At first he had felt pain, a great deal of it. The light of the crystal heart was so intense and powerful that it had thrown him back. The magic the crystal ponies had used to power the heart was now burning him, burning him and only him. To every pony else, it meant nothing more than a crystallized coat and a new mane style, but to him, it was obliteration.
Why?
Simple, he was the only pony who was made of darkness. He was the only one who had done everything in his power to keep that heart hidden away so it would never be used against him like so. He was the stallion the entire Crystal Empire feared. He was the only true King of the city.
He was the Tyrant named Sombra.
What is he now? Well, now he's dead. Yes, death was the punishment for his sins. Every pony saw this coming; it was eminent and many would now tell the story about his defeat. About his great tyranny and down fall. But really, this wasn't the final chapter in Sombra's tale. After all, all ends are beginnings. And death, was nothing but an end that gave birth to something new. Something that would begin in darkness. In the very void that had given the old king his power.
The pain he had felt was gone. One moment it was so intense and jarring that he would scream and shout, but all of that was no longer there. It was as if he had gone numb, but that couldn't be since he could still feel his skin crawl at the atmosphere around him. Sombra looked around him, but couldn't see anything. It was all black. Was it dark? No, a simple glance down at himself proved otherwise. He could see himself clear as day. So why was everything else so black?
There was no ground, no ceiling, nothing around him. This nothingness stretched for miles and miles or rather, seemed like it did. There was no way to tell if it truly was just emptiness or a black wall just a few inches away from his muzzle.
"Where...am I?" Sombra asked out, his voice echoing softly. It was a strange echo, distorted and bizarre to the ear. The noise that continued to repeat even after he had spoken was so foreign to him that he didn't wish to hear it again and instead Sombra remained silent despite his urge to shout out and see if any pony was there.
Sombra raised a hoof. With hesitation, he slowly took a step forward. His hoof made a quick tap on the ground before he placed his weight on it. Each step after that was a hesitant one. He couldn't see a ground, so there was no certainly that he would not fall down when he walked. Soon enough though, Sombra began to walk normally, certain that the ground truly was in front of him. Though it wasn't like that really helped much. Now that he could walk, there really wasn't anywhere to walk to.
Still, the dark stallion walked on. His hooves moved one behind the other as they traversed this dark void. With each step an echo was heard, though thankfully for him, it wasn't as distorted as his voice.
Clunk
Clunk
Clunk
Clunk
Sombra's hooves continued to sound over and over. It was a sound that in any other circumstance, would have annoyed him by now, but instead he found a sort of comfort in it. After all, it meant he could still hear, still understand what the surrounds were around him. It meant he was still sane.
He didn't look around, there was no need to. There was nothing to look at, so instead he focused down at the ground. He became mesmerized by his hooves and the way they moved. What else could he do? The only thing he knew for certain, was that he could walk forward. That was it.
Sombra was so focused on the ground that he failed to realize something peculiar. The black void around him was beginning to lighten in it's intensity. What was pitch black, was beginning to turn a dark grey.
Clunk
Clunk
Clunk
Clunk
For a long time Sombra walked, or perhaps just a few seconds. Time meant nothing to him now. Nothing was certain to him, not how long he had walked, or even how far for that matter. It all felt the same. He never grew tired, never grew sleepy, never grew hungry. He just existed in this void of black and grey. He existed and walked on.
Over time, the stallion did in fact raise his head, if only to look around for a moment to see where he was. It never helped. He was still lost in this dark realm. Though ever so slightly, the atmosphere became more and more illuminated. The dark grey became grey, and then it became an even lighter version. By this time, Sombra had been left to roam for quite a while, so he finally noticed.
"Is it..." He had begun, but never finished his statement. The distorted echo of his voice prevented him from speaking. It was a sound he did not wish to hear. Like a screech against his ear who's only purpose was to annoy him. Still, he saw it. He saw his dark world become white. Had he really traveled elsewhere? The white void around him was the only indication that he had indeed moved, but his surroundings were still the same. They there was nothing. It was an empty world.
"Well hello there." A voice called out. Shocked to hear something after such a long silence, Sombra almost jumped at the sound. Turning his head slowly, he saw something peculiar. Beside him sat a pony along with two chairs, a table, and a chess board.
Unable to believe his eyes, Sombra remained silent as he turned to face the strange pony. Strange was an understatement with him though. A white stallion with a long flowing beard sat down peacefully looking back at him. By his side was a large pointy hat decorated with bells, stars, and moons. On his back was a cape with the same design, certainly something hard to miss, yet Sombra did not notice him until he had stepped right next to him.
"Are you alright? I didn't mean to startle you." The stallion said, a genuine expression of concern spread across his face.
"Y-Yes, I'm fine." Sombra said hesitantly. To his surprise, his voice no longer had a distorted echo to it, instead he could hear himself crystal clear.
