In His Presenceby Ocean HeartChaptersJust to talkWhat is the Right Answer?"And what a man you've become..."If by chanceDay OneUnkeepable SecretsFirst ImpressionsTime Flows OnPenance in the LibraryThick as ThievesHow Time ChangesOh How Time Has PassedJust to talkOne...two.......three.........four........no, it was...six? Time had passed painfully slow, as always, he tried to count the days so he would have some idea of time; that it might help him in dealing with her. The alicorn had finally given in to her own shame, all he needed to do was drive the nails in the coffin with guilt; a little smooth talk and maybe a little something extra here and there would be the key to his freedom... Lowering his head to rest his neck, the chains jingling softly and echoing in the room a little unpleasantly. Soon his thoughts turned to the only events he could mark as noteworthy, things like earthquakes, floods or other natural disasters caused by somebody royally screwing up their job always made him laugh; to think...the guilt or shame they must endure, knowing that in an environment controlled by them, they killed innocent ponies...perhaps he could find them later to thank them for the entertainment. The biggest event that stuck out was when the afternoon sun was simply a red light, he was worried that the sound of explosions outside might reach him; there was a lot of shouting and yelling that day in Canterlot... It was all nonsense to him, or irrelevant, or maybe it was just a dream, after all, wouldn’t some disaster free him if he were so close to the surface? Celestia was well known for her misdirection. Yet nothing mattered unless it served his escape. After that incident, the noise outside of festivities was pleasant, if only to stave off the silence without expending his own energy; that, and the sound of a mare going full drama queen on some poor stallion made him laugh for quite a while. The feeling of impatience was getting uncomfortable again, he had no choice at this point but to try and take his mind off the coming meeting; something nearly impossible to do when it was the only interesting thing to happen since the guards left. What about...my castle... The Crystal Empire belonged to the princess of love; it was a lost cause to reclaim something like that. The guards were dug in too deep; the protective magics were too strong...and that husband of hers was a master tactician. Numbers and strength alone would not win the old Empire. It would take a traitor; just one knife in the back; but who would give up the monotonous life they all so enjoy murdering the queen... It needs to be an outcast, or perhaps a power hungry noble. If I can trick him, promising power or...mares, anything to have my way inside. Then a I'll place my dagger in her frail neck and let that thick husband of her watch the rivers of blood... The thoughts nagged at his mind until he shook his head out of that pit, he recognized the path to madness and stopped thinking; making sure he doesn't lose the fight at the final stretch. Odd that he would begin to sink back into his pit of obsession at this stage...the new contact was almost resetting his time, in some strange way he did not understand; or rather, refreshing old memories and rekindling old fires. The heavy door lock suddenly shifted and again, heavy iron against old oak, it echoed and swung open with a slow creak. Quickly, he looked up and watched the door open to a purple light once again. Those big purple eyes and that sullen face...it almost made him laugh at how pathetic she looked; the light made it easy for him to see her better than before, she had that new vanilla streak in her mane and an odd...weathered look. Glancing up, he didn't have the energy to really care, food was still a little way away, so he didn't care to put on a show, today. "Afternoon...Princess of the night? I can't recall your name." He said, voice rolling with the gravel of thirst. The alicorn looked confused, but not saying a word to confirm... "Apologies, it has been far too long since I've seen you, goddess. You're familiar, but you aren't her." Purple eyes filled with sadness, they shone with her growing weakness as she sat down, a plate slowly floated in the air, wrapped in a purple velvet swirl and floating in the it, past the alicorn and stopping at chest height inches from him. It smelled of heavenly aromas long forgotten in the slew of varying degrees of slop and gruel. This was bread, hay, greens and even spice! This was a meal fit for a well breed noble...now a small fork carried the meal to him, gently, rather than forcefully by the silent handmaiden that worked with the brute outside... "What is this...?" He asked, trying to control himself... "It's okay...I won’t let harm come to you anymore." Hunger...or rather, starvation is a powerful force. To achieve the revenge he so desired, he had to get out, that was the first step, so he needed to gain the trust of this sympathizer. So, he let go of a little more of his dignity and let his jaw hang and nearly broke down right there when the first taste of the delicious food hit his dry tongue. _ _ Sombra was almost like a child, a young colt with his defiant eyes and fragile body. The idea made Twilight sick, not disgust for him, but from the self-hatred that consumed her mind; but there was something about helping him like this that made the guilt bearable. In her long years, her innocent years, she once thought this master of darkness was dead; it was only recently that she found out the truth. Even then, there were some things that were almost better left a secret; Sombra would have existed in this prison until time itself forgot about him, existing in this space with such haunting caretakers that exist in the timeless space just as he did. Just as she does. The plate was half gone, both of them sat in heavy silence save the sounds of eating and metal against ceramic, she understood that he was no longer even a ghost of his former self, this was a shell, a broken...thing, left behind in the wake of wrath; he even looked like he knew this... Twilight set the plate down when it was empty, building up her courage and steeling herself for any insults that may come. "Hello...I...am not Princess Luna." She said, trepidation and a slight fear in her voice. Sombra looked at her with confusion plain on his face, a little disappointment as well, seeping into a scowl. "My name is Twilight Sparkle..." _ _ That....was a name he was not expecting to hear; he didn't even have a real hatred to place with that name. Yes, he did hate her for just being like the other god sisters, but she was almost alien to him. Yet he would not doubt the fact that he knew her face. Just too much was unknown at this point, he needed time to learn her angle before he worked a plan around her own schemes. So, he cleared all the judgment and hate from the surface and kept to a dignified look of distaste, nodding as slightly as the brace would let him in greeting. "Greetings...What is it you want of me?" The mare took a deep breath and looked at the ground for a moment, gathering her thoughts before answering. "I would like to simply speak. I hope to...right a very old wrong." Twilight stood up once again, bowing slightly and turning for the door, he forced himself to stay silent this time, he showed far too much weakness the first time they had met; she was coming back, soon...and he could wait. "I will return with more food and water...then we shall speak of time lost." Yet when she turned around, the mare looked back and gave him a lingering look...eyes empty, devoid of life...it gave him a chill. Something about her eyes still reminded him of her, the callus of impossible decisions grew thick over her skin and showed him her true age. "But I need a reason to trust that you will not attempt to escape until I pass judgment..." Twilight's tone was ice cold, a frightening shift for the kind hearted tone she had just a moment ago. The chains jingled quietly, their breathing echoing near silently and the tension in the air grew thick within seconds. "Is that your purpose? Are you the one to free me?" Twilight pushed down the fear in her mind when he spoke the plain truth. "I believe your punishment has been served...but my decisions affect the world...so I cannot make these choices on a gut feeling anymore. I need your word, Sombra." Insolent... The silence was getting heavy between the two, he felt his fear starting to kick in and make him jittery; but he needed to push those things aside for just a little while longer. "This prison has been designed to break a mortal stallion...to twist his mind into a irreparable heap of shattered screams and hallow memories, to make him fear the very darkness he lies in while shunning the light that burns his skin and eyes until he goes blind...I am not a mortal stallion...my torture has been prolonged, and so my suffering can be without end; I cannot go blind, I cannot forget the pain or ignore my fears. Princess Twilight Sparkle...I wish nothing less than to see the light of day or the rest of death. Tell Celestia...Tell her that I no longer seek revenge." Twilight looked like a dagger had grazed her cheek, pain rising rapidly to the surface and eyes becoming watered again; but no tears fell, she simply turned and left the room again; the heavy lock falling into place and only the shame of the truth his words to remain. Yet she was touched by his words, he lowered his head and a small smile came to his face for the first time in a long... long time. The weeds of doubt had been planted, even chained and locked against a cold wall, he was just as dangerous; he was just as sly, perhaps even a little cunning in him remained...because sometimes... The truth, was the best lie... Author's Note Take this! I think this getting interesting, no..? Probably not, but still. Euhhuhu..Huhuhahaha...AHAHHA- Oh! HCK! ACH! ECH!....Somethin in my throat there...sorry about that. What is the Right Answer?Sombra ate regularly, the pale, tasteless meals that kept him going, the gritty water it came with forced down his throat by the same forceful hoof of the handmaiden veiled by a white mask. Golden colored eyes, petite form and soft grey fur, her mane always was tied up in a bun, nothing about her ever seemed to change. The mask was pure, pearl colored, a velvet mask of fine fibers stitched by hoof; it had a stain wrought from time by the left cheek, the grim and dirt looking rather sullen on what he saw as a fallen angel in this hellish pit. A personal fallen angel to tend to the demon wrought in chains and iron. Days would go by where she would not even dare glance at his face, hiding her emotions by getting her job done as quickly and as forcefully as possible; then there were days she felt so brazen as to look death right in the blood red eyes he had and give a soft, airy laugh. Something about the laugh wasn't insulting, nor was it meant to be; it felt like she was making a connection that she found humorous or ironic...and such was their relationship. Food, company, the occasional cleaning to prevent painful infections...she kept him alive...and oddly...he did not hate her for it. Silent, humiliating and sometimes bleak; she looked upon a dead king and never flinched nor faltered. Sometime, Sombra pinned her as a mare who has seen enough death to mock a solider, other days...innocent as a snowy colored animal, hiding from the powerful gusts of wrath and ice brought forth by its broken master. He held a theory that she was not even alive, just another poor unfortunate soul. When she was finished with feeding him, the mare did as she always does; taking up the used dish and making for the exit as fast as possible. Leaving Sombra to the bitter aftertaste of his imprisonment. The food settled unpleasantly in his stomach, soon, during his thoughts of the old tales of the Red Soul Eater; Sombra felt his gut gurgle and twist. "That ditz of a mare..." he spat. The food was prepared poorly once again, not that poor food was uncommon, but when it made him sick... those were the worst days. Deciding sleep is the only recourse, Sombra shifted around to put the iron cuffs and binds on different parts of his arms and legs until he felt air cooling off those normally trapped portions of the body, thinking fondly of his plan for revenge. Soon the light in the window faded until darkness took the room. Chains jingly softly and the sound of a soft drip coming from the window, it was raining outside...and even a broken king, sleeping pinned against a wall; could take comfort in the slow drip…drip...drip...drip, that sent a fresh smelling breeze into the cold, dark room. Sombra let out one final breath, head resting on the neck brace and eyes closing...hoping to see his plan in motion from the freedom of his dreams. _ _ Fire... Fire, blazing black and green columns towering in the ash filled sky. The dark magic ran like a river of lava through the streets of the city, ponies fled and cried in horror; dots flew to the sky, wings burning like a flare...others sought shelter away from the city, bodies covered in dark red, postulating burns and deep, gushing scars. Some of the less fortunate run rampant in the streets, their flesh melting off the bone and screams of pain echoing for the world to hear and weep. The world wept...for the sins of the mother and lies of the children, in their grace...in that...infallible nature, they cast aside the problems of lesser creatures...a purple light shone down on the burning city and its charred citizens...it fell water, bitter, salty tears that rained upon the city but could not extinguish the pain and agony from its creator. Guards cooked in their armor, blooded boiled on the stony ground...the fire was nearly done. Buildings toppled and empires reduced to soot and ash, the sun would never be seen again, moon hidden in darkness...nothing but ash to turn the planet into a barren, frozen wasteland...everyday, the few remaining would wake up to breath the very air contaminated with the dead that linger in the air, a foal would walk across his mother’s smoldering corpse and scream in terror...others would tell it to hush, that it would be okay, that it is in the past...but he would scream...fallen in the snow of ash and tears flowing like a dam broken loose...screaming... Screaming.... Screaming...... Who the hell is screaming so loudly?! Sombra awoke with a jolt, his body was sore from the sleeping but he felt his chest hurting, somepony was screaming like they were having their eyes torn out...funny..he thought one day he might be subject to such torture... Stop yelling... "Sombra!!" Princess Twilight barged into the cell, rushing to him with speed he had not expected to see from the mare, she quickly began to try and get his attention. The screaming was blocking any words she was trying to say to him...until he put it together, the look in her eyes, pain in his chest and the dream... Sombra silenced himself after a few long moments of insane screaming, he brought himself back and out of the dream, unsure what to think. How long was he asleep...? How long had he been in such a state that she would be the one to discover him? Questions racked his fragile mind... "Sombra! Sombra, can you hear me?" He looked up and couldn't focus. "What...?" He asked quietly. "Are you hurt?" She asked, rapidly examining his body. He watched her scan, unsure how to answer; but he wasn't dead... "No. I'm not hurt. I'm fine." An obvious lie, even he had a hard time trying to believe that he was fine. This place is going to take him soon...the realization was a disturbing one. Sombra took a few moments to collect himself, the sweat on his brow dripping down slowly and making the cool air from the rain wasted. Twilight found herself at a loss for words; how often had this happened? Sombra looked like he had seen death, screamed like his body was dipped in fire...she was running out of time... Everything rode on her to save the broken king...to undo the horror of the past and remove the guilt that very well could haunt the mare for the rest of her life. After a few tense moments, she let out a soft sigh and sat down once again. Glaring at her in raw hate, no direction for the anger, no reason for his emotions, something inside him from the dream still lingered. "Sombra...?" With sudden and terrifying ferocity, his body lurched against the restraints and his eyes looked near feral in their bloodlust. "This is your fault!!! Why won’t you go away! Leave me to just die here like you intended!" He bellowed, breathing rapidly and fighting against the iron with all his might. "You don't care about me! Not once have I seen an ounce of compassion like you so preach...no care...no anger...no confusion, pride. Just meaningless existence..." Something in his heart began to spread ice back into his veins, the hatred for the world returning just as strong as it began all those years ago...but he was hoping for a reaction, fear or even hate....Twilight just looked at him with those big, pity filled eyes. "Then tell me...tell me everything. I want to give you an existence again..." Sombra was fuming, his joints were raw and neck bright red, nearly bleeding, he knew the anger was irrational; but he wanted to let it flow anyway, anything to take away the years of built up emotions...with reluctance, he sighed quietly and went back to his plan...gain her trust. Chains jingle, the sound of his moments echoing in the heavy air, the warm wetness of blood on his leg starting to build up where a cuff gouged into his skin during the rant. "No. Leave my presence, I demand you leave and never return. The damage is irreparable..." Twilight only sat there. "What is there to explain?!" He shouted. Sombra's glare had a physical weight that bore into her resolve, but she stood firm, silence winning over the exhausted stallion after a few moments as the silence made his skin crawl. With a heavy sigh, he lowered his head and spoke calmly. "Fine...you want to know..." He stated with venom still dripping from his voice. "Before you were even a thought...long before...there was a war. A battle of the sky between pony and gryphon." The cool edge in his voice slowly turning to bitter remorse. "When the war came to the north, we faced it alone; the Crystal Empire and my city stood in the line of fire, so I gathered my forces and defended my walls. The Empire could stand on its own...when I called for help from the noble city of the princess, nothing but the bitter cold of the mountain came to my aid." "So, you took your revenge..." "I brought JUSTICE to the world...I sought revenge against the child calling itself a goddess. Celestia deserved a much worse death than she had." Lifting his head once more, Twilight could see the regret in his eyes; buried deep under the hate, she saw loneliness. Twilight made no obvious reaction to the short tale; she knew he was leaving gaps in between...it makes things difficult when your opponent is just as cunning as you are. Sombra reflected on the thought as he stared into her, trying to pick apart a weak point to exploit. Nothing...not one flaw or falter showed on her face...just like Celestia. Sombra had to hide his shock when he realized that this was not just another alicorn; but he was speaking with the very student, the protégé. The spiritual successor to the princess of the sun. "I hope you make a better ruler than your mentor did, princess... " Twilight hid the surprise well, her face just slightly giving away her emotions. Twilight's time was up, Sombra was holding too many cards and her situation was now on a timer with the breakdown; it showed her the real effects that this time has. Standing up slowly, Sombra watched her leave in indecisive silence; a small smirk coming to his face when he realized how well it all worked out in his favor. Insanity breeds sympathy, if he could work that angle... _ _ Twilight walks up the dimly lit staircase and finds herself at war.... The idea of letting the broken king free so soon made her shutter that the possible outcomes that might transpire; but to leave him was a certain way to lose her only chance to redeem her herself...to redeem the entirety of the old goddesses. Celestia made a mistake...but she made it on the hopes of protecting the world from an evil she could not defeat. Something about him makes a true and final victory seem impossible; vengeance has kept him alive for so long, a hunger for his idea of justice...was she a villain his corrupted sense of right and wrong...? Opening the door to the outside world, she felt the gentle coolness of a night breeze against her fur and spread her wings to let the heat and negative emotions float away through the feathers that shifted as she walked, shimmering colors against the purple sending a small glow about the rooms as she walked. Pacing the empty halls, thinking and listening to the soft echo of her hooves against the worn marble; she took a glance at her reflection when she passed a long hallway of glass windows; the worn and heavy eyes, gold chest plate bearing the element of magic, the sign of her kingdom, her mane long but flat, unlike the sisters, whose mane flowed on a ceaseless wind. In the reflection, she saw a mare she hardly recognized. Stopping in a massive room, she finally had her thoughts silenced by the understanding of her decision. Deep down, she only wished her friends were around to help her; perhaps Applejack could...be a judge of Sombra's character, Fluttershy, his genuine regret...even Pinkie Pie could... I can't slip into the past. Not again. With a shaky sigh, she held her head high; action was needed. Standing around, trying to solve a simple puzzle like this would only further endanger her last hope. Time now was to make a choice, wait, and put him at risk...or go with her gut, and put all Equestria at risk. Thoughts of what kind of damage could come to the ponies that put their faith, the trust that was earned over years of trial...all of it on one decision. "And what a man you've become..."Waking up every morning was a difficult task for the captain of the guard, as it means waking up to the constant problems that only he can deal with. Political, military, dinners, events; celebrations and funerals. So busy he never got to even do something as simple as plan his day, everything was planned for him. The main issue he found on his mind were Diamond Dogs; still launching poorly planned skirmishes, talks with the princess were going well and all...but there was always a faction or two that didn't like the idea of a peace treaty. It ultimately hurt resources, shot moral and gave him a headache. Rolling to the side, throwing the covers off himself and sitting on the edge of the bed, he thought about the gryphon spy recently captured; the idiot forced his hand to act on the recent tensions between the nations...even send his own to keep an eye on the higher ups. Standing up and rubbing his face, always wishing things could be simple again. The care free life of a normal dragon. As carefree as his life could be, at least... Spike grimaced when he popped his joints stretching. The baby dragon had grown into a tall and intimidating figure; shoulders broad, frame slender and tough, he dragged his feet to the oak dresser in the corner of his room, shaking his head free of sleep for just a moment. Thoughts lingered on his friend hiding in the underworld of gryphon kingdoms, buying, selling or trading any information she can get just in case. That seemed to be a motto of his, ‘Just in case.’ Just in case the gryphons try and start another war; just in case he can't defeat them...just in case the world starts to crumble... And all I used to worry about the affections of a mare... Looking down and picking up the picture of her. The sparkling light green eyes, snow white fur...all the years of laughter and love. Smiling fondly, he set it back down and opened the drawers to get dressed. A simple garb, bright red and gold colors topped with a clashing, but necessary purple cloak and star pin on his shoulder. Many years ago, he felt like a hero putting on his uniform; now time has wrought those feelings to bitter acceptance of his role; the one who has to save everyone... Spike put on his leather boots and stepped out the door. The crystal in the walls shined with reflections of sunlight out of the high windows. Castle Twilight was something to marvel at, only recently opened to the public as a meeting ground for any citizen with something to bring to the princess's attention ever since the formal move from Canterlot was finished about two weeks ago by his reckon. Walking by the grand hall, he took a glance inside and felt a little surprised to not see Twilight sitting her throne and making a last-minute check before anybody came to see her. Something had seemed odd about the princess lately; disappearances, distracted speech and distant looks. Spike had tried to take her away from the source, which he thought was her job...yet a little fun here and there didn't help. Twilight refused to tell him anything about the real source of her depression, but it all started when she came back from a visit to the Crystal Empire. The weekend visit turned into two weeks, two weeks of...Celestia know what... Twilight came back looking grim, almost damaged in a way. Nothing about her seemed like it was before, sure she put on a smile and spoke kindly to others; but he saw deep down, something had changed. Yet every time he tried to contact the Empire, stopping just short of sending an investigation team, he got no word about Twilight back. Spike mulled thoughts over like rolling dough, trying to make sense of the absences and work out the possibility that Twilight was lying to him, but ultimately to an end that made him heave a sigh. Spike kept walking, cape giving a soft flutter as he strode the quiet halls; heavy boots echoing and only the sound of his breathing giving off any hit of living residents. Lost in thought, he almost missed the turn into the deliberations chamber; the six thrones that once sat the elements of harmony, now hold a grey and burly gryphon reading over documents; a diminutive crystal pony and lean, hauntingly tall changeling next to...Twilight. Thank Celestia... The princess was sitting left of the gryphon and closer to the bay window. Looking a little distracted but sitting upright and smiling at the others. The center piece made of fine crystal in the shape of flowers glowed dimly and cast its own small light in the room. "Good afternoon, councilors." Turning to Twilight and giving a low bow. "Princess." Offering a small nod to allow him to stand back up, he takes the seat closest, and his personal favorite. "We'll start with the councilor from the changeling union." _ _ Spike had become somewhat of an icon through the years; a celebrity around the world for his unbreakable will and moving speeches, years of study under the princess and he never even thought that the lessons rubbed off on him. Truly, he was the embodiment of all her friends, kindness, loyalty, honesty; all the best aspects and lessons learned that set him apart from your average captain of the guard. Lessons with Shining Armor also helped… Even Twilight admired his strength and patience when it came to these meetings; gryphons may squabble, and crystal ponies can complain; changelings were rather well mannered, thankfully. All of them bearing their own agendas, Spike’s job was to somehow find a middle ground, or bring the room to agreement. Even still, Spike was the sole voice for the dragons and he was expected to mostly side with Twilight; he had weekly talks with the elders to broker a full peace, but until then he had to work alone on his own ideas and hope not to offend. Celestia's death still has them hanging back just outside reach. Twilight figured he would need an ace to win his kind over, something they need...Unfortunately, it’s hard finding something a dragon wants that doesn't just add to their hoard. They talked and talked, soon the princess found herself in the half day dream, half asleep trance of looking back and forth between the speakers; if needed, she could just take a quick peak into her memory with a subtle spell and get an understanding of what was asked of her. All her thoughts were currently focused on Sombra; many distant hopes of freeing him, most of the thoughts eating her were the idea of his redemption; like how the embodiment of hate and vengeance could possibly learn to exist peacefully with his revenge denied by death itself. An eternal hate that no longer has a purpose...something had to change, inside him. Sombra had to see the light at the end of the tunnel in order to be truly free. Yet what could she do? Too young to know the full story, she could not connect with him or understand his hate. Perhaps that was the ground she needed to use. A complete separation from his feelings, she could use that to try and bring a middle ground to his view, slowly working him to an understanding... "Princess?" Twilight snapped her attention up, her eyes flashed purple for a split second and she realized she had been asked a question by the gryphon. "No, I do not believe we can do that at this time, Councilor." She responded coldly. The feathered man slammed his fist on the table in rage, causing the Crystal pony to wince in fright and the changeling to scoff. "I demand my solider back! This is traitorous! Our nations-!" Spike stood up, throwing his chair back and causing the old gryphon to glare up at him. "Your solider has admitted to spying and you still lie in my face!" That caught him by surprise, the gryphon soon realized he backed himself into a corner... Spike would leave out of course, the fact that they had gotten this information via more ruthless methods. Though it was a rush of relief to have the gamble of his pay off in the sour look of the gryphon as his own reaction gave away the truth of the matter, regardless of what Spike knew. "This arguing is getting us nowhere. Until you stand down with these ridiculous actions, I cannot do anything more than keep him in custody under suspicious actions against Twilight's Kingdom. In one month, time he will face trial under our laws and sentenced, THEN we MIGHT give him back to you. That will be my goal, at least. I would not keep a solider from his family and home to spite the politician that got him captured." Spike said, voice calming down. Taking his seat, Spike managed to let out a deep and calming breath, the room had gone silent with nothing was left to say. Spike and Twilight had managed to bring the talks to an abrupt close. Spike stood straight and put his hands behind his back in a formal manner. "I think this meeting is at a conclusion. I will thank you all for coming once again, have a fine afternoon." He finished in a monotone voice. The group got up, all giving a small bow, the gryphon giving more of a flat nod and speeding out before the rest of the group. The room was empty soon enough, and Spike had only the sound of soft breathing to break the silence between himself and the princess... Spike pulled the seat back and dropped back down in his seat, arms propping up on his legs and head lowering, he let out a sigh and thought to himself; Twilight was back in her trance of staring into the distance, he needed to know what was. "What’s going on, Twi? You hardly seem "all there" these days...what happened? " A flash of purple in her eyes... "Nothin-" Spike cut her off with a little fire in his tone. "You did it again! Twilight, I get using that trick during these meetings; believe me, I wish I could...but I'm your friend. What is messing with you so bad that you ignore your best friend?" Pleading with her, hoping to get past that shell protecting the information. Twilight lowered her head shamefully, eyes dimming and essence reeking the depression that lurks under the surface. Spike stood up and walked over to her with a careful step, knowing he struck a chord, he had no choice but to exploit it until she caved and let him in. "You can tell me...how long have we known each other, Twi? Big sis?" Kneeling down to put a claw on her shoulder and smile with a warm, comforting way. Purple eyes looked up, but her head remained low, weighted by the knowledge within, afraid to burden her best friend. The captain of the guard had so much responsibility...how could she bear down on him with information that has indeed, crippled her. Twilight felt time trickle like sand, flowing so slowly, yet with tension like a storm. Soon, as she thought and planned, a wetness built around her eyes. Spike was so caring... he could be fighting a war and still have time to have a conversation like this, to show how deeply he held Kindness...it made her proud and deeply saddened at the same time. The stress induced tears fell silently, the sound of the drops hitting the marble floor echoing...strange...she didn't feel sad... "Twilight-" "Don't." She quickly cut, using a hoof to wipe her face. "I'm fine." Spike's claw was shrugged off and she stood up, looking rather grim. Spike was forced to stand up quickly and step back or get stepped over. Jumping out of the way, he felt anger boiling in the pit of his stomach. "I don't want any more questions about my well-being, I can take care of myself." With a cold look and application of magic, the door swung open and the princess of friendship had alienated her last friend... Spike was left standing in the room alone, dejected and feeling a fire budding in his belly. With a determined glare, he walked to the table and pulled the gem centerpiece to himself, taking a small breath to blow a plume of fire over it, the gem glowing bright green and a voice answering from it. "Sir?" It answered, a stallion. "I need a tail on the princess, I need to know where she is going and make sure she doesn't get caught. Are we clear?" "Yes sir! I'll alert her commander and she'll be deployed within the hour." "I need her in the air now." Spike said, feelings building to nearly cause a smoke trail to drag from his nostrils... "...Roger that, I'll make the preparations myself." Spike blew a breath of ice, shutting the special crystal down and shoving it back to the center of the table. The anger in the pit of his stomach was boiling his insides, thankfully he knew how to control his anger, lest it become like greed and corrupt him. With a long sigh, he dusted off the ice left behind on the table and departed the large room, forcing his thoughts to drift to other subjects to distract himself. The fact that he even had the luxury of a second breath always made him smile...a devious smile...like a giddy teenager with a new toy, he flaunted his gift when he first discovered it...after all, it’s rare for a tiny purple dragon to have the luck of being born with an ice lung alongside a fire. Though he thought of better powers he could use...electricity, venom, wind...he even did a little study on Dark dragons in hopes of using the rare breed and use them to get his kind to really take him seriously. The thoughts took his mind off Twilight... Turning into a small room, his office. The light in the window was more than enough to light the room during the day, and nothing was ever out of place in his personal space. Books in a large bookcase line the right wall and various ceremonial weapons lie on the left, in cases or mounts. Spike walked to the book shelf and found the book on the dragons he was hunting. Anything to take his mind off the present matter...he would tear his eyes out if he didn’t have something keeping him occupied while the hunt for Twilight's hiding spot is found. So while She works, he can study. _ _ It was late afternoon when a knock came at his door, Spike was deep in a heavy book about the legendary frost dragons; not even glancing up, he turned a page and check the time on the grandfather clock by the bookshelf. "You're late." A small smile crept up on him when the door was swung open, a short figure walking in cloaked in dark and heavy looking clothes, a hood and scarf hiding most of her features, but proud dragon wings spread when she walked in. "Please, you ask me to tail a god and not get caught. You didn't expect an order like that to take some time?" She retorted, her voice slightly peaking as the she rises to the jest. Shifting her weight to one side and pulling the hood off and scarf down, the short snout of a dragon but eyes a deep red and scales black as night. "Her", was a lost night drake egg, a little dark dragon discovered when he was still with Sweetie Belle and the two raised her like a daughter. Unfortunate to his study, she would be limited while being raised by ponies like him and could not develop the strength to use her kinds true power...but he was happy to have gained a loving daughter instead. "I trusted you." He said with a small smirk. "Now what did you find?" Dropping into one of the chairs he kept across from his desk and sitting on sideways, feet kicking up across the armrests, she blew out a sigh and a spout of black fire plumed. He held back a sigh at her. "Stop showing off...you're too young to be abusing a power like yours." Spike added, his tone growing stern. "Pssh...I'm fine, dad...now what I found it interesting to say the least." She sat up properly and leaned forward. "She goes to the memorial and there's a hidden passage, all rotted out and ancient looking, but it’s there! Right behind the throne!" Spike raised an eye brow and leaned forward on his desk. "You’re free to go on." He said sternly, to her light hearted grin. With gusto, she smiled brightly, her wings fluttered with excitement. "Twilight looked around the memorial a bit but ended up going down under the castle and came out looking happy for once." Spike would be the first to admit that the underground catacombs in the old castle were no secret; dark magic spell books, a host of dangerous creatures spawned from Nightmare moon, and traps laid everywhere; but a new network of tunnels and passageways...he didn't know what to think about this. Could Celestia have taken a secret to her grave...? Could Luna? The question started branching in his mind and weeds of doubt took place, Spike stood up and found a surprising lack of words. "Dad? Is it that serious?" She asked cautiously. Her smile dwindling. Spike turned to face the window for a moment, slowly connecting the dots in his head and quickly turning back to face her. "I need to see what’s down there, do not say a word of this to anyone...not yet." Spike ordered, his tone becoming distracted with how deep his thoughts are entrenched. "Nashta...I need you to keep close to Twilight, keep her company and if you need me, don't hesitate to use the emergency signal." With a tentative pause, she nodded, standing up to join him. Spike started a wide stride around his desk and yanked open the door to exit the room, pausing at his coat rack to grab a long brown cloak. Nashta getting more distressed by the second...but keeping quiet; simply following him once he leaves and puts the heavy cloak on and pulls the hood up to become anonymous. "Are we going to be able to do the thing tonight...?" She asked, almost whispering to him. "I swear I’ll be back before dinner, deal?" He answered confidently. Finally, she smiled again...after all, it has been a few weeks since their last sit down and chat, he could see it was bothering her; it made him feel a bit of guilt at the quiet thought that he might find something that would keep him long after their planned sit down. Spike did his best to keep the confidence in his voice as they made the turn into the large entryway and pushing open the grand entrance doors. "And if I don't, I promise to play roshambo with you, you'll go first." He added to ease the uncertainty. Nashta laughed a bit at the idea and shook her head. "Did you ever grow up?" She said with another light laugh. Spike smiling as he turns to leave. "We'll find out I suppose...love you, kiddo." Smiling warmly, she sighed and rubbed her brow; looking a bit stressed and obviously holding back most of her worry...holding back the drama queen dark side she picked up from her mother back when she was just a child. "Yeah, yeah...now hurry up, go..." Spike chuckled a little, lingering for just a moment before departing. The large doors banged behind him and the bright sun of the late afternoon hung over his head, it was a short walk to the local train station; trying to not attract attention while going through the crowds of ponies, changelings and the rare young dragon. Spike made it to the station and spotted the gryphon emissary group, trying to stay out of sight, he got to listen to the old gryphon bicker with his bodyguards, an entertaining listen; but all the same, he was happy to see the train finally come along for him to board. Showing his star pin to the conductor, he found a solitary seat to the front of the train and dug his head deep into the cloak hood and arms crossed to hide his claws and remove any notion that he might be the famous purple dragon...and soon he fell asleep once the train started rolling along... _ _ The train whistle blared and jarred Spike from his sleep, mumbling incoherently from the sudden transition from the dream world to the waking one. "Canterlot!" Rang over the intercoms. Groaning quietly, he stretched his arms and stood up, heading for the exit on the side. Stepping off the platform and into the dense crowd of Canterlot, there was still a far more drastic distrust of anything not equine, just walking as a nobody; Spike could feel the eyes linger on him and the friendly faces upturning. There was so much hate under the surface of this ancient royal city. Part of him wanted to go up to those leering, the ones judging...just to show them exactly who they cast judgment upon...but no such luxury was his. A diplomat must always present a good face, and a good commander knows when to go on the offense. The cobblestone roads started thinning of traffic; the late hour sending everyone to the safety of warm homes and soft beds; time was running out... Speeding up his pace, Spike felt the cloak billow quite dramatically behind him. The boots on his feet clicked and soon he found himself alone as he got closer to the center of the city. Tall...looming, dark and mournful. The Canterlot castle stood strong against time; weathered storms and fought invasions. It even outlived the inhabitants... "Keep it together..." he said under his breath. Climbing the small steps to get to the entrance, he pushed the doors and felt a chill rush down his spine from their haunting creek. Shaking his head to loosen the doubts, he withdrew a large key and unlocked the door, stepping inside and shutting the door behind him and removed the hood. "Throne..." Not hesitating, Spike sealed the door with a simple handle lock and resumed the fast pace, soon finding himself in the grand hall...the throne room. Stain glass history gathered dust and mold, the carpet reeked of neglect and spiderwebs testament to the new owners of this building. With careful step, Spike let out a calming sigh and strode to the dusty chair sitting at the apex of the room. Approaching, he could read the inscriptions on the top of the massive chair. We lay to rest like the sunset, but shall always be shining through moon rise. Part of a long poem by Twilight...he quickly shook off the idea of lingering in the same melancholia from the funeral long ago. Trudging up the final stairs, he braced a claw on the arm Celestia's throne and looked for a switch... Mumbling and grumbling, Spike felt frustration rising in his gut when no obvious switch was visible. "Hrmmm....princess of eternal power...where would I hide a button...?" Nothing...he quickly changed to the other side of the throne and inspected it carefully. "Button, button, button...where the..." ending with a scoff of anger. Spike stepped back to think; it was obviously a puzzle. Celestia would never let anything she valued secret to be left for grave robbers unguarded...but Twilight got in…so he could too. Looking around the grand hall, he tried to spot clues anywhere they might hide, but he soon realized that she would never leave a trail for something she could watch over forever. Spike found his gaze on the throne again...massive in scale, gold colors swathed in red velvet; so large that Spice once wondered if a hint of vanity was ever in the princess's heart. Something about the throne was just...obvious, but so clever... Spike began to feel the frustration in his gut building. Remembering his daughter's words and taking a look for any seam along the edges of the throne... Nothing... Starting to question the validity of her observation, Spike stepped back again and gave the big chair a last chance... "Wait..." He said almost silently. There was a star at the top of the throne, just a gold decoration; but something about it seemed...off now that he had to suspect the chair of hiding a secret. "Maybe…?" Reaching under the cloak and finding his star pin, he yanked it free and climbed up the chair; standing on it firmly, Spike lined up the edges of the star and found that the gold was actually a depression, a slot hidden in plain sight... The chair rumbled slightly and the edges of it flashed with a bright light... "Uhmm-..." Spike was quickly cut off when the door flashed again and a explosion of ice jetted from the whole seat itself with a loud bang and crack of water flash freezing. Crying in pain, ice crystals jetted like swords in every direction and tore his cloak to shreds... Gasping quietly...the sound of blood hitting the marble floor. Spike pulled himself back from the deadly trap, the ice breaking off and falling to pieces on the ground as he maneuvers. The ice sticking to his cuts and making him wince at the tearing noises... "What is it...?" He asked the ghosts of the castle... The idea that Celestia would even set such a crude trap was just unbelievable, watching the ice melt off the wall and yanking a shard from his shoulder; his only saving grace was the thick scales of a dragon that kept the thorns from breaking too deep...of course that doesn't mean it didn't hurt like hell.. If Twilight was able to get in, perhaps Celestia imparted some information on how to get in without setting off a trap. Spike tended to his wounds with a little stretching of his arms, he bent and grabbed his pin which has been thrown to the floor in front of the throne and blowing gentle flames to staunch the bleeding on a few holes. He resolved that it had something to do with magic and his lack of it. "Damn it, Celestia, what are you hiding...?" Spike added, finishing the thought by taking a deep breath and loosen a ball of fire to melt away the trap and push forward. Shoving