What A Shadow Fears

by Waldo the Digital_Hex

Rating: teen
Tags: Dark, Romance, Tragedy, Adventure
Length: 10857

Somber Heart, former Captain of the Crystal Empire Guard, has returned. But who is this Sombra they speak of, and who is this mare that perfectly resembles his former fiance, this one that calls herself 'Rarity'?

King Sombra has returned.

Nopony was expecting the Elements of Harmony to find him in the snow, much less Prince Shining Armor, current Captain of the Crystal Empire Guard. But… there's something off about him.
Why does he refer to himself as Somber Heart? Could he really have forgotten about his tyranny?

The only question Somber Heart wants answered is who this mare is who carries an uncanny resemblance to his former fiance, Sapphire.

This is a story of nightmares and shadows, of fear and acceptance. This is the tale of a grand return, and a deep revenge.

This is the return of the Nightmare. And a nightmare is always stronger in the shadows…

Image provided by DeluxeMagnum69
Inspired in part by this song.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-04-05 04:30:04 UTC

Chapter One

What A Shadow Fears

Digital_Hex

Chapter One

        The cold, bitter wind that tore across the frigid wastelands of the western Crystal Mountains bit at the unicorn with a numbing nip. He shivered as he pulled himself up from the snow, blinking as he looked around.

        White. All he could see was white.

        “Where...” he murmured, the bass in his voice deep and even.

        “Where am I?”

        The wind seemed to respond by slamming against him, pushing him down a shallow hill. He tumbled side-over-side, his strength all but gone as he rolled along.

        His adventure stopped as he sank into the cold snow, the freezing feeling around him sapping his feeble strength from his flesh upon contact. Around him, snow fell heavily, visibility poor past about thirty paces.

        His mind was but a blank canvas, void of memory or conscience. He could not remember how he got there, nor anything else for that matter. Thus, there was nothing to flash before his eyes as the settling sense of deep-tissue frost bite settled in.

        Even without a memory, the familiar sense of loneliness sank into his heart. He didn't have to remember a thing to recognize the feeling as one he had much experience with.

        His eyes slowly fluttered closed. He could hear his blood pumping through his ears, slowing down as his heart calmed down.

“Is this how I die?” he asked himself.

        He let his eyes close fully, a thin shimmer of tears freezing between them, holding them shut.

        “Hey!”

        He tore his eyes open, stinging at the pain. What was that voice, was it another pony?

        He could see a fuzzy shape at the edge of his vision, far away. He almost recognized the voice as-

        A sharp pain shot through his head as he felt himself slip away from consciousness.

        No, there was no way she could find him... He couldn't even remember her name...

        …

…

…

“SOMBERRR!”

        ___

Two hours later, in the Crystal Empire...

        “How is his condition?” Prince Shining Armour, Captain of the Crystal Guard asked as he trotted briskly down the hallway. He was flanked on either side by two of his most trusted guards, Sharp Arrow and Flash Sentry.

        Before him, a palace runner practically chased ahead of them, desperate not to be trampled in his majesty's haste.

        “He has suffered sever frost-bite beneath his coat, deep into his hide. He is on many supports at the moment, and his chances of recovery... are slim.”

        “But they exist?” Armour asked without missing a beat. The runner gulped hard.

        “Yes, my prince.”

        At last, they arrived at the entrance of the medical ward. Many guards were posted, but many of them were trying to sneak a peak inside of the ward. One such guard caught notice of the Captain and immediately snapped to attention. The other guards followed suit, saluting their commanding officer.

        “As you were,” Shining Armour commanded before turning back to the runner.

        “And drop the prince. It's just Shining Armour, or Captain if you must. Okay?”

        With that, Shining Armour charged into the medical wing, making a beeline right for one of the only two beds occupied. However, he quickly slowed down, taking in the sight of both beds before him.

        On one bed lay the formerly-defeated King Sombra, unconscious and hooked up to a variety of life-assistance devices studded and taped to him. He was the one he'd been informed was found.

        But next to the bed was another, occupied. Five of the mares he recognized as the Elements of Harmony were huddled around it, his sister's friends. He unconsciously felt a twinge of relief when he saw his sister amongst those standing. But... was one of their number in the bed?

        All thoughts of Sombra disappeared as he headed directly for the Elements. Twilight Sparkle, a young lavender alicorn and the Captain's little sister, saw him and bolted for him.

