Lock Light: The Second Son of Sombra

Chapter 3

“Um,” Fluttershy said “how about we don’t.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow Dash agreed “how do we know that we can trust you?"

“You can’t,” the Doctor said.

“Well,” Rarity said “then I for one am not going in.”

“Okay,” the Doctor said nonchalantly “you’ll just miss out on a whole lot of useful information where you’re going.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked. Then Spike belched really loudly and a message popped into his hands. He looked at it “It’s from the Princess,” he exclaimed.

“Read it out loud,” Twilight told Spike.

“Dear Twilight Sparkle,

“Your presences is needed in Canterlot as soon as possible. An old enemy has arisen and threatens to destroy Equestria once again. Come quickly my faithful student. – Celestia”

“Well girls,” Twilight said “you heard the Princess.”

“I got a faster ride then any of you,” the Doctor offered “Tardis…”

“No way we’re getting in that thing,” Rainbow Dash said brashly “we don’t trust you or your crazy machine.”

“Fair enough,” said the Doctor “I’ll see you there.”

“The Princess didn’t ask you to come,” retorted Rainbow Dash.

“Oh trust me,” the Doctor said “I’ll be there. You can count on that.”

“Come on girls,” Twilight said “we have to get there quickly, we’ll take the train, that’s the next fastest way to Canterlot.”

Without packing they galloped to the to the train station and got onboard. It was a couple of hours before they reached Princess Celestia’s castle. The main doors swung open as they walked familiar ground to the central throne room. Before them sat the Princess, and beside her was the Doctor. They were quietly whispering to each other when they clopped inside.

“Hey,” Rainbow Dash said “how come he’s here?”

“Girls,” said Princess Celestia looking up “I see you’ve already met the Doctor.”

“Yes we have,” Twilight answered. They all bowed respectfully to the Princess before she continued “we were wondering why we were summoned here your highness.”

“That,” the Princess said “I can help you with. As I said in my letter, an old enemy has arisen and is seeking to once more destroy Equestria. It isn’t the first time, but there are brief periods when he doesn’t send anything. But he always sends monsters. This time, he’s sending an army of them.”

“Then the Ipopony,” Twilight said “was one of his creations?”

“Creations,” the Doctor snorted “more like genetic mutations if you ask me. I’ve seen the like before when I was on the planet Procyon in the fifth celestial year of peace. It wasn’t one of his but something like it.”

“How does he know about it?” said Applejack “is he working with this pony who makes the monsters?”

“Ever a tactful one aren’t you,” replied the Doctor “I’m not a traitor. You haven’t seen a quarter of what I have done for the Galaxy and believe you me sister, you’re in for a rude awakening. This is just the beginning for this pony who’s attacking us. I know I was there at the beginning, and so was Lock Light.”

“What?” Twilight exclaimed.

“Yeah,” continued the Doctor “well, sort of, he may have quasi caused everything which repercussioned afterwards, albeit inadvertently.”

“Could someone,” asked Rainbow Dash “please tell me what is going on?”

“I can,” interjected the Princess rising from her place on the dais “the Doctor is right Rainbow Dash. This enemy is centuries old. He is called White Lightning and he is the biological son of…”

“If I may interject Princess,” the Doctor said “at least, ever so politely. I have idea. Why don’t I just take the girls there? It’ll save a lot of time of explaining.”

“You can’t be serious?” Rainbow Dash yelled “I’m not getting in that thing.”

“That’s a good point Doctor,” said Princess Celestia temporarily ignoring Rainbow Dash “if  you would only take less than an hour to explain everything…”

“Only the major highlights yeah,” the Doctor said “promise.”

“Alright girls,” the Princess said “you go with the Doctor.”

A stream of protests and complaints came from Twilight, Spike, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, and most notably, Rainbow Dash. Pinkie Pie oddly enough was the only one who hopped right to the door.

“But Princess,” Fluttershy said “we don’t even know how it works!”

“Darn tootin’ we don’t,” said Applejack “I ain’t gonna get inside somethin’ I don’t understand. What will it do to me?”

