Wings Over Sunset

Shimmer’s shack, for that was what it was, was a cozy little place situated in between two run down bricked buildings. He remembered one used to be a bakery before Sombra made Sweet Haven his permanent home. Now this place was little more than a squalid wreck housing too many ponies too poor to afford anything for themselves. Inside, it was just a long narrow room, with reinforced fence posts jammed together to form solid walls and a long piece of waterproof cloth draped over the top. It was not much, but it was Shimmer’s home…and with all the spell enchantments he had bought for the place, he was probably the warmest pony in all of the Eastern District. Being in between buildings also helped. It afforded his place a sense of space, and the added bonus of street drainage meant that he never had to worry about flooding, which was great as he never wanted to be cold, wet, or muddy ever again.

Shimmer sat on his bed –a straw filled mattress on the floor and stared at the contents of his haul. One hundred and fifty Dragon-Marked bits, more than enough to get him into the Western District where the minor nobles lived, sat in a small pile in front of him. But that was just background to the egg shaped crystal sitting on top of the pile. The thing hummed in his ears like an overly curious mosquito, but he knew it was all in his head. It was like his sixth sense knew magic was afoot, but had no idea how to react to it. Something dark and inky danced inside it, beckoning his attention with its hypnotic pulses. He found it in his hooves and he embraced it like he had found his long lost love. It was perfect, it was everything he had desired.

It was his, forever. No-pony else could have it.

A knock on his door brought him out of his reverie. He grunted, and returned to the gem. Warmth flared in his belly and a dumb smile fell on his face. He could not believe it was his. He was the luckiest stallion in the world.

Another burst of insistent knocking reverberated through his home. “Shimmer! I know you’re in there. Slice said she saw you return last night.”

“I’m busy, Sunny!” Shimmer retorted.

Sun Spear, the annoying colt-turned stallion, hammered on Shimmer’s door once more. “Let me in you son-of-a-whore.”

“You call me that again and buck your face until you swallow all your teeth.”

“Ooh scary. Come at me you overgrown horsefly. I’ll splat you against this pretty house of yours.”

“I’d rather fight a horsefly. At least I won’t feel guilty when I squish it.”

“Oh, you bastard.”

Shimmer chuckled and crossed the room. He pulled back the beam locking the door shut and pulled the end of a rope. The door swung open, revealing a bedraggled yellow unicorn with an orange mane hanging limp by his side. He had yet to bulk out after his recent growth spurt, so the kid was more legs and neck then muscle.

“Took your sweet time,” muttered Sun Spear as he barged by. He still wore his spear and bow on his back. A faint odour of long dead beast wafted from the soaked through leather that made his armour. Unless one was lucky enough to land a promising contract, most mercenaries lacked money to wear true armour and so settled for dead hide from animals every-pony knew not to question. In Sombra’s world, ignorance truly was bliss. However, the skirt ended abruptly where a less than carting owner had sliced off the protective cloth to leave an exposed hind quarters. He said that it restricted his hind legs in battle, but Shimmer knew that the stallion just wanted to show off his cutie mark. To be fair to him, a golden flaming stone-headed spear was more visually striking than most other mercenary marks, it certainly beat the horseshoe emblazoned buckler.

“How long have you been standing out there?” Shimmer asked.

Sun Spear shook his mane, spraying water into Shimmer’s eyes. “Too long,” he said.

Shimmer guided his friend to a seat –a straw filled sack surrounded by many empty bottles—and placed himself in between his friend and the bed. There was no need for unnecessary questions to be raised. Sun Spear sat and immediately began rooting through the discarded remains to find one last drop of cider. Shimmer huffed and rolled his eyes towards a cupboard. Sun Spear grinned and with his magic, withdrew two fresh ciders from their rotten ex-floorboard sanctuary. “Still stealing, I see.”  Shimmer just shrugged.

Both ponies sipped their drinks until the building silence brought with it a sense of awkwardness.

Shimmer grunted, “So what do you want? Come on, get it out of your system.”

