Flurry Heart and the Imprisoned King

Chapters

Learning about history
Meeting a Monster
Princess Amore
The Crystal Heart and Faire
Your Life
Why do you answer me?
Falling apart
Radiant Hope
Fallout
Aunt Twilight
Family Feud
Hopeful Future

Learning about history

She wanted answers and her parents never gave her any. They always said when you’re older. She was already sixteen. How much older could she get? None of the many history books she read could soothe her buzzing mind. Not even her aunties would tell her the full history of her homeland; they always told her to ask her parents. Flurry Heart knew there had to be more than what they told her because every time she asked them about it they always shied away from the questions. She was always fascinated by the history of the Crystal Empire, from the crystal fair to the first princess of the Crystal Empire, however, whenever she managed to get to the part about the dark unicorn king, the books and stories always sped through it. Flurry couldn’t believe that everypony would skip over something so important. She seemed to be the only pony who cared about knowing the full story of the dark king who was lost to time. After years of asking about the unicorn king, she had finally gotten her Auntie Twilight to talk a little bit about him. In the heat of the moment, Twilight accidentally revealed that the dark king had a study beneath the throne room of the crystal castle. Flurry was amazed to hear this and she quickly started working on Twilight, trying to convince her to show her the study. She wanted answers and so far this was one of the few leads about the dark king she had. After several months of working on Twilight to show her the dark king’s study beneath the throne room of her home and lots of negotiations later, she had won Twilight over. It was perfect, especially since the crystal fair was coming up in another few days, and she was finally going to get some answers, and it only cost her having to work in her aunt’s library for about three months reorganizing all her books. It was worth it to see the study of the unicorn king who ruled the empire before her mother.

That night after dinner when everypony else was asleep, Twilight took Flurry into the throne room and proceeded to open the passage that leads to the king’s study. They descended the stairs to the door at the bottom; Flurry watched closely as her aunt performed the dark spell again. The door swung open by itself revealing the study. It was like a time capsule, everything was persevered perfectly, even the journal of the king was in pristine condition. She entered the room and wanted to touch it, it seemed to lure her to it but before she could even touch it, Twilight separated her from the book. Pulling her out of the room, she forbade it, not wanting her to even touch that book let alone be in the study any longer than they had to be.

The next night, which was the night before her sixteenth crystal fair, she was going to go down into the study and read the king’s journal, the artifact Twilight would not allow her to touch when they went down together. She crept down the corridors of the castle, avoiding all the guards until she came upon the throne room. Grinning smugly at the crystal that decorated the top of her mother’s throne, knowing what secrets it held, she focused hard letting the dark spell she watched Twilight use the other day come to her, so she herself could open the doorway. ZAP! Her eyes fluttered open to see the floor opening up with a long winding staircase appearing before her. Although her head hurt, she clapped her hooves together in excitement as she approached the staircase. She started her descent down the stairs, reaching the door at bottom in record time. She focused once again on the dark spell to activate the door that leads to the study and again she opened her eyes to see the room before her. It was the same as before: a bookcase filled with old books, two statues of the unicorn king himself, a desk and chair in the middle of the room. Flurry sat in the chair as she looked at the desk before her with a book sat before her. It was a blue covered journal with gold trimming and binding. She opened the journal and began reading about the dark king that every pony wanted to forget.

Flurry couldn’t wait for nightfall she wanted to get to the crystal dungeons which lay deep below the Crystal Castle. Her parents thought that they had hidden away the fact that they had hidden a prisoner from their daughter, however, Flurry was too clever for them. She had found the guard's logbook when she was six and knew that every three months a new guard switched off to watch the dungeons. She could only wonder who was imprisoned below her home, the logbooks never mentioned who their captive was. As a child, she could only imagine a dragon or rouge changeling that served the malevolent Queen Chrysalis, however, now she had a feeling there captive was the king of monsters. Her heart raced just thinking about it. She knew her parents were always hiding something from her but a whole prisoner was something else. Her heart just wouldn’t slow down as a new thought about the prospect of a piece of history sat imprisoned before her. She couldn't wait until nightfall, and at that moment, her mother walked by and noticed her excitement. Cadence approached her daughter with a smile on her face.

“Are you excited for the Crystal Fair, Flurry?”

“Hmm, oh yeah I can’t wait.”

Cadence gave her a skeptic look but let it go. She figured her daughter’s giddiness was because of some boy she met. She could feel her heart racing, a lovely melody. One of the perks of being the princess of love was when somepony was excited about something they loved she could feel their heartbeat. Her smile returned to her.

“Well, I hope you have fun today.”

“Oh, I will mom I can’t wait to see the Crystal Heart and the rest of the fair.”

“You seem really happy this year did you learn something new about the Crystal Fair? You always get this giddy when you discover something new about the Crystal Empire. Or is it something else?”

Cadence said raising her eyebrows in a lewd manner. Flurry forced a smile; she was slightly disgusted by what her mother was implying but she didn't want to reveal what she had done the night before to her. She quickly thought up a lie instead of playing along with her mother's fantasy.

“Oh, I learned that if you mix crystal berries with crystal corn the flavor is unbelievably bad. Apparently, it was an old tradition at the pie eating contest to eat the two together and see who lasted the longest before some pony got sick. Until one too many ponies got sick and they stopped doing that.”

Cadence looked a little disappointed but just shook her head in amusement as she walked away from her daughter.

“Well please don’t try that tradition I don’t need you getting sick my love.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, mother.”

“I’ll see you at the fair honey.”

Flurry watched her leave, as soon as she was out of sight she sighed heavily.

“That was close.”

“What was close?”

A masculine voice asked from behind her, she instantly recognized the voice.

“DADDY!?”

Shining Armor looked down at his daughter, a smile crossed his lips,

“What was close? Are you hiding something from Mommy?”

He asked in a childlike way.

“Dad I’m not a child anymore and maybe.”

Flurry could always talk to her father more easily than she could her mother, something about him made it easier to talk to. He cocked an eyebrow as he spoke playfully.

“Oh! What are you hiding, what did you do?”

“NOTHING!”

She yelled back playfully.

“Nothing or something?”

He gave her a funny look. She knew she wouldn’t be getting out of this, if anything her father was a great detective, and although she was good at hiding things, he seemed to find out some of her secrets. She figured that's why mom liked him and why he was head of the royal guard. She had to make a convincing lie for her father. She knew he hadn’t figured out what she was planning but one slip up and he would be investigating her.

“Well you see dad, I figured I would get something nice for mom at the Crystal Fair and she almost caught me in the act of figuring out what to get.”

“And what are you getting her? She has everything anypony could ask for.”

“I figured I would get her…Well me.”

She smiled brightly hoping he bought it. His playful face turned into confusion as he questioned her.

“But she already has you, Flurry. So why are you getting her yourself?”

“Well, I was thinking about giving her me, with a new mane cut.”

“A new mane cut?”

He looked unconvinced, Flurry was worried but kept smiling to hide her panic. He held his gaze but let it go and rubbed her head.

“Well if you think she’ll like it I say go for it, sweetie.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

She watched as her father left to go check on the fair. She relaxed as she let her breath go. She didn’t realize she was holding it the whole time as her father left her. She got up and walked outside to the fair ready to get through the day.

Meeting a Monster

Author's Note

OK, so a few things
1) Only Flurry and Sombra's speech will be in color. They're the main characters in this so they get the colored text.
2) I'll try to make it easier to read the new real paragraphs but I guess FimFic hates the indent button.
Other than that enjoy the read.

Meeting a Monster

The Crystal Fair had finally ended and as every pony retired for the night, Flurry raced to the castle to get to her room. As she entered her room, she grabbed her saddle bag, a quill, empty notebook and the only thing she took from the dark unicorns study. She headed to where the crystal dungeons were which only a few ponies knew of. She looked at the two guards who stood in front of the hall that leads to the only prisoner to speak of. She needed to figure out a way to get past the guards til she remembered she was an alicorn, and she could just teleport passed them. She focused all her magic into teleporting passed them, but instead of being behind them, she was in front of them. Her eyes turned into saucers as her ears folded back. The guards were alarmed to see the young princess in such a dark place. The one on the right spoke in an authoritative tone.

“Princess, what are you doing here?”

“You should be in bed right now; it's very late.”

The other said. Flurry feared they would tell her parents about her being here, but she quickly thought of a lie. Something she was good at lately. She stood up straight and gained a regal aura to her.

“I’m here on official busy.”

She said to both guards as authoritatively as she could muster. The guards were suspicious. The one than asking:

“What kind of business do you have with this vile creature?”

She gulped as sweat started forming on her forehead but she held her ground.

“My mother wanted me to inform our prisoner that another Crystal Fair has passed and that the Empire is still safe.”

It was farfetched but it had to work. She quickly straightened herself out again and spoke before they could.

“My parents thought it was time, I meet the prisoner. And you’re interfering soldier. Now let me through.”

The guards looked at each other but quickly relented, allowing her to pass by them with the one on the left giving her a warning as she walked passed them.

“Be careful my princess for he is quite a hoof-full. His cell is the last one down the corridor of the dungeon.”

“Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Passing the two she quietly squealed in joy, knowing that, that worked. She trotted down the corridor. The dungeon felt like an icebox; it was colder than the rest of the castle. It didn’t bother her much as she continued walking down the corridor that was lit with torches along the wall, revealing the light blues of the dungeon and empty cells. Flurry was excited. Finally, she was going to see what her parents were hiding from her. Her mind raced as she approached the cell, questions filling her to the brim. She stopped in front of the cell and gazed upon it; blackness lined most of the interior. Her smile faded as fear quickly overtook her. All of her questions faded away.

CRASH!

Flurry backed away, she wasn’t expecting such a loud greeting as she peered at the creature who had slammed against the bars of his cell: a unicorn whose coat was as gray as ash and mane as black as the shadows. The unicorn's horn was smooth and curved upwards, black to red. He was as tall as a tree or at least it seemed like he was, he was by far taller than her father. The unicorn king the former ruler of the Crystal Empire before her parents was peering back at her with hatred consuming his ruby eyes. Flurry slowly approached, wonder and caution swirled in her eyes.

“You’re the unicorn king. You’re King Sombra.”

She whispered in amazement to the pony before her. The unicorn smiled at her, a sicking smile

]“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, what do you want?”

His last words dripped with venom as he backed away from the bars and sat in the middle of his crystalline prison. Flurry breathed in and then breath out, calming her rattled nerves.

“I’m Princess Flurry Heart of the Crystal Empire. I’m Princess Mi Amore Cadenza’s daughter and I came here to speak to you.”

He raised an eyebrow at her asking cautiously.

“Princess Flurry Heart? You look like, nevermind. You’re that child, aren’t you?”

“Child?”

“Yes, the one I held captive so your parents would relinquish the Crystal Empire to me.”

He sounded so confident at that statement as he questioned her.

“How old are you, child?”

“Held captive, I don’t remember that.”

“You were an infant at the time!”

He snapped at her,

“Now answer my question child, how old are you?”

She frowned at him.

“I’m sixteen years old, now why don’t you answer my question?”

He ignored her.

“Sixteen years old? I see I’ve rotted down here for sixteen years. Oh, how time flies when you’re
imprisoned...No isolated."

“Hello? Answer my questions?”

He didn’t hear her as he addressed her again with his arrogance laced tone.

“What brings you down here to see me? Surely your pathetic father didn’t send you down here and your mother would never allow you to see me.”

He stared at her. Flurry’s face turned red and her feathers ruffled.

“My father isn’t pathetic! He’s the bravest captain in the guard!”

She yelled defensively. Sombra smiled at her again revealing his fangs.

“Child, that knight, no that prince couldn’t even stop me from retaking the Empire let alone repel my magic. Even now his sealing spell only stays in place due to an additional spell used by the princess of love which binds me here.”

She looked shocked that he seemed to know so much about his prison cell, then again, he did say he was imprisoned for sixteen years. She shook her head as she realized she was getting off topic. She straightened herself out and reached into her saddlebag pulling out two notebooks, one of which the unicorn recognized.

“That’s my old journal. Why do you have it? Don’t you know it's wrong to take things that aren’t yours?”

“Pfft! You’re one to talk… So you’re really King Sombra. I knew it, I knew they couldn’t hide you from me!”

Flurry started jumping up and down as a smile spread across her lips. As she jumped up and down, Sombra just stared at her disgusted, he wished she would go away; her childish behavior was unbefitting for a princess. Sombra huffed as he raised an eyebrow.

“Sixteen years down here and my first visitor beside that foolish prince is an annoying child. What's worse is that your that fool’s child.”

He snorted.

“What do you want again? And what do you mean I was hidden from you?”

Although he was annoyed, she noticed the second part of his question was laced with curiosity. Flurry stopped her celebrating and returned to the task at hoof.

“Right, well my parents don’t talk about you or your reign over the empire. In fact, you aren’t even in many history books. A lot of the texts you’re in only mention you briefly and then skip right to when my mother took over the empire.”

“What morons!” He hissed. “Skipping over me. A curse to themselves.”

He whispered under his breath as Flurry continued on.

“And I want to know what happened a thousand years ago. I mean every history book just skips over you and never even mention the first crystal princess in detail. And I read your journal, but I want to hear it from you, yourself.”

He didn’t answer. He seemed amused by this. A knot started to form in Flury’s stomach as his silence prolonged. She worried he would refuse her; his smile faded as he laid down on the floor of his cell.

“*Huff*. Why do you ask if you’ve already read my journal? You already know the answers child. And there’s nothing more than what you read. What would be the point to hear it all again? What you read is what you get.”

Flurry blinked dumbfounded, but she just couldn’t accept that it wasn’t an answer but a way to avoid answering. Plus she wanted him to describe everything to her in great detail. That's why she had brought another notebook with her so she could record everything that happened. She breathed out again and began to speak as authoritatively as possible.

“Let me clarify, I want to know why you hurt Princess Amore. I also want to know what she looked like, you lacked proper descriptions in your journal. Why you stole the Crystal Heart. Why you choose to accept something you could have changed. Who was Radiant Hope and why did you abandon her?”

At the mention of Radiant Hope, he lashed out sending black crystals towards the pale pink princess. The spell failed as the magical barrier keeping him trapped inside his prison appeared between the two. He cursed the barrier that keeps him in; Flurry flinched as she wasn’t expecting such a violent reaction from him. She continued speaking as she approached the bars to his cage cautiously once again.

“I want to understand how some pony who wanted so desperately to see the Crystal Fair turned out like this. How some pony who loved another so deeply became so cruel. How you came back to life after the Crystal Heart destroyed you the first time or why you’re here instead of deceased like how all the history books say you are.”

He huffed in annoyance as he laid back down,

“Ask your parents! They’ll be delighted to tell you all about me."

Again he was trying to avoid her,

“I already told you they won’t tell me anything about you. Please, I really want to hear about the past, I love learning and what better way to learn about it than to learn from the pony who was there?”

She pleaded with him holding her front hooves together. As Sombra watched her, he was confused by this girl since she didn’t fear him nor did she want to hurt him. She instead wanted to learn about him. It was peculiar; no pony ever wanted to talk to him let alone be near him for longer than they had to be. He looked at her again, puppy dog eyes staring back at him; he flinched to see such a face as usually he only saw anger or fear upon a pony's face. The face she was making disturbed him, he had forgotten what childish begging looked like.

“*Sigh* If I tell you, will you go away? I would prefer you leaving or have that laughable prince come visit me. Either way, I want you to leave me alone after this. ”

She smiled brightly with her puppy dog eyes still on ignoring the last part.

“Yes!”

“Fine, I’ll tell you anything you want to hear just stop making that face! It's creeping me out.”

She dropped her puppy dog eyes and replaced them with a serious expression as her notebook floated next to her with a quill appearing from her bag,

“Ok now please tell me what-?”

A voice from the distance stopped Flurry mid-sentence.

“Princess are you done yet; it’s been a long time?”

Flurry pouted as Sombra smiled smugly.

“It seems your time is up to my dear. I’ll see you another time.”

He said triumphantly figuring she would never appear before him again. She looked at him with her cheeks puffed out, turning red again. Her reaction disturbed him. She let out the air that was stored in her cheeks and answered the voice cheerfully.

“I’ll be right there.”

She looked straight into Sombra’s eyes as she answered the guard her determination drilled into him.

“I’ll be back tomorrow. Just you wait.”

“Oh, lucky me...”

He said sarcastically. Flurry got up and smiled at him.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, King Sombra.”

He was surprised to see the current monarch address him in such a manner, but he ignored it as he watched her leave.

______________

Flurry had a big smile on her face as she walked down the corridor. Her thoughts were beside her.

Oh I can’t wait to ask about Princess Amore tomorrow I bet she was really pretty. I wonder why my parents didn't want me to meet King Sombra. He seemed so mellow, well arrogant is more like it. And he even agreed to answer all the questions. Hmm... maybe it's because he did all those bad things before and they feared for my safety. Did they even ever read his journal, it would seem he started out like everypony else? Well whatever the case, I’ll be back tomorrow, but I have to get past the guards again, and that excuse won't work again. She reached the end of the corridor and only realized it when she heard somepony address her.