“Yeah,” Rainbow Dash said “how do we know it won’t kill us? Or blow us up? Or turn us into tiny, tiny, tiny, microscopic bits.”

“That,” the Doctor said “was a surprise. I didn’t expect that.”

“Expect what?”

“Well,” the Doctor said “you too know what microscopic means.”

“I know what it means,” said Rainbow Dash haughtily “and you’re steering away from the main point!”

“Girls, please,” the Princess said, and they all were dead quiet “do you trust me?”

“Yes,” they answered.

“Then you can trust the Doctor,” continued the Princess “he has helped save Equestria hundreds of times. I know, I’ve been there and have seen him do it with my own eyes. Even as I place my trust in the Doctor, and in you, so you should also place your trust in him.”

“That was rather philosophic and messianic,” said the Doctor “but nice touch.”

“Besides,” said Pinkie Pie bouncing up and down “I wanna see what’s inside!”

“That’s the spirit,” the Doctor said “come on you lot. You’re about to get the most amazing history lesson in your entire life.”

They all walked in as he swung open the door, Applejack was dragging Rainbow Dash by her tail as she dug her front hoofs into the floor “No!” she said “I won’t go! I won’t go!”

With that, the Doctor closed the door behind them. Good luck girls thought Princess Celestia good luck Doctor. Good luck Lock Light. The Tardis slowly began to disappear. A deep low, rumbling, mechanical grinding sound was heard throughout the throne room chamber. Then after about ten seconds, the Tardis was gone.

Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity, Spike, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash followed the Doctor inside Tardis. Its large dome loomed over them with many lights flickering on and off. Pinkie Pie walked over to the main control console “Ooh,” she said her eyes getting wide “what are all the buttons?”

“First things first,” the Doctor said facing Pinkie Pie “no touching buttons. Secondly this will take a while and even though it’ll take me a little bit, we’re going to have to travel backwards in time. Remember, don’t change anything, don’t get outside the Tardis, and don’t touch anything!

The after effects could be catastrophic not only to your current timeline girls but more importantly to his.”

“Are we really going to go back in time?” Twilight asked.

“Certainly,” the Doctor said as he pressed a couple of keys, flicked a few switches, and turned a few nobs “you didn’t think I would lie to you about this, did you?

“Well no,” Spike said “it’s just we’ve never done it before.”

“Obviously,” the Doctor responded casually “it’s alright, you’ll only feel like you are pulling a seven twenty at the speed of sound, fly inverted, and then get shocked by lightning.”

“Just that?” Rainbow Dash asked “I’ve done that hundreds of times.”

“Just kidding,” said the Doctor “it’s much, much worse.” And he pulled a lever.

The Tardis shook and spun round and round as they traveled back words in time “I think I’m going to be sick,” said Fluttershy.

“Pinkie Pie already is,” Applejack remarked as she gripped the side rail for dear life. Twilight looked over to see Pinkie Pie wretch a day’s worth of cake into a depression on Tardis’s floor. Twilight looked at the Doctor, surprisingly, he was walking around the control panel as if nothing was bothering him. He checked gauges and screens as data scrolled downwards at a rate her eyes couldn’t track. The Doctor simply nodded then looked around “Having fun yet?”

“I think you have a weird idea of fun,” said Rarity. The blue tinted glasses she was wearing fell to the floor and smashed “my glasses!”

“Don’t worry,” the Doctor said to a now fuming Rarity “you’ll get another one.”

“Come on guys,” Rainbow Dash said “this is the best roller coaster ever!”

Glad someone’s enjoying themselves Twilight thought as she continued to grip onto the railings. She looked at Spike who smiled at her. The Tardis continued to buck and weave through space and time for the next ten minutes. Then as soon as it began, it stopped.

“Well now,” said the Doctor “we’re here, and all’s well that ends well.”

“Where are we?” They asked.

“You are one thousand five hundred and twenty years ago, shortly before the first celestial year of peace. This is the time shortly after,” the Doctor answered “about a hundred years after the Pegasi, Earth Ponies, and Unicorns leave their former homeland and come to settle in Equestria.”

