Redemption of a Monster

Chapters

(Redemption) Epiloge
(Rewrite)
Prologue (rewrite)
So it Begins
Self interests
Time just goes Forward
( message from me)
The Wedding (Rewrite)
Notice
Marching to war
The letter
History Lessons
God King
A Little Piece of Heaven
Twilight of the Past
Rebirth
Uncertain Future
Fire and Ice
Paths Down Either Road
Tricks of the Mind
Sweet Sorrow
Changes
Dreaming of sweet nothings
Nice day out
Songs of Dread
Free no longer
Soon it will be
At the Gala part 1
At the Gala part 2
Redemption (Alternate ending)
Damnation (Alternate Ending)
Not Forgotten Evil

(Redemption) Epiloge

A shade that had very little life left was before it's master, who was furious about his failure. His master was evil and darkness made flesh. The pitiful one known as Sombra would never compare to the shade's master. The true evil of all reality.

"Whidfss? Drkhen thuoseth! Aquthen lipures, thresncg nitscv deuth trowv inctia!" The shade's master bellowed in a dead language that only a being with a pure evil heart could understand.

"Master I'm sorry I failed you! I beg of you I will make this failure into a victory, I swear it!" The shade cried pitifully.

"Wtecond qitlfuc narhs nemencuv ogkrla! Wisnrkvp dhoej oneadl?" The being asked the black pits where it's eyes were meant to be held no mercy towards anything other than it's own goals. The Princesses were a thorn in the being's side since the day they were a spark in the eyes of The Giver.

The Giver, the one who created life shaped such a peaceful world was weak! She was a amazing goddess once. Until she locked him and his slaves in a hellish dimension, where only a soul tainted with pure evil could open the door. The Giver gave her life to seal the door and gave the Princesses the key to the prison. The Elements of Harmony. Only in the hands of one evil could they be used to open the door. Sombra was a tool to use to open that door. But with the news from the shade brought forth anger and rage unheard of. That shade was still shaking in fear.

"Ruenth tposlhva harkar!" Pain shot into the shade as it burned with untold power from his master. "Uyenth toeafrbu qweulaf."

A hulking form now stood before the master of all evil and darkness. It's features clearly demonic looking. It knelled before the monster with a sadistic smile.

"Yes father I know what must be done. And I shall not fail you."

(Rewrite)

Author's Note

Hey guy and gals, Raven Shadow here to tell you that this story is being rewritten! Better grammar on my part... anywho I will say this I am giving more depth to the characters who are in the story. I also can promise much more in depth to Sombra and his backstory. Well I gotta go and start this bad boy up or I may as well hop on Borderlands the Pre-sequel again... I'm not kidding that game is amazing! Seriously check it out. Until then, bye bye!

(Rewrite)

Prologue (rewrite)

High above the ground a battle waged and drew on for weeks. In such time none could ever say there wasn't things like good or evil.

The force was in the form of two beautiful sisters who ruled with benevolence and love, their beliefs compelling them to push all things of harm.

Their foe was a true opposite. Evil's champion was a bloodthirsty tyrant with an insatiable lust for power, so much so he made dark deals to expand upon his self greatly. The sanity he once had was stripped away slowly through this process, leaving him an empty shell.

His attacks were on par with these two sisters, each gaining nothing on the other party. His rage grew to hights as he wasn't able to best these two beings who stood their ground. His mind expertly picked through numerous tactics in order to deal with them. Yet they attacked just before his plan could be implemented, forcing the dark king to improvise his next move. The darkness swirled towards it's master as he called forth more power to crush his enemies.

Black tendrils shot forward at such speed none could have witnessed it, they wrapped around the elder Alicorn with ease as she was caught off guard. With a mighty bellow of anger she was cast down onto the spire's roof, her form still but breathing. The younger sister flew head on into the black prince in righteous fury, knocking him off his construct.

The princess of the night smashed her hooves into the monstrous stallion's chest repeatedly. Her anger being her weapon against this foe. Over and over her hooves crashed down upon his form until his blood began to spill, until the voice of the elder Alicorn spoke up.

"Luna... please stop..." Her breathing was ragged and her front hoof was held off the ground. "He is beaten... just please stop."

"No! His crimes are far too great to have mercy! Tia, look below and see the terror this mongrel has wrought upon these fair ponies!" Luna shouted, her hatred of him showing to the world. "He has hurt you, yet you wish to see him well?"

"Luna... we don't kill... we forgive... and he will... serve his punishment!" Celestia cried out as she took painful steps forward. Something wasn't right, she could feel it.

The blood from the black king hissed as it touch the metal shoes, the smoke becoming a thick shadow. The eyes of the dreadful king shot open as he lunged for Luna's unprotected throat, his sharp fangs aimed precisely for her jugular. Before he could react a blast of solar magic knocked his head off to the left, missing the Alicorn's soft flesh. His hooves pushed Luna off, his breathing was a pained shallow gasping.

"Sombra, please just stop this... we can help you..." Celestia whispered to the monster.

"No. You can't help me..." Sombra shook with pure and undiluted hatred of ten thousand suns exploding, his form shifted underneath his skin. He became more of that anger and less of a pony in seconds, flesh split to reveal a mass of darkness swirling just under the surface. His power soared to new hights as he no longer feared bodily harm.

"H-how? How can you do this?!" Celestia cried out in panic as she watched the mass of cruelty twist and turn before her, her eyes wide and wet with tears.

All around the two sisters this mass of evil stretched, a chilling laugh rang out from it.

"I am pony no more! I am a god!" Sombra's eyes opened within the dark cloud filled with malicious intent focused on his foes. "This is the end of our battle, once I kill you both the entirety of the world will knell."

He struck at their darkest fears, turning them against one another in an instant. His cruel smile grew as he watched Luna land a blow upon her sister's side with such ferocity that gained a chuckle. Sombra would see his foes gut each other by day light's end. Unnoticed by the godbeast was the sisters sent hidden messages to each other for their surprise attack with their last resort, Sombra gloated as he shifted back into his body.

"Strike and prove you want to live!" "You call that an attack? Worthless." "Kill her!"

The sisters noticed Sombra turning away from their "battle" for supremacy, they pulled the Elements of Harmony from the saddle bags and began to charge the blast.

Sombra turned back when the sounds grew quiet, his eyes went wide with surprise as he saw the Elements. He knew them all too well. After all he helped retrieve them from the Tree of Harmony, now those were pointed at him. For the first time in a decade Sombra, the beast of the north, felt fear. His heart rate shot through the roof as he noticed the Elements were finished charging, he could do nothing as the power within the Elements would protect their bearers from all harm.

Time slowed as he watched the rainbow streaked towards him faster than any attack would, his fear held him in place for the beam to connect with him.

To all who awaited the outcome heard the blood curdling screams from the black king.

His nerves jolted this way and that, the pain was beyond anything else. All along his body cuts opened but instead of shadows leaking away it was his blood. His screams intensified tenfold as the powers of Harmony invaded his form, they ripped away his physical connections to the world. This was his end, yet he would have the last laugh.

The beam ended with the two sisters floating gently down to the floor, they expected to see a statue in Sombra's place or a pile of ash. They didn't expect him to still be lingering on the floor.

"H-how d-did this h-happen?" Sombra asked himself, his body barely clinging on after what just happened. "I h-had the power, h-how?"

"Sombra, please just ease yourself. Sombra I want you to know that this was your doing, I didn't want it to be this way but-"

"Liar! I am KING! Liar! Blasphemous whore! You did this to me!" He screeched back as the pain began once more. "I did what was necessary to live, yet you condemned me... I swear upon everything I am I will return!"

His voice gave way to coughing, his blood now blue instead of the normal red seemed to flee from him as he still glared death upon the two. "Sombra... I'm so sorry it came to this."

The master of hatred and fear closed his eyes for the last time as his body shifted once more into shadows before fading away. Historic records wouldn't existed about this monster's reign, the sisters would make sure of it. As they took flight to inform the Crystal Ponies of their tyrant's destruction they saw the last ploy of the master of darkness. Everything within the boarders began to fade away until nothing but a clear field remained. The damage was done.

"Tia, fret not he will return to the world." Luna spoke, comforting her sister. "And when he does, they will as well. But we must not linger here."

Celestia watched as her sister took flight from the ground, an odd sensation coming over her. Foreboding yet soothing. Her gaze went to where the battle had taken place and she allowed a tear to fall, she mourned for the Crystal Ponies and for Sombra.

Celestia couldn't help but choke back the sob for those defenseless ponies whom had no choice. Sombra had stolen from those ponies a chance for a wonderful life and so much more...

This should not have happened, the Royal Sisters prepared for mind altering attacks but nothing could prepare them to watch as the entire Crystal Empire vanished. Celestia never before truly felt this heavy of a blow from an enemy, she simply sat down and stared out at the emptiness.

Author's Note

The rewrite has begun

So it Begins

Over a thousand years did not hide the pain of that faithful day, Celestia merely traded one nightmare for another. Not ten years later Luna fell to darkness, fueled by jealousy planted by a monster. Life can be so cruel to the just.

In those years Celestia carried on as best as she possibly could even though she was wracked with guilt at the losses of the two beings who were the most important to her. But in that thousand years time she strived to see her loved ones again. Celestia frowned as she watched the years fly by her as though she merely blinked. Her frown deepened as she remembered her failures, those would always be the highlights of her long life. She felt soon a reckoning would come to pass, Celestia feared the possibilities of outcomes.

But time moved on even though Celestia couldn't, her self punishment would come to it's end.

Perhaps it was fate or pure coincidence that on the one thousandth year since Sombra's banishment, Celestia met a very special unicorn named Twilight Sparkle. Upon seeing the small filly hatch a Dragon egg was beyond impressive, only four ponies in all of history had that kind of magical promise: Starswirl the Bearded, Luna, Celestia, and Sombra.

So with a helpful hooves to guide the young filly into her teaching.

But nothing could really shake away the memories of those failures, HER failures. But with this filly she could start to redeem herself by doing something small with this one special case. Yet she blinked.

Years passed before her eyes, her most faithful student was in Ponyvile with friends. On the one thousandth year anniversary since of Luna's banishment to the moon no less. Celestia couldn't help but grin with joy as she knew Luna would finally be home. She could wait for just a few hours longer to see the baby sister she so dearly missed, yet as she prepared for her the guilt of another crept upon her mind. The love she watched burn with madness and darkness until what remained was hatred for her and Luna. It was his fault for his madness. Celestia held the title of the blaim, she knew if only she helped him everything would have been different.

Celestia felt the rage of the north twist and turn underneath it's icy prison. Wouldn't be long until he was free. Dread filled her heart, no Elements of Harmony no protection from his anger. The hope of the situation felt like it was being squashed under the iron boot of revenge. Sombra was coming.

Celestia frowned at the thought. Surely Twilight and her friends would find the Elements and the fear of Sombra could be silenced once more, until a way could be found to free him from his evil ways.

A massive light shot through the canopy of the Everfree, Celestia allowed a small chuckle escape her. The Elements were active once more... perhaps the fears could be faced with newfound hope. But she needed to get to the old castle, she needed to be there for Luna.

~~~

Celestia landed with a light thud upon the hard stone giving those present a scare, her eyes teared at the sight of Luna who was huddled in a tightly curled ball. Pain and guilt fought their way to her heart at the sight. The other ponies in the room looked absolutely confused by this turn of events as Luna ran to her older sister crying loudly.

Celestia could fix this problem, one step at a time. Still deep down she felt the anger stir in it's own agony until it slowed to a halt, it must know that it's prison was weakening. One problem at a time.

Picking herself and sister up Celestia couldn't help her smile as she was finally reunited with Luna for the first time in many years. The Element bearers left as the Alicorns sat with each other in a comfortable position, Luna still shaking from her own sadness and Celestia softly cooing to her.

They say family will always be there for each other, this was a moment where that statement was never truer.

~~~

Deep below the ice of the frozen north Sombra stirred from his nightmares, his own twisted mind feeding off itself for power. His dreams were always the same.

Three beautiful mares would come to him.

Fate; the first one. She would slip inside his cage and torture him for his crimes against life and his use of the dark unnatural forces he called his own.

Justice; the second. She would pick up where Fate stopped, merciless ripping away Sombra's soul for his madness and cruelty towards others.

And finally the last one. Love.

Every night she would sneak in to nurse his wounds and feed him so he could live. Sombra always hated her. In his mind Love was the cruelest of the three, never allowing him to die and to start the cycle once more.

He seethed with unholy fury as Love would flee just before daybreak, his anger still burning as hot as the day he was sealed away from sight. Slowly he turned to face the first and start the cycle once more, growling as Fate entered his domain.

"I see Love has healed you once more. The poor dear hasn't given up hope for you, it's such a shame."

"I care not for your words, all you can do is talk but never kil. Are you afraid that you may end up like me?"

"No, I am not afraid because fate can be cruel... for you I am cruelty."

"Yet you can never bring that untold pleasure of feeling life slipping away because of the damage you could bring, you have no power over me."

"That doesn't mean I will not enjoy your pain."

"For many days I've felt nothing but pain... I am numb to what you call punishment."

His words broke through the last wall, Fate knew now he would escape from them.

She felt his anger bubbling to the surface, in an explosive show of his rage Sombra lashed out. Fate dodged to the side quickly before he could land the bite upon her silk like skin, she glanced to the beast still locked in his icy chains. He was chuckling to himself.

"So Fate, you were saying?" His chuckles gave forth full blown maniacal laughter at her expense, she was afraid. "Come now, where was your bravado? Seems like it has left you in here... with me... alone."

"I am not alone I have my sisters. Justice and Love. You have nothing beast."

"Bring in Justice, her righteousness will not give her any ground against me." Sombra jeered, his fangs shinning brightly against his dark coat. "It is of little matter who is in here, you have all fanned the flames within so much for so long."

"We will not warn you creature of evil, we will strike you down at a moment's notice."

"Then do so."

Without a word Fate left. Justice moved to the prisoner with a grin.

"Well my sister stormed out of here quickly, I guess I could add that to your list of crimes."

"You may add it to my list as long as you add torturing to your's as well." Sombra smirked. He broke one might as well try for two.

"What do you mean?"

"Simple. You are Justice, are you not?"

"I am Justice itself, what's it to you foul thing?"

"Well for how ever long I've been here you and your sister have beaten and tortured me, day in day out. What propose does justice serve when it does more harm than good? To me it sounds like cruelty, wouldn't you agree?" Sombra asked her as Justice felt a chill run the length of her spine. He could see he had gotten under her skin so easily now that she could be turned against herself. "Cruelty, be a dear and torture me just like Justice would."

"N-no I am Justice, I'm not cruel..."

"But dear Cruelty... everyday you come in and flay me... what's so different today?" His grin grew larger by the second. Justice only stood stock still as she internally wage war with her own emotions. Sombra just broke two, now for last one.

Love came into the room to find her sister pulling out her own mane and Sombra still locked up. His body held no wounds for Love to clean.

"Sombra? What happened here?"

"Oh Love wouldn't you know?! I made a breakthrough today! Both of your wonderful sisters agree, see Justice isn't making any sense of it. Could you be a dear and unchain me, I must use the colt's room." He lied through his teeth.

Love struggled to understand what was happening but she was always kind to him before so why should she stop now? She made her way closer to the chains of ice, melting them away with her magic. She wouldn't have time to move once she finished the first one.

Sombra waited for her to make this mistake. His time had come.

With all his might and rage pushing him forward, his jaws clamped down upon Love's throat and with a swift jerk the flesh tore away. He tore his chained hoof off the wall in a tremendous show of a strength, finally free from his bonds he threw his head back and laughed. He could taste blood on his lips from the damage he inflicted upon the last of the three.

Love stared up to the stallion she had taken care of for so long, his head turned down to her in a vicious snarl.

"For so long I've wanted to do that... for so long I wanted to express my feelings for you in a way that only you could appreciate. So I give you a slow death my dear." Love watched as he moved out of sight, his hooves leaving small black crystals in his wake. She felt her life ending, the pain replaced with cold until the void had claimed her.

Sombra could now escape from his personal hell at anytime. Yet as he neared the exit he felt the walls and noticed they weren't as thick as they were when he was taken here by the damnable Elements. Sighing to himself Sombra sat down and waited for the walls to come crumbling down for him.

"Soon I reclaim what's mine."

Author's Note

Hey guys and gals, so by now it should be obvious that the characters are now just ponies. Not aanthros anymore so yeah.

Self interests

Hail to the king. Sombra remembered very little of his reign or before, yet he know the Empire was his. His vision searched the vast plains for what was his and his alone, just beyond the hills the Empire could be seen.

Hail to the king. His speed increased as the pillars of crystal spearing the skyline, his home should fear his return. As he approached his Empire he noticed something new. It was a shield made from love and happiness. This sent the mad king into a rage like many before it, uncontrollable hatred frothing from his being.

Hail to the king. His eyes picked out small forms highlighted by the snow, eight ponies moving closer to his Empire. Their mouths moved yet to the beast no words could be understood, he already knew they were going to steal away what belongs to him! His anger boiled within his massive cloud of darkness, no he would have what was his stolen from him. In his anger he began to chase down the intruders.

Hail to the king. His speed quickly matched with the intruders and gaining, one stood bravely against his magnificence. Sombra felt amused with this one's courageous show before him, yet for all his bravery he was tossed aside like trash. With the Empire in sight all colletive thoughts vanished, only one remained that out weighed all others. The Crystal Heart.

The shield would not give an inch as long as who cast it had enough power, Sombra could wait for a little longer to reclaim his throne.

For a split second the barrier fell, Sombra rushed forward only to feel the pain of the shield cutting his horn. The pain... the pain was excruciating to the crazed beast but it did serve to futher increase his anger. Yet as he twisted upon himself with pain his horn on the other side disovled into the ground.

King Sombra noticed this and laughed to heavens as fate could be beaten by such small events. Black lighting shot from his mass of shadow as his darkness began to infect the land before him. Soon he would be back upon his throne once more.

~~~

In Canterlot the winds shot the chilled air into the throne room where the two sisters stayed. The gust of air told them what they already knew... The king had returned to his kingdom.

"Tia, we should prepare for war." Luna spoke with grim determination as they felt the undiluted hatred from miles away, the rage felt as fresh as it did on the day of their battle. "Should Sparkle fail it would be best if we stop him as soon as possible."

"Twilight will not fail. I'm sure of it." Celestia answered back, her voice betraying her fears. If one thousand years did nothing to quell the madness then there was very little hope he could be saved. "She cannot fail this..."

Luna raised a brow at the answer she received from her sister, yet Luna admired her sister's strong beliefs. Without another the dark princess left to prepare for the worst should it come to pass.

"Twilight you can't fail... I know you wont." Celestia whispered to herself for reassurance.

~~~

Hail to the king. His cold glare rested on the palace, his anger being shot to those who lied and decived to be on his throne. They would suffer from the most excruciating way before they would plead for the end.

The shield fell right before his own eyes, he could see all his slaves shaking in fear. Good let them remember his reign. From the massive cloud his extension of will and mind slithered out, his head coming to a normal shape.

"My crystal slaves." King Sombra beheld his victims, one remembered him all too well. She broke into a run, trying to flee from the memories of his terrifying rule. Her sprint stopped short by the blackened pillars, her gaze traveled upwards against every command from her very soul not to.

"K-king Sombra." She squeaked in absolute fear as he loomed over her, his jaws opened in a wide grin reeking of such delight at her state of mind.

"I got the heart!" This ripped away all attention from the mare cowering beneath the godbeast, one look at the small dragon confirmed his worst fears. The heart was taken...

"That is mine!" King Sombra bellowed before diving into the ground, his path grew horrid crystal pillars as he raced forward.

King Sombra shot from the dirt with a wickedly jagged crystal, his target the small drake as he fell. Many who witnessed this knew if nothing happened soon the small dragon would be impaled upon the pillar's point and be King Sombra's twisted trophy.

King Sombra felt new sensations from his body... his own body! The body he was without for a thousand years was returned to it's glorious master. Immense joy radiated from King Sombra as he felt his heart pumping blood through his veins once again, now to deal with the intruders.

His prey within reach just a few more feet and the heart would once again be in possession! King Sombra licked his fangs as he fantasized the taste of tenderness of boiled dragon, just a few more feet and the prize would be his!

A pink blur streaked pass the mad king right before his victory, it left and empty feeling inside his chest... for the briefest minute King Sombra knew the feeling of being loved. That sensation stunned the beast high above as the pink blur landed and spoke something to the slaves, it snapped Sombra from his trance only to realize victory was far away.

The Crystal Heart spun rapidly, light grew more intense until it fired outwards.

"What? No, no stop!" King Sombra ordered to no avail, he watched as the wave of magical energies collided with his body.
Horror etched on Sombra's face as he witness his body cracking and splitting much like the crystal he stood upon, again world shattering pain rippled through his form just like so many many years ago.

