Reforming Them : A Gem So Rare

"Tell Twilight Operation Dusk has been granted allowance."

Rarity commanded, looking down upon her three messengers from her seat. The three small fillies saluted the mare before stomping out of the kitchen and into the lobby. They were prone to work on this mission, as they were messengers for Rarity to Twilight. Their curious minds would continue to wonder in angst what Operation Dusk was. The three horses walked past the glimmering pile of crystals and the monotone pony that sat atop it and made their way out the door. With a huff of allowance from the watchful crimson eye that gazed over them, they left.

"What do you think Operation Dusk is?"

Scootaloo had questioned with a straight face as she closed the boutique's wooden door with her back hoof as they wandered outside into the moonlight. It was a rather pleasant night out; something that most ponies started to appreciate since Nightmare Moon's return a couple years ago. If their appreciation kept that moon goddess from going psycho again, they would appreciate the night much more then it needed to be appreciated it. Though, some ponies found it rather strange how the Night was affiliated with Evil in most books and movies.

"I dunno."

Sweetiebelle replied with a shrug. The CMC were tasked by Rarity and Twilight to deliver important things. Mostly just messages. Rarity never left the house for some reason. They were rewarded with food when the successfully delivered a message.

"I really wanna know why in the hay that stallion doesn't have his cutiemark. I mean, is that even possible?"

Scootaloo was still on that topic. She has been ever since they first met the guy. She even requested to recruit him. Though she was denied by Applebloom, who thought it would be weird to be caught walking around with a stallion with no cutiemark. Mostly because he was a stallion. They usually didn't hang out with adults, save for Rarity, RD or AJ. Also Twilight. They weren't allowed to come back to Fluttershy's place after that ruckus with the Cockatrice and Pinkie usually just sold them baked goods and never really hung out with them.

"It's been a week. He's not going to join us."

Applebloom re-confirmed as the three friends trotted down the path back to Twilight's house. About a fifteen minute trot or a five minute run. The CMC were in no exact hurry to get over there.

"We could at least ask him."

Scootaloo grumbled.

"I mean, did you SEE the way he scared off Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon like that?"

Scootaloo said, her voice slowly raising in excitement. It was indeed, awesome of.. whatever his name was to scare off those bullies like that.

"Did you see the way he tried to do the exact same thing to us? I'm pretty sure he doesn't like us, Scootaloo."

Applebloom stated with a almost depressing sigh. The trio crossed infront of a large, ginger bread like building. Known as Sugar Cube Corner. Home to the sweetest sweets and the most delicious muffins ever. They didn't have any bits on them, as they could only dream of having those succulent, sugar coated treats on their taste buds. Maybe Twilight would give them some bits this time. Or at least put in a word with Pinkie Pie to get them some free cupcakes. With heavy hearts, they passed the ginger bread house and approached a large, not so delicious looking tree.

"Aw come on. He doesn't snarl at us now, does he? Also, Applebloom, you're being a gigantic killjoy." Scootaloo was going to start an argument sooner or later. "He could if he wanted to. Maybe we just haven't seen his bad side yet." Sweetiebelle suggested as Applebloom knocked on the door. Ignoring Scootaloo's insult. The door was opened by Spike, a rather sleepy looking dragon. His face was devoid of emotion, except for his groggy eyes which made Applebloom unsettled.

"Hi Spike!"

Applebloom greeted with a grin. Spike only groaned and walked away like a zombie. Leaving the door wide open. He then fell directly onto the floor after five steps away from the three. Snores emitted.

"Glad to see ya too."

Applebloom giggled a nervous giggle as she walked into the house, accompanied by her friends. Spike had been working all night, apparently. Working on something down in the basement. That's why Operation Dusk had been delayed. The contraption in the basement needed some work, and it had taken longer then expected. Though, since it was complete, Rarity had granted permission for the operation to start. Moving past the now snoring dragon, the three formed a line and made their way down to the basement. It was rather dark down the staircase. Though the light coming from the basement's door made the CMC feel at ease. The cracking and creaking of the stairs was ignored as they walked down the stairs for about the fifth time. Knocking on the basement door for the fifth time, it was tossed open by a lavender aura. It almost seemed like she was going to rip the thing off it's hinges.