the heavy throne wall and watching it spin under his weight; the sight of darkness that awaited him as he pushed through was chilling to the bone. A musty stench of death, mold and sickness rotted from the black stairs; the air becoming heavy with the feeling of resonating hatred. Spike wondered how that was even possible for such a place to exist and not a soul knowing of it, and how could a room weigh down on him with a sense of oppression? Hesitating just a moment before descending to the darkness below, Spike found that the darkness was somehow enchanted; attempting to blow a small fire to see the area around him only earned him a silent wind to bring him arctic temperatures. Shivering uncontrollably until the wind passed, he found his eyes adjust slowly to the dark and continued slowly and carefully without the help of a light. Walking down until he found flat ground, with no choice but to move forward, he walked. Picking up the pace now that his eyes had adjusted better and finding the oppressing feeling now suffocating. The darkness in these halls were alive... Somehow, memories of fear, shame, anger and hate began to surface; Spike found himself soon fuming with anger for a reason he couldn't understand. The rage boiled inside him until he could feel blood drip from his palm. Fists clenched so tight that his claws dug and cut into his own scales; he took a deep breath and calmed himself, speeding up to get out of the cursed place as quickly as possible. If this were some further magic trap laid by the princesses, he could not fathom the purpose behind it. "Stop." A firm and deep voice suddenly said. Spike didn't react in time and ran face first into something huge....and furry. "Wha-..." Spike tried to say, his words cut off by his surprise. A massive black dog stood in his path, or rather, stood blocking a door looking old and rotted. The only thing visible on the demon dog was his blood red eyes and deep snarl from a pointed muzzle that sent Spike staggering back for cover. "Who are you?!" Spike shouted. The dog glared down at him but did not answer. "I asked you a question!" "And I cannot answer. Leave this place, you do not belong." The bass in the dogs voice boomed through the halls and caused Spike to feel a very primal fear. Forcing his legs to steady, Spike fortified his resolve and put a hand on his side, grabbing the hilt of his sword. "I demand you let me pass, by the order of Princess Twilight Sparkle." The dog paused, he hard thud of something, a tail perhaps, kicking the ground "I serve only the princess...if you come under her order, where is your proof?" Spike was unsure if the dog saw him visually reel when he realized he had no proof that he was under Twilight's command...when he was in fact not under her command...but he managed to think up a flimsy excuse and kept his face neutral. Turning to the side slightly and using a hand to pull his cape open, the star mark of Twilight's kingdom that he used to open the door invisible in the darkness, but he hoped the hellhound could see it. "I am the captain of the guard, and by her order I demand entry." He said without stutter, the command in his voice echoing in the seemingly endless halls. The dog squinted slightly and thought for a moment...stepping aside after a long silence and not saying another word. Spike could swear he saw the glint of teeth in a curled smile. "...Yes, thank you." Spike added as he quickly grabbed the rusty door handle and stepped inside the room. The beam of orange light let Spike see clearly in the room, looking around at the tiny space and wondering why such a demon is guarding a small room...he did not wonder for long... There against the wall, chained, shackled, wrought in iron and pinned to the wall...the king of shadows. The master of lies and vengeance given form. "You...how are you alive...?" The king looked up seeming groggy from sleep but attention returning swiftly. "I ask myself that question every day; leave me be, ghost..." The tone was so shattered. So mournful, it made him step back in shock; the king of shadows was broken? By the Mother, Celestia defeated the king of shadows... "She kept you to atone for your crimes." Spike reasoned out loud Sombra glanced up again but swiftly put his eyes back to the ground. "Now you're waiting on your execution..." He deduced further. No response, no plea or remark. Sombra was truly regretful. He was also relieved in a way it seemed. Spike had no idea how long he had been down here in this place, but he knew that this was the source of Twilight's distress; she felt sorry for him. Sombra would take advantage of her...he had to be stopped... "Sombra...do you...want to die?" No response. The metal of his sword rubbed loudly against the sheath and the soft plink of tears hitting the stone ground echoed from the prisoner. Guilt...agony...pain and hatred tore his mind into so many directions...could he really kill this stallion...Spike tightened his grip on the hilt of the sword and walked closer to the broken king, the tip scraping the ground with its swing. The stallion lowered his head as much as he could, giving Spike just an inch view of the top of his neck. Memories of anger, guilt and sorrow was still chewing at Spikes own mind, he felt his hands move but did not fully understand their intent. He understood why, but such rash action was unlike him. It would be smarter to confront Twilight, he could make it to his daughter and ask her what she thought of the situation. Yet that sword in his claw didn’t move an inch. Sombra hurt his friends. Even if it was ages ago, he felt the old nightmares, the pounding in his heart, how his scales glistened with oily sweat. He heard himself breathing heavily, but he couldn’t taste air. _ _ I'm going to be free... I want to be free so badly...... ...Will it hurt...? Mother? ...Will it hurt...? ... I'm sorry...for everything. This is what I deserve... Your daughter showed me that...but I was blind....and so her daughter showed me again... I understand...I want to make it right, but please...I just don't want it to hurt... Please, Mother... I'm so sorry.... Author's Note Run exposition.exc ..... Exposition.exc has crashed. FFFFFFFSpike tiiiime. Spike actually developed an amazing personality....and a cool back story.................side adventure? ...Maybe someday. Also in case you missed it, Mother is Faustgoddess ....just thought I'd make sure that was known. If by chanceIn life, there is always a reaction to an action; a counter to every decision made, and a harsh change to be suffered. A tectonic shift in how life is lived that can cause unfathomable amounts of pain. That is what the officer academy taught every captain, that their decisions would shake nations, cripple armies; Spike was in the unique position where he could sunder the economy or even attempt to usurp the throne. All his actions changed the future. Perhaps that is why he hesitated. A sword at his neck, the stench of decay all around him...the world was waiting for him to swing breathlessly. Even Sombra was accepting of his role in this moment; so perhaps it was pity that snuck doubt into his mind. Twilight was keeping him alive for a reason, Spike had just not seen it yet. Pulling the sword back, Sombra lifted his head and looked static. "I suspected as much..." Spike felt a bitter retort on the tip of his tongue as the spells around him fanned the anger in his heart, but he turned around and left as quickly as he could, the door slamming behind him and a cold wind chasing him out. The sound of the dog stepping back into place made him shutter; to think Celestia or Luna would conjure such a beast to guard a prisoner with no hope of escape...which means that it was not meant to guard him, but to keep others out. Ascending the stairs quickly, the darkness did not fade until he broke free of the tunnel and entered once again into the throne room, pushing the throne back in place and thinking about what the implications could be if Twilight trusted Sombra enough to keep him alive. Spike felt an odd mistrust of his closest friend taking root; a feeling he was wrong for letting the king live, but still wanting to trust Twilight's decision...but he felt something more pressing at the back of his mind...something important. "Hayseeds! I almost forgot!" Spike slammed the stone back in place and stomped over the tattered heavy cloak and rushed outside, stirring up plums of dust in his sprint until he threw his shoulder into the heavy doors; grunting with the force, he kept the sprint going until he got outside and his eyes darted up and down the street. He needed a taxi. "Gotta hurry...maybe it isn't closed yet." How many weeks gone…? Two? Three? A month. An entire month of forgetting or stuck in a meeting, Nashta was getting angry, she didn't say anything, but he knew…as a father always knows. It had been a month! Spike put his feet to the pavement and spotted a cart with a duo of ponies stretching their wings and talking. Spike didn’t care about protocol for a split second, he ran to them, sword still in hand and flashed his badge, shouting at them to take him to Ponyville. The larger stallion looked like he had a retort on his tongue, but spying the sword, the bloodshot eyes of the dragon, he gulped and nodded. Spike threw the door open and climbed in, realizing his mistakes and quickly put away his sword. At least the fear he put into them spurred their wings into breaking a few flight laws. He’d pardon them if need be, though he really didn’t want to do the paperwork. "I was down there for five minutes!" He shouted to himself through gritted teeth in frustration. He was wrong, of course. The pegisi were much faster than the train, and they didn’t need to stop, though normally they only move ponies within the city of Canterlot and were not even permitted to fly outside the city, he was glad the two stallions were rather experienced flyers. The carriage bumped on headwinds, but it was almost all he could do not to leap out when he saw Ponyville coming into view. He dug into his leather pants, a pouch at his belt, and held two rectangular pieces of mithril. He would just transfer the money from his account back to the treasury. There it was... The little tea shop where Spike would spend hours on end catching up with his daughter. Nashta would order the green tea; he always got coffee and a small loaf of bread for them. Landing hard and going into a full sprint, he had the shop in view...and the lights were still on! "Made it...I just made...it?" He said under his breath, just as the last waitress walked out and locked the door behind her... Heart crashing; Spike saw the shop pass under and the stallions landed at the steps of the castle. He recalled he never gave them a proper destination. Not that he expected them to know the shop...he hopped out, shutting the door firmly and handing them the mithril, smiling a little at their shock under the puffing and sweat they were trying to endure. Spike thanked them and began a slow jog to the shop and stopped just a few yards away from the shop. "I got it...you were busy." Spike nearly jumped out of his scales when his daughter stepped out of the shadows of an alley next to him, spinning around to face her, mouth trying to work something that would spare her feelings, cut off quickly. "Or was it diplomacy? Your studies? Or did you just forget? Frankly, I don't care, go finish your work, I won't bug you about this anymore. " She ended with the hate just seeping into her tone. There was silence for a moment, that's when the emotions boiled over... "You know how hard it is to do this every day? The guard has me all over Equestria chasing spooks- I haven't slept in two days thanks to your sudden "follow the princess"!" She started shouting. "Did you even think how hard that was for me to do?! And all I got was a good job kid...thanks, dad...honestly, thanks for being a thick headed..." She stopped and took a deep breath. "Forget it, its not even worth it." "Nash-" He started, cut off by her "Throw yourself in a timber wolf den." She ended toneless, suddenly backing into the shadows again and fading like smoke with not even the sound of footsteps remaining. Leaving Spike with nothing but his thoughts...bitter, shamed thoughts... Lingering around, the shop owner slinks away quickly to avoid any backlash, Spike just took a deep breath. Count to four...inhale. Spike took another slow breath and turned around. Ignoring the pony and what she might be thinking. Judgment, perhaps she'll enjoy the rumors out of the argument. It didn't matter; things out of his control. There were far too many things out of his control that he refused to worry about, gryphons, guards, princesses and now his daughter. Carrying on his walk back with a quicker pace, he made a rapid calculation in his head and judging on a few possibilities. She's getting to that age...but damn she’s good at that fade trick… Resigning to his thoughts, Spike kept his pace and rubbed his sore ribs, the memory of the trap forcing its way into the front of his thoughts. Sombra was an even newer thing out of his control; it seemed like a lot of things were out of his control suddenly. Pushing open the castle doors and let them shut with a bang behind him. It didn't take long for a gold clad guard to find him and rush to deliver news... "Sir! -" Spike cut him off with a sharp glare, not meaning to scare the guard; still trying to push the useless thoughts away. "Sir...She has...well..." Spike pinched his brow. "I don't want to hear it, ensign; save it for tomorrow morning." Looking up and forward, mind set on doing one thing. "I'm going to my study, do not let any other guard disturb my research." Ending the conversation with a dry tone. The guard saluted slowly, stuck with indecision and shock with how cold the normally friendly captain of the guard acted. Regardless, it didn't take Spike long to push the thought down and enter his quiet and calm study, even his book was still on the desk. "Thank Celestia..." He said under his breath. Moving around the desk to sit down and opening up the book back to the page he left on; ice dragons, glancing up only to blow a small out of flame at the three-stick candelabra on his desk. Taking one last deep breath before his mind is fully engrossed in the book, no worries to bother him for the time being as long as he keeps shoving people away. Frost drake...found in high mountains and prefer isolation, while fairly new to the field of study, frost drakes are often found to enjoy the company of others, or at least the entertainment small groups can bring. This study is one of debate, but we have found that it is rare to find a frost drake, but even rarer is it to find a pure breed. It seems that the mysterious race dislikes the company of its own kind; which makes for explosive conflict when a dragon trespasses on the territory of another... _ _ Fighting the strong winds along the mountain. The two stallions and their taxi cart were struggling now against wind shoving them from the back. Nashta forced down the lump in her throat, they broke above street level and stopped, the castle in view again and the stallions sighing happily seeing the spot they were just at. Screw him...I want to know what's down there that was so important. Landing gently nearby the castle, the stallions watched the black dragon step out and didn’t know what to expect. She dropped fifty bits for each of them. They were a little disappointed, but they didn’t bring up the gripe when they saw the look in her eyes if they dared speak up. The stallions nodded and aid their thanks and well wishes. Nashta nodded and left for the castle. The stallions both spoke about visiting the pub. Nashta found the door unlocked, rolling her eyes glancing up and down the street before she entered the castle. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust. The bright lights of the streets were all casting a somber light through the windows and it made everything feel darker. She also shivered, feeling a chill in the air. Why do you have to be so stupid sometimes...? The dark hallways stank of neglect, the same moldy smell she encountered following the princess; nothing but decaying painting and shredded tapestry along the walls, top it all off with a damp and disgusting rug over the faded tile and it made her regret not wearing shoes for once. Exploring deeper, she stopped and stooped over a torn brown robe. Picking it up, seeing red blotches, inhaling a little to get a scent. Blinking when she realized it was Spike’s robe. Experience kicked in and she began to take the room seriously, looking around, seeing depressions of boots, hooves, dust that was moved. Wandering through the room, she guessed Spike came here after their meeting. Thankful for her natural night vision to guide her along the empty hallways and keen memory to take her right back to the throne room. Did something attack you...? Nashta continued, finding the frozen ice star in place over the throne. Isn't that Twilight's mark? but if it’s there...and I remember Daring Do enough. With a smirk, she walked to the throne and spied a passage with a stone door open. Score! About to charge down, she hesitated at the first step when her night vision failed. Backing up a step, she was shocked that she could not see. A deep breath, moments to steel her nerves and with a bold step, she took the step and began descending the stairs, keeping slow to avoid falling. Nashta felt the darkness around her somehow...welcoming, like it knew her. Emotions began to bubble, her anger with her father rolling and heating up despite her curious mind being occupied with the steps. She was grinding her teeth by the time she reached the bottom, she had to take a breath and continued. It’s just dark...there's nothing out there but stone and... something that got my dad good. The realization sunk like a lead weight in water and she felt the dark around her watching her every step, a low growl at her left caught her attention, spinning around and walking backwards to get away from the noise. "Don't even think of it!" She shouted at the noise. Another snarl at the right, causing her to yank free her short sword. "I'm warning you!" She bumped into something...something warm, furry and... big. Nashta looked up slowly to find two red eyes looking down at her and gleaming teeth in the muzzle of a dog growling, drool hitting her shoulder. "You are not allowed here." It said, the bass in its tone chilling her nerves. Nashta quickly jumped away and held her sword backhand, making sure it knew she would defend herself if it attacked. "Did you attack my dad?" She asked, putting as much command into her tone as possible. The beast's expression did not change, still looking angry...and hungry. "You are not allowed here." It said again. "Leave this place." Nashta started thinking up lies, backing up a step in reflex more than fear. Thinking for what seemed to be an eternity, she found that no lie would work in this situation, she was caught, and only the truth would get her farther. "My name is Nashta...I'm here because my father was here earlier-" The dog cut her off. "That does not grant you rights to enter this place, leave!" It shouted this time, fire in its eyes and casting a glow that made Nashta nearly breakdown and run for her life; something about the beast was enchanted, it had far too much control over her emotions, even now, her body screamed to run...so perhaps this dogs bark was worse that its bite... Nashta steeled her nerves and sheathed her sword, bowing curtly to the dog and lifting back up to smile. "I apologize...I merely wanted to see what a legendary creature such as yourself was guarding so willingly." She said, reveling in how many traps were set on just one sentence. That got the dog to flinch, a crack in his resolve, she found the right chord. "Do not speak as if you understand, I exist only to keep your world safe from yourselves. There is nothing legendary about my duty to the princess." It said flatly, the hate sinking into his tone at the end of the statement. "How long have you been down here...? Did Celestia summon you?" She asked innocently, stepping closer to the dog. "Longer than you have lived, young dragon." It cut, making her stop her approach. Wrong note...gotta tune it right. "I'm sorry...it must be rough being trapped here for so long. I’d hate it if some princess yanked me from home to sit here." She prodded, resuming her walk to get closer...just a few feet away. "This is my punishment and mine shared with another creature of darkness, be thankful that I do not fight my fate and leave yours to his will." So close... The layers were peeling back, and the dog was getting more relaxed, just needed a finisher... "And you've done a great job it seems..." Fighting the urge to smile in victory, she put a hand on the dogs neck and scratched it gently, the dog's resolve melting on the inside judging by his loosening muscles and pointed ears falling back. "I can tell you're tired...Trust me, I am too...and I'm just complaining about two days with no sleep; I bet you haven't slept in ages." Moving her hand to the dog's chin, the demon finally cracking somewhat of a smile and closing his eyes, big tail thumping the ground behind him. "Relax big fella...I won't do anything; you just rest and enjoy some sleep." Claw moving up and on her tip toes, she got right behind the ear, and like a brick, the dog hit the ground and snored loudly, showing the way for an old wooden door. I am so an animal person. She thought with pride. Nashta almost felt bad, but the sight of the old dog sleeping made her want to take the big demon home like he were a puppy; but with goal in sight, she cast aside those thoughts and tip toed her way over the guard, pulling the door handle up to unlock it and enter as quietly as possible. The door creaking as she shut it; it took her a moment to see with the beam of moonlight entering the tiny room...but her heart fell once again when she saw what the dog was guarding. A stallion bound by rusty iron and pinned to the wall without any freedom of movement, his crooked horn bearing a ring with runes along it and a thick brace around his neck that his chin was currently resting on to sleep. "Dear Celestia....what did you do, dad...." She said under her breath. The stallion woke up from just the small noise and looked at Nashta dead in the eyes, his iris a blood red and thin, almost unnoticeable green mist falling from his eyes. "And I awake to more visitors..." He started, making her shiver from the coldness of his tone. "Are you hear to kill me like the previous? Or will you fail as he did?" Now nothing was adding up... A pony wrought in chains, a hell hound guarding him and her father trying to kill him...with Twilight doing Celestia knows what... "Who are you...?" She asked quietly. The stallion seemed to mull it over in his head, making the silence almost unsettling. "My name is Sombra." Nashta was about to ask another question, but he cut her off. "And I am very tired...so what is it you want from me?" He ended dryly. It was all wrong; this pony trapped in darkness like an animal. Memory of this being Celestia's doing made her even more unsettled at the idea of this pony being here, no matter the purpose, this kind of punishment was wrong. Without a word, Nashta rushed to the pony and began unhooking his chains. How could you let this go, dad...? How dare you let this continue when you had the chance to stop it. Celestia was supposed to be a kind pony! The stories all said she was more benevolent than any… Sombra seemed shocked at the development, speechless and expression blank, only his jaw hung to show his emotions. This stranger entered his cell and began breaking him out, without so much as a 'How'd you do?'. Part of him wanted to cry when the neck brace was removed and his head fell over, joints in so much pain from the years of forced lethargy, when his chest was freed, he fell and landed on the shoulder of the dragon, unable to move any part of his body more than to turn his head. With one last yank of his left leg shackle, he was removed from the wall and held like a wounded solider on the back of this mysterious dragon. This is all wrong; dad, Twilight, Celestia and Luna for doing this. Opening the door slowly, she stepped over the sleeping dog again and walked as carefully out as she could, the door behind her shutting slowly as he left. Walking to avoid making any noise, she was thankful again that she didn't wear shoes, but that wouldn't save her... The door shut and lock clanked into place, the dog waking up with a startle and spotting her; no words, no shock of betrayal, just a hateful snarl and the dog was on his feet and charging them. Sombra got the best view, seeing the dog he thought was a mere pony stomp all fours to take back its prisoner. The moment was almost surreal, like it was another dream of his...the dog would catch him, kill his savior and put him back in the cell. Nashta sprinted up the stairs and whipped around, taking a deep breath and about to burn the demon alive...but she didn't... The moment the dog entered the throne room it stopped, huffing at the two; bitter, tired...but somehow...content. It lifted its head up and looked to the window, the moonlight on its fur and smelling the fresh air. Nashta took the chance and ran, rushing out of the castle and ignoring the pain in her legs while he rests on her shoulder. Once outside, she made a break for the train station, knowing it would be dead at this time of night; avoiding populated areas and keeping a steady pace to make sure she didn't knock Sombra around too much. That was when she felt the water hit her back, feeling guilt by relation, she slowed down to a walk let him enjoy the moment. "You're gonna be okay..." She said to comfort him. _ _ Light...air...so many feelings he was without, Sombra wanted to move, he wanted to walk on his own, he wanted to run for miles and find that dream castle he had created in his mind; but for now, he only watched the sky and the moon. Unable to hold back his waves of emotions finally freed, he ignored all plans he had, all appearance on being the same cold king he was and managed to move a hoof around his savior's neck and hug her...as awkward a position it might be, for no words came to him that would express his gratitude. For he was free... Day OneSombra woke with a startle, feeling the onset rush of nightmare pumped adrenaline making him hyper aware of his surroundings and process his current state of being in a rapid gasp of air. Yet all that remained where the fear had been, only darkness lay. The darkness accompanied by blissful, fleeting dream memory. Yet there was also something of a surprise this morning; he had a pillow! Several even! Though his body still refused to respond to his command, with the runic ring off his horn, he was able to use a spell to weave his broken muscles back together in a slow and often painful process; though this pain was a blessing when he took the moment to press on his own arm with a hoof, reveling in the sharp pain that his muscles felt and the relaxing sensation as magic and biology rushed to numb and repair. He let out a long sigh, next straining the muscles in his legs to stretch, willing to risk more pain to feel the cool and, frankly, the best sheets he ever had the privilege of sleeping in, roll over his fur and tense body. Though his neck hurt, no matter what he did or what position he was in, his neck throbbed with the pain of the past decades. The room was something to take in as well. The dark of night and whatever spell the dragon used had practically blinded him, so with the help of the sunlight being filtered through a stained glass window showing a purple dragon and pony. It was artsy, not his sort of thing, but the rest of the room was more to his liking. Black was the dominant color, without a doubt, black finished vanity, black sheets, black area rug, though it was broken by a white desk facing a wall to his left, supporting a few books in loose order, probably however the owner simply tossed them. Sombra took in another deep breath and tried sitting up, feeling his body strain and then getting himself up just a little to then fall back on the pillow, sorta sitting up...he smiled, regardless. He took a moment to think, wondering if going back to sleep, or looking for food was the best choice... Spike hoped it wasn't too bad, but Nashta was ever the serious kid... The whole of his room was covered in a layer of soot. Like a volcano sneezed right in his window...which isnt too far off from realty he realized with a chuckle. Though he was tired enough to at least laugh, happy he didn't need to get angry. Really, this felt like a moment 'for the future me' and he closed the door behind him and grabbed his bed sheets, tossing them about to get the worst of the soot off and climbed in, thankful for his hard scales not even feeling the abrasive ash still mingling in the cotton fibers. He yawned, eyes heavy and vision blurry... He could have kept to his study, but the blurry vision was what sent him looking for this protest Nashta left him; words on the pages faded into black smudges and his body was ready to keel over. He even forgot the wound on his shoulder from the ice trap he stumbled into. Another problem for future Spike. That place was fine waiting till he slept, and when he was honest with himself in the moments fading to sleep, he needed to talk to Twilight before he did anything next. That, and get a unicorn in here on work order to clean this place. His stallions informed him that his daughter was back, sleeping in her room, he needed to do something about that, too he thought. Tomorrow...or, whenever I wake up, I need to take a personal day with that kid. She's right, you did forget she was Nash...not some solider... And that gave him new chills and dark thoughts as he drifted into a light snore and deep sleep. Twilight maintained that mornings were the best time of the day, despite her namesake. Morning was full of possibility and, generally speaking, it was also the quietest part of the day. So she allowed her position of authority to silently dictate that the Princess will wake when she very well pleases...so long as she was there for the meetings. Today there were none; maybe she would invite the Changeling diplomat for tea and talk plain matters about border disputes. Then thoughts crept in about the Crystal Empire. Wondering just what to do with the territory in the coming months... She let out a sigh, to wake her up and vent frustrations. Getting out of bed and staring daggers at her gold regalia waiting on the mannequin nearby and heading to her personal wash room. "Celestia..." she mumbled, not like others might, as a prayer, but as a longing. She couldn't help but want for her teacher, and a long time ago she decided not to care about moving on. Moving on wasn't for her, she decided. Now though... Starting to do a basic wash, wetting her fur with a damp towel to freshen and clean without wasting time on a full bath, a cheat she learned ages ago on her early years as princess with the other elements. Thinking hard about her teacher. Wondering just what was really left behind; Sombra, sure, but what about the Elements? The sun and moon moved on their own ever since their death, was this a planned spell or was this proof of an afterlife that Twilight got obsessed with ages ago? Sombra was just a tipping point. Solid, real, factual proof that Celestia kept secrets even from her student. That upset Twilight beyond words. The gold ensemble fell in place on winds of magic lifted by the princess to dress herself in the day to day set of gold and gems, fashioned by a mix of craftsmen and Rarity advising on the affair. It was much like Celestia's, a touch Twilight liked a lot, but it had more wispy, more...magical notes as Rarity had put it. Moving finally to the door to face the menial tasks that needed to get done lest some other do it for her and inevitably cause disaster. Nashta opened the door to her room, bringing with her the scent of a simply made soup from hands inexperienced at cooking, though the care put into it made it a little better. Sombra was sitting up proper and looked unsteady but determined, shining with the light sweat of strain as he practically tried willing his body to obey. Seeing her startled him, causing a bit of an over strain and his arms slumped forward with body slouching; Nashta judged by the pained groans that the only thing keeping him up was the back muscles inability to stretch any further... She was quick to set the food down on the table, shoving books aside which got her a glare from the stallion even as she caught him and pulled him back, allowing him to lay down and rest again, adding "What were you up to, huh?" in a playful tone so she could avoid hurting his feelings... "Nothing..." he started, playing a cold silence to her jest, but then continuing. "Just trying to force some healing." and he wanted to say more, to thank her, to maybe even hug her again. Yet he was Sombra, and he needed to maintain who he was, even to himself. "Well, I have something to help that, I think." she stated with a wry grin, seeing through his act quite easily he noticed...getting up to get the soup once more and take it to him, presenting it for him one spoon at a time seemed to be her plan for him. Sombra wasn't having it. His muscles may ache but his magic was coming back much faster, and the spoon and bowl was grabbed in a jagged and harsh control of magic, his horn sparking only slightly from the effort. The meal was bland, but it was enough. The caretaker, the strange being that cared for Sombra in that pit, gave him all he really needed to survive and extend his torment, but the warm soup he had now was a luxury he hasn't had the pleasure of enjoying for a long time. That sort of thinking didn't ease his mind when he felt his eyes water at the simple gesture of trying to nurse him back to health. It really was something he never needed to feel, but he was thankful he got to feel it now... Nashta wasn't sure what to to at this point, watching him eat felt a little creepy, but she didn't want him spilling it in her bed as much as she wanted to help him. Then came the knock at her door. The two were instantly on edge, knowing they both would be in a very different kind of trouble if found out; Sombra gulped the soup down as quick as he could, spilling on his fur but not on the bed to the dragon's silent relief, snatching the bowl and rushing to the door as Sombra tried to get out of the bed, failing miserably as he fell off the side and couldn't help the groan that came from him. Nashta was smart, though, yawning loudly to cover it up, looking at the bowl in her hands and tossing it back to the desk and out of the way. "Nash...? Dear, I wanted to talk, if that's ok..." the voice on the other side of the door said, sounding meek and lacking the regal confidence that was more befit to Princess Twilight. Nashta cursed under her breath and took a quick breath, opening the door a crack to peer out. "Yea Aunti Twi?" Twilight smiled, the first smile she had seen in awhile on the mare to be fair, and it made the lie hurt even more. "I was hoping we could talk. I know Spike is sleeping, he had a rough night, I think..." she paused, seeing Nashta roll her eyes and unsure of the conflict between the two dragons, wondering if she should intervene. "But I want to talk to you, I need a different perspective than Spike's...we're both...older, but that doesn't always mean wiser. Sometimes problems can only be solved when you listen to all your friends, not just one." she ended as if reciting an old letter to Celestia. Ever the Princess of Friendship... Nashta nodded and stepped out of her room, closing the door behind her with the best, most extra natural smile she could muster given the situation. Twilight was none the wiser it seemed... The Princess smiled happily, blowing out a sigh with it and nodded, as if confirming something to herself. "Good, good...meet me in the garden, I assume you want to get out of your, uh...gear." she said, raising a hoof to accentuate her point, noting the dragon still wearing her operation gear, not having the time to change between sneaking Sombra inside and visiting the right guards to make sure no one entered her room without arousing suspicion. She hoped. "Yes ma'am!" Nashta quickly answered, almost giving into the urge to go back in her room, which would have been natural to get changed...but Twilight took the hint, smiling wistfully, nodding again and departing for Nashta to rush back in her room and start unhooking and unstrapping all her gear. The suit was built to muffle sound, thick padding and loose straps of cloth helped limit passive noise made by the body's natural movement and help her use her special Night dragon power, blushing a sharp red when she heard the pony grumble about back pain. "OK!" she called, trying to quickly quiet her voice. "Shh! Ok, relax, I'll help you in a sec, just give me a minuet and don't you look!" Sombra didn't have much choice in any matter. He couldn't see her from his spot on the floor, anyhow. The vanity was on the other side of the bed and he hardly cared about draconic anatomy. Scoffing was his only response. This caused Nashta to huff in frustration, a dark mist swarming about her body as she moved, the mist seemed to eat light, and the legs Sombra could see from his spot on the floor showed just how potent the mist effect was at keeping her hidden in the dark. She practically blended in with her vanity save for the contrast she created on the white marble floor. When the mist vanished, she was in black sweatpants and sneakers...at least as far as he could see. Nashta smiled and straightened the hoodie sporting her favorite band, black with plenty of red blotches to mimic blood and good contrast to her midnight scales. "Ok! Try...uh...To not go anywhere?" she paused, hearing an exasperated sigh from the stallion. "I'll be back super soon! We'll get to do more when the sun sets; oh! You gotta tell me your story. Then I'll uh...I guess I'll talk to dad- Spike, yea...once you get sorted. Ok?" Sombra grunted. "Fine...be swift." She nodded, not that he could tell. "Promise, soon!" she said as she departed. Sombra thought hard to himself...and decided his muscles needed the workout anyway... Author's Note Bottom text thanks Unkeepable SecretsThere came a knock at the door, Sombra was on his hooves and stretching slowly and carefully when the gentle rasp on the door sounded with a gruff voice on the other side said "Nash...Nash if you're in there I just want to talk..." then silence. Sombra did his best not to make a sound, but clearly his hooves stumbling for balance had alerted whoever was on the other side of the door. "Nash I know you're mad..." he started. "And you really have no reason to forgive me, but I wanted to try and make up for it today. Just us, I cleared both our schedules for today and tomorrow; Hold Fast will handle my duties and you are on mandatory leave...Nash?" Sombra could handle this, for sure. The king made every kind of effort to remind himself that he was a force of nature with his magic and he could outfight and outwit any opponent so long as he knew every player on the board. The Princess would sense him, he was sure of that, but she hasn't done anything to harm him, yet. Sombra worked facts over and over until it felt like too much time had passed and the rattle of the locked door made him painfully aware that discovery now would remove many options from his hoof. Though he was happy to confirm one suspicion. Sombra worked up his throat, doing his best to clear it quietly and ready himself to be intimidating once more. "Oh...?" he started, venom dripping off the question. "Just how many dragons did the princess enslave while I was gone?" which ended with the door crashing inward and a purple dragon holding only bare claws open to attack. Though he was greeted with the frail king standing behind a massive green gem that oozed power and bled magic. The conjuration was all he could muster, shaky as it was, but a dragon is a dragon, he figured. The gem shocked Spike out of his charge, drawing him in with an otherworldly property that weakened his once tense arms and left his tight grimace of an expression into a limp hang of his jaw. He really hated being a dragon, sometimes. The rock of magic and curses faded into wisps of air that quickly rushed at Spike, blinding him to all, then cursing his hesitation one last time as all went black. Moments earlier, in the royal garden Nashta didn't get the chance to ask the princess about her change in mood right off the bat; rather, the two were engaged in small talk. Nash felt like this was rather forced and formal, which wasn't very typical for the princess of friendship. Nash also had to tip toe over the subject of last night, trying to not arouse suspicion about her venture into Canterlot or her...outburst...at the captain of the guard. It was a minefield they both were navigating, trying to not insult, insinuate, open up or burden the other. The lunch plates couldn't come quickly enough. Once they did, however, Nash practically announced the arrival with a relieved sigh and "Oh thank Celestia!" as she grabbed a sapphire sandwich and saw the pained expression on Twilight's face. "Are you ok, Twilight?" She asked, the momentary laps in judgment proving fatal to the calm of the conversation as she realized in her first bite that she had broken the ice. Nashta readied herself for every lie in the book she could dish out to protect her secret. "I'm better..." Twilight replied. Nashta gulped down her bite and took another, eyes on the Princess, waiting for her to continue. "I feel...I'm not sure what to feel, honestly. Better is a good way to put it, but I feel as if a burden has fallen off my shoulders and I can't place as to why. I did make a rather important decision recently." hesitation, Twilight wasn't sure to share everything yet. "But, even with all the facts, I feel as if I am much more in control." another pause, Nashta gulped down her second bite and put the sandwich down to listen in full, eyes wide and full of care. "Celestia, you know the legends but rarely does anypony know the truths about her. The practical jokes, the wise and kind teacher that she was, the loving sister...but above all she cared about us. Every pony in Equestria was like family to her, and she worked so hard to protect all of it from...Discord, Nightmare Moon, Tireck, Sombra. I just...think I understand some things better, now." she ended, finally taking a bite of the vanilla cake that was brought to her. There was a flash of green light that got both of their attention in an instant, Twilight quickly gulping the bite and Nashta nearly jumping from her seat and running. She was quick enough to stop and look to the Princess, pretending to be just as confused. "Ah-haha...what was that?" she asked trying to contain the guilt that threatened to spill from every scale on her body. "Isnt that your room...?" Twilight asked, puzzled, standing up slowly and horn starting to glow. Nashta jumped up and nodded, as if remembering suddenly. "AH! Right, Dad said he was uh...going to get me back for my prank...m-maybe he just decided to wreck my room, too." Twilight looked at the dragon, thinking that her captain of the guard playing a prank was just as incredulous a story as what instinct was telling her. "I'll go fix it right away, Princess!" she shouted, just as a storm of black mist wrapped the dragon and the pitch black mass dashed faster than her eyes could track back into the castle. Twilight frowning deeply and walking after her at a slow, measured pace. Giving the dragon this one chance to fix it before she arrived. Sombra had the dragon bar the door with the vanity, smiling to himself as he drew runes on the ground with a barb he plucked from his frills, the sharp scales cutting the marble floor with ease as he spent time recalling the right runes for teleportation. Normally, he would fade to shadow and fly, but he hardly trusted his body to move left and right, let alone float away unnoticed. You're betraying her. Like everyone else, did you really learn anything all alone? Sombra bit his lip, refusing to argue with the voice, her voice battering around inside his head. What he knew, what he needed to do was get out and get far away to some place he can recover his strength and then make plans to get his revenge again. "The spirit of vengeance lives on, Princess..." he said as if it alone were a curse she should be reeling from. The first smash of the door came with a shocked yelp and groan of pain. The voice belonged to the female dragon, Sombra ignored it. The next rune was almost done, and he only needed to do one more to finish the circle. Go on, destroy her feelings before you destroy her world. "You won't get in." he started, wondering why he felt like he needed to explain himself to her. "I don't need any more saving, thank you. If you wish to serve me, then guard the door from Celestia." Another smash, this time the vanity slid a few inches, enough to let the dragon try and squeeze in the cracked door, only to be met by a purple claw grabbing her shirt, yanking her in hard and throwing her into the wall to watch her leave cracked rock behind and land on her bed with a pained, quiet groan. Spike, who had been standing as he was ordered, was now protecting as he was also ordered. The blank stare in his eyes and green mist flowing off them terrifying to Nashta as she rolled over to try and defend herself, not even able to get back to her feet as Spike grabbed her again and picked her up by a horn, then threw her casually to the hard floor where her vanity once was. Sombra was on the last rune, his legs shaking, the effort exhausting but he was so close... The hum of dark magic sparking around him, the runes finished, floor igniting in green and black flames and the feeling of his body being pulled from far, far away. You'll never stop. That's why you had to be isolated. I can't kill you, Sombra, but I can isolate you till the day I die. And like that the world crashed around him. Tile cracked, splitting his runes apart and breaking the spell, his vision suddenly black and head pounding as his body found the ground in a head splitting crash of force. Distantly, he felt the spell over the purple dragon fail, and the black dragon sobbing in pain. You'll never give up, no matter what you endure, you can't give up because then it's all for nothing. Isnt that right? "Silence!" he shouted though pooling blood in his mouth. The pressure