed "EEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!" As Princess Luna snatched him with telekinetic magic. "No! Bad Sombra!" As the mane six watched him, most of them suddenly looked as if they were looking at a piece of rotten meat, their faces scrunched up in hesitation and puzzlement, a little confused. Sombra was like a wild animal, wincing at all of them. "Let me at em! LET GO OF ME THIS INSTANT LUNA!!!" Rarity snickered as she took a few trots back. "Y-You knoooow~ Applejack, on the other hoof, you can have this one. I'm sure Sweetie Belle will be fine with just the two of us hehe." But as she took a moment to look the colt up and down, there was a hint of recognition. Wait a second, this was the same colt who'd shoved Sweetie Belle. "Hey, you're that little brat!" Rainbow fluttered on over to the colt, getting in his face. "Sombraaaa?...Where have I heard that name before?" Sombra attempted to slap the mare, hissing as he did so. Rainbow easily parried his tiny hooves absently, swatting them away as they came. "Sheesh, calm down kid." Princess Celestia's eyes widened in confusion before looking down at Twilight, "You didn't inform them Twilight?" Twilight whimpered, lowering her head, "F-Forgive me Princess, I, I didn't really know how to put this into words." Applejack raised a hoof, "Sombra, ain't that the name of the fellow who tried to take over The Crystal Empire?" Rarity nodded, adding in. "And failed horribly might I add." Sombra scowled at the white mare. "Shut it wench!" Pinkie Pie gasped as she got in his face like Rainbow had. "OOOOH! It is him! Wow! He's all tiny and stuff now!" She looked him up and down curiously. Sombra turned red as he crossed his forehooves. "I said shut it!" Fluttershy cowered as she hid behind Applejack. "S-S-Sombra!?...But, but isn't he supposed to be?...You know?..." Applejack scratched the back of her mane. "Erhm, yea, I'm a little confused here ya'll." Rarity, trembling a little herself as well looked to Applejack. "Who isn't darling!? We've got a tyrant on our hooves!" Rainbow then looked to Princess Celestia, "And you want us to take care of him!? Are you all nuts!?" Twilight then made her way to the front of the group, facing the rest of them. "Sorry guys, I really should've told you all about this sooner. I just didn't want to worry you is all." Rainbow made her way over to Twilight, bopping her on the head. "Yea you should've egghead!" She paused, then taking a look at Sombra worriedly. "But it's cool I guess, I mean...he can't do anything anymore, right?" Pinkie Pie chuckled as she bounced her way over to the colt, giggling as she just continued to bounce in front of him. "Hehe! Aw look at how unscary he is now! He even has a collar!" Sombra snapped at Pinkie. "Shutup! Jeez you're annoying!" Applejack began tapping her muzzle. "Hmmmm, kinda reminds me of Winona's." Princess Celestia nodded, chuckling, reassuring them. "Yes, I assure you, he's no more than a stubborn child now everypony. The tyrant Sombra was certainly vanquished back at the empire, what we have here is a colt in dire need of table manners, that is all." She then eyed him, "But doesn't mean we should completely underestimate him. If we do this right, with your help, he can certainly grow into a respectable adult someday." The mane six then started eyeing one another before nodding and chuckling, muttering their agreements to one another as Sombra could only look on in disbelief. What was this? An auction house? Where was the fear? The dread? Why was there so much bucking agreement amongst them, he really needed to look at himself in a mirror cause honestly, this was all getting quite old to him. He pouted though, still being held up by telekinesis. Princess Luna then raised a hoof, cutting them all off. "Excuse me, attention everypony, please remain still for a moment." She then made her way over to each of the mane six as they stood there, peering up at the night princess curiously as she eyed each and every one of them. She then raised her hoof over Twilight's head as she smiled softly, "You first Twilight Sparkle." Princess Celestia just continued to smile as she watched, as if knowing what'd occur. But even Sombra looked a little puzzled, unsure what the night princess was planning to do with that hoof. Twilight, obviously nervous, muttered, "P-Princess Luna?" The rest of the mane six just watched curiously. Princess Luna smiled, "Worry not Twilight Sparkle, this won't take long at all." She then closed her eyes as her horn started to glow and she had a look of pure concentration. Soon appearing over Twilight's head would be what appeared to be a hazy scene, and in that scene depicted Sombra constantly harassing Spike, tearing down Twilight's books, and running up and down her stairs. But mainly, constantly harassing and yelling at Spike, as Spike, currently sick, just attempted to get sleep, plugging up his ears with earplugs. While Twilight was tearing at her mane in frustration, then screaming, waving them in the air with her eyes closed as she'd screamed. Rainbow Dash began to snicker as she looked at the scene, "Heh heh.....pfffffft." Twilight began turning in circles