"News from Rarity. She confirms the operation's start up. Clear to start Operation Dusk."

The three said in harmony, saluting at the same time.

"You don't have to salute, you know."

Twilight giggled, watching the three act like soldiers in front of her. She had actual soldiers back in Canterlot, but she preferred these three.

"Anyways, I have a job for you. A very important one."

Twilight informed. Her lab was now rather empty; something it had only been when she had first moved to ponyville. In the center of the room had multiple chains, one of their ends mounted to the floor and the other attached to hoofcups. There were four in total, as they stretched out a fair and decent distance apart from eachother. They formed a small square. What it was for, the CMC was yet to know. A bunch of odd looking things were pushed up against the walls. Including another door that would obviously lead to nowhere. A couple of old, strange and rotting machines were up against the same wall that the newest door was up against. That was the only wall that was cluttered. A small, rectangular oak table sat on the western end of the room. Covered in potions of all colors. Making up a rainbow. They were color coded to do so.

"We accept your task. What quest do you bestow upon us?"

Applebloom asked, looking down at the purple Alicorn. Sweetiebelle slapped her own forehead with her hoof. They were messengers, not quest wanting heroines.

"Well, I'll need you to do something very important. I cannot leave my lab, mainly because I'm afraid of my machines malfunctioning while I'm gone. You know that gray stallion, who sits atop the crystal pile inside Rarity's home?"

Twilight quizzed, Scootaloo nodded swiftly at her question. She of coarse, knew the answer to.

"Yup! He scared off Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon for us."

Scootaloo answered with a smile. Maybe if she just asked him in a certain tone he would join.

"I'll need you to sneak up to him, and while he's not looking, put this over his mouth and nose." Twilight levitated a small white cloth over to the fillies. It smelled rather strange. Like it had been doused in something. "Wait until he's stopped moving, then bring him back here. Whatever you do, do not smell the cloth. Or breath any air around the cloth." Twilight commanded with a stern tone. Sweetiebelle took the cloth from Twilight's aura. She had been practicing with magic for the longest time, so she could levitate a cloth for fifteen minutes or so.

"Uh.. Twi? Are you asking to ponynap a full grown stallion?"

Applebloom doubted Twilight's demand, she was sounding rather insane at the moment.

"Uh.. Eh.. Yes."

Twilight realized what she had been requesting. It sounded like a rather foul request. Especially to ask fillies of their age to do such a thing.

"It's all for good reason, I assure you. He never moves from Rarity's. I simply want to show him around."

Twilight convinced them with a sincere tone. Fillies were so easy to lie too. Twilight now had a different plan in mind for him. Instead of keeping him down here alone, she would be asking him a couple questions. She thirsted for knowledge, and she wished to pluck every bit of knowledge out of him. Every tiny bit she could get.

"Whatever ya say.."

Applebloom's doubtful tone lingered as the three left the basement, and Twilight to her scientific studies and machines. Sweetiebelle still held the cloth away from the trio at a safe distance. Why would twilight want them to ponynap him? The watchful eye that even protected them against Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's invasion on the boutique? It was awfully humorous to see them run out with their tails between their legs when they did poke their snobby faces in the boutique. It was Twilight's demand though.. A direct princess's order. Albeit a rather questionable order. The three trotted up the stairs and out the door of the library. Already going back to the boutique. All this walking was starting to get annoying. Maybe they shouldn't have signed up for being messengers for this operation in the first place. Passing by Sugar Cube corner once more with hungry stomachs as they smelt the delicious smell of Pinkie Pie's baked goods. The sweet, delicious cupcakes she had made would soon be made theirs. In time. They would barge into the business, approach the counter, demand for cupcakes, slam the bits down onto the counter, and leave with smiling faces, smothered in pink frosting from the cupcakes. They had to do this mission. For the cupcakes. They re approached the boutique rather quickly. They had sped up to a sprint as soon as they had passed Sugar Cube corner. With all their infinite filly energy, they weren't all that tired.

