Reforming Them : A Gem So Rare

After the success with reforming Discord, we'd like you to take up a new task. We ask that you do this one alone, or as little help from your friends as possible. We ask that you reform the King Of Shadows, King Sombra.

~Princess Celestia

Those words. Was she serious. She couldn't be. Hopefully this was all just a joke! Yeah! Just a nice joke from Celestia. Rarity exhibited a concerned smile as she rolled up the scroll again. Placing it into spike's hands as she stared up at the ceiling. Her smile growing as she thought. She couldn't do this. She couldn't. It was not possible. She was to do it alone. Princess's orders. This was going to become a new thing. A pattern. Celestia would continue to send them threats to reform. For no reason. She didn't even list a reason in this letter, unlike the last one. She couldn't do it. How could she. She would be keeping a tyrant in her home until he learned table manners. The most powerful dark magic wizard would be staying in her home. Most likely angry all the time by being kept there. Insulting her. Destroying her work. Making her fear for her life. Unlike Discord where Celestia had escorted him to ponyville, this time was different. Celestia had sent him in the scroll. The only part that was found after he was killed. It was here. In this house. Rarity trembled as Spike looked at her curiously. He hadn't read the scroll, or even knew what this strange bulge in it was. With his curiosity peaked, he unraveled the scroll.

"Who's King Sombra?"

Spike quizzed, reading over the letter and looking at the only part retrieved from his destruction. Rarity snapped, her eyes bolting to look at Spike, who was poking around in the letter he had delivered. The two were in the middle of something when the letter arrived. Spike had a bunch of sowing needles stuck in his back, and he shook it off like they weren't even there. Rarity was working on a v neck dress for one of her customers. It was rather modern, and a tad bit short. It covered the flank, but left the tail out. It also showed off the legs nicely. It was black and white, just like the customer had ordered.

Rarity kept her hooves still on the dress, refusing to move them as she levitated the paper back over to her face. Taking it away from spike. Who obviously forgot who this was. To be fair, it took Rarity about two minutes to remember who the he was. They never really got to know his name.

"He's umm.."

Rarity stammered, a sweat bead running down the side of her head as she store at the horn that was attached to the letter. It was a rustic shade of red. She remembered it atop his head when he was about to get rid of Spike and the Crystal heart. He had a rather marvelous cape on, and to be fair, she actually wanted the thing a tad. It was lined with a rare fur that came from snow leopards. They are a almost extinct species.

"Another 'special guest'? I don't remember us ever fighting somepony by the name of Sombra."

Spike reminisced, putting a claw on his chin as he started to remember. Well, he tried to remember.

"Nope. Nopony comes to mind."

Spike said, giving up immediately after he had started.

"Spike, be a dear and fetch me Twilight, please?"

Rarity asked, placing the letter on her sowing table as she tried to continue working on this dress that needed to be done by tonight.

"Oh yeah! Sure! I'll be right back!"

Spike said happily, pricking out each and every pin he had stuck in him quickly. Which he would regret in a few seconds from now. He rushed away, going out the door as quick as a flash. His moans and groans of pain heard from outside. Those pins stung once they were taken off of him.

"Rarity? I brought Twilight!"

Spike called from outside, the purple Alicorn standing close to the purple dragon. There was a lot of purple outside her door. Rarity galloped over to the door, swinging it open and hugging Twilight suddenly. It was as deadly as a Pinkie Pie hug. Twilight gasped for air as she was hugged tightly. Spike separated Rarity from the princess who was going blue. Pushing her back into her home gently. Rarity looked at the ground and sighed.

"What's the matter? Is something wrong?"

Twilight asked, puzzled. Spike was about to say something and spill all the beans for her, but his mouth was shut by Rarity's shiny hoof.

"Yes. I'm in a bit of a pickle, you see."

Rarity said truthfully, levitating over the letter that Celestia had sent her.

Dear My Little Ponies,

We thank you so much for the reforming of Discord. Luna has become much less worried now that has cleared. We shall provide him with a perfect place to stay and live in. We'd like to have Rarity, The element of generosity help us with our next worry. After the success with reforming Discord, we'd like you to take up a new task. We ask that you do this one alone, or as little help from your friends as possible. We ask that you reform the King Of Shadows, King Sombra.

~Princess Celestia

The letter read fully, as Twilight scanned over it. Putting her hoof on her chin. Obviously trying to remember something.

"King Sombra.. Sommmmbra.."

She mumbled, banging her hoof up against the side of her head, attempting to remember as she looked down at the detached horn. She suddenly sprung to her conclusion, her face lighting up before sinking down to a sadder state. She frowned.

"No help from others.. Princesses orders..?"

She mumbled, looking at the letter again.

"Are you sure you can handle this?"

Twilight asked. Rarity shook her head no, as Twilight smiled. Trying to keep a happy mood. Attempting to keep the sadder mood away. It was another task, ordered by the Princess. They had to do it.. Even if there was no reason to do it attached. Spike suddenly sneezed, fire bursting from his nose as another package was delivered. Twilight found it rather humorous that he belched letters and sneezed packages. A brown box dropped onto the ground, as Twilight picked it up curiously. Breaking it open, there was a dark black ring inside between all the packaging peanuts. If she recalled correctly, these rings, when slid on a horn, could not be removed. They were rather rare, and could only be built by master blacksmiths in the north. It blocked all magic and it must be teleported onto the horn. It can only be removed by an Alicorn. This one was black however, while regular ones were brown or purple. Maybe it's just for personalization reasons. Who knows. Well, Celestia did, but that didn't exactly matter.

"We'll be in town. You can always get us if you need tips. Fluttershy should be able to help the most, seeing as she had the most recent reformation job with Discord."

Twilight informed, hovering the package over to the white fashionista.

"I still don't get this."

Spike sighed in aggravation as he stomped his paw on the ground impatiently. He was starting to turn into Angel, honestly.

"Who is this Sombra pony anyways?"

Spike asked, crossing his arms as he looked up at the two mares. Almost annoyed.

"He's the pony who will most likely try to hunt you down and try to harm you in every way possible."

Twilight said, her gleeful tone creeping Rarity out a bit.

"W-What?! Why?!"

Spike shouted in shock. Still not remembering what he had done to get so much hate from this Sombra pony.