Sun Spear’s ears perked and the largest smile, one that spread from cheek to cheek, filled Shimmer’s vision. “You missed the biggest haul yet!” he cried. “I can’t believe you turned it down.”

Shimmer shrugged. “I felt like I needed a change in scenery. Besides, caravan work never pays out.”

Somehow his smile got bigger. “But you don’t know where this caravan was headed.”

Shimmer rolled his eyes. “And where was this amazing place that required two weeks of your time?”

“Canterlot,” the colt-warrior replied. “We went to Royal Equestria!” He immediately downed his drink, threw it with the rest, and pulled another one from the cupboard.

Shimmer tried to act casual and sip his drink, but his jaw would not function. A caravan to Royal Equestria…that was a caravan holding items of national importance. That was a contract mercenaries had killed each other for.

“Seventy bits!” he shrieked. “Seventy. Seven – zero. Holy hell Shimmer, you missed out big time. I’d shed a tear for you, but I’m far too busy counting my coins.”

Shimmer raised an eyebrow, “Seriously?”

He nodded with such vigour Shimmer thought his head would pop off. “And that’s not all.”

He proffered a small red ribbon from a pocket hidden underneath his scarred and wrinkled armour. On it, stitched in with a skilled hoof, was the Black Crystal: the mark of Sombra. This tag meant everything to a Mercenary. Three marks, and they could join the Legions, and get out of the cesspool that was Eastern District.

“You got a commendation?”

“That makes two. You’re no longer better than me. Admit it, Shimmer, even without the marks against your name, I’m getting out of here before you.” He stuck his tongue out.

It was Shimmer’s turn to smile. “Oh, I’m not so sure. Do you know what I have been doing for the past two weeks?” Sun Spear shrugged. “I followed the map I got off old Pony Saw Tooth.”

“You mean that old drunk raving on about the foul magic in that swamp? You actually believed him?”

Shimmer shrugged. “It was worth a try. Besides, as I said earlier, it beat caravan duty.”

Sun Spear leaned forwards, drink forgotten. “And you actually went?”

“Sure did.”

“And…did you find anything?”

Shimmer nodded. He got up off his sack and pointed towards the bed, where the treasure lay. An audible gasp threatened to suck all air out of his magically sealed home.

“Shimmer, you’re not telling me…”

“That I Shimmer Steppe, mercenary of Safe Haven, succeeded where countless academics, heroes and armies have failed. Yes, thanks to that crazy old horse, I found the Lost Lair of the Bottomless Bog.

“So I guess you are still one step behind me, squirt.” Shimmer stuck his tongue out and ruffled the mane of Sun Spear. The yellow unicorn made an odd whinnying noise and pushed his hoof away with his magic.

Sun Spear ruffled through the pile of coins, not even considering the mesmerising stone sat upon it. “Dragon-marked bits…I’ve never seen one before, and here you are with hundreds of them.” Sun Spear looked up, almost bursting into tears. “How…how much?”

“By my thinking,” Shimmer said, “If I can find the right buyer, I could probably get 5 bits per coin…seven hundred and fifty bits.”

“Seven hundred?” Sun Spear’s mouth moved but no more words came out. After a moment, he sank back into his seat. “Seven hundred and fifty…” He looked at Shimmer. “So you’ve finally done it.”

Shimmer nodded as he picked up his beautiful egg shaped crystal.

“Oh…wow, and I thought I was going through a patch of good luck,” Sun Spear muttered.

Shimmer sat, cradling his prize with a cheesy grin on his face. “Is this not the most amazing thing ever?”

Sun Spear laughed. “Ha, good one. Is that some prized stone carved from the temple or just something you pulled off the street?”

“What do you mean?”

“What do you mean ‘what do you mean’? Shimmer, you dumb oaf, it’s a rock.”

Shimmer stuttered. It’s just a rock? How could he say that? The money would buy him a place outside the slums. But this ‘rock’ was going to get Sombra’s attention and the glory that would follow it.

He stared into the gem, marvelling at the strange material locked within.  “I’m going to take this to Sombra and prove to every-pony that I belong in the city.”

