Dr. Sombra

Chapters

Arrival
Dream & Reality
Complications
Crystal Tyrant
Awakening
Welcome Back
A Change in Management

Arrival

Having been on a plane for twelve hours with little sleep, I was not in the mood to talk. Something that my taxi driver couldn't grasp. Grumbling a few non-committal words didn't seem to deter him from conversation. I looked out of the window, blocking out his nasally and gratingly cheerful voice. Not that I could see much, considering it was 4am and raining. Brilliant!

The thrum of the engine could be heard faintly under the driver's rambling, along with the screech of the tires against the cobbled street. I watched building after building pass by through a misty haze. I sighed and adjusted my glasses before sitting up. I looked in the rear-view mirror and the driver caught my eye. Mercifully, he shut up. Not that I outwardly expressed my annoyance, no, no. I've been told that my deadpan expression gives me a certain, intimidating look. Once, my co-workers daughter compared me to a vampire, thanks to my extended canines that become visible when I smile. She wasn't scared though, apparently vampires are "cool"

I snapped myself back into focus and looked around the dreary brown interior of the cab. Nothing exciting, a bobble-head pony on the driver's dashboard, along with what I guessed to be a picture of his family obscuring the top of the windscreen. Well, we hadn't crashed yet, so he must know what he's doing.

After a while, I picked up the case I'd brought with me,inside were my transfer orders. Apparently I'm pretty good at what I do as the job came with the enticing bonus of a pay-rise, and the chance to work in the best facility in the country. If it weren't for my sleep-deprived grouchiness, I might've been happier.

Passing the final row of idyllic urban houses, we headed out of the city. The driver finally remembered to put his headlamps on, as we narrowly missed an oncoming car. I was tempted to snap at the guy, but I let it be. Since he found driving so difficult, I doubted having a full on argument would help much. So, as we aqua-planed closer to my location, with throaty coughs of protest from the engine, I felt ok.

The rest of the journey, I can't really describe: flashes of black, then an object, black, then a narrowly missed collision...yeah, nothing too exciting.

Then we came to the gates of Castle Von Dracula... uh, I mean, my new workplace,the iron gates hanging open like great ebony jaws.

I couldn't help but think "Abandon all hope ye who enter here." Not the greatest first impression, I'll admit.

Soon after passing through the gates, we came to a security terminal. The morbidly obese pony manning it refused to leave their spot and spoke through a vox in a disinterested tone:

"Name and business here?"

The driver answered for me "Y'alright mate? Just dropping off Dr. Sombra, like I was told."

In the same tone he replied. "Proceed. Welcome to Elysian Heights" To me, it sounded like I was anything but welcome.

"Elysian Heights, huh? Well, if it makes ponies outside sleep better...sounds like a hotel rather than an asylum... Everypony partying with Dionysus up in Elysian Heights! Oh God. Did I really just think that? I am tired"

We passed through the barrier with no further incidents and up to the foreboding manor of the Heights. It looked like a converted mansion, although whoever designed it clearly lacked imagination. High stone walls, with small windows, except for the lower floor which housed automatic doors and from what I could see of the interior, a waiting room set up. To my left, there was a small patch of shrubbery and a fountain. I suppose it looked more impressive in daylight rather than at 4am.

I didn't know why I had to be here right now. All I got on the phone was: "We'll sort everything out" Thank you Mr. Explicit! I was not happy.

I got out of the car with a grunt, gave the cabbie a few bits to shut up, grabbed my case and marched inside.

I reached the front desk with the fixedly smiling pony on the other side.

"Welcome. You're early; that eager for work?"

In other circumstances, that might've been funny. At present, I imagined slapping her. But I controlled myself and snorted.

"I haven't started yet! I'm Dr. Sombra. I'm here to meet Dr. Mi Amore?"

Her eyes seemed to light up.

"So you're the new Doctor we've heard so much about. You take a seat and I'll call her through."

So I sat down like a good patient and read a terrible magazine for some time. My eyes roamed around the sterile and lifeless waiting room. It felt like sitting in purgatory. Nothing to do but read about some mare or others breast implants and the story of some squeaky voiced teen idol.

I was about to go up to the desk again when a voice behind me called: "Dr Sombra?" I started and threw my magazine to the table.

"Yes?"

I got up and saw my new colleague.

"Dr. Mi Amore?" I stupidly asked a second after my last question.

She laughed. "Yes, that's me. Please, just call me Cadence. I imagine you're tired after your flight, I'll show you to your room. "

I didn't quite comprehend at first. "The staff live in the asylum?" alarm bells ringing in my brain.

She turned "Well, yes and no. The staff buildings are separate from the main facility, like a small village. Don't worry, it's very safe, if that's what you're afraid of." she smirked.

I cursed inwardly. "No, it's not like that. I've never worked in an environment with that setup. Usually we live a few minutes away"

"We're not like other facilities. That's why it's the best. As well as our Doctors of course. Apparently you're too, otherwise you wouldn't be here." She seemed troubled. I didn't want to say anything, so I just followed,

For some reason I was transfixed by her mane: tied in a bob, it... well...bobbed with every step, and that irritated me. I shook my head and she stopped suddenly as we passed into a garden area outside of the building. she turned to me, looking serious.

"I know you've just got here, but I'll tell you now so you're informed before our first consultation."

I nodded, fighting to stay awake.

"The patient I work with has these vivid delusions and they've recently manifested in an obsession with me. He seems to think I am a Princess and he's a Captain of some Royal Guard. It started out innocently enough, I didn't really note it till now,but I can't break him out of it; He's convinced we're getting married and I've been replaced by some fairy Queen. Nothing I say makes a difference. So I'm hoping you can lend a hoof."

"What's his name?" I asked.

"Shining Armour."

Author's Note

The next chapter should be more action filled. Hope you like this so far!

Dream & Reality

I was given a day or so to familiarise myself with the site, along with the chance for the usual introductions: "Hi. I'm Dr Sombra!" Ughh.

The staff housing was as Cadence said, similar to a small village: neatly ordered rows of identical lodges. It wasn't bad, I must say. Cadence came to collect me one morning, I came out in a rush, fumbling with my lab coat as I did. Not that I had to, I guess I was nervous as it was the first day on the job. After wrestling the edge of my coat from the door's grip, I leant on the frame nonchalantly.

"Ready to go?"

She snorted then and I soon followed.

We walked along the path casually, the usual chit-chat, nothing special. I was unconsciously fondling the lucky charm in my pocket. Soon enough, Cadence noticed.

"Don't be nervous now Sombra. You'll be fine! Pulling out the seams of your pocket won't help." She smiled, with an amused glint in her eye.

I laughed, "I'm just playing with my lucky charm." I pulled it out to show her,with a deft flick of my hoof I threw it in the air to catch it in the other, before showing her.

It was a crystalline formation, black as jet, incredibly hardy, and the most interesting thing? Light seemed to be absorbed by it, like some endless void. I was quite taken with it. In my younger days I pinned it as an allegory for the unknown, but that was just my pretentious student-self talking.

"A crystal?" She said, staring at it, curiously.

"Yeah." I said, "Minerals interest me. I collect some others too, but this one is particularly special."

"Oh God. What riveting conversation! I like rocks. The ladies love a good rock!"

"Hmm." She said. "That's interesting" we flashed our key-cards and entered the building. I blurted out:
"Some crystals are said to have medicinal properties. That's part of the reason why I keep this one. It's supposed to help ease the mind."

She turned and laughed "Don't tell me that the brilliant Dr. Sombra owes his career to a crystal! We'll all be out of a job."

I found myself laughing back "No-one but us can know, ok?" we swore this oath through our mirth as we neared the consultation room.

