Life Is Never So Simple

Ooh, this was going to be good.

Indigo Sky sat giggling behind a low brick wall, struggling to see over it with his short legs. The foal was very anxious. “Is it really gonna work, Sombra?” he asked the dark gray unicorn crouching next to him. The light of the pale moon made Sombra’s gray fur appear to glow.

“Shh, Indigo! Don't let them hear us!” Sombra said with a goofy grin on his face. Indigo closed his mouth and nodded quickly. He again turned and tried to see over the wall, only to feel himself lifted by Sombra’s magic and dropped on his back. The unicorn giggled and burrowed down into Sombra’s mane. Sombra giggled and hushed Indigo as a group of Royal Guard marched toward the barracks on the other side of the street. The two unicorns sat silently, staring as the guards halted and a pegasus turned the knob on the door. As soon as the door creaked open there was a loud pop and an explosion of pink powder. The guard shouted in surprise and jumped back, running into another guard as the group was enveloped in the powder.

Indigo lost it. Roaring with laughter, the foal fell off of Sombra’s back, rolling on the ground and clutching at his sides. Sombra fell down beside him, beating the ground with silent jubilance.

The cloud was clearing across the street. Several guards stumbled about, coughing or trying to wipe off the sparkly pink dust they were now doused in. The pegasus who had opened the door snorted and flapped his wings to no avail. Whatever the dust was, it was not coming off easily. The guard heard laughter from across the street and turned. Two young unicorns, one clearly several years older than the other, were rolling on the ground behind a low wall covered with creeper vines. The pegasus narrowed his eyes and began walking across the street with swift steps. “You two! I demand you stop and explain yourselves!”

Sombra stopped laughing when he heard the guard and saw him walking across the street. Even covered in glittery pink, he still looked intimidating. Indigo stopped a moment after Sombra, young mind blissfully unaware of the potential trouble they were in.

“Sombra? What is wrong?” the other unicorn didn't answer, he instead picked Indigo up with his magic and rested him on his back. The guard looked down on the two with a fiercely stern gaze. Sombra chuckled nervously and backed up a little.

“We are terribly sorry. Is there a problem?” he did a surprisingly good job in feigning innocence. The guard narrowed his eyes and bent down to look Sombra in his.

“We do not appreciate this little trick. You two need to come with me,” the pegasus reached for Sombra, who quickly wheeled around and began running down the street. Indigo squealed and clung tightly to Sombra’s fur, almost falling off. “Stop! I demand you stop!” the pegasus made a quick gesture and a few of the guards began running down the street after them.

Sombra was a fast runner, but that didn't change the fact that he was a young foal running from three grown stallions of the royal guard. In a matter of moments the guard were upon them, almost close enough to touch. Frantically Sombra charged up his magic and his horn flashed. The next thing he knew, he and Indigo were tumbling to the floor in a dark room.

Indigo groaned and sat up. Oh, his head hurt. He rubbed his temples and looked to his right, seeing Sombra getting to his hooves. The older unicorn looked dazed and was swaying from side to side. Tendrils of white smoke drifted up from his gray fur, which was singed black on the ends. Indigo looked at his legs and saw his own dark fur was crispy. The foal rose to his legs and felt a large shadow come over him. Sombra made a little ‘eep’ and shrunk back a little. Indigo looked up and saw the towering form of Princess Luna staring down on them. “Sombra,” she said icily. “We demand to know what you are doing,” Luna’s tone left no room for anything but an answer from Sombra. He sighed and looked up at her guiltily, like he was looking at his mother.

“We played a trick on a detachment of guard,” Sombra mumbled. Luna sighed and face-hoofed.

“You two must stop playing these tricks all the time. We do not think you are leaving a good impression on Indigo, Sombra,” the gray unicorn looked down and flattened his ears against his head.

“Wait a minute!” Indigo said, jumping forward. “Sombra is an amazing friend and...” Indigo trailed off as Luna looked at him sternly.

“Do not speak out of place, little one. You must learn to respect your superiors,” she turned back to look at Sombra. “Leave. I will deal with you later,” Sombra wilted and trudged to the large wooden door behind them. Indigo shuffled in place, uncertain of what to do. Luna sighed and walked back to her bed. Only then did Indigo notice that they were in Luna’s personal chambers.

“Princess? Should I leave?” he asked timidly. She stared at him for a moment and gave a small smile. Indigo relaxed at the sight and cautiously followed Luna. She patted the spot on the bed next to her and he jumped up, laying down and snuggling up next to her side. She chuckled a little and looked down at him.

“Indigo, you must promise me something. On your little...exploits with Sombra, you must distinguish between right and wrong. Learn where to draw the line. Sombra can become out of control, and I don't want my own two students getting in serious trouble. Can you promise me that?” she raised an eyebrow and he nodded quickly.

“Yes I can Princess. Um...am I in trouble?” Luna sighed again and hung her head.

“Unfortunately, my student, yes you are. I can not allow an offense like this to go uncorrected. For the time being both you and Sombra are to remain in the castle. You shall not be allowed to leave for any purpose,” Indigo huffed and dropped his head to the bed. Luna spread her wing over him and gave a little nudge with her elbow.

“The castle is still a big place, you know. Perhaps you want to go find Sombra? Tell him what I told you,” Indigo nodded glumly and jumped off the bed, trotting the door and out into the dark hallway.

The princess was right, the castle is a VERY big place. Indigo searched for an hour looking for Sombra but couldn't seem to find him. Finally, Indigo entered the darkened royal library and called out softly. “Sombra? Are you in here?” Indigo walked into huge room, hooves clacking on the hard floors.

“Yes,” the single word made Indigo jump. He followed the voice deeper into the library, toward the forbidden archives. With each step he grew a little more anxious. Luna told him to never go back here. Eventually, he found Sombra sitting at a low table, light from his horn illuminating the large book in front of him. Indigo walked up and sat in the chair next to Sombra, trying to look over his shoulder.

“What book are you reading?” he asked curiously. Sombra snapped the book closed and quickly lifted it high into the air, setting it back on one of the upper shelves.

“Nothing to be concerned with. Why are you here?”

“Luna said we're not allowed out of the castle for a while. Because of our little joke,” Sombra groaned and slumped down in his chair. Indigo nudged his shoulder.

“The castle is still a big place. And we still have each other to play with!” Indigo giggled and rocked his chair. Sombra chuckled quietly.

“That we do. We can still have a lot of fun!” Indigo stopped rocking and gave Sombra a hug.

“You’re the best, Sombra,” Sombra smiled and hugged Indigo back.

“Yes I am...”