“Princess, are you alright? The prisoner didn't do anything to you, did he? You were gone for a long time.”

She looked at the guard who addressed her.

“Oh, he didn’t do anything to me. I’m fine. See!”

She unfolded her wings and smiled at the two guards. They eyed her and let out a sigh of relief. She walked by them before leaving she addressed them both.

“Oh, I’m sorry about this.”

Before they could react, a spell was cast on them as Flurry disappeared from their memories as she replaced herself with another guard. She finished casting the spell and rushed back to her room before they saw her as she passed through her door with her magic and slammed it shut. She sighed heavily. She hated doing shady things, but she also didn’t want her parents to know what she was up to. As she walked over to her balcony that overlooked the Crystal Empire, she spoke aloud to no pony but herself.

“How am I going to get passed the guards tomorrow?”

She sighed heavily. She knew teleporting was out of the question. The spell on the dungeon made it impossible to teleport in or out of it as a security measure for the king if he ever got out of his cell. She also didn’t want to have to use a memory replacement spell on the guards again as it just felt wrong. She wondered for about twenty minutes about the dungeon. The dungeon was below the castle. Perhaps there was a secret passage into the dungeon. It wouldn't be the first time this crossed her mind though. Afterall all she did find a secret passage connecting the kitchen to the library. Flurry smiled with renewed vigor.

“Alright after breakfast, I’m heading to the library. It’s time to do some research!”

Princess Amore

A stack of pancakes sat in front of Flurry, the usual morning routine for her. She shoveled the pancakes down her throat as quickly as she could. She wanted to get to the library as quickly as possible. After finishing her plate, she got up and bolted for the door only to be stopped by somepony pulling her back by the tail. Her eyes meet with her captors, her father.

“Whoa there! Where are you heading off to in such a hurry, Flurry? Also.”

He pulled her close and whispered in her ear.

“I thought you were getting a mane cut? What happened?”

Flurry panicked internally for a moment.

Ahhh! My lie! I forgot about that!

She whispered back,

“I didn’t see any style that looked good. So, I didn’t get anything for mom... Don’t tell her.”

Flurry pulled away and smiled at her dad. He looked at her a bit confused but smiled and nodded his head at her. Her nerves faded as she answered his first question, excitement laced her tone.

“I’m going to the library! I have some research to do.”

Her excitement turned into sass. Shining’s smile widened as he looked at her,

“It must be important if you're shoveling breakfast down that quickly. What's the topic?”

“The complete history of Canterlot Castle.”

Shining Armor just looked at his daughter confused as to why she would change her studies to Canterlot so suddenly. She was recently obsessed with learning everything about the Crystal Empire, well almost everything. He thought for a moment but soon came to the conclusion that she had reached a dead end and couldn't continue with her research. He smiled again, laughing to himself.

“Well, you can always ask your Auntie Twilight for help with that. She knows the castle and its history very well.”

She smiled as she ran out the door, yelling back to her dad.

“Thanks, dad! I’ll ask her when I hit a snag!”

She reached the castle library in no time. The castle library had about 20 rows of bookcases stacked upwards to the ceiling and the bookcases covered every wall with random cases in the middle of the room. The castle library had over thirty thousand books from all over, past and present with a big table in the middle of the room. A few smaller tables were scattered around. She quickly started grabbing all the scrolls and books she could with the Crystal Castle’s design. She started looking through every blueprint, every historical record, and every drawing of the castle.

~hours later~

“Finally! I think I found something!”

She shouted in triumph as she held the oldest blueprint of the castle in her hoofs above her head.

“What did you find?”

A familiar voice said from behind, she jumped, almost dropping the scroll. She didn’t know that somepony was behind her. She turned to see her favorite wizard behind her, his glasses slightly falling down his face.

“Uncle Sunburst, you scared me!”

“Oh, sorry Flurry. But what did you find?”

Flurry looked at the scroll and then back to Sunburst guilt suddenly racking her mind. She knew she could trust Sunburst with anything but what she was doing was crazy and reckless. The situation was unsavory but she knew if she was caught and had to be lectured it would be better to hear it from Sunburst than her parents.

“*Sigh* I found another secret tunnel on this scroll. It leads to the dungeons.”

She looked up to meet his disapproving eye since a princess shouldn’t be going into the dungeons alone, instead, she saw his usually enthusiastic face. He grabbed the scroll up in his yellow magic and looked it over, his happiness fading as confusion took over.

“This is the first design of the castle, Flurry. I don't think this passage was even built.”

Flurry's ears folded against her skull. Worry laced her tone.

“Well, I looked over every other blueprint and every other one seems to have a corridor that leads to nowhere in the same area. I think… I think it was built and only the princess could use it.”

He adjusted his glasses as he grabbed some of the newer blueprints, gazing at them and comparing the oldest ones to newer ones. He knitted his brows together in confusion

“Why are you looking for secret passages anyway?”

“Ooh, I uh... decided to map them all out.”

She smiled nervously hoping another lie would save her from telling the truth.

“Hmm, but why would you want to map out the one that leads to the dungeon? Nothing's down there anyway. Just some old suits of armor and dusty cells.”

He looked perplexed by her actions as he put all the scrolls down. He hesitated to ask but a voice in the back of his mind nagged at him to ask.

“Do your parents know about this?”

Her ears flattened against her skull again as she averted her gaze. She quickly forced a smile, answering him nervously.

“What they don't know, won't hurt them.”

He raised an eyebrow, a grin on his lips.

“They don't know, do they?”

She looked around nervously holding her breath, he repeated louder.

“They don’t know, do they!?”

“Huh, fine you got me! They don't know it’s a surprise. Just don't tell them, okay?”

“I won't tell them… As long as you tell me where all the secret passages are. And I get to write a book about the castle's secret passages.”

She again couldn't believe her lie worked but she nodded in agreement to his terms as the clock in the library rang out.

“Oh right! I came here to get you, it's time for dinner, Flurry.”

He said as they both got up to leave.

“Yeah, I’m hungry, I didn't even realize the time. You know time sure flies when you're studying something so interesting.”

She said as she got up from her stool.

“It sure does."

They walked together to the dining hall chatting away about what kind of passages could be hidden around them.

A few hours after dinner and everypony was asleep except the night guards and Flurry who was on her way to the dungeons. She only had her saddlebag with the two journals and a makeshift map in front of her. She was looking for the hidden passage feverishly, taking mental notes on where the guards patrolled. It took her forty minutes to get to the royal garden, the passage was supposedly located somewhere inside. She entered the garden and looked around; the crystal roses blended perfectly with the canterlot lilys. The light blues complimented the deep purple of the lilies while rows of chrysanthemums lined the path leading into the inner garden; she could spend all day in the garden. Its beauty surpassed the Canterlot garden by a million years but she had to focus somewhere inside the garden was a secret tunnel. Looking over the little map she drew to help her find the tunnel again was difficult since the map didn’t have all the vegetation on it. She walked past the bed of moon flowers which had just opened up revealing their white petals, she stopped to gaze at them. She pulled herself away from them as she continued walking. Passing the trumpet vine flowers, a row of rose bushes, and a patch of tulips. She finally made her way over to the daisy patch.

“Okay, I think the tunnel is in the daisy patch.”

She assured herself as she started to dig in the flower bed. After twenty minutes of looking with dirt caught in her hoofs and covering her mane. She approached the field of forget-me-nots and gazed at the map again, looking at the ground and back to the map several times, hoping it would give her the answer.

“Ugh, where is it! It has to be here!”

Frustration was overtaking her as she looked at the map then the ground again, her eyes bugging out of her head. Till an idea struck her and she smacked herself in the face

“It would be a crystal cavern so why don’t I use a spell that locates crystals. I could have found the thing faster if I just did that!”

Her horn lit up and the ground became translucent as a large cluster of gems appeared around a door buried deep in the ground.

“Aha! There it is!”

She looked down at her map and grabbed the quill out of her saddlebag making a big x mark on the spot. She put the quill away as she quickly dug into the spot she saw surrounded by crystals. She dug a few feet into the ground until the door was before her, she grinned like a filly. She pulled on the door handle, at first she had trouble opening the door but after struggling for a few minutes she got it to open. She did have the strength of an earth pony after all. She illuminated her horn and performed a spell that turned the dirt she dug up into a hatch door that could be pulled open. Before entering she made sure to line the ground hatch door she made up perfectly with the hole she dug up. Making sure it hid the hole and new crystalline door that was buried in the ground.

Once that was done, she entered and closed the newly made trapdoor behind her. She was now surrounded by darkness and a damp earthy smell. She wrinkled her nose at the smell as she illuminated her horn. She walked down the tunnel, slowly observing its interior with curiosity. Crystals jetted out of the walls and floor of the tunnel in clusters, some had grown from the floor into the ceiling of the tunnel. She figured they had grown like this since she was below the crystal castle, they were probably giving the castle some sort of support. Several twists and turns later, she came upon a dead end.

“What? No, this can’t be it. I said I would come back today. I have to get through this. This can’t be the end of my research!”

Panic laced her voice as she frantically started to feel the wall hoping for a switch or a lever, however, she couldn’t see any and she couldn’t feel anything either. She stopped and backed up in defeat and as she did, she felt something fall beneath her right hoof as the wall started to shake and fall revealing the dungeon on the other side.

“Huh, a floor button, how clever.”

She entered into the familiar corridor and walked slowly down it until she was again in front of Sombra’s cell. He seemed to be gazing at the wall lost in thought, or was he sleeping, she couldn’t tell. She quietly approached the bars.

SLAM!

He didn’t make a noise but jumped up and turned towards the noise. He was enraged thinking it was a new guard here to gloat, however, that rage was replaced with surprise. Instead of a guard, it was that child again.

“What!? You’re back!”

The shock was evident in his tone. Flurry smiled at him, smugly.

“Just like I promised, King Sombra! Now you’re going to tell me everything I want to know, remember, you promised.”

She said jovially. He sat down as he glared at her.

“I didn’t expect you to actually come back. I figured your father would have punished you by now since I’m guessing you're not supposed to be here. Also, why do you look so… dirty you’re royalty, don’t you have any dignity?”

He gazed daggers at her, annoyed. Her heart sank when he mentioned that she wasn't supposed to be in the dungeon. He was right she wasn’t supposed to be here, but she wanted to learn about him so badly. Her quest for knowledge burned stronger than her desire to obey her parents' rules. She shook her head and forced a smile upon her lips as she pretended not to hear that last part. She answered him happily.

“Oh, I had to find a secret passage down to the dungeons since the front entrance wasn’t an option anymore. Besides, I have dignity. I did it all in the name of research.”

Sombra rolled his eyes at her as she continued on.

“So King Sombra, tell me about Princess Amore. The first crystal princess.”

She said this as she pulled her notebook out of her saddlebag along with a quill. She cast a spell on them so they would write everything for her. She was now ready to record whatever he said. Sombra looked at her puzzled.

“What makes you think I’ll uphold my promise?”

She bit her lip and looked to the side. He was right, why should he uphold his promise to her. He didn't know her and as far as she could tell he didn’t like her. She looked back at him and gave a devilish smile, arrogance lacing her tone.

“Cause you promised King Sombra and kings always uphold their promises. But if you don’t, I can always come back and keep asking over and over again until you break.”

He grinned at her, showing off his fangs.

“Or I can yell for a guard to come to take you away.”

Her ears flattened against her skull as her eyes almost fell out of her head.

“You wouldn’t stoop so low, would you King Sombra?”

He gave her a steely-eyed glare and sighed in irritation.

“I hate the guards more than you.”

They stared at each other in silence for what felt like an eternity before he sighed in defeat. Seeing as there was no other way for him to get rid of the irritating princess, he lay down in his cell and spoke flatly.

“Clever girl. Are you sure you’re that prince’s child? You're too cunning to be his offspring.”

She raised an eyebrow with a smug look on her face, he sighed again before starting.

“She was beautiful beyond belief, her coat was a light pink-”

“Pink like mine or like my mother's?”

He huffed and gazed at her annoyed and yet somehow angered at the same time. She held her breath and mumbled,

“sorry.”

“As I was saying she had a light pink coat, maybe like a peach, it’s hard to say. Her crystal coat was always so shiny, it must have been from all the love she had. Her eyes were stunning and they shone like the sun in a bright dazzling yellow or maybe amber. Her mane and tail were long with curls much like yours. Her mane and tail were also bright pink and ended with a dark blue color. Her bangs parted in the center of her face right between her horn and they curled at the ends. Atop her head was a blue crown with a yellow heart in the center and a braid was wrapped in front of her crown. She also had some sort of head crown around her head. It dipped right between her eyes with another yellow heart on it and little blue circles hanging off it, three on each side. Around her chest was a necklace thing, I don’t know what it was but it had yet another yellow heart in the center, and around her hoofs were blue bandings. They crossed and at each cross-section, there were little yellow hearts.”

He thought to himself for a moment

“She had a thing for yellow hearts. And her cutie mark, well you’ve already seen it.”

As he said that Flurry gazed at him, her grin fell and a confused frown overtook her features.

"What do you mean; I’ve seen her cutie mark already? Also great stuff. I can't wait to have some pony paint a portrait of her.”

Sombra scowled as he rolled his eyes at her.

“The Crystal Empire’s flag. That snowflake isn’t just some random snowflake. Don’t you know where it came from?”

A lightbulb went off in Flurry’s head as she understood what he was saying instantly and she blurted out in excitement

“Oh my gosh! The snowflake on the flag is Princess Amore’s cutie mark? How cute.”

“Yeah, cute.”

He said flatly.

“She was a unicorn as tall as Celestia an-”

“She wasn’t an alicorn like me or my mother or my aunties?”

“No, she wasn’t.”

He hissed at her.

“Now as I was saying before you interrupted again, her horn was quite long but not longer than Celestia’s. She also seemed to never age. She looked the same when I saw her again as an adult. And her voice, if I recall correctly, was angelic.”

“What do you mean angelic?”

“Hmm... I would say it's better than yours. Her voice was smooth and sweet, yours is like nails on a chalkboard.”

“Hey!”

She looked at him annoyed, as he gave her a triumphant toothy grin. She huffed.

“Give me a better description.”

“I can’t. I hardly remember her voice. I just remember it was soothing to hear. It could ease your worries in an instant. The kind of voice that could soothe a crowd of angry ponies in an instant.”

“Okay, well what was it like when she ruled? Many of the books just say she was benevolent. And that she did many deeds to keep the empire safe.”

He rolled his eyes at her again.

“It was quiet, nothing happened. No foe or enemy. It was peaceful. I only know of a few and that was from books. They’re probably the same books you read about her.”

Her ears flattened.

“So, it was just like now? Peaceful?”

“Yes.”

In a matter-of-fact tone. Flurry pleaded.

“But what about her heroic deeds? Her leadership, her magic, her, her family!?”

“I don’t know anything about that. I only met her twice and neither encounter was that magical. Perhappens you’re related to her but again I don’t know.”

Flurry sat on her haunches and rubbed her temples as she pulled her face down. She pulled out his journal and opened it to the page about Amore’s shattering.

“Ugh, okay, okay so in your journal it says here that you turned her into stone and shattered her BUT you didn’t kill her. So, how can somepony find her shards, I mean no pony has even tried looking for the shards to my knowledge.”

He smiled warmly at her, Flurry felt unnerved. She figured he was a cruel monster but she didn’t think he could smile like that. She only ever saw him smile smugly or wickedly. This smile seemed surreal.

“Do you wish to find her, child?”

His tone was laced with careful, care. Flurry felt her stomach somersault as a slow fear climbed up her spine. Something seemed off about him, she replied cautiously.

“Maybe? I mean she is alive, so she should be revived. Isn't that why you left her alive?”

He closed his eyes and started to laugh. At first, it was sweet like a warm sunny day, but it slowly turned into something wicked and twisted, like a thunderstorm. Flurry shuttered at the sound.

“The only way to track her shards is to use my dark magic but no pony can use it for long. Alicorn or not you wouldn't last long using my spell plus most shards are in the Frozen North which is filled with danger so finding her is next to impossible. ‘Twas a fitting punishment for a liar like her.”

A hateful smile was painted onto his face. As his last sentence oozed with hatred and a hint of sadness. Flurry felt her heart sink, her face lost color as she thought about Princess Amore’s fate. It was a fate worse than death, she appeared to be lost forever. Until an idea crossed her mind. She perked up and smiled at him, his wicked smile faded into a frown.

“Next to impossible but not completely impossible. You can find her, so why don't you?”

His jaw fell slack, disbelief crossed his face as he heard her crazy idea. Only one word could leave his lips.

“What?”

“Yeah, I can ask my parents and you can find her and bring her back and redeem yourself. It’ll be great. Princess Amore won’t have to suffer anymore and neither will you. It’s a win-win!”

“Are you nuts!? That will never happen!”