I noticed Cadence's features change as we drew nearer, from a smile, to a thin, depressed line of anxiety. I noticed how quiet this area was compared to the rest of the asylum. It was in a long, brightly lit hallway, with barred metal doors inserted into what might've once been woodwork, but was now a gray mass of concrete. the contrast between the neatly carved adjacent wall wasn't lost on me.

We buzzed into the room. I was now more nervous than ever, seeing Cadence in such a state.Nevertheless, I moved into the room.

The interior was hardly any more cheery: Thick, dull walls, a dim, metal table, a mirror for observation and a single lamp, that slithered down from the ceiling to rest above head height, It looked more like something you'd see in a Police Station. This sight sapped my confidence. I didn't really register the stallion on the other side of the table till I sat down. He made no move when we entered, he might as well have been made of stone. His watery eyes were glazed, fixed on the far wall.

I coughed "Good morning Mr Armour. I'm Dr. Sombra ,I'll be working with you and Dr. Mi- Cadenza this morning." I decided Cadenza was better than repeating Mi Amore every time. The white stallion gave no response. He didn't even move, I gave Cadence a questioning look.

She looked worried. "Shining?" she said, in a kindly voice.

The figure remained mute.

"Has he done this before?" I asked, fishing into my pocket for a torch, shining it at his eyes, there was no response.

Cadence tremulously replied: "No. Usually he's as alert and as excitable as a small colt. Especially in recent weeks, since his obsession developed. Should I call the Med team in?"

I sighed. "No. I know what this is."

She was silent, waiting for explanation.

"This condition, in part helped make my reputation. The sufferer is, in a sense, entombed in a fantasy. Trapped in their own mind. These delusions you mentioned are far more serious than I imagined. I don't entirely understand how it works, but right now, Mr Armour is living a dream."

"So what do we do?" she asked, frowning.

"Well, we can either force-feed and drug him for several weeks, in the hope that he will surface, or we go for the more risky approach."

"And that is?"

"I enter the dream-state and entice him back to reality."

She looked at me like I was mad, so I explained.

"Part of why I am so successful is my discovery of a certain type of magic: Mind magic. I can influence perception along with several other senses, however, maintaining contact with the subject is crucial: twisting their view can be damaging, so I speak to them, let them face their fear or whatever it may be."

"Right." Cadence said "So what do I do?"

"You remember the crystal? I said, tossing it to her. It's spelled so that you can talk to me in the dream state, watch my progress and so on."

She looked uncertain:
"So, I'm to let you enter a patient's mind, potentially damage both yourself and the subject, on the off chance that it might work?"

I replied smoothly "That's about the size of it, yes."

She acquiesced with a nod. "Be careful." I'll have Medical on standby.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine" I said with a half grin before casting the spell.

What I didn't tell her was that I'd only done this once before.

Entering the vision was like stepping into a nightmare; an entire city aflame, screams echoing up to my perch in the sky above. As I descended in a shadowy form, my body protected by a barely perceptible barrier, A jarring, buzzing noise assailed my ears. If I could, I would've covered them. As I descended to street level, I noticed the source of the noise.

A bulbous, insectoid, pony? I shivered at the detail of the horror before me: Its eyes were normal size, yet, segmented like a fly's, they seemed to gleam in reflecting the devastation in front of it. The mouth was fanged and appeared to open into mandibles, a green ichor oozing between the serrated teeth that seemed to surround the entire interior. A bluey, lighter hued mouth. covered in teeth. I cringed "Dear God..."

It noticed me!

It turned, jaws glistening and gave a cobra like bark crossed with an insectoid screech. The sound reverberated and the skin around its mouth contracted as It leapt in my direction.

It hit my barrier with a solid thunk and hissed in rage as it squirmed on the floor, trying to right itself.

Cadence gave a squeak of horror through our link. "What is that..thing?"

"Shining's fear made manifest." I said.

I obscured the rest from her sight. Even in a dream this vision was too real: half-chewed and dissolved corpses lined the streets, shop windows were shattered and one body lay lacerated, intertwined with a mannequin, while the creatures worried at it in a frenzy. I was revolted, but I steeled myself and looked up to see the towering minarets of a castle.

"That's where Shining is, I'll bet"

Barging my way through the streets, I made my way under the now ruined portcullis. I had to keep reminding myself It wasn't real. If I didn't find him soon, I feared the worst for his and my own subconscious.

As I bowled over one group of the loping creatures, I came to the worst sight of the vision: A grandly halled area, arrayed for a wedding: Roses spilled over the floor, a pale red, in comparison to the remainder of the floor; Wedding guests, or what had once been wedding guests...torn part. I retched at the sight of a small doll, stained red.

I was snapped back to focus by another attack on my barrier, the creature knocking it forcefully, blinking its disgusting eyes and snapping in a predatory fashion.

A scream sounded from another room, so I ran towards the noise.

Cadence's voice came to me "Sombra? What's going on?"

"Cadence. You don't want to know." I said, as I ran towards the sound, while being pursued by the horrors.

I passed through the bloody hall, to come to a throne room. Shining sat, cringing and reeling at the sea of...Cadence's around him.

"Don't you love me?" one said.

"You only care about my title, not me!" said another.

He gibbered: "No, No. I love you Cadie! I really do. Don't say that. Which one is the real you, though?"

"I am" they all said as one, advancing closer to the stricken stallion, each wearing a wedding dress and an elaborate hairstyle. Their mouths opened in the mandible fashion of the other creatures. Their voices, distorted by a series of clicking noises "Come to me, my love." Shining began to move. I couldn't get through the press. I had to do something.

"Enough!" I shouted, it projected around the room at a thunderous volume. Tiles leapt from their moorings as a shock wave passed in all directions from me. The changeling Cadence's were flown about the room, each returning to its original, twisted form.

My barrier had dissipated. I was doomed. I ran up to the throne and grabbed Shining "Snap out of it man! If you don't take control of this vision, we are both going to DIE!"

He just looked at me in terror. I'd completely forgotten my code of enticing in my rush to be free. Another Cadence, larger than the others, began ascending the steps, a loud echo of her hoofsteps reaching us.

"Oh, poor Shining... is that stallion scaring you?" she cooed.

Shining was scrunched in a ball and he whimpered "Yes..."

I calmed myself and began speaking quickly: "Listen to me. Right now you're in an asylum thanks to these vivid, delusional dreams of yours.Fight against these visions and you will be cured, but if you don't? We're stuck in a mental limbo." "That, I said moving his head. is not Cadence. the real Cadence is outside, waiting for you. If you want to see her, you need to wake up!"

He started hyperventilating and moved away from me. He curled into a ball at the foot of the throne and began rocking back and forth. The Changeling seemed to grow larger with his rising terror. It emitted a harsh, clicking laugh, grating my ears.
"Not to worry my dear, I'll remove him."

She leapt at me, her form shimmering to reveal the creature beneath; Its whole skin seemed to writhe with life beneath and small fly like creatures seemed to burst from its skin.

As the mandibles came into view I fired, burning right through the back of its throat, It choked and bucked as ichor flooded from the wound.

Then the whole world tore apart; eaten away by some invisible force. I had no idea what to do. This was not what should happen. I had slain the source, not Shining. I didn't have time to dwell on the implications as I grasped the stricken figure and cast the return spell.

I awoke with a gasp, some unknown pony standing above me. I staggered to my feet.

"The patient." I croaked

He was staring at Cadence, looking bewildered. "Where am I?" he said, blearily

Cadence went to him beaming and he seemed reassured "You're back Mr Armour." She turned to me.

"You did it Sombra!" She cried, jubilantly

"Sombra?" Shining said a frown creasing his features.His eyes widened and he snarled in an animal way.