“Are you crazy?” Sun Spear reached up and slapped the gem from his hooves.

“No!” Shimmer shoulder checked the young buck, sending him tumbling into the chair. He reached out a hoof, as if time would somehow slow down and he could save it. His heart thundered in his chest, but his muscles froze as the chink of glass slammed into the sackcloth carpet. The gem survived, but the black mist writhed inside like a blizzard within a snow-dome. The sharp click fractured his senses as a clear jagged line formed on the surface.

Shimmer raced over and cradled the gem, rocking back and forth like an insubordinate tot. “What in Sombra’s good graces made you do that?” he screamed. “This is my ticket out of here.”

“Shimmer!” screamed Sun Spear, a hardness came across his features, the face of a pony who had killed once and had no issue with doing it again. “Get your head out of your arse and look at it. It’s a rock. A bloody, ordinary rock. If you presented that to the castle guard, he would hang without a second glance.”

“It’s not a rock!” Shimmer slammed into his friend, this time making sure his friend had nothing soft to fall on. “It’s everything to me. It’s MINE!”

The leather shoulder pad absorbed most of the blow and Sun Spear rolled straight into a ready stance in front of the door. “I don’t know what’s gotten into your head, but Tartarus will take me before I let my only friend in this Gods forsaken hellhole kill himself in a fit of insanity.”

“Step aside,” said Shimmer, all joy removed from his voice, leaving a barely contained rumble. Shimmer flicked his hoof on one of the many floor slats nailed directly to the brick wall of the house next door. His bone-spear, a smooth milky white staff latticed in grey veins. Atop of it, bound in layers of rope glued together to form an almost unbreakable resin, rested a curved blade that sparkled in the torchlight. He let the familiar weight rest against his shoulder.

Sun Spear gulped. “Shimmer…”

“You will not ruin this for me.” Shimmer stood, eyeing down his opponent. Sun Spear visibly shrank, but the moment his posture slackened, the heat flared up in his face.

“Fine!” he shouted, “go kill yourself. See if I care.” Beads of tears formed in his eyes, but he turned and kicked open the door, smashing the lock clean through. Shimmer waited until the orange tail disappeared into the pouring rain and then donned his armour, strapped a fresh torch to his back and the machete to his side. Last to go on was the saddlebag, bulging with his winnings. With a deep breath, he exited his house, stepping over the remains of his door as he did so.

--

The rain soaked his mane almost immediately, and loose strands of red blurred his vision. However, he took one last look at his hovel. It had served him faithfully over the years. Every post and board he hammered together with his own hooves. The cloth roof had cost him a pretty penny, but never had he to deal with a serious leak. He knew every nook and cranny, and had, at one stage, filled it with many pilfered goods.

This place actually felt like home. He actually felt the pangs of loss as he turned away, never to see it again. But he looked upwards, towards the great bonfires lighting the castle as it rose like a phoenix from the ashes of the crowded city.  Times had changed, and was finally moving up in the world.

“King Sombra does not have time to speak with sewer rats such as yourself,” the burly guard said. He pointed his spear and poked Shimmer until he took a step back.

“But I have treasure from the Lost Temple,” stammered Shimmer. “I can prove it!” Shimmer pulled forth one of the Dragon-Marked coins. “Look, that’s no regular bit. Now let me in!”

The guard, a silver Pegasus with a scruff goatee rolled his eyes and shrugged to the other one guarding the other side of the gatehouse. A giant portcullis sat in between them, great bars of steel blocking Shimmer’s path to glory.

The other guard, a blue unicorn who wore a grey robe with an overly large hood draped down her back, chuckled. “Sure let the sewer rat in, obviously it speaks the truth.”

“The dragon isn’t even drawn correctly,” said the first guard. “Dragons are fat, stupid looking beasts. Just like you.”

The unicorn snorted and she held up her hoof to her muzzle as if hiding it would not make Shimmer’s blood boil. You moron, Shimmer thought, I’ve seen one. And I can tell you, that is not true.