“What, why not!?”

She whined at the caged king.

“Because one, I'm never leaving this dungeon as ordered by the princess of love herself. Two, even if I did find all the shattered shards and brought her back she would never forgive me.”

He looked down at the ground, Flurry saw it for a brief moment, she saw regret cross his features. It faded as quickly as it appeared as he continued speaking.

“I would much rather rot here with my current crimes than actually do anything to atone for my crimes. Besides, I don't rather like you royals, so aiding you is out of the question.”

“But, but, you could lessen those crimes and get out of here! You can be a better pony. I’m sure the princess would forgive you.”

Worry laced her voice as she pleaded her case to Sombra. He ignored her pleas.

“It’s impossible for me, so do it yourself...Listen I told you about Princess Amore now go away. You’re irritating me.”

He hissed at the young princess, however, Flurry wouldn’t just go away she was determined to get more information.

“But, but...The princess she can be saved I, we-"

“I said get lost!”

He roared at her, she held her breath as fear crossed her face. She let her breath go. As a thought crossed her mind, asking aloud without much thought,

“Why was she a liar?"

Sombra didn’t say anything. The tension between them grew thicker. Sombra sighed,

"She's a liar because she knew what I was but did nothing to help. She never told me or tried to help me understand. It was a poor decision on her part… It helped lead to her downfall."

Flurry tried to wrap her head around his answer but couldn't. It didn't make sense to her.

"If what you're saying is true why didn’t she-"

"I said get lost! I'm done talking about that liar."

He glared at her again, as he stood up to his full height. Even from behind the bars, Flurry could tell he was taller than her. She swallowed her building fear, as she answered him.

"Okay. Fine, I’ll stop for tonight but I’ll be back tomorrow just you wait.”

“Lovely.”

He groaned. She put both journals away as she walked away from his prison back to the secret passage. He watched her leave thinking to himself.

What an odd child? Redemption for me... How funny. A monster like myself doesn’t deserve such a thing...Still, she’s more pleasant than the guards. I just hope she doesn’t come back tomorrow like she said she would. She irritates me more than the guards or her wretched father.

She made her way back to her room. She put her saddlebag down and took out her journal. She looked over the passage the spell had written about Princess Amore. The description was perfect, her spell copied every word he spoke perfectly, she couldn't pull away from the writing. As she read the passage again for the third time she grabbed a quill and started to draw on the page next to the passage. Princess Amore was now next to the passage although she felt she didn't do her justice with her doodle. She put the quill down, as she sighed heavily.

“Poor Amore, she's destined to remain shattered forever... Maybe I’ll convince him to help her one day. After all, he can't be that bad if he left her alive. And he's been a decent acquaintance so far, for supposedly being an evil tyranny. I know I can change him.”

She smiled to herself. Her smile faded as asked aloud to herself,

"I wonder why he thinks she's a liar thought. What he said doesn't make sense? She knew he was an umbra… whatever that is… Guess, I'll learn more tomorrow."

She jumped onto her bed, a yawn escaped her lips. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.

The Crystal Heart and Faire

Flurry was exhausted, two nights in a row to talk to the imprisoned king was a bad idea, however, she didn’t care. It was well worth it, the information she was gathering about the Crystal Empire from a thousand years back was going to help her rule over the empire. She also knew she was going to use the lost information to enlighten the crystal ponies about their lost history since no textbook in the entire empire even mentioned Princess Amore or how Sombra came to power. Something she chalked up to Somber destroying the records and wiping their minds. She had light bags under her eyes, she only had about four hours of sleep and she had to keep up appearances. Sleeping in wasn’t an option. She couldn’t afford to let her parents know what she was up to. In order to avoid them today, she ran and ate breakfast as quickly as she could and bolted to the library. Neither of her parents saw her as they were just entering the dining hall as she was running out. Making it to the library in record time, she sat at her usual table and grabbed some books up in her magic, they were all about Canterlot. Although she didn’t care about Canterlot right now she had to keep up the act that she was studying the castle. She opened a book and started to read it, however, about ten pages into reading it her vision blurred as she read. Her mind repeated the same sentence over and over again till everything went dark.

~hour later~

Something was shaking her, it wasn’t violent but a light-loving shake. She groaned as she opened her eyes, turning her head slightly towards the hoof on her shoulder. Her eyes
meet her mother’s loving face, a warm smile upon her lips.

“Flurry, sweetie are you alright? You were sleeping in a book!”

Concern laced her voice and overtook her features.

“Wha? Yeah, I’m fine, just tired is all.”

“Is something going on?”

“What, no! It’s just that all these books are a bit dull. Well, that and I’m so excited about reading about Canterlot and learning about its vast history.”

Cadence cocked an eyebrow at her, giving her a look of disbelief

“Are you sure? It seems like something else is occupying your mind right now.”

Flurry looked at her mother with a curious look

“Why, what do you think? Do you think something is going on mom?”

“Well, I think you're occupied with something or with someone else?”

Flurries face turned a bright shade of crimson as embarrassment burned through her. She couldn't believe what her mother was implying

“I’m in no way infatuated with anypony right now! I'm infatuated with my research! How dare you say or imply such a thing!”

“I never said anything about liking some pony.”

Flurry looked dumbfounded, she forgot who she was dealing with. Her mother could make you spill the beans about anything she wanted and she never even had to try. It was a special talent of her mothers and it was one she feared and respected. She had watched it in action many times and always told herself that it would never work on her but that was always a lie she told herself.

“I-I um well maybe I’m a little distracted but it's not because I like somepony.”

“I know, I was teasing you. Have you forgotten what I’m the princess of, my love?”

She smiled lovingly at Flurry

“Now let’s go get some lunch, I’m guessing you’ve been napping since this morning.”

“What no! I’ve only been napping for a few minutes now! I did research today, I swear.”

She answered defensively, Cadence just smiled

“Whatever you say, dear. Now let's go, I’m sure you're starving.”

Before she could protest her stomach let out a loud growling noise. She got up reluctantly and followed behind her mother.

The rest of the day passed without any incidents, which made Flurry happy. It seemed that her secret was still safe for now as night fell upon the empire once more. She gathered her usual supplies preparing to go down to the dungeons again to talk to Sombra. She made her way to the dungeons in record time avoiding all the guards and entering the secret passage. She was once again in front of the familiar cell, however, she didn’t see Sombra inside his cell.

“Sombra?”

She asked aloud, she watched the cell carefully. Her eyes caught a glimpse of something moving in the back of the cell, approaching her. She held her breath for a moment, as a dark thought crossed her mind.

Have I been caught?

To her relief it was the all too familiar unicorn king, his ruby eyes glaring at her with disgust.

“You're back again? Your persistence is commendable, I'll give you that. However, it's also quite annoying.”

He sat in the middle of his cell, his last sentence dripped with venom aimed at her to take the hint and leave him alone. She just smiled at him as she sat in front of the cell and pulled out both journals from her saddlebag and a quill.

“Well I still have questions, King Sombra and I'll take your, ummm,... comment as a compliment. Besides, we're friends now.”

“You really shouldn’t take that as a compliment. And we're not friends.”

Lowering his gaze and snarling slightly. She ignored his disdain and looked into his journal. Flipping through some pages until she stopped and smiled triumphantly

“Aha! Here it is now in your journal you wrote ‘little did I know I was meeting my greatest enemy.’ That was about the Crystal Heart, what exactly did you mean by that? I mean on this page where you wrote ‘It was either me or the heart. Finally, I know I would never have to suffer through another Crystal Faire.’”

“It’s exactly as I wrote, child. What more do you want?”

He hissed at her, annoyed to hear her ask such ridiculous questions. She narrowed her eyes at him, frowning

“Well, I’m so sorry MR.KING! If I don’t understand what you wrote. I don’t exactly know what an umbrum is; there's no record of them anywhere besides what's in your journal. And I don’t know of any instance of the heart killing or hurting any pony either. I find this part to be very confusing. Sorry, I’m not educated on the umbrum.”

“Hmm, I suppose there wouldn’t be any record of the umbrum since they have been locked away for a millennium. Well all but me…”

He hummed, a hint of despair laced his voice. Just mentioning that his people were still imprisoned, just like him, seemed to sadden him. However, that despair quickly faded as he continued

“They, I, am a pony made of shadows and smoke, a dark being that feeds on fear and negative emotions. Although I don’t know what they look like, even my appearance now is false. They may be ponies but they don’t look like normal ponies. I imagine they are large beings with sharp jagged fangs and very powerful dark magic. Something only found in the nightmares of young children. Or maybe they are like pixies, somepony always said they had fairy friends that hid in the shadows. Either way, it doesn’t matter.”

Flurry was unsatisfied with the answer but continued her line of questions

“Okay, so then if you're an umbrum why do you look like a pony, and more importantly how did you get out of their original prison? And why did they send a kid? ”

“I don’t know why I look like a normal unicorn pony. I hypothesized that a powerful spell was cast on me to make me look like a normal pony and due to the appearance I gained; I was able to escape the prison. But that’s just a guess, besides my own, I don’t really know the nature of umbrum pony magic. I also don’t know why they sent a child, maybe it was easier to cast the spell on a child than an adult… Then again I never bothered to ask ‘why me, why did I have to suffer?’ That’s such a pain to ask because it happened so what's it matter.”

“I see…”

Did he just give up asking why cause it was easier to accept than to be upset at ponies he's never met? That bothers me but I gotta keep asking about the Crystal Heart, learning about the umbrum seems to be a dead-end, since Sombra himself doesn’t know much about them either.

“Is that why your horn is curved and smooth?”

She pointed to it, he just gazed at her unamused as he answered monotoned

“I believe it’s like this now because I awakened my dark magic. It was just like any other unicorn horn until I gained my dark magic.”

She furrowed her brow as she asked a new question,

“So how exactly is the Crystal Heart your enemy? It’s an artifact that's been here for a long time and it spreads love and joy throughout all of Equestria. It was even here when you were growing up.”

As she finished speaking she realized why it was his enemy, he said so himself the umbrum, the creature he was, fed on fear and negative emotions. The heart probably purified what they needed to survive and thus was a threat. She also hypothesized that the heart’s magic was the complete opposite to any umbrums and thus it needed to destroy what was bad. His voice snapped her out of her thoughts

“It’s the enemy because it can kill me. It also keeps the seal on the umbrum in place so they can’t escape their prison. Besides keeping the Frozen North's weather away, it's a seal and threat to my people… It has already caused me much pain; ever since I saw the thing for the first time.”

“Right, it made you sick when you were young and the faire helps keep the heart powered up. No, wonder you cursed the heart and stole it. I'm guessing you cursed the faire too. I mean any pony would fear death if they were told ‘If you have not removed the heart by the next Crystal Faire. It will destroy you.’ I understand why you took it.”

He raised an eyebrow at her

“What are you talking about? Sure enough, I was indeed told the faire would kill me that year if I didn’t steal the heart. But I never cursed the faire. I only cursed the crystal ponies and the princess who powered the heart. The ponies who hated me and caused all my pain and sorrow. And the princess who knew everything and said nothing till it was too late.”

His face contorted into a rage just recalling the princess and the crystal ponies. Flurry was confused

“You never cursed the faire? But it made you sick and you hated that feeling didn’t you? Or at least weren’t you tricked into believing the heart and empire was your enemy?”

“Of course, I hated being sick. Who would want that ailment? Unable to move, a fever, no appetite, and pain throughout your whole body. It made me feel like death was always upon me that day. But I only ever wanted to see the faire, something you could never understand. I also don’t know if I was tricked but I’m guessing you're talking about what that red crystal told me.”

She nodded.

“At that time I was upset and filled with grief, anxiety, and anger. Anything said to me at that time would have swayed me. I suppose now that I think about it I may have been tricked or used to benefit another. But fate has a funny way of making everything that’s supposed to happen, happen. If I didn’t have that encounter with the red crystal then something else would have caused me to realize my dark heritage. ”

“Wait, you're just NOW thinking about that!?”

He felt insulted that she thought he wouldn’t have come to that concussion on his own. He answered her

“No, I've had these kinds of thoughts for years now. Isolation in this prison has given me time to think about my poor choices, however, we're not discussing that right now. Get back to the topic at hoof.”

Anger filled his voice as Flurry frowned but complied with his request as she continued from where she left off

“Fine, so the Crystal Faire which powers the Crystal Heart would kill you? How are you still here now? Since I’m guessing you’ve been here for a number of years.”

“I’ve been down here sixteen years now; do you listen at all? Well, whatever. I suppose I haven’t succumbed to the heart's vile attack every year because I assume I’m too far down to feel its effects. Or the spell used to bring me back was powerful enough that I can’t die right now.”

Flurry suddenly felt a ping of guilt for him. Now knowing that all he wanted was to see the crystal faire and even now trapped in the empire he still couldn't see the faire. She folded her ears asking

“You really wanted to see the faire didn’t you?”

“More than anything. Every year I hoped and every year was the same thing, disappointment.”

He answered, looking straight at her. She noticed he wasn't looking at her but through her. Looking at something that wasn’t there. Her ears flattened as she dropped her gaze to the light blue floor.

“I’m sorry to tell you, Sombra but the Crystal Faire already happened this year. Maybe next year you can see it.”

She said hopefully but her words echoed in his ears, as silence took over the pair in the dungeon. The air felt colder to her as she watched Sombra. He appeared to be lost in thought, he suddenly got up and walked back towards the darkness that lined the back of his cell. Flurry watched him, trying to stop him before he disappeared

“Ah wait, don't go yet. I just want to know why you still want to see the faire after all this time?”

He looked back at her and she could see that deep in his eyes despair filled them.

Is he depressed about never seeing the faire?... Did I make a mistake?

It felt like a knife was digging into her heart.

“Because it’s all she ever wanted to do with me. It is after all ‘ the most magical celebration in all of Equestria. It’s the most beautiful thing in the world.’ But alas a monster can never dream of seeing something so beautiful. Now, can they.”

His words weighed heavily as he disappeared back into the cell, Flurry had tears in her eyes. She put everything back in her bag peering back at the cell,

“I’ll be back again... If it's worth anything… I don't think you're a monster. And I'll make sure you see the fair next year with me.”

No response, only the cold silence that sat between them. She sighed heavily in disappointment as she turned away to leave

Your Life

Flurry was sitting in her room just looking at the last passage the spell wrote. Sombra’s words echoing in her mind ‘A monster can never dream of seeing something so beautiful. She didn’t really understand why after all these years he still believed he was a monster. She had learned from her mother to love and respect everypony and everycreature. Auntie Celestia taught her that every pony was capable of changing and Auntie Luna taught her to forgive ponies for their past mistakes. Her favorite aunt, Auntie Twilight had taught her that everypony deserved friendship. So why was he still imprisoned? Was what he did so bad? Was what he did really unforgivable? She couldn't make sense of it; they had forgiven Discord, a creature that threw Equestria into total chaos. Twilight had forgiven Starlight even though she had apparently destroyed the world several times over, and Starlight even learned the magic of friendship. Celestia herself forgave Luna when she came back and was no longer Nightmare Moon. Luna even changed into a better pony to make up for her past mistakes. Even the changelings changed and were now allies with Equestria. Knowing all this she just couldn't understand why no pony tried to change Sombra or give him a chance. Was it because he wasn't really a pony or was it because he refused to talk to anypony? It could have been his personality, he is difficult to talk to. And the fact that only guards and her parents visited the dungeon bothered her. Flurry looked at the passage again, her thoughts swirled together.

Why do you think you're a monster? Did no pony try to befriend you again? Did anypony even talk to you? I don't think what you did was that bad, well compared to what Discord did, what you did was nothing really. But then again all the books I’ve read just say that he enslaved everypony and then cursed them. Is that really any different than Discord or Starlight? Is it really so bad to want to live? I guess the way he went about it was wrong but still? I just don’t understand why he’s still imprisoned. He’s clearly not a threat and he seems so… sad deep down… Why is he still imprisoned?’

Flurry put the book down and sighed as she spoke to no one

“I think I’ll give him a few days before I question him again. Besides, that’ll give me some time to do more research on Canterlot Castle and catch up on sleep.”

She yawned all the way to her bed. She jumped up onto it and drifted off to sleep.

Two days had gone by before Flurry had decided to go back to the dungeons. She had new material to work with since she went and visited the Canterlot library to see their records. She had found out that Sombra had come back, after his original defeat by Uncle Spike. Though he was defeated by her Auntie Twilight and friends. After his defeat, he was apparently destroyed by the elements of harmony. However, that information couldn't be true since he was imprisoned below the castle. She figured they rewrote history in order to ensure peace and hide the truth from the public. It wasn’t much but it was something new she could question him about, she was armed with her saddlebag ready to go. She moved swiftly through the dark corridors of the castle reaching the garden in no time. Before she opened the passage she stopped and looked at the crystal roses, she remembered how he seemed when she left. Depressed and lonely. She decided to pick some roses, grabbing a bunch in her magic. She smiled brightly at them

“I hope these will make you happy, Sombra. You deserve some happiness.”