"Sombra!" He said, hysterically, gnashing his teeth as he fought to grab me.

I held him back and managed to pin him to the wall, his insane strength batting at my own.

"Get me security now!" I bellowed.

It took four stallions to subdue him in the end. We injected him with an anesthetic and liberally applied restraints.

White as a sheet, Cadence asked "W-what happened?"

I made no reply but to sink into my chair. This was far from over.

Complications

After a lengthy silence, I answered Cadence's question; omitting only the more harrowing details. Her expression became all the more sickly and her hue more pale as I continued. After I had finished, she spoke. "These apparitions... can harm you?"

"To be honest with you, I'm not entirely sure. But, when I enter a vision, everything feels, looks, smells...real. With my barrier gone, I panicked. I didn't know that I could do much more than coax the subject. To be able to produce a shock wave like that... It should be impossible; The barrier keeps the images separate and prevents me from physically interfering."

I sighed and ran my hooves through my mane. Cadence lay a reassuring hoof on my shoulder. "Well, your interference clearly did something. Before I mentioned your name, Shining was as alert and focused as anypony is like to be. To tell you the truth, I thought he was cured."

I looked up at her: "That's what I don't understand. I interfered with the dream through physical action, I always imagined that would cause mental over stimulation and have catastrophic effect. Yet, his focus has shifted to me..."

I got up suddenly, my brain whirring. Cadence looked bewildered as I began pacing and muttering to myself before staring at Shining. "Sombra?" She said uncertainly, "What is it?"

I turned to her with a curious grin. "I need to go back in."

She looked like she was about to protest, but I stopped her with a hoof.
"I need to see what effect my actions had and furthermore, If i'm the cause of the trauma, all he need do is 'slay' me and everything will right itself."

"That's ridiculous!" She spurted, looking worried "If anything in your account was true, you could die!"

I smiled hugely and filled with bravado, I said "They're just visions. Nothing more, nothing less."

Before she could call me out on what I'd said, the spell was cast.

I instantly regretted that decision. My barrier didn't form! I was falling, the wind whipping at my ears, my eyes watered so I couldn't see a thing. I tried everything I could, but the ground drew ever closer.

"So this is how it ends" I thought as I waited for the impact.

It never came, I opened my eyes, completely off balance, to find myself in a king sized bed.

I sat up and rubbed my face "What the hell?" I said before taking in my surroundings. My eyes grew wide as I beheld a room almost entirely composed of crystal: crystal dressers, crystal floors, crystal walls...even my bedsheets seem to shimmer. It was like something out of a dream...no, wait...this was a dream, vision even. "Cadence?" I called as I got out of bed and moved about the room.

Her voice came through statically. "S...krrr Ombra?" followed by a jumble of odd sounds. I breathed out "I think something's up with the crystal, I can't really hear you. I'll try and contact you later, shouldn't be long. No doubt Shining will burst in any minute for a heroic duel." I snorted at the image, Cadence didn't respond, the static sound no longer on my ears.

I shrugged and walked over to what I guessed would be the bathroom. Odd that I should need it in a construct, but as they say
"When you gotta go.." I washed my hooves in the translucent basin and jumped at the fierce visage that greeted me in the mirror.

The reflection jumped too. I laughed, "Do I really look like that?! Not bad, a great villainous look. I guess I have a forked tongue, too?" I beamed "Oh my God, I do! My canines have become outright fangs! Got to credit the guy's imagination, even I'd slay me!"

I have no idea why I was in such a stupid mood, but I roared with laughter. It echoed in a deep bass, the perfect ominous sound.

Then, something I didn't expect happened, a voice came from the main room, It wasn't Shining's, it was snivelling, wormish and pitiful all at the same time. "My Lord?"

I jumped out of my skin, before replying; "Yes? What is it?" The tone was serpentine and grumbly, it made everything seem threatening.

At least it did to the figure in the other room. " A-a thousand pardons my L-Lord! I heard your laughter and imagined you were ready."
"Ready?" I said, "for what?" again, the tone gave a keen edge to my words without my meaning to.

The figure stuttered more as I made my way out of the bathroom. "Gah!" I said in surprise at the sight. A cyan pony, deeply lacerated and covered in horribly disfiguring scars It had some jagged object jutting from under the skin of its back. The thing jumped back in terror. "T-t-the Prostration m-m-my L-llord."

I didn't want to know if that entailed anything more than bowing, so I grunted. "Well, I can't go out like this, I suppose." I meant it lightly, It didn't come out that way. The thing loped over to a cabinet and drew out my attire desperately .

A shimmering ruby like cape, trimmed with ermine and what appeared to be armor. "At least I'll look the part" I thought, as the intricately carved, greaves, breastplate, and crowned helmet were drawn out.

The pony then began fastening my tyrannical gear to me. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be made out of the same lightweight metal, patterns burnt into the gear with acid. Finally, the crown helmet; the sides running along the skin of my cheek as it locked in place. The cloak was then pinned via broaches in the breastplate. A mirror was wheeled over by the pathetic figure and I was blown away.

"You did well" I said, admiring the look. It flinched as if i'd struck it, then began gibbering, bobbing its head up and down.
"T-t-Thank you! My Lord is most generous"
"Please let this end soon" I thought.

"Alright." I said, "Take me through." thinking that the "Prostration" would be Shining's cue.

It loped ahead of me, opening doors and continued talking in that pathetic mewl of a voice: "Your Magistrates await you on the balcony and the Overseers have made the preparations you requested."

The entire hall was crystalline, a gray-black colour that seemed fitting for a lair such as mine. There were no windows, just a long hallway, lit with wandering orbs of green fire.Then we came to a set of stairs, that seemed to be cut from the same stone. I couldn't see an end to them as I ascended. My breathing became slightly heavier as we reached the top. "Whoever designed this has never worn armor before." I said aloud. The loping creature said hurriedly "A-apologies, I'll see that it's dealt with."

I shook my head "He's really starting to irritate me now. Where the hell are you Shining? I'm not sure how much more of this I can stomach."

Having finally reached the top, a rumble sounded beyond an archway. I stepped under it and two guard ponies standing to either side beat their breast with their weapons, the noise seemed to be taken up by the square. Elaborately dressed ponies gave respectful bows as I passed them, to look over the crest of the perch. A cacophony of noise greeted my arrival. An endless wave of soldiers, all with their weapons raised in a jubilant cry. It was then that I noticed the chained ponies in the centre of the square. The soldiers had formed a ring, prodding and swinging at the poor creatures . Some of them flinched, others didn't respond, staring ahead, blankly, no matter what punishment was inflicted.

My look of horror must've gone unnoticed. A monstrous pony in guard attire moved to my side, one eye deeply scarred and milky white. He boomed at the square: "Hail to the King!"

The soldiers echoed him with gusto,even the chained wretches seemed to echo it as their warbling tones carried over the other, more uniform shout.

Through the link I uttered: " Uuuh.. Cadence. We have a problem."

Author's Note

The next chapter has to be my favourite to have written so far. I'll publish it in a little bit.

Crystal Tyrant

Unable to raise Cadence, I was stuck. With Shining nowhere in sight, I was to play the role of the "Crystal Tyrant" Aa I had dubbed myself.

I really must credit the vividness of this construct, the subject is not present as far as I can tell and the images show an independent function beyond simple terror. I mean, the servants were grotesque and loping much like my assistant earlier, creatures I was accustomed to dealing with. But the Magistrates and Overseers, from what I could tell, had a structured society in place. I was fawned over by simpering ponies in silks, spoken to with respect from grizzled military types. I won't lie, It was exciting.

Soon I was led away by the imposing figure that had stood at my side earlier: Marshal Ironside. Duties awaited me in the throne room it seemed.

