The Nature of Magic

by Paton Pendeng

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Sad, Nightmare Moon, Princess Luna, King Sombra, Adventure, Princess Celestia
Length: 9365

During a daily court, a mysterious stranger cloaked head to toe delivers a prophetic warning to the pony sisters. Will they listen to his warning, or will his identity cause complications?

Cutie Marks, The Elements of Harmony, the Crystal Heart, alicorns, the rise of Nightmare Moon, the fall of the Crystal Empire-

These are seemingly unrelated events are believed to act separately from one another... But they aren't. Starswirl, the greatest magic-user of all of equine history, was on the verge of something big. After his disappearance, Equestria bore wittness to Starswirl's Laws of Magic. They were never questioned, for they were proven true.

No one questioned why Luna was banished to the moon by the Elements of Harmony only to be released from her Nightmare by those same Elements. No one questioned why the Crystal Heart was fueled by the citizens of the Crystal Empire. No one questions how one alicorn can raise both the sun and the moon, but fall to the power of a changeling's magic. All believe these laws to be concrete despite all the inconsistencies.

But when a tyrant hints at knowing more about the laws and magical theory, will this blasphemy be added to his list crimes, or will they listen to his warning of the future?

Image made with images from the following. Credit goes to the owners:
MLP Wikia
blingingjak @ deviantart

Published 2014-11-30 03:50:03 UTC
Last updated 2014-12-10 04:17:23 UTC

Chapter 1

Fanfare broke the quiet halls of Canterlot castle as a decorated guard held a tattered looking scroll in his glowing field of magic. Before him was not a group, but a line. A single, solitary line of ponies. The variety of ponies were as wide as the diversity of Equestria itself. Some were dressed in pristine dresses, svelt suits and clothing of all sorts for a grande occasion while others simply wore nothing as though they had no obligations at all. Some appered nervous and sweated through their clothing, others appeared quite bored while others still conveyed numerous emotions. Soon, however, the fanfare ended, and the guard stepped forward to address the single file crowd. Behind him lie a door that seemed to dwarf all within the hall guarded by unicorn, earth ponies and pegasi alike. All were appearing identical in nature thanks to a clever charm imbued within the armor the wore. The scroll unfurled in his magical grasp as he cleared his voice to begin speaking. To the ponies watching, the guard was appearing to read some incredible declaration that might alter what fate initially plotted out.

To the guard, it was a sunday morning. He was told to read from the same scroll to any who had shown up every single sunday. In all honesty, he memorized the entire scroll a long time ago. If given the chance to learn a new language, chances are that he could translate it too. The guard often wondered why it was that he had to read to it, and had tried to rationalize it. He'd mostly settle upon the reasoning that it was for posterity. After all, this day was a day meant for the people of Equestria. The day of the Pony-Sisters court.

"Those of you who have come to meet with the high pincesses of moon and sun..." He began in a loud, confident voice.

Meanwhile within the throne room of the moon and sun, Princess Celestia settled in on her throne, hoping that today woul run as moothly as possible. She could recount many days passed that have left her more than drained. While the court wasn't new, it was only within the last decade did she decide that every court be sunday. The way it was dine previously was stressful for her kind of schedule as a princess. They were always on a random day of the week, and usually left more problems being started rather than resolved because it was normally a first come, first serve system. All a pony would need to do is show up to the court day and hopefully get a few moments time of their princesses. Now though, it was more refined. If any wished to have an audience with the royal monarchs, they would have to schedule an appointment and show up on the sunday specified. It was all an idea thought up by her faithful student turned princess.

Celestia loved the court for it allowed her a glimpse into the lives of her citizens. If there was a problem, it could be solved in a few short moments. At the same time though, she wished she could've simply gotten rid of the courts to begin with. Most of the problems she heard nowadays were petty complaints about neighbors, taxes, and general unfair treatment in their lax and easygoing lives. Celestia attempted to calm herself. She really wished today would run smoothly.

A small disturbance distracted her. She looked over to her right, and smiled. She wasn't alone this time. While recently in the past she was not alone, looking upon her dear sister, who spent 1000 years away from her home, sitting upon her throne that looked like the night sky made her feel more comfortable and ready for this challenge. She did not have to bear this burden in solitude...

Luna looked over to her sister with a gaze that spoke louder and clearer than words. It was the bond between siblings, and nothing like it could imitate it's wordless language. Luna's gaze asked, and Celestia's answered. It was time to begin the court.

Just like clockwork, the first meeting of the day came through the oversized doorway. Hoofsteps against the cool marble echoed in the large hall. The pony was dressed in a large, brown cloak, and had only a small sight of a muzzle peeking out from it. The Princesses were already intrigued by their first guest and waited in anticipation of what problem they could possibly solve for them. The pony stopped just a few feet from the embodiments of oon and sun and took a cusory glance around. Apart from the monarchs, there were guards stationed all around armed with spears. Their gazes were well practiced and hardened, portraying both calmness and power. Beside the princesses stood a unicorn with scroll and quill ready, to take note of what occurs within the court. Without further delay, the pony reached up and pulled back the cloaks hood.

"Ah," Luna gasped as a warm smile graced her features. "Miss Zecora. How faire you today?"

"Hello to you, Princess of the moon," the zebra replied with a respectful bow. "I am well, and glad to see you soon."

"As do I," Luna began. "Nightmare Night is grand, but short lived to say the least."

"What brings you so far from home?" Celestia asked. She did not want to rush the poor zebra who spoke in stylized prose, but did not want to have er other ponies outside wait too long.

