Falling In Love With Darknessby stephamazinChaptersRescued from DeathBorn TaintedTying Your Souls TogetherRescued from DeathA stallion ran through the forest feeling the heat licking his flank, making his skin blister. The village ponies had started chasing him with torches and pitchforks but running after him through a forest as thick as the Everfree; the trees and plants had instantly caught fire, spuring both groups from its path of destruction. They would not come after him now but that didn't mean he was safe. Running through the smoke singed his eyes and lungs. His eyes watered making his blind dash far more precarious. Every breath made his lungs feel akin to a kiln; but if he stopped running, spend a single thought on giving up he would surely fall and be devoured in a fiery blaze his body transforming into nothing more than smoldering ashes. The flames moved faster seeming as though it was aimed dragon fire. The flames greedily lapped at his flank; it scorched him and simultaneously made him want to simply give up and spurred him onward. Finally he came to a lake a way to escape the flames and cool his own body. The water rippled violently as ash coated it surface distorting the image of the inferno behind him. The stallion coughed violently for a moment blood speckling the water's surface before he dunked his head beneath the murky blue liquid; underneath the surface a bubbly scream escaped his lips. The action rising before harmlessly popping on contact with the mossy surface. Hidden below the water laid a chilling sight, a titanic sea serpent whose mouth suggested it would fine swallowing him whole to be a simple feat. Bubbles rose from its nose, slowly rising before finally touching the surface. The stallion glanced at the side of the forest he'd come from, the sound of trees falling and charring branches filling his ears. He continued into the dangerous waters cautiously; his legs moving through the water stirring it's surface. He was already nearing the other side when the bundle slide off his back. The stallion immediately threw his body into motion, turning around and diving for it. When all four hooves has put their stamp on the smooth mud he stared at the bundle at his side holding his breath; he prayed with all of his soul to the Goddesses. Please breathe please please please! A wet cough escaped the now dripping bundle before it took a deep breath and began to cry. The stallion unwrapped it to reveal a peculiar foal. It's mane wavy and as black as a bottomless pit; eyes added to the bizarre appearance, smoldering grey eyes matching his gunmetal coat. The stallion hugged the colt letting his tears flow freely for seconds before continuing forward. "Just a little longer, squirt, we're almost there." The stallion trotted at a slower pace now as his body was weak from sores and bruises. He tiptoed around minotars and wouldn't meet the eyes of a cockatrice. As his body grew weaker his destination grew closer till finally he collapsed by the gate. He prayed and pleaded that they would be found by a patrol of guards rather than awakening to a timberwolves teeth sliced through him as though his body were made from wet paper. His wish was granted. When he next awoken his body laid in a small bed; his foal resting beside him. Outside doctors whispered about his grim prognoses. He didn't need to hear a doctor say it, he knew he was dying. He managed only one step on his wobbly hooves before his body collapsed in a heap, alerting the doctors. When they came in the stallion could only manage a single question "Please, I beg of you, take me to see the princesses." "Princess Luna there has been an emergency summoning for you in the throne room. A stallion has come with a dire request." "This late in the evening?" how unusual she thought before nodding and walking to the court with the guard a hoofstep behind her. Although she felt her presence unneeded she went regardless; her sister harassed her every time she was even a minute late. As Luna wasn't allowed her own court it was strange for a pony to ask for one so late in the night. Perhaps it was a traveler who needed aid or some villager who was once again here to complain about the dangers her nights brought; Luna grumbled at the thought. Her sisters flank was already perched upon her golden throne when she arrived; her own smaller silver one sat quietly waiting for her. "Luna, I realize this audience came as a surprise but we must always be ready to hear my little ponies troubles so we may help. It is our duty as gods, yet you continue to be late." Luna stifled her anger and bowed to her sister. "I have failed you once again, sister, please forgive me." Luna's tone was even but her face reflected off the marble back to her own eyes. Her mouth was a deep frown while her eyes glared angrily. She fixed her expression before continuing to her seat. Finally the throne rooms door opened to display a dying