Saving the king

“Well it sounds like you had an ok time so far. Honestly I still say Celestia should just kill him.”

“Discord, you know that would be wrong. In my opinion I'm making good progress. His desire for revenge is clearly there but since his magic is broken he's not a big threat. Also before you say it yes-- I know I have to still be careful. Anyway, I hope you're not getting into trouble since I have been gone.”

“Pfaff, me in trouble? I only get in trouble when I want to get caught, my dear you know that. The only thing I will say is: pranking rich ponies is so much fun. Just seeing the panic in their eyes when they think they're in trouble in heavenly hilarious! Toast to myself for being funny” Discord while literally touching two tea cups together.

Fluttershy giggled and took a sip of the tea Discord made. Talking to him after spending so much time with Sombra was wonderful change of pace. Although she didn't miss Discord’s messing up the place with whatever he wanted. Not that she could've stopped him anyway, but since she was still in Celestia’s castle she would have preferred to not mess up anything. That didn't stop Discord from turning everything upside down though.

“Since I have you alone, Fluttershy I have to ask: have you actually thought about how you're gonna “save him”.”

“I.. That's a good question. I just assumed that I would do the same thing I did to you. Befriending him and all that.”

“If that doesn't work? What then? Use the elements? What if..”

Fluttershy quickly placed a finger on Discord’s lips. She knew Discord worried about her getting hurt. Celestia forbid if she actually did.

“Discord, If you stop worrying so much I'll let you set Twilight’s bed on rainbow fire for a whole week ok?” Discord immediately changed tune.

“Nothing would make me happier, my dear!” Discord replied with a happy smile.

Fluttershy giggled “Good. Now I do need some advice on how I should proceed with King Sombra so if you have any ideas I'll be glad to hear them.”

Discord didn't like it the idea of helping Sombra but since Fluttershy asked for advice he couldn't say no. Thinking about it carefully, he thought about some ways she could take it.

“You could ask him about those scars you told me about. Play into his hands for a while. Or ask Celestia why she really wants him alive in the first place.”

I am curious about those scars. If the history behind them isn't a three books long I'll be disappointed. Discord has a point though why does the Princess want Sombra alive? She already told us though.. Ugh! I'll worry about it later

“Wait.. “Play into his hands?” What good will that do? Better yet how would I bring that up without immediately being called out?” Fluttershy questioned.

“Easy, my dear just boost his ego. Every male likes being buttered up especially powerful ones. Wait wait wait I have a better idea; Promise him Celestia’s head that will help him a lot!”

As if it were foretold in the scrolls of excellent timing there was a very bang sound on Fluttershy’s door. A very angry Princess Celestia came in looking directly at Discord. Fluttershy was kinda shocked to see her Princess in such a state.

“Discord! Put everything including Fluttershy right-side up right now!” Discord gave Celestia the ‘I'm totally fine with challenging this’ expression. Although she wasn't haven't it so Celestia put everything back together herself with her own magic. Fluttershy watched Celestia walk up to Discord looking straight at him. It was almost like Fluttershy herself wasn't there at all. “Do you want to tell me why my bathroom was filled up musical singing fingernails!”

Discord laughed making Celestia more angry at him “Well you see, Princess I put there because I thought it was funny. It was funny and now that you're here to confront me about it all I have is byehaveabeatuialtime!” Discord finished with a quick retreat. He left in such a hurry that Celestia didn't have time to react.

“Ugh! He's so annoying! Why did I let him stay in the castle again!” This was news to Fluttershy.

“Wait, he's living here?! Why?”

“To be closer to you, Fluttershy. He also said he wanted to be the first to ring Sombra’s neck in a basket if you got hurt. Doesn't change the fact he filled my bathroom with singing fingernails!” Celestia replied with anger still in her voice. In an attempt to make the air in the room less awkward Fluttershy offered some tea to Celestia. She gladly took some and before long she had drunk the whole picture Discord had made.

“Feel better, Princess Celestia?” Fluttershy asked calmly. Taking the very last drop of tea into her mouth Celestia slammed her cup down onto the table. The expression on Celestia’s face was more mellow but still a little mad. But that was good enough for Fluttershy.

“Y-yeah I'm fine now. Still a bit angry though, but other than that I'm good. Honestly I don't know how you put up with him so much. I would've gone insane by now”

“I just got used to it. Although I'm guessing in the back of your mind you're saying I'm also a little insane, Princess” Fluttershy answered back. Celestia shrugged and laid back into her chair but then she laughed.