"You saved the Crystal Empire from him."

Twilight continued with a smile, nuzzling spike comfortably. He still deserved praise for that heroic victory.

"W-wait.."

Spike seemed to suddenly remember who he was going to be dealing with. Who was going to be taking up all his time with Rarity. Possibly even harm her.

"Twilight! You can't let him near me!"

Spike begged, grabbing onto her forehoof. He was scared for his life. Who wouldn't be? This pony was the highest ranked dark magic user to have ever lived. One who hated Spike with every ounce of his being. There was no hope left for the purple dragon. He was going to die!

"He's staying with Rarity."

Twilight said, rather sorrowfully. As she still kept up her smile when she looked at Rarity. Spike's eyes widened in horror as he thought of the worst possible things that could happen to Rarity. This was not good. It was like the Diamond Dog stuff all over again. Except this time, they weren't dumb, and she would be kept captive in her own home! This was absolutely terrible! He wouldn't be able to go to sleep tonight, that was sure.

Rarity sighed. She would have to do it eventually. It was Princesses orders after all. Much like a customer's demand, she had to do it to the best of her ability. After all, maybe she could be turned into a Alicorn for payment.

"I'm ready."

She nodded with confidence. Holding her head up high as she lead Twilight into her boutique. Her dresses and clothes getting shown off, silently. Her handiwork was amazing. She had really improved. She was making things for Royalty and for celebrities. Twilight had admired her work, really. This was really not the time for it though.

"Spike, go get the others."

Twilight asked, as Spike happily accepted his command. He ran out of the boutique at what he thought was light speed to go get the four other candy colored friends.

"It'll be tough, you know."

Twilight informed Rarity as she watched Spike rush out. Leaving the door open behind him.

"I know."

Rarity stated with yet another sigh. This was going to be a tough job, with such a rowdy customer staying with her. She had no idea how Fluttershy did it. She would have to figure out how. She did it in a few days. It would take Rarity years..

"We'll have to wait a bit for the others to get here."

Twilight said, trotting over to Rarity's newest line of dresses. Looking at the price tags. The white fashionista stared at the ceiling. Sweetie Belle. What would become of her from this constant presence of corruption?

"Why do we need them here?"

Rarity asked, slightly puzzled. How would that help whatsoever? Actually.. How were they going to revive him in the first place? Unlike Discord, he wasn't exactly.. Alive.

"I think he might be in a situation like how Discord was. He's imprisoned, not in a statue, but in his horn."

Twilight explained her theory. Squeeing as she found a decent deal on a dress she liked. She picked out the dress from the rack, and to her disappointment, it was a size smaller then she had anticipated.

"Oh."

Rarity said simply, looking back over at her door, where four ponies were rushing to be by. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Spike.

"Hey!"

Pinkie Pie bounced into the boutique first, a smile upon her face as she entered. It was good to see such happiness in a time like this.

"We got here as fast as we could. Well, as fast as we could go without Fluttershy falling behind."

Rainbow Dash explained, flying into the boutique 'slowly'. Fluttershy blushed as she entered. A bit embarrassed. She was a bit slow when it came to flying.

"What're we doin?"

Applejack asked, seeing the letter rather quickly. Rarity had put it back down on her sowing table, along with a brown box. The package spike had sneezed.

"We're reviving a certain pony. I need you all here so it doesn't go wrong."

Twilight nodded, placing the dress back where it was originally. She wandered up to the letter sent by Celestia, reading it aloud to her friends. It only made spike and rarity cringe as she read it.

"Who's King Sombra?"

Rainbow Dash inquired, shrugging as she landed.

"If you don't remember, I'll freshen your memories. He's the pony that tried to retake the Crystal Empire and nearly succeeded. He's also the wisest and most powerful Dark magic user around. He can transform into smoke and move in the shadows, and can make you see your worst fears."

Twilight reminded. Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped.

"Rarity has to take care of him? ON HER OWN?!"

Rainbow Dash was astonished. This was going to be a repeated theme. Soon enough, Celestia would be asking Rainbow Dash to reform a villain too! This was horrible! Discord was bad enough to deal with, but a King who was powered off hatred and FEAR? This was not going to end well.

"Yes."

Rarity said, nodding as Twilight pulled off the rustic red horn from the page. Levitating it infront of her friends.

"I'll need a circle formed for this."

Twilight informed, as her four friends spread out. Making a circle that Twilight and rarity had to complete.

Moving into position, she dropped the horn into the middle of the circle. Her horn glowing with intense light as she focused. She was without the elements this time. It should be simple enough though. Her horn sparked and flurried with magic. She was a Alicorn. She should be able to resummon anything she wanted. Her chest glowed a soft purple, as her friends closed their eyes as well. Their chests lit up too, a magical aura about them. They were still linked to the elements of harmony. This would back up Twilight's spell. She scrunched up her face as she started to go into phase two. Her horn's aura turning gigantic, much like it did when she was levitating the Ursa Minor oh so long ago.

"King Sombra.. By princess Celestia's.. Urk.. Orders.. I demand you be resurrected from your shadowy grave!"

Twilight spoke, a rainbow bursting from all six of the lights on their chests. Indivdually, it was a small rainbow. As all six individual rainbows twirled into the air above the unnatural horn. They combined into one larger one before slamming down onto the King's detached horn. A large ball of light forming around it as Twilight continued to surge power. Her eyes shot open, they were pure white. She could see her friend's eyes open as well all pure white and glowing. A wind gusted from the resurrection spell, blasting away small thing from it. Like books and fabrics. Twilight extended her wings and blasted the final part of the spell. A rainbow shot from her horn, and flew into the ball of light. Then there was the sound of an explosion. It blew back the six ponies, as the spell finished itself. It roared and swirled as the six ex elements of harmony were knocked backwards into desks and walls. Spike was hiding underneath one of the desks that got smashed into. The ball swirled and expanded, magic raging as the rainbows exploded out from it. Returning back to the elements of harmony. The ball of light covered the entire boutique. The building up with light, almost looking like it was consumed by the ball of light as the spell finished. The wind was gone. The six friends groaned as they stood up to see what they had done. The horn was still there, but now it was upon a body. A lump of grey sat curled in the middle of the room. A black mane and tail whipped through the air on it.

"Get the ring on!"

