Shining Armor lost track of time as he wandered aimlessly around the ballroom. Sure, he managed to keep a courteous smile, and even conversed with ponies here and there to keep up appearances; but given how overwhelmed he was feeling from Sombra’s earlier command, as well as the fact his balls were still aching from that uncompleted orgasm, Shining was surprised he wasn’t blushing too deeply to warrant suspicion. He tried to look around for Cadance again, but quickly lost her after leaving that locker room first. Because of that, the supposed “Prince” was left by himself as he tried to look for somepony familiar to confide in.

“Ah! There you are, honey~” Shining quickly turned around when he overheard his Mother’s comforting voice. Even though the past couple days greatly changed his thoughts on both his parents, Shining merely sighed with a relieved smile at seeing some familiar faces. Velvet and Night Light looked just as wholesome as could be, with the mare wearing a stunning silver gown while her Ex wore a vintage blue tuxedo. The two were holding onto Flurry Heart, who was cooing sweetly in a harness lugged over Velvet’s chest. Shining’s smile grew more content when he saw his daughter, almost as if she was serving as a safety blanket for himself at that moment. His parents may have been borderline-sadistic nymphos, but he was certain that they wouldn’t do anything inappropriate with their granddaughter present.

“Oh, hey guys…” Shining leaned in to give some much-needed attention to his daughter. He dangled his hoof in front of her face and went, “Coochie coo!~”

Flurry Heart giggled sweetly from her Daddy’s affection, which prompted Velvet to light up her horn and float her into Shining’s embrace. “Here you go, dearie,” she said in a sweet and comforting tone. “I feel like you need some affection after everything that’s happened.”

Shining may have nodded graciously with a smile, but that comment was still foreboding enough to leave his muzzle slightly skewed. Fortunately, Flurry Heart was quick to nuzzle the nape of her father’s neck, allowing him to blush appreciatively. Velvet and Night Light both smiled from their granddaughter’s intuition, which made it seem like she knew that Shining needed some support. Because of that, neither of the older ponies tried to say anything further that would be inappropriate for Flurry’s ears.

“So, kiddo,” asked Night Light as he kept a supportive grin, “have you seen where your sister went off to? She kinda disappeared a while back while you and Cadance were gone. We were kinda worried that something ‘Royal’ based happened.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” assured Shining with a wave of his free hoof. “I actually just saw her earlier. She and Sombra were, uhhhh…”

Shining paused briefly enough to glance back down at his daughter. Flurry Heart’s muzzle wrinkled at the mention of Sombra’s name, almost as if she still remembered him as that fiend who kidnapped and enslaved her parents. Even after a year of “reformation,” Sombra and Flurry Heart haven’t been around each other long enough to really change her perception of him. Shining and Cadance certainly tried, but any long interactions between them resulted in Flurry crying for her parents; of course, Sombra would immediately exit the room when she did that, not wanting to cause her any further distress. Shining wanted to be worried about that, mostly because he didn’t want that kind of wedge to remain while Sombra became a more permanent figure in their lives; although, considering what Sombra has done as of recently, Shining almost couldn’t blame her for feeling that way about him. If anything, it showed that Flurry was most-likely the most logical member of the Sparkle family as of now.

“... they were away from the ballroom for a moment,” continued Shining after that brief pause, not wanting to admit anything too revealing with a foal present. “They… were just wanting to talk over some things due to that incident yesterday.”

“Ugh…” Velvet’s ears slumped down after being reminded of that moment. “Honestly, I really hope you’re not blaming yourself for that, honey. You did everything you could to protect him, alright?”

Shining was just as overwhelmed about that moment as he had before, but he still nodded with a grateful smile in response. Night Light reached in to brush Flurry’s mane with a hoof, and said up to his son, “You know, I was only just informed of that earlier by Celestia. She mentioned how well the both of you reacted to that incident.”

“Yeah, thanks,” replied Shining with a more thankful smile. “Although I really feel like he should be given more credit. If it wasn’t for him, those ponies would’ve been sitting in a jail cell as we speak.”

“Hmph…” Velvet’s expression became more cross as she looked away from her son with a scowl. “I certainly would’ve done that.”

“Well, Sombra said it himself, remember?” Night Light turned back to his Ex and pointed out, “He admitted that he deserved it wholeheartedly. And, well… Given the circumstances, I can’t necessarily blame him for feeling that way.”

“No… No, I suppose not…” Velvet still looked conflicted, but she managed to shrug before turning back to her son with a faint smirk. “After all, it’s not like they chose to be under him like that~”

Even with Flurry Heart resting against his chest and sucking in her hoof, Shining winced from his Mother’s inappropriate remark. Both of his parents looked back at each other with light chuckles, but didn’t say anything further to imply the atrocities their granddaughter was unaware of. Shining held Flurry closer to his chest, but was happy to see that she was remaining blissfully unaware in his embrace. Luckily for the “Prince’s” sake, Shining’s parents didn’t say anything further to tease the stallion more than he already endured.

“Well, if he’s busy with Twilight,” noted Velvet with a roll of her eyes, “I have a feeling we should leave them be for now. If you catch my drift~”

“Ughhh…” Shining sighed while shooting her a flat glare. “I saw the two. Trust me, you couldn’t be more correct.”

Velvet and Night Light giggled once more, which only made Shining’s scowl more evident. Night Light tried to lighten the mood by saying, “Well hey, at least he’s not focusing on you right now~”

“Dad!” Shining made that hissed interjection while holding Flurry Heart in his hoof. “Your granddaughter is right here!”

“Don’t worry, I’m not saying anything else…” By that point, both of the parents took notice of Cadance coming up to them. Velvet lit up her horn with a smile, and unfastened the harness from her chest. By the time Cadance came within view, the older mare floated her the straps, which the Princess accepted without question. Night Light motioned towards her as he said to his son, “I have a feeling you two might need to talk, so we’ll leave you be for now…”

Just as he was about to leave alongside his Ex, Night Light bent in close to Shining’s ear and whispered, “And just so you know, it’s not nearly as bad as you might think~”

Shining’s eyes widened in an instant, not needing to ask what he meant by that statement. Instead, he could only watch in dread as his Father left with Velvet right beside them. It was at that moment that Shining finally noticed the fact that his Dad was wearing pants, unlike many of the other stallions attending this formal. He was also gifted with the very, very unfortunate sight of two identical, square-shaped bulges that protruded from their garments, just beneath their tails; Shining nearly gagged when he saw those, instantly recognizing them as bases for butt-plugs. He didn’t want to imagine how long they were wearing those (or how scarily well they were able to hide those with their calm demeanors), but he could only assume that they were similar to the one Twilight was using in the locker room earlier.

Shining still had no idea what had happened to Night Light following that… procedure… but he could only guess that Sombra wasn’t bluffing about his actions; not to mention, it seemed that the older stallion handled it disturbingly well, by all means considered.

“Huh…” Cadance may have not overheard what Night Light said, but she was quick to notice the addition of those bulges and trousers as well. She stood beside her Ex as they watched the two disappear into the crowds, acting just as blissful as they had when they were still married. As she used her magic to strap the harness over herself, she smirked back at Shining and said, “Well, at least nopony is likely to notice, huh?~”

She may have tried to be helpful, but her smirk diminished when she saw the pained wince on Shining’s face. “Hey, try to relax, alright?” Cadance picked up Flurry with a free hoof, and used her magic to get her secured in the harness. “The last time I checked, Sombra was still in the locker room with Twilight, so there’s plenty of time to prepare yourself.”

Despite how badly he was cringing, Shining tried to stop Cadance from adding any added weight to her fruitful form. “H-Hey, come on! You shouldn’t overexert yourself like that.”

“Pbbt~ Oh, please!” Cadance rolled her eyes, and secured the straps without hesitation. “After what happened in the janitor’s closet, I’m surprised you would still underestimate my strength~”

Shining looked like he wanted to say something more, but eventually closed his muzzle on the matter. Pregnant or not, he couldn’t deny that Cadance brought up a fair point. She may have been far in her pregnancy, but she still power-bottomed his muzzle like it was nothing. Of course, just as he was about to shrug in agreement, Cadance leaned in and whispered devilishly, “Not to mention, I really can’t have you holding her when your big moment is underway~”

Shining may have come to accept his fate long ago, but hearing Cadance’s open enthusiasm for it was jarring enough to make him clench his muzzle. He knew that he had no reason to complain, since he just helped her come to terms with enjoying these perverted acts just as much as Sombra and himself. But considering how Flurry was back to hanging from that harness with an innocent coo, Shining had to hope that she wasn’t paying attention to any of the things being said. Fortunately enough, Cadance managed to pull back with a less suggestive grin on her face. “So, are you feeling alright, hun?”

“W-Well, ummm…” Given how badly he was blushing, he couldn’t blame Cadance for checking up on him. But considering how she stated earlier how she wasn’t afraid to force him to continue with this twisted ceremony, Shining could only breathe out and reply, “A-As alright as one could expect to be, I suppose…”

Cadance kept her supportive smile, and reached out to place a hoof on his shoulder. “Well, just know that you’ll always have my support, one hundred percent.”

