The light faded from my vision. Slowly my eyes adjusted to my new surroundings. Once done getting my senses sorted out, I observed my surroundings. I was in a cave, cold bluish rocks, stalactites and the other such hanging and protruding from the floor and ceiling respectively. A cold chill cut past my timeless coat, chilling my bones. Outside of the cave I could see a white flurry. Great, I'm in the Frozen North. Still looking around, I paused. That's when I saw him.
"Sombra."
I looked down at the old king with as much heat as the blizzard outside. I have to admit, he looked horrible. His black-as-the-void mane no longer danced like the fire it had been so aptly styled to look like, and his normally youthful eyes held tire and age. I almost felt bad for him. Almost. "You."
"Greetings, old friend," He spoke with that air of regality, of leadership. A tone I had once respected from him. But, now I hear it and it only reminds me the stallion I once knew is gone. He died the day he put on that crown.
"You are no friend of mine-"
"Oh hush, human. You truly were always too emotional." I looked at him. Then down. Carved into the cave floor was a pentagram, an outer ring containing runes surrounding that. A summoning circle. Smart bastard. Always a notorious study bug. It comes as no surprise to me he learned to perform a rite of summoning before he turned.
"I see your return was not successful," I say, settling down into an Indian sitting position. "I already predicted you would likely survive defeat, but I was in no way entitled to know you would summon me. Why?"
"Why are you so surprised? You always did seem to enjoy the improbable." I gave him a cold look that would've made Cerberus sit and play dead if just out of fear. He simply sat down, a neutral look on his face. Hmph, self-righteous jerk. Can't even be intimidated properly.
"You betrayed our trust," I give him an emotionless reply.
"And in turn they betrayed yours? Is that not unjust to you?"
I shook my head, giving him a look that I would kill most ponies for seeing out of me; exhaustion. I allowed my nerves to cool and my mood to shift. "Sombra, I know why you summoned me, but the answer is no. I refuse to partake in helping kill the princesses."
"You think I want you to kill them?" I snapped my head up to look at him. Then I smiled. That was something I hadn't done in such an infinitely long time. "Oh-ho! Weren't expecting old Sombra to have learned a trick or two, did you?"
"Well I certainly didn't expect you to learn how to bluff. You always were so horrible at cards." I smirk at the playful pouting he puts on. It really did contrast with his normally stoic personage. But those childish antics are apart of him. My best friend amongst our little circle. I wonder how the others have fared since I was imprisoned. Oh, who am I to kid? Myself? I know exactly how they've done. "So, I'm guessing that blast of love from the relic is what purified you?"
"Yes." Sombra nodded sagely, a toothy grin showing off the fangs he'd grown since he changed. "So, old friend, what do you plan to do? I didn't just summon you for a friendly chat, you know."
"I-," Honestly don't know. I hadn't thought what I wanted to do. Although, I don't suppose I would have yet. "I don't know, Sombra. I suppose I'll just play it with you until I get a good deal."
The former king nodded, looking away. But I still saw his smile. Sentimental fool. Doesn't want to be alone again. Neither do I.
And with that, we went to sleep. The cold outside hiding our frozen hearts and inner feelings from the world.
I watched from my place in the willow tree, as this young alicorn mare stood, looking around my dream, the classic field of flowers with a single tree, in wonder and curiosity. She was the dreamer when we were friends. From my spot in the swaying vine-like branches I could see that hadn't changed. This wonderful, wonder filled little girl... was staring right at me.
The illusion disappeared. The black void of an inactive dream returned. We now faced each other, just a meter away. I smiled down at her, not that she had noticed. She had grown in my absence. She was now only just shorter than me by maybe half a foot. And the thousand minus years of my banishment had done nothing to poison her. She still possessed that handsome charm and majestic beauty that seemed to make her appearance a dance. Oh dear, I've caught a case of the whimsy.
I took a step forward. She took one back. "Why do you step away?" She continued to give me that steely glare. Maybe she had changed. Colors seemed to flare behind us, half formed images fizzling away as my imagination conflicted with my thoughts, their battle personifying the dream. "Maybe."
"Well, Luna, what did you want? If you aren't going to-"
"How did you escape your imprisonment?" Her body language made it seem much less like a question. I didn't answer. At that point we just stood there. Both of us acting completely differently from the other. On my side of the dream, everything seemed to remain calm, but a smart bystander would notice the air of uncertainty.
On her side, one could only say one thing; tense. She appeared ready to spring at any moment, like a cat waiting for that red laser dot to finally move. Wait, I'm getting off track again. And with her body language, the dream mimicked. I couldn't help but frown at her distrust.
She blinked.
Before either of us could react, the gap between us was broken, all tension was released, and I was embracing the princess of the night, burying my face in her astral mane. "You wouldn't believe how lonely I've been, Lulu."
Author's Note
Wonderful! I finally got something published! I hope y'all enjoy!