still kept him pinned to the floor, unable to move, again, trapped and helpless. He felt his heart quicken, his limbs tremble and mind race. "You have had no chance of recovery, of redemption, because all you know is pain and suffering. You don't know friendship, family, you think it all weakness." Sombra tried to shout louder to be heard. "Silence I say!" His body felt so heavy, so much pain blurred his sight to the point of useless blinking at the floor, his horn felt chipped, again, and there wasn't a thing he could do to stop that voice. "I know you, Sombra; because a long time ago, I was like you...I thought friends were a weakness, I thought all I needed were my books." "Haven't I been through enough!?" came from him, to his own surprise... "That's exactly why I wanted to release you, but I hesitated, I feared what Celestia might think, what she might have done given the situation. I learned so much from her, and I learned so much more from my friends. All that...and still, I was never going to be ready to see you, face to face...you know I had nightmares about you, after we stopped you." Sombra looked up, his limbs growing lighter and vision clearing enough to see past the white reflections of the marble floor and look into the purple hue of fur and mane with wings and horn a sign for all to see the royalty innate inside her. He hated her so unbelievably much that his vision went red for a moment and his horn sparked a curse wanting to manifest from his black heart, but all that came was a flash of white light from the royal pony and an end to consciousness for everyone in the room... Author's Note Next chapter starts twibra in full....took a bit to get there, didnt it. But we also get a touching story about Spike's journey as a father...so thats nice. I hope you enjoy the future and end to the story once its done. I think we're rather close to that end. First ImpressionsSleep is nice... That was the first thought Sombra had the moment he found he could think. There was a quality to that truth that made him chuckle quietly, though he wasn't sure if that was actually audible or if it was in his head. Worlds spun around him, light battered his senses and sound made him feel sick, realizing he was quite hungry and dehydrated. There was no telling what was going on until he finally found an anchor point. Pillows. He was not in a cell, or locked up; he was once again in bed with the bliss of pillows comforting him. There were dreams, real dreams, which to him meant deep and restful sleep, not that he could recall how he got there. For now he was just coming out of a dream, could feel the pull of reality tugging him away from his solitary castle, his warm servants, the smell of food and wine to waking back in the white marble room. Then one memory at a time came back to him when he spotted the caved in door and two guards facing away from him outside the doorway. He wasn't sure what to make from this, memory being fogged by sleep and the possible concussion. That was when he remembered the spell that knocked him out. Sitting up quickly, expecting to be bound and so thrusting his body to fight the chains or rope or- "Gah!" He shouted in indignant shock when he fell to the floor. The guards turned quickly, both warry as the dark stallion stood again, suppressing the grunt of pain from his weak joints hitting the floor yet again. Though, the guards did not attack. Sombra was not bound. The cracks in the walls were still evident, and the destroyed furniture remained, though his runes were gone with no trace remaining. Next came a flash of purple light, a sphere that burst with magic and in that instant of light the princess of friendship had entered the room. The guards backed away from the door a little out of caution, though they didn't stray far and did their best to trust the Princess, feeling very outclassed by the King straight out of myth. Sombra let out a snort of indignant displeasure and despite his sore legs, he stood proud on the marble floor staring the alicorn down, opening his mouth to start what was to him a duel of wits. Every trick in the book replaying in his head as he worked a web of lies and half truths up; anything to get him closer to freedom since he was clearly in the weaker position when it came to raw magical prowess. However, the princess spoke first. "I put a lot of thought into what I would say to you first. I was to free you today, take you to a shelter far away from most ponies and rehabilitate you slowly with careful observation, detailed note taking, and maybe even call on my student to help given her own past..." she sighed quietly, taking a moment to collect herself, Sombra waited, wanting to see her lay her cards out. "Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor has passed away...Princess Flurry Heart sits the Crystal Empire throne, she is a natural born Alicorn and her magic surpasses even mine and far surpassed Celestia and Luna. She...is a very kind hearted mare, she thinks of her subjects every day and works very hard to make the Crystal Empire thrive and the Crystal ponies hardly want for anything in her kingdom." Sombra felt this information had a gravity to it, though he did not fully understand it's weight as she spoke, the silence that hung let him search his memory. Clearly she was trying to tell him the Empire was beyond his reach, but the names she spoke were meaningless. Unless... "You...you were the unicorn who got in my way." he said when his memory finally lined up. There was a wistful smile on her face at that, it looked so pained that even he felt something of fear cross his heart when he saw the bottomless well of pain in that expression. "Those two that-" he paused, he was out of practice when it came to politicking his speech, but he hardened himself and reinforced his desire to escape. "Princess Cadence was the avatar of love that took the Empire, that was her name?" a nod from Twilight confirmed. Then the real gravity of what she was saying set in on him. "You are telling me I cannot retake the Empire not just because of a lack of power, but fundamentally it cannot be claimed by me because of the change Cadence wrought." Again, she nodded. "Princess Celestia told Cadence something of her secret, though not the full truth; Cadence spent her life's work preparing the Empire should you ever return, and Flurry Heart has continued that work. Generations of counter spells, protections, enchantments on the land and on the Crystal Heart itself...No one but the rightful heirs will ever sit the throne of the Crystal Empire." she ended, taking a breath and sitting down to collect herself. Sombra did the same, not because he needed to rest, but because he needed to devote all the energy he had to processing this information. Two alicorns spending all this time building barriers made for him specifically. Anger built up in him, he felt the cold fire as frustration set in and his own years of planning wasted in simple moments of conversation, all to the fault of her. "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are also...gone." she continued, as if reading his thoughts. He looked in her eyes, seeing a depth of magical talent and confirming that she was reading his thoughts, he stood up again and stomped his hoof, sending a shock of magic into the ground as he lost composure utterly. "You think it a tidy little game to poke my thoughts and simply dissuade all notions of revenge that simply? That this changes something?! What does it change, little student, you are lying like all alicorns do, trying to deny me my right! You wanted to deter me, to sing a little song of friendship and dance now that there is nothing I can do?" he walked closer to her as he spoke, the guards looked on edge but he didn't care a wit. "I will escape here, your precious mentor tried to cripple me because she lacked the power to finish what you and that damn dragon started." he was only a few inches from her when he stopped; she did not move, not a single motion to defend herself or words to counter his. "You, like all the others, want me to simply disappear. Quietly, if I please." he ended sharply. Twilight stood up again, their height difference was noticeable, but Sombra was still much larger than most unicorns. The guards were on edge, both of them knew it; Twilight wanted peace, Sombra needed an excuse. They were also both intelligent enough to know that all this was bluster to provoke, yet it contained bits of truth. Twilight had come to terms with what her mentor did and resolved to right that wrong. This turning point where historians wait with baited breath was the moment for decisive action that Twilight knew she was simply horrible at. Planning, organizing, schedules, meetings; thats where she excelled. Yet she always knew in the moment she would think of something right as she was pressed to it finally. "Let's duel, then." she stated, no grand flair or speech for him. Leaving Sombra to blink, wondering the meaning of it, he nearly let his mouth fall open but he stopped short when he shook his head and blurted out his objections. "WHAT?! w- wh- This-! Why would I agree to something so formal and ripe for foul play? Do you seek to make some public mockery of me?!" She stopped him with a raise of her hoof, making him also note the guards with weapons drawn now and spells ready to cast, his small halt let her interject as the guards slowly came to calm. "No, not public. Just us. In a month. One month, you can live here in that time, recover your strength and then we will duel. I fully expect you to fight to the death, but I will tell you now. If I win, you will be spared. You win, you can end Princess Celestia's legacy and attempt to rule Equestria in place of the Crystal Empire." she ended, smiling warmly as the depth of pain he saw turned into a wave of compassion that made his stomach roll. "You expect me to go soft, to spend the month making friends and that I'll hesitate when it comes to it." he stated, laying her plan out in front of them both, to which she nodded in admittance. He couldn't stand that she just keeps refusing to lie... "Sombra..." she paused, thinking for a split second then continued. "I know your true name, your family the Umbrals...I won't speak it, I don't need to, but I want you to know that I know. If you ever want to talk-." she paused, a bittersweet feeling washing over her as Sombra sat down before her, dumbfounded, angry, worried; then she finished. "I'm always ready to listen; and I'm so sorry for what happened to you, and for what Princess Celestia did. Let's just start here. My name is Twilight Sparkle." Sombra wandered the castle hours later, guards trailed him at a distance everywhere he went but he knew he was being treated especially well and that others must have argued passionately for much worse. Probably the loudest among them would be the dragon he controlled for a moment. The castle was massive and mapping it out took all his attention at the time, though he was not unfamiliar to learning the complex layouts of royal abodes. The walking also let his hooves find old strength, even though he needed to stop frequently to rest. The magic he had stitching his muscles back together was working well in spite of his posturing and desire for knowledge on his situation. He even risked trying some charisma on the guards to gather information, though they must have been on strict no speaking rules... Sombra soon found himself in a large lounge like room; couches and chairs all looking luxurious were scattered about with small tables here and there. A dining hall of sorts, very casual looking for a royal like Twilight. It was also a great place to rest, he found a larger framed sofa and decided to lay out, grunting and groaning as he stretched his limbs and felt all his tense joints relax just a little. It was true, what Twilight said. He was not nearly at his peak and it wouldn't take much to really hurt him, so he trusted her offer of peace for one month since he had yet to be disturbed. Still trying to sort out what she meant by using that old name... He hardly noticed a shadow enter the room, crossing it with liquid grace and sitting across from him on an equally large sofa. He wondered just what giant cows used these particular seatings, for they were covered in brown fur and horrifically comfortable with a hay stuffing, but he eventually looked up at his visitor. "You lay down like a cat." she started. This irked Sombra dearly. It was a black scaled dragon, the one who broke him out of the cell. He took in a deep breath and feigned ignorance to her opening statement. "Greetings." he started, then truly looking at her, he noticed the arm sling and bandages that went around her upper arm and back. "Apologies..." he said, not sure what else to say, even if the word felt strange on his lips. She shrugged, the gesture causing her to hiss in pain and rub her shoulder with her good arm. "Ah, no worries. You were scared, it happens to all of us. Dad is blowing plenty of smoke, though." she paused, then laughed quietly. "I'm Nash by the way." Sombra was taken aback by just how quickly she forgave, wondering if she was being sincere or if this was a prop set up by Twilight. He lowered his head again and decided to ignore her. "Ya know you normally say your name at this point!" she said, loudly. Sombra sat up again and sighed heavily. "King Sombra. Why, did no one tell you the name of the Crystal Empires Iron King?" "No I was told; about a thousand times by dad, but ice breakers, ya know?" she said, smiling smugly. Sombra stood up, ignoring the pain in his legs and walking with regal stride for the door. The dragon hopped to follow. "Listen, I thank you deeply for freeing me; but I have no use of you as you have no use for me. I am to focus on healing and don't have time for Twilight's games." he said, ending with spite in his tone. Nastha followed without a care, not minding the hard tone he used it seemed, simply following him as she retorted. "Well, she did tell me you would be better off alone for a bit, but Hot Shot and Wind Drift here are also assigned to watch you by my dad." The guards looked at each other with small anxiety. "So, since they can't talk, and you already have company trailing you. Why not have someone you can talk to." The pegsi in armor called to them, following quickly with the earth pony shouting. "Lieutenant! It isn't a good idea to-" "To what? Talk to the great King Sombra? It is forbidden by the captain of the guard? Fine. Nash, you and I may talk, anything in the world to get under that dragons scales. Maybe I'll lure you to the ways of evil." he ended with a dramatic flair that put the guards on edge, despite how silly he felt saying it; and looking quite unhappy with the situation. Yet leaving him feeling proud of himself even as they walked in silence. Sombra realized he had nothing he wanted to talk about, still. Time Flows OnSombra couldn't help but marvel at how the world changed. How ponies changed while Twilight ran things. Even if the mare begrudged her position, he could hardly see a world more prosperous without her. He spent many hours pondering to himself why he had a hard time hating the alicorn but he concluded that he admired a well running government. In spite of what others think, he was proud of how much wealth the crystal empire generated and how it maintained the strongest raw military might in the world during his rule. Twilight ran things very differently, but he admired her style of ruling that did not waste time with formality or ego pleasing like Her while enjoying popularity for her own level of care for the individual as well as the collective. Sombra paced up and down his room. It had been one week, a blindingly fast week where most of his time was spent healing and learning. The capitan of the guard kept his distance and the dragon named Nash bothered him from time to time, yet he enjoyed a lot of freedom when it came to his own wants and needs. Sombra was deep in thought, musing about his enemy... "The Shapeshifters, Birds, Yakcows, and smaller nations all joined her umbrella as Greater Equestria..." Nash interrupted him, she was sitting on his bed, legs crossed and tail waving in the air lazily while he pretended to not notice her remarks. She was deeply annoying, and he resolved she would be the first to be exiled when he won the duel. "Changlings, Gryphons and just Yaks." she corrected, he ignored. "Defeat Twilight and they either all turn on me, or they all submit...If I begin the subjugation curse now..." he lost track of the thought and picked up another. "I can't begin any rituals, pointless. Better to focus on...what?" he asked himself. Sombra had been clawing at this wall in his head for days now, and his conclusion was still the same. "You can't plan for anything because Twi won't let you, yet if you lose to her all your plans will backfire, or worse, you'll lose and regret your plans." Nash went on. Sombra finally eyed her, blowing out a deep sigh and lowering his head a fraction. "And, pray tell, what might you suggest-" he turned to face her, a vile grin on his face and eyes radiating the sickly green color. "Dear Friend?" The look did not have the same effect on her as it did with countless Crystal Ponies, all who cowered in fear of their kings ire. Instead she just shrugged, which, again, deeply annoyed him. "Best thing you could do is fight her on your terms. Don't wait for her, just do it quick and quiet and you can lay out all your curses in secret." Nash rather candidly suggested before laying down on her back, letting her legs stretch out, her head resting on his pillows. "Of course this occurred to me, do you even know who I am?" Sombra shot back. "The murder of an alicorn will be felt by all ponies...that is what legends say and I would rather not risk the revolt of a nation until I'm aware of Twilight's full intent and the repercussions, I need to know where I may go and who will be of use to me when I am free of aliconrs." Nash shrugged again, her claws digging into her jacket pockets and eyes closing. Is she bored?! I grace her with the chance to confer with me, the master tactician of the Crystal Empire, and she's BORED?! "Then you also see that if you got that far, held all the cards and got to Princess Celestia, you would be fine with the sun exploding?" Nashta interjected. "That was an age ago, and the situation was much different..." he retorted. Sombra let a groan escape him, feeling boxed into a corner with no legitimate way out without either sacrificing his pride as a king or putting himself in a position of total loss no matter what the outcome. Twilight didn't look it, but she was adept at working unexpected situations to her total favor. The first thing Sombra burned into his head was that Twilight Sparkle was the culmination of generations of teaching through not just Celestia, but Luna, and their cousin Cadence. On top of that, she had a horribly well suited hero in Starswirl the Great which most of her own self-taught lessons stemmed from. Adding on more merit, she mastered the gifts of harmony and has vast experience in dealing with national and global crisis. This wasn't just the avatar of the sun or mistress of night, this was the utter peak of power and wisdom hard earned...Sombra knew when to admire a foe, and while he knew Celestia was a backstabbing, manipulative, coward with far too much raw power; a blunt but large sword, Twilight was a razors edge. It felt almost impossible to win, let alone find pleasure in victory if what she said was true about the Crystal Empire. "Tell me, where are the archives in this castle?" he asked, his tone cold and commanding. "The library? It's on the lower floor, open to the public, ya know?" she answered care-free. Sombra couldn't nail it down, but he felt his ire lessoning in intensity. Probably a symptom of being around her too long and getting used to her horrible and outright cheerful attitude around him. That, and perhaps her sympathy, that night escape under the moon, was still putting her in his favor. Sombra took a moment to think as he stopped pacing, seeing her glance up at him. "Have the slaves bring up any tome regarding the major historical events spanning the last generation. Also, have them bring up a few on the Crystal Empire, any will do. Lastly, I demand nourishment for the long task ahead." He ended, deciding then to asset himself with a burst of vocal prowess and dominating posture, hoof slamming into the already cracked tile in his room and creating a crater of green and black magic. "On the double!" Nashta sat up and seemed puzzled, her eyes reflecting a little worry and he felt the warm rush of pride as his command and noble presence inspired her to finally respect him. To which he felt all feelings of respect dashed when she stifled a chuckle and nodded. "S-sure, but, ah; we don't use slaves and I'll add a few self-help books to the list, you really need to work on your attitude." she lifted herself in the air a few inches with a graceful push off the bed and a wisp of black smoke coming from her back. Sombra only recently discovered it was due to her rare heritage, but she could move shadow and create objects from darkness. Often she used this to walk and hide in places no dragon, pony or other could even imagine, he saw the usefulness in having her as a spy as her father wished, but he also saw in her an unparalleled assassin waiting to be born. Such a useful talent wasted on an immature whelp. he thought to himself. Nashta left the room to the worry of the guards nearby and he realized in her wake that he was left to his own... At his full strength, Sombra assumed he could easily overpower a few guards and make a clean escape. However, the issue remained of how to deal with Twilight Sparkle and if he decided to move now, he would be forcing himself to move from a disadvantage in his state. Sombra began pacing again, dark magic leaving his horn to fix the tile as he paced so he would no longer feel the bite of broken stone in his hooves, which he also had a feeling a chip dislodge somewhere and rejoin the tile after the ground shattering gesture, causing a flash of pain ad irritation. "I am truly unlucky..." he said to himself as he cast another spell, repairing the door and shutting it, the guards not able to, or unwilling, to throw themselves in the room to stop him sealing them off and finally enjoying the quiet of privacy. Beginning the process of simple meditation, trying to focus his magic energy and better unlock all those worn and ill-used muscles, tapping back into the dark magic he was so skilled in, hearing the buzz of silence creeping in his ears and taking a deep and long, and loud breath to break the silence. "I will overcome this. I will rule all of Equestria because it is my right. Celestia was-" "Was more royal than you could ever hope to be? More of noble birth? A ruler of lesser ponies like you?" came a voice in the walls. Sombra felt a cold spike run down his neck and suppressed the shiver that came with it. Sombra turned to the door to curse the guards for their snark but found the door he just mended was a blank wall with flowing tapestries depicting his downfall at the hands of a tiny dragon. He blinked, the vision faded in the instant and he closed his jaw, forcing his breathing to steady and fight the fear, closing his eyes again. The echo of shrill laughter. The roar of white fire. The shouting of vindicated anger. Silence. The faint buzz in his ears deafening him to the world and when he spoke, he shouted to just hear himself. "I'm fine, everything is fine, I'm free, I'm alone as I desire to be, as I always will be because a king is always alone. King Sombra!" He opened his eyes, the world rotated sharply to a level angle again and he stumbled just slightly. The noise faded to just the sound of a bird, causing him to turn and see a blue robin in his window singing. Sombra felt sick to his stomach, his fur felt heavy and yet his skin was cold. Taking a step, not even noticing the specks of blood left behind from his wounded hoof. The only thought that occupied him now was a single, strange realization. "You...not even you fear me?" he asked the bird. He got closer and closer, thinking back to the cold empire and the rare birds, the rare wildlife in general of his homeland. How his rule and the wasteland he created ended most all species of animal that called the north home. Never once did a bird soil his balcony, but nor did it ever calm his nerves with wordless song. The bird just kept singing, Sombra was close enough to reach out to it, and it showed no sign of flight or fear. "You've been trained...raised by ponies, that is why you do not fly. I'm just a possible source of food to you, aren't I?" he grit his teeth. Dark magic welled up inside him, running his veins cold and his eyes toxic green, he could see the bird like only a true mage could...a collection of parts, skull for a series of simple curses, feathers to make charms, and so many other uses... the window suddenly slamming shut, sending the bird panicked and flapping as the window reshaped into a crystal mirror, polished, embedded with dark gems and blocked out the sunlight. Sombra saw himself, admiring the mirror in his cold sweat as a trinket from his past. Time long ago he used so many such mirrors to admire himself, to hurt the crystal ponies in such mazes of torture. The mirror snapped, cracking down the center, then falling apart into crystal dust that scattered on the wind in a dense glow of purple magic. Twilight would not allow any dark constructs in her domain, that was obvious now...he cursed her name over and over, feeling the small drops of blood now on his hoof and redoubling his healing efforts, making the signs of his weakness vanish in a quiet wisp of green fire, clearing the spots in the room, and finally leaving him back in silence. Not total silence... Sombra felt his attention pulled down, looking out into the garden of Twilights Castle, seeing a pony of pale green hue tend to the bird he cast from his ledge. He saw the aviary, and how concerned the caretaker was of this bird. He noticed that around this little section was musical instruments and perches with music sheets nearby. "Songbirds...The princess must see value in them." Sombra noticed his rage was slipping away, feeling something like pity, snarling to himself and leaving the window before the pony could look up and see the cause of her anguish. He felt the buzz of silence creeping in again, nearly shouting in frustration he threw open the door much to the guards shock and stepped out. "I am going to the library, stop me if you dare!" __________________ Spike couldn't help but lose track of his own schedule now. What was once a meticulously crafted blend of downtime and meetings was now in utter chaos as he worked overtime speaking to guards, sometimes whole sections, sometimes individuals, about the issue of King Sombra's return. Creating contingency plans, stopping any leaks to the press and absolutely despising what the cursed stallion was doing to his daughter. He didn't know if he should forbid her from speaking to him, what good that might do, and what kind of message that might send to both of them. 'Isn't there a saying, sir? Thick as thieves?' a commander had said to him in jest. Spike put him on double watch duty for two days. Jokes would get him nowhere in solving his king sized issue, yet there was nothing he could do to override Twilight's decision. When it came to the Princess of Friendship, trust was key to being her captain of the guard. Spike was sure not even Shining Armor could handle this position these days. Still, Spike had the years of trial to know Twilight was good on her word; King Sombra was one of their toughest foes, but he was also one of the few that were beyond help at the time...he was sure Twilight held regret for that, especially after fighting Queen Chrysalis who also wouldn't even try listening. Spike let out a yawn, trying to organize an effective patrol of the grounds that stepped up security without looking too obvious to the public. He also was desperately trying to carve out time to interrogate Sombra about his intentions for the duel and maybe, just maybe find enough to disillusion Twilight. Spike finalized the watchlist, standing up with the parchment in claw and stretching, the leather of his uniform creaked and he felt a pop in his back that sparked a little worry in the back of his mind, not liking the idea of needing to workout more to limber up. Traveling down the halls, he saw the uneasy looks the guards gave him, making him exhale a frustrated groan as he finally turned into the guards central hub, the armory and central station, but the name it was given was just 'The Barracks' even though it was just a long room. Spike handed the parchment over to the watch commander who couldn't suppress a yawn, then gave a sharp, if nervous, salute and started issuing orders to the runners on standby. The castle was on lockdown, though no one would guess it unless they spent a lot of time in the castle recently. Spike didn't care to justify his actions; while he was understanding and full of compassion, lessons learned right alongside the elements of harmony, he was also his own dragon and his top priority was keeping Twilight safe. Guards might go with a little less sleep than normal but it couldn't be helped while he got a handle on what Sombra was planning. "Why so many guards suddenly?" Thorax asked without any preamble. Spike felt wind get stuck in his chest and he turned with a smile wanting to cross his face while he wanted to be serious. "Diplomats should stick to their quarters and the dining hall." he snapped back. Thorax wasn't having it...the changeling shook his head and repeated his question. "Look-" Spike continued. "We are having an issue with a new arrival...someone from awhile back, way way back, and-...See...the issue is...we...I am just trying to carry out Twilights...orders?" While the watch commander might not think it was audible, the stifled chuckle earned him another days punishment the moment Spike could address him. Thorax, though, wasn't convinced. "You and I both know Twilight well enough that if she says its handled, its handled. If she needs help, she will ask for it." Thorax began, thinking. "So why don't you sound confident in your...orders?" Spike rubbed his tired face, starting to walk and nodding, admitting defeat to the changling and adding. "Come on, I'll explain it to you, you might as well know since you're here." Thorax had stayed behind while diplomats came and went, as he was deep in talks with Twilight about creating a new sub-state, a place for changlings to expand their territory and mingle more freely with the other races. This took long conversations of state-craft that a hero like Spike hated sitting in on. Yet it was always nice to have old friends, and while Thorax looked much older, his shell only had a faint greyness to it. Walking, Spike had to admire again how different the insect like changlings were. The emotions themselves sustained them like love and joy, but deeper emotions such as friendship kept them full of youth. Spike began by taking a deep breath. "You know a little about the Crystal Empire; how the Crystal Heart protects it and that an evil king once ruled it, brought it to ruin and oppressed his ponies to the point that Celestia and Luna intervened just before it vanished." Thorax nodded. They took a turn and entered the Hall of Harmony where the map table and seats were for discussions. Spike touched the table, then scanned over it to the Empire, letting Thorax see the massive city and its unique splendor. "That evil king was named Sombra. Twilight and I defeated him when the Empire returned..." Spike turned to face Thorax, who was sitting now, listening intently. "Or so we thought..." "Oh dear..." he replied. Spike in turn nodded. "Unknown to us, Celestia recovered a fragment of Sombra. Being mostly a spirt, I suppose she knew he would eventually recover and threaten us again. She locked him in a prison made just for him...it was...this strange space where dimensions didn't make sense and the darkness was alive. He was there, chained totally immobile to the wall for fifty years. Twilight found out about him from Cadence as she passed..." Spike had to stop, feeling the weight of his words and how it pulled into his chest, making Thorax change as well, feeling those emotions on Spike and empathizing. "It's ok...Spike, it's just us. No need to play the hero." Thorax offered with a kind smile. The dragon nodded, rubbing his face to chase away the thoughts and feelings. "Celestia tortured him for a lifetime, all three of them...it's...hard to understand. Sombra is evil personified, bitter vengeance given form, but how could that happen." he paused, wrestling his emotions again, feeling the drag of stress more than ever. "And now he is here. Is he a threat?" Thorax surmised. "I don't even know. I think so, he used me to almost hurt Nash and Twilight." He started. Finding his emotions mixed, unsteady. "Yet you know he was afraid." Thorax continued. Spike chuckled. Nodding and turning a seat around, it was Pinkies by chance...sitting down to rest and nod again, blowing out a sigh. "You are still scary good at reading me." Thorax smiled with a hint of pride and the warmth of a friend. "If you controlled your emotions better, I might not be as good." "No wonder changlings are taking over the therapy business..." That got a raised brow, and finally they both shared a laugh. It went on for long moments, Spike finally feeling that stress fall off him like old scales. Then finally coming to breath in deep and regain the conversation. Sitting back in the seat with those all important lessons about just smiling now in his mind, bittersweet, true, and needed. Thanks Pinkie... "I've done what I can to prepare for the worst, but the last thing we need is rumor getting out that Sombra is here and, Celestia help us, Twilight is protecting him." Spike admitted, standing back up and pushing the seat back into place. Thorax stood as well and nodded. "I understand. It's not every day that a cursed king comes back to life, again...but what did I say before? If Twilight says she can handle it. She can handle it. We have to trust that she had a plan in mind, because I could just run for my life now if you think I should...but?" he paused, waiting. "But Twilight and I will keep everyone safe." Spike ended. Thorax nodded and smiled. "See? You both deserve your positions for just this reason. Though you can inform Twilight that I will postpone our discussions until after this is dealt with." he paused, looking a little sheepish at Spike and seeing that hard reaction. "I-it isnt out of fear, no, just that I would rather not add to the Princess' plate as is. I know everything will be fine, but she hardly needs a political mess like me on her hooves." he ended, turning for the door as Spike followed. They walked, conversing in small doses as they made their way to the front door. Spike felt a little guilt, knowing sharing this information is the direct cause of the disruption, but Thorax was also right. Less stress for Twilight would be a great thing right now, and the ruler of the changelings has always been accommodating. Spike figured it was the deep connection to the emotions around him, but he was a genuinely kind pony as well. Spike saw him out, walking all the way to the aircart station where all the flyers could freely come and go, seeing two ponies soon flank the changling king and erupt in a wisp of magic as their disguises drop. Then finally he watched them go, buzzing in the direction of the hive. He could only think about how grand their return would be once this mess was over...the moment Thorax retuned was also the moment Spike would be done with all this stress and, for good or evil, he could put all this uncertainty behind him. For now, though, he had a goal in mind. Heading back to the castle, he knew the first place Sombra would go and he planned to get all the information the stallion was trying to keep locked up in that head of his...straight to the library. Author's Note Beep boop thank you for your patience oops i redid the plan in my head and made the story longer hope ya'll enjoy Edit: I noted that Sombra had decided to go to the dining hall; I drafted the next chapter and forgot this fact after I also noted Spikes decision to find Sombra in the library and it made much more sense that he would go to the library first. I've edited this chapter to reflect that decision and have opted to keep most everything in tact. My reasoning is it is actually more compelling to see the mixed desires of Sombra manifest in his relationship with Nashta where part of him wants to order ponies around, while the other part is so used to isolation that he is more comfortable doing things on his own. Consider it a part of his fracture that I will be defining much more strongly soon and I want Nashta to be the foil for this fracture. Penance in the LibraryWithin these endless halls lies an eternity of knowledge One must only be willing to open their eyes and see starlight Sombra sneered at the old Ponish script etched above the doors leading to the library. He thought them tacky, overly dramatic and judgmental; lacking most sense as well. Though, going through the doors, the sudden change in the air made his ears pop; he had to stop and fight to keep his legs from shaking, his fur bristled and skin went cold. Seeing the inside of the library was unlike anything he had seen before. The flat ground suddenly turned into a massive staircase downward for about half a flight, the marble stone was cut using magic; so fine was the edge that he knew no normal craftspony could accomplish this, and yet the real show was a statue at the bottom of the stairs that could not exist. Step by step he descended seeing the ornamental wood table that encircled the statue with ponies busily filing paperwork and organizing books onto carts. It was about five ponies, with others pushing those carts between the aisles of books. Sombra gazed back at the statue set the bottom of the staircase and stood motionless in the library that broke even the rules he could not fathom breaking. The statue should have cut into the next two floors at the most conservative estimate he had come up with, while the bookcases themselves seemed to go on forever, far out of his view. "Magic that warps space itself..." he said in quiet awe. He looked again at all the rows of books and the ceiling that should have exploded outside the castle with its sheer scale and sat down at the end of the stairs. Reflecting on his own castle, he thought back to his illusions and seemingly endless stairs; a strong dispel would shatter the illusion and reality as it was would resume to the perspective of the subject in question...however... The vast halls were no illusion or teleportation magic, but and honest warping of space to create something incredible. "T-...This was only ever a theory by Celestia's court mage, no other pony could confirm this was a possibility. Did that old madman know? Did he foresee this?" He would have continued, but he was interrupted by a warm laugh coming from below at the foot of the stairs. He turned and stood up, not even realized he had lost his wits and had to quickly regain them when a wash of lavender color brought his anger back in a flash. "Queen Twilight." he said, not as if greeting, but accusing. ____ Twilight remained sitting, gazing at the statue of her old friend and couldn't suppress a wistful sigh; she knew where Sombra was at all times due to the nature of his magic creating a small void of darkness. Yet it was simply fate that they would run into each other like this. Twilight was looking for a book on gryphon history, not that he would believe her. So she simply smiled and took in his reaction to her student's incredible work. Twilight turned her head to look at and address Sombra. "Princess is fine, but really it's unnecessary. I always have been just Twilight Sparkle." She stood and faced him now, the dark king not recoiling, but more so priming himself. Twilight had to suppress her emotions; she found so much pity for the stallion that it was hard to see him as himself. She knew he was no stray dog to take in with simple comfort; and so she had to treat him with more respect than others might think worthy of this avatar of oppression. "These halls are not endless as the door implies, but they are much more vast than they should be, as you noticed." she continued. "This is the work of my student Starlight Glimmer and her partner Sunburst." She motioned to the statue of Starlight that rose to such a height. "We offered to put them both here, but Sunburst wouldn't have it...I admire that mage, I do." she paused, glad to see Sombra start to relax. "He wants to change the world, yet he also doesn't want his name plastered all over. It isn't modesty, I think. I think the poor stallion is just shy." she ended with a soft laugh, a genuine one. Sombra felt at a loss for words. Not only was it not a result of Celestia's mage, but this magical marvel was made by someone who didn't even want credit for it? He sat back down, dumbfounded that such a personality existed... "That is just absurd." he started. "You make a breakthrough that allows the warping of space itself and you don't even want the credit? No pony is that shy. Just imagining the amount of spell layering, testing each and every effect knowing the next test could turn you inside out or cause any number of disasters; and the skill you need with weaving magic runes-." He stopped when he saw the smile on her face. Sombra felt his tail flick once in annoyance, deciding to entertain her for the sake of getting information. The king was an old hat with manipulation, the decision was made in reflex and he found words forming before he made the conscious decision to engage with Twilight. This is to say, really, he was shocked at himself for wanting to talk more about the subject in spite of his hate for the alicorn. "What I'm trying to say is it simply makes no sense for someone to work so hard, accomplish something even the gods could not and decide not to take credit for it. It tells me this Sunburst is unfathomably sad as a pony, insecure, and probably unloved." he ended, smiling with such toxic venom in his tone. Though the last adjective was a tad reaching... Twilight seemed unfazed; her posture didn't change nor did her expression of peaceful content, as if listening to an old friend ramble. There was a moment of silence between them and Sombra lost the smile after just a few heartbeats to look at her confused. "No, King Sombra; Sunburst is very loved." she said with blissful warmth. Infuriating warmth to the dejected King. "If you like, I can help you find what you're looking for." she ended. The ice king snorted and pushed his nose high before replying. "By all means, I can't argue if you wish to be the architect of your own downfall." he then looked at her, truly met her gaze with his vile eyes and added. "I promise I won't be kind to your subjects when you are disposed of..." This finally seemed to put a chill in the mare's veins, her expression going cold and distant as something Sombra could see as 'Luna-esque" flashed in those lavender eyes. He kept the tremor from his voice masterfully and began walking, not even sure of the direction he was going into the vast labyrinth of books. "I need to catch up on the history of the Empire that I have sadly missed, and any book on your affairs would be needed. Can we manage this simple task?" he said, glaring back at her. To his shock she was blowing out a sigh, nodding her head and then laughing to herself. He stopped in his tracks and turned to face her. "N-no, King Sombra I am not mocking you, I swear. I apologize for the impression, but you just remind me of someone..." she paused, as if deep in thought. "Well, a few someones. It brought back some fond memories..." And with that she began trotting a slow pace in the opposing direction of his own walk. Sombra had to catch up with a brisk jolt and looked up in suspicion, a look she noticed. "Ah- I...I do apologize, you won't know them but maybe telling you a few stories while we look for the books will be revenge enough for your comment about my subjects. She smiled playfully and Sombra realized just how adept this mare was at getting under his skin. "So...there's this magician named Trixie..." ____________One hour later_______________ "...And Starlight insisted that she would get revenge on us, she even solved the riddle of time magic and doomed the world a few times over just to get back at us...but, ultimately, she saw the selfishness of her actions and came to regret everything. We were almost lucky that she came to that conclusion or you and I might not ever have had this opportunity." With that a dense tome of a book was placed in the new-old saddle bag the Princess had found for him. Unable to suppress the grunt of pain his still healing bones felt carrying the weight, Twilight looked at him with a grimace. One copy of "The Crystal Press Archive" dated for the past ten years. Total weight 13.7 lbs One original print of "Princess Twilight Sparkle: A New Dawn for Equestria?" Total weight 11.6 lbs One abridged edition of "Sun and Moonfall: Life without the sisters" Total weight 24.6 lbs And one copy of "Flurry Heart: Queen of an Empire" Total weight 10.9 lbs Weight being carried by a very unrecovered, unsteady King: 60.8 lbs. Sombra was breathing slowly, carefully. Their pace had long turned into a crawl while he used magic to constantly amplify his own strength at the cost of his recovery speed. Refusing to appear so weak as to carry measly books on his magic talents. Twilight had noticed this effort of his, but he persisted. "You, of course, wouldn't know any of this because to you and to all of Equestria nothing had happened at all. Only her and I know, now..." They had returned to the entrance and stairs, Sombra thankful for the sight and not even noticing the flash of darkness in her expression. The king paused to see Spike at the top and looking down at them both, wearing a more robust version of his normal outfit and what clearly was a piece of magic protection in the form of a gem encrusted bracer on his left arm. Sombra was versed enough in that sort of enchantment to see it a mile away if he needed to...but disliking the meaning behind it's appearance. He stood tall in spite of his pain and, though his hooves felt tired and weak, he had to let the dragon know he would rather die than cower in fear over a trinket such