"Sombra!" Luna could not believe her eyes. Was this real? she thought. No, no this couldn't be real. Sombra was in the dungeon, far, far away. and yet there he was, standing in front of her clear as the moon in the night sky.

Cadence smiled," auntie Luna, you never told me you knew Sombra on a personal level." The smile on her face was so innocent.

"Cadence Sombra is dangerous, step back so you don't get hurt," Celestia said as her horn began to glow in a bright pale yellow.

"Aunt Celestia no!" Cadence said as she stood in the sun goddess's way. "I know how dangerous he was before but he is good now," Cadence sighed. "I know all to well how dangerous he was, do you really think I would bring him here if I knew he would attack? I'm not saying I think he was the best pony when he returned but I know he isn't completely gone."

"And what possibly led you to believe such things?" Celestia said, her horn still glowing at the ready if Sombra made a move.

Luna still couldn't believe it, here, standing right in front of her, was Sombra. She remembered him, they used to be good friends a thousand years ago. It was why she wanted to see that lake. It was a childish reason but Luna wanted to see that lake because it reminded her of him. Him before the darkness. Luna wanted to see that lake because that was where she was the last place she was truly happy before she was banished. Luna and Sombra were young, teenagers actually. He was a carefree stallion and she was a princess with responsibilities, responsibilities to her people and her kingdom. Luna would often go to the lake at that park when things got really stressful. Sure life as a princess had it's upsides but the real downfall was the loss of freedom. Luna had a duty to her kingdom from the moment she was able to tap into her magic at will. She never really got to act her age, be a child. Luna and Celestia were disciplined and educated at a very young age. On top of this Luna's responsibilities as princess of the night were very time consuming. When she was at the lake she could let her guard down. Luna was able to be alone, no guards, no important title, and most importantly, no royal duties. She could just sit and relax. Then he showed up.

Luna was sitting by the lake letting out all of the day's frustrations as she relaxed in the soft grass, her hooves dipped in the shallows of the shimmering water as she watched the ripples dancing around her hooves. "I wish things could always be this peaceful," she sighed.

Luna was basking in the calmness of everything when she heard hoofsteps coming towards her. "Oh, apologies, didn't expect somepony to be here," said the pony that walked up.

Luna turned to see a tall dark grey stallion standing behind her," tis perfectly alright, thou must enjoy this peaceful place as much as thyself," Luna answered.

When the stallion realized who she was he instantly bowed, "highness, I didn't think somepony such as you would find such a place as this important enough to come to," the stallion replied.

Luna scoffed," rise, and please don't, I came here to get away from all of that not have somepony walk up and instantly jump to such behavior at the sight of thee."

The stallion rose," of course, where are thy manners, I'm Sombra," he said extending a hoof in greeting.

Luna accepted it and replied," Luna, of course I presume thou hast known this already."

"Everypony knows you, if you don't mind thy asking, what is it that brings somepony such as thou here?" Sombra asked.

"Today has left thee drained and I simply came to get far away from it all. I come here often to simply relax."

"Completely understandable, I thyself do just the same on the hard days."

"Really," Luna replied.

"Oh yes, often in fact. I never could have known that thou hast done the same on some such days. Never thought such a mare as you could ever feel drained from it all. I mean, the food, the home, the stallion that no dougt line up trying to get somepony such as you."

"Being royalty is not nearly as glamorous as you make it sound. The suitors get beyond annoying when they keep returning after i make thyself clear that they will have to look somewhere else. While the food is delicious and the home glamorous, the responsibility is unbearable," Luna said.

"Hmm, never thought about that." Sombra looked at Luna," I also never thought about how thou dost it and manage to look as beuatiful as you," the stallion said.

"He is capable of being released of the magic entirely!" Cadence yelled. This brought Luna out of her thoughts and back to the present.

"He's dangerous!" Celestia countered.

Sombra stepped forward and raised his hoof as a show of peace so Celestia would not fire. "Please, I know my past actions have been.... questionable, but may I speak?"

Luna nodded to Celestia and she reluctantly dropped her spell," my sister has agreed to let you speak so say what you will but if I take it as a threat towards the well being of my people in any way I won't hesitate in ending you," the sun goddess said.

Sombra nodded," as is only fair."

Something was different about him Luna noticed. That's when it hit her, his voice. It didn't sound like that of the evil tyrant, but that of a normal stallion..... kind of.

Sombra looked at Luna and slowly walked toward her. "Luna, please, I know I don't deserve it but would you give me another chance? Your niece has opened my eyes to something I should have noticed long ago."

"And what would that be?" Luna said trying not to let her nervousness show. She stood tall and hoped she looked confident because she felt like her legs would give at any moment. Luna did not want how weak she felt to show.

"That I want to be near you," he said. "I want nothing more than to be near you, please give me another chance."

Author's Note

And that concludes chapter 2! Hope you enjoyed it and some feedback on the story would be great. Like mention of the pacing. please someone tell me if i'm pacing this a little fast or a little slow. This is my first fic so all the support is great. you might not realize it but every veiw i get means a lot and the fact that i'm getting favorites and suggestions and supportive comments means a lot. thank you all