A Thorn in the Empire

Narrating: ShiverMay

A guard came to get me. This one wasn't fuzzy. He wasn't even friendly looking. It became clear to me a while ago that the only friendly pony in the castle was the fuzzy one. I couldn't trust anyone else. The unhappy stallion unlocked the door to my room. I wanted to know why I was going anywhere at this time, but I didn't ask. I just checked my mane In the mirror and took a moment to fix it up. By the time I was done the door was wide open and guard number one was standing in the threshold. Guard number two was to the left next to the hallway door. "Where to?" I asked.

"The throne room. King Sombra wishes to speak with you."

"Okie dokie." I stood up and walked out. You think after being stuck in that room for so long I would be happy to stretch my legs, but my room is actually large enough that I can run and even fly around in a small circle. I do that every other day. Keeping my wings in use means I can fly away when I finally escape. Oh, how I missed the sky. I didn't get to see it very often. Even when I did, the sky I got to see on my walks around the castle at night is not the sky I know and love. It is dark and gloomy. Just like the empire itself, and the paintings in the hallways depict that so well. Why would anyone paint such horrible things? I recited a little poem in my head to distract me from them as we walked.

Back in the good old days,
When the sun urged the children to play.
The birds flew free,
And squirrels climbed up trees,
Back in those sweet old days.

Yes back in the good old days,
When life always felt new
Yes in these glorious days,
When the sky was still blue.

I have happy poems too, but this seemed like a gloomy walk. The guards never really smiled. I guess no one did anymore. Except Fuzzy of course. I can always make him smile, but even he seems mopey some of the time. Its sad seeing ponies like this. Life was totally different before the king, and there is nothing anypony could do about it. But life isn't ever as bad as it seems, so I kept a good posture as I walked through the bright red doors.

I walked in on my own. The guards stayed at the doors. I stopped when I got to the center of the room. I looked around at the gloomy space. It was dim. And dull. Very dull. It had no color. I think I was the most colorful thing there.

"Your sister," he began. I turn to face him. I rarely get to see him and when I do he hides in the shadows as if he was one. "She is touring the city as we speak. I thought it would only be fair if I gave you the chance to do the same."

I think he was going to say more but I gave my answer first. "No thanks. I don't need a tour." I didn't need to go outside. I was sure it hadn't changed in the past few years. I was sure it was the same gloomy skyless city that trapped me and took my family, and I didn't want to see it again.