worriedly, "W-What is it!? What's wrong?! I can't see it!" Rarity nudged Rainbow Dash humorously "Looks like Twilight isn't getting the little devil." Princess Luna took a few trots back before glancing down at Twilight with a sigh. "Thank you Twilight." Twilight just stared, a little dumbfounded as she raised a brow. Princess Luna then made her way over to Rarity, repeating the process. Rarity gulped, as she just stood there, awkwardly glancing to the left and right. The scene appeared over Rarity's head in a similar manner, and in it, one could see her and Sombra arguing with one another. Sombra pointed to Rarity's stairs in the boutique, proclaiming how they wouldn't be good enough to be 'his' temporary pair of stairs. He also insulted her fashion, tossing around her fabrics and making makeshift evil capes and clothes to his liking. Rarity looked as if she were about to lose her mind in the scene, heading over to the kitchen with a twitching brow before grabbing a butcher knife and then grinning at the colt fiercely. Princess Luna's eyes snapped wide as she immediately cut off the scene at that point. Applejack then nudged Fluttershy. "Remind me to never make Rarity angry." Fluttershy nodded, then speaking softly. "A-Agreed." Rarity scoffed, looking up, "Oh come now, it couldn't have been that bad!" Princess Luna could disagree, as she gulped glancing down at Rarity, then making her way over to Pinkie Pie, and raising a hoof over her head. Pinkie Pie bounced with excitement. "Oh oh are you reading my brain!? What's it say what's it say!?" Princess Celestia then cut in, raising a hoof herself in an explanatory manner. "Actually Pinkie, reading your brain wouldn't be so far from the truth. You see, what Princess Luna is doing is performing a spell she likes to refer to simply as, Deja Vu." Twilight blinked, looking up at Princess Celestia. "Deja Vu?" Princess Celestia nodded. "Yes Twilight, Deja Vu. Essentially, Princess Luna is looking into each of your minds in a similar manner to how she watches over your dreams, from there she is able to create the most likely scenario based off what she's seen, and what she knows about little Sombra here." Twilight looked at the night princess in disbelief, "T-That's amazing!" Princess Celestia chuckled. "It is." After seeing a horribly miserable Pinkie Pie, Princess Luna sighed heavily once again as she shook her head. I do hope at least one of them has what it takes to reform him, perhaps sister was right. She then looked to Rainbow Dash worriedly. Rainbow placed a hoof on her chest once more. "Hah! Worry not princess! Prepare to be amazed, hah, I'm the perfect pony to whip this troublesome kid back into shape! You'll see!" Princess Luna then raised a hoof over Rainbow's head as in the scene, it showed Rainbow Dash wearing a bath robe as she had bags beneath her eyes and an annoyed expression. She exited her cloud house holding Sombra over the edge before simply dropping him then making her way back into her house, shutting the door behind her. Rainbow Dash smirked, "Heh! See, I told ya!" Everypony else was quiet as they just stared at Rainbow Dash with blank expressions. Rainbow blinked, wide eyed, confused. "What?" Princess Luna made her way over to Fluttershy, okay, this one definitely couldn't fail. Fluttershy was the pony who'd done the impossible, she'd reformed Discord, and nopony was worse than Discord. Sombra would be cake to Fluttershy, there was no way she could be bested by the little black colt. So Princess Luna raised her hoof over Fluttershy's head as the timid mare trembled during the process. Honestly, everypony was thinking the same thing, Fluttershy would be the one to be able to handle Sombra, as depicted by the Deja Vu spell. And as the scene appeared over Fluttershy's head, everypony watched with interest as they saw Fluttershy's home looking normal as usual. The rest of the mane six smiled with relief, as did Princess Luna and Celestia, they all nodded to one another. Then Fluttershy's home exploded. Everypony's eyes snapped wide. Fluttershy was suddenly in a world bathed in fire and destruction, Ponyville being no more than a giant crater as Sombra was nowhere to be seen. Fluttershy was wearing sinister looking plate armor and looked as if she were some war veteran, riding atop Discord as if he were some mount and chaos reigned down all across the lands of Equestria. Fluttershy whimpered, "I-Is everything okay?" Suddenly everypony spoke in unison, nervously, each of them possessing a shakyness to their voices. "Y-Yep! 'All Okay!' 