“You would be half right. Insane wouldn't be the word I would use. More like crazy however, that's a good thing considering what you're doing for Sombra. Speaking of which-- are you going down there today?”

“Yes I am. Thanks to Discord I have a few more ideas I can try.”

“That's good. Is there anything I can do to help make this day easier?”

“Actually I wanted to ask you something; do you have a deck of playing cards?” Celestia gave Fluttershy an impressed expression. With that Celestia snapped her fingers and an unopened pack of cards appeared on the table.

“I want to hear all the details when you get back later ok? Don't leave anything out you hear me, Fluttershy?” Celestia said with vigor.
Fluttershy grabbed the deck of cards and put her other hand up “I swear I will give you all the details, Princess Celestia.” Both mares laughed and Celestia teleported out of Fluttershy’s room. “Well, I better get ready this is gonna be a long day.”

Fluttershy descended into the castle dungeon and just like the last few times it made her uncomfortable. Reaching the bottom of the stairs and seeing the guards made it better but not by much.

“Um, Excuse me”

“Yes, miss Fluttershy?” Fluttershy was surprised that the guard knew her name but it quickly came to her that they work for Celestia so of course they to know.

“Has he been ok today?” Fluttershy asked quietly. The guard nodded and gave a thumbs up which gave Fluttershy a sigh of relief.
With that off her mind Fluttershy walked down to Sombra cell. He was actually sleeping. It looked just comfortable enough to fall asleep in. Waking Sombra up would probably be a bad decision so Fluttershy just sat down and waited for Sombra to wake up on his own.

Guess I'll just shuffle these cards in the meantime. I wonder what theme this deck is.. And it's candy themed. Not the worst not the best there's better ones out there like the hero ones. Super “lyricist” Pinkie Pie is just so funny and it's kinda scary to think about how it actually fits her.

Sombra woke up to the sound of Fluttershy playing with her cards. Of course he was upset that she was interrupting this. But then a massive opportunity presented itself and Sombra wasn't one to pass these up. Since Fluttershy wasn't paying attention to him he channeled his magic focused on Fluttershy. Moving his hand out in front of him and snapping his fingers caused Fluttershy to move in front of him. Seeing the fear in her eyes was exactly what he was looking for and down on one knee was an added bonus.

“You have a very bad habit of taking your eyes off your opponent, Child” Sombra stated. It took a second or two for Fluttershy heartbeat to slow down. Being forced to look into Sombra angry eyes didn't help the situation.

“And you have a habit of scarring me! Jeezz can you not do that again nearly gave me a heart attack!” Fluttershy said while rubbing her chest. Sombra let her go but that didn't stop him enjoying his little play. Speaking of which he noticed Fluttershy’s playing cards all over the floor. It was only responsible to pick them up since he did force her to drop them. Nobody said he had to give them back though.

Sombra sat up “Your plan for today was us to play with this deck of cards? What game did you have in mind, Child?”

Ok he's just having fun with me at this point. Fluttershy sat down in front of Sombra and didn't have an immediate answer to his question. Lying wasn't an option but making stuff up on the spot never hurt anyone too badly.

“I thought we would play “two truths one lie” with a twist-”

“Let me guess, we draw one card and whoever has the higher number goes right?” Sombra asked immediately. Fluttershy embarrassedly nodded and Sombra chuckled at how predictable Fluttershy’s plan was. But then he got another idea and started shuffling the deck “fine I'll play along. However, let's play with another twist.”

“And that is?” Fluttershy asked curiously.

“Difficulty-” Sombra said. “Levels one through five are easy and six through ten are hard. If I win, you have to convince that Princess of yours to let me out of this cell for one night. You decide on what you want later if you win.” Fluttershy thought about it for a while. Convincing the Princess to let him out could be challenging however she's been really helpful so far but if Fluttershy had to step up her game for that then so be it.

“Ok that's acceptable. Even though we both are at a disadvantage, I think we should have fun with this.”

“What “disadvantage” do you think I'm at, child? Sombra asked.

“You don't know my past” Fluttershy confidently replied.

“Either way, Child this is not gonna end the way you think” Sombra fired back just as confidently.

Sombra placed the deck on ground, drew a card and showed it to Fluttershy it was a five. Fluttershy picked up a card-- it was a four and she showed it to Sombra. They placed the cards to their sides and Sombra thought about what he was going to say. As per the rules he had to start off a little easier.

