Hidden Shadow

by SilverPassion

Rating: teen
Tags: Sex, King Sombra, Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Luna, Drama, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 13427

Luna's biggest past mistake comes back along with King Sombra.

Princess Twilight receives a letter from Princess Celestia urging her to come to Canterlot. King Sombra has returned, but not with revenge, instead he comes with a young unicorn foal. Sombra claims that he bore the unicorn with Luna, but Celestia and everypony else refuses to believe it.

Before anypony can hear Luna's side of the story, she disappears and takes the truth with her. Until Princess Luna is found, Twilight and Celestia must keep close and careful watch on Sombra and the unknown unicorn.

Cover art made by me.

Published 2016-04-17 22:40:02 UTC
Last updated 2016-06-29 22:07:20 UTC

Prolouge

It was another boring day in Ponyville, and Twilight Sparkle was rummaging through her books as usual, she was looking for a new spell to practice. Ever since Starlight Glimmer disappeared, things have become rather quiet. There were no incidents needing Twilight and her friends to solve, and there hasn't even been any friendship issues lately, since the cutie map hasn't called on any of the mares. There was also a lack of friendship reports sent to Celestia, from every day to weekly to monthly. It's not that Twilight forgot about the letters, like last time, it's just that there was nothing to take about. She and the other five have learned so much over the years of experiencing and learning about friendship not for themselves, but for Ponyville and maybe even all of Equestria. Does this mean that all of Equestria has found peace? Not that it was a problem, but it made things kind of hollow, like something was missing.

"No new spells to learn", Twilight said as she gently closed the book with a bored sigh, she puts it back in its original place and walked from her castle library.

She heads to the throne room, being careful not to step over the sleeping Spike, who fell asleep on the floor. Once there, she spots the cutie map, sits in her chair with her cutie mark on it, and stared at the cutie map. A long silence, and Twilight waited patiently, it's not like she had anything better to do. Twilight put her head in her arms and lied head down on the cutie map.

At Sugar Cube Corner, Pinkie Pie and Rarity just finished making her tenth batch of cupcakes, it was a big order for a party that was scheduled tomorrow, and of course everypony was going to be there. Pinkie took the cupcakes out of the oven and place them on top of the stove to let them cool, and she went to prepare the rest of the cupcakes. She grabs a plate of vanilla cupcakes and places them on a cake stand. She grabs a piping bag and starts to decorate the cupcakes with all sorts of colorful icings and sprinkles. Since the "Starlight Incident", as Pinkie dubbed it, she's been able to spend more time with the baby cakes and even her pet alligator Gummy.

After Pinkie finished all the cupcakes and other sweets, she and Rarity then started decorating Sugar Cube Corner as the party was scheduled there, so both mares wanted everything to be perfect. Pinkie even made sure to bring her party cannons for that extra dazzle, to bring up everyponys spirits from the boring days in Ponyville.

"Be careful with the confetti, Pinkie", said the annoyed Rarity, as she quickly tries to brush off the confetti in her mane with her hoof.

"Oops! Sorry Rarity", Pinkie replied with giggle. She was shoving confetti into one of her party cannons, and there was already a bunch of it all over the floor.

"Ugh!" Rarity grunted. "I don't see how you can plan parties in this mess." Rarity was tying beautiful multicolored ribbons to hang on the doors and walls of Sugar Cube Corner.

"Oh Rarity, it's not that bad, you'll get used to it". Pinkie smiled and shrugged nonchalantly. "Besides, i'm sure you'd rather be here that at Sweet Apple Acres bucking apples with Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy".

Rarity cringed. She knew that she didn't want to go out and buck apples. That would result in getting her mane dirty and she would be covered in dirt and mud.

"That is true, I suppose". Rarity said, defeated.

"Maybe their having fun"! Pinkie was bouncing in the air repeatedly

"Sure." Rarity said, completely uninterested and she returned in decorating.

At the farm, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were gathering apples for the party. Applejack had planned to use some of the apples to make all types of apple pastries cider and other sweets. Rainbow helped Applejack bucked the apples out of the tree, while Fluttershy was gently hoofpicking them from the branches.

"Hooo Whee"! "That should be enough apples for the party", Applejack says while whipping away sweat from her forehead with her hoof.

"Thank y'all fer helpin".

"It's not a problem, Applejack," replied Fluttershy, in her soft voice. She put two apples in a large barrel and descended to the ground.

"No problem", came Rainbow Dash. "I just know that this party is gonna be awesome"!!

"Heh, no doubt about that," replied the cowpony.

"Anyway, we should head in, it's getting dark". Rainbow Dash yawned with her arms stretched out.

"Yer right, Dash. Let's pack up the apples and call it a day". Aj said

"Okay", came Fluttershy.

The three mares started putting apples in barrels, chatting about how fun the party will be. As the sun sets, the three ponies return to their homes, all waiting for the next day to come.

Author's Note

Okay, so far so good for my first story. It may be a bit slow in the beginning, but it will get better, I promise.
:pinkiecrazy:

Party Hard

It was a rather warm night in Ponyville and lots of ponies were filling into Sugar Cube Corner. Among the chatter of many ponies, Twilight, AJ, Fluttershy and RD were at the entrance, making sure everypony got in safely. Rarity was already inside, putting the finishing touches of the decorations, and Pinkie was in the kitchen, icing the rest of the cupcakes. There were a lot more ponies than expected, it might as well have been the whole town in Sugar Cube Corner.

Once every last pony was inside, Twilight, AJ, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash entered the building and the doors were closed. The party had already begun, there were music, games, sweets and other junk foods, confetti and everything one could expect at a party. Rainbow Dash wasted no time in chugging down gallons and gallons of apple cider that had been made prior to the party, and Pinkie was stuffing her face with all sorts of cakes. AJ was dancing with her little sister, Applebloom and her friends, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle and Rarity was socializing with ponies who looked of noble status. Fluttershy and Twilight were having a conversation with each other about the past boring days in Ponyville. It was only a matter of time until the party got wild.

Vinyl and Octavia just arrived, and when they played together, the party erupted into an explosion of excitement. Everypony cheered, the music was intoxicating, it fueled everypony into adrenaline. The way those two mares played together was pure harmony, and everypony can tell with the chemistry of those two.

The party lasted for quite a long time, it was about 1:30 a.m. and things seem to have cooled off. Ponies were slowly leaving the party and others who stayed were either asleep or still enjoying sweets.

"Wake up, Lyra," whispered Bon Bon. She was trying to wake up her snoring friend who had fallen asleep. Lyra didn't respond, instead, she stirred in her fetal position and moaned in annoyance.

Bon Bon sighs. "You're hopeless". She smiles and gently strokes Lyra's mane for about several moments. Bon Bon then gently lifts Lyra and puts her on her back. "Come on sleepyhead". Bon Bon walks out of Sugar Cube Corner and heads for her place, taking Lyra with her.

All the other sleeping ponies were awakened by either their friends or family members and escorted out of Sugar Cube Corner. All the ponies that remained were the Mane 6 and the cutie mark crusaders.

"Welp, I guess the party's over". Applejack said as she picked up her sleeping sister.

"Right you are, Applejack", said Rarity. "I've struck many deals and collaborations with some nobles from Canterlot".

"I've been invited to a Wonderbolts event", Rainbow Dash squealed in excitement.

" Good for you, Rainbow Dash", commented Twilight.

"Well, of course, it's only natural that I get invited", Dash said in her cocky tone.

"When is the event"? Asked Fluttershy.

"Tomorrow!" RD squealed again.

"Well, Rainbow Dash, you should get some rest if you don't want to oversleep". Said Twilight giggling over Dash's squealing.

Rainbow Dash grew frantic. "Y-you're right! I need to get some sleep!" Dash then flew lightning fast out of Sugar Cube Corner, leaving a rainbow line that quickly faded away.

The mares giggled.

"That Dash, always tryin' to impress the Wonderbolts," giggled AJ

"Give her some credit, AJ, she's really trying"! Pinkie came in from the kitchen.

"Ah guess", Aj scratched her head.

"Well, I believe Rainbow has the right idea, we all should get some rest". Rarity pointed out.