"Go to the back. We'll enter the front."

Applebloom motioned. Sweetiebelle nodded. Scootaloo and Applebloom were to enter the front and distract the eye from Sweetiebelle sneaking around. Her magic had fizzled out, so she had to hold the cloth with her hoof.

"Got it."

Sweetiebelle got a move on. She was to enter through the kitchen window. How exactly was she going to get past those bushes though? That would have to wait. She had to get into the back part of the boutique now.

"Alright. Remember. Small talk. Keep him distracted."

Scootaloo whispered. She knew the walls weren't exactly sound proof, so she would have to lower her voice when right outside the boutique.

"No asking him about joining."

Applebloom added. On the count of five, they where to enter the boutique. Sweetiebelle should have reached the window by now, and should be receiving help from Rarity to get into the kitchen.

"One.. Two.. Three... Four.."

Scootaloo counted out loud, before reaching the number five, she busted through the door spectacularly. Drawing immediate attention to her. The stallion whom sat atop the glimmering hill was snarling at first, but his disapproval calmed when he had sawn who it was who had just busted in. He laid a top the pile, looking rather bored. His back hooves lazily dropping off behind the mountain of crystals. He popped his head into his hooves as he stared at the orange Pegasus blankly. Following her every move with his burning, crimson eyes. What was he, a gigantic flaming eye in his previous lives? He had a natural talent for creeping ponies out with his stare. Maybe that should be his cutiemark. It felt like they were being judged on life or death when he looked at them. Constantly judged.

"Hey!"

Scootaloo greeted him with a smile as she stepped to the front of his hill. He still stared at her, silently. Applebloom trotted into the boutique, mumbling something underneath her breath.

"What's your name again?"

Scootaloo tried to start up a conversation with the grey stallion while Sweetiebelle got into place.

"Sombra."

His unnatural, dark and deep voice scared Scootaloo. Despite it coming from a stallion, which deep voices were normally emitted from. His voice was much like his stare. Judgmental. Judging whether she lived or died. It was like the voice came from a power much stronger then Celestia herself; Death.

"Oh, cool! Oh yeah, I have a question for ya, Sombra."

Scootaloo smiled. This was the perfect time to pop the question and get an awesome security guard to protect them against those two snobby bullies.

"Scoots.."

Applebloom's infuriated voice mumbled. She had told Scootaloo not to ask him about that over a million times at least. Scootaloo was about to ask the stallion that copied Death's cold gaze and voice to join them. It would be extremely cool to have him join, actually. A almost god-like presence among them. Allied with them. Defending them against the threats known as Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Applebloom would no longer protest against Scootaloo's requests.

"We hunt for Cutiemarks and-"

Scootaloo started her ramble. Her ramble had caught the grey stallions full attention. Much to her delight. A white filly, mane and tail full of sticks and leaves, entered the room quietly. Applebloom have a couple glances over to the unicorn, who was creeping along silently to the pile. How was she to get up the pile without disturbing the crystals or making a noise? Scootaloo had that covered. She raised her voice as Sweetiebelle approached her target. Slowly climbing up the hill to the top. Crystals slowly sliding down the hill as Scootaloo rose her voice to almost a shout.

"We are.. The CUTIEMARK CRUSADERS! What do ya say?"

Scootaloo asked, as Sweetiebelle had reached the top of the hill, where she stood awkwardly. Holding the cloth in one hoof as the room stood in an awkward silence. Scootaloo needed this answer. Sweetiebelle didn't want to be annoyed by Scootaloo talking about him anymore.

"No."

He answered simply, as Sweetiebelle leapt onto the stallion, taking him by surprise as the two rolled down the hill. Sweetiebelle was on his back, riding him like a horse as he tumbled down. He caught himself mid tumble on the side of the hill, crystals sliding down with him as Sweetiebelle wrapped the cloth around his muzzle. He spasmed as his pupils shrunk. He tossed his head furiously, back and forth as he desperately tried to get the filly off. Her tail had stuck to his back, the sap from those bushes was useful after all. Sweetiebelle reeled the cloth back, forcing it up against his nose and mouth even more as his heart pounded. Applebloom and Scootaloo looked on in silence as this scene unfolded. He suddenly collapsed, his movement slowing down to almost nothing. His eyes rolled back into his head, before his eyelids shut.