'Yep nothing wrong here' 'Everything is toooootally fine!'" Fluttershy blinked a little confused. Princess Luna sighed as she looked to Applejack. This was their last chance. Applejack nervously glanced up at the night princess. "Ulp...." Sombra snickered as he glanced over at Princess Celestia. "Looks like I might be getting what I want afterall." Princess Celestia scowled at the colt in annoyance. But as Princess Luna kept her hoof raised over Applejack's head, she seemed lost in the vision. And nopony else could see what was depicted in Applejack's scene, but Princess Luna seemed a little speechless by whatever was occurring, although there was nothing there. She then glanced down at Applejack wide eyed. Applejack bit her lower lip and had shifty eyes as she blinked nervously, "Uuuuugh, is everything alright?" Princess Luna nodded, smiling, "Everything is just perfect!" She then raised a hoof as she lowered her head to Applejack's level. "Applejack, would you be so kind as to be the one to take in Sombra? I do not have all the answers, but I do believe that you're one of the sole individuals that would be able to accomplish the task of getting him off to a better start." Applejack blushed a little, "Aw s-shucks princess, me? Well, sure, I deal with kids all the time, I mean I do got a pretty big family. And without your parents around, learning how to watch over a bunch of little ponies ain't easy I tell ya. One should be no problem," she eyed the evil little colt, "Eveeeen,...if he used to be some tyrannical pony lord." Princess Luna smiled softly. "It's settled then! Applejack, I thank you again for your kindness. There are truly no words to describe my gratitude concerning this matter." She bowed before the earth pony, lowering her head, as did Princess Celestia. The rest of the mane six, although a little disappointed they weren't chosen, also let off sighs of relief. Sombra scowled, enraged, "W-What!? But her vision didn't even depict anything!" Princess Luna glanced back at him. "Exactly." Sombra winced, "Rrrrrrrrrrrg.........." Twilight looked to Princess Celestia, "Don't worry Princess Celestia, we'll make sure to watch over Sombra just as much. Even if he's staying at Applejack's place, doesn't mean we won't help her manage him. I'm sure he'll be quite a pain in the butt, but you can trust us with this." Princess Celestia smiled, "Thank you Twilight, you and your friends have done so much. I don't know where I'd be without you all." She looked up towards the sky. "I have a feeling everything is going to be just fine." Rainbow Dash smiled as she'd sneered at the little colt. "Heh, you bet! Watch yourself little tyrant, because it looks like you're hanging with us for the next few weeks." Sombra winced at the rainbow maned mare. Graaaah.... Meanwhile outside the Crystal Castle of the Crystal Empire, a lone hooded figure approached from a distance. The guards of the crystal empire eyed this individual curiously, as one raised his spear. "Halt! Who goes there?!" The hooded figure gave them no reply. As she only continued her approach, there was suddenly a voice that rang out in her head. "Remember, in and out, don't waste any time." The hooded figure nodded, "Of course my queen." The guards repeated themselves. "WE SAID HALT!" The hooded figure then moved swiftly, instantly reappearing in the front of one of the individual guards as her forehooves moved with incomprehensible speed, her moves masterful and precise as she landed blows upon the guard in a matter of seconds, tripping and then bucking him against one of the walls. She repeated the process, reappearing in front of another one of the guards as she stood on her hind legs, landing blow after blow against him, then disarming him masterfully and knocking him upside the head and uppercutting him before knocking him off his hooves and slamming him in the head with practically no reaction. The rest of the guards then went into full assault, charging after the mysterious figure. "DON'T LET HER GET TO THE PRINCESS!" The hooded figure wore a cold expression. As Shining Armor laid in his bed, he chuckled while laying beside his love, Princess Cadence. "Hah, now that's just crazy." Princess Cadence chuckled herself as she leaned up, shaking her head, "No! I'm serious you goof, we really should." Shining Armor raised a brow, "You're being serious right now?" SLAM! Suddenly their door burst open, as a guard was standing in the doorway. "P-Princess! You must hurry and hi-" but he was cut off, his world going black as he fell to the side limp, as standing behind him was the hooded pony. Princess Cadence gasped as she'd immediately rose from her bed, her horn glowing a vibrant blue color. "WHO DARES ASSAULT MY SUBJECTS AND THREATENS ME WITHIN MY OWN KINGDOM!?" Shining Armor reacted in suit as he rolled from out of bed and his horn started to glow as well. "Who are you!?" The hooded pony didn't show any expression, she only spoke, "Sombra sends his regards." Princess Cadence's eyes widened as she raised a brow, "S-Sombra? What're you talking about? Are you some insane cultist or something. Not to be the barer of bad news for you, but, the Crystal Empire is now under my rule." Shining Armor looked just as baffled as he shook his head. "Yea what're you talking about? Sombra's been-" The hooded pony then tossed down a picture as she'd smirked, "Make of it what you will." She then took a few trots back as she lifted her hood somewhat, revealing a flash of green in her eyes before they reverted back to violet. "See you." Shining Armor's own eyes widened as he bolted after her, "Where do you think you're going!?" But as he'd approached, the hooded pony tossed down a small circular orb which created a veil of black smoke. Shining Armor coughed as he'd snarled