"Yer right, Rare, besides ah gotta take Applebloom home, she's got school tomorrow". Applejack takes her sister and leaves.

"Good night, y'all! AJ called out as she was leaving".

"Good night, Applejack"! All the other mares replied.

Rarity walked over to Sweetie Belle napping on the floor. "Sweetie Belle." Rarity whispered as she tapped her sister on the head. Sweetie Belle gave a couple of annoyed moans, but Rarity managed to wake up her sister.

"Mmmmm.......what?" Sweetie Belle opened her eyes and raised up to rub her eyes.

"Time to go, Sweetie". Rarity said in a loving whisper. Rarity and her sister walked out of Sugar Cube Corner, and both said their good nights to the remaining ponies.

"I should go to, I'm sure Angel misses me," Fluttershy says. "Thanks for the Party, Pinkie".

"Thanks!" Pinkie blushed

"I'll go with you." Twilight walked over to Fluttershy

"Thank you, Twilight". The two ponies walked out of Sugar Cube Corner, with Scootaloo on Twilight's back. Both ponies said their good nights as Pinkie gave a cheerful wave to both mares. The bakery was now empty, and after closed the door, she goes upstairs to her room. Upon entering she spots her pet alligator Gummy.

"Hey, Gummy"! Pinkie gives him a spine crunching bear hug and a quick but loving kiss on his forehead. She then puts him down and plops on her bed with an exhausted sigh.

"What a great party." Pinkie had a huge smile on her face, it was another successful party. Pinkie covered herself in her bed sheets and quickly fell asleep.

Author's Note

I'm not gonna lie this chapter came out okay. Next chapter, things will get interesting.
:rainbowkiss:

Invitation

Twilight was walking through the streets of Ponyville humming a song as she walked. There was no real destination in mind, Twilight just wanted to go outside and get some fresh air. That, and to get off the rest the hang over from Pinkie Pie's party. Twilight giggled to herself, the last thing she remembered was that she was having a conversation with Fluttershy, and then somehow ends up dancing like a madmare on the dance floor.

The memories of Pinkie's party were still fresh in Twilight's mind, it had quite a while since her and the others had been in supposedly simple gathering that became so hectic. Before Twilight left, she had to make sure to drink a lot of water before leaving the castle so she wouldn't be so tipsy. It would definitely be a long time before Twilight would let Pinkie talk her into drinking anything with thirty pounds of sugar in it.

Twilight reached the middle of Ponyville and saw a small groups of ponies. She paid no mind to their business, and only spoke to them when they gave her hello's, hi's and waved to her. Since Twilight became a princess, everypony used to freak out or become extremely excited when seeing her, but now, they treat her as any other regular pony. That was another weight lifted off her shoulders, the pressure and responsibility of being the princess of friendship seemed to have lightened up as things cooled off in Ponyville.

Once Twilight passed though the groups of ponies, she continued on her quiet walk. It was until she set her sights on a small beautiful lake, is when her walk is halted. Twilight approached the lake at it's edge and sits down, she stares down at her reflection on the surface of the lake and smiles. Today was a relaxing morning, and even though it was boring, it was better than dealing with crazy mares like Starlight Glimmer. Twilight closed her eyes and basks in the peaceful atmosphere, she breathes in the cool crisp air. She breathes out and lays down on the vibrant green grass, the zen feeling was enough to put anypony to sleep, and Twilight was no exception. Her eyes slowly drooped and she laid her head on the grass and drifted off into a cozy sleep.

"Twilight."

"Twilight!"

"TWILIGHT!"

Twilight's entire body jolted at the sound of a voice calling out to her, it sounded like a young male voice. She was in a groggy state and couldn't comprehend what she just heard, and whether or not it's just part a dream.

"Twilight!"

There it is again.

Twilight's purple eyes slightly opened, but then immediately shut after the blinding sunlight seeped into her eyes. She sat up and rubbed her eyes with a hoof while yawning. It was the evening, and the sun just started setting into the mountains, Twilight had slept for hours, but it felt like only minutes. She looked around and though her eyes were still blurry, she caught the sight of a green and purple blob running to her from a distance.

It looked like.

"Spike....?" Twilight's voice was quiet and it obviously still had exhaustion behind it. Twilight rubbed her eyes again and squinted again to get a better look at the blob, it was Spike. He was running to her in a hurry, and he was carrying what looked to be a scroll wrapped in a tube shape by a bright red ribbon. Twilight stands up and waits for Spike to reach her. Once he did, he stopped running and doubled over in exhaustion with sweat leaking out of him.

"Are you okay, Spike?" Twilight did have a bit of concern in her voice, but she focused more on waking up completely.

"You've gotta...*pant*...important message from...*pant* *pant*....Celestia!

Twilight stopped rubbing her eyes and look at Spike in disbelief.

"What does the letter say?" Her focus was now on the letter in Spike's hand.

"Don't know *sigh* I thought it would be better to give to to you first." Spike gave Twilight the letter and sat down next to her to relieve his tired aching little body. Twilight levitates and opens the letter with her magic, she reads it out loud so Spike can hear what the letter says.

"To my dearest student, Princess Twilight Sparkle,"

"I apologize greatly for interrupting whatever event you are currently doing or planning, but you must come to Canterlot Castle as soon as you can."

"We are currently handling an extreme emergency, and I need your help. It would be better to show than to tell our current situation, the only reply needed is your appearance."

"I also request that you come alone, there is no need to bring your friends into this affair."

"Sincerely Your Mentor, Princess Celestia."

"An extreme emergency?" A pang of fear and worry shot through Twilight's heart. What could the "extreme emergency" be? Are Celestia and Luna okay?

"Come on, Spike." Twilight stood up, gave Spike the letter and levitated him on her back and ran towards her castle. Thoughts of Canterlot destroyed invaded her mind and it made the pain in her chest ache even more, and the fact that she must handle it alone, is much more terrifying.

The two made it into the castle in a matter of minutes, the double doors burst open and Twilight runs in. She levitates Spike on the floor immediately heads to her bed, leaving Spike alone.

" You know, we could've just teleported here." Spike said, even though he knows the Twilight wouldn't hear him." He walked to Twilight's room and sees her quickly and frantically packing supplies in her bags.

"Geez Twilight, you might as pack your entire castle." Spike leaned on the frame of the door way of Twilight's room.

"Spike, this is important. What if Celestia is in trouble?" She finished packing and put the bag on her back.

"Relax, Twilight, Celestia will be fine, I'm sure it's nothing you and her can't handle." Spike lent a supporting hand on Twilight's shoulder.

Twilight smiled at the kind gesture, and it eased the pain in her heart.

"You're right, Spike." She took the bag off her back.

It was getting late, and the sun has disappeared behind the mountains with the moon replacing it. That alone provided Twilight with some relief, knowing that her mentor was okay. It was way too dark to go to Canterlot now, Twilight would just have to wait until tomorrow. She puts the packed bag under her bed and lays down. Twilight wasn't really tired, having to sleep on the soft grass outside, she just lays on her bed staring at the ceiling. Spike goes to his own bed.

"Good night, Twilight", yawns the little dragon.

"Good night, Spike," replied Twilight. She continues to stare at the ceiling for hours thinking about the letter said. The words "Extreme" and "Emergency" kept replaying in her mind, she hoped it's not as bad as Celestia wrote, Twilight's eyes then slowly droop into sleep.

Even though Twilight prepared for the day ahead of her, no book or spell can prepare her for the surprise in store for heart Canterlot.

Author's Note

Another chapter done! :pinkiehappy:

Next chapter is where Twilight ends up in Canterlot.

Departure and Arrival

Twilight walks from her room with the packed bag on her back. She heads for the throne room and is surprised when she spots her five friends chatting amongst themselves. Pinke was the notice Twilight and broke the chain of chatter for the others.

"Hey,Twilight" Pinkie waves and the other ponies look in Twilight's direction giving her smiles.

"What are you all doing here"? Twilight was a bit nervous, she wondered what the others were going to do when she leaves.

"We're all her to see ya off to Canterlot". Applejack stepped forward to give Twilight a pat on the back.

"Wait, how do you all-"

"Spike." Applejack interrupted.