"Lost and without a way out?"
"How'd you guess?"
"Because we're in the same situation." The white stallion said as he gestured Sombra to sit. "After what seemed like an eternity of walking, I came across this chessboard and seats. Not really having anything else to do, I've been waiting here."
"Waiting here? For how long?" Sombra asked back as he sat down across his new companion.
"I couldn't say. Hard to keep track when there isn't a day or night. When I don't grow sleepy or tired. Though I no longer have back pains, so that's a plus." He said with a heavy laugh.
"So you just waited here?" Sombra asked as he was swept away into the conversation.
"Well, I did entertain myself by playing with this chess board, but it's no fun when you play against yourself." The stallion said as he gestured to the board and chess pieces spread across it, all in neat lines at their starting point. "Say, would you care to play?"
"Play chess? It hardly seems like the appropriate time." Sombra said as he looked around him. He was still concerned about the strange white surroundings and wished to get out of this weird realm as fast as possible.
"There is nothing for as far as the eye can see. I doubt there are other things to occupy your time with. It also seems to be that time and energy are plentiful here. You don't have anything to lose."
"I-I see your point...Alright. One match, then I am off to find a way out of this accursed place." Sombra said as he placed his hooves on the table, though something strange about the chess board caught his eye. He seemed to be on the white side. With a gentle turn of the board, Sombra shifted the game around so he had possession of the black pieces.
"You don't want to go first?"
"The advantage of moving your piece first pales compared to being able to react to your opponent's play." Sombra responded as he moved his hoof over the board. "I like to counter play my opponents. So please, you go first."
With a shrug, the stallion did as he was asked and moved one of his pawns forward. Sombra moved one of his as well and soon the only sound that could be heard was the tapping of the pieces on the wooden board. They were both pretty focused in game, but what they didn't see, was that the void around them was no longer white. Instead, it was grey once again. Darkest behind Sombra, and lightest behind the white pony.
"Starswirl." The stallion said as he moved his bishop forward.
"I'm not familiar with that play call." Sombra responded as he looked up at him.
"No no, my name is Starswirl. Starswirl the beared." He said as he took one of Sombra's pawns. Just as the pawn left the board, the light intensified on the void around them, though neither seemed to notice. "What's your's?"
"I am...King Sombra." He replied as he responded to his attack and took one of Starswirl's pawns as well.
"It's a pleasure to meet you King Sombra, though I wish it was under better circumstances."
"Yes, being trapped here is quite a bother. Though I will soon find a way out."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Positive. Nothing will keep me from my Empire."
"Not even death?" Starswirl said as he moved his rook forward, taking one of Sombra's bishops. Again the realm around them lightened up and white began to seep through the darkness.
"Ha, as if anypony could kill me." Sombra said as he began to retreat some of his pieces.
"Is that so?" Starswirl responded as he glanced over at the stallion in front of him. He was so focused on the game that he didn't even see him raised an eyebrow at him, no doubt that gesture would have annoyed the old king. "So King Sombra, what sort of Empire did you rule?"
"One of the most powerful Empires in Equestria. The Crystal Empire." Sombra said as he moved a pawn forward and captured an enemy piece.
"I do apologize, but I don't believe I've heard of it."
"That is likely because I tried to keep it hidden. My way of ruling can be...harsh in the eyes of others."
"Really?"
"Some would go as far as call me...a Tyrant." Sombra said as he looked with with a smirk, one that showed off one of his fangs. He was baiting for a reaction. Something that would make the stallion angry and mess his play.
"Is that so?" Starswirl responded nonchalantly, not really showing any reaction to Sombra's words.
"What? That's it?"
"What's it?"
"I say that I ruled my people in harsh environments and you don't even spare a glance?" Sombra said as he placed his hoof on the table, leaning on his elbow as he took a more relaxed pose.
With a soft chuckle, the white stallion responded. "Perhaps if we were in Equestria I could be more distraught. I used to be the Archmage in Canterlot who was often tasked with taking down great evils in the world, but I am no longer there. I am here, trapped and without a way out. Whatever you did in Equestria means little now. There's no reason to get angry or to seek trouble."
"That's awfully indifferent of a pony who used to swoop in to the rescue."
"No no, not indifferent. I still think whatever you are hinting you did to your people is bad, but right here, right now, I can't do anything about it. We are just two ponies playing chess in a strange dimension." Starswirl finished with a carefree smile. "Oh, and by the way. Check."
The void around them shined bright white as Sombra was now met with almost certain loss of their game. Despite the bright light, neither stallion seemed to pay close mind to it. Instead, Sombra simply looked down at the board as he tried to think of a way out.
"So you're saying that what I did doesn't matter?" He questioned as he placed a hoof to his chin.
"I'm not saying that at all. I am just trying to say that neither one of us can change what's been done and fighting about it now won't help anypony."
