Prologue: Sombra's Return, to Reform or not to Reform?
"I cannot just sit by and be looked down upon anymore… The power I wield, it is stronger than hers, and yet she berates me, tells me to slow down, to let my power stagnate! I cannot allow this anymore!"
“She isn’t holding you back, she’s trying to teach you! She wants you to rule with grace and kindness! She wants you to be a king, not a tyrant!”
"TYRANT!? Like that Draconequus of Chaos, the one who forced us into this world!? The one who forced this upon us, the one who changed us, took us from our REAL parents!? How about our so-called ‘Mother'?! She would rather keep us here when I learned there were ways to go back! We could have been with those who gave birth to us! The ones who are our actual parents! Luna is nothing more than another being of power and control keeping us from our potential!"
“She is our mother now! Were it not for her, we would have been slaves to that disgusting creature of chaos! We’d have known only pain! We are free to choose our fate, but we cannot just take others and force them against their wills! That is just as evil, and that is why she is so strict with you!”
"... No. We're not free. Freedom has to be taken if you wish to do something others do not agree with. You must take what you want, that is freedom. I am free… I have given myself to the Shadow, and I have been given my freedom. No more will I stand by and watch the world grow soft and colorful. Now… Now I take my rightful place. Now, I become KING! And any who DARE to stop me will find themselves beaten and broken! Goodbye, ‘brother'. Maybe one day you will join me."
XxX Everfree Forest XxX
With a groggy growl of frustration, a dark figure rose from the soaking ground. Cloaked in a gray hood and cape, steel covered hooves walked, unphased by the rained-in cave. "Shadow… Such a bleeding heart. Just like her son…"
Coming through the clearing, covered in dirt and grime, from rain and mud and decayed foliage, the figure found Ponyville. As they walked into town, the ponies around were revolted by the smell and scared by the grimace on their face. It didn't take long before they found what they were looking for. The Castle of Friendship. "Foolish of them… No security, no battalions, not like her brother. Without that small pathetic dragon, she would have perished under my magic."
Just as they were about to find a way inside without being noticed… They were noticed. “I heard you perished… Brother…”
Turning, the menacing stallion covered in grime and cloak snarled. "We are not brothers… We never were. I made that clear, did I not?"
Shadow Step was under an umbrella with saddle bags carrying food. "You did… But whether or not we were related didn't matter to me. You protected me, you helped me when I struggled, like a brother would. Yet you did such horrible things when you found out the truth, and something deep down corrupted you. But now it's gone, isn't it? Please… Sombra… I know that there is good in you. There has to be if you survived the devastating magic of the Crystal Heart tearing you from the darkness."
Shaking, growling heavier and louder with every breath, Sombra turned slowly on shaky legs. Eyes glowing, horn sparking, he spoke evenly, albeit a bit hoarsely. “Tore me from darkness?... Tore me?... It broke me completely! I am nothing but a weak and brittle shell!”
As Sombra cast off his hood, Shadow gasped as Sombra was truly in pain. Before him stood a unicorn with no horn, half his face burned, his front right leg twisted horribly, the back right leg limp as if the bone was no longer there, and several scars all along his body.
Horn sparking horrifyingly, Sombra shook with rage. "When they reclaimed that forsaken heart when their magic, it broke away everything I made myself to be, it took from me everything! My powers, my strength! It burned me, cut me to the bone, broke dozens along the way! It was only dumb luck that, though ‘shattered’ from that light, I was still whole! My body, as broken as you see now, fell in the snowy tundras of the Empire, and I forced myself to run away! I hid for years! Waiting, watching, trying to find a way back to that mirror! Only to watch it travel here of all places! I went through dragons, timberwolves, changelings! I fought my way through adversity, for one more chance to claim my future!"
The screaming had brought more attention, the castle door opened to Twilight, Starlight Glimmer, Spike, and even Rarity who was visiting for the night to help decorate the castle for a special occasion. They looked to see Sombra and Shadow staring each other down.
Turning his head to glance at the ones who took from him his kingdom, he growled. “A future that was taken from me… By them!”
Shadow stepped towards Sombra. "A future you let yourself destroy. If you'd have been kinder, if you'd have been patient, maybe one day you'd have opened that mirror. But you let your greed and power corrupt you into a terrible being. One who would hurt the very people that cared for him… you helped me when we were young, yet you tortured me when all I wanted to do was talk."
Growling, Sombra’s horn started to spark. “You were the key… I saw it, you could open the portal! You were there! I had to MAKE you open it!”
Shaking his head, Shadow stepped closer. "You were wrong. The mirror was lost to us thanks to Discord, he hid it within the empire, where you enslaved the crystal ponies to dig it up for you, that is why Mother could not bring us back to the human world. It's power, the portal, would only open once a month. You only had it for a few days, if you were patient you'd have seen it open yourself, without me."
"NO! I SAW IT! You were there, in the mirror! You were changed, you and I stood there, in our true forms! I saw myself, sitting upon a throne of shining crystals, such as the ones from that wretched empire! Jewels of power I used to conquer everything!" His horn sparking further, the former king was growing angrier as he spoke. "That is why I beat you against it, forcing you to the mirror, to open it! Nothing worked, not even my most powerful magic! It had to open!"
"And it did when we returned from our thousand year trip through time. It opened and I slipped inside, and found myself with no memory in a world I didn't know." Shadow stepped even closer, which prompted Twilight to get ready to fly, but she saw him glance her way, telling her to stay put.
"Then it worked like I thought it would! You could open it! If only you had not escaped… How did you escape my observatory, how did you get away? HOW DID YOU OPEN THE PORTAL!?" The rain lit up as the ambient magic Sombra's horn was sparking with was causing a storm to brew.
Shadow stepped close enough to touch Sombra, who stood his ground even if it was technically against his ability to move away due to his injuries. "It opened on its own like I said. The time jump separated the magic the portal needed from it, but once we returned the magic opened it for a brief time. How I escaped? I used my own magic to break free of my bonds, though I was still tied to the mirror. I took it from the floor and carried it to the edge of the empire, and when you engulfed us, it engulfed me, but only half the mirror. The other half stood just outside the range of your influence."
