Shining stood in silence, alone in the Royal Chamber and peering out of the window onto the crowds below. The King was performing another public exhibition of so called 'traitors' whom had committed crimes against the crown - of course the rules had changed under Sombra, some of which may have been seen as harsh pre-Sombra. The current pony was receiving a flogging for doodling a crude image on a flag of the King, making the ex-prince wince. It wasn't so long ago that he'd been in the same position. Despite his new status, there were still some things he wasn't invited to, seen as he was technically a traitor and could be seen as an inspiration for a revolt, even after so openly supporting the King in recent years.

He turned away as the guards moved on to another stallion who was facing a much tougher sentence. The white stallion helped himself to a drink and sat on the bed, staring into the glass. He was bored... Sombra had turned rather sour recently and barely paid him any attention, and he couldn't go out without permission or he'd just take one of the spots on the floggers list. More and more frequently the stallion had contemplated actually trying to run away, and day by day the thought was becoming more and more appealing. As much as Sombra tried to censor all outside communication and act as if his Empire was expanding by the day, he'd got word that he only really controlled a 50 mile radius around the Crystal Empire, and beyond that normal life commenced as Celestia held the Kings armies at a standstill. It wouldn't be hard for Shining to get away, he could trek 50 miles within two days maximum, and knew the castle better than anyone - his only issue was the frozen desert and guards that stood in the way of him and his freedom, not to mention his slaver, the King.

Shining took a deep breath and made up his mind. He'd be out of here tonight after his nightly session with the king. He always shared a few drinks and a rutting before falling into a deep sleep - that was his opportunity and when he was going to leave. The stallion got straight to work, stuffing one of Sombra's big coats into a compartment of the cupboard, followed by a large bottle of water and any food he could find... A map would have been good, but he wasn't afforded that luxury. The stallion didnt care about the shame of the collar or cuffs, he'd been humiliated enough not to care, and would be too happy to be safe and see Cadence again to mind.

An hour later, grinning to himself, Sombra pushed open the doors to the chamber, casting his gaze across the room and ending up on Shining "Nothing better than a morning of flogging" He laughed, placing his hand on the top of Shining's head and ruffling his mane before helping himself to a drink.

Shining chuckled softly, straightening his hair and nodding "Of course, my King" He watched Sombra, the King sitting on the bed next to the Prince

Sombra turned to look down at his slave and nodded "hmmm. You're eating alone, up here tonight. I have important guests, and nothing can go wrong" He stated, baring down on the pearly white stallion.

Shining tilted his head "Are you trying to say I'd cause an issue?" He tried to not sound too argumentative, quite relieved he didnt have any long night plans himself "When will you be returning?"

"Its going to be a late one" He grumbled, sliding a box from under the bed, opening it to reveal a dildo and slapping Shining's cheeks with it "If you get too lonely and miss our session just use this" He laughed, watching the ex-prince blush.

"Ill... uh... make sure to, Sir" He nodded, Sombra finally pulling the toy away only to grope at his crotch.

"Mmm. Such a good boy now, aren't you?" He teased, standing and laughing to himself "Maybe I'll send the guards up to keep you company~"

"N-no!" he yelped, before composing himself "I mean... Please don't... They get very rough and I don't want my body to be bruised and... loose... for you, my king"

Sombra looked at him, thinking. "Hmmm... True..." He looked over Shining's body "I would hate for my prized possession to be spoilt. Very well!" He pulled on a smarter looking outfit fit for a dinner and puffed out his chest "I'm looking forward to seeing my cute little colt snoring away tonight... Did you know you snore? It's rather funny" He chuckled and walked out, doors slamming behind him.

Shining checked the clock, then looked out of the window. The sky was dark, with only the small light from the town below splitting the pure black. In the distance faint search lights and flash lights could be seen as guards patrolled the borders of town, stopping people trying to get in, or out. Now was the time to leave... Sombra's dinner plans had scuppered his plans, reducing the time he had by at least 5 hours but he was prepared - grabbing his collection of items and stuffing them into a big white laundry bag, before sliding out of the chambers and down the spiral staircase.