"Yeah, I suppose you're right." Sombra said as he moved his queen to block away the immediate danger to his king. As he did, the void darkened back to grey. For whatever reason, Starswirl's words seemed to resonate deeply within Sombra. He wasn't sure why, but they brought a strange sensation to his heart.
For a while longer the two of them played their pieces. They continued to battle wits and each time one of them took a piece the void behind them grew in intensity. Black for Sombra and white for Starswirl. Yet neither one of them noticed this strange occurrence. Neither one seemed like they minded being shrouded in darkness when Starswirl came into check and neither one minded being blinded in light when Sombra came into check. It was like they couldn't see it.
"Have any regrets?" Starswirl asked out after a long moment of silence between them.
"Regrets?"
"Yeah. Anything you with you did or even something you wish you didn't do?"
"You talk like if I was on my death bed."
"Just trying to make conversation is all."
With a soft chuckle, Sombra humored his new friend. "That's one weird way of starting a conversation though. Truth be told, my only regret is that I never got an heir."
"For your Empire?"
"Yes."
"Do you think your heir would have ruled like you?"
"Ruled with an iron hoof and made others follow his command or risk execution?"
"Yeah."
"..." Sombra's gaze shifted downwards as he thought for a moment. A certain sadness filled his eyes as he truly contemplated how his son would have reacted to being given such an Empire. To be given such a legacy to live up to. To be a Tyrant. "I doubt it."
"You don't think your son would rule as a Tyrant?"
"I mean, perhaps I would be an influence on him, but somewhere deep inside me I feel like he wouldn't do it. I think he would reject my ways and be a more gentle ruler."
"Would you be okay with something like that? To have a compassionate king rule in your stead?"
Again Sombra thought for a while. Never before had he even thought of such things. He felt almost guilty for what his none existent son would go through had he been heir to his Crystal Empire. He would have so many burdens, so many stigmas. Would anypony even be able to live though just a month as the Tyrant of the Crystal Empire? Would anypony other than Sombra himself have the stomach to make the decisions he made?
"I...wouldn't be against it I suppose."
"Truly? That's a surprise."
"To you and me both. I just don't think my heir would like the life I would give him."
"The life of royalty?"
"The life of a cruel ruler."
"Yet you took that life style as your own."
"I had no choice."
"Did you?"
"Well, maybe I did. I suppose I just wanted something so much that I grew blind to my own cruelty."
Starswirl couldn't help but smile as he looked over at the regretful Tyrant. Even if he didn't regret his own actions, he could at least see some fault in them. Sad how only now can he see that even if he was successful in his endeavors that his actions would carry over to the next generation. "Check." Starswirl said softly, quickly getting Sombra's focus back to the game at hoof.
"My oh my." Sombra said softly as both of them were drowned in light. "I just can't seem to figure you out."
"Ponies rarely do."
Moving his rook to do away with the threat, Sombra felt like he might actually lose the game. It seemed like Starswirl had all his weaknesses covered, an impenetrable defense that he just couldn't break though.
"You're really good at chess." The dark stallion said as he glanced over at his attentive friend.
"Like I said, I spent quite a bit of time practicing the game as I waited here."
Looking at one another, the two stallions shared a laugh. This certainly was one strange way to bond, but it seemed to work for both of them. There was no malice or ill will between them. There couldn't be. After all, whatever they might have been in Equestria, they weren't that now.
"What about you?" Sombra asked as he pressed his pieces forward. "Have any regrets?"
"A few. One very big one though."
"And that would be?"
"I never managed to finish a spell I was crafting. It was suppose to show one's destiny in the world, but I just couldn't get it right."
"That's quite a pity."
"It is isn't it? No matter. I am sure somepony will carry on my work and finish it one day."
"Did you never ask for help?"
"Ha, you sound like an old friend of mine. She was so persistent in me making some friends that might aid me in my craft. She constantly said how I would never make any friends if I closed myself off to my studies."
"If only she could see you now. Making friends with a Tyrant while playing a game of chess." Sombra said as he moved over to take a bishop from Starswirl. Again the void grew dark.
"She would faint no doubt."
"Weak of heart is she?"
"Oh you have no idea! She likes to keep a headstrong appearance, but once things start to get outside of her control she will break down. I once had to bring her sweets and put on a comedy stage play to calm her nerves."
"Sounds like a pain in the plot."
"Quite the royal pain she was." Starswirl said before they both broke into laughter again.
"Check." Sombra said as he moved his rook into place. Darkness surrounded them in an instant and both were shrouded into black. The chess board could barely be seen between them, yet once again, neither seemed to notice.
"Oh my, I surely didn't see that play coming."
"You lowered your guard."
"I suppose I might have gotten too cocky." Starswirl said as he moved his pawn to block away the threat, releasing them of their dark surroundings.