Rarity said, as Twilight acted quickly. Her magic was no longer operational. She panicked, her features screaming fear as she looked at the grey blob in the middle of the room. The blob laid a top a gigantic magical burn mark. The blob slumped over onto it's side. Showing that it had limbs and a face. It's eyes were closed, but it's limbs were starting to move. It slowly but surely made it's way to stand. Twilight fumbled with the ring that would cancel it's magic. She didn't have any magic to put the ring onto his horn! Rarity took the ring into her possession, concentrating as tears started pouring from her eyes. She was not able to use this sort of magic, and it was so advanced. It would hurt the horn and mind a lot. It would feel like your brain was getting sawed through. Her tears intensified as she focused. The blob now had transformed into a tall standing stallion. Eyes still closed. He was rather bulky. To a mare who was uneducated to whom this was, he would seem rather attractive. His eyes flashed open, showing off the neon green irises and crimson pupils. His eyes trailed a sickly purple smoke, said to be pure dark magic. The ring disappeared into a puff of smoke, and reappeared onto the stallion's rustic horn. The serpent colored irises transformed back to a natural white, and the purple smog cut off short as soon as it was placed upon his horn. After only a few seconds of being released, a change could be noticed. One was that he lacked his regular wear. He did not wear a crown or cape. Nor any of his armor. Which was strange. His eyes darted around the room as his tall standing figure was swiftly diminished to a slouch. His pupils dilated as he appeared to panic. Looking around at the circle in what seemed to be fear. He attempted to back up, but he was trapped within a circle of do-gooders. Something had changed with him. That was for sure. Twilight extended her wings and approached the formed King. He noticed this, his ears flattening as he hissed at her. Almost cat like. Twilight did not stop her approach towards the stallion. Rarity wiped away her tears, unable to see what was going on due to them being all blocked by her tears. She was still misty eyed. Her cheeks red from crying. The grey stallion hissed as he backed up, eyes still full of fear as she approached. He certainly wasn't the same. Twilight couldn't put her hoof on it though. He still wasn't talking very much, so that wasn't much of a change. Fluttershy suddenly flew by Twilight's side, halting her from going any further.

"Twilight.. Um.."

Fluttershy started, looking down at the stallion who acted like a lost animal.

"Let me handle it."

Fluttershy said confidently, taking Twilight's place as the purple Alicorn went back to her spot in the circle obediently. The two circled around, before Fluttershy made pinkie move so he could smack up against a wall. He pushed up his flank against the wall, his hissing intensifying as Fluttershy continued to him without fear. Only about a few inches from his face, she kneeled down to his level. Which was rather low to the ground. His growls and snaps did not scare the banana colored mare. She could see that he was fearful, but of what? She had thought of one thing.

"Are you lost?"

She asked, politely and quietly. She could hear her friends smack their fore hooves on their foreheads. She didn't care though. The grey stallion did not answer back, though his hisses slowly became hushed.

"Do you remember where you came from?"

She questioned. She didn't expect an answer, but she would try to calm him down. The best she could, anyways.

"Do you need help?"

She continued to ask, her soft voice calming him down. He was hyperventilating, but he had covered that up with his growls that he had just recently stopped.

"Do you remember who you are?"

She finally asked. She got a reply out of him this time. He shook his head no. Looks like she was right. She worked well with animals, and well, he was acting like an animal. Rather unbecoming of him.

"That was quick."

Rainbow Dash commented, which quickly got him back into his fearful mood. Fluttershy could see him shake. How sad. He probably wouldn't react well to her trying to comfort him in a hug.

"Rarity, do you mind if I borrow a room?"

Fluttershy asked, looking back at Rarity. Sombra followed her gaze over to the white mare. Growing only more and more fearful by the second. He twitched and shook. Fluttershy had noticed this, but to calm him down completely, she would need a completely quiet room.

"Not at all."

Rarity replied with a smile, which only made him freak out. He pressed his back up against the wall even more. His tail almost between his legs. If Spike was out of hiding to see this, he would truly be bursting with laughter.

"I'll help him get calmed down, then you can do the rest after I'm done."

Fluttershy said, looking back at the terrified King of Fear. How Ironic. Fluttershy grabbed ahold of his forehoof with hers, and much to his protest, as the robust stallion was dragged out of the circle and into Rarity's kitchen. It was rather quiet after then. Spike poked his head out from behind his hiding spot, scanning the room. No Sombra. He sighed in relief, wiping his brow as he approached Twilight. She seemed to almost be holding back laughter. It squeezed through her teeth slowly but surely. The room was then filled with laughter. Everypony in the room had joined in except for Spike, who stood confused. A racket could be heard coming from the kitchen, pans being toppled and dropped to the floor. The clatter of hooves on the tile counter. Seems like something was happening in there. The bellowing laughter finally hushed, as the racket did too. The muffled sound of Fluttershy talking could be heard from the main part of the boutique. She wasn't talking very loud, so it was barely hearable. The kitchen was suddenly quiet. Eerily quiet. Fluttershy walked out, a small smile upon her face as she walked out. Her smile quickly shifted to a scowl. Something that was not normally seen upon her face.

"Your laughing scared him. He doesn't even know anything about himself, and you five have the AUDACITY to laugh at him?"

Fluttershy snapped. She wasn't acting like herself. It shocked Twilight. Looking at her furrowed brow in confusion. Why was she protecting him already?

"You should be ashamed of yourselves."

She hissed, as Rainbow Dash drooped down. Her smile fading. Fluttershy was a good speaker. She knew how to put somepony on a guilt trip. She wasn't afraid too either.

"You're making fun of a pony who has no idea what we plan to do to him. He's absolutely terrified."

She continued. Stomping her hoof on the ground in a fit of rage. She was almost never angry.

"Why are you protecting him already? Don't you remember what he did to a entire empire?"

Twilight argued, approaching Fluttershy with a equal attitude.

"If I don't protect him, who will?"

Fluttershy pushed her snout up against Twilight's.

"I know you won't. You didn't care about Discord."

She continued to take twilight on a guilt trip. Showing her all the destinations. Twilight shrunk.

"I had a good reason for that."

Twilight argued, pushing her snout back up against Fluttershy's.

"No. You didn't."