"The answer you seek is my vexation, you see," she began again. "But it mostly concerns my hut of the Everfree."

"Is the wildlife too much?" Luna asked in a worried tone. "Perhaps that part of Ponyville should be guarded?"

"It was not a problem before," Celestia contemplated. "But then again, I was not aware of any who sought to live in the forest, so... I suppose..."

"Princesses please, I beseech you," Zecora said with a chuckle. "The brush is fine, guards are not due." The alicorns paused and allowed her to continue. "I will explain as best I can, so listen and try to understand."

"My hut is in the Everfree, yes it is true, but my concerns lie not with me or you. It lies with a foal named Applebloom. She visits me despite the near doom, taking the path of Quills and Broom."

The zebra let her somewhat cryptic message seep into the alicorns and waited for a response. Celestia wondered why it was the zebra had to speak in rhyme, but quickly disregarded the notion to focus on the problem at hoof. The problem was obvious. This Applebloom was a young pony who had formed a friendship with Zecora, and frequented visits from time to time, but the path must be- no, is in fact dangerous. It is much too dangerous for the foal to make trips.

"Tell us," Luna began, interrupting her sisters train of thought. "Could the path be widened?"

"From What I can see of the everfree, the best option is to let it be," Zecora answered.

"So if it's too dangerous to broaden the path..." Celestia mumbled. "Zecora, the problem is that path is too dangerous, but in what way is it hazardous?"

"The road is thin and very confusing," she replied. "Without light, the path, you will be losing."

"I see..."

"What if," Luna began again. "The were laid with bricks of glowing light, easily seen from far distances, but not offensive to the Everfree?"

"I believe that would be fine," Zecora said with a bit of hesitation. "But what clay of the Everfree would shine."

"Perhaps it does not need to be clay," Celestia responded. "It could be anything as long as it can mix with clay."

"Glowcap Dew," Zecora answered with a sile. "That will do."

"Fantastic," Celestia sighed, happy that this went very smoothly. "Shorthoof, Please make a note to contact the Equine Masons Guild to begin making the bricks and that them may need to alter a recipe or two."

"I thank you, my fair princesses. I now have a clear consciousness," Zecora said with another bow.

"Think nothing of it," Luna called. "And we look forward to the Nightmare Night this year!"

Zecora waved back to her alicorn friend and left the court room with a happier outlook. Next were a pair of stallion unicorns dressed in sleezy, cart salespony attire. While their outward emoton had recomposed, they could already feel their patience wearing They knew these stallions well, for almost every sunday they appeared at the court trying to sell some ludircous invention to the two princesses.

"Hello your highnesses!" One of them loudly declared while the other levitated some machine claoked in magic. Both had confident smiles upon their faces.

"My name is Flim, and this my Brother Flam!" he declared. "Have we got a deal for you!"

Hours passed within the throne room of Luna and Celestia. Both alicorns were more or less on a roll. They shut down a few petitions to tax more on the poor and wealthy alike, and there were those few nobles who came to complain and whine about their lives in luxury. Heck, there were even a few fundraisers that dealt with the homeless and foals who had suffered abuse. Those charities were the ones the eagerly signed themselves onto. After all, the next generation will shape the world.

Recently though, the princesses felt emotionally drained from their last complaining noble. Celestia herself craved at least some excitement during these. It didn't have to be like an invasion or world-ending disaster, but perhaps something like a stained glass window suddenly cracking in the middle of a meeting, or a guard passing out from locking their knees.

Seemingly on cue, the doors opened to a rather mysterious individual. Whomever they were, they definitely dressed to be mysterious indeed. They were in a cloak and walked towards them with an air of confidence. It was different from a noble's walk, for their walk was more snobbish and had nose pointed skyward. Before Celestia knew it, the pony had made to them.

Suddenly, the air seemed to turn a dreadful cold as the pony began in a low tone. "You're majesties," the ambiguos pony began. "Behold... I am..." A blast of thunder and radiant lights broke out in the room. It certainly obtained the princesses attention. Suddenly the pony's cloak flew away, revealing the caster of this magic.

"The Great and Humble Trixie!" the blue mare declared in a not so humble manner. The magically created fireworks died out out in a glittering shimmer, spelling out the name Trixie for a brief moment. She then ended it by making her hat appear out of nowhere and land gracefully on her head as she bowed. Celestia smiled softly, somewhat amused by the display.

"Greetings," she said with a bow of her head. "How may we be of service?"

Trixie, somewhat taken back by the straightforward question, stood up and cleared her throat. "Yes, well..." Trixie began with a somewhat tense expression. "I-If it may please your majesties, Trixie inquires if she may come to you seeking... erm..." Trixie swallowed hard. She had just thought of a word to use, but seeing that she would soon make a fool of herself quickly cut to the chase. "...employment?"

Celestia did not let her smile waver, but soon Luna asked, "Tell us, are thou new to the province of Canterlot?"

"Trixie arrived in her wagon a few nights ago, but..." Trixie began with sweat beading around her forehead. "It is not Trixie's first day in Canterlot, your majesty."

"Then thou must know of the proper way to seek a means of apprenticeship at this castle?" Luna asked with a confused look.

"Ah," the unicorn blanched. "Er... Trixie may... Um... It is..."

"If I may, Luna," Celestia interjected, turning to face her sister. "I would rather like to see what she has prepared for us." Turning back to face the blue unicorn, she nodded her to continue.

"Y-yes, well..." Trixie said in an attempt to get back on track. "It comes to the attention of Trixie that the life of royalty is long and laborious." Trixie began to pace before the sovereigns of the nation. "That is not to say that all lives of royalty are monotonous, but in the experience of others that Trixie has heard straight from the horses mouth, it can." Trixie paused to take a cursory glance at the monarchs to see if they were offended.

