Chapter Seven Within The Tale Lies The Truth

I was but a child when I learned the horrors of the world around me. My father, he was an evil man. Upon my birth he believed only one thing. "All of the world no matter how big or small shall see you as I do. For I fear the future that you represent and the end that I will receive. No light will find me for the crimes I have committed and I shall never except one if it does. You child will be pained by this world as I have, there will be no exception. Therefore I shall teach."

This was a time where the world thought itself better. Monsters believed they were almighty and Alfs believed our self's gods. When we had first seen the capability of the creatures around us as a resource to be harnessed, that... that was our true end. It first started with taming and torturing creatures like the strong Barroth for farming means. Digging fields with their mighty heads.

Then it grew from their. With new tranquilizers being developed by the the scientists we were able to capture many different species for building, travel, and even sport. As time went on so did our lust for development. By age twelve I had learned that my grandfather and the engineers under him had been the first to harness an element from a monster to fuel their machines. Before my generation had learned that these could be created artificially at lower cost this had been the main way for over a hundred years. That had involved the monsters being attached to machines and tortured to release their energy, the Alfs at the time thought it meant nothing more that a perfect form of payback for the countless ancestors lost to the creatures hunger. But this was only the start.

I had been one of the first to developed the technology to create elemental energy nodes that used resources to forge the reaction. Which lead to the creatures in the harnessing chambers undergoing criticism for where they will end up. They were much to weak you see, never would be much use to the builders or even the farming community. That is when the military industry had a very useful idea.

For years weapons had changed shape and form to fight off the outrageous power of the creatures of the wild. The shape had indeed changed and so had the wielders but the concept had always been the same. An Alf and a tool to fight. That... that one thing it was important for some reason. In these dark days with the world crumbling beneath us as the wild turns to chaos. With the mighty powers of the Elder fighting for dominance of a new land. With everything that has become of the Alfs in the years leading to the fall. I know that one thing to be true. The courage is what mattered.

The monsters had no hatred for us, we could kill thousands of them but as long as we fought with a spirit, with an honor. They would think it a battle worth dying for. Now in this rage they have lost their minds and we have lost our civilization. So here I stand the last scientist of the Wyvern Machine Soldier Project. I stand tall and write this with the last of my pride as an Alf foremost! We will live in harmony with the Dragons! They were mighty and we brought them to their knees and with every ounce of my being do I believe what we lost was insignificant to that which was their soul.

A Sword of Honor was a script I read long ago back when I first entered the academy. I learned that there was a way for warriors to live their lives, these creatures around us have that way of life so ingrained in them that no matter what we have done they will gain back who they were. This raging war will end long before anyone has read my words, but I know they will be back to their true wonderful ways by then. We can still see that in the eyes of the Elders, the immensity of their gaze as they fight their fellow monsters is not wild but sorrowful acceptance and I hope that they will forgive us for what we have done to their people but for now to part ways from this letter and the message it brings. Clad in my new armor with a bow on my back I will return to the world what it means to be a hunter!"

Sombra

This has been an interesting development, I only just got enough energy to return again. Those bastard ponies who saved that empire from my well deserved wrath. They had been in my thoughts for awhile but I had recently come to the decision that a peaceful life away from the species that cut me down would probably be better than trying to control them. That was the plan peaceful life somewhere in a warmer climate to. Now this happened, teleported to another world. Finding out that purple pest was not in fact the same one from before. I do not understand the multiverse as well as the previous Magus from the Dark Arts order but this was perplexing, it took great amounts of energy to traverse the planes of existence. Whatever was causing this truly must have been powerful. They had explained the situation as much as they needed to. This was looking to be very interesting. I could not restrain the smirk of excitement that grew on my face.

Returning my attention to the scroll that I had found and it's intended words I reflected on what the hidden message of it all was, what was the author of this letter really trying to convey. Was it to reassure himself of the things he had done for some kind of validation or was he perhaps trying to let the reader choose a similar path of change. No name to speak of so he was not trying to change his own image so going along that line of thought this could be a box of hope so to speak. It did register in my own mind. I thought hard on those words and could relate to the dragons of this land just as much as I could relate to the greedy Alfs.