With the flowers in her magical embrace, she opened the passage and descended down into it, as somepony watched her from afar.

“Oh, King Sombra! I’m back~.”

In a sing-song voice, Flurry looked right at the gray unicorn. For once he was sitting near the bars looking out at her. He replied ruefully

“You're back. What took you, you didn't come yesterday or the day before that? I thought you had given up or been caught in the act.”

To her surprise, he admitted he was waiting for her in his own weird way. Flurry smiled awkwardly

“You were waiting for me?”

“I have nothing better to do.”

He turned his head slightly away from her, hiding the relief that overtook his features. Her smile widened

“Well, I wanted to give you some space since last time you seemed, you know, mad. And besides, I brought you these.”

She pulled the crystal roses out from behind her back levitating them over to the cell. Surprise overtook his features, no pony in their right mind would bring him something so, so lovely. He raised an eyebrow and cocked his head as he asked curiously

“Why did you bring me these? Whatever possessed you to do that, bringing me a gift?”

Her smile slowly turned into a frown

“Well last time I made you feel bad so I thought this might cheer you up. Since I’m guessing you only ever look at the dark hallways and floors and maybe a guard once in a while. I thought something pretty would...I don’t know, make you feel better. ”

He just looked at the roses, a genuine smile spread across his lips.

“Although I appreciate the gesture, child, I cannot accept them.”

“What!?”

She almost dropped the roses as her jaw fell slack, he looked somewhat amused

“I can’t accept them because I can’t even take them, the barrier around my cell keeps my magic and me in. Also, nothing can enter this barrier unless Shining Armor allows it to enter, so your gift will go to waste.”

Flurry looked disappointed as she sat down in front of the cell, placing the flowers down in front of her.

“Well, I guess you can admire them from afar. Right?”

“Yes, I suppose. I can do that.”

She proceeded to pull out her notebook and quill. Ready to start her interview today

“Alright, so how did you come back the first time?”

He looked puzzled asking bitterly

“Clarify your question. It's vague."

"You know after you were sealed away the first time. In the Frozen North."

"So when Luna and Celestia banished me to the ice in the Frozen North?”

“Yes.”

His eyes darted back and forth, confusion was evident on his face.

“I just came back, they only banished me for a thousand years. They seem to like the thousand-year thing as evident with Discord and Nightmare Moon. So when a thousand years passed I came back along with the Empire. I only cursed the Empire to be gone for as long as I was gone. And over the years the magic seal breaks down.”

“Soooo, how did you come back the second time? I mean you were banished again. Resealed into the icy north. Right?”

She put her hoof in front of her mouth, raising her eyebrows in amusement. She noticed his gaze. Highly unamused and disappointed in her. She whispered.

“Sorry.”

He rolled his eyes speaking monotone.

“I’m surprised you don’t know that.”

She looked puzzled, frowning at him.

“What do you mean?”

He snickered.

“Grogar.”

Her ears flattened, eyes bulging out as her breath failed her, she raised her hoof to her mouth. Her mind numbed. Grogar was a true monster, if Sombra was king of monsters as he claimed then Grogar was the god of the monsters. Grogars tales of evil were fairy tales told to children, until recently. When he had returned and sought Equestria's demise. She dared to ask.

“How? How would I know that? Grogar was only spoken of in recent texts and even they don’t mention you, only his accomplices.”

“He was a powerful mage even greater than I or Discord. He used a very powerful necromancing spell to bring me back from the ethereal plane.”

“Wait, so when Spike gave my mom the Crystal Heart they really did… you know... kill you.”

She whispered the last part as if the word itself was taboo. Sombra just looked at her slightly annoyed

“Yes it did, although who’s this Spike you speak of?”

Flurry was shocked that wasn’t the reaction she was expecting

“Um, Spike is the dragon who brought my mom the Crystal Heart when the Empire reappeared. You tried to kill him, I think.”

He looked confused.

“Was there a dragon? I only remember Cadenza grabbing the heart while it fell. After she got the heart it was all over for me the first time. ”

She just looked at him surprised.

“Seriously!? You don’t remember the dragon at all? How do you not remember the dragon!? There was a statue of him, you had to have seen it when you invaded again. He's purple and green, spines on his head down to his tail!”

He just shrugged at her, she puffed up her cheeks and breathed out heavily.

“Okay, whatever. So why did Grogar revive you?”

“Simple really, he wanted me to help him in his scheme, however, I don’t do teamwork. So he said ‘If you can retake your Empire then I’ll leave you be’ or something along those lines. I don’t really care what his reasons for bringing me back were, all I know is that he also failed to destroy Equestria. He failed just like the rest of us failed. We all failed and succumbed to Princess Twilight and her friends.”

Flurry looked confused again.

“How could you know that?”

He huffed.

“Simple, you're alive and you said you're sixteen, I attacked you when you were an infant. Therefore I can deduce that he failed because if his plan succeeded we’d all be dead.”

She was stunned, she didn’t think he figured that out but then again she was underestimating him, again. If he couldn’t figure that out then he wasn't a very smart pony. She knew he was quite intelligent, just from reading his journal. He mentioned his love for puzzles and books as a colt many times in his journal.

“Okay, so Grogar."

She shivered at the name.

“Brought you back to life. How did you survive all this time, if the Crystal Heart is supposed to kill you.”

“I told you already, I don’t know. I’m guessing it’s because Grogar’s spell was very powerful and because of how powerful it is the heart is having a hard time killing me. Or again it’s because I’m too far from the heart for it to affect me. I don't feel ill anymore when the faire date approaches, whenever it is. It's probably the latter… I suppose the heart is slowly chipping away at my life. Biding its time to kill me.”

Before Flurry could say another word they heard something down the hall, a voice slowly approaching getting louder with each step.

“This job is easy. All you have to do is check on the prisoner every few days or so and escort the food server down here.”

Sombra got to his hoofs, speaking in a whisper.

“You better hide, the guards are coming. If they see you, you’ll never be allowed back here and we can’t have that can we?”

He flashed her a smile as her horn illuminated, making her disappear before his eyes.
The guards, one a pegasus the other a unicorn. The unicorn approached the crystal cell looking at Sombra in disgust.

“Well, well I’ll be damned. I thought this position was a joke but there really is a prisoner here. And it's the infamous King Sombra. Ha, oh how the mighty have fallen.”

The unicorn guard chuckled at Sombra, Sombra answered monotoned.

“You must be new. Great another one, tell me are you as stupid as you look?”

The guard’s face flushed red as he grabbed Sombra by the throat with his magic, rage consumed him.

“You're a pathetic pony who couldn’t even take back the Empire. You're a failure, so why is a failure like you looking down on me! You smug jerk!”

“Did I strike a nerve? You dolt.”

Sombra choked out. His magic grip tightened, Sombra struggled to breathe, however, he refused to show any weakness to this thug. Before he could tighten his grip again his partner put his hoof on his shoulder.

“Dude let it go, he's not worth it. Just leave him alone before you kill him. Besides, we're supposed to be making sure the prisoner stays here. We aren’t allowed to harm him. And you're acting out of line, he's always smug, get used to it.”

He looked at his partner and released his magical grip.

“Huh, fine I guess you're right. I just didn’t expect this to be real. At least hurting him felt good. Huh, whatever, let's go back to the post, there's nothing he can do anyway.”

The pegasus watched the newbie head towards the entrance he sighed heavily.

“Why are you always so smug to everypony?... Sorry about my new partner.”

A hollow apology.

"You know I hate your apologies. You've been doing it for years. When will you stop apologizing for somepony else's mistakes and poor behavior?"

The guard didn’t answer; he turned around and left. Silence set in around the dungeon. Flurry released her spell tears falling down her eyes, fear evident on her face. Sombra coughed.

“I hate new guards *cough* *cough* They always think, there so tough. *cough* *cough* Such fools.”

Flurry sat up and held her stomach.

“Wh-why did he do that, you can’t do anything to anypony? It was awful. It was mean and and…”

“One new guard gets switched in every three months. Looks like it’s been three months already, it does hurt but the pain always subsides. As to why they do it I’ll never really understand. I’m already down on my luck so why beat me down? I just assume, it's to show off how strong they are or how much they resent me. I brainwashed everypony, perhaps it's revenge.”

Flurry didn’t respond, she closed her eyes and breathed out.

“That isn’t right I-I’ll tell my father he’ll stop them from hurting you. They shouldn’t do that, it's wrong. No pony deserves this, you're alive whether you're a bad pony or not.”

“Don’t bother, if you tell him you lose your research material. Besides, it hardly hurts. They are rather weak. I’m stronger than I look, you know. I don’t need your sympathy.”

Flurry felt a pit form in her stomach, however, she knew he was right, she begrudgingly looked away as she put her notebook and quill away. She spoke her voice was shaky.

“I’m done for today, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Sombra just watched her, he looked down at the roses and back at her

“You better be back, I’ve grown to somewhat enjoy your company girl.”

She looked over her shoulder back at him stunned to hear such a thing, she started to think she imagined it but could tell from the look on his face she didn’t. She headed to the secret passage and whisper to herself

“I’ll be back.”

She exited the hidden passage and darted out of the garden, the night was her shroud as she reached the door and left the garden.

“I saw somepony found a secret passage in my garden. I’ll have to inform the princess of this.”

A lone figure watched the silhouette from behind the azalea bushes.

Why do you answer me?

It was past ten when Flurry awoke the next day. She was running very late. She never slept in like this. She rushed around in a haze getting her notebooks and research books all together. As soon as she opened her door to rush to the library she bumped into somepony. She looked up ready to apologize when she met her father’s eyes. Her eyes widened
“Oh, daddy! Hi, what are you doing here?”
“I’m checking on you. It's past ten in the morning, you never sleep this late.”
“Yeah, well I was up late last night studying the castle and then I found an interesting read on Celestia’s school.”
She smiled awkwardly at her dad; he just looked back and gave a loving smile.
“Okay, well make sure you know when to stop and get some sleep, honey.”
He turned to leave. She followed behind him til she turned left towards the kitchen while he stayed straight. As she walked to the kitchen she thought to herself.

Dad went straight; he didn’t follow me. Usually, he would follow me since he would eat breakfast with me. Even if I’m running late. What could be so important that he wouldn't come eat with me?

She stopped thinking about it as she reached the kitchen and grabbed a muffin off the counter. Then headed towards the library.

Shining Armor was headed straight to the guards that were posted at the dungeon. They had reported that they had found something strange, something that he had to see. This worried him. He knew who was down there and couldn’t help but wonder what Somber could have done to warrant a reaction like this from his guards. What could it be? Were his black crystals escaping the cell again? Did he have to reinforce his barrier spell again? His mind raced as he approached the two guards; the one was holding something in his magic. Shining approached the pair, his face was pulled into a stern frown and his voice was strong as he asked.
“What happened?”
The unicorn guard stepped up and saluted his captain
“Sir, we found these on the floor outside of the prisoner's cell this morning.”
He pulled out the crystal roses, they were still vibrant even after being picked. Shining looked at them puzzled.
“Roses?”
“Yes sir.”
“Where did they come from?”
The pegasus guard answered.
“We don't know sir, they were on the floor outside his cell and he refused to answer us. My new partner wasn’t very helpful by the way.”
The pegasus guard sneered at the unicorn, Shining Armor didn't hear that last part as he looked down the corridor towards the dungeon.

What fool would break into the castle, just to give him flowers?... What pony even knows he is down here?

He closed his eyes and breathed in. Trying to quell his racing mind. He released his breath and addressed the guards.
“Alright, I’m going down there. No need to come along, he wouldn’t dare hurt me.”
The two guards stepped aside as Shining Armor walked by grabbing the roses in his magic. He walked down the corridor of the dungeon, hatred consuming him as he stopped in front of the only occupied cell. He opened the door to the cell entering as he did he cast a protective spell on himself to ensure his safety. He looked at the prisoner who was still asleep. Anger and hatred overtook his features as he grabbed the prisoner in his magic and threw him violently against the far wall. Cracks started radiating out from the spot he was thrown into.
“Alright, Sombra. Where did you get these?”
He held the roses up and grabbed Sombra again in his magic as he hissed violently. Sombra coughed and answered smugly.
“Good morning to you, too.”
He looked at the roses that Shining Armour held up. He looked back at Shining Armor giving him a smug grin.
“Why, whatever do you mean, you know I can’t leave. Even if I could, you don’t think I would come back here, do you?”
Shining tightened his magical grip on Sombra. Shining, grinded his teeth together, knowing that this beast was right.
“So, who came to see you then? Who gave you these?”
His voice was stern as he addressed Sombra. Sombra was somewhat delighted to see the prince in such disarray over some flowers. He answered, arrogance laced his tone.
“If I knew, why would I tell you?”
A triumphant smile crossed his lips, revealing his fangs. Shining dropped him and threw the roses at him most of which fell apart as they hit him. He turned to leave. Before he left he spoke bitterly.
“I’ll find out who it is, Sombra. Just wait, they'll be down here with you soon.”
“We’ll see about that.”
Sombra taunted Shining, as he watched him leave. He lowered his stance and started coughing violently. Sombra fell slightly as he opened his eyes. The coughing fit ended only for him to see red puddles covering the dark blue floor of his cage. He sat down and brought a hoof up to his neck feeling the spot that Shining had grabbed him. He brought his other hoof to his mouth wiping away the warm red liquid, eyeing it. He whispered to himself
“You're the only one who ever actually puts any real force into your assault. I was starting to forget what blood looked like.”

~evening~

Flurry was sitting in her usual spot on the dungeon floor. As she looked at Sombra she noticed he was sitting further away than usual. She wanted to ask why but decided not to instead she asked.
“Hey, Sombra, why are you answering my questions? Every book I’ve read says that you were a unicorn with a heart as black as night. I figured you wouldn’t answer me. Or at least would have pushed me away more.”
He stared at her
“A question like that wasn't part of the deal.”
Her ears folded back as she smiled awkwardly.
“Well, I know. But I was just curious. I mean, I think you like me as a friend and I think we're friends.”
He looked at her, emotionless. Flurry’s stomach felt like a rock was sitting in it; she couldn't figure out what was wrong with him. He seemed to be disconnected or uninterested like his mind was somewhere else.
“You should stick with your normal questions. I imagine you won't be coming here much longer.”
Confusion overtook her face
“What do you mean by that?”
The roses or what was left of them were dropped in front of the bars to Sombra’s prison. They were being held in a red magical embrace. He spoke, monotoned.
“Shining Armor, your father, came to see me today. And guess what?”
He waited for her to answer but she didn’t say anything. She kept her eyes on the roses. He continued.
“He knows someone has been seeing me. Unfortunately, your gift may as well be your downfall.”
“Gift? Oooohhhhh”
Realization set in. She didn’t think the guards had noticed them the other night since one was too busy tormenting Sombra. While the other didn't even care what was happening. She bit her lip, looking around.
“Well, I-I’ll do something about it, it's fine. Don’t worry about it.”
She gave him a reassuring smile, he sighed looking away from her.
“If you say so.”
Flurry was surprised that he didn’t have a witty retort for her. He kept the roses in her line of sight as he dropped them. She sighed and smiled asking nervously.
“Okay, so why are you answering my questions? Is it because I’m a princess and super cute?”
He snickered at her.
“No, nothing like that. I don’t care that you're a princess. I also don’t think you're cute at all.”
She furrowed her brow as he continued speaking.
“I don’t really, know either. I do really, hate you crystal ponies but every other pony who came to see me before, were either guards and they aren’t very pleasant as you saw. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza visits once in a while but never says anything; she only checks on the spell on the cell. Hmm, I suppose after sixteen years of isolation you were refreshing to see and talk to. That and you surprised me saying you wanted to talk to me. No pony has wanted to speak to me in a thousand years. It was...nice?... I suppose I’m going crazy since I appear to enjoy your presence.”
He questioned his last words. She blushed in embarrassment.
“W-w-what thats...I um.*ahem* That's really, sad.”
He looked at her mildly amused. She asked defensively.
“What it is.”
“Why were you so flustered, it's not like I said I loved you. I only enjoy your company…. Barely.”
A smile crossed his lips and a devilish look appeared in his eye at least she thought it did.
“Unless you do like me more than a research project.”
“What no! That's crazy. Besides you don’t even like me that much. Plus were friends, friends.”
She emphasized the last word.
“Well, you're right about that. I tolerate you more than I used to.”
Flurry averted her eyes, as she got up.
“Well, I’m done for today besides I have to do something important tomorrow and I can’t be tired. I’ll see you later.”
"How sad, you're leaving already."
Flurry looked at him, a bit bewildered asking.
"What will you miss me?"
He scoffed at her.
"Hardly. It's just that you came down and that is all you wanted today… Seems odd to me is all."
Flurry's budding smile died as a frown replaced it.
"Sorry to disappoint you but I really, only had one question tonight. But you know I'll be back tomorrow."
He watched her leave thinking to himself.