        “Shiny! There you are!” she cried as she crashed into him, squeezing him tightly. He embraced his sister briefly before politely separating himself from her. There would be time to catch up with her later.

        “What happened here?” he asked. The alicorn went into a fully professional mode immediately.

        “Princess Celestia sent for us elements to search for an artifact she believed to be in the Crystal Mountains, an artifact she felt had grown in power. We looked for it when we were caught in an avalanche! I teleported myself and Applejack away, while Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy managed to fly away. Pinkie Pie somehow got away as usual, but...”

        Shining Armour saw the mare on the bed, wrapped in many blankets. Her normally pristine white coat was a sickly shade of blue and blotched with a bone white, evidence of extensive bruising and frostbite. A number of IV lines slipped beneath the fabric, pumping her full of vital fluids. Her horn had a dark scorch mark along the edge.

        “Rarity found him instead.”

        He felt a rage grow in him. How dare the beast return only to hurt a friend of his sisters!

        Shining Armour spun on his hoof, stomping towards the charcoal unicorn. Twilight didn't let him get very far, appearing before him with a swift teleportation spell.

        “Wait!” she yelled, causing the Captain to take heed. His sister was a Princess of Equestria after all, and she did have command over his actions.

        “When we found him, he was in his current condition. Rarity was, well... like that. I thought he was still evil so I tried to recreate the magic generated from the Crystal Heart.”

        Shining Armour nodded, gesturing for her to continue. Surely she had a point to be made if she were halting him as such.

        “But when the energy hit him... it just passed through him! There was no evil in him!”

        Shining Armour cocked an eyebrow. “So what does that mean? Maybe he found a way to trick the heart! He managed to cheat death, it seems.”

        Twilight shook her head. “No, I'm sure of it. Whatever possessed him to turn into the Sombra we know... is gone. Completely.”

        Shining glanced back at Sombra, his memory triggering images in his mind. The creature terrorizing his Empire, the pain it put his wife through as she tried to repel the dark beast.

        He clenched his eyes shut as he looked away with a sigh. The unicorn on the bed across from him...

        It was the same unicorn, no doubt. Same coat, same mane, but...

        His horn was no longer a thick, repulsive spear of darkness and anger that Shining recalled it to be. Instead, it looked like an average unicorn horn. Nor was he surrounded by an aura of darkness and shadows.

        For all intents and purposes, Sombra was just another unicorn, much like Twilight was suggesting. But... why couldn't Shining bring himself to believe it?

        “You're certain he is... cleansed?”

        Twilight looked at Sombra with a detached glaze over her eyes.

        “I won't know until he wakes up and I can speak with him directly, but... I hope so. I really do.”

        o0o0o

“Captain Somber, the shadow just broke through the last barricade! We can't keep it away for much longer!”

Somber Heart nodded at his Lieutenant as he looked out across his Empire. It was surrounded on all fronts by a thick, ominous shadow. He swore he could see thousand sharp eyes peering out from the darkness, leering after the young captain.

On the other side of the throne room, a runner burst into the hall, a scared look in his eyes.

“A message from the princesses!” he declared, racing up to the Captain. Somber nodded as he took the scroll from the runner.

“Thank you for your service in our hours of darkness,” he said with an honest smile. The runner responded with a smile of his own, nervous due to the situation before racing away. He had many other tasks to do that day, after all.

Somber opened the scroll. He read it briefly before smirking, tossing it aside.

“Sergeant Red Sun, I can't sit idly any longer. We must meet this beast head-first.”

Somber's First Sergeant, a fiery red pegasus with a butter yellow mane, nodded with a sinister smirk. Combat was his field of expertise, and if Somber himself was joining him on the front line...

“We end this now?” Red Sun asked, his black eyes blinking in excitement.

Somber nodded.

“Aye.”

Somber used his magic to pull a spear from behind him, holding it at the low and ready position as he surrounded himself and Red Sun with a field of his magic.

He saw a shimmering before him as he disappeared, a mare that was standing in the throne room with him.

Her coat was a pale gray, but with such a luster that it left him breathless, her mane a rich purple. Her crystalline form accentuated her perfectly.

He couldn't hear her as he blinked away, but he knew what she was saying with the sad, coy smile on her face.

“Be safe.”

o0o0o

        With a deep breath, Somber Heart felt himself return to consciousness. It had not been the first time in his life he'd waken so calmly from a dream, and he had no doubt it would not be his last.