The eye was no longer watching.

Sweetiebelle removed the cloth from his muzzle, looking down at the stallion in guilt. That was a terrible thing for her to do.

"Uh.. Sweetiebelle, you got your cutiemark."

Scootaloo looked on with a gaping mouth. Sweetiebelle looked back at her flank in horror. She was still a blank flank. With a grimace at Scootaloo, who now wore a mischievous smile, Sweetiebelle removed herself from the stallion's back. After much tugging of her tail of coarse. Under the cloak of night, they could easily move a darkly colored stallion through town and to Twilight's. The three looked rather guilty for what they had done to Sombar or whatever his name was.

"Might as well get movin ya'll. we don't got all night."

Applebloom sighed as she picked up the stallion's tail in her mouth. Scootaloo had grabbed his torso, by lifting him up onto her back, while Sweetiebelle had grabbed the head. They basically were carrying him like a canoe. Applebloom was told to pick a more useful spot, and much to her distaste, and her friend's perverted laughter, she had lifted him up by his flank. Pushing up on where the cutiemark was supposed to be. He was carried on his side through the boutique door, and through much trial and error, they squeezed him through. It would be a long walk back to Twilight's. A long, exasperating and tempting walk.

"Here.. Ya.. Go.."

Applebloom huffed as the trio and prisoner toppled onto the floor of the basement. Twilight clip-clopped her hooves together in glee as she hugged the trio. She could have easily done it on her own, though they had enough bravery to go and capture a thousand year old criminal! That was truly a remarkable. She brought the CMC back up to their hooves, providing each one with a yellow potion.

"It's an energy potion. You've earned it. I'll give you some bits later."

Twilight promised, looking down upon the sleeping gray stallion. Sweetiebelle dropped the cloth she had been carrying this entire time on the floor, with a sigh of relief. Thank Celestia she wasn't in charge of that cloth anymore.

"Twi.. We feel awful bad about.. Ponynapping him.."

Applebloom explained, as Twilight started to levitate the grey stallion over to the hoof cups and chains.

"You shouldn't. He'll be fine, I assure you. Ask Spike for some cookies."

Twilight tried to lead away suspicion as she dropped the grey stallion by the chains. The three candy colored fillies chugged down the energy potions, feeling a tsunami of newfound energy crashing into them. The CMC weren't going to provide Twilight with anymore outrageous favors from now. With their noses scrunched up, the friends left Twilight. They left her to her insanity that they thought she was infected with. They were quitting Operation Dusk. Even if they were just messengers; they no longer wanted any part on this escapade. They dropped the empty test tubes on the floor before leaving. Twilight was silent as he clicked the hoof cups onto his hooves. The metal of the chains nearly matching his fur. Actually, it was exactly the same color. After trapping him, it was a matter of waiting to start the questioning. She would stay in the shadows and ask him questions, just so she wouldn't give him any flashbacks to whom he was. Rarity had told her about how Sombra had gotten some of his memory back. He was able to talk and such. After he was fully and securely contained, Twilight followed after the Cutiemark Crusaders. She swung open the door to go upstairs and switched off the lights to the basement. The place was eerily quiet. Twilight felt something crawl up her back, like a spider. But no, it was simply a chill. Maybe it was the fact that King Sombrero over there could transform into the shadows that Twilight had just left him in. Great. Now Pinkie had her calling him King Sombrero. Closing the door behind her, she walked up the stairs to the main floor. The familiar sight of her regular lights were a sight for sleep deprived eyes like hers. She hadn't slept for a while, for good reason mind you, but she had even kept Spike up to work on a certain thing down in the basement. He was seen noisily asleep on the wooden floor of the first floor. The CMC stood at the door of the library. Awaiting their bits that Twilight had promised. Twilight removed a small horse head statue from the round table in the center of the library. Revealing a jar that spike had taken bits from before. Removing the top, she levitated the golden prizes to the fillies before hiding the jar once more. She had teleported the jar down into the basement. Just a precaution, so that way they wouldn't steal any bits. After receiving the bits, they left Twilight's abode. Leaving her to her thoughts. What would they think of her as? A monster? They didn't know exactly who this was. They didn't need to. It was not needed, their knowledge of him would bring upon disaster and panic. Who knows how many ponies Spike has told. Or rarity. Or pinkie. Or any of her friends. Could they keep a secret like this? Twilight didn't remember this much paranoia when they were reforming Discord. Was she doing something wrong? Was something hiding underneath her nose? Something she couldn't see? What could it be? Her kindness; it was missing. She couldn't detect it. She couldn't find it. She didn't even know that she had lost it in the first place. Maybe she would never find it again when keeping Sombra within the borders of ponyville. It was time to sleep. She had to get to sleep. She would find what she was missing when she woke.

