"Hey bud, what's up?" Shining Armor greeted him with a nonchalant wave.

"I had meant to speak you about this yesterday, but I was admittedly sidetracked.”

"Yeah, I noticed~" Shining Armor said with a cheeky grin, poking fun at how Sombra had spent most of the time with his marefriend.

"Don't YOU start.” Sombra dead-panned. Cadance giggled at their faces.

“At any rate..." ignoring his sniggering friend, Sombra pulled the paperwork he'd done from his bag, and sat down to sort through it so he could present it to them.

Unseen by him, Cadance and Shining Armor shared looks, then Cadance teleported them both the short distance so they were now sat either side of him, reading the papers.

"Ack!" Sombra jolted "what’s-?”

"You forget? Were all on the same level here bud, you don’t have to be formal," Shining Armor nudged him, “so if you insist on still sitting down here, we'll just come sit with you!"

"Now, what did you wish to show us?" Cadance ended the matter with a disarming smile.

"The settlement I ended up in during my absence. It’s not in a good state supplies wise. A raid by bandit ponies some time back has set their stores back considerably, not to mention the damage.”

"Yes, you spoke of it in depth yesterday," Cadance nodded, looking worried, "sounds like you stopped him just in time!"

"I was lucky Luna showed up to help. I meant to ask her, how DID she find me?"

"She woke us all up hollering about a dream calling out to her from a far away place. Somepony in that village must have dreamt about you, and it alerted her, since your disappearance was on everypony's minds, especially all of ours." Cadance explained.

"Ah, I understand now..."

He showed them all the details, including his offer to help them in some way, even if it was just supplies to start with.

"I realize it was presumptuous of me, to assume-" he began but was cut off by-

"Done!” Cadance sat back with a smile.

"Huh? Done what?" Sombra asked. These two were being extra crafty today for whatever reason!

"And me!" Shining Armor had the final page of the report, and had just squiggled a signature. He now held the paper and the quill out to Sombra, “we've signed it for approval, now you.”

Once the muted, confused Sombra had added a swirly fancy signature to it, Cadance shuffled the papers into order and floated them to the finished stack by her chair.

"We'll go over it at the next meeting, but what you said was right, they CAN come to us for help. It must be hard living out there.”

"You were on your own, and in that instance, what you offered to do for them was more than generous, they really need the help by the sounds of it. I understand their concerns that they worry they may not have much to offer, but we'll find a way to strike a balance between help and handout." Shining Armor finished.

Cadance nodded, continuing from her husband "Don’t be afraid to do what you think the situation needs, its a part of your job. We both make independent decisions, but at the end of the day we keep each other informed. Once this invasion madness is over, we hope you'll begin."

"Yeah, the political council is champing at the bit to get you to work. Heck, I’ve even had a request from the CO of the base asking if you'll do future training even once this is over." Shining grinned, poking Sombra lightly.

As Sombra turned to go, looking relieved and pleased the settlement would get the help it needed, the door opened and he almost bumped into three of the councils members.

One of them he recognized at the mare from the theatre night attack!

"Your highness!" she beamed happily, "what a pleasure! How are you?"

"I'm fine." Sombra said kindly.

"I don't suppose you're here to join us today, your highness?" she asked hopefully. Sombra shook his head apologetically.

"I regret I have to go now, I have an important appointment to keep. But I promise I will give whatever time you require of me once that infestation out there has been dealt with."

"We look forward to it sire!" She beamed. The two behind her echoed her sentiments, bowing their heads to the Prince.

"Tell your marefriend I said hi!" Shining Armor hollered as Sombra made to go.

"Shut up!" Sombra shot back, barely suppressing his amusement. Shining Armor's response was a fit of laughter!

After picking up the big basket of baked goods Pinkie Pie had made for him, Sombra set off to Sea’s house...

Once Bright Spark was dropped off at school, and she got back home, Sea sat down to read a book to pass the time until her picnic with Sombra.

So when there was a knock at the door, she thought it was him, until she realized it was far too early.

She opened the door, seeing her pegasus friend Motormouth, the one who'd called Sombra gorgeous to his face at the ball, and apparently had been admiring his rear. The mare was without fear it seemed.

"Hey, I was coming back from a visit to somepony, thought I’d see how things be going!"

Shining Sea laughed and invited her in. They had some tea, and the latest batch of cookies Sea had made.

"So hows things with your handsome stallion?" she teased, making Sea blush.

"Very well as it happens,” she said with an irrepressible smile, "I saw him yesterday-"

"Ooh! Do tell me!" Motormouth grinned. Her cutie mark was of a set of novelty chatter teeth, with a sparkle around them, to indicate her chatter lit up her friends days!

Sea explained Sombra's vanishing, and his subsequent return. She and Bright Spark had spent the afternoon at the palace, talking to the Princesses and the others and having tea!

"Wow, sounds scary what happened out there. Glad he's back in one piece!" Motormouth nodded.

"So am I. When I saw him, I was so relieved,” Sea let out a big sigh "the thought he was lost out there..."

Motormouth patted her hoof reassuringly "He's too tough to let anything stand between him and what he wants to protect. And lets face it missy, after what you told us of him rescuing you the night of the blackout, you're the top spot alongside the Empire!"

Sea blushed, floating her cup up to take a sip.

"I never expected I’d find another pony, let alone somepony like Sombra. I didn't get to thank him properly until the festival. He looked startled when I did, so I asked why on impulse. I think he was surprised I’d caught him out, I’m guessing most ponies didn’t ask, or maybe didn’t notice."

"What'd he say?" Motormouth asked.

"He didn’t say anything for a long time, then he looked down at the table top and simply said, "I don’t know”. I got the feeling he honestly couldn’t explain himself, he looked confused. There was the impression he'd been struggling with that since the plague. I heard lots of rumours he didn’t seem to know how to respond when a couple of them thanked him that day he was out walking with Princess Twilight Sparkle. The most he could manage was a couple of words, like he wasn’t used to it."

"Wow, poor guy." Motormouth said sympathetically.

"It was his expression that caught me," Shining Sea's gaze wandered into memory, "he normally looks so fierce and serious, but at that moment I just seen somepony who was isolated, and lonely. Just like Bright Spark had been saying."

She smiled a second later, though "But he did smile later on, when I was talking to him about Bright Spark. And he looked so different when he smiled, the difference in his eyes..."

"Is that when you decided you fancied him?" Motormouth grinned.

Sea reddened again "W-well, yes. Thinking back, I found I couldn't forget that smile, or that loneliness he seemed to exude. I knew from Bright Spark that he hid himself away because he still believed the ponies wouldn’t care about him, that he didn’t deserve that kind of comfort.”

"Why was he so scared?" Motormouth asked, "when I saw him at the ball, he looked alright.”

"I don’t know the whole story, just that he had a painful upbringing, something happened that caused him to fear those trying to be kind..." she shook her head, "Princess Twilight Sparkle told me how she and the others around her eventually sat him down and told him they wouldn’t see him suffer alone the way he was. It took time, but he eventually started getting used to it."

While they were chattering, Sombra had left the palace on hoof, and ended up arriving slightly early. Figuring Sea wouldn’t mind, he knocked at the door.

Back in the kitchen, Sea heard the knock, glanced at the clock and squeaked in dismay! She'd lost track of time, that had to be him!!

Motormouth did a double take as Sea suddenly shot off, looking flustered. Who was at the door-ah...

She grinned widely. So he'd come by to see her had he?

"Are you alright?" was Sombra's first question on seeing her flushed face.

"I'm fine! Just...doorbell startled me that’s all!" she beamed, seeing him smile making her heart race.

Motormouth at last got bored and stuck her head into the hall. On seeing it WAS Prince Sombra, carrying what looked like a large basket balanced atop his back, she giggled gleefully. Then, straightening her expression she trotted up, tickling her friend to make her laugh!

"I'll see ya later Sea!" she grinned up at Sombra as he stood there, "afternoon your highness!"

"Good afternoon, miss…?"

"Motormouth, your highness!" she grinned then trotted off down the garden path doing a very silly walk "good day!"

"I can explain..." Sea shook her head as Sombra turned back to her, “she donated her brain to science before she was done using i-“ she suddenly looked past him, her expression a mix of embarrassed and about-ready-to-explode-laughing.

Sombra quickly turned his head, and caught the barmy pony pretending to make out with an imaginary partner. She opened her eyes, seen both her friend and a baffled Prince staring at her, and grinned widely.

"I regret nothing!!" she cried, then ran away down the road.

"She's just like Cotton Candy," Sombra said "frankly I’m worried."

But when he looked back at her, they both creased up laughing.

"Let’s go.." Sea giggled.

They left for the crystal lake, a popular spot with some beautiful trees nearby, creating a relaxing, peacefully shaded area.

Sombra led them towards a clearing where the only sound was birdsong.

He greeted the guards they passed, who nodded respectfully to him, and greeted Sombra's marefriend politely.

"Here we are..." he said softly, as they stepped into the clearing. A blanket was duly spread over the ground and they settled down.

"This is beautiful.” Sea smiled as Sombra set the big basket down in front of them.

From it he removed fancy silverware, crystal glasses in matching shades, and a LOT of cakes and sandwiches.

"Miss Rarity and Miss Cotton Candy had a hoof in getting this ready." he explained, and she nudged his cheek with her nose, chuckling.

"Your friends are very kind.” she smiled. He nodded, setting the cakes out on the plates.

"These are great!" Sea beamed, as she finished off the final cake, licking her lips. The next second she was kissed by the amused Sombra.

"Indeed," he said languidly, a smile making him look even more handsome.

His mane fell over one ear, and she reached up a hoof to tuck it back.

"How does your mane do that? How do the Princesses?" she asked curiously, watching how it shifted and flowed.

"There's a theory its to do with a large amount of magic being generated by our bodies, which displays in this manner..."

"It’s like a flowing shadow.” she decided. Sombra chuckled.

"Ironically, that’s close to what my name translates to. Sombra means "darkness" in the ancient language.”

"Wow...” Sea had never heard this before.

"So I was named after darkness from day one." he smiled sadly.

"Don’t frown mister...” she said sternly, shushing him with a hoof raised to his mouth. "Shadows are made by light. The world is beautiful with both those things, OK?"

The sweetness of these words made Sombra fall even more in love with her.

"You’re my light." he said softly, making her blush before closing the distance and kissing her.

He couldn’t resist nuzzling her mane, the lovely vanilla scent reminding him of that kiss out in the palace garden.

Once they’d polished off the food, they took a walk down towards the lake, talking about everything and anything. Then Sea tripped over a tree root and with a yelp of fright, started to tumble down the hill. Sombra teleported ahead, but appeared too close! So although he managed to catch her, he lost his balance and they BOTH landed in a heap at the bottom.

Sea blinked and blew a leaf off her fringe.

"You OK?" Sombra asked. They’d landed in a pile of leaves, which had softened their landing. One of Sombra's forelegs was curved over her, holding her gently. The sunlight shone down behind him, highlight his smoky grey coat, the flow of his mane mesmerizing...

She didn’t say a word, just kissed him.

He made a contented sound, and this close she felt he rumble of his voice through his body. Sweet Celestia how could one stallion be so cute?! They pulled apart, and the way he smiled once more made her wonder how he could’ve thought himself undeserving of love...

"My star...” he murmured.

"My shadow...” she responded, making his heart race as she hugged him.

Unable to resist she snuggled his ear. She was surprised to feel a distant rumble of laughter from Sombra, and the next second he playfully nudged her cheek with his nose...

So she did it again, making him laugh and growl playfully at her, nudging her muzzle with his.

"So, ears are your weakness?" she teased, nuzzling his nose. He kissed her fiercely, then spoke;

"So you found me out, mm?" he kissed her forehead, and pondered, "can I trust you will keep such a vital secret away from the enemy?"

She cracked up laughing, poking him in the chest and hearing him laugh once more. The sound was like a gentle thunder rumbling around a big open sky. It was another part of him that she felt beyond honored to see.

Another kiss prevented any more goofing about. A kiss that became wonderfully, deeply passionate and when they eventually parted, they were both a little out of breath.

He spotted a big leaf in her mane, and plucked it free.

"We're covered in them...” she chuckled, pulling a couple of them from his mane. The way they caught in his flowy mane made her wonder if it was going to eat them?

She giggled at this, and Sombra asked what was so funny?

When she told him he started to laugh, saying regrettably his mane wasn’t known for eating things. He angled his head to both kiss her and cause his mane to brush her cheek, making a mock snarling noise. she batted at it, pretending to swoon in terror. They were both laughing till their sides ached after that...

A loud scream startled them both, and Somrba instinctively pulled her closer, body tensing up, turning his head this way and that to see if the sound came from nearby.

"The lake..." Sea whispered, and Sombra nodded. Getting to his hoofs, he helped her up and they ran towards the sound.

A class of kids had been taken down to the lake by their teacher, Miss Line Rule. She'd been checking on her students that were paddling in the lake, when something hit the water, sending a big wave cascading down over her and the kids.

When it receded, the water swirled up, wrapped around a shadow creature. It leered down at her and the kids, cackling.

It reared back and struck at them-

WHAM. Its face smashed into a purple shield, and it recoiled with a screech of fury.

"This way!" Line Rule heard a female voice. Spinning round, see seen Shining Sea, waving her to move. Standing next to her, powering the shield-

"Prince Sombra!" Line Rule cried. She ushered the kids to run over to the pony. One particular colt spotted Sombra and grinned widely, he thought Sombra was the coolest!

Sombra gently nudged seas cheek with his nose.

"Can you manage a shield?"

"I think so.” she faltered, then nodded “Yes, I can!”

