What A Shadow Fears

What A Shadow Fears

Digital_Hex

Chapter Five

        “Our decision has been made, captain.”

        Somber approached the princesses Luna and Celestia.

        “We trust you when you say that you did not know what happened. We do sense within you the captain we once trusted, and are willing to again.”

        Somber took a deep breath before addressing both princesses. “I have noticed you speak of my past as though I have done wrong. This is something I have noticed of many other ponies as well. But, as you know, I cannot recall what it was I did.”

        Somber then bowed before the princesses.

        “Please, tell me... what have I done? What led me to our current situation?”

        Celestia lifted Somber's chin with a small flick of her magic, returning him to a standing position.

        “You said the last thing you remember was everything going dark after you went to face the shadows? After that, you cannot remember?”

        Somber nodded. Luna stepped forward this time.

        “Captain, that shadow you were facing, it is known as “The Nightmare,” and it...”

        She paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself. “It is an evil thing. The nightmare took over you, used you to take over the Crystal Empire.”

        Somber's eyes went wide. “I... took over? What do you-”

        Luna paused him by conjuring up a small white orb in front of her horn, floating it over to Somber.

        “Maybe this will... help you remember.”

        With that, she let the orb fall on the tip of Somber's horn, and his eyes flashed white.

        And in his vision, he saw everything.

Before him lay a dark, dying shadow of the Crystal Empire. Flames of darkness flickered in every corner, ponies chained to massive machines. The screams of the innocent filled his ears.

The kingdom he knew for most of his career was dying. It was his worst nightmare made true.

Somber saw himself, what he was. His eyes were filled a sickly green, his horn was mutated and afire with a raging plague, an evil aura pouring from him.

“King Sombra!”

Somber looked up to see Princess Celestia and Princess Luna fly overhead, stopping before him.

“You were once a great captain ! Why do you do this to your people!”

The dark king roared before flashing his horn, hurling a dark crystal towards the two princesses. They rolled out of the way before pulling out a set of small trinkets.

“Have it your way. We are... sorry, captain. You leave us no choice.”

The trinkets lit up, firing at the king-

        Somber cried out in pain as he fell backwards into something soft. He looked up, still shaking to see he'd stumbled into Luna. She helped him stand back up, his legs still shaking.

        “That final battle you remember, the Nightmare took you over. It used you to enslave your home, the Crystal Empire. We... we had no choice.”

        Luna hung her head.

        “We are sorry, captain. We could have found another way, but we didn't.”

        Somber didn't know what to feel right then. He could have been angry, angry that they zapped him with a beam of pure harmony. He could still feel the pain he'd felt right at the end. It'd hurt!

        He could have been in denial. There was no way he could have done those things to his home, no way! But, it seemed that he indeed had...

        He could have been remorseful, for all that had happened.

        He could have felt many things at that moment, but the captain only felt one thing.

        Acceptance.

        He bowed before the princess of the night, surprising her greatly.

        “I saw what I became, and... you both did what you had to do. As a captain under your commands, I swore an oath of undying fealty to you both. It would seem you fulfilled your side of that oath.”

        Luna rested a hoof on Somber's shoulder.

        “Welcome back, captain,” she said weakly. Somber stood still in her grasp, unfeeling. While he forgave them for what they did, it didn't make him like them any more. They were following their own orders, as was he. Nothing more, nothing less.

        “Yes, my princess,” Somber said back as Luna released him. “But, forgive me for asking, but how can you be sure I won't turn back into that... thing?”

        Luna looked him dead in his eyes.

        “I know this because I too fell prey to the Nightmare, turned into a creature I loathe with an extreme prejudice. I searched you for the same darkness, but it seems that all of it has left you. You are pure once again, captain.”

        Somber let himself crack a small grin.

Pure, he sneered in his mind. What a silly thought.

        His words spoke something else entirely, though.

        “This is good news, thank you. But... what does that leave of me?”

        “That is a good question, actually. For the time being, we leave you under the care of the Elements of harmony, to watch over you as you recover. We will talk once more in a weeks time, captain.”

        Luna then nodded at Somber before trotting away.

        “You are dismissed.”

        Somber dipped his head politely before turning and taking his leave.

Outside, Rarity sat rather impatiently. She could still remember the absolutely dreadful dream she'd had, the dream that was turning itself into a reality. She could still remember what it had been like when she had been corrupted by the nightmare, the feeling that... that nothing she did meant anything...

        She startled with a jolt as the doors to the hall slammed open, Somber Heart storming out. Rarity scampered to her hooves, chasing after him. He was obviously upset.

        “Somber?” she called out as she raced to catch up, falling in step at his side. “Somber dear, whatever is the matter?”

        Somber snorted in amusement as he continued marching forward through the hall.

        “The Princesses believe that I acted in the line of duty, that I'm not to be held accountable for my actions. They even decided to have some company to watch over me. Because that is exactly what you do to a pony you say is fine, give them a babysitter.”

        Rarity winced at his cold language.

        “Somber, I'm terribly sorry if they came across as-”

        “What do you care?” Somber hissed coldly before storming off. Rarity slowed down a little, looking after the black unicorn as he disappeared down the hall and out of sight.

        “He really should learn to take things in a little more stride,” Rarity muttered to herself.

        “I agree, he's being such a poor sport.”

        Rarity shrieked as she jumped to the side, looking around for the voice.

        There was nopony else around.

        She gasped for a breath, trying to calm herself. This only made matters worse as her horn violently lit up with a sickly red colour, and suddenly before her stood-

        “Hello, my little Rarity. Good to see you after so long.”

        Rarity felt her eyes dilate.

        “N-Nightmare-”

        The huge jet-black mare before her shushed her with a perfect hoof, silencing her completely. Her thick purple mane wafted along on a non-existent wind, stars sparkling through them. Her eyes were sharp blue and devoid of any emotion, save a sick entertainment derived from the cowering unicorn before her. Her wings were tucked up to her sides.

        “Tut-tut, dearest Rarity. A lady must know when to hold her tongue, for I only wish to speak with you.”

        Rarity tried to say something back, but with a sharp flick from the Nightmare's horn, Rarity felt a terrible pain tear across her lips. The large alicorn removed her hoof, only for Rarity to realize in horror that her lips had been melded shut.

        “I said I wish to speak. That means you shall listen, nothing more.”

        Rarity glared hard at the Nightmare, tears starting to form in her eyes.

        “Now, I will keep this brief, for I am terribly exhausted. Your friends managed to destroy part of me, but I have many hosts. Fortunately for me, you found one of my more... enjoyable ones,” the Nightmare said with a smirk. “Now, in order for me to make a most wonderful return, you're going to need to get closer to him, so I can steal more energy from his pained mind. And if you don't do exactly as I instruct you for the next, oh, week, then I will personally make sure that you and each and every one of your friends will feel my wrath.”

        Rarity continued glaring at the mare. The Nightmare laughed bitterly.

        “I think I'll start with the baby dragon. He managed to put both you and Sombra in a most vulnerable state, and who's to say a lady can't hold a grudge?”

        Rarity's eyes shot wide.

Not Spike! Goddess, no! She thought with rage. Bitterly, Rarity shook her head up and down, grunting.

        “What was that, dear? I couldn't hear you, allow me to help.”

        With a sickening tear, Rarity's maw ripped open, her lips tainted with a heavy drool of blood.

        “Fine,” she spat. “I'll do whatever you wish, you monster. But do not hurt my friends, or else-”

        “Or else what?” the Nightmare asked as she condensed her body into a glowing mist, funneling back into Rarity's horn. “Because between you and me, I would love to see what you're capable of.”