Shining knew that he should’ve been grateful for his Ex’s comforting words, but that didn’t change the fact that he was about to undergo one of the most depraved acts a stallion could contemplate. Upon thinking it over, a detail crossed his mind which prompted him to ask, “H-Hey, wait, ummm… D-Didn’t he tell you what he was planning to do? Like… specifically, I mean?”

“Indeed he did,” she stated with a smile, which grew cheekier as she narrowed her eyes on him. “However, that’s certainly not an appropriate topic of conversation to have with a foal on my chest~”

Shining winced as he glanced down at Flurry, who was too preoccupied with sucking on the bulb of her rattle to pay much attention to their discussion. However, he was also aware that Cadance was just using their daughter as an excuse not to spoil the reveal just yet. After all, one of the biggest things Sombra wanted was for Shining’s gelding to be left to the cuck’s imagination. If anything, what Shining didn’t know regarding the details of tonight was causing more distress than the details he was aware of.

“And even if Flurry wasn’t here,” Cadance continued, with her smirk growing coyer by the second, “I already promised Sombra I wouldn’t say anything. However…”

In an effort to help comfort her Ex before such a daunting moment, Cadance got in close to the stallion’s ear, and said discreetly, “I promise you, not a drop of blood will be spilled tonight. And if everything goes smoothly enough, there won’t be any commotion that comes from it~”

Shining’s eyes widened in shock, not expecting to hear Cadance make that claim with such sincerity. He knew that since Cadance was willing to agree with Sombra’s plans, that there had to be some big reason for her to feel comfortable enough to comply. But even with how genuinely she made that promise, Shining couldn’t think of too many scenarios where his emasculation wouldn’t result in a full-blown riot.

Was magic going to be involved somehow? Was the entire formal going to be brainwashed so they saw something else occur? Did… Did Cadance somehow get everypony on-board like in that telling dream the other night? Shining didn’t want to think that any of those options were possible; but at the same time, he was at a complete loss regarding how to process her assurance.

“Are…” Shining’s eyes narrowed on her in suspicion. “Are you serious?”

“Absolutely~” She then brought up her hoof to press against Shining’s lips, just like what she did earlier with Sombra back in the locker room. “But that’s all I’m saying about what he has planned. And you should be grateful I said even that.”

Knowing how firmly she made that statement, Shining didn’t even try to dispute it as he sighed in response. “Well… alright then…” Shining lowered his Ex’s hoof, and showed a more genuine smile on his muzzle. “Heh~ Honestly, it says a lot that you’re handling all of this so well. It’s almost like he’s growing on you~”

“Well, that’s not technically incorrect…” Cadance didn’t say anything more while Flurry was right between them, but a quick motion down to her torso made it clear that Shining was right; after all, Sombra did assist with something growing inside of Cadance, at the very least. She and Shining both shared a good chuckle, happy that they were able to treat such a significant moment with that kind of causality. After their giggling stopped, Cadance made sure to add cheekily, “And to be fair, it’s nice knowing I’m getting as involved as yourself and Sombra~”

“Hmm?” Shining tilted his head with a confused look. “What do you mean by that?”

“I think you know exactly what I mean…” Cadance looked like she wanted to keep going with that same smirk of confidence. However, her eyes veered down at Flurry, who was glancing up at her curiously as well. Even though it was doubtful that she could understand much of what they were saying, Cadance couldn’t take that risk. So after conjuring up a small sound-bubble, which she encapsulated Flurry Heart inside while in the harness, Cadance said back to her Ex, “I am the Princess of Love, after all. You can’t act like I haven’t caught on to the feelings you and Sombra have been sharing to one another~”

Shining’s eyes shot wide-open, and he tried to raise a hoof to quickly dismiss her claim. “Whoooaaa… C-Cadance, it’s not like--”

“It’s alright, Shining…” Cadance placed her hoof back on his shoulder, and kept her eyes on him while Flurry hung dejected in her soundproofed space. “Believe me, you’re not the only one to…” She made sure to look around the ballroom for a moment to make sure nopony was eavesdropping. “... to catch feelings for him over these months. I mean, heck… I even admitted I preferred him sexually over you, haven't I?”

Shining winced with his eyes darting around as well. Fortunately, the only pony who seemed to react to her statement was himself, as he blushed more heavily from that truthful remark. “Y-Yeah, I… I remember you telling me that.”

“And considering how much he’s been focusing on you this past week,” continued Cadance with a non-judgmental smile. “Which I promise, I’m not upset about… it really seems like you’re growing as attached to him as myself~”

“W-Wait, wait!” Shining didn’t want to try and dispute his Ex when she was acting so insistent about things. But considering what she was trying to say, he couldn’t help saying in response, “Cadance, I… I mean… You can’t seriously think that I’m…”

During that pause, leaned in to whisper, “... having feelings for him, do you?”

“Honey…” Despite how flustered Shining was looking, Cadance kept her comforting smile as she nodded without hesitation. “I can sense love, remember? I can tell when ponies have feelings for each other. That was why I never said anything about who Twilight befriended, or whether or not you could be involved with Sombra and me. I can tell how you feel about him, honey. And I promise you, it’s nothing to be ashamed of~”

Shining’s expression grew more distressed, and he had to pull away from her and avert his eyes out of guilt. While he couldn’t deny that he and Sombra had gotten closer, the idea that it was love felt downright sickening. All the one-on-one sessions and kissing may have been one thing, but the idea of loving a stallion who actively wanted to hurt him felt like a therapist’s dream appointment. But even after taking a couple calming breaths, and glancing back at Cadance’s reassuring smile, he was worried about agreeing with her on such a thing. Meanwhile, the Princess kept her expression as calm and comforting as could be, clearly speaking out of love instead of pure honesty.

“Shining…” Cadance stepped in closer to him, and locked eyes on Shining to state clear as day, “I know that you have feelings for him, but I also know that they’re not nearly as strong as your feelings for me. And it’s exactly the same on my end too… I love you more than anypony else, and that will never change…”

With that pause, Shining’s eyes widened while his cheeks grew a more pronounced blush. Cadance's smile finally clenched as she looked down for a moment, making sure that Flurry wasn’t able to break through that soundproofing spell. Luckily -- or perhaps, unluckily in Flurry’s case -- the foal was brooding in her harness with her hooves crossed over her chest. Since it didn’t seem like she was listening in, Cadance turned her sight back to Shining, just as he was about to ask worriedly. “B… But… is there something else?”

“Well…” Since this wasn’t the first, or even the biggest confession she made that night, Cadance merely huffed before finishing her earlier statement. “Like I said, I… I’ll always love you more, but… I’ll admit that Sombra has a special place in my heart as well~”

Shining wasn’t sure how to react to such an admission. His knees buckled a little, and he had to struggle not to collapse on the floor from his Ex’s response. Even with her insistence of him being her purest love, to learn that she also had feelings for Sombra was something hard to process. But at the same time, Cadance continued to smile reassuringly as she added, “And I can admit that because I sense it from you as well… You might love me more, but… you can’t deny that you love him a little too~”

To further solidify her comfort on the matter, Cadance leaned in to press her lips against her Ex’s. The two shared a soft, sensual kiss with Flurry Heart nestled between them, which made the moment look like something out of a picture book. By the time the two pulled back, still somehow away from any of the other attendees’ earshot, Cadance spoke while Shining was still lost for words. “And that’s why I never objected with any of the things Sombra had you do. I could tell that you wanted to indulge in him, just as badly as he wanted to take advantage. And in a weird way, it… it only makes sense for this to happen~”

Shining could only sigh as his fretful expression softened, and he took a moment to stare back at his supportive Ex. He wanted to keep arguing against her claim, but he knew that was virtually pointless. After all, since the two were legally divorced, it wasn’t like he had to defend having feelings for somepony else. Even if it was to the tormentor who took his wife away from him as a sick power-play. And even with all the sick, depraved things Sombra had done to him, Shining couldn’t deny the feelings that Cadance was already aware of. It was hard to describe how those feelings resonated in his mind before, but they were starting to come to clarity as he smiled back at her. “You… You really think that… that I love him?”

“Yes I do.” Cadance placed her hoof over Shining’s chest, and stated without any shame, “Deep down, you’ve always been a Guard at heart. And despite Sombra’s past, you were still able to see him as a ‘Prince’ worthy of protecting. I know you originally agreed to inviting him up to our bedroom for me, but… it seems like you appreciate him on equal grounds as myself~”

Shining couldn’t help huffing with a flustered smile, and looked away from her with a blush. “Jeeze, that’s a weird statement to make,” he said while trying not to chuckle fearfully. “I-I mean… It’s weird to think a slave would be equal to a Princess…”

Cadance actually giggled to that remark, not minding the fact that their daughter was hanging right between them. But since Flurry Heart was still encased in that magic dome, Cadance took that moment to grab something from her purse. “Oh! Speaking of which… After our talk earlier, I decided to take the initiative to issue something similar to Sombra’s documents the other day…”

“W-What?” Shining may have been smiling earlier, but his eyes quickly shot open with a new look of fear. His PTSD seemed to be riling back up, as he watched Cadance pull out a small parchment from her purse. She looked around for a moment, and then motioned for him to follow as she made her way to a refreshment table. Since nopony else was around the punch bowl, Cadance waited until Shining was beside her to show him the paper. Shining only needed a second to read the fine print at the top, and silently gasped from the shocking familiarity of it all.