Fluttershy growled, whipping around and turning back into the kitchen. Snapping her tail in Twilight's face as she left back into the kitchen. Was she growing sour so soon? Was this Discord's doing? It had to be. He was the only thing that could do something like this to Fluttershy.

"Twilight?"

Rarity asked, trotting up to Twilight, concerned. She did have to take care of Sombra. So naturally she did have to be worried for her friends.

"I'm fine."

Twilight snapped, moving away from the kitchen door.

"Spike. We're going back to the library."

Twilight demanded. Spike jumped onto her back, waving goodbye to Rarity as the place slowly cleared out. Fluttershy had been the only one who stayed. Now Rarity had to deal with her. In an angered state, while the metal was still hot. She pushed open the door to her kitchen. Revealing the mess inside. Pots of all sorts on the floor, drawers pulled out and sat on the floor. It really looked a bit terrible. She looked around the kitchen, seeing Fluttershy sitting by her guest. Who was now staring at Rarity. Fluttershy had turned her attention to the marshmallow mare too.

"Oh, um.. Sorry for the mess Rarity. I'll clean it up."

Fluttershy said softly, covering Sombra's eyes with her tail to prevent him from freaking out further. Rarity smiled, not minding the mess that was on her floor as she approached Fluttershy and laid across from her.

"If you are to keep him here, you're going to need a few things."

Fluttershy said, shuffling slightly forward.

"Such as?"

Rarity inquired, raising a eyebrow. She was curious about Fluttershy's break out that had only happened a few seconds ago. She would ask about it later.

"From what it seems, he'll need something to hide his flank with. Maybe a blanket or cape."

Fluttershy informed. Rarity was a tad bit confused.

"If I may ask, why?"

Rarity questioned. She didn't exactly understand why that was nesscary in the slightest.

"So he doesn't feel embarrassed."

Fluttershy was awfully concerned for Sombra, like she was his mom or something. She pointed back to his flank. His blank flank. It had no cutiemark on it. How was that even physically possible? All ponies get their cutiemark by the teen years or less. This was not possible in any way. Speaking of Cutiemarks.. Her sister still didn't have one. She was obsessed with them. She had been involved in this thing called 'The Cutiemark Crusaders'. They hunted or rather, crusaded for their Cutiemarks. Cutiemarks were these things that appeared on the flanks of ponies, showing their special talent. Did Sombra not have a special talent..? This could wait for later.

"Alright. I'll make one for him later."

Rarity nodded with a gleeful smile from Fluttershy.

"Why did you burst out at Twilight like that? It seemed rather unnecessary."

Rarity asked, and this time, Fluttershy kept her cool. She looked over at the horn poking through her tail.

"I think everypony and everything deserves a second chance. Some ponies just don't think second chances should be given to those who have done wrong. There's good in everypony. There's always something positive about them behind all their negitive feats that they seem to draw attention too. Or other ponies draw attention to."

Fluttershy explained with a smile as she removed her tail from Sombra's face. He was calm for only a few seconds, and once he started to freak out once more, she placed her tail over his face once again. He dropped his head to his hooves, as he was now fully on the ground.

"Since he's lost his memory, we can reform him much easier than say Discord."

Fluttershy smiled softly, which Rarity returned with a wide grin.

"RAAAAARITY!"

A squeal came from the main part of the boutique. A high pitched, loud squeal. Rarity sighed. It was Sweetie Belle. Her sister. Bringing herself up off the floor, she left the kitchen to Fluttershy and Sombra. She could hear Fluttershy singing when she left. Rarity had adored Fluttershy's singing. It was beautiful. Entering the 'lobby' of her boutique, she found her sister and two friends. A tan yellow earth pony with a light red shade of mane, with a pink bow at the top of her head and a orange Pegasus with purple scruffy hair. It was blown back by the wind outside, just by looking at it. These two friends were Applebloom and Scootaloo. Applebloom was Applejack's sister, as she was also apart of the cutiemark crusaders. Scootaloo was Scootaloo. Rarity really didn't know much about her other than 'Keep out of boutique at all times'.

"Yes?"

Rarity asked, annoyed by her tone.

"I was going to tell you that I'm going Crusading today. Can we have something to eat? Pleeeease?"

Sweetie Belle begged, putting on her puppy dog eyes. Her two friends joining in. Quickly winning Rarity over.

"Sure."

Rarity stated. The three friends galloping past her and towards the kitchen. She then realized the horrible mistake she had made. Still tired from her magical usage, Rarity dashed to the kitchen door, blocking it to the fillies.

"Uhhh?"

Scootaloo was rather puzzled, looking up at Rarity with her puppy dog eyes still lingering.

"You cannot come in here. You will wait out here, in the front of the store. I'll get it for you."

Rarity nodded, a sweat bead trickling down the side of her head. If she had not realized what they would do if they got in there.. Well. Things would be going from bad to worse. The things she thought of were rather realistic. They would gallop in there, see that Sombra was a blank flank and start harassing him. Fluttershy would snap at them for doing such a thing, and they would go out crying. That's what Rarity imagined what would happen, anyways.

"If ya say so."

Applebloom smiled as the three stomped away from the kitchen and to Rarity's dresses. Chatting about their next crusade. Rarity jumped back into the kitchen, where Fluttershy still sat next to Sombra. His eyes were closed though. He looked rather alien, without any of his stuff on.

"We need to move him."

Rarity demanded. Her voice rather panicked.

"My sister and her friends might see him."

Rarity informed, as Fluttershy gasped. She was well acquainted with The CMC. She liked them, but she knew what sort of trouble that would be caused if they even got a glimpse at his blank flank.

"They're out in the front part of the store. They asked for some food. Do you think that you could move him up to my room?"

Rarity asked, her voice becoming concerned as she moved the pots and pans off the floor. Getting the shelves back into the counter as the utensils rustled about noisily.

"Alright. I'll try."

Fluttershy said, nudging the grey stallion awake. She whispered something to him, but Rarity couldn't hear what she was saying. Soon enough, he was being helped to his hooves. He stood up tall and proud, giving off a facade of power. Power he would gain in time. He would be a rather handsome stallion, if he wasn't so coated in fear. Also, if he wasn't a tyrannical ruler who destroyed lives and enslaved thousands.

"Let's go. It'll be quieter up there."