"Let me transfer the spell...”

Like he'd done with Luna, he touched his horn to hers, giving her the layout of the spell. Her eyes widened, "wow...is that how your magic works? Its like a layered spell, so many lines..."

"Yes, its a little archaic I’m afraid."

"It’s beautiful,” she said firmly "go, stop that thing! But be careful!"

He left his saddlebag with her as well, to keep its contents safe!

He nodded once more and nuzzled her nose, before finally dropping his control of the spell to hers, and running over the grass towards the lake. The thing tried striking at the shield, but realized Sombra's replacement was handling it, and instead turned its attention on the big pony.

"No place for that fire of yours here!!" it cackled, "your move little Prince!"

It reared up into the air, firing precise darts of water at Sombra. He teleported back, narrowly avoiding one hitting him in the face. It did however clip his collar, and he seen it tear the fabric just a little.

Undeterred, he darted forward, pulling the scythe from this air and using it to deflect the next bolts thrown at him. they splashed off it, hissing as they hit the magic infused metal!

Sombra created the usual crystal platform to jump on, but the thing slung a wave of water at it, making it slippery, causing his swing to only clip its watery form. It grinned, then swung its tail up out of the water, hitting him in the chest and sending him slamming into the base of a big tree several meters away from the waters edge.

Sombra’s head spun, and he fought not to black out. He heard distant cries, and raised his head, seeing it was throwing everything it had against the shield. The scythe lay nearby, but he knew the weapon would be of no use this time.

Sparks danced at the edges of his vision as he got up.

Sparks. That was IT! Like how he'd taken down the fire wolf at the lake!

Ignoring the cry of pressure from his chest as he fought to breathe properly after that hit, he ran forward, a plan forming in his mind.

He shut his eyes, imagining not fire this time, but lightning. Sparks danced around his horn, seeming to drift up into the sky.

Above the lake the sky started to darken.

The creature turned, seeing Sombra surrounded by sparks of purple electricity...

"Oho, what’s this? Another new trick little Prince?" it laughed rearing up to tower over the pony, who opened his eyes but remained mute...

"Soon as you touch me, you’ll hurt yourself too! I know you’re a sucker for a beating, but even for you this is suicidal!"

Sombra just smirked, which annoyed it ever more...

"Time to end this stand-off, you want to die little Prince? Then allow me to oblige you!!"It gathered itself up to maximum height, gathering the water of the lake and starting to shape it into one massive wave...

As it lunged towards him, Sombra reared up, but instead of running towards his target, he slammed his hoofs down onto the ground.

The sky above, almost blackened by clouds now, split open and a massive bolt of glaring purple lightning slammed down, catching the things core as it lunged for Sombra. It screamed in fury and agony, then it exploded with a kaboom!

The water that’d been forming into a giant tsunami, free of the creatures magic, slammed back down into the lake basin in a massive rush. The force was enough to send a much smaller but still impressive cascade of water in all directions. Those behind seas shield were OK, but Sombra...

Well he got soaked hoof to tail. Lucky thing he'd shut the spell off soon as he'd fired, otherwise he'd have gotten a nasty shock...

--At least the waters warm this time...— he thought to himself —-It’s not so bad.—

"Sombra!" Sea dropped the shield and ran over to her bedraggled special somepony, "you OK?"

"Fine, fine!" he laughed, removing the cloak and laying it out on the grass “I’ll dry."

She chuckled and nudged his nose with hers.

"Your highness!" the teacher approached, her class in attendance, "thank you!"

"It’s fine, I’m just glad it didn’t hurt any of you.”

Some of the kids had to giggle at how odd Sombra's mane looked bogged down by water. With his cloak removed, the rarely seen cutie mark was displayed, which had some of the curious kids wondering what it meant? Crystals?

Sombra settled down by the cloak, curling his tail round him. Line Rule thought she seen him wince, but a second later and it was gone.

"The water is safe now," he assured the class of kids, “you’re free to go back to what you were doing!"

"Are you gonna stay with us, Prince Sombra?" a little filly asked. The class nodded and murmured, hoping the reclusive Prince would stay awhile.

One particular little colt, the same one who'd taken particular note of Sombra's rescuing them, managed to sneak around the gaggle of bigger kids to try get a closer look at his hero-

"Hey watch it!" a bigger colt nudged him with his flank, making him trip and fall.

Sombra glanced over at the yelp, and used his magic to lift the kid back to his feet. Then he noticed who it was and smiled;

"Master Steel Wire, good to see you again!"

Steel Wire cheered up when Sombra not only remembered who he was, but addressed him in such a grown up manner! So he did as they’d been taught in school, and made a respectful bow to the powerful Prince, greeting him in the proper manner.

Line Rule commended him for his attention to protocol, and the kid was rewarded with another kind smile from the Prince.

"How goes your art studies?" Sombra asked. Steel Wire could hear his occasional tormentors muttering to themselves. They hadn’t believed him when he'd told his class about Sombra helping him get his cutie mark.

"I finished the palace! I got a A+!" He couldn't help sounding proud. The bullies snickered, and he felt a bit of the old anger creeping back.

Sombra spotted this, and although his expression didn’t change, the bullies couldn’t help feel a sharp inflection in his voice was aimed at THEM when he spoke;

"I would expect nothing less. My father was a fan of artwork of all kinds. Such a structure would’ve captivated his attention, he always did like when an artist puts their whole heart into their work. Truly something to he proud of, no matter what naysayers may arise..." these words were the ones aimed at the bullies.

Sombra spared them a brief glance, where he seen they didn't look so cocky any more.

Buoyed by Sombra's encouragement, Steel Wire opened his saddlebag and took out a box "I finished this one today, I was gonna use it at show and tell this afternoon when we get back, but I want you to have it!"

He held up a littler wire-work model of Sombra himself. The detail had been amazingly done, right down to a tiny metal band around one leg. Even the fancy cloak Sombra wore was wrought from wires. It was amazing.

"Woww.." Shining Sea's eyes widened "that's-"

"Absolutely astounding!" Sombra finished. Steel Wire heaved a sigh of utter relief, he liked it!

"It took me all week to finish it," Steel Wire grinned "but I think it turned out pretty awesome!"

"Indeed, SO much awesome to be precise!" Sombra exchanged a smile with Sea, who recognized the catchphrase.

"Bright Spark...” she chuckled.

Sombra smiled at the happy Steel Wire, thanking him for his gift, and admired the detail of the statue for a little more before tucking it safely into his saddlebags, which he noticed Sea was carrying. She set them down beside him.

"Are you sure you’re not cold?" she asked. He shook his head "no my dear Sea, the sunlight is plenty warm. I’ll dry in no time, really."

"OK." she smiled, nudging his damp mane.

She seen the kids were hesitating to go back to the water, and an impulse hit her.

"You gotta do it like this!" she cheered, taking a running dive into the water.

Sombra blinked as she poked her head up above the water, beaming widely at him.

She created a water ball and waved it in the air.

"Water fight?" she suggested.

The kids all giggled, rushing in to join her. Sombra and the teacher exchanged looks, but as the kids threw themselves into the newly started fight, they had to laugh. The teacher went to get her camera from where shed stashed the saddlebags, and Sombra zoned out.

That was, until a water ball splashed him directly in the face. He spluttered, mane soaked ever more, and shook his head, looking for the culprit.

Sea's guilty grin gave her away instantly. That and several kids were pointing hoofs at her, giggling their little rears off. Sombra stared at her, then arched one eyebrow.

The kids shared looks, wondering what the stern, strict royals response would be?

"Oh it is ON my star!" he laughed, the serious expression gone in an instant. Whipping up a water ball he lobbed it at her.She batted it out of the air, but still got splashed!

So when the teacher came back, Sombra appeared to have ditched his plan to dry off and was merrily goofing off with the kids and the mare she guessed was his marefriend!

The two adults appeared to have formed the kids into teams, with each of them heading a team. To be fair, Sombra and Sea spent just as much time helping the kids as they did trying to take pot shots at each other!

"OK kids, time to get out! We need time to dry you all off!" the teacher called, setting her camera down. She'd taken a great many pictures, and made a mental note to send some to Sombra!

Sombra met Sea's eyes again and they started to laugh. He hadn’t let his guard down THAT much since forever!

His cloak was drying nicely, so they settled down next to it to soak up the sun and watch the kids singing a song with their teacher. This prompted another of his fathers rude versions of popular songs to pop into Sombra's head, and he had a hard time not laughing. When Shining Sea asked him, he told her the rude version of that song, and she just collapsed giggling, leaning against his side.

"Your father had a strange mind didn’t he?" she wiped her eyes once she'd calmed down.

"That's an understatement!" Sombra sniggered, "he was something else entirely..."

At last they had to go, and bid the class goodbye. Sombra once more thanked Steel Wire for the sculpture, and the kid looked very pleased!

His antagonists didn’t look so proud of themselves, even attempting to plaster sheepish grins on their faces as Sombra looked over at them. Something about Sombra said "do not be an idiot". But they did secretly think the stallion was pretty cool...

Sombra walked Sea back to her house, where she ensnared him in one last farewell kiss before turning to go inside.

"Today was wonderful." she smiled back at him, pausing at the doorway "it was wonderful to see you so happy..."

And once more Sombra reminded himself how lucky he was to have such a sweet mare.

“I’m happy just having YOU." he responded honestly, which made her blush.

He walked back to the palace, where he ran into Twilight Sparkle and Rarity returning from the shops.

"Hay Sombra!" Twilight Sparkle beamed "where have you been?"

"The lake...” Sombra laughed, as she did a double take on getting a closer look at him.

"Did you take a dunk in it too darling?" Rarity asked.

“Actually, Sea and I encountered one of those creatures attempting to attack a school class. Once it was dealt with, we ended up helping settle the score in a water fight!"

"Oh heavens!" Rarity shuddered at the idea.

"Sounds like you had fun!" Twilight Sparkle said, Sombra nodded.

He headed inside, setting his cloak atop the dressmakers dummy to fully dry, and looked at his messed about mane in the mirror. He hadn’t let loose like that since he was a kid, messing about with his father!

His mind drifted back over the afternoons events, and an idea struck.

What IF he could transcribe the spell used to track the core controllers? He'd need somepony else’s help, but could it be possible?

He gave his mane a quick drying via his magic, and headed out to find Celestia or one of the other Princesses.

By luck he ran into the sun Princess just a few minutes later as she was coming out of her office.

She listened to what he was saying, and said she could help him.

They decided to use the ballroom, as it was massive enough to give them plenty of space.

Sombra explained how it seemed his spells showed themselves in others minds as a written formula of sorts.

"This could be difficult, and its dark magic-"

"It will be fine Sombra. I may not be as advanced as my sister, but I will be able to cope." Celestia assured him.

All the same, when Sombra began running the spell, and she seen the complex nature of it, she was surprised.

The magic swirling between the two of them began to increase, and she heard Sombra grunt in pain. But she didn’t break the spell, knowing he would be able to manage.

Sombra's head ached, but he at last extracted the last part of the spell, wrapping it up before transferring the spell to Celestia.

At their feet, situated between the two of them, was a thick sheet of parchment. Once Sombra finished compiling the spell, Celestia used all her strength to keep the fluctuating ball of magic intact, then stepped back and aimed her horn at the parchment. There was a loud thunderclap, and a blinding light. When it faded, and they could see, they seen a complex spell burnt into the paper. It was still smoking a little as Celestia lifted the paper.

"It worked." Sombra sighed in relief.

"I will get this to the guard," Celestia said, "hopefully it will be of help to them."

"That's what I’m hoping for," Sombra said softly, "if they can find the cores, it'll help lower any casualties!"

"I hope this will be over soon." Celestia said softly, and Sombra could only nod, wanting the same thing himself.

The next day there were several attacks, but only small amounts of energy were stolen. When given these reports Sombra was puzzled. It was almost as if they were just doing it for fun, not seriously trying to steal the energy and magic they sought.

This unsettled him, he couldn't shake a bad feeling. The next day was the same, only small "smash and steal" attacks, with the creatures often vacating once the guard showed up. ONE batch however, stayed to launch an attack, and Sombra's newly written spell was tested out.

"It worked wonders sire!" The patrol leader saluted the Prince gratefully "I don’t know how you made such a thing, but its worked!"

"That’s a relief. I have long been seeking a way to entrust that spell to all of you. It wasn't until a special somepony told me how she seen it, that it occurred to try using magic to magic transfer contact to create it!"

"Your capabilities are astonishing sire," The guard said, amazed by the explanation "we all hope we can get to your level someday.”

"I have no doubt you will.” Sombra said. As the guard trotted happily away, Sombra wandered back towards his office, and ran into Cadance and Shining Armor round the next corner.

"Hay bud, what ya up to?" Shining Armor asked.

"Nothing of note," Sombra said, "more reading I dare say."

"Care to join us at the council meeting?" Cadance asked.

"Of course, I’d be happy to.” Sombra assured her. He figured he needed the practice.

"We’re going to discuss that village you aided during your escapade!" Cadance seen Sombra smile and knew this was a good time to start him off with dealing with the politics of the empire.

The council ponies looked up as the door to the office chamber opened.

"Ah, your highnesses, oh-!" the stallion that greeted them was caught off guard at the third participant.

"I hope my being here will not inconvenience you?" Sombra asked, wondering if this was a bad time maybe?

"Heavens no sire!" another, older gentlecolt insisted, "we're delighted you’re here, there is much we wish to discuss, but your duties always have you out and about."

"The attacks are slowing...” Sombra puzzled over it once more, "in all honesty I’m concerned. I feel we should be on alert, far from this meaning their slacking off, rather I believe they are planning something big."