With no magic to aid me all I had left was my wits and strength, to survive a hellish world. My smile returned again as I felt the memories of a similar time flood my mind. Looking over to the girls who I had come across in the cave I had to admit to myself that there situation was as much theirs as it was mine, after all this creature threatened the very existence of the dimensional conflux. I guess I will lend them a hoof.

Standing up from my sitting position at the wall of the cave I walked over to them. Twilight sharpening her blades gave me a glance then continued at her work. She gave off a comfortable confidence and carried herself with a grace that was almost unnatural. There had been ancient stories of warriors finding a new them when they picked up there very first weapon, but this was different than that exaggerated lore. This was real developed spirit. I can only assume the motivation. At that thought I looked to Sunset who smirked and patted the ground next to her.

Taking the invitation I took my seat. I looked once more to the girls in front of me and decided a path to take. "I do not believe your familiar with the concept of necessary sacrifice or evil for the sake of evil. I lived the personification of both of these concepts and it seems this worlds past is almost a reflection of my own downfall in certain lights." I pulled out the letter from earlier and began to read it out to the two of them. Twilight became fixated on me as I started and Sunset lost her focus on all but the words. As the fire licked at the smoke above it a forgotten tale was told once again. I recalled why stories were passed down. It was to change the future.

Twilight

As he read I couldn't help but feel the words cut him deeper than he let on, I was fixated on the words and the person telling them. When it came to an end I had even more to think about than before. This world just kept becoming more exciting and interesting. The word "Adventure" stood out in my mind and I laughed a little to myself at that I had never been the adventurous type in the past. This world has changed me.

"Sombra if I didn't know any better I'd think you were a narrator." I said giggling at his unsure reaction, Sunset laughing as well.

"Yeah your voice is kind of sexy when you stop and listen to it and aren't being threatened by it" Sunset said both me and her dropping to the ground laughing as he just stared at us mouth slightly agape.

"I do not know how to respond to that." He said chuckling a little. " I honestly do not think anyone in my life has had the will to joke with me, it is refreshing."

"Who's joking? You really do have a good voice." I said sitting up straight. "Honestly you are talking to an ex villain." I said pointing to Sunset she gave a slight wave from the spot on the ground where she recovered from the laughter. I smiled at the scene then pointed to myself. "And someone who got taken over by dark magic. All for the sake of greedy science. I don't care who you were, you're here with us and based on the fact that you haven't tried to leave or kill us your not really interested in your own past right now." I stood up and walked over to him holding out a carving knife handle out. "It's not much but it's a weapon enough to get to the next village, your with us now and we would be happy to have you"

Several moments passed before Sombra grinned at me then he reached out grabbing the handle of the knife. "You are either the bravest or most idiotic girl I have ever met and I think I would like to stick around and find out which." He said before laughing deeply.

WARNING SOME MLP MOVIE SPOILERS WILL BE PRESENT AFTER THIS POINT IN THE STORY

Silver Spoon -Pony World-

This was beginning to become way to repetitive "sigh."

"Being a blank flank must be such a tiring thing for you three maybe you should just move to a new town and save yourselves the embarrassment!" Diamond Tiara said to the three members of Ponyville's resident Cutie Mark Crusaders.

I had begun to wonder how much this whole friendship thing mattered to Diamond and it kind of hurt to think about, was I just a toy like these three? To my own best friend? I frowned at that.

"Shut up ya darn know what happened to all of us in Canterlot with the Storm King's invasion! We are to tired to be dealing with your horseapples!" Applebloom spat at her

Diamond gasped dramatically "Oh wow with a mouth like that no wonder you don't have a special somepony!"

"Have you ever even been on a date?" Scootaloo asked

"No one is worthy of dating such an amazing pony such as myself." Diamond said with much confidence.