Fluttershy lead him to the Kitchen door, pushing it open with her head and peering out into the front part of the store. Sure enough, the cutiemark crusaders were there. Standing in a triangle, waiting for their food. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had their backs turned to the yellow mare and monotone stallion, while Applebloom was looking directly at them. Fluttershy walked up right beside him to cover his flank. Applebloom raised her eyebrow, and started making some strange clicking sounds. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo noticed this, as they turned around to see Fluttershy right up against this stallion. Almost pressing up against him.

"Oooooooooo..."

They said at the same time, smiles creeping onto their faces as Fluttershy made sure to keep Sombra looking at the stairs to go up to the second floor.

"Fluttershy's got a colt friend!"

She could hear Sweetie Belle say. A tad bit of blush was put onto her face. She was still saving herself for the right stallion. Which she hadn't found yet.

"Maybe we should start up gabby gums again. Version two! 'Fluttershy caught with mysterious stallion! Possible love interest?'"

Scootaloo recited, waving her hoof up in the air. She was then bonked on the head by Applebloom.

"No. Don't cha remember what happened when we did that gabby gums stuff?"

Applebloom questioned, a tad aggravated.

"Oh. Yeah."

Scootaloo rubbed her head where Applebloom had hit her. She then gave Applebloom the same bonk right on back.

"Hey Fluttershy! Who's your colt friend!"

Scootaloo put her hooves around her mouth, yelling out across the room as the trio approached the couple. Sombra was constantly trying to turn his head to look at the incoming threat. Fluttershy pushed his head away with her hoof. They were just a quarter ways up the stairs when the CMC approached. This wasn't good.

"Uh.. He's a friend of Rarity's. She asked me to show him around."

Fluttershy answered with a nervous grin. They stood in silence for a good minute or so. Which seemed to last much longer then a minute.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders, Detectives."

Sweetie Belle raised her hoof into the air, with a serious look at Fluttershy. Her hoof was joined by Applebloom and Scootaloo's hooves. They all stared deep into Fluttershy's eyes. Her smile growing wider as she looked back.

"You're hiding something."

Scootaloo pointed out, looking at her tail, which was strangely put around his flank. Like it was stuck to it.

"Care to move your tail, Ms. Fluttershy?"

Sweetie Belle questioned, making her look directly at her. Applebloom looked around before going around to go look at the stallion Fluttershy was next too. Fluttershy, being distracted by Sweetie Belle, allowed Applebloom to slip infront of Sombra.

"Now, who are ya?"

Applebloom questioned, a serious look upon her features. She suddenly produced a wooden pipe from her mane. She had been going to Pinkie Pie's classes. She blew into it, making it produce bubbles. The once calm, upstanding King started to fidget and attempted to get away. He was pressed up against the wall by Fluttershy though. The more he fidgeted, the looser he became.

"Sweetie Belle? The food's ready!"

Rarity called from the kitchen. Applebloom gave the 'I'm watching you' gesture to the Sombra before walking off.

"Don't you move. We'll be right back."

Sweetie Belle commanded before she galloped to the kitchen.

"Coming Rarity!"

She called out as she disappeared into the Kitchen. Followed by her two friends. Scootaloo looked back over her shoulder at the stairwell where Fluttershy and her supposed Colt friend stood. She then stomped off.

"Thank Celestia."

Fluttershy brothe a sigh of relief before continuing up the stairs. Sombra still close by. He did seem rather frightened. Somehow. This had perked Fluttershy's interest.

"Can you understand what I am saying?"

She asked, looking over at Sombra, who still did not reply. It was a possibility he forgot the entire pony language. It would come back to him. Sooner or later. This was probably why he was so scared of even the tiniest thing. He didn't know what they were saying or if it was good or bad. He didn't know if they were threatening him or trying to calm him down.

He knew nothing.

He was nothing.

Everything he had ever learned was gone. He didn't know how to speak. What other ponies were saying. How to write or read. It was all just gone.

He was nothing more then a brainless child in a stallion's body.

He was lead up the stairs by Fluttershy. He was rather slow going up them. Once at the top, Fluttershy threw the both of them into Rarity's bedroom and locked the door shut behind them. He was rather puzzled by the room. He looked around it, observing his new surroundings as Fluttershy flopped onto Rarity's queen sized mattress. Making the blankets poof up as she collapsed onto them. Running her hoof through her mane as Sombra explored the room. Poking around at these weird machine things and ponies that didn't move or do anything.

"Why did you loose your memory in the first place? That's the question."

Fluttershy talked to herself, as Sombra paid her no mind.

"I wonder what Rarity is going to do with you. I'll only be here for a bit until I have to leave you to her."

Fluttershy explained to herself, Sombra ignoring her as he poked about the shelves of clothing.

"Maybe I could come over once a week or something. To see how you're doing."

Fluttershy suggested, as Sombra started to pull fabrics off their shelves and onto the floor. The yellow mare more caught up in her own thoughts to notice. He had lifted up the fabrics with his hoof and made his way underneath the pile of fabric. He had basically made himself his own cave. It was a considerably small one, but it was still a cave. A fake one, made of fabric. No matter. He curled up underneath it, attempting to go to sleep as Fluttershy talked to herself. He didn't exactly understand what she was saying in the first place except that it sounded nice. She was a rather friendly mare, by her tone.

"Then again, Princess's orders.. No help from friends."

She sighed, turning over and facing straight down into the blankets of the soft and luxurious bed. This was going to take a while. They would have to help him regain his memory just enough so he could speak and not be so scared of everything, but keeping away the memory of his defeat and the Crystal Empire enslavement. It was going to be a tough task, staying in that perfect limbo of repressing those bad memories.

Then there was the knocking. Three hooves pounding on the door. Obviously the cutiemark crusaders.

Fluttershy sprung from the bed, sitting straight up as she heard the banging. Her eyes flashed around the room, eventually finding the gray stallion under a pile of clothes. Running over to him, she covered up the places he could see out of with a couple of loose fabrics at the top of his colorful pile.

"Coming!"

Fluttershy called to the three nervously as she unlocked the door. It slowly squeaking open as The King stayed silent. Silent as he could be, really. Hooves tapped on the floor, as the three fillies circled around Fluttershy like sharks around a surfer.

"Care to tell us why the door was closed? And why your escort has suddenly vanished?"

