The sun was just setting over the horizon, it's golden light causing the shadows to stretch outwards and into Ponyville, the residents of which were all congregated around one central area.
Twilight's castle.
It had been sudden, the appearance of her crystalline abode. It was big, to say the least, and it bore every aspect of Twilight's personality, her cutie mark included. However, the large banners that broadcasted her destiny paled in comparison to the large crystal representation that stood atop the foundation, brilliant beams of rainbow light reflecting off it's surface.
But it wasn't the same.
Twilight looked upon the castle with sad eyes, the beauty it showed holding no effect on her like it had done earlier. She bit her lip as she looked at the roots that held up the tree-like castle, her eyes watering as she thought about her previous home that held the same feature, though the difference was that they were genuine.
"The library..." she whispered, her urge to cry pounding against her head like a kettledrum, "it's really..."
She felt a hoof fall onto her shoulder, the feel of the touch causing her to jump out of her skin. Twilight turned to see Rarity looking upon her with the most sincere expression, the dressmaker sensing the troubling brood that took over her alicorn friend.
"I know this is difficult, Twilight," she told her, her gaze soft, "but you have to realize that what happened wasn't your fault."
Twilight felt her heart clench in her chest as she recalled how she carelessly teleported into the library during her fight with Tirek, who had been hell-bent on gaining the quadruple alicorn power within her. She had just enough time to grab Owlowiscious before getting out of the tree, that was soon completely destroyed by Tirek's magic. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for all the personal items and keepsakes that had more than likely been burnt to a crisp at this point.
"It's really gone, isn't it?" Twilight asked quietly, her eyes shining with pain, "My home is..."
Rarity pulled Twilight into her foreleg, a warm hug initiating itself. "Darling, there was nothing you could do. And Tirek is gone now, so he can't do anymore damage to anypony."
"Yeah, what Rarity said!" Twilight heard a familiar chipper voice exclaim excitedly.
Twilight and Rarity turned simultaneously to see Pinkie Pie, the exuberant party pony of the gang, hopping over to the duo as she smiled reassuringly. The sight of her pink friend gave Twilight a small flicker of warmth in her heart, the first sense of reconciling she felt since her brood began.
"I mean, it's sad the library got destroyed and all," Pinkie told her as she ceased her hopping, "but now you have a pretty, sparkly castle to make up for it! I mean, wow!"
Twilight smiled at Pinkie, though the pain within her still remained. "It is pretty wonderful."
"'Wonderful'? I think it looks awesome!" shouted Rainbow Dash, who hovered above the three ponies, "And did ya see those awesome chairs with our cutie marks on 'em? Talk about epic!"
"Oh, those were very lovely," Fluttershy said as she trotted towards the group, "and I think it's nice that Spike got one, too."
"Oh, sure, the dragon gets a throne!" whined the familiar voice of Discord, who slithered through the air over to Fluttershy, "I mean, just goes to show how appreciated I am!"
"Oh, you know I appreciate you!" Fluttershy told him, her foreleg wrapping around his slender neck as she snuggled his cheek, "You're always so helpful when you come over to my cottage to visit."
Discord gave Fluttershy an unappreciative look. "Remember what I said about keeping that to yourself?"
Fluttershy giggled. "Whoops."
"Hey, now," drawled the southern-accented voice of Applejack, who gave the odd couple a disapproving look, "please keep yer couple disputes at home, please. Ah already can't handle Pinks and her coltfriend getting mushy gushy in public and Ah don't wanna handle y'alls, too."
"Hey!" Pinkie exclaimed, her gaze going over to Applejack in an unappreciative manner, "We stopped doing that!"
"Did ya, now?" Applejack questioned, a brow arched upwards in disbelief, "Then what was that Ah saw you two doin' back at the farm?"
A brush of red went over Pinkie's cheeks and nose. "Dang it, Sombry! He said nopony was around for that!"
"Oh, are you talking about last week?" Rarity asked, "Sweetie told me that Apple Bloom saw them kiss by the barn."
"No, that was three weeks ago," Applejack told her, then arched a brow as she asked herself, "What was Apple Bloom doin' there, anyway...?"
"I am going to kill Sombry!" Pinkie exclaimed, her eyes narrowed in annoyance, "He doesn't care if anypony sees us!"
"Preaching to the choir," Twilight muttered as she shook her head.
"I think it's absolutely wonderful that you two are so comfortable with each other," Fluttershy told Pinkie, her gaze soft, "it's really sweet that Sombra doesn't mind who sees you together."
Discord let out a sound of disgust. "You are so lucky to not have been there for the gender-swap incident..."
"Hey, that was your fault!" Pinkie exclaimed as she pointed an accusing hoof at him.
Discord crossed his arms. "I said it once and I'll say it again: girl, you nasty."
Pinkie opened her mouth to argue, but was silenced by Rainbow shoving her hoof into her mouth.
"Please, stop talking about the weird stuff that goes on with you and Sombra!" Rainbow begged, "My sanity can't handle all these images!"