        His eyes slowly cracked open, though he immediately regretted it.

        He was cast on his back, strung about with a number of wraps and cables attached to him. The bright lanterns in the room clawed at his eyes even as he closed them, searing pinpricks of light in his mind.

        Somber hissed, trying to move his hooves to his face only to find them pinned to the mat he found himself on. He growled, trying each of his hooves to find them pinned in the same manner.

        He opened his eyes angrily, shifting his head around even as the blinding light blotted his vision momentarily. As the initial pain subsided, he saw he was in the medical wing of the Crystal palace, a room he recognized very quickly. Slowly he began recalling many painful memories from this very same room.

        And very quickly, he felt his head grow light as he fell back against the mat, gasping weakly. He hurt all over, a dull thud pressing against him from every direction.

        “Hey everypony, he's awake!”

        He was vaguely aware of many ponies rushing towards him, surrounding his form with a wall of bodies. He looked around painfully, the light still sharp and bright against his eyes. He didn't recognize any of them.

        “Alright now, give him some air,” he heard a commanding voice order. Immediately, the ponies backed away, and he saw the owner of the voice.

        He was a broad unicorn, built a bit more top-heavy than Somber himself but still quite intimidating in appearance. His white coat was clean and well groomed, and his thick blue mane was cast back in a traditional guard style. He wore the first tier of guard attire, a thing golden chest sling with a knife scabbard attached.

        The unicorn approached him slowly, looking him up and down. Somber felt himself glaring at the pony unconsciously, curious. Why was he suddenly so angry at this pony?

        “King Sombra?”

        A moment of silence hung between the two before Somber blinked.

        “I'm sorry, but... are you talking to me?”

        The guard nodded. Somber gulped slightly as he felt himself grin rather nervously.

        “Uh, Captain Somber Heart, actually. Celestia help us if I were ever made king of anything,” he chuckled weakly. “And... you are?”

        Shining Armour cast Somber a rather curious look, as though he were sizing him up.

        “Prince Shining Armour, Captain of the Crystal Empire Guard.”

        Somber felt himself laugh involuntarily. Before he even had time to think of what he was doing, he flicked his magic without so much as a twinge of effort. Immediately, every instrument attached to him flew away. The wrap itself undid itself as he rose from the mat, standing tall.

        “Surely you are mistaken, prince. I am the current Captain of the Crystal Empi- Hrrrg!”

        Somber suddenly dropped to a knee, coughing up a thick stream of dark blood. A nurse rushed over, but Somber waved her away with a hoof. His horn lit up briefly before a red energy cast about him. As it disappeared, he ceased his coughing and stood. He was rather shaky, but he wore a look of confidence.

        “I am Somber Heart, eleventh Captain of the Crystal Empire Guard. Now tell me, prince, why you fill my seat.”

        Shining Armour raised a lip, baring his teeth to Somber. The ponies around them looked on in surprise at how quickly things were escalating.

        “You are the unicorn formally known as King Sombra, a criminal to the Empire and Equestria.”

        Somber froze, not even noticing as Shining Armour drew his knife from it's sheath.

        “K-King? Criminal?”

        He fell to his haunches. His shoulders burned in exhaustion as his head swam.

        “What... what happened?”

        Shining saw the state that Somber was in before glancing at his sister. She locked eyes with him and nodded, her horn lighting up.

        Somber's form glowed with a faint purple aura, but dissipated quickly. Twilight looked back at Shining Armour with a pleased grin, shaking her head side to side. Armour let out a tense breath. That relieved him, Sombra was indeed gone from the Captain.

        “Well, Captain, it seems we have much to talk about.”

        Somber looked up to see Shining Armour offering him a hoof. Confused, Somber accepted the offer, letting the current Captain pull him to his hooves.

        “Much has changed in your absence, but I assure you that everypony here will help you along. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna will be excited to learn of your... return.”

        Somber shook his head, the appendage feeling far too light.

        “Return? Where was I?”

        A cough from beside him caught his attention. He looked to his left, and almost dropped dead at the sight.

        Her coat was as white as he recalled, even without the crystal shimmer. Her mane was far more stylized than he remembered, a rich purple. Her lustrous blue eyes were as beautiful as ever, and he felt his heart ache at her sight. It had been far too long.