“I broke these chains a long time ago. I sleep comfortably in this cell. I believe that these candy cards are Childish just like you.” Fluttershy recoiled at that last one.

“Did you have to throw an insult in there? Oh and no you don't sleep comfortably in here-- nobody would” Fluttershy said looking around uncomfortably.

“Yes I did and you're correct. Your turn.”

“Level four, mmmm?-- Ok, I always wondered what it would be like to be as powerful as the Princesses. I never been jealous of anyone. It's been a while since I had a nightmare” Fluttershy replied.

“You expect me to believe you have never been jealous of anyone? That's literally impossible for everyone” Sombra said while picking up another card with magic.

“If that's the case then who were you jealous of?” Fluttershy questioned. Sombra didn't answer the question but he did jester towards the deck. Fluttershy picked up a card this time it was a three Sombra had an eight.

Great let's see how this goes. All I have to do is really think hard about which statement is the lie. Easy, right?

“If I had the chance to kill Celestia I wouldn't take it. That's all you get” Sombra said smiling at Fluttershy.

“What! You can't just change the rules like that!” Fluttershy had the right to be upset. Not that Sombra actually cared. He just continued to confidentiality mock her via smile.

“Tell you what, Child if you get this correct by talking it through you win this game and if you lose I win. Sounds fair right?” Sombra asked confidently. He could tell by the look on Fluttershy’s face that she couldn't believe what was happening right now. However, the mare in front of him agreed anyway with little resistance. Now he had to do was wait for Fluttershy’s to get this completely right or wrong. Either way, it going to be entertaining.

Cutting everything short just because he can. I don't know what I honestly expected.. Oh well here goes nothing I guess.

“Ok let's here-- Would you kill Princess Celestia if you got the chance.. I would say most likely. Reason being is she was the one who put you down here, stopped you long ago, stopped you again by sending us along and to top all that off you must blame her for your magic being broken. I mean if I were in your position I wouldn't hesitate to chop off her head and hang it over my bedroom door.”
Fluttershy tried to take mental notes by gauging Sombra’s reaction. Unfortunately he had none and only sat in front of her dead silent.

“Is that all you got, Child? Just basic reasoning? That's really disappointing” Sombra said calmly. Amongst her confusion Fluttershy was also Interested in Sombra response.

“What else do you expect me to say? That's all you villains want is instant satisfaction…”

Sombra watched Fluttershy’s attention completely drift off to somewhere else “Hmm? Why so suddenly quiet, Child?” Another opportunity presented itself to Sombra. He could knock Fluttershy out of her trance, but then Fluttershy spoke just as he started to move his finger.

“You wouldn't kill her would you?” Fluttershy asked under her breath. Sombra tilted his head obviously wanting to hear this. When Fluttershy shook her head at him he knew she had a better answer than basic one she gave. “Yeah.. I have reason to believe you wouldn't kill her.”

“Explain.” Sombra replied.

“Well I mean look at what we're doing now. Sitting here trying to figure each other out for different reasons. I want to help you out but you don't want it. You enjoy messing with me however you wish knowing you won't break me. It's a challenge is what I'm getting at. What's the challenge in outright killing Princess Celestia? Nothing right? So what's the next best thing? Breaking her seems more your style of fun. So it's the truth you wouldn't kill Princess Celestia if you had the chance.”

Sombra smirked “That wasn't so bad was it, Child? Also Don't assume you're safe just because I haven't tried anything hard hitting.”

“I'm not going to respond to any of that” Fluttershy said blushing and looking away from Sombra. He chuckled at Fluttershy’s reaction and picked up the deck of cards with his magic.

“Anyway you win. So what do you want from me this time, Child?” Sombra asked while shuffling the cards. Fluttershy didn't answer the question for a bit. There were a few very important things she wanted to know about Sombra like his scars for example. But no matter how much she wanted to know, there was one thing that came through hitting her like a truck running at full speed.

“My name” Fluttershy spoke under her breath.

“Excuse me?” Sombra responded.

“Call me by name for once. Just once. That's all I ask.” Sombra stopped shuffling the cards. Fluttershy gulped. He gave her a look of disbelief and disappointment that didn't help Fluttershy’s feelings towards the decision.

“Out of all the things you could've asked for you still want that? Ugh! Fine.” There was sudden silence. Type of silence when you hear your heartbeat. Sombra just sat there staring at Fluttershy for what seemed like the longest time even though it was only a few seconds.