The day was fresh. A new start. Twilight slept through the morning, sleeping peacefully. Much like she would do normally. Spike's snores could be heard from downstairs. She hadn't bothered bringing him up. She was much to drowsy at that time to bring him to bed. She dreamed of pure darkness. Nothingness. The void. It was silent in her dream. A blissful silence. Her silence was broken when her eyes snapped open. Looking at her library's shelves that were near her bed. It was currently two PM, as Twilight smacked her lips as she emerged from her bed sheets. She wandered around her bedroom, her horn glowing as she picked up her brush. Brushing her mane gently with the levitating brush, Twilight wandered to the mirror. Looking at her reflection with a blank stare, like a drunkard. She continued to brush out her mane, before working her way down to her equally messy tail. It's like a hurricane had blown through her mane and tail, much like it did every time she went to sleep. The floor boards were quiet today. Twilight dropped her brush on her vanity. Snapping to attention. What was that? Her reflection showed something new. Something strange. Twilight blinked. It was gone. It was simply just an illusion of her being sleep drunk. She would sober up from her sleep in a few seconds. That illusion though. The thing that the mirror had shown her.. What was it? Twilight already couldn't remember. It had removed itself from her memory. Twilight shrugged. It was most likely nothing in the first place. Trotting away from her bedroom, she looked around the second floor. As per usual, she levitated a couple of books over to her study desk. Ones she thought she needed to read again. After doing that, she trotted down the silent staircase. The unusual quietness creeped Twilight. Usually the stairs would be creaking. She looked down at the stairs, noticing no apparent difference. Maybe she was just becoming paranoid. Why, though? No reason came into her mind when she asked herself why she was so paranoid. No immediate reason, at least. She trotted down the first floor of the hollowed out tree library. Spike, was laying face first on the floor. Silent, much like everything else. Twilight knew that he snored. What was going on? Twilight opened her mouth to ask Spike to wake up. Nothing came from her mouth. No noise. Twilight stared wide eyed at the void of noise. She suddenly realized something. Her horn glowed, and she removed her earmuffs. They were incredibly good earmuffs, they blocked every single sound. Now she just looked stupid. Putting the earmuffs on the circular table in the center of the room, she nudged the dragon. Whom in response, snorted. Still asleep. Rolling her eyes, she levitated him out from the middle of the room, and up the stairs. It was such a convenience to be an Alicorn. She wouldn't have to trot up and down the stairs constantly. She just saved herself from going back up. She had work to do, anyways. After placing Spike down in what Twilight predicted would be his bed, Twilight made her way to the front door. Just to hear a knock right as she walked up. Opening up the door, a white unicorn stood there. It was her friend, Rarity. She wore a saddle bag on her back, imprinted with her name and cutiemark.

"Hello, Twilight."

Rarity smiled. Twilight had missed the sight of her fellow magic user. She hadn't seen her in a few days. With a hug shared, Rarity entered the library. She still didn't look very well. The bags under her eyes were very apparent. Though the makeup she had on tried to nullify the bags under her eyes.

"Hi, Rarity. What did you need?"

Twilight asked, closing the door behind Rarity as she entered. Twilight was about to leave and go out on the town. Maybe go to sugar cube or something.

