The Tale of the Nightmare

The king lay in bed. Dozens of generals and council ponies surrounded him. Sombra watched the scene from the doorway, waiting for his turn to speak. Part of his focus was on the golden crown. It beckoned him, tempting him to put it on. Yet he couldn't. Not with others present. They could suspect his motives. Somepony might assume that he planned to overthrow the king. He strained to hear the conversation. The ruler's voice wasn't as loud and commanding as usual. Instead, the king was wheezing between each sentence.

"When I inherited the throne, I promised Equestria that I would take the treasures from the Everfree Forest... and destroy the dark creatures," the king continued. "Is this to be my legacy? Defeated in battle... Now you're watching me die. Who will take the throne? My daughter can't rule alone. And my grandson is too young to bear this responsibility."

Sombra stepped closer. He was tempted to say yes to the opportunity. What if there was a cost? He had been friends with Luna since their youth, and he didn't want it to change. Yet his heart was on marrying Princess Velvet. Why didn't Night Light survive the plague? It was as though the hoof of fate was directing him toward his ultimate goal - the crown. In his eyes, the princess had lost her luster. Perhaps because she loved Night Light with her entire heart. Would she even accept a commoner's hoof in marriage? Probably not. Unless he could do something about it.

"My daughter doesn't need the extra burden on her soul. She had given birth to Shining Armor last week, and if she gains my full power..."

"Your Majesty, I'll take the throne," Sombra said without hesitation.

"Really, Sombra? You desire to accept my offer? There is one thing you have to do before marrying Princess Velvet. Kill the winged unicorn. She's cruel and wicked. The prophesied mare of darkness. She'll destroy Equestria if you choose to spare her."

Why should Sombra murder his own friend? Luna had done nothing wrong. She had to defend the Everfree Forest. "There is another way. I can discuss the peace treaty. I'm sure she'll be willing to listen."

The king grunted in response to Sombra's suggestion. "Then why did she choose to attack me and my army? She is the reason I'm about to die. Have nothing to do with such beasts. Wait, have you known her?" He narrowed his eyes. "Kill her and avenge me! If you do as I say, I'll give you the crown!"

Sombra hesitated. Perhaps he shouldn't have hinted at his secret romance. "Never mind. I'll obey your orders." He backed out of the room. He bumped into Princess Velvet. She was a beautiful young mare with a purple and white mane, a light gray coat, and bright blue eyes.

"How is my father?" Velvet asked.

"He's dying," Sombra said. "I'll avenge him."

"Don't let the winged unicorn win. They're more powerful than unicorns."

"I'll be back soon."

"Luna? Luna!" Sombra called. He was in the glade, where he and Luna had argued last night. The moon slipped behind the clouds. So did the stars. Where was Luna? Did she hold his words against him? He heard a sound that wasn't uncommon in the Everfree Forest - Luna's wings. The alicorn's hooves touched the ground. Her teal eyes searched his face. An invisible breeze seemed to ripple through her mane. Instead of the usual warmth, there was distrust and worry in her expression. The war must have added to her stress.

"Hello again, Sombra," Luna murmured. Her tone was stoic. "Are you still loyal to me? I loved you. Was the gift on my sixteenth birthday for real?"

"I love you... too..." Sombra didn't feel honest. His mind was still on the crown, not on his marefriend. "Besides, the king intends to kill you. So does his servants. They're horrible. Even a peace treaty won't-"

"Won't what?" Luna unfurled her wings.

Sombra inhaled deeply. He couldn't escape this confrontation. "It won't convince them to stop their hatred of the Everfree Forest. Forgive me if I had been distant since your sixteenth birthday." He maintained eye contact. "My heart doesn't belong to the throne and the princess."

Silence fell between them. Luna had once loved Sombra. Now she wasn't sure if she should trust him. His voice sounded honest, yet her instincts told her to be skeptical. "Last time you said you loved me, you didn't visit as often. You got defensive last night when I questioned you. Is your love genuine?"

Sombra nodded. "Yes, it is. Don't doubt me. My heart is here, not in the castle." He caressed Luna's cheek. "No princess or kingdom will prevent us from being together."

Luna's cheeks warmed. Her heart fluttered. It was like her sixteenth birthday, where Sombra expressed his fondness for her. The clouds disappeared from the sky, as though the night was in-tune with her emotions. Perhaps it was. Since she was moved by Sombra's words, she would give him a second chance. There was no reason to hold a grudge. She could achieve her parents' goal. Peace was possible. It would take some time for the creatures to trust the ponies of Equestria. There should be no more wars for as long as there was a peace treaty.

They walked to a river, then sat against the rock. Luna was reminded of her youth. She draped her wing across Sombra's back. It was the most wonderful of nights. There, they discussed the two kingdoms and the need for peace. Eventually, the conversation shifted to their future together. Well, their future offspring might grow up in a world that never knew a single war.

"It's still worth the risk," Sombra whispered.

"I know. Regardless, I'll introduce you to other creatures in the Everfree. I want them to be acquainted with you," Luna said.

"Discord doesn't like me."

"Don't mind him. He's prone to jealousy. He should be able to get over it."

"Want a drink?" Sombra levitated a flask.

Luna took the flask and drank it. Something in the drink made her tired. It was unusual, as she wasn't sleepy at night. She began to drift off. The last thing on her mind was a visualization of a wonderful future, with Sombra by her side, enjoying the harmony between Equestria and the Everfree Forest...

The alicorn's body went limp, giving Sombra the opportunity to avenge the king. He pulled a dagger from his saddlebag, then levitated the weapon above the slumbering mare. However, he couldn't bring himself to harm Luna. He shoved the dagger into his saddlebag and yanked the chains out. The chains were lined with sunstones. He wrapped the chains around Luna's wings and ripped them off her back. He had a feeling that Luna would retaliate, so he nudged her body to make sure she wasn't awake.

A sigh of relief escaped Sombra's mouth. For a moment, guilt shot through his heart. They were friends, and yet he did this to Luna? He shook the thoughts from his mind. There was no use lingering by her side after what he did. He galloped toward the border. He peered over his shoulder. At least the alicorn didn't come after him. It would be scary if she did. A snakelike figure with horns made its way forward. The branches snapped behind him. He galloped away from the Everfree before the creature could catch him. Once he wasn't in the vicinity, he teleported to the castle.

By sunrise, Luna awakened to a sharp pain in her spine. She observed the area. Where did Sombra go? Perhaps it was a strange dream. A blue feather caught her eye. Dread formed in her stomach. She glanced at her back, where her wings were. In place of her wings were a pair of scars. Tears formed in her eyes. An anguished cry erupted from her throat. Sombra stole her wings! How could he? She struggled to sit up, but her legs gave out under her. Why did he do this to her? He claimed to love her... yet actions spoke louder than words. Her fear was right all along. Sombra was a liar and a thief. He chose Equestria over the Everfree Forest.

Their first meeting had led other Equestrians here. The kiss on Luna's sixteenth birthday was all a lie. And Discord had warned her many times. She hadn't listened to him. If she had chosen him over Sombra, none of this would have happened. Not that she wanted to enter another loveless relationship. Her sobs racked her whole body as she dwelled on the betrayal. How did she ignore the red flags? How could she have been so blind? Would the Everfree creatures view her as vulnerable from now on?

Luna swore to never allow another soul into her broken heart ever again. Not after what Sombra did. Besides, he had shattered her heart into a million pieces. She rose to her height and strolled past the trees. Because of her vulnerability, she had put the Everfree in danger. Perhaps she shouldn't be here. The ruins in the distance beckoned her closer. She might live there.