Author's Note

The first few chapters are going to switch between Fluttershy and Sombra's POV's. This chapter will be him, the next will be Fluttershy and so on.

Sombra

Sombra growled as he sat in his cage. They called it a containment unit but it was just a cage. He rubbed at the ring around his horn, his hatred for the infernal device growing. For the past two years, since he'd been brought back, he'd been with them as they studied his magic. He was just lucky he hadn't been in the persuasion rooms yet. No one knew what they did in there, since anyone who was didn't want to talk about it. Groaning, he laid down and rolled onto his back, crossing his fore legs over his chest and belly. His short tail flicked as he sighed and licked his lips. He hadn't eaten since lunch yesterday.

A loud clang echoed through the area, making Sombra bend to see what was going on. He rolled onto his belly and stood, his ears pricked in interest. The collectors, or the ones that kidnapped, came in, leading a very familiar yellow mare. Fluttershy's aqua eyes were wide with fear as they brought her in. The cage between him and the wall opened and the shivering mare was thrown in. She curled into a ball, whimpering in fear. The door slammed closed and they left. Curious, he turned towards her and was saddened by the sight. Her wings were ruffled and a few feathers were missing while her ears were pinned flat to her head. When she looked up, her eyes were shimmering with tears. She turned towards him and her eyes widened. She stared at him for a few seconds before whimpering and curling up and starting to cry.

Sombra was about to reach through and comfort her when his own door clanged open. He turned and glared at the stallion staring a him, a collar and chain hanging from his mouth. They stared at each other for a whole minute before it started. Sombra growled as the stallion, named Rickshaw, lunged forwards. Snarling, the gray stallion tried to dodge but the collar snapped shut around his neck. He growled and turned snapping at his captor. Rickshaw pulled the chain taut, though Sombra still pulled away from him.

"You know, the less you fight, the faster this will go." Sombra snarled, noticing Fluttershy's terrified gaze out of his peripheral. Finally, he relented, although he still pulled out of spite. As they walked, he spotted the solitary hall. He'd been in there a few times before, when he fought them or bit someone. However, when he saw where they were headed, his heart dropped into his stomach. He sat down, making Rickshaw jerk. The dark blue stallion turned and glared at him. He gave a solid tug and Sombra jolted forwards.

As they reached the room and the platform in said room, he was greeted by a large machine. The chain was hooked to a large, wooden post while his hooves were hooked up to a small steel plate. He looked down then up at the two ponies working with the machine. The mare was wearing a pair of thick glasses while her thick blue mane was tied up in a bun. Her green eyes turned towards him before turning towards Rickshaw.

"What do you think Rickshaw? 3?"

That sounds good, Blueberry." Blueberry nodded and turned a dial to the number three. Feeling like being an annoying smart-ass, Sombra piped up.

"Three doesn't sound bad for what I think this is for. Electricity, correct?" The two glared at him. Rickshaw placed his hoof against his head while Blueberry simply gave him a bored look.

"It's 300'000 volts, not three. We don't appreciate you being snarky. We are in charge here, not you, former King Sombra." Sombra's eyes widened as she stated the amount of volts. He may not have experienced much electricity in his life but he did know that was a very high amount. She grinned at the fear in his eyes and turned towards the machine. Placing her hoof on the activation lever, she shot him another smirk before pulling the lever down. All at once, a searing, crackling pain filled his whole body. He didn't register collapsing on the floor amidst the white-hot pain that covered his mind and vision. He curled up as a loud, piercing scream ripped out of his throat. Sombra writhed on the ground as he screamed so loud that his throat turned raw. After what seemed like forever, the pain stopped as small cracks and sparks ran over his body and hair.

"His magic levels didn't change at all. What if we hit him again with a bit more. Say... 3.5?" Rickshaw nodded and the mare changed the number, while Sombra trembled. For the next two hours, they continued to pump electricity through his body, though his magic levels didn't waver. When he was brought back to his cage, Fluttershy was pressed against the bars. Sombra groaned, his legs limp as he tried to stand up. His groan caught Fluttershy's attention and she turned, gasping as she saw him.

"Are you o...okay? Sombra?" He let out a rusty laugh and looked up at her.

"Do I look okay?" Her eyes were concerned as he struggled to stand, small wisps of smoke raising off his body. When he slipped, she sighed and stuck her hoof through the bars. Sombra shot her a grateful look as he grabbed her hoof. However, as soon as he was steady, she pulled her hoof back, her concern replaced with fear and distrust. He laughed at her look and shook his head.

"I was wondering when the fear would show up. I'm not going to hurt you, okay? I'm a prisoner just like you." Fluttershy dropped her ears and walked away from him. Sighing, the dark gray stallion rubbed his horn, sore from the electricity. His ring had shorted out so they'd given him a new one, this time resistant to the treatment. He wanted to get to know the yellow mare, though first he would need to gain her trust.

"Fluttershy, listen to me. I get you don't trust me but I'd like to give you some advice. Try not to get in the Persuasion room. That's where I just was. They electrocute you." She looked up at him in horror, terror in her eyes. Sombra sighed and lied down, curling up to sleep the pain off.