        “Sapphire?” he practically breathed.

        The mare, however, cocked an eyebrow. Somber felt his heart clench in fear.

        “Sapphire? I am terribly sorry to say I am unfamiliar with that name. I am Rarity, dear.”

        As Somber's heart split in two, his vision went black as he collapsed to the floor, just as unconscious as he had been not ten minutes prior.

Chapter Two

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.”

Chapter Three

What A Shadow Fears

Digital_Hex

Chapter Three

        “And here we are!” Twilight said with a flourish as she threw open the door to the room. She stepped inside, followed by Somber Heart and Rarity.

        The room was plenty spacious, as expected of a palace room. It was rather sparsely decorated, which wasn't quite as expected of a palace room. A large bed sat in the center of the room, a massive window taking up one of the walls. It had a cushioned sill, with a couple pillows settled along it.

        “It's not much, but I hope you two can make do.”

        Rarity turned to her friend, smiling sweetly.

        “Twilight, dear, it's fine! The room is plenty large. The, uh, only thing we could use is... a sleeping bag, perhaps.”

        Somber trotted slowly around the room, taking in the colours and design of the room. Some of his memories were still coming back to him, slowly. He recognized this room, though. It was the last room to be filled in the palace, long had it served as a storage room for various pieces of art that had yet to be placed throughout the palace. Apparently, the art that had been stored had found new homes, as well as many of the original pieces that once adorned that room as well.

        His eyes fell upon a framed picture, and he felt a cold tear in his heart as it dropped in his chest, frigid despair welling up in it's wake. The mare in the picture was a faint teal earth pony, her coat almost a soft white. Her mane had a thick accent of purple, with a few streaks of white and coal black intermixed within. Her eyes were a brilliant blue, like two glistening sapphires. He remembered when he'd had this picture painted for her...

        “Somber, dear? Are you alright?”

        Somber shook his head before glancing at the white mare. She looked at him carefully, concern quite present within her large blue eyes.

        He inhaled sharply, forcing a smile to his face.

        “Of course, lady Rarity. Quite.”

        She smiled. “You scared me there for a second. It was like you just zoned out there, you were staring at that picture for nearly ten minutes!”

        “Yes,” Somber said quietly as he looked back upon the painting. The strokes of coloured oils were pleasing to the eye, yet the image they made was painful to Somber's heart.

        “Scared...”

        o0o0o

“You can't be serious, Somber!”

The charcoal unicorn threw up his hooves in anger.

“I've already told you, Sapphire, this is my duty as a Captain!”

The mare before him wore a face of indistinguishable rage.

“You are going to get yourself killed, Somber Heart, and there is nothing that I'll be able to do about it. Can't you just wait until you receive a letter from the princesses!”

Somber Heart took in a sharp breath, about to scream back-

But paused. Sapphire had a point.

He let out the breath slowly, letting the air whistle through his teeth. He fell to his haunches, growling.

“Fine. I shall wait.”

Sapphire smiled softly in victory. Finally, her fiance saw reason, let go of his nigh-suicidal tendency to do right whenever possible.

Sapphire raised a hoof as she took a step towards him, but stopped with her hoof in the air.

This wouldn't be the last time, and she knew it. The next opportunity Somber had like this, the next time he was ready to charge head-first into the maelstrom, he would do it. He wantedto do it, and she knew it.

So... why was she stopping him?

“No,” she whispered as placed her hoof back down, stepping away.

She shook her head to the side. Somber Heart was a stubborn one with a good soul. His heart was bigger than his brain, for sure.

“Excuse me?” Somber asked, completely unaware of the war that Sapphire was raging within her.

But if he wanted to risk his life time and time again, he wouldn't be leaving her worried, leaving her in a state of wonder and fear.

She was tired, so tired of not knowing if he was going to come back dead or alive.

Surely it would be easier if there was nothing for him to come back to?

Sapphire slowly reached up to her left ear, undoing the ruby earring she wore. It was inset in a disc of sharp onyx, a beautiful piece of jewelry.

“Somber, I... I can't do this anymore.”

Somber opened his mouth, but no words came out.

“I will remain on your board of advisers, but...”

She cast him a sorrowful look.

“I cannot marry a stallion who would throw away his own life so willingly. I cannot, and I will not.”

Somber Heart felt himself shake with a growing rage as Sapphire turned to make her leave.