“Just let me in,” Shimmer growled. He lowered his spear from his back, and dropped into a fighting crouch.

The guards sniggered as the Pegasus readied his own weapon. The Unicorn’s ice blue mane began to rise as static built around her.

“The rat would be wise to scurry back to its hole,” said the guard.

“Stuff you, you bloated pig,” retorted Shimmer.

The second guard burst into shrieking laughter, the static around her dissipating into the wind. “Oh, oh, this is too good.”

The first guard turned to her, his face flush like the setting sun. “Whose side are you on?”

Part of Shimmer want to smash his face in right then and there. If he was fast enough, he could probably gut the unicorn with his spear before she could blow him to pieces. But he refrained, he knew the Unicorn, he had dealt with her in the past.

She sneered at him, “Oh come on, lighten up. The rat obviously wants us to come to some form of arrangement. Is that right? Hmm.”

Shimmer grunted, his gaze not leaving the oversized Pegasus for a second.

“You know the price, Rat,” she said, her tone dropping an octave.

Shimmer growled as he threw one of the rubies he collected from the Lair of the beast. The gem tinkled as it rolled across the stone slabs. A white glow surrounded the stone as the Unicorn gazed at it with a calculating eye.

“I’ve never understood how such precious things could get washed down into the wretched filth,” she murmured. She waved to the pony behind the iron bars. Suddenly, with heaves of effort echoed from somewhere behind the well packed stonework, and the gate squealed into a slow but controlled rise.

“We saw nothing,” she said, still inspecting the gem.

“You’re just gonna let that…that thing through?” asked the Pegasus.

“Quiet little piggy,” she said. “I know this rat, tangled with it before. Its bite is far worse than one my expect.”

He grunted, giving Shimmer the evil eyes. “Don’t think you won,” he whispered, “we’ll settle this later.”

“I’m warning you,” said the Unicorn, “don’t write cheques you can’t cash, otherwise your arse will pay the price.”

“Oh shut it, Glow. You’re not funny.”

Glow winked at Shimmer and waved him through. “Oh, I beg to differ.”

Shimmer nudged the Pegasus out of the way. “Oink, oink, oink,” he said, sticking his tongue out.

The Unicorn snorted then burst into laughter. The Pegasus went beet red over his entire body and Shimmer could have sworn steam was about to come out of his ears.

Canopies, not made of the material quite like Shimmer’s shack, lined the streets on poles, providing critical shelter to the few ponies walking around in the rainstorm. They all avoided him like the plague, which was natural. Who in their right mind would risk getting close to one of those low lifes from over the wall? But Shimmer did not mind, if they stayed away from the armed mercenary, then they weren’t there to bother him. Only the Guard, or the Constabularies as they liked to call themselves on this side –as if a title alone made them somehow greater than the hired thugs from the Eastern district that could probably do a dam sight better job than they—posed any threat to him, but their patrol routes were easy to spot and easier to avoid. Besides, if one quickly got onto the main road that passed through the Southern District, then he easily blended in with the other hired swords. A perk with bone armour was that, from a distance, it looked like steel, and it gave him more of a warriors look.

However, the Southern District was the largest District of all of them. It housed everything related to the art of commerce. Shops this way and that lined the streets, their signs of many colours swinging casually as the rain hammered against them. Even in the centre of the road, Shimmer found himself walking over soggy fliers and blown over A frame advertising boards, the chalk long washed off, leaving a sad, blank face.

It was Shimmer’s favorite district by far. Anything he wanted was game here. He knew all the shadowy corners, the best routes for a quick getaway, and the laziest owners. Wherther it was booze for fun or bread to stave off the hunger, this was his haven.

But he could not go on a jolly today. This was his time to shine, and he practically quivered with excitement. As soon as he presents his majestic gem to the Great King all would be…

Shimmer paused. What if King Sombra wanted it for himself? What if he too was as captivated as Shimmer was? Could he just give it away, even for the good of the realm?

No. There was no way in hell Sombra would take his gift. He had traversed hell to get it. It was his, period.