Twilight shot Spike a look of not anger, but relief, now there was no need to tell them that they can not tag along. Twilight looks back at Applejack and the others.

"Thanks, everypony," Twilight gave a big smile to them.

"Come on, we'll walk you to the train station." Rainbow Dash zoomed out of the castle as if she was challenged to a race. Pinkie Pie followed after bouncing on the way out. Rarity and Fluttershy were next to leave, both mares engaged in conversation. Lastly, Applejack led Twilight out of the castle, her arm still on Twilight's back.

No pony knows when Twilight will come back, Celestia never mentioned how long it would be. Twilight maybe went for a day or even a year. It would be nice to their time, just in case Twilight stays longer than wanted, but Celestia did say that she needed Twilight for an "extreme emergency", so lagging is not an option.

The train station came into view and it appeared to be busy.

"All aboard!"

Twilight got on the train and took her seat. She immediately went to the window to see her friends waving. The window was closed so Twilight couldn't hear them. When the train started going, the others ran along with it, with the exception of Rainbow Dash using her wings. When the train left the station, Twilight left the window and took a deep sigh. There's no going back now. Twilight levitated a book about how to handle extreme emergencies from her bag and began reading. It would take about a day to get to Canterlot, so she had enough time to read.

Step 1: Take A Deep Breathe
Panicking in a situation can lead to more stress and fear into the situation, which will cause those to make mistakes around them.

Step 2: Count to 10. Tell yourself you can handle the situation.
Self-encouragement can help keep one calm and steady, a simple "I Can Do It", can make a big difference.

Step 3:Check for danger. Protect yourself and the injured person from fire, explosions, or other hazards.
Treat the most life-threatening problems like bleeding or shock first.

Step 4: Try to look at the situation as a whole.
Find out what's the biggest danger in the situation. Create a series of events of what situation will be handled from dangerous to least dangerous.

After a couple of hours of reading,Twilight fell asleep on the seat with the book on her face. It was night time, and most of the other ponies either fell asleep or stayed up staring out the window. The only sound was the loud train engines.

It was early in the morning and the train came to a screeching halt. The loud sound of steam fills the air, some ponies woke up, including Twilight, while others stayed asleep.

"Next stop: Canterlot." The announcer called out, as some ponies left the train.

Twilight took the book off her face and put back in her bag. The next stop is Canterlot, almost there.

Minutes go by and Twilight was forced out of her thoughts when she heard a voice of a male foal mention "Celestia" and "Canterlot". He had a dark navy blue coat with a pearl white mane.

"Mommy, why does Princess Celestia not want ponies to come to Canterlot?" The foal tugged on his mother's tail.

"I don't know, dear. Maybe they have important things to do."

The mother had a light blue coat with a white mane.It seems she is equally confused as her son as to why
Celestia has closed off Canterlot.

There was that familiar pain of fear in Twilight's chest. Celestia closed off Canterlot? Was the situation that bad? Twilight then remembered what her book had said, the first step was to take a breath, and even though she hasn't yet confronted the emergency, it's better to be cool for the situation than to arrive as the nervous wreck . After taking about five deep breaths of air, the pain in Twilight's chest grew weaker, but there was still a bit left.

Twilight shifted her gaze outside the window she saw green grass until she saw.

She saw.

A large blue mountain with a beautiful waterfall.

Lastly, coming into view was a white castle, with multiple colors on the roof.

Canterlot Castle.

The train comes to its destination and stops. The doors open and no pony leaves, except Twilight. As she leaves, she can feel the stares from other ponies who stayed on the train. As soon as her last hoof left the train, Twilight immediately noticed the flood of royal guards littered on the streets of Canterlot. Everypony looked the same in the gold armor, there were no other ponies outside.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle." A masculine voice shocks Twilight and she turns around to find a stallion with a dark grey coat and a pure white mane in gold armor. His face was unreadable as he addressed the princess of friendship.

"I assume you are here at the behest of Princess Celestia".

Twilight didn't respond, she just nodded.

"Well then, please follow me". The stallion turned around and Twilight followed him to Canterlot Castle.

The walk was about five minutes, and both ponies were said not a word, that is until Twilight broke the silence.

"D-do you know why Celestia closed off Canterlot?"

The stallion didn't look back at Twilight, he just kept on walking. After about ten seconds she answered her question.

"No. All she said is that Canterlot could be in grave danger, and we have all borders guarded and closed off."

"Oh, so Celestia never said why?"

"No. She also orders all occupants of Canterlot to say in their homes until further notice."

The stallions face and attitude remained firm and steady through the conversation, Twilight wondered how he really felt about the situation.

There was that pain in Twilight's chest again.

The two ponies made it to Canterlot Castle and were greeted by two more stallions at the giant bridge.

"I have brought Princess Twilight Sparkle." The stallion who escorted Twilight stepped up and spoke to his fellow comrades.

Both guards look at each other, then back at Twilight and stepped out of the way of the giant double doors.

"You may proceed, Princess". Both stallions and bowed. Twilight then walked into the familiar and enormous ballroom with nervousness, and the huge door behind her closed.

"Princess Celestia?" Twilight called out to her mentor, her voice was slightly breaking.

She heard no reply.

Silence.

Until.

"Twilight, you're here." Twilight turned around to find her mentor, the great and wise ruler of the sun, Princess Celestia.

"Princess, you're okay!" Twilight ran up to her ruler and gave her a big hug. The pain in her chest disappeared.

"Of course, I am, I'm sorry if I worried you, Twilight." The ruler of the sun hugged her student back.

After the hug broke, Twilight looked at her mentor and saw dark circles under her eyes as if she needed more sleep. It was best to ignore it, for now, dark circles are better than Equestria destroyed anyway.

"So, princess, why was I called her on such short notice."

Celestia's face turn serious.

Twilight was taken back by Celestia's face, it was as if Twilight said something wrong and she was going to get punished for it.

Celestia took a deep sigh.

"I'm just going to say it". She started.

"King Sombra has returned, and is in this castle as we speak."

That sharp pain came back in Twilight's chest, but it was more sudden and painful as if she had been stabbed. Twilight stared at her mentor wide-eyed and was speechless. King Sombra? As in the evil King Sombra, that tried to take over the crystal empire? Overwhelming thoughts shot through Twilight's mind, if Celestia hadn't spoken, Twilight probably would've malfunctioned.

"And that's not the worst part". Celestia now had sadness in her eyes, which was a sight very unfamiliar to Twilight.

"I-it's not?"

Twilight shook with fear. What if another enemy has come back? Another enemy like Chrysalis? Triek? Or even Starlight Glimmer?

"No."

Celestia lowers her head in shame.

"Luna, she's missing."

Twilight dropped to her knees.

Had Sombra done something to Luna? So many questions popped into Twilight's mind and she was despite to ask them.

"W-what happened to Luna? Why is King Sombra here? What's going on, Princess?"

"Twilight, I understand that you have questions that need answering. Please come with me." Twilight followed Celestia though the hallways of the castle, there were guards everywhere, left and right.

The two princesses came to a set of giant double doors, it was Celestia's bedroom.

"Here is a place where we can talk in private." Celestia pushed open the double doors with her golden magic. The room was already lit, but there was a corner of the room that was as dark as a black hole, even though there were many lights in Celestia's room. It was as if something was hiding there.

The double doors were closed, so not a single word can leave the room.

"So princess, can you now tell me what's going on?" Twilight asked.

Celestia sighs.

"It's better if I show you, Twilight."

Celestia walked a couple of paces toward the black void in the corner of her room.

"You can come out now," she commanded to the void.

Who was she talking to? Is something there?

Twilight remained silent the entire time, waiting for whatever was supposed to come out of the dark space.

Silence.

After several moments, the clopping sound of metal hooves was heard by both princesses. Twilight looked around to see where the noise was coming from while Celestia's eyes remained on the void in her wall.

Then with the sound of hollow winds, a dark husk of smokey shadows walks out of the void. Twilight instinctively backs away while Celestia stands her ground. The unidentifiable shadow stopped walking and stood still, Celestia grew impatient.

"Stop hiding and reveal yourself."

Within a snap, the shadow expanded into a ball and exploded.

What the shadow left behind was a grey stallion with a tar black mane in armor. He was as tall as Celestia, with green eyes and razor sharp teeth Twilight gasped.

