Prologue - The Night Before
Princess Twilight Sparkle walked down the halls of Canterlot Castle, eyes forward and a regal expression on her face. It was of the upmost importance that she act normal, otherwise her follower would be exposed. But the two of them were not worried, they'd had months to practice this act.
"Princess?"
Twilight turned and saw a Guard walking around the corner, horn lighting up the ground before him. "At ease Quicksilver." She ordered softly, raising a hoof.
Quicksilver shut off the magic flow around his horn and gave her a confused look. "Forgive the intrusion your highness, but may I ask what you are doing walking around the castle so late at night?" He asked.
Twilight, relieved that the light had not touched her shadow, let out a mental sigh. Crisis avoided for now. "I was just fetching a book from the library," She unfolded a wing to show the book held in her folded wingtip, "And now I'm off to my chambers." She explained.
Quicksilver nodded. "Pleasant dreams, princess." He wished her with a bow of his head before trotting off, horn flashing golden as he patrolled the hallways.
Twilight watched him go before sighing in relief. "That was too close." She breathed, taking a few more steps before entering her 'chambers' as she called them. The large plush bed filled up the centre, surrounding it were bookshelves, a large desk for writing, a table with science equipment scattered on it and two small doors, one for her dressing room and one for her private bathroom. The entire room was lavender, just like her coat. The ceiling was the deep shade of her mane and had little pinpricks of white, pale blue and yellow to represent stars. The room was perfectly round and she quite liked it.
"You can come out now."
Her shadow seemed to split into two as a perfect replica of it stood up. The color deepened to pure black before two eyes opened, deep red on lime green as the unicorn stallion regained his form. He was a handsome stallion, deep grey coat, luxurious obsidian mane that flowed and distorted like oil underwater, exotic red on green eyes and his gradient red tipped horn. He smiled at her lovingly, fangs poking out. "Princess." He acknowledged teasingly.
Twilight giggled and nuzzled his neck affectionately. "Silly." She replied simply. She pressed her side against his and they stepped over to the bed before climbing onto it. She unfolded her wing and placed the book in front of them. "I got a good one this time. What do you think, Sombra?" She asked, leaning her head against his shoulder.
Sombra studied the cover before turning the book over and scanning the back. When he finished he looked to her with an eyebrow raised and an inquiring look on his handsome face. "A fairy tale? Are you not a bit too old for these?" He asked. His voice was deep and masculine, it sent shivers down Twilight's spine.
The Princess giggled again. "You're never too old for a little fairy tale, don't think I haven't seen you creep away and read some of them," She teased, laughing at his blushing face, "This one's about a king who falls in love with a beautiful mare, but she has no taste for royalty and he has to win her heart." She explained.
King Sombra put a hoof to his chin, exotic eyes narrowing in thought. "I've heard of it... Well, I was there for it. The former king of the Crystal Empire fell in love with an outsider, but she disliked it. It took him many months and many acts of heroism and bravery, but he managed to capture her heart. That was at least three thousand years ago." He told her, grinning a bit smugly. Not every stallion could tell their mare that he'd personally experienced a fairy tale.
Twilight looked at him with awe, making him chuckle deep in his throat. "Well I guess I chose the wrong book then..." She murmured, ears flattening and her cheeks tinting pink in embarrassment. She was about to scoop the book into one wing, but a hoof on her own in a halting motion.
Sombra shook his head. "I'm rather curious to see how they tell it." He offered, grinning a bit.
The Alicorn smiled softly. "Well alright," She flipped the book open and began to read, "Once upon a time..."
Sombra rested his chin on her head, looking at the book through the corner of his eye. "There was a handsome king who ruled over a kingdom of crystals..."
"And a beautiful mare who had no taste for royalty."
Flip
"The king was deeply in love with the mare..."
"But alas the mare was not interested, for he was a royal,"
"And she considered royals to be nothing but pompous and ignorant individuals."
Flip
"So each and every day, the king would perform acts of chivalry in order to woo the fair mare,"
"He slayed dragons, presented her with the finest jewels of his kingdom and invited her to all the royal celebrations,"
"But her heart remained hard and cold."
Flip
"The king grew sorrowful as his attempts at her heart continued to fail, and so he concocted one last plan,"
"He would convince the mare he was at death's door,"
"In hopes that maybe she would accept his love."
Flip
"And so the next day, when the king sent a servant to fetch the mare, the unthinkable did happen,"
"While he was feigning illness in bed, a lone stallion came into his room,"
"And mortally wounded the king with his sword."
Flip
"Even after the assassin was captured and killed, there was nary a thing that the royal healers could do for the king,"
"The king's final request was to be left alone with the mare,"
"And when the mare arrived, he was alone."
Flip
"Oh my king, I am so sorry!"
"For what my love?"
"For lying to you all these days! I am in love with you my king, please do not leave me on this day!"
"Oh my fair maiden, I am so relieved to hear you speak these words."
"B-But now you must leave this earth, and I do not want you to!"
"My love, allow me just one question before the breath leaves this wounded body..."
"What is it my king?"
King Sombra suddenly jumped off of the bed, much to the confusion of Twilight. He went up to a shadow in the corner of the room and reached in, his entire foreleg disappearing. He pulled out a round orb and levitated it in his black aura, before coming back to the bed.
Right before his mare's eyes, he got down on one knee. He presented the orb before him, and as she watched it formed a small box as black as the night sky.
"Will you marry me?"
Twilight gasped as the box opened, revealing the ring inside. It was a silver hoop with a heart-shaped deep purple amethyst set inside. Her eyes welled up and she placed a hoof to her mouth, her breathing quickening. She took a few deep breaths to compose herself, before looking into his hopeful eyes as tears streamed down her face. "Oh Sombra, yes!" She exclaimed, flying off the bed and hugging him tightly.
Sombra hugged his fillyfriend and used his magic to slip the ring on his horn. He placed the tip of his hoof under her chin and gently tilted her head up so that she faced him, before leaning in and pressing his lips against hers. His exotic eyes slid shut in time with hers as they embraced passionately, lips moving as the kiss was drawn out.
As they pulled apart, Twilight gave her new fiance a worried look. "But what about my friends? My family? The Princesses? What will they think? What if they-" A gentle deep grey hoof on her lips stopped her, and she gazed fearfully into his eyes.
Sombra took his hoof away and leaned in close, their noses touching. He gazed deep into her eyes and smiled softly, showing his pointy fangs. "Only time will tell my dear, and if your friends and family and the Princesses truly love and cherish you, they will understand." He murmured honestly.
Twilight gave him a watery smile before tilting her head slightly, sneaking in another peck on the lips. "Alright honey. Come on, we should get to bed." She told him, stroking his muscled chest lightly with a forehoof.
The King stood and offered his hoof to her, helping her back up. He gestured for her to get into the bed, and followed suite. He went under the covers with her, before draping a foreleg over her shoulders and pulling her close. Their noses were barely an inch apart and he broke the gap by nuzzling her briefly. "I love you my dearest." He purred in his deep, sexy voice.
Twilight smiled softly and cuddled up against him, pressing their chests together. "I love you too sweetie." She whispered back, sliding down and tucking her head underneath his chin.
With the massive foreleg draped over her shoulders and the warm body pressed against hers, Princess Twilight Sparkle was soon asleep, dreaming of the events that would take place when she woke. And soon after, her lover fell asleep as well, snoring softly as he held her close.
Together, they would face the challenges that would begin tomorrow morning.
