Life Is Never So Simple

“Do you think we'll have to fight?” Sombra paused his gathering at the question, thinking of the best way to respond. For the past several minutes Indigo had sat in silence as Sombra gathered together a few belongings from around his bedchamber.

“I don't know,” Sombra said slowly, resuming his packing. “But, with how things are and how small the lunar regiments are, I believe we will probably have too,” Indigo frowned at this and hung his head.

“I don't want to kill anypony,” Indigo had mumbled it quietly, but the words sounded like a gong in Sombra’s ears. He quickly spun around and sat down next to Indigo.

“You won't have too. At the most you might have to cross blades with a rebel or two. I promise you,” he put his arm around Indigo’s shoulder and gave him a half hug. “I won't let anything bad happen,” Sombra gave a reassuring smile and Indigo chuckled.

“That’s you, always the optimist,” Indigo frowned a little and stood up, followed quickly by Sombra. “At least now we’ll have an opportunity to use the Twins,” Sombra’s smile faded and he walked over to a dusty chest nestled in the corner of the room. Unlocking it with his magic, he threw open the lid and pulled out a sword of shimmering black. Indigo felt the waves of magical power radiating from the blade, and as always when he saw the sword, he was awestruck.

“Never thought I would have too,” Sombra mumbled more to himself than Indigo. He held the dark sword suspended before him with his magic, admiring the brilliant craftsmanship. The black blade and equally black hilt flowed seamlessly into each other. Having no opposable digits, or an digits whatsoever, made having a crossguard rather redundant. The leather wrapped grip was more for show than anything else, and the only  of differentiation color was the brilliant navy blue diamond inlaid into the hilt. The blade of the sword was straight as an arrow and completely flawless, ending in a wicked triangular point. Sombra let out a deep breath and withdrew the scabbard from the chest, soundlessly sliding the sword into it.

“You should go and get Nox,” he said to Indigo, breaking him out of his stupor.

“What? Oh, yeah. Right,” Indigo walked quickly out of the room and came back a minute later with a sword and scabbard suspended by his magic. Both were identical to Sombra’s, but instead of black were a rich navy blue, with a black diamond substituting the blue one. Indigo strapped the scabbard to his back and slid the sword in smoothly. He stood and looked at Sombra expectantly, who raised his eyebrow.

“What?”

“We're leaving now, right?”

“You aren't getting anything else?”

“There’s nothing I have that is worth bringing with. That armor we got for the gala last year is a joke, that wouldn’t protect me from a bee sting,” Sombra snorted and picked up the small pile of his possessions and strode past Indigo, who followed him out the door and down the long hallway.

“That armor isn't completely useless. It seems to serve you well whenever I pound on you in training,” Sombra said smugly. Indigo snorted in derision and quickened his stride, catching up to Sombra.

“You only beat me because I was tired,”

“A few times, maybe. But what about the other times I've beaten you over the years?”

“Oh, please. I've beaten you too!”

“It’s a very lopsided ratio,” Indigo huffed and punched Sombra on the shoulder. He laughed and shoved Indigo playfully.

“At least you no longer hit like a little school filly,”

“Shut up!” Sombra laughed again and the two fell into a happy silence as they approached the throne room. The guards at the door bowed to the two as they approached and swung it open, revealing the princesses and Starswirl already within. Luna was organizing a contingent of guard from around the city along with Celestia. Starswirl stood of to one side, a small smile on his face. The great wizard looked extremely tired. His gray coat was droopy and turning white. The bags under his eyes betrayed his exhaustion, and his hat leaned listlessly to one side of his head. Even the unicorn’s trademark beard hung lazily. Indigo and Sombra walked over to him quickly, avoiding the bustling soldiers. His smile widened as he saw the two approach.

“Ah! Hello boys!” he moved to meet them but stopped and fell into a fit of coughing. The younger unicorns rushed over to him with concern.

“Starswirl! Are you alright?” Indigo asked as he held up the swaying wizard. The old stallion chuckled wearily but didn't answer. The other two glanced at each other nervously.

“Starswirl, I think-” Sombra started before he was cut off.

“I’m old boys. So very old. I've seen so much. Three centuries catch up with you eventually,” he fell into another coughing fit and would have fallen had Indigo not been holding him. Sombra frowned and shook his head.

“No, no. You’re fine. You're just sick,” Sombra sounded like he was trying to convince himself. Starswirl only chuckled and patted Sombra on the shoulder.

“As much as I would like to believe that, I can’t. Death is something we all must face. Well, all except for them, maybe,” he nodded his head toward the princesses, who had noticed Sombra and Indigo walk in and were slowly approaching the small group. Sombra rounded on them with desperate eyes.

“There’s something you can do, right? You can heal him!” Sombra sounded very hopeful, but that hope quickly faded as Celestia shook her head sadly.

“The journey out of this life is one everypony must make at some point. There’s...nothing we can do,” Celestia took a deep breath and it looked as if Luna was trying to hold back tears.

“How...how long do you think you have?” Indigo’s voice was very quiet and he was starting to shake.

