a tail of shadows

Sombra slinked down the hall. He turned the corner of the brilliant crystal palace. He heard a noise. His wings flapped out. He stared at them he had had them since birth but was still deathly afraid of heights. The young prince shook off the worry. He opened the door and went into the garden. His father, the king of the crystal ponies, wanted him to fly more. He heard a rustling from the shrubs. He carefully crept towards the sound he jumped on the shrub and heard a cry of pain. He jumped off.

"I’m so sorry! I didn't know I thought that, um,"

The pony started to pull herself out of the shrub. She was beautiful. She had cyan hair and a black coat. He also noticed a crown. He held out his hoof. She hit it away and stood up on her own. She stared at him for a moment before shaking her head and flying away. He stared at her, in awe. She flew towards the south, equestria.

His father called from the palace. He obeyed and turned to the palace. He looked to the south once more. He no longer saw the beautiful alicorn.

The king led his son down the hall.

”my son, I know that you are almost of age for the throne so I would like to give you a gift for your birthday.” The king said as he opened a door. On a mannequin sat a robe with armor plates. Sombra stood aghast. He felt a heavy weight on his head. He stared at a mirror on his head sat his father’s crown.

“You are ready.” He said proudly a small tear in the corner of his eye. Sombra was shocked his father, the gruff, serious king of the crystal empire, was starting to cry. Sombra nuzzled his father’s shoulder.

“I love you father”

“I love you too, now put on that cloak and come to dinner and show your mother”

A servant started to put on the cloak and armor plates. He stood with his chest out. He was to become king. His mind raced. He knew that his parents would look for a queen for him. He then remembered the mare from the street. She was the most beautiful pony he ever saw. He wished he could see her again to get to know her.

“Your done sir” the servant whispered. Sombra turned to the mirror he no longer saw the prince, but saw a mighty king.

He turned to see an old mare, his nanny. She had lived at the palace since his birth. She was paid handsomely and had a large room. She was less of a servant and more of a part of the family. Almost all royal children throughout the world had a nanny since their parents were extremely busy. His mother still picked him up from the nursery for dinner. The nanny, Hope, always followed she was beloved by the family and like a second mother to Sombra. He turned to the door and started to open before Hope kissed him on the cheek and whispered

“Good luck!”