"Go on," Luna said.

"Well, Trixie happens to be an entertainer of various tricks and magic," the unicorn continued.

"I must apologize," Celestia sid with a raise of her hoof. "We do not need an entertainer in our court."

"O-oh..." Trixie sighed dejectedly. "Then, Trixie will use up no more of yo-"

"Now hold a moment," Luna declared. "We may have passed the time of jesters and soothsayers, we do have need of your talents."

"Would you please explain, dear sister?" Celestia inquired with a bit of shock.

"But of course," Luna replied. "You see, We have recently reopened a stage that used to behold great tragedies, whimsical comedies and suspenseful drama. There has not been many of the old scripts found to perform as of yet, but, as I do recall..." Luna said while thinking far back. "There was, in fact, a few whom performed grand music and shows of magical feat and prowess. Trixie, would-"

"YES!" the blue mare interrupted excitedly. "A stage that Trixie could perform on that has garunteed income? Oh heavens yes!"

"Excellent!" Luna said with rising excitment. "Shorthoof, please remind us to send word to Widelane Rd. Theater about Miss Trixie's performances." The unicorn scribe nodded and jotted a note down quickly.

"Thank you, your hignesses!" Trixie said as she began to depart. "Words cannot describe how happy you have made me!"

"Think nothing of it!" Luna called down the hall. With that, Luna leaned back, feeling a little proud of herself.

"You happy, Lulu?" Celestia asked with a smile.

"Most assuredly," the lunar sister replied. "I could not let my subjects go unhappy."

"Our subjects."

"You knowst our meaning..."

The alicorn sisters did not notice the next pony walking towards them until they made it to the foot of their thrones. The pony was covered in a thick, rough spun cloak that tattered and frayed near the end. It dragged against the polished flooring, hiding the body from their sight. The hood shrouded the visage of the pony as well. There was no real defining feature ofthe equine other than that it was a little larger than your average stallion of the guard. By the time the princesses noticed them, they were already caught off guard.

"My most humble greetings to you, princesses of the moon and sun," the pony said in a low, muffled voice as he kneeled lowly before them. "I throw myself upon your mercy and graces or the prescious time that I waste."

Luna and Celestia looked at one another in small apprehension. "Arise," Celestia said. "You need not kneel before us, my little pony."

"Still though," the strange equine began as he slowly stood. "I surrender myself to your mercies, knowing full well that there is none for a knave as I."

"Thou speakest as though you have committed treason of the highest degree," Luna responded worriedly. "If thou art repentful of thy ways, then thou shalt recieve our greatest mercies."

"You have right to say such, Princess Luna," the stallion replied ominously. "I wish I had that same right..."

"Enough," Celestia commanded with a calm tone. "What is it you bring to us this fine day?"

"A warning," the stallion responded, watching the tensing of the two monarchs.

"A... warning?" Celestia echoed. Her brow creased her normally unbreachable expression.

"Of what kind?" Luna inquired with a flat tone.

"A warning of prophecy," the stallion replied. To this both alicorns seemed to relax. Celestia seemd to do so most of all, for she had heard of fanatics and their doomsday theories. She was one who did in fact take everything with a large grain of salt.

"Oh really?" she replied with no amount of smugness being left out. "Well perhaps I could reccomend a place for which they will listen."

"I am no mad fanatic," the stallion replied in a concerned and edgey tone. "I have proof! My discoveries-"

"Please," Celestia interrupted. "I really believe you, but I'm afraid that-"

"The stars will aid her escape!" the stallion shouted loudly in a gritty and commanding voice that echoed of the walls. Celestia betrayed herself and glared.

"What did thou sayst?" Luna commanded in a serious tone.

"The stars..." the stallion began again, bowing his head lowly. "... will aid her escape. A prophecy stated by princess Celestia one thousand years ago. I ask you what basis this assumption- this theory was formed upon?"

Celestia and Luna stared silently at the cloaked stallion. Both were actually speechless, but soon Luna turned her head slowly to Celestia.

"... For whatever reason I had then," the solar monarch said aloud. "It was suffice enough to come true regardless."

"I see..." the stallion muttered. "Then, on those same standards, I beg you to listen to me. Just as there was a Nightmare Moon, another nightmare will begin..."

"That's preposturous," Princess Luna exclaimed. "The nightmare within was destroyed forevermore, and the Elements of Harmony are now within the Tree of Harmony."

"It is not based without thought your highness," he retorted. "With respect, your nightmare was not destroyed, nor has it ever been."

"Then show us the proof of your claim," Celestia said with a serious gaze. "Show to us your basis."

"Did you not justify yourself for your prophecy?"

"I will admit that I was within a position that no one would dare question me," Celestia clarified. "However, you are not in the same circumstances and must convince not only me but my sister as well."

"Easier said than done," the stallion grumbled. By this time, most of the guards were watching him very closely. "The Laws are incomplete."

There was a long moment of pure silence as the princesses seemed to absorb the information presented to them.

"What you are stating," Celestia began in a very irratated tone. "Ids that your prophecy is based upon Starswirl the bearded's Laws of Magic; the same unicorn who was my most faithful and dare I say, brilliant student; a unicorn whose achievements gave a better understanding of magic the likes ofwhich neither I nor my sister could provide; Are you saying that one of his greatest achievement was not satisfactry?"

"... Yes," the figure replied reluctantly.

"Upon what grounds?" Celestia demanded.