Scootaloo asked, taking the pipe from Applebloom and holding it in her hoof.

"He's in the bathroom."

Fluttershy stated, pointing her hoof to the bathroom door. Which was indeed, closed. The CMC turned their attention to the bathroom before looking back at Fluttershy.

"You win this round."

Scootaloo laughed, before going back to a stale face. Blowing into the pipe. Making bubbles that popped in front of the mare's face. She then coughed a bit from using the pipe. It was a rather strange thing for a filly to have. The CMC stomped out of the room, but not before exchanging glances with the entire room.

Fluttershy didn't even notice she was holding her breath after the three 'detectives' left. She took a deep breath out and in. She couldn't have them even catch a glimpse at him. Without his regalia on, anyways. They would annoy and pester him for not having a cutiemark. That much she knew. Maybe even try to recruit him into their cliche. He couldn't go out in public, for the fear of the police recognizing him. Even though Fluttershy, didn't remember who Sombra was until after he was re-summoned. A bit disappointing really. She knew little to nothing about him. Fluttershy closed the door, locking it once more as she went to go check where Sombra was hiding. Lifting up the fabric, she found..

Nothing.

Nothing but more fabric.

Fluttershy gasped.

"Sombra? Sombra?!"

She called out, stampeding around the room. Desperately looking under the bed and underneath desks. Then she noticed something. While she was busy off in her own thoughts..

Sombra had opened the window.

Then jumped out.

"SOMBRA?!"

Fluttershy stuck her head out the window, frantically looking for the escapee. Looking out of the window, she couldn't see the stallion anywhere. Her wings started flapping, lifting her off the ground and into the air. Going through the window, she flew as fast as she could around Rarity's property. The stallion nowhere in sight.

"Oh noooo!"

She whined, her panic transforming into worry and fear. She couldn't keep her cool. Rarity was trusting her with calming him down enough for her to talk to him! She couldn't let Rarity down! She couldn't let any of her friends down! That was something she could not allow! She dashed around trees, looking under every stone she could find. Then she spotted the CMC, waltzing out of the boutique. Cheeks inflated with food, with smiles upon their faces. Fluttershy landed, to pretend she wasn't looking for a tyrannical dark magic user. Sweetie Belle spotted her, but was unable to talk due to her mouth being stuffed with the sandwiches Rarity had made. She pointed a hoof at Fluttershy, who was leaned up against a large oak tree. The one right outside the boutique. She could see Sweetie Belle swallow all her food at once, as her cheeks went back to their respective, regular places.

"Rarity still has some Sandwhiches! You should go get some!"

Sweetie Belle suggested, catching Fluttershy's attention. She was playing good cop.

"Where'd your colt friend go?"

Scootaloo asked. Her mouth still full of food. It was rather disgusting to see all the bread and lettuce inside her mouth. Converted to a weird saliva covered mess.

"He asked me to leave."

Fluttershy answered sincerely. A smile upon her face as one of the local birds landed onto her pink, cherry colored mane.

"Alright. Well, Seeya!"

Scootaloo waved. Like she had forgotten about the Detective cutiemark crusade thing. They were a strange bunch. Fluttershy waved back, the bird on her hair hovering above her. It chirped noisily. Demanding her attention.

"Yes?"

Fluttershy asked, curious what the bird was going on about. It tweeted rather quickly, telling her about a grey stallion with a strange horn trotting to Ponyville.

"Oh! Thank you so much!"

Fluttershy thanked, rushing off past the CMC rather quickly. Making them nosey. She ran down the path, seeing the grey stallion just ahead. He was in a slow trot, going to ponyville. Fluttershy caught him just in time.

"SOMBRA!"

She called, making him stop in his the middle of his trot. Maybe he had learned his name already? Who knows. He turned back to look at the mare, eyes glistening from the sun. She dashed up to him. Puffing from all the exercise. She didn't regularly run around town like this, much less fly frantically.

"I'm so glad.. You didn't.. Get into ponyville.."

She smiled as she looked up at him. He was standing up tall. His face blank as he looked down at her. She coughed a bit before returning to her regular stature.

"Let's get you back to Rarity's house, okay?"

Fluttershy said softly, her smile lingering as she turned him around to face the boutique. He was rather mindless, wasn't he?

"Wow. I didn't even know that was possible."

She suddenly hear a voice perk up behind the couple as they turned to face the boutique.

"That's so sad."

It was a filly's voice. She had never heard this voice before, but it sounded rather snobby and ignorant. Also a little bit rude. A filly appeared to the right of Fluttershy. Like she had teleported out of no where. Oh no. Sombra was noticed.

This filly had a pink coat, almost the same color as Fluttershy's mane. The filly had a purple mane, with a white streak going across it. She had the same pattern for her tail. Atop the filly's head was a Tiara. A rather boring one. She had a cutiemark that looked exactly like it. Her eyes were a nice shade of blue.

"Normally I wouldn't even talk to peasants like you, but I have to. I need to point something out."

The filly circled to the front of the two, making Sombra and Fluttershy look at her. Sombra scowled as soon as the filly was in sight.

"What would that be, Diamond Tiara?"

Another voice questioned the Pink filly called Diamond Tiara. Another filly circled to the front, coming from Sombra's side instead of from Fluttershy's. The filly was a light grey, with a even lighter shade for her mane and tail. She wore comically large glasses that had a cyan rimming. A pearl necklace was wrapped tightly around her neck. Though, not tight enough to make marks. She had a spoon for a cutiemark.

A Spoon.

"I just can't help but notice this abomination."

Diamond Tiara pointed to Sombra, who was still scowling. His mane whipped through the air unnaturally. He was really hard to miss with his horn and blowing mane and tail. Also his red horn that was basically like a beacon. It demanded attention because of it's odd, unnatural colors and curved shape.

"He shouldn't even exist. Do you know why, Silver Spoon?"

Diamond Tiara had a confident smirk upon her face, as Silver Spoon nodded. These fillys were quickly not tolerated by Fluttershy. Her tolerance levels were high.

"Mhm."

Silver Spoon replied, looking up at Sombra who got more and more infuriated by the second. He flashed his canines, which made Silver Spoon gasp. Her ears folding back as she slowly backed off.

"Uhh.. D-Diamond Tiara.."

She whispered, looking at the bared fangs. Fangs that were BLOOD STAINED. The red hue on them could not be removed. They glistened in the light, showing off the blood of fallen warriors. The blood was rather dull, but it was still there. The razors were still straight and sharp, by the looks of it.

"This guy's a BLANK FLANK!"

She called out gleefully, yelling out so loud that Fluttershy swore that the entire town could hear. Silver Spoon was now well backed up, just by looking at the teeth of the blank flank. His eyes focused on Diamond Tiara. A snarl was emitted, which caught Diamond Tiara by surprise. His eyes narrowed in fury, now showing off his teeth in a full display for her to see. Her smile quickly transformed into a fearful one. He snapped at her face, making her scream. She ran off as quick as a flash, Silver Spoon following after her at the same speed. Fluttershy wasn't very amused by Sombra's actions, but what else did she expect him to do, really? Just stand there and take the insult? Wait. If he knew what a insult was, then did he understand them?

"Can you understand what I'm saying?"

Fluttershy repeated the question. No response except for a aggravated snort. His blades returning to their sheaths. His face returned to it's blank state as he watched the two bullies run off into the horizon. Still screaming. Wasn't he gaining power from their fear? He needed to be taught to not cause fear. This would have to be worked on.

"Alright. Let's get back to the boutique. Don't go running off again."

Fluttershy commanded, pushing Sombra forward lightly. He trotted beside her, as the CMC was just up ahead of them. They were looking off in the distance, as they all looked over at the couple at the same time. Jaws dropped in shock.

"Oh.. Um.."

Fluttershy stuttered, as Sombra looked upon the fillies with the same scowl he gave to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

"They won't make fun of you."

Fluttershy whispered to Sombra, who still kept his scowl. Maybe he just disliked children all together. Sombra was still a bit fuming from the imbeciles from before. So he was still going to be a bit angry.

"That."

"Was."

"AMAZING!"

They all said their own separate part, stampeding over to the couple. Rejoicing. Fluttershy smiled, while Sombra's scowl deepened further down his face. The CMC ran around them in happiness. Fluttershy giggled from their joyfulness, while Sombra was highly unamused. He looked rather disgusted.

"Wait. He is ACTUALLY a blank flank?!"

Scootaloo gasped, going to the exposed blank flank. No cutiemark. She pointed to it, as he was quickly crowded around by the other two crusaders.

"Does that mean.."

Applebloom came to a sudden realization. Her eyes widening in horror.

"It's possible to never get a cutiemark..?"

Her joyful tone quickly sunk to a depressed one. A frown replacing her happy smile almost instantly. Sombra growled, rolling his eyes as he started to trot towards the boutique on his own. Good to know he had his own initiative now.

"Oh! Um.. Sorry. I've gotta go."

Fluttershy said sympathetically, trotting after Sombra. Quickly catching up to him. Leaving the CMC in the dust. To ponder over this new information of never getting a cutiemark. It was possible that they would never get them. It was possible to be a blank flank for the rest of their lives.

"Fluttershy? Are you alright?"

Rarity called, knocking on her own bedroom door. She had been knocking for a good solid minute and was still not getting a response, or sound of any kind. With a huff, she banged on the door. She was without magic because she had wasted it all on that teleportation spell. She heard the bell to her boutique ring. The bell was attached to the door so she would know when a customer or anypony entered her abode.

She rushed back down the stairs, a smile plastered onto her face. As she started to recite the welcoming words.

"Hello! Welcome! What can I help you with-"

She stopped mid sentence when her mind had actually registered who had entered. It was Fluttershy and the Ex-King. Her wide smile twitched down into a smaller one as she saw the two. She wasn't exactly clued into what was going on, despite this being HER job and not Fluttershy's. Sombra appeared to be less fearful now. Which was good and bad at the same time. Good as in he wouldn't spasm out every time he saw her, and bad as in he probably would slowly grow more.. Wrathful. Which was something she seriously did not need. Actually, no pony needed a grumpy tyrant around. Nor did they want one. Rarity was going to be stuck with one until he learned how to use his powers for good.

How could she do that though?

All villains think they are heroes in their own mind.

This cookie would be tough, especially tough because it has been frozen for over a thousand years.

"Sombra decided he wanted to jump out the window."

Fluttershy giggled, as Sombra stood up proudly next to her. His face showing no sign of weakness. Not even the slightest bit of a smile. Looks like he was going to try and maintain a King like stature so soon.

"Fluttershy, I can't exactly unlock my room from this side. Can you go unlock it please?"

Rarity requested, as Fluttershy continued her giggle as she walked back over to the boutique's door. Sombra did not follow her. He simply stood in the middle of the room. He was rather tall, strangely tall. He towered over a regular stallion's size. That only made him more intimidating then he already was. If she dressed him up a bit, maybe a tux or something, he would be a presentable pony. Then she could parade around town with a decently handsome looking stallion.

Wait, WHAT?!

Rarity eyed Sombra suspiciously. He wasn't handsome in the slightest! She would convince herself of that. She had her heart set on another stallion anyways, so she wouldn't be giving it out to a black hearted, cold, unloving King. He wasn't even a King anymore. But if she ever did decide to show him off to the town, she would make him a King once more. She would like to show off a trophy of her hard work once she got it. Sombra's eyes shot over to stare at the white mare. She swore the things could pierce steel. Rarity recoiled backwards a tad from his stare. She then regained her stature and stood up as tall as she could be. Which was about up to the middle of his neck. Normally, Rarity would be tall enough to be right below a stallion's chin. She hated being a regularly sized mare. Why couldn't she be taller?

"So, I hear you need some Regalia? Well, I'm just the mare for the job."

Rarity nodded confidently. Fluttershy had told Rarity that Sombra would need a cloak of sorts to cover up his flank. The last time she saw the stallion, back in Canterlot, his cape was attached to a strange metal neck brace thing. She wouldn't be making that. She wasn't a blacksmith, she was a dress maker. She would make him a cape and a thing that the cape would 'hang' from. It wasn't going to just stay there. It needed to be wind proof. Maybe a collar or something? No. What was he? A dog?

Well, he was acting like one just only what felt like a few minutes ago. It had actually been a hour since he was revived. As impossible as it may have seemed. Time certainly flies when you're constantly worrying about the greatest dark magic user of all time escaping and reeking havoc across the entirety of Equestria.