That pony is an enigma that I’ll never understand.
He looked at the ruined roses again.
However, she is a little glimpse of happiness that I don’t deserve in this dungeon. When her parents force her to stop or when she decides she has all the information she needs and stops coming, I suppose I’ll actually, miss her. How funny that is, yet fitting since isolation is the cruelest punishment one can give...Friends huh? She's nuts. I don't have friends...not anymore.

He looked at the remainder of the roses and stomped on them completely, destroying them. Speaking to no one but himself.
“Honestly, I answer you cause if I didn’t I would surely have gone mad by now. I assume I already have since I would never have answered you five years ago. That and the isolation and torment from the guards is tiring… How pathetic I actually, miss real conversation and somepony to talk to…. Some monster I turned out to be. I’m just like any other pony… No like any other creature.”

It was late but Cadence was still up pacing in her room. She was worried about what Shining Armor had told her about Sombra. She looked at Shining and asked panic in her voice.
“You don’t think he can get out of his prison do you?”
Shining came over and held her.
“No, I don't think so. I think somepony is going down to the dungeon and seeing him.”
Cadence's face was consumed by fear. She bit her lip.
“But who would do that? He’s evil and only the most trusted guards are allowed to guard the dungeon. Who could-”
Just then a knock on their door interrupted their conversation. The two looked at each other as another knock came from the door. Cadence breathed out and regained her composure, speaking calmly.
“You may enter.”
To her surprise, it was the gardener, Tulip Star, an earth pony with a soft lavender coat and light blue mane and tail. She entered and bowed to her princess and prince clearing her throat before addressing them.
“My princess, I came to tell you that somepony was seen entering the garden after hours.”
The pair looked at each other confused. Shining asking
“How do you know that and what proof do you have of that?”
She smiled smugly.
“I saw the pony using a secret tunnel under my daisy patch, also a patch of blue crystal roses was picked and is missing. Those roses aren’t supposed to be picked unless a royal orders it.”
They looked at each other Cadence asking
“Are you implying one of us was down there?”
She shrank a little as she answered
“What!? No, of course not but I think somepony else did. Some pony who likes to study things in depth.”
Shining didn’t like what she was implying but sadly couldn’t rule out the possibility, after all, Flurry was just recently obsessively researching the Crystal Empire’s history.
“Tulip Star, leave now!”
“But I-I didn’t mean to offend you my liege it's just my daisies are all ruined and I know that the princess had been looking at old maps of the castle I just think maybe she-”
“LEAVE NOW!”
He snapped at her and waved his hoof at her dismissing her. Her ears folded against her skull. She had never seen the prince like that before and it scared her. She didn’t mean to upset him but she did as she was told and left. They watched as she left them. They turned to each other. Shining saying what Cadence was thinking.
“You don’t think Flurry would go down there do you?”
Cadence looked down her heart was breaking as she answered.
“I do. You know she takes after your side of the family when she starts looking into things she is interested in. When that happens nothing can stop her.”
Shining frowned asking.
“But we never mentioned that anypony was in the dungeon. How could she have figured that out? All records lead to a dead end. Plus all the books on the Crystal Empire say that he was destroyed how could she-”
“I DON’T KNOW SHINY!”
Cadence yelled at him tears falling down her face as she breathed in and out.
“I don’t know but we're either going to have to watch her or confront her with this.”
Shining walked over to Cadence and hugged her, saying.
“We'll talk to her about it.”
They stayed like that way for a while, holding each other in a warm embrace before going to bed.

Falling apart

Flurry was staring down the table at her parents. They seemed to be looking at her more than usual; they were also very quiet today. She finished eating her waffles questioning both her parents.
“Are you guys okay? You're acting odd.”
“What? We're fine honey, just interested in you is all.”
Cadence admitted. Shining gave her a reassuring smile. Flurry smiled back as she got up to leave. Shining yelled.
“Hold on Flurry!”
She stopped in her tracks and gazed at her father. She sat down in the nearest chair, asking.
“What is it?”
“Uh, how are the studies going?”
“They're great did you know Canterlot Castle is older than the original castle of the two sisters by about two hundred years.”
“Oh, how fascinating.”
Shining said painfully. Cadence held her hoof to her forehead thinking to herself.
Shining, what are you doing, just ask her about the roses. If you won’t, I will.
Cadence smiled and lowered her hoof.
“So, Flurry, did you take any crystal roses from the garden? Tulip Star, the gardener, noticed some missing.”
Flurry looked at her mother, internally, she was screaming that she was busted but externally she played it cool.
“I did. Sorry, I should have told you. I took some to make a potion but it didn’t quite work out the way I had hoped it would.”
She smiled at Cadence as her parents both exchanged glances at the other. They returned to looking at her as both asked in union.
“What potion?”
“Oh, one to help with fires but like I said it didn’t work.”
She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, she hated lying to her parents but if they thought she was seeing Sombra they would have asked her directly about it instead of tiptoeing around the issue. She then got up before they could question her anymore.
“Well, I’m heading to the library now. I’m going to look through Celestia’s school archives next. I want to know how many students she’s had as personal students. You know before Auntie Twilight.”
They watched her as she exited towards the library, the two of them shared disappointed looks. They asked each other.
“What are we going to do?”

Flurry reached the library and grabbed the record books in her magic. They were delicate since they were from a thousand years ago. She had Twilight send them over a few days ago. She started looking through them trying to find anything about Radiant Hope. She remembered that in Sombra’s journal, he mentioned that she had gotten a letter to attend the school after her cutie mark appeared. She was looking to see if she did attend the school after Sombra and the Crystal Empire had been sealed away. She read through countless books at a breakneck pace reading about a hundred words per minute. She finally found her name in record book number twelve. she yelled triumphantly.
“Ah ha! There you are, now let's see. ‘Radiant Hope, unicorn, of the Crystal Empire, healing magic that rivals the princesses' own magic. After losing her home to the curse of King Sombra she studied with Princess Celestia and Luna as their personal student. However, shortly after she quit her studies and left the school. She was seemingly depressed about losing her home to the evil king’s curse. She was also the one who informed the princesses about his rise to power and the only one to escape his curse. Some ponies believe that she knew the evil king. Their relation is unknown, however, it is suspected that she loved and cared about him.’”
She read the page over and over again looking for more information about her. She bookmarked the page as she grabbed another book on the royal history of the princesses. Looking through the book carefully making sure she didn’t miss a page but there was no record of a Princess Radiant Hope either. Flurry put the book down and again turned to the record books from Celestia’s school, her brow furrowed.
“She never became a princess? But why?”
She looked over the information again, her eyes landing on the sentence that mentioned how she allegedly loved Sombra. Putting the book down she could only guess as to what that truly meant.
“She didn’t leave her studies because of the Empire. She left because of Sombra. I bet that she loved him just like how he loves her.”
Tears formed in her eyes.
“How sweet. Somepony did love him…But why did he listen to that red crystal? Fear and anxiety can't overcome true love. He should have known she loved him. Unless they never told each other how they felt.”
She just looked down letting her tears fall, just then she heard a voice.
“Flurry are you ok? How's the research coming?”
“Uncle Sunburst!”
She wiped her tears away.
“Oh, it's coming along here.”
She bookmarked the pages she was reading and slammed the books closed. She quickly pulled a map out of her saddle bag and tossed it over to him. It was the map she had made, she didn’t forget about the lie she had told him and was keeping up with it. She had been marking and checking out secret passages every night before dinner knowing he would ask her for a map soon. He looked at it while adjusting his glasses.
“Amazingly, there aren’t a lot but the ones that are here are very extravagant and seem to have branching paths. Amazing work Flurry. Oh, how was that one in the garden by the way?”
“It led to a dead end so I didn’t bother adding it.”
“Oh, okay. Uh, are you sure you're okay? I saw you crying?”
"I'm fine just some dust in my eye is all."
He nodded his head as he looked at the map. He started to head towards the exit of the library. Flurry watched as he left the library lost in thought, she turned back to her research.

Cadence was on her way to the library when she spotted Sunburst, eyes glued to a piece of paper in front of him. She trotted over to him and started walking next to him asking.
“What are you reading there, Sunburst?”
“Oh, it's a map Flurry made of all the hidden passages in the castle.”
Cadence perked up at hearing this as a slow knot started forming in her stomach.
“So, Flurry made it.”
“Yes, it's quite detailed. I’m surprised she made it in only four or so days.”
“Is there a passage in the garden on that map?”
“Oh, Flurry didn’t add it, she said it was a dead end and she didn’t want to add any dead ends to the map.”
“Is it really a dead end? How do you know she didn’t lie to you?”
Sunburst finally tore his eyes from the map to look at the pony who just suggested Flurry Heart was a liar. As he did his eyes met a lovely pair of purple eyes and the only pony who could make him stumble in his horseshoes.
“Oh, P-princess Cadence! I-I didn’t see you there. I um.”
He cleared his throat
“W-why would you think Flurry lied about that passage in the garden...w-wait how do you know there's a passage in the garden?”
“You just told me.”
She smiled warmly at him, as he returned it with an awkward smile.
“Oh, right well, I uh wasn’t supposed to tell you this. Sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?”
“Well, it was supposed to be a surprise about all the passages. Flurry was studying them so she could map them out and give you a completed map of them. So, there wouldn’t be any more surprises in the castle.”
Her stomach felt heavy.
“Funny, she told me and Shinny that she was studying the Canterlot Castle and Celestia’s school. I wonder why she’s studying both?”
Sunburst knew she was an advid researcher and studying three things at once wasn’t a problem for her but the way Cadence sounded bothered him.
“Well, it was supposed to be a surprise for you and she does tend to study multiple things at once. She is a fast reader so she didn’t really lie, she just didn’t tell the whole truth.”
He smiled nervously; Cadence shook her head in disagreement.
“No, Sunburst she lied to me, Shiny, and you. I think there is a passage in the garden and it leads to the dungeons.”
Sunburst shuddered at the mention of the dungeons; he knew who was down there but he had to keep it a secret until Flurry was ruling over the empire. He asked cautiously.
“How do you know she lied to you?”
“Some guards brought Shining Armor, a small bouquet of crystal roses that were placed in front of that monster’s cell. We asked her if she took some and although she admitted to taking some she lied about where they went. Said she used them for a potion.”
Sunburst's heart sank as he fell to the ground in shock, Flurry lied to her parents and him about what she was doing. He looked at her as one question came to mind.
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know Sunburst, I don’t know.”

Radiant Hope

Flurry couldn’t wait to meet Sombra tonight; she had done as much research as she could on the only thing left to ask about, Radiant Hope. The only pony he gave any attention to in his journal even more than himself. She finished dinner and headed off to bed early, wanting to get down to the dungeon as quickly as possible. She grabbed everything she needed and locked the door to her room as she teleported right into the garden, just in front of the hidden passage. She lifted up the hatch and entered, unbeknownst to her that somepony was watching from afar. She reached the dead end and pushed the tile that led to the dungeon, the dungeon felt colder than usual. She ignored the cold and smiled as she ran the rest of the way to Sombra’s cell. She made it to his cell and took a deep breath.
“Sombra! I’m back and not only do I have some questions for you, I also have news for you!”
He emerged from the darkness that laced the back of his cell, sitting in his usual spot as he folded his front hoofs over each other.
“News? What is it? And stop yelling like that the guards will hear you if you do. They already suspect somepony is seeing me. If you yell like that, they’ll find you.”
Annoyance was evident in his tone. She just smiled as she sat down and pulled out her notebook and quill. She sat up straight.
“It's fine. I won’t get caught, I have an invisibility spell, remember? Okay, so first I wanted to tell you that I found a record about Radiant Hope in Celestia’s records for her school. She was taught by Celestia and Luna when she was a student at their school.”
Genuine surprise washed over him as he stared at her, it was short-lived as his usual expression came back. That frown and hardened look with deep suppressed despair buried in his eyes. This bothered Flurry; she thought he would be happier and ask her questions about what she found. She thought they had become friends or at least acquaintances.
“I see. Well good for her. She went to Celestia's school after all.”
He was monotoned as he congratulated Hope’s accomplishment. Flurry let the words hang there as she furrowed her brow.
I was hoping for a happier reaction. Maybe if I ask him about her directly.
“Can you tell me what she looked like? I can have somepony draw a picture of her.”
He raised an eyebrow, asking.
“Why would I do that?”
It was slight but she could hear anger buried in his tone.
“Cause we're friends?”
She forced the words out; they were strained and were more of a question than a statement. He snorted; rolled his eyes and began speaking.
“Fine.”
He hissed at her.
“She was a crystal unicorn with the most hideously, brilliant sky-blue eyes you will ever see. Her crystal coat was purple, a rich purple. I swear it was the most perfect blend of blue and red.”
Flurry noticed how his tone shifted from anger and rage to joy and admiration. She listened carefully to what he was saying, she wanted to know more about the pony he loved, as her magic quill recorded every detail.
“And her mane and tail, a lovely shade of light blue or more of a cerulean. Her bangs hung from one side of her head slightly covering her left eye and it covered the base of her horn. While the rest fell along her neck one piece curled up and the rest fell flat. Her tail was perfect, no curl or wave just perfectly straight to a degree. Her voice was more perfect than Princess Amores. Sweet yet hopefully always full of wonder whenever she spoke and her cutie mark. I could never forget it. I'm the reason she finally got it.”
He remarked in his usually smug tone.
“It was a golden staff that had a ball on the top of it. The ball had a pair of golden wings from it and two snakes coiled around it, a healing sign, a caduceus I believe it's called. She was gifted in healing.”
Again he spoke with pride and joy. Flurry couldn't figure out why he claimed he hated her or why he seemed to want to hurt her. Even if she supposedly betrayed him she didn't think it was out of malice. Hope most likely told her aunt what happened so they could save him.
“She sounds lovely.”
Flurry’s sounded awestrucken as she gazed at Sombra. Sombra noticed her and his face flashed red, he turned away from her slightly embarrassed. He had never told that to anypony especially not one so young. His tone was a little unnerved and shaky.
“She was a bit childish. She was-”
She cut him off as the question tumbled out of her mouth.
“What do you think happened to Radiant Hope?”
Flurry didn’t think of how to ask this question at all. Radiant Hope was obvious, somepony who was important to Sombra. She didn’t even think of that when she asked her question. She just wanted to know what happened to Hope. She knew what had happened or at least she thought she knew what happened. However, she wanted to know what Sombra thought happened to her. He stared at her, his blood was slowly boiling. Her question had struck a nerve that he had thought was long gone.
“You know what happened, she went to Celestias’ to stop my reign of darkness and after the Empire and myself were gone. She went back to Celestia. Went to Celestia’s school and she fulfilled her destiny and became a princess loved by all. While I was forgotten to time.”
He seared with rage but slowly his voice became hollow as he uttered his last sentence. He averted his gaze from Flurry. Flurry noticed that he suddenly became uncomfortable about what had happened to Hope. Flurry thought to herself.
He seems so sad, he must have loved her deeply. Hmmmm, well now's my chance to tell him what somepony should have told him long ago. That any fate can be changed.
She breathed in, steadying her nerves.
“You know she probably wouldn't have gone to Canterlot without you. You two were best friends and I don't think anything would have separated you two. Not even a chance to become a princess would have taken that away.”
He shook his head, trying to dispel her words.
“Doesn't matter now she became a princess and fulfilled her destiny just like how I fulfilled mine. The Crystal Heart showed us that we could never be together because of our destinies and it was right.”
Oh Sombra…
Flurry could tell in his last sentence there was no rage or anger in his words, just sorrow and desperation. She could tell he was heartbroken about what had happened, but she wanted answers even if it hurt the pony she considered a friend. She forced herself to ask.
“So, why did you want to hurt her? I mean from reading your journal I learned about her. And every time you wrote about Radiant Hope there was never any malice, anger, or rage as you wrote. It seemed that you always held her in high regard even after she left you. You even wrote.”
She pulled out his journal and read aloud.
“‘She was the most amazing pony, I’ve ever met.’”
He looked down at the ground unsure of how to answer her. Hearing his own words thrown back at him didn’t help either. He was a monster yet he couldn't hate Hope whenever he thought of her, he couldn't bring himself to despise her. He looked up from the ground gazing at the Crystal Princess, lost in thought about her question.
“You loved her, didn't you? I can tell by the way you wrote about her, I have a talent for feeling others' love although, heh, unlike my mother I can’t spread love.”
Flurry’s voice pierced through the darkness of the dungeon; her question was the only thing Sombra heard. It assaulted Sombra’s ears like a swarm of wasps.
“You loved her didn't you?”
He shook his head violently trying to get her voice to vanish.
“No, that's not true! She was going to leave me. Besides, how could anypony love a monster? How could a monster love somepony!?”
He arose as his voice cracked. He held his tongue trying to keep whatever emotion was bubbling up suppressed. Flurry could only look at him as he glared hatefully at her. Emotions he tried to hide from her were as clear as crystal in his eyes. She could see the grief and anger over what had happened along with the remorse and heartbreak that came with his current situation. She knew or guessed that Hope loved him but now thousands of years later she was gone and he was stuck here with his mistakes. She swallowed hard, trying to ease the pit that was forming in her stomach. She didn’t want to tell him but knew that she was the only one who would be able to tell him what had happened to Hope.
“I’m sorry to tell you Sombra but during my research on the Equestria Princesses.”
She paused as she swallowed back tears.
Maybe this was, supposed to happen and that's why the Crystal Heart showed them their fates?
She didn’t want to do this.
“Radiant Hope, never became a princess.”
“Wha?”
“After the Crystal Empire vanished. She did study with Celestia and Luna as I mentioned earlier but left sometime after. No pony knew why but I’m guessing it was because of you.”
She chuckled a little trying to lighten the mood. Sombra looked at her.
“Me?”
His ears flattened, Flurry felt the pit in her stomach grow deeper. She wanted to stop talking and leave it at that but doing so would make her a coward. She pressed on.
“Yes, I-I think she loved you. That, she didn’t see a monster she only saw you for the pony that you were and not what you became. I think she left to try and figure out what happened to you. The records I found in the school archives think so too. After all, fate is never set in stone.”
“Haha…”
Sombra fell on his hunches letting out a broken laugh, Flurry held her stomach and gritted her teeth as she listened to his broken voice.
“What you're saying is crueler than a destiny you can’t escape from. It's crueler than this prison that I’ve been trapped in for sixteen years! That I, I of all ponies hurt Hope without even trying. YOU LIE!”
Black crystals appeared again taking up the entire entrance to his cell. Flurry backed away at his futile attempt to harm her. Her horn lit up.
“I’m not lying! I would never lie about something so important to a friend!”
She yelled out as she blasted the crystals away. She gazed at Sombra who was sitting in the cell, tears streaming down his face as he gazed at her. A frown was fixed across his muzzle. Flurry stepped back stunned, asking with concern.
“I didn't think you would be this upset? Are you okay? Can I help in any way?.. Please.. Please don’t cry.”
“Huh Haha. Tears of rage and regret my dear. I regret what happened a thousand years ago but alas we cannot change the past. However, I am angry at you for giving me the most devastating news of my life! But more importantly I am angry and full of regret… Regret at myself!!!”