as that. "Your Highness, you could have told someone you were escorting...him. The guard is here for a reason." Spike started, cut off by Sombra as he climbed the stairs. "Oh please, dear captain if I had the opportunity to kill your precious Queen, I would have taken it already." he said with a grin as green flooded his eyes for a moment. Spike put a claw on the sword at his side and snarled very audible, Twilight stepping up to follow the King and adding hastily. "Spike! It's alright, even he admits I can defend myself; Sombra needed help and we had a good chance to talk-" she was then cut off by a laugh from Sombra. "Dear Queen Twilight! Is that all it was? Was it not pity or shame that drove you to help me and gnaw my ears apart?" This put Twilight on the defensive, her posture changing to quick shock and wanting to rebuke, she inhaled sharply but Sombra continued. "IF you want to help me I have a suggestion..." the pause; Sombra adored the drama. "Not tomorrow, but the next day, at noon; I want to see the city. I'm no fool, I know I am under arrest but surly there is a balcony with a view. Have the servants prepare for a...ah...A Royal Viewing." he chuckled to himself, finally reaching the top of the stairs and finding his path blocked by the dragon. "The information in these books are hardly enough without the context, and we've nothing better to do while I recover." he took a breath, trying to hide just how empty his lungs felt from the climb up simple stairs. "My magic is enough to survey a greater distance than you think, Captain, and I can't even go near a window without your guards breaking out in a panic. I was underground for the greater part of a generation, I could at any moment find myself back in that cage, my only request...a request from the great and powerful King Sombra is just an afternoon to see what I may from the castle towers." he ended. Taking a long breath as quietly as possible as he stared down the dragon. ...Then Twilight Sparkle laughed. ... Spike and Sombra both stared squarely at her with total loss of words as her light as air laugh echoed in the depthless halls of the library, the sun seeming to grow brighter from just the presence of her joy...at what, neither of them knew. "Is there something funny about my plea?" he shot. Twilight sat down there in front of the statue at the bottom of the stairs, unable to remain standing as she laughed her musical, light bringing laugh as his face burned red within moments, nearly charging down the stairs were it not for the foresight that he would then have to climb them all over again. All that she got out were just a hoofful of words. "I-I'm sorry! I-It's jus-st...th-e G-great and P-p-powerful S-Sombra!" Suddenly her story rushed back to him and he fumed in bitter rage and Spike felt the humor punch him in the gut and a smile painted wide on his face. "I AM NOT THAT CHARLATAN MARE!" Author's Note Things are starting to change. A little light in the room, yea? Up next: Nashta and Sombra power hour Thick as ThievesWith what felt like mythical effort he reached his temporary room and slung the saddlebags down onto the floor, taking a long and needed breath as green wisps erupted all around him, his healing finally kicking back into full tilt with a symphony of cracks and snaps across his body that left him feeling dizzy with relief and pleasant pain. True to the simplest form, a little fitness goes a long way to helping the body recover and the dark king had a moment to enjoy the humor in the fact. His humor soured when he noticed now two birds in his window and blew out his deep breath as a sigh, rolling his eyes and lifting the books off the floor with a field of magic that placed them down on the study desk in the room. Sombra was stuck making a decision...while normally the answer was rudimentary, he found it hard to find an agreement with himself on the subject of how to take in the information as quickly as possible. Normally, he would use curse magic to imprint the words of the text into his mind and his subconscious would sort relevant data automatically. The spell would burn lesser minds to a crisp depending on the content of the text, but this was light reading at best and he could waste an afternoon doing it manually or spend a few seconds doing it his way; yet this also might raise the ire of 'Her Highness Princess Twilight'. It was then that the black dragon decided to show herself, just as Sombra caught a whiff of something like steamed vegetables and had to fight the urge to stagger back when the dragon dropped from his ceiling with a small bundle in her claws. Sombra then had the displeasure of hearing his stomach make it's presence known with a flash back to the isolation and the nurse...he shook it off, visibly, and looked up at her. "I thought I told you to go to the library; I even gave you a list." he started. The dragon nodded, moving towards the desk full of books and placed the bundle on top of them, pulling a sling off her side to set it there as well, what must be a pack of water. "You shouting your intent to the whole castle told me all I needed to know about your "four-D" chess game so I decided to get a snack for me, lunch for you and I'll help fill in some cultural sub-text you're GOING to miss in these books." she ended, her tone rather cold and clinical all of a sudden. Sombra couldn't find words for a moment and he thought he smelled something...odd. Something old and sweet, fragrant, like a perfume...he just stared at the dragon, thinking though muddy memory as to why in the world the scent of perfume was on his mind. Nash sat down at the freshly repaired desk and unfurled the contents of the leaf wrap pack. "You look like you just saw a ghost..." she started, Sombra suddenly snapped to reality and the scent of perfume vanished. "I've...been a little more relaxed than I should be. I know...You know...but the point is I want you to know you can talk to me. I don't want you to hurt Auntie Twi and if it comes to it I'll-" Sombra's whole posture changed, his chest was out, eyes shar and low with mists of green entering the whites. "I will take you down if I have to." she ended. Sombra sat down there. Not that he meant to, posturing is an art that any nobility has to be an expert at and any small motion or uncontrolled response might mean the difference in intimidation or the lack of. Yet he sat without even giving the motion thought and he felt his chest go tight. Snug. Breath not even getting in as he started to pant without any thought to the sudden concern on Nashta's face. The sensation was totally new. Totally strange and totally unpleasant as darkness crowded around his vision and a voice in his ears told him he was ok, that he would be alright and nothing would hurt him as the white walls around him and a dark blur entering in and out of his vision. Breathing getting more and more uncontrolled and the darkness winning the fight, the scent of perfume suddenly back along with a bitter taste in his mouth that made breathing even harder... Yet like it never happened, Sombra felt his normal train of thought snap back into place and his body got to send all those messages to his brain all at once. Pain. Mostly pain, soreness, joints that need flexing, several opium doses to numb the ache in his chest and splitting headache. His eyes were still stinging with a blinding white light when he started casting small spells to dial back the pain. He realized then that he had dropped all his defenses, his healing spells, all the little things he was doing to keep his body moving had to be reknit carefully though his muscles and bones. Most didn't value healing magic; truly value, most thought it a simple cast of a spell and everything was better...but ponies always need doctors and pharmacists long before and after magic had anything to do with medicine. Magical healing takes more art than power and it was more than frustrating that he needed to do it all over again. "Sombra!" Nearly jumping out of his skin was also very frustrating. "Sombra! Thank Celestia; talk to me, tell me you're ok." The voice was NOT Princess Twilight like he felt like he should expect at this point. She was always there when he was at his lowest, he hated that, deeply. Yet it was a dragon with ebony scales that greeted him first. He took stock in where he was, what was happening and found he was in his temporary bed. Perhaps he never even left the room judging by the shut and locked door. Sombra sat up and was quick to get off the bed, Nashta jumping back out of his way. "What happened?" he said curtly. Not as if asking her a question, but he was asking himself what functionally happened. "Y-you started stumbling, breathing really hard and..." she hesitated. Sombra for a moment saw her, seeing not a spy but a young girl who's fear wasn't rooted in survival like he always saw in others. "I won't ask, but you said a lot of strange stuff...like, I can't even begin to imagine you asking for help but you did...clearly, to me! You asked for help over and over and you kept rubbing your eyes." Sombra took a few deep breaths, shaking his head and throwing his mane back, brushing the fur out of place with his hoof and wisps of magic. Putting the disheveled back into noble form while he tried to put words together. His heart was racing but he let the silence hang just long enough to feel thing slow back down. "I'm...not sure what to say." he began, then stopping himself as anger crossed his dark eyes. "You kept me here when I might have needed dire medical attention f-for what? My pride? You put...my pride before my well being and...you...remind me of someone." he said, coming to a slow end of his thought and started another. "I thank you. Truly; No one has-" he halted, breath catching in his throat and an image unbidden in his mind plastered the face of a mare with a soot colored coat and moss green eyes. "Very few have-" Nashta tilted her head, clearly wanting to ask the question. "Thank you. Nashta." The dragoness sat down on the bed again, the living shadows that she wove answered to her unspoken call, her legs and arms were almost wrapped in a cloak of light eating darkness and she seemed so much smaller before she realized what she was doing and the dark was banished. "I saved you down there because I knew when I saw you that Celestia was wrong. Whatever she was thinking at the time- W-whatever message she was trying to impart...she was wrong." Sombra felt his heart rate climb a tad and took another steadying breath. "I am in your debt; a debt I can never repay. That hell has changed me, it is an undeniable fact and I am not blind or foolish enough to think otherwise. However, I know my place in this world is the one who will end the reign of the gods." Sombra felt something in him grow cold seeing dark climb over the dragoness again. "My means are retold by history as barbaric but when I began my rule the empire was just a brick and stone township where the crystalline look was more about blending into the snow to avoid the predators, though they forget that...I raised them up into..." The cold in his chest stabbed deeper seeing the questions and worry written all over her face. "I'm a tyrant but my goal was the end of divine tyrants." "But you can't die, either...can you?" she cut in. "I can die, dragoness." The silence lasted a little too long for comfort, Sombra bit back a more cutting retort because she deserved the truth, but getting to the point so quickly left little else to fill the silence with. "You can be killed...like the Princesses; but can you die?" The question was simple but it bit deep, he balked at the implication and felt fire fighting the cold in his chest before realizing he had no answer for her. His jaw worked but words wouldn't come out and the darkness that clung to the dragoness like a blanket started to come free. "I've read a little about you; but I think you can be forgiven if you ask." Sombra had little to say to that as well; he never thought about forgiveness as a desire or future outcome, forgiveness was just a word others used or wrote in books and so it was never for him to even ponder over. "Why would you say that?" he asked, wandering over to the food that was still laid out on the desk. Starting with a hay sandwich as his sense of hunger returned strong enough to force his hoof. Nashta couldn't answer for a moment as the darkness around her vanished once again and she was brave enough for a smile. "Because I've seen evil people and you don't strike me as one of them." "That is certainly the first time anyone has ever said that to me. Have you considered that you don't know me as well as you think?" he retorted before taking another ravenous bite of the sandwich, washing it down with a few slices of apple. "There's a way to be sure..." she started, Sombra raising a brow. "We could duel. I'm sure you remember knights dueling their squires to see if they were worthy of their training-" "I saw that tradition being made, young one. I know of the maxim, one cannot hide anything in the heat of battle. I used this several times to weed spies from my court...my apologies." he added, seeing the look in Nashta's eyes. "You want this...don't you? Is it to prove something to daddy? Don't think I haven't seen the way you two glare at each other." her face couldn't hide the heat in her cheeks and sharp glare cutting the air in the room. "Spike needs to learn a lesson or two, yeah, but this isn't about him. My teacher did the same thing to me, tossed me a sword and with no training at all he told me to swing at him. That was the day I was asked to join Twilight's court as a...a spy, yeah." she paused, seeming to struggle with a memory or specific detail. "I want to duel you; you want to regain your full strength. Win-win. "You have given this thought." he commented. She nodded. "Then whatever question you hope to answer by a duel must be really burning inside you, dragoness. Then lets fight, take me to your training hall." he said, finishing off the last of the food she had brought him. Nashta blinked, looking dumbfounded for a moment before standing up quickly. "B-but you just-" "I just carried about a full stallion's weight on my back in books up stairs and down what felt like endless halls. I'm warmed up, fed, and now that you put this pesky thought in my head I want a sword." he opened the door with a grasp of magic swinging it wide, a guard nearly falling over with what Sombra guessed was a case of having an ear too long for his head... "Let us duel, dragoness." ____________________________________________________ It felt like a lifetime ago when Sombra felt a sword. Of course most ponies had to rely on pikes and specialized harnesses to wage war but a unicorn could be creative...given enough time and training a single sword would out perform a whole squad of pikes and there were many dangerous styles of magical combat that involved iron and steel. However, his was always a single blade with a wide guard. "The trick to fighting with magic is always keeping track of where your blade is. How many young hopefuls cut themselves because they get too excited and forget the heavy iron they are trying to throw in the air doesn't care who's blood is spilled. Any magic knight worth anything would have at least one or two drastic scars..." he waxed while picking out a blade. Nashta sighed and leaned on a wall near the door. The room was large enough to hold four fighting rings and each wall had racks and racks of anything a guard might need to train with. The blades were all dull and chipped with the armor in the same beaten in state that heavy use would indicate. There was an upper balcony where observers could get a good look at the fighters but it was relatively empty. A few guards had been lucky enough to catch wind of what was going on from his security detail and one by one guards had slipped in to either pretend to train or outright sit and watch what was about to happen. Nashta had a long and thin sword; good for deflection with enough martial arts experience but not outright blocking. He could tell her style was deceptive and would be very mobile; naturally as an extension of her control over darkness to hide herself and cause confusion. He had a flicker of fear thinking... 'She might actually be worse to fight when you know what's coming...' Picking up a sword in his grasp of oily grey magic, it was just as dirty as the rest of these worn blades but he felt a little pang of nolstalga for it, something in the brutally simple design of a double edge, a wide grip and a point that formed not as an end to the sword, but as a meeting of the edges making a geometric triangle shape with enough grip that he could apply a sudden force of magic to the end and get out a lot more leverage than if the hilt were shorter. "It's even harder to use the whole blade like most knights needed to. The guard doubled as a hammer, the pommel as a striking tool, if you lost track of where your magic was, how you were swinging, what effect you were intending on your target...you might lose your head." he ended, stepping into a circle and swinging the blade in the air a few times. "You like hearing the sound of your own voice, don't you, Sombra." she jabbed with a chuckle. "It's an acute dislike of silence, that's all. If you had more to add I wouldn't need to talk so much." he cut right back. Nashta joined him in the circle and a few more guards slunk in quickly as they assumed now no one was focused on them. "The forge master here could do with a little better work ethic, too...doesn't he know dull blades kill more painfully than sharp ones." "She has been busy changing the armor design for the royal guard at Princess Twilight's request." "Ah, long live the Queen, damn the soldiers..." Guards whispered at that, Nashta gritting her teeth and flourishing her blade as a way to get their attention without being too obvious. "Don't try to garner sympathy like that. It's too plain for the master of plans." Sombra took a deep breath...the magic that was woven artfully through his broken body started to vanish and be replaced by painful stinging. "Alright, dragoness, then lets begin-" Within a heartbeat shadows erupted around her and a flicker of darkness in the room caused just a moment of blindness; in that heartbeat she had ran down most of the length of the ring and he was only just able to get his sword in position to block an overhead slash. Her sword hardly felt his as she drew it back short of his black at the last moment to slip into his guard and shoulder bash him, sending the king's body screaming in pain while he landed half a meter back, digging his hooves in and panting hard, nearly falling to the ground as every muscle in him cried out. "I could have broken your jaw. Call me 'dragoness' again and I might...my name is Nashta and I want to help you, Sombra." Sombra wanted so badly to weave pain numbing magic into his body again but he couldn't afford the distraction now that it seemed like his pride was on the line. Whispers of guards and the door not even able to close as more and more ponies, gryphons and changelings filed in to watch. Even a yak was able to squeeze in somehow and sat in the far corner with the most judgmental face Sombra had ever seen... Sombra raised his sword again, this time his magic was used to reinforce his eyes against a sudden change in light while his eyes started running green, the mist around them denoting just how seriously he was taking this duel now. "No holding back, Sombra..." she reminded him. He charged her with blade in a tight guard, she was seasoned enough to read the intent; he wanted a close and tight fight to put her dexterity in check; shadows pulled her limbs into obscurity and she stood her ground as Sombra saw through the feint and used all of his swords reach to make a wide swing, forcing her back a step that put her off balance; another wide swing to force her back another step followed up with a sudden change in grip. Sombra's magic grabbed the blade of the sword and in an instant the sword was able to cover double the ground as the sharp guard came at her just like he said...a hammer. Nashta braced, taking the blow to her shoulder as she was thrown to the side. She rolled out of the fall and came right at him while he was just about to start waxing again; her sharp blade easily got by his lowered guard and before he could draw his sword back close to protect himself she stabbed the point of her sword into his shoulder, officially drawing first blood. This insult and the cheering guards would be met with fire...Sombra felt all sense of pride and nobility leave him like chains falling off his body as he drew the sword back in fast, using a hoof to swing at her, though he knew he'd never land a hit like that she would be forced to jump back and with a small adjustment his sword found her side and cut a path across her scales that got a cry of pain from her as she held the cut for a moment and moved back with expert speed and grace. They both took a breath and in an instant they were locked again. Nashta was like smoke and Sombra was pure fire. Pain was forgotten, the cheers and shouts were for deaf ears as the two clashed with steel ringing out each and every contact. Nashta gave ground, Sombra panted from chasing her down every time and no one could claim a side was squeezing out an edge in the exhausting looking melee. "Come on King Sombra! Stop holding back!" she shouted suddenly, the crowd going mostly silent. Sombra smiled and pushed a spell into his sword, a sudden light blinding off the edge caught her in the eye and...Spike came rushing at her with sword drawn. Nashta had to give ground and put her hand on the flat of the blade to stop the brutal strike he threw at her. A cry in her throat was silenced when the captain of the guard thrust his sword up, breaking the guard and the swords iron pommel was thrust in a punch that knocked the wind out of her chest. In that same instant, Nashta was falling to her knees as Spike reached an arm, snatching her throat up and picking her whole body up in the air. "I never loved you..." A blade was plunged into her gut, sending hot pain all through her body as cold spread just as fast to her limbs...the mirage melting into the visage of Sombra with sickening green eyes and a grin that was nearly ear to ear. The sword pulling out of her gut with the sound of wet blood and shouting guards... "DAD NO!" Then she looked down and saw the pommel pressed to her belly. Her breath caught in her throat and in a blink she saw Sombra, grinning, but less like a nightmare and more...smug. She was sitting on the ground looking up at him, he withdrew the sword and sat down, the tip of the blade digging into the sand that was the arena to sit upright. She quickly checked her body, felt the blood from the earlier cut and couldn't suppress the whimper of fear...then a sigh of relief. Laying flat on her back and hearing her arm hit her swords hilt. "Celestia, Luna and all the stars in the sky you..." she started... "I'm not sorry. You're a skilled fighter and-" "YOU ACTUALLY BEAT ME?!" she shouted as guards all rushed around them, some holding weapons at the ready and others just trying to see what was going on as she continued. "Look, being honest I expected to win and we'd have this whole lesson about mercy, friendship and- and..." "And you forgot you were fighting a unicorn when you shouted to not hold back. Isn't that right, Nashta..?" he said, the smug grin somehow getting deeper, and full of smugness. She was speechless for a moment before hearing something that made her heart actually stop. "NASHTA! Nash wh- Move guardsman! Make a hole, move! Nash!" Spike; the real Spike was bowling ponies out of his way like actual pins until he finally got to the arena. Seeing her on her back and Sombra looming over her with a sharp blade nearby was enough to nearly send him into a white hot rage... "Dad no! I asked him to duel!" Something snapped in the air between the dragons... "I even drew blood first so its my fault for escalating things. "Spike!" came another voice from the observation deck. Guards, visitors, guests, all eyes in the room went to the second floor and there sat Princess Twilight. Guards all sucked in a gasp, shackles of shame firmly clamping over their hearts while the guests all looked in awe at the princess. "I approved the duel. I wouldn't let anyone hurt your daughter, you know that." "Twi!" he started, trying to argue. "Please, Spike...we all learned a lot here, I think." she turned her gaze to a pony in white. "Can you ask the other cooks to prepare a meal for myself, the captain, Nash and King Sombra, please." The pony nodded quickly, running as fast as he could out the door before anyone could even think of the word punishment or dereliction of duty. The guards all suddenly started talking to each other...section commanders talked to officers who talked to juniors and suddenly everyone was back on task like every post in the castle wasn't totally abandoned... Spike couldn't take his glare off Sombra...ponies moved all around them but his rage and worry was centered squarely on the King who happened to notice the dragon was staring not at him, but at his heart...probably imaginging crushing it under claw. "What can I say, captian...it was approved." he said so, so smugly. Author's Note Whew that was a power hour wasnt it? There might be some lingering edits that need to be made, but otherwise im very happy how this turned out. How Time ChangesHow long had it been...since he had felt the warmth of the sun? It felt like several lifetimes, stuck in this endless purgatory. A lesser mind might even call it hell if exposed long enough to the singular torment of boredom; A dark room, chained to a wall, limbs locked in place and body, rendered immobile. The only light he ever saw was the afternoon sun sending a bright beam into the center of the room by a small window above his head just so he could feel the pain of the light on his tired eyes, but not give him the slightest hope of freedom...and it would give him an idea of the passing days. Passing the time plotting revenge was a fun thing he had for a while, but even that lost its luster after a few months; frankly it nearly drove him to mad babbling. Whatever force drew him back to the realm of the sane, he would gladly thank. After his near slip to insanity, he had nothing left but to do mundane things; sing, act...simple things, really. The guards outside stopped participating a long time ago, he missed the mare who sang with him at times, he never did get her name, but her voice was an oasis compared to the constant silence. The silence.... There was a promise he made to himself late into imprisonment, to never leave himself in silence, he needed to surround himself with noise; somehow...someway, he would never let the quiet reach him again. The crushing sound of silence became a deep-rooted fear; So, when he lacked the energy to sing or hum, he simply swung his heavy limbs on his chains, just so the silence wouldn't take him. "And the sunlight...comes again..." He sang to break the silence. The bright beam forced him to close his eyes, the dark of the cell had ruined his vision, any amount of light only caused him pain and sent him into a more hopeless pit. "Come to remind me...Like an old friend..." The chains rattled as he tried to move his body, a slow smile on his face when he remembers the time he heard a guard sobbing after he sang, sometimes that made it a game for him, a game of "Who could he make weep" in his current plight. Putting extra effort into his tone to sound more depressed and alone, he continued. "But this friend knows not what he does...he causes pain and hate, and suffering with his love..." A loud bang shook the door to his cell and the surprise cut him off. "Stop singing!" Came a male voice. The sudden sound made his ears hurt, he wanted to argue and shout at the guard.... "My apologies." Was all he could say. Not in a meek way, but in a tone that showed he had still retained his self-respect...if not learning to not fight a losing battle. He wanted to at least have some interaction with something, but he had a deep feeling that an argument would only worsen his already bleak situation. She could always find a way to make him miserable, in fact...he remembered that guards were once posted inside the room itself, to make sure he would not try and free himself by persistence alone, after he befriended the guards, they were told to stay outside and not talk to him. When they sang or acted with him, they were removed, and now this hulking brute stands a post, trying to keep him silent through fear. A useless tactic on him, there was nothing left for him to fear except her. Pillows... His mind already jumped to a new topic to keep himself busy... I will have my bedroom drown in feather soft pillows from only the greatest craftsmen...even if I must tread water to get them. What color would they be...? Eyes turning dim and distant, he could only tilt his chin down to rest on the iron neck brace that kept his head pinned to the wall. Doing the only thing he could in his isolation. Sleep...sleep and dream of a better place to be. Perhaps he would be treated to a fond memory of his rule, where everything served to comfort him; The crystal ponies toiling away to make his kingdom better, while he sat in his chambers and lounged with so many...now he didn't care if he had a line outside his door; His dream was to be with all of his pillows... To just have the sweet softness of one comfort, a book, a movie, blanket or wonderful pillow; Or a pony to just talk to is what he dreamed of...and it was heavenly. A gentle sound wakes him, eyes fluttering open to the darkness, no sunlight to burn his eyes. Looking around the room to see where the noise had come from. It happened again...it was a knock at his door, not like the brute trying to silence him; this was a question. Questions of his own began to form, his hate surfaced, with it his mania, when it occurred to him that it could be her. After all this time she finally seeks to visit him again in this new form of hell she sought to break him in; He had to look good...doing his best to throw his rats nest of a mane to the side with what little movement he had, he prepared himself for the day he had been waiting for…for...he couldn't remember how long it had been...nevertheless, he steeled himself and said. "What is it...?" With as much power to his voice. Suppressing the cracks that he felt wanting to come out in his tone. Even in the darkness, the door opened to a light, so soft, it took a moment for his eyes to adjust; but it was something he forced himself to push down. His face was a stone slab of anger, but he did not feel the twitch in his lips. Refusing to look weak if he could help it, he looked at the light until it came into focus, it was a light on top of a horn, glowing a soft lavender, bright purple eyes shining at him with worry and pity. What is this... The eyes grew closer to him until he could see more features, body a hauntingly tall size, wings held tight against the body and not a singles trace of malice on her face. In fact, as she grew to be only a few feet from him, he realized that her face was somehow familiar. Yet he couldn't place it...his time had robbed him of some of his memory, and the purple face of an alicorn was something he could not place a name to. His plan was coming undone by his own curiosity and desire for contact, conversation, but his face contorted to a scowl when he knew for a fact that he remembered that shade of purple and those wide eyes. "My...h-how you've grown into such a regal princess..." Looking at him still with concern, she took a step back and sat down; studying everything about him, the hair looking rotten and ragged, eyes bearing heavy rings and body showing signs of malnutrition and even dehydration. The green tint in his eyes were gone, the purple mist was absent as well she even glanced to the side, just out of his vision was a gleam of silver and red. Someone had placed his crown in his cell as a cruel joke...his power and life just a few feet away...but always unreachable. The silence had become unsettling, he began to move in his binds to try and somehow free himself, as if the visit would change the way his next few moments would be. She only looked at him with more pity and he even could see a gleam in her eyes as water began to build. He stopped moving as that old feeling of rage boiled him to stillness. "I'm so sorry for letting this happen..." Her voice... It was familiar, old in his memory. The penance on her face was obvious, she had something to do with his poor state, perhaps she could be the one to free him. He let go of his plan, doing the only thing he can to be free of this place, even though it shamed him. " Please, kill me or release me, but do not waste my time." He said in desperation. The lavender mare shook her head, the light casting on the colors of purple, vanilla and teal. She remained silent. Something that was rapidly making him dislike her. “You hold tight to that fear, child. Once free, none will stay my wrath. Everyone you love and care for will die when I am free.” He began to slip into a rant, his heart was pounding and body shaking with fury. He felt cold sweat on his skin, seething, breathing hard now when he stopped and realizing just how much he lost his composure. The mare stood and turned, he did feel the twitch in his eye then, gritting his teeth tight. “Don’t go…” he muttered as the door shut, heave lock falling into place and he was left alone again. Alone to his thoughts and the guard outside that stand ever watchful should the fractured stallion ever free himself. The fire inside him grew slowly, it reached places it never touched in years; it filled him with emotion and life...something was finally happening... "Come back! I demand you return and explain yourself!!" Another hard bang at the door, this time he didn't back down. "Stop the banging! What is it getting you, anyway-?! I won't be silenced! Celestia!!!!! Come and finish what you started! Where in Tartarus are you Celestia?!" Another bang, louder this time. "Be quiet in there! I will gag you if I have to." "Do it! I dare you!" Panting with the effort of stretching his lungs to shout, he felt anger returning full strength; his hunger grew, however...and he knew it would be a long time before he received another meal, he had to save his energy. Silence answered his question to the guard, a bit odd…normally the brute would argue all day if they got into it, seems however, this was a different day. Whatever happened outside while he was locked up was irrelevant, none of it mattered to him, but now...now his game finally starts and everything outside his small room would be the difference between freedom or continued lifeless existence. Author's Note This has probably been done before, but I wanted to take a stab at a more physiological story. Hope you enjoy! Oh How Time Has PassedOh, how wrong I was, to think immortality meant never dying. Sitting in the cold silence, he was slowly brought out of his deep sleep with pain in his stomach and fear budding in the back of his mind. The rich food had upset his digestive system...so long eating something that couldn't even be called food had ruined any taste he had for the fancy. The sheer amount of it had also put him into a deep slumber; one that he awoke from with more stiffness in his neck than usual. The pitch darkness of the cell told him it was night; the sister of the lunar moon must be awake right now...sitting on her balcony and watching over the dreams of her subjects. There were times long ago, when he felt a presence in his dreams, looming just out of sight; watching...judging. Over time it went away, either disinterested, or she forgot to stalk her prisoner, which he was thankful for. There were times where he could see darting teal eyes chasing him as he ran in dreams, sometimes they chased him, other times he would wake up exhausted after chasing it. Never reaching it, always an inch away and a mile apart...just always chasing. Lifting his head and rolling it as much as he could, the tight joints slowly loosened and he ended the stretch with a long yawn, his teeth were stained yellow and had splotches of green...his latent magics sustained a lot of his body, but anything extra was too much energy wasted. So, he suffered the slow rot of his teeth, thankfully he could go another fifty years without needing to worry. "Something feels...wrong." Words echoing quietly with the chains jingle, he looked around to try and see any obvious signs of a threat. Veins filled with ice and neck hair standing up, a mane floating on a phantom gust was visible in the darkest corner of his room. A gold shoe on snow white hoof stepped forward, her face remained in the shadow, but he knew... it was her... "Get away from me..." He said blatantly, fear just in the edge of his voice. Looming...watching…planning, judging him; she just stood there silently, using the fear she created against him. "I said get away! Leave my presence before I rip your wings off you demon!" In a deep, commanding and fear invoking voice, the booming call that sent him to this hell, for a moment, he felt like his body was on fire; every nerve lighting up and screaming in pain; and all he heard was her say. "Villain." He flinched. The sound of the door crashing open caught his attention, hooves echoing quickly as the bright purple eyes rushed to him, the soft lavender glow on her horn lighting up her face once she got close, the worry in her eyes plain as the stark surprise in her voice. "What's happened?! Sombra! Speak to me!" The pain and fear lingered with echoes of a scream in the room. The alicorn lit her horn bright and illuminated the room in a calming glow, his body resonating in the aura...soon his pain subsided, the agony fled from the purple light. Warm tears falling from his face, wetting his cracked skin under thin fur, he slowly brought himself back to clear thoughts, he looked up and finally saw the face if his savior...and felt his heart sink. "Y... you." he said with a cold indifference. Twilight looked at him, worry shifting to mixed confusion. The glare in his eyes, shaking hooves and sweating profusely, the two were silent for a few more moments, Twilight unable to understand what caused him so much pain and then vanish like it never existed...he was just trying to keep his nerve and return to the calm he was so accustomed to. Finally, she spoke up to try and get him talking. "H-how are you feeling…?" She said with a timid demeanor. Tilting his head back down, Sombra took one last deep breath to steady his racing heart. Understanding dawned on him. The light she was giving off was not just illumination to sting his eyes, it was healing magic. She was mending him…by force. Sombra felt bile rise at the thought of being cared for by this guilt wracked goddess. "I am fine...thank you, your highness." The calmness in his voice and haunting bass echoed in the room and made the alicorn shutter slightly, the slight against her also hit home by his observation... Twilight held back a sigh of relief, taking a few steps back but letting the light in the room stay. Twilight took another look at him...the food and helped his overall frame, his ribs only showing slightly. It was hard to really gauge how he was after such a shock, but she hoped that he was improving... "I'm sorry for whatever caused this...." "Sorry is a word easy to say, but to mean takes a conviction I do not hear." He cut...coldly glaring into her. Really, he did not need to be so harsh, but he liked picking at her skin with his words… The alicon took another step back, recoiling from the harshness of his tone. They sat in silence once again, Twilight was wise...she was tempered by her time...but this put her back all those years, facing down an enemy from her early years, armed with nothing but her wits and a tiny dragon at her side. Now she stood before him as not just an adult, but a goddess with near limitless power at her disposal. If she wished, Sombra would be obliterated and everyone could bury the past like a fresh corpse. Hide it away so no one ever sees the sins of the gods...like she did. Yet, she was stronger than that. Twilight took a slow breath to steady herself and she sat down. Slow getting comfortable, the big tail coming around to lay at her side and wings folding in to hug her body. Princess Twilight smiled at the broken king of darkness and said… "I'm here to put an end to this." Sombra looked at her, watching her every move and hiding his astonishment. To willingly put yourself in this cell, where nothing ever leaves and say, ‘You're here to help.’ It was almost too much for him to accept. So long in the darkness, he held reserve for her until the shackles came off; even if a part of him was wanting to smile just as brightly in joy at the thought of leaving. Looking down at her, she still held the warm smile and continued. "I want to...tell you what's happened since you've been imprisoned." Keeping quiet, he didn't want to give anything away; any information she was willing to give up on her own was more than welcome. “50 years ago...” After your defeat, we all assumed you had perished. Then...things were as normal as they could get, everypony lived their life peacefully. Nothing could seem to break this peace, even Discord himself was reformed. I think that Celestia was even trying to work an alliance with the dragons...a real peace between all of the races. It was good, to finally see everything act as it should; my friends and I would simply learn about friendship...simple times. Then...a horrible monster broke free from his prison in Tartarus. Tirek... He nearly enslaved the entire world, stealing all the magic he could find, even draining ponies of their own magical power. The land was dry, weather wild and he nearly destroyed everything. Celestia had a last resort. They gave me all of the power they had left, three alicorns poured everything they had into me. But I beat him...we...all of my friends beat him back to his cell and returned everything to peace, or so I had thought. We tried...for so long...but I couldn't get rid of the power. It was impossible for me to give back the only thing keeping the wisest and strongest leaders alive, was stuck inside me. It took a few years, but age caught up with them...and...Celestia passed away. Luna withstood a few more years, but she perished just the same. “I was looking in old records a few weeks ago, since Celestia has- had a habit of leaving things behind for others to discover. I found your record and…didn’t know what to think. I had to speak to you.” Twilight finished. _ _ Sombra listened intently, the news of reformation from the god of chaos was a surprise; not unforeseen, but a surprise. Tirek was another story. In his studies, the name often came up on topic of end times; The Red Tyrant, Eater of Souls...many names for the same evil. Odd that he should so easily recall that name, he felt his own was fuzzy at times...perhaps the tale of his downfall struck something within him all those ages ago. It was the tale of a downfall that he took from, it told him never to trust anyone to be your allies forever...even your own brother will betray you for a better offer. Sombra wanted to laugh at the fact that he was an only child when he took this to heart...but even as she spoke, he couldn't wrap his head around what she was saying. Celestia...dead Luna...dead. Cadence dead. The only things that stood in his way died in their beds as frail old mares. They suffered the rapid degradation of their bodies and minds until nothing, but dust remains deep in the soil...the only proof they existed in the headstones...it nearly made him cry; he won. Sombra couldn't stop the smile on his face, a big grin and bright eyes that gave his emotions away like a flare in the night sky. Twilight let him have his moment, the broken king let out a short laugh and lifted his head high, the red in his eyes shining bright and regaining its former youth, his eyes watered but no tears fell...it made her heart sink with pity. Sombra lied to her...it was obvious, he was going to betray her and take up arms against the princesses once again. It told her that he still would remain here for a bit longer, despite her shame and pity, a broken king is still a danger to the world, if not more dangerous. Sombra was always a threat, but now he had no care for his own life, even less for the lives of others; she needed to be sure...without a doubt, that he wouldn't turn his back on the light. _ _ "I apologize for...the way I am acting- it’s just that the news comes as a shock." He finally said, the laughter still in his voice. Sombra shifted his position a little, the chains jingling quietly. "It was not my intention to offend...I'm very sorry for your loss…a-and for the loss I'm sure Equestria suffers." The tone grew from thick with irony to somber and kind, Twilight assumed it was a farce, a joke to her pain, or possible guilt; it was her fault, after all. Princess Twilight Sparkle, all that power and just helplessly watching her teacher die...The idea simply made Sombra shiver with delight. Revenge better than he could ever hope for. Twilight stood up after a few moments, her limbs a little stiff and jaw sore from the long talk; but she got up and decided that now wasn't the time to continue. Sombra had enough to think about, he needed time to digest the implications behind the history he has missed to understand... Twilight only wanted him to understand...that if he can learn from the past, his future can be saved. So, with a turn and last glance at the laughing stallion, she opened the heavy door and departed from the prison. The door shutting with a hard bang, echoing his entrapment once again. Sombra couldn't stop himself anymore, he let out a long and boisterous laugh that no one could silence; the princess of the burning sun...snuffed out. Now all that remained was the last alicorn...perhaps a descendant of the happy couple to kick off his throne. The gods consider themselves without falter, without fault and free of judgment. Sombra had long ago made a vow to bring her to his own justice; to stand before her work and see her weep as her actions burn a nation...that was his final goal...gone. Soon, he began to form his own plan, using this knowledge to formulate a new plan of attack; the laughing subsided, leaving him a little winded, but his mind was racing a mile a minute. It didn't take long for someone as clever as him to think of something...something that will sate his revenge on the world...