"Another blackout?" A familiar face spoke up, Inkwell.

"Anything is possible, their tactics are variant and strange.” Sombra described the one he'd had to defeat using lightning, "they adapt fast.”

"Maybe so, but what we've seen shows yourself matching them wit for wit!" the older pony said firmly "those little slime shadows want a fight, I have no doubt you will give it to them!"

The others assembled nodded and echoed the sentiment. The reports the guard and indeed Sombra himself had been writing made for fascinating reading. Sombra's talent for battle tactics was so far unmatched!

Sombra sat beside Cadance and Shining Armor, paying close attention to what they discussed.

When it came to the village Sombra had offered aid to, the other two royals stayed silent, allowing the council to grill Sombra alone on the matter. He answered their questions with a calm logic, stating both the merits to the kingdom if they helped, and his own personal observations.

Sombra also showed them the badge that was attached to his scarf to one side of the heart pin, explaining they carved them in the village.

"Perhaps they could make some more to sell? Those would be very popular!" one council mare pointed out. Sombra decided he would write to them to suggest it, along with details of what the empire could send them. Recalling all the kids he'd seen, Sombra requested they add some toys and things along those lines for the little ones.

Eventually they came to an agreement on what they would dispatch to the little village. Things for the kids, some books and toys, and things like seeds and vegetables and berries. Things that wouldn’t perish in the cold were vital. Sombra finished writing the letter and handed it over to the council, who assured him it would be mailed along with the delivery.

"One thing that concerns us is the effect this whole sorry affair of the shadows is having on the businesses around here!" was the next topic.

“I’m afraid my actions may in part be responsible for that," Sombra sighed "the damage caused by those things whenever I have to fight them is mounting. I have tried to control the detonations, but with a choice between potentially hurting bystanders or causing structural damage, I regret the buildings are taking the strain."

"There is nothing you can do sire," Inkwell said "from what the reports tell us, those things detonate with no time to think. In keeping civilian casualties to a minimum, you have more then done your job! It's a sad fact that there is nothing that can really be done until those things are gone."

Sombra pondered "what about a festival of sorts? Like the ones I ran into before, with those baked goods and the like?"

"Like advertising you mean?"

“Something like that! Maybe they could have leaflets printed detailing what they offer, see if we can encourage ponies to notice what’s around them. Particularly smaller, out of the way shops, I’m sure they'd benefit most." Sombra suggested.

"Sounds good to me!" Shining Armor said, again impressed by Sombra's matter of fact way of finding what was needed and pointing it out in the most blunt manner available!

"I know!" the youngest of the council members piped up, "why don’t we mix it into the crystal faire this year?"

Nopony noticed Sombra tense up, setting his quill down silently. His mind wandering back...

"The date isn’t far off, are we sure its such a good idea?" the older gentlecolt sighed.

“It's the biggest event of the year!” Another pointed out.

Another nodded, blurting "true, but we cant risk that heart falling into the wrong hooves!"

"Sorry." Sombra said absently, on autopilot. They all looked at him with funny expressions. Realising his mistake, he flushed slightly.

"Not YOU goofy." Shining Armor snorted in amusement. To the rest of the council he joked, "don’t worry, we've almost got him stopped, just the occasional slip up!"

"Very funny." Sombra shot back, deadpan as ever. Shining Armor just laughed, which made Sombra relax and chuckle as well.

"Old memories die hard. My apologies." he said lightly.

"Don’t fret over it sire," Inkwell smiled kindly, "it doesn’t dwell on anypony's mind any more."

"Thank you." Sombra spoke softly, but there was a relief to his tone.

"I say hooves, but those things aren’t technically ponies," the elder pony backtracked, hoping the Prince wasn’t offended by the accidental implication.

"The shadow creatures?"

"A name of sorts."

"Honestly," Sombra remarked, "if I was to name them based on my general reaction, they'd be called FBS."

"FBS?" Cadance asked.

"Pardon my language miss Cadance," Sombra prefaced "its short for "For Bucks Sake!""

The entire room had to laugh at the mental image of Sombra addressing the creatures as an obscenity!

"But I think incorporating it into the faire this year would be wonderful!" Cadance said.

"Yeah, why not? There’ll be so many ponies milling about, its bound to perk things up!" Shining Armor agreed.

They looked at Sombra, who seemed to be contemplating something, but snapped out of it to give them a confirmation.

"That's settled, well start drawing up plans asap!" One mare declared.

"Do you remember much of the crystal faire? Anything good?" Cadance asked as they left. Sombra shook his head, but managed a faint smile saying he'd be fine with it.

"If you're worried at all, you can talk to us, remember?" Cadance reassured him. He nodded, the tensions easing off his expression, and smiled.

"Things are better now, you’ll love the crystal faire!" Shining Armor added.

But his worries over the faire combined with something else. He'd pushed aside the fright he'd felt at being chained and treated like a monster. Told himself he was alright. But in reality, it HAD shook him up.

His dream that night consisted of running through the snow, behind him a faceless crowd of ponies shouted and jeered. He tripped as something lashed around his leg. He pulled himself into a sitting position, seeing the crowd racing towards him. He closed his eyes, as blackness swept in-

When he opened them again, he was back in that same warehouse where the elders had first tried changing his magic. Why was he here?

He tried to get up, only to realize he was tied down quite thoroughly, ropes stopping him from moving.

The ponies that stepped into the lone light over his head weren’t crystal ponies. They were carbon copies of the pictures he'd seen in a book. A book about major settlements in Equestria, places Twilight Sparkle said he should visit after his coronation.

They looked at him with undisguised hatred.

"Stray too far outside the illusions in your head, and you’ll be surprised." one cackled. The others began to laugh, crowding in closer.

"How can we trust a former tyrant?"

"Soon as they see you they’re gonna panic! You’re famous across Equestria for what you DID!"

"No, not again. Stop it!" He shut his eyes, screaming at himself to stop this. The crystal ponies had had more to fear him than any other, yet they'd welcome him into their hearts-

Yes, the way he'd been confronted in that snowy wasteland had hit him hard. He'd gotten so comfortable with the kindness of the crystal ponies. Bar a few visitors like the CMC and so on, he hadn't had contact with many outsiders!

What if they reacted like Blueblood had? Looking at him as inferior because of the chains of the past he still carried with him. As he thought this, the ropes shifted into chains, the cold metals touch sinking right through his bones. He tried to stand, only to fall back down, the chains too short to permit him to stand. He looked desperately at the blank eyed visions crowding around him, expressions cold.

--Don’t forget...-- a small voice piped up in his head --you aren’t alone. The Princesses are all behind you, they’ve proven as such time and again!--

"I know, but I cant rely on them!" he panicked "sooner or later I...I’m going to have a coronation, I have to be able to confront this!"

But the crowd of ponies closed in, and his heart was pounding so fast..

There was a flash of light, and two figures appeared between him and the encroaching ponies.

One was the blue Crystal Heart pony.

The other was...

The Beacon Heart. It too had taken on a pony form too, this time of a male pegasus, like Sombra's father.

"Don’t fret!" The crystal heart pony smiled.

"Its natural to be afraid, your whole world is set to expand once the coronation is over." the beacon heart added. Together they broke the chains of panic that’d been tangling him up, and helped him to his hooves. They smiled warmly up at him.

"Trust in the ponies you’ve met. From them, to those in their homelands, your story will spread..."

"The visitors." Sombra realized. Those that went back home brought with them the story of the Empire as it currently was.

"Indeed," The beacon heart pony nodded "already those outside are learning about what you’ve accomplished!"

Sombra woke up, cold prickles of sweat running over his coat. Even as he felt his heart slow its frenetic speed...

His head pounding, he shuddered at the thought of going back to sleep. Instead he drifted down to his office, and wandered in, leaving the door partly open in his daze.

He sat down, and pulled some pictures and written notes from the desk. They were from Twilight Sparkle, who'd given him photos from her coronation, along with a description of what it felt and looked like. She'd even dug up info from Luna and Celestia, and Cadance had supplied her own account too!

They all had to face massive crowds, give a speech about how they’d arrived at this point in their life.

--How would mine go? "Fillies and Gentlecolts, I made a mistake of such colossal proportions its practically a CRIME. Well, guess what? I’m back in control again!?!"-- he flopped across the desk with a groan.

He began filling out some paperwork to pass the time, and soon he dozed off at his desk.

Since the incident where Sombra had swooped in and saved his rear, Blueblood hadn't been able to say much to the pony. Sombra seemed to bear such confidence, he felt like the bigger pony was simply unstoppable. Given how much the ponies seemed to care for him, he wondered if Sombra ever got scared?

--Unlikely!-- he snorted --what could scare THAT guy?--

He walked past an open office door, and spotted a flash of familiar mane. Sticking his head round, he seen it WAS indeed SOMBRA.

He seemed to have fallen asleep at his desk. Trotting over curiously, Blueblood seen a stack of signed papers. Scattered around Sombra were photos of the coronation of Princess Twilight Sparkle, along with what seemed to be written accounts of the previous royals coronations. A sheet of paper, with a bunch of loose notes, most of which had been scribbled out was tucked under the sleeping Sombra's hooves. The stallions head was resting atop his forelegs, mane draped over a stack of books to his right. In his sleep however, he was frowning, looking worried. As Blueblood studied him, the bigger pony flinched slightly in his sleep, muttering something in a language Blueblood couldn’t understand.

He raised a hoof and cautiously poked Sombra's shoulder. He leapt back as Sombra bolted upright, knocking the stack of photos and papers off in a flurry of movement.

The unicorn shook his head, continuing to talk in that odd language.

"English much?" Blueblood grumbled, trying to hide the fact Sombra had scared him by waking up so suddenly. OK, so HE’D poked him, but still, was everything this guy did over the top?!

"What?" Sombra blinked, staring fuzzily at Blueblood. He had bags under his eyes that indicated he hadn’t been sleeping well. He stared at Blueblood a few seconds more, then shook his head, "weird, I haven’t dreamt of the old language in a long time. Surprised I can still speak it."

"What does-" here Blueblood repeated the word Sombra had used on waking "-mean exactly?". This caused the bigger pony to look startled and he hastily responded.

"THAT, is a word you should never use in polite society. Think "Buck" is rude? It has nothing on THAT word!"

"You know a bunch of ancient obscenities?" Blueblood queried.

"I know an entire language. But yes, the curse words were always my favorite. I was a kid when I started getting lessons, looking up the profanities was the first thing I did. What else?"

Blueblood thought about it, "makes sense...” he muttered at last. Afterall, he'd do the same, he admitted to himself.

Sombra noticed all the papers and photos he'd knocked aside, and hastily began gathering them up, “anything I can help you with?"

Realizing Sombra was probably wondering what Blueblood was doing in his office, the royal shrugged, "you were muttering to yourself, I thought you were having some weird dream."

"I was..." Sombra again looked down at the papers "I was trying to sort out this coronation speech business, but for some reason I kept writing it in the ancient language and couldn’t explain it to anypony. Weirdest dream ever to disrupt my sleep."

--That's right...— Blueblood recalled —Aunty mentioned the Empire's been calling for him to be formally crowned and become a fully fledged ruler...--

"Just tell them what made you change. That’s what this whole things about, isn’t it?"

“Yes, you’re right...” Sombra sighed, getting up from the chair, "I will return to this later, in the meantime, I’m starving."

So Blueblood followed him down to breakfast, where Twilight Sparkle had a special letter for Sombra.

"It’s from Spike!" she beamed "he sent Celestia some letters this morning!"

Sombra asked how, and she explained Spike's magical abilities.

Sombra noticed the letter marked with his name, with, "urgent, top secret" written on it in neat lettering.

He decided to read it later, while Twilight Sparkle read out the letter Spike had written HER. Rarity mentioned she missed her Spikey-Wikey, and Sombra deduced she was quite fond of the dragon.

Twilight Sparkle mentioned he could give the return letter to Spike if he wrote one, to Celestia, who'd send it to the dragon!

"He's been sending scrolls every now and then, mostly updates for Fluttershy on her animals. I've been telling him everything that’s been happening and he's curious about you, but hasn’t had the nerve to write a letter until now."

Back in his room Sombra opened the letter;

"Hi, your highness," it began,

"I don’t know if you remember me, I’m Spike the dragon, Twilight Sparkle's number one assistant!

Who? Stop it Owliscious! It's SPIKE. Sorry, that owl is always asking who I am!"

Sombra chuckled, and carried on reading;

"Twilight Sparkle's been saying so much about you, she said things were really bad for you when you were barely her age! That what happened wasn’t all your fault. She also sent many photos. You look different when you're happy, like a normal pony, instead of a scary one- sorry! That sounded kinda rude. What I meant was, you looked really content. Twilight says you're much better with her and the girls now. I seen the photos from the ball, did Rarity design that outfit? Isn’t she just amazing?

Anyway, I didn't know what to put in here, so Twilight Sparkle said to write some questions I'd like to ask you:

1) How come you’re super tall? I remember you looked pretty intimidating when I seen you, but in the photo's you're almost as tall as the Princesses of the sun and moon! Are you related to a giraffe?

2) What sorta food do you like? Mines GEMS. Crystals are darn tasty too! Have you tried eating one?

3) Do you like books? Twilight Sparkle says you used to sneak lots of them out of the library! I like the Daring Do and Power Ponies books! I can show them to you, if you come visit Ponyville I mean!

4) Twilight Sparkle said your coronation is soon. Can I come? I'd like to say hello properly, Twilight Sparkle's said so much has changed, it sounds like things are pretty good for you now!

