Redemption: original

Chapter 4

A being awoke for the first time in over a thousand years. Something had changed in the nature of the world. A wave of black magic had spread across the land. It was weak, harmless on its own, but meant to be found by only a select few. It was a message, a single wordless command. The desire of the master.

Find the Amulet.

The being spoke in a deep sickly voice that would give foals nightmares and make even the most hardened of soldiers unsettled "We hear thy command our master. Thy will shalt be accomplished." The being stood and walked through a black crystal fortress without any light to guide it. Truly it did not matter to the dark soul whether the halls were filled with light or not. Only the will of the master mattered. Finally it approached the main gate of the fortress, and despite the great weight of the gate it opened it with ease. To any normal pony the light would have been blinding but to The Mouth that did not matter. The Mouth wore a jagged and spiked helmet that covered his eyes with layer after layer of plates of Razor sharp black metal. At the top of the helmet several spikes curved into the air matching the Mouth's protruding curved red horn. However sinister its helmet was The Mouth's exposed name sake was the fuel of nightmares. The Mouth had a jagged maw filled with unnaturally long brown teeth forever in a hideous smile on the Mouth's lipless face. The Mouth also wore a chest plate with a black cloak underneath covering most of his body, but a tan coat could be seen in the few areas area not covered. A blizzard howled outside seemingly in an attempt to destroy the lone foul creature, but The Mouth did acknowledge its existence. The lord of the black tower only cared about serving his master. The Mouth inhaled deeply, and spat out the terrible stench of peace and love. The forces of Equestria must have triumphed, but his master's return was at hand. The Mouth of Sombra looked into the magic of the world and searched for the tools needed to insure his success in retrieving his masters amulet. After only a moment of searching he found what he was searching for. The six had been locked away in a mountain nearby. He grinned in happiness knowing the Girdanguls would rise again.

Sombra woke up gasping from the second nightmare he had that night. He had been so startled by the last dream that he was standing on top of his bed.

"Well then, remind me to not wake ya from now on. Ya wake up crazy like and nearly gave me a heart attack." Apple Jack stood at the doorway to his room tapping her hoof on the floor slowly. She didn't seem very startled to him, more like she was angry about something. Sombra stepped off the bed and walked up to her slowly.

"Well, I’m up, and awake. Is that all you needed to do or are you going to tell me something." He looked defiantly in her eyes hoping she would back off and he could get some dreamless sleep at last.

Apple Jack snorted. "Rarity is here to pick you up." The farm mare turned away from him and began walking back downstairs. She seemed to flick her tail at his face when she turned, and not being an expert of the new time he found himself in, Sombra didn't know if that was an insult or not.

After ensuring his room was in proper order Sombra walked downstairs and outside to meet Rarity. Sombra couldn't help but contemplate the meaning of that last strange dream. It unsettled him but he could not understand it. He shook his head and focused on more important matters like how Rarity seemed to be absolutely thrilled to see him.

"Sombra darling, I've come up with so many designs from that last modeling session we had, and I can’t wait to start. Oh this looks like we will have a fabulous time together!" as the fashion mare continued to talk about all she had planned Sombra began to wonder more and more on just how far he could run before Twilight caught him. Sombra began walking towards Rarity's boutique hoping the mare would get the message that he didn't want to listen to her. Unfortunately it seemed she got the opposite message entirely and talked even more as they walked. He sighed to himself. 'Today is going to be another long day...'