"Oh, you see, I feel dreadful for making you take care of the monster, and I know it's my responsibility to reform him. I just.. Well.. I feel awful, making you keep him here."

Rarity was already on the topic of the monster in Twilight's basement. The basement was silent, so obviously he was either asleep or just looking around.

"Monster..? Oh, right. Sombrero. I mean.. Sombra."

Twilight looked over at her basement's stairwell. She would have to go down there eventually to feed and water him. Though, it appeared as if Rarity was going to step up her game and do it for her. She just could have King Sombrero in her house. That was the main issue. Now that she was free of him getting rid of all her customers, she could reform him. Like she was meant to do in the first place.

"Yes. Him. I haven't even tried to reform him. So if it's all right with you, may I try?"

Rarity requested, Twilight was more then willing to let Rarity do her job that she was tasked to do in the first place. She got a dab of confidence after he was moved. Twilight was happy to see this. Twilight also felt a tad bit disappointed. She wouldn't be allowed to run her tests or questioning. She had set up all those machines ESPECIALLY for those tests and questions. Now she wouldn't be able to use them. How sad.

"Sure! He's in the basement. I haven't checked on him yet. I've got him chained up, so he won't be leaving."

Twilight informed. She could see Rarity twitch as soon as she had mentioned him being chained. It was just a safety precaution. Though Rarity would deem it unnecessary, seeing as he was rather friendly around her. Friendly is an overstatement. Passive would be a better word to describe his feelings for Rarity. He wouldn't exactly take a liking to Twilight, obviously. That's probably why he was chained up.

"Thank you, dear. I'll be careful."

Rarity nodded with a smile, turning to face the stairwell. Taking a deep breath, she made her way into the darkness. The lights were all off. Her horn sparked with blue light as she trotted down the creaking wooden stairs that slowly transformed into stone stairs that did not creak. She found her way to the door, turning the nob, she was greeted with more darkness. She stroked the wall, feeling for the light switch. Her hoof was met with a lever. Pushing the lever up from it's original pose, the light to the basement flickered on. Exposing the stone walls and the prisoner that was located in the center of the room. His ash coat almost blending in with the gray floor. Chains leading to his hooves as he laid silently. Rarity cringed. His eyes were open. Though they weren't staring at her, they made her feel a wave of unease. Trotting down the extra set of stairs that lead to the center of the room. The stairs were wrapped around the wall slightly. Almost forgetting to close the door behind her, she used her magic to slam the door. This did not draw his attention to the door. His eyes were focused on the floor. His head rested on his front hooves. The chains were at their ends, almost not allowing for this pose to happen. Rarity felt a slight bit of pity for him. He did look rather depressing.

"Sombra?"

She called for him, approaching the grey stallion slowly. Her hoof steps echoing out through the room loudly. She heard the chains rustle slightly as she walked to him. She was only about two feet away from him when she decided to lay down next to him. This was rather awkward, so she decided to lengthen the two's separation to three feet instead. Taking the saddlebag off her back, she dropped it next to herself. Her bags were rather full of a few things she needed. Mostly food for herself.

"I've taken it upon myself to start reforming you."

She stated, turning her head back over to the chained up stallion. He continued to stare at the floor. Just listening to what she had to say. Not like he had a choice not to in the first place.

"So stop with the grumpy and sad mood, we can't have any of that."

Rarity demanded, which upon she received a glare from him. She could feel that glare stab through her.

"I do not require a reformation."

Was that.. A full sentence? A sentence that had just escaped the quiet stallion? Rarity was used to the one word answer that he would give her.

"Nonsense. It is Celestia's orders."

Rarity was rather shocked by this, though she had to push it out of the way for now. She had to show Sombra the light. It was Princess's orders.

"Celestia..?"

He questioned. He still didn't remember her, obviously. The less he remembered the better. Hopefully he was only remembering words and not the crystal empire and his past thousand years.

"Yes. She rules over the land. She has asked me through her letter to reform you about a week back."

Rarity nodded, flipping open the saddlebag's flap. Revealing all the stuff she had brought. Sombra looked back down at the floor.

"If this Celestia told you to harm somebody, would you?"