Just to talkOne...two.......three.........four........no, it was...six? Time had passed painfully slow, as always, he tried to count the days so he would have some idea of time; that it might help him in dealing with her. The alicorn had finally given in to her own shame, all he needed to do was drive the nails in the coffin with guilt; a little smooth talk and maybe a little something extra here and there would be the key to his freedom... Lowering his head to rest his neck, the chains jingling softly and echoing in the room a little unpleasantly. Soon his thoughts turned to the only events he could mark as noteworthy, things like earthquakes, floods or other natural disasters caused by somebody royally screwing up their job always made him laugh; to think...the guilt or shame they must endure, knowing that in an environment controlled by them, they killed innocent ponies...perhaps he could find them later to thank them for the entertainment. The biggest event that stuck out was when the afternoon sun was simply a red light, he was worried that the sound of explosions outside might reach him; there was a lot of shouting and yelling that day in Canterlot... It was all nonsense to him, or irrelevant, or maybe it was just a dream, after all, wouldn’t some disaster free him if he were so close to the surface? Celestia was well known for her misdirection. Yet nothing mattered unless it served his escape. After that incident, the noise outside of festivities was pleasant, if only to stave off the silence without expending his own energy; that, and the sound of a mare going full drama queen on some poor stallion made him laugh for quite a while. The feeling of impatience was getting uncomfortable again, he had no choice at this point but to try and take his mind off the coming meeting; something nearly impossible to do when it was the only interesting thing to happen since the guards left. What about...my castle... The Crystal Empire belonged to the princess of love; it was a lost cause to reclaim something like that. The guards were dug in too deep; the protective magics were too strong...and that husband of hers was a master tactician. Numbers and strength alone would not win the old Empire. It would take a traitor; just one knife in the back; but who would give up the monotonous life they all so enjoy murdering the queen... It needs to be an outcast, or perhaps a power hungry noble. If I can trick him, promising power or...mares, anything to have my way inside. Then a I'll place my dagger in her frail neck and let that thick husband of her watch the rivers of blood... The thoughts nagged at his mind until he shook his head out of that pit, he recognized the path to madness and stopped thinking; making sure he doesn't lose the fight at the final stretch. Odd that he would begin to sink back into his pit of obsession at this stage...the new contact was almost resetting his time, in some strange way he did not understand; or rather, refreshing old memories and rekindling old fires. The heavy door lock suddenly shifted and again, heavy iron against old oak, it echoed and swung open with a slow creak. Quickly, he looked up and watched the door open to a purple light once again. Those big purple eyes and that sullen face...it almost made him laugh at how pathetic she looked; the light made it easy for him to see her better than before, she had that new vanilla streak in her mane and an odd...weathered look. Glancing up, he didn't have the energy to really care, food was still a little way away, so he didn't care to put on a show, today. "Afternoon...Princess of the night? I can't recall your name." He said, voice rolling with the gravel of thirst. The alicorn looked confused, but not saying a word to confirm... "Apologies, it has been far too long since I've seen you, goddess. You're familiar, but you aren't her." Purple eyes filled with sadness, they shone with her growing weakness as she sat down, a plate slowly floated in the air, wrapped in a purple velvet swirl and floating in the it, past the alicorn and stopping at chest height inches from him. It smelled of heavenly aromas long forgotten in the slew of varying degrees of slop and gruel. This was bread, hay, greens and even spice! This was a meal fit for a well breed noble...now a small fork carried the meal to him, gently, rather than forcefully by the silent handmaiden that worked with the brute outside... "What is this...?" He asked, trying to control himself... "It's okay...I won’t let harm come to you anymore." Hunger...or rather, starvation is a powerful force. To achieve the revenge he so desired, he had to get out, that was the first step, so he needed to gain the trust of this sympathizer. So, he let go of a little more of his dignity and let his jaw hang and nearly broke down right there when the first taste of the delicious food hit his dry tongue. _ _ Sombra was almost like a child, a young colt with his defiant eyes and fragile body. The idea made Twilight sick, not disgust for him, but from the self-hatred that consumed her mind; but there was something about helping him like this that made the guilt bearable. In her long years, her innocent years, she once thought this master of darkness was dead; it was only recently that she found out the truth. Even then, there were some things that were almost better left a secret; Sombra would have existed in this prison until time itself forgot about him, existing in this space with such haunting caretakers that exist in the timeless space just as he did. Just as she does. The plate was half gone, both of them sat in heavy silence save the sounds of eating and metal against ceramic, she understood that he was no longer even a ghost of his former self, this was a shell, a broken...thing, left behind in the wake of wrath; he even looked like he knew this... Twilight set the plate down when it was empty, building up her courage and steeling herself for any insults that may come. "Hello...I...am not Princess Luna." She said, trepidation and a slight fear in her voice. Sombra looked at her with confusion plain on his face, a little disappointment as well, seeping into a scowl. "My name is Twilight Sparkle..." _ _ That....was a name he was not expecting to hear; he didn't even have a real hatred to place with that name. Yes, he did hate her for just being like the other god sisters, but she was almost alien to him. Yet he would not doubt the fact that he knew her face. Just too much was unknown at this point, he needed time to learn her angle before he worked a plan around her own schemes. So, he cleared all the judgment and hate from the surface and kept to a dignified look of distaste, nodding as slightly as the brace would let him in greeting. "Greetings...What is it you want of me?" The mare took a deep breath and looked at the ground for a moment, gathering her thoughts before answering. "I would like to simply speak. I hope to...right a very old wrong." Twilight stood up once again, bowing slightly and turning for the door, he forced himself to stay silent this time, he showed far too much weakness the first time they had met; she was coming back, soon...and he could wait. "I will return with more food and water...then we shall speak of time lost." Yet when she turned around, the mare looked back and gave him a lingering look...eyes empty, devoid of life...it gave him a chill. Something about her eyes still reminded him of her, the callus of impossible decisions grew thick over her skin and showed him her true age. "But I need a reason to trust that you will not attempt to escape until I pass judgment..." Twilight's tone was ice cold, a frightening shift for the kind hearted tone she had just a moment ago. The chains jingled quietly, their breathing echoing near silently and the tension in the air grew thick within seconds. "Is that your purpose? Are you the one to free me?" Twilight pushed down the fear in her mind when he spoke the plain truth. "I believe your punishment has been served...but my decisions affect the world...so I cannot make these choices on a gut feeling anymore. I need your word, Sombra." Insolent... The silence was getting heavy between the two, he felt his fear starting to kick in and make him jittery; but he needed to push those things aside for just a little while longer. "This prison has been designed to break a mortal stallion...to twist his mind into a irreparable heap of shattered screams and hallow memories, to make him fear the very darkness he lies in while shunning the light that burns his skin and eyes until he goes blind...I am not a mortal stallion...my torture has been prolonged, and so my suffering can be without end; I cannot go blind, I cannot forget the pain or ignore my fears. Princess Twilight Sparkle...I wish nothing less than to see the light of day or the rest of death. Tell Celestia...Tell her that I no longer seek revenge." Twilight looked like a dagger had grazed her cheek, pain rising rapidly to the surface and eyes becoming watered again; but no tears fell, she simply turned and left the room again; the heavy lock falling into place and only the shame of the truth his words to remain. Yet she was touched by his words, he lowered his head and a small smile came to his face for the first time in a long... long time. The weeds of doubt had been planted, even chained and locked against a cold wall, he was just as dangerous; he was just as sly, perhaps even a little cunning in him remained...because sometimes... The truth, was the best lie... Author's Note Take this! I think this getting interesting, no..? Probably not, but still. Euhhuhu..Huhuhahaha...AHAHHA- Oh! HCK! ACH! ECH!....Somethin in my throat there...sorry about that.
What is the Right Answer?Sombra ate regularly, the pale, tasteless meals that kept him going, the gritty water it came with forced down his throat by the same forceful hoof of the handmaiden veiled by a white mask. Golden colored eyes, petite form and soft grey fur, her mane always was tied up in a bun, nothing about her ever seemed to change. The mask was pure, pearl colored, a velvet mask of fine fibers stitched by hoof; it had a stain wrought from time by the left cheek, the grim and dirt looking rather sullen on what he saw as a fallen angel in this hellish pit. A personal fallen angel to tend to the demon wrought in chains and iron. Days would go by where she would not even dare glance at his face, hiding her emotions by getting her job done as quickly and as forcefully as possible; then there were days she felt so brazen as to look death right in the blood red eyes he had and give a soft, airy laugh. Something about the laugh wasn't insulting, nor was it meant to be; it felt like she was making a connection that she found humorous or ironic...and such was their relationship. Food, company, the occasional cleaning to prevent painful infections...she kept him alive...and oddly...he did not hate her for it. Silent, humiliating and sometimes bleak; she looked upon a dead king and never flinched nor faltered. Sometime, Sombra pinned her as a mare who has seen enough death to mock a solider, other days...innocent as a snowy colored animal, hiding from the powerful gusts of wrath and ice brought forth by its broken master. He held a theory that she was not even alive, just another poor unfortunate soul. When she was finished with feeding him, the mare did as she always does; taking up the used dish and making for the exit as fast as possible. Leaving Sombra to the bitter aftertaste of his imprisonment. The food settled unpleasantly in his stomach, soon, during his thoughts of the old tales of the Red Soul Eater; Sombra felt his gut gurgle and twist. "That ditz of a mare..." he spat. The food was prepared poorly once again, not that poor food was uncommon, but when it made him sick... those were the worst days. Deciding sleep is the only recourse, Sombra shifted around to put the iron cuffs and binds on different parts of his arms and legs until he felt air cooling off those normally trapped portions of the body, thinking fondly of his plan for revenge. Soon the light in the window faded until darkness took the room. Chains jingly softly and the sound of a soft drip coming from the window, it was raining outside...and even a broken king, sleeping pinned against a wall; could take comfort in the slow drip…drip...drip...drip, that sent a fresh smelling breeze into the cold, dark room. Sombra let out one final breath, head resting on the neck brace and eyes closing...hoping to see his plan in motion from the freedom of his dreams. _ _ Fire... Fire, blazing black and green columns towering in the ash filled sky. The dark magic ran like a river of lava through the streets of the city, ponies fled and cried in horror; dots flew to the sky, wings burning like a flare...others sought shelter away from the city, bodies covered in dark red, postulating burns and deep, gushing scars. Some of the less fortunate run rampant in the streets, their flesh melting off the bone and screams of pain echoing for the world to hear and weep. The world wept...for the sins of the mother and lies of the children, in their grace...in that...infallible nature, they cast aside the problems of lesser creatures...a purple light shone down on the burning city and its charred citizens...it fell water, bitter, salty tears that rained upon the city but could not extinguish the pain and agony from its creator. Guards cooked in their armor, blooded boiled on the stony ground...the fire was nearly done. Buildings toppled and empires reduced to soot and ash, the sun would never be seen again, moon hidden in darkness...nothing but ash to turn the planet into a barren, frozen wasteland...everyday, the few remaining would wake up to breath the very air contaminated with the dead that linger in the air, a foal would walk across his mother’s smoldering corpse and scream in terror...others would tell it to hush, that it would be okay, that it is in the past...but he would scream...fallen in the snow of ash and tears flowing like a dam broken loose...screaming... Screaming.... Screaming...... Who the hell is screaming so loudly?! Sombra awoke with a jolt, his body was sore from the sleeping but he felt his chest hurting, somepony was screaming like they were having their eyes torn out...funny..he thought one day he might be subject to such torture... Stop yelling... "Sombra!!" Princess Twilight barged into the cell, rushing to him with speed he had not expected to see from the mare, she quickly began to try and get his attention. The screaming was blocking any words she was trying to say to him...until he put it together, the look in her eyes, pain in his chest and the dream... Sombra silenced himself after a few long moments of insane screaming, he brought himself back and out of the dream, unsure what to think. How long was he asleep...? How long had he been in such a state that she would be the one to discover him? Questions racked his fragile mind... "Sombra! Sombra, can you hear me?" He looked up and couldn't focus. "What...?" He asked quietly. "Are you hurt?" She asked, rapidly examining his body. He watched her scan, unsure how to answer; but he wasn't dead... "No. I'm not hurt. I'm fine." An obvious lie, even he had a hard time trying to believe that he was fine. This place is going to take him soon...the realization was a disturbing one. Sombra took a few moments to collect himself, the sweat on his brow dripping down slowly and making the cool air from the rain wasted. Twilight found herself at a loss for words; how often had this happened? Sombra looked like he had seen death, screamed like his body was dipped in fire...she was running out of time... Everything rode on her to save the broken king...to undo the horror of the past and remove the guilt that very well could haunt the mare for the rest of her life. After a few tense moments, she let out a soft sigh and sat down once again. Glaring at her in raw hate, no direction for the anger, no reason for his emotions, something inside him from the dream still lingered. "Sombra...?" With sudden and terrifying ferocity, his body lurched against the restraints and his eyes looked near feral in their bloodlust. "This is your fault!!! Why won’t you go away! Leave me to just die here like you intended!" He bellowed, breathing rapidly and fighting against the iron with all his might. "You don't care about me! Not once have I seen an ounce of compassion like you so preach...no care...no anger...no confusion, pride. Just meaningless existence..." Something in his heart began to spread ice back into his veins, the hatred for the world returning just as strong as it began all those years ago...but he was hoping for a reaction, fear or even hate....Twilight just looked at him with those big, pity filled eyes. "Then tell me...tell me everything. I want to give you an existence again..." Sombra was fuming, his joints were raw and neck bright red, nearly bleeding, he knew the anger was irrational; but he wanted to let it flow anyway, anything to take away the years of built up emotions...with reluctance, he sighed quietly and went back to his plan...gain her trust. Chains jingle, the sound of his moments echoing in the heavy air, the warm wetness of blood on his leg starting to build up where a cuff gouged into his skin during the rant. "No. Leave my presence, I demand you leave and never return. The damage is irreparable..." Twilight only sat there. "What is there to explain?!" He shouted. Sombra's glare had a physical weight that bore into her resolve, but she stood firm, silence winning over the exhausted stallion after a few moments as the silence made his skin crawl. With a heavy sigh, he lowered his head and spoke calmly. "Fine...you want to know..." He stated with venom still dripping from his voice. "Before you were even a thought...long before...there was a war. A battle of the sky between pony and gryphon." The cool edge in his voice slowly turning to bitter remorse. "When the war came to the north, we faced it alone; the Crystal Empire and my city stood in the line of fire, so I gathered my forces and defended my walls. The Empire could stand on its own...when I called for help from the noble city of the princess, nothing but the bitter cold of the mountain came to my aid." "So, you took your revenge..." "I brought JUSTICE to the world...I sought revenge against the child calling itself a goddess. Celestia deserved a much worse death than she had." Lifting his head once more, Twilight could see the regret in his eyes; buried deep under the hate, she saw loneliness. Twilight made no obvious reaction to the short tale; she knew he was leaving gaps in between...it makes things difficult when your opponent is just as cunning as you are. Sombra reflected on the thought as he stared into her, trying to pick apart a weak point to exploit. Nothing...not one flaw or falter showed on her face...just like Celestia. Sombra had to hide his shock when he realized that this was not just another alicorn; but he was speaking with the very student, the protégé. The spiritual successor to the princess of the sun. "I hope you make a better ruler than your mentor did, princess... " Twilight hid the surprise well, her face just slightly giving away her emotions. Twilight's time was up, Sombra was holding too many cards and her situation was now on a timer with the breakdown; it showed her the real effects that this time has. Standing up slowly, Sombra watched her leave in indecisive silence; a small smirk coming to his face when he realized how well it all worked out in his favor. Insanity breeds sympathy, if he could work that angle... _ _ Twilight walks up the dimly lit staircase and finds herself at war.... The idea of letting the broken king free so soon made her shutter that the possible outcomes that might transpire; but to leave him was a certain way to lose her only chance to redeem her herself...to redeem the entirety of the old goddesses. Celestia made a mistake...but she made it on the hopes of protecting the world from an evil she could not defeat. Something about him makes a true and final victory seem impossible; vengeance has kept him alive for so long, a hunger for his idea of justice...was she a villain his corrupted sense of right and wrong...? Opening the door to the outside world, she felt the gentle coolness of a night breeze against her fur and spread her wings to let the heat and negative emotions float away through the feathers that shifted as she walked, shimmering colors against the purple sending a small glow about the rooms as she walked. Pacing the empty halls, thinking and listening to the soft echo of her hooves against the worn marble; she took a glance at her reflection when she passed a long hallway of glass windows; the worn and heavy eyes, gold chest plate bearing the element of magic, the sign of her kingdom, her mane long but flat, unlike the sisters, whose mane flowed on a ceaseless wind. In the reflection, she saw a mare she hardly recognized. Stopping in a massive room, she finally had her thoughts silenced by the understanding of her decision. Deep down, she only wished her friends were around to help her; perhaps Applejack could...be a judge of Sombra's character, Fluttershy, his genuine regret...even Pinkie Pie could... I can't slip into the past. Not again. With a shaky sigh, she held her head high; action was needed. Standing around, trying to solve a simple puzzle like this would only further endanger her last hope. Time now was to make a choice, wait, and put him at risk...or go with her gut, and put all Equestria at risk. Thoughts of what kind of damage could come to the ponies that put their faith, the trust that was earned over years of trial...all of it on one decision.
"And what a man you've become..."Waking up every morning was a difficult task for the captain of the guard, as it means waking up to the constant problems that only he can deal with. Political, military, dinners, events; celebrations and funerals. So busy he never got to even do something as simple as plan his day, everything was planned for him. The main issue he found on his mind were Diamond Dogs; still launching poorly planned skirmishes, talks with the princess were going well and all...but there was always a faction or two that didn't like the idea of a peace treaty. It ultimately hurt resources, shot moral and gave him a headache. Rolling to the side, throwing the covers off himself and sitting on the edge of the bed, he thought about the gryphon spy recently captured; the idiot forced his hand to act on the recent tensions between the nations...even send his own to keep an eye on the higher ups. Standing up and rubbing his face, always wishing things could be simple again. The care free life of a normal dragon. As carefree as his life could be, at least... Spike grimaced when he popped his joints stretching. The baby dragon had grown into a tall and intimidating figure; shoulders broad, frame slender and tough, he dragged his feet to the oak dresser in the corner of his room, shaking his head free of sleep for just a moment. Thoughts lingered on his friend hiding in the underworld of gryphon kingdoms, buying, selling or trading any information she can get just in case. That seemed to be a motto of his, ‘Just in case.’ Just in case the gryphons try and start another war; just in case he can't defeat them...just in case the world starts to crumble... And all I used to worry about the affections of a mare... Looking down and picking up the picture of her. The sparkling light green eyes, snow white fur...all the years of laughter and love. Smiling fondly, he set it back down and opened the drawers to get dressed. A simple garb, bright red and gold colors topped with a clashing, but necessary purple cloak and star pin on his shoulder. Many years ago, he felt like a hero putting on his uniform; now time has wrought those feelings to bitter acceptance of his role; the one who has to save everyone... Spike put on his leather boots and stepped out the door. The crystal in the walls shined with reflections of sunlight out of the high windows. Castle Twilight was something to marvel at, only recently opened to the public as a meeting ground for any citizen with something to bring to the princess's attention ever since the formal move from Canterlot was finished about two weeks ago by his reckon. Walking by the grand hall, he took a glance inside and felt a little surprised to not see Twilight sitting her throne and making a last-minute check before anybody came to see her. Something had seemed odd about the princess lately; disappearances, distracted speech and distant looks. Spike had tried to take her away from the source, which he thought was her job...yet a little fun here and there didn't help. Twilight refused to tell him anything about the real source of her depression, but it all started when she came back from a visit to the Crystal Empire. The weekend visit turned into two weeks, two weeks of...Celestia know what... Twilight came back looking grim, almost damaged in a way. Nothing about her seemed like it was before, sure she put on a smile and spoke kindly to others; but he saw deep down, something had changed. Yet every time he tried to contact the Empire, stopping just short of sending an investigation team, he got no word about Twilight back. Spike mulled thoughts over like rolling dough, trying to make sense of the absences and work out the possibility that Twilight was lying to him, but ultimately to an end that made him heave a sigh. Spike kept walking, cape giving a soft flutter as he strode the quiet halls; heavy boots echoing and only the sound of his breathing giving off any hit of living residents. Lost in thought, he almost missed the turn into the deliberations chamber; the six thrones that once sat the elements of harmony, now hold a grey and burly gryphon reading over documents; a diminutive crystal pony and lean, hauntingly tall changeling next to...Twilight. Thank Celestia... The princess was sitting left of the gryphon and closer to the bay window. Looking a little distracted but sitting upright and smiling at the others. The center piece made of fine crystal in the shape of flowers glowed dimly and cast its own small light in the room. "Good afternoon, councilors." Turning to Twilight and giving a low bow. "Princess." Offering a small nod to allow him to stand back up, he takes the seat closest, and his personal favorite. "We'll start with the councilor from the changeling union." _ _ Spike had become somewhat of an icon through the years; a celebrity around the world for his unbreakable will and moving speeches, years of study under the princess and he never even thought that the lessons rubbed off on him. Truly, he was the embodiment of all her friends, kindness, loyalty, honesty; all the best aspects and lessons learned that set him apart from your average captain of the guard. Lessons with Shining Armor also helped… Even Twilight admired his strength and patience when it came to these meetings; gryphons may squabble, and crystal ponies can complain; changelings were rather well mannered, thankfully. All of them bearing their own agendas, Spike’s job was to somehow find a middle ground, or bring the room to agreement. Even still, Spike was the sole voice for the dragons and he was expected to mostly side with Twilight; he had weekly talks with the elders to broker a full peace, but until then he had to work alone on his own ideas and hope not to offend. Celestia's death still has them hanging back just outside reach. Twilight figured he would need an ace to win his kind over, something they need...Unfortunately, it’s hard finding something a dragon wants that doesn't just add to their hoard. They talked and talked, soon the princess found herself in the half day dream, half asleep trance of looking back and forth between the speakers; if needed, she could just take a quick peak into her memory with a subtle spell and get an understanding of what was asked of her. All her thoughts were currently focused on Sombra; many distant hopes of freeing him, most of the thoughts eating her were the idea of his redemption; like how the embodiment of hate and vengeance could possibly learn to exist peacefully with his revenge denied by death itself. An eternal hate that no longer has a purpose...something had to change, inside him. Sombra had to see the light at the end of the tunnel in order to be truly free. Yet what could she do? Too young to know the full story, she could not connect with him or understand his hate. Perhaps that was the ground she needed to use. A complete separation from his feelings, she could use that to try and bring a middle ground to his view, slowly working him to an understanding... "Princess?" Twilight snapped her attention up, her eyes flashed purple for a split second and she realized she had been asked a question by the gryphon. "No, I do not believe we can do that at this time, Councilor." She responded coldly. The feathered man slammed his fist on the table in rage, causing the Crystal pony to wince in fright and the changeling to scoff. "I demand my solider back! This is traitorous! Our nations-!" Spike stood up, throwing his chair back and causing the old gryphon to glare up at him. "Your solider has admitted to spying and you still lie in my face!" That caught him by surprise, the gryphon soon realized he backed himself into a corner... Spike would leave out of course, the fact that they had gotten this information via more ruthless methods. Though it was a rush of relief to have the gamble of his pay off in the sour look of the gryphon as his own reaction gave away the truth of the matter, regardless of what Spike knew. "This arguing is getting us nowhere. Until you stand down with these ridiculous actions, I cannot do anything more than keep him in custody under suspicious actions against Twilight's Kingdom. In one month, time he will face trial under our laws and sentenced, THEN we MIGHT give him back to you. That will be my goal, at least. I would not keep a solider from his family and home to spite the politician that got him captured." Spike said, voice calming down. Taking his seat, Spike managed to let out a deep and calming breath, the room had gone silent with nothing was left to say. Spike and Twilight had managed to bring the talks to an abrupt close. Spike stood straight and put his hands behind his back in a formal manner. "I think this meeting is at a conclusion. I will thank you all for coming once again, have a fine afternoon." He finished in a monotone voice. The group got up, all giving a small bow, the gryphon giving more of a flat nod and speeding out before the rest of the group. The room was empty soon enough, and Spike had only the sound of soft breathing to break the silence between himself and the princess... Spike pulled the seat back and dropped back down in his seat, arms propping up on his legs and head lowering, he let out a sigh and thought to himself; Twilight was back in her trance of staring into the distance, he needed to know what was. "What’s going on, Twi? You hardly seem "all there" these days...what happened? " A flash of purple in her eyes... "Nothin-" Spike cut her off with a little fire in his tone. "You did it again! Twilight, I get using that trick during these meetings; believe me, I wish I could...but I'm your friend. What is messing with you so bad that you ignore your best friend?" Pleading with her, hoping to get past that shell protecting the information. Twilight lowered her head shamefully, eyes dimming and essence reeking the depression that lurks under the surface. Spike stood up and walked over to her with a careful step, knowing he struck a chord, he had no choice but to exploit it until she caved and let him in. "You can tell me...how long have we known each other, Twi? Big sis?" Kneeling down to put a claw on her shoulder and smile with a warm, comforting way. Purple eyes looked up, but her head remained low, weighted by the knowledge within, afraid to burden her best friend. The captain of the guard had so much responsibility...how could she bear down on him with information that has indeed, crippled her. Twilight felt time trickle like sand, flowing so slowly, yet with tension like a storm. Soon, as she thought and planned, a wetness built around her eyes. Spike was so caring... he could be fighting a war and still have time to have a conversation like this, to show how deeply he held Kindness...it made her proud and deeply saddened at the same time. The stress induced tears fell silently, the sound of the drops hitting the marble floor echoing...strange...she didn't feel sad... "Twilight-" "Don't." She quickly cut, using a hoof to wipe her face. "I'm fine." Spike's claw was shrugged off and she stood up, looking rather grim. Spike was forced to stand up quickly and step back or get stepped over. Jumping out of the way, he felt anger boiling in the pit of his stomach. "I don't want any more questions about my well-being, I can take care of myself." With a cold look and application of magic, the door swung open and the princess of friendship had alienated her last friend... Spike was left standing in the room alone, dejected and feeling a fire budding in his belly. With a determined glare, he walked to the table and pulled the gem centerpiece to himself, taking a small breath to blow a plume of fire over it, the gem glowing bright green and a voice answering from it. "Sir?" It answered, a stallion. "I need a tail on the princess, I need to know where she is going and make sure she doesn't get caught. Are we clear?" "Yes sir! I'll alert her commander and she'll be deployed within the hour." "I need her in the air now." Spike said, feelings building to nearly cause a smoke trail to drag from his nostrils... "...Roger that, I'll make the preparations myself." Spike blew a breath of ice, shutting the special crystal down and shoving it back to the center of the table. The anger in the pit of his stomach was boiling his insides, thankfully he knew how to control his anger, lest it become like greed and corrupt him. With a long sigh, he dusted off the ice left behind on the table and departed the large room, forcing his thoughts to drift to other subjects to distract himself. The fact that he even had the luxury of a second breath always made him smile...a devious smile...like a giddy teenager with a new toy, he flaunted his gift when he first discovered it...after all, it’s rare for a tiny purple dragon to have the luck of being born with an ice lung alongside a fire. Though he thought of better powers he could use...electricity, venom, wind...he even did a little study on Dark dragons in hopes of using the rare breed and use them to get his kind to really take him seriously. The thoughts took his mind off Twilight... Turning into a small room, his office. The light in the window was more than enough to light the room during the day, and nothing was ever out of place in his personal space. Books in a large bookcase line the right wall and various ceremonial weapons lie on the left, in cases or mounts. Spike walked to the book shelf and found the book on the dragons he was hunting. Anything to take his mind off the present matter...he would tear his eyes out if he didn’t have something keeping him occupied while the hunt for Twilight's hiding spot is found. So while She works, he can study. _ _ It was late afternoon when a knock came at his door, Spike was deep in a heavy book about the legendary frost dragons; not even glancing up, he turned a page and check the time on the grandfather clock by the bookshelf. "You're late." A small smile crept up on him when the door was swung open, a short figure walking in cloaked in dark and heavy looking clothes, a hood and scarf hiding most of her features, but proud dragon wings spread when she walked in. "Please, you ask me to tail a god and not get caught. You didn't expect an order like that to take some time?" She retorted, her voice slightly peaking as the she rises to the jest. Shifting her weight to one side and pulling the hood off and scarf down, the short snout of a dragon but eyes a deep red and scales black as night. "Her", was a lost night drake egg, a little dark dragon discovered when he was still with Sweetie Belle and the two raised her like a daughter. Unfortunate to his study, she would be limited while being raised by ponies like him and could not develop the strength to use her kinds true power...but he was happy to have gained a loving daughter instead. "I trusted you." He said with a small smirk. "Now what did you find?" Dropping into one of the chairs he kept across from his desk and sitting on sideways, feet kicking up across the armrests, she blew out a sigh and a spout of black fire plumed. He held back a sigh at her. "Stop showing off...you're too young to be abusing a power like yours." Spike added, his tone growing stern. "Pssh...I'm fine, dad...now what I found it interesting to say the least." She sat up properly and leaned forward. "She goes to the memorial and there's a hidden passage, all rotted out and ancient looking, but it’s there! Right behind the throne!" Spike raised an eye brow and leaned forward on his desk. "You’re free to go on." He said sternly, to her light hearted grin. With gusto, she smiled brightly, her wings fluttered with excitement. "Twilight looked around the memorial a bit but ended up going down under the castle and came out looking happy for once." Spike would be the first to admit that the underground catacombs in the old castle were no secret; dark magic spell books, a host of dangerous creatures spawned from Nightmare moon, and traps laid everywhere; but a new network of tunnels and passageways...he didn't know what to think about this. Could Celestia have taken a secret to her grave...? Could Luna? The question started branching in his mind and weeds of doubt took place, Spike stood up and found a surprising lack of words. "Dad? Is it that serious?" She asked cautiously. Her smile dwindling. Spike turned to face the window for a moment, slowly connecting the dots in his head and quickly turning back to face her. "I need to see what’s down there, do not say a word of this to anyone...not yet." Spike ordered, his tone becoming distracted with how deep his thoughts are entrenched. "Nashta...I need you to keep close to Twilight, keep her company and if you need me, don't hesitate to use the emergency signal." With a tentative pause, she nodded, standing up to join him. Spike started a wide stride around his desk and yanked open the door to exit the room, pausing at his coat rack to grab a long brown cloak. Nashta getting more distressed by the second...but keeping quiet; simply following him once he leaves and puts the heavy cloak on and pulls the hood up to become anonymous. "Are we going to be able to do the thing tonight...?" She asked, almost whispering to him. "I swear I’ll be back before dinner, deal?" He answered confidently. Finally, she smiled again...after all, it has been a few weeks since their last sit down and chat, he could see it was bothering her; it made him feel a bit of guilt at the quiet thought that he might find something that would keep him long after their planned sit down. Spike did his best to keep the confidence in his voice as they made the turn into the large entryway and pushing open the grand entrance doors. "And if I don't, I promise to play roshambo with you, you'll go first." He added to ease the uncertainty. Nashta laughed a bit at the idea and shook her head. "Did you ever grow up?" She said with another light laugh. Spike smiling as he turns to leave. "We'll find out I suppose...love you, kiddo." Smiling warmly, she sighed and rubbed her brow; looking a bit stressed and obviously holding back most of her worry...holding back the drama queen dark side she picked up from her mother back when she was just a child. "Yeah, yeah...now hurry up, go..." Spike chuckled a little, lingering for just a moment before departing. The large doors banged behind him and the bright sun of the late afternoon hung over his head, it was a short walk to the local train station; trying to not attract attention while going through the crowds of ponies, changelings and the rare young dragon. Spike made it to the station and spotted the gryphon emissary group, trying to stay out of sight, he got to listen to the old gryphon bicker with his bodyguards, an entertaining listen; but all the same, he was happy to see the train finally come along for him to board. Showing his star pin to the conductor, he found a solitary seat to the front of the train and dug his head deep into the cloak hood and arms crossed to hide his claws and remove any notion that he might be the famous purple dragon...and soon he fell asleep once the train started rolling along... _ _ The train whistle blared and jarred Spike from his sleep, mumbling incoherently from the sudden transition from the dream world to the waking one. "Canterlot!" Rang over the intercoms. Groaning quietly, he stretched his arms and stood up, heading for the exit on the side. Stepping off the platform and into the dense crowd of Canterlot, there was still a far more drastic distrust of anything not equine, just walking as a nobody; Spike could feel the eyes linger on him and the friendly faces upturning. There was so much hate under the surface of this ancient royal city. Part of him wanted to go up to those leering, the ones judging...just to show them exactly who they cast judgment upon...but no such luxury was his. A diplomat must always present a good face, and a good commander knows when to go on the offense. The cobblestone roads started thinning of traffic; the late hour sending everyone to the safety of warm homes and soft beds; time was running out... Speeding up his pace, Spike felt the cloak billow quite dramatically behind him. The boots on his feet clicked and soon he found himself alone as he got closer to the center of the city. Tall...looming, dark and mournful. The Canterlot castle stood strong against time; weathered storms and fought invasions. It even outlived the inhabitants... "Keep it together..." he said under his breath. Climbing the small steps to get to the entrance, he pushed the doors and felt a chill rush down his spine from their haunting creek. Shaking his head to loosen the doubts, he withdrew a large key and unlocked the door, stepping inside and shutting the door behind him and removed the hood. "Throne..." Not hesitating, Spike sealed the door with a simple handle lock and resumed the fast pace, soon finding himself in the grand hall...the throne room. Stain glass history gathered dust and mold, the carpet reeked of neglect and spiderwebs testament to the new owners of this building. With careful step, Spike let out a calming sigh and strode to the dusty chair sitting at the apex of the room. Approaching, he could read the inscriptions on the top of the massive chair. We lay to rest like the sunset, but shall always be shining through moon rise. Part of a long poem by Twilight...he quickly shook off the idea of lingering in the same melancholia from the funeral long ago. Trudging up the final stairs, he braced a claw on the arm Celestia's throne and looked for a switch... Mumbling and grumbling, Spike felt frustration rising in his gut when no obvious switch was visible. "Hrmmm....princess of eternal power...where would I hide a button...?" Nothing...he quickly changed to the other side of the throne and inspected it carefully. "Button, button, button...where the..." ending with a scoff of anger. Spike stepped back to think; it was obviously a puzzle. Celestia would never let anything she valued secret to be left for grave robbers unguarded...but Twilight got in…so he could too. Looking around the grand hall, he tried to spot clues anywhere they might hide, but he soon realized that she would never leave a trail for something she could watch over forever. Spike found his gaze on the throne again...massive in scale, gold colors swathed in red velvet; so large that Spice once wondered if a hint of vanity was ever in the princess's heart. Something about the throne was just...obvious, but so clever... Spike began to feel the frustration in his gut building. Remembering his daughter's words and taking a look for any seam along the edges of the throne... Nothing... Starting to question the validity of her observation, Spike stepped back again and gave the big chair a last chance... "Wait..." He said almost silently. There was a star at the top of the throne, just a gold decoration; but something about it seemed...off now that he had to suspect the chair of hiding a secret. "Maybe…?" Reaching under the cloak and finding his star pin, he yanked it free and climbed up the chair; standing on it firmly, Spike lined up the edges of the star and found that the gold was actually a depression, a slot hidden in plain sight... The chair rumbled slightly and the edges of it flashed with a bright light... "Uhmm-..." Spike was quickly cut off when the door flashed again and a explosion of ice jetted from the whole seat itself with a loud bang and crack of water flash freezing. Crying in pain, ice crystals jetted like swords in every direction and tore his cloak to shreds... Gasping quietly...the sound of blood hitting the marble floor. Spike pulled himself back from the deadly trap, the ice breaking off and falling to pieces on the ground as he maneuvers. The ice sticking to his cuts and making him wince at the tearing noises... "What is it...?" He asked the ghosts of the castle... The idea that Celestia would even set such a crude trap was just unbelievable, watching the ice melt off the wall and yanking a shard from his shoulder; his only saving grace was the thick scales of a dragon that kept the thorns from breaking too deep...of course that doesn't mean it didn't hurt like hell.. If Twilight was able to get in, perhaps Celestia imparted some information on how to get in without setting off a trap. Spike tended to his wounds with a little stretching of his arms, he bent and grabbed his pin which has been thrown to the floor in front of the throne and blowing gentle flames to staunch the bleeding on a few holes. He resolved that it had something to do with magic and his lack of it. "Damn it, Celestia, what are you hiding...?" Spike added, finishing the thought by taking a deep breath and loosen a ball of fire to melt away the trap and push forward. Shoving the heavy throne wall and watching it spin under his weight; the sight of darkness that awaited him as he pushed through was chilling to the bone. A musty stench of death, mold and sickness rotted from the black stairs; the air becoming heavy with the feeling of resonating hatred. Spike wondered how that was even possible for such a place to exist and not a soul knowing of it, and how could a room weigh down on him with a sense of oppression? Hesitating just a moment before descending to the darkness below, Spike found that the darkness was somehow enchanted; attempting to blow a small fire to see the area around him only earned him a silent wind to bring him arctic temperatures. Shivering uncontrollably until the wind passed, he found his eyes adjust slowly to the dark and continued slowly and carefully without the help of a light. Walking down until he found flat ground, with no choice but to move forward, he walked. Picking up the pace now that his eyes had adjusted better and finding the oppressing feeling now suffocating. The darkness in these halls were alive... Somehow, memories of fear, shame, anger and hate began to surface; Spike found himself soon fuming with anger for a reason he couldn't understand. The rage boiled inside him until he could feel blood drip from his palm. Fists clenched so tight that his claws dug and cut into his own scales; he took a deep breath and calmed himself, speeding up to get out of the cursed place as quickly as possible. If this were some further magic trap laid by the princesses, he could not fathom the purpose behind it. "Stop." A firm and deep voice suddenly said. Spike didn't react in time and ran face first into something huge....and furry. "Wha-..." Spike tried to say, his words cut off by his surprise. A massive black dog stood in his path, or rather, stood blocking a door looking old and rotted. The only thing visible on the demon dog was his blood red eyes and deep snarl from a pointed muzzle that sent Spike staggering back for cover. "Who are you?!" Spike shouted. The dog glared down at him but did not answer. "I asked you a question!" "And I cannot answer. Leave this place, you do not belong." The bass in the dogs voice boomed through the halls and caused Spike to feel a very primal fear. Forcing his legs to steady, Spike fortified his resolve and put a hand on his side, grabbing the hilt of his sword. "I demand you let me pass, by the order of Princess Twilight Sparkle." The dog paused, he hard thud of something, a tail perhaps, kicking the ground "I serve only the princess...if you come under her order, where is your proof?" Spike was unsure if the dog saw him visually reel when he realized he had no proof that he was under Twilight's command...when he was in fact not under her command...but he managed to think up a flimsy excuse and kept his face neutral. Turning to the side slightly and using a hand to pull his cape open, the star mark of Twilight's kingdom that he used to open the door invisible in the darkness, but he hoped the hellhound could see it. "I am the captain of the guard, and by her order I demand entry." He said without stutter, the command in his voice echoing in the seemingly endless halls. The dog squinted slightly and thought for a moment...stepping aside after a long silence and not saying another word. Spike could swear he saw the glint of teeth in a curled smile. "...Yes, thank you." Spike added as he quickly grabbed the rusty door handle and stepped inside the room. The beam of orange light let Spike see clearly in the room, looking around at the tiny space and wondering why such a demon is guarding a small room...he did not wonder for long... There against the wall, chained, shackled, wrought in iron and pinned to the wall...the king of shadows. The master of lies and vengeance given form. "You...how are you alive...?" The king looked up seeming groggy from sleep but attention returning swiftly. "I ask myself that question every day; leave me be, ghost..." The tone was so shattered. So mournful, it made him step back in shock; the king of shadows was broken? By the Mother, Celestia defeated the king of shadows... "She kept you to atone for your crimes." Spike reasoned out loud Sombra glanced up again but swiftly put his eyes back to the ground. "Now you're waiting on your execution..." He deduced further. No response, no plea or remark. Sombra was truly regretful. He was also relieved in a way it seemed. Spike had no idea how long he had been down here in this place, but he knew that this was the source of Twilight's distress; she felt sorry for him. Sombra would take advantage of her...he had to be stopped... "Sombra...do you...want to die?" No response. The metal of his sword rubbed loudly against the sheath and the soft plink of tears hitting the stone ground echoed from the prisoner. Guilt...agony...pain and hatred tore his mind into so many directions...could he really kill this stallion...Spike tightened his grip on the hilt of the sword and walked closer to the broken king, the tip scraping the ground with its swing. The stallion lowered his head as much as he could, giving Spike just an inch view of the top of his neck. Memories of anger, guilt and sorrow was still chewing at Spikes own mind, he felt his hands move but did not fully understand their intent. He understood why, but such rash action was unlike him. It would be smarter to confront Twilight, he could make it to his daughter and ask her what she thought of the situation. Yet that sword in his claw didn’t move an inch. Sombra hurt his friends. Even if it was ages ago, he felt the old nightmares, the pounding in his heart, how his scales glistened with oily sweat. He heard himself breathing heavily, but he couldn’t taste air. _ _ I'm going to be free... I want to be free so badly...... ...Will it hurt...? Mother? ...Will it hurt...? ... I'm sorry...for everything. This is what I deserve... Your daughter showed me that...but I was blind....and so her daughter showed me again... I understand...I want to make it right, but please...I just don't want it to hurt... Please, Mother... I'm so sorry.... Author's Note Run exposition.exc ..... Exposition.exc has crashed. FFFFFFFSpike tiiiime. Spike actually developed an amazing personality....and a cool back story.................side adventure? ...Maybe someday. Also in case you missed it, Mother is Faustgoddess ....just thought I'd make sure that was known.