"That is..." the figure began hesitantly. "It's complicated."

"That is a foal's answer!" Celestia shouted.

"And justifying your reasoning for Nightmare Moon's return by using your position of power isn't?!"

"Who are you to question me?!" Celestia spat. "Who are you to question Starswirl?!"

"Reveal thyself..." Luna commanded calmly. "Remove thy cloak and thy shadows. You fear no judgement here." Luna gazed at Celestia. Celestia felt her anger being rapidly cooled by it. She had let herself become exposed. No pony on this living plane could have done so with that ease. She inwardly thanked her sister, and began to plan on repaying her for it.

"... I cannot..." the stallion replied in a despondent tone. "Despite your statement, I cannot disrobe. I am... unconvinced..."

"Do it, or We shall have thee escorted from our presence..." Luna rebuttled. "We shall also disregard what was said between us."

"I... I have... no other choice then..." the cloaked stallion sighed begrudgingly. "... I know that I am in no position to make a plea before you... but... I must ask that when I do, on your honor and title as protecters and sovereigns of Equestria, to... to at least indulge in my story regardless of what may occur."

"You are correct," Luna replied coldly. "Guards, please-"

"I swear," Celestia interrupted, earning an apalled look from her sister. "Please do not take offense, Luna. While it was your own promise to throw him out, it was not my words." Celestia gave a long look at Luna. It was not pleading, but it was one of determination. Luna understood, at that very moment, how hurt Celestia had been from the words of the stallion. The princess of the moon's wrath would be spared, but not the princess of the sun's.

Then, with a slow and methodical progression, the stallion before them began to remove his cloak. He first started from within his cloak it seemed, untying an unseen garb of worn winter clothing. They seemed to have been haphazardly put together. The monarchs noice the cloth boots and now had an explanation as to why there was no sound of his approach. They also saw traces of a dark grey body as more clothing was dispelled from the cloak. Then the stallion reached into his hood and began to pull out a long, wool scarf that fell to the floor in a heap. Finally, it came to the cloak. As the hood was drawn bck, the surprise in both monarch's expressions left the stallion wishing he was just escorted off the premises.

"I am Sombra, tyrant of the Crystal Empire," the grey stallion declared in a flat, regretful voice. "I surrender..."

Author's Note

Whew! Took me long enough to make this chapter. HOpe you like it! I'll work on the second chapter as quickly as I can catch free time. :pinkiehappy:

Chapter 2

"I am Sombra, tyrant of the Crystal Empire," the grey stallion declared in a flat, regretful voice. "I surrender..."

Almost immediately, all guards within the hall surrounded the once ruler of the crystal ponies and pointed every spear at him. They had him completely surrounded. All it took would be a single command, and Sombra would be no more.

"On my mark," Luna began, recovering over the intial shock more quickly than her sister. She stood up and walked over to oversee the job was carried out. "We shall execute him here-"

"Belay that order..." Celestia's quivering voice commanded. Her shock was clearly plastered upon her face, and there was something else in it. She feared for her ponies more than her own life, but there was something else. Standing up from her throne, she walked over to stand next to Luna, her eyes never moving from Sombra.

She looked upon the unicorn before her. His face was definitely the once ruler, but in a way... it wasn't at all like the King Sombra she knew of. In the pile of clothing he had so disrobed himself of, there was no trace of a crown, or any sign of royalty on him. There was also no sign of dark magic anywhere. His eyes were no longer the terrifying red slits that glowed an iridescent green and exuded raw dark magic. They were now softer and were more of a ruby coloration, and did not glow any color, nor did they fume any magic. His horn was broken, and left untreated. Although he could probably have healed it himself and restored it, he did not. Then, there was his look. King Sombra would have a snarling grin that bared hiis fangs and intimdated all with an air of threatening power. What lay before her did not hold any expression related to that. He just seemed... tired. Then there was his voice. While it was the very same voice that had dared to insult one of her most honored pupils, it tried to retain respect flor her and her sister. King Sombra would've laughed triumohantly and growled something about crystals. His statement, however, threw her completely off. Would King Sombra ever willingly surreneder?

This was in every respect not King Sombra, but at the same time was King Sombra.

"Sister," Luna shouted in a harsh whisper. "This is the tyrant who has and would have brought the entire Crystal Empire to a state of utter opression."

"Nevertheless..." Celestia managed to respond. "He deserves a trial."

"A trial?!" Luna shouted in desperation. "Sister-"

"Yes, there is no excusing him for his crimes..." she began while looking over the war-criminal. "But until he is judged by a court of his peers, there is no possible reasoning for immediate execution."

Luna gritted her teeth, and locked a challenging gaze with her sister. She knew that she was right. As much as beheading him wouldo, she'd rather take the trial. That didn't mean, though, she had to agree. Luna looked ready to say something but stopped when she saw her sister look at her with different eyes.

"...Or would you rather taint my name as princess?" Celestia asked with an airy voice. Luna looked like she was ready to have a coniption. Any other pony would know that Celestia's name would be forever unreliable after breaking the promise made to Sombra, but that was only the surface problems. When it boils down to it, her own name would be besmirched as well as the entire governments. There would be civil unrest, maybe even a revolution, or even worse... a coup d'etat.

With a shakey reluctant bow of her head, Luna conceded to her sister. Celestia turned her attention back to the problem before her. With a small pause hanging in the air waiting for the pin to drop, Celestia thought about her options.

"... Take him to the dungeon," she said as the pin dropped. "He'll await his trial there." With that, she watched as the guard shifted to a prisoner escort formation and walked Sombra to the dungeons. Her eyes flicked over to the pony scribe, cowering in shock behind the thrones.