"Um girls?" Sweetie Belle said pointing down.

Looking down as well I saw something on the ground shine around us in a circle and then the ground gave out.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...

Sombra

I had put the knife on my belt and was feeling pretty good, when was the last time I had talked genuinely with another being?

My thoughts were interrupted when a portal opened on the ceiling of the cave right above me.

...AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Before I could react I had become King Sombra the cushion.

"Ow is everypony alright?" Applebloom called out getting up from the pile.

One by one all the girls started getting up only to fall back down on top of Sombra as their new bodies didn't register to them.

"What's happening?" Silver Spoon asked looking at her body.

As each of the girls looked at their new forms they all seemed to agree on something.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!'

"SILENCE!!!" I yelled, all the girls became quiet instantly as they looked down to see me beneath them trying to not just throw them off of me, I dug my way out of the pile to stand before them.

"Now that I have your attention based on what the red haired one said you are from Equestria correct?" I asked.

They all nodded to me. I sighed internally this was already complicated as it was.

"Um hi." Sunset said getting the girls attention they looked over to her and Twilight who were both standing to my right. "My names Sunset I am also from Equestria and this beside me is Twilight Sparkle from a parallel world, heh and I guess the easy way of putting this is you um well fell through a portal to a different world..."

"Oh Sunset! Princess Twilight mentioned you to us when we were taking magic lessons from her!" the purple and pink haired one said as she tried to figure out how to stand. She appeared to be one of the fastest to figure out their new body, only second to the silver haired one who had already began walking and trying to help one of the others up.

"Oh good you know the Princess, this will be slightly easier to explain then."

One long complicated explanation later

"Sombra!?" The new arrivals yelled.

"I know right?" Sunset chuckled as she lightly punched me in the arm, I guess this was part of her way of trying to make me feel welcome.

"But Twilight told us you got blown up!? Also ain't you evil and whats it?" The one I learned to know as Applebloom said.

"Yes I was destroyed it was quite painful as well, but so be it. I am a powerful Magus and have many ways to return from the dead, as for the evil. Tell me what would you do if you were hunted your whole life for being born differently watching as even your own birth giver cursed you until their death while you lived on unknowing what you were. My entire life was full of ponies trying to kill me and the Crystal Empire got the closest with their guards at the time being trained in better combat to handle the griffin armies that battled their fronts. If I had not gotten lucky I would have died but long story short anger and hatred had overcome me and I took it out on those who would have me killed. Can you say for certain that you would not have done the same?"

She stared at me right in the eyes looking at me for awhile I noticed several of the other doing the same with some trying to pretend they weren't. Even for such inexperienced ponies they sure knew how to size someone up. "Now when I returned after the banishment I did not know what else to do other than fight. Now that I have had time to think I realize the ones who scorned me are long dead and the world has changed and with it so shall I."

Twilight stood up and spoke to everyone "I think its time we all went to bed we can think about this in the morning and hopefully make it to the next village in a couple days. Now I know you five weren't expecting any of this to happen, when we get there we can find someplace for all of you to stay. We have a mission and we must complete it or even our own worlds may be in danger. When day breaks we are going to set out so rest up."

No one argued and everyone found a comfy place to rest. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo grouped together I could hear hushed whispers and looks of worry. Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara did something similar. Twilight and Sunset got to work on the fire to keep it burning through the night.

I stood up and walked to the entrance. "I'll take first watch all of you get some rest."

Third Person

Sombra sat at the mouth of the cave his cloak draped around his body for warmth. He looked out at the blizzard raging on, the snow already piling up outside their makeshift shelter. Tomorrow may not be a day to travel if this kept on through the night. Lost in his thoughts on the past days events only to be brought back by a quite voice from behind.

"Um Sombra?" said Silver Spoon getting his attention. "I woke up a little while ago it seems like its been a few hours, would you like me to take over?"