“So do what you will. If you want to face this head on... go right on ahead. It is not my decision any more.”

She opened the door, taking her leave. As she left, a runner charged past her, bearing fateful news.

“My Captain, the shadows have breached through the first barricade!”

Outside of the palace, in the darkness that was threatening to engulf the kingdom, a million narrow green eyes lit up with sharp, blood red pupil. They laughed.

        o0o0o

        Somber Heart jolted awake sharply, breathing heavily. His body was slick with sweat, practically steaming in the cool room.

        He looked around in agitation. The room was... it was cleared...

        He sucked in a deep breath greedily, feeling his racing heart slow down. The scent he gave off was of fear itself, rolling off of him in dark, thick billows of fright.

        A light clanking garnered his attention, his ears flicking towards the sound.

        Curious, Somber Heart rose to his hooves as he looked around. He was sleeping on the padded window sill, much to Lady Rarity's disdain. She had insisted on using the sleeping bag, but he would have none of it. She was to take the bed, and that was final.

        The clanking sounded again, almost like glass upon glass. Curious, Somber heart slowly stepped from the sill, making sure his hoof-falls were careful and quiet. A narrow sliver of light escaped an attaching door to the bedroom. Somber's sense peaked as he approached the door, and with a swift thrust of his magic, he swung open the door.

        Rarity stood in the middle of the common room, pouring herself a glass of champagne with a lazy blue magic. She jumped as the door slammed open.

        “Goodness, Somber, you startled me!”

        Somber took a deep breath. Figures he would get himself so worked up over something as foolish as a mare getting herself a glass of wine. Speaking of wine, though-

        “Can't sleep?” he asked the white unicorn. She chuckled dryly as she finished topping off her glass before she tipped her head back, downing it in a single swift gulp.

        “Not in the least,” she responded. “Don't take it personally, but this is the first time I've shared a room with a stallion.”

        Somber felt a light heat flood his cheeks as he looked away. Rarity, meanwhile, opted to set the glass down and was chugging away at the bottle.

        “Ah, I apologize for any inconvenience.”

        Rarity pried the bottle from herself with a sharp tug of magic, addressing the stallion.

        “Nay, tis not an inconvenience. More of an... unforseen situation.”

        Shrugging, Rarity tipped back again, guzzling down.

        Somber couldn't believe his eyes as the mare quickly put away a third of the large bottle. He noticed he was staring, pulling his eyes aware only to stare at her cutie mark. It was three marvelously cut diamonds.

        He mentally facehoofed as he realized he couldn't stop staring at her flank.

        “Dear? Is there something the matter?”

        Somber jolted back, looking up to see bright blue eyes.

Just like a pair of sapphires...

        He shook his head, painful memories rushing back into his mind.

        “Somber, dear?” Rarity asked, now concerned. He'd been acting strange like this all day, but he looked to be in genuine pain now.

        “I'm... fine... Sapphire...”

        “Sapphire?” Rarity asked herself aloud. “Whatever does that mean?”

        Somber roared in pain as he fell to his knees, hoof on his forehead. Rarity dropped the bottle as she rushed over to his side.

        “Whoa there, do I need to call for help?!”

        Somber grit his teeth as he tried to keep tears from forming in his eyes. There was a sharp, overwhelming pain splitting through his head.

        “N-No,” he declared. “I'm fine.”

        “Not to be rude, but you certainly don't look fine.”

        He forced out a laugh at Rarity's comment, taking a deep breath.

        A few moments passed by, and the pain slowly subsided until it was relatively tolerable. Eventually, he let himself fall to his side, gasping slowly.

        “Are... are you alright?” Rarity asked. This stallion was quite the chore. The very first night she'd stayed with him, and already he was having a fit. Not that it was her fault any.

        She took in the sight of him in his state. He was quite well-toned, muscular but not too large, very well shaped. His shoulders were thick, good for a variety of things, she had no doubt-

        “No, Rarity,” she whispered to herself. “Don't even think about letting your mind go anywhere impure. Not now.”

        Somber groaned as he pushed himself up. He rubbed his forehead, a slideshow of his past filtering through his mind. It was mostly the same stuff he'd already seen, but there was also a new memory.

        It held great pain within it.

        Rarity looked after the stallion with eyes of concern. Who was he? It was obvious, especially with his state right now, that he was not the same terrorist everypony remembered him as. He was like a blank canvas, it seemed. But what was his picture? What story did he tell? And how did the story come to be?