“I'll give you a choice, Child. Easy or hard?” Sombra offered.

“Why do you.. You know what fine whatever! If it makes you feel any better I choose hard” Fluttershy frustratingly responded while folding her arms. Whatever Sombra had planned she figured it wouldn't be that bad. That is until she saw his horn glowing and his magic crawling on her legs. Then her hair being pulled until her head laid against the warm floor. Her entire body was being forced to down on the floor and on top of that Sombra suddenly standing over her. Fluttershy’s heart was beating a million miles a minute but for some celestial reason she didn't panic. Although this was the time to panic to scream her lungs out Fluttershy decided not to. It probably wouldn't help the situation anyway. Sombra standing over her also did not help the situation and he only made it worse by actually deciding to get on her. Fluttershy wasn't shocked to find Sombra was heavy. Suddenly Sombra’s soft hands cupped each side of Fluttershy’s face.

“Do you realize what I can do to you right now, Child?” Sombra said calmly staring directly into Fluttershy’s eyes. He slowly dragged his fingers down Fluttershy’s face. He kept going down to her neck to feel the goosebumps he was looking for. Fluttershy’s mixed expressions of being uncomfortable and fighting the urge to fight back or to do anything made Sombra secretly celebrate the fact that he could take the time to mess with the poor mare under him.

“Yes I do. But like I.. said before, y-you enjoy cha-lle-nges and If I were to-- fight you that would only en-courage you more. So.. I won't fight at the moment!” Fluttershy struggled to say. Her effort made Sombra chuckle. Then without saying anything else Sombra brought his mouth to Fluttershy’s right ear while his hands were still around her neck. His breath gave her chills and it only got worse when Sombra lightly bit down on it.

Fluttershy closed her eyes and tighten her fist so tightly that it was almost painful Don't panic, don't panic, don't panic, don't panic!

“What was your name again, Child?” Sombra whispered into Fluttershy’s ear.

“...M-m-my n-ame.. F-lutter-shy!” Sombra could actually feel Fluttershy’s heartbeat going a million miles a minute. This was much needed entertainment for him. However, he wasn't finished.

“Fluttershy. Not bad. Hehehe.. mmm” Just to mess with the mare Sombra bit her ear again and licked it. He heard the giant breath intake and got off Fluttershy suddenly. He also let go of his magical hold over her. Fluttershy was going through a wide range of emotions while picking herself back up.

“That.. Wasn't.. Fair, Sombra” Fluttershy said while trying to calm down.

“Did I say it was going to be fair? Besides be proud of the fact that you didn't have a panic attack while choosing the hard way” Sombra replied while laying back onto the wall behind him.

Ok, ok your fine Fluttershy. Your safe and you didn't get hurt. You only got…I'm not gonna be able to sleep tonight aren't I?

“Blushing is not helping your case, Child” Sombra suddenly said. Fluttershy jumped back.

“CAN YOU PLEASE STOP DOING THAT ALREADY?! I DON'T WANNA DIE FROM EMBARRASSMENT!?” Sombra began to laugh. He laughed so hard that he fell to the floor with tears in his eyes.
Fluttershy wanted to run away from the embarrassing moment but she couldn't. So she had to deal with the laughter of King Sombra laughing at her for a number of reasons.

“Ok, Ok, I'm done. That sudden outburst was funny!” Sombra said while rubbing the last tears from his eyes. “Don't be embarrassed, Child I only promise to do it again if you entertain me enough hehehe ha!” Sombra mocked. He left Fluttershy shaking her head and trying to focus on one thing at a time. It took some time but eventually Fluttershy managed to pull herself together.

“May I ask what you got out of that?” Fluttershy asked Sombra.

“Obvious answer should be Obvious, Child” Sombra said while holding and staring at one of the playing cards. He had been staring at this one card for at least three minutes or so. “Now be silent. I'm attempting something.” Fluttershy watched Sombra just stare at the card like it had a soul. It was creepy-- right up until the card itself turned into a puff of smoke. Sombra shook away the smoke and revealed he was holding the very same card. “Really!? It didn't even-” suddenly the card started to glow and that glow got bigger. The light blinded both of the ponies and suddenly they fell on something soft.