5) Is that armor heavy? It looks tough in the photos! It looks cooler than the other thing you were wearing. The gold looks pretty kick-ass, and that Crystal Heart pin looks tasty..

Sorry, gems are my biggest weakness! I won’t try to eat the Heart I promise!
Signed Spike."

Sombra smiled, before pulling up a sheet of parchment, and grabbing his quill;

"Greetings young master Spike, Assistant to Princess Twilight Sparkle.

Yes, I DO remember you. My memories have all returned now. I commend you for your bravery in getting that heart away from me, even if at the time I may have tried to terrify you!

Twilight Sparkle is right about the past, it did a lot of damage to me. I didn’t have friends like Twilight and the others. I was alone, and jealous of other ponies for their easy lives.

Fear not, I understand what you mean. I am aware I appear intimidating, although now nopony seems to see it. They smile. For reasons unexplained, little ones seem entirely unafraid of me, they just want to see the jewel in the band, or to play with my tail!

Yes, miss Rarity is a very talented pony, I have her to thank for the outfits I have needed for various events I have attended!

To answer your questions:

1) I'm a Shyre pony. Not a giraffe, sadly. I must add that that line did make me laugh somewhat, perhaps it is the mental image? Sadly the Shyre are all but gone now, I have found no evidence of existing clans. But we're all tall, and, to borrow a phrase the royal guard have been using "built like a tank!".

2) Cake. Ever since waking up here, I appear to be addicted to the stuff. Blame miss "Pinkie "Cotton Candy" Pie! Aside from cake, I’ll eat just about anything, the food you have in this day and age is far above and beyond what I had when I was younger. There's so many interesting things to try! And no, I haven’t tried eating a gem, I hazard a guess they'd give me terrible indigestion!

3) She's right, I did bury myself in books when I was still adjusting to being here again. I was reluctant to leave the confines of my room, or even the palace for a long time. I didn’t wish to get attached to anything or anypony, in case I just ended up losing it again. That was foolish of me. I understand it better now. I don’t know what a Power Pony is, although I am familiar with Daring Do! Miss Dash insisted I read the books. Seems she is a massive fan of Miss Do!

4) It would be an honor if you would attend. I'd like to thank you in person for your part in saving the Empire back then! Twilight Sparkle speaks highly of you, and any friend of hers would be a pleasure to meet.

5) Not that I’ve noticed, no. I'm used to wearing armor, as you're probably aware, given my former getup. The current one was made by the elements of harmony, along with the rest of the outfit! It IS a bit tricky in the heat, but it's very handy when kicking shadows up the backside!
signed,

Sombra."

Once done, he did as Twilight Sparkle had said, and brought the letter to Celestia. He hoped he would get to meet the little dragon eventually....

Blueblood was STILL struggling to get on Rarity’s good side, she always seemed to snub him, and it was getting on his nerves. So after getting a blank reception that afternoon when he tried to ask if she wanted to take a drive with him, he decided to go off on his own.

On reaching the hall, he was again reminded he should take a guard with him, due to the incident of last time. Blueblood felt like screaming, but he didn’t want another incident like that last occasion. If Sombra hadn’t followed after him...

"Everything OK?" a voice broke his grumbling and both he and the staff pony turned to look at the top of the staircase. Sure enough, it was Sombra. Seeing him in that official looking armor, Blueblood again wondered how Sombra had managed to turn his life around the way he had? He still seemed to have that terrifying ferocity, yet everypony fussed over him so kindly.

"If it’s not much of a problem, I can act as your guard, I have to do a patrol route today, and a large percentage of the guards are at training with Shining Armor."

Blueblood was slightly lost for words. He knew Sombra of all ponies would NOT settle for any funny business, no slipping HIS leash! With a muted groan, he reluctantly agreed. It explained why they didn’t seem to be as many guards around today..

"How much do they gotta train anyway?" he grumbled to Sombra as they stepped outside.

As the carriage was pulled towards the centre of town, Sombra kept an easy stride beside it, keeping his attention on both Blueblood's ramblings and his surroundings!

"The tactics of those creatures are adjusting as fast as we are. Any new information I have been able to gather is passed onto the commanding officers and Shining Armor. When possible, I direct the training myself, but its not always possible to do so."

"How come you’re so good at predicting what those things are gonna pull anyway?" was the next jab.

"Truthfully? I don’t know for certain. Perhaps it is in some part because they originally targeted me in excess. They realized early on I posed the biggest threat, even before I got my magic back. They underestimate the guards here, and it has proven their downfall."

"Do you ALWAYS talk like you swallowed a dictionary?!"

Sombra sighed, “Well excuse me for being taught some form of decent mannerisms. Feel free to blame my father, he had a thing about USING his brain you understand."

That shut Blueblood up. He'd seen the statue out in the garden, been informed by his Aunty it was Sombra's foster father. He recognized the band around the statues leg as the same one Sombra wore.

At last they arrived in the main shopping area. Sombra stuck close by Blueblood as they headed towards the shops.

Ponies waved and greeted the pair, although Blueblood still couldn’t shake the feeling their attention was mostly on Sombra.

"Oh! Your highness!" Both princes stopped and blinked. The reporter darted over to Sombra;

"Just to waylay you a moment. I work for the Crystal Fan News, we cover the fashion in the empire. I wanted to ask if you have any particular tailor in mind for the coronation?"

Sombra looked surprised at the random question, then pulled his thoughts together to answer.

"None other than the pony who has already created many wonderful articles of clothing, Miss Rarity." Sombra told her. When he'd asked Rarity to do it, shed let out a delighted squee and hugged him!

"Oh yes, the same who designed your outfit for the ball! That was simply stunning, all the tailors in town are trying to match her style!"

"She possesses a wonderful talent, I could have nopony finer," Sombra told her. She nodded, writing all this down. She nodded next at the new heart pin "Rumour has it the original was destroyed during the blackout, is it true?"

Sombra hated to lie to her, but if the creatures found out the Empire had a second guardian heart, it could makes things tricky.

"Sadly yes, the spell to use it as a beacon changed it beyond usability. But a mysterious donor sent this to the palace," Sombra indicated the replacement one, "somehow somepony knew it was gone."

She listened to his story and nodded "Thank you sire!"

"Not a problem," Sombra smiled, "now if you’ll excuse me I have to go find Blueblood. I believe he thinks he's given me the slip."

The journalists jaw dropped as Sombra turned into a shadow of himself, and dove into the sharp shadows thrown by a nearby stall.

"Wow.” she remarked.

Blueblood meanwhile, was patting himself on the back for ditching the stuffy older pony, as he trotted into a jewellery shop. While the shop owner was in the back looking for something for the arrogant Prince, Blueblood was admiring his reflection in the counter.

"Free at last, that boring stick in the mud’s too busy buttering up the press!"

"It doesn’t hurt to be nice, you know,” Sombra's voice spoke from behind him. Blueblood yelped, spun round, nothing there.

"W-what?" he squeaked. Then somepony tapped his shoulder. He turned instantly, and seen a small colt, made of shadows, but with amused red eyes sat there on the glass counter.

"Wasn’t hard to track you..." Sombra chuckled "you were an eternity in this same store that day we all showed you around. I figured you'd head here!"

"You are such a... smartass!" Blueblood snapped.

"Why thank you," the tiny Sombra shadow laughed softly, "again, I thank my father for that!"

The little shadow looked at the jewels in the case beneath him "hm, these remind me of the ones Miss Rarity used on the ball outfit."

"Why does she like YOU so much?!" Blueblood sniped.

"Is that what this is about?" Sombra asked "you think I'm stopping her from noticing you somehow? Ridiculous."

Blueblood went red in embarrassment, and made several sputtering sounds, "well she's always talking to YOU, but when I try to talk to her, she sticks her nose in the air!"

"She did talk about an incident regarding cake," Sombra shot him a look, "monster I may have been, but even I know using a lady to shield yourself is a mean spirited gesture. From what I’ve learnt about her, Miss Rarity works very hard on her dresses, and to have one ruined all because you didn’t want to get DIRTY. Well, it’s fairly clear why her nose is out of joint!"

More angry glowering.

"Glare at me all you like, I refer you back to our little conversation of before."

This cut Blueblood short. Sombra had said he'd cared little for those around him at first, but had gradually warmed to them, treating them as equals instead of being beneath his notice. Something he'd said Blueblood lacked!

"You could try talking about HER, perchance? You want to make it up to her, maybe become her friend first. Just a suggestion..."

“Did you make friends with that marefriend of YOURS first?" Blueblood rolled his eyes, but looking a little curious all the same;

"She befriended ME first, as it happens. I found it easy to converse with her, at a time when talking to anypony was a seemingly impossible task..." he recalled how he'd been awkward at responding, confused by the ponies thanking him. Sea had seen through his silence and asked him what bothered him. And he'd answered with, "I don’t know..." He truly hadn’t known how to explain it.

"She didn’t push it, just talked about this and that, leaving me to respond if I wanted to. That’s how I learnt what a good pony she was, how much she adored her daughter. She has a good heart. So too does miss Rarity, you just have to make her feel like YOU'RE worth getting to know. Keep the attention always on YOU, she'll just feel abandoned, slighted."

Blueblood didn’t say a word, he realized Sombra maybe had a point. Aunty Celestia had said he needed to interact with others more, and not just bossing them about! If Sombra had managed to find a pretty marefriend when he'd been a former tyrant, why couldn’t HE?

The shop owner came back, and did a double take when he spotted a shadowy black foal atop the counter.

"What in-?" he began. Sombra realized he'd been lecturing Blueblood in his smaller form, and leapt down from the counter, a flash of purple flame changing him back into his full form.

The shop owner looked relieved, "oh, your highness! You startled me...”

"My apologies, being that size makes it easier to slip through crowds.” Sombra chuckled.

As they left, Blueblood carrying a bag of whatever it was he'd chosen, he spotted the military pin the CO had awarded Sombra after the shadow dome incident. "What's that?" he asked.

"It was given to me by the Commanding Officer of the barracks, after helping him marshal the guards during the blackout. After the coronation, I will need to find a way to split my time between the political council and the guard, so as not to let either side down...”

"You WANT to do politics?" Blueblood shuddered, "it's SO dull!"

"Maybe at times it is, but my father always managed to make it seem fun somehow. It will give me a greater method of reaching the ponies here. And in the areas out in the wastes."

That was another story Celestia had filled Blueblood in on. Sombra had been captured by a rogue mayor, imprisoned and used as a power source for a monster. Despite this, he'd not only forgiven them, but offered to help them!

"Weren’t you angry though? They tried to kill you, essentially!"

Sombra shook his head "I know better than anyone how fear and misguided desires can warp even the best of ponies. The mayors obsession with gaining total control was similar to mine. Even though I didn’t want to attack him, I had to stop him before he put those ponies lives in danger. They were lied to, tricked. Those that tried to aid me were ignored and made to seem crazy. It suited his plan that I be regarded as the necessary evil, to distract from what he was doing."

"Sounds like a barbarian!" Blueblood sniffed haughtily.

"I believe he was a good hearted pony once. But sometimes, kid," Sombra shook his head, that same heavy sadness edging his words as he spoke, "desperation can drive you to all sorts. Even to madness..."

A silent nod from Blueblood.

"I was fortunate enough to be given a second chance, forgiven. I hope he will too.”

They encountered Rarity as they walked back in, she was carrying a bundle of different fabrics from a storage closet to her sewing room.
The string binding them broke, and they rolled out across the floor. She gave a cry of dismay, chasing after one as it rolled under a chair in the hall. Sombra nudged Blueblood, motioning him to help her perhaps?

Sure he would get a telling off by the purple maned mare, Blueblood grabbed two of the bolts of fabric, so when Rarity straightened up, she was startled to be confronted by a gruff Blueblood offering to carry them for her.

A little suspicious, she accepted, leading the way to her sewing room. Sombra, Blueblood noticed, had vanished as silently as the shadows he favoured.

As he put the fabric bolts down, he spotted Rarity's latest dress. Something about the colors reminded him of something...

"It’s going to be for Sombra's Coronation. I cant start work on his outfit yet, I’m still awaiting a shipment of new fabric!" she explained.

"It’s...really pretty." Blueblood said, unsure if this was what she wanted to hear. She blinked at him, then managed a soft smile. He flushed a little. She WAS a very pretty unicorn...

"It’s missing something,." Rarity looked at the collar, then turned to a drawer next to her "I can’t find the right accent!"

While she rummaged, Blueblood was hit by what he later joked was a fit of madness, but knew deep down was probably the first bit of generosity he'd really shown to a pony, that he hadn’t been ordered to do.

From the bag he carried, he lifted a box that contained two cuff-links, shaped like purple crescents, accented with gold. He held them either side of the collar. They looked pretty attached to it. Rarity turned back and seen them. Her eyes went wide, and she gasped in delight.

"Oh that’s just darling! Where did you find those?"

"That fancy jeweller’s shop,” Blueblood watched how her face lit up when she smiled. Was this what Sombra had meant? Make her feel special?

"They were one of a kind.” he added, which had been part of the reason he'd bought them.

"Oh." Rarity's face fell, disappointment filling her eyes, "oh well, I’m sure I can find something equally as nice. Still, purple jewels, I’ll make a note!"

She lifted a pencil from her desk, preparing to write it on a sheet of paper, when the box was set atop the sheet.

"You can have them.” Blueblood said, trying not to sound too fussed, but inwardly hoping that smile would come back.

Her eyes widened again, and a beautiful smile graced her face again.

"You’re giving them to me? They’re just divine!" she gifted him with the most happy smile he'd ever seen, "Thank you darling!"