Much like back in his office before Sombra, Shining was presented with yet another certificate of ownership. Cadance made sure the paper was angled out of Flurry’s line of sight, so only Shining was able to read the documentation she mimicked from Sombra’s paperwork. Just like with her husband’s document, Cadance used Shining’s official notary to make the papers truly official; in fact, the only difference was that alongside Sombra’s name, Princess Cadance listed herself as a legal co-owner of Shining Armor.

“Honestly, it… it kinda makes sense since we’re already married, you know?” Cadance tried to make the moment feel more casual with a chuckle, but she knew that Shining was still reeling over the realization. The stallion took that paper with a hoof, and read through the same decrees he originally signed with Sombra present. Even though Cadance officiated those papers herself (mostly as an act of revenge for what happened to her husband), it was still jarring to see the paperwork including his Ex-Wife as one of his Owners as well. But as he read through the document, as well as the blank line at the bottom meant for his signature, Cadance blushed while admitting guiltily, “Plus, I… I wanted to make sure that we were all on equal grounds here. If both of us are going to treat you like this, then… then I should try to follow in his hoofsteps~”

Shining may have understood what she meant, but it still took him a moment to process what she was asking of him. But regardless of how badly his heart was racing, there was only the slightest bout of hesitation by the time he looked back at his Ex. Cadance was already holding a pen in her hoof, which she presented for Shining to use. The stallion took the pen sheepishly enough, but he couldn’t help smirking when he said in a hushed tone, “You know… the Crystal Ponies would be appalled about you owning a slave yourself~”

“Don’t worry,”she said with a sly wink to match a more confident smile. “I know you’re more Sombra’s property anyway~”

Cadance said that with a disturbingly casual smile, which seemed to match the contented look on Shining’s face. After taking a deep breath, Shining didn’t show much hesitation as he placed the document on the table, and quickly jotted his name on the bottom line. He looked around to make sure nopony was watching them, and then handed the papers back to Cadance as his new Owner. “Well, I… I guess this is it, heh heh~”

“Yes it is…” Cadance rolled the parchment back up to tuck into her purse, and then finally undid the soundproofing spell protecting Flurry Heart. The filly had gotten particularly fussy, and was squirming in her harness for some much-needed attention. Cadance giggled from their daughter’s behavior, and left Shining be after a kiss on the cheek. “Okay, I should make sure she doesn’t need a diaper change or anything. Meanwhile, you should enjoy the formal while you can, Shining…”

Just before leaving, Cadance made sure to whisper into his ear with a sultry tone, “And that’s an order from your Princess, Slave~”

As disturbing as that statement should’ve been to hear, Shining only giggled with a blush before Cadance trotted off. He knew that he should’ve been reeling from that conversation; not only from the revelation of how he felt about Sombra, but also from Cadance’s additional paperwork he never expected her to insist on. But instead of dwelling over everything that’s happened, Shining decided to follow his Princess’ order by heart. So after taking a breath to reaffirm his smile, Shining walked off to appreciate the night while it lasted…

By the time an hour had passed, the Crystal Empire Formal seemed to be waiting in anticipation for some big event. There was a large stage in the middle of the ballroom, but most of the castle staff and event coordinators were left unaware of what was set to happen. There were certainly rumors here and there, but most of them pertained to Sombra being involved somehow. But since even the Princesses seemed unaware of what was set to happen (ar at least, they were very good at keeping their lips shut about any details), most of the formal seemed anxious to see what the big climax was set to be.

Meanwhile, just outside the ballroom on a large balcony outside, Shining was standing by himself as he leaned against the railing to look out at the Crystal Empire. Much like his talk with Sombra earlier that morning, Shining couldn’t deny how gorgeous the city looked from this castle. Even in the cover of night, the Crystal Empire shone beautifully with all the lights turned on, which illuminated the crystal structures like an array of colorful candles. The scene looked like something out of a storybook, or some high-end painting that would sell for high bits in Manehatten. But from Shining’s perspective, all that he saw was a bright and peaceful city he was proud to call his home.

“Aaaaahhhhh…” Shining savored that serene moment for as long as he could, not even thinking about the formal waiting just past those glass doors behind him. Of course, as soon as he heard the doors open, Shining turned his head to see a familiar stallion trotting out into the open. Sombra was back in his regal tux, and carried a confident smile as he trotted up to his slave. Shining tried not to tense up, but he still took a deep breath before pulling away from the railing. “Ummm… H-Hey there, Sombra.”

“Oh, don’t mind me,” he said kindly, before standing beside Shining at the balcony rail. He looked out to see the same view his slave had, and grew an equally content smile upon marvelling at the Crystal Empire. “Hmmmm… I must say, this is quite a lovely vantage point…”

He glanced back at the doors to the ballroom briefly, which remained wide-open without anypony coming past. “Have these doors always been unlocked?” he asked curiously. “Because I’m surprised no other ponies have come out here aside from us.”

“Well, a few ponies were out here earlier, but that’s about it…” Shining looked back out at the starlit horizons, and also up to the skies to make sure no Princesses were listening in on them again. Fortunately, it truly felt like the two were alone out on that balcony, which helped him smile more relaxedly beside the Prince. “Although I get what you mean,” he admitted with a light shrug. “This really is a great spot.”

“So, Shining…” Sombra waited briefly enough with that pause, and glanced over at Shining curiously. He could tell that the stallion’s muzzle was a little skewed, most likely from the impending ceremony that was going to take place very soon. He may have been grateful that Shining was left unaware, but he could tell that it was leaving his slave much more antsy than usual. But despite the small fidgets he saw from Shining’s hooves, Sombra felt compelled to ask with a smile, “Are you feeling alright?”

A sharp, hoarse exhale came out of Shining’s muzzle, and he tried to chuckle in response to such a bloated question. But alas, due to how nervous he was feeling, his “chuckle” was more of a hiccuped huff that barely came out as more than a wheeze. “W-Well, ummm… I suppose I’m feeling better than most would at this moment. Heh heh…”

“Hmph~” Sombra shot him an approving smirk as he nodded his head. “Yes, I would believe so. Cadance told me that you were handling things pretty well earlier tonight.”

“D… Did she now?” Shining looked back at him with a slightly nervous blush, and gulped before asking, “Did she… tell you what she did?”

“Yes, indeed~” Sombra’s smile grew much wider, looking rather proud of Cadance’s accomplishment. “And I have to say, that was a marvelous idea~ A little redundant, perhaps. But still, I’m nothing short of impressed.”

“Heh~ Yeah, I get what you mean…” Shining looked back out from the railing, choosing to avoid looking directly at Sombra as he processed his next statement. He was looking worried abou what specifically to say, but he let out a breath before asking meekly, “Did… Did she inform you of anything else?”

Shining didn’t look back at his Owner following that question, mostly in fear of admitting too much too soon. Fortunately for the slave, Sombra didn’t seem to mind as he looked out alongside Shining. “Well… she did ask for me to talk with you in private,” he admitted with a shrug of his head. “But that was all she told me. I have a feeling it’s something important, though…”

Shining could only nod with his muzzle pursed shut, unsure of how to respond without things getting awkward. “Yeah, I… suppose it is…”

During that brief pause, Sombra looked out at the city and asked, “If I may guess, Shining Armor… Is it in any way related to our discussion this morning? You know… the one before Luna intervened?”

Shining’s brows rose up, needing a moment to think back to all that was said on the private balcony above them. While it didn’t instantly spring to mind as being relevant, there was one part of the conversation that quickly came to light in Shining’s mind. That moment caused him to blush very deeply, mostly because he knew how significantly things could change if he admitted it to his Superior. But regardless, he still took a breath before nodding timidly. “I, uhhh… I suppose it… kinda does, I guess…”

But instead of clarifying what he meant, Shining turned back to Sombra and asked, “B-But ummm… before we get to that, I… I was wanting to ask something from you. And… I want you to be completely honest. Not just as a Prince, but as a friend, okay?”

Sombra could hear the insistence in Shining’s voice, and quickly nodded without hesitation. “Of course, Shining…” Sombra pulled away from the railing, and stood before Shining with a tall and prideful stance. “Despite what’s set to happen, I don’t want you to think you can’t trust me as a stallion. Whatever you wish to ask right now, I promise I’ll be honest. One hundred percent.”

Shining knew that his statement should’ve elicited a little suspicion, since Sombra was just moments away from beginning his proceedings. But after everything the two had done in private, Shining knew there was no reason to hold back now. He closed his eyes with a deep breath, and stood before Sombra while the moonlight illuminated them on the balcony. The doors to the ballroom may have still been open, but the two were far enough out of earshot to keep Shining from hesitating.

“Sombra, I… I need to ask you…” After a shaky exhale, Shining opened his eyes and looked up at Sombra insistently. “Do… Do you love me?”

Sombra’s eyes shot wide-open, and he quickly glanced over at the doorway to make sure none of the attendees heard that question. When he turned back towards Shining, he began to blush while scratching the back of his neck. “Uhhh… Jeeze, I… I’m not gonna lie, that’s quite a question to ask before I neuter you. Heh heh heh…”

Shining tried not to wince from now nervously Sombra deflected from his question. But after a moment of silence, Sombra breathed out so he could grow a sterner expression. “Are you… asking that in a romantic sense, or…”

“Please…” Shining closed his eyes as his expression clenched out of worry. “I don’t need to specify, I just want to know… D… Do you?”