"You don't look like a tux type. I'll just try to recreate that chest plate you had."

Rarity thought. A collar wouldn't exactly be the best idea, lest he be stared at more then he would already be stared at. His presence just gave off the 'Look at me!' Sort of feel to everypony around him. It also gave the 'I'm going to kill you.' feeling if you were around him for too long and he was just glaring at you. Rarity could feel a chill climb up her spine as she found herself a piece of paper to draw on. She would draw her design for his chest piece.

"Alright, I unlocked the bedroom, Rarity!"

Fluttershy called at a almost impossibly quiet volume. Why was she being to quiet?

"Oh, thank you!"

Rarity realized she had been talking. She had heard the door to her room creak open and then shut fairly slowly. She needed to get the thing oiled or something because it sounded awful. She turned around to check if Sombra was still around. He was. He stood silently. It was a eerie silence. Rarity didn't exactly like it. She would have to deal with it for a while until he regained enough of his memory to talk once more. He gave her the chills.

Fluttershy walked down the stairs quietly, stopping at the final stair. She laid down on the last stair. She was obviously rather tired. Rarity was tired as well, having all your magic gone results in either regular fatigue or extreme fatigue. Luckily she was just feeling that regular fatigue. Her head felt like it was spinning around as she moved, so she wasn't going to be feeling the best.

"Rarity, it's Princess's orders that I can't help you.. But do you think I could come back once every week to check how you're doing? If you don't mind, I mean."

Fluttershy requested, she was rather anxious by her tone. Maybe she was growing more and more attached to these reformation things? Well, that's good because this seemed to be a repeating pattern.

"I don't see why not."

Rarity shrugged, continuing her drawing. Doodling with her hooves. Her doodle looked absolutely horrible. The lines were all wrong. She growled at her drawing before tossing it in the garbage. She could wait for later to make him some regalia. That wasn't the thing on the top of her priorities. The thing at the top of her to do list was to keep the Cutie Mark Crusaders away from the blank flank. If they hadn't already seen him, that is.

"I should get going. Angel might miss me."

Fluttershy was sounding a little regretful as she got up off the stair and left the store, closing the door behind her. Leaving only Rarity and Sombra left in the house in a sudden awkward silence. He had taken a seat on the still magic burnt floor, looking at the clock on the wall infront of him with a straight face.

"If you're going to live with me, King Sombra, we're going to have to set up some rules. We're also going to have to make you a schedule."

Rarity informed, walking infront of Sombra, blocking his view of the clock. She sat down, obstructing his view of the clock completely. It was hidden behind her mane.

"All right.

Rule number one.."

How long had it been?

A century? A millennium? He couldn't tell. This mare had been listing off all these things he didn't even know the meaning to. He felt like he should though. Even though he couldn't understand a single word coming out of the mare's mouth other than Sombra. He figured that was what he was called, as the yellow mare had referred to him as Sombra as well.

"You will be helping me with.."

She rambled on and on. He didn't care. He couldn't care less, really. He couldn't understand her language in the first place, though. So naturally he wasn't going to care. He found himself recalling those two fillies from before. They had ignited something within him when they had taunted him. It was a strange, tingly feeling at the top of his head. Like something was about to erupt from the top of his head. As weird as that sounds.

"Your chores shall be.."

She continued on and on. Would she ever stop? There was no end in sight. She just kept talking and talking. Something he would probably get sick of in the future.

"Are you listening?"

She suddenly asked, Sombra had dozed off a bit while she was talking. Who wouldn't, really? This rant was rather lengthy and boring to be honest. He just looked at her, half awake. He felt rather tired, even though he basically did nothing all day. He yawned, which made the white mare get a face of disgust. She then rose her hoof, ready to strike his face with a slap. But something stilled her hoof. He had pushed back against her hoof with his. Being a stallion, he was naturally stronger. He may not remember much, but he knew when he was going to get hit. He forced her hoof back down onto the ground and left it there. His hoof returned back down to his side.

"I don't know how I'm going to deal with you."

The white mare steamed, a vein appearing on her forehead from her anger.

"I wish Fluttershy had you instead."

She stuck her snout up in the air snobbishly as she got back up. Allowing Sombra to see the clock after she had moved. What was that she mentioned about 'Going out on the town with her every other day.'? She had listed it underneath his chores. Whatever those were. He had imagined that going out on the town meant going outside of a town's borders. Now why would he want to do that? He was rather curious to what this place was, so he wouldn't be leaving just yet. If he ever had his eyes laid upon those.. Diamond whatever and Spoon.. He was going to actually bite them. He couldn't understand them, but it did sound like they were mocking the little knowledge he currently had. Which he would not tolerate.

"You start your chores tomorrow. I'm going to make a list of everything you have to do."

This white mare sure was a nag. Rather annoying, really. Then again, he hadn't seen the more annoying friend that he would grow to despise. He was lucky he didn't have to deal with a more annoying mare, like that purple one who seemed bossy and uptight. The feeling of her with her horn and wings.. It lit up that flame that raged inside him. He was a stick of dynamite, just waiting to be lit. Once the explosion was set off.. Well.. Let's just say that things would be going very well afterwards. No one could predict what would happen when that dynamite would explode. Not even himself.

"If you have problems with my sister, just ignore her and she'll go away. She probably won't bother you afterwards."

Sombra had remembered a small filly, who had almost the same colors as the mare. Sombra disliked children. They were just.. No. He would never have one if he was given the choice. The grey stallion stared at the clock, scooting forward to look at the smaller details of it.

"At least you don't run around my boutique causing mayhem. Hopefully that clock keeps you distracted for the next week or so."

The white mare commented as Sombra looked at the clock. Watching the seconds fly by as the small, thin arm that symbolized seconds whirred around the clock. A longer arm slowly ticked as the smaller one flew by. A short, thick one stayed in place. Sombra couldn't tell time. Hopefully he could figure it out though.

"I feel like I'm talking to a wall. A wall that's alive."

She grumbled, annoyed as she trotted over to one of her dresses. The same one she had been working on this morning. Luckily her sister, Sweetie Belle, hadn't tampered with it. It was only a matter of time before Sombra regained his memory and decided to rain the fires of Tartarus that he had kept within him. Slowly raging inside him more and more as his reformation continued.