"Ah agree with Dash," Applejack said, a frown playing across her features, "you two should really invest in getting a house together so y'all can be as lovin' as ya want without anypony seein'."
Pinkie went completely still as her eyes widened to the size of saucers, her previous anger forgotten as she tried to process Applejack's statement.
"Oh, for Celestia's sake!" Twilight exclaimed as she shook her head with a poorly suppressed smile, "Don't you think you're overreacting a bit?"
Pinkie didn't reply as small squeaks escaped her lips, which were no longer covered by Rainbow's hoof as she saw no need to keep it there.
"Oh, dear, I think you broke her," Rarity said, a small smile taking over her features.
"Whelp, now that Pinks over here has conceded her argument, I shall make one final statement before I make my leave," Discord told the group as he flamboyantly moved himself.
Pinkie didn't even flinch as Discord booped her nose in the most snarky manner, still lost in her shock.
"Girl, you nasty," Discord told her, then snapped his claws and disappeared from the group's sight.
Rainbow shook her head. "I really never wanna know that story..."
Twilight shrugged. "It wasn't that bad, to be honest. Especially since Sombra was alright with it in the end."
Pinkie blinked as she regained her composure and turned to Twilight with a surprised look. "How do you know that?"
Twilight looked off to the side with particular interest as she nervously laughed. "Er, just a guess... I guess?"
Pinkie gave her an inspecting look for a long moment, her eyes narrowed in scrutiny as she let out a long hum of thought.
Finally, she shrugged and let out a chirpy, "Okie dokie lokie!" before hopping off.
Twilight let out a sigh of relief, then arched an interested brow at Pinkie as she watched her hop away. "Where are you going?"
Pinkie looked over her shoulder as she continued on her way. "I'm off to the library to see Sombry!"
Twilight and the others froze simultaneously as they exchanged wide-eyed looks with one another, their gazes all bearing undeniable worry.
"Pinkie..." Rarity said slowly, "You do realize that the library was destroyed, don't you?"
Pinkie stopped mid-hop to look at Rarity with a smile. "Well, duh! But Sombry told me to meet up with him after we came back... from beating... Tirek."
As Pinkie slowed down her sentence, her eyes widened while her blithe expression disappeared, a sense of fear overtaking her features.
"Oh, no," she said quietly, uncharacteristically somber, "Tw-Twilight..."
Twilight's eyes widened as she realized what Pinkie was thinking and she put a hoof to her mouth in shock. "I-I could swear he wasn't in there..."
"Oh, sweet Celestia, we have to look!" Rarity exclaimed, "Pinkie, don't worry, we'll-- Pinkie Pie?"
The girls all looked around to see that Pinkie had disappeared, a small outline of where she used to be remaining for a brief moment before dissipating into the wind.
"Pinkie!" Twilight exclaimed as she zoomed to where she knew the library to be.
The five friends hurried down the dirt paths of the town, taking sharp turns when needed and accelerating their speed as the full severity of the situation finally began to sink in.
"Oh, please be a false alarm!" Twilight said out loud, undeniable fear taking over her as she recognized the stores that were close to her old home.
Soon enough, the group's journey came to an end as they caught sight of the glowing embers that carried a dark light within them on the broken home's foundation, slowly eating away at the wood interior. Standing in front of the building was Pinkie, who was completely shell-shocked as she looked at the demolished building.
"No..." Twilight heard her whisper, then heard a loud cry of, "No!"
Pinkie rushed into the destroyed tree, her usual zany, pink streak gone from existence as she galloped into the broken foundation.
"Pinkie!" Fluttershy exclaimed, the first to run in after her, "Be careful, it's not stable in there!"
Pinkie ignored her and continued to look through the broken rubble, her eyes wide and frantic as she rushed from all corners of the destroyed home.
"Sombra!" Pinkie cried, her voice full of fear, "Sombra, where are you?"
"Pinkie..." Applejack panted as she ran into the broken library, "Ah'm sure there's nothing to be worried ab--"
A loud, high-pitched shriek interrupted her reassurance, the sound causing everything to go still as the reason behind it finally made itself known.
"P-Pinkie!" Fluttershy called out, a whimper following shortly after, "I-I f-found..."
"No!" Pinkie exclaimed, tears welling in her eyes, "Please, no, no, no!"
Pinkie completely disregarded everything around her as she rushed to where she heard Fluttershy scream, her speed doubling what it had been on the way to library. When she caught sight of the yellow Pegasus, she felt her heart stop as she saw the large mound of rubble in front of her...
...And the leg that was sticking out from under it.
"Sombra!" Pinkie cried, her tears running down her face as she rushed over to the rumble. Without much effort, Pinkie slung the rubble off of him, her experience back at the rock farm she grew up on kicking in as she fought to save her special somepony's life.
Pinkie felt hot tears leak from her eyes as she gazed down at the broken stallion in front of her, gashes and burns covering his body as he laid still in front of her. He didn't move or stir, which only caused Pinkie to whimper as she shook her head in denial.