"Shorthoof," she called. Her voice seemed to loose all the vibrancy in it. "Take a note." The stallion nodded and retrieved a fresh peice of parchement. He then levitated it in front of him, his magic barely holding it and brought a quill over to rest upon it."

To the Canterlot Chronicler,

You have always remained the best source of news around Canterlot, and I can trust you for any source of news. I have now a dire piece of news that I need you to deliver as smoothly and quietly as possible. King Sombra was discovered in a court of the alicorn sisters. There have been no deaths nor injuries and his trial will beheld probably in the next week. Please stand by for more details, as I have yet to find a way to explain it properly.

Yours truly,

Princess Celestia

"Send that immediately to the Canterlot Chronicler."

"Sister," Luna said sternly. "What do you hope to achieve out of this?! Reformation?!!"

"Luna, I-"

"No, you will listen to our opinions this time!" Luna declared loudly. "Discord was different. He was imprisoned for more than one thousand years. Only you and I can still recall some of his crimes. When he was reformed, there was almost no complaint. This is Sombra- King Sombra! He enslaved and opressed his citizens for Faustknows what! He existed thousands of years ago as wel, but the difference is that his citizens are still alive!! They know what he's done, and now..." Luna shook her head in frustration.

"Luna, I know what I'm doing," Celestia said in an attempt to reassure her.

"Oh, and I suppose that you'll try sweeping this under the rug," she retorted in anger.

"That's not what I mean," the solart princess said in a hurt tone.

"I know what you meant though!" Luna again shot back. "You couldn't let your pride go. You could've just not agreed to anything he said and this would've all blown over!" With that, Luna stormed out of the throne room without another word.

Celestia remained silent in the court for a moment, before turning to her scribe once more. "Tell the others that the court is canceled due to matters of extreme importance." The scribe scrambled across the floor like a mouse trying to gain footing. She watched him for an indescribable amount of time. What echoed like a voice off a canyon in her mind were his words and prophecy.

One full day passed, and Celestia could very much feel the gravity of her actions. She did not waver though. She couldn't afford to. Word was out, and she had been the direct cause of it. Celestia knew what had to be done and it had to be done swiftly and as professionally as possible. She walked at a brisk pace downward into the caverns under Canterlot. When she had sent Sombra into the dungeons, she had sent him to what could be considered the VIP section.

Her hoofsteps echoed off the walls of the cavern, aking it hard for her to focus. It didn't help either that she couldn't sleep at all the previous night. It wasn't much of a problem for her now, but she knew that fatigue would only get worse the next day. Regardless, she did make a plan for what she would talk to Sombra about. She would establish his court date, and then fufill her promise before leaving. There would be nothing more and nothing less. Despite her plan, she couldn't help but ask questions. How did he survive the Crystal Heart? What sort of foothold could he gain in trying to make herself believe his downright outrageous claim? If he was playing mindgames, she could always fall back upon her sister.

"Luna," she thought to herself, nearly slipping upon a path spiraling downward. Her change in thought was surprising. She hadn't spoken to Luna at all after the court. In fact, she hadn't even given thought to Luna. Would she give her help now though? Celestia found that she couldn't answer that question... and that indeed frightened her.

Shaking herself, she tried focusing on other things while traversing the maze that was the caverns of Canterlot. After the discovery of them, after the wedding of Shining and Cadance, Celestia began to make subtle changes to it. For instance, making the deepest levels into a highly secured prison just in case. The Cells were lined with sheets of magic-proof steel as were the doors. It wouldn't stop prisoners from casting magic, but it would stop the spells from leaving. The doors themselves were a half a foot thick, and had only a small slit of a window to look out of. It wasn't Tartarus, but it may have come to a close second.

The white alicorn finally reached the cell blocks. Currently, the prison was ready to take on any number of ne'er do wells, but thankfully did not have an overly abundant seedy underground of crime... yet. Celestia came to a sttop in frontof theonly occupied cell. There were three guards around the door, one for every type of pony. She wanted all the variables to be covered for this prisoner.

"How is he?" the sun princess inquired just as the guards saluted their monarch.

"He's been quiet, your majesty," the earth pony responded.

"Any trouble?"

"None," he responded.

"... I was afraid of that..." Celestia sighed. "I'm going in. Keep your post. You know what to do."

"Yes your majesty," all three responded. The Unicorn casted a spell upon the six inch steel door, causing a magically sealed lock click while thepegasus and earth pony inserted two keys at exactly the same time and unlocked the final tumblers.

The door swung inward slowly, casting a light within. The once king lie on the floor, unable to move much due to a strait-jacket. Celestia breached the threshold as her horn lit up. Soon, tiny wall sconces appeared on the walls lighting up the room quite well. She then conjured up a table to sit at, for she felt it would help get her point across nicely. As soon asthe princesswas inside, the door was shut behind her and locked from the outside. During all of this, Sombra did not once stir. Celestia cleared her throat in an attempt to get his attention. She knew he was alive. She could see him breathing.

At last, Sombra shifted and sat up, which was a impressive feat for having no front hooves available to help right him. His eyes were in a half-lidded daze, and his mouth slightly agape.

"Sombra," Celestia began in avoice of authority. "You are to be tried for your crimes of war in a court of your peers. Am I clear?"

"...Yes, but..." Sombra said in a raspy voice. "May I ask you a something?"

Celestia gave a stern glare in response.

"Just... who do you deem as my 'peers'?"

"The Citizens of the Crystal Empire," she answered curtly.