“Ow! That.. Hurt.. Wait, where?”- Fluttershy opened her eyes and couldn't believe that she was back in her guest room. “Ohh that's not good. Wait where's Sombra?” He was right next to her and more unfortunately he was completely knocked out on her bed.
Even when I win I still lose! Great! What am I supposed to do now? OK, calm down Fluttershy just take it one step at a time. What's the next logical step here? Fluttershy took a look around her room and saw nothing that could help her in this situation. She then looked at Sombra himself and again thought of nothing. I'm so fucked

Princess Celestia was in complete silence. Fluttershy felt like she was ready to die anytime now. She told her story to Celestia and her reaction to it was this. The fact that she couldn't read Celestia face didn't help the situation. Was the Princess upset at her? Would Celestia replace her with someone else now? Would Celestia just teleport Sombra back to his cell? So many questions swam in Fluttershy’s head. But then a smile crept up on the Princess. That smile turned into a chuckle that then turned into a giggle and then full blown laughter.

Celestia rubbed away a tear from her eye “Fluttershy, when I said help him I didn't think you would lead him into your bed. So what's next?” Celestia’s playful tone confused made Fluttershy red in the face. She was expecting to get yelled at not this.

“Princess Celestia please take this a little bit seriously. I don't need more embarrassment attacking me today” Fluttershy replied. She was obviously off balance and Celestia knew what that felt like. So in response Celestia pointed to her bathroom.

“I'll tell you what, Fluttershy, take a shower and collect yourself while you're in there. The showerhead is removable by the way, so please take your time. If that's your thing. Once your done we'll discuss what to do next and don't worry about new clothes, they will be there when you get out.” Fluttershy did not get a chance to reply because she was being pushed to the bathroom by Celestia’s magic. It took thirty minutes for Fluttershy to come out of the bathroom, but she looked way more comfortable than when she came in Celestia’s room. “Do you feel better, Fluttershy?” Celestia asked.

“Ohh yes I absolutely needed that. Thank you, Princess” Fluttershy happily replied. Fluttershy took her original seat and felt like she could take on the world.

“So how was it” Celestia said grinning. Fluttershy looked away embarrassed and the Princess chuckled. “That's fine. I bet you enjoyed the pressure of the water though hehehe~”

“Princess! Please can we move away from this?” Fluttershy could see from the corner of her eye that Celestia was enjoying the teasing. Although the Princess wasn't wrong in her estimating it wouldn't be a good idea to give her more ammo.

“Fine fine I'll stop. It's pretty funny though. So what do you want me to do about Sombra?” Celestia asked putting her hands under her chin. She could see that Fluttershy either completely forgot about that or didn't have an answer it to begin with.

Fluttershy starched her cheek with a finger while avoiding eye contact with the Princess “Uhhh…I have no idea..”

Celestia smiled at the reaction “Fluttershy, you're seriously a bad liar. You make Twilight look good at it and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing.” Fluttershy froze instantly. She definitely didn't want to make eye contact with the Princess now. “You want him out of the dungeon correct? As much as I don't like the idea, my faith in you far outweighs that, Fluttershy” Celestia spoke calmly. That tone caused Fluttershy to turn to Celestia.

“I..don't know..-”

“It is fine, Fluttershy I understand. But the world and this quest of yours is gonna get way heavier once you leave this room. Are you sure that you want this?”

For the first time in a while Celestia saw that thing in Fluttershy’s eyes that made her choose Fluttershy in the first place “Princess Celestia, I'm gonna try my very hardest to not disappoint you or Equestria” Fluttershy said standing up and bowing respectfully.

“I know, Fluttershy” Celestia said proudly.

Fluttershy returned to her room after talking to Princess Celestia about the details of keeping Sombra out of the dungeon. She came to a Sombra who was sitting in the middle of the bed focusing on something eyes closed tight.

“So I assume I'll be going back to the dungeon in the morning.” Fluttershy walked up to bed and sat down on the side with her back turned to Sombra.

“I don't think I have to tell you to behave properly do I?” Fluttershy. Replied calmly.

“She must really believe in you, Child. Be sure to not disappoint your Princess because failure isn't an option for you now.” This was the first time ever Fluttershy has heard Sombra talking with a level head. Still, knowing that even more pressure is upon her now caused the mare to be mentally bankrupt.

“If that's the case then you better not make the wrong moves, Sombra.” Fluttershy crawled underneath her blanket, placed her head her pillow and went straight to sleep. Or anything close to sleep since that moment kept popping up in her head. Maybe she was being foolish by going to sleep right next to Sombra, but Fluttershy extremely hoped he wouldn't try anything.