Sombra put down his hoof, and looked down at the ground while blinking repeatedly. His momentary silence may have worried Shining at first, but Sombra was able to give a fair response after thinking it over. “Well, I… I know it might not be the same as how you and Cadance feel for each other…”

Shining’s muzzle tightened from how Sombra started that response; but at the same time, he remained silent in wait as he heard his Superior continue. “... But… If I were to be perfectly honest,” he said while looking away from Shining, blushing ever so slightly, “I… I suppose I can’t really say I don’t have feelings for you and Cadance…”

After another breath, Sombra turned his sights back towards Shining to speak affirmatively. “I… I do love you, Shining Armor…”

Sombra’s lips clenched shut as soon as those words came out of his muzzle, and his blush grew as heavy as his slave’s. Shining had to breathe out shakily, even though he was looking notably flustered from hearing Sombra say that out-loud. If the party wasn’t going on just within sight of those open doors, he likely would’ve went in and kissed Sombra as a thanks for his honesty. But since the two were hopefully out of earshot, Shining tried not to be afraid when he said, “I… I’ve come to realize I love you too…”

The realization hit him like a bag of bricks, and Shining’s head hung down while exhaling deeply. His heart felt a thousand times heavier in his chest; but at the same time, it almost felt like an even heavier weight had been released from his shoulders. Sombra had to look away from his slave for a moment, looking just as uneasy about the revelation as Shining did. Luckily though, neither of them said anything as they allowed that moment of awkwardness to pass.

“... Huh…” Sombra was the first to say something to break the silence, but it amounted to a mere huff as he struggled to smirk coyly. “I… I never thought I would have this kind of moment with somepony I enslaved. Heh heh heh…”

Sombra tried to lighten the mood, but Shining could tell that he was feeling nervous about the revelation they both shared. Because of that, the slave tried his hoof in breaking the awkward moment himself. “H-Honestly, you… you’re not wrong about what you said…”

Sombra looked back at him with a raised brow. “Hmm?”

“W-What I mean is…” Shining closed his eyes to collect his thoughts, and confessed through his blush, “You weren’t wrong about how… how different it feels for us… as opposed to how it feels between myself and Cadance…”

Shining knew that his response was weakly-said at best, so he tried to clarify what he meant while looking Sombra in the eye. “I… I know that I’ll always love Cadance more than anypony else… just how she’ll most-likely love me more than anypony…”

Sombra’s muzzle tightened briefly, but he was quick to nod in agreement with that point. Marriage papers or not, he knew that Cadance would never love him like she did Shining.

“But… B-But when it comes to us, I…” Shining knew that anything he said next would sound ungodly wrong, despite how right it felt in his heart. But alas, he knew that there wasn’t much that could be lost that hadn’t already been taken. Sombra already effectively took over his life in almost every way, and was able to keep Shining pinned-down in ways he never would’ve conceived as a cuckold. Heck, considering how things were going now, it was hard to even call their relationship cuckold-based anymore. But at the same time, that only prompted Shining to close his eyes, and double-down on what he needed Sombra to know. “... I’ve never… ever met anyone who made me feel as dominated… and helpless… a-and humiliated as I had with you…”

Shining’s muzzle whimpered the slightest bit, but he still managed to grow a sheepish smile by the time he looked back at him. “But at the same time, I… I can’t deny how much that gets to me… i-in ways I never would’ve even contemplated a year ago~”

Sombra looked back at him with his eyes widening, not expecting to see this side of Shining out in the open where ponies could see them. But even as the doorway remained wide-open, Shining stepped forward to stand closer to the stallion he adored. Tears were bulging at the corners of his eyes, but he managed to keep himself composed enough to continue speaking from the heart. “Back… Back before you came along, I… I could truly say I had everything I ever needed… I was living a life that most ponies would’ve killed for, but I… I just…”

Shining knew how ludicrous his next statement was going to sound, and he hung his head guiltily while before his Superior. “... I felt so out of place most of the time. I mean… I was the Head of the Royal Guard, and I fell for a Princess who I swore to protect. But… But even as her Co-Ruler, I… I was never able to truly live up to the standing I had when I was a Captain…”

When he finally pulled his head back up, Shining had to wipe his cheeks to keep from tearing up. “But when you came long for reformation, it… I-It gave me a new sense of being that… that just felt more natural for me, you know? I… I may have still been a Prince outside the bedroom… But when I was overseeing you and Cadance, it just… It felt like I was back to being a Guard again. And… And I loved that~”

By the time Shining was able to pull back his tears with a couple of sniffs, he looked up at Sombra with a more determined smile. Sombra may have appeared absolutely dumbfounded, but he couldn’t deny that he was growing touched from how heavily his cheeks were blushing. But instead of saying anything, the Prince kept himself silent while his slave continued on.

“You… You were able to give me exactly what I wanted as a Guard… You gave me a challenge I would always have to work to overcome… A Superior I would always have to answer to… A stallion who… who truly proved himself to be better…”

With that last statement, Shining closed his eyes as he lowered his head, needing a moment to contemplate those words. Even though he said the same thing to Celestia earlier that night, that was more to do with how Sombra was a better stallion than he used to be. But in that moment, while the two were all alone on the balcony, those words proved to carry a much deeper meaning than he expected. The realization caused his heart to thunder near-painfully in his chest, and his breaths to grow more faint and rapid. However, by the time he finally looked back up at the awe-stricken stallion, Shining Armor’s smile looked as content and genuine as could be.

“Do… Do you…” Sombra’s eyes darted around briefly, and he tried to clarify what Shining meant himself. “Do you mean, like… I’ve gotten better with my reformation?”

“Well… technically, yes…” Shining let out a weak breath as he looked away from him for a moment, needing to bite his lip in hesitation. But after sighing to himself in self-assurance, Shining looked back up at Sombra and said, “But… that’s not what I mean when I say that… you’re a better stallion~”

Shining lifted up his head, and stood more confidently like his Superior before him. After gulping nervously, Shining reaffirmed his point as he stated, “This morning, when you… you told me why you treated me the way you did… I didn’t realize until now that you were wrong.”

Sombra’s muzzle skewed for a moment, and he shook his head in confusion. “Wait… Wait, what?”

“You said that the biggest reason you liked to dominate me was because you… you thought you were better than me as a stallion…” Shining paused long enough to take one final breath, before confessing something he knew he could never take back. “But… even though you said you don’t feel that way anymore, I… I can’t say that I agree with you~”

It took Sombra a moment to realize what his slave was saying, but his eyes quickly widened when he connected the dots. The sight of that reaction caused Shining to blush more profusely, knowing that he just said something that his Superior would never forget. Sombra blinked a couple times in confoundment, his muzzle going agape briefly enough. By the time he was able to respond, all he could say was an overwhelmed-sounding, “Are… Are you saying… what I think you’re saying?”

Shining’s heart may have been thundering in his chest, but it also felt tremendously warmer as he closed his eyes, and nodded his head. “Y… Yes, Sombra…”

As he maintained his confident pose, Shining looked Sombra in the eyes as he stated without any shame, “I… I truly feel that… You, Prince Sombra, are a better stallion than I could ever hope to be~”

Sombra tried not to gasp as he clutched his chest with a hoof, looking like a mare who was given an engagement ring from her boyfriend. Shining remained blushing deeply, but he didn’t try to backtrack on his admission by any means. In fact, Shining took a couple steps closer to his Superior, and lowered his head so his horn was pointing at Sombra’s chest.

“After everything you’ve done to me, and everything you’ve taken these past few months… my wealth, my marriage, my family, my… my dignity… it’s clear as day that you’ve proven yourself to be the Superior stallion. And while I know I’m still a good stallion… heck, a great one, even… that doesn’t change the fact that you’re better than me… in every conceivable way~”

Sombra looked like he was going to cry, and clutched his muzzle with a hoof to hide his trembling smile. He may have not been a tyrannical villain anymore, but this gesture from Shining felt like something he would’ve fantasized about in his wildest, most depraved fantasies. Shining may have not been ‘broken’ in a psychological sense, but it was clear that the stallion truly understood his place before Sombra. And to emphasize that point, Shining pulled his head back up to look at Sombra with pure admiration.

“You’re a better husband to Cadance than I could ever be… You’re a more passionate lover than I could ever provide… You’re an attractive, intelligent, brilliant tactician who was able to overthrow me in every possible way… And out of respect, I must acknowledge that you exceeded me on all accounts~”

Sombra was at a total loss for words. He made a quick glance back at those open doors, but was grateful to see nopony present to witness him crying tears of joy. He may have taken so much from Shining by that point, but there was no doubt that this moment was the most gratified he felt in his life. Even when he was still a tyrannical fiend overwhelmed with dark magic.

Since the two were so close together, Shining took that moment to do one last thing. With nopony else present on the balcony, Shining reached out and placed a hoof on his Superior’s shoulder. His smile was as warm and genuine as could be, and he looked at Sombra like a good friend he had known for years. When he spoke, Shining didn’t raise his voice or show any apprehension in his words; but with each statement he made, Sombra’s eyes grew wider when he heard his passionate plea.