afterwords, "W-What!?" Princess Cadence had a look of hysteria written over her face as she'd looked down at the picture. As the smoke cleared, it was revealed that the hooded pony had certainly made her escape. Afterwords, a multitude of guards showed up in front of Cadence's bedroom chambers. One of the guards spoke, "M-My Princess, my Prince! Are you two alright!?" Shining Armor was furious, "Mind telling me how one pony managed to make it through my entire guard!?" The guards lowered their heads, as one spoke, "Our humblest apologies my Prince! B-But, she, she wasn't using any ordinary means of combat. Whoever she was, she was obviously highly skilled, and had a pretty good idea on the layout of the entire castle, we've, we've never dealt with anything such as that before." Shining Armor groaned as he'd done a facehoof, before scowling at his guard. "Well fan out and find her! I'll be with you all soon, she couldn't have gotten far!" The guards all then saluted their prince as they bolted off in search of the mysterious attacker. Shining Armor then made his way over to Cadence worriedly, before looking her up and down. "C-Cadence! Are you alright?" He paused before sighing heavily, "I'll ensure that the guard is more fortified from now on, no excuses, after this little stunt, I'm upping their training regime a ton. I swear, something like this won't be happening again." But Cadence didn't say anything, she only continued to stare at the picture. Shining Armor raised a brow, "Cadence?" Before he to glanced down at the picture as well. And depicted in the picture, was a little black colt, accompanied by Princess Luna and Celestia in the Canterlot throne room. Later that night, as Sombra sat in the apple family home, he was actually more behaved than expected, and just sat at the table with a somewhat nervous look. Surrounding him were a multitude of visiting ponies, as they all were just digging into a large assortment of different apple baked goods. Suddenly Granny Smith approached the colt as she'd placed an Apple Pie in front of him. "Now what're ya doin sonny!? You can't just sit there and expect not to eat!" Sombra glared at her, before muttering and looking away. "I'm not hungry." But his stomach grumbled. Applejack then suddenly appeared behind him, grabbing the colt and raising him to the air. "Attention everypony, as you've probably noticed! We've got a special guest with us tonight! One who'll be stayin with us for a little while until he learns some proper manners!" All of the ponies raised hooves, greeting the colt in unison. Many of them holding jugs of apple cider. Sombra was an apple red color in the face, as he gritted his teeth, glancing down at Applejack. "A little warning next time?" Applejack then lowered the colt down before raising a hoof in regards to the visiting members of her family. "Sombra, I'd like you to meet some of the members of the Apple Family!" Sombra's eyes widened. "S-Some!?" Applejack proceeded, taking in a deep breath before going off, "Apple Fritter, Apple Bumpkin, Red Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp, Big McIntosh, and Granny Smith. Peachy Sweet, Apple Cobbler,....and-" She paused before glancing around. "Where's Apple Bloom?" Apple Bloom sat at her bedside once again, sketching a picture of her and Babs Seed. She had yet again, a bored look as she'd looked over the picture. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK! Apple Bloom looked to her closed door before heading on over. "Comin!" And opening it. Applejack stood in the doorway, "What're you doin up here Sugarcube? Everypony's eatin downstairs." Apple Bloom sighed, "I'm not that hungry right now." Applejack winced a bit, before shaking her head. "Nope, I don't think so, you're comin down and grabbin a bite to eat. Plus, there's somepony I want you to meet. It's our job to ensure that he can grow up to be just as respectable as a member of the Apple Family," She paused before exhaling, "And I don't think I can do that without you Sugarcube." Apple Bloom's brow raised before she sighed. "Fiiiiiine...." As Sombra sat in his chair, just glaring down at the Apple Pie, he muttered. "I've never had an apple before, let alone an apple pie. I'd rather not." Everypony gasped, before Granny Smith slammed her hooves on the table in disbelief. "NEVER HAD AN APPLE BEFORE!? WHAT IN TARNATION!?" Suddenly entering into the dining room was a small red headed filly with a curious look. "So, where is he?" Applejack pointed a hoof in Sombra's direction, before Apple Bloom followed that hoof, catching sight of the colt. And once she did, she to, looked on in disbelief. Sombra, leaning his head on a hoof, just looked to Granny Smith as it looked as if the two were lost in an argument. The rest of the Apple Family looked on in interest, chuckling as they saw the two go at it. Applejack lowered her head next to Apple Bloom's. "Meet Sombra, Sugarcube."