“Not long, I'm afraid. I used up what little energy I had left in the escape from Avion. I would...like to see the night sky again. From the northern turret. It’s such a lovely view,” Luna smiled sadly and nodded, the tears breaking free and flowing down her cheeks. She took Starswirl from Indigo, supporting him with her wing, and the procession made it’s way through the winding castle after Celestia gave a few quick words to the captain of the guard. They remained silent until they reached the top floor of the northern tower, a cylindrical room with no adornment other than a telescope on the balcony. Luna helped Starswirl out to the telescope and he took a deep breath of the crisp night air.

“Ah...it always was so lovely up here,” he turned his gaze to the others, all of whom but Celestia were near weeping.

“Come now, don't be so sad. It’s my time,” he sat down heavily and smiled toward Indigo and Sombra.

“I remember you two as little colts. What trouble makers you were,” he chuckled a little and coughed again.

“But look at you now. Two young colts in the prime of their lives. You two made my final decades some of the best I've ever lived,” he turned toward Luna and Celestia then, meeting their eyes with a kindly smile.

“I would need another five decades to fully explain how proud I am of you two. I still remember, you know. When you were fillies. I won't be too sappy, just...know that Galaxia and Cosmos would be proud of you,” Luna’s tears turned into silent sobbing and Celestia closed her eyes, the single tear sliding down her face speaking volumes.

“I love you all. So very dearly,” Sombra rushed up to him and pulled Starswirl into a gentle embrace, followed a moment later by Indigo and then the princesses. The group sat in silence for several moments before Sombra whispered:

“Goodbye, Starswirl the Bearded,”

“Ha. It’s funny. I never really liked that title,” with these words his eyelids slid closed and Starswirl’s breathed for the last time.

The greatest unicorn in history was dead.

Indigo broke down in tears, hugging Luna tightly as she too wept. Celestia allowed silent tears to spill out and Sombra simply sat there, mouth hanging open in disbelief. Before his eyes, Starswirl’s cutie mark faded away with the last of his life force. Luna and Indigo continued to cry for several more minutes before their sobbing petered out and the procession fell silent.

“I...I will call for some of the guard to come take him. Luna, you have soldiers to organize. I will remain here,” Luna shot Celestia a look of mild disgust but rose to her hooves and beckoned to Sombra and Indigo, who slowly followed her out of the tower after a final glance at the late unicorn.

“We won’t miss his funeral, will we?” Indigo’s voice was hoarse from crying and he was shaking all over. Sombra lagged behind the other two, deathly silent and staring at the floor in front of him.

“No. Definitely not. I will ensure that the funeral takes place after we return from the campaign,”

“Wait!” Sombra snapped his head up and rushed up to meet Luna. “That’s preposterous! How long will we be in the Imperium? I won’t stand to-”

“Sombra!” Luna’s sudden use of the royal Canterlot voice sent Sombra reeling.

“Know your place! Do not speak to me in such a way. No matter how close we are, you will always be my student. You would do well to remember that,” Sombra sulked back and Indigo gave him a small shrug.

“Besides,” Luna continued, staring straight ahead of her.

“Starswirl wanted us to assist the griffins. It was his last request to me, and I’m sure he wouldn’t want us to risk innocent lives by delaying our march for his funeral,” her tone almost challenged Sombra to rebut. He went with the more sensible option and moped as they continued to the throne room. Luna paused at the entrance and turned to address Indigo, who was still a little bleary eyed and shaky.

“You would do well to compose yourself Indigo. These are professional soldiers who have dedicated their lives to the service of their nation. They are already unhappy that somepony younger than them and with little training will be their technical superior. I would be good to make a pleasant first impression,” her gaze softened a little.

“I know you are sad from Starswirl’s death. I...I am as well. But there will be time to grieve later. Now is the time to honor his final wish,” Indigo took a deep breath and nodded. He quickly rubbed his eyes and stood straight, readjusting the sword sheath on his back with his magic. Sombra stepped up beside him and the two gave each other a small nod. Sombra, however, seemed distant. He even seemed...angry. Indigo ignored it and turned his head back as Luna swung open the door to the throne room. The Night Guard, or Lunar Regiment as they were commonly called, of the city had been organized and now sat in orderly rows, turning to look as Luna entered. Unlike the Solar Regiments, which were the majority of the armed forces, the Lunar was composed mainly of bat ponies and ebon unicorns, the equivalent of bat ponies. Whereas bat ponies were pegasi of the night, ebons were unicorns of the night. The golden eyes of the soldiers gleamed as they watched Luna walk quickly to the head of the gathering, tailed by her two students. Indigo appeared slightly nervous around so many night creatures. Sombra simply walked forward with a neutral expression, no giving anypony so much as a glance. Luna turned and addressed the assembled soldiers, a group of about two hundred.

“I am not going to give you a long winded speech about ‘honor’ or ‘duty’. You should have already gotten one from the captain,” quiet chuckling rippled through the crowd at this, and Indigo smiled a little from his position behind Luna. At least they had a sense of humor.

“Our goal is simple,” Luna continued, instantly silencing them.

“We are moving to assist the griffin imperium in whatever way we can. Be that by combat or helping look after their displaced civilians. We march tonight.We will meet the rest of the Night Guard near the western mountains two days from now, and from there march to Avion,” she paused briefly and scanned the faces of the soldiers.

“May luck be with us,”