"A dress like that should look the best," Blueblood tried to act casual, but he was about as see through as a window, "it'd be silly not to!"

Rarity chuckled, but she had to admit, this was pretty decent of the snobby Prince. Maybe he was turning over a new leaf...?

Blueblood excused himself, unsure what else to say, but he did hear Rarity say she'd see him at dinner, and found himself looking forward to it.

Sombra went outside for a walk after dinner, his mind still whirling, trying to figure out his coronation speech.

A loud scream caught his attention, and he raced round to the front of the palace, seeing a shadow creature hoisting three guards up by the necks.

"Drop 'em!" he bellowed. The creature turned its creepy gaze on him, still holding onto the guards, who were on the verge of passing out.

On seeing Sombra's magic flare up, it held them in front of it like a shield...

"Little Prince, just who I was searching for!" It giggled gleefully "I had thought to keep draining these worthless energy sources until one of the others fetched you, but you had to ruin my fun again!"

"Let them go!" Sombra snarled angrily. It laughed, raised them up higher, the coils of shadow tightening.

"Catch!" it giggled, throwing them like toys to one side. Sombra instantly used his magic to catch them before they hit the crystal paving and broke their bones.

He realized too late the mistake he'd made, turning his back on his opponent when those same coils of shadow snapped around his legs, literally turning him upside down, trussed up like a turkey. It then lifted Sombra up so the pony’s furious red eyes were level with its yellow ones.

The guards regained their breath, looking up to see the Prince being held in this undignified manner. The creature brought its face close to Sombra's, and said very softly;

"Times up little pony, it’ll all be over soon!"

More guards, tracking the screams, darted round the corner.

Sombra closed his eyes, "not this time!" he hissed, but the creature quickly realized it was giving Sombra an easy target and swiftly dropped him. Sombra hit the ground, using momentum to shift onto his feet.

"Fire!" the head guard yelled.

The thing looked at Sombra, sending him one last leery grin before ALLOWING itself to be blown up.

"You alright, sire?" the head guard approached Sombra, who looked somewhat unsettled.

"Yes...I’m fine...” Sombra shook his head to clear it, looking down at the concerned guard, "I need to talk to Shining Armor..."

Shining Armor was as concerned as Sombra when the taller stallion revealed what it'd said to him.

"You think they’re gonna launch an all out assault soon?"

"Worryingly, yes.." Sombra paced the room, unease and fear gnawing at his stomach, "I just hope we're ready..."

"We've done what we can. YOU'VE done everything you can. You've given us the spell to locate the cores, you’ve taught them more than I ever could,” Shining Armor told his anxious friend, "if there's chance to be had, you’ve given us the best! Not just that, but you’ve given them a hero. They want to be as good at defending this Empire as you’ve proven to be. That badge stands for a lot, remember?" indicating the badge the CO had presented to Sombra.

Sombra stopped pacing, looking over at Shining Armor.

"Thank you." he said sincerely.

"In fact, the CO and I have a proposition he wished me to talk to you about-" Shining Armor rummaged in his desk, lifting out a fancy envelope. From this he lifted a gold pin identical to one that he wore on his own uniform.

"This is an offer we’ve been discussing for some time, and were going to approach you about after the coronation. But given the evidence, I’d say now is a good time as later. We think you’ve more than earned this, and as a result, we'd like to offer a joint captaincy alongside myself,” he held the box out to Sombra, "what do you say? Wanna join our ranks?"

Sombra was stunned. But after a heartbeats silence, he knew his decision, and nodded. He felt at home amongst the military...

"Awesome!" Shining Armor grinned, using his magic to set the emblem on the high collar of Sombra's uniform, where it could be seen.

After that followed a salute, which the still astonished Sombra returned.

They journeyed over to the barracks to inform the CO both of Sombra's acceptance and of the warning the creature had given.

"Worry not sire, this is what we've been training for, what YOU'VE been training us all for! We wont let you down." The CO stated to Sombra, and the assembled guards nodded.

"I don’t know when it intends to strike," Sombra said sadly, "but I have the feeling it will be soon, we need to be alert..."

"We needs more lerts!” Shining Armor added, causing Sombra to groan.

"Cotton Candy.." he growled, but laughing all the same.

"Sorry, it made me laugh when she said it!" Shining Armor snickered.

"We will not let this empire fall to a crazy shadow-" the CO realized a second later that sounded potentially offensive and stopped dead. He then tried to backtrack, but Sombra just let out a loud snort of laughter.

"I wouldn’t concern yourself," he said, "it's somewhat difficult to address that thing up there without it sounding like a description of old ME."

Shining Armor smiled to see how Sombra no longer seemed as fazed by his past as he'd been before.

When it came time for the Princes to return to the palace after discussing tactics at length, the CO bid his good friend Shining Armor goodbye, and turned to Sombra;

"We're glad to have you with us soldier,” he nodded to the pin Shining Armor had attached to Sombra's collar, "welcome to the guard, Captain Sombra!"

Sombra smiled, and saluted as the situation required. Then he and Shining Armor returned to the palace.

They were met by the others at dinner, where Sombra told the of the shadows warning

"They want a pounding, they’ll get it!" Rainbow punched the air, with a loud "yah!"

"Simmer down sally.." Applejack reminded her, pulling her friends tail to set her back in her seat, "ain’t nopony gonna let those things win!"

"Too right!" Rarity agreed "those hideous creatures won't get this Empire!"

"You gotta kick the ass of the biggest one of them, right?" Blueblood, for the first time ever, actually addressed Sombra. So far he'd mostly remained silent, tuning him out.

"Yes," Sombra seemed surprised as the rest, but managed to hide it "When Luna and I ended up in that realm, we caught a glimpse of, and it just felt WRONG. That thing wants an entire world to feed itself, and it intends to take it."

"You've kicked most of it asses already, so what's one more?" Blueblood shrugged.

"Indeed." Sombra managed an amused smile, but he couldn’t hide his concern...

Sombra went to bed that night and actually slept properly, despite spending some time tossing and turning in worry.

He went down to the kitchen early to get some breakfast, and bumped into-

"Gah!" it was Shining Armor, floating a massive stack of pancakes ahead of him.

"Where do you intend to put all that?" Sombra asked.

"Down my stomach of course!" Shining Armor eyed the pancakes and grinned "I dare anyone to out-pancake me?"

Sombra cocked an eyebrow.

"Oh really?" he said. Shining Armor recognized that tone.

So when Cadance and Twilight Sparkle came down later, they found the two stallions slumped at the table, with plates piled high around them.

"What ARE you boys doing?" Cadance asked.

"Eating contest!" Shining Armor declared, then waved a hoof at Sombra, "he won!"

"Wow, you actually out-ate my husband?" Cadance asked, "impressive."

"You're both nuts." Twilight Sparkle shook her head.

Shining Armor just burped modestly. Sombra raised an eyebrow;

"For the love of all Equestria, DON'T start a belching contest!" Twilight Sparkle pre-empted.

"Aw." Shining Armor said and sniggered.

"Men!" Cadance shook her head.

"Oh, good morning your highnesses!" the cook greeted them with a big smile "what would you like? I've got anything and everything! Although those two have been eating everything in sight so far!"

"Sorreh.." Shining Armor apologized.

"Nonsense, good to see a healthy appetite..."

"Yeah, for shenanigans!" Cadance giggled.

Another snigger from Shining Armor.

Even Sombra had to chuckle. It WAS pretty funny.

Pretty soon all the ponies joined them. When she heard about the eating contest, Rainbow Dash had to applaud Sombra for winning. Shining Armor was famous for having a big appetite!!

"Who wants cake?" Pinkie Pie asked. The whole room laughed when Sombra and Shining Armor shared looks of despair.

Sombra noticed there were less guards then usual hanging around the palace. But he knew from last nights meeting at the barracks that they were engaged in extra training.

Shining Armor said he was heading over there right away, would Sombra join him? Sombra was happy to agree.

The duo left the room, and about three seconds later the rest heard a massive belch, followed by loud laughter.

"That a challenge?!" Rainbow Dash and Applejack hollered.

"NO it was NOT!" came back Sombra's voice, back up by Shining Armor's laughter, thus revealing the larger stallion as the culprit.

"It's the pancakes dude, I’m telling you..." they heard Shining Armor say between sniggers, and Sombra telling him to shut up!

Cadance shook her head "those two are eerily alike. I’m not sure who’s influencing who by this point!"

Rarity shook her head "I guess even somepony as refined as Sombra has his moments."

"It was somewhat impressive." Blueblood reluctantly added.

"Eeeyup!" Applejack chuckled.

"He sure got me beat." Rainbow Dash nodded sagely.

Then the whole palace seemed to shake like it'd been hit by an earthquake.

"What the heck was that?!" Out in the hall, all merriment gone, Shining Armor bolted for the nearest window, "oh no!"

Sombra stood beside Shining Armor, shock freezing his heart for a moment. The tear in the sky had torn wide open like an overstuffed pillowcase. Darkness was spewing out like ink in water.

With a deep shudder, Sombra knew this was the final stand. Everything had led up to this, all the attacks, the darkness, the adaptation. The laughter, the love, the lessons learned. He'd made his cold heart thaw to survive and live to see this. He'd learnt what was worth protecting, and worth living for.

"We have to go!" he told Shining Armor, who nodded. They met the others as they came streaming out of the dining hall.

"What do we do?!" Fluttershy quailed, "it s-so scary looking..."

"I'll get the elements!" Twilight Sparkle ran off down the hall without hesitation.

"Same as before, evac to the palace?" Shining Armor looked at Sombra, who nodded.

"What’s happening?!" Celestia and a somewhat sleepy Luna appeared. She noted the pin on Sombra's collar, and remarked "thy prestige has doubled!" to him.

"We need to shield the palace, get as many citizens here as possible. Also, put a stop that thing!" Shining blurted.

Celestia nodded, looking at Sombra, "what do you suggest?” They all turned to the newly appointed Co-Captain.

Sombra ran each ponies strengths through his head, and turned first to Princess Luna;

"Can you fight?" he asked her. She nodded.

"We hath armor, we hath our lessons from thee! We can fight our corner!" she responded.

Sombra nodded "Good. You and Celestia have powerful magic, you'll need to guard the palace and the Crystal Hearts."

"We will see to it!" Celestia declared. With a flash of magic, she bound her flowy hair back in a long plait, and took off her crown so it wouldn't be a distraction. Luna mimicked her, and they shared nods.

"Got orders for US?" Rainbow Dash flapped up to Sombra's eye level, "c'mon buddy, give us something to clobber!"

"I don't want to clobber anything." Fluttershy whispered.

"I need you all to protect the citizens that will head here, tackle those things if it comes to it! Whatever happens, we can’t have them reach the palace. We all know what happens when the heart is taken away..."

"Now there's TWO!" Cadance added.

"Can you shield the palace again?" Sombra asked her. She nodded.

"Not alone you’re not!" Shining Armor told her. He looked to Sombra "I don’t need to tell you how to do your new job, so get going!"

Sombra nodded, pushing the fear he felt aside, there was no time for that now.

Twilight Sparkle returned with the elements, giving each one to its bearer. As she did, a small gleam of light ran over each jewel, and a final one across the jewel in Sombra's band.

"Whoa.." Twilight Sparkle wondered what it meant. But they didn’t have time to decipher it, they had a kingdom to save!

They grabbed some spare armor from the supplies, even thought they weren’t accustomed to wearing it, Sombra insisted it'd protect them from explosions!

As he was racing down the hall, his armored-up army of friends in his wake, they ran into the CMC.

“What's happenin'?!” Applebloom cried.

“It's time ta kick flank and chew gum, and ah aint got gum!” Applejack told her.

“Eep.” Sweetie Belle got the gist of it.

“What do we do?” Scootaloo asked her sister.

“Stay here, and be CAREFUL!” Rainbow Dash insisted.

Sombra spotted Blueblood running around like a headless chicken. Running over, he told the unicorn he needed him to keep an eye on those kids.

“Kids?! I don't know anything about kids?!” Blueblood wailed. Sombra decided to scare him into showing a backbone, and towered over the younger royal, glaring down at him.

“I'm leaving those three in YOUR care, and by your Aunty's grace, I will kick your ass from here to Canterlot if anything happens to them! You understand me!?”

Blueblood gulped nervously, and nodded once.

“Good.” Sombra said bluntly, then called to the CMC;

“Little misses, stay with this pony here! Keep him out of trouble!”

Blueblood blinked, then looked down at the sceptical gazes of three little fillies.

“'Sup?” Scootaloo grinned.

As they raced outside, they seen dozens of those things were flooding from the sky, along with something far larger that was edging its way from the tear.

"What's THAT?!" Pinkie Pie yelled.

"Its the core.." Sombra felt a sick shudder run through him, "the thing that's been attacking us this whole time, through those fakes. It’s decided to show itself."

Some of the clones were racing towards them. Sombra closed his eyes, drawing together everything he'd experienced and learnt during the amazing journey that he'd travelled.

With a fwoosh, his mane and tail transformed into that living flame from the stadium. The gold tint of his eyes was highlighted by the soft green glow as he opened them. Without hesitation he threw himself at the attacking horde. The scythe reappeared at a moments thought, and he swung it in a precise arc, cleaving three of them in half with one blow. Without speaking a word he set off towards the stadium where the training was being held.

"Sombra!" he stopped as he heard Twilight’s voice, she and the other five looked at him as they prepared to go to battle, "come back to us, OK?"

He nodded wordlessly, before racing into the streets.

The guards had heard the boom of the sky tearing, seen the darkness spilling out. Then a small swarm of those things had descended on them.

"There's too many sir!" one cadet gasped, as he shunted another shadow creature back.