stallion and a foal barely a day old. He leaned heavily upon one of the guards while his other arms held the foal. The two were placed before them after which the guards returned to their posts by the door. The stallion attempted to bow before them but when his legs began to quiver he chose to kneel instead, his forehead pressed low to the ground. "I beseech you to bless my son so he may be whole. He has been tainted with dark magic by his mother who practiced black magic. He is but a foal who has done no wrong, please save him your highnesses. " Luna waited to see what her sister would do before giving a response of her own, no pony that had been tainted by black magic could be saved, few kept their minds fewer lived more than a few years depending on their use of the dark art. The most powerful dark mage had been killed long ago by the sun goddess and he had been forced to absorb the life force of many to keep his strength. Celestia rose from her throne wrath visible on her face "You insult with your very presences. Your foal's mistake was having a witch for a mother, black magic is condemnable by death. The colt is unsaveable, his very soul tainted. Leave n-" "Wait!" Celestia looked at Luna in confusion. "Sister, I agree with the stallion that a child is not guilty of their birthgiver's crimes. If I were to keep him I could train him to return to light rather than condemning him to damnation." "Luna.. are you disagreeing with me?" Luna thought carefully over her words. "Sister I promise to not let raising him affect my schedule and if I fail and he is taken over by the darkness running through his veins... I will end it myself." Celestia glared at her younger counterpart before looking away. "Hmph. Fine but he is not too leave the moon wing of the castle." With that she returned to her seat while Luna left her own to receive the foal. The stallion lifted the colt towards her. "His name is Sombra" When Sombra left his father's arm he began to whimper, a quiet sniffling before breaking out in tears. "Thank you, Princess Lun-" The stallion collapsed knowing his son would be saved filled him with relief he took one final breath, a smile on his lips, and closed his eyes. Born Tainted"Your majesty? I have already fed and cleaned the child but he won't stop crying. He wakes up from his sleep every few minutes. I fear he may once again be suffering from night terrors; I'm unable to calm him. I hope your highness will pacify him." The wet nurse stood,head lowered, before Luna's door waiting for a response . "Alright, Warm Milk, please bring him in he may stay with me until he is calm. My presence should be able to lessen his nightmares." The mare thanked Luna before heading back towards the colt's chambers. Meanwhile, Luna called for one of her thestral guards; the stallion stood tall in dark metal armor his hoof posed in front of his forehead in a military salute and his expression stoic. "Guard, please have the kitchen staff prepare two cups of daffodil milk tea for Sombra and I, make sure extra honey and sugar is mixed in his mug; also, bring me three fresh linen blankets from a nearby linen closet. The guard was the first to arrive back; a stack of carefully folded blankets resting atop his back while a butler followed behind with a silver tray being carried with his magic. Luna grabbed both requested items and said thank you to both ponies before returning to her chambers. She made a mess of the blankets roughly shaping them to resemble a nest of sorts and then sat and began blowing on her steaming tea. Minutes later another knock on the door. Sombra walked in a hoof stuck in his mouth and carrying a stuffed animal. The wet nurse said her pleasantries before leaving to return to her own station. The mug floated in front of the colts face until the boy stopped sucking on his hoof to reach out for it. "Outch, hot." he said after drinking the liquid quicker than he should have the tip of his touch burned. "Dam, will you tell me a story?" "Sure what story would you like to hear? The one about magnificent beasts and brave heros or perhaps a simple on about bonds formed through hardships?" "The one about giving pieces of yourself to others only to end up whole, please" "Alright... there once was a beautiful pony who wore a headdress created with the feathers of a jeweled peafowl. It shone with marvelous seafoam blues, captivating yellows and vibrant turquoise. Everypony who saw her wished to be like her. However one day a filly went up to the mare pleading her for one of her feathers; of course, the proud and vain pony refused. Because she kept her beauty only for herself the ponies began to ignore her. Her beauty meant nothing if the others would not look; so the mare with the rainbow headdress went to a wise zebra who lived in the Everfree Forest. When she met the zebra she proclaimed 'Zebra! Although I am beautiful nopony will look at me, what can be done to return