"I see... Smart," Sombra said as he made eye contact with Celestia. "You are truly a leader."

"Now we shall proceed to fufill my promise to you," the alicorn said, taking charge of the situation. "Speak."

"Well then," Sombra began while clearing his throat. "I will... but I feel I am obliged to tell you something princess." Celestia tried not to appear off guard at his statement.

"You may beleive what you are willing to believe. I don't expect you to, but neveretheless, you will listen to it and perhaps gain an understanding of my belief. The goal of an answer is not to find a solution, but to find another question..."

Chapter 3

"I am by birth Gemevese, that is to say I was of the village of Gemeva. My bloodline was one of the most well-respected of the town. Tracing it far back, my ancestors have always been close to the royal crown serving as counsellors or on the board of the magistrate. My father had even brought many public events from the near bottom of honor all the way to the peak. He was a highly thought of individual and known for his strong values and great attention to that of buisness, public or private. His younger yearsconstantly made his free time go all but to his loyalty. Therefore, numerous reasons and incidents cropped up preventing him from marrying. It was not until his weariness grew to catch up with his age that he finally started a small family.

"His marriage displays he true character so well, that it is the only proper way to explain him. You see, one of his closest friends was a travelling unicorn merchant. From what I can recollect, he was a very prosperous but through seemingly bad luck fell into a dreadful poverty. His name, I think, was Rich. Yes, Stinking Rich, but went by the alias of Stinky. He was a proud, albeit, stubborn pony and downright refused to live in poverty in the same village and empire that defiled and desecrated his once fantastic name. After paying all those he owed in full, he and his young daughter fled to a neighboring town. My father was filled with grief and sorrow for his friend's untimely luck, but absolutely loathed the mule-headed facade which led Stinky to ignore the bonds that brought them closer together. However it could be said that my father was in fact of the same stubborness, and immediately sought the merchant out, hoping that he could dissuade him from his actions and help him back onto his hooves.

"Stinking Rich had managed to cover his tracks, going well and beyond conventional matters. Many months passed before my father finally found his new home. In brash excitement, he came upon the door with all th quickness of an excited foal to his brithday party. The home itself was in a rather unruly portion of the Crystal Empire, and when my father enetered the home his joy was tarnished by sadness and misery. Stinky had only managed to save a small portion of bits from his bad luck, but it was enough to provide a life. He hoped that he could find employment in the house of his trade. Sadly, it did not go as planned, and his turmoil only suceeded in growing as he found more time to relflect in disheartening leisure. His dour attitude festered and rotted away at him until he fell ill by his misfortunes.

"His daughter of tender heart and care never left him and attended to him with great dedication, but it was all for not. The money which sustained them became less and less by each passing day. Ebony, like her father, possessed an indominable spirit of stubborness that fueled her courage to find a means of support despite the forever tarnished name she held. Her talents were that of a dscerning eye, and could spot a small fracture in even the most finely cut diamond and swiftly spent her days judging rock to find any form of value in any of them and sorting them. It was plain and simple work, and thus did little to meet the demands of their family.

"Many months passed by in this way, and Stinky's health worsened day by day. Ebony had to abandon the work in order to see to her father. In the final month, her father passed away in her arms. Orphaned and with no other family to speak of, she was without a home. At her casket, she wept from the sheer weight of the despair. My father entered the room, and upon seeing the miserable beauty, came to her and comforted her. My father befriended the mare and, after much persuasion, convinced her to live with a relation for a few years. After she became of age, he married the unicorn mare.

"The age gap between them was wide indeed, but the difference seemed to only stregthen the affections for each other. My father's mind was filled with intentions of justice motivating him more to love her very strongly. It may have been due to some long lost love which found him, in hr eyes, unworthy. The affection he showed to her might've been likened to worship and gratitude, which severely contrasted to the first thought of most who encountered them. Ponies saw him more as a doting elder rather than the reverence for her ideals and, in some part, repaying for the miserable misfortunes she had taken from the death of Stinky. Somehow, the enduring of suffering only seemed to give that speechless grace which my father's behavior towards her all the more reason to treat her in that way. He wished to protect her and shield her from any offending rough wind that brush across her lovely features and suround her with all that could obtain happiness from her. As a result of her hardship, her health and spirit of mind suffered a staggaring blow, leaving it shaken. During the time of those two years that my mother spent with my father's relation, my father gradually cut off his ties to public functions. After the wedding, they decided to seek a change of scene in a town a little south of Gemeva. The town had no name, but was refreshing for it's unique location on a series of river deltas. It would do wonders in restoring my mother's weakened frame.

"They traveled from there to Stalliongrad, and to Prance. I was their eldest child and born in Marelin. My foalhood was spent accompanying them in their wanderings. Much like how they bathed their love in each other, the showered me in a veritable untapped wealth of affection. My mother's gentle touch and my father's benevolent smile in regarding me are the first and perhaps my most prescious memories. I was their colt- their young and helpless foal sent by the Elysian Fields above. I was an innocent base of clay whose future was ready to be moulded by there hooves. With this deep metaphorical debt of what they owed me my life, in addition to their loving nature they showed me, I learned lessons of patience, generosity, and restraint. I was even taught to enjoy the intangible thread that guided my movements like an all too eager marionette.