I thought that nothing could impress me any more, considering the beautiful formations I had passed. The Throne room proved me wrong, although It was slightly marred by the "Fortress of Dread" motif that pervaded the palace. Crystals reflected, darker, yet captivating colours: greens, reds, purples. I can't imagine what It would be like if the crystals were entirely translucent.

A royal purple carpet led up to the throne,my throne, a jutting and imposing mass of obsidian. I sat at its height and gazed about the room.

My guards, flanking me and the room was full of petitioners, I felt powerful.

A line from some poet or other came to my mind: "My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings: Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!" I'd forgotten the rest but that was of little consequence.

The Marshal stepped along the carpet and came to kneel with a clank: "Joyous news, My Lord."

I leant forward "Yes?"

"The Loyalist armies have been broken and the false Emperor grievously wounded. He was borne away by his guard before the killing blow could be issued, yet, I surmise, he will die within hours, if not already rotting."

"Damn Shining! One hell of an imagination you've got. Fallen Empires, a rebellion? How are you not an author? If you could hurry up and attack me though, that'd be great."

A murmur sounded from within the crowd in the roped off area. I could hear screaming and hysterical pleading as two burly guardsmen came into view, dragging a middle aged stallion, who might once have been finely clothed, but was now in fine rags and bleeding profusely.

My assistant from before ,let's just call him 'Minion', loped over to my side, with a wide grin. "I dealt with the problem like you asked my Lord." A harsh cracking sounded as he bent into a bow, the structure from before punching through his skin as he did. "I brought him here." he said, with a wheezing cackle, before placing his hooves to his mouth and saying in a discordantly high pitch. "to face judgement!"

The pony managed to raise himself, one half of his glasses falling from his face, while the other lens was shattered, he was bruised and battered. "I only did what you said! You wanted the stairs!" he said, hysterically, fighting against the grip of the guards. "you wanted the stairs!" He wailed.

The Marshal struck him, a meaty blow that dislocated his jaw, the sickening sound carrying throughout the hushed chamber.

He turned with an indifferent expression. "My Lord?"

My conscience screamed at me to save him, but then I remembered this wasn't real, and I was playing a role after all.

I waved a hoof: "You know what to do."

It was in the Marshal's hooves, not mine. I was blameless... he wasn't even real!

His struggling and his moaning sob stuck like knives in my heart. His hooves drummed at the floor as he was dragged away, his head shaking from side to side, not one pony spoke out.

The Marshal sniffed in displeasure, while Minion cackled and twirled on the floor with malicious glee before a guard pony kicked him and he slunk away like a dog.

"No word from our envoys to Equestria my Lord. The Sisters are silent, yet, there is no movement as of yet. They never cared for the Emperor as you well know, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared."

I nodded, taking on the role. "Make it so. Alongside this, I need a pony found"

He clicked his hooves together, jutting out his chest. "Name them, My Lord. "

I told him and he said something about the College of Scryers, but I didn't catch it as Cadence's voice entered my thoughts.

"Sombra!" she said "I've fixed the link. Any sign of Shining?"

"Not yet, no." I said, relieved that she hadn't seen that episode. " Something's off Cadence, In my other studies, the focus was entirely on the subject, a moment of trauma which I can coax them from, either fictitious or a memory. Right now, I'm lording over a kingdom with very 'real' ponies. It's not as scripted and uniform. I have no idea what's happening."

"Should you pull out?" She said, a twinge of concern in her tone.

"No." I said abruptly "I need to study this further. If I'm to use this technique in future, why not test it now, when i'm in no danger? Besides, I'm not sure I can leave."

"If you're sure... be careful"

"Always." I replied, smoothly.

Time passed slowly in the dream. I have no Idea how long passed in reality, but here it felt like weeks. I became all the more engrossed in my role, wanting to facilitate some action. I got it, eventually, but not what I wanted.

The Marshal entered the Throne room, followed by a cowled pony, who I guessed was a Scryer.

"Any news?" I said, being fed grapes by a rather pretty slave. (I obscured that and any other difficult action from Cadence's sight.)

The Marshal dipped his head and moved to one side. the Scryer stepped up, not in the least intimidated by me. I could just make out their eyes under the hood, as they spoke clearly and confidently: "The pony you seek does not exist." The tone brokered no argument.

"WHAT?!" I bellowed, knocking the platter from the slave's hooves in my rage. It rolled down the hall before coming to a rest with a clang.

The entire room gaped in fear, even the Marshal jumped, but the Scryer remained unfazed. "Not at this time anyway."

The slave at my side trembled. I thundered :"That's not possible, this world hinges on his very existence!"

Bewildered murmuring sounded from the galley. The Scryer boldly stated: "The world will need to wait one thousand years if that is the case my Lord. We have gathered our powers and we have seen the stallion you speak of. There is no question of possibility"

I looked to the Marshal, my eyes blazing and he confirmed it with a nod.

"Get out." I growled menacingly and the chamber emptied. Soon I was alone.

"One thousand years!" I yelled, my horn firing and shearing of a section of crystal from the ceiling; It fell to the floor with a heavy thunk. In my rage, I had forgotten to distort the images for Cadence.

I heard her gasp, snapping me back to reality. My ears flickered, "Cadence?" I said.

She was silent for a time before saying "What has this state done to you?"

I sighed "One thousand years Cadence. You heard. At the rate times's been passing here, I'll die before then."

She replied "Can't you just leave and come back later?"

I had no idea, but I felt that something kept me anchored here. "It would likely just reset to this point again when I came back... If I can leave." I mulled it over in my brain, now free of rage. I paced the floor and the hall resonated with the clank of my armored hooves.

"There's got to be some event I need to go through, something that lets me survive long enough for him to face me. It makes no sense for me to be here otherwise."

A chilling thought occurred to me "Am I wrong? Am I stuck in this vision with no form of escape?"

I opened the link, now convinced of my fate "Cadence...I" The whole room shook. At first, I didn't believe it, then dust and loose crystals fell from the ceiling a muffled boom sounding from the outside .

"What?" I said, "Who could...?" I could hear a clash of weapons and shouts of triumph. At first I was afraid, then felt hope soar.

"It's Shining!" I said, roaring for joy "Finally he's come. I can be free!" I twirled about in glee,laughing at that cursed windbag of a Scryer. "Let's get this over with. Enter, oh brave hero! Vanquish your fear."

As if my words help the potency of a spell, the doors flew open and I awaited salvation.

Only...Shining wasn't there. Two Alicorns stood in his place, one white with eyes burning fire and the other a deep blue, looking more controlled than her sibling, but no less dangerous.

I stepped back "No, No, NONONONO! This Isn't right at all!"

The fiery Alicorn spoke in a voice filled with wrath. " You believed we would stand idly by while you butchered these ponies? Your people!?" She sent a beam of energy in my direction, creating a fissure in the floor. The other pony remained silent, that was more intimidating.

The melting of the crystal panicked me. I fired a beam in response, but it was redirected.

I drew up a barrier of crystal as another beam was thrown my way, it's trail making a whooshing sound, It burnt through my barrier instantly and I shifted, just in time to receive a shallow gash to the shoulder, as apposed to being brained... It hurt.. I put a hoof to the wound and drew it back, blood dripping in beads to the floor.

I snapped. Shattering what remained of the barrier, I sent chunks of crystal hurtling towards my assailants. The silent one blocked them. I imagined great plumes of fire, lightning...Anything! It did nothing, the two sisters protecting each other from my attacks, only to unleash unfathomable power of their own.

Desperate and bleeding from half a dozen gashes, I tried the return spell. The whole room distorted and seemed to fade, but I was still here. The silent pony yelled suddenly at her companion "Stop him sister! He means to tear the veil and eradicate us."