“Yourself?”
“Yes, Myself.”
He whispered, he seemed to be gazing at her and yet somehow wasn’t as he spoke.
“Myself, for loving a crystal pony. I was born a monster yet lived like a pony and loved like a pony. Haha, I thought I crushed these emotions long ago yet some girl… No, some princess was able to reinstall them into me. What monster could love somepony; who was so bright like Radiant Hope? I was a fool for starting to like you.”
“Sombra?”
Flurry met his eyes and saw insanity or at least temporary insanity filled them. Her heart sank and it felt like her stomach had fallen out. All she could think as he started to ramble to himself was.
Is this what isolation does to somepony? Did, did I do this? Was he so set on believing in their destiny that hearing all that broke him? That Hope isn't a princess? Oh no, how can I help him?
His words snapped her back to the reality she had created.
“She isn’t dead. Noooooo! No, no, no, no, no! Grogar confirmed that for me when he came to offer me a spot in his scheme. He said ‘Sombra you failed yet again. However, I can still use your help. I can even give you back what you lost.
He was imitating Grogar’s voice as he switched back to his broken tone.
“I laughed at him knowing what I wanted, I couldn’t have. Hope, Hope, Hope. I never wanted the Crystal Empire, it wasn’t really what I wanted, I just didn’t want to suffer anymore. And I told him that too.”
He started pacing back and forth.
“I even told him what I wanted died long ago since what I wanted wasn’t in the Empire when it was cursed. All he said to me was ‘She’s not dead.’ He even gave me a smug smile, bastard. Haha! HAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”
His laugh was broken and sickening. Flurry shivered as tears formed in her eyes. This laugh was worse than the one she heard before.
“I just figured he meant she was a princess, busy and important. That she had long forgotten about me. Which was why she never appeared before me when I came back. But instead, she was just gone, gone, gone. No more. She was bye-bye. Dead as a doornail!”
He started to laugh hysterically again as he sent another wave of crystals at Flurry a few did pierce through the shield but again he failed to harm her. Flurry was surprised to see more crystals appear. One aimed at her heart stopping short through the barrier. Flurry stared at his face in horror. If looks could kill she would have been dead by now. He was looking at her so intensely. His eyes filled to the brim with bloodlust and a dash of insanity flashing in them. A sickening smile was plastered to his face and his ears remained flattened to his head. Flurry wanted to help him. She caused this and all she wanted now was to help fix it. She heard him say that Hope wasn’t dead but before she could offer to find her. Flurry’s mother and father came rushing into the dungeon witnessing Sombra’s mental breakdown. He kept rambling on as Shining addressed him.
“Sombra, I swear if she’s hurt in any way! You’ll pay for this with your life!”
Anger was plastered to his face, as Cadence grabbed Flurry and dragged her away from the deranged king. Flurry looked back at Sombra. Sombra noticed Shining at the front of his cell, he seemed to come back to his senses somewhat as he watched Flurry get dragged away by her mother. Flurry started to struggle against her mother.
“Let me go! I have to help him!”
Cadence let go only to grab her in her magic.
“Flurry, what were you thinking!? Talking to that beast!?”
Flurry ignored her as she struggled yelling out one thing before they vanished.
“SOMBRA!”

Back in the prison cell Sombra heard her cry. He just looked out past Shining Armor; his senses fully returned. He then gazed at Shining Armor. Shining was still much shorter than him, his face fell flat as he looked at the black crystals aimed at the spot Flurry usually sat in; her notebook and quill were still there writing.
Did I do that? I had to of done that those are my crystal’s and shes gone. I made a mistake… Back to isolation.
Words failed him as he just looked at the spot Flurry had been in, till his breath failed him. He grabbed at his throat as he fell to his hunches and gasped for air as Shining choked him until he passed out. He let go of Somber’s throat as he grabbed the notebook and quill in his magic and headed out of the dungeon after his wife and child.

Fallout

Twenty minutes went by as Flurry and Cadence stared each other down as they waited for Shining Armor to come back from the dungeons. The tension could be cut with a knife. Flurry sat with her front hooves crossed in front of her while Cadence gazed down at her from her throne. Finally, Shining Armor came through the doors and slammed them shut behind him. His face was twisted by rage as he looked at his daughter. He tossed her notebook and quill in front of her. She looked at the items and scooped them up, hugging the notebook tightly. She opened it and looked through it to make sure it was okay. Relief washed over her, everything was still intact. She looked back at her parents. Anger and fear were painted onto their faces. She cleared her throat but before she could speak her mother addressed her first.
“What were you doing in the dungeons talking to that monster?”
Her voice was flat and authoritative, Flurry had never heard it like that before. At least not aimed at her before.
“I was talking to Sombra.”
She admitted, asking back.
“How did you know I was there? I kept it a secret and even kept up an elaborate ruse so you wouldn’t suspect a thing.”
“It wasn’t so elaborate. The roses you gave him were your downfall. Honestly, why would you give that thing any… *huff* Your lies started to fall apart, Flurry.”
Shining said in a stern tone. Flurry felt whatever courage she had fizzle away.
Sombra was right about the roses.
Her father had never been this angry with her before but it was clear he was beyond that emotion. Cadence asked.
“How did you even know he was there? We kept it hidden from the masses and you for sixteen years.”
“Well um.”
Her voice failed her as she met her mother’s disapproving gaze.
“Answer her, Flurry!”
Shining Armor shouted at her, she shrank as she answered.
“I started to notice a guard heading in that direction when I was ten. I always thought it was odd but one day I followed behind the guard quietly. I saw he went to the dungeons and that bothered me. Since no pony was down there. After that, I started to pay more attention to the guards heading in that direction. After a year and a half, I realized that every three months a new guard was assigned to the dungeons, except for that pegasus guard who was always there. So, I figured somepony was down there. I didn’t know who but I had a feeling it was King Sombra.”
“You didn't think to ask us about it? Did you even think that maybe we had a reason to send a guard down there?”
“No, I never thought to ask about it because, because…”
Flurry took a deep breath and yelled.
“I didn't ask you guys about it because I could tell you were hiding something from me! I mean come on Dad, you didn’t think that I wouldn’t notice the same guard heading that way for years. I may be young but I’m not blind!”
Feather Lane is a top soldier. I’m surprised to hear about this. I gave him that assignment because of how loyal he is to the Empire and how quiet he is. He would never tell anyone what his position is. So, why didn't he notice Flurry before?
The pair looked at each other and then back to her. Thinking about what to do with her. She bit her lip.
“I just wanted to know the truth about the Crystal Empire.”
Candance addressed her.
“Flurry, we were going to tell you when you took over but now that you know the truth.”
“Was knowing the truth, really worth it?”
Shining Armor asked. She couldn’t meet their eyes, their disappointed glares stabbed into her. She answered them.
“It wasn't worth, you being mad at me but it was worth meeting Sombra.”
She trailed off knowing that they didn't hear the end of her sentence. Cadence inhaled ready to tell her the real truth since she figured Sombra had filled her head with lies.
“Alright Flurry, here's the truth you so desperately wanted. Sombra invaded and tried to take over the Empire and failed. He somehow came back and held you hostage as he took over the Empire again. I called in Twilight and her friends before any real harm could be done and they defeated him. They didn't kill him like last time but we made it seem like they did since the crystal ponies fear him. They fear him so much that any mention of him sends them into a panic. So we sent him to the dungeons to rot and he's been there since. And only a few ponies know this. Any guard who talks about it has their mind erased since they are breaking their oath to the Empire.”
“I knew all that already.”
Flurry said. Her courage returned to her as she addressed Cadence.
“I know that because he told me. He told me how he came back something that to my knowledge you don't even know. He also told me about himself. I even know about his past and what happened the first time he took over. Something you probably don't know about. I even know how the-”
“I know about his past Flurry and it doesn't change anything. But I would like to know how you know of his past or why you believe him.”
Cadence cut her off. Her stoic expression had transformed into rage. Flurry’s ears flattened against her skull as she looked at her saddlebag. She pulled out Sombra’s journal and held it out to her mother. Cadence stared at the familiar book as she addressed Flurry.
“How did you get that?... Did you go into his study beneath the throne?”
She shrank again.
“Yes.”
“How did you know it was there?”
“Auntie Twilight.”
She whispered. Cadence was livid she didn’t know what to say. She just stared at Flurry.
Twilight, why did you bring her there? I can't even begin to imagine why you brought her down there in the first place? What where you thinking?
Cadence spoke.
“Shining Armor, you’re better at punishments than me, what should we do with her?”
He stepped up and glared at her, she could feel his gaze burning into her.
“She is grounded for a year and a guard will be with her at every moment. Also, the passage under the garden will be sealed so no pony can use it again. A curfew will be in place during this time and she will have no study time at all. You will be spending a lot of time helping other ponies and doing chores around the palace.”
“This is unfair!”
“And lying to us is fair? We raised you better than that.”
Shining Armor retorted. Flurry felt a pit in her stomach as tears welled up in her eyes.
“You lied too!”
They didn't flinch as she yelled back at them. Astonishment started to cross her face as she asked.
“How did you know about the passage in the garden? I didn’t tell any pony about it. Not even Uncle Sunburst.”
“The gardener thought some pony was messing with her daisies and it turns out she was right.”
Shining answered. Flurry felt awful, she started to feel anger boiling inside. She asked.
“How did you know I was down there when you saw me go to bed early? Were you watching me?”
“We had Sunburst watch the garden tonight. He saw you enter the passage. The passage only you knew about. We also know you didn’t pick those flowers for a potion they were found in front of the monster's cell. As I said before your lies fell apart.”
Flurry had heard enough although she loved her parents, she had lied to them. However, they had spied on her. She knew what she did was wrong but what they were doing felt worse. She protested.
“He is not a monster. Did you even give him a chance? Even if you didn't, you allowed the guards to hurt him.”
They appeared surprised to hear her defend such a beast and the actuation she was making. She continued.
“Do you even care!? I thought you believed in redemption or at least giving some pony a chance to do better. You two never gave him a chance, did you!? You know you should have told me sooner about King Sombra. I’m not five anymore!”
“You're dismissed, Flurry. Knight Shield!”
A unicorn guard came into the room and bowed before them. Shining addressed him.
“Escort Flurry to her room and stay there. Once she gets into her room, call in Sweet Spear to guard her after that.”
“Yes sir.”
His voice was gruff as he got in front of Flurry.
“Come along, princess.”
Flurry looked at him; she recognized him. He was the guard she saw hurt Sombra. She flared her nostrils at him.
“You're the guard who hurt Sombra! I’m not going with- Hey!”
The guard picked her up in his magic and started walking away
“Let's go princess.”
Flurry tried to get out of his grip but couldn't as she shouted and yelled as they left the throne room.

Cadence and Shining Armor felt exhaustion wash over them as Shining Armor collapsed onto the floor. They both felt awful and conflicted; they didn’t know why Flurry had defended a monster. Cadence was the first to speak.
“Do you think we were too harsh on her? I don’t think anything happened to her down there but still.”
“No, I think we did the right thing.”
“Why do you think she defended him? She shouldn’t have but she did.”
“I don’t know… How did you know about that journal of his or know about his past?”
Cadence bit her lip knowing she had to tell Shiny the truth about that.
“I also went into his study with Twilight and we read it together. I know I should have told you but it didn’t have any useful information in it. And it felt wrong to move it so we left it there.”
Shining Armor sighed heavily as he rubbed his temples.
“Oh, Twilights, getting an earful about this.”
“I’m sorry, honey.”
Cadence's ears folded back as she looked away from him. Shining walked up to her and held her face kissing her lips. He pulled away and gave her a reassuring smile.
“It's ok, we can’t dwell on what's happened. We have to stay focused on the here and now. We have to keep Flurry safe.”
Cadence gave a smile back and answered weakly.
“You know she cares for him now, right?”
“Ugh, I know. Why does she have to be like that?”
Cadence laughed a bit.
“You mean so forgiving and loving.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, she gets it from us.”
Shining let go of her and yawned.
“Let's go to bed. It's going to be a rough morning.”

Flurry was tossed into her room by the guard who scowled at her. She scowled back and stuck her tongue out at him. He slammed the door to her room and locked it as he went to get Sweet Spear. Flurry paced back and forth in her room dropping the notebook with all the information Sombra had given her. She didn’t care, her anger was seething. She grabbed her pillow and screamed into it. She collapsed on her bed
“Why didn’t they listen to me? Sure, I lied to them but they lied to me… THIS SUCKS! And they pulled me away before I could comfort Sombra. He was devastated but nooooo it's all about what they want.”
She huffed as she pulled her hooves over her eyes.
“Mom read his journal but still doesn’t care about him and doesn’t want to help him. That is… It’s just aggravating can’t she feel how heartbroken he is? Or how much he loved Hope? Or that he was probably used by his people? Why can’t she talk to him? Is he so arrogant he won’t tell her anything or is it because she doesn’t want to talk to him because of what he did? Ugh, that was like sixteen years ago, let it go mom, dad!”
Just then her door unlocked as a light pink mare clad in armor walked into her room, her emerald eyes landed on Flurry. She bowed and spoke in an oddly sweet tone.
“My princess, I've been appointed to watch you during your punishment. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Sweet Spear.”
Flurry eyed her and sighed.
“Whatever, I'm going to sleep. Tomorrow is going to suck."

They were right, breakfast was dreadful. Flurry eyed her parents with anger and discontent as they watched her carefully. Neither wanting to back down from getting their point across to the other. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Flurry spoke.
“I want to see Sombra. I want to help him, last I knew he was having a breakdown and I want to help him.”

Her tone was stoic.
“Absolutely, not! He was going to hurt you.”
Shining fired back, Flurry kept her composure this time.
“No, he wasn’t. He was upset, very upset but he wasn’t going to hurt me.”
“You don’t know that. He was aiming his attacks at you. He was going to hurt you, his spell was strong enough to pierce the sealing spell on his cell.”
Cadence answered, worry laced her motherly tone. Flurry could tell she wasn’t seeing Sombra anytime soon but she was going to get through to them and see him as soon as she could. She got up.
“Fine, I’ll be leaving now. I have to go help out at the local animal shelter and then the orphanage.”
She walked past her parents giving them a resentful glance. Sweet Spear followed close behind her.
“Did I mention it's the orphanage Sombra grew up in. Where he was teased and only had one friend.”
They looked at her with complex expressions something between anger and wonder, as she continued.
“Just thought you should know.”
She left them in their silence, her words weighing heavy in the room. They exchanged worried glances. Shining saying what Cadence was thinking.
“This is going to be a long year.”
Cadence nodded in agreement.