"Sweet Celestia help us!" LightShield kicked yet another one away from him.

Bolts of magic shot down from the sky, slicing into the shadows, crippling them long enough for the guards to crush the cores with magic and spears.

The arena cleared, they looked up to where the bolts had appeared. Sombra flew down, the crystal wings vanishing as he touched the ground.

"That's new." LightShield remarked.

"Learnt it recently," Sombra said with a chuckle "sadly, it's only short term."

"What's going on?" another asked Sombra.

"Endgame," Sombra said starkly, "it’s now or never. We have to destroy this thing."

They all stared in shock. Sombra took a deep breath, "I know this isn't going to be easy, this thing is as intent on taking our world as we are defending it. I need you all to cast aside your fear, and defend your home! You've all shown remarkable bravery in facing this threat, and will need every thing I've taught you in order to defeat them. But We WILL stop them. This is our home, our LIVES. I will not see it be overrun!"

The soldiers all cheered.

"We're right behind you Captain!” LightShield nodded to Sombra, "we're at your service!"

Sombra felt a wave of hope and relief race through him, seeing the strength of his Empires forces.

Then he turned and took off, the others following without a pause. He ran as fast as he could, letting instinct and his gift guide him. The shadow ponies swarmed at him, but sweeps of the fire-edged scythe shattered them to pieces as they neared the centre of town.

He dispatched groups down different streets, to cover various areas. LightShield and three others sticking by the Prince's side.

Soon as the attack began, everypony began to panic. Dozens of those things descended upon them, catching their prey and stealing magic and energy, leaving the ponies weak and disorientated.

Twilight Sparkle and co soon discovered that wasn’t all they were doing. Down one street they were met by an eerie scene. The ponies just stared up at the sky, expressions dead. When Rainbow Dash tried to shake one of them out of it, the pony shoved her away with a sudden burst of strength. Then they began to turn towards the six, all grinning widely.

"Oh no.." Twilight Sparkle whispered, "this is the possession Sombra spoke of!"

"Whatta we do?" Applejack shoved one pony away from her with as gentle a shove as she could "we cant hurt 'em!"

"Ohhh.." Fluttershy shook her head sadly, "we can't stay, we have to get out!"

"Fluttershy's right, we don't know how to stop this spell!"

"I think I do!” Twilight Sparkle pulled a scroll Celestia had given her from her bag "Celestia said this was a copy of the spell Sombra made!" She read the spell, screwed her eyes shut, focused..

Whoosh. She glowed a bright purple-pink, and a pulse radiated out from her. With her prior experience with dark magic defeating Sombra the first time, she found it easier than expected!

Up in the sky, a single black shadow pulsed, and turned towards them.

"Alright!" Rainbow Dash was off, swinging a spear shed pilfered from a statue in the entrance hall. She jabbed it forward like a sword, and caught the thing in the stomach, hitting the core. The explosion sent her spinning backwards, over and over like a mutli-hued ball, until she corrected her flight, mane sticking up in the air.

"That. was. INTENSE." she wheezed. The ponies below snapped free, sharing terrified glances.

"Follow me ladies and germs!" Pinkie Pie hollered "lets race to the palace, put your all into it!"

The six guided the ponies back as far as the palace, but no sooner had they ventured back out, then they realized the problem was far worse than they thought. The things were everywhere, and their effect was spreading!

In one street alone, they were soon surrounded by dead-eyed ponies. Twilight Sparkle unleashed the spell again, but she was feeling the strain. Rainbow Dash took the aerial assault route, honing in in the ones Twilight Sparkle's spell lit up. Pinkie Pie responded with her cannon, using its bright glitter and lights to stun the possessed ponies before they could hurt any of her friends.

Fluttershy, on seeing a crying filly huddled in a doorway, took off and landed in front of the child. Then she gave the encroaching ponies her famous stare. The fierce glare captivated them.

"Don't. Hurt. A. Baby!" Fluttershy shouted as loud as her delicate voice box would allow!

"I’m guessing they’re not that interested in the kids..." Applejack remarked, seeing the small child clinging to Fluttershy.

"They don’t have power, they probably don't register as being worth the effort!" Rarity theorized, "they want the biggest gems in THIS shop!"

Twilight Sparkle fired off the spell, and Applejack met the thing head on as it swooped down towards them, delivering a bucking back kick that sent it faceplanting into a wall, destroying it. Freed, the child’s mother came to her senses and scooped up her child, sobbing in relief and gratitude to Fluttershy.

More and more ponies began zeroing in on them, and Twilight Sparkle was out of breath, her head pounding as she tried to unleash the spell over and over. One of the shadow things hit Rainbow, knocking her to the floor. Pinkie Pie helped her up, brushing her down.

"There's too many..." Rainbow Dash winced as she swore she could feel a bruise forming along her side under her armor.

Every direction they turned, more of them were approaching. Only the kids seemed immune.

"Hay!" they turned, seeing a familiar face, Flash Sentry, darting over to them.

"We have to get to Sombra!" Twilight Sparkle cried. She'd flown up a few meters, looking up at something going on far ahead of them, "I think he's in trouble-!"

"We cant keep fightin', there's just too many of those things.." Applejack puffed.

“But the kids!" Fluttershy whimpered.

"Leave the kids to me!" Flash Sentry saluted Twilight Sparkle "go, your highness, the big guy needs your help!"

"Thank you Flash Sentry.." Twilight Sparkle smiled, and in the heat of the moment, bestowed a kiss on his cheek.

"Take care!" she said gently, she raced away.

"OK kids!" Flash Sentry flew up in the air, "if you can hear me, were going to the palace! We'll free your families, I promise!"

Inside houses and doorways, children heard the guard's shout, heard him fighting the possessed pegasi that flew up to oppose him. Even a shadow creature tried, but Flash Sentry mimicked Sombra, and kicked the thing into the roof of a building, leaving a small crater behind.

Soon Flash had a small army of little ones under his care, and he vowed he'd keep his promise to the Princess!

But as he approached the palace, he soon seen it was impossible to reach. So many shadows were attacking it en masse, the guards were being forced to retreat behind the shield. Flash Sentry spotted a Sports shop nearby, and had an idea. He herded the kids inside, and grabbed some javelins...

The kids seen their lone guard friend throwing and retrieving the sharp implements to keep them safe. One looked at a crate of basketballs, and had an idea..

Flash Sentry was about to get rugby tackled by a shadow creature when a series of sports balls whizzed past, hitting the thing in the face and knocking it head over heels.

Looking behind him he seen some of the little ones holding a net stretched taught, and the pegasi were slingshot-ing netballs, basketballs, cricket balls- in short; everything they could reach!

"We got your back!" one little colt told Flash Sentry, who nodded, and geared himself up to keep kicking flank!

Above the centre of town a massive winged shape only loosely resembling a shadow pony hovered, laughing gleefully as its subjects drained every pony they touched. It felt the raw power, collected both past and present coursing through it!

Then there was a flash of an all too familiar purple magic. The nearest clones screamed and crumbled to dust, their cores obliterated. As they fell, the bigger creature seen the platoon of guards, with a flame-maned pony at their head.

"So you’ve come to try and stop me have you?" it laughed, "you’ve exhausted every trick in your little book by now, why don’t you just give up!"

"Protect them." Sombra said curtly. Light Shield nodded, and he and the others all dispersed, as Sombra raised one hoof. He slammed it down, and the ground shook as a massive crystal jutted out slantways, from the ground. Sombra raced up its surface, setting another spell as he did;

He closed his eyes, feeling his magic, such a central part of who he was, flooding every part of his body...

With a loud crinkling sound, the pseudo-wings erupted from his back once more, beating the air as he gathered the appendages close, then kicked up and off from the crystals peak, rocketing up into the sky. The shadow stared, how had this thing grown WINGS?!

"I'm not afraid to do what I have to, to defend them!" Sombra said coldly, his mane flickering with an otherworldly light, the flames ever shifting.

"Very well, I will break every bone in that frail body of yours and display it for this weak world to see!"

It spat a glob of an acidic dark substance at Sombra. He deflected it with the scythe, seeing how it burned a hole in the roof it landed on. The second time it struck, a shield shot up to absorb it, while Sombra himself vanished and reappeared on a floating crystal platform behind the creature. But this one didn’t HAVE a core...it was solid-

"What’s the matter little foal?" it laughed, whipping its tail round, spikes forming on it as it did. These caught Sombra across the side, tearing the fabric of his cloak, and scoring deep gashes along his side.

He used the wings to bank and correct his fall, easing back into flight. He felt instinct take over, and he beat the semi transparent wings, picking up speed again, even as cold air rushed across the wounds in his side.

He took in the thing ahead of him. It was BIG, and SLOW.

--I may be big, but compared to you, I still have some agility..-- he felt a fresh urge of determination. Whatever it took, he'd free his kingdom!

He darted in close, swathes of darkness snatching at him, trying to ensnare him and drain his magic. In response, he fired an arrow of sharp crystal, which lodged inside its gelatinous body. It roared in anger, swiping at him again. He took a deep breath, swinging close again to fire another volley.

With a series of sickening thuds, the missiles hit home.

"Give it up!" the thing laughed at these pathetic attacks, "you can't hope to destroy me! All this time you've just been fighting mere minions! What can one pathetic freak do against ME!!"

"More than you can ever imagine!" Sombra wheeled back up to the maximum height he could attain. As it churned and swirled to follow him, he gathered a big bolt of power, shutting off his flame mode. He folded the wings down, dropping suddenly as it fired javelins of black magic at him. He couldn’t hold the charge any more. Pulling up, he snapped the crystal wings open, pulling himself into a bone jarring halt in mid-air as he fired. He directed the power at the massive creature-

It laughed, raising one big section of its body to bat the magic missile aside...

But the arrows Sombra had fired into its body shone, and the big blast split apart, evading its attempts to shield. The magic honed in on the arrows, which acted like lightning rods.

It screamed, lashing out in blind fury as the blasts struck home, tearing chunks out of its sludgy body, burning it away....

But one of the spikes of darkness tore through the left crystal wing, and Sombra was sent plummeting to the ground in a dangerous spiral.

He hit with a solid thud, the wings breaking away, feeling something in his left hind leg crack. But he forced himself to his hooves.

This thing was gaining power from those it drained, if he eradicated those, then-

Another bolt of darkness was shooting towards him, he struggled to summon a spell-

A purple shield sprang up, deflecting the bolt. Sombra twisted round.

"Princess!" he gasped in relief.

"There's too many," Twilight Sparkle shook her head sadly, "everypony we tried to get to, those things possessed them. We have to eradicate that big one if we're to get them to safety!"

"Like Chrysalis at the wedding!" Rainbow Dash added.

"Can you create a big enough shield?” Sombra asked Twilight Sparkle, "I just need a little time-"

"Leave it to me!" she said.

"And I!" Rarity stood beside Twilight Sparkle, "it's you and me darling!"

"Ah'll kick the flank of anything getting even near close!" Applejack vowed. Rainbow punched the air, setting her sights on their attackers.

"Party cannon!" Pinkie Pie pulled the device from what seemed to thin air to Sombra "only this time it's not confetti!"

She let the cannon off, and crystal shards fired from it, hitting the creatures, cutting through their shadow bodies.

"She raided the WHOLE shopping district!" Rarity winced.

"I-I'll help Pinkie Pie reload!" Fluttershy gathered her courage. She was, by now, loaded down with bag after bag of crystal, alongside Pinkie Pie herself.

"Lets do it!" Sombra said.

They nodded, this was the final stand, they had to win here, they couldn't retreat.

"No surrender!" Rainbow Dash cried.

"No retreat!" Sombra finished the slogan.

"No giving up.." Fluttershy whispered.

The others shot away, and Twilight Sparkle and Rarity pooled their power to create a purple and white shield that wrapped around them, Sombra, and the crystal spike Sombra had summoned at the start. Sombra raced up to the top of the spike, seeing the main square laid out below him. He closed his eyes, visualizing the whole Empire, all its occupants.

--This is my home...my kingdom. Thanks to everypony in that palace, in this place, I have been able to make up for my mistakes. For them, I will give everything I HAVE. That's a promise!--

He unclipped the jewelled band from his leg, floating it in front of him as he poured his power into it. It began to glow, that same beautiful light surrounding it, and Sombra himself. Layer after layer, the spell he created from his heart wrapped itself around the artefact, a light so blinding the shadows attacking the shield hissed in pain. The heart pin shone, adding its little bit of stored magic...

An invisible updraft seemed to surround Sombra, his mane billowing up into the sky, the cloak fanning out like wings. The leg band shone, slivers of soft purple racing over Sombra's body, boosting what he was putting into the spell!

The core being spotted Sombra attempting to hide behind the shield whilst he created the spell, and it seethed. It dove into the sky, drawing power from the scouts that'd been draining the Empires citizens. This it fashioned into a crude spear shape, and slung it with all its might at the shield.

It hit the shield, and Rarity’s connection was broken from the shock of the thing.

"Rarity!" Twilight Sparkle cried, struggling to maintain the shield. Another blow followed, and she cried out in panic as she felt the shield waver. A third nearly shattered it, as she was driven to the dirt beside Rarity, the air knocked from her lungs by the impact.

"Twilight! Rarity!" Pinkie Pie screamed, punching one creature in the face, and trying to run towards her besties, but another one hit the ground between her and Twilight Sparkle. She back-peddled.

"Duck!" she heard Fluttershy cry. Flattening herself down, she heard a blast from the canon sear over her head, hitting the creature.

"Nopony hurts my friends!" Fluttershy cried, tears rolling down her cheeks, such was her fervor.