But Sombra would not care, he had wealth a plenty. That’s right. Sombra would see his endeavours and jump at the chance to place him in his armies…or hire him as his personal guard.

Paladin Shimmer, Servant of the High Lord.

Shimmer smiled. He liked that.

The road widened, and the cobbled stone turned into perfectly laid slabs. His hooves made a satisfying clip clop, as the rain beaded and filtered down the cracks as if it were allergic to the ground.

The gate house he passed under could pass at least three horse drawn carriages side by side. It also shone with the unearthly hue of magical orbs which sent a shiver down his spine. For a moment, he felt like he was back in the pit, crawling around the prehistoric creature.

He passed through at least two raised iron gates, and one shimmering magical barrier that tingled as he passed through.  But there it was. Fort Haven, the Seat of Sombra.

It was a marvel of pony technology. A large triangular structure, compromising of three fat towers, separated in height by at least twenty feet. From the tallest, thinnest tower, below the trebuchets poking their wooden heads over the top, hung the heraldic flag of the High Lord: A black crystal on a field of blood.

Soldiers milled about the place. Not the Guard, or the Constabulary, no, these were the best of the best. Every single one stood in a casual posture of readiness, alert to any danger, even in the safest part of New Equestria. Their armour shining black with bright red plumes. Truly, if anything could strike fear into a mercenary’s heart, it would be to fight one of them.

Shimmer would still do it, of course. Even with their menacing look, they were but foals playing with sticks compared to him. The castle itself was never what he expected from a High Ruler. Whereas the upper nobility flaunted their wealth in some fancy peacock display, Sombra’s castle was practical. Everything made sense, from the lack of flammable tapestries, to simple seats alongside function and business rooms.  The only thing odd was the confusing, hectic layout with long winding corridors and many stairs, which also made sense. How could one take a castle if one did not know where he was going?

In the end, Shimmer had wandered into the closest thing to a hive he could think of. It was no surprise he had to get a soldier to guide him towards the High Court, who also promptly disarmed him.

“Sombra is seeing no-pony today,” the receptionist lowered her half-moon spectacles and gave Shimmer a proper stare. “Minor issues court is held three until five on a Wednesday morning. Come back then.”

She was old, with her greying mane tied into a bun and a simple grey dress adorned her otherwise shabby pink coat. A broach with a red crystal was pinned on her shoulder.

Shimmer stomped on the table. “I need to see him now, I have important news!”

The receptionist only reaction was to raise her gaze to meet his. “And you can see him on Wednesday, now good day.” Even her voice was monotone. Oh, the infernal creatures from the black pits of Tartarus would be more pleasant to be around.

“You don’t understand. I cannot live another day in the Eastern quarter.”

Her ears perked up. “So you’re a rat, then?”

He nodded.

“And you’ve come to hand in your commendations?”

He shook his head.

Her wrinkled expression slumped. “Then I can’t help you.”

A guard approached from behind. He placed a hoof on his shoulder and pressed just enough to make him freeze without pain. “Ma-am, is this pony bothering you?”

I dropped my shoulder, span and tipped the contents of my saddlebag on my desk. Dragon-Marked bits mixed with gems showered the table.

“Oh my,” said the receptionist as she readjusted her specs.

The guard turned, grabbed Shimmer in a headlock and brought him to the floor in one quick movement. “Right, that’s it, leave.”

“Wait,” said the receptionist, a bit in her hoof. “This…this is real. Guard. Get off of him. Go inform Sombra that there’s a matter he may want to attend to.”

The guard simply nodded and lifted himself up, leaving Shimmer twisted on the ground. He was fast! He’d need to be more aware next time.

Shimmer got to his feet to find the receptionist glaring at him. “Clean my desk and sit down. He’ll be with you soon.” She made no motion to help him up but waited as if he were a diseased animal…well, she probably did think that.

The bits did not travel far, and Shimmer had it back in his ruined bag in a matter of moments. But the sitting still part he found much more difficult. His ears twitched towards any hoof steps and each time somepony passed, his breath caught in his maw. But the ponies passed on by, going through small doors made from a wood with an oddly mesmerising series of flowing veins. In fact, the receptionists table and the bench he sat upon were made from the same wood, but the layers of polish gave them a shine.