"Sombra..." she whispered as she put a hoof on him gently, "Please, wake up."
Again, he didn't move, even at her touch.
"Sombra, please!" she begged as she pulled him close to her, "Please, wake up! This isn't funny!"
Sombra only hung limply in her hold, his eyes closed in an almost peaceful manner, making it look like he was asleep.
"No..." Pinkie said quietly as she pulled his head near hers, "No, no, no, please... I can't lose you..."
"Pinkie..." Fluttershy said gently as she extended a hoof to Pinkie.
"Stay away!" Pinkie exclaimed, her grip on Sombra tightening substantially, "Don't come near him!"
A soft groan escaped Sombra, a sound she never would have heard if he wasn't so close to her. Pinkie's eyes widened as she pulled away from him slightly, her heart losing some of it's weight as she saw him take in small inhales and let out even smaller exhales.
"H-He's alive!" Pinkie exclaimed, tears streaming down her face as she turned to where the others were, "Somepony, get some help!"
"I'll go get them!" Fluttershy told her, then zoomed into the air, her wings flapping faster than they had before in her life.
Pinkie looked back down at Sombra as she stroked his mane. "You're going to be fine... You're going to be fine..."
* * *
"Sombra, what are you so upset about?" Pinkie exclaimed, her forelegs crossed over her chest resolutely, "You know this isn't the first time Princess Celestia has called us for something!"
Sombra shook his head as he sighed raggedly. "Pinks, we've been over this! I don't want you putting your life in danger just because Celestia said to!"
"But I'm not in danger!" Pinkie argued as she walked over to him, "Twilight and the girls are gonna be there with me!"
"And what about Discord?" Sombra snapped as he leaned towards her, "I don't see what Celestia was thinking sending him out."
Pinkie sighed. "Sombry, you're worrying over nothing."
"Don't!" Sombra exclaimed as he pointed a hoof at her, "Don't use the 'Sombry' card right now! I am seriously against this whole plan and I don't want you distracting me from making my point!"
"Sombra, this is ridiculous!" Pinkie told him as she held her forelegs up in an exasperated manner, "Why are you so worried? I mean, it's not like I'm going after Tirek by myself or anything like that! I'm just going to the castle of the Royal Pony Sisters to do some research, is all."
Sombra let out another ragged sigh. "You don't understand, do you? Tirek is more dangerous than you know, and I don't trust that goat-legged abomination to be the one to stop him."
"What's so wrong with Discord fighting him? It's not like he's going to betray us or anything like that!"
Sombra gave her a deadpan look. "And now that's been added to my list of worries."
"Oh, hush!" Pinkie told him as she put a hoof to his lips to silence him, "Tirek is gonna be taken care of and the girls and I are just going to do some research on the Harmony Keys to find out what's in the box! You shouldn't worry so much!"
Sombra frowned as he put her hoof down from his face. "I can't help but worry. Tartarus, there are just some days where I don't know if you're going to get into something dangerous and get yourself seriously hurt."
"You mean like when Maud visited and I made that super unstable obstacle course, then nearly got crushed by a giant boulder?"
Sombra gave her a wide eyed stare. "What?"
"Nothing!" Pinkie exclaimed, her gaze going off to the side awkwardly before returning to Sombra, "Look, Sombry--"
Sombra gave her a hard look, obviously unappreciative of her ignoring his earlier request.
"--everything's going to be fine!" she told him, then smiled sweetly as she pulled him into a hug, "You're going to be fine!"
Sombra was still for a moment, and for a second, Pinkie thought he was going to continue arguing. But, her fears were put to rest when he wrapped his forelegs around her in a hug and laid his head on top of hers.
"I know that, Pinks," he told her, then pulled away to look down at her, "Just be careful, will you? I don't want to spend all day worrying over you."
"Aw, but I like when you think about me!" Pinkie whined playfully, "It makes me feel loved!"
"That's because you are, Dork. Just promise me you won't get into anything too dangerous, alright?"
Pinkie giggled. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!"
"For if you were to tell a lie, you can kiss your flank goodbye," Sombra finished, then nuzzled her nose, "speaking of kisses..."
"Oh, no you don't!" Pinkie exclaimed as she put a hoof to his lips, "You get a kiss when we're done researching, mister! I'm still kinda mad at you for getting so mad!"
Sombra gave her playful pout. "You're no fun."
"That's not gonna work, either! I know your game, Sombry," Pinkie told him, emphasizing his nickname just to further irritate him.
"Oh, that's it!" Sombra exclaimed as he pulled her close to him, "You asked for it now!"
Pinkie's eyes widened. "Sombra, no, wait--"
Pinkie let out a loud gasp as Sombra began to tickle her sides, which then led to her laughing loudly as she fought against his hold.
"Sombry, no fair!" Pinkie whined between giggles as she futilely attempted to get a hold on his sides for her to return the action.
"Oh, no, you don't!" Sombra told her as he escalated his tickling, "I'm not letting that happen again!"