Sombra growled loudly, his eyes slitting. "Fine, then send me through the portal, show me how! Deal with me! FINISH ME!" Just as his horn zapped forth a shock of magic, it dissipated before it even hit Shadow, and it only flashed for a second.
Shadow knew why, as he came in and pulled Sombra into a hug. "Brother… Sombra… The portal can open any time now, thanks to my friend Twilight. But she can easily shut it off too. We won't let you just go through it, especially when you are still in pain, blaming everything that has happened to you on others. I'll bring you back… The Sombra I remember from childhood, the one who protected me, the one who laughed with me as we grew under our surrogate mother Luna. I will bring back my brother."
Though angry, though seething with hate and rage, though hurting, Sombra remembered those times well. Though not his real brother, Sombra cared about Shadow, he cared for Blitz as well. Sombra collapsed against the darkly coated pony holding him and shook as the memories of when they tricked several royal guards and ate the pantry dry. Some of his heart ached for that love back, but another part of his heart was boiling to tear Shadow to bits.
Helping the weakened hornless unicorn onto his back, Shadow carried his brother, turning to Twilight and the others. "Call a meeting at my house. We'll be discussing this further I'd imagine."
As Sombra saw the castle getting further away, he shook again in anger. "My future… It's slipping again…"
XxX The Human World XxX
After monsters, actors turned demons, and everything under the sun, it was finally time for the seven girls of Canterlot High to just relax at the beach. Rarity was getting a tan, whilst Pinkie and Rainbow were playing volleyball with some of the Crystal Prep girls, who were there because of the Yacht they managed to secure for the party. Pinkie was at the ice cream stand, manning it instead of devouring it, along with Sunset and Twilight going over their notes of magic in this world.
Fluttershy was looking out into the sea. It had been a long time since Shadow left them to be with the ponies. She had come to terms with it, but she still felt her heart was in two. "If only I had been more assertive, I could have told him of my feelings before then. Maybe… No, I mustn't think about that. He still visits and helps me, he still sees me as a good friend. I should move on… If I can…”
Just then, however, she saw a twinkling shell in the water that had washed up around her feet. Picking it up, she noticed some strange markings on it, and some of the inside was crusted with metal, which was strange. Taking it up to Sunset, she sat with her. "Sunset? Um, sorry to bother you, but I found something… strange… in the water."
Closing her book, for now, the orange-skinned former pony looked to her friend. "What's that, Fluttershy?" Taking the shell offered, she looked all around it and noticed the engraving. "This… Seems familiar. I can't place my finger on it, but this definitely means something… The metal I've no clue on, but this symbol gives me a weird vibe."
Twilight hummed as well. “Maybe it’s because of the Sirens? Legend has it Sirens were once from the sea, maybe they tried to return there when they got here.”
Shaking her head, Sunset knew it wasn’t. “Though we’ve not heard a peep from them since the concert, this isn’t them. This is something else. I’m not certain the metal on the shell has anything to do with them, but it’s important to the symbol. Not only that but, this isn’t an ordinary shell…”
Grabbing hold of it and giving it a rough investigation, Twilight hummed loudly. "You're correct, this isn't a normal shell. It's… some sort of jewel, but also a shell. It's strange. Let me see if there's anything on jeweled shells or this symbol."
Looking to Fluttershy, Sunset smiled. “It’s probably nothing, but just in case right? So, how you feeling? You’ve not been the same since Shadow left.”
Looking down, Fluttershy shook her head. "I'm fine… Well, I'm not but… I will be." Sighing, the young animal lover sat there looking at her hands. "It's just… Shadow was the one I cared a lot about. He helped me so much, I developed feelings for him. Now he's off prancing around with a pony, and I'm here feeling sorry for myself for being unable to tell him how I felt. And now, it would be horrible to push my feelings on him, but I can't stop feeling hurt over it all."
Closing her book, Sunset climbed up on her knees and pulled the girl into a hug. "It's ok, Fluttershy. Love can be hard, but you've got to move forward. Lot's of good guys just waiting for you to find them. Just be yourself, and look for love elsewhere. Won't do you or Shadow any good feeling sorry for yourself."
Wiping away the few tears welling in her eyes, Fluttershy hugged her friend back. Even if it wasn't fixed, it helped her feel better.
As the two separated, Twilight spoke up. "I found something interesting. Nothing about Jeweled shells with engravings on them, but I have found some small and very limited references to jewels that are uncategorizable. They aren't normal gems, but they all have metal on them. Some engraved, but most of them not."
Looking at the computer, the girls all wondered what it meant. In her gut, Sunset knew she saw the symbol somewhere. "Well, it's a long shot, but I might as well give the princess a call." Grabbing her newest book connected to the pony world, Sunset drew the engraving and asked to look into it. "There. It may be nothing, she may not find anything, but I figure we can give it a shot."
With that, they all enjoyed their beach time for the day. They had all summer after all, after Prom they needed to unwind, especially after Pinkie's party wiped them out. Almost literally in some cases.
XxX xx XxX
Sombra was in Shadow's bed as everyone in the other room talked. Well, all but Fluttershy, who was helping heal him as best she could. Though he winced a bit in pain once Fluttershy tensed from the very loud voice of Rainbow Dash. "I say chuck him to the sun! What he did was just wrong! You weren't there when we saw all those Crystal Ponies were zombies with no memories!"
"Rainbow, you forget, I was IN the war for the Empire! I saw them chained and without hope! Trust me, I know what he did, but it wasn't him! Not the pony I knew as a brother." The table conference was going on rather loudly at times, but Fluttershy wrapped the last scar in gauze and gel all the same.
As she packed the things, she looked to Sombra. "Don't worry… I'm sure you're not totally evil. After all, you wouldn’t be here if you were."