Both stallions were running low on pieces. At this point they each only had a hoof full of pawns along with their queens. Starswirl still had one bishop and a knight, and Sombra both his rooks.
"The game will be ending soon it seems." Starswirl said as he moved his knight around the board.
"It seems so."
"With its end will come your departure right?"
"I'm afraid so." Sombra said almost in a saddened expression. Never before had he felt so sad to say goodbye to somepony, especially one he had met only moments ago.
"Where will you go from here?"
"Not sure. I'll look for a sign. Perhaps some sort of path to follow."
"Think you'll find that path?"
"It's worth a shot, don't you think?"
"Yes it is."
"Why don't you join me? We could find a way out together."
Laughing softly, Starswirl looked over at his dark friend who stared back with honest eyes. "Your arrival here means that this place is open to anypony. I think it would be best for me to stay here and wait."
"Wait for somepony else to stumble by?"
"Yes. Perhaps we could play a game of chess like you and I."
"You might be left waiting a longtime you know."
"I know. But I wouldn't want somepony to come by and be left alone."
"So you'd rather be left alone in hopes of saving somepony else the trouble?"
"Yes."
"That's awfully selfless. Especially since there is a chance nopony else will come by for a very very long time."
"It's a chance I am willing to take." Starswirl said with a gentle smile. A smile that forced Sombra to give up on convincing him to come along. After all, it was his choice to make, and he already made up his mind.
Looking down at the board, Sombra saw something strange about the pieces. One of his pawns was just a space away from reaching the other side of the board. That meant that he could call for another queen to come to his aid and make for a swift win. Yet the only obstacle that prevented this was a bishop on the other side of the board that could quickly capture the newly promoted piece if he moved it forward.
With a quick glance up at his friend, Sombra thought about moving. If he managed to get his pawn to become a queen he could finish the game in just two turns. But if Starswirl notices his bishop, which there is no doubt he will, the game will be his.
With a soft sigh, Sombra moved his pawn forward and switched it with a queen. He was content with simply being able to say that he played a game with a friend. He didn't need to win. Yet Starswirl's next action baffled him. Instead of using his bishop to take his newly made queen, he moved his knight to place Sombra in check.
"Check." The white stallion said as they found themselves covered in a white light.
"Why didn't you take my queen? Your bishop was placed in the right position to do so." Sombra asked as he blinked a few times in confusion. Slowly he moved his rook to capture the knight keeping him in check, bringing the void back to a balance between black and white.
"Oh, I had completely forgotten about my bishop." Starswirl said as he looked in surprise at the white bishop on the board. His gestures were just a little too expressive. Was he perhaps faking the reaction?
"Yes well, that might have cost you the game." Sombra said as he moved his queen into place.
"I think it did." Starswirl said with a soft smile. It almost made Sombra guilty to utter the next word he was to say. With a heavy heart, Sombra moved his rook to the finishing spot.
"Checkmate."
Black. Everything was suddenly covered in pitch black darkness. Nothing could be seen. Not even their hooves in front of them. Everything was drowned away in the void and nothing existed once again. Suddenly, there was a single light. It was dim and far from where they were, yet its weak illumination managed to reach them.
"Well," Starswirl said as he looked over to his friend. "It looks like you found your path."
Hesitant to say anything Sombra stared into the light far off into the void. "I guess this is goodbye then."
"Yes, though perhaps not forever."
"You think we will see one another again?"
"I can only hope."
With a smile, Sombra stood from his seat and bowed to his friend in respect. "Then I hope to see you soon Starswirl."
"And I you." He replied.
In silence Sombra began to make his way towards the light that shined off into the void. He walked and walked, not willing to turn and look at his friend, afraid that if he looked back he wouldn't be there anymore. Instead Sombra simply smiled as he thought about the conversations they shared. Starswirl was perhaps the only pony he could say was truly a friend to him. How he wished he could have met him under different circumstances. No. If they had met under different circumstances they might have had to kill one another. Though this took a toll on his already heavy heart, Sombra knew that this was the best way they could have met and departed.
The light had grown stronger with each step he took. It was no longer dim, instead it shined so bright one could even compare it to the sun. Yet he pushed forward. No matter how blind he got from the intensity of the light, Sombra continued to walk. This light was his only guide. His only path. His only hope.
Sombra suddenly felt very warm. It wasn't the light, it was something else. Like if something inside of him was taking shape. Like if his soul was merging with the light and covering him in bright warmth to feed his once lost soul.
Cries were heard. The cries of a baby. The light around Sombra suddenly disappeared as he was met with a strange scene, one he could not comprehend. His consciousness began to slip away as he looked around the environment that now seemed foreign to him. All his thoughts and memories began to melt away as new life was breathed into him. He did managed to hear one last thing before his entire consciousness was wiped away. Just one thing that gave him hope for his future.
"Congratulations! It's a boy!"