"Hey, Pinkie, we about to head o-- Oh, come on!" Twilight exclaimed as she threw her forelegs up exasperatedly, "I would love to come home without you two getting into one of your little squabbles!"
Sombra ceased his tickling and spared Twilight a smug look. "You're just jealous, Sparkler."
"Like jelly on toast!" Pinkie added.
Twilight sighed. "We have to head out to the castle, Pinkie. I'll see you out in a minute, OK?"
Pinkie frowned, but she nodded in acknowledgement. "OK, Twilight. I'll be out in a minute."
Once Twilight left the couple to themselves in the library, Sombra looked down at Pinkie. "Be careful out there. I don't want you getting hurt."
Pinkie smiled up at him. "Okie dokie lokie!"
And with that, Pinkie left the library, completely unaware that it would be the last time she'd see it completely safe and sound.
* * *
Pinkie awoke with a start as her heartbeat resembled that of a kettledrum, her mane and face drenched in sweat as she breathed heavily. After a moment passed for her to calm herself down to a degree, she looked around to see where she was.
She was in a waiting room of Ponyville Hospital, the reason for being there eluding her for a moment before it came crashing down on her. Her wary gaze flickered over to the glowing sign that bore "OPERATING ROOM" in bright red letters, signifying that her special somepony was still undergoing surgery.
"Oh, good, you're awake," she heard a voice say.
Pinkie turned to see Rarity making her way over to her, a relieved, but troubled look on her features. Her heart lifted at the sight of her unicorn friend, but she still felt the underlying pain within as she remembered her cause for being there.
"Rarity... How is...?" Pinkie couldn't find it in her to finish.
Rarity gave her a soft look. "The doctors said that he was extremely injured, but it was nothing they weren't used to. He wasn't the only pony to have gotten hurt, you know."
Pinkie's eyes widened in horror. "Who else got hurt? Are they alright?"
"Oh, dear, I'm more worried about you," Rarity told her, her brows furrowed, "How are you doing?"
Pinkie opened her mouth to answer, hoping she was able to do so, but instead, let out a small whimper. Rarity, sensing what was to come, pulled her into a hug and shushed her coming cries as she stroked her mane.
"Oh, darling, I can only imagine what you're going through," she told her as she pulled away to look at her.
"W-Where is everypony else?" Pinkie asked quietly, tears coating her cheeks.
"Applejack and Rainbow went to get some food for all of us, and Twilight's talking to the hospital staff to make sure Sombra gets the best treatment available," Rarity told her reassuringly, "I can only hope that Fluttershy gets here soon."
"She isn't here?" Pinkie questioned, her eyes wide, "Where'd she go?"
"Oh, the poor dear was so overwhelmed by what was happening she left when Sombra was submitted into surgery. I imagine Discord has his claws full trying to calm her down."
Pinkie managed to make a small smile. "Well, I don't think he minds it as long as they're alone."
Rarity smiled in return, but it faltered. "Dear, are you alright? I can't even begin to think of how you're feeling right now."
Pinkie's smile dropped as she looked down at the floor dejectedly. "I don't know if I'm alright... I'm just..."
Rarity held up a hoof to her lips. "Say no more. I won't push you to talk about it if it upsets you."
Pinkie gave her a smile once more. "Thanks, Rares. It's just... really hard, trying to process this."
"Dear, it'd be no trouble for me to wait with you," Rarity told her as she put a reassuring hoof on her shoulder, "I would be beyond happy to keep you company while doing so."
Suddenly, a ding from the waiting area broke the pair away from their conversation. Both looked up at where the sound was heard and their eyes widened collectively when they saw the O.R. sign's light was off, signifying that the surgery was no longer in progress.
Pinkie clung onto Rarity tightly. "R-Rarity..."
Rarity returned the hug and gave her a soft look. "Don't jump to conclusions, dear. It won't do you any good."
Pinkie nodded solemnly, her fear of what was to come taking it's hold on her as she looked on with a fixed expression. She flinched when the doors to the operating room opened, the doctor and a couple nurses exiting the doors with unreadable looks on their faces, due to the masks that covered them.
"Pinkie," said a nurse, who Pinkie recognized to be Redheart, a pony who wasn't appreciative of her antics in the ward, but her friend nonetheless.
"Y-Yes?" Pinkie stammered, her heart beating rapidly.
"I'm afraid we have some news that may be... upsetting to hear."
* * *
"Oh, Sombry..." Pinkie drawled out, "Ya awake?"
Sombra groaned in reply and rolled over so he wasn't facing her. "Five more minutes..."
Pinkie giggled. "Aw, don't be like that! Let's go do something!"
Sombra yawned loudly. "Pinks, it's... is the sun even up right now?"
"You can't tell with that pillow on your head, silly!" Pinkie told him as she shook her head with a poorly suppressed smile, "Up and at 'em, Sombry!"
"Gah, it's so early... Go back to sleep..." Sombra moaned as he pulled the pillow around his head.
Pinkie climbed on top of him, her weight causing Sombra to grunt as she rested herself on his side. "Sombry, the sun's already up!"