their glances to me?' she asked. The zebra answered 'Your vanity has been rewarded with apathy to change this you must act valiantly. Being snooty is a waste of beauty. To fix this animosity use generosity.'" "Do all zebra's speak in a rhyme?" asked Sombra his eyes, the size of dinner plates, shimmering with curiosity. "Yes, it is a display of wisdom for them. A tradition that forces them to think before they speak and choose their words carefully." Luna cleared her throat before continuing. "When the mare returned to town she gave one feather to every pony she encountered. Her final feather was given to the filly. The mare was no longer beautiful but when she saw the expression the villagers made she felt more happiness than when she had greedily kept it for herself. While she no longer had any feathers she felt whole. The end." Both mugs sat empty, forgotten as the story was told. Sombra's mouth stretched open as a yawn overtook him. Luna had to stifle her own "Don't you know that yawns are contagious? Come It's time for you to retire to your room for the night." Luna grabbed a candle as she walked with the colt down the corridor her wing stretched protectively over him. The shadows seemed to creep around the edges of the candlelight; lying in wait to see if either pair would venture into it grasp. Sombra pressed into her side keeping himself as far as he could from the abysmal darkness that surrounded them. Finally they reached the door She held the light over him as she waited for him to lay in the bed. She felt the darkness flow over her skin making her coat turn a few shades darker as she waited. Finally he was in the bed he stared at her his eyes worried. "Don't worry I'm strong enough that it doesn't scare me." "Does being scared mean you're weak?" Luna shook her head at the foal. "No, being scared but facing it anyway does make you brave though. Rest now and stay in the light. When you are older you will be brave with me but until then stay in the safety given by the light." Luna left the candle on his nightstand, with the amount of wax left it would last till the sun rose. "I will see you next sunset, Sombra." Luna walked quickly down the hall as her coat darkened till it was indistinguishable from the black around her. Finally she reached her own room light covering her blackened fur. She walked over to her mirror in time to see her pupils revert back to circles and her eyelashes fade from purple to black. "You are strong" she whispered to her reflection "You won't be beaten" she assured herself even if her reflection seemed uncertain. Back in his own room Sombra stared at the life-giving flame. "I am weak but I must be strong." He proclaimed thrusting a hoof into the air. "I will be there to fight the darkness with her" he said in a serious tone. At least until he heard the shadows hiss and he ducked underneath the covers, shivering with his tail between his legs Tying Your Souls TogetherHer door opened quietly, who would be rude enough to enter without knocking? "Sister, we have come to ask something of thee." "Feel free, Luna. How are things going with the colt; he has reached the age of ten has he not?" "Yes that is why I come, you had said he was not to leave the moon wing but I have decided to train him in the way of the sword but the guard barracks and training grounds aren't considered part of the moon wing. I have come to ask permission to train him there." While Celestia wanted to refuse, as she'd been clear about where the edges of his cage lay, training him was not possible within the her sister's wing. She thought over restrictions she would need to be comfortable for it to be near her subjects. "I will allow it, dear sister. However, he must be watched constantly by two of my chosen guards and is to be sent back if he injures anyone. Are the terms understood?" "Fully." Was all the moon princess said before turning to leave. "Wait, little sister, I have seen little of you as of late would you like to join me for breakfast?" The lunar princess paused considering her sister for a moment before agreeing. A young colt ran through the halls in the direction of the barracks. When he reached a section he had yet to see. The never ending blue of the moon wing and lingering scent of lavender transformed the color pallette shifting to white and the smell of lily's taking over. In front of him stood two stallions both adorned in golden armor much different from the usual black wore by threstal guards. The moment Sombra neared the white corridors he was stopped. "You are the tainted child the moon princess claimed correct?" When he began nodding the stallion continued. "Her royal highness Celestia has assigned us to contain you whilst in the sun wing. You are not to step more than twenty hoofsteps from us and I would suggest watching your step in our side of the castle." With another nod of understanding the trio continued into the unfamiliar