"I was their only child for some time. My mother wanted a daughter, but that's not saying that she did not love me any less if I were her daughter. Despite this wanting, I continued to be their only colt. I believe I was six or seven years of age when my parents returned to the town on the river delta. Their kind dispositions often allowed them trips to the homeless or the poor. My mother felt it was not only important, but her life's passion. Seeing the less fortunate reminded her of the pain and suffering she endured, and, as a survivor, felt like a benevolent spirit to the poor ponies. It was during one of their frequent qalks that a very poor sight indeed attrated their attention. An entire family of fillies and colts guided by their mother. All of the young ponies appeared to be covered in filth and on the tipping point of starvation. My mother had taken me on a stroll to the home of this family while my father was away to Prance. She found a pair of spouses, both hard working, and serving the scrapings of a meal to several hungry children. My mother's talent for spotting the best in the worst had her eye attracted to a young filly. The others were worse for wear, hardy and a different stock from the filly altogether. She was thin and very beautiful. Her mane and tail was the deepest crimson, and disregarding the dirt that stained her perfectly alabaster coat, her very expression, from her sapphire eyes to her petite wings, she was celestial.

"The peasant woman, noticing the look of my mother, gladly explained the past of the young filly. She was not the mother of this angelic young pegasus. The filly was the daughter of a Stalliongradian and a Prench nobles. Her mother died giving birth to her, and was placed in the care of the poor but loving family. When they recieved the child, they were better off, or so they said. The peasants were not married too long, having had their eldest born recently. The mother was one of those Prench nursing at the birth, and was the victim of her good nature and ill-timed bad luck. Their property was siezed after failure to keep with taxes, and continued to foster the diamond in the rough, only to see her growing more brilliant by the day.

"My father returned from Prance to find playing with me in the hall of our villa a child more fair than a diamond, and twice as radiant as one. My mother explained to him what had transpired. With his permission, my mother succeeded with convincing the rustics to yield her to our charge. The pegasus' presence was a true blessing to them, but would seem too horrid to leave her in poverty when there was a possibility to lead a better life. After consulting the legal office, Ivory Towers became my playmate and beautiful companion to place my own affections onto. I was notthe only one who showered her in my love, for everypony loved Ivory Towers. My passionate attatchments were reverential, and soon became the the idle thoughts which my mind wandered to.

"On the evening prior to that, my mother said to me in a playful tone, "I have a special gift for my darling, and tomorrow he shall have it." Just like she said, the cherubic mare she presented was there as my promised gift. I looked upon her with the literal notion of what my mother asked me the night before. She was mine- mine to protect and love. We referred to each other by first name, but with the familiarity of best friends. My mind, though, was clear. Nothing could dissuade me from my opinions of my more than adopted sibling, since till death she was mine and mine alone."

Author's Note

The inspiration for this fic was the book Frankenstein. The book is so good! In fact, I used the first chapter of that book as a frame for this chapter. I am not going to completely rewrite the story and I do recognize that it still might be considered copyright. Howevere, because I have other plans for this fic, I believe I am within my rights... right? :unsuresweetie:

Chapter 4

"Before I continue further, I would like to clear up some self-concieved theories and notions that have spread about me. I realize that yes, I was a deplorable and maliscious tyrant who ruled with an iron hoof and instilled a seemingly permenant fear of myself and my rule within the ponies. You have every right to believe anything that I say or simply brush it off for your own opinion. I was not suddenly waking one morning with the inclination to be evil and take over, nor was I corrupted by greed. There are ponies whose good nature are sullied and tainted by the idea of desire, but I make myself very clear when I say that I was taught to act better than that. What caused my fall into the dark portion would come from the fruits of my own hopes and dreams.

"My life with my sister was very well. There wasn't much of a separation between our ages, and treated one another like a pair of best friends. That is not to say our life was perfect. We had our disputes and arguements, but it took little effort to regain the harmony of our life. She was calmer than I, and had a greater concentration. Meanwhile, I was much more passionate and curious to the point of morbidness. I had a craving for knowledge that no hole could satisfy, or at least so I thought. I never knew what my studies would produce, but then again I had no slight clue as to what my destiny would hold. I had taken to reading every book I could lay my hooves on, while she busied herself with forms of aerial ballet and romantic poetry. Ivory also took great pleasure in the beautiful scenery of our Gemevean home; from the snow capped mountains to the lush, green fields of softly rolling hills in the valley of our home. You could say that we were harmoniously synchronized. Ivory would wonder in deep thought about the spectacular scenery whilest I would investigate the causes for them. The world around was a giant puzzle to me, waiting for their secrets to be divulged. Research, and an insatiable curiostiy were some of the very first few definitive aspects I knew about myself.

"My parents then begot our family a brother. I was his senior by seven years and by this point, my parents finally settled themselves into their hometown. We possessed many homes, but resided within Gemeva itself. Personally, I preferred to know very few ponies at the time for I disliked the noise of a crowd. Nevertheless, I fervently attatched myself to them. The closest schoolfriend I had was a unicorn by the name of Home Trade. He was the son of a merchant and, like his father, found the talent of his family. He adored trade and enterprise including the dangers it brought. He took great pleasure in the readings of the code of knights and romance. When we played together, he would try to make us act out plays that he had written himself. It was no surprise when his mark of destiny appeared as a parchement and inkwell.

"I firmly believe my childhood to be the greatest of any, for no other could've had a better one than I. My parents loved Ivory, my brother and I. They did not stand above us and order us with such strictness that even the most hardened soldier would find unable to breath. I had exposure to that life through the mingling of other families with my own, and took great gratitude in knowing that I was so loved.

"I will not spend too much time upon such memories of my childhood, for the knowledge of what something so simple and harmless weighs heavily upon my emotions that I cannot bring myself to be of reasonable disposition. It all went downhill from my intense curiosity of knowledge when, on a buisness trip with my father, we had stopped at an inn for the night. I found the teachings of Magicae Scientia in a tome on a bookshelf and took it up with indifference. I found the book to be utterly fascinating! I took it to show my father, to which he told me to use as kindling for a fire.