"Sleep..." Sombra ordered softly as a yawn escaped him once more, "go back to..."
Sombra didn't finish as he descended back into sleep, a light snore escaping him as his body slacked against the mattress.
Pinkie frowned at him and shook him lightly, the action causing Sombra to groan in irritation. "Get up, Grumpy Pants! I wanna do something!"
Sombra responded by grabbing his pillow and throwing it at Pinkie, who was unprepared for his feathery assault and crumpled to the floor with a surprised yelp.
"Ow!" Pinkie cried as she held her head, "Sombra!"
Sombra let out a huff of sleepy air and grabbed Pinkie's pillow from beside him and slid it under his head, then snuggled into it as he sighed in content. He pulled the covers over his head to shield his eyes from the sunlight that leaked in from the windows and pulled the blanket around himself tightly as he let out a long snore to show he was fast asleep.
Pinkie gave him a glare, but she knew he wouldn't be able to see it from his position and let out a ragged sigh. Suddenly, an idea popped into her mind, a mischievous grin overtaking her features as she looked at her unsuspecting victim.
Pinkie backed away from the bed, slowly and carefully to make sure her steps didn't make any noise as she backed herself into the wall of her room. Standing at least six feet away from the bed, she lowered herself into a sprinting position as she zoned her eyes in on Sombra's sleeping form.
Finally, Pinkie sprung forth and quickly made a dash for the bed, her need for silence disappearing as she leaped into the air and onto the bed. Poor, unsuspecting Sombra wasn't prepared for Pinkie's hardcore tackle and let out a surprised yell as they both crashed to the floor in a heap.
"Ow, Pinkie!" Somrba exclaimed as he held his throbbing head, "That really hurt!"
Pinkie gave him a victorious grin. "Now we're even, ya meanie!"
Sombra gave her a disapproving glare. "Is it too much to ask that I sleep in peace? What is it you wanted to do so badly it couldn't wait?"
"This, silly!" Pinkie answered, then planted a kiss on his lips.
While Sombra was at first surprised, and somewhat unappreciative of her action, he finally gave in and leaned into the kiss. After a moment passed, Pinkie pulled away and looked down at him with a soft look.
"I love you," she told him.
"I love you, too," he replied, then kissed her again.
* * *
Pinkie frowned as she recalled her morning, the blithe memory feeling like years away from where she was then and there. She looked over to Sombra's sleeping form, her heart breaking all over again as she looked over all the tubes and wires attached to him.
Sombra was her foundation, her support, her rock, and here he was, completely broken and still. She placed a hoof over his, her eyes watering when he didn't respond to her touch.
"Pinkie..." Twilight said slowly, "I-I'm sorry... I would've gotten him if I had known he was in there..."
Pinkie looked down and away from Twilight as she bit her lip to keep from replying, knowing it wouldn't be anything short of negative. She knew deep down in her heart that Twilight wasn't at fault, but she couldn't help but feel a small twinge of anger just by looking at her. Twilight had gotten out of the library unscathed, along with Owlowiscious. Why was Sombra any different?"
"How is he?" asked Spike as he climbed up to the hospital bed and looked over the edge with worried eyes, "Is Sombra going to be OK?"
Pinkie gave Spike a soft look as she recalled the time he and Sombra bonded during Sombra's search and rescue for Spike after a spat with Twilight led to the baby dragon's storming out. They had both returned talking as if they had been friends for years, all the bad blood between them disappearing almost immediately as they shared a bond only males could have.
"I don't know, Spike," Pinkie admitted, her gaze going back to Sombra, "I hope that he will be, though."
"Well, at least Tirek is gone," Spike said as he looked at Sombra, "it could be way worse, I guess."
Pinkie laid her head down on the bed, careful not to disturb Sombra, and let out a sleepy sigh. "I wish he'd wake up... I don't like waiting..."
Spike put his hand on Pinkie's shoulder reassuringly. "You shouldn't worry. Sombra's tough, and he's even more stubborn than Applejack! He'll be fine in no time!"
Pinkie smiled at him, the first one she had made since she arrived in the room with Sombra. "Thanks, Spike."
"Anytime," he replied, then returned his attention to Sombra, "he looks so peaceful, doesn't he?"
"Yeah..." Pinkie said as she put her hoof over Sombra's affectionately, "he really does..."
A creak from the door broke everyone's attention away from Sombra and they all turned to see Nurse Redheart leaning out from the doorway.
"Visiting hours are almost over," she told them, her gaze going to Pinkie, "you're going to have to leave soon."
Pinkie felt her heart seize in her chest. "A-Already?"
Twilight put a hoof on her shoulder, the feeling of which Pinkie tried not to flinch under. "Pinkie, I'm sure Sombra will be fine when we come back tomorrow."
Pinkie's eyes softened and she let out a ragged sigh. "OK... Let's go."
After sparing Sombra one last glance, Pinkie pulled her hoof away from his, heart breaking as she did so. Fighting hard not to cry in front of everypony, she trotted out of the room with her head held high, something she picked up from Sombra during their time together.