“More importantly,” Twilight asked “when are we?”

“Ah,” said the Doctor “a smart one she is. We are actually not in Equestria right now. Actually, I said all of those historical facts so that you can get your bearings. We are in the same time period, but we’re actually in the Crystal Empire.”

“The Crystal Empire,” Twilight said “but that means…”

“You guessed it,” the Doctor interrupted.

“Guessed what?” The rest of them asked.

Twilight turned to them “This was when King Sombra still ruled the Crystal Empire, before Princess Candice was the princess. This was the time when he stole the Crystal Heart which we had to find to restore the happiness to all of the ponies who lived there. It was also the time when ponies here were enslaved to King Sombra. It was a dark time for all ponies who lived here. Many were forced to labor for the king while he sat on his throne and ruled with an iron hoof.”

“That’s right,” said the Doctor “hit the nail right on the head. Ha, excuse me, didn’t mean to have the horse reference in there.”

“Why did you bring us here?” Rainbow Dash asked shocked “won’t we get caught? Also turned into slaves?”

“Well most certainly,” answered the Doctor.

“But why then?” Applejack asked “why would you put us into so much danger?”

“Aren’t you curious?” the Doctor responded.

“About what?” They replied.

“To find out about Lock Light of course,” the Doctor said

“I thought you said he’d hate you for the rest of his life if you told us about him?” Applejack said.

“Well, I’m not about to tell you now, am I?” said the Doctor “I’m about to show you.”

He swung open the door and they stepped outside into the domain of the Crystal Empire.

“What are we supposed to see here?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Nothing right now,” said the Doctor “except in about three…two…one, ah, here they are.”

“Who’s…” Twilight began but then she suddenly stopped. A small group of fillies and colts on a school trip, hiking up the mountain trail where Tardis had parked them. They were laughing, and giggling, and being obnoxious little brats, just like every other pony was in Ponyville when they were young. This shocked Twilight Sparkle because of all the reports she’d read about the Crystal Empire while Sombra was in power, it didn’t say anything about this.

“I know what you’re thinking,” said the Doctor interrupting her thoughts “if everything was so great for every pony in the Crystal Empire then why did they usurp King Sombra earlier?”

She nodded.

“Well,” continued the Doctor “these aren’t every day ponies. These are the fillies and colts of the nobleponies of King Sombra. Do you see that fellow in front acting as chaperone?”

He gestured with his right hoof towards a sturdily built, broad shouldered handsome looking Kiso stallion. His black mane glistened in the afternoon sun, well-polished with grey tips at the end. He was keeping a sharp look out for danger.

“That is Lock Light’s father,” said the Doctor “Foss Saber, Captain of King Sombra’s Advanced Guard. A good and noble chap. Lock Light takes a lot after him. Oh, wait, look!”

A pudgy little Pegasus, looking like a bloated butterfly with undersized wings was barely able to keep up with the rest of the group.

“Dad,” Lock Light yelled “wait up!”

They paused and Captain Saber looked back at his son with fondness “I’m here son,” he said “we’ll wait here and let you catch your breath. In fact, why don’t we all take a break. You all look tuckered out.”

Fluttershy, Rarity, Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash started to giggle as Lock Light strained with the effort to keep a loft.

“I know I struggled with flying,” giggled Fluttershy “but at least I was able to.”

“Ha, ha,” laughed Rainbow Dash “he looks so ridiculous!”

“He does doesn’t he?” asked the Doctor “Lock Light was very close with his father. They did everything together after his mother died when he was born. Lock Light was happy, even though he didn’t understand anything that was going on. When he looked around, he didn’t see all of the oppression, or the slavery, the corruption which was rampant in the Crystal Empire under King Sombra. He only saw his father, the champion of good in King Sombra’s Court.”

Lock Light and Foss Saber embraced as he finally caught up. The other ponies were panting and resting from the tough climb up the mountain they were on.

