What A Shadow Fears

What A Shadow Fears

Digital_Hex

Chapter Two

        “You are being completely honest with us?” Princess Celestia asked a final time.

        Somber Heart sat on his haunches before her, nodding to her questions.

        “Yes, my princess,” he repeated. “That last thing I remember is...” he closed his eyes, seeing himself charge towards the dark shadow, holding his shield of magic ahead of him with his spear at the ready. Then-

        “... is everything going dark. Then I was in the fields, where the... Elements of Harmony? Where they found me.”

        Princess Celestia nodded. He was telling the truth, that much was certain. She dismissed him.

        As soon as Somber had left for the hallway, she turned to her sister.

        “It seems that he is indeed being truthful. He has no recollections of being King Sombra. He is, for all intents and purposes, the same Captain that was under my command over a thousand years ago.”

        Princess Luna nodded, as did Twilight Sparkle. The young alicorn glanced over to the fourth and final royal amongst them, addressing her.

        “Cadance, what do you think? He did try and take over your kingdom, after all.”

        Cadance rubbed the back of her neck.

        “Well, it was actually his kingdom when we arrived, really. He was just trying to take it back.”

        “Cadance,” Celestia interjected, “he was terrorizing this kingdom. Please do not try and place any respect on who he was.”

        Cadance nodded. “I'm sorry, auntie. But... he isn't Sombra. I felt Sombra's touch before, and him... he isn't the foul king. He isn't.”

        Celestia smiled softly. “Then it would seem that the Crystal Empire's former Captain of the Guard has returned. We will need to coordinate with Shining Armour as to what actions we shall follow.”

        Cadance hummed in approval. “Yeah, we can't exactly have two captains running around, can we?”

        Luna raised a hoof, interrupting them.

        “We are just curious, but... is that it? Are we just to release him without charge for what he did?”

        Celestia narrowed her eyes slightly at Luna.

        “Sister, you saw the pain he was in.”

        “It looked less of pain and more of confusion to us,” Luna murmured.

        “And if you want charge, he was shredded to bits from the crystal heart! Yes, if the evil that turned him into Sombra is truly gone, I dare say we can avoid charging him for anything. From what he said, and what I saw within him, he followed my orders to the teeth. The letter I sent was the last thing he remembers before the darkness took ahold of him.”

        Celestia let her gaze harden slightly.

        “And I seem to recall acquitting quite a similar case last year, with somepony called Nightmare Moon.”

        Luna looked away.

        “If you say so, but... are we to simply let him walk away? We apologize, but we do suggest that somepony should at least watch over him. We still don't know how he even appeared in the ice field after all. Can we be certain that no malicious forces are at play here?”

        Celestia looked away as well, groaning softly. She knew she would have to address the situation sooner or later... she sighed before clearing her throat.

        “I do agree with you on that note. Even if he is fully cleansed, the disturbing nature of his return does harbour some... interest, within me. He will be put under a watchful eye for three weeks, to make sure that he is truly cleared of the evil.”

        Twilight nodded before speaking up, “I agree, but if we put him under the watch of the royal guard... Besides the fact that we'll be breaking at least four laws that you all set up when the Crystal Empire returned, won't that betray his trust?”

        Luna snorted. “Why should we bother about betraying his trust, Twilight Sparkle?”

        Twilight cast Luna a slightly annoyed glance. “Princess Celestia and I both ran full scans on him, and while he is cleared of the evil... who's to say it won't appear again if he feels threatened? Just because it isn't active within him doesn't mean it's gone.”

        Luna nodded, agreeing. “Yes, we see your point. Very well, but then who will watch over him? Given the reasons our royal guard cannot watch over him, we think it is safe to assume that the Crystal Guard would create just as uneasy an environment.”

        Celestia held up a hoof, to which everypony turned. “If I may, I believe I might have a suggestion.”

        The three other ponies nodded at their fellow princess.

        “It was the Elements of Harmony who found the Captain while on a mission of mine. He knows that they are the ones who found him, so would it be too far of a stretch to simply ask one of them to watch over him in the guise of seeing after his health?”

        Twilight laughed. “That's a great idea! Even if it's for a somewhat different reason, I would personally feel better if one of my friends made sure he was okay. From what you've told me of his past, he was a great captain.”

        “Indeed he was, Twilight,” Celestia nodded. “And it pains me to know what he did. I truly wish to see him return to the greatness he once held, but even I am wary.”

        Twilight brushed her hoof against Celestia's side. “It's okay, Princess. I'm sure one of the girls will be up for it. But, will he just live with them? That might actually make it a little difficult for some of them.”

        “Actually,” Princess Celestia said, “I was more of a mind to let him be a guest in the palace. That way should Guard action be required, they will be right there.”

        “Understandable,” Cadance said. “So who do you think will be willing?”

        Twilight chewed on her lip.

