Tirek and Sombra

Tireks POV

Tirek ended his changeling disguise. When he drained magic. It's amount was proportional to how much magic he drained when obtaining it. The time between Canterlots barrier falling, and another barrier expanding outwards, was all but an hour. He could only drain one changeling, before that barrier threw him across the other side of the country. So while his shape-shifting was decent. His choosing to take on a huge appearance put strain on what was already an ability he was unfamiliar with, so it could only last a few seconds. And yet, it got the job done.

When he changed his appearance, Frostbite immediately charged her horn, with her ring bubbling. Thankfully, Sombra raised a hoof, signalling Frostbite to stand down. Frostbite gritted her teeth, frustrated that she couldn't just dispose of who she knew was a huge threat. Despite her protestant expression, she ultimately bowed to her King and walked to his side.

Tirek grinned at Frostbite. He would deal with her later. He returned to Sombra, who's glare wasn't what he expected. None the less, Tirek rolled with the punches. ''Care to show use what you've learned today, King Sombra?''

Sombras horn lit up. Again, the crystal on the ceiling cast a shadow. This time, it showed the very memories Sombra experienced. When it was done, the shadows retreated back into the crystal. What followed was dead silence, with Sombra simply staring at Tirek, with a hint a unamusement

Tirek was confused ''It appears there's something I've missed. You don't seem very pleased.''

''You're a threat, equal to the Crystal Heart!''

Tirek appealed to him, using his memories as a leverage. ''Oh, Sombra. What ever brought you to say such words. I always thought you to be my favorite ...associate.'' He walked up to Sombra, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

He'd have to make multiple appeals. First, he appealed to Sombras concerns ''I'm not a threat, as I'm unable to drain your crystals. And while I do admit, I'll be able to drain them in time, I wont need them in the end. For you see, I want the magic of Equestria, along with the Princesses alicorn magic. I just need a favor from my former ally. I don't know what I must have done to deserve such harsh words from you, but it's been so long since we've seen each other. You know what I'm capable of, so why not use me for Equestria. Are you going to let a little misunderstanding interfere with your judgement of a potential asset?''

King Sombra continued to stare him down, as cold and aloof as usual.

Next, Tirek appealed to his loss of identity. ''Speaking of judgements. Do you really want to judge me in the subjective context of one simple memory? If I recall correctly, you were better then that. But that was then, this is now. You are, who you are, so I suppose it can't be helped. Unless you can prove me wrong.''

''With that said, may I ask that you let me say what I have to say without,'' He glared at Frostbite ''interruption?'' then went back to the king ''Will you allow me to speak my mind without consequence? You might learn something of value.''

Sombra hesitated, then nodding with approval.

With there being no consequences to his words, Tirek continued towards breaking down any argument Sombra may hold, without any hint of doing so ''Do you wish to know who you really are? Then all you have to do is let me stay and remind you of your true self. The time and place of the memories may come randomly, but I'm confident you'll be able to piece it together. I could simply tell you who you used to be, but you were always the kind who wanted to be shown not told. You could read my mind, but nothing leads to bias like another persons perspective. I'm sure you prefer one-hundred percent accurate knowledge.''

He looked to Sombras horn, and decided to work on the risks ''You feel it, don't you? The compelling thirst for power? Are you going to let it consume you? Will you be controlled by the very power you claim to control. How long must you've endured with such a curse? You enslave ponies, and yet you yourself could become just that, a slave!''

He proceeded on to Sombras forgotten loyalty ''You used to be a great unicorn. So ambitious, so refined! By the looks of things, you're still as lawful as ever. A King must bring order, ...and a servant must enforce them.'' He held his hands up defensively ''I'm not saying you should return as my subordinate, besides, after what happened with my brother, I'm done with subordination. Despite losing yourself, you didn't completely lose yourself.''

Then laid down what they shared in common ''You've proven to me that we should work together again, but as equals this time. You are admirably intelligent, so I'll be honest with you, we're both the kind of people who ultimately care only about our own goals, and will use anypony to our advantages. And neither of us are gullible enough to try to fool the other into thinking otherwise, so lets not resort to such pointless deceptions and have a refreshingly mutual, honest, and pragmatic means of communication.''