Chapter 6: AccumulationCHAPTER 6: ACCUMULATION Sombra could feel his time running short, the sinister evil closing in around him. He breathed heavily as he glanced around nervously, sitting behind a small patch of bushes. Actually, surrounding him was what appeared to be more shrubbery and forest scenery. He was sitting in a recluse spot, in the middle of a forest. Sombra didn't have time to recite his thoughts as he often did, he was in too much of a hurry. He was running out of time. He grabbed a stick from the ground as he lowered his frame, attempting to ram that stick behind his collar, and forcefully remove it. He tried every strategy he could think of, he attempted slipping his head out, breaking the collar, causing it to malfunction, but absolutely nothing worked. He gritted his teeth angrily, "Blasted thing! Useless stick! GRAH!" Sombra tossed the stick, before commenting. "Pathetic!" Suddenly a looming black figure peeked its head over the bushes, looking at Sombra with wide eyes. The colt froze, as a chill ran down his spine. He slowly turned to look back at the ominous figure with wide eyes of his own, as he felt the fear building up within him. N-No...too soon...it's far too soon! Impossible! Sombra immediately climbed to all four hooves as he broke off into a sprint. An expression of pure angst came over his face as he blindly ran through bushes, dodged trees, and hopped over other obscurities that blocked his path of escape. He breathed heavily as he trotted. The figure just continued to stare at him run off, as it then glared at him. Sombra continued to run, but it wasn't long before he felt a sudden tug at his hind legs and tripped, falling face first into a trail of mud. Sombra cried out to the skies, digging his front hooves into the muck beneath him. "NO! I SHALL NEVER RETURN TO THAT PLACE!" As it was revealed that what was wrapped around his hind leg was a rope. The figure stepped from the shadows further back with a somewhat annoyed look but also a playful smirk. "Hah, simmer down sally." There stood Applejack, as she just rolled her eyes and began tugging on the rope, dragging the colt closer. Sombra had a death grip on the now dry dirt, as he shook his head continuously. "NEVER; PEASANT SCUM! SLAVE!" Applejack ignored his insults and only continued to pull him closer and closer until he was only practically a foot away from her. She sighed and just looked down at him tiredly, before flashing the late king a smile. "You do realize this is somethin I do often, right...sugarcube?" She lowered her head, raising a brow at him. "You ain't goin anywhere." Sombra remained silent, looking as if he'd lost his mind as he covered his head with his forehooves. Applejack just chuckled before turning around in the opposite direction, putting the end of the rope in her mouth and then making her way back towards the farm. "Welp, best hurry back then, Granny'll probably be preparin dinner by now." Sombra's eyes snapped wide. "D-Dinner?...You mean APPLES! Nothing but APPLES!" Sombra sat at the kitchen table with thick bags underlining his eyes. He looked exhausted, as if he'd been subjected to many days of torture and sleep deprivation. He gulped, and actually looked fearful, something he didn't often reveal to anypony due to his prideful nature. But this place was an exception. Princess Celestia was cunning, and far more cruel than he ever could've ever imagined. How was she capable of something such as this? How was it possible to subject somepony to this form of hell? No, Princess Celestia was something far more conniving, he'd underestimated her greatly. "Welp, sorry little guy, looks like you ain't gonna be gettin what you're lookin for for a long while." Applejack was wearing an apron as she made her way into the dining room from the kitchen. In one hoof she held a freshly made apple pie, and wore an amused smile before setting it slowly on the table. "Looks like you'll have to make do with what we're givin' ya." Sombra stared at the freshly sliced apple pie for a long while, angrily, menacingly as he was certainly on the edge of sanity. No, not again, he would not go through with it again! NOT AGAIN! "I ALWAYS MAKE DO WITH WHAT YOU'RE GIVING ME! AND ALL YOU'RE GIVING ME IS APPLES, APPLES, APPLES, APPLES, APPLES!" Sombra slammed his hooves on the table, before pointing menacingly at the apple pie. "T-This....THIS DIABOLICAL CREATION IS FIT ONLY FOR THE COMMON PEASANT! I am a king! I should be served only the finest gems in all the land, yet I am served with this......" Applejack glared at him in annoyance, before getting in his face and shoving a hoof up against his muzzle. "Listen here Sugarcube, I'm doin my best alright. How long are you plannin ta keep this up? Runnin away from the farmhouse, refusing to eat any meals we cook for ya, always complainin about every little thing. Ya see here, the princess trusts me to do this, so I'm not gonna let her down, ya get me?" Applejack sighed before scooting the pie closer to him. "Now just try to bear with it, sheesh. I'll get ya some of those gems somehow if it'll get ya to cooperate." Applejack closed her eyes and just made her way back to the kitchen at that time, as she could be heard in the distance speaking to Big Macintosh as well as Granny Smith. Sombra remained at the table as he grumpily crossed his hooves. He looked at the steaming apple pie in annoyance, but soon his expression eased