“Please, Prince Sombra,” said Shining in a calm and collected tone, “While we’re here at this formal, I need you to complete this ceremony. Not just for yourself, but for me especially. I beg of you, not just as the Prince you dominated to my deepest core, but as your diligent slave… I beg of you to commence the gelding ceremony. Please… I beg of you as your slave, to allow me this dire plea…”

Just as Shining pulled his hoof away, he took a split-second to bow his head down to Sombra’s hooves. Since nopony was visible from the doorway, only Sombra was present as he watched his slave kiss both of his hooves with quick, diligent pecks. “I beg of you, my Prince. I want you to do this~”

Shining then pulled himself back up, not showing any change from the confident smile he had on his face. To say that Sombra was blown away would’ve been an understatement. His eyes continued to dart between Shining’s waiting stance, and the open doors where music could still be heard within the ballroom. If even a single pony had looked out during that moment, there was no doubt that both of their lives would’ve been ruined beyond repair. But as the seconds passed, and nothing happened to either of the stallions, Sombra eventually grew an overwhelmed smile as he looked back at Shining. “W… W-Wow, I… I don’t know what to even say…”

Sombra tried not to tear up as he gave his slave a wide, appreciative smile with his lips trembling. Even though the two couldn’t exactly kiss without detection, Sombra wasn’t afraid to pull him in for a tight, loving hug. As they shared that warm and passionate embrace, Sombra smiled when he felt Shining’s hooves clinging to his back just as tightly. In that moment, Sombra whispered into his ear, “I… I truly do love you Shining Armor…”

“I… I love you too…” After that moment passed, Shining and Sombra finally pulled away to stand with caring smiles. Shining sighed with a look of relief on his face, seemingly learning more about himself than he ever would’ve hoped to. Sombra was able to see the heavy blush that remained across Shining’s face, but he said nothing about it at that moment. Instead, both he and Shining took notice when somepony finally walked through the open doors.

“Oh, there you guys are!” Twilight, who was back in her dress to conceal the welts Sombra left across her body, poked her head out with a waiting grin. “Are you two ready?~”

“Just another moment, Twilight,” said Sombra with a more confident smile. “I just need to go over the details with Shining here. I promise we’ll be quick~”

“Gotcha.” With an affirmative wave, Twilight used her magic to close the doors behind her. With that, Shining and Sombra were truly alone on the balcony to speak more privately. Shining tried to remain steady, but his breaths were growing noticeably shaky. Meanwhile, Sombra walked up to him with a more suggestive grin.

“Well, Shining?” he asked with his brows raised in intrigue. “Would you like to hear how things will go in the ballroom?”

Shining may have looked rightfully nervous, but he only needed a quick breath with his eyes closed before nodding. “Y… Y-Yeah… I’m ready.”

“Good…” Sombra reached into one of the inner pockets of his jacket, and pulled out an odd-looking device. At first glance, Shining assumed that it was the metal framing for a calking gun. However, his eyes narrowed in focus when he saw the thin, plastic string hooked like a rope at the end of the device. Sombra held the gun comfortably in his hoof, and admired it for a moment before explaining. “This is an apparatus used to neuter cattle, although it’s more common in the Gryphon Kingdom where they still hold beef for livestock. At the end of this device is a zip-tie, with a loop at the end which will tighten when I pull the trigger…”

He then looked back at Shining, who was blushing deeply while eyeing that intimidating tool. Sombra’s grin widened as he explained even further. “Tonight, you’re being tasked with giving a big speech for the Crystal Empire Formal. Along with myself, Cadance and Twilight will be present to stand behind you on the stage. With the aid of their cover, I’ll be able to reach out with this loop at the right moment…”

He brought out the end of his tool, allowing Shining to get a closer look at the plastic band standing in wait. As Shining’s muzzle clenched worriedly, he heard Sombra say with unmitigated glee, “When everypony has their sights on you, I’ll hoop this around the base of your scrotum, and pull the trigger. This will immediately constrict around your balls, and begin the process to suffocate the testicles and render them useless. And in less than twenty four hours, I’ll finalize the procedure myself in private to ensure you’re fully a gelding~”

While Shining was left with his muzzle agape, needing a moment to realize just how covertly this process was meant to actually go, Sombra pulled the gun away to tuck back in his jacket. “If everything goes according to plan, there won’t be a single pony in that crowd who will realize what happened. Even Cadance was surprised at the discreteness of my idea, but she was able to agree that it would be the safest means to make it happen~”

Shining continued to gawk at his Superior, and closed his eyes for a moment before he could speak. “W-Wait, so… That was your plan the whole time? You… You’re going to hide behind me on stage and wrap a plastic band around my balls?”

“Precisely~” he stated with a satisfied smile back at his flustered slave. “That was exactly what I told Cadance back in the bedroom. Of course…”

With that pause, Shining immediately took notice when Sombra’s grin grew tremendously wider. His demented, evil-looking smile shook Shining to his inner core, and it didn’t relent when Sombra said, “There was one detail I never mentioned to anypony~”

Sombra then got up close to the stallion’s face, keeping that lecherous grin to make Shining squirm in his suit. Before the slave could even mutter a nervous “What,” Sombra stated with a firm and domineering tone, “There are two orders you must obey before we enter that ballroom. First of all, I order you to place a soundproofing spell around us. Now~”

Shining was looking absolutely mortified, but he complied quickly enough to light up his horn in Sombra’s presence. The two were quickly put under one of his aura-made domes, completely cutting off their conversation from anypony who may have been present. Inside of the bubble, Sombra narrowed his eyes on him and spoke with a sinister smile. “I wasn’t planning to do this order, since I know it would’ve gone way too far for Cadance to approve. But after that wonderful speech you gave, I can’t think of any better order to give to you…”

Meanwhile by the balcony, Twilight reopened the doors when she saw the two were in a sound-bubble. The Princess walked over towards them cautiously, unsure of what was being said. All she could see through the translucent pink magic was Sombra saying something, while grinning as evilly as Discord during his villainous era. When she looked over at her brother, she saw Shining let out a deep, terrified gasp at whatever it was Sombra just said. She couldn’t read lips, but she could clear as day that he shouted out “WHAT!?” in the soundproofed space. She also saw him belt out a plethora of “No’s” and “Please’s”, and variations of the two while looking very distressed. But when she looked back at Sombra, he just carried a very wide, and very smug-looking grin before saying something more. The sight of those two looked extremely unsettling, especially when she noticed how horrified her brother had gotten. But after about a minute of back and forth, with Sombra remaining as unmoved as a brick wall, he pointed a hoof at Shining and said one last thing.

The last thing Twilight saw was Shining hanging his head in absolute shame, before lighting up his horn and undoing the magical dome. Sombra then trotted away with a cheerful smile, looking pleased as punch about whatever it was he did. “Oh, there you are, your Highness~” Before Twilight could ask what he was doing, he wrapped a hoof around her back and ushered her back into the ballroom. “I just gave Shining a little pep-talk for tonight~ But don’t worry, he’ll just need a few minutes to prepare…”

Back out in the ballroom, Shining was sitting on the ground with his eyes bulging out of his skull, and his face carrying an unbearably shaken look. He almost looked like the first victim in some haunting movie, who was too horrified by an apparition to do anything else for the rest of the film. Twilight may have not known what Sombra told him, but Shining wished more than anything that he could’ve had somepony to confide in. He may have been the most powerful stallion in Equestria, but in the moment, he never felt more terrified about what he was just ordered to do…

Ten Minutes Later

After all the waiting and anticipation, it seemed that the big “finale” to the Crystal Empire Formal was set to begin. Many of the attendees stood around the stage at the front of the ballroom, and tried to whisper to one another in hushed voices. Near the front of the stage, Princesses Celestia and Luna were standing right front and center of the crowd; Luna looked visibly worried, but her sister was carrying a confident smile in wait for Shining’s big decision. Right beside the Princesses were Twilight Velvet and Night Light, who had Flurry Heart comfortably resting in a large stroller. The Elements of Harmony, including Spike, were all smiles as they sat themselves in lawn chairs at the front row -- although, Rarity was looking equally as apprehensive as Luna did. Many of the other higher-class attendees, such as Prince Blueblood and King Thorax, were all standing nearby while rows of Crystal Ponies gathered up behind them.

High above the growing crowd, a magical poof of magic conjured up Discord, who was lounging comfortably in a plush fainting couch that hovered in the air. The draconequus already had a big bucket of popcorn on the ready, and peered down at the stage with a pair of opera glasses. “Oooh, this is so exciting!~” he said to himself with a gleeful squee. “I wonder if a filmed recording will be released after this? Or at least, a behind-the-scenes shot for the Director’s Cut?~”

Fluttershy may have overheard Discord’s foretelling statement, but only glanced up at him in confusion before shrugging her shoulders. By the time she looked back at the stage alongside her friends, the curtains in the back could be seen ruffling about slightly. A couple of spotlights turned on, illuminating the stage with a bright circular glow. As if it was on cue, an orchestral arrangement began to play from the other side of the ballroom to signify the beginning of this big event…

As soon as Shining stepped out from the curtains, he was quickly blinded by the bright spotlights that focused on him. His presence was followed by a strong round of applause, as all the attendees clapped and stomped their hooves in celebration of him. As he tried to readjust to the lights, Shining tried to wave as he stepped out at the front of the stage. Of course, even with his heavy blush and nervous-looking smile, none of the ponies applauding seemed to notice anything was amiss.