"Aaaaarrrrrgggghh!" He bellowed as the pain overtook him, his form exploded with a brilliant show of the power of love. The blackened clouds dispersed in seconds after the king was felled leaving a bright yellow sun at evening.

Just before the mad king's horn was flung back, one last thought could be heard from the mind of a tyrant. Celestia.

~~~

Time marches forward as it always does, yet some things you can't forget forever. The Crystal Empire rejoiced as the were free from the monster that held them for so long, the citizens crowned Princess Cadence as their ruler... but rulers come and go like clockwork...

Author's Note

So yeah the last chapter was just how Celestia and Sombra viewed the thousand years alone. Hope that cleared up any confusion. Keep on reading my friends.

Time just goes Forward

Author's Note

Just some filler, and some characters have been taken out of the story. I felt this would be the best course of action. Please enjoy

Time just goes Forward

( One Thousand Twenty-four years ago )

Prince Sombra stood overseeing a massive show of strength of the Equestrian armed forces, his men and women stood perfectly still as he watched. Every column perfect with each battalion stationed correctly, not one flaw could be seen in their stoic positions.

"Soldiers! I have called you here today for matters that are most grave. The horrible Shades have aided the Caribou in taking our kin... I will not lie when I say this isn't an act of war. They bring corruption to these magnificent lands with ill intent, I want to show those raindeer we are not to be trifled with. As I speak right now they plan against us! Every single one of you now have an enemy that has no shame or honor in battle, I say we take the fight to them! I say we hit them before they can stand against us! I say we wipe the heathens from this world, and may whatever God they pray to grant them mercy... because we will show no mercy towards these creatures! Are you with me?!" Four-hundred thousand cheers shook the city with a war cry like no other. Each soldier knew if they didn't castrate these dogs then it would only be a matter of time before they came back for more. "We will march in their lands, take every city, township, and fortress from them! We will show those animals what it means to bring down the Solar Flare upon their people, we will not stop until every last Shade is put down and every Caribou is either killed 8n battle or surrenders! I do promise this... we will not fail!"

Again the masses cheered as the speech ended, only a few hundred soldiers disagree with Sombra's method of attack. But they could never say ill of the end results of his conquests, if not for Sombra's leadership the battle for Equestria could have ended in Discord's favour.

Sombra knew his tactic was risky, but the raindeer would never expect so many powerful and skilled warriors at their doorstep. He turned to find Princess Celestia standing at the doorframe to the balcony, her ravishing looks brought his heart to a standstill even if for a moment.

"So how's the great military mind going to win this one?" She asked with her calm demeanor, great leaders had to appear collected during times of upheaval.

"Simple my princess, we are going to start from the west and push on their capital. Once in our control we should see victory within weeks. Since the Caribou have such lackluster defensive positions we can take them with minimal casualties in battle. And before you ask, yes I have equipped these soldiers with the finest weapons and armor." Sombra answered with little difficulty, unlike some of the generals in the military. They coward to themselves until they had to be pushed out of their offices to speak with their ruler. Not Sombra. He stood proudly when speaking with either of the two regal sisters.

"The Shades were behind this attack, weren't they?"

"Unfortunately they are, we have a total of seventy-five thousand unicorns with experience with them. We are adequately prepared for them. As I have said to the soldiers, we will stop them before this gets out of hoof. That you have my honor on." Sombra walked closer to the map of the region, his keen eyes picking the high value targets as quickly as possible. "I do have one question your majesty."

"Oh and it would be?"

"When will I be able dance with you?" Sombra turned flashing a smirk to Celestia, she returned his with one of her own.

"If you get back before year's end, you can have that dance. But before that you'll have to find a wonderful restaurant for the two of us." She leaned in and kissed his cheek.

"Before year's end, I will return just before the stroke of midnight and I will have you with me dancing the night away till the new year's light. Or I could have that dance before then." Sombra smiled as he swept Celestia off her hooves and into a waltzing position. "I could see it now, everypony coming from miles around to see the beautiful Princess Celestia dancing with the dashing warhero. I would get down on my knee and propose and the entire world would be still awaiting your response."

Celestia smiled at the thought as she began to move in circular motions, Sombra following her lead quickly turned so he would lead the dance. They spun around the room until Sombra brought his beloved into a tight embrace, Celestia for her part followed. Now that the tables were turned she held him close as they wove through the room, her heart in perfect harmony with his as though they were one.

"You know Celestia, we're half way there. We won't have to live on a prayer after I return. Truth be told, I am afraid of what could happen once we announce this to the world, I'm sure Luna would be absolutely furious about this relationship."

"Sombra you need not be afraid of the future holds, we will always be together I promise this to you. Discord could not destroy this union and I'll be damned if the world curses us for following our hearts." Celestia held him close, very few moments did Sombra ever acknowledge his own fears. Celestia was the only one who knew many of them. "I love you too much to allow what we have to be tarnished by somepony badmouthing what we have."

"You will always have my heart Celestia, always." The embrace of the two beings who shared a love so strong stood in each other's hooves. Large white wings lightly slid upon Sombra's frame as he held her, never wishing to let go.

"Your affections are shared whole heartedly, my sweet prince."

(Present day)

Twilight Sparkle stood outside of Rarity's boutique with a large amount of cook books, Twilight wondered why Rarity would want so many of the culinary tomes. The sounds of a pot crash could be heard leaving the lavender unicorn puzzled and somewhat worried about her friend's safety.

Slowly in Twilight crept into what could only be called a disaster zone: designer materials scattered around, paint splashed on the normally spotless walls, pins and needles stabbed into a mannequin's head and neck, sewing machines ripped open with threads jamming the machines, and a frazzled Rarity with a monstrous mess for a mane.

"Rarity... what happened here?" Twilight asked to the more than likely traumatized Rarity.

"Sweetie happened... the Cutie Mark Crusaders happened... cooking... designing... painting... trying to fix mess." Rarity replied with a thousand yard stare, her eyes fixated on the wall opposite her. "Must... clean... everything."

"Here I'll help you clean this mess." Twilight sighed, her magic cleaning up the great catastrophic mess. "Alright that takes care of this room, shall we finish the rest?"

(One Thousand Twenty-four years ago)

Prince Sombra ate in silence. This wasn't uncommon for the noble prince as he completed his salad, always thinking and planning his next move for tomorrow. His attention to detail gave him a great deal of knowledge for himself, even going so far as beating Celestia at chess. Never one to overlook the smallest of things, he stood out from the rest in the hall.

"Soldiers!" The room quickly ceased all noise. "Today we march on the deer! We kill them all and we protect Equestria from all threats this beautiful land will ever face. Once you are geared up we move out."

Sombra's face held back any trace of emotions, it was a cold featureless mask. His pace as he exited the dining hall was slow and calculated, his cape catching the breeze as he left.

One last stop before exiting to the city gates, Celestia's room...

As he approached the massive doors voice grew louder from beyond the thick oak, Luna and Celestia were arguing for some reason. Sombra slid quietly inside the large throne room where he observed what transpired between the two.

"Sister art thou speaking of HIM in such romantic manners?! Why hast thou stooped so low with a simpleton who's grand idea of living is conquest?!"

"Luna! He has helped us secure Equestria from many foes, outside and within! As far as I'm concerned he has earned my affections because if not for him we would still be fighting against Discord's anarchist rule! Besides I chose to be with him."

"But sister he has a darken heart, if twisted once it will sink to the blackest void of which not even you will have enough valor to rescue him."

"Princesses, I believe I am more than able to speak for myself. Celestia I thank you for defending me. Princess Luna, I want us to be at peace for once. No longer at each other's throats, is that too much to ask?" Sombra interjected, irking an already peeved Luna. Her response came in the form of a door slamming. "Hope I didn't upset her."

"Luna's just going through a difficult time right now." Celestia sighed as the recent memory of Luna coming to her for a small request, extending the night time hours. As much as Celestia would love to see her sister gain the affections of their subjects, she had to keep the peace. "So my love, today is the day isn't it?"

"Yes my dear, today I lead the might of the Solar Flare upon the heathens to avenge those they have taken... but while the soldiers are gearing up I wish to spend my few remaining moments with you." Sombra smiled as he lifted Celestia's hoof to his lips. "I wish they didn't have to try to harm this land, my love. I'm sure you will not fail in running this fantastic land, I only have a few minutes to stay... I don't want to go but I must."

"Hush my prince, you speak as though you will fail. If I know you as much as I do then I'm confident that you will return and I will be waiting for you." Celestia gave him a comforting hug to ease the problems from his mind. Her wings wrapped around the prince who stood stock still as she showed him her love, this one emotion Sombra could never fully understand.

"I will return just for you."

(Present day)

Rarity's boutique was clean within an quick thirty minutes, with Twilight's help of course. The damage from the Crusaders vanished from mortal eyes altogether.

"Thank you darling, I feel if I attempted to clear that disaster I might have ended up in the hospital." Rarity repeated her thanks for the fifth time in the last hour. "If there is anything else that I can do for you, don't think just ask me."

"Well Rarity... uh you sure? I mean that could a huge request that may be just too much for you..."

"Oh nonsense deary, you just have to ask and I will be there!" Rarity reaffirmed her stand in the conversation. "And I mean anything!"

"Oh well then maybe, no that wouldn't be right."

"Darling, remember what I said? Anything I can do for you, just ask."

"Well I hope Spike won't be too mad at me for this... how would you feel about a..." Twilight mumbled the rest of her idea in a tone that made Fluttershy seem loud.

"What was that?" Rarity questioned the nervous Alicorn.

"How would you feel about a... date" Twilight coughed as she said the last word, but did so horribly. Peeking up to the unicorn for the ashamed look Twilight was expecting, but instead of shock on Rarity's face there was a warm smile.

"Why I'd be honored to, Twilight. Though I didn't expect that to be your request I must admit, but I'd love to." Rarity smiled as she offered a hoof to the Alicorn that tried to make herself smaller. Twilight took the hoof in her's and stood eye level with her calmer friend, an awkward silence took the scene as Twilight tried to say more. "Oh don't you worry darling, I feel confident to say I'll honor this request."

"Thank you Rarity... Well I should get going..." Twilight wanted desperately get away before things got even worse, unfortunately for her Rarity stopped her.

"I thought we could go grab some coffee? My treat since you took care of my problem it is the right thing to do, oh and I see you brought the books I checked out... well this is a little embarrassing but I have a confession." Rarity began with a small chuckle. "I was planning on making you a nice meal, well I guess you beat me to the punch."

"Really? I did?" Twilight asked, who now was confused about the situation. "Wait are you saying you were going to ask me out?"

"Well I was but as I have said you beat me to the punch, but that doesn't matter. If you're wondering why I was going to ask, you remember Blueblood's behavior at the Gala? Well it made me rethink many things in life like who was to say that special somepony wasn't who I originally thought, maybe that pony was already in my life and I got to thinking who could it be." Rarity paused to have her words sink into Twilight's mind. "I went through quite the list believe me, and I found that I shouldn't limit myself when happiness could be closer than I thought."

"W-well then we could go to that nice restaurant that just opened..." Twilight nearly fainted at her own shyness, Fluttershy would seem more outgoing than Twilight right now.

(Three years later)

Twilight and Rarity enjoyed the time they spent together as they expanded their friendship into a full blown relationship between them, each and every pony would say they were the cutest couple the world had ever seen. Yet as time dragged on as it always would, they spoke of a wedding of the two. How it would be, or how much they would shout their love for each other to the world.

And in two mouths time a wedding was announced for Rarity and Twilight, everypony in Ponyvile and Canterlot received an invitation to the affair.

( message from me)

Author's Note

I fucking love you guys. I mean it.... I mean seriously I never thought I would make it to the feature box but today I did... and that means a lot to me.

Wow, I just am shocked really to see this story there. And I have to thank you guys for it. Seriously to everyone and everypony out there thank you for the likes and the favorites, I mean damn... this blows my mind that this was even up there. I can't thank you guys enough for the joy you guys have given me today, I say this from the bottom of my heart guys. (That's not something I say everyday... yeah it means that much to me.)

So in honor of you guys I'm going to make a video of me showing my appreciatation for you guys. Again thank you for this.

( message from me)

The Wedding (Rewrite)

( One Thousand Twenty-three years ago )

Prince Sombra stood before the massive city of Caribou, their soldiers and civilians shook in fear as Sombra swept through the battlements. His gaze locked on the tallest tower where the deer officials would hide, his hoof point right at the tower.

"We take it tonight!" Sombra's words echoed throughout the fields and city's walls. His tone spoke loudly as he watched the windows of the tower shut. "We take all this city tonight!"

His soldiers gave a cry of fury as they remembered the families taken by these savages, their hate towards the Caribou becoming clear.

"Let me make myself clear!" Sombra shouted more at the terrified Caribou inside the walls of the city. "If you give up, no harm will befall you. If you stay and fight we will show no mercy! Your king is afraid of us, he would sacrifice every last soul inside the walls just to keep us busy! He is a fool and a coward who thought too highly of himself! Let your false king know where his decision to kill every last one of his own people stands with you!"

"Sir! We have reports that a small group of Caribou will try to leave before or during the attack. What's our plan of action?"

"Surround the city. Should anything that isn't holding a white flag be slayed. King or not." Sombra answered as he strode to his tent, leaving behind a grim message for the rest of the army. The words being a final ultimatum for the enemies of the Equestrian forces.

None left the walls, nor would any survive the onslaught of Sombra's methods. Soon the city would be leveled and riddle with fire. History would be made by the victorious force saying that this was an grand battle between good and evil, the soldiers who participated would remember it as a slaughter.

(Present day)

Twilight stood up in her prep-room, today was her wedding day. Rarity would be at the alter with her beautiful dress on just waiting for Twilight and her dress, waiting in front of literally hundreds of ponies. Nerve-wracking as it was Twilight had to do this for Rarity and the rest of her friends, she wouldn't be scared for any of them.

The door opened to the wedding hall, so many ponies packed into the large room. Twilight could see her loved ones and friends closer to the alter, even her fellow princesses awaited her.

"Here comes the bride" started playing as the nervous Alicorn trotted towards the only one who mattered today: Rarity.

Twilight now stood in her spot right across from the pony who mattered most to her, the beautiful unicorn smiled at her. The unicorn's eyes held tears at the immense joy she felt as her fiance stood beside her, the joy each shared could be felt by the many who attended.

Princess Celestia came before the pair with a gentle smile gracing her features, she looked at the pair with happiness yet a pang of sadness.

"Today we are all here to witness the joining of love between Rarity Belle and Twilight Sparkle. Here they stand upon this alter with a deep love that can only be found once in a life time, each party has written their own vows."

Rarity cleared her throat before speaking up.

"Twilight, what can I say? That since day one I always figured you were going to be special, had I known it would lead to this moment I wouldn't have chased after a prince charming and just wrapped you up and taken you home. I can't believe that you are the one for me, I feel like this is a dream.... one I never wish to awake from darling." The crowd cooed at the unicorn's words, those heartfelt meanings that lay just underneath.

"Rarity, I can't believe that we are here. I can't describe how happy I am to have you by my side, nor can I begin to. But what I can say is I will never let you go. I love you Rarity, now and forevermore."

"If the ring bearer could bring the rings could to the alter." Spike strode to the alter with a little swag in his step as he was now the center of attention. He gave the rings to both Rarity and Twilight, everypony watched as they put on each other's rings and kissed.

"Congratulations to these two!" The entire hall erupted with cheers and good tidings for the happily married duo.

Yet as so many cheered one stayed in silence, Princess Celestia stood away from everypony with her thoughts keeping her company. Her memory going back to when she first met her handsome prince... such happier times.

( One Thousand Twenty-six years ago )

"Excuse me? Please sister let's not cause a scene, Discord's rule is still fresh in their minds. They need more peace to deal with it." Celestia scolded a much less mature Luna. "Besides you should act more appropriately since you are one of this land's princess."

"Fine Tia, we shall behave like a princess." Luna spoke with a defeated tone as they stepped outside to greet a mass of ponies that cheered for them.

"Greetings my little ponies, my sister and I declare this to be the first ever Grand Galloping Gala! Please enjoy yourselves." Princess Celestia declared as the grand doors opened to reveal a lavishly decorated room with many sources of entertainment for those attending.

One of the patrons stood out from the crowd, his jet-black mane tied back into a ponytail and piercing gaze gave him the spotlight in Celestia's eyes. She made her way closer to this guest who stood away from the rest of the crowd, their eyes briefly making contact as the beautiful Princess Celestia trotted closer.

"And who might you be sir?" The question was the icebreaker.

"I am Prince Sombra, your majesty. A pleasure to meet with the Solar Goddess who was one of the two that defeated that Bastard Discord." The mysterious stallion answered with a small chuckle.

"Oh you were the one that lead the ponies? Well thank you for giving my sister and I enough time to retrieve the Elements." Celestia smiled down to the smaller pony.

"Oh think nothing of it, but I must say and do forgive me if I am so bold... But heaven is weeping because I have found an angelic being before me and not in the promise of paradise." His words ended as he lifted her hoof to his lips, causing the large Alicorn to blush heavily. "I would be honored to have your presence at the feast I am hosting, as my guest of honor."

"Well that sounds delightful, I will make sure I can attend-"

"Tia! We didn't know thou would speak so plainly with our subjects, and you" Luna's hoof pointed at Sombra dangerously. "You will keep thine tounge to thine self not wooing our sister!"

"Luna he invited me to be his guest of honor at a feast he is hosting, not trying to sweep me off my hooves." Celestia replied to her more hostile inclined sister, before adding under her breath. "Though that would be fun."

"Keep thy tounge, or I will have our guards throw you into the darkest pit in the dungeons." Luna said to Sombra venomously as her vision narrowed on him.

"I was just making small talk Princess, I meant no harm." Sombra answered back.

(Present day )

Celestia couldn't help but grin as her memory brought the first encounter with Sombra before his descent into madness. Her grin soon dissolved to a soft frown as those memories came rushing forth, his sadistic grin as he fought her and Luna.

Her terror as they fought tooth and hoof for an advantage over each other. These memories surged forward to remind Celestia that her love turned into a creature bent on nothing more than rage and fear. How far he slipped to madness was still up for anypony to guess, yet even with so much anger and hatred there was something inside him.

"Princess Celestia, are you alright? I could grab a nurse for you." Twilight spoke up after watching the face of her mentor change so drastically over the course of minutes.

"Oh... I'm fine Twilight, I just was thinking about my first special somepony." Celestia sighed. "Don't let this old mare bring you down go and have fun, I'll be along shortly."

"If you say so, but you can always talk with Luna or me if anything is bothering you." Twilight smiled as she hugged Celestia.

Notice

Author's Note

Hello everyone and everypony. I've been away for a long time, and learned so many wonderful and dreadful things. But now I'm home. And this story shall continue! I flaked on the rewrite but now I see this story incomplete and it fills me with sorrow.

Now we get to the story itself. A friend of mine wanted me to add in some more background with the plot changes, and I can do that. I want this story to be enjoyed by everyone not just a few. So here is what I'm proposing, I need help with some ideas. Call it refining. And anyone who wants to please message me, we can toss around ideas and see if it would make sense or not. Also if anyone wants to chat with me on my downtime I shall give you my Xbox gamer tag.

I ask you for your help because I want to build this story into something more. That is all my friends, have a wonderful day or night.

Notice

Marching to war

1000 years ago

Sombra surveyed the forsaken plains with his legion of men. Each one swore an oath to him as he swore to uphold Equestria. His homeland would be free of these things once and for all. The fields all around were dead, not even a weed grew in the dead soil.

"Men." His voice echoed. "Today we fight for our loved ones, our children and our children's children. These shades think because we are a peaceful race that they will eliminate us from existance with their cowardly tactics of hitting us in the dead of night. I say NAY! We will hunt them down like the animals they are! Where ever they may roam, we will meet them in battle. Where ever they may hide, we will burn their homes. For every shade head that is brought to me I will pay a thousand bits extra. Am I understood?" Ten thousand troops roared approval at the chance to make extra money for themselves and their families. Sombra was always kind to those whom served under him. Many called him a true hero of the people.