And then he played on his intelligence. ''Any gambits we may try would ultimately end in a convoluted mess. I bet I now what you're thinking, 'How am I sure your not just trying to convince me into not having a backup plan?'. Well, the answers quiet simple really. You can't be sure. Trust your own judgement. Especially, considering your King Sombra. Who, as I've heard, won not because he did things now, but because he was so prepared beforehand. It's obvious to me that you are a force to be reckoned with.''

Tirek was on a roll, and now he would wrap up his case. Finally, he appealed to Sombras special talent. He eyed his flank, only to find it possessed a cutie mark. It was a dark crystal with the typical purple bubbles emitting from it. He rolled with the punches ''Interesting! So you have a new cutie mark? Oh well, I was hoping you could still obtain your original cutie mark. Doing so could very well be the shortest and easiest way to discover your past. Cutie marks are linked to memory, after all.''

Finally, Tirek summed up his appeal to King Sombra! ''King Sombra! I don't say this as your former master, but as one dark lord to another. You have far too much dignity as a King to become a slave to petty urges, and you're far too cunning and prepared to be concerned with someone like me. Embrace your past identity! In turn, help me regain my strength from those filthy equestrians! Together, there is nopony who can stop us!''

And that was that. Tirek questioned ''Well?''

Silence filled the throne room, until King Sombra finally answered ''I'll need to evaluate.''

The throne room doors opened up, with the Captain of the Royal Guards standing in the door way. He nodded his head out the door, signalling Frostbite and Tirek to leave the King to his thoughts.

Once everypony was out, the doors closed. The brainwashed Shining Armor said ''Come this way, Sir Tirek. I'll show you to your guest room.'' Tirek followed, along with Frostbite.

The Guards Captain lead him to his chambers. There, he stayed for the night. It was a simple room. And yet, this was King Sombra he was dealing with. For all he knew, his guest room could be a trap itself. Regardless, Tirek continued inside, not to sleep, but to think. He needed some quiet time to prepare for anything. He could still taste a bit of the changeling magic. Just enough in case things went south. He walked to one of the dark corners in the room, and began stroking his beard.

But he still had one last thorn to take care of. He heard the doors creak open before closing shut behind him. Time to deal with said thorn.

''My King may trust you, but I don't!''

Tirek cackled ''My, my, my? Aren't you upset?''

Frostbite narrowed her eyes ''I hope I'll have the honors of gutting you myself!''

Tirek laughed ''Oh my, are you actually threatening me?''

''You'll eventually betray us, and when that time comes,'' she smirked maliciously ''I'll be ready.''

''And you wont do it now? I wonder.'' goaded Tirek.

''Oh, I'll do it!'' reassured Frostbite.

''Perhaps, but that's King Sombras rightful decision. You know that, don't you?''

''Of course!'' she spat.

''Then why antagonize me? Why waist both my and your precious time on a potential fate that your King, and your King alone decides?''

Tirek continued to play her like a fiddle ''Your concern his understandable, Frostbite. You are, after all, one of King Sombras,'' he stroked his beard to remember ''...Heart Hunters, was it?'' He spread his arms out, making an opening for her. ''You can kill me if you so desire, but you wont, because that may not be what your King wants. Or maybe, you don't trust his word?''

''I do trust his word!''

''Then why go against it? Shouldn't a loyal servant trust in the word of there King? Maybe you're not as loyal as you let on. Of course, if this is true, then you should have no trouble making sure I never live to tell about it!''

Frostbite retorted ''It's a warning!''

Tirek smirked ''A warning? As in, trying to scare me into falling in line, or else? Amusing! ...Your warning will be noted.'' before waving her off ''Now could you be a dear, and let a weak and defenseless centaur like myself get some shut-eye?''

Hesitantly, Frostbite gave up. She walked out the door, but before it closed all the way, she gave him one last glare which promised murder.

Tirek walked to one of the dark corners in the room, and began stroking his beard. Scheming, planing, preparing for the worst.