        Rarity leaned back, letting herself fall into a thick pillow.

        “Somber Heart?” she asked. Somber grunted.

        “Do... do you truly not remember what you were? What you did?”

        Somber breathed slowly.

        “I cannot recall the deeds it is clear that I committed, no, but... I know, I have done terrible deeds indeed. It is obvious from the way the guards treat me, and the nightmares that so plague me.”

        Rarity hissed.

        “I'm sorry, I didn't realize you dreamed of such things...”

        “It's not so much a dream as much a memory,” he admitted. “I know the name Sombra... it sounds evil indeed. Why I would have chosen it...” He shuddered. “Alas, I do not know. But perhaps tomorrow, I shall learn of my crimes.”

        Rarity nodded, magicking over her bottle of champagne. It was less than halfway full.

        “I see,” she murmured. She lifted the bottle to her lips before pausing, instead passing the bottle to Somber. He eyed it curiously.

        “Champagne, circa 1842. It's quite good.”

        He gave her a curious look, but she motioned for him to carry on. Swallowing, he brought the bottle to his lips and took a quick swig.

        All he could taste was the yeast. He hated the taste of yeast. He sputtered at the liquid, much to Rarity's amusement.

        “Too cheap for you?” she asked with a giggle. He shook his head.

        “No, it's just... gross...”

        “I see...” Rarity said, still rather amused.

        “Hey, Somber?” she asked suddenly. Somber looked up to meet her eyes.

        “How did you get up there on the top of that mountain?”

        Somber sucked in. That was a question he, too, wanted answered.

        “I... I don't really know. I just remember suddenly being there, being cold. And then you were there... and then I kind of forget after that...”

        “There was an avalanche, dear.”

        “Ah,” Somber said quietly. He was quickly growing tired again. He slowly rose to his hooves. “Well, if there's no trouble, then I best be returning to sleep.”

        Rarity tipped her head after him as she magicked the bottle back towards her.

        As the door closed, her magic gave a faint pulse of red.

        “Sleep well, my King,” she chuckled throatily.

        A bolt of lightning suddenly crashed outside of the window, far away, and lit up the room. In the flash, Rarity's pupils narrowed to slits, only to return once the darkness had returned.

        She purred as she sipped from the bottle again, the tip of her horn turning a scorched black as she suspended the bottle with her magic.

        “Sleep very well, and beware the nightmares.”

Chapter Four

What A Shadow Fears

Digital_Hex

Chapter Four

        “So, Rarity, how was your night?” Twilight asked with a grin, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

        Rarity groaned. Her mane was a mess, her eyes rather droopy. Whatever sleep she had gotten the night before was quite restless.

        “I do hope you not are suggesting that I engaged in anything uncouth,” Rarity muttered loudly enough for everypony present to hear the venom in her voice. She let her magic reach out to pick up a blue cup of coffee, bringing it to her lips.

        Rarity looked around the massive dining hall of the palace. The walls were a cold stone, a few banners hanging along them. She drank from the cup slowly, relishing in the warmth.

        As she took the cup from her lips, she cast an irritated look towards Twilight. The alicorn was still looking expectantly at Rarity, as if waiting for some juicy gossip.

        “Darling, nothing happened last night. Honest.”

        Twilight rolled her eyes.

        “Suuure,” she said sarcastically. “Then why do you look like you got absolutely no sleep last night?”

        “Well,” Rarity said as she stuck her nose in the air. “If you must know, I happened to have a dreadful nightmare last night, leaving me restless.”

        Twilight cocked her head to the side. “A nightmare? What was it about?”

        Rarity looked away, feeling a creeping feeling in the back of her head. “It was, ah... well, um, do you remember that one time I got rather, er... jealous?”

        Twilight cocked an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

        “It involved the moon...”

        “Not following.”

        Rarity groaned loudly. “It was a nightmare about the nightmare, when I fell captive to that dreadful thing.”

        “Ah, when you were Nightmare Rarity?”

        Rarity subconsciously cringed at the mention of... what she once was.

        “Y-yes... it was just a nightmare, though. Nothing to fret about.”

        Twilight nodded. “I see. If you want, I can request Princess Luna to-”

        “No!” Rarity sharply interrupted, knocking over the cup she had before her. Twilight jolted back slightly, surprised by her friend's outburst. Rarity smiled sheepishly, fixing the cup with her blue magic.