into one of disappointment, shame. What was he doing here? After all he'd achieved, after everything he'd accomplished, what was he now? He truly was no different from a sheltered child at this point; it was nonsense. The more the days drew on the more he felt his conviction slipping away from him, how could his enemies casually treat him like this was beyond him. He lowered his head with a sigh, before scooting back from his seat, still refusing to eat for a moment longer, but then, soon enough he reached hesitantly, for that one piece of apple pie. Apple Bloom was just laying on the floor, smiling as she looked through some pictures of her and her fellow crusaders. As Sombra entered through the door, he flashed Apple Bloom a look of disgust before making his way to a small makeshift bed with some stacked pillows and blankets, before laying down and turning on his side to face the wall. Apple Bloom smiled widely, "Sombra Sombra! Come over here and look at this." Sombra's nose scrunched up as he remained facing the wall. "Don't talk to me as if we're of the same status brat. Once I get my strength back, you'll all be bowing before me, and everything will be as it should be." Apple Bloom puckered her lower lip and whined. "You're always sayin stuff like that." Sombra snapped, but closed his eyes as if he were trying to go to sleep. "That's because it's true! Relish in these small victories, they won't last long, it's only a matter of time." Apple Bloom frowned somewhat. "We're only tryin to help ya." Sombra scowled, glancing back at the filly. "I don't need any help, never have, never will." Apple Bloom glared at him, before leaning up. "Everypony needs help at least once in their lives." Sombra sighed before burying his head into his pillow. "Hmph, don't you have some 'crusading' to do? What was your little group called again? Oh that's right, the Cutie Mark Crusaders? Hah! What are you?....Children!?" Apple Bloom was just silent as she looked at Sombra with wide eyes. Sombra fell silent for a bit to before muttering, "Don't answer that. Grah, this has been too distracting, I'm going to sleep." Apple Bloom put on a cheesy smile before chuckling and going back to her pictures, then muttering. "Goodnight, Sombra." Sombra rolled his eyes in disgust before covering his head with an extra pillow. "Tch!" Meanwhile at Golden Oak's Library, despite the time, Twilight Sparkle was up, flipping through the pages of a particular book. She didn't appear tired, and more concentrated on the contents of what she was reading, as she often was when she dedicated herself to learning. She kept a small lit candle by her side as she read downstairs by her main study. Surprisingly even Spike was up at the time, rummaging through kitchen snacks as he to maid his way into the main area, before leaning back against a book shelf and looking at Twilight for no particular reason. Twilight smiled remaining focused on her book, "Spike you should probably go get some rest. It's getting late you know." Spike tossed a small gem up into the air, before catching it in his mouth and munching down on it, swallowing it. "You're one to talk Twilight. What're you reading so late anyway? Anything interesting?" Spike's eyes widened as he felt surprised by his own question, realizing that it was more than likely nothing he'd ever have any interest in. Twilight stated simply, "Tracking Spells. I'm planning to enchant Sombra's collar, in order to track him down if he manages to escape. The collar itself already reduces his magical capabilities significantly making him as dangerous as any earth colt, but the tracking could use some work." Twilight sighed before glancing worriedly back at Spike. "Applejack is only one pony Spike, she could definitely use some help watching over a former tyrant. I can't help but worry sometimes." Spike shrugged with a smug smirk. "Applejack has been doing just fine Twilight. Sombra hasn't been able to escape once, and it's not like even if he does he can do anything. Princess Celestia would find him eventually." Twilight shook her head, remaining concentrated. "Spike this is King Sombra we're talking about here. It isn't smart to underestimate him, especially after he came so close to succeeding once. I know he's far less powerful now but, whose to say he doesn't have another trick up his sleeve which he hasn't revealed yet? I mean, he's here now isn't he? And we all thought he was destroyed at the Crystal Empire." She continued, "It doesn't hurt to be safe, is all I'm saying." Spike yawned before making his way for the stairs next. "Ugh, well I guess that's true. Well I'm going to head to bed Twilight." Twilight flashed him a smile, "Alright, goodnight Spike." Spike closed his eyes and yawned once again before smiling back at Twilight tiredly. "Goodnight Twi-" But before he could finish, the baby dragon was knocked off his feet by a loud, practically forced burp as green flames spewed from his mouth, along with a letter. He fell on his butt before letting off an irritated groan. "Ooooooh...." Twilight's eyes widened as she scooted back from her study and immediately made her way over to the letter. She glanced down