It was.

King Sombra.

He looked at Celestia, who gave him an emotionless stare, then looked at Twilight, who shook in fear and stepped behind her mentor.

Sombra grinned at Twilight.

It wasn't a grin of arrogance or intended evil. It was a normal grin, one you would give someone if they gave you a present on your birthday.

That only frightened Twilight even more, that is until she heard his voice. His voice was as deep and dark as the void he came from.

"Hello again, Princess Twilight Sparkle."

Author's Note

Finally done!
:pinkiehappy:

Now I need to go to sleep.
:ajsleepy:

Confrontation

Twilight said not a word to the stallion in armor who addressed her with a polite welcome. Her mind was still reeling at the fact that King Sombra himself has returned, why did Celestia even let him come one thousand feet of the castle? Was this the "Extreme Emergency" all along?

Sombra kept his gaze on Twilight with a warm smile, waiting patiently for her to respond. He studied her appearance, she has grown in height, looks more mature and not to mention the lovely wings folded neatly on her back.

Sombra's stare made Twilight very uncomfortable, her body became as stiff as a board. Celestia
could sense her student's discomfort and had to do something about it.

Sombra's attention was taken away from Twilight when Celestia's white horn glowed her signature gold shimmer, and in a flash, a table and tea set appeared. The small table had a beautiful hue of pearl white with shiny gold trim. Three teacups matched the table and had Celestia's cutie mark on all of them.

Celestia silently sat down and poured herself a cup of tea.

Sombra stared at her for a couple of seconds, he pondered and studied her behavior before he also sat down and poured himself a cup of tea.

Both ponies sat across from each other.

"Now that Twilight is here, we can discuss our current issue," Celestia spoke in the most regal way possible.

"Very well, I assume you have filled her in on the situation" Sombra replied.

Celestia sighed.

"No, I have not. I thought it would be better to tell her when she arrived."
She levitated the tea cup and blew on the hot liquid.

"Hm, I suppose now is the best time."

Both Celestia and Sombra glance at Twilight, she was still standing and has not touched her tea. Her eyes kept darting back and forth between the princess of the sun and the king of darkness. Why are they acting so civilized toward each other?

"Twilight, please sit down." Twilight quietly sat down next to her mentor, she kept her eyes on her cup of tea, averting them from looking at Sombra and Celestia.

The sun princess clears her throat and looks at Twilight.

"Now Twilight, I understand that you had questions you wanted to ask." Celestia gave her student a warm smile.

Twilight gave a quick nervous glance at Sombra, and after a couple of seconds, she asks her most important question.

"Why is Sombra here?"

Silence.

After a while, Celestia finally spoke up.

"Twilight". Celestia's tone was heavy and serious, it brought back that pain in Twilight's heart.

"King Sombra is here because he believes that Luna is the mother of his foal."

Silence. It lasted for what seemed like an eternity.

"W-what?" Twilight was speechless. She couldn't comprehend what Celestia had told her, was this a dream?
No, everything seemed real. Was Celestia lying? Impossible, at least, not by the serious look on her face.
Could Luna, princess of the night, really conceive a foal with Sombra, the King of Darkness?

Twilight jolted out of her thoughts when Celestia put a supporting hoof on her shoulders. She looked at her mentor
with disorientation in her eyes.

"Is it true, princess?"

"No,Twilight." Celestia's voice was firm, she made sure to look Sombra in the face when she announced that the foal did not share Luna's blood.

Sombra narrowed his eyes at the sun princess until Celestia had denied the foal's relation, he had a neutral expression.

"What makes you deny my foal, Celestia?" Sombra's tone turned even darker than originally intended, it was like listening to a wolf growl.

Celestia put her teacup down on the table and looked at Sombra with a face of determination.

"I know that Luna would never conceive a foal with the likes of you."

Sombra returned to his neutral expression.

"Then perhaps you don't know your sister as much as you think you do."

Silence.

Celestia gave Sombra a deadly stare, if looks could kill, he'd be dead. Her cup still glowed its magical golden color, but it didn't move.

Sombra returned the favor with a smirk, it tickled him that he was able to piss off the sun princess.

Twilight could feel the tension of the atmosphere, the air seemed thicker and heavier. She had to do something before these two ended up killing each other.

"U-um, I have a question." A shaky voice broke through the intense and silent stare-off between Sombra and Celestia, both ponies stared at the source.

"What is it, Twilight?" Celestia's voice returned to her kind tone as if she wasn't ready to kill Sombra's two seconds ago.

Twilight looks at Sombra, she still had a bit of fear in her heart.

"Where is the foal?"

Silence.

Twilight and Celestia stared at Sombra, Twilight had a look of nervousness and understandable curiosity, while Celestia had doubt and suspicion.

Sombra gave a light chuckle.

He stood up from his spot and seconds later, he turned and walked a couple paces to the corner of the room. Twilight had forgotten that the black void was still there on the wall.

Sombra stood a couple of feet in front of the void.

"Come out now, the princesses want to see you." His voice seemed a bit confident as evident to the smile on his face.

Seconds later, a small unidentified shadowy figure emerged from the void, the void finally disappeared from the wall, returning it to normal.

Like Sombra, it was hiding its true form.

Twilight and Celestia remained quiet, both ponies were too surprised to speak.

Sombra approaches and kneels down to the figure's short level.

"Do not be shy, they will not harm you." His words of reassurance calmed down the figure, and in an instant, the shadow contracted and exploded.

The shadowy figure left behind a small foal, it had a horn and almost looked like an exact image of Sombra.

Almost.

The foal had tar black hair, with a blueish gray coat and sea blue eyes. At the sight of Celestia and Twilight, the shy foal hid behind its father's legs.

Sombra turned around to face the two princesses.

"Princess Celestia, Princess Twilight: This is my foal, Prince Choron."

Twilight and her mentor stared at the foal in utter disbelief, Sombra wasn't lying about the foal's existence, he looked exactly like his father. Though, there were features that differed from Sombra's appearance. Sombra came back to the table and sat back down in his original spot. Choron sat behind him, he hid his small form from the eyes of the two princesses.

Celestia stood up from her spot, her hoofs slamming on the table, doing so startled Choron.

"T-this proves nothing!" She retorted. There was no way that this foal belonged to Luna. There was no way.

"Hmph, are you in denial or just plain blind Celestia? You know deep in your heart that my son carries Luna's blood."

"If Luna did conceive that foal with you, then she would have told me." Celestia's voice raised a bit, she was losing
patience with the king of darkness and his lies.

"True, but perhaps she was too ashamed. Perhaps the idea of having a foal with the likes of me would've tarnished her reputation and she was afraid that her ponies, and sister, would reject her again."

Celestia flinched.

Again? What does he mean by again?

The one time Luna felt that way was before she became Nightmare Moon. Does Sombra know about that? If so, how?

Celestia grew silent as she sat back down in her spot, thinking about what Sombra just said while the king of darkness gave another glance to Twilight.

"You have been rather quiet, Princess Twilight"

Twilight flinched.

"What do you think?" Sombra looked at Twilight in genuine interest.

"Uh...I-i don't, really." Twilight struggled to find an answer, then a bigger question entered her mind.

"Hey Sombra, can I ask you something?" Twilight managed to speak up, but her voice still had a bit of nervousness.

"By all means, ask away."

Twilight gulped.

"Do you know where Princess Luna is?"

Silence.

Prince Choron and Princess Celestia jolted at the mention of Luna while Sombra remained calm.

Sombra said not a word while he had the princess of friendship staring at him with a bit of worry while her mentor gave him a piercing glare.

He signed.

"No."

"Oh, I see." Twilight cast her eyes down in disappointment.

A slam on the table surprises Twilight, she looks at the owner of the noise, Celestia.

"Liar, you know where she is!" Celestia retorted.

"As I said to Princess Twilight, I do not know where she is. I had not seen her since she gave Choron to me." Sombra had an annoyed tone.

"Luna gave him to me not a day after he was born."

This was a lot to take in by both princesses, It must've been years since Sombra saw Luna. Now that she's missing, this whole ordeal led to nothing in the end. What now?

Celestia stood up.