I concentrated heavily, grunting with the strain of the magic "Why won't you work!?" I thought.

I was blown off of my feet by some spectacular explosion of energy. I felt my skin blister as I hurled backwards against my throne, an audible crack sounding as the section I struck broke off.

I couldn't move as the duo stopped in front of me. "We must go sister. The damage is too great for me to contain for long."

"In a moment." said the other. She lifted me up, I was held, barely conscious in the grip of her magic. The pain of my wounds and the blurring of my sight told me I was to die, I accepted this. I would rather die here than remain trapped in this hell. What would happen to my living body? I couldn't say.

She stared at me and I spat blood before croaking "Do...It."

That only seemed to make her more angry, she threw me against the far wall and I felt another rib break. I was too weak to cry out. Shackles held my hooves as obscure symbols danced over and around my body in a ritual formation.

"Death is too good for you!" she declared. "Sombra, YOU ARE BANISHED!"

I was pulled through the wall by the force of the spell, bound in a smokey form. I yelled as I hurtled away from the palace, skimming across thousands of miles in the blink of an eye. The spell thrummed with energy and tied my very soul to a spot in the glacial tundra.

My mind froze and my body paralyzed; I maintained consciousness long enough to hear a faint voice: "Sombra?" It called, as I was sucked into oblivion.

Author's Note

Had to sneak in the reference to Ozymandias; hope you'll forgive a brainwashed Lit student. If anyone gets the implication, have a cookie. :P

Personally this was my favorite chapter to write,It probably doesn't make sense, but I think It had the desired effect.

Awakening

I can't tell you exactly how long I was consciously encased.,I'm not even sure; I was numb, in a state between dreaming and waking. Time held no relevance. To me, it might've been: hours, days, weeks...years, but my time came. I felt the strength of my bond loosen, I opened my eyes and felt my strength returning. All I could remember was... pain, flashbacks to my being hailed as King and...and a name. "Shining Armour" I didn't know why I hated him, only that he had something I wanted,that he was the key to something.

My wrath was terrible. I roared and howled as I brought the full brunt of my magic to bear,my tomb cracking and swaying as the enchantments weakened The crushing weight of my power rocked the glacier, fissures widening and crisscrossing, Even to me it felt like standing at the epicentre of an earthquake.

Finally it gave a huge snap and a blast of daylight greeted me. As I crossed the wastes, I bellowed in triumph, magnifying the sound with my magic.

I scanned the surrounding area, looking for signs of life. All would know fear until he was brought before me. Seven ponies became visible through my scrying, their forms drawn out in a hazy smoke. I hurtled towards the hapless group, at speeds I didn't think were possible, even in a form like mine. Roaring once more in a predatory way, I bore down on them, closing the distance in a matter of minutes. They must've heard as their expressions were of pure terror, It was intoxicating.

The seven ran for some time, it was no use, I was faster. Only one caught my eye though, dressed in black arctic explorer gear, while the others were barely dressed at all. Inches behind the slowest of the group, a mewling yellow pegasus, I was euphoric, in a state of predatory awareness. Then, the explorer turned in the snow, kicking it up as they slid, staring in my direction.
I chucked "Fool! no-one can-" He removed his face mask, my eyes widened in fury, the insignificant pony from before forgotten, as I stared into the face of my enemy: Shining Armour.

His horn glowed a purpley colour as he fired beams of energy erratically. I twisted and slithered to avoid them, writhing through the air, like some ethereal snake, fangs bared. Dodging one final, more powerful blast, I bit into the meat of his shoulder and shook him roughly, before throwing him further into the snow.

He grunted and got back up after sliding several feet. He breathed heavily, mist spewing about his mouth. He held a hoof to his shoulder briefly. His eyes narrowed, he returned to his fighting stance, charging his horn.

Before he could let off a blast, i fired one of my own encircling the irritating appendage with my power, blocking off focal points, . It was now useless, onyx crystals jutting from the pure enamel. Triumphantly, I returned to my regular form, with none of my former wounds and advanced on him.

He drew back, attempting to unleash a salvo, his magic humming, yet ,it spluttered out. "It's no use" I said, grinning.

"What do you want?" the powerfully built stallion asked.

I chuckled darkly "I believe you know Shining. I may've been bound in ice for a millennium, but your name still rings in my mind.Give back whatever it is you've stolen and I'll let you live."

He looked confused: "I have no idea what you're talking about"

I growled, encircling him with my magic. I began twisting his hooves to obscene angles. "Don't lie to me!"

The pain must've been excruciating, but he leveled his eyes to mine with a breathless smirk:

"Torture me all you like, I still have no clue what you want."

Losing patience, I became crueler and more imaginative in my methods, yet, the answer did not change.

"Enough!" I shrieked, turning to mist and forcibly entering his mind.

A barrage of memories greeted me, useless. As i waded through the mire of this pathetic creatures mind, I became more furious. I raged and spat, on the edge of wiping his mind completely in spiteful rage, when I saw her.

Something in the back of my mind stilled me as I beheld the figure of a pink mare. She seemed... familiar, I couldn't quite place her though...was she what I was looking for? I was thrown of balance, hovering amidst the seemingly endless tunnel of memory.

I retracted the spell, conflicted, my mind aching as it sought to answer the questions that arose. I returned to the physical realm and simply stood there. Shining came to shortly after, shaking his head, dazed. He ran in the direction of the rest of his group, while I was paralyzed by my discovery.

"Who is she?" I murmured aloud. The wind moaned in my ears, as if lamenting my sorry state. A fire built within me, a desire to know, but when I looked up to question my captive, he had escaped. I followed his hoofprints, clearly embedded in the snow. I crested the hill to see my prey, shuffling towards some ethereal blue dome. I sped up, in an attempt to catch him, he noticed and ran the final yards. Just as I thought I had him, he apparated through the thrumming structure. I continued at my pace, trying to follow, only to strike something hard. It was like hitting a brick wall, but my shadow form prevented damage.

I probed it several times more, looking for weakness. I found none. This barrier also troubled me. Like the pink mare, it seemed somewhat familiar. Then, I made the assumption that whatever I wanted, was held in this magical sanctuary. Still thinking on what that might be, I fired an experimental bolt at the obstruction, my stream was engulfed by the misty whirls,which seemed to flow lazily in a circular motion; It didn't look solid, like somepony had released a concentrated and colourful smoke bomb that wouldn't dissipate.

More carefully, I braved the edge of the mist,moving slowly at first,then being stopped. No matter what I tried, what angle of attack I chose, (It was a circle, but you get what I mean.) I was met with the same stubborn resistance. Buzzing impotently,like a fly in the window, I backed away.

"If I can't just phaze in, I'll make a way in!" I said, grinning at the action to come. Then, retreating to the top of the crest I made myself whole and began my assault. I concentrated with intensity, the air itself shimmering, and the ground cracking with the force;the power collected at the end of my horn with an audible thrum,the colours dancing in the snow. With a savage shout, I fired, the snow melting in its path. The explosion was deafening and the blowback of energy...exhilarating.

I marveled at my own strength, scanning my memory, sure that I had never wielded that level of magic.

"Even those Alicorn sisters would've struggled to reflect that!" I thought triumphantly, thrilled with the discovery.

To my glee, a gaping hole had been blown in the mist, which appeared each time the mystical winds make a circuit. I apparated into the smokey form and dove towards the gap. Just as I reached it, the whirls violently descended upon the breach with harsh blowing, repulsing me. It did catch my horn in the closing moments, severing it clean off. I howled in fury retreating once again. The pain was dulled by my current form and I found that I could grow it back simply enough.