"Sir how will we begin to burn these creatures out of their holes?" Shield Bash asked with concern, looking at his commander with some degree of self preservation. "They aren't like the griffons, and they have no honor like dragons. So how do you intend to hunt them?"

"We passed a village not too far back did we not? They will attack it will reckless force, when they do we shall cut into them as a knife into butter." Sombra grunted as his eyes scanned the vast horizon. He noted each rocky outcrop that might hide a cave. All together there were thirteen. His captain stared at him with pure horror clearly visible in his eyes. "Do not worry about those villagers, they are in capable hands. And Shield Bash please get some rest, you look worse than a diamond dog without any gems." Sombra smiled to the wary captain. The joke clearly went over his head. "Everyone set up camp! We aren't leaving until those wretched gas bags are dead!"

With his words having the desired effect upon his soldiers Sombra smiled for he knew the battle would be a victorious one and it would be sung about for ages to come.

All was quiet on the northern front, not a soul crept about the plains. Sombra sat alone on a rock only five meters from camp. His thoughts return to Celestia as he sat.

'What can I do to make her feel even more special?' He mused in his peaceful mind.

"Make her into your queen." The sudden voice cause Sombra to fall over with his heart rate beating well over twice the normal speed. His eyes searched the area surrounding him only to yield nothing. "Give her more than what she already has MY lord."
"Who's there? I demand you to show yourself." Sombra growled knowing he didn't just go insane.

"I am what you would call a shade. But not one of those you seek, no those beasts will be set upon you soon, I suggest you be ready."

"Wait! Who are you?"

"A friend."

Sombra stared out into space. A shade spoke to him? Why would one speak to him? The night would soon be filled by cries of battle and mourning. Sombra steeled himself for what was to come.

The ground was stained with the blood of his soldiers and of the shades. Half of Sombra's men were dead, and many were wounded. In the heat of the battle Sombra and his forces chased the shades to their den, where many more were hiding. Hours of fighting and struggling to stay alive left them drained and exhausted, fatigue set in right after the fight was over. Sombra to a glance back to the hell hole were his men were slaughtered before his eyes. The prince had to give his men food and water, then reality hit, they were lost. No one could make heads or tails of this region. Sombra's greatest achievement quickly became his biggest blunder. His thoughts went to Celestia, would he ever see her again? No he had to push on for her, for he would not become just a long forgotten memory.

He found a dead soldier's bag and rummaged through, finding their spare blank log books Sombra quickly made it into his first journal entry.

"Day one. We have routed the enemy, but with heavy losses. So many dead, our forces now by my estimated guess are at little under half of the number we started with. But we are successful. We burned the shades out of their holes and we made sure none may live to tell the tale. Celestia my dear I hope you can forgive me for rushing into this battle, I love you with more passion than a thousand more of your suns. We will be married I promise this."

The day slowly turned to night. Sombra recovered a couple of his best men who survived the shades' onslaught. Three Spears, Broken Dagger, and Heavy Weapon. The three were instructed to gather all of the ranking officers that could be alive, or any NCOs that led before, to tend to the wounded and bury their dead. Sombra hunched over his new journal.

"So ends the tyranny of of these demons. They voices were silenced, they did not scream in rage, they whispered. It seems only I can hear them for none of my men have reported voices coming from nothing. Celestia forgive me for being a fool for not staying with you my love. How can I see the sun and not feel your warmth? Is it because I am too far away? I wish I was beside you now, I would bask in your beauty and serve you as you deserve. My solar goddess. I swear on my life I will do everything within my power to see you're happy. 8-30-1014AA."

Sombra could feel the fatigue setting into his sore and ridged body and once his eyes shut, Sombra was fast asleep.

The letter

Twilight sat alone in her bath tub, enjoying a day off from doing anything. Shadow Magic was off playing some show at some place, which left Twilight and Spike to have the whole house for themselves. Sighing loudly, Twilight felt some relaxation was a given thing today. Until Spike was knocking on the bathroom door.

"Um Twilight you got a letter." His voice called from behind the locked heavy door.

"Spike you can handle it, can't you?" Twilight groaned trying to hide beneath the water.

"It's from Cadence and your brother." The not so tiny dragon retorted to the lavender unicorn with a smirk. Just as expected the unicorn in question smashed into the hallway, the bathroom door smacked Spike in the face. She snatched up the letter with a ferocious tenacity. Her eyes skimming with renewed energy.

"Cadence says there is something I need to see in the Crystal Empire, she also says it extremely important and cannot be discussed unless we are in the same room." Twilight seemed puzzled by that something that important needed to be this secretive. The questions began to grow in Twilight mind. " What could they have be?"

"Maybe its like that portal thingy they had." Spike rubbing his face finally said. A massive red mark formed on his face. "You know Twi, saying when you're going to rush out of the bathroom could be really important. And you're naked."

Twilight took a moment to realize what Spike was talking about, then she looked down. "WHY ARE YOU STARRING AT ME THEN?! IF YOU JUST SAID IN WAS NAKED WHY WOULD YOU KEEP LOOKING?!"

"My bad it's just I have never seen a girl naked before."

"Spike that is disgusting! I am like your mother!" Twilight shrieked.

"Well when you put it that way yeah that is disgusting."

Twilight was quick to recover by wrapping her towel around herself. Well there went the day relaxing. But this had to be important if Cadence said it had to be discussed in person. So pushing aside her negative emotions, Twilight just went with the flow of things. Heading to her and her husband's room to gather cloths for a trip.

"I should ask the others if they would like to go." Twilight thought aloud. "Maybe I should see Rarity first or Applejack."

Rarity sat with Skull the Microphone, they were an odd couple but they were happy to be with one another. The knock on the door ruined the peaceful atmosphere of their home. Skull was the one to get up to check who was at the door, as he pulled it open Twilight waited.

"Oh hello Twilight, what brings you here today?" Skull asked politely.

"I just wanted to see if you two would like to go to the Crystal Empire with Shadow, Spike, and I. I know you wanted to see it so I came here to ask." Twilight stated calmly. The smile that broke onto Skull's face said it all. "Great everyone will be leaving in two days except for me I'll be leaving as soon as possible, something Cadence found is really important and I need to see what it is."

"I'll be sure to pass the news to Rarity, I'm sure she'll be thrilled to go back." Skull replied with a smile, closing the door once Twilight left. Skull gripped the hand rails as he ascended the stair case. Rarity stepped out of their bedroom with a case of cloths packed, Skull could only stare back with curiosity.

"I overheard everything darling and I took the liberty to pack our bags I am ready to go at any time." Rarity stated calmly with a glint of excitement. She was looking forward going back to the Crystal Empire, especially to see her skin shine with the beauty of a thousand gems.

Pinkie jumped out of the nearest tree to Twilight, effectively scaring the normally calm unicorn. Twilight fell backwards with a heartbeat well over a healthy limit.

"Pinkie would you be so kind to not do that please?" Twilight asked the hyper active pink earth pony.

"The reason I jumped out so suddenly is because I wanted to say yes! I will help with getting them back together! They'll be so happy once they're in each others arms." Pinkie Pie yelled to the heavens with a voice that was sure to wake a sleeping dragon miles away.

"Huh? Who back together? Never mind I wanted to ask you if you would like to go back to the Crystal Empire? Wait you just said yes." Twilight finished her sentence in confusion.

"Yup that's right silly I'd love to and I want to see if they have thrown any really good parties lately." The party girl said while nodding vigorously.

"Well in two days you and the rest of the girls will meet me there, I'm going as soon as possible to find out what Cadence found."

"You'll be really surprised by what you will read." Pinkie whispered as she hid in a bush, her eyes still visible.

"Okay Pinkie uh I'll see you there then..." Twilight began to slowly walk away with uncertainty in her voice. Turning back down the road to Sweet Apple Acres, Twilight continued her journey.

The trees around the farm always grew the best tasting apples around and soon it would be time for the harvest. But that wasn't for another month.

Quickly spotting Applejack, Twilight made a bee line towards her.

"Hey Applejack!"

"Howdy Twi, you look very relaxed ah must say." Applejack waved to her lavender friend.

"Well thank you but I want to ask you if you and your husband would like to go to the Crystal Empire?"

"Well sure ah've been meaning to go and set up a little stand there and see the look on their faces once they take a bite of my family's apples."

"So you're going great! Be sure to tell Lemon Pledge." Twilight said while walking away. Heading to Fluttershy's was next on the list.

"Um excuse me, Heavenly Pencil, could you please take out the trash. I mean if that wouldn't be too much to ask." Fluttershy whispered to her coltfriend.

"Yeah I'll get that for you." Heavenly Pencil said as he stretched. With a swift sweep of his arm he pulled Fluttershy into a tight hug and kissed her. The blush she wore always made him feel better, she was beautiful, kind, and sweet.

Once out the door with trash in hand, he ran into Twilight. The bag of garbage spilling on the ground with them covered by the contents.

"Oh my gosh I'm so sorry!"

"No it was my fault I wasn't looking where I was going. I'm sorry Twilight."

"Here let me help you clean this up." Twilight said as she quickly used her magic to clean the ground of trash. "I was on my way here to ask if you two would like to go to the Crystal Empire soon."

"Well I'd have to clear it with Fluttershy, but I would sure like to visit the empire that vanished for a thousand years. It sounds really interesting." Pencil replied.

"Great I'll meet you guys there then!" Twilight smiled as the final piece of trash was put into the outside can. "Now I'll just need to clear it with Rainbow Dash and we will be set. I'll see you two there when you arrive."

"Goodbye, hey Fluttershy want to visit the Crystal Empire again? You know without the power hungry tyrant part?"

A few hours later.

"Okay everypony will be there I need to talk to Shadow. I'm sure he'd love to." Twilight told herself to boost her own morale. "All I need to do is tell him it's very important and I need to go."

"Hey Twi, are you talking to yourself again?" Shadow asked as Twilight stepped inside the library.

"Yes just- wait never mind that. I need to talk with you."

"Yes."

"Yes? What do you mean yes?"

"Spike told me."

"Oh right I forgot he knew too, so you'll go with me?"

"Yes."

Author's Note

I just want to say I hate writing the mane six.

History Lessons

Cadence scanned over each page, not missing anything in this written drama. She picked up book after book. Each segment of Sombra's life had mostly been read by the pink princess, sometimes she would miss dinner to keep reading this account. She HAD to keep going.

"The shade visited me again last night. Claiming it can unlock godly powers I have locked within my being, powers that could rival the mad god Discord. I do not know what to do, it has been only two days since I sent Celestia my letter that I'll be home. I have lost many a good soldiers to the elements and to hunger. I fear I feel myself slipping into that void. No I must stay strong! I must be strong for my men and my love, I will not give up! I will succeed in this Discord forsaken land. For Celestia."

-Prince Sombra

"Seventh or eighth day now without food or drink... all of my men are dead... but the shade still stands beside me, always faithful. It has told me my powers need to be unleashed if I am to survive this ordeal. How can I know it does not want to just use me? What does it want? Is it just a figment of my mind? Or a real creature that just wish to use me as a form of amusement? How can I be certain of things anymore? Last night I had a horrifying nightmare... I couldn't save her... she died in my arms...

Then it spoke again. That raspy voice just mocking me. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it!"

Sombra

"I fed today... on the corpse of a former soldier... I had to eat... He was just taking up time to bury... I am a monster for even thinking that... I am a monster."

"Today I will never forget. I let the shade give me the power I so desperately needed to survive. As soon as it did I felt so powerful. As though the blight I know as shades would tremble as I approach. With my new found strength I will return to my beloved! And we shall have peace. Soon my dear all will be right you'll be in my arms and I will be able to hold you with the knowledge I will never have to let go. I will make you feel like a goddess. Soon all will be right."

"Disaster is what I can say happened! Luna has decreed me a monster! That lowly sack of filth! You will see I am your better, and you will beg for forgiveness. She has branded me a traitor for allowing the shade to give me the power I needed to even live. And Celestia just looked at me as if I had burned one of her guards at the stake. Madness! I have nothing now.

I am nothing with out my dear Celestia. I marched to save our lands from the beasts of nightmares, yet I am now without her. Nothing. Many times during the night I would remember when she and I would stay up late just to gaze at her sister's night sky and admire the beauty, but nothing was as beautiful as her. Should I just give up? I think back to the battle and wish a blade would have caught me. I think about using my own sword to end this terrible reality of mine. What's the point of my life without you Celestia? Where would you be if I never met you? Would you be like your sister? Or would you be with a random noble that didn't care about you? Am I the only soul to suffer in this?"

"This is the day I bring my hand down and create a world of my own. I have seen a great city filled with riches to plunder. I have seen their leader, old weak pathetic fool. Many times I have seen him with two guards with him. Easy prey. This city will become an empire under my hands as I push them into their new roles. The shade is still with me. Always there, always loyal. It taught me how to raise armies from the dead. They may be corrupted by the process, giving them the look of my old foes, but they will follow my orders without question. The time is nigh. My empire will become a dream no longer! Those that live in this city are so peaceful and loving, they will bend to my will or I will break them."

"I have raised an army worthy of a king! A hundred thousand strong. So loyal. They hunger for the slaughter that is to come. I promised them blood and blood they shall receive! We attack as night falls to mock Luna as she has branded me a monster. She has a monster now. No she has a master of Darkness, Fear, and Death. A king of all that despise what they stand for. King Sombra. No longer am I a prince but a king. And all shall bow before me."

Cadence couldn't stop reading this madman's rant to himself, to remind himself of who he was. She felt a tear roll away from her glossy eyes, he was a victim of circumstance. But by that situation he became a living, breathing nightmare for everyone that lived here. Cadence pulled a book she checked out from the Crystal library. "The Tyrant's Shadow: Life Under a Madman"

"We fled as THEY came. They came like insects swarming over candy. We that hid during the siege could only watch in horror as these beasts born from some infernal pit of hell. Terror could describe those who could get away in time. The monsters came down upon them with unholy weapons. I watched as they killed my wife. I had to hide our daughter from them and sweet Love Banner, our daughter is safe. But those monsters don't rest until they have rounded all of us up. I have seen them leading my people to the center of the city, like something is supposed to happen. The guards are being cut down like animals. Some of my best friends were apart of the Crystal Guard Corps.----

It has been a few hours and I got my daughter to finally go to sleep... I cannot bear to tell her the fate of her mother. I will go to the palace to see if the invasion was routed.

No it wasn't. We just fell like thin twigs in a breeze. Those things did horrific acts. Many of the nobles whom once lived here. They impaled upon huge black crystals that sprouted from the ground, those were the least of my worries. Until I saw HIM.

He stood so still I mistook him as a statue. That was until I saw he used his dark magic to create two more massive black crystalline structures. King Diamond Vest and Queen Gem stone were brought before those Celestia damned abominations. That's when the true monster spoke.

"I am your King now, these two shall suffer the fate all who oppose me will receive. I am your god. Obey my will and no harm will be done to you. Fight against me, and I will break you." And with those words he used that vile magic of his to pick both the King and Queen up high into the air, and set them onto those massive spikes. I have never seen such brutality in my life, both the royal couple could be heard screaming as the crystals entered their bodies. It entered through their groins and instead of holding there the crystal exited through their chests. I could barely hold myself together after I saw that, I still have chills thinking about it. But I will never give up hope."

Author's Note

I wanted to give Sombra a way to become evil so I used the shade from earlier in the story. Soon the first arc of this story will be done.

God King

1000 years ago...

The crown Sombra designed fit like a glove. This kingdom has born again in the flames of their new master. His grin clearly predatory, eyes of a griffon watching as his subjects skulk about to the mines. The toil of these unworthy pitiful mongrels brought a sense of pride to the god king. Even with his shades breaking the moral of every citizen in his empire, there were those whom sought his end.

He chuckled at the thought of everyone of them becoming an original work of art hanging from his palace. Fourteen swung from the balcony, all of them forced his hand in such a manner to show every single one of them they are his play things. He proved this many many times during his five weeks as Master of the North. One even went as to go so far to throw dirt in his eyes, only to be slashed by the clawed gauntlets of Sombra in his face, neck, and belly. Hearing the gasps cry out at the brutality they witnessed brought such a warm feeling to the King of Misery.

Today was important though. Today was the day when all of his cattle would bow and pray for forgiveness from Sombra. Every week ended with this ritual, because it broke wills as fast as whipping them. Sombra stepped to the balcony to watch them grovel; his loyal subjects. One by one they filed into view for their master with chains worn around their necks and wrists to keep them orderly. The heavy bindings wearing into their skin causing them to wear hellish bruises.

"I welcome you, my loyal slaves! Bow to me purge your soul of all lies and grovel so I may forgive you of your deeds!" Sombra roared, his eyes flashed a sickly green visible to everyone present. One by one they knelled to him and chanted their misdeeds to the glory that was Sombra's reign. One stood tall and proudly, this enraged Sombra with a fire unlike any other. "Slave I said KNELL!"

"I am no slave! I am free and so are my people!"

"Knell or be killed for treason!"

"I have committed no such act. YOU HAVE COMMITTED THIS CRIME!" The crowd around the boy gasped with shock and worry. Many in the crowd began to quickly form with this single soul who would stand up for them. Many others grovelled even louder to show Sombra they were not with those rebels. "I speak for every single soul here that has suffered your tyranny! Your crimes demand retribution!"

Sombra's shades slowly began to descend closer to this rebel rouser. "NO! Forgive him my lord! My son knows not what he speaks of! You are a kind, merciful, and such a benevolent leader, can't you see it in your heart that he is just a child with such outlandish ideas?"

Within seconds Sombra appeared next to the boy who stood unfazed by the display of magic. With an act so horrendous the crowd had to skip backwards, Sombra held a sword up to the boy. Not with murderous intent but with spark of joy.

A Greatsword, meant to cause as much damage to the opponent as possible. To the boy it was beyond heavy, he mustered all the strength he could to heave the massive weapon into a fighting stance. Only to see Sombra wielding a wicked mace with venom dripping from each jagged edge. The cruel grin etched o Sombra's face gave away his dark intentions.

"Do you like my new toy? I gave it a name, Celestia's Sorrow. Soon you will be the first it shall taste boy. Unless you can best me with your granted blade, do try to make this interesting for me." Sombra mocked the poor boy.

"I do this for the fate of everyone I know and love!" The boy cried as the huge blade came crashing down at Sombra, who just sidestepped the blow.

"Ha, love?! Love is a fool's idea." Sombra replied as his heavy hand caught the child's shoulder. The boy swung again with his weapon, the flat of the blade catching Sombra's elbow. Sombra howled in rage as the pain quickly set in. As soon as the pain set in it faded, one of the many great effects of using dark magic on ones self. The child reeled backwards to escape the mace's wrath. "You have fight, what is your name?"

"Emerald Glass, and this day shall be remembered for ages to come." Emerald spat at the tyrant before him. Only to be pushed back by the monster.

"Emerald, I feel pity for you. Take this blade and prepare for a true fight with a god." Sombra chuckled as he threw a short sword made pure energy. "Take this blade and smite me if you can."

Emerald gazed in wonder at this blade with his precious time given by Sombra. It filled him with hope as blue streaks of light shot away from the blade. Emerald glanced up to his foe, taking note that Sombra had tears in his eyes. What about this sword could have such an effect upon the madman before him.

"With this Sombra I will strike you down and allow your soul peace." Emerald shouted with new found resolve in his voice.

The cold hard ground was unfamiliar to Emerald. Yet here he was, face down in the cold dirt. Above him with a wicked smile as always, Sombra.

"Crocodile tears boy, catch your enemy off guard. Now you were saying something about striking me down with your sword? You want to know a funny story? That weapon is the very same Luna gave me once I joined the guard, and it was the weapon that graced my shoulder when Celestia herself was mine!" The dark king roared with laughter. Emerald moved to stand against the the dark lord, only to be kicked in his ribs. Again he tried to have the same results as before, the kick was savage as it began to break ribs. Emerald's father could do nothing as Sombra continued to bash his son into the dirt, each new kick came down with brutality and swift speed. "And as I said before. YOU. WILL. KNELL."

Emerald felt multiple bones shatter under Sombra's foot as it came down over and over again. The tears flooded his vision as his body became racked in pain. "Please my lord stop!" Emerald's father cried out as he ran to stop this beating.

He never saw the mace coming.

Sombra used his vile magic to grab the mace from the ground, it did it's job. His wicked mace turned into shadow and merged with Sombra's form. He didn't even give a glance to the dead body smashing onto the floor, the crowd gathering around the dead father.

"Weak. Pathetic. Disrespectful. Incomplete. Fool." Each kick served as a new punishment, each broken bone served as a new lesson. "Now Bow to me and I may be merciful."