Growling, Sombra turned his back to her. “Being ‘evil’ has nothing to do with me being in ponyville…”
"I meant…" Fluttershy turned his head. "Alive. We all saw that you were broken apart from within. You should have died. All the times we ‘killed' using magic, it only killed the evil within the pony who was corrupted by it. The good survived. You're more bruised and battered than any other, but you still alive. Maybe not the best version of you, but there's still good inside your heart." She turned with a big smile, and Sombra just laid there, awaiting his next punishment or vengeful beating. He figured it was coming after all he did.
But after hours went by, the entire group came in. Twilight spoke as she walked in front of everyone. "We're clear on what needs to be done. First and foremost, you're to remain in ponyville; we'll have a guard come to secure the borders. Second, you'll be kept away from my castle. We can't have you running amok trying to get to the other side of the portal into the human world. Third, and finally, the Princesses all will come to check on you, and make sure you cannot do anything unruly, though we've seen clearly that you're unable to cast any magic so far."
Huffing, Sombra didn't even turn to them as he tried to think about his situation. "That all? You're predictable. Keeping safe behind lies and colorful misconceptions. Fine, confined to the town I am restricted from the castle premise and under watchful eyes, even collared. That is all?"
Shadow came up to his brother. “No, that is not all. We are giving you a chance here, brother. Once you’re able to move normally again, you can start proving yourself a better pony. You can prove to everyone you’ve changed for the better, helping around town, making friends maybe, whatever. You prove yourself, and we can arrange some of those restrictions to come off. Including the castle restriction, and maybe even arrange for you to go to the human world, though you WILL be watched and guarded.”
That got his attention. Sombra turned to face the entire group. "You would give me that chance, so I may reach the other side? You'd allow me to cross over? The very thing I became a tyrant to do?"
The multi-colored pegasus known as Rainbow Dash flew up. "Hey, take it or leave it! My special somepony here is fighting for you, even against all our better wishes! We've seen many horrible beings and ponies come around, and kicked their flanks up and down every inch of Equestria! But in all that time… We've seen most of them come around, even Discord of all things! So if they could prove themselves better given the chance, then we might as well give you that chance as well. So again, take the deal or leave it. This time, maybe you'll see that being a good pony will get you what you want."
Sombra was conflicted, as within his mind and heart he was at war with himself. One side, he wished to prove himself and finally meet his destiny, maybe even find happiness once again. But another was crafty, hoping for that one chance when things were clear, and the portal open, he could sneak through before they could even find him.
However, both outcomes had one flaw, and he knew he had to begin the path of redemption they lay for him. "We shall see… But I have been thrown to the side before, and even when I was a ‘good' pony, I was held back and berated. You prove you will honor your word, and I’ll prove I can honor mine."
With that said the group dissipated, although Shadow crept up. "Sombra. I can tell you this much about the Human world. I saw no throne, no kingdom. All I saw was a world that had no magic… Well, except nowadays. But running theory is because of the portal. Without its connection to Equestria, which is full of magic, no magic existed in the human world. But there is so little magic there, your visions in the mirror are not real. No throne, no power, just normal people, like the normal ponies here."
Sombra didn't respond with anything, he was static as he absorbed the information. "I read much about the mirror… Many hidden books contain rumors and theories stating it is capable of showing the future, a destiny. Before I found it, all I wanted was to return to my home, my father. It was not open, but it was reflecting something, it was showing me something, it was then I knew those rumors were true. A Throne of jewels, a power unrivaled, a kingdom, it was showing me my destiny. Maybe it no longer exists after a thousand years, but I must go back. I cannot stay here when my birthplace is open to me."
Nodding, Shadow turned. “I just hope you know what you are doing, Sombra.” With that, he left the pony of shadows to sleep.
Sombra looked out the window, looking at the moon. “Stay out of my dreams…” And in minutes, the former tyrant fell to sleep. He wondered how long until he would finally cross the portal, a week, a month? Maybe years? As the night passed, his dreams were filled with the one thing that kept his resolve to see his father strong.
Standing before him, in the darkness, was a figure, blurry and disfigured, sitting in a chair. It spoke softly. “My son… You must return… Without you, my kingdom falls. Without your power, we cannot regain our glory. Return, and be by my side once more. Sombra.”
Darkness overlapping him, Sombra fought as it pulled him away, his body aching in pain as it filled his body, his eyes wide as he stared at the figure. “Father… FATHER! I will return! I swear it!”
Eyes opening as the sun rose, Sombra gently slid from his bed and limped his way into the main room, where breakfast was made, and a note was waiting for him. Unable to use his magic, Sombra bit the letter open and tossed it to the floor to open it. Reading it, he frowned. "My first task should be simple then. Must be because of my injuries. I must go see Fluttershy and help her with her sanctuary. Should be simple." After eating, he slowly limped his way from the house, determined to do whatever it took to cross over. As he looked towards the castle, his eyes glimmered. "Soon… Father."
Chapter 1: Sombra's Growing Conflict, His Journey Begins
XxX Within the Everfree Forest, Two Days Later. XxX
“I still do not see a reason to be within this forest." Sombra was not enjoying his return to the Everfree.
Starlight turned to look at him. “This is not even that deep inside, and even then it’s the part of the forest that is less wild due to its close proximity to the Tree of Harmony. For a former Tyrant who has seen bloody war, you’re quite scared of shrubbery.”
Huffing, the Pony of Shadow limped along behind a former fellow tyrant. “Pot and Kettle…”
Ears perking up upon hearing that, Starlight stopped and turned. “Alright, that’s it. I’ve got a question. For someone a thousand years out of time, you sure know modern mannerisms. Luna has yet to grasp such things herself. Not only that, but you seem quite informed. You knew about the Castle of Friendship, you knew Twilight was a Princess without a hint of surprise.”
Growling under his breath, Sombra could only answer so they could hurry. "Luna would have been accepted back into her sister's good graces, back with the royalty of Canterlot, where even outdated, her mannerisms would still be used. I have been on the run through several cities and towns, I have needed to gather information on my surroundings, learn how to obtain things I required, such as food and water, without being found out. And the news is hardly secret. Newspapers and such speaking of every event that has happened since I came back. Princess of Friendship in Ponyville stops evil Tirek, saves the world from Storm King. Learning about the world around you is generally a good tactic when you are on the run. Does my answer satisfy you?”
Blinking, Starlight could only nod before starting again through the forest. As they neared a rather interesting looking tree-hut, the mare had one final thing to say. "Also, Pot and Kettle? It means hypocrisy. I may have been a tyrant, but I do not have a fear of shrubbery so that mannerism is incorrect.”
Scoffing, Sombra just let it be. He wondered why they would need potions for anything, and why a Zebra was so far away from her land. "I suppose I could ask, but truly… It does not matter"
XxX Human World, A Few Days Later XxX
With a heavy sigh, Sunset put her book down and rubbed the bridge of her nose. It had been a whole week since she last spoke to the Princess. As she opened her eyes, her favorite sundae came rushing to the table. With a soft smile, she turned to Pinkie in roller blades. "Thanks, Pinkie."
“Don't mention it, Sunny! So, what's got you so down and blue?" Pinkie smiled as she tried to cheer her friend up. Actually, she ordered and paid for the next four sundae's for her friend just in case.
Opening the book she was given by Twilight of Equestria, she showed the last message received, right under the symbols she drew. "After the beach? The shell we saw with the symbol? I asked if she could look up anything in her archives, thinking maybe it was another Equestria thing. You know, after the Element of Magic I brought over, the Siren's who are still missing, the tears through dimensions at the friendship games, and the smaller things happening like what happened with Juniper Montage, the water bucket Applejack told us about with our Twilight, not to mention the most recent memory fiasco with Wallflower. It's like that portal was made specifically for one purpose, trapping Equestrian magic here. I just want to be safe rather than sorry. So I get her message saying she's going to be rather busy with a new problem in town for her, but she'll dig up what she can and give me a callback. Hasn't happened. Been debating on just asking her what's got her strung up this week.”
Humming quietly, Pinkie shrugged with a smile. "Could be anything, including a demonic evil shadow entity returning from the grave and his brother wanting to reform him like they did with Discord, you, and Glimmer, and he doesn't want to be reformed but the wild magic within him is causing him to re-think himself, and turn back into a good pony, but there's a connection he wants to pursue with the portal and that's why Twilight's been extra guard-y with the portal!”
Waiting a moment or two, Sunset’s eye twitched as that sounded very bad, and knowing Pinkie… “Let’s… Hope not. Cause any evil shadow being coming here is a VERY bad thing. We’ve already got enough troubles lurking without adding more Equestrian criminals.”
Nodding, Pinkie just started to roll away. "Aw, you weren't so bad, and the Siren's were pieces of cake! Just calm down, Sunset, things will be A-ok!"
Smiling and starting in on her sundae, Shimmer could only hope. "Yeah, I hope they will be. If it's one thing I learned recently, it's to hope."
XxX In Equestria XxX
“There ya go, nice goin' Sombra. At this rate, y’all be buckin' the orchard in uh… five days?" Applejack was helping Sombra help with her fields. It had been a week since he started helping them out. His body had been mostly healed thanks to expert care, but he still wasn't at full strength.
As he bucked a tree, more apples fell but not all of them. Huffing, he turned to the farm pony. “Menial tasks. I shouldn’t have to work in the field.”
Rolling her eyes, the orange pony was not amused. “Beg’n your pardon there ‘your majesty’ but you ain’t no king anymore. Be lucky you’re even alive still.”
Huffing more, the shadow pony glared at her. "King or not, I am forced to do labor at this point. The very thing you despise me for."
“Huh-uh, nope. You ain't forced at all. You had your choice, either prove yourself or be locked up. If anything, y'all are gettin' a right good deal." Applejack stepped up to the larger pony. "In fact, your little thousand year banishment gave us civil ponies a system. It's been a week, and since the Apples are mostly the primary business in Ponyville, ah suggested bein' the one to pay ya for the hard work." Saying that she tipped her hat off and fished the coin pouch from inside. "Week's salary. You ain't forced labor, your working to prove yourself, and any work should be right paid for proper.”
Watching her take her hat back and start walking the apples he harvested to the cart, Sombra could only stare at the bits he was offered. In truth, he was finding this all surreal. They've kept up their word, given him a chance, even Fluttershy had even been happy to see him offer to help, Pinkie was also rather kind considering. Sure Rainbow Dash was skeptical, but even she too has shown forgiveness, even if it was only sparse. He still had no access to the castle, but the guard around town was lesser. Every day one more left.
As he walked with Applejack, he could only wonder what the Princess he fought so hard against said to him. Celestia, the ever benevolent, had been firm, but forgiving as she told him that ever since the Elements of Harmony were found, many who were either evil, or betrayed and made horrible, had been reformed over the years, including Luna, whom he learned turned into a Nightmare after losing both him and Shadow to the aether.
Finishing with the unpacking of baskets, Sombra started off but was stopped by Applejack tapping his shoulder. "Am I not done?"
Smiling, she could only shake her head. "Nope, you're done, just wanted to say thanks for the assist. Ah know ya wanna hit the castle and seems ta me you've given right plenty. I'll talk ta Twi about a visit. If you still want one. Can't promise anythin', but as ya said. Prove we can keep our word too and all."
Upon the horizon, Sombra could see the castle, and within him he could hear a deep call to him, pulling him towards it. He knew it to be the mirror, to be the very portal to see his father. Though, recently, he had started to doubt. "I'd… Appreciate the gesture. I understand if the portal should be contained. Just know I still seek the other side…"
With a nod and shrug from the farm pony, he watched her leave. Walking gently, Sombra felt stronger. Even without his magic which he found he could not find it in himself, even at his current best, to even do a single spell, let alone do anything at all, he could feel his body returning. It was an odd feeling for him, as he spent years as a shadow, an ethereal pony, without mass only magic, he was darkness itself. Now, he felt flesh and bone, he felt physical, he could feel the very soil he walked upon. It was almost serene enough to just sit there and take it all in. But once more, he felt something within him call out to the portal, to come through. Something was dragging him there.
Stopping himself, he regained himself just in time to stop within range of the castle he was limited to. The only place still guarded heavily, as two guards were in front of him. "You're still not allowed on the premises."
Unmoving, Sombra only took in the castle, staring at it. His ear twitching, he scoffed. "Just looking. I am allowed such, am I not?"
Getting a confirmation, he stood for a moment longer before turning and walking back to his brothers home. Whom he still did not call his brother. As he stared out the window to the castle again, Shadow returned. "Still punctual. Being home when I return. Learn that from ‘mother' did you?"
Sighing, Shadow came up to Sombra and glared at him. "Whether you still believe her to be your mother or not, mostly not as it seems, she is still mine. In fact, if we want to be so snark, understand this. She's told me all about my past. You're correct about my real mother not being the princess of the night, but you're wrong about Luna. I was stolen by Discord from Luna of the human world as a baby. You defended me, helped me, and I helped you when no other would. Luna didn't help you practice magic all the time, the spells she wanted you to wait for, I helped you master. But before that, you defended me against harsh enemies and bullies growing up, and even before then you stood up to Discord for me. That's real family, and a real mother would raise you. Princess Luna is my mother, even if the other Luna gave birth to me."
Huffing, Sombra only shrugged. During the week, he was treated so greatly by Shadow, just like when they were foals, still growing colts. The very time they were truly like brothers. “Family breaks itself apart. Ours has broken. She is not my mother, and you are not my brother.”
“We did not betray you. Mother may not have wanted you to grow stronger but after the war… I can see why. Power has to be earned, not taken." Turning towards his former brother, Shadow could only look with empathy. "Whatever turned you towards that darkness… I'm only too happy to see you back to normal. Or… as normal as you can be, considering the circumstances."
Moments of silence went by till the former king and tyrant spoke. "You may be right. I have not earned the right to rule, to be all powerful. But I know one thing, I still deserve to see who my birth parents are. That has not changed. And if the Luna from that world has survived, maybe my parents have as well."
With a soft smile, Shadow turned to make dinner. "If they have, then I hope you see them. But until you've proven yourself, you can't find out.”
Once dinner was done, Sombra was at the table with his brother and his mare-friend. Something nagged him, in which he just let pass time and time again, but after finding himself again, he grew the courage to ask. "Blitz… Where is he? If I banished us, is he alive as well?”
Laying his food down, the racer shook his head sadly. "Our vanishing… It tore our- my… sorry… My mother apart. Losing us, she secluded herself, and she became resentful, and hate grew from the pain, anger from the hate until she took the darkness inside her as you did, and became a Nightmare. In her rage, she killed him when he tried to confront her."
“I see…" Sombra was no fan of Blitz, but he wouldn't dare kill… "Wouldn't I of?... I've done much worse for much less than resentment. Would I have seen him as a brother? We were together for a long time, since foal-hood… I wouldn't have… Would I?"
As Rainbow finished her plate, she took a glance at Sombra. After a moment, she spoke up. “Looking down and blue for someone who was once evil to the core. Seems you still have a heart after all, but you’re seemingly ignoring it.”
“Rainbow!”
Even though he was glaring, Rainbow ignored her colt-friend. "Listen Sombra, whatever you are thinking, just keep one thing in mind. If you care, it's not some foreign concept you shrug off, it's who you are to care. If it's caring about kingship or darkness, it's who you are, even if that's evil you and we have to kick your flank again. But if it's caring for others, wanting better? Then hold onto it. You can't ignore your true nature." Looking to Shadow, she smiled and held his hoof in hers. "Even if it seems strange to you after so long since you felt it. It's who you are. Embrace it.”
It was a weird way of saying if he was truly good to embrace that part of himself, and if he was bad he would be punished, and also blunt. Blunt was one thing Shadow loved about her personality. Though Sombra just scoffed softly and finished his meal before going to bed. "Embrace this feeling? Nonsense… I think." Laying in bed, the former king could only speculate on that very confusing train of thought. Ever since he turned, all his will turned to ruling a kingdom, the power he held corrupted his heart, he knew that now. Instead of finding his father, he only wanted that throne, and to rule and show he was the most powerful ever. Now, all he cared about was, since he remembered, was finding his father, on the other side of that mirror. What drove him to find the mirror, what drove him now to the mirror, was his father, and now he was starting to wonder why. This long since he first started seeing it, the dreams about his father calling to him. He wondered if his drive to the mirror wasn't his own. He needed to find out for sure.
As he slept this night, his wish for his former guardian in this world snuck in as he was being devoured by shadow once more, his father calling out to him from the throne. "FATHER!!!" Seeing him in trouble, Princess Luna quickly banished the shadows, manipulating the dream to stop harming Sombra. As the shadows receded, and the broken unicorn of shadows stood, breathing heavily, his eyes turned to the goddess of the moon. "You… You dare enter my mind!"
“Sombra… You know our powers more so than any other. This is a nightmare, and as such, we are called to help end them." Standing tall and stoic, Luna just stood there as Sombra shook in frustration. "Yours have called to us for a whole year now."
Collecting himself, the stallion of shadow regained his composure as he glared at the princess. "Your power cannot track me, thankfully… Yet I did not sense any guards or militia coming for me. I suspect you thought better of it then?"
Shaking her head, Luna looked down sadly. "It is not so simple. Whether you were alive or not, you caused no trouble since you came back from a millennium of time entrapment. We… pleaded with our sister to ignore you, as we kept watch. We had hoped you would return as a kinder pony, regret filling your heart as you asked forgiveness. It would seem not so simple."
Deep down, Sombra knew she still cared for him as a son. Part of him thought it was pathetic, another was telling him to consider it. He chose to ignore both. "Never is the power such as I took simple. But gone, as it may be, I still feel conflicted." Seeing as he had no one else to ask, and Luna knew more about dreams than any other, Sombra took a deep breath, heaving it into a sigh before letting himself ask for help. "There is… Much I do not understand about my past. I was still a young foal when Discord took me, and ever since I was a teenager, my dreams started to change, and one nightmare occurs endlessly."
Luna knew much more than she was willing to tell, but deep down inside her heart, she knew keeping things from Sombra would only make things worse. She had to be careful. "We came in during such a nightmare. Let us recollect." Stepping towards Sombra as she conjured the dream again, this time more like a show instead of experiencing it for him, she looked into the visage. "You were being swallowed by shadow and darkness. Similar to my own transformation into a Nightmare. The Shadow called to us in our darkest time, when we were hurt, felt betrayed, felt anger. But this power is also hungry for more. It feeds on that anger, enhances it, causing us to create more. As it still calls to me, it still calls to you. You resist it, reaching out to this… creature."
Watching the display from a third perspective, he could tell she was right. However, he wondered more about the creature. "He calls my name, calls me son. I call him father. Why? Why him, why every nightmare, why am I drawn to this image of that throne? What makes me desire it so!?"
Putting a hoof on his shoulder, Luna kept herself steady. "Sombra, we may not know who he is, or why you feel he is your father… Maybe he is, maybe he is only an illusion of your mind trying to find purpose. But what I do know is this. He is a Human, and they reside on the other side of the Portal. Yet you could not know about this, or how they appear, so whatever you are seeing in your nightmares is not a normal vision of your fears made real in your mind. Here is what you must find out for yourself. Do you want to find him, or do you want to find his throne?"
That sparked a conflict inside his mind. Which was it? Did he so desire the Throne, even if it meant tearing down the one in it, father or not? Or did he desire to know if this being was his father, and to help as he was being pleaded to? He did not know for certain, but he also knew that without knowing more, without seeing for himself, he could not find out. Inside him was a maelstrom of emotions, ones he kept contained for many long years. Looking to Luna, the stallion looked unsure, Luna even noticed he was softer in his stance as he spoke. "Until I find my answer, it is irrelevant. The nightmare will continue, as it always has. I know this much, I feel drawn to that portal and this nightmare is why. So until I figure it all out, I will be plagued by this dream, and there is nothing you can do to stop it."
Luna could almost hear under his growl a sad hope. Offering her hoof, Luna smiled slightly. “Maybe not… But we can help subdue it. If you would permit it.”
After a moment of looking at the offered hoof, Sombra just closed his eyes and turned. “You still act like my mother, when you are anything but.”
“Maybe not. But would it be so bad to call us a friend? We know the young stallion we took in is there behind those pained eyes. Son or not, we care for you. Let us.” Luna stood still completely, hoping she could get through to him, help him, something.
Though it took awhile, Sombra turned again, this time accepting her hoof slowly. "My suffering… I want it to end… If it can be subdued, I… I would accept your help.”
A small smile came back to Luna’s muzzle, and she closed her eyes, casting a spell and suddenly Sombra awoke in the morning as the sun rose. He looked out and felt rested. With a small smile, he nodded towards the sky. “Thank you…”
Dressing in his cloak again, Sombra walked out into the town. He was hoping to prove himself trustworthy. Though before he could continue, he was surprised at seeing Twilight Sparkle herself fly down in front of him. "Good day, Princess."
With a small glare, the Princess of Friendship let it slide. "Cut the act, Sombra. Even if you have changed, it's only been a week. I've heard about your grumpy attitude as you ‘help' every-pony."
Unfazed, the broken unicorn shrugged. "I am only doing what I said I would. I am proving myself. And I will admit I am sour, but I feel slightly less so this morning. What can I do for you?"
A brief second or two had Twilight in thought before she just told him what was on her mind. "Applejack came over, asked if there was a way to let you inside my castle for a day. Now, whilst I'd normally say forget it, you have been proving yourself as a better pony. I suppose I can give you a single day. Sadly, I won't be there to keep a watch on you."
The worst part of Sombra inwardly grinned, seeing an opportunity. Inside the castle the day it's princess was out and about? Sounded too perfect a chance to pass up. Though another part of him, the better part that felt stronger today thanks to slightly better sleep, it saw this as a way to prove he could be trusted, maybe even enough so to be allowed access to the portal. Though before he could speak his intrigue at this situation, the purple Alicorn smirked at him. "Don't think I haven't taken precautions though. A new friend of mine will be guarding the portal against you. Even attempt to get through it, and she will take you down."
Again the conflict within him was shuddering, but he knew this was a possibility. He had even told Applejack he understood if there would be precautions. "Understood. I accept those terms."
Nodding, Twilight started flying up into the sky. “Don’t be shy!”
After a few moments, Sombra started towards the castle. Even if he had no ability to go through the mirror, he at least had access. Maybe he could find something to do to gain favor. It took half an hour of exploring the castle before he came into her study, where it was a giant mess with a lot of open books on pedestals. Intrigued, he came in and saw the dragon who helped beat him. Said dragon turned and glared at the former tyrant. "Oh, it's you… Forgive me if I withhold my enthusiasm, Sombra. What brings you in here?"
“Even if I cannot use the portal, I felt I could still help. Is there anything you require?" Sombra hoped the dragon had anything to give him to do.
Spike hummed a bit before he put the stack of books he had in his claws down. "Know what, you do this. I have to go talk to Starlight about whatever is going on with Twilight, so you figure this list out, alright?" Seeing Sombra nod in acceptance, he tossed the checklist to the stallion and went off. "And remember, don't damage anything.”
Rolling his eyes, Sombra got to work on the checklist. Though he had no magic, he still helped clean the mess of the study. On one pedestal, however, he saw a book start to glow. Curious, he stepped up and opened it with his hoof. Suddenly, his eyes went wide. "That's… It can't be…”
Just then, he heard a crackling behind him. Turning, he witnessed a mare whom also had a broken horn, but hers was sparking quite fiercely. A scar over her eye with intimidating red mane, the mare spoke menacingly. "Step away from the book…"
Doing so, Sombra turned to the mare. "Who might you be?"
“The name is Fizzlepop Berrytwist, and Twilight asked me to keep an eye on everything regarding the portal. That book is one such thing. Step away, or I will send you flying through the walls." Taking a stance, she got ready to fight.
Sombra knew a warrior when one presented itself, and he could tell instantly, this was a mare that could fight. Keeping calm, he only bowed. "Sorry to disturb. It was glowing and I was curious. Cannot fault me for such a thing. However…" Turning back to the book, yet keeping his distance, he narrowed his eyes. "What I see here is impossible…"
Turning her horn down a few sparks, the hornless mare stepped forward, tense and ready to strike. “What do you mean?”
Looking intently, Sombra could only remember his dreams. "... It's from the Throne I see in my dreams. The one I witnessed in the mirror. That comes from something beyond the portal."
Fizzle hummed for a moment before giving Sombra a wide berth to close the book. "If what you say is true, then Twilight must hear of this. But I have my doubts.”
“Doubt me all you wish, it does not change the truth.” Sombra stared the mare down, both standing their ground. Something felt familiar to them about each other. So much so, that even their missing horns seemed a tame comparison. Sombra walked out of the room to find something else to do. “See you later, Fizzlepop.”
Said mare looked at the book once the stallion was gone. She wondered just what it meant that Sombra knew of such things. She would have to speak to Twilight once she returned, and have Spike send a letter about this to be sure she understood what was going on.
XxX xx XxX
They did not have to wait long, as, within the hour, Twilight returned, but she brought with her everyone of importance; Celestia, Luna and even Discord himself.
In fact, Discord was grinning ear to ear. "Fascinating… Two sides of one coin, staring at each other… Yet so different."
Celestia turned to the random speaking god of chaos. "What do you mean, Discord?"
“Why, these two!" Teleporting between Fizzlepop and Sombra, he grinned. "Oh, how I wondered where the counterpart to Sombra was. A millennium and a gender apart, yet so magically inclined. I wonder how powerful Sombra could have been given the opportunity if I had not changed him.” That got some heads turning. Before anyone could interrupt him, though, Discord continued. "Ah, right, explanation time. See, magic in this world and that world are actually very different, and beings themselves are very different. In fact, some may even say there are reincarnations of several beings in different forms and with different names in both worlds! How would you explain Human Celestia over in that world being mortal whilst our very own goddess is immortal? Or, if the Celestia over there was not reincarnated over and over again to keep balance with our own version? I have no idea if Tempest here is a reincarnation of a previous Sombra of OUR world, but she is most definitely his current pony counterpart at present. It boggles the mind really, but then again, time and magic have ways of making things very confusing to lesser minds of the third dimension."
With a frown, Sombra was more concerned about Discord even being here. "Regardless of this… development of meeting my counterpart. I wonder why this being is even still alive.”
Grinning wide, Discord could only turn himself small, teleport onto Fluttershy's back, and relax and lay there casually. "Oh please, I cannot be killed! I was merely turned to stone for a very long time. Though why am I free? I am reformed! Like you may very well be too. Seriously, after hearing about you wanting to head through the portal for a Throne, I wanted to gag. That stupid wizard gave you up for ultimate power from yours truly!"
That got everyone's attention. Luna, who had mothered Sombra before, and had seen his visions of a mysterious human man, had to know. "So his father was a wizard with a throne? But why give him to you?"
Rolling up into a ball and then turning into a pretzel, the draconequus grinned. "Ultimate power, why else? I said it already! He wanted his throne to be all powerful, but I asked for something of equal value in return. He gave me Sombra, who was but a toddler at the time. It's quite amazing really, out of all three children I changed, Sombra had the strongest magic. And yet, now, he has none. It's quite the spectacle really."
“Hold on, so Sombra's father sold him out for ultimate power. How was a child equal to that?" Twilight was racking her brain for a solution to Discord's strange puzzle.
Luna, however, had a theory. “Because Sombra is no ordinary child… He was something else entirely, wasn’t he? When you changed him and he grew more powerful with the power of the Crystal Empire’s resources, he had the power to match both Celestia and myself in combat before we used the Elements of Harmony, which he escaped using a spell lost to time, literally and figuratively speaking at the same time of course.”
Flicking her horn, Discord could only smirk wider. “Oh what a smart Princess. So true! He was something else. But regardless, that matter is null and void. Not a single being on the other side of that portal, as of my knowledge, has immortal life. Unless something happened to cause such magical prowess to bloom, my best guess is that the old coot of a wizard is long since dead.”
As everyone started wondering about this development, Sombra himself could only ponder. Was it true? Was his father dead? Then why was he calling him in his nightmares? Was it a trick? He feared he would find out soon enough.
After recollecting, Celestia took a look at the drawing in the book and hummed before frowning deeply. "This symbol… I do not know the artifact itself, but that symbol seems eerily similar to a wicked insane beast. A squid of terrible power. He was banished long ago, we hoped he would never return. But is he still lives on the other side of the portal, then there may be trouble brewing."
Speaking up, Sombra remembered clearly. "That artifact, carving and all, was on the Throne I saw in the mirror, in my dreams even. It is fresh in my mind, that and many other artifacts of shining jewels cover the Throne."
The Princess of Friendship was starting to get worried. “Wait. Sunset said this came from the beach she was on. How would she even think there was information here about it?”
Celestia had the answer. “The book on this particular creature is in Canterlot, in my personal library. Sunset had access to it, so she may have remembered a passing memory connecting this artifact to her studies once.”
That was viable, and Twilight knew that Sunset had once gained access to forbidden knowledge before vanishing beyond the portal. "Alright… But now comes the question of what this means… Of course I tell her about this creature, who I still don't know anything about, but what if he, like the Sirens, are using artifacts like this one to do something horrible?"
Nodding, Celestia reflected on her knowledge of such things. "You are welcome to tell her about such and warn her. Though I have no knowledge of this artifact, nor why Sombra has dreams of it on a Throne. There is more to this I fear."
Strutting up to Discord, Sombra hummed out loud. “If only we had someone who knows of such things from beyond the mirror… Such as this maniac of mischief and chaos?”