Looking to her he noticed the hesitation in her features. "That is alright I have very little desire to rest right now." He said colder than he had intended to. Unfamiliar with these social interactions he tried again. "If you cannot sleep you are free to join me."

He was surprisingly satisfied when she came and sat against the cave wall beside him. She stayed quite for a moment, looking out into the blizzard. He noticed that she shivered slightly and had her arms wrapped around her body for warmth. The fire was to far into the cave to give much help, opening up his cape he grunted gesturing for her to get closer.

"Um that's o-okay I'm fine!" She all but shouted hastily avoiding eye contact.

"I am of little knowledge when it comes to these knew bodies resistance to the weather but even I someone much more use to it then you; can admit to the temperature out here being undesirable, I am not about to shed my own comfort for your stubbornness though so either join me or go back to the fire." He gave her an irritated eye roll and held out his cape again. She looked for a moment before sighing and climbing in next to him.

There was a few moments of silence as she adjusted to her new position finding a spot where his armor would not make her colder. She had her head near his shoulder and leaned against his arm, admitting that this was comfortable was somewhat embarrassing but she could put up with it. After all she had a question to ask the King.

"Sombra..." She said trying to gain his attention. "Do you think things will work out? I mean with this quest and everything I don't really know all of you very well but this whole situation makes me worry, even if it's not directly for us your fighting to save us. I just want to know that you'll all be okay when everything is said and done."

He didn't respond right away making her wonder if he had heard her before he replied. "I do not know." This brought a frown to her face, "but I have high hopes, those girls are stronger than they let on and I will not be taken lightly in the face of all this. If you are indeed so worried though maybe you should consider joining us. After all nothing says you cannot fight your own battles." He gave her a look of confidence before looking past her into the cave. Her eyes followed his until she saw Diamond.

Her friend looked a bit peeved and had her hands on her hips. "So here you are! I woke up without my cuddle toy so you could go and play love maker with the villain!" Silver blushed and went to move but Diamond stomped over and climbed into Sombras cape on the other side mimicking Silvers position. Sombra for his part only watched with amusement.

"Ah much better, you better wake me up next time got that?" The silver haired girl only looked dazed for a couple seconds before she smiled and nodded.

They sat their for awhile just enjoying the company and the site of the snow falling down before the tiara clad girl spoke up. "You know he's right, we can fight to..." She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing. "I mean we can't just let them go off and we sit around like a bunch of damsels in distress! That whole cliche is so dumb! I may not like our situation and I really don't want to fight but I don't want them to die fighting knowing I could have done something to help even more!" She panted calming down from her rant only to see a predatory grin upon Sombras face.

"W-what's that look for!" She backed away from him slightly, worry crossing her face. His grin turned into more of a comforting one at this clearing his voice before speaking.

"I just thought that your drive was very admirable and that speaking your mind in such a way seemed very brave." He said chuckling at her silence.

"Yeah Diamond, he's right that was amazing!" Her best friend cheered bringing a growing blush to her cheeks.

"We can bring this up tomorrow though, no point in worrying about it now." The king said before another bout of silence fell, this one however was full of peace.

They sat there enjoying each others company for awhile before Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon both drifted off to sleep. The wind howled harshly, biting at the cave entrance attempting to cut into any warmth that was there, but the feeling in Sombra that seemed to grow strong fought back against the elements around him. Never had he dreamed of such a place where he could be so easily accepted. Long lost thoughts of pain drifted into the back of his mind and an image replaced it, Twilight handing him the knife that sat on his belt. It brought a grin to his face and he focused again on keeping watch. Now with very enjoyable company.

Author's Note

Bringing Third Person back in again to try it out. Sombra took over the empire at fifteen before being banished two years later by the princess's having been unconscious the entire time and frozen in time. So he isn't some geezer in this story but a young King. The rest of the characters are close to his age including the CMC and Diamond and Silver, imagine them around Junior year of High School. I am leaving most of it open for interpretation by the readers though so don't let this little bit of knowledge change your reading image.