With no choice left, Emerald began to grovel, beg and pleaded for forgiveness. Every ounce of his body was racked with pain. Doubt slowly clouded his mind, making him question his previous statements. Now his ears were filled by the sound of madness as Sombra began to tie something on his body.

Sombra used even more of his black magic to summon ropes created from this boy's broken will, the rope of finely woven sorrow began to weave around the child's wrist, feet, and neck. With one of the most malicious looks clearly visible on Sombra's face, he finished the spell. Using his own physical strength to pull the rope with his quarry.

Emerald kicked and begged to the mad king, pleading for mercy. Each step up the staircase pounded the knowledge of his death was coming. "My lord! Please forgive me! I was a fool to stand against you! Please spare O' great one! I have a sister to take care of!"

"I said I would be merciful, and I meant it. I shall grant you the mercy of the grave!" Sombra mocked as he now held the boy over the balcony. Sombra's magic moved the rope around the railing and began to tie it down with a sturdy knot. "You need not worry about your family I will see to it they are taken care of personally."

With those words Emerald dropped. The noose caught his neck, but instead of breaking it, it held him fast. The air was robbed from him as he continued to struggle. His vision became cloudy and his body slowed its fight. Within minutes he was dead.

"This is the fate of every single soul who dares to stand against me. Let the boy be a lesson."

A Little Piece of Heaven

Cadence sat at the train station waiting with Shining Armor. Today Twilight and Shadow would be here to examine the journals for themselves, within an hour they would arrive.

With great care she slid out the last journal that King Sombra wrote during his last days as king. The pages came to life before her very eyes. There before her was King Sombra and her aunts sharing dangerous looks.

"Sombra It's time for you to pay for your crimes against these once proud and prosperous people." Luna commanded the mad king.

"So high and mighty to the end Luna. You never cease to amaze me. So here we are, at the very gates of either heaven or hell. I do wish you well... in HELL!" Sombra charged the two with murder written in his eyes.

A flash of Sparks showered Luna and Sombra as they locked their blades together. The light glow from Luna's elegantly lit the surrounding area, as Sombra's weapon cloaked him in darkness. Again the blades struck with a loud clang and showers of sparks. Luna's fist struck Sombra's ribs with enough force to break two or three.

The pain was nothing, the dark magic that slithered through his veins quickly healed his broken bones. With his body at full health Sombra unleashed a volly of dark weapons that were trained on Luna. Each one disappeared before they hit their mark. Sombra roared his unholy war cry as he turned to face Celestia.

"YOU! After all I did for you and your kingdom?! You would dare to defend the one who cast me away like trash? Celestia, then it is true. The Celestia I loved died years ago. But you will not take away my EPMIRE!" Sombra summoned his war mace "Celestia's Sorrow" with a vicious smile. His weapon came down with a brutal smash, aiming to cripple one of Celestia's angelic wings. His weapon glanced off Celestia's blade the "Morning Light" as she parried his blow.

"Sombra! Stop this at once. This isn't you Sombra, I know the real you. Please stop this. Just come home with me and we can help you." Celestia pleaded with her once sane loved one. His response was one that surprised the two sisters.

"I will go back and be with you... if you can best me in combat, a little fight up here in my haven." Sombra replied with a somber tone. "Let us begin. Do try to make things interesting for me I want a battle that can be remembered for the ages to come."

With that he was blasted into his throne by Luna's magic, with a force unlike any other. Sombra experienced the full power of an alicorn. Smoke filled the throne room.

"Sister you might have killed him!" Celestia cried out.

"Good the world will never have to know he ever existed." Luna shot back with a scowl.

"Luna... Was that your best?" Sombra chuckled as he stood once again proudly with his mace and sword gripped in his hands. His mace flew to the astonished princess while he charged her, "Soul Ripper" aimed directly for her throat. Luna quickly blocked the mace as it rushed towards her, but Sombra was upon her with a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Now DIE!"

Celestia shot his sword away at the last second from striking Luna. She lept between the two with her blade slashing at the mad man. "I will not stand by and let my sister fall before my mistake monster." Again her weapon cut into Sombra, who nearly dropped to the floor laughing. Celestia kicked Sombra squarely in his neck, hoping to end the duel as quickly as possible. Sombra laid with his back on the floor still laughing at both of their attempts to end the fight quickly. His black magic shot his body back upright, his smile dissolved into a frown once he saw both sisters ready for the fight yet to come. He summoned his mace into his hands and took a battle stance. They would be here for awhile.

"Cadence! Shining Armor!" Twilight shouted as Shadow and she stepped off the train. As soon as Twilight got in sight Shining Armor gave her a hug and shook Shadow's hand.

"Sun shine/ Lady bug awake/ Clap your hands and do a little shake." Both Twilight and Cadence sang together then as they finished they shared a laugh.

"So Cadence, I have to ask what did you and my brother find?" Ever curious Twilight asked.

"Well we found... Sombra's journals." Cadence said in a hushed whisper to her sister in law.

"What is so special about Sombra?" Shadow asked loudly. His response was every single crystal pony staring at him as if he committed murder. Each and every one of them had their faces contorted into mixture of horror and anger.

"Sombra was the ruthless tyrant who killed any and all those who were against him. Twilight and her friends beat him when this empire reappeared. And now his journals were found we can study his past." Cadence spoke sharply. "Also it's not a very smart to say his name aloud in public because he did many terrible things to these people. The scars may never heal."

"Oh... Sorry." Shadow replied to the pink alicorn.

"We should show you two the room we found in the palace." Shining Armor chipped in.

"That sounds like a great idea! Wow Cadence, didn't expect you to teach my brother anything." Twilight said with a mischievous smile.

"Yeah she's taught me many- Hey that's not funny!" Shining cried out.

Twilight of the Past

Twilight spent the entire day reading the tomes Sombra had written and reading his journals. Every little fact was important to her, especially after she learned it had very detailed account of Celestia.

"WHHAAAAATT?!" Twilight screamed as she reread the journal that stated the evil King Sombra and Celestia were once a couple, a happy couple at that.

"For the last time Twi yes what you just read for the fifth time is what it really says." Shining Armor said with annoyence hinted in his voice. "Just read this one. Cadence said it gave her like a vision or something like that."

"A vision? That could help me understand a lot more, may I have that one?" Twilight perked up with her brother's suggestion. The book slid over to the young woman who quickly snatched it and opened it. The moment Twilight opened it the words swirled, within moments the palace changed to an eerie contrast of itself.

Standing before her were three gods. Celestia the goddess of the sun, Luna goddess over the night, and Sombra the god of darkness. They looked as though they had battled over a week, the Crystal Empire was in ruins.

"Sombra this ends today! All you have thrown at us was only distractions, games to you. Those were once living people!" Celestia cried out from the wrecked city.

"I have only begun to fight my dear." Sombra jeered the sisters. "Celestia join me, we can reshape the world as we see fit! Crimes would cease to exist! Be my Queen?"

"Sombra remember who you were! Please for all that you stood for! This isn't you!"
Celestia shouted back to the mad man.

"I remember what I told you the night I left to fight those damned shades. "I shed a tear in the ocean, the moment you find it is the moment I'll stop loving you... it seems you found that tear drop." The sound of weeping could be heard through Sombra's empire, Celestia felt a pang of guilt pierce her heart. Never before she heard such a depressing sound in her life. Luna narrowed her eyes at Sombra as he continued to weep. The lighting bolt struck him and sent his body flying into the crystal wall behind him.

"Luna! Why did you do that?! We could have beckoned him back to the light!" Celestia screamed at her sister's uncaring attitude towards Sombra.

"Luna you will be the first to DIE!" A monstrous roar erupted, shaking the entire world by the voice. In front of the two was now a massive black cloud with the eyes of Sombra.

"There is no choice now, we have to use the elements!" Luna shouted as black tendrils came crashing down. Sombra didn't want those accursed weapons to be put into use during the battle. He used many tricks to unsettle the royal sisters minds playing their weakness and grinding their strengths. Now became a moment of desperation for the god king, if the Elements of Harmony were used against him there would be no telling what they would do to him.

Flames lept on his form as Celestia shot him. They did not affect him as she wished they would.

Twilight could feel every emotion throughout the heat of the lengthy fight. Pain, anger, sorrow, fear, and and pure undiluted hatred. They all swept up into the most grand scene Twilight had ever seen. Words could not describe the battle as it became the last stand of King Sombra, Twilight couldn't help but feel horrible for the tyrant. This whole thing might have been avoided if Luna had just accepted him. From Twilight gathered from the scene before her, Luna was one of the many factors in King Sombra's downfall. With all the journals explaining how Sombra became the beast he was in the battle with the royal sister.

"Twilight! Ya'll alright ya were muttern somethin' crazy." Applejack said with an unusual shake in her voice.

"Applejack? When did you get here?" Twilight asked unsure of her thought process forming words.

"We got here an hour ago you egghead! Cadence said you went out like a light after reading that weird book." Rainbow Dash said.

"How long was I out?" Asked the lavender skinned girl.

"Dear you were out for two whole days, but don't you worry we have been looking after you. We just couldn't let one of our best friends be alone in a hospital, that wouldn't be very best friend like." Rarity answered with grace. "So may I asked what was it like to see the last stand Sombra? Cadence told us that one shows the reader the last stand."

"Sombra wasn't really evil. The pain was just too much for him and his heart to bare when Luna called him a traitor and Celestia did nothing."

"So wait, you're saying Sombra and Celestia used to rut each other? Oh man that's priceless." Rainbow Dash asked through her gasps for air as she laughed.

"Rainbow Dash its the Princess' business who she "ruts" and that is just simply unlady like to asked such a question." Rarity interjected with the intention of defending the Princesses' honor of dating. "Beside I bet Sombra way back was a handsome and dashing colt."

"Well I want to know how things went for Celestia when Sombra became who he was." Twilight said

Rebirth

Fluttershy and Heavenly Pencil waited outside the room full of mares, Fluttershy couldn't help but look a little worried. Heavenly Pencil drew in close to his girl with a warm embrace.

"It will be okay I bet she'll be fine. I mean it's Twilight. She single handedly pointed out at the royal wedding that Cadence was a fake and fixed every one of your guys' cutie marks. So relax, come here and give me a hug." Heavenly Pencil smiled to his beloved. Fluttershy fell into his strong arms and stayed there until the unmistakable sound of Twilight's voice.

"All I am saying is I want to know what happened that the journals didn't cover and the only way is to talk with Celestia herself." Twilight said for the fifth time. "So every one of you read Sombra's journals?"

"Not the one YOU did though. We had to find some way to pass the time." Shadow joked with his dear Twilight.

"Ha ha. Well then what's the plan?"

"Well sugar cube ah would suggest we go on home. We've packed up them journals all nice like so we could take'em with us." Applejack responded. "So don't you worry that pretty little head of yours Twi, we got ya covered."

In Canterlot, the daily mess began in the palace. Many were seeking an audience with Celestia. But the avatar of the sun couldn't bare to go out of her room. For on this day, one thousand and four years on the dot, was the day Celestia watched the beam tear Sombra asunder. Every emotion he could have shown was written on his face: Shock, confusion, pain, regret, sorrow, and betrayal. All those emotions were burned into Celestia's memory as she wept into her pillows to muffle her sadness. The only one to know what was happening was Luna. One thousand years to see what a fool she had been. Sombra only used dark magic to keep alive to see her sister, yet Luna shunned him for the practice. If their was a way to correct her mistakes then maybe Sombra wouldn't have gone down his path laced in darkness. Luna felt a chill run up her spine when her memory brought up the battle with the once kind man.

"Sombra yield you have lost!"

"I will never yield to you!"

"Then pay for your crimes!"

"I feel the anger in your soul, I can see your jealousy towards Celestia. The love of your subjects are devoted to her. And my love for her made you into something like me."

"Liar!"

"Drown in Darkness Luna!"

Then his words didn't mean anything until she became Nightmare Moon. His words so cryptic at the time. But he saw what she couldn't, her own jealousy of him created her own darkness to sink in. In a small way Sombra let her become a monster herself. The revelation came down hard on the princess. He was right.

Twilight felt the need to speak with her mentor, Celestia must have the answers to this mystery. Everyone gathered at the train station to take a little trip to Canterlot. One by one they boarded with Twilight and Shadow going on first. Then Applejack and Lemon Pledge, along with Rarity and Skull. Pinkie Pie was already aboard. Heavenly Pencil and Fluttershy were the only ones yet to board, Heavenly Pencil looked down to Fluttershy. Her eyes were off to the side, straining to focus on something beyond the train.

"Baby what are you looking at?" Heavenly asked, concern clearly written on his face.

"There's something in the snow, right there. It could be a hurt animal!" Fluttershy screamed as she ran to the shape partially sticking out of the white surface. She ran as fast as she could to help whatever poor animal laid out in the white surface.

As soon as she stopped Fluttershy filled with dread as she looked upon the form before her. "Sssssooooommmmbbbrrraaa!"

Heavenly Pencil rushed to Fluttershy's side as she screamed. There laying half covered in snow was the unmistakable form of King Sombra.

"Is- is he dead?" The trembling pegasus uttered.

"No, he's breathing but just barely, we need to get him out of this cold. Fluttershy, please help me!"

"I wouldn't let anyone freeze, I couldn't!" Fluttershy responded as they both pulled Sombra's body from the misleading snow burial ground. "One more pull! And pull!"

Sombra's body was massive compared to the two pulling, his armor just gave off the sense royalty. Here was the unholy tyrant, the thing that haunted dreams, lay broken here in the snow. Heavenly Pencil and Fluttershy began to shake as they remembered the details from each journal entry, and the very image that they painted was here, alive and well. With a audible gulp Heavenly Pencil finally spoke.

"We should take him with us."

Author's Note

And so ends the first story arch!

Uncertain Future

In the mind of the most evil being to ever exist in Equestria was a blank slate, other than the thoughts that would pronouce themselves.

"Where am I? I feel my body moving, but to where? I can hear someone talking, could it be her? Please by whatever divine being that exists let it be Celestia."

Sombra could hear the voices that sounded both shocked and intrigued, but he could not tell who was speak. In a massive effort Sombra tried to open his eyes but to no avail.

"So you two found Sombra? Just laying out in the snow? Okay then."

"I say we just dump him back in the snow!" Sombra sneered at this voice's owner. He safeguarded Equestria from the shades bent on annihilation of their entire race. Sombra dived back into his memories.

"Okay there were shades trying to destroy our kind and after I- I can't remember what happened after that. Is Celestia worried about me?! I need to move! I need to get back to her!" Sombra's mind raced. With his will alone Sombra groaned, his arm stretched out.

"Celestia."

The mane six and their colt friends all looked to Sombra's form as it moved and spoke. Twilight watched in awe as the figure who was meant to be long dead still held on to life and his love. 'He won't let her go, how did he survive being destroyed last time?' Her thoughts were interrupted by a scream from Fluttershy.

"He's awake!" Fluttershy trembled as Sombra began to will himself awake.

Twilight still in awe that for four years he slept in snow and didn't die by hypothermia. Four years in the cold, yet here he was waking up.

"Everypony just calm down! We don't need to startle him and cause an accident on this train." Twilight said with a hint of terror as the God of Darkness woke.

"Where am I? Who are you? Where is Celestia!? I must go to her and inform her we routed the enemy!" His words sounded confused to where he was.

"Easy there big fella, you need ta get some rest. Y'all just woke up from... being trapped so take it easy." Applejack stepped in to defuse the situation before it got out of hand. Heavenly Pencil couldn't help but stare at the figure who not only an hour ago was out like a light, but was still alive. Fluttershy was just about hide herself from the monster before them until he spoke again.

"Who pulled me out of that trap then?"

"Well it was Heavenly and Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash pointed to the two in question.

Sombra gave them a look with a kind smile. "I thank you for saving me from that ice then. And you have my deepest gratitude."

"You are very welcome Sombra. We couldn't just let you stay there it wasn't the right thing to do." Heavenly Pencil replied to the beast before him.

"May I ask if this is Fluttershy? I am in your debt my dear. Once I return to Canterlot I will repay you with bountiful gold, I remembered my account still had some bags inside I'm sure."

"Oh that won't be necessary, just helping was enough, sir."

"Wait! Where are my soldiers! Did they make it back? Are you the reinforcements?" Sombra asked the girls and their lovers. Back in Sombra's time women were accepted into the army because they proved to be masters of stealth and strategy. While men were the bulk of every military force women were usually the one guiding the forces with grace of a thousand little whispers focused on the goal. Sombra wasn't one of the many who had a handler guiding his actions. No Sombra lead his men many a time to victory, his will alone proved to be sturdy enough to stand to the Grim Reaper and laugh in his face.

"No we aren't reinforcements for whatever happened we just stumbled upon you so to speak." Rarity spoke up with a little confusion about what Sombra spoke of.

"What is this contraption we are in?" Sombra asked now regarding the train.

"Oh this is a train Sombra! Its a marvel of modern day technology." Twilight exclaimed.

"Its not that great its just a bunch of metal on wheels." Shadow deadpanned.

"It is a wonder of technology. How did they make it so fast? It has to be only a few months since I must have fell to that horrid trap!"

"Uh what was the date of that battle?" Twilight asked, unsure how to tell the villain who haunted many.

"8-30-1014 why do you ask?"
"That battle happened over a thousands years ago..." Before she continue Sombra exploded with his legendary anger.

"ONE THOUSAND YEARS!"

Fire and Ice

The train pulled into the station with the last two cars being nothing but metal wheels, a metal bed, and ash. Sombra still burned with anger, his eyes leaked the dim purple mist. Everyone one the train kept a wide birth from him at all times except Fluttershy and Heavenly Pencil who stayed next to the raging fire known as Sombra. Twilight felt the sheer power radiating off of the dark king, in terms of measuring power; Sombra was a limitless well of power that could easily surpass Celestia and Luna. While Twilight could be measured at the most as a lake at best. She may have been the avatar of magic and given an extraordinary sense to use magic, Sombra had this locked inside of him back then and now. After reading his journals she knew full and well of his capabilities with his magic. That kind of magic was unheard of in this day and age.

"Sombra its okay. It's gonna be OKAY." Heavenly tried to calm the beast before him to no avail.

"Okay? Okay! I'm one thousand years OLD! No to mention Celestia probably thinks I forgot about and moved on! And EVERYTHING IS GONNA BE OKAY?! DO YOU TAKE ME FOR A FOOL!?" Sombra roared at the now terrified Heavenly Pencil. Fluttershy now came to his aid as Sombra continued his tirade.

"NO STOP RIGHT THERE MISTER! JUST BECAUSE YOU MADE SOME WRONG CHOICES DOESN'T MEAN YOU TAKE YOU ANGER OUT ON HIM!" Fluttershy said using the STARE on Sombra. Soon a very uncomfortable silence set upon the group as the rest of their friends watched expecting the worst.

"What do you mean "wrong choices"?" Sombra asked dead quite, never breaking eye contact. This was the make it or break it point, Fluttershy tried to form an answer but to tell Sombra he was the monster made her stumble over her thoughts. Fluttershy broke eye contact first, the rest of her friends this was the first time she broke it when using it.

"Like um well, yelling at Heavenly, he was just trying to help you and you snapped at him."

"Heavenly Pencil, I'm sorry I snapped at you how I did that was wrong of me to do and I did it anyway. Please accept my apology." All mouths dropped. No one could have expected Sombra, The King of Evil, to apologize. No one made a sound as Sombra walked with the group. Many a mare caught his eyes and they quickly looked away. Even though he wasn't damning them to a life eternal servitude, his physique intimidated many but his were the most terrifying feature. So cold, calculating, and empty. "Why do they all flee from us?"

"Well you are really intimidating with all that armor on, as well everyone here is easily spooked." Twilight finally said with confidence that Sombra wouldn't burn down all of Ponyvile. "And you do have probably the gruffest voice anyone here has ever heard."

"Well that's... weird." Sombra replied.

"Your the one supposed to be dead, so you tell us." Rainbow Dash muttered under her breath. Sombra didn't hear her but was transfixed by how such a small town did so well. The economy of Ponyvile was a tricky thing to figure out, not for Mayor Mare who had all the links worked out. Soon the group found its way into the library where they figure out how Sombra could fit back into society. Twilight knew she had to have a letter sent to Celestia to inform her of who was still alive.

"Twilight, I don't think that might be such a great idea." Rarity knew what was about to happen.

"But if she knew he was alive maybe some good may come from this."

"But we read the journals, we know he and Luna would tear each other apart!" Rarity's voice became a harsh whisper to Twilight.

"Maybe she is passed it. She has reformed herself a lot with the last three years. So who knows I mean it can't be as bad as he wrote it. Besides we could set up a shield with Celestia's help." Twilight stated confidently with the look of determination that twinkled in her eye.

Sombra turned to the selves of books, since a thousand years passed there must be something about him. His steps drew the attention of Twilight and Rarity, panic set in when she noticed where he headed for. History.

If he knew he was capable of many terrifying and great feats the world could be in danger, as quick as she could think an idea hit her.

"Sombra would you like to see Celestia again?" Those words stopped him cold. Tension hung in the air of the tightly packed room.