The Doctor continued “Lock Light did everything his father told him. He admired the way his father handled himself around King Sombra, being one of the few ponies able to withstand his gaze and look him in the eye. King Sombra was jealous of Captain Saber because he could get things done whereas only Sombra could only give the orders. Ponies liked and loved Captain Saber over Sombra, therefore Sombra saw Captain Saber as a threat to his kingdom, but he couldn’t do anything about it personally because it would only hail Captain Saber as a martyr for freedom. Until…”

A low rumbling shook the mountain. It shuttered and buckled under the tremendous weight, as a huge Chimera came onto the path where they were all standing. It roared in their faces sending the fillies and colts screaming as they began to scatter. The Chimera took a step towards one of them, when Captain Saber stood in its way. The Chimera roared again in his face “You don’t scare me,” said Captain Saber his voice cool and level “I’ve faced worse creatures than you demon spawn!”

The creature reared upwards at this the goat’s head rammed towards him but Foss Saber dodged, quick as lightning and kicked at the creature’s chest. The Chimera clutched itself in pain as the snake tail hissed forward striking, left and right, every time missing at Captain Saber’s remarkable agility. He taunted the creature “What? Is that the best you can do?”

The creatures lion head snapped as Foss Saber jumped onto the cliff face, trying to draw it away from the fillies and colts. The Chimera followed, smashing paw holds into the rock and sending shards hurtling below.

“Can’t we help him?” Applejack asked.

“No,” the Doctor said “it wouldn’t be right. It would change Lock Light’s history forever. That’s also not how time works. This is the catalyst which made Lock Light who he is. It can’t be altered, no matter what we do. If we save Captain Saber now it will only mean that he’ll die later and not of old age. It’s his tragic death which allows Lock Light to develop and it’ll happen again sooner or later.”

They continued to watch. Captain Saber leapt down from the top and hurled himself at the Chimera, biting, kicking, and fighting with all of his might. The Chimera’s grip loosened and they tumbled off the cliff side landing once more on the trail. By this time all of the fillies and colts were hiding in a shallow cave, little more than a depression, in the rock wall. It shook with the impact and they screamed as the cave entrance collapsed in front of them. Captain Saber saw what had happened and as the roof fell, he tried to dig them out. He only got a little hole dug in “Lock Light,” he yelled as the Chimera once more got back up on its feet and turned to face him “save your friends. Save them. Protect them.”

“Father,” Lock Light yelled helpless as he was pinned by a rock.

“I love you son,” Captain Saber said and turned to face the Chimera. He knew it was his last moment. His last heroic act before he died. He braced himself, and then, he launched against the rocks behind him which now protected his one and only son. With Lock Light’s screams still ringing in his ears he flew at the Chimera straight as an arrow. His head jamming itself into the lion head’s open mouth causing it to choke as it stepped backwards…and over the edge of the cliff. The Chimera’s roar faded slowly as they hurtled towards the bottom of the canyon and splashed into the torrential waters below.

The rocks began to shift and move as ten tiny hoofs began to dig their way out. When Lock Light’s head broke loose, he scrambled out running over towards the cliff edge yelling “Dad? Dad? Dad!”

He ran around frantically, looking for his father. But he was nowhere to be seen. All that remained of his father was the gigantic bite torn out of the edge of the cliff where they stood. The others got out, and shook with fright and fear. One of them stepped forward “What do we do now?”

“Back,” Lock Light said through eyes full of tears “we have to go back. Down the mountain.”

“But who’ll take care of us?”

“I will,” Lock Light said “until we get to the castle I will.”

“It shouldn’t be that difficult,” said one “there should be slaves or servants who can help us get down.”

“No,” Lock Light said “I have to. I’ll do it. Even if it means carrying each one of you down on my back I’ll do it.”

“Well if you’re offering,” said another.

“You stupid idiot,” said another. He was about Lock Light’s height, but jet black with a blue mane. White lightning bolts etched his legs, blue wings and his mane “can’t you see he didn’t really mean it? It’s an image. He won’t really carry you all down. You’ll have to carry yourselves down. Besides,” he continued “he needs more help than any of us now.”