at it, before cocking a brow and appearing confused. "Huh?" Spike scratched the top of his head before agreeing. "Yea, what's Princess Celestia want at a time like this?" Twilight shook her head. "That's the thing, this isn't a letter from Princess Celestia." She used her levitation magic to lift the letter before inspecting it, more precisely the way it was sealed. The information now caught Spike's attention as well, as he'd looked just as confused. "Then who is it?" Twilight shrugged, before unsealing the letter and opening it to look over the contents. "Let's find out." Her eyes scrolled over the letter instinctively before her expression steadily sunk more and more. After a few good seconds, she exhaled before letting off a sigh. "It's Cadence, Spike. This isn't good, this isn't good at all." She paused for a good while, before looking over the letter again. "She wants to talk to me in private, she thinks Princess Celestia and Luna are hiding something very important from her." Spike blinked before looking a little skeptical. "Well uhm, she wouldn't be far from the truth." Twilight groaned, "Ugh! That's not the point Spike. Cadence nor Shining can be allowed to know about Sombra, it'd jeopardize this entire idea of reforming him. Of course Cadence would want him imprisoned for his crimes against her subjects, it's only natural." Spike cut into the conversation. "But isn't that their right Twilight? He did do horrible things to their subjects for a long time." Twilight turned away from Spike, feeling conflicted about the entire thing. "You're right Spike, but Cadence wasn't in charge of them at that time either. Still; even so, I see what you're saying. Sombra doesn't deserve a free ride for what he's done, but then why is she contacting me? I-It's not like she knows I know anything right? I mean she's practically asking me to lie to her! I don't want to lie to them Spike, but I feel I don't have any other choice. Why doesn't she just go to Princess Celestia if she has suspicions?" Twilight cocked a brow looking confused. "How the heck did she find out about it anyway?" Spike shrugged. "Gee, I don't know Twilight. Maybe because she wants somepony's opinion? To her you probably don't know anything, she probably just wants your advice. You are considered very smart you know." Twilight stomped grumpily, before groaning. "Which is why I can't tell her the truth!" Twilight paused before pacing back and forth, tapping her muzzle. "Well this is Cadence and Shining we're talking about here I mean...i-it's not like they'd go against Princess Celestia's wishes, they'd understand if I explained it to them. Sure Princess Celestia was hiding it but that was for their own good, Cadence will certainly understand, especially once she knows King Sombra's a harmless colt, he can't hurt anypony anymore the way he is now." Spike sighed, "If you say so Twilight." He'd paused "So, got any idea when they're planning to stop by here?" Twilight nodded plainly, and disappointingly. "Tomorrow afternoon. Talk about bad luck." Spike began making his way upstairs. "Well there's no point in worrying about it now." Twilight took one last skim through her book before closing it, followed by yet another distressed sigh. She looked worried for obvious reasons and just muttered, "I hope you're right Spike." The night was young, to say the least. Even Princess Celestia and Luna were awake, although Princess Celestia was a bit more uncommon. Humorously she was even wearing a bath robe as she'd yawned. Princess Celestia gave Luna a tired smile as she watched her sister overlook the city from the throne room porch, she cocked her head to the left. "Luna, what's troubling you?" Princess Luna seemed distracted, as she just squinted a bit. "Sombra, I can't see him." Princess Celestia's own eyes widened curiously before she felt a little more curious now. "What're you implying?" Princess Luna shook her head, "Perhaps he's still awake. Although it troubles me, I will continue to watch." Princess Celestia chuckled before closing her eyes and smiling. "I'm sure you will Luna. Please don't strain yourself." With that the Princess turned and made her way back, further into the castle to likely head to bed. Princess Luna continued to look off into the distance. She sighed, "Why must you cause so much trouble for yourself? Sombra..." Sombra watched over Apple Bloom's bedside, content with just looking at the sleeping filly. He had a blank expression, almost as if he were questioning himself. He recalled an old conversation he had with the filly in particular, back when he'd first arrived at this house, he glared somewhat at the sleeping filly. Don't you want to discover what your destiny is Sombra, doesn't it matter to ya? Destiny isn't always as spectacular as you make it out to be. But it's still better discovering it, rather than never knowing for the rest of your life. Sombra turned away from her bedside, and just made his way out of Apple Bloom's room. He felt disconnected, and looked utterly displeased; however, he knew such thoughts were only distracting. He muttered, "Stupid children." What would you know of the glory of destiny? Sombra