"Celestia? I would love to." His reply cut the silence like a knife, everyone could breath easy for now.

"Well I am her personal student so I could get her to come here."

"Well what are you waiting for!? I wish to see my angel again!" Sombra exclaimed with new found joy. How fortunate the personal student of Celestia would be one of the few to find him. His face lit up with glee as the heavens would open up to him again to receive his beloved once again. "This truly is a glorious day to feel life flowing my entire being!"

Heavenly Pencil had to reel his mind back to the train station, how Sombra incinerated two train cars with his very mind. Was now nearly bouncing like a child before their birthday party.

"Okay Spike! I need to write this down and send this to Celestia." Twilight began. "Princess it has come to our attention that you had a significant other before. Now before you over react, it is very important you come to the Ponyvile library immediately! You would not believe me if you didn't see this for yourself. Please hurry I do fear for the safety of every citizen here... Princess allow me to say this when you arrive you'll be shocked to know why. Your faithful student Twilight Sparkle." Twilight finished out of ear shot so Sombra would not know she feared his strength or magical powers. The fact that his life was still in motion was a statement for his deep knowledge of dark magic.

"Okay the letter has been sent off we should get a-" The knocking on the door cut Twilight off as soon as she began. "Well that was quick." Twilight slowly opened the to see Luna standing before the door frame.

"Celestia has sent me to see what this matter of importance was. Celestia is indisposed at this time. Pray tell what is it you found regarding her significant other?" Luna's ears narrowed as she inquired.

"Well it's meant for Celestia but I guess you can see for yourself."

Paths Down Either Road

Luna stopped dead as her beautiful cyan eyes met the cold red of Sombra's. Time seemed to stand still before Luna took a moment to collect herself.

The library shook as Luna used an powerful spell to push Sombra through the western wall. Luna quickly flew through the newly formed hole, only to have a cold metal hand wrap around her neck. With a flick of the wrist Luna was out the front door. Sombra stepped out of the wrecked library with purest disdain written on his face. Luna used her angelic wings to keep herself steady.

"King Sombra! Why hast thou disgraced these lands with thine presence?" Luna used her Canterlot voice in full effect, the entire town was soon drawn outside by the commotion.

"King? I am but a Prince! When have I claimed to be higher than the two goddesses? More importantly, why did you attack me with ill intent?!" Sombra roared back his voice equally as loud. Now the whole population of Ponyvile stood like statutes waiting for the next building to be crushed underneath these Titans.

Luna answered with a powerful blast of lighting aimed at Sombra. He ran to the right quickly, avoiding the violent spell.

"Yield for your crimes!"

"What crimes have I committed?! I have served your sister with only the utmost loyalty!"

"Lies!" Again the lighting struck, hitting it's mark. Sombra flew wildly, his arms and legs flailing about as he smashed into a lone bench. The entire crowd gasped in shock of the brutality being displayed for all to see. Sombra laid upon the dirt, visibly his body looked to be ready to fall to pieces. Twilight had already taken cover for she knew Sombra's power would more than likely hold his body together, her thoughts were interrupted by a deep malicious chuckle.

Sombra walked now unfazed by the blast Luna shot at him, his eyes began to leak the mist that Twilight knew well by now. The loud boom deafend all who stood by, within seconds Sombra was on top of the night princess. His elbow caught her shoulder with a sickening CRACK as they began their plummet towards the hard ground. Luna froze when she saw no way out of this crash to come, the pain made it nearly impossible for her to teleport away from her opponent. She closed her eyes awaiting the embrace the earth promised.

Sombra smashed into the dirt, anger overtook his mind once again as his hands formed a spell beyond horrifying. His enemy would suffer the worst pain to ever befall them once this spell hit, hours of immense pain and then death to be reborn and suffer more. His eyes scanned for Luna everywhere. When the mad king turned his head up his eyes widened with shock and awe. Celestia. The sun goddess could not see him yet as she tended to the wounds of her sister. A chill ran down Sombra's spine.

"Sister who did this to you?" The concern in Celestia's voice nearly made the ruthless tyrant cry.

"Sombra! He's down there! We have to stop him sister!" Luna cried frantically pointing down.

"Sombra did this how I thought he was dead?! He's down there? Oh no!" Celestia feared the worst would happen in Ponyvile. With the speed of light Celestia landed before the man in question. Her eyes widened as his did as well. "Sombra? Is it really you?"

"Yes, my love, it is me. And I can explain, if you would grant me that." Sombra spoke barely above a whisper. Celestia reached out, pulling Sombra into a loving embrace. As quick as the hug began it ended with Celestia slapping Sombra. "I deserved that. Now I will explain what happened and I have a few whom witnessed the attack on my being. Your student uh Twinkle Sparkled said she could get you to meet me here. We waited for maybe ten seconds before a knock came from that library door, Luna had answered instead of you as I would assume she expected. When Luna saw me she attacked me with a spell that sent me through your student's wall over there. She rambled on about me being a king and a criminal. I just gained the upper hand when you arrived."

Celestia turned to Twilight who nodded, that was all the truth here. Luna landed beside Celestia with a pleading look etched across her features.

"Please sister, He is a demon! Something incapable of remorse for his crimes! He needs to be hung for each one! You remember how HE was." Luna laced her words enough venom to kill a hydra by this point as she regarded Sombra.

"I know not of this Impostor who claims to be me! Whatever are his crimes should not be placed upon my head for things I didn't do." Sombra replied with a cool tone, completely unaware of his last few years of evil deeds. Celestia stood with a mixture of emotions brewing. One was anger about the fight between Sombra and Luna, two was happiness that he was alive after all these years, and three was confusion because the last time she had seen Sombra he was on the brink of declaring war on all nations to expand his own, yet here he was claiming not to remember his deeds. The whole situation caused her head to spin, so much so that she fell.

When Celestia opened her eyes she could see Sombra holding her close to his body but looking at something. Turning her eyes in the direction Celestia witnessed Twilight Sparkle in full panic at the sight of her mentor so weak.

"Ugrrh Sombra? Where am I?"

"Safe." He replied with a small smile. "Celestia I said I would always be there for you and I am. I would never allow you to be harmed. I love you."

"I love you too, my sweet prince." With that Celestia slipped back into her peaceful slumber. Sombra ran his gauntlet hand though her ever beautiful hair, she still looked as amazing as she did the first day he met her. Here was an angel that dazzled his dreams sleeping soundly now. Each of the mane six giggled, before being silenced by Sombra's glare. Every single one but Skull got the message.

"Rarity you don't have to be quite if you don't want to be."

"Silence insolent child!" Sombra's voice answered with the promise of deadly consequences. Luna and Twilight pulled Skull into the kitchen.

"Woohoo! Three way!"

"You have no idea just how strong he is do you?" Luna asked quietly.

"Some random freak?"

"That is the Tyrant of the North! He was responsible for the deaths of at least a million innocent lives! Just because he felt they were going to rebel against him! He fought both Celestia and myself on equal ground... He is not to be taken lightly."

Tricks of the Mind

Celestia could feel the fear rushing through the air. Every animal from the Everfree forest rushed to and fro, snapping at each other as they sped away from the dark mass forming inside the forest. The solar princess could feel Sombra's energy quickly passing her own, his power overshadowed hers once again. Her wings pushed herself through the air with a hurried pace. Something was very wrong. Below her the trees began to twist and turn from the dark energies pulsing through the dirt, animals that were caught by the darkness became mutated monsters. Celestia stole a glance back at the poor creatures, nothing could be done for them at this time.

An explosion of dark energy erupted caused Celestia to fall without grace into a tree. The branches slowly encircled her form, making her trapped.

"Sombra!" Celestia screamed into the mutating forest at the very top of her lungs. "Sombra please stop this!"

Her voice was drowned out by a wind gust. With her will keeping her body fighting she summoned her weapon, "Staff of Dawn", to cut the branches that held her. The beautifully sharpened edge sliced through the wood binds like butter. She began to fall with nothing to support her, landing on her back. Celestia pulled her head up to see what new surprise the forest had waiting for her. Her staff created a shield of light cause the ooze of back magic to hiss as the light touch upon the corrupted dirt. The darkness was all around Celestia and it would be a matter of time before it would claim her. Her staff burned the darkness, Celestia took a moment to see the ground purified once more. Celestia felt hope seeing this and knew there was a way to save Sombra after all.

Sombra attacked the shade in his mind with the full force of his anger, in doing so he unleashed a massive wave of darkness in the world. The shade begged Sombra for any mercy, none would be given. The shade was ripped from Sombra's mind with an ear piercing scream that could be heard for miles around.

"Please my lord I did not control your actions! I merely gave you the means of power! I have always served you my master!"

"You are nothing to me!"

"Master I hate to do this but you leave me no choice!" The shade lept away into the shadows with Sombra giving chase.

Sombra shot flames at the shade who tried to hide within the darkness. The tree caught like a match head. The flames licking at the wood with vigor.

The shade hid well and took Celestia's form. If it could not reason with the dark lord maybe his love could, so with it's new body it climbed to the top of a tree ready to fall at the perfect time.

Sombra broke through the foliage, murder written on all of his features. A white blur fell strait from the sky before the dark king.

"Celestia? What are- how did you find me?"

"Sombra please stop this! Please my sweet prince, just come back with me, I can help you." The imposter cooed to Sombra, sensing his anger was ebbing away. "Come here my love." The fake opened her arms in a loving embrace, one of which Sombra was fooled into. Once Sombra wrapped his arms around the shade it struck with a dagger made by the dark energies the forest pulsed out. The bite of the blade forced Sombra into reality, Celestia's form morphed back into it's true self. The pain coupled with his new anger blew away trees as well as the shade, flames slithered out of his finger tips. The ring of fire died into smoldering lights.

"Aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrgggggghhh! Come out and die you lowly filth! Coward! I'll just burn you out!" His voice boomed like thunder, his right hand soon was set aflame as he was about to make good on his threat.

Celestia tripped over a large root that just needed to snag a foolish passersby. Cursing to herself for being clumsy at a time such as this, Sombra needed her now more than ever. Another explosion rocked the earth beneath her hooved feet. Celestia looked upwards to see a massive wave of fire shoot up covering the sky with its orange glow. Fear reared its head once again, with her heart racing, Celestia shot forward with amazing speed.

The closer she got to where the fire storm was born the more scarred the ground became. She slowed to a light jog once the clearing came into view. The destruction was the size of Ponyvile or maybe Canterlot, trees knocked over were lit with tiny flames clinging to life. In the very center of the carnage was Sombra, his back facing Celestia.

"Sombra?" She called unsure how to proceed with the current situation. Her mind told her to run, to hide, or teleport to safety thousands of miles away from this exact spot. But her heart will her legs forward to her beloved. "Are you hurt?"

"I see through your lies... SHADE. You may take her shape and voice but you cannot fool me twice. Stand where you are." His tone of voice instantly put every fire out, the air becoming cold. Celestia obeyed, knowing to anger him would mean certain death. Slowly his eyes locked onto her, Celestia's blood froze with an overwhelming sense of dread. Celestia could not move even if she wanted to.

"Sombra it's me... It's Celestia please don't do anything you will regret." Her voice shaking by this point as his heavy feet crushed branches beneath his weight.

"Silence!" Instantly Celestia shut her mouth not wanting him to be angered any further. "If you think I will fall for your petty attempt to confuse me, you're wrong. Prove to me that you aren't her! Or I swear I will make the very pits of hell feel like a field of roses!"

"Kill me if you must Sombra... Just spare all of my sister and my subjects." Celestia finally said with her eyes shut to keep the image of her loving Sombra alive. While her eyes were closed she didn't see what happened next. Sombra fell to his knees in front of her with closed eyes, his head down in shame.

"You are the real Celestia. I'm so sorry. I do not deserve to live. Celestia strike me down to allow me to repay this horrible deed." In his right hand formed "Soul Ripper". Celestia shot towards him.

"I cannot hurt you as I know you would not hurt me, I love you and I will never bring myself to kill you." Celestia held him close to her chest so he could hear her heart beat. "It only beats for you."

"Celestia... It took your shape... I... I was scared it hurt you... and I don't know what I would do if I lost you... please forgive me... please." Sombra wept into her once beautiful gown that was now torn, singed, and wet from Sombra's tears.

"Shh its okay, shh I'm here my prince, I'm here." Celestia said before planting a kiss on his forehead. What both didn't know was beyond the tree line were nine pair of eyes watching them as Luna, the mane six, Shadow, and Heavenly Pencil d'awwwed at the moment. They too heard the loud explosions as well as Sombra's thunderous voice, and followed the noises came upon the scene before them.

"Sombra."

"Yes, Celestia?"

"I love you."

"I love you too." Sombra replied as he began to pick himself up. As he stood to his full height the shade shot out from behind the trees once again and aimed itself at Sombra.

"Sombra!"

Time slowed to Sombra as he saw the shade drawing closer to him and Celestia, his hands pushed Celestia out of its path. She fell backwards at just the right moment.

Celestia could only watch as the shade collided with Sombra with enough force to pick his body off the ground and carry it for fifty feet. Sombra hit the tree, effectively blowing it to bits. The shade reared its clawed hand to strike at Sombra's neck, only to be stabbed by "Soul Ripper". As the sword dug into the shade's skin less body it screamed an unholy cry as it fell to pieces before everypony who was there.

"Sombra! You will choose one of two paths! Redemption! Or Damnation!" With a enormous bang, the world fell silent.

Sweet Sorrow

Celestia could feel all his anger and fear melt into nothingness. She stepped closer to his form as he laid where that shade took him. The air began to cool again taking its normal temperature. Sombra laid completely still, his body racked with pain.

"Sombra? Are you okay?" Celestia asked with caution.

"I... hurt."

With those words Celestia feared that he could be dying after the battle with the shade. Upon reaching his side Celestia noticed his wounds. A large gash on his right side bled profusely, his face bore three scars on the left side stretching from his forehead to his chin. His left eye was swollen and cut, leaving it useless at this time. His right eye locked with Celestia's kind violet eyes. He smiled weakly at the sight of beauty before his fading vision.

"Celestia... I... am... sorry." Once the final word left his lips, his eye closed.

"No... no no no no! Sombra! Please don't go! Please! I need you! Damn it don't die on me! Please..." The tears fell with each word. Could she really go on now after witnessing his death before her own eyes? She couldn't think. Celestia laid her head upon his chest, continuing to weep.

Luna walked slowly to the form of Celestia, whom had not stop the tears, nor left Sombra's side. She felt horrible for mistreating Sombra. With a selfless act of protecting Celestia he had gained Luna's respect.

"Tia? Tia he did a great deed today."

"He is dead! Why did save me if it brought all this pain?! Sombra please please please come back to me..."

"Tia he is gone... He is at rest now. We will honor his choice to save you, he wouldn't want you to be so broken. Come with us Tia we will shall have him cremated."

"No!" Luna stepped backwards by Celestia's outburst. "You always wanted him to die! Now you have your wish! Now there is a hole where my heart used to be..."

"Tia it's perfectly natural to feel what you are feeling now. He did something terrible in his past, today he did an extraordinary act of selflessness, he will be paradise."

Sombra opened his eyes to a white surface. This alien place jolted Sombra upwards, onto a white marble floor.

"Uuggghh where am I?"

"Rest easy my child, you are safe."

"Who's there? Who are you?! Where am I? I demand answers!"

"I am the mother of all life, I am who would call god or in your language Faust, and this place is limbo."

"Faust?! Limbo? I do not understand!"

"Sombra you have done many a evil deed, that would grant you a seat in hell. With what you did today was nothing short of heroic. Which is why you are here. So much to balance with good to decide where you will be put."

"So I'm dead?"

"Yes the shade stabbed you with a cursed dagger, you died of blood loss."

"Faust, is there any way I am able to go back?"

"No I'm sorry. For what good you have done it is outweighed by all the evil you have committed."

"I don't remember doing anything evil!"

"Oh your memories have been locked away... this may sting but I am going to help you remember your past." A delicate finger aglow with holy light touched Sombra's forehead. Sombra felt pain that never should exist beyond mortal understanding, every life he took flashed before him. Each one that followed the first looked terrible, as though they starved of joy and any happiness. "What? No this cannot be! Stop at once!"

"What's wrong?!"

"You cannot exist! You will not exist! Blight of love and joy begone from the known history!"

Sombra felt more pain and pressure as the once delicate finger became a scythe like appendage. The pain pushed further into his cranium causing him to yelp in agony.

Faust pulled his very soul out of his body, with a sickening crack Sombra's soul was present before Faust to see.

Author's Note

Short chapter I know but I need to set up something really surprising that will happen later. Also Faust is god in this story, period.

Changes

Faust after ripping Sombra's soul out of his body now could see what it was.

One side was devoted to good with all of the strength it could muster. The other was twisted with hatred that nothing could rival. Each piece of Sombra's soul tore at each other seeking control over the other. Faust could see the darker side was beyond any hope, it was bent on death, destruction, and conquest. While the side good was pure and just. Without any reason to continue this conflict, Faust lulled both to sleep.

"Both are true opposites in every way. Hmmm, to see where his soul will go I will do something that should never be done ever again." Said Faust as her hands slowly put both halves of Sombra back together piece by piece. His body would still be his but with a little plan. Whichever side gained control over the body would be the deciding factor for his afterlife. With great effort she cleared his mind of the encounter with her, while healing his body back on the mortal plane of existence. A small smile formed as she could only guess which side would win.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!" The sound jolted each of the young mares and the two princesses out of their depressed moods, Heavenly Pencil fell backwards in fright landing in a bush.

"Sombra!" Celestia screamed with delight at his sudden resurrection. "Thank goodness you're okay."

"Oww! Please don't squeeze me right now, I feel like I went through a grinder." Sombra groaned from the sun princess' grip. She instantly let her grip ease up to accommodate his wishes. Slowly his breathing became a regular pattern. Sombra sat up with a questioning look on his face.

"Did that shade get away? Did it hurt you?"

"No I'm fine, you saved my life. You were the one who... died..." A single tear rolled away from Celestia's kind and loving eyes. "I thought I lost you again..."

This time Sombra wrapped his sore arms around her with a promising warmth. "Shh I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

"Um mister Sombra can I ask you something?" Heavenly Pencil chimed into the conversation. "You died, we checked and you were gone. When you were dead what was it like?"

"I don't remember much. There was white floors and something else I just can't remember what." Sombra's hand moved to his chin showing all he was indeed in deep thought. His train of thought crashed as Celestia's lips met his. She held him in her power now until the kiss was broken by a throat clearing.

"Sombra... Today you saved my sister from that thing... and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart." Came the voice of Luna who up until now stayed quiet.

"Uh, thank you? Listen everyone I am glad for this praise but only Celestia's safety is what really matters to me, I would never forgive myself if she was hurt." His words nearly honey now went well with a somewhat goofy grin.

"The darkness will drown all light."

"The light shall never be covered by your filth!"

"Tremble in my darkness!"

The two pieces of the soul clashed with both magnificent blades respectfully. One that shown utterly brilliant blue lights, the second bled sickly dark red. Each clash bursting with new sparks, both matched perfectly with grace and brutality. The red blade struck at the legs of its owner's opposition, taking a bite out of the floor beneath. The dark weilder's blade stuck fast to the floor, it looked up in time to dodge the blue sword.

"Celestia are you sure you must go?"

"Yes Sombra I must, without my sister and I, those ponies who live in Canterlot would tear each other apart. For now please stay here in Ponyvile. Would anyone be willing to take him in?"

A few murmers rose from the group. Celestia felt a pang of disappointment at this new development. Fluttershy could see the great regal princess's features.

"Heavenly and I will... I am if that is okay with Sombra and Heavenly that is." Her soft voice came like a great announced summer dance.

"Are you sure you would allow me to stay with you?" Asked a Sombra in clear hesitation about staying with the kindest one of the group.

"Yeah we got room for you, though you will have to pull the couch out to make your bed. Once we get there we'll show you how." Heavenly spoke up. "Don't worry about the animals though they're really nice, except for Angel." His voice dipped off so Fluttershy couldn't hear what was to be said about her bunny.

"Then I shall stay with these two. They saved me from the snowy grave so if I can do anything to help them I will."

Author's Note

I have returned! I wouldn't let the story I have created that is so unique go the waste. Also damn that rabbit.

Dreaming of sweet nothings

Sombra tossed and turned in his makeshift bed, his mind plagued with thoughts. Many were about his death and of the shade. His eyes strained to stay closed as his soul fought inside, with each strike from within became a new question. Was the shade really dead? Could he protect Celestia if it was alive?