"We will put this conversation aside until my sister is found."

Celestia walked to the double doors of her room before she opened the doors, she stood in place, never turning around.

"You and your son can stay here in Canterlot, there will be a room prepared for you to sleep in. You will, however, be placed under the heavy watch of my knights and myself. Also, you are to stay in this castle and never go outside. Lastly, never leave your son unattended, or you both will be persecuted."

Celestia's voice was as cold as ice. She then used her magic to open the doors and walked out, leaving Twilight alone with Sombra and his son.

Author's Note

A/N
Boy, this chapter took some time. I was a little late on this one because there were complications with my computer, it kept freezing and resetting by itself, I even saved it on my Notepad just in case, but some text was missing. :raritycry: :raritydespair:

I drew a picture of Choron in case anyone was curious, it's on my DeviantArt Stash (http://sta.sh/0ca8a1jsk49).

Truth

Immediately after Celestia left, Prince Choron tugged on his father's tail to get his attention, and Sombra looked down to address the foal. Choron's voice was soft and almost sounded feminine, like the squeak of a little filly.

"What is it, Choron?" Sombra spoke to his son, he had been quiet throughout the conversation hiding behind his father from the two princesses. Twilight was still in the room with the two male ponies but remained quiet to not interrupt them.

"Father, you said that Mother was here" Choron looked at his father with a bit of sadness in his eyes, of course, he would be sad, he never met his mother. The foal had always heard all these great things about how beautiful and powerful she is and how she was banished to the moon after almost defeating Celestia, his aunt.

Sombra saw the sadness in his son's eyes and tried to answer his son the best he could.

"Your mother isn't here, Choron, she must have left." The prince took his father's words into consideration, then a new question popped into his mind, one that he was afraid to ask. He averted his eyes from his father.

"Does Mother not want me?" The sound of hurt was obvious in Choron's voice. Twilight watched in genuine sympathy, she even felt sorry for the foal, despite being the son of the King of Darkness himself. Choron is still a young foal who misses his mother like any other young foal would if there's disappeared.

"Of course, she does, my son," Sombra whispered as he gently stroked Choron's mane in an attempt to cheer him up, with no avail. Choron still felt unsatisfied, but he did appreciate his father's concern.

"Then, why did she not try to see me?"

That was a question Sombra could not answer, for he too doesn't know why Luna never even bother to be in Choron's life. It was one thing to give him up to his father, but to never have a chance to meet him was a different ball game. Luna always treated her subjects with extreme love and care no matter what species they were as if they were her own children. So Choron should be no different. In fact, because Choron is her son, he should be put above all of her subjects and receive more love and care.

Sombra came up with the best answer he could to not upset his son.

"I do not know, Choron. When I find her, I will make sure to receive an answer from her." Sombra looked deep into his son's eyes, there was something off about them. Choron could feel that his father was not happy, his eyes lacked the usually calm and neutral expression.

Choron saw anger in his father's eyes.

Why is his father angry?

Was he angry at his mother?

Sombra stared at a wall with a scowl on his face, he didn't say a word or even moved and seemed to have spaced out as if thinking about something. Choron stared at him, waiting patiently for him to come back from his thoughts.

To Sombra, it was impossible to believe that a mother could even dare leave her child and never come back. She goes through excruciating pain to bring a new life into the world, only to abandon it. Yet, everypony thinks that the mother is the better parent and that she can do no wrong. Oh, but imagine if a stallion did the same, he would be the disgrace of Equestria and deserves to be imprisoned and tortured in Tartarus no matter what logical excuse he had. The saddest part is that when the truth comes out and Luna returns, Sombra would somehow still be put at fault for conceiving Choron with the willing princess of the moon.

U-um, excuse me, Sombra?

The feminine voice of Princess Twilight Sparkle broke the silence and Choron looked at her in confusion, while Sombra jolted back into reality, he shook his head to rid himself of his anger. They had completely forgotten that Twilight was even there. Choron instinctively hid behind his father once more from Twilight's gaze.

"Ah, my apologies, princess, I seemed to have dozed off. Is there something else you wish to know?" Sombra returned to his calm demeanor. Twilight grew nervous, Sombra was quite good at changing his emotions, no one would've noticed that he was previously angry. Not to mention, that she was alone with the king of darkness and his son, two against one.

"If you don't mind, I-i want to know what kind of relationship you had with Princess Luna, I also want to know how you both met?"." Twilight looked down to avoid Sombra's reaction, she was afraid that he would be angry.

For what reason?

Twilight didn't know.

Surprisingly, Sombra wasn't angry at all, he did, however, give the princess a slightly surprised look as if he never expected her to ask such a thing. Sombra smiled at the friendship princess, he then looked at Choron, his own son had a look of genuine interest of knowing how his father and mother met.

Sombra looked back at Twilight.

"Very well, I will tell you."

Twilight was shocked, that was way too easy.

"I see, I will try to keep this short and simple"

Sombra and Choron sit back in their original spots and Twilight slowly does the same.

The king of darkness clears his throat.

"I was walking through a large and silent cave, debating whether to take refuge of it. It was one year after my defeat, and after a long day of searching for a place to shelter myself, I grew weak and tired. During my exploration of the caverns, I heard the faint crying of a mare echoing. I was curious and followed it to its source, and that was when I stumbled upon the princess of the night, Luna."

Twilight looked at Sombra with genuine interest and worry, not knowing where the story was going. Choron on the other hand, or hoof, stared at his father with undying excitement. His eyes were wide and he had a huge smile on his face, he was finally going to find out how his mother and father met.

Sombra continued with his story.

"When I saw her, she was sitting by herself in front of a small pond and was facing away from me. I stood there for a moment and thought about how I should kill her and take the cave or simply leave her there and continue searching. I then realized that killing her would be a challenge on my end since she is an alicorn. So, I turned around and began my exploration back to the cave entrance. However, a twig snapped under my hoof and alerted the princess of the night."

Luna jolted in surprise, she doesn't face the sound but instead quickly rubs the tears off her eyes.

"Sister, please, I do not wish to be disturbed!"

"I stood there in silence and surprised, she mistook me for Celestia."

After a while of silence, Luna thought she would be alone again but knowing how stubborn her older sister is, having some alone time was never easy. Luna continued to face the opposite direction, being ashamed to show her tear stained face.

"I-i know that you are worried for me, sister." Please understand that I am not a little filly anymore and that I can solve my problems myself."

There was still no reply and Luna still felt the presence of the other pony and lost her patience.

"Sister! Please, I-"

The princess of the night turns in anger, expecting to see her worried sister but is surprised when her eyes met Sombra's. Both ponies stared at each other for a while. Luna was slightly surprised to see another pony in a cave she usually comes to when she is depressed. Somba had about the same reaction as Luna but didn't show it, after all, this is the first time anypony has seen Sombra and not run away screaming for help.

Luna curiously studied Sombra's mysterious appearance, a normal pony would be intimidated or afraid to be around another who dresses like a military warlord. Unlike those ponies, Luna had her fair share of extremely unsightly creatures like the bat ponies who had to be isolated from other ponies who sought to hunt them down. Though the bat ponies aren't the most attractive, they are one of the kindest creatures in Equestria.

"O-oh, I apologize. I thought you were my sister.", Luna stuttered while rubbing the rest of her tears out of her eyes. Sombra nodded and turned to leave.

"Wait!"

The grey stallion stopped in his tracks not turning to face Luna.

"I have never seen anypony like you before, may I ask who you are?"

Sombra thought about what his reply would be, He could be honest but that would be risky.

The dark king turned his head to face Luna.

"I prefer to keep my identity a mystery."

"I understand." Luna was slightly disappointed that she couldn't get to know the name of the mysterious stallion, but she couldn't blame him as the night princess herself prefers her own privacy.

"My name is Princess Luna, It is nice to meet you." Luna had a very cute and innocent smile on her face, a smile that could melt a cold heart to its core.

"Likewise."

Sombra turned then walked to the cave entrance. That was an interesting meeting, a pony who didn't know Sombra and wasn't afraid of him at all. She's an alicorn, just like Princess Celestia and Princess Cadence, perhaps there was a relation between them. If so, then it's best to keep distance until the time is right to attack.