"I was already quite adpet with magic and understood the basics of how it worked, but never before that moment have I read anything beyond the subject. If my father took the time to explain that the teachings in the book were proven false by the late Starswril, a brilliant intellectual of the time, and had been replaced by the modern lessons that he himself discovered, I would have probably chosen a different path. The teachings I had read were an ancient science and if they were explained how they were out of date, then I would have tossed the book aside and would have been sated. However, because my father did not appear to know of the reasons, I read on with great ardor.

"On my return home, I took it within all my power to obtain as many books about the subject matter. Potio, and Magus are the first alchemical authors that I can recall. I read with intense delight and wonderment. They were to me my idols of worship and reknown. I had always found a certain inclination to the workings of nature and, even as far as unicorn standards, found great interest in magic. Imagine how I felt when happening across teachings that united both? It was more than glorious and fantastical. Despite this, I always found that books on modern philosophy to be unsatisfactory. Newton Apple was said to have stated that he felt like a young colt picking up shells on the edge of a sea of truth. Such were the feelings I harbored.

"When I found myself old enough for higher scholastic learning, I bade fond farwells to my family, promising to write constantly and quickly. As much as I loved my family, I felt my heart ache at saying goodbye to my sweet Ivory Towers. She grewever more graceful and illustrous as the years had gone by. Her frame was svelt and her stride was as elegant and natural as a butterfly riding the breeze. Her wings of the purest white showed no sign of flaw or blemish. I could not say my goodbye as i could not look into her eyes without becoming lost within their luster.

"I left for the college of the local area, Ingotstock. There I was met with a most unwelcoming air as my fellow classmates had already formed groups of friends. I did not mind nor care about being dissallowed to join with them, for I preferred solitude with the exception of my family. Things only seemed to get worse for a period as a proffessor whose name I forget denounced all that I had learned. I can remember his stature, for he was stout and had a look of superiority glewming in them. Oh how those would change... they would soon come to look upon me with pride and envy.

"I digress. The professor, let's call him Snooty, reviewed my letter of application and requested an interview. Snooty asked quite immediately what my prior learning was, with which I replied with the names Potio, and Magus. The proffessor scoffed and even began to laugh. He then told me quite rudely that I must take this class on the sheer reson of ridding myself of the teachings of ancient foolishness. The nerve! I attened his courses, but sought to challenge him at every turn much to my classmates amusement. They did not share my knowledge and believed in it so passionately.

"One day, as I can best recall, I left the classroom in a furious rage before being confronted by another proffessor. By this time, word has spread amongst the faculty of my madness causing several teachers to try and cure me. However, this unicorn's stance was different. He regarded me with a look that buyers of produce made when trying to pick one stalk of celery over the other. He offered a chance to learn in a way no ther student could, to which I responded cautiously, "I am not mad." He smiled and laughed as though it were a joke.We walked the grounds of the school talking of the weather and the seasons and other things. At first he made a small reference to the sciences of magic, but grew into a discussion that I rather enjoyed. Before I realized, I agreed to his private tutorings under a happy disposition.

"Thus started a the change in my days of learning. I was rapidly grasping concepts left and right of subjects my class could barely fathom. My study grew into research and that research soon became the talk of the university. I had created better spells and tools to help the understanding of magic all the greater. I even continued my research as I took the throne-"

"Stop," a regal voice interrupted sternly. The solar princess let out a long sigh and rubbed her temple in deep thought. "I've... heard enough."

"I am not finished yet, princess-"

"I said, enough," Celestia commanded with a glare of warning. Sombra had shut his mouth and slowly tilted his eyes down towards the table. A faroff gaze soon filled his expression.

"... I will return tomorrow," she said softly just as the door of the cell creaked open. "We will continue then."

Sombra did not respond as his demeanor became one of complete despair. As the magically created table disappeared, Celestia left the cell, leaving the sconces to die out on their own accord. The alicorn's hoofsteps were heavy as her mind was working overtime. Out of the corner of her eye, Princess Luna leaned against an empty cell with a regretful look upon her face.

"I... I am sorry, sister..." Luna mumbled while looking up to her older sister. "It... it was within my right to question you, but at the same time, I should have trusted-"

"I forgive you," Celestia interrupted, walking up to her sister. "I apologize, but there is much to be done."

"O-of course," Luna replied, shaking her head and tortting along with her sister. "We have already made the proper paperwork out and have planned for the miscreant's trial."

"Excellent. Now we can deal with a current issue," Celestia said absent-mindedly.

"What issue?"

"I'm not sure yet," Celestiareplied while moving a bit quicker. "What Sombra has told me... wasn't what I was expecting..."

"Do not trust him, sister," Luna warned with resentment. "He hath a tongue of silver that poisons like lead."

"I know, Luna," she said with a tone hinting at exasperation. "He's revealed something that has changed the game completely."

"So the game hath begun already?" Luna asked a little snidely. "Well, what shall be our next move?"

"Send a message to the Crystal Empire," Celestia said while taking flight. "Tell them to start looking."

"For what?" Luna asked while struggling to keep up with her sister. "Did they not find everything of Sombra's evil?"

"I hope they did not," Celestia called out with a small smile playing on the corners of her mouth. Within her mind, a plan was hatching...

Author's Note

FINALLY!

Good news and bad news. Bad news is that I lost my Frankenstein book. Good news is that... um... I don't really have anything good... ... Oh! A penny! :pinkiehappy: