I woke up when I heard my alarm clock going off. After shutting it off, I saw that the time was 11:30am.

"Hmm, well, I guess that it's time to get up again. You still here Sombra?" I looked over, but alas, I was alone in my bed.

"Huh....well....was last night....really just a dream? I mean, it would make sense. Sombra coming back to the physical realm? Doesn't sound too likely. Most likely, it was just....."

Then I froze. I felt a weird, tingling on my hips, and when I looked down, I noticed small scratch-marks, almost as if someone, or somepony, had been gripping me while they rode my ass. My rump also felt a little bit sore as well.

"So it really wasn't a dream after all...." I muttered. "And now Dash is going to f@#king KILL ME!!! I mean, sex with Aurora was one thing, but this?! How am I ever going to explain THIS?!" I honestly had no answers at all.

I then sighed, and after getting out of bed, I went for a shower. I glanced at myself in the bathroom mirror, and to my surprise, on my chest and torso, I saw what appeared to be dark gray fur. I looked closer, and I also saw that my forearms were covered in black fur. I then looked down at my legs, but it was impossible to tell if they had any new black fur, since they were already all fully covered in black fur, thanks to the Bat-Pony treatment.

"Gosh, no wonder Shining tried to kill me. I really DO look just like Sombra! Except of course, for the eyes, the wings, and the height, weight, and most likely muscle differences, not to mention personality, but yet, I hope that this is as far as the transformations go. I'm really starting to enjoy being a Human-Bat-Pony, and I don't need any more Sombra added to the mix!"

I then took my shower, washed my black mane and tail with my favorite shampoo, Mane n' Tail, used a conditioner to help keep dander at bay, (yes, some of us have issues with dander. It's just one of the drawbacks to being a human-animal hybrid) and then I washed the rest of myself. The hardest part was always my wings. I had to use two mirrors, as well as long scrubbing brushes, as they were difficult to wash because they were out of reach on my back.

"Damn, this is always so difficult! I sure wish that I had some help with this!"

I then finished my shower, got out dried off, blow-dried my mane, and tail, as well as my wings, before I began to equally tedious task of preening them. After this was complete, I returned to my room, cleaned my uniform up, and began to put it back on. However, something stopped me. Ever since the night that I'd taken the crate with Sombra's armor in it, I'd always wondered what I would look like wearing it. Since I was alone, and wouldn't be bothered for a little bit longer, I decided to see what it looked like on me.

I pulled the crate out from under my bed, and after removing the lid, I once again saw the armor. I then began to take it out piece by piece, and lay each piece on my bed. In addition to the armor, the red cape, and the helmet-crown, I also found a device that appeared to be a cross between a scepter, a spear, and a bow-staff. It was made of metal, and looked very tough.

"I wonder what this was."

"It's my staff. With that in my hand, I ruled my kingdom, and fought my enemies."

"Hmm, well, it certainly looks like a powerful tool Sombra. Now let's see what the rest of this looks like." I then took the armor, and put each piece on slowly.

Like I previously thought, the task was tedious, and the armor was indeed heavy. First, I put on the boots, then the shin guards, then the thigh guards, the codpiece, a butt-protector, breastplate, back-plate, arm armor, gauntlets, then I wrapped his cape around myself, and tied it at my neck and shoulders. Next, I attached the neck guard to my own neck. Then, I took his horn from my night stand, attached it to the front slot on the helmet-crown, before placing it on my own head. I then picked up his staff.

"Well, what do you think Sombra?" I did a quick spin. "How do I look?"

"Heh, you look just like me Sweetheart. You look like somepony who's fit to rule! Just think, I not only wore that armor, but I fought in it as well. The powers within have now resized the armor to fit you. Wear it with pride Sweetheart, let the world know that YOU are the coltfriend to King Sombra!"

I cocked my head a bit. "Eh, no offense Sombra, but I don't really think that that's something that I should go around telling everypony. We need to keep our relationship quiet. After all, you've been dead for a good while now, and I don't want to cause a panic, or worse, get locked up for being a lunatic. Also, I think that I'm going to need a lot more practice with this armor first, before I just go into combat with it. However, I might try some pieces of it, like the breastplate, just to see how well they work."

"You just HAVE to use the cape as a robe though! I did that so many times when I was still alive. I would always return to my quarters, remove my armor to have it cleaned, then I would wrap my cape around my nude body, before laying down on my bed to sleep. It was always so warm."

"Sombra, were you always gay, or is this just a phase? I'm getting extremely confused, as this version of you doesn't match the King Sombra of the historical records."

He thought fast. "Eh, well, I've always had a thing for stallions, especially the submissive ones. It's a fact that the history books overlooked. They always focused on the ‘real’ Sombra, not the one behind the scenes. I always wanted to spend my life with a cute stallion, and now, I guess that I'm spending my life with you. I'm also still weak without my powers. Until you, or me, or both of us, figure out how to reattach my horn, I'll always be like this, without my powers."

I didn't know what to say to that. I then looked at my clock, and saw that it was almost Noon.

"Hmm, well, it's been fun Sombra, but I have to get back to work now." I began to remove the armor. "But don't worry, I'll be back later on tonight."

He smirked. "Heh, sure thing Sweetheart. I'll be waiting inside of you until then. Hopefully, I'll be charged enough to become 'real' again!"

"Hopefully so Sombra, hopefully so."

I then finished removing the rest of the armor, and after repacking it into the crate, I closed the crate up again, before sliding it back underneath my bed. I then took Sombra's horn, and placed it in my nightstand again. Then, after pulling the rest of my uniform back on, I went to go see what needed to be done for the day.

On another end of this, in Donneth, Danin was anxiously awaiting any news from the front. The last thing that he had heard was from Rodin the night before.

"We're on our way, My King. We'll deal with that traitor once and for all!"

That had been many hours ago. Now, Danin was starting to get extremely worried. Eventually though, his communicator beeped.

He picked it up, and to his surprise, it was Rodin, with Stuggs standing close by. "Well, it's about time you checked in Generals! I thought for sure that you were dead! Anyway, report! What's happening out there? Were the traitors put down?"

Rodin and Stuggs looked at each other, and then back at Danin. Finally, Rodin spoke. "This.....is going to be extremely hard for you to hear, My King. Do you want the good news first, or the bad news?"

Now Danin knew that something was wrong. "Let me guess, the Black Leviathan is here?"

"N-no.....My King. There is no sign of the Black Leviathan. I would also like to report that Captain Gregor, Lt. Thomas, and their insurgent forces, are no more. We put a stop to their rabble once and for all, or rather, they did themselves in."

Danin was both surprised, and confused. "Wait, they're all dead? I'm confused General Rodin, you said that there was good news, AND bad news. I'll take Gregor's forces being dead to be the good news. However, if that is indeed the case, what's the bad news then?"

Both of the generals knew that what they said next could easily get them killed. After all, it was not every day that one loses 4 million soldiers, have 1.2 million wounded and 3 million missing, 3 towns, 4 cities, 5 settlements and an ENTIRE naval base destroyed, and a flagship, AND 27 other ships sunk, all in one night!

As slowly, and carefully as they could, Rodin and Stuggs explained the entire situation to Danin. From the first battle at Marrow, to the huge chase that spanned 250 miles all the way to Rendale, and then the 10 mile chase to Dock Town. (Neither of them mentioned the extreme incidents involving friendly-fire though!) They then explained about how the Insurgents interrupted operations for Van Hoover, and caused the massive explosion that destroyed everything.

When they finally finished, both of them looked back up at Danin. His expression was unreadable, which they knew had to be a bad sign. He also seemed to be violently twitching.

Finally, he growled at both of them. "Stuggs, I want your ASS back here RIGHT NOW!!!!! And YOU Rodin, I want YOU to clean up this mess! This incident NEVER HAPPENED!!!!! It was a fatal accident! Do you both understand?!"

They both saluted. "Sir, yes Sir!"

Danin then terminated the call.

They both then looked at each other. They knew that most likely, this was going to be the last time that they ever saw each other on that side of eternity.

"It was a pleasure to have served with you, General Rodin. I'll never forget the battles that we fought together."

"And neither will I, General Stuggs. You were on of the best soldiers that I ever knew, and you were a great friend."

The two generals then hugged, and then Stuggs left to go board a train from the nearest undamaged train station for the trip back to Donneth.

Down below in the harem chamber, Cole was really beginning to suspect that something was going on. For hours on end, they were just left to their own devices. This had never happened to them before. There was almost always SOMEBODY in there doing something, but now, nothing.

"This is getting really weird you guys. Why's nobody coming down here? Did they suddenly forget about us?"

Cole shrugged. "I don't know Pinkie, but something has to have happened. I know that they wouldn't have left us alone like this if something hadn't happened."

"Yeah, but what?"

"I don't know Dash. But it would have had to have been something major."

"Mmn, I certainly hope that it was an attack. Hopefully by your friends!"

"It's possible Missy, but I just don't....."

Before Cole could finish that thought, the door to the chamber suddenly opened. Winston then stepped inside, pulling his wagon of food and water. All of the slaves swarmed around him happily, but he seemed to be very unhappy. He tried to smile as he filled food and water dishes, as well as gave pets, hugs, and kind words, but Cole and Co. could see that his heart just wasn't with it.

Finally, he came to them.

"Hey, what's wrong Winston? Why do you look so sad?"

He looked up at them. "Hello, Pinkie. And Cole, Dash, and, um, Missy? Is that it?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"And you mean that you guys didn't hear the news?"

Cole looked at him strangely. "Why would we have heard anything? Remember, we don't hear any news down here. However, I do find it extremely unusual that we've been left alone for this long without anyone coming down. This most likely means that something bad has happened, am I right?"

Winston nodded. "Yes, something bad did happen. Last night in the town of Marrow, which is far to the Northeast of here, an officer named Captain Gregor, and his followers decided to stage a coup....." Winston then explained everything that his Uncle Stuggs told him. "....And so that's where everything stands. We've literally been crippled, and we haven't even been touched by the enemy yet. So many of my friends who were in the Army are dead. Sure, they killed the insurgents, but at what cost?!" He then began to cry.

The group tried to comfort him.

"Shh, it's ok Winston. I know what it's like to lose someone close to you, especially friends. I've lived through war; I know what it's like."

Winston looked over at Cole. He knew that he was a soldier, and had most likely seen a lot of death in his time.

"I'm....kinda glad that you understand Cole. It's nice to know that there are others who experience this kind of stuff, and are willing to talk about it."

Cole nodded. "Yes, and not to step on your uncle or anything, but I think that the Battleship Express DID have a part to play here."

"What, really?"

"Yeah! There's NO WAY that those insurgents could have caused that kind of damage by themselves. There had to be another factor in there causing chaos. Most likely, my comrades are somewhere outside of Dock Town right now, most likely trying to salvage whatever they can, so that it can be turned over to the Equestrians for study. They'll also most likely be planning on attacking somewhere else soon."

Winston looked worried. "If they are, I certainly hope that they're ready for the weather."

"What do you mean by that?" Dash asked.

"I mean that for some reason, the weather here in the Caribou Empire doesn't work the normal way. The seasons are much shorter in some cases, and much longer in others. What that means is that Spring and Summer are short, but Fall and especially Winter, can be long, and very cold. The Fall season brings rain, and then, Winter sets in. Almost always there is lots of snow. This can last for several months before finally dissipating. We are having an unusual Fall right now. There should be rain, but there hasn't been any for a while. Soon though, Winter will set in. I certainly hope that your soldiers are well trained, and well equipped to fight in those kinds of conditions."

Cole had to think about that. "Sounds like our campaign through the Midwest, and then the Rocky Mountains. Those were some of the worst Winters in the history of the Western Hemisphere! We're talking strings of blizzards, sub-zero temperatures, and almost 100% whiteout conditions. From what I was told, our soldiers are well equipped to fight in the snow and cold. They did it then in WW6, so what's stopping them from just doing it again?"

The others looked at Cole. They were shocked by what Winston had said, but even more so by what Cole had just told them.

"Are you sure about that Cole?"

He nodded. "As sure as I can be. I was there for the tail end of the Rocky Mountains Campaign, so I saw some of it in action. I KNOW that they can do it."

Dash sighed. "Well, I guess now we just wait for Fall to end, and for Winter to set in."

Winston nodded, and agreed to keep them posted on any future developments.

Back in Dock Town, some of us ventured back there to see what we could find. Aside from mostly burnt rubble, twisted, broken steel, and shattered metal, in addition to charred corpses, sunken ships, as well as a lot of other debris that wasn't able to be identified, not a whole lot was really salvageable.

We did take Battle Glory to be studied, as well as the ships that were at least semi-salvageable. The real catch of the day though was the Dauntless. Even though the ship was beached, it was still largely intact. Using rafts made from floating junk, some of us ventured out to the ship to see what we could find. The ship was partially sunk due to hull damage, but the beaching prevented her from sinking completely.

"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I think that this ship, as well as those 4 others, should be handed over to the Equestrians for study, as well as Battle Glory."

We all agreed to this, and it was also around this time that Don and I, as well as Shining and Jim made another report to Celestia.

None of us even knew what to say. We were so scared when she finally did pick up.

"Ah, Major Don, General Shining, Captain Leopard, and Chief Engineer Jim, it has been a while since I last heard from you. I expect that you have a new report for us?"

Don sighed. "Um, yes, Princess Celestia, we do."

"Um, why do you look so scared Major? Is something wrong?"

Don shook his head. "Um n-no Princess, however, you should REALLY sit down before we give you this report. What happened in just the past 24 hours is so unbelievable that even we are having an extremely difficult time believing that it's all real."

Celestia was intrigued. She also sat down, and was joined by Luna and Cadence. "Well, I'm sitting down, and the other two Princesses are here as well, so please tell us, what has happened that is so unbelievable?"

Don looked at them, then back at us. Then, with each of us telling part of the story, we told the Princesses everything that had just happened. From our assault on Hell's Gate, to our trip to Marrow, to Captain Gregor and his coup, the battle in the woods, the battles that spanned 250 miles in multiple directions, to the fight at Rendale, and of course, the incident at Dock Town.

"Which is where we still are right now, Princesses. We're still here at Dock Town, trying to see what we can salvage, which unfortunately, is not much. However, we do have 4 somewhat damaged ships, as well as the CIS Dauntless, to turn over to your for study."

When Don finished the report, for the longest time, in both the PCC, and the Canterlot throne room, it was so quiet that you could have easily heard a pin drop.

Finally though, Celestia was able to stammer, "Are.....you all being serious right now? You attacked during a coup, and while the Caribou all but slaughtered themselves, you were able to cause enough chaos around them to do ALL OF THIS?!?!?!"

"We have it all on video if you don't believe us, Princess Celestia. The Caribou have been severely crippled. And in regards to the ships that we've manage to capture, would it be possible for them to be removed for study?"

"Yes, but we will have to move fast. More likely than not, the enemy may already know that you guys are there, and even if they didn't, Winter is about to begin over there. And when Winter hits, everything can come to a complete standstill."

"Wait, what? What do you mean that Winter is about to begin?"

"Well Major, for an unknown reason, the 4 seasons work very differently over there. Spring and Summer are very short, while Fall, and especially Winter, are very long. You are all currently in Fall, and soon, the rains will start. Then it will get colder and colder, until the rains turn into snow. Then Winter hits, and it'll be snow storms, blizzards, freezing temperatures, and all of the other pains of Winter."

Now Don was worried. "That is going to be a problem, Princess. We don't have enough Winter gear to go around. We have enough for those on the train, but not enough for Battalion 4009, or your soldiers. How fast can you send us Winter clothing, and other cold-weather gear?"

"In about 4 days time, Major. It will take us the rest of today to gather everything together, and then 3 days for Iron Glory to bring it to you. You will have time, but it will be cutting it extremely close. Meanwhile, I will contact Commodore Sunspot, and have him send salvage ships from Van Hoover, and see about getting those ships that you've captured. The Dauntless will make a very nice prize indeed. As always, you boys never cease to impress, or amaze me. Just prepare yourselves, and be ready for when Winter comes, it will come hard, and fast."

Don nodded. "Yes, and don't worry Princess. We've already moved the train over to neighboring Pennbrook, where we'll wait for Fall to end, and then Winter to begin."

"Ok, and good luck Major Don, we'll be in touch."

"Goodbye Princesses."

The call then ended, and we all got back to work.

The next few days were very busy for all of us. We had to be in a constant state of readiness, just in case the enemy decided to try something, but we never had any contact with them.

Right on time though, the salvage ships arrived, and after shoring up the damage as best they could, they towed the Dauntless, as well as the other 4 ships that we'd managed to salvage away to Van Hoover, so that they could be studied. After the ships, as well as Battle Glory, had been secured, and we received confirmation of their arrival in Van Hoover, we all then pulled out of Dock Town for the last time, before heading back to our base in Pennbrook.

Not long after this though, the weather began to turn nasty. First, the rains came. Even when it wasn't raining, it was always cloudy. The winds howled, and the rain began to beat against the windows of the train.

"I hate this weather", I muttered as I worked on some paperwork at my desk in my quarters. "It's raining, it's getting colder, and it's just so yucky!"

"Eh, well, I'm not too crazy about it either."

I looked over at my bed. As he often did, Sombra was lying there, relaxing in nothing more than his birthday suit.

"Sombra, do you ever wear clothes?"

He smirked. "What's the matter Sweetheart, can't concentrate?"

I groaned. "No, I can concentrate, I was just wondering."

"Heh, yeah, sure you were. You ever tried to wear my cape like a robe yet?"

I shook my head. "No, I've always been too busy. Maybe once Winter sets in."

Suddenly though, the lights went out.

"Oh crap, not again!"

"What happened?"

I groaned. "Ugh, most likely a fuse blew again. I HATE IT when that happens!" I then got up from my desk, and grabbed a flashlight. "Just wait here."

I then left my room, and went out into the hallway. "Hey guys, did a fuse blow again?"

"Yeah!" Todd answered. "Alex was trying to show Applejack how much he could plug into one outlet. Long story short, he overloaded the outlet, and almost started a fire!"

"Shut up Todd! It was an accident!"

"No it wasn't Sugarcube. You were trying to show off, and then ya blew out the lights!"

Alex still sounded pretty mad. "Just.....fix the damn fuse box somebody!"

I rolled my eyes. "I've got it!" I then went over to the electrical panel on the wall, and opened it. "Wow Alex, you blew 3 whole fuses! What the heck were you trying to prove? Were you trying to compensate for something?" I smirked.

"SHUT THE F@#K UP LEOAPRD!!!!!"

I laughed, as did Todd. "Okay, fine, I'll just fix the box so that I can get back to work!" I then pulled out the dead fuses, put in 3 new ones, and then flipped the switch before closing up the box. Sure enough, the power was back on.

"There, I fixed it! Now Alex, PLEASE don't do anything like that again! We CANNOT afford to waste any fuses like that!"

He sighed. "Yeah, fine, I'm sorry."

"Eh, apology accepted." I then returned to my room, and got back to work. Then, once I was done for the evening, I took my paperwork to Don's office, before returning to Sombra for a night of sex.

For nearly a week, the rains continued. After this though, the weather continued to deteriorate. It began to get colder, and the wind seemed to be howling more and more.

"Yikes, this weather sure is getting bad Master! How much longer until those Winter clothes for the rest of the troops arrive?"

I looked down at my faithful companion. "Yeah, it's getting pretty bad, isn't it? And I heard that the train was delayed due to weather, but they made it through to Marrow, so it should be sometime later on today."

Aurora nodded, but then she seemed to be upset about something. "Master, why don't you ever seem to have time for me anymore?"

I was surprised. "Huh? What do you mean Aurora?"

"I mean, why haven't you had me around for a while? I mean, I could maybe understand you leaving me behind during the battles, but why haven't you really let me into your room anymore?"

I thought fast. "Um, well....the truth is Aurora, I've just been really busy. We've had to work overtime to get all of everything ready for Winter. But don't worry, when it hits, which should be the day after tomorrow, I'll be sure to be spending a LOT more time with you! You still mean the world to me Aurora, and I'm really sorry that I haven't had time for you. However, to at least begin to help make up for that, you can spend the day with me if you want."

Her face lit up. "You really mean it Master?"

I nodded. "Of course I do Aurora."

She barked happily, and hugged me. "Oh thank you Master!"

I hugged her back. "Mmm, you're welcome Aurora."

Sure enough, later that same day, we rendezvoused once again with Iron Glory.

"Wow, you boys sure have made a real mess of this place! All we could see on our entire journey here was nothing but junk, and twisted debris!"

Don nodded. "Yeah, although most of that was actually the result of a failed coup. We just provided the chaos that led to destruction. But anyway, I was told that you guys had some goodies for us?"

Daryl nodded. "Yeah, we've got several cars full of crates of winter gear. We were told that they were needed here on the double!"

"Oh yeah, they're needed alright! The seasons don't work normally around here. Winter is already upon us, and we don't have enough gear for everypony."

"Well, here it all is, so if you could just help us get it unloaded, then we can be on our way again."

Don called the rest of us together, and as quickly as we could, we got Iron Glory unloaded, and all of the gear taken to either the train, or other buildings close by that were currently serving as housing.

"Thanks again Daryl. You guys of the supply team really are our lifeline out here. I don't know what we would do without you guys."

Daryl nodded. "Don't mention it Don. It's our job. We're SUPPOSED to be doing this!"

"Well, maybe so, but we can never thank you enough for doing it."

"Just win this war, and then maybe THAT will be all of the thanks that you need to give!"

Don nodded, and then, with clouds of smoke and steam, Iron Glory left once again to return to Equestria.

Once all of the winter gear had been distributed, the last remaining day was spent fully winterizing everything once again. Even in bad weather, we had to be ready to fight. All guns were lubricated with a special lubricant to prevent freezing, heaters were turned on to prevent ice from forming, and we all got ready for Winter......in what literally was July! We were also able to build a long shelter above the train to help keep the snow off. Made entirely out of recycled scrap, it covered the entire train, and even had walls at intervals to provide cover from the wind. That night, it got cold enough to freeze the ground. Then, the snow began to fall. Gently at first, but then more and more.

"Tonight, Winter is upon us", I wrote in my diary. "Even though it's only early July, the 4 seasons work much differently here in the Caribou Empire. Spring and Summer are short, while Fall is wet and rainy, and Winter is long, and is like a Winter out of Siberia. I'm sitting here at my desk, trying out something that I promised my coltfriend Shadow that I would do. Even though it's about 5 degrees on the thermometer, I'm sitting here, buck-naked, wrapped only in his red cape, which I'm now using like a robe.

Why am I doing this? I have no idea. I don't feel too cold, but this most likely is a combination of the train's heaters, as well as my fur, which acts as insulation against the cold. It's getting late, and Shadow is calling from the bed, so I need to go. I'll write again when something happens."

I started to get up, but then something stopped me. With my right hand, I wrote one final line. "Please, remember. Remember me, the way I used to be. Before Shadow. And the stallion I still should be......" I then closed up my diary, and put it back on the shelf above my desk, along with the 19 other books that had been my diary, until I filled them up completely, and placed them on the shelf before starting again with a fresh book. Currently, I was on book 20.

I then sighed, and while still wrapped in my cape-robe, I went over to Sombra on the bed.

"So, Winter is upon us, eh?"

I nodded. "Yeah, it is. Even though it's only July, it's Winter. Already the snow is here, and it's cold as balls outside."

"And how's my cape working out for you? Is it keeping you warm?"

I shrugged. "Yeah, maybe. It's hard to tell."

He nodded. "Fair enough. But come on, cuddle time!"

I lay down next to him, and I began to run my fingers through his mane. "Wow, um, hey Shadow, do you ever brush your mane?" (Sombra still let me call him "Shadow")

"Mmm, sometimes, why?"

"Um, because it's feeling a little clumped together. When was the last time that you brushed it?"

He thought about that. "Eh, not in a while."

"Well, do you want me to brush it for you? I wouldn't mind doing it, and I could get your tail, as well as anywhere else as well."

He shrugged. "Sure Sweetheart, if you really want to." He then sat up, and moved over to the edge of the bed, before placing both of his hooves on the floor. I then went to go grab a brush, (I always kept a spare one in the mirrored cabinet in my bathroom) and when I returned, I sat behind my boyfriend, and began to brush his mane gently.

"Mmm", he purred, "That feels really nice."

"Thanks. It'll feel so good when I finally get all of the knots and tangles out."

After working for a while longer, I finished with his mane, and then moved on to his tail. After that was done, I even took the time to brush the black fur on his forearms, (fetlocks?) as well as the black fur on his lower legs, that also covered his hooves.

"Wow, even the fur on your arms and legs is really soft Shadow. You do a really good job of taking care of your fur and hair."

"Heh, thanks." He then thought for a moment. "Hey Sweetheart?"

"Yeah Shadow?"

"Do you think that you could....um....m-maybe brush the hair on my chest, as well as m-my crotch?"

I cocked my head a bit. "Um, s-sure. If that's what you want." I then got to work on that.

Sombra purred and even moaned a bit as I did my gentle grooming. Once I was done with that, I sat behind him again, and began to gently massage his shoulders. "There, is that better Shadow?" I cooed gently.

"Y-yeah. You're so...so good at taking care of me Sweetheart. So much better than any other host I had ever did. With your gentle care, I've been able to recover so much. I really thank you."

I kissed him gently on the cheek. "Only the best, for my awesome, studly hunk of a boyfriend!" I also wrapped my arms around his chest.

He half-turned his head, and kissed me gently. "Mmm, you're so sweet Sweetheart. I don't even deserve you sometimes!"

"Just as I don't really deserve you, Shadow."

Just before we both went to sleep that night, Sombra asked me one last thing. "Um, Sweetheart?"

"Yeah?"

"Where....did you put my horn? I kinda want to see if it can be reattached to my forehead."

I got up, and went over to my night stand. I opened one of the drawers, and from within, I pulled out his horn. "Here it is." I then handed it to him.

He handed it back. "You're....most likely going to be better at this than me Sweetheart. Just take it, and see if you can reattach it to my forehead. I already tried, but I couldn't get it to work for me. Maybe you'll have better luck than I did."

I was maybe about to, but something made me hesitate. Somewhere deep within, a little voice kept telling me to rethink what I was doing. Then, in my head, all of the puzzle pieces fell into place. If Sombra's horn was ever reattached, then he would be able to use his magic again, and if that happened, he would be free once again. However, I knew something that Sombra didn't. I was not able to use Magic, and from my studies of Pony anatomy, I knew that horns really couldn't be reattached easily. Nevertheless though, I decided to give it a go.

I gently held Sombra's head up with one hand, while with the other, I attempted to reattach his horn. Unsurprisingly, when I put the horn on its base on his forehead, nothing happened.

"Anything Sweetheart?"

I shook my head. "Sadly, no. I'm no Magic expert, but I don't know if severed horns even CAN be reattached. Plus, I really don't want to mess with this too much. What if something malfunctioned, and your horn got stuck to MY forehead?"

Sombra chuckled a bit. "Nah, I don't think that that would happen Sweetheart. You're a Pegasus/Bat-pony, not a Unicorn. If you suddenly had my Magic abilities, then that would make you the strangest Alicorn of all time!"

We both laughed at that. "Yeah, ME as an Alicorn?! That would be a laugh! And I was just beginning to get used to my Human-Bat-pony form as well. I don't think that I could tolerate any more changes!"

"Most likely, you won't have to. At best, all you would get would be some of my magic power, you wouldn't be an Alicorn. Anyway though, it's bedtime!"

I nodded. "Yeah, but I really DON'T want any of your powers! And yeah, I am tired, so scoot over, here I come."

He scooted, and then I crawled into bed after him. After pulling the covers over the both of us, I snuggled close to him for warmth. I also wrapped my arms, tail, and wings around him as well.

"Mmm, goodnight Shadow. I'll see you in the morning."

He nodded. "Goodnight Sweetheart. Although, most likely, I'll be back to a spirit again, but yeah, I'll still be here with you."

On that note, the both of us then fell asleep, wondering what the future would hold for us.

Author's Note

And, that was Chapter 19. It was slow, and kinda dull, I know, but it had to be done, so as to set the scene, and the mood for the next couple of chapters or so, which will all take place during this Winter period. All battles will be fought in the snow and cold. Where will the next battle take place, and when? When will the Caribou ever figure out that we're here? And what will happen when they do?

Also, what about me and Sombra? Will anyone ever figure out that we're in a relationship? Will his horn ever be reattached, or will it remain separated from his forehead? Will I ever make use of his horn? And how do Dash, and even Spitfire =, play into all of this? Assuming that eventually, Sombra does return to just being a spirit inside of me, how will that go? Will they be able to handle having two husbands in the same body? And why am I asking so many questions?! Well, you know the drill! Stay tuned, and all will be revealed!

And, as always, comments, feedback, questions, as well as spreading the word about this story, are always appreciated, and I'll see you all again in Chapter 20!

ScarFox out for now, ALL ABOARD!!!

(Also, I'm still trying to figure out where to take the whole "LeopardXSombra shipping". It started as just an idea, that quickly turned into what it is today. Can I maybe get some suggestions please? I would like to know what you guys think.)