thought back to a particular memory, one where he himself was surrounded by nothing but a barrage of roars and encircled by streams of flames. The chaos was erratic and wild, unpredictable in every sense of the word. He however, found himself standing still, simply glaring down at a particular individual. He also wore a strange pendant, one that began to pulse and shimmer with black magic, crackling as if reacting to Sombra activating the magic in his horn. He gave that particular individual a cold stare, before muttering something. His words were mute. That individual looked up at him, and she only smiled softly, as if pleased, satisfied. She was a diamond dog, and her eyes weren't sad, nor were they afraid, and they were locked on the colt almost as if she'd pitied him. She smirked, "Good boy." Sombra immediately cut off the memory there, simply heading straight for the window and glancing back at Applebloom. For the first time since he'd arrived, her regarded the filly with a sense of pity and saddened eyes. "Don't get your hopes up." The colt landed outside, in a small patch of grass outside the Apple family household. He glanced back at the place of his imprisonment before he glared. "No more games." Then broke off into a sprint towards the forest once again, a common routine of his, except this time, things were different. Applejack thought she could best him? When he himself were once shadow? He was an embodiment of the night, he wouldn't be caught so easily by her once again, and especially not after so many attempts. No because this time, his plan was full proof, it'd take a genius to figure it out. He made his way through the trees and shrubbery, before skidding onto the dirt path with a serious expression, then following it deeper into the forest. What!?..... Sombra halted, before just sighing heavily. "There's always something..." Blocking his path would be the hooded pony, staring silently at the black colt with curious eyes. Applejack went about her daily routine of constantly checking up on Sombra. She went into Apple Bloom's room before giving the sleeping filly a gentle smile herself. She then looked over in the direction of Sombra's bed, noticing a small lump beneath the covers, and it brought a smile to her face. "Haha aw shucks, he really is harmless when he's like this when ya think abo-..." She blinked a bit just staring at the motionless lump before her brows furrowed and she made her way over, and pulled down the covers only to find a pillow. "What in tarnation!?" Applejack simply sighed before placing a hoof over her face. She cocked a brow before hurrying over to the window and glancing out towards the forest. How did he manage to get down from this height though? Applejack shook her head, realizing she didn't have time to be worrying about that. She hurried on over to her own room to retrieve her lasso, before making her way downstairs and outside the front door. She gave an intense glare in the direction of Everfree Forest. Sombra just frowned, before closing his eyes and lowering his head. "Graaah, so, are you just gonna stand there or are you going to say something slave? If the latter, I'd suggest moving out of my way before you upset me." The hooded pony just spoke simply, "Pitiful." Sombra's eyes snapped wide then, before he'd glared up at her from his position. "What was that?" The hooded pony continued, as her eyes were halfway closed with a tired stare. "You're pitiful." She paused, before her eyes glanced down, her focus now on his collar. "Slave Sombra....Oh how low you've fallen." Sombra said nothing more as his face darkened. He kept his head lowered as his form soon began to dissipate, despite the fact he was wearing the collar. It was as if the colt was knocked into a trance, and for a split second he looked intentionally at the hooded pony before disappearing entirely, becoming one with the shadows which covered the forest at midnight. The hooded pony's eyes widened, as she remained focused on his previous position. Sombra was silent, as he was already behind the pony. "Watch your tongue you wench..." Manifesting from shadow at his sides would be two lances of pure black shadow, solidifying themselves in a strange manner. They shot towards the hooded pony. The hooded pony glanced back at Sombra with wide, still somewhat fascinated eyes. At that moment the pony sidestepped off the path, into a position bathed by pale moonlight. The shadow lances continued, only to shatter into pieces the moment they entered the perimeter of the moonlight, burning away and dissipating into the air like ash. She'd glared at the once king at this point. Sombra gritted his teeth. "Tch!...Who are you?" The hooded pony smiled then, before nodding and then bowing before him. "Yes, yes it's true, you are indeed still the wise and powerful King Sombra of the past, despite your current state. Even now it's obvious you're still a danger to most if you really intend to harm somepony." The pony then spread her front hooves in the form of a courteous bow. "I've come to bring you warning King Sombra." She flashed him an amused smile, glaring at him somewhat. "Do you recall the Crystal Empire?"