If by chanceIn life, there is always a reaction to an action; a counter to every decision made, and a harsh change to be suffered. A tectonic shift in how life is lived that can cause unfathomable amounts of pain. That is what the officer academy taught every captain, that their decisions would shake nations, cripple armies; Spike was in the unique position where he could sunder the economy or even attempt to usurp the throne. All his actions changed the future. Perhaps that is why he hesitated. A sword at his neck, the stench of decay all around him...the world was waiting for him to swing breathlessly. Even Sombra was accepting of his role in this moment; so perhaps it was pity that snuck doubt into his mind. Twilight was keeping him alive for a reason, Spike had just not seen it yet. Pulling the sword back, Sombra lifted his head and looked static. "I suspected as much..." Spike felt a bitter retort on the tip of his tongue as the spells around him fanned the anger in his heart, but he turned around and left as quickly as he could, the door slamming behind him and a cold wind chasing him out. The sound of the dog stepping back into place made him shutter; to think Celestia or Luna would conjure such a beast to guard a prisoner with no hope of escape...which means that it was not meant to guard him, but to keep others out. Ascending the stairs quickly, the darkness did not fade until he broke free of the tunnel and entered once again into the throne room, pushing the throne back in place and thinking about what the implications could be if Twilight trusted Sombra enough to keep him alive. Spike felt an odd mistrust of his closest friend taking root; a feeling he was wrong for letting the king live, but still wanting to trust Twilight's decision...but he felt something more pressing at the back of his mind...something important. "Hayseeds! I almost forgot!" Spike slammed the stone back in place and stomped over the tattered heavy cloak and rushed outside, stirring up plums of dust in his sprint until he threw his shoulder into the heavy doors; grunting with the force, he kept the sprint going until he got outside and his eyes darted up and down the street. He needed a taxi. "Gotta hurry...maybe it isn't closed yet." How many weeks gone…? Two? Three? A month. An entire month of forgetting or stuck in a meeting, Nashta was getting angry, she didn't say anything, but he knew…as a father always knows. It had been a month! Spike put his feet to the pavement and spotted a cart with a duo of ponies stretching their wings and talking. Spike didn’t care about protocol for a split second, he ran to them, sword still in hand and flashed his badge, shouting at them to take him to Ponyville. The larger stallion looked like he had a retort on his tongue, but spying the sword, the bloodshot eyes of the dragon, he gulped and nodded. Spike threw the door open and climbed in, realizing his mistakes and quickly put away his sword. At least the fear he put into them spurred their wings into breaking a few flight laws. He’d pardon them if need be, though he really didn’t want to do the paperwork. "I was down there for five minutes!" He shouted to himself through gritted teeth in frustration. He was wrong, of course. The pegisi were much faster than the train, and they didn’t need to stop, though normally they only move ponies within the city of Canterlot and were not even permitted to fly outside the city, he was glad the two stallions were rather experienced flyers. The carriage bumped on headwinds, but it was almost all he could do not to leap out when he saw Ponyville coming into view. He dug into his leather pants, a pouch at his belt, and held two rectangular pieces of mithril. He would just transfer the money from his account back to the treasury. There it was... The little tea shop where Spike would spend hours on end catching up with his daughter. Nashta would order the green tea; he always got coffee and a small loaf of bread for them. Landing hard and going into a full sprint, he had the shop in view...and the lights were still on! "Made it...I just made...it?" He said under his breath, just as the last waitress walked out and locked the door behind her... Heart crashing; Spike saw the shop pass under and the stallions landed at the steps of the castle. He recalled he never gave them a proper destination. Not that he expected them to know the shop...he hopped out, shutting the door firmly and handing them the mithril, smiling a little at their shock under the puffing and sweat they were trying to endure. Spike thanked them and began a slow jog to the shop and stopped just a few yards away from the shop. "I got it...you were busy." Spike nearly jumped out of his scales when his daughter stepped out of the shadows of an alley next to him, spinning around to face her, mouth trying to work something that would spare her feelings, cut off quickly. "Or was it diplomacy? Your studies? Or did you just forget? Frankly, I don't care, go finish your work, I won't bug you about this anymore. " She ended with the hate just seeping into her tone. There was silence for a moment, that's when the emotions boiled over... "You know how hard it is to do this every day? The guard has me all over Equestria chasing spooks- I haven't slept in two days thanks to your sudden "follow the princess"!" She started shouting. "Did you even think how hard that was for me to do?! And all I got was a good job kid...thanks, dad...honestly, thanks for being a thick headed..." She stopped and took a deep breath. "Forget it, its not even worth it." "Nash-" He started, cut off by her "Throw yourself in a timber wolf den." She ended toneless, suddenly backing into the shadows again and fading like smoke with not even the sound of footsteps remaining. Leaving Spike with nothing but his thoughts...bitter, shamed thoughts... Lingering around, the shop owner slinks away quickly to avoid any backlash, Spike just took a deep breath. Count to four...inhale. Spike took another slow breath and turned around. Ignoring the pony and what she might be thinking. Judgment, perhaps she'll enjoy the rumors out of the argument. It didn't matter; things out of his control. There were far too many things out of his control that he refused to worry about, gryphons, guards, princesses and now his daughter. Carrying on his walk back with a quicker pace, he made a rapid calculation in his head and judging on a few possibilities. She's getting to that age...but damn she’s good at that fade trick… Resigning to his thoughts, Spike kept his pace and rubbed his sore ribs, the memory of the trap forcing its way into the front of his thoughts. Sombra was an even newer thing out of his control; it seemed like a lot of things were out of his control suddenly. Pushing open the castle doors and let them shut with a bang behind him. It didn't take long for a gold clad guard to find him and rush to deliver news... "Sir! -" Spike cut him off with a sharp glare, not meaning to scare the guard; still trying to push the useless thoughts away. "Sir...She has...well..." Spike pinched his brow. "I don't want to hear it, ensign; save it for tomorrow morning." Looking up and forward, mind set on doing one thing. "I'm going to my study, do not let any other guard disturb my research." Ending the conversation with a dry tone. The guard saluted slowly, stuck with indecision and shock with how cold the normally friendly captain of the guard acted. Regardless, it didn't take Spike long to push the thought down and enter his quiet and calm study, even his book was still on the desk. "Thank Celestia..." He said under his breath. Moving around the desk to sit down and opening up the book back to the page he left on; ice dragons, glancing up only to blow a small out of flame at the three-stick candelabra on his desk. Taking one last deep breath before his mind is fully engrossed in the book, no worries to bother him for the time being as long as he keeps shoving people away. Frost drake...found in high mountains and prefer isolation, while fairly new to the field of study, frost drakes are often found to enjoy the company of others, or at least the entertainment small groups can bring. This study is one of debate, but we have found that it is rare to find a frost drake, but even rarer is it to find a pure breed. It seems that the mysterious race dislikes the company of its own kind; which makes for explosive conflict when a dragon trespasses on the territory of another... _ _ Fighting the strong winds along the mountain. The two stallions and their taxi cart were struggling now against wind shoving them from the back. Nashta forced down the lump in her throat, they broke above street level and stopped, the castle in view again and the stallions sighing happily seeing the spot they were just at. Screw him...I want to know what's down there that was so important. Landing gently nearby the castle, the stallions watched the black dragon step out and didn’t know what to expect. She dropped fifty bits for each of them. They were a little disappointed, but they didn’t bring up the gripe when they saw the look in her eyes if they dared speak up. The stallions nodded and aid their thanks and well wishes. Nashta nodded and left for the castle. The stallions both spoke about visiting the pub. Nashta found the door unlocked, rolling her eyes glancing up and down the street before she entered the castle. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust. The bright lights of the streets were all casting a somber light through the windows and it made everything feel darker. She also shivered, feeling a chill in the air. Why do you have to be so stupid sometimes...? The dark hallways stank of neglect, the same moldy smell she encountered following the princess; nothing but decaying painting and shredded tapestry along the walls, top it all off with a damp and disgusting rug over the faded tile and it made her regret not wearing shoes for once. Exploring deeper, she stopped and stooped over a torn brown robe. Picking it up, seeing red blotches, inhaling a little to get a scent. Blinking when she realized it was Spike’s robe. Experience kicked in and she began to take the room seriously, looking around, seeing depressions of boots, hooves, dust that was moved. Wandering through the room, she guessed Spike came here after their meeting. Thankful for her natural night vision to guide her along the empty hallways and keen memory to take her right back to the throne room. Did something attack you...? Nashta continued, finding the frozen ice star in place over the throne. Isn't that Twilight's mark? but if it’s there...and I remember Daring Do enough. With a smirk, she walked to the throne and spied a passage with a stone door open. Score! About to charge down, she hesitated at the first step when her night vision failed. Backing up a step, she was shocked that she could not see. A deep breath, moments to steel her nerves and with a bold step, she took the step and began descending the stairs, keeping slow to avoid falling. Nashta felt the darkness around her somehow...welcoming, like it knew her. Emotions began to bubble, her anger with her father rolling and heating up despite her curious mind being occupied with the steps. She was grinding her teeth by the time she reached the bottom, she had to take a breath and continued. It’s just dark...there's nothing out there but stone and... something that got my dad good. The realization sunk like a lead weight in water and she felt the dark around her watching her every step, a low growl at her left caught her attention, spinning around and walking backwards to get away from the noise. "Don't even think of it!" She shouted at the noise. Another snarl at the right, causing her to yank free her short sword. "I'm warning you!" She bumped into something...something warm, furry and... big. Nashta looked up slowly to find two red eyes looking down at her and gleaming teeth in the muzzle of a dog growling, drool hitting her shoulder. "You are not allowed here." It said, the bass in its tone chilling her nerves. Nashta quickly jumped away and held her sword backhand, making sure it knew she would defend herself if it attacked. "Did you attack my dad?" She asked, putting as much command into her tone as possible. The beast's expression did not change, still looking angry...and hungry. "You are not allowed here." It said again. "Leave this place." Nashta started thinking up lies, backing up a step in reflex more than fear. Thinking for what seemed to be an eternity, she found that no lie would work in this situation, she was caught, and only the truth would get her farther. "My name is Nashta...I'm here because my father was here earlier-" The dog cut her off. "That does not grant you rights to enter this place, leave!" It shouted this time, fire in its eyes and casting a glow that made Nashta nearly breakdown and run for her life; something about the beast was enchanted, it had far too much control over her emotions, even now, her body screamed to run...so perhaps this dogs bark was worse that its bite... Nashta steeled her nerves and sheathed her sword, bowing curtly to the dog and lifting back up to smile. "I apologize...I merely wanted to see what a legendary creature such as yourself was guarding so willingly." She said, reveling in how many traps were set on just one sentence. That got the dog to flinch, a crack in his resolve, she found the right chord. "Do not speak as if you understand, I exist only to keep your world safe from yourselves. There is nothing legendary about my duty to the princess." It said flatly, the hate sinking into his tone at the end of the statement. "How long have you been down here...? Did Celestia summon you?" She asked innocently, stepping closer to the dog. "Longer than you have lived, young dragon." It cut, making her stop her approach. Wrong note...gotta tune it right. "I'm sorry...it must be rough being trapped here for so long. I’d hate it if some princess yanked me from home to sit here." She prodded, resuming her walk to get closer...just a few feet away. "This is my punishment and mine shared with another creature of darkness, be thankful that I do not fight my fate and leave yours to his will." So close... The layers were peeling back, and the dog was getting more relaxed, just needed a finisher... "And you've done a great job it seems..." Fighting the urge to smile in victory, she put a hand on the dogs neck and scratched it gently, the dog's resolve melting on the inside judging by his loosening muscles and pointed ears falling back. "I can tell you're tired...Trust me, I am too...and I'm just complaining about two days with no sleep; I bet you haven't slept in ages." Moving her hand to the dog's chin, the demon finally cracking somewhat of a smile and closing his eyes, big tail thumping the ground behind him. "Relax big fella...I won't do anything; you just rest and enjoy some sleep." Claw moving up and on her tip toes, she got right behind the ear, and like a brick, the dog hit the ground and snored loudly, showing the way for an old wooden door. I am so an animal person. She thought with pride. Nashta almost felt bad, but the sight of the old dog sleeping made her want to take the big demon home like he were a puppy; but with goal in sight, she cast aside those thoughts and tip toed her way over the guard, pulling the door handle up to unlock it and enter as quietly as possible. The door creaking as she shut it; it took her a moment to see with the beam of moonlight entering the tiny room...but her heart fell once again when she saw what the dog was guarding. A stallion bound by rusty iron and pinned to the wall without any freedom of movement, his crooked horn bearing a ring with runes along it and a thick brace around his neck that his chin was currently resting on to sleep. "Dear Celestia....what did you do, dad...." She said under her breath. The stallion woke up from just the small noise and looked at Nashta dead in the eyes, his iris a blood red and thin, almost unnoticeable green mist falling from his eyes. "And I awake to more visitors..." He started, making her shiver from the coldness of his tone. "Are you hear to kill me like the previous? Or will you fail as he did?" Now nothing was adding up... A pony wrought in chains, a hell hound guarding him and her father trying to kill him...with Twilight doing Celestia knows what... "Who are you...?" She asked quietly. The stallion seemed to mull it over in his head, making the silence almost unsettling. "My name is Sombra." Nashta was about to ask another question, but he cut her off. "And I am very tired...so what is it you want from me?" He ended dryly. It was all wrong; this pony trapped in darkness like an animal. Memory of this being Celestia's doing made her even more unsettled at the idea of this pony being here, no matter the purpose, this kind of punishment was wrong. Without a word, Nashta rushed to the pony and began unhooking his chains. How could you let this go, dad...? How dare you let this continue when you had the chance to stop it. Celestia was supposed to be a kind pony! The stories all said she was more benevolent than any… Sombra seemed shocked at the development, speechless and expression blank, only his jaw hung to show his emotions. This stranger entered his cell and began breaking him out, without so much as a 'How'd you do?'. Part of him wanted to cry when the neck brace was removed and his head fell over, joints in so much pain from the years of forced lethargy, when his chest was freed, he fell and landed on the shoulder of the dragon, unable to move any part of his body more than to turn his head. With one last yank of his left leg shackle, he was removed from the wall and held like a wounded solider on the back of this mysterious dragon. This is all wrong; dad, Twilight, Celestia and Luna for doing this. Opening the door slowly, she stepped over the sleeping dog again and walked as carefully out as she could, the door behind her shutting slowly as he left. Walking to avoid making any noise, she was thankful again that she didn't wear shoes, but that wouldn't save her... The door shut and lock clanked into place, the dog waking up with a startle and spotting her; no words, no shock of betrayal, just a hateful snarl and the dog was on his feet and charging them. Sombra got the best view, seeing the dog he thought was a mere pony stomp all fours to take back its prisoner. The moment was almost surreal, like it was another dream of his...the dog would catch him, kill his savior and put him back in the cell. Nashta sprinted up the stairs and whipped around, taking a deep breath and about to burn the demon alive...but she didn't... The moment the dog entered the throne room it stopped, huffing at the two; bitter, tired...but somehow...content. It lifted its head up and looked to the window, the moonlight on its fur and smelling the fresh air. Nashta took the chance and ran, rushing out of the castle and ignoring the pain in her legs while he rests on her shoulder. Once outside, she made a break for the train station, knowing it would be dead at this time of night; avoiding populated areas and keeping a steady pace to make sure she didn't knock Sombra around too much. That was when she felt the water hit her back, feeling guilt by relation, she slowed down to a walk let him enjoy the moment. "You're gonna be okay..." She said to comfort him. _ _ Light...air...so many feelings he was without, Sombra wanted to move, he wanted to walk on his own, he wanted to run for miles and find that dream castle he had created in his mind; but for now, he only watched the sky and the moon. Unable to hold back his waves of emotions finally freed, he ignored all plans he had, all appearance on being the same cold king he was and managed to move a hoof around his savior's neck and hug her...as awkward a position it might be, for no words came to him that would express his gratitude. For he was free...
Day OneSombra woke with a startle, feeling the onset rush of nightmare pumped adrenaline making him hyper aware of his surroundings and process his current state of being in a rapid gasp of air. Yet all that remained where the fear had been, only darkness lay. The darkness accompanied by blissful, fleeting dream memory. Yet there was also something of a surprise this morning; he had a pillow! Several even! Though his body still refused to respond to his command, with the runic ring off his horn, he was able to use a spell to weave his broken muscles back together in a slow and often painful process; though this pain was a blessing when he took the moment to press on his own arm with a hoof, reveling in the sharp pain that his muscles felt and the relaxing sensation as magic and biology rushed to numb and repair. He let out a long sigh, next straining the muscles in his legs to stretch, willing to risk more pain to feel the cool and, frankly, the best sheets he ever had the privilege of sleeping in, roll over his fur and tense body. Though his neck hurt, no matter what he did or what position he was in, his neck throbbed with the pain of the past decades. The room was something to take in as well. The dark of night and whatever spell the dragon used had practically blinded him, so with the help of the sunlight being filtered through a stained glass window showing a purple dragon and pony. It was artsy, not his sort of thing, but the rest of the room was more to his liking. Black was the dominant color, without a doubt, black finished vanity, black sheets, black area rug, though it was broken by a white desk facing a wall to his left, supporting a few books in loose order, probably however the owner simply tossed them. Sombra took in another deep breath and tried sitting up, feeling his body strain and then getting himself up just a little to then fall back on the pillow, sorta sitting up...he smiled, regardless. He took a moment to think, wondering if going back to sleep, or looking for food was the best choice... Spike hoped it wasn't too bad, but Nashta was ever the serious kid... The whole of his room was covered in a layer of soot. Like a volcano sneezed right in his window...which isnt too far off from realty he realized with a chuckle. Though he was tired enough to at least laugh, happy he didn't need to get angry. Really, this felt like a moment 'for the future me' and he closed the door behind him and grabbed his bed sheets, tossing them about to get the worst of the soot off and climbed in, thankful for his hard scales not even feeling the abrasive ash still mingling in the cotton fibers. He yawned, eyes heavy and vision blurry... He could have kept to his study, but the blurry vision was what sent him looking for this protest Nashta left him; words on the pages faded into black smudges and his body was ready to keel over. He even forgot the wound on his shoulder from the ice trap he stumbled into. Another problem for future Spike. That place was fine waiting till he slept, and when he was honest with himself in the moments fading to sleep, he needed to talk to Twilight before he did anything next. That, and get a unicorn in here on work order to clean this place. His stallions informed him that his daughter was back, sleeping in her room, he needed to do something about that, too he thought. Tomorrow...or, whenever I wake up, I need to take a personal day with that kid. She's right, you did forget she was Nash...not some solider... And that gave him new chills and dark thoughts as he drifted into a light snore and deep sleep. Twilight maintained that mornings were the best time of the day, despite her namesake. Morning was full of possibility and, generally speaking, it was also the quietest part of the day. So she allowed her position of authority to silently dictate that the Princess will wake when she very well pleases...so long as she was there for the meetings. Today there were none; maybe she would invite the Changeling diplomat for tea and talk plain matters about border disputes. Then thoughts crept in about the Crystal Empire. Wondering just what to do with the territory in the coming months... She let out a sigh, to wake her up and vent frustrations. Getting out of bed and staring daggers at her gold regalia waiting on the mannequin nearby and heading to her personal wash room. "Celestia..." she mumbled, not like others might, as a prayer, but as a longing. She couldn't help but want for her teacher, and a long time ago she decided not to care about moving on. Moving on wasn't for her, she decided. Now though... Starting to do a basic wash, wetting her fur with a damp towel to freshen and clean without wasting time on a full bath, a cheat she learned ages ago on her early years as princess with the other elements. Thinking hard about her teacher. Wondering just what was really left behind; Sombra, sure, but what about the Elements? The sun and moon moved on their own ever since their death, was this a planned spell or was this proof of an afterlife that Twilight got obsessed with ages ago? Sombra was just a tipping point. Solid, real, factual proof that Celestia kept secrets even from her student. That upset Twilight beyond words. The gold ensemble fell in place on winds of magic lifted by the princess to dress herself in the day to day set of gold and gems, fashioned by a mix of craftsmen and Rarity advising on the affair. It was much like Celestia's, a touch Twilight liked a lot, but it had more wispy, more...magical notes as Rarity had put it. Moving finally to the door to face the menial tasks that needed to get done lest some other do it for her and inevitably cause disaster. Nashta opened the door to her room, bringing with her the scent of a simply made soup from hands inexperienced at cooking, though the care put into it made it a little better. Sombra was sitting up proper and looked unsteady but determined, shining with the light sweat of strain as he practically tried willing his body to obey. Seeing her startled him, causing a bit of an over strain and his arms slumped forward with body slouching; Nashta judged by the pained groans that the only thing keeping him up was the back muscles inability to stretch any further... She was quick to set the food down on the table, shoving books aside which got her a glare from the stallion even as she caught him and pulled him back, allowing him to lay down and rest again, adding "What were you up to, huh?" in a playful tone so she could avoid hurting his feelings... "Nothing..." he started, playing a cold silence to her jest, but then continuing. "Just trying to force some healing." and he wanted to say more, to thank her, to maybe even hug her again. Yet he was Sombra, and he needed to maintain who he was, even to himself. "Well, I have something to help that, I think." she stated with a wry grin, seeing through his act quite easily he noticed...getting up to get the soup once more and take it to him, presenting it for him one spoon at a time seemed to be her plan for him. Sombra wasn't having it. His muscles may ache but his magic was coming back much faster, and the spoon and bowl was grabbed in a jagged and harsh control of magic, his horn sparking only slightly from the effort. The meal was bland, but it was enough. The caretaker, the strange being that cared for Sombra in that pit, gave him all he really needed to survive and extend his torment, but the warm soup he had now was a luxury he hasn't had the pleasure of enjoying for a long time. That sort of thinking didn't ease his mind when he felt his eyes water at the simple gesture of trying to nurse him back to health. It really was something he never needed to feel, but he was thankful he got to feel it now... Nashta wasn't sure what to to at this point, watching him eat felt a little creepy, but she didn't want him spilling it in her bed as much as she wanted to help him. Then came the knock at her door. The two were instantly on edge, knowing they both would be in a very different kind of trouble if found out; Sombra gulped the soup down as quick as he could, spilling on his fur but not on the bed to the dragon's silent relief, snatching the bowl and rushing to the door as Sombra tried to get out of the bed, failing miserably as he fell off the side and couldn't help the groan that came from him. Nashta was smart, though, yawning loudly to cover it up, looking at the bowl in her hands and tossing it back to the desk and out of the way. "Nash...? Dear, I wanted to talk, if that's ok..." the voice on the other side of the door said, sounding meek and lacking the regal confidence that was more befit to Princess Twilight. Nashta cursed under her breath and took a quick breath, opening the door a crack to peer out. "Yea Aunti Twi?" Twilight smiled, the first smile she had seen in awhile on the mare to be fair, and it made the lie hurt even more. "I was hoping we could talk. I know Spike is sleeping, he had a rough night, I think..." she paused, seeing Nashta roll her eyes and unsure of the conflict between the two dragons, wondering if she should intervene. "But I want to talk to you, I need a different perspective than Spike's...we're both...older, but that doesn't always mean wiser. Sometimes problems can only be solved when you listen to all your friends, not just one." she ended as if reciting an old letter to Celestia. Ever the Princess of Friendship... Nashta nodded and stepped out of her room, closing the door behind her with the best, most extra natural smile she could muster given the situation. Twilight was none the wiser it seemed... The Princess smiled happily, blowing out a sigh with it and nodded, as if confirming something to herself. "Good, good...meet me in the garden, I assume you want to get out of your, uh...gear." she said, raising a hoof to accentuate her point, noting the dragon still wearing her operation gear, not having the time to change between sneaking Sombra inside and visiting the right guards to make sure no one entered her room without arousing suspicion. She hoped. "Yes ma'am!" Nashta quickly answered, almost giving into the urge to go back in her room, which would have been natural to get changed...but Twilight took the hint, smiling wistfully, nodding again and departing for Nashta to rush back in her room and start unhooking and unstrapping all her gear. The suit was built to muffle sound, thick padding and loose straps of cloth helped limit passive noise made by the body's natural movement and help her use her special Night dragon power, blushing a sharp red when she heard the pony grumble about back pain. "OK!" she called, trying to quickly quiet her voice. "Shh! Ok, relax, I'll help you in a sec, just give me a minuet and don't you look!" Sombra didn't have much choice in any matter. He couldn't see her from his spot on the floor, anyhow. The vanity was on the other side of the bed and he hardly cared about draconic anatomy. Scoffing was his only response. This caused Nashta to huff in frustration, a dark mist swarming about her body as she moved, the mist seemed to eat light, and the legs Sombra could see from his spot on the floor showed just how potent the mist effect was at keeping her hidden in the dark. She practically blended in with her vanity save for the contrast she created on the white marble floor. When the mist vanished, she was in black sweatpants and sneakers...at least as far as he could see. Nashta smiled and straightened the hoodie sporting her favorite band, black with plenty of red blotches to mimic blood and good contrast to her midnight scales. "Ok! Try...uh...To not go anywhere?" she paused, hearing an exasperated sigh from the stallion. "I'll be back super soon! We'll get to do more when the sun sets; oh! You gotta tell me your story. Then I'll uh...I guess I'll talk to dad- Spike, yea...once you get sorted. Ok?" Sombra grunted. "Fine...be swift." She nodded, not that he could tell. "Promise, soon!" she said as she departed. Sombra thought hard to himself...and decided his muscles needed the workout anyway... Author's Note Bottom text thanks
Unkeepable SecretsThere came a knock at the door, Sombra was on his hooves and stretching slowly and carefully when the gentle rasp on the door sounded with a gruff voice on the other side said "Nash...Nash if you're in there I just want to talk..." then silence. Sombra did his best not to make a sound, but clearly his hooves stumbling for balance had alerted whoever was on the other side of the door. "Nash I know you're mad..." he started. "And you really have no reason to forgive me, but I wanted to try and make up for it today. Just us, I cleared both our schedules for today and tomorrow; Hold Fast will handle my duties and you are on mandatory leave...Nash?" Sombra could handle this, for sure. The king made every kind of effort to remind himself that he was a force of nature with his magic and he could outfight and outwit any opponent so long as he knew every player on the board. The Princess would sense him, he was sure of that, but she hasn't done anything to harm him, yet. Sombra worked facts over and over until it felt like too much time had passed and the rattle of the locked door made him painfully aware that discovery now would remove many options from his hoof. Though he was happy to confirm one suspicion. Sombra worked up his throat, doing his best to clear it quietly and ready himself to be intimidating once more. "Oh...?" he started, venom dripping off the question. "Just how many dragons did the princess enslave while I was gone?" which ended with the door crashing inward and a purple dragon holding only bare claws open to attack. Though he was greeted with the frail king standing behind a massive green gem that oozed power and bled magic. The conjuration was all he could muster, shaky as it was, but a dragon is a dragon, he figured. The gem shocked Spike out of his charge, drawing him in with an otherworldly property that weakened his once tense arms and left his tight grimace of an expression into a limp hang of his jaw. He really hated being a dragon, sometimes. The rock of magic and curses faded into wisps of air that quickly rushed at Spike, blinding him to all, then cursing his hesitation one last time as all went black. Moments earlier, in the royal garden Nashta didn't get the chance to ask the princess about her change in mood right off the bat; rather, the two were engaged in small talk. Nash felt like this was rather forced and formal, which wasn't very typical for the princess of friendship. Nash also had to tip toe over the subject of last night, trying to not arouse suspicion about her venture into Canterlot or her...outburst...at the captain of the guard. It was a minefield they both were navigating, trying to not insult, insinuate, open up or burden the other. The lunch plates couldn't come quickly enough. Once they did, however, Nash practically announced the arrival with a relieved sigh and "Oh thank Celestia!" as she grabbed a sapphire sandwich and saw the pained expression on Twilight's face. "Are you ok, Twilight?" She asked, the momentary laps in judgment proving fatal to the calm of the conversation as she realized in her first bite that she had broken the ice. Nashta readied herself for every lie in the book she could dish out to protect her secret. "I'm better..." Twilight replied. Nashta gulped down her bite and took another, eyes on the Princess, waiting for her to continue. "I feel...I'm not sure what to feel, honestly. Better is a good way to put it, but I feel as if a burden has fallen off my shoulders and I can't place as to why. I did make a rather important decision recently." hesitation, Twilight wasn't sure to share everything yet. "But, even with all the facts, I feel as if I am much more in control." another pause, Nashta gulped down her second bite and put the sandwich down to listen in full, eyes wide and full of care. "Celestia, you know the legends but rarely does anypony know the truths about her. The practical jokes, the wise and kind teacher that she was, the loving sister...but above all she cared about us. Every pony in Equestria was like family to her, and she worked so hard to protect all of it from...Discord, Nightmare Moon, Tireck, Sombra. I just...think I understand some things better, now." she ended, finally taking a bite of the vanilla cake that was brought to her. There was a flash of green light that got both of their attention in an instant, Twilight quickly gulping the bite and Nashta nearly jumping from her seat and running. She was quick enough to stop and look to the Princess, pretending to be just as confused. "Ah-haha...what was that?" she asked trying to contain the guilt that threatened to spill from every scale on her body. "Isnt that your room...?" Twilight asked, puzzled, standing up slowly and horn starting to glow. Nashta jumped up and nodded, as if remembering suddenly. "AH! Right, Dad said he was uh...going to get me back for my prank...m-maybe he just decided to wreck my room, too." Twilight looked at the dragon, thinking that her captain of the guard playing a prank was just as incredulous a story as what instinct was telling her. "I'll go fix it right away, Princess!" she shouted, just as a storm of black mist wrapped the dragon and the pitch black mass dashed faster than her eyes could track back into the castle. Twilight frowning deeply and walking after her at a slow, measured pace. Giving the dragon this one chance to fix it before she arrived. Sombra had the dragon bar the door with the vanity, smiling to himself as he drew runes on the ground with a barb he plucked from his frills, the sharp scales cutting the marble floor with ease as he spent time recalling the right runes for teleportation. Normally, he would fade to shadow and fly, but he hardly trusted his body to move left and right, let alone float away unnoticed. You're betraying her. Like everyone else, did you really learn anything all alone? Sombra bit his lip, refusing to argue with the voice, her voice battering around inside his head. What he knew, what he needed to do was get out and get far away to some place he can recover his strength and then make plans to get his revenge again. "The spirit of vengeance lives on, Princess..." he said as if it alone were a curse she should be reeling from. The first smash of the door came with a shocked yelp and groan of pain. The voice belonged to the female dragon, Sombra ignored it. The next rune was almost done, and he only needed to do one more to finish the circle. Go on, destroy her feelings before you destroy her world. "You won't get in." he started, wondering why he felt like he needed to explain himself to her. "I don't need any more saving, thank you. If you wish to serve me, then guard the door from Celestia." Another smash, this time the vanity slid a few inches, enough to let the dragon try and squeeze in the cracked door, only to be met by a purple claw grabbing her shirt, yanking her in hard and throwing her into the wall to watch her leave cracked rock behind and land on her bed with a pained, quiet groan. Spike, who had been standing as he was ordered, was now protecting as he was also ordered. The blank stare in his eyes and green mist flowing off them terrifying to Nashta as she rolled over to try and defend herself, not even able to get back to her feet as Spike grabbed her again and picked her up by a horn, then threw her casually to the hard floor where her vanity once was. Sombra was on the last rune, his legs shaking, the effort exhausting but he was so close... The hum of dark magic sparking around him, the runes finished, floor igniting in green and black flames and the feeling of his body being pulled from far, far away. You'll never stop. That's why you had to be isolated. I can't kill you, Sombra, but I can isolate you till the day I die. And like that the world crashed around him. Tile cracked, splitting his runes apart and breaking the spell, his vision suddenly black and head pounding as his body found the ground in a head splitting crash of force. Distantly, he felt the spell over the purple dragon fail, and the black dragon sobbing in pain. You'll never give up, no matter what you endure, you can't give up because then it's all for nothing. Isnt that right? "Silence!" he shouted though pooling blood in his mouth. The pressure still kept him pinned to the floor, unable to move, again, trapped and helpless. He felt his heart quicken, his limbs tremble and mind race. "You have had no chance of recovery, of redemption, because all you know is pain and suffering. You don't know friendship, family, you think it all weakness." Sombra tried to shout louder to be heard. "Silence I say!" His body felt so heavy, so much pain blurred his sight to the point of useless blinking at the floor, his horn felt chipped, again, and there wasn't a thing he could do to stop that voice. "I know you, Sombra; because a long time ago, I was like you...I thought friends were a weakness, I thought all I needed were my books." "Haven't I been through enough!?" came from him, to his own surprise... "That's exactly why I wanted to release you, but I hesitated, I feared what Celestia might think, what she might have done given the situation. I learned so much from her, and I learned so much more from my friends. All that...and still, I was never going to be ready to see you, face to face...you know I had nightmares about you, after we stopped you." Sombra looked up, his limbs growing lighter and vision clearing enough to see past the white reflections of the marble floor and look into the purple hue of fur and mane with wings and horn a sign for all to see the royalty innate inside her. He hated her so unbelievably much that his vision went red for a moment and his horn sparked a curse wanting to manifest from his black heart, but all that came was a flash of white light from the royal pony and an end to consciousness for everyone in the room... Author's Note Next chapter starts twibra in full....took a bit to get there, didnt it. But we also get a touching story about Spike's journey as a father...so thats nice. I hope you enjoy the future and end to the story once its done. I think we're rather close to that end.