Every thought pushed him awake. Sitting upwards Sombra's eyes caught a glimpse of a small shadow darting away from his person. Sombra let a low growl escape from his throat, the small shadow kept close to large cover to evade his gaze. Sombra used a spell to light the room, huddle in next to the night stand was the devil rabbit, Angel. In his left paw there was a serrated knife, Sombra couldn't help but chuckle by the tiny blade.

"Its going to take a lot more than that to kill me. But it is cute you would attempt murder." Sombra smiled down to the rabbit who now looked deep in thought. "What would you have done after the act was committed? Carry me to a spot in the lawn dig a massive hole to dump the body, then cover me up like nothing happened? It would take you at least a whole day to dig the hole, by then you would too tired to even lift that toothpick."

Angel couldn't help but stare at Sombra with a look of worship gleam in his eyes. Sombra held out his hand for the malicious bunny who up until now stood still, Angel hopped into his hand. Sombra began to rub behind Angel's ears, easily getting positive feedback from the rabbit in question. "I used to have men like you serving me a long time ago, always ready to kill the enemy. You could learn a lesson or two. Though I wouldn't have known you were there if I was actually asleep."

The rabbit was too busy accepting the affection to give a response. His back leg began to thump by itself, despite his self control. Sombra smiled at the rabbit's behavior, they were both unique in there own ways. The peace was interrupted by a small giggle.

"He didn't take long to warm up to you. Angel be nice to our guest." Fluttershy smiled at the fur ball still acting dopey in Sombra's hand.

"Miss Fluttershy if I may ask, exactly how does one keep thoughts of doubt out of the mind?"

"Oh um, well are those thoughts bothering you? would say confront the problem."

"Well that wasn't anything I would expect coming from you, no offense."

"Many don't think I would either but I do, and none taken. I should get a glass of water then head back up to bed."

"Oh right I understand."

"Good night Sombra, and don't worry about those pesky ideas they probably aren't true."

"Good night Fluttershy, and thank you." Sombra said as Fluttershy walked back to her room. His head hit the pillow and within seconds he was asleep.

"She doesn't love you!"

"You're lying!"

"Things die, all things die. Even the idea of love, you pathetic fool."

"Celestia loves me as I her! You are nothing compared to that! Anything that could love you would never be able to help you because all of your hatred blinds you to the beauty of this world! You are a sick perversion of who I am nothing more nothing less."

"So high and mighty with "love" to protect you. How would it feel to watch Celestia die over and over again? I would put well over a million of bits that you would break after three!" The darkness of Sombra sneered at its other half.

"If you ever touch one hair on her head I will end your existence!" Sombra yelled back at his dark double, only to see Celestia in its hands.

"So fragile, and these angelic wings so delicate. I wonder what would happen if I lit them on fire!" Celestia's wings caught aflame, her screams echoed across the plain. The dark Sombra only laughed as he watched her burn into ash.

The young prince flung himself at his king doppleganger, his blue blade hilt catching the dark one in his face. "I'll kill you!"

"How when you become me? I am your evil as your the good, but I will control this body! I was the reason for the Crystal Empire ever being built!"

"As you are responsible for the millions who died at your hands! Their deaths shall not go unpunished!" Again the sword came down upon King Sombra only to be deflected by his blade. "It is time to collect your debt!" Prince Sombra roared at his evil self. King Sombra threw a punch that caught the prince in his face, a long malicious laugh foretold trouble was here for the prince. The king's knee came upwards too fast to dodge, knocking all the wind from the prince.

"It was cute to think you own me but the time for games is over! My fires will burn the land as rivers of blood of every single one of my enemies are impaled upon their weapons. Order will be restored to these lands, and you are the only thing that is holding me back!" A swift kick hit caught the prince in his head. The foot of his enemy came down aiming to crush the skull of the prince. The prince rolled to the side with very little energy left to spare, while his opposition held more power than originally thought. "Yet you don't know when to give up. Feel the darkness of the abyss!"

Black tendrils wrapped around the prince, they pulled his weapon away from his reach. The prince was doomed it seemed until a bright light shown through the darkness. Celestia!

"Stop this now!"

"You cannot stop the inevitable!" The king barked back at his new foe. "I am the fear that lives in all! I am Darkness!"

"Then be cast into the shadows were things like you belong!" A great explosion rocked the world as it shifted to Canterlot. The two became locked in a battle of strength over each other. King Sombra kicked Celestia in her stomach, as she fell her face was clutched by the malicious king's hand. His power in that throw was beyond what the prince held within him. Celestia smashed through walls as the dark king advanced on her. Prince Sombra had to move now or Celestia would perish against this foe. His will would have to suffice for now.

"Being of the light face the true power of darkness and give into despair. So many of your kind went mad when Discord ruled, become apart of the abyss!"

"Never! Chaos ruled by with fairness. The light will be fair with all beings no matter who they are, while your kind seek nothing more than the destruction of the entire world just because it won't agree with you!"

"So be it." The red sword came downward seeking its master's enemy. Only to be held the blue blade. "Ah so you seek your death still? Then this place will be your tomb!"

"You will not hurt her!"

"She did nothing when we were cast aside! She is nothing to me, unlike you I need not love. I need only the fear of every single being of this wretched world as they embrace my gift to them."

The blades rang out with a shower of sparks to add the visual show to anyone who would witness this battle. Celestia stood strongly as she took her place next to the prince. One nod and they flew at their enemy. Both of their holy weapons clanged with his hellish sword. The battle slowly fell to their favorite as they gained ground against the mad king. Celestia and Prince Sombra used a force spell that sent King Sombra flying towards the palace. They saw the dark creature smash through one of the windows with an explosion of glass.

"I'll fly to the throne room to hold him until you get there."

"See you there my princess."

Each took their paths respectively. Prince Sombra smashed through the palace doors with his shoulder, to see Luna holding herself against Nightmare Moon. Sombra rushed to her aid with a devastating kick to Nightmare Moon's side. The princess of the night was shocked to see her dark counterpart fly into the floor. Her head spun to Sombra as he gave her a look of understanding.

"Thank you, I couldn't hold her off for not much longer." Luna panted, signs of fatigue showing in her eyes.

"She's gone I think come on we have to help Celestia!" Sombra rushed forward to the stairs. Nightmare Moon's fist caught him in the neck.

"You will not interfere with my master as he tears your love into pieces!" Her spear shot towards Sombra, his eyes widened as it drew near. Luna deflected the spear with a fine sword, her eyes glued to her darkness. They again locked in battle.

"Go! I will hold her here!" Luna cried to the prince who still readied himself for a confrontation with the alter ego of Luna. He nodded and with a saddened heart he sped off towards his destination. "Come let us end this MONSTER!"

The clangs of weapons rang throughout the entire palace, as the prince passed a window one could see royal guards fending off mindless thralls of the dark king. His pace sped quickly to reach Celestia.

Celestia was beaten and bruised, King Sombra stood above her with his dark grin writing her fate. The darkness seeped out of very body, with each step a black cloud rose from the floor. His shoulders bled dark energy with cracks of lighting shooting outwards.

"How the mighty have fallen. Maybe you should have told your little canon fodder down there about my powers, each one that dies becomes a soldier in my invincible army!"

"You are a plague to these lands! Those who side with good will fight and you will fall!"

"You say it as if you won this fight. Learn when you are beaten, you can spare every life out there if you just surrender and call them off." King Sombra's finger danced above Celestia's horn. "But since you won't then I'll just keep this!" With a vice like grip King Sombra ripped out Celestia's horn, her blood flowing down her face. Her screams echoed through the air and announced she was done. "How pathetic, this isn't the worst part yet. I have so many ways to watch you suffer."

"Enough! King Sombra I will end you here and now." The prince called out. The dark king turned to his new enemy with a smirk. "Or are you to cowardly to face me in combat?"

Nice day out

Sombra awoke to the feeling of something extremely soft thing moving against his face. His eyes slightly opened to inspect what it was and to his surprise it was the same rabbit from the night before. Slowly Sombra moved the bunny off his neck. A slight giggle came from Sombra's left, there again as Fluttershy. But this time Heavenly Pencil stood next to her with his arm wrapped around her.

"You two love birds sleep okay?" Heavenly asked with a smirk.

"Charming Heavenly, considering you looked as though you were about to wet yourself when I yelled at you." Sombra sarcastically replied. "So I will just get a glass of water and I'll be out of your hair." Suddenly his body lurched forward without control. His mouth opened but no sound came, his mind tried to process what was happening. The coffee table corner caught him in the mouth, forcing his mouth shut with tremendous force as his tounge hung lazily out of his jaw. The pressure slammed down was clearly enough to slice through the soft tissue. Blood flowed like a fountain as his the rest of his tounge landed upon the floor. Sombra's vision clouded as he brought his hands to his face.

The sounds of Fluttershy's screams and Heavenly Pencil's frantic pleas for help became a distorted mess of sound. Even Angel loomed over Sombra making distressed signals with his tiny paws. Then darkness took his sight.

"I will end your life and I will own this body forever!"

"Never!"

"Got any threes?" A doctor asked his coworker as they played go fish. Today was like every other day, no problems.

"Go fish."

"Damn it, well at least we don't have a crazy medical case right?"

"Right. Do you have any fours?"

"Aww, yeah. Here you go. Well I as I was saying I think it is really weird for Filthy Rich to hire Lemon Pledge as a maid and have him dress up in a prench maid outfit. Have any twos?"

"No go fish. Yeah I saw him yesterday all dressed up heading to Filthy's and I asked him if it bothered him he had to wear that, his answer was "You have no idea how embarrassing it is to wear it all day then go back home in front of his wife's family eating dinner." That just has to suck. Got any fives?"

"Go fish. I bet that sucks, like seriously at dinner he gets back to the farm? Damn he is one tough guy. I wonder if Filthy is secretly gay. Oh well, got any sevens?"

Yeah, here you go. I know right? Sure he has a daughter but I've never seen his wife. If he even has one. And his little girl, a complete bitch. Got any ones?"

"Go fish. Yeah she is! I bet one day she's gonna be one of those crazy cat ladies. Do you have any idea how nutty that little girl is? I mean my kid came home in tears because something Diamond Tiara said to her, she needs to be locked away. Got any-"

"We need help!"

"What's the problem?!"

"Its our friend, he fell and bit his tounge clean off!" Heavenly Pencil shouted to the two doctors who instantly jumped to their stations.

"Bring him in."

Sombra walked inside the the waiting room with his mouth closed, blood still dripping from mouth. Fluttershy held a bag with his severed muscle in, the bottom of it stained red. Fluttershy looked as though during the trip here she lost her breakfast and threw up once more to be sure no food was left.

"Sir I need you to open your mouth so I can see the extent of the damage." Sombra complied to the medical professional, the doctor backed away once he saw the fangs that were defiantly made for eating meat. Seeing the nub where the rest of his tounge was the doctor ushered his coworker to have a look. "Do you see this or am I going crazy?"

"It seems the muscular structure is rebuilding itself. I have never seen anything like this, Sir when your tounge uh rebuilds itself I want you to answer some questions, nod if you understand." Sombra gave a half interested nod towards the doctor, who already began to write notes about the cellular process. Sombra sat there with an annoyed look creeping into his now cold eyes. That familiar look Fluttershy knew from the first time she had even seen Sombra when his body was nothing more than the dark cloud on the horizon, she backed away towards the doorway along with Heavenly Pencil in tow. The doctors took no notice as the room became colder, only when they could see their breath did they realised Sombra was shooting them a very icy stare.

"Sir are you making colder in here?" His reply came in the form a smirk. Sombra's eyes may have been red like the fires of hell but the stare was the coldest of ice. "Sir I am going to ask you to stop!"

"Or what?" The deep gruff voice shocked the doctors out of their chairs. "What can you possibly do to me that I haven't suffered through before? Pray tell would you hit me? Would try to use magic to put me to sleep? Do you even know who I am?"

"No we don't! Okay whatever you were going to prove, you did!"

"Weaklings I am King Sombra! Enslaver of the weak! Destroyer of innocence! Nightmare of all who walk in the light's embrace! And I have returned!" His voice shook the very foundations of the hospital. "You two will my very first slaves who will follow my every command until death claims you!" Suddenly a loud crack stopped the mad king's rant. His eyes shifted between the cold gaze and a remorseful glance until his body collapsed onto the floor.

"You will not destroy anymore!"

"This isn't the end, in the end only I will exist you pathetic weakling!"

"Why do you want so much destruction?"

"To make them all pay for what they did to us! You crawled back to Celestia, only to be cast aside. When the shade unlocked our power he really gave rise to me, he knew you were weak. So I was born to protect us from all who wished harm on us!"

"You are starting to sound like the shade now!"

"I am King Sombra! Not some lowly sack of filth! Enough! I will destroy you anyway if you won't see I speak truth."

"I grew tired of this banter anyway." Again the swords struck, the very foundations of Sombra rocked with them. Their blades glowed with promise of death for the other.

"Never mind about Diamond Tiara this guy is fucking insane!" The doctor whispered to his now very close friend. "I think I pissed myself when he started speaking."

"Yeah except I think I shit myself when I saw the look he shoot us, and his tounge is fully healed. He must have some weird magic to heal himself so quickly. Can you please quit holding me?"

"Sorry, just when I get scared I would hold my teddy bear."

"Um excuse me doctors, is Sombra going to be okay?" Fluttershy asked from behind the doorway, peeking her head around.

"He is fine, but would you be so kind to go to my locker just next to the desk and bring us some clean cloths please?"

"Oh! Yes of course, um just wait right here."

"This isn't up for discussion Luna."

"But even you cannot deny his evil! Even now you can feel it, like it is a small pulse that gets larger with every passing day!"

"Luna he saved my life yesterday, or did that slip your mind?"

"One good action does not redeem the rest of what he did! Even history is still wounded from his actions. He used vile magic to create armies, even Discord didn't do that!"

"Are you so quick to condemn? You I thought would be more accepting of him because of your actions."

"When I was Nightmare Moon I never committed so many atrocities!"

"No you didn't, but you declared war upon your own sister."

"But... I... I didn't kill millions just for my own personal gain!"

"No but if you would have bested me, your actions would not only kill me but the entire world. Life needs sunlight to grow. The food we eat needs the light from the sun to have photosynthesis. But you would have thought of that miss Lasting Night. So as I said before this is not up for discussion."

"Tia would you trust a snake in a chicken coop?"

"No, why do you ask?"

"Because that is exactly what you're doing." With those cryptic words Luna left her sister to think about what she said. Anger flowed through Luna at Celestia's words to her. The nerve to compare her cry for love to his reign of terror, just simply stupid to say that.

"Oh dear sister why can't you see good in him? I can see it so can Fluttershy and Heavenly, why can't you?" Celestia whispered softly to herself. Her mind went to what Luna had said, "Trust a snake in the chicken coop". Was Sombra really just pulling the wool over everyone's eyes? No he couldn't do that. The thought of Sombra becoming evil again sent shivers down Celestia's spine. So much anger, so much fear, and that pure hatred gave him so much power.

"Sombra!" Luna called out in her ghostly projection. His dream was so very dark and foreboding that even Luna feared to tred in. But now she was going to prove to Tia that he was and still is a monster. "Come out you coward!"

"Little Luna, you sought to prove something to yourself. What is the matter? Afraid of the dark?" His laugh carried form what seemed like hours. "So weak, so terrified. What pushed you to enter my domain?"

"I wish to end you once and for all!"

"How adorable, you think you can harm me here." Sombra's voice mocked. Then his voice came as a whisper next to her ear. "Wrong."

Luna shot forward to escape the owner of the voice. She ran into a long dark corridor, taking cover behind a corner. For minutes she waited, she could hear the beast stalking her in his world. Luna silently cursed herself for being to careless about picking the venue. The princess could hear the beast's growls and sniffing. Slowly Luna turned around to flee the dark world and from Sombra.

"Princess over here." A small whisper cried out catching Luna's attention. "You can escape through here."

"Who are you?"

"I am Sombra. At least the one that is holding the beast you just saw." Luna noticed a pale blue light glowing from his eyes and sword. "Go, soon he will come and when he does... its not pretty."

Songs of Dread

Luna had no choice other than trust this "good" Sombra as the dark Sombra hunted her. She ducked below a low hanging door way as Sombra led her to safety.

"Just a little further princess, and then you will be safe."

"What about you?"

"If I leave then HE will kill everything just for his own pleasure."

"I see."

"Listen to me Luna, should I ever fail grant me two last rites."

"Of course."

"Tell Celestia I'm sorry for giving into that shade's power. And you will be the one to end my suffering."

"I promise you those, but better beat that monster."

The floor shook by a massive explosion too close for comfort. Flames threatening to engulf entire world of Sombra's mind. "Go!"

Luna woke to the sound of a thousand voices singing. This song was unlike any she ever heard. She slowly walked towards her window. Down below the palace were over ten thousand guards marching, all chating the lyrics to this dreadful tune.

" I've got the reach and the teeth of a killin’ machine, with a need to bleed you when the light goes green, best believe, I’m in a zone to be, from my
Yin to my Yang to my Yang Tze.
Put a grin on my chin, come to me, ‘cuz I’ll win,
I’m one-of-a-kind and I’ll bring death
to the place you’re about to be:
another river of blood runnin’ under my feet.
Forged in a fire lit long ago, stand next to me,
you’ll never stand alone.
I’m last to leave, but the first to go,
Lord, make me dead before you make me old.
I feed on the fear of the devil inside of the
enemy faces in my sights:
aim with the hand, shoot with the mind,
kill with a heart like arctic ice

I am a Soldier and I’m marching on,
I am a warrior and this is my song

I bask in the glow of the rising war,
lay waste to the ground of an enemy shore,
wade through the blood spilled on the floor, and if
another one stands I’ll kill some more.
Bullet in the breech and a fire in me,
like a cigarette thrown to gasoline, if
death don’t bring you fear I swear
you'll fear these marching feet.
Come to the nightmare, come to me,
deep down in the dark where the devil be,
in the maw with the jaws and the razor teeth,
where the brimstone burns and the angel weeps.
Call to the gods if I cross your path and
my silhouette hangs like a body bag;
hope is a moment now long past,
the shadow of death is the one I cast.

I am a Soldier I’m marching on,
I am a warrior and this is my song
my eyes are steel and my gaze is long,
I am a warrior and this is my song

Now I live lean and I mean to inflict the grief,
and the least of me's still out of your reach.
The killing machine’s gonna do the deed,
until the river runs dry and my last breath leaves.
Chin in the air with a head held high,
I’ll stand in the path of the enemy line.
Feel no fear, know my pride:
for Faust and Country I’ll end your life.

I am a Soldier I’m marching on,
I am a warrior and this is my song"

The lyrics struck a chord with her, would be what it would it come to?No she had seen the true Sombra, not the creature he became. She would have him cleansed of that demonic personality.

"You let her go!"

"Yes I did! There was a time when we believed in the good of others! But you are so twisted with hatred that you could never be at peace."

"Peace is for weak! I gained so much with my glorious crusade against those who would harm me."

"Glorious? That was omnicide! Every single soul was your play thing, there was no happiness from the conquered lands. You never cared about those you stole from!"

"They would not have given us a second glance anyway. Yet you side with them!" The black tendrils swung into the helpless form of the prince, his body flew through the walls of his mind. He could fall to the beast, he had to win. For Celestia's sake.

Sombra awoke to find Twilight checking his heart rate as well many other of his vitals. She kept checking her notes on her desk, trying to find something Sombra wasn't aware of.

"Fluttershy, you said he bit his tounge clean off earlier?"

"Yes. I still have it in a bag if you need to see it."

"I might have too, his body is unlike anything I've ever seen before. His cells divide seventy-five times faster than a normal pony. I can't quite put my finger on it but there is something in his blood that speeds the healing factor." Twilight said with her eyes scanning all her books for any clue to this anomaly. "Okay four books about magical healing, these might give some light to this situation."

"Um Twilight, he's awake." Fluttershy whispered to her friend as Twilight continued her search.

"What? Oh Sombra uh did you have a nice nap?" The smile clearly show signs of nervousness. Sombra studied her as she did him not long before. Her features showed him a hint of fear, such delicious fear. It radiated from her so subtly, tiny waves of it soaked into the air.

"Nap? Oh it was very peaceful, but I did have a strange dream. Luna and I ran from... Me."

"That does sound strange. Oh Sombra I wanted to asked you if you would like to go to the Grand Galloping Gala with my friends and me?"

"They still have that? I thought that would have been disbanded long ago. Where will it be held?"

"Canterlot like it does every year."

"They hold it every year? I would be sick if I had to cater the event. But I will be able to see Celestia, I wonder if she let's her hair down."

"Uh Sombra its always down." Shadow replied stepping inside the room.

"Its a figure of speech."

Author's Note

I put this song in here because I felt the sense of dread needed to be absolute. Also I own no rights to this song, all rights belong to the United States Military. I also put it in as a tribute to all the soldiers who gave their lives so everything we have now stayed free. Also I want to honor my old school Drill Sergeant, Denis Serkin. So if he ever reads this he won't kill me. Thank you soldiers who protect freedom. Again I own no rights to the song.

Free no longer