Once she was out of the room, Pinkie broke into a small canter as she artfully dodged the hospital staff and patients. She couldn't be in there anymore. Not with him there.
She never told Spike what she knew, Pinkie realized as she ran out of the hospital and into the dark night. Nopony knew that he wasn't going to wake up.
* * *
"Sombry, I feel silly!" Pinkie exclaimed, her cheeks bright red.
Sombra chuckled from his spot on Pinkie's bed. "I think you look absolutely adorable."
Pinkie only blushed harder. "Sombra, I look--"
"If you say 'ridiculous' or anything of the sort, I will not hesitate to make you walk around town right now," Sombra told her, his eyes narrowed.
Pinkie gaped at him. "You wouldn't dare!"
Sombra smirked. "Try me."
"It's just-- Why did I even agree to this in the first place?!" Pinkie exclaimed, the question suddenly popping into her mind.
Sombra gave her a mischievous look. "You shouldn't have lost, Pinks. Otherwise, I'd be in your position."
Pinkie frowned. "Stupid tickle fight... I should really stop getting into those."
Sombra chuckled once more. "You don't look so bad, you know. I think red looks rather good on you."
Pinkie sighed as she looked down at her ensemble with disdain. She was wearing Sombra's cape and his crown, something she had only done once before in her entire time of knowing her special somepony. But, it was because of that embarrassing experience, that ended with Sombra catching her in the act, that it made it so difficult to do it again.
"I don't see why you decided to make me wear this, though!" Pinkie exclaimed exasperatedly, "I mean, you've already seen me in it once and you nearly killed me for it!"
Sombra laughed. "And it's because of that I chose this particular ensemble, dear. I couldn't get the image out of my head for the longest time, you know."
By then, Pinkie's entire face was red, as well as her ears. "S-Sombra! You're making me blush!"
"Now, since you're dressed like a King, you have to know how to carry yourself as one," Sombra told her, his brow arched upwards in amusement, "do a twirl, will you?"
Reluctantly, Pinkie did as he said and twirled around, the result of doing so being Sombra's laughter. Pinkie turned towards him with a hard look on her features. "It's not funny!"
Sombra smothered his laughter with a hoof. "Sorry, Pinks. I think you look really cute like that."
Pinkie let out an annoyed huff of air. "See? I told you I looked silly!"
Sombra gave her a reassuring smile. "Come now, I think it's rather fitting for you."
"You're just saying that because you wore this stuff every day!" Pinkie argued, her forelegs up in the air exasperatedly.
Sombra chuckled. "Perhaps. Now, getting back to my original reason for this, you need to hold your head high."
Pinkie sighed and did as he said. "Like this?"
"No, you're looking up at the ceiling. You have to keep your gaze forward, but your chin up and firm."
Pinkie didn't even bother to sigh as she looked forward with her chin held high, her eyes stoic and emotionless.
"Now you're getting it!" Sombra told her, a small laugh following after.
Pinkie looked over at him with a bright look on her face. "Really?"
"Mm-hmm," he told her, his gaze holding an allure, "now why don't I teach you how to do the walk?"
Pinkie returned his look. "I think I already know how..."
Pinkie made a big show of walking to Sombra, her hips swaying as she smiled devilishly.
"I believe you're confusing your walks," Sombra told her, then added, "not that I mind, of course."
Pinkie giggled. "I think I might need a little more tutor time... You don't mind that, either, do you?"
Sombra grinned slyly. "Why don't you keep doing what you're doing and I'll give you tips afterwards?"
"Mmm, nope!" Pinkie exclaimed, then leaped onto the bed and onto Sombra, "Less teaching, more kissing!"
Pinkie happily kissed Sombra and smiled as he kissed her back, their heads leaning in opposite directions to deepen their interaction.
"You know, you can keep the cape if you want..." Sombra told her, "I wouldn't mind it..."
* * *
Pinkie felt her tears run down her face continuously, the salty liquid soaking into the red velvet fabric as she held it close to her. She sighed as she closed her eyes in pained remembrance of how things were between Sombra and her before they took such a sudden turn for the worst, the route holding no changes in her coming sights.
She had laid in her bed for hours wide awake, her need for her significant other diminishing her ability to sleep as she looked at his side of the bed longingly. Pinkie looked down at the cape in her hooves, the sight of which causing her heart to ache all the more as she continued to do so.
"I wanna see him again..." she mused aloud, "I can't sleep without him..."
Pinkie sighed in remembrance of all the nights where she laid alone, aching for Sombra's loving embrace while she fought hard against consciousness. At one point in the night, Pinkie would find the loneliness too much to bear and would oftentimes sneak over to Golden Oaks Library to see Sombra.
Once she'd reach her destination, she would use her secret knock to alert Sombra of her presence, though he would never reply to it, mainly out of pride. She'd slowly enter the library and quietly sneak over to where Sombra laid, still pretending to be asleep, no doubt.