First ImpressionsSleep is nice... That was the first thought Sombra had the moment he found he could think. There was a quality to that truth that made him chuckle quietly, though he wasn't sure if that was actually audible or if it was in his head. Worlds spun around him, light battered his senses and sound made him feel sick, realizing he was quite hungry and dehydrated. There was no telling what was going on until he finally found an anchor point. Pillows. He was not in a cell, or locked up; he was once again in bed with the bliss of pillows comforting him. There were dreams, real dreams, which to him meant deep and restful sleep, not that he could recall how he got there. For now he was just coming out of a dream, could feel the pull of reality tugging him away from his solitary castle, his warm servants, the smell of food and wine to waking back in the white marble room. Then one memory at a time came back to him when he spotted the caved in door and two guards facing away from him outside the doorway. He wasn't sure what to make from this, memory being fogged by sleep and the possible concussion. That was when he remembered the spell that knocked him out. Sitting up quickly, expecting to be bound and so thrusting his body to fight the chains or rope or- "Gah!" He shouted in indignant shock when he fell to the floor. The guards turned quickly, both warry as the dark stallion stood again, suppressing the grunt of pain from his weak joints hitting the floor yet again. Though, the guards did not attack. Sombra was not bound. The cracks in the walls were still evident, and the destroyed furniture remained, though his runes were gone with no trace remaining. Next came a flash of purple light, a sphere that burst with magic and in that instant of light the princess of friendship had entered the room. The guards backed away from the door a little out of caution, though they didn't stray far and did their best to trust the Princess, feeling very outclassed by the King straight out of myth. Sombra let out a snort of indignant displeasure and despite his sore legs, he stood proud on the marble floor staring the alicorn down, opening his mouth to start what was to him a duel of wits. Every trick in the book replaying in his head as he worked a web of lies and half truths up; anything to get him closer to freedom since he was clearly in the weaker position when it came to raw magical prowess. However, the princess spoke first. "I put a lot of thought into what I would say to you first. I was to free you today, take you to a shelter far away from most ponies and rehabilitate you slowly with careful observation, detailed note taking, and maybe even call on my student to help given her own past..." she sighed quietly, taking a moment to collect herself, Sombra waited, wanting to see her lay her cards out. "Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor has passed away...Princess Flurry Heart sits the Crystal Empire throne, she is a natural born Alicorn and her magic surpasses even mine and far surpassed Celestia and Luna. She...is a very kind hearted mare, she thinks of her subjects every day and works very hard to make the Crystal Empire thrive and the Crystal ponies hardly want for anything in her kingdom." Sombra felt this information had a gravity to it, though he did not fully understand it's weight as she spoke, the silence that hung let him search his memory. Clearly she was trying to tell him the Empire was beyond his reach, but the names she spoke were meaningless. Unless... "You...you were the unicorn who got in my way." he said when his memory finally lined up. There was a wistful smile on her face at that, it looked so pained that even he felt something of fear cross his heart when he saw the bottomless well of pain in that expression. "Those two that-" he paused, he was out of practice when it came to politicking his speech, but he hardened himself and reinforced his desire to escape. "Princess Cadence was the avatar of love that took the Empire, that was her name?" a nod from Twilight confirmed. Then the real gravity of what she was saying set in on him. "You are telling me I cannot retake the Empire not just because of a lack of power, but fundamentally it cannot be claimed by me because of the change Cadence wrought." Again, she nodded. "Princess Celestia told Cadence something of her secret, though not the full truth; Cadence spent her life's work preparing the Empire should you ever return, and Flurry Heart has continued that work. Generations of counter spells, protections, enchantments on the land and on the Crystal Heart itself...No one but the rightful heirs will ever sit the throne of the Crystal Empire." she ended, taking a breath and sitting down to collect herself. Sombra did the same, not because he needed to rest, but because he needed to devote all the energy he had to processing this information. Two alicorns spending all this time building barriers made for him specifically. Anger built up in him, he felt the cold fire as frustration set in and his own years of planning wasted in simple moments of conversation, all to the fault of her. "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are also...gone." she continued, as if reading his thoughts. He looked in her eyes, seeing a depth of magical talent and confirming that she was reading his thoughts, he stood up again and stomped his hoof, sending a shock of magic into the ground as he lost composure utterly. "You think it a tidy little game to poke my thoughts and simply dissuade all notions of revenge that simply? That this changes something?! What does it change, little student, you are lying like all alicorns do, trying to deny me my right! You wanted to deter me, to sing a little song of friendship and dance now that there is nothing I can do?" he walked closer to her as he spoke, the guards looked on edge but he didn't care a wit. "I will escape here, your precious mentor tried to cripple me because she lacked the power to finish what you and that damn dragon started." he was only a few inches from her when he stopped; she did not move, not a single motion to defend herself or words to counter his. "You, like all the others, want me to simply disappear. Quietly, if I please." he ended sharply. Twilight stood up again, their height difference was noticeable, but Sombra was still much larger than most unicorns. The guards were on edge, both of them knew it; Twilight wanted peace, Sombra needed an excuse. They were also both intelligent enough to know that all this was bluster to provoke, yet it contained bits of truth. Twilight had come to terms with what her mentor did and resolved to right that wrong. This turning point where historians wait with baited breath was the moment for decisive action that Twilight knew she was simply horrible at. Planning, organizing, schedules, meetings; thats where she excelled. Yet she always knew in the moment she would think of something right as she was pressed to it finally. "Let's duel, then." she stated, no grand flair or speech for him. Leaving Sombra to blink, wondering the meaning of it, he nearly let his mouth fall open but he stopped short when he shook his head and blurted out his objections. "WHAT?! w- wh- This-! Why would I agree to something so formal and ripe for foul play? Do you seek to make some public mockery of me?!" She stopped him with a raise of her hoof, making him also note the guards with weapons drawn now and spells ready to cast, his small halt let her interject as the guards slowly came to calm. "No, not public. Just us. In a month. One month, you can live here in that time, recover your strength and then we will duel. I fully expect you to fight to the death, but I will tell you now. If I win, you will be spared. You win, you can end Princess Celestia's legacy and attempt to rule Equestria in place of the Crystal Empire." she ended, smiling warmly as the depth of pain he saw turned into a wave of compassion that made his stomach roll. "You expect me to go soft, to spend the month making friends and that I'll hesitate when it comes to it." he stated, laying her plan out in front of them both, to which she nodded in admittance. He couldn't stand that she just keeps refusing to lie... "Sombra..." she paused, thinking for a split second then continued. "I know your true name, your family the Umbrals...I won't speak it, I don't need to, but I want you to know that I know. If you ever want to talk-." she paused, a bittersweet feeling washing over her as Sombra sat down before her, dumbfounded, angry, worried; then she finished. "I'm always ready to listen; and I'm so sorry for what happened to you, and for what Princess Celestia did. Let's just start here. My name is Twilight Sparkle." Sombra wandered the castle hours later, guards trailed him at a distance everywhere he went but he knew he was being treated especially well and that others must have argued passionately for much worse. Probably the loudest among them would be the dragon he controlled for a moment. The castle was massive and mapping it out took all his attention at the time, though he was not unfamiliar to learning the complex layouts of royal abodes. The walking also let his hooves find old strength, even though he needed to stop frequently to rest. The magic he had stitching his muscles back together was working well in spite of his posturing and desire for knowledge on his situation. He even risked trying some charisma on the guards to gather information, though they must have been on strict no speaking rules... Sombra soon found himself in a large lounge like room; couches and chairs all looking luxurious were scattered about with small tables here and there. A dining hall of sorts, very casual looking for a royal like Twilight. It was also a great place to rest, he found a larger framed sofa and decided to lay out, grunting and groaning as he stretched his limbs and felt all his tense joints relax just a little. It was true, what Twilight said. He was not nearly at his peak and it wouldn't take much to really hurt him, so he trusted her offer of peace for one month since he had yet to be disturbed. Still trying to sort out what she meant by using that old name... He hardly noticed a shadow enter the room, crossing it with liquid grace and sitting across from him on an equally large sofa. He wondered just what giant cows used these particular seatings, for they were covered in brown fur and horrifically comfortable with a hay stuffing, but he eventually looked up at his visitor. "You lay down like a cat." she started. This irked Sombra dearly. It was a black scaled dragon, the one who broke him out of the cell. He took in a deep breath and feigned ignorance to her opening statement. "Greetings." he started, then truly looking at her, he noticed the arm sling and bandages that went around her upper arm and back. "Apologies..." he said, not sure what else to say, even if the word felt strange on his lips. She shrugged, the gesture causing her to hiss in pain and rub her shoulder with her good arm. "Ah, no worries. You were scared, it happens to all of us. Dad is blowing plenty of smoke, though." she paused, then laughed quietly. "I'm Nash by the way." Sombra was taken aback by just how quickly she forgave, wondering if she was being sincere or if this was a prop set up by Twilight. He lowered his head again and decided to ignore her. "Ya know you normally say your name at this point!" she said, loudly. Sombra sat up again and sighed heavily. "King Sombra. Why, did no one tell you the name of the Crystal Empires Iron King?" "No I was told; about a thousand times by dad, but ice breakers, ya know?" she said, smiling smugly. Sombra stood up, ignoring the pain in his legs and walking with regal stride for the door. The dragon hopped to follow. "Listen, I thank you deeply for freeing me; but I have no use of you as you have no use for me. I am to focus on healing and don't have time for Twilight's games." he said, ending with spite in his tone. Nastha followed without a care, not minding the hard tone he used it seemed, simply following him as she retorted. "Well, she did tell me you would be better off alone for a bit, but Hot Shot and Wind Drift here are also assigned to watch you by my dad." The guards looked at each other with small anxiety. "So, since they can't talk, and you already have company trailing you. Why not have someone you can talk to." The pegsi in armor called to them, following quickly with the earth pony shouting. "Lieutenant! It isn't a good idea to-" "To what? Talk to the great King Sombra? It is forbidden by the captain of the guard? Fine. Nash, you and I may talk, anything in the world to get under that dragons scales. Maybe I'll lure you to the ways of evil." he ended with a dramatic flair that put the guards on edge, despite how silly he felt saying it; and looking quite unhappy with the situation. Yet leaving him feeling proud of himself even as they walked in silence. Sombra realized he had nothing he wanted to talk about, still.
Time Flows OnSombra couldn't help but marvel at how the world changed. How ponies changed while Twilight ran things. Even if the mare begrudged her position, he could hardly see a world more prosperous without her. He spent many hours pondering to himself why he had a hard time hating the alicorn but he concluded that he admired a well running government. In spite of what others think, he was proud of how much wealth the crystal empire generated and how it maintained the strongest raw military might in the world during his rule. Twilight ran things very differently, but he admired her style of ruling that did not waste time with formality or ego pleasing like Her while enjoying popularity for her own level of care for the individual as well as the collective. Sombra paced up and down his room. It had been one week, a blindingly fast week where most of his time was spent healing and learning. The capitan of the guard kept his distance and the dragon named Nash bothered him from time to time, yet he enjoyed a lot of freedom when it came to his own wants and needs. Sombra was deep in thought, musing about his enemy... "The Shapeshifters, Birds, Yakcows, and smaller nations all joined her umbrella as Greater Equestria..." Nash interrupted him, she was sitting on his bed, legs crossed and tail waving in the air lazily while he pretended to not notice her remarks. She was deeply annoying, and he resolved she would be the first to be exiled when he won the duel. "Changlings, Gryphons and just Yaks." she corrected, he ignored. "Defeat Twilight and they either all turn on me, or they all submit...If I begin the subjugation curse now..." he lost track of the thought and picked up another. "I can't begin any rituals, pointless. Better to focus on...what?" he asked himself. Sombra had been clawing at this wall in his head for days now, and his conclusion was still the same. "You can't plan for anything because Twi won't let you, yet if you lose to her all your plans will backfire, or worse, you'll lose and regret your plans." Nash went on. Sombra finally eyed her, blowing out a deep sigh and lowering his head a fraction. "And, pray tell, what might you suggest-" he turned to face her, a vile grin on his face and eyes radiating the sickly green color. "Dear Friend?" The look did not have the same effect on her as it did with countless Crystal Ponies, all who cowered in fear of their kings ire. Instead she just shrugged, which, again, deeply annoyed him. "Best thing you could do is fight her on your terms. Don't wait for her, just do it quick and quiet and you can lay out all your curses in secret." Nash rather candidly suggested before laying down on her back, letting her legs stretch out, her head resting on his pillows. "Of course this occurred to me, do you even know who I am?" Sombra shot back. "The murder of an alicorn will be felt by all ponies...that is what legends say and I would rather not risk the revolt of a nation until I'm aware of Twilight's full intent and the repercussions, I need to know where I may go and who will be of use to me when I am free of aliconrs." Nash shrugged again, her claws digging into her jacket pockets and eyes closing. Is she bored?! I grace her with the chance to confer with me, the master tactician of the Crystal Empire, and she's BORED?! "Then you also see that if you got that far, held all the cards and got to Princess Celestia, you would be fine with the sun exploding?" Nashta interjected. "That was an age ago, and the situation was much different..." he retorted. Sombra let a groan escape him, feeling boxed into a corner with no legitimate way out without either sacrificing his pride as a king or putting himself in a position of total loss no matter what the outcome. Twilight didn't look it, but she was adept at working unexpected situations to her total favor. The first thing Sombra burned into his head was that Twilight Sparkle was the culmination of generations of teaching through not just Celestia, but Luna, and their cousin Cadence. On top of that, she had a horribly well suited hero in Starswirl the Great which most of her own self-taught lessons stemmed from. Adding on more merit, she mastered the gifts of harmony and has vast experience in dealing with national and global crisis. This wasn't just the avatar of the sun or mistress of night, this was the utter peak of power and wisdom hard earned...Sombra knew when to admire a foe, and while he knew Celestia was a backstabbing, manipulative, coward with far too much raw power; a blunt but large sword, Twilight was a razors edge. It felt almost impossible to win, let alone find pleasure in victory if what she said was true about the Crystal Empire. "Tell me, where are the archives in this castle?" he asked, his tone cold and commanding. "The library? It's on the lower floor, open to the public, ya know?" she answered care-free. Sombra couldn't nail it down, but he felt his ire lessoning in intensity. Probably a symptom of being around her too long and getting used to her horrible and outright cheerful attitude around him. That, and perhaps her sympathy, that night escape under the moon, was still putting her in his favor. Sombra took a moment to think as he stopped pacing, seeing her glance up at him. "Have the slaves bring up any tome regarding the major historical events spanning the last generation. Also, have them bring up a few on the Crystal Empire, any will do. Lastly, I demand nourishment for the long task ahead." He ended, deciding then to asset himself with a burst of vocal prowess and dominating posture, hoof slamming into the already cracked tile in his room and creating a crater of green and black magic. "On the double!" Nashta sat up and seemed puzzled, her eyes reflecting a little worry and he felt the warm rush of pride as his command and noble presence inspired her to finally respect him. To which he felt all feelings of respect dashed when she stifled a chuckle and nodded. "S-sure, but, ah; we don't use slaves and I'll add a few self-help books to the list, you really need to work on your attitude." she lifted herself in the air a few inches with a graceful push off the bed and a wisp of black smoke coming from her back. Sombra only recently discovered it was due to her rare heritage, but she could move shadow and create objects from darkness. Often she used this to walk and hide in places no dragon, pony or other could even imagine, he saw the usefulness in having her as a spy as her father wished, but he also saw in her an unparalleled assassin waiting to be born. Such a useful talent wasted on an immature whelp. he thought to himself. Nashta left the room to the worry of the guards nearby and he realized in her wake that he was left to his own... At his full strength, Sombra assumed he could easily overpower a few guards and make a clean escape. However, the issue remained of how to deal with Twilight Sparkle and if he decided to move now, he would be forcing himself to move from a disadvantage in his state. Sombra began pacing again, dark magic leaving his horn to fix the tile as he paced so he would no longer feel the bite of broken stone in his hooves, which he also had a feeling a chip dislodge somewhere and rejoin the tile after the ground shattering gesture, causing a flash of pain ad irritation. "I am truly unlucky..." he said to himself as he cast another spell, repairing the door and shutting it, the guards not able to, or unwilling, to throw themselves in the room to stop him sealing them off and finally enjoying the quiet of privacy. Beginning the process of simple meditation, trying to focus his magic energy and better unlock all those worn and ill-used muscles, tapping back into the dark magic he was so skilled in, hearing the buzz of silence creeping in his ears and taking a deep and long, and loud breath to break the silence. "I will overcome this. I will rule all of Equestria because it is my right. Celestia was-" "Was more royal than you could ever hope to be? More of noble birth? A ruler of lesser ponies like you?" came a voice in the walls. Sombra felt a cold spike run down his neck and suppressed the shiver that came with it. Sombra turned to the door to curse the guards for their snark but found the door he just mended was a blank wall with flowing tapestries depicting his downfall at the hands of a tiny dragon. He blinked, the vision faded in the instant and he closed his jaw, forcing his breathing to steady and fight the fear, closing his eyes again. The echo of shrill laughter. The roar of white fire. The shouting of vindicated anger. Silence. The faint buzz in his ears deafening him to the world and when he spoke, he shouted to just hear himself. "I'm fine, everything is fine, I'm free, I'm alone as I desire to be, as I always will be because a king is always alone. King Sombra!" He opened his eyes, the world rotated sharply to a level angle again and he stumbled just slightly. The noise faded to just the sound of a bird, causing him to turn and see a blue robin in his window singing. Sombra felt sick to his stomach, his fur felt heavy and yet his skin was cold. Taking a step, not even noticing the specks of blood left behind from his wounded hoof. The only thought that occupied him now was a single, strange realization. "You...not even you fear me?" he asked the bird. He got closer and closer, thinking back to the cold empire and the rare birds, the rare wildlife in general of his homeland. How his rule and the wasteland he created ended most all species of animal that called the north home. Never once did a bird soil his balcony, but nor did it ever calm his nerves with wordless song. The bird just kept singing, Sombra was close enough to reach out to it, and it showed no sign of flight or fear. "You've been trained...raised by ponies, that is why you do not fly. I'm just a possible source of food to you, aren't I?" he grit his teeth. Dark magic welled up inside him, running his veins cold and his eyes toxic green, he could see the bird like only a true mage could...a collection of parts, skull for a series of simple curses, feathers to make charms, and so many other uses... the window suddenly slamming shut, sending the bird panicked and flapping as the window reshaped into a crystal mirror, polished, embedded with dark gems and blocked out the sunlight. Sombra saw himself, admiring the mirror in his cold sweat as a trinket from his past. Time long ago he used so many such mirrors to admire himself, to hurt the crystal ponies in such mazes of torture. The mirror snapped, cracking down the center, then falling apart into crystal dust that scattered on the wind in a dense glow of purple magic. Twilight would not allow any dark constructs in her domain, that was obvious now...he cursed her name over and over, feeling the small drops of blood now on his hoof and redoubling his healing efforts, making the signs of his weakness vanish in a quiet wisp of green fire, clearing the spots in the room, and finally leaving him back in silence. Not total silence... Sombra felt his attention pulled down, looking out into the garden of Twilights Castle, seeing a pony of pale green hue tend to the bird he cast from his ledge. He saw the aviary, and how concerned the caretaker was of this bird. He noticed that around this little section was musical instruments and perches with music sheets nearby. "Songbirds...The princess must see value in them." Sombra noticed his rage was slipping away, feeling something like pity, snarling to himself and leaving the window before the pony could look up and see the cause of her anguish. He felt the buzz of silence creeping in again, nearly shouting in frustration he threw open the door much to the guards shock and stepped out. "I am going to the library, stop me if you dare!" __________________ Spike couldn't help but lose track of his own schedule now. What was once a meticulously crafted blend of downtime and meetings was now in utter chaos as he worked overtime speaking to guards, sometimes whole sections, sometimes individuals, about the issue of King Sombra's return. Creating contingency plans, stopping any leaks to the press and absolutely despising what the cursed stallion was doing to his daughter. He didn't know if he should forbid her from speaking to him, what good that might do, and what kind of message that might send to both of them. 'Isn't there a saying, sir? Thick as thieves?' a commander had said to him in jest. Spike put him on double watch duty for two days. Jokes would get him nowhere in solving his king sized issue, yet there was nothing he could do to override Twilight's decision. When it came to the Princess of Friendship, trust was key to being her captain of the guard. Spike was sure not even Shining Armor could handle this position these days. Still, Spike had the years of trial to know Twilight was good on her word; King Sombra was one of their toughest foes, but he was also one of the few that were beyond help at the time...he was sure Twilight held regret for that, especially after fighting Queen Chrysalis who also wouldn't even try listening. Spike let out a yawn, trying to organize an effective patrol of the grounds that stepped up security without looking too obvious to the public. He also was desperately trying to carve out time to interrogate Sombra about his intentions for the duel and maybe, just maybe find enough to disillusion Twilight. Spike finalized the watchlist, standing up with the parchment in claw and stretching, the leather of his uniform creaked and he felt a pop in his back that sparked a little worry in the back of his mind, not liking the idea of needing to workout more to limber up. Traveling down the halls, he saw the uneasy looks the guards gave him, making him exhale a frustrated groan as he finally turned into the guards central hub, the armory and central station, but the name it was given was just 'The Barracks' even though it was just a long room. Spike handed the parchment over to the watch commander who couldn't suppress a yawn, then gave a sharp, if nervous, salute and started issuing orders to the runners on standby. The castle was on lockdown, though no one would guess it unless they spent a lot of time in the castle recently. Spike didn't care to justify his actions; while he was understanding and full of compassion, lessons learned right alongside the elements of harmony, he was also his own dragon and his top priority was keeping Twilight safe. Guards might go with a little less sleep than normal but it couldn't be helped while he got a handle on what Sombra was planning. "Why so many guards suddenly?" Thorax asked without any preamble. Spike felt wind get stuck in his chest and he turned with a smile wanting to cross his face while he wanted to be serious. "Diplomats should stick to their quarters and the dining hall." he snapped back. Thorax wasn't having it...the changeling shook his head and repeated his question. "Look-" Spike continued. "We are having an issue with a new arrival...someone from awhile back, way way back, and-...See...the issue is...we...I am just trying to carry out Twilights...orders?" While the watch commander might not think it was audible, the stifled chuckle earned him another days punishment the moment Spike could address him. Thorax, though, wasn't convinced. "You and I both know Twilight well enough that if she says its handled, its handled. If she needs help, she will ask for it." Thorax began, thinking. "So why don't you sound confident in your...orders?" Spike rubbed his tired face, starting to walk and nodding, admitting defeat to the changling and adding. "Come on, I'll explain it to you, you might as well know since you're here." Thorax had stayed behind while diplomats came and went, as he was deep in talks with Twilight about creating a new sub-state, a place for changlings to expand their territory and mingle more freely with the other races. This took long conversations of state-craft that a hero like Spike hated sitting in on. Yet it was always nice to have old friends, and while Thorax looked much older, his shell only had a faint greyness to it. Walking, Spike had to admire again how different the insect like changlings were. The emotions themselves sustained them like love and joy, but deeper emotions such as friendship kept them full of youth. Spike began by taking a deep breath. "You know a little about the Crystal Empire; how the Crystal Heart protects it and that an evil king once ruled it, brought it to ruin and oppressed his ponies to the point that Celestia and Luna intervened just before it vanished." Thorax nodded. They took a turn and entered the Hall of Harmony where the map table and seats were for discussions. Spike touched the table, then scanned over it to the Empire, letting Thorax see the massive city and its unique splendor. "That evil king was named Sombra. Twilight and I defeated him when the Empire returned..." Spike turned to face Thorax, who was sitting now, listening intently. "Or so we thought..." "Oh dear..." he replied. Spike in turn nodded. "Unknown to us, Celestia recovered a fragment of Sombra. Being mostly a spirt, I suppose she knew he would eventually recover and threaten us again. She locked him in a prison made just for him...it was...this strange space where dimensions didn't make sense and the darkness was alive. He was there, chained totally immobile to the wall for fifty years. Twilight found out about him from Cadence as she passed..." Spike had to stop, feeling the weight of his words and how it pulled into his chest, making Thorax change as well, feeling those emotions on Spike and empathizing. "It's ok...Spike, it's just us. No need to play the hero." Thorax offered with a kind smile. The dragon nodded, rubbing his face to chase away the thoughts and feelings. "Celestia tortured him for a lifetime, all three of them...it's...hard to understand. Sombra is evil personified, bitter vengeance given form, but how could that happen." he paused, wrestling his emotions again, feeling the drag of stress more than ever. "And now he is here. Is he a threat?" Thorax surmised. "I don't even know. I think so, he used me to almost hurt Nash and Twilight." He started. Finding his emotions mixed, unsteady. "Yet you know he was afraid." Thorax continued. Spike chuckled. Nodding and turning a seat around, it was Pinkies by chance...sitting down to rest and nod again, blowing out a sigh. "You are still scary good at reading me." Thorax smiled with a hint of pride and the warmth of a friend. "If you controlled your emotions better, I might not be as good." "No wonder changlings are taking over the therapy business..." That got a raised brow, and finally they both shared a laugh. It went on for long moments, Spike finally feeling that stress fall off him like old scales. Then finally coming to breath in deep and regain the conversation. Sitting back in the seat with those all important lessons about just smiling now in his mind, bittersweet, true, and needed. Thanks Pinkie... "I've done what I can to prepare for the worst, but the last thing we need is rumor getting out that Sombra is here and, Celestia help us, Twilight is protecting him." Spike admitted, standing back up and pushing the seat back into place. Thorax stood as well and nodded. "I understand. It's not every day that a cursed king comes back to life, again...but what did I say before? If Twilight says she can handle it. She can handle it. We have to trust that she had a plan in mind, because I could just run for my life now if you think I should...but?" he paused, waiting. "But Twilight and I will keep everyone safe." Spike ended. Thorax nodded and smiled. "See? You both deserve your positions for just this reason. Though you can inform Twilight that I will postpone our discussions until after this is dealt with." he paused, looking a little sheepish at Spike and seeing that hard reaction. "I-it isnt out of fear, no, just that I would rather not add to the Princess' plate as is. I know everything will be fine, but she hardly needs a political mess like me on her hooves." he ended, turning for the door as Spike followed. They walked, conversing in small doses as they made their way to the front door. Spike felt a little guilt, knowing sharing this information is the direct cause of the disruption, but Thorax was also right. Less stress for Twilight would be a great thing right now, and the ruler of the changelings has always been accommodating. Spike figured it was the deep connection to the emotions around him, but he was a genuinely kind pony as well. Spike saw him out, walking all the way to the aircart station where all the flyers could freely come and go, seeing two ponies soon flank the changling king and erupt in a wisp of magic as their disguises drop. Then finally he watched them go, buzzing in the direction of the hive. He could only think about how grand their return would be once this mess was over...the moment Thorax retuned was also the moment Spike would be done with all this stress and, for good or evil, he could put all this uncertainty behind him. For now, though, he had a goal in mind. Heading back to the castle, he knew the first place Sombra would go and he planned to get all the information the stallion was trying to keep locked up in that head of his...straight to the library. Author's Note Beep boop thank you for your patience oops i redid the plan in my head and made the story longer hope ya'll enjoy Edit: I noted that Sombra had decided to go to the dining hall; I drafted the next chapter and forgot this fact after I also noted Spikes decision to find Sombra in the library and it made much more sense that he would go to the library first. I've edited this chapter to reflect that decision and have opted to keep most everything in tact. My reasoning is it is actually more compelling to see the mixed desires of Sombra manifest in his relationship with Nashta where part of him wants to order ponies around, while the other part is so used to isolation that he is more comfortable doing things on his own. Consider it a part of his fracture that I will be defining much more strongly soon and I want Nashta to be the foil for this fracture.