Even so, I felt a connection to the phantom appendage,not quite cut off from my magic. An Idea came to me and I grinned maliciously,warping my old limb into a crystal formation,with a difference;,it would grow. Not like a common plant, no, no: It would spread, writhe, infect the mystery world beyond,dividing at a rate I could barely comprehend myself as I spelled it.

I chuckled in a draconian way, delighted with my innovation, a little help from the inside couldn't hurt. I began my barrage again. The landscape reverberated with a peal of thunder as I fired sizzling projectiles toward the wispy hindrance. At first, the lazy curls taunted my efforts,then I began to punch through.I pressed on, refusing to allow it a moment of respite.

Soon enough, the tear grew wider and my crystals spilled out, blocking the repair process. The two, now separate strands of the barrier battered at the formation but were unsuccessful in reuniting. The wispy torrents made the sound of a gale as they writhed under my barrage. Soon enough the thing was extinguished, flopping in defeat, before dissipating in a puff of colour.

I stamped down one last defiant wisp as I stepped on the sheen carpet of onyx my creation had laid for me, a roar of triumph carrying to the pristine minarets of the now visible city beyond. A section of crystal broke off under my hooves and propelled me towards my alluring goal, the hefty sound of the earth cracking at my passing, like music to my ears.

"So this is where you're hiding." I said,with a malevolent grin. With all the sparkling greenery and the pure nature of the city's crystal structure, I didn't recognize it at first. Then I became aware that this was indeed MY city, but perverted, corrupted with this idyllic rural sprawl and translucent crystal. As some creature or other bounded out of my path with bleats of panic, I continued my advance,unimpeded by any further resistance.

"Pathetic!" I shouted in scorn "That was your defense of the city you stole? This delusional dream world you've created with my Empire?!" I paused, then with another glance at the sickening sweetness of the landscape I muttered "Et in Arcadia ego", then louder and in Equestrian I shouted:"Even in Arcadia, I am here!"

With that grand statement, I tore the image apart with my magic. Hurling great boulders, topped with lush greenery at the walls, not slowing in my advance. The walls cracked under the barrage of earth, but I was only doing that out of contempt,one solid blast of my horn was enough to bring the walls crashing down with a rumble.

My transport bulldozed through the gap, slicing through buildings like a hot knife through butter. I saw a few insignificant worms scrabble away from me in fear, barring doors and turning corners in their haste to flee. My radiant palace in sight, I was ecstatic. The prismatic effect of the clear crystal bathed me in a rainbow of light as I came to rest in the courtyard.

There was a new addition I was unfamiliar with, a pedestal with two upraised points,that held...nothing. There were faint runic words transcribed in the stone that splayed out in an artistic design, I dismissed it as irrelevant, another of Shining Armour's pathetic imaginings.

I paced, yelling out challenges and all manner of obscenities at the grand doors of the palace, trying to lure out my cowardly foe. I noticed that my balcony had been enlarged and now covered a sizable area to the front of the palace, it cast a long shadow. I was about to apparate up there, when I heard an adolescent yell of surprise: "W-whoa!" I looked up to see a purple drake falling from the sky, reaching for what appeared to be, a gem shaped heart of considerable size. The sun caught the trinket as it fell, glittering in a mystical way. I stamped and a platform rose for me.

I watched it fall, captivated,ignoring the drake behind. As the light played on it, the interior had a smoky look to it, that seemed to trail lazily about its form.

I heard an uproar from the balcony above, no doubt mewling creatures, fearing for their friend,but my eyes were for the gem. I got tantalizingly close, the sheen of its surface enticing me further, when it vanished. A pink blur whizzed past me, I caught a brief glimpse of preened wings,before I was staring at the empty sky.

I stopped my ascension and looked down, the mare that I had sought placing my prize on the pedestal with an audible thunk. It began to rotate, slowly at first, then picking up speed, making a dull Whoom,whoom noise that became ever more prominent, as errant energy began arcing all about the square.

I was frozen, the mare looked at me with an expression I couldn't place "Come back Sombra." she said as the energy began spanning out in cutting swipes. I managed to dodge a few, running up to her. "Who are you?!" I yelled, just as one of the slices hit me. In pain, I looked down. It hadn't cut me, but rather the magic had stuck to me, like some adhesive. That marking seemed to attract the other slices, as they soon descended on me. I stared at the mare, who was herself being attacked by the weapon, but she was smiling, I wish I knew why.

As my entire body was covered in splotches, I screamed at the burning sensation, my lungs emptying of air as the magic enveloped me. Then... it became clear to me, my mind free of the shackles that had bound it.

"Cadence?" I thought, as my vision gave way to an explosion of blue, an endless tunnel, into a white void.

Author's Note

On 'Et in Arcadia ego': It's a Latin phrase which can be more accurately translated to "Even in Arcadia I am there." The 'I' meaning death. Cheery!
Arcadia means a utopian land. I needed to draw the comparison somehow. xD

Let me know what you guys think! ^_^ ( That is, if you want to. *squeak*)

Welcome Back

I came to with a heavy gasp "Cadence?!" I croaked, looking up at the concrete slab of the ceiling, I was back. I heard the sound of hooves and looked up into her benevolent face "I'm here." she said with a smile. I wondered why she wasn't experiencing the after effects of the magic, but I was too glad to question. I got unsteadily to my feet with the aid of the table, intending to leap into her hooves and show how happy I was.It started out well, then I sort of flopped onto her, still unsteady. She laughed, supporting me, as I made embarrassed apologies.

"How did you do it?" I asked as we relinquished each other. She just smirked and tapped a hoof to the side of her muzzle teasingly. I was like a kid at Hearts Warming,desperate to open my presents, only to be told "Later on." It was very crushing.

She laughed again,her bobbed mane now untied and flowing freely about her face and I grinned back "Be still, my beating heart." I thought as another groan sounded. Shining Armour was also rousing. I backed up a bit, not wanting to provoke another outburst. "Oh, hey Cadence." he said, then looked at me "Dr. Sombra." he toned casually.

My mouth must've been hanging open, as Cadence giggled,stifling it with a hoof, before replying. "Hey Shining. How're you feeling?" He rubbed his head,his eyes opening and closing as if fighting to stay awake. "I'm good. Very good. I haven't felt this good in ages!" He adopted the confident air of the Shining from the image. He roared with happy laughter, reverberating around the small room, before vaulting the table and enfolding us both in a crushing bear hug.

"You're...welcome" I wheezed as my circulation was cut off. Cadence grinned again "That's fantastic! No more visions?" she asked, he nodded eagerly,like a schoolcolt. "Brilliant." she said, returning to the Doctor-patient decorum with a clearing of her throat. "We'll need to keep you under observation for a week or so,make sure things don't regress and after a follow up session with a panel of Doctors, we can declare you well again.I thought his head would come off, he shook it so eagerly in glee.

"Yes! You bet!" he said, releasing us both.

She buzzed for security and they came to take him back to his cell. "Hope to see you soon Shining." she called as he was lead away, a huge grin crossing his features.

I turned to look at Cadence, full of burning questions; she smirked knowingly. "Ok. I'll make this easy What, when and how?" She put a hoof to my lips playfully "All in good time." she said vaguel,y then with a cheeky grin continued "But first, want to grab a drink?" I think I felt a nosebleed coming on. Trying to sound casual, I replied:

"Sure, sounds good to me, but...don't we have work?"

"Not on a Friday night we don't" she said with a teasing grin as I figured it out. I'd first seen Shining on the Wednesday, I'd been gone for TWO days?

I babbled "Two days?! I was in there for two days? It felt like forever!" Then another question came to mind: "How did you learn my method in two days? One, without me to teach you and two THAT quickly?!"