"Hiyaaah!" Applejack kicked another, sending it tumbling into another three, like bowling pins! The armor was serving her well, the creatures claws skittering off it as she bucked like she'd never done before!

Rainbow Dash was putting that spear to one last good use. Swinging it over her head, before slinging it into two creatures at once, blowing them both up. The weapon destroyed now, she turned to a different tactic.

She flew up high like a rainbow blur, streamlining her body, screaming her defiance into the wind, before shooting back down. The world blurred into a tunnel, her heart racing, just a little more...

The Sonic Rainboom split the sky with a thunderous boom. The multi hued light seared the eyes of the attacking minions. The guards within the crowd of minion creatures used this opportunity to launch volleys of spells, beating more of them back with each step...

The big creature hissed in fury, seeing its minions being wiped out by these worthless ponies, clinging to their world with such determination...

Twilight Sparkle struggled to keep the shield up while Rarity got to her hooves, shaking.

But just as she and Twilight Sparkle reconnected their magic’s the big creature, purple flames still eroding its body as it tried to rip the arrows from its body, flung a massive jolt of magic at the two mares.

Twilight Sparkle and Rarity cried out in unison as the bolt hit their shield, shocking them both. The shield finally faltered and broke. Rarity collapsed, and Twilight Sparkle shielded her with one wing...

Dazed and on the verge of blacking out, she looked up in time to see what followed...

Once the shield fell, the creature dove down, following the slipstream of its attack. One tendril of darkness warped into a twisted blade, and it was this that it drove into Sombra's chest.

The stallion gave a gasp of shock, eyes snapping open, seeing a dark blade pressing into him. Crimson splashed the crystal beneath his hooves.

"NO!" Twilight Sparkle's scream ripped from her throat as she watched. The sword limb had pierced the miniature crystal heart pin holding the silken scarf looped around the outside of Sombra's cloak. The two halves of it fell, hitting the ground with a heart-wrenching sound that seemed to echo above the sounds of battle. The scarf fluttered like a dying butterfly, the material catching the light...

Rarity regained consciousness, and looking up she seen Twilight Sparkle, tears glittering on her face, shaking uncontrollably. She followed her friends gaze, and felt her heart plummet.

But it was the heart that saved him, at least a little. When the dark blade struck off it, it was angled to the side just enough to avoid piercing anything vital...

For a moment Sombra felt the threads of the spell waver, threatening to disperse-

--NO!!-- he thought desperately, and held onto it with everything he had.

The core creature grinned, its teeth a dark crimson.

"Let go, little foal," it laughed, "you cant destroy ME and save yourself!"

As it spoke, its dark poison flooded Sombra body, and he felt like he was on fire from the inside out. It laughed as Sombra cried out in agony, the pony’s screams like music.

Sombra knew this thing was right. The wound it had inflicted was serious. He could save himself, but he'd have to release the spell, doom these ponies to their fate.

"I’m...not....letting you win...." he grunted, pushing through the pain "even if I die!! They gave me a life, no matter how short it may turn out to be.."

"Pathetic!" it spat "you could live and have everything you’ve ever wanted-" a dark tendril gripped his jaw, forcing him to meet its cruel, cold eyes.

Sombra's laughter cut it off "don't you understand? I HAVE everything I want. Friends, a family. In the end, I was able to follow my fathers path, and for that, I will always be grateful to everypony here. They showed me what the world is really like if you just trust it. Yes there is darkness, but it CAN exist alongside the light! I'm proof of that. The Princesses, my little Bright Spark, everypony here. They are part of MY home, MY empire, and I WILL protect them!!"

The creature was confused when it seen two crystalline tears splash down the fading pony's face, hitting the crystal it stood upon.

"Sometimes, to keep something safe, you have to say goodbye."

Sombra knew what the spell needed. He couldn't hesitate this time, this would require everything he had.

Even that which kept him together...

Back then, when he'd advanced his own age via that massive outburst of magic, he'd used up a lot of power. Power that was still ingrained within him.

His entire body was enveloped in a faint purple glow, and he seemed to become semi transparent, as this layer of power went into the band, and the creature suddenly snarled, now sensing its mistake in taunting Sombra..

"Sombra-!!" Twilight Sparkle cried, seeing in a flash what he was about to do. Between him and the shadow creature, looped around the twisted shadow blade piercing its owners chest, was the band. Its jewel still glowed with a stunning light.

Sombra closed his eyes, with the final piece of his magic added, the spell was complete. Silently praying this would save his world, he unleashed the spell.

A corona of light exploded from around him, dispersing the shadow blade and taking part of the core creatures limb with it. It tore back, screaming in fury as the light spread outwards. Every shadow clone it touched withered to dust in the face of overwhelming light. The multitude of colors within reflected the elements of the six ponies, making their elements necklaces glow with a soft light.

From darkness came the light.

From their place above the palace, fighting back the waves assaulting the place, Celestia and Luna seen the burst of light, felt it wash over them. They stared as the attackers were erased by the blast.

All up the outside of the shield, the things had crawled like bugs. Eating away at the shield Cadance and Shining Armor fought to keep powered up. All gone, erased like dust in the wind.

"What is this power?" Luna whispered, the green aura around her eyes fading to normal.

"I’ve never felt anything like it. Darkness and light!" Celestia whispered, as she realsied "-this was Sombra's prophecy!"

The core creatures body began to warp and fluctuate, and it gave a guttural scream. Fear and fury mixed together, as it desperately sought even ONE of its clone soldiers, but not one remained.

"HOW-?!" It roared, its voice barely understandable. It stared at Sombra, still standing somehow, head raised proudly. Even as blood dripped to the crystal beneath him, his gaze didn’t falter. Even as he seemed to fade at the edges..he stared right at it, no fear in his eyes.

"Your dream WILL die, I’ll see your end before I pass!" Sombra spat out.

He closed his eyes once more.

--There is one more thing...what Celestia said, how the heart of the empire gave a piece of itself to bring me here, and there is one other--

He reached out, desperately crying out for the two crystal hearts to join him now-

--Please!-- he begged, even as a cold spasm of fear gripped his heart, and fresh tears pricked his eyes.

Below the palace, in its maximum security spell-lock, the heart glimmered, then the spells surrounding it shattered, and it vanished in a blaze of blue light.

The Beacon heart vanished from its protective case, leaving the thing in tatters. The two bolts of light, one blue, one purple, tore across the sky

Still defending the palace with their shield, Cadance and Shining Armor seen the twin spears of light race away from the palace.

"Sombra..." Cadance whispered. Shining Armor looked at her.

"What is it?" he asked. But she had tears in her eyes, and could only sit rigid as they rolled down her cheeks. The heart was become whole once more, which could only mean one thing.

Above, they seen Luna suddenly tear away from the palace, ignoring Celestia's cry to stay!

It felt like he was going to collapse, when he felt two presences, one either side of him. Raising his head he seen a blue crystal unicorn, and a purple pegasus.

"Beacon Heart.." he croaked.

"It is I, Master Sombra..." the heart smiled. He looked like King Cloudspark, which touched Sombra's heart. His father’s memory lived on.

"I need you, both of you-" he was aware of them supporting him, their power mixing with HIS.

“We have you.” Crystal Heart said.

“You have us.” Beacon Heart added.

"What have you done?!" the shadow creature managed to divert enough strength to swing another shadow limb in an effort to tear this pony's body apart-

The trio atop the crystal closed their eyes, and a tricolour rainbow whirled up around them, blue, purple and red, then leapt at breakneck speed-

It hit the big creature with so much force it catapulted the thing up into the sky. It then split, winding around the big blobby being from head to toe, pinning its spiked wings to its body as it writhed.

"NOW!" Tears in her eyes, Twilight Sparkle found her voice, whereupon she urged the elements to help her rid the world of this thing! They grouped together, helping one another to stand.

"He was kind to a child..." Fluttershy whispered her first true memory of Sombra.

"He didn’t abandon us in the forest..." Rainbow said with a hiccup.

"He gave me a beautiful gem to make me feel better.." Rarity cried.

"He faced up ta what he used ta be!" Applejack added.

"He laughed and smiled with us all..." Pinkie Pie blubbered, blue eyes full of more tears.

"He became a true gifted dark magic user..." Twilight Sparkle finished, "he wasn't afraid!"

Each of their elements shone as they spoke, mixing with the light from Sombra's spell. A rainbow light shone up around them, forming into a ribbon of power that soared into the sky, filling it with a beautiful light, then it wrapped around the darkness, closing in as its ferocity burnt away the things body.

It gave a final scream, and the combined lights compacted its body, crushing it into oblivion with an explosion that rivalled the biggest thunderclap!!

But the task wasn’t done. The rainbow power split into six separate threads, with the multi-hued light from Sombra's spell forming six gleaming needles through which the colorful threads tied. These zoomed back and forth across the tear, stitching up the hole between worlds, forever severing the connection..

With one final synchronized pull, the six threads sealed the realm. The portal edges met and sealed with the mesmerizing rainbow light.

There was an almost sonic boom, and a wave of displaced air tore the clouds from the sky, letting brilliant golden sunshine flare though.

Sombra seen this with fading eyes. He watched the thing vanish, seen the tear mended once and for all.

"Thank Celestia..." he whispered, then his limbs went numb. The crystal beneath him vanished, his power gone. The Beacon Heart pegasus caught him and lowered him to the ground, joined by the Crystal Heart unicorn.

"Sombra!" once the spells light faded, The six ponies raced over. But, where Sombra had fallen there lay a young colt, only a little older than they. The cloak and armor had vanished along with his prior form. He was being supported by two literally crystal ponies.

He resembled the younger him from his past, even reverted to a normal unicorn once more. But before they could hope he'd somehow found a way out of the death sentence the stab wound had inflicted, they noticed something else. He was fading away, already his hooves were turning see through...

"How?" Twilight Sparkle fought to explain it. But she was cut off by-

"SOMBRA!!" It was Luna, diving from the sky, down towards him. She landed with none of her usual grace, skidding on her armored behind as she came to a stumbling halt in front of him, her eyes wide with fear and worry;

"What did thou DO?!" She shouted. Then answered her own question as she took in his appearance, "that spell- thou worked out how to undo it, DIDN'T THOU?!"

"I...had to..." Sombra looked up at her, deep red eyes filled with a strange resignation behind the pain. He reached up one semi-see-through hoof to poke her on the nose "heh, it's funny, you're bigger than me now Woona..."

"Enough from thee!" Luna shouted, touching her horn to his.

Her panic was making her unable to switch off her royal Canterlot voice, so her booming words could be heard across the area. Ponies began to realize something was wrong, and soon the bad news spread. Sombra was dying...

Luna shut her eyes, and when they opened again, they glowed once more with the flare of dark magic.

Without hesitation she gathered as much of her Alicorn magic as she could, changed it into darkness, and transferred it to the ailing Prince.

The ponies gathered around had a moment of hope as his body seemed to solidify again, gaining a measure of its former self. But soon as Luna broke the connection, Twilight Sparkle seen his very OUTLINE start to fade incrementally...

"Ugh..." Luna tried to summon more, her chest aching, but the method of transforming so much magic at once was hard, she was still only learning...

"Princess...." Sombra shivered, managing to stand "Luna....stop-!"

She looked at the twin Heart Ponies, who shook their heads.

With an anguished cry she cut the spell off, and stamped a hoof on the ground so hard a crack appeared in her blue crystal shoe.

She wasn’t the only one in agony…

The crowds were seeking comfort in one another. Pony's that’d been at loggerheads before the final fight opening their wings and hooves to their antagonists, quarrels forgotten. Strangers joined hoofs, seen their tears echoed in their fellow pony’s eyes. The guard, when they realised what'd happened, removed their helmets out of respect.

"What-?! What did he do..?!" Applejack babbled, looking at Twilight Sparkle. The purple Alicorn was staring in shock, tears balancing precariously on her lashes, "why does he look like a colt again Twi?!"

But Twilight didn’t know...she could only shake her head.

"In order to change himself back then, he created a powerful spell, one that has endured a lifetime, but it had become so deeply ingrained in him he couldn't survive without it. It had the power he needed, but he...he's..." Luna spoke up between hiccups, the anguish tearing at her chest.

Twilight Sparkle shook her head, the first tears falling. Spotting her through the crowd, Flash Sentry fought his way to her, kids following in his wake, ditching his helmet as he reached her. He reached out to her and she folded gratefully into his wing as it wrapped around her. Her cries rang out in earnest, the fact she knew not a single thing that could save Sombra was tearing her heart in two.

Luna’s magic had repaired the gaping wound in Sombra's body however, slowing his fade, but unable to stop it altogether.

"No.." Fluttershy began to cry softly.

"SOMBWA!!" a familiar voice tore through them. And the six turned to see a tiny blur, her mother not far behind, racing over.

Shining Sea came to a halt, shaking her head in disbelief as she seen the injured Sombra. She'd seen that flash of light, and felt a terrible fear in her heart. Now her worst nightmare was happening in front of her eyes...

"Pwease..." Bright Spark huddled up to him, and he scooped her up gently, holding her close. She rubbed her cheek against his, tears spilling down her round cheeks “Sombwa..."

"It's...OK kiddo..your all safe now..."

"Uuuaawwaaahhhh!!" Bright Spark didn't even try to stop her tears, she just shook her head. Her pained, plaintive cries broke the watching ponies hearts, and Luna threw dignity aside to bow her head and cry.

"Not now....not after everything..."

Sombra tried to comfort Spark, but the tiny unicorns heart-broken bawling would not be stopped.

"He saved us...they all did..."