hallways. When he arrived he was greeted by a familiar face. "You're late, Sombra. I told you to arrive an hour after sunrise." The colt hung his head rather than try to find an excuse. The princess shook her head. "Grab a practice sword and follow me." The soldiers followed behind silently. The field was wide with several parts occupied by groups of fledgling guards; may of whom took the chance to blatantly stare at Sombra and the princess. She walked over to a wooden stand and lifted various vests before choosing two. She gave the lightest one on Sombra before putting on her own. "This weighted vest will help you to increase muscle mass faster than without." Sombra and Luna chose an unoccupied space before Luna began grabbing her own wooden sword "We begin with your stance, you must keep your knees bent and widen your stance." Luna demonstrated the posture herself for Sombra. Gently hitting part of his body she'd say "This hoof is too far out", "Your back hooves are too close together" before being satisfied and continuing. "Now raise your weapon" Both wooden swords pressed against one another in an 'x' formation. "Sword fighting is similar to dancing in many ways. You must read your partner and stay on tempo otherwise you risk losing your balance and leaving yourself exposed. For every step I take forward you must move back. For every step backwards move forward. Now begin!" Sombra started out clumsy staring at his hooves in effort to keep the beat. Back, right; forward, left. "No, Sombra never let your eyes leave your opponent's." They two trained for hours everyday. Sombra making progress with his hoofsteps but still unable to read body language. One day he was left to train by himself, while Luna was away. His escorts had left to talk to another group of solar guards while he swung his sword back and forth. After an hour of the repetitive motion he felt his blade strike a harder substance. When he looked to see what he'd hit he was roughly pushed to the ground. "How dare a tainted orphan-pony like you injure me." A mare stood above him he armor barely scratched by his swing. "Your coat is always filthy have you ever taken a bath? Glittering Blade, Fiery Heart maybe you should clean him up." The two guards flanking her agreed looking upon him with deep hatred. He was pulled into the bathrooms; heading to the sink before turning the facet. The yellow guard roughly grabbed Sombra's hair in her magic before submerging his face in the water. The icy chill of the water hurt, the first dunk he held his breath before his body forced him to inhale the water. He launched his hair splashing the guards behind him as he struggled to breath. Then he was dunked a second and a third he hastily took a breath before he was plunged back into the icy water. Then a different guard got over him plunging his head into the water a final time. But they kept him in place and his body fought their hold. He fought and fought before he felt himself weaken. Just before he stopped moving. Sombra fell to the floor the water he'd inhaled rushing out of his as he puked it up. His entire body shook from his terror and the cold biting into his soaked fur. Suddenly the mare was in his face. "You deserve this for living, every second you breath and every beat of your heart is a worthless action. Your existence causes pain to everypony around you." With that final statement she left, her lackeys trailing behind. Sombra walked back in silence leaving a trail of wet hoofprints behind him. Instead of walking back to his own room he went to Luna's. Although the room was empty it was still comforting. Without drying his fur he crawled under her sheets and fell asleep. Suddenly the silence was pierced by harsh laughter. His eyes opened to a cave of black crystal. Each surface was smooth and polished reflecting himself. Each reflection spewed insults at the colt. Sombra ran from the reflection but they followed after him, laughing when he tripped, cheering when he ran into walls all the while throwing hideous insults. The cave narrowed till he hit the end. There stood the largest crystal but instead of his reflection it was Lunas. She pressed her hooves to the crystal allowing them to pass through as if it had been water. Her form walked out from the crystal and she stood before him. Her walk was rigid as was her expression. On her face sat a smile akin to one painted on a mask, stiff and unmoving. But, the smile moved anyway. Each centimeter the smile grew the more her face began to crack. It left splinters, pieces fell like broken glass. Blood flowed from the cracks but her smile grew. Finally the smile went still before opening exposing rows of predatory teeth. They glistened in the darkness. Sombra legs quaked in terror as he felt tears fall. "Please?" Was the only word he spoke before the mare attacked. Her teeth sheared through his throat, blood fell from the hole pooling below his as he fell. The mare stood over him salivating as his eyes drifted shut.