        “I don't know, really. I'll have to ask them when we get back. Applejack might be able to, and she can definitely hold her own in case he snaps, but... I'll ask them all later today. I should have an answer for you all by tomorrow!”

        “Thank you, Twilight,” Celestia said with a very audible sigh. “I believe that finishes our business here.”

        “Yes, I need to go check on Rarity,” Twilight said. “She recovered quickly, but you know how she is... she can be rather dramatic about certain things.”

        “Yes, with that we are dismissed,” Celestia announced. “We shall meet again tomorrow to further discuss these matters once the details have been... sorted out.

        The four princesses nodded, and then Celestia and Luna lit their horns, teleporting outside of the palace to fly back to Canterlot. Their wings were faster than a carriage for such an important matter.

        Cadance and Twilight left the hall, both splitting to go their separate ways. Twilight waved after Cadance before turning-

        And finding Somber Heart sitting patiently outside of the door, sitting awkwardly next to a guardpony. Neither of them looked at each other, but Somber saw Twilight and immediately stood up fully.

        “Ah, Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

        He bowed before rising again. Twilight waved a hoof.

        “You don't need to be so formal, and feel free to call me Twilight.”

        Somber blinked, surprised.

        “As you wish, my Pri- I mean, uh, Twilight.”

        Twilight smiled softly. “Why were you waiting here, anyways? We dismissed you almost ten minutes ago!”

        Somber looked around. The charcoal stallion shivered where he stood, his jet black mane spiked backwards. “I, uh... I don't seem to recall the layout of the palace, actually.”

        Twilight laughed softly. “Well then, I was going to go check on Rarity. Do you want to come along?”

        Somber cocked an eyebrow. “Rarity? She...”

        He briefly recalled the white mare, standing over his form. Then there was a bright flash of red-

        “... was the one who found me, correct?”

        The alicorn nodded. “Yes. There was an avalanche, she said she found you right before it happened. And then you both were caught in it...”

        Somber nodded. “Is she alright?”

        Twilight rolled her eyes slightly.

        “She's fine, I'm sure, she's just rather dramatic at times.”

        “I see,” Somber said, dipping his head slightly. “Let us go, then.”

        Twilight led him through the palace. Much to the stallions benefit, he did take in the path they followed, rebuilding his mental map of the palace. It came back to him quicker than he expected. As they walked, Somber made idle chat with the pony princess.

        “Has it really been over a thousand years since I was last seen?”

        Twilight nodded. “Yes. So much has changed! I bet you're going to love it here, for sure!”

        Somber noticed a guard cower away as the two passed him. He shifted his gaze back to Twilight.

        “So... what did I do?”

        “Excuse me?” she asked obliviously.

        “That's the fifth guardspony to be remarkably terrified of me. What... what did I do to receive such responses? Surely I disappeared for a thousand years for... something.”

        Twilight looked at Somber's pleading red eyes. She sighed, halting him as they arrived before the doors of the medical wing.

        “Somber, listen. It's not my place to tell you what happened, but... you did a lot of bad things, things a lot of ponies probably can't forgive you for. The other Princesses from your time will fill you in tomorrow, okay?”

        Somber nodded. “Fair enough,” he declared. Twilight smiled before pushing open the door to the medical wing.

        Most of the nursing staff was gone for the night, only two remaining. Not that many were needed, though. Rarity and Fluttershy were the only ponies besides the nurses present, idly chatting between themselves. To Rarity's credit, all of the wires she had been attached to the day before were gone. Her hide was still a a shade deeper than it should have been, but it wasn't nearly as bad as it had been. A few welts were still visible on her body, but for the most part she was recovering quite fine.

        Rarity turned to the sound of the two newcomers, and immediately Somber felt his stomach jitter.

        She had a huge black eye on the left side of her face.

        “Ah, there you are, Twilight! Just the mare I wanted to-” she froze when she saw who accompanied her friend.

        “Somber Heart.”

        Somber tipped his head lightly towards the mare.

        “M'lady.”

        “It's... quite good to see you well.”

        Somber nodded. “I say the same to you as well.”

        Rarity glanced at Twilight, cocking an eyebrow. Twilight gave her a curious look. Rarity rolled her eyes and beckoned Twilight to her. As Twilight approached the three mares, Rarity gave Somber an apologetic smile.

        “Terribly sorry, darling! Just one moment!”

        With that, the three huddled together, whispering. What they didn't know was that Somber could clearly make out every word they said.

“Twilight, was your hunch confirmed?”

“Yes, Rarity, he doesn't remember a thing from when he was Sombra.”

“Oh... yay...”

“That's quite a relief, he seemed like such a poor thing in the snow when I found him, even if he did blast my horn-”

“He did what?!”

“Another time, darling. Anyways, I'm just glad to hear he's not that evil creature we faced last time.”