"It wasn't that hard, you know. Just use your little keepsake as a medium and you're in!" She said it like it was so easy. I wasn't entirely satisfied, about to ask another question before she stopped me, by opening the door. "How about that drink?" My tongue stilled, I followed her. We both blinked at the bright light of the hallway, not helped by the reflective sheen of the floor. I was never so happy to see anything in my life. We walked two abreast, both laughing.

"Nopony asked where we were?" I questioned,unable to contain it.

She rolled her eyes "They did. I told them we were practicing your method and they went quiet, the top brass revere you it seems."

I was silent as she continued "I did that in the later half of the first day, I only got rare murmurings and the odd vision. After your little outburst, then a rush of static, I decided to experiment with the link. For the first hour or so, nothing happened, however, I did get a feel for a magic, a small buzzing in my mind. Once I focused on that, with the aid of the crystal, I was in.

Like you found, no barrier formed for me, I simply fell from the sky. Just as I thought I'd hit the ground, I found myself in a nursery, some purple filly standing over me. I was in shock, then I remembered your ordeal and centered myself. This is what happened:"

"Cadence? Are you ok?" the filly asked

I stood up, " Yes, I'm fine errr.."

"Twilight. I'm Twilight." she said, looking curious "You sure you're ok?"

"Of course I am Twilight!" I looked about desperately for some distraction,spotting a patchwork doll sat at a miniature table with two oversized teacups. "Want to play tea-time with-" "Smarty-Pants" Twilight interjected.

"Yes! Let's do that!" Finding myself sweating under the scrutiny of a toddler.

I lay on the floor, putting on a voice and moving the doll, Twilight moved to the other side, levitating her cup "So Twilight,how're you today?" I said, flailing the doll's arms enthusiastically .

Entirely demure, Twilight responded with a sip of her imaginary tea "I'm well Mr. Smarty-Pants, just finished reading Magic and the Mind" I scoffed as it was a lengthy tome on complex magical theory. . I was about to say something, when she quoted several lines immaculately.

I was speechless, but I was saved from a reply when the door opened.

"Oh, hey Shining!" she toned, waving a hoof excitedly "Cadence and I are having tea, care to join?"
Confidently, he strode over, I just gaped. He became conscious of my stare and looked a little confused,but then grinned hugely.

"Twily, I think Mom wants you in the kitchen." Twilight dutifully scuttled out, grabbing Fancy-Pants with her horn. Soon we were alone.

"So, Cadence." he said,leaning on the door casually "What's up with you?"

I jumped up from the floor, pressing into him "Shining! You're here! So, Sombra must be around somewhere..."

His eyebrows shot up "Yeah, I'm here. Wait...who's Sombra?" he looked crestfallen, "are you cheating on me?!"

I ran out of the room and out of the house, an emotionally wounded Shining calling "Cadence?"

I didn't stop running till I reached a park and hid in a bush,watching the way i'd come. I charged my horn, if he's not here, he'll be somewhere else. "Find Sombra"! I commanded it, nothing happened. I groaned in frustration, as Shining came bounding into the park. Maybe this'll work? I wondered, "Since I'm so tied to his psyche"

I stepped out from the bushes, Shining ran over, tears collecting at the edge of his eyes. "Cadence...I"

"Forget you heard that." I commanded, blasting him with my horn. He went googly eyed, before rubbing his head. "Oh, hey Cadence. How'd we get out here?" He asked.

I kissed him and-

"WHOA, whoa, whoa! You kissed him?

By this time we were in her car and pulling up in the bar's parking lot. Evidently a slow night: only a few cars were there.

She smile coquettishly "Got married too." She laughed at my expression "Is somepony jealous?" she asked, getting out.

"N-no!" I spluttered,disentangling myself from the seat belt. "I just didn't expect that, is all."

She laughed at my feeble excuses "Let's go inside." she waited for me and went in together. Besides the barkeep, only one pony was there, a striking mare, in an alcove by herself. We sat down on the stools in front of the bar and ordered our drinks.

Something came to me suddenly "You said that you commanded Shining to forget something in the dream?"

Serious now, Cadence replied "Yeah. Why?"

I thought for a minute "You improved on my technique...hold on a sec, I'm gonna try something. Hey barkeep!"

He turned,cleaning a glass. "Yeah pal?"

"I had your mother last night" not the best insult,but I needed to test something.

Cadence looked shocked "Sombra!"

The barkeep shrugged "You really can't handle your drink,can you? I think you'd better le-"

I fired a stealthy blast from my horn,he went googly eyed, before shaking his head. "You wanted to say something?"

the mare didn't notice. "If that worked, how about..." "Yeah. You were gonna give us free drinks for the rest of the night" I fired again.

"Of course sir." he said automatically

Cadence hit me, not too pleased "Sombra! You shouldn't use the magic that way!" Although, she did look curious.

"Alright!" I said flinching back with a grin. "But, I can do good as well. You see that mare over there?"

She nodded, with a raised eyebrow

"Well, our friend here likes her quite a bit, but hasn't worked up the courage to say anything: I noticed when I touched his mind."

I fired again and he went over to the solitary mare,without a word he went up to her, she looked up and he kissed her right there and then.

"Whoa!" Cadence said, looking at me "Made that a bit fast didn't you?"

I was just as surprised as her "I didn't command, errr persuade him to do that! I just told him to show his feelings."

Luckily the mare must've felt the same, as she didn't slap him. The spell wore off and his eyes shot open, before he got into it.

Cadence and I were both grinning hugely, sipping at our drinks. I looked at her with a cocksure grin.

She laughed "Ok, I'll admit, it can be used for good means."

"One thing," I said waving my hoof in the air "How did we get out of there in the end? That crystal thingy?" 'Thingy' was about as articulate as I could be at this stage.

"The Crystal Heart" Cadence said "I had plenty of time to experiment with the magic, it was already there, so I just...modded it a bit"

She continued "It removes any external presence and or traumatic source, relatively quickly."

I jumped, excited now "So all we need to do Is use that and everypony could be cured in a snap!" My brain was whirring and I was in awe. "You've perfected treatment Cadence!" I declared.

She smiled "I suppose so,however, we'd need to replicate and set up the devices and I have no idea if that's possible, let alone how long it would take."

"Don't be so pessimistic!" I said, raising a drink "Cheers!"

We got back some time in the early morning, laughing like idiots. I was leaning heavily on Cadence, who wasn't exactly steady herself.

Stumbling up the steps and stopping outside my door, I disentangled myself from Cadence, tottering about briefly before regaining my balance.

"Thanks Cadence!" I slurred.

Alcohol brought an adorable flush to her cheeks. "No problem" she said, I stumbled a little towards her.

"Say Cadence-" I began, my heart in my ears. She silenced me with a kiss. I gave a surprised "Mmmph!" still in the middle of speaking, but that didn't matter.

It might've lasted a few seconds, or minutes, I can't remember, but it felt great! She ended it with a grin before springing down the steps with a litheness I'd never before seen in an inebriate.

She twirled about, floundering. "Oh," she said, raising a hoof for effect "I forgot to mention. In the dream I was the Princess of Love" the emphasis sent tingles down my spine.

"Only a Princess?" I asked "More like a Queen!" she bowed grandly, before tottering away into the night.

"Or maybe," I thought, as I turned my key in the lock "an Empress..."

Author's Note

A little bit of Alt Universe shipping:3

A Change in Management

With our newfound knowledge of the dream-state, Cadence and I were unstoppable! Purely in a medical context of course. We tweaked and experimented, unsure of the likely results, only for them to bear fruit. Pedestals and the Crystal Heart were very simple tools to construct. All it took was an understanding of the trauma the patient suffers, identifying the manifestation of this, and voila!