Sombra groaned inwardly listening to the disc jocky complain about how some fruit named Blueblood ruined one of the Galas. Shadow bored the tears out of Sombra, he thought of ramming his own sword through his body to escape the constant babbling. But his thought turned more gruesome, Sombra thought of ramming his fist into Shadow's throat, or setting him aflame. Chuckling at these horrific images made Shadow give him a questioning look. Before Sombra had to quickly make any lies up to fool the young unicorn Twilight stepped back into the kitchen where Sombra currently sat.

"So you are going to the Gala?"

"Yes when is it?"

"In three days, I think Rarity will make you a nice suit."

"That won't be needed, it seems I cannot take off my attire. I can't understand why, my best guess is it somehow fused with me. Creating a second skin if you will."

"Isn't that uncomfortable?"

"Not really, I enjoy it. Another benefit of being like this is extra protection."

"But what if you want to get more... "Comfortable" with Celestia?"

"Hm, that would be a problem."
"Well I do have have to tell you about this one noble, Prince Blueblood. He is greedy, selfish, and very very rude. He insulted Rarity a few years back but he hasn't learn ed his lesson." Twilight said with a hint of disdain at the very mention of the name. Sombra chuckled at the mild hatred at said prince. Again the dark thoughts return but with a vengeance.

'How easy it would be to crush his wind pipe, or to rip his tounge out of his mouth so he can no longer be disrespectful to his betters.' The inner demon offered Sombra. 'Think of those that sack of filth abused over the years, no one would miss such a lowly coward'.

"- And Princess Celestia would just love to have you there." Twilight finished what she was saying, not noticing Sombra was lost in thought over the unicorn prince. "Um Sombra are feeling okay? You look like you just saw something that really angered you."

"No. I am perfectly fine miss Twilight. I was just thinking." His smirk showed his fangs, gleaming in the light hitting them. "I do wish to attend the Gala this year for my love. Nothing more."

"Okay?" Twilight was about to say more until Heavenly Pencil barged in panting. His physical capability allowing him to have him make it this far. "What happened to you Heavenly? You look as if you were attacked!" She had no idea how right she was.

"H- H- Hydra! Got... Fluttershy... Had to... Get help." Sombra carried the winded pegasus to the couch, setting him down gently.

"You two stay here and look after him. I will deal with the serpent." Twilight and Shadow only nodded at his commands. With a flash Sombra was gone.

Fluttershy ducked, dived, and dodged each attack the beast shot her way. Its six eyes never letting her go far. She silently cursed herself for trying to help a poor bird with a broken wing, not even thinking that it was prey to the hydra. A massive foot smashed through a log just across from the delicate pegasus woman.

"Slowly now, must be quiet, must get away." Her progress was impeded by the tail of the great serpent, all six eyes focused on her. With a voice that shook the heavens Fluttershy screamed. It seemed like the beast would have her now as it's dinner.

Sombra searched the tracks of the couple through the underbrush, yielding very little to help his mission. Then the scream that could only be the missing girl rang out like a thousand bells from the dense forest. Sombra shot forward using his magic to speed his journey, soon he was close enough to see the three heads just above the tree line.

His sword came from his shadows as it bled into his hand. His eyes locked onto the creature with a vicious glare as he continued forward.

Was this the end? Could a hydra be the reason I won't see Angel or Heavenly after today? Will I go quickly or suffer? The thoughts raced about Fluttershy's mind. She thought to her friends, tears no longer held flowed freely.

The explosion brought her out of her stupor. Her eyes daring her to look up to see what happened. She one of the hydra heads inches away from her, Sombra stood inside the maw of razors. She noticed one tooth of the great beast protruded from Sombra's hand as he held the jaw open.

"Go! Now!" Fluttershy instantly obeyed knowing what would transpire there. Her slender form dived into the woods. Yet she did not run away as he told her too, her eyes were glued to the scene before her.

"Aaaaaaarrereeggghh!" Came from Sombra as he push the jaws open with his magic, forcing the bladed tooth out of his hand. "Just you and me now serpent."

The hydra hissed rage at the intruder that let its prey run. Its tail smashed into Sombra, sending him into a rock face. The hydra's right and left heads crashed upon Sombra's body hoping to end this before anything began. To it's surprise Sombra rose from the dirt with his sword held in a death grip.

The hydra's foot kicked the man hard, again sending him into the rock face. The hydra began to stomp where Sombra had landed, pushing him deeper into the surface of the dirt.

Satisfied with it's work the hydra bit into Sombra's arm, earning the sound of agony. With one fluid motion it swallowed the mad king.

"GIVE ME CONTROL! YOU ARE TO WEAK TO HANDLE A OVERGROWN LIZARD!"

"It seems I have no choice then, do what you will to the beast. But you will relinquish control after it is dead!"

"FINALLY I CAN SHED BLOOD ONCE MORE! THIS REPTILE WILL KNOW THE WRATH OF KING SOMBRA!"

Fluttershy couldn't hold back the tears as she watched Sombra be swallowed whole. He gave his life up to save her. She didn't know how to face the princesses and tell them, especially Celestia. Through her blurry vision she saw a glimmer of light shine, at first a bright blue then change into a sickly red hue.

The hydra felt wrong, it's stomach began to build up vomit. Seconds later all three heads spilled the contents of it's gut.

"Beast. I will erase you from existence!" Sombra roared to the sick hydra which no longer wanting to eat. Once she heard his voice Fluttershy cheered, then her gaze met the sad image of the hydra. It struggled to move to it's own feet. She ran to it's side quickly checking it over. "Move aside."

She had to take a few seconds to figure out that Sombra was still there. Fluttershy stole a glance over to him. His eyes longer held that warmth like he had when he woke up, they were the cold eyes of a killer. She couldn't allow him to harm this poor animal for doing what it did naturally.

"You will not hurt this poor creature! He was doing what was natural. He's a predator so he has to hunt!"

"Move aside, I will not ask again." His tone of voice shot ripples through Fluttershy's entire body. She didn't obey. Sombra lifted one hand, Fluttershy felt no control over the movement of her body as Sombra used his magic to set her to the side. When she attempted to run back to the hydra Sombra again used his power causing the tree roots to hold her in place. His icy gaze caused her to quit struggling. Fluttershy didn't want to believe what was about to happen, he was going to kill a innocent animal.

Sombra's telekinatic grip soon took hold of the hydra. With a sadistic smile Sombra based the large beast against the ground, the very rock face his body was smashed onto, and the multitude of trees. Over and over again it smashed against these fixtures, Sombra only smiled. Sombra then used his black magic to begin to cut the beast in places it would cause the most pain but wouldn't kill. The hydra screeched in pain as it's blood slowly dropped out of its body. Next Sombra picked trees out from the ground only to throw them at the completely harmless hydra suspended in the air.

"Now BURN." The flames licked and kissed the hydra's scales. Soon the entire body was set aflame with Sombra's malicious laughter breaking the silence of the forest. Once the body was blackened by the fire Sombra set the mass of charred skin and bones upon the ground, with a loud thud and the clear sound of bones snapping, he laughed once more before turning his head to the clearly terrified girl stuck in place.

"Go home little one."

Soon it will be

Celestia felt the true anger, fear, and hatred that Sombra used. Her first reaction was terror, if he went back to the darkness that he made for himself, what would he do next? Luna also felt this, the waves of hatred crashed into her spirit as she raised the moon. Both feared for Ponyvile's safety in this matter, with their powerful wings they took flight. Their path strait and true. The massive amount of anger pulsed through the air. Both sisters knew only one of such power. They readied their weapons just in case. Celestia felt the pulse of hate push faster with an audible thump, she knew they were drawing near.

"Sister we need this to end!"

"I know Luna I can feel the forest screaming in agony because of his power!"

"Tia if we must I will strike him down!"

"I hope it doesn't come to that!"

Suddenly the burned corpse of a hydra greeted their eyes. The smell soon told them more than enough of what happened, they scanned the ground for life signs. Their eyes widened when they saw Fluttershy holding one of the hydra's head in her lap, tears flowing freely from her eyes. Luna descended to comfort the weeping girl that didn't notice them or move away. Celestia stayed aloft in the air, still searching.

"He... killed... the poor... animal..." Fluttershy wept in Luna's soft embrace.

"It will be okay, shh, everything will be okay." Luna cooed. "Come on Tia, find him."

Sombra felt his blood boiling in his veins, spilling the serpent's blood felt stress relieving. He wanted more, he wanted more to feel his wrath. His anger shot outwards in waves that began to change the surrounding forest. One thousand years locked in the snow, this world would be once again under his boot.

"Give me control!" The inner light shouted from Sombra's mouth.

"Never! I have waited to long to have this and I won't just hand it over!" The voice of the King of Darkness roared back. "Your time is over! I have been locked away inside, but no longer!"

The hole in his hand sealed itself as the two spoke to each other. The dark magic healed every little scratch upon his body and armor. His smile returned on that note. "Looks like I can heal myself why you can't. The body agrees."

"Because you are nothing but selfish. You don't deserve to even exist."

"If I didn't exist then who would have made it back to Celestia?! I am strong you are weak! You would have laid down and took death without a fight! I spat in death's face and carried us back to her and her sister for the world to know we were alive!"

"Then you enslaved millions as revenge against Luna, you are the weaker one. I would have died a warrior's death and stayed proud. But you are an abomination."

"Sombra!? Where are you!? Sombra, please come out?"

"Ah speaking of Celestia, I hear her now." King Sombra replied to the Prince.

"If you hurt one hair on her head I'll..."

"You'll what? Kill me? Killing me will kill yourself as well, I am no fool." The dark Sombra whispered with a chillingly cool smile. "Do not worry my weakness I will not harm her."

"You would be wise to not."

"Sombra!? Where are you!? Sombra, please come out?" Celestia called to Sombra as she searched the wide forest. Hope slowly ebbed away from her as everywhere she looked turned up no evidence of Sombra. "Ugh this is pointless! He can be anywhere."

"Celestia! Celestia? Where are you my love?" The sound of his voice brought joy and distrust. She had heard that voice before, back at the Crystal Empire.

"Sombra there you are. I was worried about you... what happened back there?"

"I fought a hydra and I prevailed, the hydra didn't."

"Sombra are you okay? You sound different."

"I feel fine, as a matter of fact, I feel fantastic! I feel so alive."

"Okay then, let's get you back to Ponyvile."

"Celestia wait."

"Yes? What is it Sombra?" Celestia asked as she folded her wings back to her sides and turned to Sombra.

Sombra dropped to one knee, took one of her hands into his own. Celestia could feel her tears threatening to break free.

"Would you grant me the honor, nay the privilege of becoming my wife?" His words soaked into the air, each word genuine. Celestia looked deeply into his eyes, his locked with hers.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! A million times yes!" The tears freely came in a torrent of joyous sobs. Sombra jumped up catching his love in his arms as she let lose more tears.

"I say we announce this to everypony on the day of the Gala, as it happens!" Sombra smiled a toothy grin. "Heaven is weeping for on this day they have truly lost an angel. I love you Celestia, more than anything this world could give me."

"I love you too Sombra my sweet King."

"King?"

"To me you are, not the tyrant you were, but a benevolent leader now." Celestia finished with a firm passionate kiss. One Sombra returned with equal passion.

Author's Note

Soon the second arc will be finished and then the path of Redemption and Damnation will be there for fans of good and evil. Love ya guys.

At the Gala part 1

Two Days Later
The Gala Canterlot Palace
Time 8:30 P.M.

"I say an announcement from Princess Celestia? This should be something of worth."

"I would be as to be so bold to say this may be the best Gala I have ever attended in years."

"What could be so important that one of the princesses would interrupt the festivities?"

"I hope she has wonderful new about the stocks of my company breaking the last year's highest records of income."

Every noble quieted when they saw Celestia being walked to the podium with a hulking figure. Some were baffled to who this was, others were more taken by his appearance.

"Good evening everypony. I stand before you today with wonderful news. I, Princess Celestia, am getting married to this stallion. Many of you do not know who he is. I used to believe he would be lost to me forever. It is my great pleasure to reintroduce Prince Sombra!" Celestia smiled as many in the crowd cheered at her grand news. One of those who did not cheer was the spoiled brat of nephew: Blueblood.

Blueblood couldn't stand this, he wasn't the center of attention. He scoffed at this supposed prince. Even his outfit was tacky. Sombra took notice of Blueblood, they shared a glare as the group cheered for Celestia. Blueblood showed clear hate at Sombra. Sombra shrugged it off and returned his attention back to Celestia.

She was a sight that would make lesser men weep at the sheer beauty and many would kill to have her. Sombra would at any point. Her pure white dress complemented her extraordinary curves and her waving hair that still flowed in some breeze. Sombra knew this was through sheer magical strength. That's why the princesses and his kept waving like it was a beautiful fall day. Celestia smiled at him, her kind violet eyes filling him him with pride.

"Many of you do not know this, Sombra was my special somepony for many long years and we decided we will be married. And everypony in Equestria is free to attend the ceremony!" Celestia excitedly spoke as Sombra wrapped her with one of his muscular arms. Many nobles cheered at the grand news, the mane six however stood dumbfounded.

Not just two days ago Sombra brutally slaughtered a hydra in front of Fluttershy. They knew the nobles hadn't seen who this prince was before, and many would tremble at the very sight of Sombra.

With the big announcement out of the way the festivities began again without any thing holding them back. Nobles conversed with commoners and the like. Many were having a great time... except for Blueblood. His cronies all stood at his side sharing nasty whispers about Blueblood' aunt. Even he was appalled by such a choice, surely she could do far better than this self proclaimed prince.

"How can she wed such trash like that? How could she forsake my inheritance like this?"

"Blueblood don't let this get to you, you'll still get what's coming to you. I have in place within the royal court many who side with you."

"But what if he surpasses my needs?! If he does I will end him myself."

"Now Prince Blueblood, don't get your hands dirty when you have ponies who will gladly do it for you." Blueblood smiled at this.

"Very well at midnight then, have some of the boys greet this prince, and I will see his end personally."

9:45 P.M.

"Celestia I really feel out of place here I think I need a drink. Would you mind if I got some of the strong stuff, also would you like anything to drink, mi'lady?" Sombra spoke in a very uneasy tone, clearly nervous about something.

"No thank you Sombra, but yes you may. But remember stay sober until everypony leaves!" Celestia called as Sombra got the go ahead he so needed. His response was a low bow to her as a gesture of understanding. She giggled at the way Sombra bobbed and weaved his way to the bar, dodging a cane swinging in the air for dramatic effect in some noble's story, ducking under a tray filled with pastries, and slipping through a couple as they danced through the ballroom.

"Hello sir! Congrats wif the princess if I do say so myself. Better take real good care of 'er or we might get ya. What will be tonight?" The bartender asked with a somewhat speech impediment.

"The finest... no the hardest whiskey you have. Make it a double please." Sombra didn't want to look anything like these nobles sipping on the sweet nector of alcohol. No he wanted something to ease the night away but not so quickly he would have a hang over. Also not to anger Celestia.

"We have three of the "Hardest" liquor here in this bar sir! We have Everfree freedom, Thunderstorm, and I personally recommend wif Afterglow. Which one will it be sir?"

Each one sounded so alien to Sombra as he looked at each bottle. Everfree would have him too drunk before the night's end. Thunderstorm would have him puking because of some of the ingredients Sombra was alergic to. And with no other options left Sombra held Afterglow. "This will be my poison bar keep."

"Excellent choice sir! Don't worry won't knock you off your hooves but it'll make you feel real great, and 'er we are sir." Sombra downed the contents of the glass in one go making the bartender stare at him like he was mad. "I thought you'd be the rest of the sods 'er and sip like a pansy. Proved me wrong you did." The bartender smiled as Sombra cocked an eyebrow. His expression must have been hilarious if it got a rise out of the bartender. Sighing Sombra went back to Celestia. Or he was until he saw the entire band having a little argument with themselves.

"Well it seems we can't play the next song because are singer walked out. Now we can't play the song the Princess wanted us to make and play just for tonight!"

"Excuse me, I couldn't but over hear. Celestia paid you to create a song just for tonight and perform it?"

"Yes that is correct."

"Well miss I would be glad to help in any way I can. Miss?--"

"Octavia. Pleased to make your acquaintance sir. And that would be wonderful!"

"Okay what do you need?"

"A singer for this song." Octavia handed a paper to Sombra, searching the song was one thing but this song was something else altogether.

"When You're Evil? Strange name for a song I'll see what I can do." With that Sombra walked from the group to search for a singer hidden amongst the crowd.

10:00 P.M.

"Well I am sorry I found not one soul willing to sing this song." Sombra stared downwards to avert their gazes.

"Well thank you for trying sir."

"I said I found not one soul, bit I would be willing to try out to sing once more. This may be the alcohol talking for me but why not?" Sombra smiled at the band, his fangs made few grow a little scared the others smiled back. Octavia nodded thinking she might have made a mistake. But maybe his deep voice could be the right decision for this song.

Without pause the band began to set the stage up for one last song for the night. Octavia grabbed the microphone. "May I have everypony's attention please? Thank you. Our singer left early so the Prince Sombra was so kind to fill in the spot, please give a round of applause for Sombra."

"Wow... um... Yeah I volunteered for this so please don't just boo me off the stage." Sombra gave a weak smile to the large crowd, seconds passed before the entire group began to play their instruments. Sombra took a deep breath before he began as well.

" When the Devil is too busy
And death's a bit too much
They call on me, by name you see,
For my special touch.
To the Gentlemen, I'm Misfortune
To the Ladies, I'm Surprise
But call me by any name
Anyway it's all the same

I'm the fly in your soup
I'm the pebble in your shoe
I'm the pea beneath your bed
I'm a bump on every head
I'm the peel on which you slip
I'm a pin in every hip
I'm the thorn in your side
Makes you wriggle and writhe

And it's so easy when you're evil
This is the life, you see
The Devil tips his hat to me
I do it all because I'm evil
And I do it all for free

Your tears are all the pay I'll ever need!

While there's children to make sad
While there's candy to be had
While there's pockets left to pick
While there's grannies left to trip
down the stairs, I'll be there, I'll be waiting 'round the corner
It's a game, I'm glad I'm in it
'Cause there's one born every minute

And it's so easy when you're evil
This is the life, you see
The Devil tips his hat to me
I do it all because I'm evil
And I do it all for free

Your tears are all the pay I'll ever need

I pledge my allegiance to all things dark
and I promise on my damned soul
To do as I am told, Lord Beelzebub
Has never seen a soldier quite like me
Not only does his job, but does it happily.

I'm the fear that keeps you wake
I'm the shadows on the wall
I'm the monsters they become
I'm the nightmare in your skull

I'm a dagger in your back
An extra turn upon the rack
I'm the quivering of your heart
A stabbing pain, a sudden start.

And it's so easy when you're evil
This is the life, you see
The Devil tips his hat to me
I do it all because I'm evil
And I do it all for free
Your tears are all the pay I'll ever need
And I do it all for free
Your tears are all the pay I'll ever need
And I do it all for free
Your tears are all the pay I'll ever need

It gets so lonely being evil
What I'd do to see a smile
Even for a little while
And no one loves you when you're evil."

The entire crowd was captivated by the words of this song meant for a whole other demographic. Once the song came to a close the entire Gala gave an uproar of cheers and complements. Celestia smiled as Sombra bowed to the group before him, had she known this would have been the highest point of the whole party she would have kept it for last.

Sombra stood proudly in the center of attention, his name was being praised. His blood red eyes now were glossy from such recognition.

Author's Note

I own no rights to the song! But gotta admit great song. Voltaire don't sue me.

At the Gala part 2

10:57 P.M.

Canterlot Gardens

"Sombra if I had known back then you could sing like that I would have married you sooner." Celestia giggled at her own joke. "But Sombra I must know why you gave into the shade... I know if this is a hard question to answer, and if you do not wish too I understand." Her eyes glanced away from the prince sitting next to her, worry began to set in when he didn't make any comment right away.

"I gave in so I could live another day to hold you... I gave up my soul for love."

"Do you regret doing it?"

"That mistake landed me here... If I had to choose again, I wouldn't change a thing. Especially if it led to this moment again." His arm wrapped around the sun goddess beside him, her skin always felt warm. "Do you believe in destiny? I believe it was destiny's design that brought me here, back to you."

"Really?"

"While I was stuck or what they have told me I had only one thing in my mind the entire time. That was you, I couldn't bear the thought of you gone... it would destroy me." Celestia felt herself being drawn to his eyes. The red of his met the violet of hers, this moment would be the world could be made right once more. Celestia felt his lips push against hers, her arms wrapped around him as he continued the kiss.

"Your Majesty, if I may? The griffon prime minister wishes to say his good byes."

"Thank you I'll be there shortly. Duty calls my love, wait for me here please?"

"I shall my lady. Take as much time as you need." Sombra smiled to his angel walking away with a sway in her hips. She knew what she wanted, Sombra wanted it just as badly. Tonight was an amazing night already, but what was being shown, better things were to come.

"Hello PRINCE, if you even are a prince." A voice greeted Sombra as he fantasized about Celestia. The voice snapped him out of his stupor.

"Huh? What oh yes I am a prince. May I help you?" Sombra replied a little concerned.

"Prince Blueblood, you surf! I know you plan on cutting my financial in half." Blueblood spat in Sombra's face, causing Sombra to stand too fast for Blueblood's taste. Blueblood's men surrounded Sombra with crude weapons like small knives, clubs, and of course magic. Sombra took a moment to let the situation sink in his mind.