His legs ached, and his heart raced. He began pacing around the square room, but his muscles cried out for more. He shook his limbs, ruffling his mane. The receptionist wrinkled her nose. “Could you please sit down?”

Shimmer bared his teeth for just a moment and leant against the wall. He would not be told what to do. Soon, she would be taking his orders. But his reassurance did not quell the butterflies in his stomach. He had never met Sombra before, but he had seen him and heard the stories.

This pony was a warrior of legend. The stories said that his magic was so powerful that he could see through time, allowing him to anticipate anything. Others pictured him as a ruthless tactician, playing the games of war like no other pony could. And Shimmer believed most of it; after all, it was Sombra who managed to outwit the Royal Sisters thirty years ago to tear through their land.

Shimmer could not understand why his hooves wanted to shake so. He began pacing once more.

“Sit down!” cried the receptionist.

And, for the next agonisingly slow hours. Shimmer ended up between two black plated guards, their presence alone enough to keep him still.

--

The two guards heaved on the doors forged from the many furnaces of Safe Haven. The great, spiked barriers opened to reveal the High Court. The room was much smaller than he anticipated, but the great iron chandelier and the tapestries of the Black Crystal hid a ceiling so high, Shimmer felt lightheaded just looking up. An apathetic shove pushed Shimmer forwards and into the awaiting eyes of his onlookers.

Too his either side, behind the plush red carpet that made his path, two pews supported the rears of only a few, wealthy nobles, their eyes going from wide to mere slits. Shimmer smiled at one who almost backpedalled into the pew behind. He chuckled. If the citizens of Western and Southern Districts hated him, then the Nobles of the Northern District downright feared him. To them, he was nothing more than a threat: a leech that wants to grow fat off their wealth. Of course, Shimmer had tried to steal from their estates, and it amazed him that one could have estates in a city so crammed, but their paranoia was great and lethal, and their hired swords weren’t as stupid.

But he would get them one day. That, he swore.

But he could not log the various rings, necklaces and other jewellery upon the now blushing unicorn as she sat back in her spot, patting down her lilac and plum dress. As he approached, he saw his Majesty.

Shimmer’s neck went stiff as he forced his chin up, but that did not stop a shiver running down his spine. His Lord, the Mighty Ruler of New Equestria sat on a throne made out carved stone, the pictures of fury and bloodshed carved into the hoof rests. He slouched into his chair, head resting on his hoof as his eyes gazed upon him.

And suddenly, Sombra sparked into life like the roaring flame from the Dragon’s mouth with just a shift in his posture. A purple mist oozed from his green eyes like impossibly long eye lashes, and Shimmer felt the room grow cold. His sixth sense raged like the bites of a million ants on his spine and he struggled to keep his composure as he fell into a sweeping bow.

An armoured hoof struck Shimmer on the shoulder and drove him to the floor. “Only a citizen of standing can bow before our King.” The voice almost ruptured his ear drum as the largest Earth Pony spat in his face. A murmur echoed around the room. “Maggots will grovel before his hooves.”

“General,” the hall fell silent as Sombra lifted himself up and off the pillowless stone seat. He descended the few stairs that raised him above all others.

Shimmer kept low, the hoof on top of him ample motivation to do so. But as Shimmer prepared to roll and throw the brute over him, Sombra cupped his hoof around Shimmers chin and forced him to look up.

Sombra continued to pull until Shimmer stood on all fours once more. The large Earth Pony stepped back, his scarred face a scowl underneath a greasy purple mane tied back. However, Shimmer could see his own reflection in the Pony’s oversized pauldrons. A small red and black banner hung from a standard tied to the rest of his plate. Sombra circled Shimmer, as if inspecting a new toy.

“The rats are scrawny, nowadays,” he muttered. But it must have carried if the nervous laugh at the back of the hall indicated. “They must be getting desperate. Perhaps it is time to let them feed?”