Rescued from DeathA stallion ran through the forest feeling the heat licking his flank, making his skin blister. The village ponies had started chasing him with torches and pitchforks but running after him through a forest as thick as the Everfree; the trees and plants had instantly caught fire, spuring both groups from its path of destruction. They would not come after him now but that didn't mean he was safe. Running through the smoke singed his eyes and lungs. His eyes watered making his blind dash far more precarious. Every breath made his lungs feel akin to a kiln; but if he stopped running, spend a single thought on giving up he would surely fall and be devoured in a fiery blaze his body transforming into nothing more than smoldering ashes. The flames moved faster seeming as though it was aimed dragon fire. The flames greedily lapped at his flank; it scorched him and simultaneously made him want to simply give up and spurred him onward. Finally he came to a lake a way to escape the flames and cool his own body. The water rippled violently as ash coated it surface distorting the image of the inferno behind him. The stallion coughed violently for a moment blood speckling the water's surface before he dunked his head beneath the murky blue liquid; underneath the surface a bubbly scream escaped his lips. The action rising before harmlessly popping on contact with the mossy surface. Hidden below the water laid a chilling sight, a titanic sea serpent whose mouth suggested it would fine swallowing him whole to be a simple feat. Bubbles rose from its nose, slowly rising before finally touching the surface. The stallion glanced at the side of the forest he'd come from, the sound of trees falling and charring branches filling his ears. He continued into the dangerous waters cautiously; his legs moving through the water stirring it's surface. He was already nearing the other side when the bundle slide off his back. The stallion immediately threw his body into motion, turning around and diving for it. When all four hooves has put their stamp on the smooth mud he stared at the bundle at his side holding his breath; he prayed with all of his soul to the Goddesses. Please breathe please please please! A wet cough escaped the now dripping bundle before it took a deep breath and began to cry. The stallion unwrapped it to reveal a peculiar foal. It's mane wavy and as black as a bottomless pit; eyes added to the bizarre appearance, smoldering grey eyes matching his gunmetal coat. The stallion hugged the colt letting his tears flow freely for seconds before continuing forward. "Just a little longer, squirt, we're almost there." The stallion trotted at a slower pace now as his body was weak from sores and bruises. He tiptoed around minotars and wouldn't meet the eyes of a cockatrice. As his body grew weaker his destination grew closer till finally he collapsed by the gate. He prayed and pleaded that they would be found by a patrol of guards rather than awakening to a timberwolves teeth sliced through him as though his body were made from wet paper. His wish was granted. When he next awoken his body laid in a small bed; his foal resting beside him. Outside doctors whispered about his grim prognoses. He didn't need to hear a doctor say it, he knew he was dying. He managed only one step on his wobbly hooves before his body collapsed in a heap, alerting the doctors. When they came in the stallion could only manage a single question "Please, I beg of you, take me to see the princesses." "Princess Luna there has been an emergency summoning for you in the throne room. A stallion has come with a dire request." "This late in the evening?" how unusual she thought before nodding and walking to the court with the guard a hoofstep behind her. Although she felt her presence unneeded she went regardless; her sister harassed her every time she was even a minute late. As Luna wasn't allowed her own court it was strange for a pony to ask for one so late in the night. Perhaps it was a traveler who needed aid or some villager who was once again here to complain about the dangers her nights brought; Luna grumbled at the thought. Her sisters flank was already perched upon her golden throne when she arrived; her own smaller silver one sat quietly waiting for her. "Luna, I realize this audience came as a surprise but we must always be ready to hear my little ponies troubles so we may help. It is our duty as gods, yet you continue to be late." Luna stifled her anger and bowed to her sister. "I have failed you once again, sister, please forgive me." Luna's tone was even but her face reflected off the marble back to her own eyes. Her mouth was a deep frown while her eyes glared angrily. She fixed her expression before continuing to her seat. Finally the throne rooms door opened to display a dying stallion and a foal barely a day old. He leaned heavily