        “Sorry, dear, I just... I'm fine, honestly. It was just a silly little dream, nothing serious.”

        “If you insist,” Twilight said carefully. “What... what was the dream about?”

        Rarity laughed ironically. “That was the funny part. I haven't yet shared how I found Somber yet, have I?”

        Twilight shook her head to the side.

        “Well, I... dreamed of that, actually. At least, that's how it started.

        “When we arrived in the snow fields, you split us all up to search for that stone Princess Celestia asked you to find. I was using my gem-hunting spell to try finding it, but it seemed useless. At first, anyways.

        “But after about twenty minutes, I started getting a pull, drawing me towards the top of a hill. I didn't really notice how far up it went, but it was very tall, very steep as well. I finally made it to the top, sensing I was close. I could practically feel what I was chasing, Twilight. I tried to pull it to me, uncover it, when I...”

        She paused, coughing politely.

        “My horn lit up something fierce, burning me. My magic fizzled out, and suddenly the snow beneath me flared a fiery red. I stumbled back, only to see a figure rise from the snow. He mumbled something, but I couldn't catch it. He was weak and shaky, and fell down. But the energy he released, we- we fell, and it started an avalanche. I tried to use my magic, but it wouldn't work! I...”

        She stopped again, her breathing rather labored. Rarity let herself calm down a little before continuing.

        “I watched us get swept up in the avalanche. I was just as terrified during the dream as I was when it happened, Twilight.”

        As she spoke, Rarity could feel herself grow cold, her breath freezing just beyond her maw. Her mane was clumpy, damp as the snow and ice clawed at her hide. She fell, left, right, over and under, smacking into snow and ice constantly. Her hide was bruised, raw from friction and numb from the cold.

        Finally, she stopped. With a sharp impact, her body stopped moving.

        She was hurt, but she blinked around, trying to see where she was. The figure from before, a dark pony, lay half-buried a short distance from her. Rarity tried to rise, only managing to rise to three hooves. One of them was burning with pain, most likely twisted. She was lucky to still be alive.

        “Hey!” she called to the figure. He lifted his head slowly, searching for her. Finally, his eyes made contact with hers.

        And then... she saw him. They were in a grand hall, empty except for three ponies.

        Rarity looked around. There was darkness everywhere, clinging to the walls. It was scary.

        “You can't be serious, Somber!”

        Rarity whipped around to see the two other ponies in the room. There was a mare and a stallion. She recognized the stallion as the one she had just found, a dark charcoal unicorn with a jet black mane. Before him, though, was a mare that Rarity couldn't place.

        Her coat was a very, very light teal, almost a dirty white in appearance. Her mane and tail were a royal purple, coated with a crystal sheen.

        “I've already told you, Sapphire, this is my duty as Captain!”

        Rarity took a slight step back, not wanting to interrupt. She bumped into a table, pushing it back sharply but neither pony paid her any mind. They continued arguing between themselves.

        To Rarity's credit, she listened to their argument. She didn't know what was going on, but from what it sounded like... the stallion named Somber was trying to protect Sapphire. But she... she didn't like it.

        “I cannot marry a stallion who would throw away his own life so willingly. I cannot, and I will not.”

        Rarity could practically feel Somber's heart break as Sapphire said these words. Very quickly, though, these feelings turned to anger. Rage. Hatred.

        She said something else, but the words were lost as the blood pumped furiously through Somber's skull. Rarity winced, rubbing her own skull as she felt the pain all too well.

        Sapphire opened the door to leave. As she passed through the door, a runner slipped by her, charging straight for Rarity. She braced herself, expecting him to run around her, but instead he raced right for her-

        And passed right through her, as though she hadn't existed.

        “My Captain,” the runner declared, “the shadows have breached through the first barricade!”

        Rarity felt the fear grip at Somber's heart. It was cold.

        “So soon?” he gasped. The runner nodded.

        “Very well... gather my court in the royal hall. We... will be ready for a response from the princesses.”

        The runner bowed before rushing away.

        As soon as he was alone, Somber dropped to a knee, breathing heavily, wheezing even.

        “S-Sapphire... why must you do this...” he whispered. Rarity almost shed a tear as she rushed over to the stallion. The sorrow he was dealing with was painful for the mare. She reached out to put a hoof on his shoulder, to comfort him, but it passed right through without so much as disturbing his cloak.