Discord, who was floating in the air, looked to everyone who was now looking at him. He spun around to stand on the ceiling and shrugged. "Oh come now, it's not like I know everything about it. I was only there for a few days. However, if you are so inclined to stare until I give you some sort of clue, then so be it. This Wizard was obsessed with jewels, stones, and crystals of magical power. As far as I could tell, he was amassing such things to build a Throne out of them. He said this Throne, given the right magic powerful enough to make it work, would make him a god, immortal and all-powerful over every being in the world. So, I gave him a few jewels I crossed over the next day when he asked for ultimate power, and he gave me his kid. Whatever this shell thingy is, if it is like the jewels he was collecting, were to be attached to this Throne."
Hearing this, Sombra finally understood his dreams. "The shell is not the artifact… The Throne is! It is the ultimate power beyond the mirror, and whatever power it holds, it could connect me to my father even from beyond it's portal."
“But what about this squid? What does he have to do with all this?" It was clear that question was on everyone's mind.
Snapping his fingers and appearing as a tiny form on the nose of Twilight, he huffed. "Hey, I was there for three days, no longer. Whoever this squid is, I have no clue. Nor do I know why he would have anything to do with the Wizard I knew. Figure that one out yourself, miss magic." And then he disappeared from view.
Celestia walked up to the mirror and was silent for a few moments before she turned to everyone in the room. “I believe, if this Throne is as dangerous as Discord says, we should find a way to completely destroy it. If Squirk had an interest in it enough to give power to it, then he must want it for himself. He is tricky like that.”
“Squirk? Is that the squid?” Twilight could only speculate now.
Though her curiosity was quenched when Celestia told her enough to worry. "Squirk the Squid, a powerful being of cleverness and cruelty. He once tried to destroy Griffonstone a long time ago, but thanks to Starswirl the Bearded he was defeated and thrown into exile through the portal. From what you have told me, crossing the threshold of this mirror changes everything into something else. Ponies to Humans, Dragons to Dogs, who knows what Squirk had become. And because he could still talk, he could potentially have attempted to trick the Wizard."
The Princess of the Night stepped up. "If he becomes a danger there, similar to Sunset and the Sirens, then he is most likely coming back here to take his revenge."
That did it for Twilight. With the threat of Equestria potentially on the verge of becoming destruction untold, she decided to go back through the mirror. "Then I will go, maybe I can stop him."
“Ah, what a wonderful plan.. Except that won't work!" Discord appeared again, flashing in front of them all. "See, I read your notes too. Magic there has become very fashionable. With many beings and objects causing a ruckus, it is clear that you, as a powerless being on the other side, would be unable to stop any kind of threat without some sort of weapon. And seeing as the Elements are stuck in the Tree, your only weapon is unusable."
Frowning, she sat and looked at the god of Chaos. "Then what do you suggest we do? Nothing?”
Smirking, Discord turned to Sombra. "Oh, nothing of the sort. I like it here too much to let it be destroyed. But because even my power is limited in that world, I suggest sending somepony who has a magical connection."
That had the purple princess on all hooves. “Absolutely not! Sombra’s still under watch! He has yet to prove himself enough to head through that mirror!”
Popping himself like a balloon to then mimic Twilight's form, he muttered her words back to her before sticking his tongue out at her. "Listen, Princess. Anypony here with enough power on their own will be powerless over there, and we need every edge we can get in case whoever we do send fails. That means no Friendship ponies, Princess', or extremely skilled combatants like Tempest over there. The only pony here that doesn't have an edge we can use is Sombra, but that doesn't make him useless over there as his Father is the one who made the Throne, and he has a connection to it. Sending Sombra may not be the best choice given his disposition, but it's the most logical choice if we wish to help stop Squirk before he makes himself all powerful. Think about that for awhile. Besides, don't you have friends over there who have powers? A perfect way to keep watch on him. Well, toodles, give me the summary of your amazing and detailed choice in a week. I have some house cleaning to do, my place is far too spotless for my liking and it's a chore to get everything just right again! Ta-ta!" And once again, he blinked out of existence.
As every-pony stood around, they could only think of how this might end if they didn't do anything, or did something wrong. After minutes went by, Luna finally had something to say. "We vote we go with Discords plan. As much as we loathe his behavior and do not wish to send someone of Sombra's… less than stellar morality, he is indeed the wisest choice."
Celestia followed with her own thoughts. "And if Sombra takes the throne, who knows what will happen. It is far too risky. Trade one evil for another. I vote no on Sombra visiting beyond the mirror."
Seeing such democracy had Sombra sitting and waiting. This was finally his opportunity, but he did not wish to speak out of turn. He let this play out, as saying anything might deter them to say no to his visitation where he wanted to finally go back to. He only hoped it would work to his favor.
XxX xx XxX
“Alright girls… Ready?” Sunset had gathered the girls to the portal, their Geodes on and ready.
The science-loving Twilight was a little worried. "I still don't like this… What if he has powers? What if his magic is too strong?"
Rarity fluffed her hair as she patiently waited. "Oh hush, not a single pony has had powers coming through this portal. The only ones who had powers were the Sirens, and their artifacts were the things giving such, they didn't have it any other way."
Fluttershy looked to her friends. "But what if he is a big meanie? I mean, they wanted us to keep watch and guard him, said he was a bad person. Oh, I mean pony right?"
Rolling her eyes, Sunset just opened the book to look again. "They said they were sending someone over to help, and that he was going to need an escort because he's not exactly the nicest guy. All she told me about him was he was also a bad guy who was reforming. Thus the whole busy week situation she had. Last I checked, there were several baddies she's defeated and half of them reformed. So who knows what this guy did. Twilight said she would explain when she brought him over."
Just as she finished, the portal activated, and out of it spat the darkened skin and wild-haired form of Sombra, his clothes tight, a hoodie with nice jeans and boots covering his body, a broken pendant around his neck. Looking at himself and at his surroundings, he carefully sat on his legs and tried to get a feel for his new body. But he smiled wide as he could see the world he was in, the very world he dreamt of visiting. "Finally… I've come home…"