Some of our jealous colleagues pointed out the possibility of error. Nonsense! Not only were we highly adept at our craft, but also the tools are indiscriminate, as long as trauma exists within the patient, it will be rooted out and periodically purified. Simple, no? Patients are left with a clear, untroubled mind, able to pursue whatever takes their fancy, following discharge of course. Although the Board of Directors soon found our word to be sufficient.

Cadence and I were ecstatic at our progress, we had yet to find a single case where our treatment was ineffective. The elimination of madness, what a feat that would be! Our superiors were equally excited, however, in the end, the Heights was a business, and no patients equates to no revenue. The business arm pulled some strings and we were promoted. Doesn't sound so bad, you might say. Well, being Vice Chairman of the branch, meant that I couldn't do the 'hoofs on' work and Cadence, being the Chairman, (mare) was the same.

That and we weren't allowed to train our colleagues in the technique. So, we were reduced to the old, slow methods that produced mixed results. We were both frustrated and angry.Everything we had worked towards, ground to dust by some clown in a suit.

Though we saw a lot of each other, we couldn't exactly rage during a board meeting, could we? With that being said, we came close a few times, like now, incidentally.

Cadence's brow furrowed and her eyes flashed dangerously, as one of the 'suits' laid out the plans for the coming year. Our queries blatantly ignored, or misdirected, with technical jargon. She quickly regained her composure with a strained smile, although her eyes blazed at the speaker. It didn't help that the room was stiflingly hot, all these ponies gathered in a small space. Our tempers flared, while the others fidgeted, bored.

The meeting couldn't have ended quickly enough, we bade our goodbyes and speedily left for our houses. Cadence's tail flickered, the only outward sign of agitation, as her face was a cold mask. I wisely kept silent before we entered her house. Such was our ritual, to vent our frustrations at the opportune time.

She rounded on me soon after entering "Idiots! The lot of them." She declared as I sank into her sofa. She paused briefly before continuing " Don't they have a shred of decency?!" She let the question hang.

"No." I replied "Money is all they care about." At least, that was how we saw it, being the offended party.

She laughed bitterly. "Oh, I'll show them money!" She then created a shower of coins with a flick of her horn. They rattled noisily as they hit the floor.

Our brand of magic had many uses, which we had discovered in our research. Materializing 'physical' objects was easy. You discern what is 'real' by the senses. If a coinlooked, felt and sounded as a coin should, who's to say it isn't a real coin?

This was only fun, you understand, we didn't actually use it for our own gain . I played around with crystals and such, being an admirer, but I would undo it soon after...maybe. It wasn't as if I was harming anypony, just amusing myself with little things, no more.

Soon enough, we vented our anger and sat together, chatting. Not about anything important, just, anything really. We liked each other's company. Why not? We worked well together, had some similar interests, its only natural that we would be friendly. Although some ponies got the wrong idea. I got the jealous nudge, wink and hoofbump and the occasional joke. I tried to deny it, but that only made them continue. It felt like being in school again. It's not that I didn't like her, in fact, quite the opposite, but I was too scared to try. We'd kissed that one time, but that might've been the drink.

Out of the blue, she uttered " It would be so much better if this were like Shining's visions."

That broke me from my thoughts "What do you mean?"

She stared fixedly at a spot on her coffee table. "I mean: being able to do as we liked, not only in our power, but also, status. Princess and King. Oh, sorry Emperor she said, in a mocking tone. The playful act only added to her appeal.

I found myself grinning "That's right Milady " I replied..

She laughed, her eyes sparkling "Would your Highness care for some refreshment?"

"Gladly." I responded as she produced coffee from the kitchen.

We knew we sounded ridiculous, but it was all in good fun, probably the only thing that kept us from erupting in board meetings.We smiled and an odd mood took hold of me. I flared my horn and used it on Cadence. She jumped in surprise, rescuing her mug as it tipped.

"What did you do?" she asked, half-playful, half worried. I made no response but to grin. She punched me and summoned a mirror.

She gasped and in a cliché moment of gallantry, I toned:

"Now you look like a real princess."

I had changed her hair to the one she had described to me from the vision, she'd told me how difficult It had been to put together, but how great it had looked afterwards.

She leveled her gaze at me, expression, unreadable. I thought for a minute I'd upset her and was about to stutter apologies, when she returned the favor: My lab coat and glasses were replaced by the regal wear from Shining's vision. She laughed, so I childishly fired again, giving her an overly garish outfit.

If anypony had observed the next few minutes, they would never imagine that we were acclaimed doctors. Breathless, we subsided and looked at each other. I believe we were on the same page as things got a little...steamy. Let's just say the rumours were now proved true.

I get odd looks from some of the mares on staff now. I found out later that Cadence had become tired of their teasing and ... erm... "Stressed the proportions of a certain part of my anatomy" shall we say. Anyway, enough of that.

We continued to deal with the stresses our new positions gave us, with little joy. As if to twist the knife further, the Board had arranged a dinner in our honor,to celebrate our promotions. We didn't really want it, but we could hardly refuse. They were attempting to blind us with their tawdry gestures. We weren't in it for the money and glamour, we just wanted to help ponies. Thus, the rants became much more heated and They continued to steer towards how easily we could do things in visions, grant ourselves status if needed. The unspoken thought running around our minds: "What if we made it reality?"

We knew what needed to be done, so we did it.

The tapping of a spoon against glass caused the room to fall silent. We were in the Princesses' Pride hotel, and the entire ballroom was prepared for the occasion. Chandeliers, flowing white tablecloths, wine. It would've been nice, if we hadn't felt so wronged. As the pair of the hour, we were on the head table, surrounded by the board and other 'important' ponies.

Our colleague Dr. Hurt had stood to speak:

"Thank you all for coming. It is with great pleasure and pride that I speak tonight, to honor our friends, and colleagues, Doctors Sombra and Candenza." he paused to allow the clapping to subside and we soaked it up, with fixed smiles.

"Though he has been with us only a few months, Dr Sombra has proven a valued member of our team. Alongside the brilliance of Dr Cadenza, they have proven quite the team, in all their capacity." He winked and the hall filled with good natured laughter. This part wasn't so bad, we were only angry at the 'suits'. Cadence shouted back "Jealous much?" and we all roared at that.

Hurt wiped a tear from his eye, still convulsing with laughter " In all seriousness, congratulations to you both. Under your leadership, we are sure to see great progress."

Once again we waited for the clapping to subside. Then a cry of "Speech!" could be heard. Soon enough it was taken up. I got to my hoofs with Cadence and we shared a nod.

"I guess I'll start with a thank you. My time here has been wonderful. I've met so many interesting ponies. Not to mention Miss Cadenza here." She gave me a mock stern look as wolf-whistles greeted the statement. Cadence took over, on cue.

"We are deeply honored by our promotion. However, we feel that we don't deserve it." It was said lightly, so the Head of the Board replied : "You're too modest. We couldn't have chosen any other pair for the job."

A chorus of agreement followed.

Cadence smiled "You chose us, so that we wouldn't be able to treat patients."

A gasp and low murmuring followed.

The Head got to his hooves smoothly with a nervous chuckle " What Dr Cadenza means to say is that -"

"What I mean to say, is exactly that." Cadence interrupted and he recoiled from the force in her voice.

"Our method worked well;#, too well for your liking. If that were not true, why aren't we allowed to train our colleagues?"

He stammered, jowls quivering in panic.
"We feel... a change in management is required." Her eyes glinted "Sombra, dear?"

"Glady Cadence." I replied, power thrumming at the end of my horn and a malicious grin etched on my features.

Author's Note

The End! ^_^

I've loved writing this story and I hope you've enjoyed reading it! Having such positive feedback from you guys has really boosted my confidence. As always, constructive criticism is appreciated.