“You're taking this a little too easily. In fact, everypony is taking this pretty easily. Why isn't anypony questioning this?!”

“Um, Twilight? You're shouting.”

“Sorry.”

“Not a problem, dear. And to attempt an answer, maybe it was because of what we did with Princess Luna? She was saved. Maybe we're just hoping for the same thing with him.”

“Yes, that's what I figured too. Princess Celestia was the most determined to see him let off without a charge.”

“Princess Celestia acquitted him of all charges? She must have really trusted him before he went all cray-cray!”

“Pinkie?! When did you get here!”

“I've been here the whole time, silly!”

“Actually, darling, I am certain you haven't. You were nowhere to be seen when I was talking with Fluttershy, and you didn't arrive with Twilight or Sombr- er, Somber Heart.”

"…"

“Pinkie?”

“Where'd she go now?”

“I don't even...”

“That mare is quite the trouble. Anyways, where was I?”

“We were discussing Somber not being charged.”

“Ah yes, well, if Princess Celestia herself let him off... He really didn't do any of that?”

“He was taken hold of, just like Princess Luna. We can't hold him guilty for things he technically didn't do, after all.”

“If you insist. From how professional he's acted so far, it's not hard to believe he was once a well respected Captain.”

        Twilight paused before she continued the conversation.

“Yes... and this Captain needs a place to stay. Celestia herself thought it would be a good idea for one of the Elements to watch over him while we make sure he is fully recovered. Would either of you girls be up for the challenge?

“Oh... my...”

“Watch over him? Why, that sounds more like keeping an eye on him.”

“No, Rarity, it's just to make sure he's okay! He has technically been gone for a thousand years, after all. Somepony needs to teach him everything that has changed.”

“I see! I'm so glad you'll do it, Rarity!”

“What?! I didn't offer my services- Pinkie! Stop appearing randomly!”

“But it's fun!”

“It's creepy! Where did you disappear to last time, anyways!”

“I had to get cupcakes!”

“Cupcakes, dear?”

“Munch-much-munch!”

“Cupcakes indeed...”

“Back to the topic at hoof...”

“Ah, yes! While she certainly surprised me, now that I think about it...”

“Yes?”

“I suppose I could watch over Somber Heart, at least for a little while. I found him, it would definitely make me feel better to personally see over his recovery.”

“Really, Rarity? That's very generous of you!”

“Generosity is my middle name, darling.”

“I thought you didn't have a middle name?”

“Shut up, darling.”

        Only a few paces from the group, Somber Heart coughed, shuffling his hooves awkwardly. How does one respond to that situation, after all? Thankfully for him, the three ponies broke apart-

        “Wait, where's Pinkie now?!” Twilight called in despair, looking around. Once again, she had completely disappeared. Giving up the search, the alicorn shook her head violently.

        “Besides that, I need to tell you something, Somber Heart! Princess Celestia thought it would be wise to have you rest in the palace, and Rarity here volunteered to watch over you and to assist in your recovery!”

        “I did?” Rarity said quickly, arching an eye at Twilight.

        “Of course you did,” Twilight responded, keeping her wide smile on her face as she looked at Rarity. “It's just for a little while, the rooms will be provided by Celestia! Didn't you say yourself business was slow at the boutique?”

        “Twilight, I didn't realize you needed me to stay here!”

        “Pleaaase?”

        Rarity sighed.

        “I... suppose I could take a break from business... it has been slow, after all.”

        “Great!” Twilight exclaimed before spinning around and pushing Rarity towards Somber. The unicorn stopped herself a good pace away from the larger pony.

        “I'll get the information on your rooms and be back in a moment!”

        Before either pony could say a word, Twilight blinked out in a flash of purple. With wide, concerned eyes, Rarity and Somber Heart glanced at each other.

        “Is she always like this?” Somber asked.

        “She gets excited, occasionally.”

        “I see.”

        A sharp pink glimmer later, and Twilight popped back in front of the two, holding a key with her magic.

        “Well, uh, it seems that there is only one room available at the moment due to increased security... ahehe...”

        Twilight looked away sheepishly.

        “It, uh, looks like you'll both have to share a room... Is that going to be a problem?”

        Rarity and Somber both glanced back at each other, eying the other up.

        Rarity spoke before Somber could even think to open his mouth.

        “Certainly not, darling. I'm sure we can make do.”

        Somber halted his thoughts. He was about to suggest they find an alternate course of action, but... if the mare insisted they share a room...

        “If the lady insists,” Somber nodded, bowing to the princess before catching himself.

        “No bowing, sorry...”

        “It's fine, Somber. For now... we're all friends here, okay?” She smiled.

        Somber looked back at the mare, then glanced at Rarity.

“Friends? It... has been some time, hasn't it...”

        He smiled back.

        “Certainly, princess. It's good to have friends.”