The silence was the signal that Sombra was finished with his story.

"So that's it, huh? Does Celestia know too?" Twilight finally replied the story wasn't as bad as she thought.

"Well, a portion of it, and yes, she knows" Sombra shrugged.

"But! You said that you'd tell me everything!" Twilight interjected.

"No, you wanted to know how Princess Luna and I met."

"Oh, yeah." The princess of friendship looked down in slight embarrassment.

"You also wanted to know the "relationship" between us, correct".

Twilight perked up then nodded.

"Yeah, are you both like......married?"

Sombra closed his eyes and spoke.

"The best way I can describe our "relationship" is confusing. And no, we are not married"

"Confusing?"

"I believe that Luna has conflicting feelings about our situation." Twilight had a strong feeling that the "situation" was Choron.

"Okay, one last question. Do you regret being involved in all this."

"Hm, interesting question. I do regret bringing my son into conflict, but he insisted on meeting his mother and I have no such heart to deny him that right. However."

Sombra's eyes turned cold as a blizzard, he stared at Twilight with a gaze that could kill a manticore in a second.

"I do not regret bringing Choron into this world, nor do I regret the affair Luna and I shared. I also care not for whatever conflict that denial coward, Celestia may bring to me, but if she so much as brings a hoove on my son, I will crush everything she loves and make her watch."

Twilight was frightened by Sombra's threat, she knew he had the power to back it up. At least Sombra's heart was in the right place and Princess Twilight knew that he cares for his son. Sombra knew that whatever consequences he could face, he'd know that his son could be forced to deal with the results his father's actions.

"I-i see."

Sombra sighed and relaxed.

"Well, now that I've told you my point of view, my son and I will leave you to process everything."

The king and prince stood and walked towards the closed large double doors of Celestia's room. Sombra knocked on the doors and a beautiful maid pony opened both doors to meet the prince and king.

"My son and I wish to retire to the room we were assigned." The maid pony was staring down at the floor in fear and shaking immensely.

"Y-y-yes, p-please follow m-me." The scared maid pony stuttered, turned around and quietly led Sombra and Choron through the hallway, leaving Twilight in Celestia's room.

Twilight's gaze shifted to the tea cup she never touch, her mind instantly repeated what Sombra just told her. Everything he said replayed in her mind to the very last detail, even to the part to where Sombra admitted to no regretting making Choron and having an affair with Luna.

An affair with Luna.

An AFFAIR with LUNA.

When Twilight least expected it, thoughts of Sombra and Luna mating flashed in her mind, the sounds, the positions, the places, it all broke into the princess' mind like a rock thrown through a window and it was all too much to take. Twilight reflexively shook her head to get rid of the images. It's getting late as evident to the beautiful night sky, at least Luna's okay. The princess needs her rest, she stood up and put a hoove to her forehead and wiped the sweat off her flustered face. She quietly walked to double doors and opened one of the doors, Twilight walked out of the room where she is met by another beautiful maid pony.

"Princess Twilight, I assume you wish to retire to your bedroom."

Twilight nodded.

"In that case, please follow me." Twilight followed her through the halls of Canterlot Castle until both ponies reached a room with mocha double doors.

"Here we are, princess." The maid pony bows.

"Have a lovely slumber," she walks off.

Twilight opened the double doors with her magic and walked in. She immediately noticed how big her bedroom is, it was bigger than the one in her castle. Twilight didn't care much, she just walked to the bed and plopped her body on the mattress and immediately dozed off as soon as her head hit the pillow.

It's going to be a long day tomorrow.

Author's Note

Hello again! I know it's been a while sine I've updated, I've been very sick and I just graduated. It's been rough, but I'm back now!

Illusion

It was a very sunny day and Twilight Sparkle was walking through the streets of Ponyville humming a song as she walked. There was no real destination in mind she just wanted to go outside and get some fresh air. That and to get off the rest of the hangover from Pinkie Pie's party. Twilight giggled to herself, the last thing she remembered from the party was having a conversation with Fluttershy and then ended up dancing like a madmare on the dance floor.

Wait.

The party.

Wasn't that a couple days ago?

It felt like it was, so why is Twilight here and not....

Where was she supposed to be?

The last thing Twilight remembered was the party, so why is there a great sense of deja vu here? Twilight continued her walk while lost in her own thoughts with a million questions going through her mind. Until she stopped at a group of ponies in the middle of Ponyville. They all gave her waves and hi's to which Twilight replied to them with a simple wave, this feels familiar.

What happened next?

It was the lake.

Yes.

It was the lake!

Twilight walked faster to the lake hoping to remember what happened next. Once there, she gets a good glimpse at the lake and at the grass, this is where she fell asleep. Then Spike came with a letter a couple hours after sleeping. What did the letter say? It was a letter from Celestia wasn't it? The letter said something about an "extreme emergency."

An image popped into Twilight's head for a fraction of a second, it was an image dark stallion and a little foal. An They both looked familiar, where had she seen them?

Before Twilight's questions were answered, the sun started setting quickly and extremely early from its scheduled time, this was very odd considering that it was still morning time. The sun slowed down setting in the sky and it was beginning to get dark, time has seen to pass quicker than usual.

"Twilight."

"Twilight!"

"TWILIGHT!"

Twilight's body jolted that the sound of a voice calling out to her. It sounded like a young male voice. The princess looked frantically around to find the voice, only to be met by a purple blob running towards her from a distance. Immediately she knew that the blob was Spike.

"Twilight!"

"Spike!"

Twilight waited patiently for Spike to reach her. Once Spike had reached Twilight, he doubled over in exhaustion and sweat. Twilight asked if he was okay, to which he replied with pants of fresh air.

"You've got a letter from Celestia!" Spike breathed through pants.

It was that moment that Twilight's mind clicked and this confirmed all her suspicions. Something was wrong.

"What does the letter say, Spike?"

"Don't know, I thought it would be better to give it to you first."

Twilight levitates the letter from Spike and opens it. Immediately, Twilight recognized the contents of the letter, everything from the beautiful cursive writing and to the pony who sent it. Twilight's eyes read over the two most important words, "extreme emergency."

Twilight's mind snapped and the returning image of a stallion covered in darkness flashed in her thoughts. However, this time, the image was a lot clearer. she immediately recognized the stallion and trembled.

Sombra.

Celestia's letter is about Sombra and his son!

"Spike, I know what this letter is about!"

"You do, what?"

"Princess Celestia wants me to come to Canterlot because King Sombra returned."

Spike couldn't believe what he had just heard.

"Are you sure, Twilight."

"Spike, I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like we've been through this before and Princess Luna--"

Twilight was cut off by the sound of a blood-curdling scream from what sounded like a mare. Both Spike and Twilight turned to see the horrific scene of a mare being consumed by a dark shadow. Her body, or what's left of it, was being held completely by both of the shadow's claws and chewed on by the sharp teeth of the shadow which looked like a monster from the Everfree Forest. Other ponies were ran away from the monster and the poor mare he was feasting on. Twilight instinctively, ran towards the shadow and tried to hit it with her magic. Surprisingly it didn't work. Instead, the shadow seemed to have grown after Twilight hit it with her magic. The screams from the mare didn't stop either, that is, until her head was completely bitten off by the shadow and Twilight couldn't do anything about it. Blood sprayed everywhere, it was sickening. The poor mare was dead. Twilight was too shocked to even move. She and Spike were completely stunned by the scene, and before they realized it, more shadows had emerged from the ground and started attacking ponies.

Twilight tried her best to shoot her magic at the Shadows, even though there was a small bit of doubt in her heart that her magic wouldn't work. As she predicted, it didn't. The Shadows didn't even pay attention to Twilight's effort at stopping them, they just continued eating ponies left and right with blood spraying everywhere. It was then that one of the Shadows in emerged right behind Twilight and Spike from the lake. The shadow behind them grabbed Spike with both of its claws.

"Twilight!"

The princess in question immediately turned around and realized her worst fear, she saw Spike clutches of an evil Shadow. However, the shadow didn't attack Spike immediately like the other shadows were attacking other ponies. It was simply holding him as waiting for something.