        A simple cough came from the doorway. Somber rose, looking towards a fiery red pegasus. His wild butter yellow mane stuck out at every angle, suggesting he had been flying very quickly only moments earlier.

        “Red Sun.”

        “My Captain,” Red Sun replied, nodding in respect. Somber hated it when ponies bowed to him.

        “You called for a court?”

        “Aye,” Somber replied, swallowing hard before stepping forward, using his magic to grasp his spear from where it rested along the wall. As he headed towards the door, he strapped the weapon to his back.

        “We must not keep them waiting.”

        Red Sun fell into step alongside Somber. Rarity chased after the two, keeping herself a polite distance behind them.

        “Sir, do... do you think we can hold the shadows at bay?”

        Somber snorted. “These shadows, they are a nightmare, are they not? I've never faced a force such as these... and I do not know how we may counter them.”

        “But... we'll try, wont we?”

        Somber stopped, turning to place a hoof on his friend's shoulder.

        “Red Sun,” he said evenly. “If the time comes to face this directly, you will be at my side on the front lines just as I will be at yours. This is a promise.”

        Red Sun nodded, a small smirk present on his lips. “As you wish, Captain.”

        The two then turned to the door before them, opening it wide and striding inside. Somber passed by Sapphire, refusing to make eye contact. She reached a hoof towards him as he passed, but said nothing.

        And they waited.

        The subtle sounds of destruction outside grew louder and clearer.

        “Sir,” Red Sun said quietly. “Are you sure that our soldiers can hold it off?”

        “No,” Somber said calmly. “But we will wait for our orders.”

        A moment later, they received them.

        Somber smirked devilishly, tossing the letter aside. Rarity had to side-step to the left to avoid having the scroll hit her. Not that it would have actually hit her.

        “Sergeant Red Sun,” Somber said loudly and clearly, making sure every word he said was intentional, “I can't sit idly any longer. We must meet this beast head-first.”

        Red Sun nodded with a sinister grin, a quiet snarl escaping him. The forces that assaulted them would feel the pain that it left his soldiers, tenfold.

        “We end this now?” he asked his Captain.

        Somber nodded. “Aye.”

        Somber enveloped himself and Red Sun with an aura of red magic, drawing his spear at the same time.

        Before he blinked away, though, he glanced at the mare he once called his fiance, standing across the hall. He locked eyes with her for just a moment, just long enough. His eyes were usually filled with hope and optimism.

        Now, they were blank and empty.

        And like that, the two ponies disappeared.

        Rarity looked at the mare, seeing a tear slowly well up in her eye. This was quickly joined by another, and another until they were dribbling down her cheeks. Her breathing was still calm, though. She wouldn't break. She had to be strong. He would return.

        She let a small smile come to her face, a depressing sight on the mare. It was a smile of pure sadness.

        “Be safe,” she whispered.

        Rarity blinked, looking down.

        Suddenly, she shifted. She was in an ethereal darkness, surrounding her from every direction.

        “My, my. Little Rarity, we meet again...”

        Rarity growled. “Nightmare!” she screamed at the darkness. “Leave me!”

        “But why would I do that,” the Nightmare cooed. “Why, when you are so close to learning how I made my first pawn?”

        With a start, Rarity jolted back awake. Twilight had a hoof on her shoulder, keeping her steady. Her face was drawn with concern, and... a touch of fear?

        “Rarity... are you alright?”

        “Hm? Twilight... what happened?”

        “You were talking, and then all of a sudden...” She shuddered. “You just kind of, zoned out. You kept muttering something, that.. it was jibberish. You really scared me.”

        Rarity placed a hoof of her friend's. “I'm... quite alright,” Rarity lied.

        Truth be told, she was terrified. She'd fallen right back into the nightmare, right back into that fear.

        “Quite,” she insisted. Twilight looked into her friend's eyes. It was like trying to read a wall.

        “If you say so...” Twilight said quietly. “Oh, the Princesses and Somber should be close to being finished! Let's go wait for them outside of the hall, okay?”

        Rarity nodded. Twilight trotted away, leaving the white unicorn to reach out for the coffee cup with her magic.

        She nearly screamed when the magic pulsed a blood red.

        “This isn't like the last nightmare,” she hissed. “This is much, much worse.”

Chapter Five

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.”