Chapter 1 - A Misunderstandment
I gasp sitting up, noticing tears and dirt all over my face. I was sleeping in the mines, where all the enslaved ponies were, I was one of them. Still not understanding how much hate I had experienced during my days, being in the cold mines, getting crystals for the king I wished I never had seen in all of my years. I kept waking up from endless nightmares. As usual, I was up by 8:00 AM. Too early to walk around, I thought. I lay back down, and attempted to go back to sleep, forgetting my current nightmare. But then the speaker goes off, waking the whole mine full of Crystal Ponies.
"Chasity Songwriter, come to King Sombra's throne room imminently"
By now, I knew if a pony were to go to the Throne Room, they'd be executed or in for painful punishment. The Crystal Ponies stared at me, with their tired eyes and lost happy souls they use to have before this tragedy. Fear and concern stirred in me as I rose up from my spot, and walked to the hidden opening out of the mines. When the sun hit my eyes, I winced in pain, shutting them tight. How long have I been like this? It would seem like a very long time, knowing I was a victim of being under King Sombra’s control now. But I was worried about King Sombra corrupting my horn and taking my wings away from me, I wouldn't be an immortal anymore. It took a few minutes to reach the Corruption King's throne room, and when I arrived, I imminently bowed down, hoping Sombra would accept my apology.
I was worried that I have a punishment waiting to spread pain through my body like wildfire, I was scared. Thinking I might die because I might’ve messed something up to upset the king. "I'm so sorry for being a few minutes late King Sombra. It was because-" I then noticed Sombra’s hoof went up and I stopped, looking up at him biting my lip, nervously. Usually, its "Save your lame excuse you fool!" but instead he told me to calm down, politely. Puzzled, I stared at him. I had a tight feeling in my stomach, I couldn't tell if it was because I didn't eat anything yesterday like I was suppose to, or if it was deep fear.
Sombra got up from his throne, and waved his hoof, heading to another room. "Just follow me."
I was just about to question him, but I remembered what happened to the other Crystal Ponies who questioned the him. Instead, I followed him. Although, I felt weak and tired, working from day to day, and not able to go to bed until 4 in the morning. Adding the fact I couldn't sleep because of the unsuspecting nightmares that hit me. What do they mean? Why was it doing it to me only? I had so many questions, it started to hurt my head. I shook my head, and just looked forward. Suddenly, I seen a colorful room, a long couch and a few chairs, and a fireplace, right in front of my eyes. Sombra then stood beside a chair, and points at it, making me more concerned. "Go ahead and sit."
When I sat in the comfortable chair, it was like there was pillows under me again. I soon curl up enjoying the feeling I haven't had in a long time. `I think I been in that cave for 7 months’, I thought. It seemed like 6 years. I then notice King Sombra sat down, looking concerned about me. The feeling of fear came back, or was it hunger? I couldn't tell. But I knew Sombra might be planning something for me, something to make me more miserable.
"So i have been watching your actions..and i know that you're a gentle and hard working pony" Sombra said, gently. At that second, I panicked. I laid off of my job yesterday! My ears dropped, and I started breathing heavily, and stuttered. "I been trying my best Sombra, I-I swear on it! I just got really sore and tired, I’m so sorry for not doing my job! If I have to ill work twice as long, and I-” Sombra held up his hoof, shaking his head, showing me to stop, and I did. “I’m not mad at you, Chasity.”
My heart skipped a beat and I sat there, shocked. “Y..you’re..not?” I said, still stuttering.
Sombra shook his head. “No.” I sat there, looking down worriedly and still slightly scared. Why wasn't he mad like the other times I refused and messed up? Why am I not getting punished? I started to think too much to where my head started hurting again. I was far too weak to think that much.
I look back up, and seeing him calm made me feel sick again. Then, I asked something I would never thought of asking. “Why?” It was a few seconds before he answered. "I will explain later.” He looks over to the little button and presses it, then leaned on the chair to get his muzzle near the mic. “Guards, please come to my lounge”
I then froze in fear. I also heard the guards do all the executing and punishments. I was far too confused and scared to think of what Sombra had planned on doing to me this time.