"Do you yield, princess? "

A dark voice was heard and Twilight knew who it was. A shadow appeared a couple of feet in front of her and it quickly transformed into a stallion and a foal. It was Sombra and his son, Choron.

"Sombra."

"In the flesh." Sombra gave the princess a warm but evil smirk while his son had an unreadable expression.

"How could you do such a thing!" Twilight screams while tears were threatening to spill out of her eyes.

"Simple, I decided to come to a town that is less defensive. However, I've also come to realize that you have become a princess and I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity."

Twilight sniffed.

"An opportunity for what?"

"An opportunity to steal your throne after I take your throne, next will be Princess Cadence, the Celestia." Sombra replied coldly as he walks over to the shadow holding spike hostage.

"Now, this can be easy or very difficult for you, princess. Surrender your throne to me or you can watch as I kill your companion."

"I....I," Twilight I could come up with any words.

"Don't do it ,Twilight you've worked so hard to become a princess, you don't need to waste it on me".

The tears in Twilight's eyes spilled out of her, she didn't want to lose Spike over her royal throne. She looked around Ponyville to see that the Shadows were still consuming everypony and she couldn't stop them.

Unless.

"If i give you my throne, will you promise to stop your shadows and release Spike"?

"You have my word, princess."

"Fine, take my throne." The former princess bowed her head in shame.

"Twilight, no!"

"Hmph, I am disappointed in you, princess, I was expecting a bit more resistance from you. You have vanquished villains more powerful than I, yet you give up if one of companions are in danger. Pathetic."

Sombra's horn flared and a shadow emerged from the ground and grabbed Twilight.

"Devour him," commanded that the king of darkness and the shadow immediately heeded his master's words. The shadow sunk his teeth into Spike's little body, he screamed in agony.

"You promised!" Twilight shrieked.

"I did, but I lied."

Spike continued to scream in agony as he was quickly being eaten alive. He was silenced before he said his final word.

"Twilig--"

*chomp*

At that moment, everything became meaningless. Twilight lost her will to fight back and everypony she knew was dead. With the last of her willing voice, she lets out a scream.

SPIIIIIIIIKE!!!!!

With a gasp, Twilight opened her eyes and quickly sat up in her large bed. She was covered in sweat and fresh tears rolled down her face. Her hooves quickly met with her face, wiping off the liquids. The princess took deep breaths and she looked around the room and concluded that she's in a room but not her's. Memories of yesterday flooded in Twilight's mind, specifically the conversation with Sombra. She took one last breath, it was all a dream. Twilight smiles, none of it was real.

Twilight's body was hot with overheat and she got out of the bed to cool off. It was quite dim in her room due to the curtains that covered her windows, shielding her from the sunlight. She didn't know what time it was until she looked at the grandfather clock in her room it, was about eight in the morning. The princess walked over to the curtains that reached the ceiling and pulled them apart with her magic. The blinding light burned her eyes and she shielded them with her hoof. After a while of getting used to the light, she removed her hoof from her face and begin to neatly make her bed. After making her bed, she headed for the double doors that led to the castle hallway. She opened the doors and walked out of the room. In the hallway, she was immediately greeted by a maidpony, the same one that let her to her room last night.

"Good morning, Princess Twilight Sparkle." The maidpony had a beautiful smile on her face.

"Good morning", Twilight replied back, she was still slightly damp from the nightmare, but it wasn't something easily noticeable.

"Come now, Princess Twilight, Princess Celestia has requested your presence for breakfast time.

"But I haven't even brushed my teeth yet."

"That's okay, you can do it after breakfast." The maid pony reassured the princess of friendship. Twilight didn't have a problem with that, after all, she was getting kind of hungry.

The maidpony and the princess walked down the hall in silence, the walk wasn't that long, only about five minutes. During those silent moments, Twilight's mind couldn't help but to replay the horrid nightmare from last night, silently thanking Celestia that it wasn't real. Then both ponies reached the dining room, there was a long table with different arrays of food. Then Twilight's eyes caught the site of three other ponies, two of them sat together, while the third one, sat as far away from them as possible.

"Princess Celestia, I have brought Princess Twilight as you requested."

"Thank you, you are dismissed." the maidpony turns and leaves. Twilight now has three sets of eyes on her. She quietly walks toward the long table and sits in between Celestia and Sombra with his son.

"Oh, boy," Twilight said to herself.

Author's Note

Okay, this one came out a lot quicker than I thought. Instead of typing this, I recorded this on my phone.
:pinkiehappy:

Solitude

"Good morning, Twilight." The sun alicorn addressed her student in her usual happy and regal voice. Twilight nodded and gave a shy smile.

"Morning, Princess Celestia." Twilight sat in the empty gold chair with a wooden inlay between Celestia and Sombra.

"A lovely morning to you as well, Princess Twilight. Sombra's deep voice pierced in the moment she and Celestia had. Celestia's smile twitched and Twilight look down and quietly gave Sombra his hello.

"Hello again, Sombra", she whispered.

Celestia coughed, signaling her time to speak.

"Anyways, we can have breakfast now that Twilight is here."

Her white horn glowed its gold color and the bright espresso wooden double doors opened at her command. Out came three unicorn maid ponies holding covered platters with their magic. One of those unicorns had two platters to which Twilight assumed was for the king and prince. Each of the maid ponies went their own direction, one platter for each occupant of the table. The platters were set perfectly on the long table and Twilight couldn't help but realize that all the serving maid ponies were different. After all the covered platters were set, the maid ponies all bowed at the same time and left in a single file line.

Everypony lifted their platters with their magic to find different types of unique and beautifully hoof-crafted foods. Twilight's eyes widened at her plate, her platter may have been too fancy for her taste. Her plate contained red, yellow and green apple sandwiches that were cored, sliced flat and garnished with a pinch cinnamon. Sandwiched by the apples, was a generous amount of peanut butter mixed with oats and chocolate chips with a chalice of chilled honey tea with a slice of lemon on the side.

Twilight quickly looked over to Celestia's plate and the look on her face seemed that this wasn't her first time eating a lovely meal as this. The sun princess' plate had a thick stack of crepes that had cream between each one of them. The stack crepes were decorated with finely cut pieces of oranges, pineapples, and mangos that were drizzled over by a sweet golden sauce and finally another chalice filled with what looked like orange juice with an orange slice on the edge of the chalice .

As everypony started eating, Celestia focused on Twilight.

"Ahem. So, Twilight, did you sleep well?" The sun princess levitated a silver fork with a big piece of the stacked crepes.

"It was okay". Twilight looked down at her plate, she couldn't look her mentor in the face and lie about the very disturbing nightmare last night.

Celestia somehow picked up on Twilight's uneasy feeling and decided to change the subject.

"So, now that we all had time to process the gravity of our situation, It's time we discuss a solution."
Celestia shoved the fork with a piece of the stacked crepes in her mouth.

"What do you suggest?" Sombra said. The king of darkness had yet to touch his plate, which was a surprise to Twilight, while Prince Choron had already started eating. Sombra's breakfast was a large piece of chocolate cake with blueberries, raspberries and blackberries baked inside of it and topped with banana slices and whipped cream and lastly, a chalice of mocha coffee. His son had a small bowl of oatmeal garnished with granola, chocolate shavings and rainbow sprinkles with a small chalice of milk.

"Well, I prefer to take the nonviolent route". Celestia sips her orange juice.

"Which is?"

The sun princess looked him in the eyes, she knew that Sombra was most likely not going to like her proposition.

"I believe you and your son should return to where ever you both came and I will have my guards find Luna."

"What then?" Sombra didn't like where this was going.

"Once she returns home, I will tell her that you visited and if she confirms of the...affair, and claims your son as hers, then I will allow her to be involved with the foal."

Choron stopped eating and stared at the sun princess.

"Excuse me?" Sombra's eyes narrowed. Allow Luna to be involved with Choron? What does that mean? Sombra's deep mind began to boil in rage, who does Celestia think she is?

"Who gave you such right?" The king of darkness gave a very nasty tone filled with rage and disgust to the sun princess, although doing so, he still avoided yelling.

Both Twilight and Choron jumped at Sombra's voice, neither of them has ever heard a pony speak with such disdain to another and Celestia obviously caught onto the stallion's change of tone.