upon one of the guards while his other arms held the foal. The two were placed before them after which the guards returned to their posts by the door. The stallion attempted to bow before them but when his legs began to quiver he chose to kneel instead, his forehead pressed low to the ground. "I beseech you to bless my son so he may be whole. He has been tainted with dark magic by his mother who practiced black magic. He is but a foal who has done no wrong, please save him your highnesses. " Luna waited to see what her sister would do before giving a response of her own, no pony that had been tainted by black magic could be saved, few kept their minds fewer lived more than a few years depending on their use of the dark art. The most powerful dark mage had been killed long ago by the sun goddess and he had been forced to absorb the life force of many to keep his strength. Celestia rose from her throne wrath visible on her face "You insult with your very presences. Your foal's mistake was having a witch for a mother, black magic is condemnable by death. The colt is unsaveable, his very soul tainted. Leave n-" "Wait!" Celestia looked at Luna in confusion. "Sister, I agree with the stallion that a child is not guilty of their birthgiver's crimes. If I were to keep him I could train him to return to light rather than condemning him to damnation." "Luna.. are you disagreeing with me?" Luna thought carefully over her words. "Sister I promise to not let raising him affect my schedule and if I fail and he is taken over by the darkness running through his veins... I will end it myself." Celestia glared at her younger counterpart before looking away. "Hmph. Fine but he is not too leave the moon wing of the castle." With that she returned to her seat while Luna left her own to receive the foal. The stallion lifted the colt towards her. "His name is Sombra" When Sombra left his father's arm he began to whimper, a quiet sniffling before breaking out in tears. "Thank you, Princess Lun-" The stallion collapsed knowing his son would be saved filled him with relief he took one final breath, a smile on his lips, and closed his eyes.
Born Tainted"Your majesty? I have already fed and cleaned the child but he won't stop crying. He wakes up from his sleep every few minutes. I fear he may once again be suffering from night terrors; I'm unable to calm him. I hope your highness will pacify him." The wet nurse stood,head lowered, before Luna's door waiting for a response . "Alright, Warm Milk, please bring him in he may stay with me until he is calm. My presence should be able to lessen his nightmares." The mare thanked Luna before heading back towards the colt's chambers. Meanwhile, Luna called for one of her thestral guards; the stallion stood tall in dark metal armor his hoof posed in front of his forehead in a military salute and his expression stoic. "Guard, please have the kitchen staff prepare two cups of daffodil milk tea for Sombra and I, make sure extra honey and sugar is mixed in his mug; also, bring me three fresh linen blankets from a nearby linen closet. The guard was the first to arrive back; a stack of carefully folded blankets resting atop his back while a butler followed behind with a silver tray being carried with his magic. Luna grabbed both requested items and said thank you to both ponies before returning to her chambers. She made a mess of the blankets roughly shaping them to resemble a nest of sorts and then sat and began blowing on her steaming tea. Minutes later another knock on the door. Sombra walked in a hoof stuck in his mouth and carrying a stuffed animal. The wet nurse said her pleasantries before leaving to return to her own station. The mug floated in front of the colts face until the boy stopped sucking on his hoof to reach out for it. "Outch, hot." he said after drinking the liquid quicker than he should have the tip of his touch burned. "Dam, will you tell me a story?" "Sure what story would you like to hear? The one about magnificent beasts and brave heros or perhaps a simple on about bonds formed through hardships?" "The one about giving pieces of yourself to others only to end up whole, please" "Alright... there once was a beautiful pony who wore a headdress created with the feathers of a jeweled peafowl. It shone with marvelous seafoam blues, captivating yellows and vibrant turquoise. Everypony who saw her wished to be like her. However one day a filly went up to the mare pleading her for one of her feathers; of course, the proud and vain pony refused. Because she kept her beauty only for herself the ponies began to ignore her. Her beauty meant nothing if the others would not look; so the mare with the rainbow headdress went to a wise zebra who lived in the Everfree Forest. When she met the zebra she proclaimed 'Zebra! Although I am beautiful nopony will look at me, what can be done to return their glances to me?' she asked. The zebra answered 