Penance in the LibraryWithin these endless halls lies an eternity of knowledge One must only be willing to open their eyes and see starlight Sombra sneered at the old Ponish script etched above the doors leading to the library. He thought them tacky, overly dramatic and judgmental; lacking most sense as well. Though, going through the doors, the sudden change in the air made his ears pop; he had to stop and fight to keep his legs from shaking, his fur bristled and skin went cold. Seeing the inside of the library was unlike anything he had seen before. The flat ground suddenly turned into a massive staircase downward for about half a flight, the marble stone was cut using magic; so fine was the edge that he knew no normal craftspony could accomplish this, and yet the real show was a statue at the bottom of the stairs that could not exist. Step by step he descended seeing the ornamental wood table that encircled the statue with ponies busily filing paperwork and organizing books onto carts. It was about five ponies, with others pushing those carts between the aisles of books. Sombra gazed back at the statue set the bottom of the staircase and stood motionless in the library that broke even the rules he could not fathom breaking. The statue should have cut into the next two floors at the most conservative estimate he had come up with, while the bookcases themselves seemed to go on forever, far out of his view. "Magic that warps space itself..." he said in quiet awe. He looked again at all the rows of books and the ceiling that should have exploded outside the castle with its sheer scale and sat down at the end of the stairs. Reflecting on his own castle, he thought back to his illusions and seemingly endless stairs; a strong dispel would shatter the illusion and reality as it was would resume to the perspective of the subject in question...however... The vast halls were no illusion or teleportation magic, but and honest warping of space to create something incredible. "T-...This was only ever a theory by Celestia's court mage, no other pony could confirm this was a possibility. Did that old madman know? Did he foresee this?" He would have continued, but he was interrupted by a warm laugh coming from below at the foot of the stairs. He turned and stood up, not even realized he had lost his wits and had to quickly regain them when a wash of lavender color brought his anger back in a flash. "Queen Twilight." he said, not as if greeting, but accusing. ____ Twilight remained sitting, gazing at the statue of her old friend and couldn't suppress a wistful sigh; she knew where Sombra was at all times due to the nature of his magic creating a small void of darkness. Yet it was simply fate that they would run into each other like this. Twilight was looking for a book on gryphon history, not that he would believe her. So she simply smiled and took in his reaction to her student's incredible work. Twilight turned her head to look at and address Sombra. "Princess is fine, but really it's unnecessary. I always have been just Twilight Sparkle." She stood and faced him now, the dark king not recoiling, but more so priming himself. Twilight had to suppress her emotions; she found so much pity for the stallion that it was hard to see him as himself. She knew he was no stray dog to take in with simple comfort; and so she had to treat him with more respect than others might think worthy of this avatar of oppression. "These halls are not endless as the door implies, but they are much more vast than they should be, as you noticed." she continued. "This is the work of my student Starlight Glimmer and her partner Sunburst." She motioned to the statue of Starlight that rose to such a height. "We offered to put them both here, but Sunburst wouldn't have it...I admire that mage, I do." she paused, glad to see Sombra start to relax. "He wants to change the world, yet he also doesn't want his name plastered all over. It isn't modesty, I think. I think the poor stallion is just shy." she ended with a soft laugh, a genuine one. Sombra felt at a loss for words. Not only was it not a result of Celestia's mage, but this magical marvel was made by someone who didn't even want credit for it? He sat back down, dumbfounded that such a personality existed... "That is just absurd." he started. "You make a breakthrough that allows the warping of space itself and you don't even want the credit? No pony is that shy. Just imagining the amount of spell layering, testing each and every effect knowing the next test could turn you inside out or cause any number of disasters; and the skill you need with weaving magic runes-." He stopped when he saw the smile on her face. Sombra felt his tail flick once in annoyance, deciding to entertain her for the sake of getting information. The king was an old hat with manipulation, the decision was made in reflex and he found words forming before he made the conscious decision to engage with Twilight. This is to say, really, he was shocked at himself for wanting to talk more about the subject in spite of his hate for the alicorn. "What I'm trying to say is it simply makes no sense for someone to work so hard, accomplish something even the gods could not and decide not to take credit for it. It tells me this Sunburst is unfathomably sad as a pony, insecure, and probably unloved." he ended, smiling with such toxic venom in his tone. Though the last adjective was a tad reaching... Twilight seemed unfazed; her posture didn't change nor did her expression of peaceful content, as if listening to an old friend ramble. There was a moment of silence between them and Sombra lost the smile after just a few heartbeats to look at her confused. "No, King Sombra; Sunburst is very loved." she said with blissful warmth. Infuriating warmth to the dejected King. "If you like, I can help you find what you're looking for." she ended. The ice king snorted and pushed his nose high before replying. "By all means, I can't argue if you wish to be the architect of your own downfall." he then looked at her, truly met her gaze with his vile eyes and added. "I promise I won't be kind to your subjects when you are disposed of..." This finally seemed to put a chill in the mare's veins, her expression going cold and distant as something Sombra could see as 'Luna-esque" flashed in those lavender eyes. He kept the tremor from his voice masterfully and began walking, not even sure of the direction he was going into the vast labyrinth of books. "I need to catch up on the history of the Empire that I have sadly missed, and any book on your affairs would be needed. Can we manage this simple task?" he said, glaring back at her. To his shock she was blowing out a sigh, nodding her head and then laughing to herself. He stopped in his tracks and turned to face her. "N-no, King Sombra I am not mocking you, I swear. I apologize for the impression, but you just remind me of someone..." she paused, as if deep in thought. "Well, a few someones. It brought back some fond memories..." And with that she began trotting a slow pace in the opposing direction of his own walk. Sombra had to catch up with a brisk jolt and looked up in suspicion, a look she noticed. "Ah- I...I do apologize, you won't know them but maybe telling you a few stories while we look for the books will be revenge enough for your comment about my subjects. She smiled playfully and Sombra realized just how adept this mare was at getting under his skin. "So...there's this magician named Trixie..." ____________One hour later_______________ "...And Starlight insisted that she would get revenge on us, she even solved the riddle of time magic and doomed the world a few times over just to get back at us...but, ultimately, she saw the selfishness of her actions and came to regret everything. We were almost lucky that she came to that conclusion or you and I might not ever have had this opportunity." With that a dense tome of a book was placed in the new-old saddle bag the Princess had found for him. Unable to suppress the grunt of pain his still healing bones felt carrying the weight, Twilight looked at him with a grimace. One copy of "The Crystal Press Archive" dated for the past ten years. Total weight 13.7 lbs One original print of "Princess Twilight Sparkle: A New Dawn for Equestria?" Total weight 11.6 lbs One abridged edition of "Sun and Moonfall: Life without the sisters" Total weight 24.6 lbs And one copy of "Flurry Heart: Queen of an Empire" Total weight 10.9 lbs Weight being carried by a very unrecovered, unsteady King: 60.8 lbs. Sombra was breathing slowly, carefully. Their pace had long turned into a crawl while he used magic to constantly amplify his own strength at the cost of his recovery speed. Refusing to appear so weak as to carry measly books on his magic talents. Twilight had noticed this effort of his, but he persisted. "You, of course, wouldn't know any of this because to you and to all of Equestria nothing had happened at all. Only her and I know, now..." They had returned to the entrance and stairs, Sombra thankful for the sight and not even noticing the flash of darkness in her expression. The king paused to see Spike at the top and looking down at them both, wearing a more robust version of his normal outfit and what clearly was a piece of magic protection in the form of a gem encrusted bracer on his left arm. Sombra was versed enough in that sort of enchantment to see it a mile away if he needed to...but disliking the meaning behind it's appearance. He stood tall in spite of his pain and, though his hooves felt tired and weak, he had to let the dragon know he would rather die than cower in fear over a trinket such as that. "Your Highness, you could have told someone you were escorting...him. The guard is here for a reason." Spike started, cut off by Sombra as he climbed the stairs. "Oh please, dear captain if I had the opportunity to kill your precious Queen, I would have taken it already." he said with a grin as green flooded his eyes for a moment. Spike put a claw on the sword at his side and snarled very audible, Twilight stepping up to follow the King and adding hastily. "Spike! It's alright, even he admits I can defend myself; Sombra needed help and we had a good chance to talk-" she was then cut off by a laugh from Sombra. "Dear Queen Twilight! Is that all it was? Was it not pity or shame that drove you to help me and gnaw my ears apart?" This put Twilight on the defensive, her posture changing to quick shock and wanting to rebuke, she inhaled sharply but Sombra continued. "IF you want to help me I have a suggestion..." the pause; Sombra adored the drama. "Not tomorrow, but the next day, at noon; I want to see the city. I'm no fool, I know I am under arrest but surly there is a balcony with a view. Have the servants prepare for a...ah...A Royal Viewing." he chuckled to himself, finally reaching the top of the stairs and finding his path blocked by the dragon. "The information in these books are hardly enough without the context, and we've nothing better to do while I recover." he took a breath, trying to hide just how empty his lungs felt from the climb up simple stairs. "My magic is enough to survey a greater distance than you think, Captain, and I can't even go near a window without your guards breaking out in a panic. I was underground for the greater part of a generation, I could at any moment find myself back in that cage, my only request...a request from the great and powerful King Sombra is just an afternoon to see what I may from the castle towers." he ended. Taking a long breath as quietly as possible as he stared down the dragon. ...Then Twilight Sparkle laughed. ... Spike and Sombra both stared squarely at her with total loss of words as her light as air laugh echoed in the depthless halls of the library, the sun seeming to grow brighter from just the presence of her joy...at what, neither of them knew. "Is there something funny about my plea?" he shot. Twilight sat down there in front of the statue at the bottom of the stairs, unable to remain standing as she laughed her musical, light bringing laugh as his face burned red within moments, nearly charging down the stairs were it not for the foresight that he would then have to climb them all over again. All that she got out were just a hoofful of words. "I-I'm sorry! I-It's jus-st...th-e G-great and P-p-powerful S-Sombra!" Suddenly her story rushed back to him and he fumed in bitter rage and Spike felt the humor punch him in the gut and a smile painted wide on his face. "I AM NOT THAT CHARLATAN MARE!" Author's Note Things are starting to change. A little light in the room, yea? Up next: Nashta and Sombra power hour
Thick as ThievesWith what felt like mythical effort he reached his temporary room and slung the saddlebags down onto the floor, taking a long and needed breath as green wisps erupted all around him, his healing finally kicking back into full tilt with a symphony of cracks and snaps across his body that left him feeling dizzy with relief and pleasant pain. True to the simplest form, a little fitness goes a long way to helping the body recover and the dark king had a moment to enjoy the humor in the fact. His humor soured when he noticed now two birds in his window and blew out his deep breath as a sigh, rolling his eyes and lifting the books off the floor with a field of magic that placed them down on the study desk in the room. Sombra was stuck making a decision...while normally the answer was rudimentary, he found it hard to find an agreement with himself on the subject of how to take in the information as quickly as possible. Normally, he would use curse magic to imprint the words of the text into his mind and his subconscious would sort relevant data automatically. The spell would burn lesser minds to a crisp depending on the content of the text, but this was light reading at best and he could waste an afternoon doing it manually or spend a few seconds doing it his way; yet this also might raise the ire of 'Her Highness Princess Twilight'. It was then that the black dragon decided to show herself, just as Sombra caught a whiff of something like steamed vegetables and had to fight the urge to stagger back when the dragon dropped from his ceiling with a small bundle in her claws. Sombra then had the displeasure of hearing his stomach make it's presence known with a flash back to the isolation and the nurse...he shook it off, visibly, and looked up at her. "I thought I told you to go to the library; I even gave you a list." he started. The dragon nodded, moving towards the desk full of books and placed the bundle on top of them, pulling a sling off her side to set it there as well, what must be a pack of water. "You shouting your intent to the whole castle told me all I needed to know about your "four-D" chess game so I decided to get a snack for me, lunch for you and I'll help fill in some cultural sub-text you're GOING to miss in these books." she ended, her tone rather cold and clinical all of a sudden. Sombra couldn't find words for a moment and he thought he smelled something...odd. Something old and sweet, fragrant, like a perfume...he just stared at the dragon, thinking though muddy memory as to why in the world the scent of perfume was on his mind. Nash sat down at the freshly repaired desk and unfurled the contents of the leaf wrap pack. "You look like you just saw a ghost..." she started, Sombra suddenly snapped to reality and the scent of perfume vanished. "I've...been a little more relaxed than I should be. I know...You know...but the point is I want you to know you can talk to me. I don't want you to hurt Auntie Twi and if it comes to it I'll-" Sombra's whole posture changed, his chest was out, eyes shar and low with mists of green entering the whites. "I will take you down if I have to." she ended. Sombra sat down there. Not that he meant to, posturing is an art that any nobility has to be an expert at and any small motion or uncontrolled response might mean the difference in intimidation or the lack of. Yet he sat without even giving the motion thought and he felt his chest go tight. Snug. Breath not even getting in as he started to pant without any thought to the sudden concern on Nashta's face. The sensation was totally new. Totally strange and totally unpleasant as darkness crowded around his vision and a voice in his ears told him he was ok, that he would be alright and nothing would hurt him as the white walls around him and a dark blur entering in and out of his vision. Breathing getting more and more uncontrolled and the darkness winning the fight, the scent of perfume suddenly back along with a bitter taste in his mouth that made breathing even harder... Yet like it never happened, Sombra felt his normal train of thought snap back into place and his body got to send all those messages to his brain all at once. Pain. Mostly pain, soreness, joints that need flexing, several opium doses to numb the ache in his chest and splitting headache. His eyes were still stinging with a blinding white light when he started casting small spells to dial back the pain. He realized then that he had dropped all his defenses, his healing spells, all the little things he was doing to keep his body moving had to be reknit carefully though his muscles and bones. Most didn't value healing magic; truly value, most thought it a simple cast of a spell and everything was better...but ponies always need doctors and pharmacists long before and after magic had anything to do with medicine. Magical healing takes more art than power and it was more than frustrating that he needed to do it all over again. "Sombra!" Nearly jumping out of his skin was also very frustrating. "Sombra! Thank Celestia; talk to me, tell me you're ok." The voice was NOT Princess Twilight like he felt like he should expect at this point. She was always there when he was at his lowest, he hated that, deeply. Yet it was a dragon with ebony scales that greeted him first. He took stock in where he was, what was happening and found he was in his temporary bed. Perhaps he never even left the room judging by the shut and locked door. Sombra sat up and was quick to get off the bed, Nashta jumping back out of his way. "What happened?" he said curtly. Not as if asking her a question, but he was asking himself what functionally happened. "Y-you started stumbling, breathing really hard and..." she hesitated. Sombra for a moment saw her, seeing not a spy but a young girl who's fear wasn't rooted in survival like he always saw in others. "I won't ask, but you said a lot of strange stuff...like, I can't even begin to imagine you asking for help but you did...clearly, to me! You asked for help over and over and you kept rubbing your eyes." Sombra took a few deep breaths, shaking his head and throwing his mane back, brushing the fur out of place with his hoof and wisps of magic. Putting the disheveled back into noble form while he tried to put words together. His heart was racing but he let the silence hang just long enough to feel thing slow back down. "I'm...not sure what to say." he began, then stopping himself as anger crossed his dark eyes. "You kept me here when I might have needed dire medical attention f-for what? My pride? You put...my pride before my well being and...you...remind me of someone." he said, coming to a slow end of his thought and started another. "I thank you. Truly; No one has-" he halted, breath catching in his throat and an image unbidden in his mind plastered the face of a mare with a soot colored coat and moss green eyes. "Very few have-" Nashta tilted her head, clearly wanting to ask the question. "Thank you. Nashta." The dragoness sat down on the bed again, the living shadows that she wove answered to her unspoken call, her legs and arms were almost wrapped in a cloak of light eating darkness and she seemed so much smaller before she realized what she was doing and the dark was banished. "I saved you down there because I knew when I saw you that Celestia was wrong. Whatever she was thinking at the time- W-whatever message she was trying to impart...she was wrong." Sombra felt his heart rate climb a tad and took another steadying breath. "I am in your debt; a debt I can never repay. That hell has changed me, it is an undeniable fact and I am not blind or foolish enough to think otherwise. However, I know my place in this world is the one who will end the reign of the gods." Sombra felt something in him grow cold seeing dark climb over the dragoness again. "My means are retold by history as barbaric but when I began my rule the empire was just a brick and stone township where the crystalline look was more about blending into the snow to avoid the predators, though they forget that...I raised them up into..." The cold in his chest stabbed deeper seeing the questions and worry written all over her face. "I'm a tyrant but my goal was the end of divine tyrants." "But you can't die, either...can you?" she cut in. "I can die, dragoness." The silence lasted a little too long for comfort, Sombra bit back a more cutting retort because she deserved the truth, but getting to the point so quickly left little else to fill the silence with. "You can be killed...like the Princesses; but can you die?" The question was simple but it bit deep, he balked at the implication and felt fire fighting the cold in his chest before realizing he had no answer for her. His jaw worked but words wouldn't come out and the darkness that clung to the dragoness like a blanket started to come free. "I've read a little about you; but I think you can be forgiven if you ask." Sombra had little to say to that as well; he never thought about forgiveness as a desire or future outcome, forgiveness was just a word others used or wrote in books and so it was never for him to even ponder over. "Why would you say that?" he asked, wandering over to the food that was still laid out on the desk. Starting with a hay sandwich as his sense of hunger returned strong enough to force his hoof. Nashta couldn't answer for a moment as the darkness around her vanished once again and she was brave enough for a smile. "Because I've seen evil people and you don't strike me as one of them." "That is certainly the first time anyone has ever said that to me. Have you considered that you don't know me as well as you think?" he retorted before taking another ravenous bite of the sandwich, washing it down with a few slices of apple. "There's a way to be sure..." she started, Sombra raising a brow. "We could duel. I'm sure you remember knights dueling their squires to see if they were worthy of their training-" "I saw that tradition being made, young one. I know of the maxim, one cannot hide anything in the heat of battle. I used this several times to weed spies from my court...my apologies." he added, seeing the look in Nashta's eyes. "You want this...don't you? Is it to prove something to daddy? Don't think I haven't seen the way you two glare at each other." her face couldn't hide the heat in her cheeks and sharp glare cutting the air in the room. "Spike needs to learn a lesson or two, yeah, but this isn't about him. My teacher did the same thing to me, tossed me a sword and with no training at all he told me to swing at him. That was the day I was asked to join Twilight's court as a...a spy, yeah." she paused, seeming to struggle with a memory or specific detail. "I want to duel you; you want to regain your full strength. Win-win. "You have given this thought." he commented. She nodded. "Then whatever question you hope to answer by a duel must be really burning inside you, dragoness. Then lets fight, take me to your training hall." he said, finishing off the last of the food she had brought him. Nashta blinked, looking dumbfounded for a moment before standing up quickly. "B-but you just-" "I just carried about a full stallion's weight on my back in books up stairs and down what felt like endless halls. I'm warmed up, fed, and now that you put this pesky thought in my head I want a sword." he opened the door with a grasp of magic swinging it wide, a guard nearly falling over with what Sombra guessed was a case of having an ear too long for his head... "Let us duel, dragoness." ____________________________________________________ It felt like a lifetime ago when Sombra felt a sword. Of course most ponies had to rely on pikes and specialized harnesses to wage war but a unicorn could be creative...given enough time and training a single sword would out perform a whole squad of pikes and there were many dangerous styles of magical combat that involved iron and steel. However, his was always a single blade with a wide guard. "The trick to fighting with magic is always keeping track of where your blade is. How many young hopefuls cut themselves because they get too excited and forget the heavy iron they are trying to throw in the air doesn't care who's blood is spilled. Any magic knight worth anything would have at least one or two drastic scars..." he waxed while picking out a blade. Nashta sighed and leaned on a wall near the door. The room was large enough to hold four fighting rings and each wall had racks and racks of anything a guard might need to train with. The blades were all dull and chipped with the armor in the same beaten in state that heavy use would indicate. There was an upper balcony where observers could get a good look at the fighters but it was relatively empty. A few guards had been lucky enough to catch wind of what was going on from his security detail and one by one guards had slipped in to either pretend to train or outright sit and watch what was about to happen. Nashta had a long and thin sword; good for deflection with enough martial arts experience but not outright blocking. He could tell her style was deceptive and would be very mobile; naturally as an extension of her control over darkness to hide herself and cause confusion. He had a flicker of fear thinking... 'She might actually be worse to fight when you know what's coming...' Picking up a sword in his grasp of oily grey magic, it was just as dirty as the rest of these worn blades but he felt a little pang of nolstalga for it, something in the brutally simple design of a double edge, a wide grip and a point that formed not as an end to the sword, but as a meeting of the edges making a geometric triangle shape with enough grip that he could apply a sudden force of magic to the end and get out a lot more leverage than if the hilt were shorter. "It's even harder to use the whole blade like most knights needed to. The guard doubled as a hammer, the pommel as a striking tool, if you lost track of where your magic was, how you were swinging, what effect you were intending on your target...you might lose your head." he ended, stepping into a circle and swinging the blade in the air a few times. "You like hearing the sound of your own voice, don't you, Sombra." she jabbed with a chuckle. "It's an acute dislike of silence, that's all. If you had more to add I wouldn't need to talk so much." he cut right back. Nashta joined him in the circle and a few more guards slunk in quickly as they assumed now no one was focused on them. "The forge master here could do with a little better work ethic, too...doesn't he know dull blades kill more painfully than sharp ones." "She has been busy changing the armor design for the royal guard at Princess Twilight's request." "Ah, long live the Queen, damn the soldiers..." Guards whispered at that, Nashta gritting her teeth and flourishing her blade as a way to get their attention without being too obvious. "Don't try to garner sympathy like that. It's too plain for the master of plans." Sombra took a deep breath...the magic that was woven artfully through his broken body started to vanish and be replaced by painful stinging. "Alright, dragoness, then lets begin-" Within a heartbeat shadows erupted around her and a flicker of darkness in the room caused just a moment of blindness; in that heartbeat she had ran down most of the length of the ring and he was only just able to get his sword in position to block an overhead slash. Her sword hardly felt his as she drew it back short of his black at the last moment to slip into his guard and shoulder bash him, sending the king's body screaming in pain while he landed half a meter back, digging his hooves in and panting hard, nearly falling to the ground as every muscle in him cried out. "I could have broken your jaw. Call me 'dragoness' again and I might...my name is Nashta and I want to help you, Sombra." Sombra wanted so badly to weave pain numbing magic into his body again but he couldn't afford the distraction now that it seemed like his pride was on the line. Whispers of guards and the door not even able to close as more and more ponies, gryphons and changelings filed in to watch. Even a yak was able to squeeze in somehow and sat in the far corner with the most judgmental face Sombra had ever seen... Sombra raised his sword again, this time his magic was used to reinforce his eyes against a sudden change in light while his eyes started running green, the mist around them denoting just how seriously he was taking this duel now. "No holding back, Sombra..." she reminded him. He charged her with blade in a tight guard, she was seasoned enough to read the intent; he wanted a close and tight fight to put her dexterity in check; shadows pulled her limbs into obscurity and she stood her ground as Sombra saw through the feint and used all of his swords reach to make a wide swing, forcing her back a step that put her off balance; another wide swing to force her back another step followed up with a sudden change in grip. Sombra's magic grabbed the blade of the sword and in an instant the sword was able to cover double the ground as the sharp guard came at her just like he said...a hammer. Nashta braced, taking the blow to her shoulder as she was thrown to the side. She rolled out of the fall and came right at him while he was just about to start waxing again; her sharp blade easily got by his lowered guard and before he could draw his sword back close to protect himself she stabbed the point of her sword into his shoulder, officially drawing first blood. This insult and the cheering guards would be met with fire...Sombra felt all sense of pride and nobility leave him like chains falling off his body as he drew the sword back in fast, using a hoof to swing at her, though he knew he'd never land a hit like that she would be forced to jump back and with a small adjustment his sword found her side and cut a path across her scales that got a cry of pain from her as she held the cut for a moment and moved back with expert speed and grace. They both took a breath and in an instant they were locked again. Nashta was like smoke and Sombra was pure fire. Pain was forgotten, the cheers and shouts were for deaf ears as the two clashed with steel ringing out each and every contact. Nashta gave ground, Sombra panted from chasing her down every time and no one could claim a side was squeezing out an edge in the exhausting looking melee. "Come on King Sombra! Stop holding back!" she shouted suddenly, the crowd going mostly silent. Sombra smiled and pushed a spell into his sword, a sudden light blinding off the edge caught her in the eye and...Spike came rushing at her with sword drawn. Nashta had to give ground and put her hand on the flat of the blade to stop the brutal strike he threw at her. A cry in her throat was silenced when the captain of the guard thrust his sword up, breaking the guard and the swords iron pommel was thrust in a punch that knocked the wind out of her chest. In that same instant, Nashta was falling to her knees as Spike reached an arm, snatching her throat up and picking her whole body up in the air. "I never loved you..." A blade was plunged into her gut, sending hot pain all through her body as cold spread just as fast to her limbs...the mirage melting into the visage of Sombra with sickening green eyes and a grin that was nearly ear to ear. The sword pulling out of her gut with the sound of wet blood and shouting guards... "DAD NO!" Then she looked down and saw the pommel pressed to her belly. Her breath caught in her throat and in a blink she saw Sombra, grinning, but less like a nightmare and more...smug. She was sitting on the ground looking up at him, he withdrew the sword and sat down, the tip of the blade digging into the sand that was the arena to sit upright. She quickly checked her body, felt the blood from the earlier cut and couldn't suppress the whimper of fear...then a sigh of relief. Laying flat on her back and hearing her arm hit her swords hilt. "Celestia, Luna and all the stars in the sky you..." she started... "I'm not sorry. You're a skilled fighter and-" "YOU ACTUALLY BEAT ME?!" she shouted as guards all rushed around them, some holding weapons at the ready and others just trying to see what was going on as she continued. "Look, being honest I expected to win and we'd have this whole lesson about mercy, friendship and- and..." "And you forgot you were fighting a unicorn when you shouted to not hold back. Isn't that right, Nashta..?" he said, the smug grin somehow getting deeper, and full of smugness. She was speechless for a moment before hearing something that made her heart actually stop. "NASHTA! Nash wh- Move guardsman! Make a hole, move! Nash!" Spike; the real Spike was bowling ponies out of his way like actual pins until he finally got to the arena. Seeing her on her back and Sombra looming over her with a sharp blade nearby was enough to nearly send him into a white hot rage... "Dad no! I asked him to duel!" Something snapped in the air between the dragons... "I even drew blood first so its my fault for escalating things. "Spike!" came another voice from the observation deck. Guards, visitors, guests, all eyes in the room went to the second floor and there sat Princess Twilight. Guards all sucked in a gasp, shackles of shame firmly clamping over their hearts while the guests all looked in awe at the princess. "I approved the duel. I wouldn't let anyone hurt your daughter, you know that." "Twi!" he started, trying to argue. "Please, Spike...we all learned a lot here, I think." she turned her gaze to a pony in white. "Can you ask the other cooks to prepare a meal for myself, the captain, Nash and King Sombra, please." The pony nodded quickly, running as fast as he could out the door before anyone could even think of the word punishment or dereliction of duty. The guards all suddenly started talking to each other...section commanders talked to officers who talked to juniors and suddenly everyone was back on task like every post in the castle wasn't totally abandoned... Spike couldn't take his glare off Sombra...ponies moved all around them but his rage and worry was centered squarely on the King who happened to notice the dragon was staring not at him, but at his heart...probably imaginging crushing it under claw. "What can I say, captian...it was approved." he said so, so smugly. Author's Note Whew that was a power hour wasnt it? There might be some lingering edits that need to be made, but otherwise im very happy how this turned out.
How Time ChangesHow long had it been...since he had felt the warmth of the sun? It felt like several lifetimes, stuck in this endless purgatory. A lesser mind might even call it hell if exposed long enough to the singular torment of boredom; A dark room, chained to a wall, limbs locked in place and body, rendered immobile. The only light he ever saw was the afternoon sun sending a bright beam into the center of the room by a small window above his head just so he could feel the pain of the light on his tired eyes, but not give him the slightest hope of freedom...and it would give him an idea of the passing days. Passing the time plotting revenge was a fun thing he had for a while, but even that lost its luster after a few months; frankly it nearly drove him to mad babbling. Whatever force drew him back to the realm of the sane, he would gladly thank. After his near slip to insanity, he had nothing left but to do mundane things; sing, act...simple things, really. The guards outside stopped participating a long time ago, he missed the mare who sang with him at times, he never did get her name, but her voice was an oasis compared to the constant silence. The silence.... There was a promise he made to himself late into imprisonment, to never leave himself in silence, he needed to surround himself with noise; somehow...someway, he would never let the quiet reach him again. The crushing sound of silence became a deep-rooted fear; So, when he lacked the energy to sing or hum, he simply swung his heavy limbs on his chains, just so the silence wouldn't take him. "And the sunlight...comes again..." He sang to break the silence. The bright beam forced him to close his eyes, the dark of the cell had ruined his vision, any amount of light only caused him pain and sent him into a more hopeless pit. "Come to remind me...Like an old friend..." The chains rattled as he tried to move his body, a slow smile on his face when he remembers the time he heard a guard sobbing after he sang, sometimes that made it a game for him, a game of "Who could he make weep" in his current plight. Putting extra effort into his tone to sound more depressed and alone, he continued. "But this friend knows not what he does...he causes pain and hate, and suffering with his love..." A loud bang shook the door to his cell and the surprise cut him off. "Stop singing!" Came a male voice. The sudden sound made his ears hurt, he wanted to argue and shout at the guard.... "My apologies." Was all he could say. Not in a meek way, but in a tone that showed he had still retained his self-respect...if not learning to not fight a losing battle. He wanted to at least have some interaction with something, but he had a deep feeling that an argument would only worsen his already bleak situation. She could always find a way to make him miserable, in fact...he remembered that guards were once posted inside the room itself, to make sure he would not try and free himself by persistence alone, after he befriended the guards, they were told to stay outside and not talk to him. When they sang or acted with him, they were removed, and now this hulking brute stands a post, trying to keep him silent through fear. A useless tactic on him, there was nothing left for him to fear except her. Pillows... His mind already jumped to a new topic to keep himself busy... I will have my bedroom drown in feather soft pillows from only the greatest craftsmen...even if I must tread water to get them. What color would they be...? Eyes turning dim and distant, he could only tilt his chin down to rest on the iron neck brace that kept his head pinned to the wall. Doing the only thing he could in his isolation. Sleep...sleep and dream of a better place to be. Perhaps he would be treated to a fond memory of his rule, where everything served to comfort him; The crystal ponies toiling away to make his kingdom better, while he sat in his chambers and lounged with so many...now he didn't care if he had a line outside his door; His dream was to be with all of his pillows... To just have the sweet softness of one comfort, a book, a movie, blanket or wonderful pillow; Or a pony to just talk to is what he dreamed of...and it was heavenly. A gentle sound wakes him, eyes fluttering open to the darkness, no sunlight to burn his eyes. Looking around the room to see where the noise had come from. It happened again...it was a knock at his door, not like the brute trying to silence him; this was a question. Questions of his own began to form, his hate surfaced, with it his mania, when it occurred to him that it could be her. After all this time she finally seeks to visit him again in this new form of hell she sought to break him in; He had to look good...doing his best to throw his rats nest of a mane to the side with what little movement he had, he prepared himself for the day he had been waiting for…for...he couldn't remember how long it had been...nevertheless, he steeled himself and said. "What is it...?" With as much power to his voice. Suppressing the cracks that he felt wanting to come out in his tone. Even in the darkness, the door opened to a light, so soft, it took a moment for his eyes to adjust; but it was something he forced himself to push down. His face was a stone slab of anger, but he did not feel the twitch in his lips. Refusing to look weak if he could help it, he looked at the light until it came into focus, it was a light on top of a horn, glowing a soft lavender, bright purple eyes shining at him with worry and pity. What is this... The eyes grew closer to him until he could see more features, body a hauntingly tall size, wings held tight against the body and not a singles trace of malice on her face. In fact, as she grew to be only a few feet from him, he realized that her face was somehow familiar. Yet he couldn't place it...his time had robbed him of some of his memory, and the purple face of an alicorn was something he could not place a name to. His plan was coming undone by his own curiosity and desire for contact, conversation, but his face contorted to a scowl when he knew for a fact that he remembered that shade of purple and those wide eyes. "My...h-how you've grown into such a regal princess..." Looking at him still with concern, she took a step back and sat down; studying everything about him, the hair looking rotten and ragged, eyes bearing heavy rings and body showing signs of malnutrition and even dehydration. The green tint in his eyes were gone, the purple mist was absent as well she even glanced to the side, just out of his vision was a gleam of silver and red. Someone had placed his crown in his cell as a cruel joke...his power and life just a few feet away...but always unreachable. The silence had become unsettling, he began to move in his binds to try and somehow free himself, as if the visit would change the way his next few moments would be. She only looked at him with more pity and he even could see a gleam in her eyes as water began to build. He stopped moving as that old feeling of rage boiled him to stillness. "I'm so sorry for letting this happen..." Her voice... It was familiar, old in his memory. The penance on her face was obvious, she had something to do with his poor state, perhaps she could be the one to free him. He let go of his plan, doing the only thing he can to be free of this place, even though it shamed him. " Please, kill me or release me, but do not waste my time." He said in desperation. The lavender mare shook her head, the light casting on the colors of purple, vanilla and teal. She remained silent. Something that was rapidly making him dislike her. “You hold tight to that fear, child. Once free, none will stay my wrath. Everyone you love and care for will die when I am free.” He began to slip into a rant, his heart was pounding and body shaking with fury. He felt cold sweat on his skin, seething, breathing hard now when he stopped and realizing just how much he lost his composure. The mare stood and turned, he did feel the twitch in his eye then, gritting his teeth tight. “Don’t go…” he muttered as the door shut, heave lock falling into place and he was left alone again. Alone to his thoughts and the guard outside that stand ever watchful should the fractured stallion ever free himself. The fire inside him grew slowly, it reached places it never touched in years; it filled him with emotion and life...something was finally happening... "Come back! I demand you return and explain yourself!!" Another hard bang at the door, this time he didn't back down. "Stop the banging! What is it getting you, anyway-?! I won't be silenced! Celestia!!!!! Come and finish what you started! Where in Tartarus are you Celestia?!" Another bang, louder this time. "Be quiet in there! I will gag you if I have to." "Do it! I dare you!" Panting with the effort of stretching his lungs to shout, he felt anger returning full strength; his hunger grew, however...and he knew it would be a long time before he received another meal, he had to save his energy. Silence answered his question to the guard, a bit odd…normally the brute would argue all day if they got into it, seems however, this was a different day. Whatever happened outside while he was locked up was irrelevant, none of it mattered to him, but now...now his game finally starts and everything outside his small room would be the difference between freedom or continued lifeless existence. Author's Note This has probably been done before, but I wanted to take a stab at a more physiological story. Hope you enjoy!
Oh How Time Has PassedOh, how wrong I was, to think immortality meant never dying. Sitting in the cold silence, he was slowly brought out of his deep sleep with pain in his stomach and fear budding in the back of his mind. The rich food had upset his digestive system...so long eating something that couldn't even be called food had ruined any taste he had for the fancy. The sheer amount of it had also put him into a deep slumber; one that he awoke from with more stiffness in his neck than usual. The pitch darkness of the cell told him it was night; the sister of the lunar moon must be awake right now...sitting on her balcony and watching over the dreams of her subjects. There were times long ago, when he felt a presence in his dreams, looming just out of sight; watching...judging. Over time it went away, either disinterested, or she forgot to stalk her prisoner, which he was thankful for. There were times where he could see darting teal eyes chasing him as he ran in dreams, sometimes they chased him, other times he would wake up exhausted after chasing it. Never reaching it, always an inch away and a mile apart...just always chasing. Lifting his head and rolling it as much as he could, the tight joints slowly loosened and he ended the stretch with a long yawn, his teeth were stained yellow and had splotches of green...his latent magics sustained a lot of his body, but anything extra was too much energy wasted. So, he suffered the slow rot of his teeth, thankfully he could go another fifty years without needing to worry. "Something feels...wrong." Words echoing quietly with the chains jingle, he looked around to try and see any obvious signs of a threat. Veins filled with ice and neck hair standing up, a mane floating on a phantom gust was visible in the darkest corner of his room. A gold shoe on snow white hoof stepped forward, her face remained in the shadow, but he knew... it was her... "Get away from me..." He said blatantly, fear just in the edge of his voice. Looming...watching…planning, judging him; she just stood there silently, using the fear she created against him. "I said get away! Leave my presence before I rip your wings off you demon!" In a deep, commanding and fear invoking voice, the booming call that sent him to this hell, for a moment, he felt like his body was on fire; every nerve lighting up and screaming in pain; and all he heard was her say. "Villain." He flinched. The sound of the door crashing open caught his attention, hooves echoing quickly as the bright purple eyes rushed to him, the soft lavender glow on her horn lighting up her face once she got close, the worry in her eyes plain as the stark surprise in her voice. "What's happened?! Sombra! Speak to me!" The pain and fear lingered with echoes of a scream in the room. The alicorn lit her horn bright and illuminated the room in a calming glow, his body resonating in the aura...soon his pain subsided, the agony fled from the purple light. Warm tears falling from his face, wetting his cracked skin under thin fur, he slowly brought himself back to clear thoughts, he looked up and finally saw the face if his savior...and felt his heart sink. "Y... you." he said with a cold indifference. Twilight looked at him, worry shifting to mixed confusion. The glare in his eyes, shaking hooves and sweating profusely, the two were silent for a few more moments, Twilight unable to understand what caused him so much pain and then vanish like it never existed...he was just trying to keep his nerve and return to the calm he was so accustomed to. Finally, she spoke up to try and get him talking. "H-how are you feeling…?" She said with a timid demeanor. Tilting his head back down, Sombra took one last deep breath to steady his racing heart. Understanding dawned on him. The light she was giving off was not just illumination to sting his eyes, it was healing magic. She was mending him…by force. Sombra felt bile rise at the thought of being cared for by this guilt wracked goddess. "I am fine...thank you, your highness." The calmness in his voice and haunting bass echoed in the room and made the alicorn shutter slightly, the slight against her also hit home by his observation... Twilight held back a sigh of relief, taking a few steps back but letting the light in the room stay. Twilight took another look at him...the food and helped his overall frame, his ribs only showing slightly. It was hard to really gauge how he was after such a shock, but she hoped that he was improving... "I'm sorry for whatever caused this...." "Sorry is a word easy to say, but to mean takes a conviction I do not hear." He cut...coldly glaring into her. Really, he did not need to be so harsh, but he liked picking at her skin with his words… The alicon took another step back, recoiling from the harshness of his tone. They sat in silence once again, Twilight was wise...she was tempered by her time...but this put her back all those years, facing down an enemy from her early years, armed with nothing but her wits and a tiny dragon at her side. Now she stood before him as not just an adult, but a goddess with near limitless power at her disposal. If she wished, Sombra would be obliterated and everyone could bury the past like a fresh corpse. Hide it away so no one ever sees the sins of the gods...like she did. Yet, she was stronger than that. Twilight took a slow breath to steady herself and she sat down. Slow getting comfortable, the big tail coming around to lay at her side and wings folding in to hug her body. Princess Twilight smiled at the broken king of darkness and said… "I'm here to put an end to this." Sombra looked at her, watching her every move and hiding his astonishment. To willingly put yourself in this cell, where nothing ever leaves and say, ‘You're here to help.’ It was almost too much for him to accept. So long in the darkness, he held reserve for her until the shackles came off; even if a part of him was wanting to smile just as brightly in joy at the thought of leaving. Looking down at her, she still held the warm smile and continued. "I want to...tell you what's happened since you've been imprisoned." Keeping quiet, he didn't want to give anything away; any information she was willing to give up on her own was more than welcome. “50 years ago...” After your defeat, we all assumed you had perished. Then...things were as normal as they could get, everypony lived their life peacefully. Nothing could seem to break this peace, even Discord himself was reformed. I think that Celestia was even trying to work an alliance with the dragons...a real peace between all of the races. It was good, to finally see everything act as it should; my friends and I would simply learn about friendship...simple times. Then...a horrible monster broke free from his prison in Tartarus. Tirek... He nearly enslaved the entire world, stealing all the magic he could find, even draining ponies of their own magical power. The land was dry, weather wild and he nearly destroyed everything. Celestia had a last resort. They gave me all of the power they had left, three alicorns poured everything they had into me. But I beat him...we...all of my friends beat him back to his cell and returned everything to peace, or so I had thought. We tried...for so long...but I couldn't get rid of the power. It was impossible for me to give back the only thing keeping the wisest and strongest leaders alive, was stuck inside me. It took a few years, but age caught up with them...and...Celestia passed away. Luna withstood a few more years, but she perished just the same. “I was looking in old records a few weeks ago, since Celestia has- had a habit of leaving things behind for others to discover. I found your record and…didn’t know what to think. I had to speak to you.” Twilight finished. _ _ Sombra listened intently, the news of reformation from the god of chaos was a surprise; not unforeseen, but a surprise. Tirek was another story. In his studies, the name often came up on topic of end times; The Red Tyrant, Eater of Souls...many names for the same evil. Odd that he should so easily recall that name, he felt his own was fuzzy at times...perhaps the tale of his downfall struck something within him all those ages ago. It was the tale of a downfall that he took from, it told him never to trust anyone to be your allies forever...even your own brother will betray you for a better offer. Sombra wanted to laugh at the fact that he was an only child when he took this to heart...but even as she spoke, he couldn't wrap his head around what she was saying. Celestia...dead Luna...dead. Cadence dead. The only things that stood in his way died in their beds as frail old mares. They suffered the rapid degradation of their bodies and minds until nothing, but dust remains deep in the soil...the only proof they existed in the headstones...it nearly made him cry; he won. Sombra couldn't stop the smile on his face, a big grin and bright eyes that gave his emotions away like a flare in the night sky. Twilight let him have his moment, the broken king let out a short laugh and lifted his head high, the red in his eyes shining bright and regaining its former youth, his eyes watered but no tears fell...it made her heart sink with pity. Sombra lied to her...it was obvious, he was going to betray her and take up arms against the princesses once again. It told her that he still would remain here for a bit longer, despite her shame and pity, a broken king is still a danger to the world, if not more dangerous. Sombra was always a threat, but now he had no care for his own life, even less for the lives of others; she needed to be sure...without a doubt, that he wouldn't turn his back on the light. _ _ "I apologize for...the way I am acting- it’s just that the news comes as a shock." He finally said, the laughter still in his voice. Sombra shifted his position a little, the chains jingling quietly. "It was not my intention to offend...I'm very sorry for your loss…a-and for the loss I'm sure Equestria suffers." The tone grew from thick with irony to somber and kind, Twilight assumed it was a farce, a joke to her pain, or possible guilt; it was her fault, after all. Princess Twilight Sparkle, all that power and just helplessly watching her teacher die...The idea simply made Sombra shiver with delight. Revenge better than he could ever hope for. Twilight stood up after a few moments, her limbs a little stiff and jaw sore from the long talk; but she got up and decided that now wasn't the time to continue. Sombra had enough to think about, he needed time to digest the implications behind the history he has missed to understand... Twilight only wanted him to understand...that if he can learn from the past, his future can be saved. So, with a turn and last glance at the laughing stallion, she opened the heavy door and departed from the prison. The door shutting with a hard bang, echoing his entrapment once again. Sombra couldn't stop himself anymore, he let out a long and boisterous laugh that no one could silence; the princess of the burning sun...snuffed out. Now all that remained was the last alicorn...perhaps a descendant of the happy couple to kick off his throne. The gods consider themselves without falter, without fault and free of judgment. Sombra had long ago made a vow to bring her to his own justice; to stand before her work and see her weep as her actions burn a nation...that was his final goal...gone. Soon, he began to form his own plan, using this knowledge to formulate a new plan of attack; the laughing subsided, leaving him a little winded, but his mind was racing a mile a minute. It didn't take long for someone as clever as him to think of something...something that will sate his revenge on the world...