Of course, she always managed to catch him red-hoofed just by the slightest touch, the action of which causing him to freeze, thus revealing his consciousness. Though, she could never stay mad at him, and she would slip into bed with him, the feeling of sleep finally having presented itself to her.
And, after a little bit of encouragement on her part, Sombra would allow her to sleep with him in the cot, the small bedding allowing them to remain close at all times of the night.
Celestia, how she missed those nights with a passion.
"I have to see him again..." she thought out loud, "I need to see him again..."
But, her pleas went unheard that night, the darkness of the shadows holding no answers for her.
* * *
Pinkie trudged through the dith paths of Ponyville tiredly as she fought hard against her gnawing exhaustion, her eyelids constantly drooping over her tired orbs. With every tired motion she made, she felt her drive to keep going flicker every so slightly, the pain of her moving starting to take it's toll on her.
But she couldn't stop going. She had to get to the hospital.
The ponies who normally greeted her in the morning all gave her sympathetic looks as they recollected the previous night's events, the news of Sombra's accident having spread like wildfire.
Pinkie shivered at the thought of fire and shook her head rapidly to rid herself of it's presence in her mind.
The passing ponies seemed to be able to sense her mission to reach her destination and they all veered out of her path, knowing that if they blocked her now, it would mean she wouldn't be able to reach her goal.
She had to get to the hospital. She had to see him again.
Finally, after what felt like ages of tired walking, she saw the familiar red plus insignia that showed the hospital was just within a good walk's distance. Filled with a new determination, Pinkie felt a new power back her gallop to the medical building, her heart beating exponentially as she neared the hospital.
Taking no time at all, Pinkie rushed through the doors, her chest heaving as she took the time to catch her breath and regain her composure. After she managed to do so, she spared the counter near the entrance a quick glance, her eyes meeting the assistant's.
She knew why Pinkie was there. Pinkie had told her the night before.
The assistant nodded her way, signifying it would be alright to pass. Acknowledging the address to herself, Pinkie tried to keep a calm composure as she carefully made her way down the halls of the hospital. The staff all glanced up from their normal duties, only to return to them as they recognized Pinkie and her cause.
She wasn't there for a visit, they knew. They all knew it was something much bigger than that.
Finally, after what felt likes years of senseless twists and turns, Pinkie recognized the room number that bore the cause of her conquest. With her heart beating senselessly, she held her chin up as she looked forward, her gaze stoic and emotionless.
'Walk like a King...' she repeated to herself, a twinge of nostalgia flickering in her aching heart, 'walk like a King...'
All the staff who had yet to see her all exchanged knowing looks with one another before returning to their duties, seeing that they had no reason to get involved in her personal affairs. It was known to all of them why she needed to be there...
She needed to say goodbye.
The door to her inner turmoil seemed to be taunting her, remaining still and unmoving from her gaze so it couldn't be avoided. With a shaky breath, Pinkie put a hoof on the knob and slowly turned it, the door creaking open loudly.
All eyes in the hall went to her as she continued to stare down the crack within the ajar door, all waiting to see her next action. Whether she decided to go in or leave the door as it was, nopony knew.
Finally, with a deep breath to back her, Pinkie stepped in through the door.
The room was cold, like it had been the night before. The dim, fluorescent light barely illuminated the area, but focused on the sole reason of it's existence.
Laying as he had the previous night, Sombra remained unmoved and still, the only thing to indicate his life being the rise and fall of his chest.
This was it. This was time for saying goodbye.
Feeling like the weight of the world was on her shoulders, Pinkie shakily made her way over to her slumbering lover, her heart achingly beating hard. As she neared his bedside, she caught sight of the dark circles that dug under his closed eyes, the only sign of there being anything wrong with him, besides the dozens of wires that were connected to him.
"Sombry..." Pinkie whispered to him, "I am so sorry..."
Sombra gave no sign of hearing her, the only sound in the room being the heart monitor that beeped in a continuous flow.
"I know I made a promise that I wouldn't get hurt..." Pinkie continued, her need to get the words out rising, "but I never thought of you getting hurt..."
She took a ragged breath as she closed her watering eyes. "I wish... I wish I could tell you how much I need you... You may have been mean to me sometimes and just... well, just flat-out selfish, but you've changed and I...
Pinkie took the time to gaze at him once more, her eyes welling up all the more as she did so.
"I love you for it," she said finally, her heart breaking as she said it, "and... and I..."
She closed her eyes as she shook her head. "I can't say it. I can't say goodbye to you. And do you wanna know why? Because it won't matter if I do."
Sombra still didn't move, even as she clung onto his hoof tightly.
"I love you, you stupid idiot!" Pinkie exclaimed, her eyes spilling over once again, "And the thing is, even though I know there's almost no chance of you waking up, I can't move on with my life! This entire time, while you've been asleep, I couldn't stop thinking about you and everything we did together!"
Pinkie took in deep, steadying breaths to calm herself down. "Do you remember that time you caught me wearing your cape? And how you got back at me when I lost that tickle fight between us? I brought the cape with me."