Aunt Twilight

The Crystal Express was barreling towards Ponyville at a breakneck pace. Flurry just looked out the window thinking to herself about what had happened two months ago and how nothing she was saying was getting through to her parents. She hadn’t once seen Sombra in those two months and she was worried about him. All she knew was he was still in his cell having a mental breakdown. She huffed.
Worrying about Sombra won't do me any good… Ugh!
She pulled out the journal she had brought with her, reading about the last conversation that she had with him. Her eyes kept leading to the paragraph about what had happened after she was dragged away.
“Next stop, Ponyville!”
The train pony yelled as they pulled into the station, Flurry closed her notebook and rose. She addressed Sweet Spear.
“Come on, we're here. Let's go see my aunt now.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
They exited the train making their way to Twilight's palace. Flurry had to pay up on the deal she had made with her, it was time to organize her library of a thousand-plus books. A punishment she created for herself by accident. It was also the only reason she was allowed to leave the Crystal Empire today. They reached the palace and entered, Twilight was at the door ready to greet them.
“Flurry Heart, my favorite niece, how are you?”
Flurry gave her a stoic look and answered.
“What do you think? Awful!”
She walked by her aunt and headed straight for the library with Sweet Spear right behind her. Twilight spread her wings stopping Sweet Spear in her tracks. She looked at Twilight and asked.
“Princess, what are you doing I have orders to-”
“I know but I want to talk to Flurry alone. I know what's going on and from what I hear she really cares for her friend even if everypony else won’t listen. I want to hear her side of the story. I’ve only heard Shining Armor and Cadence's side of the story. I know they worry about her. But Flurry doesn’t care what they say, she cares for somepony else. So, I want to know why she cares so much for this friend. Do you understand?”
Sweet Spear did really get it but she didn’t want to question the princess. She nodded. Twilight gave her a gentle smile.
“Why don’t you take the day off? Go have some fun. The Ponyville spa is quite relaxing and Flurry isn't going anywhere.”
“But I have orders to-”
“To have fun is your new order for the day.”
Sweet Spear wanted to argue but she decided not to.
“Yes ma’am.”
Sweet Spear trotted out of the castle and headed straight for town. Twilight watched her leave and went inside, making her way to the library.

The library was already in disarray, books were stacked into neat piles on the ground. Flurry picked up a stack and started to look them over. She decided to organize them by age and by their author's last name in alphabetical order. Twilight entered and sat down in her armchair smiling warmly at Flurry. Flurry caught a glimpse of her aunt's face. She stopped and looked back at her. She was confused.
“What?”
“What's going on at home?”
“Nothing you can help with. I made a mess and I even got you in trouble too. I’m sorry, Auntie Twilight. You told me not to touch that journal and I did anyway. I even took it with me out of Sombra's study. I'm sure you're mad at me too.”
Twilight smiled.
“I’m not mad at you. I can’t change what happened. And I may have gotten yelled at by Shining Armor about what happened but that doesn’t change my view on the matter. Now, I’ve heard all about your mess and from what I've heard it’s really a friendship problem.”
Flurry was surprised that Twilight knew about everything but guessed it was only natural. Her parents had to have told her all about it and they probably wanted her to lecture her while she worked. She rolled her eyes.
Great a speech on proper friendship making. Just what I need right now.
She furrowed her brow. Asking defensively.
“Are you going to lecture me on proper friendship making? And how to make better friends, Auntie?”
She raised her voice in annoyance.
“No I’m not, I want to hear what you have to say.”
Her jaw dropped. No pony had wanted to hear from her or hear how Sombra wasn’t such a bad pony. She coughed and sat up straight.
“Wha?.. Well, uh why?”
“Cause I don’t have the whole picture yet, I only have half. Which is your parents' story, so I want to hear your story. Go on, please enlighten me.”
Flurry thought it was a joke but then again Twilight was never one for jokes when she talked about a friendship problem. Flurry looked at her, gave her a half-hearted smile and started.
“Well he’s my friend. He even told me he liked me to a certain degree.”
Twilight just kept smiling at her gesturing for her to continue.
“And well it all started out as just research on Sombra’s history since no history book mentions it. And you and my other two aunties won’t tell me anything about that time so I did some digging of my own. I found out he was in the dungeon and decided to go see him for myself, but after meeting him and talking to him… I consider us friends. I wrote everything down during our conversations for the sake of research but now... Well, I don’t care about that anymore, I just want to make sure he’s okay.”
She pulled out her journal and held it out, it was enveloped in magenta magic as it floated over to Twilight. She opened and started to read.
“Here you can see he didn’t lie to me. He didn’t twist his words or even hurt me like everyponys been saying.”
Flurry bit her lip as Twilight read the journal. A chuckle escaped her lips as she read, quickly reading through the book. Twilight closed the book and set it down. Looking at Flurry. Flurry continued defending herself.
“But I hurt him and I want to help make it better. I know I can’t do much but I can’t just leave him to rot. Everyponys been doing that for sixteen years now, plus a thousand when he was first sealed away. It’s just I...I care about him.”
She looked down, she knew Twilight would be disappointed in her too.
“You're a good friend Flurry, I can tell by your journal here.”
Flurry’s head bolted up as she gazed at Twilight, words failed her. Twilight laughed a little before addressing her in a motherly tone.
“You're trying to do what your parents can not. They don’t trust him because he hurt them. Even using you against them when you were a foal. However, you don’t care about that because you're looking past that. Sure at first you did it for research but reading this book, it’s clear you care for him. You know when your mother and I finished reading his journal, I felt sorry for him but never considered befriending him even after he came back. And since every time I was in the Crystal Empire I was busy with family, I had forgotten about him just like everypony else. Only reminded of him whenever you asked about him. Even when I was reminded about him I didn’t do anything for him.”
Flurry was stunned, her mouth a gap. As she stared at her aunt. Twilight's sweet tone was something she was missing at home. Since she and her parents still had a grudge match going on at home and a decent conversation was off the table. Tears started to fall down her face as her bottled up emotions started to pour out.
“Auntie Twilight! I don’t want to be a bad friend or a bad daughter but I don’t know what to do! My parents won’t listen and I can’t shake the guard no matter what I try. He’s all alone, and, and what should I do!?”
She buried her hooves into her face as she sobbed, Twilight got up and embraced her saying in a reassuring voice.
“Don’t worry, Flurry. It’s time for the Princess of Friendship to help with this friendship problem.”
Flurry looked up at her and laughed between sobs.
“You're such a dork. That’s why I love you though.”
“I know. Now, hold on tight to me, we're teleporting all the way to the Crystal Empire.”
Flurry smiled as Twilight's horn started to illuminate, she grabbed Flurry's notebook as she cast her spell.

The dungeons were dark, silent and somehow even colder than usual. Sombra sat in the middle of his cell looking out at the spot where Flurry usually sat. He never looked away from it and he never seemed to move, like he himself had become a statue.
She's gone just like Hope… Why do I even care?
His ear twitched as hoof steps approached, the usually pegasus guard who had been here for sixteen years and a new guard, a crystal earth pony. They stood in his line of view but he didn’t move. He didn’t even get up to intimate the new guard like he usually would. He just sat there feeling empty. The new guard spoke in a gravelly tone.
“I thought Sombra would be more frightening? Instead he's just sitting there. All sad like…Heh, you alive, you schmuck.”
He didn’t engage her. He didn’t even look at her, he just sat there. The pegasus guard was surprised. For the duration of two months he didn’t eat or sleep but to take an insult was unthinkable. He had to report this to the princess and his captain immediately. He didn't like Sombra but grauding him for sixteen years made him come to understand him. He understood that he disliked everyone and looked down on them even from behind bars and any insult thrown his way he would throw back tenfold but this was the last straw. This behavior was not normal. He was acting like a corpse. He turned to the new guard before she could say anything else.
“We're leaving now.”
“Wha-”
“Back to your post. Now!”
He ordered it loud and proud, something he never did. Being a higher ranked helped as she turned and got back to her post. He watched her leave as the two satillions were left behind. He looked back over to Sombra, his usually tired expression came back.
“Sorry about her.”
“...”
What does it matter?
He sighed.
“I may not like you but you're not acting like yourself. I’ve been guarding your cell for sixteen years now, I can tell that something is wrong.”
“...”
Who cares? Nothing matters.
“It's the young princess, isn't it?”
“...”
The guard just stared at Sombra trying to see if there was any movement. Nothing, he didn't even twitch. The guard turned away and left him in the cold silence of the prison.

Family Feud

Twilight and Flurry appeared right in front of the throne of the Crystal Empire. Cadence looked at the two new arrivals in astonishment. Twilight let go of Flurry and got to her hooves to address her sister-in-law.
“Hello Cadence, I came for a visit with Flurry. I hope you don’t mind but we ditched the guard back in Ponyville.”
Cadence just batted her eyelashes and gave her a questioning look.
“Twilight, how did you...I mean you just. *ahem* What brings you to the Crystal Empire? You're supposed to be at home with Flurry. You know, watching her reorganize your library.”
“That’s true but I heard about a very interesting friendship problem.”
Twilight held up the journal with all the information Flurry had gathered over the course of her visits with Sombra.
“I also have a good book recommendation for you.”
She smiled warmly at Cadence asking.
“Where’s Shining Armor, this involves him too. You know he should also consider reading this book.”
Cadence didn’t answer. She just kept her eyes fixed on Twilight wondering what this problem was and why she should read the book she was holding up. She shook her head and closed her eyes.
“What friendship problem, Twilight? You know I’ll help in any way I can.”
“It’s my friendship problem, mom.”
Cadence looked over to Flurry, she had almost forgotten she was in the room. Flurry met her mother’s gaze. Fear and anxiety started to chew away at her. She watched as the gears in her mother’s head started to turn and her eyes widened.
“No, no, no! Twilight no. I know what’s going on and no. I can’t what if-”
“What if, what Cadence? Flurry’s sixteen now she doesn’t need you to make all her life decisions for her anymore. But we're going to discuss this with Shining Armor as well. Now where is he?”
Just as she asked, Shining Armor ran into the throne room. His jaw fell open as he gawked at the sight before him. He had detection spells placed in the throne room to alert him if anypony suddenly appeared or disappeared from within it. He did this out of fear that an enemy may be bold enough to just come into the throne room and hurt Cadence. However, he never imagined it would go off like this. He just stared at Twilight and Flurry in a stupor. Twilight gazed back and addressed him.
“Hello Shining Armor, why don’t you come in and sit down? I have to discuss something important with you and Cadence.”
He walked in, his astonished gaze never leaving the pair. He knew Twilight was an amazing mage and an alicorn but he never thought she could teleport from Ponyville to the Crystal Empire in a few minutes. He sat next to Cadance’s throne. He asked.
“Where’s Sweet Spear?”
He couldn’t believe they would leave her behind. She had orders to stay with Flurry and she wouldn’t just abandon her post.
“In Ponyville enjoying a day off.”
Twilight smiled at him before starting. He sighed.
“Now, I know what happened two months ago. I know your story and I know Flurry’s story and honestly, I agree with Flurry.”
Shining looked at Cadence and then to Twilight. Both of them replied, shocked.
“WHAT!?”
Twilight just kept smiling.
“I agree with Flurry. Although I do understand why you two did what you did, I also know you didn’t listen to Flurry or read this book.”
She floated the book over to the pair giving it to Cadence. Cadence looked at the book and then back to Twilight, Twilight gave a reassuring smile to them. Cadence held the book in her magic as she cautiously opened it and started reading from it. Shining addressed Twilight.
“Twilight, you don’t have a child to worry about, there’s no way you understand. Besides, you know how dangerous King Sombra is. What makes you think we would allow her to see such a monster anymore? For all we know he could have been lying to her all this time and making her into something evil or corrupt.”
“But he never did anything to me! You’re just assuming he did something to me.”
Flurry interjected. Shining Armor looked at her, disappointed. Twilight started to speak again. Shining Armor looked back to Twilight.
“Shining Armor you’re not seeing the whole picture. You’re also not listening to her. She isn’t a little filly anymore. She's a young adult and she can make her own choices now. Besides, you know how powerful she is, need I remind you of the Crystal Heart fiasco when she was just a baby.”
Shining Armor grumbled, crossing his front hoofs.
“No. But-”
“But nothing Flurry is a powerful mage, Shining Armor. I know she’ll always be your little girl but she’s growing up. And in doing so she's choosing to be friends with Sombra and I think what she’s doing is amazing. Besides she’s at least giving Sombra something you two will never allow him to have.”
Shining Armor was bubbling with rage. He knew that Twilight was making a point and he hated it. He sneered at her.
“And what's this ‘chance’ that we're not giving to a tyrant?”
“A chance at redemption or at least another chance at friendship. You know isolation is considered one of the most horrible ways to torture somepony. The loneliness is said to be unbearable, well at least in most books I’ve read it is a horrible punishment. I’m surprised he stayed sane for so long.”
Shining Armor’s eyebrow twitched as he argued back.
“He is a danger to any and everypony who encounters him. His magic can even pierce through a protection spell cast by me and Cadence. And if he gets free again, he’ll just enslave everypony. He wants this Empire and would stop at nothing to get it, Twilight.”
Twilight hummed.
“You thought Thorax was a danger to every pony too when you met him.”
Twilight retorted. He huffed.
“Thorax and Sombra are two very different cases, Twilight. Sombra is a tyrant who ruled this place with an iron hoof. Thorax was just a changeling soldier doing his job when he helped attack Canterlot. Thorax isn’t a hateful monster like Sombra. Thorax never enslaved anypony or wanted to hurt others. Sombra wants nothing more than to hurt and torture ponies, Twilight. ”
He stressed his point ti Twilight. Twilight sighed.
“True, they are very different cases and I know you didn't trust Thorax til Spike showed you he was good but why is this any different? Flurry is saying she’s his friend just like what Spike did for Thorax and yet you aren’t listening. You’re letting your past experience with him cloud your judgment. I mean Sombra can't do anything while imprisoned and even if he could, Flurry is a powerful pony, Shining Armor.”
His anger was taking over as he listened to Twilight.
Flurry needs to be protected from him, Twilight! He’s a curse to anypony whose ever met him.
His anger boiled over.
“Twilight, Sombra is nothing like Thorax. If given the chance he'll take over the Empire again. He hates everypony here and his only goal in life is to make everypony suffer. Have you forgotten that! He’s a monster! He almost took over when he came back the second time and when he did come back he immediately enslaved the ponies here. Hell, you can’t even mention his name to a crystal pony without them freaking out and running for their life!”
Twilight thought for a moment.
That’s true, he did take over the moment he came back. I know Shining Armor has every right to think that Sombra would do it again in a heartbeat but Sombra hasn’t done anything evil the whole time he’s been imprisoned. He hasn’t even made any attempts to break out. Even now after having a mental breakdown he’s still here in the dungeon. If he was that angry at the crystal ponies than he would have freed himself by now and had gotten revenge. Once he was captured he gave up. That and Shining Armor can’t let that image of him being a tyrant and tormenting ponies go. Shiny has every right to be upset, I know that but he isn’t trying to move past his prejudice against Sombra… He also needs to stop babying Flurry.
Twilight gave him a stern look.
“If that were true, really true Shining Armor than why is he still in the dungeons? Why hasn’t he tried to take over the Empire in the last sixteen years? You said his magic can break through the spell on his cell so, why hasn’t he broken through them and taken over the Empire? Why stay locked up, instead of escaping? After my friends and I defeated him, he stayed here and I know you said he was a hoofful. With you and Cadence constantly increasing and maintaining the spell on his cell but after two years into his life sentence you weren’t constantly doing that anymore. He stopped making problems for you guys. Why would he do that, Shining? If he really hated this place, why stay here?”
Shining Armor swallowed down his anger as best as he could. Twilight was making another good point. If he could break through the spells on his cell that kept him imprisoned than why not leave. Why would he stay in the Empire?
I hate that she’s right about a lot of things. But I think he’s only staying to bind his time and than take over but… If he can break through the spells around his cell… Then why would he stay here?
Before he could give an answer a giggle escaped Cadence's lips. Shining looked back at her, his anger spilling out.
“You’ve been awful quiet til now, Cadence. Mind telling us what’s so funny up there? We’re having an important discussion, right now. About our child and her evil pet project.”
He noticed the book in front of her, asking.
“What are you reading?”
Cadence pulled her eyes away from the journal and coughed.
“Well, it’s just that Sombra thinks you’re and I quote ‘Surely your pathetic father didn’t send you down here.’ He also doesn’t respect you, honey. He said and again I quote ‘foolish prince.’”
Shining Armor’s face flashed red as he grabbed the book away from Cadence with his magic and started reading it himself. Cadence watched him and turned back to Twilight asking.
“Twilight, that book is rather enlightening but how do you know what’s written in it, is true? It could all be a lie.”
Twilight gave her a smile. Happy that Cadence had taken over, since she was getting no where with Shining Armor. Cadence was more level headed than Shining Armor.
“Because if you look at the writing you can tell that a spell did that, not Flurry. I know that spell, I use it a lot myself. It can only record what happens in a moment from every word uttered to every little detail about something. It also changes writing style to a very bold print when lies are told. It's a default in the spell that no pony can alter when casting it. It’s mostly used when making a rough draft but it works well when two ponies are talking to each other to get ideas down or when making a legal contract.”
Cadence thought over the information she had just received.
He didn’t lie but he’s still a threat. He could retake the Empire and if that happens Flurry would have to take measures against him. If I failed to stop him. I’m thinking about that possible future, Twilight. I mean would you want to take down a dear friend of yours if they relapsed.
“I’m happy to know that he hasn’t once lied to her but still, Twilight, he is the biggest threat to the Empire. Just because he hasn’t lied to her now doesn’t mean he won’t in the future. And what if he does choose to break free and retake the Empire? What if I can’t stop him and Flurry has to? It wouldn’t be right for her to take down somepony she considers a friend. I mean if it was you would you be able to take down your friend?”
Twilight looked down, thinking for a moment before answering her.
“Candence, I understand where you’re coming from but that’s what happens in life. Sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to. If I had to stop a friend who decided to hurt others or do something that jeopardized the overall good of our way of life than I would do everything I could to stop them. Besides, you and I both know he has the potential to change, Cadence. After all, he did grow up here. He may have made poor choices but what pony hasn’t.”
Cadence winced. Shining Armor lowered the book and looked at Flurry.
“You brought him those roses to make him feel better?”
She nodded as she remained quiet, watching in awe as Twilight was starting to getting through to her parents. Just then Twilight turned to her and addressed her.
“Flurry, don't you have something you want to say?”
She swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded. The two of them looked over to her as she stepped forward. She breathed in, finding the courage to speak.
“Mom, dad, I know I did a lot of shady and bad things recently and I want to say I’m sorry for lying to you and sneaking around. However, Sombra’s my friend and when I saw him last he was having a mental breakdown over Radiant Hope and what I said. I feel like I need to do something for him. I don’t want him to suffer alone in the dungeon anymore. It isn’t right. So, please, please can I see him?”
Her parents looked at each other neither knowing what to do or what to say. Even after reading some of her journal they still didn't trust or like their prisoner. Before they could respond a knock came from the door. All of them looked over at the door. Shining sighed.
This better be important. I’m sure everypony can hear us yelling and know now, isn’t a good time.
He shouted.
“You may enter!”
All eyes fixated on the light green pegasus guard that entered the room. Flurry recognized him, he was the guard that was always posted to Sombra’s cell. He saluted Shining Armor and spoke.
“Your majestys', I have a rather dire report.”
Shining was the first to address him.
“Feather Lane, what is it?”
He bowed and started.
“Sir, ever since you caught the young princess talking to the prisoner and forbid her to come back. He’s been... depressed?”
He questioned that last part as he continued.
“He doesn’t eat nor drink. He never moves from the middle of his cell and he just looks out at nothing. And well, sir if I can speak freely.”
Shining nodded, he didn’t like where this was going.
“He’s not himself, usually when a new guard comes in to see him, he is arrogant and incredibly rude to them. He holds himself with confidence and bravado. But when the newest guard came and saw him, well nothing, no retrot, no insult he didn't even get up to look down on her. It was just silence. It was jarring and creepy. I may not like the guy but I at least understand him enough to know when something is wrong. And something is definitely wrong with him.”
He looked at Flurry. Flurry was horrified to hear this, all the color seemed to leave her face, her eyes were widened with fear as tears formed in the corners. She looked over to her parents who looked as shocked as she did. Twilight was the one who broke the silence that set in.
“Well, are we going to check on him or what?”
All three turned and just gazed at Twilight, but Twilight only looked at Flurry a smile on her lips.
“You want to help your friend any way you can right?”
Flurry could only nod as her tears finally fell from her eyes. Twilight got up and addressed the guard.
“Please lead the way.”
He nodded as he started to leave, Twilight was right behind him heading towards the dungeon with Flurry close behind her. Shining and Cadence got up and followed behind the two although they didn’t like Sombra, hearing that he was supposedly ill was strange. He had never been ill in the last sixteen years. They followed out of curiosity as they wanted to know what was going on.