'Your vanity has been rewarded with apathy to change this you must act valiantly. Being snooty is a waste of beauty. To fix this animosity use generosity.'" "Do all zebra's speak in a rhyme?" asked Sombra his eyes, the size of dinner plates, shimmering with curiosity. "Yes, it is a display of wisdom for them. A tradition that forces them to think before they speak and choose their words carefully." Luna cleared her throat before continuing. "When the mare returned to town she gave one feather to every pony she encountered. Her final feather was given to the filly. The mare was no longer beautiful but when she saw the expression the villagers made she felt more happiness than when she had greedily kept it for herself. While she no longer had any feathers she felt whole. The end." Both mugs sat empty, forgotten as the story was told. Sombra's mouth stretched open as a yawn overtook him. Luna had to stifle her own "Don't you know that yawns are contagious? Come It's time for you to retire to your room for the night." Luna grabbed a candle as she walked with the colt down the corridor her wing stretched protectively over him. The shadows seemed to creep around the edges of the candlelight; lying in wait to see if either pair would venture into it grasp. Sombra pressed into her side keeping himself as far as he could from the abysmal darkness that surrounded them. Finally they reached the door She held the light over him as she waited for him to lay in the bed. She felt the darkness flow over her skin making her coat turn a few shades darker as she waited. Finally he was in the bed he stared at her his eyes worried. "Don't worry I'm strong enough that it doesn't scare me." "Does being scared mean you're weak?" Luna shook her head at the foal. "No, being scared but facing it anyway does make you brave though. Rest now and stay in the light. When you are older you will be brave with me but until then stay in the safety given by the light." Luna left the candle on his nightstand, with the amount of wax left it would last till the sun rose. "I will see you next sunset, Sombra." Luna walked quickly down the hall as her coat darkened till it was indistinguishable from the black around her. Finally she reached her own room light covering her blackened fur. She walked over to her mirror in time to see her pupils revert back to circles and her eyelashes fade from purple to black. "You are strong" she whispered to her reflection "You won't be beaten" she assured herself even if her reflection seemed uncertain. Back in his own room Sombra stared at the life-giving flame. "I am weak but I must be strong." He proclaimed thrusting a hoof into the air. "I will be there to fight the darkness with her" he said in a serious tone. At least until he heard the shadows hiss and he ducked underneath the covers, shivering with his tail between his legs
Tying Your Souls TogetherHer door opened quietly, who would be rude enough to enter without knocking? "Sister, we have come to ask something of thee." "Feel free, Luna. How are things going with the colt; he has reached the age of ten has he not?" "Yes that is why I come, you had said he was not to leave the moon wing but I have decided to train him in the way of the sword but the guard barracks and training grounds aren't considered part of the moon wing. I have come to ask permission to train him there." While Celestia wanted to refuse, as she'd been clear about where the edges of his cage lay, training him was not possible within the her sister's wing. She thought over restrictions she would need to be comfortable for it to be near her subjects. "I will allow it, dear sister. However, he must be watched constantly by two of my chosen guards and is to be sent back if he injures anyone. Are the terms understood?" "Fully." Was all the moon princess said before turning to leave. "Wait, little sister, I have seen little of you as of late would you like to join me for breakfast?" The lunar princess paused considering her sister for a moment before agreeing. A young colt ran through the halls in the direction of the barracks. When he reached a section he had yet to see. The never ending blue of the moon wing and lingering scent of lavender transformed the color pallette shifting to white and the smell of lily's taking over. In front of him stood two stallions both adorned in golden armor much different from the usual black wore by threstal guards. The moment Sombra neared the white corridors he was stopped. "You are the tainted child the moon princess claimed correct?" When he began nodding the stallion continued. "Her royal highness Celestia has assigned us to contain you whilst in the sun wing. You are not to step more than twenty hoofsteps from us and I would suggest watching your step in our side of the castle." With another nod of understanding the trio continued into the unfamiliar hallways. When he arrived he was greeted by a familiar