Shining Sea couldn't stem the tidal wave of crushing sadness as she watched Bright Spark cling to Sombra's mane, crying her eyes out. Her whole body shaking from the tears she held back, she made her way to Sombra. The six elements seen her coat go dull, the crystal sheen fading as her sadness became too great.

"I wuv you Sombwa..." Bright Spark hiccuped. She looked up, seeing her mommy standing there, looking so bereft. Mommy loved Sombra too. Selflessly, she kissed Sombra's cheek then reached her chubby little forelegs out to Princess Luna. Distracted from her grief, Luna gathered the filly in her forelegs, staring dully at the scene in front of her.

"I...I'm sorry..." Sombra whispered, even as he swayed on his hooves. The crystal ponies released him into Sea's embrace. Her mane brushed against his cheek and he stirred.

"That perfume..." he whispered, smiling softly.

"Please- I don't want you to go!" she choked up, biting her lip.

He rested his head against hers, trying to commit everything about her to his dying memory.

"I love you..." he whispered softly. Her heart thudded in her chest, hearing those words from him...

"Sombra...."

Twilight Sparkle and the others had all crowded as close to their fallen friend as they could, and seeing them there Sombra tried to gather enough strength to thank them once again for giving him the chance he'd always thought he'd been denied.

"Everypony.." he managed to cough, but Applejack shook her head, tears filling her wide green eyes.

"Now don't you start tryin' to get shot of us so soon sugarcube, ya hear me? We'll find a way..."

"We have a coronation party to plan.." Pinkie Pie sobbed, mane flat once more "you gotta tell me what kind of cake you like!"

"C'mon man, you cant bail on us, you’re 20% way too cool for that old trick!!" Rainbow tried to sound stern, but her voice wobbled at the end, bottom lip trembling...

"Please....hang on.." Fluttershy said tearfully "we need you…!"

"This Empire needs you!" Twilight Sparkle said.

“WE need you!” Luna stammered out.

“Sombwy-!” Spark managed, before she began crying into Luna’s starry mane once more.

"She's right, c'mon big guy..." Flash Sentry said shakily...

"And I have to design your new coronation robes, there's so much still to do darling.." Rarity said bravely.

During this, Celestia, Cadance and Shining Armor had finally reached them. Cadance still couldn’t stem her tears. The Crystal Heart unicorn looked over at her, sensing her misery.

"Thank you..all of you..." Sombra was starting to feel sleepy, his limbs like lead. He slumped back against Shining Sea, who begged him to please hang on!

"We gotta do somethin'!” Applejack cried at last, "this ain’t how it’s menna be!"

"What can we do?!" Celestia cried, looking around her, as if an answer would materialize in front of her desperate eyes.

"He gave too much power..." Luna said, shaking her head, "We cannot replenish his magic!"

"Replenish...!" Cadance's eyes widened, hope sparking in her heart "that's it!"

She broke away from the others, running to the two Hearts, "both of you represent something that's important to this empire-!"

"Yes," The Unicorn replied "I am the Crystal Heart, emblem of love."

"And I, the Beacon Heart, am the emblem of strength." the other replied.

"You saved this empire once before, Crystal Heart," Cadance pleaded, "you used the love magic you had stored and gained from everypony in the Empire to refuel Sombra's form before, can't you do it again!"

“It would require more then just a passing donation this time…” Crystal Heart began.

Twilight Sparkle caught on, and turned to address the crowd, pleading through her tears "please everypony, can you use your love, your compassion-!"

“Yer strength and guts!" Applejack added;

"To pretty please save our Sombra!" Pinkie Pie wailed.

"SOS!" Rainbow screamed, her voice straining as she searched the crowd with blurred vision. And it was more than a distress call, it was a prayer.

“Please!” Fluttershy called as loudly as she had ever done!

Rarity picked up the two shattered halves of the Crystal Heart pin, and held them together over her head, unable to speak. She lit it from within using her magic...

The word spread like wildfire, each pony turning to their neighbour and passing it on. The streets were crammed with ponies, all wanting to see their saviour live!

The ground under their hooves began to glow as they bowed their heads, joining as one in the endeavour. But it wasn’t just blue light this time, it was multicoloured, Sombra's light...

"We need one of your number to help us rebuild." the Beacon Heart looked at the Princesses.

"I will!" Celestia cried, wiping her eyes and stepping forward, wings raised.

The light began to pulse, feeding into the area where the two crystal ponies stood, surrounding Sombra. Cadance stepped back, Shining Sea, and Luna (still carrying Bright Spark) following suit. The light closed in around Celestia, the two Crystal Heart ponies and Sombra. He looked from one to the other, then up at Celestia...

Celestia closed her eyes, her horn glowing with the full might of her power as the light formed a vertical tunnel around the four of them. Soon it grew so bright they could not see any of the ponies within it.

"I love you..." Sea whispered, fresh tears falling. Cadance did a double take as the tears froze mid fall, then turned into beams of light that shot into the light show surrounding Sombra.

Within the light, Sombra looked up as Celestia stepped up to him. Bravely, even with what little strength he had rapidly fading, he got to his hooves, standing tall. She bowed her head, so their horns touched. Two beams of light shot through the wall of light, joining in with Celestia's magic as golden sparks began to whirl around Sombra's body.

"Look inside yourself, choose who you want to BE Sombra. You've grown so much, your old shell isn't needed any more. You've become an entirely new pony..."

"Thank you, Princess..." Sombra whispered. He knew what he wanted. Life, love, happiness. As whatever and whomever the ponies out there seen him as. He would be content with that. His real self was inside, after all...

Then it began.

Time stopped for Sombra. Stopped, rewound, raced ahead. Gathering every memory together...

He gasped as he felt his body shifting and changing. Celestia stepped back, maintaining the spell even as the golden light enveloped Sombra entirely. The love of the empires ponies flowed through the crystal conduits, and into her.

She felt tears fall down her cheeks as she took in how strong that love was, and one shone above all the rest...

The prophecy echoed in her mind, and she smiled. There was one thing SHE could give...

The crowd backed up as the ground shook, and the light finally dispersed, the remainder shooting up into the cloudless sky, where it sent streamers of white and golden light streaming across the sky...

The glow faded, and they seen Sombra, reborn!

He retained that same coat of smoky grey, body tall and powerfully built. Triple-crystal cutie mark branded on his flank. His mane was still dark as night, but now fell in soft waves reminiscent of its former ever-flowing manner. His horn was like a regular unicorn's, tapering to a sharp point, although it still retained that unusual colouration, albeit a little more muted. He opened his eyes, and those closest seen they were still that breathtaking crimson.

But it wasn't over yet. With a powerful FWAFF, wide broad wings accorded to his build, snapped out to full size.

Pinkie Pie gasped at length, accidentally inhaling a passing bee. She didn't seem to notice however, so surprised was she.

"Whoa." Applejack said. “Buck me backwards!”

Rainbow Dash twitched, mouth hanging open.

“Well that’s just inappropriate Applejack dear and- whaaaaatttt?!” Rarity clocked the change to Sombra.

“Oh. My. Yay!” Fluttershy cried hoarsely.

"Yes! Yes!" Twilight Sparkle broke the bounds of shock first, bouncing in delighted circles around her friends and Flash Sentry, chanting "Yes! Yes! YEESSS!"

She bumped into Pinkie Pie on her forth circuit, bumping her on the back. Pinkie Pie burped up the bee, which flew away, probably traumatized.

Sombra blinked, vision adjusting as the light faded. He took a few shaky steps forward, looking for all the world like a newborn colt. In a way, he WAS. He seen something feathery and grey in the corner of his vision and turned his head towards it. It was a WING.

He yelped, back-pedalling and landing on his rear. He stared at the wing, cautiously bringing it closer and gnawing on the edge of the appendage...

"Yes they ARE yours!" Celestia chuckled, stepping forward.

"P-Princess.." Sombra stammered, then got a poke on the nose.

"Celestia-" he choked out, still in shock "I-I don't understand..."

"You have done something exceptional this day," the Alicorn smiled at him, "You were ready to give up your own LIFE to ensure the existence of all of OURS. Even if it meant saying goodbye, you didn't waver. That kind of dedication and bravery comes from understanding what life is truly worth. Something you have displayed admirably, Sombra.

Not only that, but your integrity in admitting your mistakes and doing what it took to set them right, despite how difficult such a journey must have been, has led to your gaining a whole new life, filled with friends and a royal family!” She nodded to the Prince and Princesses stood to one side. Luna looked extremely happy.

“And you created a magical light that has never been witnessed in Equestria before. All of these things have gifted you those wings.”

She bowed now, and the other royals did the same. Twilight was reminded how they'd done this for her that night she'd transformed! The crowd around them caught on after a moments gawking, and soon followed. Sombra looked this way and that, ears trembling in shock as it all sunk in. He could barely believe it...

Bright Spark partly listened to all this in total shock. She was busy taking in how awesome her friend looked, now he had wings! Sombra's eye caught hers, and she couldn't wait any more. She bounded free from Luna's hold, barrelling past Celestia and flinging herself into Sombra's hold.

"SOMBWA!" She cried again, this time tears of joy! Sombra still couldn’t speak, just hugged her and looked wordlessly up at Celestia. He was surprised to see tears in her eyes, in a lot of ponies eyes.

"We're so proud of you Sombra..." Celestia told him. She seen a shift in movement, and realized it was Shining Sea. Her coat was still dulled, despite the relief and heart-warming joy in her eyes. She didn’t seem to have noticed her coat, she only had eyes for her Prince...

Sombra set Bright Spark down, whereupon she trotted over to Celestia;

"Sombwa and mommy gonna hug a while!" She said sagely "can I has hug?"

Celestia, needless to say, couldn’t refuse the pint sized filly, and happily scooped her up. Bright Spark hugged the Princess, whispering so only she could hear, "fanks fow giving him wings Pwincess..."

"He earned them my dear child.." Celestia whispered back, "he more than earned them!"

While they whispered, Shining Sea approached Sombra on trembling legs, barely able to believe it was HIM. He was alive, whole. She hadn’t lost the stallion she'd fallen for so strongly. Even though he'd changed a little, all she seen was the loving, gentle stallion who'd made her life bright once more.

"My star.." he broke the silence, and all the affection her voice could hold was heard as she spoke just two words;

"My shadow."

Then she raced the rest of the short distance between them and threw her arms around his neck, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"I'm so sorry if I frightened you," he whispered, "I know things look different-"

"It doesn't matter what you look like!" She blurted, shaking her head. She reached a hoof up to gently stroke his cheek, feeling the warmth of him beneath her hoof "I can still see that wonderful spirit in your eyes, the kindness in your smile. And I know your heart is one of gold, that’s all I need!"

She shook her head again as she tried to get the words straight;

"You'll always be YOU, no matter how you look. That's what made me fall in love with you Sombra. The love and kindness inside of you..."

She sat up properly, looking into Sombra's deep red eyes; her own shone with tears as she firmly stated:

"I love you too Sombra!”

These words hearkened back to his speech to her not minutes before.

The crowd went bananas as Sombra wrapped a foreleg around her and pulled her into a deep kiss. A shine ran from her mane to her tail, replenishing her coats shimmer, but even more stunning then ever.

Rarity gave up all pretence and started bawling unashamedly. Flash Sentry used his wings to brush away Princess Twilight Sparkle's tears. She turned to him and kissed him then, a short, sweet little kiss.

Even Rainbow Dash was making those choked up noises one makes when on the verge of crying. She gnawed her hoof, but a smattering of tears still fell.

Applejack quickly wiped her eyes, but more tears soon plopped down her freckled cheeks and she gave up holding back, this was too joyous an occasion.

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were crying on each others shoulders, Pinkie Pie pulling hankies from her mane a second later.

Finally the couple ended the sweetest kiss in history, both a little flushed after that...

"Your coat.." he whispered, seeing it shining more then ever.

"There’s a legend that the crystal ponies gain a special coat when they're truly in love..." she whispered.

"You look more wonderful then ever, my star...."

She looked up at him, and they shared one more brief kiss before she stepped back, nodding at the others;

"I believe your friends are waiting..." she said, smiling.

Pinkie Pie took that as a signal, and pretty much charged Sombra. She tackled him, knocking him onto his back, her forelegs thrown around him in the biggest hug she could muster. Given she was still armoured up, as were the others, this knocked the wind out of him a little. The others joined in as Sombra managed to sit up, surrounded by the warmth of his friends.

"Oh boy oh boy!" Rainbow squeed "another flying friend! This is so cool! Were gonna have so much fun teaching you to use these!"

"They’re so fluffy!" Pinkie Pie screeched, hugging one of the wings.

"My dear, you're the first male Alicorn I’ve ever seen! Why, I didn’t think it was possible! Boy am I learning.." Rarity felt pursued by a sense of deja vu.

"They’re so pretty..." Fluttershy added, "it looks wonderful on you..."

"ALICORN PARTY ROUND TWO!!" Pinkie Pie declared!

There was a LOT Sombra wanted to say, but for now he just rejoiced in being alive...

Author's Note

Sweet merciful Celestia on a pogo stick!

This took so long to write, as there was so much i wanted to encompass with it! But don't let the chapter name fool you, this isnt the end! ^^ Sombra still has much to do!

There were two songs i listened to on repeat when i wrote this:

For the fight, this song was the best: Sonata Arctica - Peacemaker.
YT Link: https://youtu.be/HtLJTP-GD_s

And the transformation was set to this: Kadenza - Timeless.
YT Link: https://youtu.be/ZXeYlDQq47A

This chapter in particular is dedicated to my butt-kicking edit, Dream Seeker. Go give his stories a check-out, they're pretty dang awesome! ^__^

See you next chapter!