The guards come in, still wearing their pitch black crystal armor. “Yes sir?” Sombra then points at me. “Special treatment.” My stomach turned when the guard looked at me with his dark red eyes. I couldn't stay calm. I attempted to run but the Guard grabs me, then the other guard joins by grabbing my arm. I jerked, looking scared. "Let me go, please!" I pleaded and begged, it was no use. Soon enough, the guard brought me to a big room.
It seemed like if it was both a bathroom and a spa with the way things looked. But without hesitation, one of the guards levitates me into the warm water already set up for me. But I felt sudden pain from most unnoticed wounds on me, and winced from the unbearable pain, and attempted to get out. Again, no use. All I could do now was look up at the guard nearly in tears. "L-let me out! It HURTS!" I said, with a strict painful tone.
The guard, of course, refused to listen. Instead, guard forced me to go completely in the water instead of halfway, and kept me there. I soon had tears coming down my face from the wounds that was untreated for so long burn so much. I recognized the stinging pain from when I got pieces of crystal stuck in my hooves. Or when I fall and cut myself. I soon get use to the pain and start to relax. I was slightly still tense, though. I still had fear. Fear of having a consequence that I refuse to accept. I seen Sombra over by the door and one of the guards talking to him. I seen the guard look over at me and whimpered. After a few seconds, I seen Sombra smile at me, and my heart pounded. Why is he so nice? Is he trying to make me weak to get his revenge?..
The next thing I knew, I was tired. I had no energy whatsoever to stay awake. I laid back, trying to relax all the way. Then, i was out. The guard by the door walks out of the room and lets King Sombra know I fell asleep. He nods, and walks in, and over to the sleeping mare. He puts an amulet around my neck, and mumbles under his breath. “Sleep well, my dear.” He then nods to the guards and walks out, shutting the door behind him.
Chapter 2 - The explanation
I soon wake up, seeing my mane was wrapped in a towel and a blanket covered me. As the the fireplace added warmth to my blanket, I look around, still puzzled from before my eyes forced shut. “What in tarnation?” Sombra then comes into sight, levitating some papers, and he gets a good glimpse of me being awake, then turned his head to face me giving a look that gave me shivers down my spine.
He then continued to walk over to his desk. “Good morning, Miss Songwriter... did you sleep well?” That feeling came back… he soon glared at me, and gave a smile, a gentle one, too. I tried to ignore what has been going on. So many questions popped up in my head. I look at him, and dared to question him with the same subject as before. “Why aren't you giving me punishment? Why are you so… gentle around me? You never was like this, and I want to know.”
A sudden notice came to me; I snapped at him for an answer. As he set his papers down, my ears lower, and the feeling of fear and regret came back. He walks over to me, and my heart starts pounding. ‘Why did i do that?!’ I started to panic severely when he sat next to me, thinking I was going to get hurt. Suddenly, he wraps his arm around me and pulled me close, as he did I lowered my head, like if i were to be guilty. He gave me a concerned look. Then, he takes his hoof under my chin and gently lifts my head up. I look into his eyes, and noticed he showed he was worried about me.
I started to calm down, but I still didn't understand why he is like this. But, an answer was soon to come. He then clears his throat after being sure he has my attention, and removes his hoof from my chin. “I feel as if your special. Not with only power but.. your personality” he says, with a smile so gentle that I never thought I would ever see on his face. ‘MY personality?’ Since when did he care about my personality? I thought he only liked to see my pain and fear, I thought wrong apparently. Then, off guard he had me lay down, and his his lap. I tried getting up, but he used his magic to keep me held down. “Relax, you've been through alot and need to rest up.. you’re too weak to stress out any longer. Besides, think of this as… a special permission”
My heart skips a beat. “S-special.. permission?” He nods. As I again look away, I blushed slightly. Was I.. falling in love? One thought for this moment was for certain.
I was scared.
