Redemption: original

Sombra stared at the map feeling hopeless. The main Diamond Dog force was closing in on his position. It would only be a matter of time before they would find him. He sighed and knowing he had no options left. With his magic he quickly closed his tent's fabric doors, and placed a sheild around his tent to prevent anypony from disturbing him. With a peice of charcoal he drew the ever familiar pentagram atop his table, and casted a spell he swore he would never use again.

The pentagram glowed red and the eyes of Grogar appeared above it. "If it tis not the smithy of the crystal Empire. Why hath thou disturbed me? From our last meeting I was under the impression that thou wished to live the life of a common smithy." Grogar's voice echoed unnaturally in Sombra's skull, but he did not let that get to him.

"Grogar I call upon you, only to collect my just due. You lied to me all those years ago, and though you may think us even as I banished you back to Tartarus, you would be horribly mistaken! You used me, lied to me, told me that your teachings would protect me, and that If I followed your teachings I could be whatever I desired. Instead you stole my destiny, left me a blank flank, tricked me into freeing you, and tried to turn me into your slave! Yet through sheer force of will I rebelled, brought you to your knees and casted you back from whence you came! You will give me what I seek, or I will drag you from your Faust forsaken prison beat you into the quivering pulp you are and through you back into the maw of Cerberus!" Sombra's heavy breathing was the only sound that broke the silence that followed. Sombra silently prayed to Faust that the old goat wouldn't see through his half bluff. Although he meant every word, he was not sure he could pull off such a feat. After several minutes the silence that followed was finally broken.

"....… Very well... But upon the completion of this favor, we shalt be, as they say, even. What is it that thou doth desire?" Sombra left out a breath he did not realize he was holding. He regained his composure quickly not letting the demon before him realize how much leverage he truelly held.

"I need the power to protect the soldiers that serve me, my nation, and... The one I love." Sombra's voice faltered for a moment, but he found it once more. "I face an enemy, with a limitless army. They will not stop until the kingdom I live in and cherish is no more. Give me the power to save those I have sworn to protect." Sombra slowly lowered his head, waiting to feel the strength and power he needed.

"no." Sombra snapped his head forward filled with anger and shock.

'How dare he deny me!' He thought to himself, his hatred filling his soul.

"I cannot grant that which I cannot give. Such power is beyond even me. However I know of whom can."   Sombra gripped the table and stared into the disembodied red eyes.

"Tell me where I can find them."

The image of Grogan's eyes transformed into a familiar mountain range, but focused on a single mountain. "Not far from where thou stands, a mountain lies. Its name has been forgotten by mortals, but at one time it was called mount doom. Near the top of the eastern face is a cave, within it lives three witches with the power thy seek. Be weary, for thy sacrifice shalt be great. Yet above all else thou shalt go alone." and with that the images before Sombra faded and the pentagram was but charcoal once more. Sombra left immediately taking several days worth of supplies. He left a note telling Eve that he would return in three days. None stopped him as he tracked out into the frozen tundra.

Sombra pulled himself onto a final ledge of rock and rolled onto his back gasping for air. He had marched many miles, and climbed for several hours to finally get to the mouth of the forsaken cave.  So he allowed himself some well needed rest. Yet when he felt that he could finally stand on his legs, he stood up andarched into the cave.

Deeper and deeper into the cave he walked even as his eyes could barely see before him, he continued on. Until he finally saw a thin green light at the end of the cave. Said light turned out to be seeping through a large wooden door. Determined to get the power he needed he knocked on the door three times.

"Something wicked this way comes..."

A gentle touch roused young Sombra from his strange dream.