The corridors were well lit but mostly empty, with the occasional pair of guards patrolling - Shining knew their routes off by heart of course. His bare feet made no sound on the cold, tiled floor, making him extra stealthy as he navigated the long corridors.

Muffled laughing could be heard as he passed close to the great hall, presumably where Sombra was holding his all important dinner...

Rounding the corner he began to run down the corridor, heading for the servants entrance at the back of the castle, used by the general ponies that came in and out for day to day work. It was of course guarded, all exits were, but the servants doors were much easier to use due to the vast amount of ponies that used them everyday, and the boredom of the guards checking papers. As Shining had thought, the guard looked more than disinterested as Shining passed, grunting and holding up the laundry bag as if it were his to clean for the castle.

He was out. He'd never been so happy in his life, but knew there was so much more for him to do to be able to relax, home was a long way away still. Arguably, the streets would be more dangerous, crime had skyrocketed and anyone would sell him out for the chance of reward or even peace for a day or so. Swiftly, he pulled on the coat and lifted the hood, covering his face and stuffing his few possessions into the pockets and discarding the bag. The only footwear he'd managed to grab were a pair of plimsoles, but they were better than barefoot.

Keeping his head low, he darted along the side streets of the town he once called home, not stopping for a moment to be sentimental or look back - he knew how the castle looked, draped in Sombra's banners and colours - he didn't need another look.

The town was dead - shutters closed and doors barred, the only life in the town were the small clusters of guards huddled around fires trying to stay warm in the cold nights - the scene was like one from a post-apocalyptic video game... The Prince found his way to the edge of town and took a breath of fresh air, looking out into the cold, dark snow desert lying before him. The next two days were going to be long, hard and painful, but worth the reward. He could already feel Cadence's lips - taking the first step onto the thick snow.

Suddenly the Prince felt a splitting pain coursing through his head, as if someone had poured acid onto his brain and it was slowly eating away at it - he was swiftly on his knees, the curled up on his side in a ball in the snow, blinking hard and crying out as the pain intensified, focusing behind his eyes, which went blurry, seeing double... triple... quadruple... The white stallion could just make out a tall, impending black figure above him before blacking out.

Shining woke as a bucket of ice water was thrown over him, the prince instantly awake and kicking. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he took in his surroundings - he was in a dark, cold brick room, what he recognised as the Crystal Empire dungeons. He was naked, suspended in the air by his wrists, shackled and chained to the roof, his legs held apart by similar chains. On his head was what made him freeze. Before him stood a grinning Sombra, flanked by two guards, one holding a mirror. In the reflection he saw himself, except his head was encased in a heavy iron mask, welded shut on one side - he could only see out of thin eye slits for now, but noticed a visor that was presumably to cut off his vision. There was no mouth hole on the mask, and his tongue was held down by a mouth full of metal, his teeth resting in a mould cast of his mouth.

Sombra took one step forward "I'm disappointed, honestly. However I always knew that no matter how hard I tried, you'd attempt to leave." He lifted the small bust of himself that had been attached to Shining's collar, the amethyst eye glowing "You should've appreciated what you had, not got greedy and gone looking for more" He sighed and nodded slowly, turning and leaving, the guards following on his flanks as the door closed and the room was returned to pitch black.

"Goodbye, Prince Shining Armour"

Author's Note

Thank you so much for reading!

I am so sorry to those that have followed this story for taking so long to write this chapter and the sudden finale, but I got back from holiday, then moved to uni! This means I'll either have loads of time to write or none at all, coming and going. I hope you've all enjoyed this 'story' as much as I have enjoyed writing it - however I cannot stress enough that I write because I enjoy doing so, and can only apologise if anyone wants otherwise.

I'm probably going to finish off Pegasi First, and have another idea in my mind focusing on Spike and Twi, and maybe even a sequel to this if I can!

Again, thanks so much, I look forward to writing more in the future x

Jhukgbr