The corners of Pinkie's lips slowly turned upwards as she held up the red fabric that was on her back. "And do you remember how we got into that stupid fight this morning and ended up kissing for so long we forgot what it was about? Twilight nearly killed you for being so late to getting back to the library!"
Her lips finally formed a smile as she looked at him lovingly. "And it's because of those things, I can't say goodbye. Because..."
Pinkie's smile disappeared as she pulled herself close to Sombra, her ear placed over his heart the way she had done so many times before. His heart still bore the same soothing quality it did for her, despite the fact it's own was injured beyond compare.
"Because I don't want to let go what I have," Pinkie said finally, "I don't want to let go of you."
Pinkie carefully wrapped her legs around Sombra, careful not to disturb the wires that were attached to him. With her cheeks covered in tears, Pinkie closed her leaking eyes in an attempt to close off the broken dams they had become.
"I love you," she told him, though she knew he couldn't hear her, "but this won't the be last time I'll say it..."
"Good, I'd get worried if it was."
Pinkie's eyes popped open as she slowly looked up at Sombra's face, her heartbeat rising as she prayed what she heard wasn't her imagination.
Staring back at her, with the same smug grin he always had on his face, was Sombra, her love, her one, her only. Despite all she had heard, despite what everypony thought, and despite everything that was supposed to be possible, there he was, wide awake and perfect, as he always was.
"S-Sombra?" she whispered, her eyes still wide with shock.
He gave her a smile, though it was strained from the pain he felt. "You know, Spike was right when he said I'm stubborn. I can't say even more so than Applejack, but I like to believe I at least hold a candle to her."
Pinkie could only stare as she remained completely and utterly speechless, a feat that took unbelievable greatness to achieve so single-hoofedly.
"Also, before I forget, I resent that statement of me being an idiot, Pinkie," Sombra told her, a disapproving look taking over his features, "I mean, I have made some pretty bad decisions in my life, but calling me an idiot is just--"
Sombra was cut off Pinkie crushing her lips to his in an instant, the action muffling his words as he gave her a wide eyed look.
"Ow, ow, ow!" Sombra exclaimed as he pried Pinkie off of him, "Be gentle! I'm still tender after being tossed around by that... I don't even know what, but all I know is that it hurts!"
Pinkie ignored him and pulled him close to her as she planted dozens of kisses on his bruised face, each one resulting in a quiet "ow" from Sombra.
"Sombry... I'm... so.. glad.. you're... alright!" Pinkie said in between kisses.
"Ow!" Sombra cried, his pain taking precedent over Pinkie's affection, "Please, Pinks, I'm begging you to quit loving me this instant!"
Pinkie finally pulled away to get a good look at him, her eyes shining with joy. "I'm just so happy that you're not hurt."
"Oh, believe me, I am. You obviously didn't hear me say 'ow' fifty times just now."
Pinkie giggled, the first time she'd done so in what felt like a long time. "Everywhere it hurts, I'll kiss for you, you big baby!"
Sombra gave her a wide eyed look. "Wait... What exactly do you mean by 'everywhere'?"
Pinkie gave him a sly grin. "What do you think?"
Sombra gave her an unappreciative look. "Pinks, I love you and while any other day I'd jump at a chance like this, I'm afraid I have to remind you that I'm grievously injured. It'd be stupid to partake in anything that could--"
Sombra was once again silenced by Pinkie's lips against his own, though the action was gentler and sweeter. Slowly, her lips ran along the side of his face, right onto a bruise that had developed there.
"Ow!" Sombra shouted as he pushed Pinkie away, "That really hurts!"
Pinkie gave him a sympathetic. "Here, let me make it feel better."
Surprisingly, when Pinkie kissed his bruised cheek, the pain subsided and a tingly sensation resonated from the spot.
"How'd you do that?" Sombra questioned, completely bewildered.
Pinkie giggled. "That's a secret, Sombry!"
Without warning, Pinkie kissed him again and slowly planted kisses on his bruises, the pain on each one disappearing as she continued to do so.
"Oh, come here, you," Sombra said with a sigh, giving up his battle to resist Pinkie.
Sombra pulled her close to him, the result being her on top of him. However, the action caused him to wince in pain and suck in air through his teeth as he clenched his eyes shut.
"Are you alright?" Pinkie asked, concern taking over her tone and features, "Because if you're too hurt--"
"I'm fine," Sombra interrupted as he pulled her closer.
"Are you sure? Because I don't want to--"
Pinkie, for the first time that day, was silenced by Sombra's kiss, which soon deepened as she leaned into it. Sombra wrapped his forelegs around Pinkie and pulled her small form over his chest, careful not to show the pain his ribs were feeling from Pinkie's weight.
"Now," Sombra said as he pulled away with a slight pant, "let's make sure I didn't break anything important."
Author's Note
This is to celebrate 300+ followers that I've gained over the past year, since my first day on this site on May 10th of last year! I would like to thank all of those who constantly keep to their follower duties and comment on my stories, blogs and offer me constructive advice!
I love you all so very much and I wish you all luck!
~Harmony Charmer