Just as Shining was able to put his hoof down from the spotlights, the two bulbs redirected back towards the curtains. Princesses Cadance and Twilight Sparkle stepped out side-by-side, holding hooves as they accepted the audience’s growing applause. Unlike Shining, both his sister and Ex were far more accustomed to on-stage appearances than himself. Of course, given what was set to happen, Shining was trying his hardest to keep his mind blank of any unnecessary thoughts. All that mattered was what he had to say for the audience during his big speech; and with that, complying with his Superior’s most daunting order as his diligent cuck.

When Cadance and Twilight let go of each other’s hooves, they brought their forelegs back to the curtain. Sombra finally emerged from the backstage, but his applause wasn’t nearly as gracious as the Royals had been. In fact, there were a good number of ponies in attendance who tried not to gasp at seeing him up on the stage. Fortunately, by the time he stepped in beside Twilight and Cadance, carrying a slight blush to conceal his bashful smile, the applause felt more genuine as the Princesses each wrapped hooves over his back.

“Ummm… W-Welcome, everypony, to the highly-esteemed Crystal Empire Formal!” Shining hoped that his flustered opening wouldn’t be too off-putting, but was grateful to receive another strong round of applause from the audience. As his eyes adjusted to the lights, his heart almost shot up to his throat when he saw just how large the audience really was. It may have not been the Equestria Games, but he still felt just as intimidated Spike must’ve felt on that day. But as he glanced down hear the front row, and saw Spike smiling as wide as could be in his seat, Shining felt a sharp twinge of guilt about him being present. And even with all the precautions taking place for this moment to happen, Shining had no idea how well things would go from here on out.

“Now, umm… before I begin,” he said with a calming breath, hopeful that he could keep his voice stable for what was to come. “I just want to thank each and every one of you for coming out here on this special night. While the Crystal Empire may have not been around for a long time, it’s events like this that help to solidify this city as a place any Equestrian can call their home. And with all of you present, I couldn’t thank you guys enough for proving that fact to be true.”

Shining smiled more naturally after making that statement, which caused the audience to all applaud happily in response. The stallion took that moment to glance back at Cadance and Twilight, who both nodded in approval of his kind words. Sombra looked equally as impressed, but he kept his muzzle shut while carrying a waiting grin. Shining quickly turned back to the crowd after noticing Sombra, and tried to ignore the fact that he already had a hoof discreetly stashed in his jacket.

“B-But, ummm… before I begin this speech,” he said, needing a moment to contemplate his next course of action. While this wasn’t initially planned by Sombra or Cadance, Shining thought back to what was discussed with Celestia earlier that night. As a more contented smile grew across his face, he turned himself around to present a hoof towards Sombra. “I have a very special reason for this presentation tonight. And it involves our special guest, Sombra~”

Sombra wasn’t expecting to be given much notice on the stage, and was frozen like a deer in the headlights when the spotlights drew onto him. He quickly pulled his hoof out of his pocket before anypony could take notice, and forced a nervous smile as the crowd applauded once more. He had no idea what his slave was planning, but it was clear from Cadance and Twilight’s befuddled stares that this wasn’t planned. Of course, considering how flustered Sombra was looking, it seemed that even he wasn’t prepared for this addition.

“Ooh!~” Celestis leaned in close to her sister and nudged her side. “I think I know what’s going to happen~”

Luna gawked at her wide-eyed, clearly assuming something else. “W-Wait, you do!?”

“Oh, don’t worry…” Celestia kept her eyes on the stage as Sombra timidly stepped forward, and stood next to Shining at the front. Her smile remained cordial as she nodded up at Shining in approval. “I know he has this~”

Luna blinked repeatedly, but couldn’t say anything as she looked back at the stage with a fretful expression. Meanwhile, Shining continued his impromptu speech as he motioned towards the former villain standing beside him.

“As most of you may have already heard,” said Shining while addressing the crowd, “just the other day in the Crystal Castle, there was a… very unfortunate incident that occurred to Sombra here. Over the past year, Sombra has gone above and beyond to present himself as a changed stallion, and tried his hardest to redeem himself through friendship and reformation. However…”

Shining paused briefly enough to let out a faint, remorseful sigh though his nostrils. “Despite all the change he tried to show to the Crystal Ponies,” he continued with a more solemn look, “that wasn’t enough to change the minds of some. And when I let my guard down, he… he was brutally attacked by several ponies who felt that their actions were just.”

Sombra pursed his muzzle and lowered his head, not wanting to look out at the audience as they reacted to that news. Even though most of them were already aware of what happened, there were still a large number of attendees covering their muzzles with hooves, or shaking their heads in disdain over what happened. However, Shining was quick to continue his speech as he motioned towards his Superior with a smile.

“But even as he laid in that hospital bed, and I personally visited him to apologize for what happened… He showed absolutely no malice towards the ponies who hurt him. In his words… he completely understood why they acted the way they did. And instead of having those ponies prosecuted, he insisted himself that they be released with no charges pressed.”

Sombra looked back at him with a wide-eyed blush, not expecting for Shining to address the situation with such earnestness. Meanwhile, Shining looked back at him with a prideful smile. “And I have to say,” he said while smiling, “it was nothing short of admirable of you to have reacted the way you did. Even when you were nearly killed, you still acknowledged the fact that your actions still impacted many ponies here. But instead of dwelling over past mistakes, or worrying about what ponies may have thought of you, you decided to take that moment to call for action.”

Shining lit up his horn, and floated out a microphone for Sombra to take. Since Sombra wasn’t planning to say anything during this ceremony, he was the only one not to wear any attached mics to his collar. Sombra accepted the microphone with a meager smile, but still nodded in appreciation of Shining’s gesture. As he looked back out towards the crowd, he cleared his throat while giving his statement.

“Umm… Y-Yes, that’s correct,” he said before the Crystal Ponies, and everypony else in attendance. Sombra may have been unprepared to be one of the focuses of this speech, but that didn’t mean he was unable to clarify some details on Shining’s behalf. “Just yesterday, as your Prince offered me to share a lunch with him in the grand dining hall… I was the victim of an orchestrated attack by several former staff members of this castle. While the moment may have felt sudden, I… I learned from several sources that it was a moment in the making for quite some time…”

His admission caused many of the attendees to widen their eyes in shock, not expecting to learn that kind of intel from the Ex-King. Sombra then raised his hoof to add accordingly, “And in their defense… all of them were members of an organization who had tried to remove me from my throne back when I was still in rule. And while they may have never succeeded, they… they certainly had their reasons for wanting me dead…”

Sombra put down his mic for a moment to sigh with a dreadful look, while many of the attendees murmured and whispered in the crowd. Shining was looking hesitant for a moment, almost as if he was regretting his choice of bringing Sombra up here. But after a moment of silence, Sombra looked back out at the crowd and stated, “In fact… I’m sure that even tonight, there are still many Crystal Ponies who dislike me for my actions. And even if they claim otherwise, I won’t blame them if my past soured their perceptions of me from here on. Even with how many figures who had shown reformation before myself; such as Discord, or Tempest Shadow, or even Nightmare Moon…”

That addition got Luna’s muzzle to wrinkle as she turned away from the stallions on stage. Meanwhile, Sombra kept going as he spoke from the heart, and carried a truly remorseful tone of voice. “... I know that my actions might not ever be forgiven to some. The atrocities I committed during my days of rule, even while being influenced by Dark Magic, aren’t enough to justify the lives I’ve taken from this beautiful city. Nor does my remorse make up for the ponies I tried to enslave… Including your very rulers right beside me…”

Due to how sullen his speech was getting, Shining tried not to look too upset by being mentioned in the list of Sombra’s regrets. While it was certainly gratifying to hear him say such things, it only reminded him that he was still being enslaved by him in secret; and most likely, he would always be enslaved by him…

“However,” Sombra said as his voice perked up to sound more confident, “That doesn’t mean that I’m unwilling to try. I know how severe my actions have been, but I can make a promise to each and every one of you listening. No matter what happens, and no matter what my reputation may seem, I will never stop improving myself as a changed stallion. Even if that means apologizing to every single pony I’ve hurt individually, I’ll be willing to do so if that means I can carry a clearer conscience. After all that I’ve done, there’s only one thing that I truly wish for… and that’s to prove to myself that I’m capable of being seen as a good stallion.”

After his passionate speech, Sombra grew a trembling smile as he received a strong round of applause from the crowds. He had to close his eyes while wiping his cheeks with a hoof, not wanting to get teary-eyed before the Crystal Empire. But before Shining could try to take the reins of his planned speech, Sombra added with a more insistent tone, “And to further prove that point, there’s something that I want every Crystal Pony to be made aware of…”

Sombra wrapped a hoof around Shining’s back, pulling him in close while speaking into his microphone. “Yesterday, I revealed some of my hidden assets which were given to those ponies who attacked, which served as a reparation for my past. But what I haven’t told Shining or Cadance is this… I have another hidden cache of treasures buried beneath this castle!”