Lock Light broke down into sobs and tears. The other pony hugged him. Soon the others joined. Lock Light sobbed, and sobbed for about an hour. Afterwards, his voice hoarse and cracking “Thanks you lot. Especially you,” he said pointing to the black colt “what’s your name?”

“White Lightning,” the pegasus said holding out his hoof “and yours?”

“Lock Light,” said he as he shook White Lightning’s hoof “who’s colt are your parents?”

“I’m surprised no one here recognized me,” he said “after all, the son of Sombra and Crown Prince should be well known throughout his kingdom.”

They all bowed instantly. Although they were young, every pony knew how to address at least the King and the Prince. There had been so much going on that Lock Light had forgotten all of their names by this now.  “Forgive me my lord,” Lock Light said “I was just…"

“No matter,” White Lightning said “you’ve had a hard day. The worst of us all. Come on everyone, you’re now to listen to Lock Light.”

Lock Light looked at him and the Prince looked back “You want to follow your father’s last wishes don’t you?”

Lock Light nodded getting up “Come you lot,” he said “let’s get moving.”

They all trudged back down the mountain trail.

The Doctor tapped Twilight on the shoulder, she turned her eyes brimming with tears “Come on,” the Doctor said “we should go to.”

They all walked back into the Tardis and he closed the door. Slowly it disappeared.

“Why did we have to learn that?” Twilight asked “that’s private information. We shouldn’t’ve been allowed to see it.”

“You had to know why Lock Light is the way he is,” the Doctor said “that’s just part one. Part two is happening in a few minutes. I’d fasten your seat belts this time.”

Twilight didn’t even notice when the Tardis landed this time. She was still dwelling on Captain Saber’s death and also Lock Light. She had guessed right the night before. He was a good pony, he just had a lot of issues to deal with. She was sure she was going to find out more.

“We’re here all,” the Doctor said “welcome to seven months later. During this moment, Lock Light is older, happier, and best friends with the Crown Prince. He has lived at the castle up until now and he’s looking great! We’re parked about halfway between where he is and the Castle.”

The door opened and they saw the city in front of the Crystal Castle. They looked around “Where’s Lock Light?” Spike asked

“Over there,” the Doctor said nodding in the general direction. They all looked and they gasped. Lock Light was taller now. All of the fat gone from his body. His wings were strong and powerful. His dark brown glossy flanks were knotted with muscle. He walked with a stride of confidence and pride, his black grey tipped mane blowing in the gentle breeze. Beside him, White Lightning strode. They laughed together after White Lightning told a joke about a slave and a crock pot. Lock Light heard a scream, a mare was getting her coins robbed by bandits.

Lock Light looked at White Lightning and together they flew off at the speed of sound, quickly catching up with the thieves. They fought them and took the coins back giving them back to the noble mare who was waiting for them.

“Oh thank you my lord,” the mare said bowing.

“Think nothing of it,” White Lightning said “just remember to keep better hold of your purse next time.”

With that, they trotted off back towards the castle. They continued to talk and laugh as if nothing had happened, taking everything very nonchalantly. When two guards walked up “Your Highness,” one said addressing White Lightning “you’re needed at the castle. Your father requires your presence.”

Looking down trodden White Lightning complied. Lock Light nudged him and smiled. White Lightning smiled too. Twilight could see that they liked each other like brothers and that they needed each other.

“Want me to come with you?” Lock Light asked.

“Sure,” White Lightning whispered when the guards had their backs turned “maybe we can beat the guards to the castle. I’m probably in trouble with my dad anyway. Wanna race?”

“Alright,” Lock Light whispered back bracing himself and unfurling his wings “through the lamp posts and around the foundation pillars twice before we fly through the balcony.”

“Right,” White Lightning said then shouted “Race you to the castle!”

He shot past the guards who had delivered their message. Lock Light was hard on his heels. They sped off towards the castle doors. The guards shouted “Your highness please!”

They ignored them. Lock Light and White Lightning were now neck and neck with each other. They were nearly breaking the sound barrier when they reached the castle grounds.