He had just remembered how to form complete sentences, and he was ALREADY questioning authority. Rarity thought for a second.

"A.. I.. Uh.. She wouldn't even ask that in the first place!"

Rarity argued. Sombra turned his head the opposite way, making her look at his mane. The two sat in an awkward silence for about a good thirty seconds.

"Then why are you even here?"

Sombra asked. Rarity raised her eyebrow questionably. What was that supposed to mean?

"To reform you," Rarity confirmed. "to make sure you become nicer and social. You see, you can't wait for somepony to be kind if they don't know how. You have to teach them. Fluttershy told me that on my way to visit you."

She nodded with a smile. This did not change Sombra's emotion. It was still a rather degrading emotion. He seemed to be constantly and silently becoming depressed. She had no idea why. It was just a feeling. Maybe it was because he was alone for so long. The depressing air around him became usual.

"I don't think putting me in chains and keeping me in a stone room is teaching me anything about 'Kindness'. I don't even know where I am. What year it is. I know nothing. Nothing but how to talk, my name, and what I eat. I don't even know if I have family. I don't know where I came from. I don't.. know why I exist."

Sombra was devoid of emotion. Now Rarity was feeling guilty. Did Fluttershy teach him how to take somepony on a guilt trip? Rarity thought of a way to respond. Nothing came to mind at first.

"Well, why don't I help you?"

What a stupid response. Was she even thinking? She had just promised to help him get all of his memory back. Stupid.. Stupid.. She could see a flicker of happiness emerge from his features. As soon as it appeared, it was gone.

"You're only going to do so because of Celestia's orders, aren't you?"

He asked.

"No, Celestia told me to reform you. That's it. Besides, I can't help you when you're all sad."

Rarity reassured with a smile. She had brought a crystal with her, as she levitated it out of the one of the bags. She had a devious plan in mind. She could hear his stomach grumble. By Celestia, she bet that the entire tree could hear the rumbling that was emitted from him. Perfect. He looked at the crystal longingly. Rarity looked over at the levitating crystal as well.

"What?"

She asked. He attempted to grab at the crystal with his hoof. Held back by the chains. Just out of reach. He wanted that crystal. Right now. It was the only thing that brought him happiness and content.

"This?"

Rarity asked. Sombra continued to reach out for it. She pushed the crystal up to his hoof before ripping it out of his grasp. He wore a grimace as Rarity thought this as a time to teach him manners.

"What do you say if you want something?"

Rarity questioned, Sombra growled.

"I'm not saying it. Just give me the crystal."

Rarity pushed the crystal farther away, much to his growls of protest.

"May I have the crystal. Say it, or you aren't going to get it."

Rarity demanded with a smirk. She held the crystal by her bag now. About to drop it back in with her food. Her food that would get all over the crystal and ruin it's flavor. He flung himself forward, still held back by the chains as he attempted to get to his current favorite food.

"There is no way in Tartarus I'm going to say that. It feels wrong."

Sombra admitted.

"There's nothing wrong with having manners."

Rarity tauntingly lowered the crystal, causing Sombra to desperately hiss for her to stop. This did not intimidate her anymore. She was used to his hisses of disapproval.

"Ugh.. May I have the crystal.."

He whispered. Rarity stuck a hoof in her ear, and pretended like she was clearing out her ear to hear him.

"What was that?"

Rarity asked, her smirk staying.

"May I have the crystal.."

He said slightly louder. Just enough for him to receive his prize. The prize that disappeared into his fanged mouth in seconds. He crunched away at the crystal. The loud smashing of the mineral imbetween his teeth filling the room. He had finished the crystal quickly, though he regretted doing so. He should have savored it. Chances were he wasn't going to get another one for as long as he stayed here.

"I'm never speaking those words again."

He growled, which only made Rarity giggle in victory. She was on the right path. As soon as she got him to do something good, that means she was winning the battle.

"I'm sure I'll get you to say them again."

Rarity reassured him, with a disapproving snort from the prisoner.

"This is going to be torture. I despise you Celestia.. Whoever you are."

Sombra grumbled. Hatred for this Celestia pony lining his tone.