Shimmer gulped and opened his mouth. “My na…”

The blow came before he could even perceive it. Sombra’s hoof cracked against his jaw, the cold steel of his hoof-guard splitting the skin, splattering blood on the flagstone. Pain flared as Shimmer slid into the wall and he resisted to cry out I shock.

Sombra pressed a hoof into Shimmer’s neck. “One more utterance from those lips and I will execute you…slowly.” He stepped back. “Get up.”

Shimmer wobbled onto his hooves, and raised his chin. He would not cower before his King. He was stronger than the rest and he would prove it. Shimmer imagined himself in the royal red cloak, his body surrounded by the strongest steel known to pony kind. His posture straightened as he rubbed off the blood dripping his cheek.

“A buckler with hoof prints on it,” said a blue hooded figure standing next to the throne. A red crystal broach shone from his shoulder. “That one is known as Shimmer Steppe. He was not hard to find in the records. Two commendations, two black marks.”

“And the black marks were for?” asked Sombra.

“A string of burglaries, more than eighty-total, have been tied to this one over the last decade. Mainly in the Southern district. He escaped execution, and I quote ‘because the execution order went missing’.”

The room was deathly silent, and Shimmer feared that it would give his silent sniggering away. Of course, technically, it was Sun Spear who stole the document and in the commotion, freed him. But he was sure Sun Spear would not mind losing some glory to live this tale.

“The second mark was for his attempt to burgle Top Hat’s estate, Sire.”

Sombra nodded his thanks and the blue robed pony retreated into the shadows, where the line of important looking military figures watched with mixed interest. Shimmer wilted under the intense gaze of his King.

“It seems you have been busy subverting the law,” he said, “and that, dear Rat, upsets me.” He leaned in, “I want to kill you. I want the Eastern District to watch as your lifeless body thrashes from the rope, not knowing its dead. Tell me why a criminal like you would dare sully my Temple of Order and Law?”

Shimmer made no sound. He dragged his broken saddlebag off his back, and let the contents spill in front of Sombra’s hooves.

The King spied the Dragon-Marked bits before their metallic chinks ceased echoing around the hall. A black aura surrounded one such coin, and he inspected it. Shimmer dared to glance down and, amongst the other gems and coins, gazed longingly at the egg-shaped gem with the swirly black mist trapped within.

The blue robed pony stepped up once more, and his horn lit silver. After a moment, Shimmer felt like he was drowning in the building tension. The robed pony hmmed and ahhed to the point I saw Sombra’s ear twitch.

“Well?” he asked with a trace of the anger that had been directed at Shimmer.

The blue robed pony gulped. “Although I do not know enough about Dragon-marked bits to confirm his story, I, however, know enough that I cannot condemn it either. This is not stolen. I am sure this design is unique in our collection. And the quality of the engravings is constant among the lot, so I don’t think it’s counterfeited. Twin that with the riches this urchin has…I think he’s found something.”

“Where did you get this?” asked Sombra.

Shimmer opened his mouth, but his throat felt as dry as the savannas of his childhood home. Instead of his smooth voice, it came out stuttered and croaky. “Bottomless Bog. It came from there.”

“And why?” asked the King. “Why bring this to me?”

Shimmer took in a deep breath and tried to ignore the eye-mist. “Firstly, I want my marks stricken from the record. Secondly, I want citizenship. Thirdly, I want to be able to prove to you that I am a powerful asset to your military.”

“So you seek to exploit the Glory Incentive.” Sombra put a hoof to his chin and turned towards the line of ponies standing behind the throne. Shimmer leaned forwards and scooped his gem between his legs.

“And why should I allow this law to protect you when you have shown complete disregard for it? Why should I let you live when all you have given me is a promise of a fortune?”