face. "You're late, Sombra. I told you to arrive an hour after sunrise." The colt hung his head rather than try to find an excuse. The princess shook her head. "Grab a practice sword and follow me." The soldiers followed behind silently. The field was wide with several parts occupied by groups of fledgling guards; may of whom took the chance to blatantly stare at Sombra and the princess. She walked over to a wooden stand and lifted various vests before choosing two. She gave the lightest one on Sombra before putting on her own. "This weighted vest will help you to increase muscle mass faster than without." Sombra and Luna chose an unoccupied space before Luna began grabbing her own wooden sword "We begin with your stance, you must keep your knees bent and widen your stance." Luna demonstrated the posture herself for Sombra. Gently hitting part of his body she'd say "This hoof is too far out", "Your back hooves are too close together" before being satisfied and continuing. "Now raise your weapon" Both wooden swords pressed against one another in an 'x' formation. "Sword fighting is similar to dancing in many ways. You must read your partner and stay on tempo otherwise you risk losing your balance and leaving yourself exposed. For every step I take forward you must move back. For every step backwards move forward. Now begin!" Sombra started out clumsy staring at his hooves in effort to keep the beat. Back, right; forward, left. "No, Sombra never let your eyes leave your opponent's." They two trained for hours everyday. Sombra making progress with his hoofsteps but still unable to read body language. One day he was left to train by himself, while Luna was away. His escorts had left to talk to another group of solar guards while he swung his sword back and forth. After an hour of the repetitive motion he felt his blade strike a harder substance. When he looked to see what he'd hit he was roughly pushed to the ground. "How dare a tainted orphan-pony like you injure me." A mare stood above him he armor barely scratched by his swing. "Your coat is always filthy have you ever taken a bath? Glittering Blade, Fiery Heart maybe you should clean him up." The two guards flanking her agreed looking upon him with deep hatred. He was pulled into the bathrooms; heading to the sink before turning the facet. The yellow guard roughly grabbed Sombra's hair in her magic before submerging his face in the water. The icy chill of the water hurt, the first dunk he held his breath before his body forced him to inhale the water. He launched his hair splashing the guards behind him as he struggled to breath. Then he was dunked a second and a third he hastily took a breath before he was plunged back into the icy water. Then a different guard got over him plunging his head into the water a final time. But they kept him in place and his body fought their hold. He fought and fought before he felt himself weaken. Just before he stopped moving. Sombra fell to the floor the water he'd inhaled rushing out of his as he puked it up. His entire body shook from his terror and the cold biting into his soaked fur. Suddenly the mare was in his face. "You deserve this for living, every second you breath and every beat of your heart is a worthless action. Your existence causes pain to everypony around you." With that final statement she left, her lackeys trailing behind. Sombra walked back in silence leaving a trail of wet hoofprints behind him. Instead of walking back to his own room he went to Luna's. Although the room was empty it was still comforting. Without drying his fur he crawled under her sheets and fell asleep. Suddenly the silence was pierced by harsh laughter. His eyes opened to a cave of black crystal. Each surface was smooth and polished reflecting himself. Each reflection spewed insults at the colt. Sombra ran from the reflection but they followed after him, laughing when he tripped, cheering when he ran into walls all the while throwing hideous insults. The cave narrowed till he hit the end. There stood the largest crystal but instead of his reflection it was Lunas. She pressed her hooves to the crystal allowing them to pass through as if it had been water. Her form walked out from the crystal and she stood before him. Her walk was rigid as was her expression. On her face sat a smile akin to one painted on a mask, stiff and unmoving. But, the smile moved anyway. Each centimeter the smile grew the more her face began to crack. It left splinters, pieces fell like broken glass. Blood flowed from the cracks but her smile grew. Finally the smile went still before opening exposing rows of predatory teeth. They glistened in the darkness. Sombra legs quaked in terror as he felt tears fall. "Please?" Was the only word he spoke before the mare attacked. Her teeth sheared through his throat, blood fell from the hole pooling below his as he fell. The mare stood over him salivating as his eyes drifted shut.