Evenerypony in the audience gasped, including Shining and Cadance on the stage. But instead of letting that reaction sink in, Sombra pointed out towards his former captives and said, “And I can guarantee you all: By the end of this week, there will be even larger reparation checks for each and every Crystal Pony!~”

That announcement got everypony in the room to cheer and roar in applause. Many of the Crystal Ponies looked absolutely elated, and were jumping up and down in glee from that unexpected reveal. The mood felt like something from a game show, except that the reveal was everyone off the stage was getting a cash prize. Even Discord was clapping in approval from up above; of course, he took a moment to glance at you, and say cheekily, “Gee, if only more politicians were willing to do that~”

Back down on the stage, Shining leaned in close to Sombra’s ear and whispered hastily, “Wait, you have more treasure?! Where?!?”

“Don’t worry, it was in a former section of the castle dungeons I had sealed off,” hissed Sombra back at him, making sure it didn’t get caught by Shining’s mic. “I’ll show you guys where tomorrow, I promise.”

By the time the wild applause was able to finally die down, Shining tried to smile in relief and bring the ceremony back on track; he may have been upset about Sombra hiding more of his wealth, but he was more grateful he wasn’t using his stolen bank account to cover the costs. Before Sombra could say anything else, Shining caught everypony’s attention as he said, “Well then! Even though I was already planning to do this tonight, I feel that Sombra’s generous act is the perfect segue into my reason for bringing him here…”

Sombra looked back at him with a raised brow, looking intrigued by whatever it was his slave was planning. Cadance and Twilight looked equally as curious and glanced at one another for a moment with unsure shrugs. When Shining looked down at Celestia in the crowd, she gave him a warm and approving nod for what he was planning. And with that, Shining smiled and gave a quick nod back.

“Sombra…” Shining stood pridefully before his Superior, just as he did out on the balcony when he made that life-altering confession of inferiority. But with all of the ponies in attendance watching, Shining kept a confident smile as he reached a hoof into the inner pocket of his jacket. “When Celestia talked with me earlier tonight, she wanted to show her appreciation for your improvement as a reformed stallion, and also for your graciousness in response to the incident that befell you earlier. So…”

Shining then pulled out the parchment Celestia had given him, and used his magic to unroll the scroll and present it towards the audience. “In accordance with Equestrian Law, and my personal approval as Co-Ruler of the Crystal Empire, I have in my possession… the official documentation to legally pardon Sombra!”

There was an even louder round of gasps that came from the audience. Cadance and Twilight had their jaws dropped in unison, with the former gawking over at her Aunt. Celestia was smiling pridefully, looking extremely happy to have made such a moment happen for the reformed stallion. Meanwhile, Luna covered her face with both hooves as she groaned in regret.

“Huh…” Even Discord looked surprised that Shining was willing to do that, but he merely shrugged before saying to himself, “Eh, that’s not the worst pardon I’ve seen…” He shot another stare back at you as you’re reading this part.

As the crowd grew silent in shock, Sombra was left standing completely baffled when he saw the scroll himself. Shining floated the document towards him with his magic, with his signature already applied to the bottom line. Sombra covered his mouth with a hoof, with tears streaming down his face as the reality of it set in. Even after everything he’s done, and all the horrifying ways he tormented the stallion before him, that document in Shining’s magic was granting Sombra something he never thought he’d have in his life.

“Sombra,” said Shining Armor with a friendly, caring tone that matched his warm smile, “I am very pleased to tell you that as of tonight… You are officially a free stallion~”

Sombra looked up at him with teary eyes, and instantly lunged in to pull him into a tight hug. “AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!~” Sombra didn’t even try to look cordial for the crowds, and clung to Shining as tightly as he could while crying. His emotional shriek stunned many of the attendees, as well as the Princesses who were absolutely floored by Shining’s decree. The stallion could barely keep standing while Sombra was hugging him, but he still mustered a trembling smile when he heard his Superior bawl out, “Thank you, Shining!!! Thank you so much!!!~”

Sombra may have been seen as a cold and brutal stallion in his past; but to all the Crystal Ponies watching him now, all that they saw was an old stallion crying in utter glee in their Prince’s embrace. Celestia was the first to start clapping her hooves with a touched smile, not noticing her sister’s gawking glare pointed at her. One by one, ponies within the crowd stood up with tearful smiles, and clapped their hooves as well. In less than a few seconds, the entire crowd was clapping enthusiastically, which intensified the moment of elation Sombra felt as he hugged Shining with pure love.

“Thank you, Shining…” Sombra pulled back for a moment to stare at him with the most genuine smile he could muster. He didn’t even care that tears were matting his face, nor did Shining while looking back at him in mutual care. “This… This is the greatest thing you could’ve done for me.”

“H-Hey, it’s no problem,” he said with a sheepish shrug, not wanting to blush too hotly following that moment. “I was just doing a good deed for a friend~”

“Oh believe me, Shining. It truly is…” Sombra reached out to place a hoof on his shoulder; at least, that was what the audience before them saw. However, Sombra’s hoof knew exactly where Shining’s mic was pinned, and pinched that part of the collar to muffle it completely. Sombra may have kept his touched-looking smile, but he spoke in a much firmer tone of voice. “You are aware it’s still happening, right?~”

None of the ponies off the stage heard what he just said, nor did they see Shining’s smile grow much more fearful. Shining sucked in a deep breath through his nostrils, and tried his hardest not to look too worried as he kept a sheepish smile. “I… I do, Sombra…”

“Good~” with that, Sombra let go of his mic, and returned the one in his other hoof back to him. He then walked back to stand between Cadance and Twilight, who both gave him supportive hugs after that beautiful moment. Sombra had to take a couple breaths while standing in the afterglow of his elation, and quickly wiped the tears from his face. Meanwhile, Shining Armor remained at the front of the stage, with both of the spotlights returning to focus solely on him.

“Ummm… W-Well, I…” Shining had to struggle to break from his overwhelmed state, and quickly wiped his tears as he stood by himself once more. Sombra was back in position between Cadance and Twilight, whose wings unfurled the tiniest bit to conceal him past his neck. As Sombra slowly pulled his hoof into his jacket, he stared at the slave before him while he tried to speak. “I know that this decision was… significant, at best,” admitted Shining as he gave a light shrug, “but… I couldn’t be happier that I was able to use my Royal standing to help someone like Sombra. In a way, it… it really helped me to realize a lot of things before coming up here…”

Twilight narrowed her eyes in suspicion, as did Cadance as she leaned in beside her husband. She used her magic to cover her mic before asking, “I’ve been meaning to ask, what was Shining’s speech going to be?”

“Oh, don’t worry,” said Sombra, whose eyes were pinned on Shining’s backside as he held onto the handle of his device. “He already knows exactly what he wants to say~”

Shining’s tail was slightly lifted, which revealed the plump, slightly blued balls that were hanging between his fidgeting legs. But as he stood before the Crystal Ponies, Shining had to try his hardest not to look behind and see what Sombra was doing. His blush may have been deepening, but he felt his cheeks getting colder from the realization of what was going to happen. The idea of continuing this speech terrified him, and not just because of that castrating tool that was waiting just behind him for Sombra to use; but alas, Shining managed to keep a smile on his face as he continued to speak.

“Much like Sombra, I… I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to do with my life…” Shining had to keep from pausing too much, or else it might warrant some suspicion from the Princesses behind him. “And while it’s easy to say that I have everything figured out, it… it doesn’t change the fact that a lot of things have changed over the past year…”

Cadance tilted her head with a more cautious look, but tried to mask that with a smile when Shining made a quick motion towards her. “Any day now, Cadance and I are expecting our second foal. And with all the incoming developments in Canterlot, there’s no doubt that a lot of changes are expected in the near future…”

Now Celestia and Luna were looking concerned as well. Luna narrowed her eyes on Shining with great suspicion, but refrained from opening her muzzle to stop his speech. By that point, Shining could feel every single eye on him, just like Sombra promised. But even with everypony focused on the Prince, nopony seemed to notice the end of that metallic tool peeking out towards Shining’s backside…

“While I don’t want to exaggerate things,” he continued while his face remained a notable shade of pink, “I don’t think it’s too hard to say that Equestria is reaching a new era. An era of friendship. An era of peace. And most importantly, an era of unity that will bring us closer to nations all over the world…”

Shining tried not to flinch when he felt something brush up against the underside of his balls. Sombra kept an eager grin on his face, but remained focused as he drew up the hoop of that plastic band. Like a noose going around a criminal’s neck, that zip-tie effortlessly made its way up to the base of Shining’s ballsack. The Prince was able to keep from wincing, but he could feel that thin plastic clear as day around his balls. The realization of what was coming was causing his heart to pound relentlessly in his chest; but at the same time, Shining could also feel his member straining as hard as it ever had inside of his chastity cage. He could try to deny it all he wanted, but he knew that his body was admitting the truth: He wanted this to happen.

“And while my decision to pardon Sombra isn’t one to take lightly,” continued Shining, as he struggled not to falter his voice by any means. “I’m eternally grateful that I was able to make a decree of peace and forgiveness as your Prince…”

Celestia took notice of how Shining’s muzzle twitched when he said that last word, which caused her eyes to widen in realization. During her conversation with Shining earlier that night, she saw that same thing happen whenever she referred to him as ‘Prince Shining.’ She hadn’t thought much of it back then, but as she looked up at the stallion on stage now, the realization struck her like a cannonball. Those twitches weren’t some involuntary response or random tick. They truly signified what Shining was about to announce.