"I am trying to settle this without letting word of this spreading to other ponies." Celestia was firm and stood her ground.

"It is not your decision as to whether or not Luna will be involved in Choron's life".

"She is my sister, I care about her safety and I do not want this situation becoming a scandal."

Twilight was speechless as both ponies argued, something Celestia said was nagging at the friendship princess and she knew what it was. Twilight felt as if she understood Sombra's anger, even she knew that her mentor's proposition was flawed.

"Tch, safety? Do you take my son as some sort of monster because of what I have done in the past?

Celestia went silent which only confirmed Sombra's suspicion.

"My son is not a reflection of myself, he chooses his own path and I will not stop him. If he chooses to rule along side my or even fight against me with your pathetic ponies, then so be it." It was as if Sombra took pride in allowing his son choose his own destiny. Celestia felt a little pain in her heart.

It was wrong to judge Choron based upon his father.

He was only a foal.

However, she knew that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Typically, a villain would teach their offspring to be like them, but in Sombra's case, that didn't seem true. Maybe having Choron changed him. Celestia sighs deeply.

"I deeply apologize for assuming that your son would harm my sister, it's just been very hard dealing with her disappearance." Sombra tried to find a hint of dishonesty within Celestia's tone of voice, but he couldn't find it, he felt how sincere she was being and took a moment to take a breather.

"All I request is that Luna becomes involved with Choron, after all, Choron is the one who wants to meet her the most, right, my son." Sombra looked at Choron, who in turn, for the first time since the trip to Canterlot, gave his father a smile.

"Yes, father." Choron's sweet voice replied as his father gave him a smile. Sombra turned back to Celestia.

"Moving on, I suggest that Princess Twilight finds the solution to our dilemma. After all, it was your choice to invite her, Celestia." Twilight jolts as all three ponies look at the at her for an answer.

"H-huh?!" Twilight glances at her mentor for approval. Celestia took a couple of moments to think about what Sombra said. She couldn't really find an issue with Twilight deciding what to do.

"I suppose that is fair. Are you comfortable with this, Twilight?"

"As long as it's okay...." Twilight looked down at her half-eaten plate for a moment, she then looks up after coming up with an answer.

"I think everypony should stay here until Luna comes back on her own." It's not like Luna was kidnapped and was held, prisoner. Right?

Sombra smiles.

Silence.

"On her own?" Celestia asked curiously, it didn't sound like a bad idea, but what if Luna was in trouble and needed help.

"Yes, it's not like Luna will be missing forever, maybe she left to have some alone time." Sombra and Celestia did consider that fact, it does make sense.

"How long has Luna been missing", Twilight continues.

"About a month. Do you believe Luna will come back, Twilight?"

"Of course, Princess. We just need to have faith that Luna will come."

At that moment, Celestia felt a strong wave of hope and confidence fill her heart. The white alicorn always knew she was overprotective over her sister, after all, when they were fillies, Luna used to get herself in a good amount of trouble and was quite air-headed. One time, Luna and Celestia were making homemade cookies and after taking the batch out of the oven, the cookies tasted like rusted iron. The young fillies found then out that Luna had accidentally added three tablespoons of baking powder instead of three teaspoons.

The sun princess smiled at the memory. She then grabbed her chalice of orange juice with her magic and chugged it down all at once. Then all of a sudden Celestia's silver forked moved quickly from her breakfast to her mouth and had eaten the rest of her stacked crepes and stood up from her chair.

"Okay! This castle needs to be cleaned from top to bottom. My baby sister is coming home!" Celestia announced. There was a burning fire in her eyes. She took off running through the double doors while ordering maid ponies and servants to start cleaning the castle.

"Well, you certainly have given Celestia hope," Sombra commented. Twilight simply blushed.

"Heh, I guess."

"So now we just wait for Princess Luna?"

"That's the plan. I'm sure Luna would be happy to see you both again."

"Hmm..." Sombra's eyes drifted to space, it looked as if he was spacing out again. What'll happen when Luna comes back? How will she react? How will she explain herself for not meeting her son? The only way to find out is to wait.

All of a sudden, Prince Choron stepped toward Princess Twilight and lifted his head to look deep into her eyes. Twilight looked back down at him with a hint of nervousness, throughout the time seeing him, Choron was always hidden behind his father and avoided any type of contact with her and Celestia. Seeing him stand in front of her at his own will was a bit odd. However, at the same time, for being the son of Sombra, he was still really cute and had his father's features.

"Princess Twilight?" There's that sweet voice again, it even brought Sombra back to earth.

"Yes?"

"Is Mother a good pony, just as Father said?"

Twilight instinctively giggled.

"Of course, she is, and you're very lucky to have her as a mother. I could go on and on about all the times she's helped other ponies " The little prince gave Twilight a smile, although Sombra was confused about the "lucky to have her as a mother" part, but he didn't want to press Twilight about that since what she said did make Choron smile.

"Thank you, Princess." The little prince bowed and walked back to his father where he gets a pat on the head. Twilight's heart fluttered, all of her previous fears and worries just disappeared.

"Well, Princess, My son and I will be in our rooms to prepare." Sombra and Choron walked to the double doors and left the dining room.

Twilight sat back in her chair to finish off the rest of her breakfast, she looked at the grandfather clock to find out the time to be about 11:30. She still had enough time to finish then brush her teeth.

Out of nowhere, Twilight heard little hoof steps, only to catch Choron who ran back into the dining room alone. He ran toward the table and levitated his unfinished bowl of oatmeal and ran back out of the room.

Twilight let out another giggle, when Sombra first came back to Canterlot, Twilight didn't know what to think, she thought that he came back to take over Canterlot. But now, it seemed like Twilight found out more about the king of darkness outside of being that one villain who tried to take over Canterlot. Twilight ate another apple sandwich as she thought about how Sombra now seemed no different than any other father who loves his son, and only now has Twilight realized that most of her fear of him has disappeared. Though obviously, he was still very scary when angry, but in a good way, if that made sense. Twilight smiled as she remembered that book about extreme emergencies she brought that was still in her bag. Maybe she and Celestia were just a little paranoid.

Things were beginning to look up.

In a dark cave, a pony woke up from a nap, she rubbed her eyes to remove the rest of the sleepiness from her eyes. The pony then stood up and stretched every limb she could including her wings. She began to walk to the cave entrance and peered outside, the sun was beginning to set and the sky above began to darken. The pony walked completely out of the cave and spread out her wings.

With one flap of both wings, she ascended to the skies and made her way to the nearest cliff top. She stood at the edge of the cliff and waited for the sun to leave the skies completely. Then the pony illuminated the dark night with the blue glow of her horn and out came the moon in it's pure and white glory. The moon slowly raised to the sky along with the pony who controlled it until the moon reached the center of the sky. The stars started randomly appearing in the sky giving off small sparkles that never compared to the stars in the ponies blue mane. Silently, the pony descended back to the rough stone of the cliff and sat down on the edge to bask in the night sky.

On top of Canterlot Castle, Celestia watched as the sky was filled with the moon and stars. She sat on top of the tallest roof of the castle to get the closest seat to the sky, it was always a sight to see even if Luna wasn't there to enjoy it with her sister. Just like when Luna was banished to the moon and how Celestia had to take her place, even though Celestia could raise and set the moon, she never could make the sky as beautiful as her sister did every single night. A tear fell out of the princess' eyes as the memories of Nightmare Moon invaded her mind. Instead of wiping the tear off, she just allowed it to fall down her face and drip on the roof. At that given moment, Celestia didn't even care about her problems or even the one she was going through anymore. She didn't care if Luna had an affair with Sombra or had his child. She just wanted her baby sister to come home.

Author's Note

Yay! The chapter is done!
:pinkiehappy:

The next chapter will be everypony starting to get to know each other and sort of bond.

Honestly, I was a little nervous releasing this chapter for fear that it might be a bit lackluster.

Also, this took me longer than usual because I was working on an original story that I plan to make a video game out of when I get to college, If you want to read it, just ask for a link.

Oh! I plan to make some fanart for this fic!
:rainbowkiss:

P.S. I bet I'm not the only one who got hungry when reading what everypony ate during breakfast!