Sombra noted the precious stone hiding between his legs. A dark aura began to glow around the gem. The gem lifted and floated towards Sombra “And why should I let you try to hide something from…”

“No!” screamed Shimmer as leapt and smothered the gem with his bulk. He landed hard on the flagstone…gem first. Suddenly, an ear piercing shriek pierced straight through his mind, followed by lance of pure agony. Something warm and sticky splat against his skin, and began to burn. His body writhed as what felt like fire assaulted his belly and legs. He was aware of shapes around him, holding him down…but their voices were lost in the cataclysm of the shriek. Tears fell from his eyes like streams as his lungs choked on ash. He gagged on air that burnt the insides of his throat. And in that one moment, he wished for it all to end.

Shimmer gasped and sucked in air as if he had arisen from the depth of an ocean. The agony left him in a heartbeat, leaving him suddenly exhausted. The burly bulk of the Earth Pony Guard was upon him once more, pinning him to the ground on his back. The bone armour did somewhat to hold off the weight, but he could feel it flexing and digging into his flesh.

“What?” Shimmer mumbled, “What happened to my gem? Where is it?”

“I will break you, you dirty gutter rat,” said the Earth Pony.

“Get off him,” came the voice of Sombra.

“But sir,” he responded. “This is all a farce. We should just kill this rat and put it out of its misery.”

“General Tundra,” the voice held the low rumble of complete authority, “that’s an order.”

The General roared and smashed the stone mere inches from Shimmer’s head. Shimmer’s eyes widened; The stone cracked! Shimmer gritted his teeth as Sombra’s magic pulled him to his hooves via his mane. Around the king, every Unicorn he could see shook like a newborn foal amongst a pack of Timberwolves.

“I have not felt the sting of dragon magic in a long while,” said Sombra his tone almost conversational. “That takes me back.”

“Your Highness…what just happened?” asked another, slimmer armoured Pony that had been observing from the side lines. The quality of her shining black protection mixed with the sabre strapped to her side marked her as another General.

Sombra grunted. He looked around as if he had only just realised that all eyes were on him. He pointed at Shimmer, “This pony has found an ancient dragon artefact, a thing that was used up by our last war with the Royal Equestrian menace. This confirms it for me. He has found a Dragon Nest.”

“I hereby proclaim that” he face turned into a disgusted scowl, “Shimmer Steppe, is officially pardoned and granted access to citizenship.

“On three conditions.”

He released an unpleasant smile, allowing Shimmer to see the full glory of fangs residing in his maw. “One, you atone for your past crimes through public punishment. Two, you submit yourself voluntary Military support for the rest of your life. And Three, you lead an expedition to the Temple you found.”

Shimmer fell to his rump, his hooves scraping through the dust that used to be his gem. It was gone. Everything was gone. What could he do?

“Well,” shouted General Tundra, “Answer him!”

Those terms were awful. To lead an expedition into the gaping maw of a real-life dragon…on no pay. It was beyond ridiculous. But at that moment, he just did not care. Sombra could go to hell for all he cared.

But this was better than what he had, right? For the first time, he would be recognised as a full-fledged citizen to go about and do as he pleased. No more would the term ‘rat’ follow him like flies to a rotting carcass.

Sombra cleared his throat. “I see you need a little more…convincing. Let me put it this way. I am considering forming a new legion, one thousand ponies, consisting entirely of your ilk. Prove to me that your kind can uphold the tenets of order and justice and return to me with the riches of the temple, and the Eastern District will no longer suffer from extreme poverty.”

Magic wrapped around Shimmer’s muzzle and held him still as Sombra leaned in close, baring his fangs. “Fail me, and I will enjoy cleansing this city of their filth.”

Shimmer gulped. What could he do? Could he risk the ire of the king and tell him of the beast that dwelt there? Could he tell him that those riches were beyond any-pony’s hooves to take? Shimmer saw the controlled fury burning within Sombra, and knew that rage would stretch far and wide. He could not escape. He could not run. He could not hide. Sombra would find him and he would die.

No, there was no option. There never had been. Shimmer was just another puppet dancing before his master, hoping for one last jig before his strings were cut.

“So what will it be?” said the King.

In the end, he knew that this was what he came for. But this was not how he imagined it.

Shimmer let out a long held breath. “I accept your conditions.”