"I have no care about your money, I only care about Celestia. Not your bits, and I most certainly do not care about you." Sombra's stance became a bit more predatory. What he did not expect was a blade to slip through a small opening in his armor. The grunt of discomfort came and went, he was a warrior who faced down many enemies that threatened Equestria before. This poor excuse for a stallion would soon learn of his mistake.

"I see no royal blood to be spilled so what say you? PRINCE?" Blueblood grew a smirk upon his face with some cruel thought. "I would be willing to bet that my whore of an aunt wouldn't even notice you gone."

These words sealed his fate. A blinding flash of light erupted from Sombra's form, his eyes burned with the purest hatred that life could ever fathom. The flash of light was seen again, the world went black.

"Huh? Wha- unhand us at this moment you peasant!" Blueblood screamed at the very top of his lungs.

"No."

"No? I am Prince Blueblood! I demand you release us at once!" Blueblood screamed. Sombra turned to the false royal, a smirk written on his face.

"I am going to make you suffer for your words you pathetic excuse of flesh. I want you to see what I'm going to do to you and your ignorant followers." Sombra stated calmly as possible which caused Blueblood to shrink in fear. In Sombra's left hand a small curved blade formed from the shadows with the light glinting upon the jagged edges. Blueblood felt his bladder empty itself all over himself.

"But I will save you for last, for your disrespectful tounge against your own aunt!" Sombra used a spell causing the frightened Blueblood to watch all of his actions. Sombra came to the first of the small group. "Also that spell I made for those just like you. You shall feel all their pain as they do, in the appropriate areas of course."

The stallion who stabbed Sombra was the first to feel the cool blade on his face. The stallion shook violently as Sombra dragged the dagger down to the poor stallion's hands. The sharp blade sending waves of pain as it pierced the hand. Both the stallion and Blueblood screamed in unison, much to Sombra's delight. Sombra allowed the knife to rip into his victim savagely, Blueblood could feel every little scrape of metal against bone.

"Please I beg you to stop!" Blueblood shrieked at Sombra. The red and cold eyes turned back to the frightened prince.

"You make me sick. You should know I was a prince..." The voice that came from Sombra was growing deeper and more vile, like a child burning an ant with a magnifying glass. "But then I became a King, and you know I found being a king was more gratifying."

The blade slit the throat of the first lacky with ease, causing Blueblood to feel the edge run along his throat. The pain was unimaginable yet all too real. The next lacky screamed as Sombra fell upon him with the malicious eyes of a predator. The dagger cut along the thighs of the second with glee while Sombra was in a murderous spree. The blade danced into the skin splashing Sombra as he continued his ghastly work with pleasure.

"I was once a devoted follower in all things dealing with harmonious matters. But you see I wasn't the best at that, I was a conqueror for Equestria. I brought lands to them. And I was graced with Celestia as my lover and my soon to be wife. But you are a disgrace to the royal blood that is in your filthy veins. Blueblood do you want to know who I am?" Blueblood gave a half nod. "I am Sombra! Crown Prince, Warlord, Fear monger, The Bloodied Emperor, God Beast of the North, and King. Compared to me you are just dirt underneath my boots."

The penis of the second was cut away from the second lacky, Blueblood screamed in unholy pain as he felt the tendons in his body react. But to no avail. Sombra turned to the next lacky, with a snap of his fingers black crystals shot through the hands and feet. The screaming lasted hours and all the pain Blueblood could feel with no hope of it ever subsiding. Agony filled his very being.

"Hurts, doesn't it?" Blueblood could only scream back. "I felt that pain so many times. When I was banished the ice was a cruel mistress, so void of life, So COLD. But when you have enough hate in your heart you learn the coldest thing about you is your own heart. Only your aunt has warmed it and you call her a whore?! I should kill you! But that's too easy. Something worse would be more suiting for you." Sombra turned away from Blueblood with thoughts of extremely sadistic acts. But in the end only the death of this pitiful creature was the only thing to do. With a simple thought they disappeared from the blackened world.

10:57 P.M.

Canterlot Gardens

"Welcome back to the mortal world prince and look at the time, we are right when we left. Funny thing about pocket world time continues there but not here." Sombra sat down musing in his own thoughts. His eyes nearly lost all malicious intent, they looked nearly gentle.

"Shut up and kill me before my whore of an aunt comes back! They're both whores and I deserve to rule not them so what are you waiting for? Kill me!" Blueblood shouted loudly at the one who was his captor. Sombra shot him a look of sorrow.

"I hoped to just wipe your mind of that whole experience but you aren't one to just lay down like a coward... Huh. You still are a coward now matter how you look at yourself." His wicked mace formed in his hands. Sombra raised it high above his head. The venom still dripping onto the ground, the mace hung in the air for a few minutes before being brought down.

Celestia walked into the gardens, a deathly silence greeted her. The little breeze had died down giving the whole garden a eerie feeling. Making her way through the little valley of the castle, Celestia could hear shouting coming from the inner part.

She hurried quickly to Sombra with her heart racing in her chest.

She found Sombra holding the accursed mace with a killing stance, but who was it being brought down on? Her eyes widened once she saw her nephew on his knees waiting for the wicked weapon to fall.

"Sombra!"

Author's Note

Now comes the choice. Hope you liked the story and stuff with stuff and some things.

Redemption (Alternate ending)

Redemption

King Sombra, the god beast of hatred stood frozen with his weapon. A crowd had grown around Sombra, Blueblood, and Celestia. Each eye glued to the scene as they waited for the strike to happen. But what they couldn't see was the real battle being waged inside Sombra as both sides fought for control of the body. Celestia drew closer to Sombra, not once taking her eyes off of him.

"Give me control so I can end this!" The Sombra of the light yelled at his opposition. Only to be hit by a heavy hand. The dark Sombra smiled with wicked intent as he stalked his prey.

"Why? Why give up all this power? You are weak! Pathetic! You needed me to survive and you expect me to just hand over the body I had for so many years? Am I a fool to you?" The mass of evil hissed back.

"We have been given a second chance! We can live in peace! We can be happy now! There is no more war, and think of Celestia, right now she needs to know we still love her." The Prince cried out as he ducked behind new cover.

"Shut up! Celestia and Luna casted us away like we were filthy garbage! She doesn't love us! I want war, I want pain, and I want this world underneath my iron fist!" The evil King shot back, his breath was ragged like he ran for miles just for this moment.

"She loves us you cannot deny it!"

"SHUT UP!" The entire world within Sombra mind shook with the rage of the mad king. The prince needed to slow the monster down more.

"She will love us till the day we die, and we both know that won't happen for a long time. You made sure of that! So just accept her love." The Prince stood out of his cover to get a look at his evil counterpart. King Sombra was bleeding from his eyes, nose, and mouth. His armor was battered and broken, the once regal cape was shredded by some unseen force. "Celestia loves you and me. She just wants us to be with her, is that too much a burden for you? Can't you stop this madness?"

King Sombra dropped to his knees in defeat as his energy left his form; a broken husk of the once feared tyrant. Prince Sombra laid a hand upon the shoulder of his darkness.

"Forgive them. Forgive Luna for hurting you, forgive Celestia for not doing anything. Forgive yourself for every cruel act you did... And pray to Faust that maybe she will forgive you as well." Prince Sombra whispered to his darker self.

"H- how will... they forgive me... for what I have... done?" The prince was surprised to see tears streaming from the beast's eyes.

"Now I have to end you... I'm sorry..."

"Make it quick."

"Yes my brother."

Celestia stood right in the path of the mace, should it come down. She searched for anything in Sombra's eyes, any little spark or twinkle of light. But none showed at all. Sombra seemed like he was frozen in time and space, like he was a statue from the garden. Stepping closer to his form, Celestia formed a plan to wake him. Her lips pressed against his as she hoped this would work.

The sound the mace made when it fell from Sombra's fingers was loud enough to wake an Ursa Major. The crowd gasped holding their eyes shut, they feared the worst had happened. Now Fluttershy and Heavenly Pencil and the rest of the gang came to know why everypony was outside. Shadow and Twilight made their way over to Celestia's side to understand this situation they were witnessing.

"Princess? What's happening?" Twilight asked now filled with concern.

"I do not know Twilight, but should this become ugly... I need you and the rest of these ponies to run." Celestia's eyes never strayed from Sombra's as his were locked at some point.

The mace fell with a loud thud upon the pathway, Sombra crumpled to his knees. His expression was flat and distant. Celestia sat next to him with a worried look written clearly on her kind features. To her amazement Sombra stood proudly with a smile.

"I did it! I have conquered my inner demon! I'm free!" Sombra shouted with new life flowing in his veins. "I am free from it. I am free to love you again as it should have been all those years ago!"

Celestia gasped as Sombra wrapped her in his arms in the embrace. She somehow knew that there was a change in Dark King that went on before her very eyes and she didn't notice it in the slightest. Yet he was the prince she loved all those long years past. His face seemed to be free of any shadows across his face.

"I am going to marry the most beautiful mare in the entire world!" Sombra shouted at the very top of his lungs with extreme joy clearly being expressed. Celestia felt her cheeks redden and grow hot as she suddenly felt all eyes on her. But only one pair locked with hers as she looked back.

"I missed you Sombra." Whispered Celestia, her smile grew further across her face.

Damnation (Alternate Ending)

Damnation

The fell mace onto Blueblood's skull with a sickening crack that rang throughout the garden. Celestia stood dumbfounded at this, Sombra was slowly become the monster he once was. The purple mist began to seep from his eyes. Slow at first but as he turned toward Celestia the mist swirled faster.
"Sombra? Why?"

"Why? That whelp called you a whore! I made him suffer. Now every thing is meant to be." The malicious smile grew wide.
"My Sombra couldn't do such a thing!" Celestia screamed back at the beast. Her eye never left his own. The blood red eyes were the same when he was in power over the Crystal Empire. "My sweet prince please come back to me."

"I am no longer a prince! I am King Sombra!" He roared back. By now a massive crowd formed around them at thirty feet. "But that doesn't change how I feel about you. Become my queen, I will give you everything you could ever want or need. I will take care of you."

"No."

"No?"

"No, I will not become you queen. You are an unfit ruler. You are not the Sombra I fell in love with!" Celestia screamed back. Sombra's face twisted into a scowl like the words just hit him in his gut. The mace slithered back into Sombra where it belonged.

"Then you don't love me?"

"I love Prince Sombra!"

"You have forced my hand in this then Celestia." As he finished speaking red lighting shot from his finger tips. Sombra smiled as he forced his corruption into Celestia's form, in minutes she would be perfect.

Celestia screamed in agony as she felt King Sombra's essence pour into her heart. King Sombra smiled as Celestia writhed on the floor. She felt his pain, all of his pain. From the moment the shade gave him his powers to when the Crystal Heart blew him up. His wicked grin grew even larger once he saw the mist begin to flow from her eyes.

"You will become my QUEEN! Whether you want to or not!" King Sombra laughed. "All of Hell is nothing compared to this!"

The lighting stopped. King Sombra held out his hand to the fallen princess, the crowd began to shout curses at Sombra as he finished his spell. Celestia reached out towards his hand.

"Thus begins the reign of King Sombra, the dark lord, and Queen Celestia, mistress of darkness!" King Sombra gloated in his victory. Celestia stood at his side, her eyes complete green with the purple mist gently flowing from her eyes. The crowd was shook visibly as their once loving princess became a like Sombra.

"Subjects do not fear! This is a day of rejoicing, I now understand what must be done from now to our glorious future!" Celestia called to the masses before her. The entire group along with the mane six and their husbands couldn't doing anything about this whole situation. Many simply stared in fear at this new development. "Equestria enters a new golden age as I Celestia shall take the hand of King Sombra as his wife. We will lead you into the next phase of this kingdom!"

Some cheered while many stay silent, Blueblood's body began to light aflame in front of the masses. King Sombra's grin dropped as he now saw the Elements bearers, his eyes darkened with hatred for them taking away his empire. But in the end they lead him to an even greater conquest of land, he had uses for them.

"Elements of Harmony! Come forth and knell to your new master! I shall make you into grand generals of my legions. Accept my offer and conquer in my name ans I shall forgive you of all past actions against me." None knelled to him. His anger grew as did his power. Red lighting shot forwards to break all in his way to subjects known as the mane six. Rarity was hit first twisting her form in a more dangerous look with beauty mixed in. Applejack twisted and crumpled to the floor with an loud thump, when she arose her form was covered with ebony armor. Sombra laughed wildly as their friends sped away from the group. No doubt they would regrouping in hopes to fight against his reign.

"Sombra! Beast of the North we place you under arrest!" Luna cried out from the crowd. Sombra could see her moving through the crowd with determination well written in her face.

"I am going to give you one chance little one, join or I'll will kill you." Sombra hissed back.

"Little? I have two thousand years of magical power and you think I'm little?! Your arrogance will get you killed this day." Luna spat her retort.

Sombra only smiled at her. What she didn't know was he was already using his vile magic to sneak behind with a copy standing in his original place. Now behind Luna Sombra gave a hard kick to the back of her knees. When her head came to attention she was met by a fist.

"No matter what little Luna I will be stronger than you." King Sombra mocked as he circled Luna with a mixture of rage and joy.

"You are mad... Like when I banished you from this land... you will be weak so long as you hold onto such a petty thing like revenge." Luna shot back as she stood. Again to be met with a fist in her face.

"Shut up worm! I am the future for this world! I wonder if your sister loved you when you became the monster after I fell? What was it like to be cursed and feared, did you curse her? Did you ever once think you would kill everypony without the sun? Who's really the monster here?" Sombra's foot came down on Luna's fingers, her yelp was loud enough to allow everypony present hear. The mace that once vanished flowed into Sombra's hand once more. "If you defeat me I will return everything back the way it was, if I win... I'll skin you alive."

Luna pushed herself off the ground with a staff in her hands. Wicked blades on both sides of the poll. "Then I shall beat you for the good of these ponies!"

The staff shattered against the mace's might. Luna stared in shock, to be met with a knee to her stomach. Sombra descended upon her with his fists bashing away her light armor with ease. Luna kicked back refusing to be beaten.

Sombra fell upon a concrete pike one of the statues held, impaling him. The crowd gasped as the dark blue blood rolled away from Sombra, smoke rising where the blood made contact with any surface. His eyes shut due to this annoyance. With rage flowing in his veins faster, the pike burned to molten rock. The molten rock sizzled on Sombra's form as he lifted himself off the landing zone. With a scoop, Sombra sent the immensely hot substance towards Luna with vigor. She couldn't move fast enough. The molten substance smacked her on the left side of her face. Her screams were ear drum shattering as the pain set in.

"Oh poor little Luna, once one of the two immortal goddesses, now proven to be mortal after all!" Sombra shouted over the screams. While Luna used her magic to heal her wound she had no time to block the next attack. The sword known as "Soul Ripper" ripped through her chest as Sombra began to lift her off the ground to the crowd. The blade slipped out causing Luna to fall flat on the dirt. Her life flashed before her as she saw the wrong she did to make the monster that stalked her with a gleam of madness deep in his eyes. The end was coming and she couldn't stop it.

"The Bearers of the Elements will stop you."

"Only if they wish to meet the same end you have." The sword came down.

Not Forgotten Evil

Celestia laid still in Sombra's lap as he ran his fingers delicately through her hair. To everypony else she was asleep, but she was awake enjoying every sensation she felt running through her. If this was a dream, Celestia never wanted to wake up and face the world ever again.

Sombra leaned downwards to kiss Celestia's forehead, this was what mattered to him. If one thousand years did pass then he would never leave her side. Time was such a cruel mistress to those who knew true love.

"You can make it up to her by giving her your old kingdom?"

Sombra shook his head. Did he really just hear a voice?

"My lord? Ah your memories were wiped clean, I will help you regain them." The strangely familiar raspy voice whispered into Sombra's mind. "Remember you were once the greatest king Equestria ever had. Remember how that tiny crystal kingdom became an empire under your ever watching eyes."

Celestia opened her eyes to see Sombra lost in thought. His eyes were focused on the wall in front of the pair. Concern made itself known upon her face.

"Sombra? Sombra is everything alright?" Celestia asked, gaining every person's attention. With all eyes now locked on Sombra, a very cold breeze swept through the library with unknown origin. "Sombra? Please say something?"

No answer came.

His eyes locked in place, it seemed as though he was miles away even though he the center of attention. Every one looked into his eyes to see if there would be some kind of reaction. None. Celestia stared deeply into his eyes noting every little twinkle and spark. Sombra eyes flashed green to white earning a small gasp of shock from the solar princess. The mist slowly began to seep from his eyes and grew in intensity as it were caught in a fierce wind. Celestia was beyond terror at this point, seeing him slowly growing more enraged at something.

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" Sombra bellowed causing everypony including Celestia to leap backwards in fright. "I. WILL. KILL. YOU!"

As quick as it began it was over with Sombra teleporting away to an unknown destination. His rage echoed loudly in the confined space of the library for all to hear. Even those whom where outside cried out at the gut wrenching sound of Sombra's voice. Celestia stared in disbelief at where Sombra had sat moments before, what could be inside his head to make him act in such a way. Luna only smirked as this sudden development died down.

"As I said Not to be taken lightly. Tia I would say we hunt him down for the sake of our subjects, he may harm them in this new spout of insanity." Luna spoke assuringly.

"No I will find him, you and Sombra don't mix. If there is anything that can be done I shall do it. I owe him that." Celestia spoke in a rather broken motherly tone. It was clear that she was shaken by Sombra's outburst. Taking a look back to see the mane six, Luna, and Heavenly giving her unsure looks, taking a deep breath Celestia stepped outside.

"My lord why must you seek my destruction? I am only trying help you!" The shade screamed inside of Sombra's head.

"You are nothing to me! I will find you." Sombra's tone promised so much suffering for his target. "You will die like the rest of your kind!"

"But my master I was the one who helped you in your time of need! Please Lord Sombra allow me to show you that!" The shade begged.

"If what you say is true then show me!"

"At once my lord." The shade groveled in Sombra's mind. With a bright flash of light Sombra was taken into his distant memory. His past self sat miserably in the muddy snow, his ribs were visible to every one to see. "This is where I unlocked your true power, you were such a mess my lord I wouldn't allow you to perish in such a way. I told you how to harness the power within yourself which you did with such haste. I was worried at first it would kill you, but as time moved on you mastered this power. I taught you how to use the powers of necromancy that would help you latter on."

"This was me? I look so frail... so weak."

"You were my lord. Because you at first would not allow yourself to have such power over life and death. But you needed to sustain yourself. That was when you ate one of the dead..."

"I ate one of the dead?!"

"With the powers I unlocked the meat was kept fresh. You are the first of your kind to evolve in such a way you can survive anything. The lunar goddess wouldn't allow it."

"Luna hates me for an odd reason. Shade answer me why she does!"

"She fears you. She fears your might that cannot be held like an animal." The scene changed to when Sombra returned to Celestia the first time. "Luna feared you so much that the moment you came back she already branded you a traitor when you did what was necessary to make it back for her sister's sake. When nothing holding you back you finally became a king worthy of all and any. The Crystal Empire was your first conquest. Before you came it was a small kingdom, and under your rule it became a symbol of your might and power! All was as it was meant to be."

"Really? Then why do I have the feeling you're not telling the whole truth?"

"Because my lord I am trying to spare you of some of your more heart breaking memories."

"Show me or I will gut your ectoplasm ass into actual gore!" Sombra could feel the shade cringe at his words knowing fully well Sombra could perform such an act.

With a new flash the scene changed to once Sombra had left Canterlot with his head hung low with shame. Luna laughed in triumph as he left. Celestia could not believe that Sombra did many of the deeds he did. Eating another for survival was a horrible but tangible idea, but dark magic? The shades were made purely out of the darkness that resided in souls, but Sombra to use it? She was utterly dumb struck.

"Sister I told you he was a vile creature that could not be trusted." Luna spoke soothingly to Celestia.

"You were right, he has fallen into the dark. But we can still save him! I can't give up hope."

"He's too far gone Tia. You saw it as much as I did. Soon he will kill an innocent and when that happens he will develop a taste for that rush! He will kill over and over again, we must put him down."

"If there is no way... then so be it."

Sombra felt everything shatter in his mind, and pains settled in his chest as his heart throbbed. "No this isn't right! You're lying! Celestia loves me as I love her! This isn't true. It can't be..." Sombra's voice broken by the soft sound of sobbing.

"Sire I was looking out for you. I should have never showed this to you, I know how much she means to you." The shade whispered.

"I hate you! I didn't need to see that! Shade I want this answer, does Celestia still love me?" Sombra's tone took on the evil and malicious intent once again.