Hopeful Future

They approached the prison cell; Flurry ran ahead of everypony. Twilight spread her wings, keeping Shining and Cadance behind her as they continued walking. Flurry stopped in front of his cell and gazed downward at Sombra. She smiled warmly.
“Sorry, I took so long to come back.”
He didn’t move, he didn’t even look up at her.
“Sombra?”
She sat down to be at his level and looked into his eyes, her face pulled back into a frown and her eyes bulged a bit. His eyes were dull, any luster they had before was gone. They were flat only displaying sorrow and despair. Flurry’s ears folded against her head as she stared at him. Twilight, Candance and Shining Armor just looked at the scene before them. Shining Armor and Cadance felt a pit forming in their stomach. Twilight was the one to move closer as she sat next to Flurry and looked at Sombra. She turned to Shining and Cadance addressing them, asking calmly.
“Cadance, what do you think?”
Cadance’s head jumped up a bit as guilt washed over her. Twilight gazed at her, waiting for a response. Cadance pulled her eyes away from Twilight and looked at Sombra. She could feel his despair but it wasn’t over Flurry it was over Radiant Hope. As the princess of love she could always tell when a relationship would blossom or fall apart. She could feel a pony’s undying love or their bitter heartbreak but looking at Sombra. All she could feel was crushing despair. It was the worst heartbreak she had ever seen in all her life. Cadance couldn’t look at Sombra any longer as tears filled her eyes, unable to answer Twilight. Shining Armor looked at Cadance in disbelief. Seeing her cry over their prisoner was unthinkable. He then turned his attention to Sombra. He gazed at him dumbfounded and was at a loss for words. The arrogant king was broken; he showed no real signs of life besides his breathing. Shining Armor didn’t know how to feel; he never knew Sombra actually had feelings. He only ever saw Sombra acting arrogant or defiant. This quiet, sad pony before them wasn’t Sombra. Silence set in as no pony knew what to say.
“What do you want?”
Despair and defeat laced Sombra’s voice. Everypony turned to look at him. Tears fell down Flurry’s face as she replied weakly .
“I-I’m um… I'm here because we're friends and I wanted to say, I’m sorry.”
He finally looked up at her, his dead eyes piercing her soul.
“Why?”
Flurry’s ears folded back, his words stung but before she could answer, Cadance answered.
“Why? Because Flurry cares about you, Sombra.”
His ear twitched as he finally moved again, his dead eyes met Cadance's.
“And why do you care about that so suddenly? You should leave me to rot. A monster like me should be forgotten from history.”
He turned back to Flurry, meeting her gaze once more. Cadance and Shining folded their ears, Shining spoke.
“You...I *ahem* You can’t mean that. YOU’RE King Sombra, tyrant of the Crystal Empire. You're an arrogant and boasters pony. And this, this isn’t you. I mean you don’t mean that.”
Sombra didn’t even register what he said as he kept his gaze fixed on Flurry. Twilight got up and pulled Cadance and Shining Armor back to speak to them privately. Flurry just gazed at Sombra, finding the courage to speak.
“I’m sorry about Radiant Hope. I could have just lied to you and told you she was a princess but that wouldn’t have sat well with me.”
“...”
“I know you loved her. You loved her more than anything else in the whole world.”
“She was the only thing, the only pony I cared for more than myself. You were right about that, you know… And knowing I caused her future to shift for the worse is the worst thing I’ve ever done to somepony. I wish I could have remained in ignorant bliss about Hope but the truth always finds a way to come out. ”
His words pierced Flurry like a knife, she bit her lip. Her stomach was doing somersaults as she spoke.
“You know, I had an idea before, I got pulled away. Would you like to hear it?”
“...”
“You said that Grogar told you that Radiant Hope was alive. So, what if I find her for you?”
He finally regained some color in his eyes as he looked at her. The color that came back didn’t last. As he spoke the color faded.
“You're too kind. Grogar probably lied to me, you know. And even if she was alive, what's the point? She wouldn't want to see me anyway."
She smiled at him.
“Even if Grogar did lie to you, I’ll look for her anyway. I'll even get her to come and see you when I find her. Until then I'll visit everyday.”
He chuckled weakly.
“If you say you can do it, then do it…. You’re something else. You’re something I can never understand, Flurry Heart. You’re too kind and too loving. One day those things will betray you.”
He smiled weakly at her. Flurry felt a deep warm feeling fill her as Sombra had finally used her name, she smiled back reassuringly.
“I promise, I'll look for her and find her. You know, you finally said my name.”

Twilight led Cadance and Shining Armor to the entrance of the dungeon and addressed them both.
“I'll admit, I wasn’t expecting him to be so… depressed. But you two have seen how Flurry cares for him and how her compassion has affected him.”
“Depressed!”
Cadance shouted out surprised.
“That doesn’t even begin to describe how he felt. He was like a black void of negative feelings. I have never felt anything like it before.”
Cadance hugged herself and shuttered trying to forget how his aura felt. Shining just looked away from Twilight, his ears plastered to the side of his head.
“He’s not himself. Just like Feather Lane said… Now, what do we do with him?”
Cadance and Shining stared at one another, neither knowing what to do exactly. Twilight stared at the pair and coughed to get their attention, they both looked at her.
“Well first of all I think you should unground Flurry.”
They gave each other defeated looks as they turned their attention back to Twilight
“Second, I think you should allow Flurry to visit him whenever she wants. Besides, don't you think sixteen years of isolation is enough?”
They gazed at Twilight. They both sighed heavily, Cadance closed her eyes and spoke.
“You're right Twilight. I hate to admit it but you're right.”
He’s completely defeated. He’s not going to do anything to anypony in that condition.
She continued.
“We’ve been keeping Flurry away from him for years. But she wanted the truth and she got it. She found him anyway and she cares for him. *sigh* I suppose she can visit him as long as Feather Lane accompanies her. Right, Shiny?”
Shining Armor couldn’t believe what he just heard. He didn’t think as he spoke.
“No, this is hardly a reason for her to see him. I mean he is not well but this is… not safe.”
Twilight sighed.
“Shining Armor, I know you want to protect her and everypony else but you saw him. He's not going to do anything to anypony.”
Shining Armor bit his lip.
It could be a ruse but then again, two months like this. I mean he hates me so much and he didn’t even insult me. I… I hate that she's right. He hasn’t done anything in years, he just stayed here imprisoned.
He closed his eyes.
Flurry, why did you have to find him? Why did you have to grow to like him? I absolutely hate this!
“It's too risky.”
Twilight was about to protest but Cadance beat her to it.
“Shiny, I know how you feel but there is nothing Sombra can do now. He's completely defeated and even if it is a ruse Feather Lane will be with her.”
He snapped back.
“You saw what he can do! That his magic can break through our spell! What if he harms her to get back at us? What if he decides to use his magic to break out? He's deranged Cadance! We can’t let him near Flurry.”
“Shining Armor!”
Shining Armor flinched. Cadance raised her voice, she rarely did that.
“Our prisoner, King Sombra, is heartbroken and will not do anything to Flurry! You can't feel it but I can. A heartbreak like his, is something that leaves you empty and unwilling to do anything. He isn’t going to do anything.”
Shining Armor swallowed.
That look…. She's serious about this.
“How can you be so sure, Cadance?”
“I'm not sure and I'll never be sure.”
Cadance straightened herself out.
“But I do know that if we keep denying Flurry the chance to see him or speak with him she'll grow to resent us. She is sixteen Shining Armor. We can't stop this but we can make sure it's safe.”
Shining Armor was seething. He knew Candance was right and that was worse than Twilight being right. He didn't know what to say, he wanted to argue with her but everything he came up with he had already said. He snorted, he couldn'tbelieve what he was about to say.
“You’re both right… I guess we should unground her.”
“And?”
Twilight smiled at him. He felt a pit form in his stomach.
“And… have… short periods of visitation. BUT I MEAN SHORT! LIKE AN HOUR OR LESS!”
Cadance smiled as relief washed over her.
I'm glad he's coming around. I didn't want to argue with him.
“Shiny, that's a little harsh, maybe just three hours max with Feather Lane watching.”
His eyes bulged out of his head as he looked at Cadance. Twilight just watched the two with a smile upon her lips. Her ears twitched, she turned in the direction of the approaching hoof steps. She saw Flurry. Twilight addressed her.
“Oh, Flurry. What happened? How is he?”
Cadance and Shining Armor looked at Flurry. A hopeful smile was plastered to her face, she looked at her parents.
“I’m going to find Radiant Hope for him and visit him everyday till he feels better.”
Her smile faltered for a second. Cadance and Shining Armor exchanged worried glances.
“That sounds like a challenge, honey. I mean Radiant Hope may not be around anymore.”
“I know but I want to try anyway.”
Cadance sighed.
“Alright, I'm sure you'll find something out about her. And you'll be able to let him know when you find anything out. Right, Shining Armor?”
Cadance looked at Shining, nodding her head at him. He begrudgingly agreed.
“Sure… Visiting him seems like a great idea… As long as Feather Lane goes with you and stays with you the whole time, got it?”
“Got it.”
Flurry nodded in agreement. Twilight looked on, smiling warmly at the scene before her.
I'll be checking in on them. I know how Shining Armor can get. He may need a reminder as to why Flurry is visiting Sombra.
Twilight spoke.
“I’ll be heading home, now. I see that this issue is on it’s way to being resolved but I’ll be coming to visit more often. I want to make sure everything works out and that there's no more problems. Oh, and I'll bring Sweet Spear home.”
“Thank you for all your help, Auntie Twilight.”
Flurry ran over and hugged Twilight, giving her a warm smile. Twilight hugged her back.
“You're welcome.”

Flurry was trotting down the hall with the complete collection of equestrian fairy tales in her magical embrace along with a few other books in her saddlebag. She was smiling warmly as she walked towards the kitchen. She was picking up a nice cup of honey milk tea and a few tea cakes before she headed down to the dungeons. It had been a week since Twilight had convinced her parents to let her see Sombra. She was still in disbelief over the whole situation but was happy it turned out this way. She may have had to have an escort now but Feather Lane was better than any other guard she had encountered throughout this whole fiasco. Flurry looked at the cakes and smiled. She was trying to get Sombra out of his slump by bringing him tea and other nice treats and although it helped, it didn’t really do much to make him feel better. Today she figured she would try reading a book to him. It seemed like he enjoyed fairy tales or at least she was hoping he liked fairy tales. She knew Hope believed in fairies so she was hoping he believed in fairies too. She met up with Feather Lane, she smiled at him as she handed him a tea cake. He smiled at the gesture and quickly ate it. The two of them walked down the corridor of the dungeon, Feather Lane asked.
“What do you got there, princess?”
“Oh these, they're fairy tale books. I figured they would cheer him up a bit.”
“What makes you think that? I know he’s still acting strange but reading him fairy tales? You think that will cheer him up?”
“Well, I think there are some good uplifting stories in here that he may like. According to his journal Hope believed in fairies so I’m guessing he does too. Besides who doesn’t like a good fairy tale?”
Feather Lane just looked at her and gave a little smile as they stopped in front of the cell, Flurry sat in her usual spot. She placed the tea and the cakes down into the cell. He looked at them with his broken eyes and then looked at Flurry asking monotone.
“What do you want today?”
Flurry gritted her teeth as she smiled.
“I’m here to read you a story book and tell you that I made a poster with Hope’s picture on it.”
“How did you do that? There are no photos of her anymore.”
Some color returned to his eyes as he questioned her. A playful smile crossed her lips as she answered.
“Well with the way you described her to me last time I was here before *cough* you know… I was able to have an artist draw her portrait for me. Here.”
She pulled the poster she had made up out of her saddle bag and gave it to him. He grabbed it up in his magic and looked it over, she could see a sliver of hope return in his eyes. He gazed at her, he sat up and then picked up the tea. He took a sip of the tea and then looked at it, disgusted by how sweet it was. He asked her bitterly.
“What book is it?”
She gave him a toothy grin as she answered.
“It’s a complete collection of equestrian fairy tales.”
He chuckled to himself.
“I’ve heard every story in that book. I’m pretty sure by now I’m a fairy tale in that book but be my guest read it.”
She smiled smugly.
“It does have over a thousand stories in it. So, let’s put that to the test and see if you really have heard them all.”
She began with the story of the princess and the timberwolf prince.

Deep in the Frozen North a blizzard raged on as a lone figure shrouded in a cloak emerged from a red crystal. The figure trucked across the frozen wasteland, until they arrived at the Crystal Empire. They walked across the whole Empire and boarded the train. As the train left the station, the pony dropped her hood. Revealing her purple crystalline coat, light blue mane and sky-blue eyes. She looked out the window of the train and whispered to herself
“Where are you, King Sombra?”
Radiant Hope gazed out the window, as the train barreled towards Canterlot.

Author's Note

We made it! It's done. Thanks for reading. I am planning a sequel which is in progress. But mostly I wanted to thank you all for sticking with the story. I know it took way too long to post it all cause life stuff came up and I lost motivation at one point but I appreicate everyone who stuck with it and read til the end. Truly, thank you.