“And… with that decree being made…” Shining took a final breath as he looked out at the crowd before him, and felt that plastic band tightening ever so slightly. Sombra didn’t pull the trigger just yet, but his hoof grasped the handle with full intent to make it happen. Cadance may have wanted to witness such a twisted moment; but much like her sister-in-law, she was growing more concerned about what her Ex was going to say in this speech.

Shining’s pause lasted for only a second, but it was accompanied with a hallowed stare out to the audience by the time he finished his final statement:

“... I must admit that I, Prince Shining Armor… am hereby stepping down as the Co-Ruler of this Empire.”

VVVVRRRRRR!!!~

With a hard pull of his handle, Sombra drew back the plastic band to latch tightly around the base of Shining’s balls. The metallic whir of his device may have been loud, with the plastic grinding like a ravenous growl to make a tight noose around the slave’s sack. However, in the moment Shining Armor made that announcement, the sound of his gelding was completely masked by the strong gasps that everypony had in the ballroom.

For ten seconds straight, not a single word was uttered as the room laid dead silent. Cadance’s jaw was nearly touching the floor, with her eyes as wide as frisbees. Twilight looked equally as appalled, but she instantly thought back to what Sombra had said to her brother back on the balcony. When she looked back at him with a livid glare, Sombra had just pulled the latch to snip the remaining zip-tie from its frame. He effortlessly tucked the device back in his jacket, while Shining’s balls were bunched-up and bulging around his band like a couple of overfilled water balloons. Since the deed was already done, Sombra showed absolutely no shame as he grinned back at his third wife.

Out in the crowd, there wasn’t a single jaw that hadn’t dropped from Shining’s sudden resignation. Celestia had both hooves over her mouth, appearing downright mortified that she hadn’t seen the signs before then. Luna was lurched forward in her seat, cradling her head in her hooves. Shining’s parents looked absolutely stunned, and were gawking up at their son like he just admitted to murder. Even the Elements of Harmony looked shocked by this revelation, with Rarity shooting a very worried stare towards Twilight on the stage.

Eventually, the only sound to break that wall of silence was the faint, audible munching of Discord as he ate his popcorn above the ballroom. Other than that, Shining had to keep his composure while feeling that sharp, sudden bout of pressure wrapped around his balls. The grip was far, far tighter than he would’ve imagined, with a steady bout of pain flooding in with every strained pulsation. It was nothing short of a miracle that he didn’t yelp out from that banding, or even squirm to show any discomfort before the audience. Of course, by the time he was finally able to speak, his voice came out a couple of pitches higher as he tried to explain himself.

“Y… You see…” Shining tried to take a couple of breaths, not that it really did much to quell the throbbing pain his balls were feeling. However, he was somewhat able to bring his octave back down while speaking. “I… I’ve come to realize that, much like Sombra… it wouldn’t be fair to balance the responsibilities of being a Prince… w-with being a soon-to-be Father of two…”

Cadance had to cover her mouth in shock, realizing that he was actually going through with this. After everything that they managed to do together, Shining was actually willing to throw away his title to appease Sombra like some twisted power-play. If she or Twilight were able to freeze time, there was no doubt that Sombra would’ve been beaten to a bloody pulp right where he stood. But alas, all they could do was stand in horror as Shining continued with Sombra’s cruelest order to date.

“Keep in mind, I’ll still continue to protect the Crystal Empire to the best of my abilities…” Shining hoped that addition would help alleviate some of the shock, but he could still see a plethora of mortified stares from the Crystal Ponies below him. The last thing he wanted to do was make his citizens think he betrayed them, or see him as being anything less than the stallion he was now. However, as he tried to adjust to that throbbing pain around his ballsack, Shining knew he had to continue on as her Sombra’s orders. “But… F-From this moment on, I… I don’t wish to be seen as a Prince any longer… n-nor do I want to be credited as a member of the Royal Family…”

Sombra had to try his hardest not to nod in approval, but he still grinned evilly as he watched his slave openly resign before his very eyes. He was sure he was going to be punished severely for his involvement in this, but all he could do was savor the moment while it lasted. But among the continued gasps and whispers from the audience before them, Sombra continued to hear his little bitch finish his special speech.

“All that I want, is to dedicate my years to my two children, and be a caring Father they can be proud of. And while I’ll continue to show my dedication as a member of the Royal and Crystal Guards, I feel that my dedication can only remain at that. I… I can’t in good conscience try to juggle the responsibilities of overseeing the Crystal Empire, while also caring for two foals at home.”

Shining knew that no matter what he tried to say, this moment would forever be marred as a black mark in the Crystal Empire’s history. While it wasn’t the same as declaring Sombra the new King of the Crystal Empire, there was no doubt that his reputation could never recover from such an abrupt resignation. He had just freed Sombra from his probation with a full pardon, and it turned out to be his final order as a member of Royalty. And in a cruel string of irony, the very stallion he freed was also the one to take away his own status before everypony present.

“I… I know how shocking this may all seem,” he tried to say feebly, even though that was an extreme understatement. “A-And… I know that there will be many ponies who will question my motives for doing this tonight. But…”

With the last of his courage and dignity, Shining took a breath before declaring as confidently as he could, “I’m doing this for the sake of my children! And as a parent, there’s no crown or Royal title that will ever compare to their love and support. I might have been a Prince, but I’m a Father first and foremost. And… with all of your hope and understanding, I sincerely hope that you’ll see things the way I do…”

Shining Armor then turned himself around, making sure to tuck his tail between his legs to conceal his balls bulging in that gelding band. As he walked away from the stage, he winced when he felt the constant flashes of bulbs as ponies took pictures of his exit. There may have been a few awkward claps here and there, but there was no doubt that many of the ponies were rightfully stunned by his announcement. When he turned towards his Ex and sister, both of them had Sombra cornered at the side of the stage. Even though a sound-proofing bubble was over then, he reached out and gave it a couple of knocks with his hoof.

Twilight was first to notice her brother, and quickly undid the spell. Cadance shut herself up in an instant, not wanting the Crystal Ponies to overhear her chewing Sombra out for what he did. Meanwhile, Sombra was hunched down on the ground with his chin touching the floor, and both hooves tightly clasped over his head. With the way his butt was raised, he looked absolutely pathetic before the two furious Princesses that were berating him.

“Shining, what the buck was THAT!?” whispered Twilight with a livid look on her face. But Shining, who now carried a flat and lifeless expression, walked right past her to head towards Sombra. “Wait, what are you…”

Since Cadance and Twilight’s backsides were facing the stage, Sombra’s bent-over position was completely absent from any of the ponies in the crowd. It was unclear that Shining even noticed, as he walked up to that raised rump without hesitation. Sombra gasped when he felt Shining grab hold of his tail, lifting it up to expose that puckering hole. And in a split-second, Shining bent in to plant his muzzle right between those muscular cheeks, and fulfilled his final order as given by his Ex-Wife.

“M’wah!”

After kissing Sombra’s ass, technically on stage where anypony could’ve seen him, Shining aimlessly walked off to the backstage to await his fate. Cadance looked absolutely stunned by her Ex’s thoughtless action, and quickly turned around to make sure none of the audience members saw that. Fortunately, since there weren’t any horrified gasps or screaming, she could only assume that Shining was extremely lucky with that call. Even Sombra, who was still hunched-over to protect himself, was looking up at the Princesses wide-eyed. “Did… did he actually do that?”

Before Sombra could smirk to himself in satisfaction, Twilight and Cadance were pulled aside by two strong auras of magic. The curtain was thrown around them, concealing themselves from the audience of ponies off the stage. Sombra’s face paled in unbridled fear the moment he looked up, and saw Princesses Celestia and Luna glaring down at him. The other two Alicorns may have been upset as well, but neither of them even tried to hide their shameful looks as the sisters grew murderous stares.

“Sombra…” Celestia gritted her teeth as she spoke with such furious malice. “You need to come with us… NOW.”

Sombra couldn’t even nod in compliance, as Celestia used her magic to lift him up and carry him away like a fussy toddler. The Prince looked undeniably horrified, and was floated off by Celestia as she stormed away to find a private room for interrogation. Luna went to follow her sister; but just as she reached the doorway leading to the staff halls, she looked back at Cadance and Twilight with pure rage. “WE’LL BE TALKING IN GREAT DETAIL LATER.”

SLAM!!!

Luna slammed the door behind her with enough ferocity to crack the crystal doorframe. Cadance looked unbelievably scared, and clutched her pregnant belly protectively. Twilight did the same, even though her stomach was still as flat as a pancake. After several seconds of petrified silence, the two looked back at each other with equally paled expressions.

“S-So, ummm…” Twilight tried to speak first, but had to gulp before asking, “S-Since you know them longer than me, how… how mad do you think they are?”

That may have been an ungodly stupid question, but Cadance looked over at the cracked door as she gave her faint answer. “W-Well… On a scale from one to ten…”

She then winced uncomfortably, and said, “I think we’re looking at around… twenty-five.”

Author's Note

Just so my readers are aware, the Donation Pool for chapter 18 is currently online: https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/929898/sacrifice-update-the-chapter-18-donation-pool