A Different Shadow of Himself

by ThatWritingDragon

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, My Little Pony Comic, Other, Romance, King Sombra, Princess Celestia, Slice of Life, Main 6, Drama, Original Character
Length: 3547

He was a ruler, an adored king to his subjects. Now he is a simple miner in the crystal caves of Canterlot with love that he hopes is not unrequited. He now goes by the name Umbrum but most could remember him by his old title, King Sombra.

Umbrum is just a simple lovestruck miner in Canterlot, he's known as a rather hardworking earth pony working in the infamous Crystal Caverns for his ends meet; At Least that's what most ponies know on the surface but not everything meets the eye.

Especially when some rather nosy ponies decided to dig into his nonexistent past.

He knew that the way to Celestia's heart would have its troubles but to this extent!?

This Sombra is based on the Sombra from the IDW's Reflections Au.

Teen is there just for precaution.

RGRE because everything is always fun in that world

Published 2020-05-25 11:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2020-05-28 05:05:36 UTC

1- Introducing: Umbrum

"Umbrum! My favourite customer! I see that you haven't died yet!" The gruff barking laughter of his seller made said Umbrum smirk slightly in amusement as he entered the rather heated shop.

Umbrum was a bit taller than the average stallion with a light bulkier build, his light grey fur shined slightly with sweat as the stallion dropped two buckets full of beautiful crystals on the table with a large THUD! The seller -a unicorn mare that looks right at home at the forge he entered- let out a low whistle at the sight as she pushed up her steampunk-looking goggles.

She grinned as she grew closer, her hoof already with one crystal as she analyzed it with a keen eye. A few moments of comfortable silence passed with Umbrum sitting on his haunches, a hoof running through his matted dark blue streaked mane. His lips tilted upwards when he heard her let out a small hum of appreciation after some time, it showcased that he did another good job for the week and he couldn't stop the small surge of pride that grew on his chest.

She seemed to have noticed him smiling with how she huffed and tossed the crystal back to the bucket which landed with a light Ting! "You did a good job today... for a colt" She grinned as she went back to the backroom that would lead to her forge, her magic enveloping the buckets as they levitated after her and soon the familiar roar of the fire was heard along with the banging of metal. She was probably checking how much she'll need to pay him.

He kept on smiling, while most would think that the blacksmith was mocking him. The stallion knew better, it was just the mare's rather odd way of expressing herself and he got used to it after the first few weeks of working with her. He let out a small yawn, his eyes drooped slightly along with his form but he quickly caught himself. He was still technically on the job and it would be unprofessional to be dozing off midway, that would be rude and unprofessional. Two things he didn't want to be and do.

"Oi! Earthy boi! You doing alright there?" The loud shoot of his seller as she peeked out of her forge snapped him to attention and Umbrum couldn't help but shake his head.

"I'm doin' alright, just-" He yawned midway, something the mare caught with how she narrowed her eyes "-Just... tired" he finished, his hoof rubbing his eye as a weak attempt to stay awake. His ear flicked and he couldn't stop the confusion he felt when he heard the roaring of fire immediately die down. Did she already finish her fuel? That was quick. Umbrum noted that he'll need to go get her some coal during his next shift.

His eyes turned to the mirror near the door and he stared, what looked back at him was... himself but it was different. The one in the mirror looked much more refined with his slicked-back mane held by a silver circlet and fancy robes. Umbrum stared wistfully at the mirror and in a blink, the sophisticated reflection disappeared, leaving behind his rather dirty and un-sophisticated to stare back at him.

"Hey! Don't go dozing off in here! This ain't yer' house!" her large bark caught him and Umbrum let out a sheepish laugh.

"Sorry! Just... sleepy." The stallion shook his head and stood up. His eyes looked outside and he winced when he realised just how late it is. "I'll just need my bits then I'll get out of your mane"

Umbrum heard her click her tongue as she finally exited her forge, a pouch -filled with what he would assume is his bits- floating after her. She had a slightly disapproving look on her face as she neared him.

"Thanks Flare..." He yawned once more before giving the mare a questioning look. "Besides, why would you need two more buckets of crystals anyway? I thought the last bundle I've given would satisfy you for a few more weeks atleast"

-

"Besides, why would you need two more buckets of crystals anyway? I thought the last bundle I've given would satisfy you for a few more weeks atleast" She heard her favourite customer called Umbrum say. While that was true, a recent order needed more than she had on stock.

Flare rubbed her chin with a hoof, a questioning look on her face as she wondered if she should tell him or not. After some time of her being in deep contemplation, she sighed before answering. "You know that i work with the military right?" With his nod, she continued "Ex-Captain Shining Armor commissioned a few sets of amulets with the crystals for his sister" Umbrum looked a bit confused and she elaborated "You know... The newest Princess?" When she saw him turned even more confused she sighed as she tried to see how to jog this colt's memory, she perked up when she found one solution. "Princess Celestia's Student...?"

She couldn't stop the light snort that escaped her when she saw the already dozing off Umbrum snap to attention almost immediately when Princess Celestia's name was spoken. She knew that the stallion had a bit of an infatuation with the solar diarch but to this extent? It was slightly... sad in a way, especially since she knew that he wouldn't stand a chance amongst the large groups of royal consorts that were also after the alabaster alicorn.

She knew why he was working hard, he wanted enough money to prove that he was even worth the Princess' time. Something she kept on saying was unnecessary but the colt didn't listen, she mentally rolled her eyes. She knew that colts were stubborn but Umbrum was on a whole other leave without being a flankhole, something she thought wasn't possible but it seemed that she was proven wrong.

'Listen if you wanted to be her consort then all you have to do is get your flank to the castle and ask! You know that she doesn't need the money! She's the princess!' She remembered herself barking at the stubborn stallion that one day she asked.

'She... deserves a noble colt, not this.' Umbrum answered, a conflicted expression on his face as he gestured to himself. A glimmer of sadness in his green eyes and she couldn't stop the sigh from escaping her mouth. 'She deserves a company from a prestigious background, something i am working on' he continued softly. Flare would've pressed the issue but she stopped when she saw a shift in his eyes, she just clicked her tongue and continued her work.

They didn't talk about it for the rest of the day.

"Ah.. i see, thank you for disclosing this information to me." Umbrum rolled his head, it cracked with his movement and he gave her his usual smile as he took the bag of bits and he placed them inside his worn saddlebags. Flare narrowed her eyes at the state it was in, it looked like it was greatly taken care off but it clearly hadn't seen better days. She rolled her eyes, she would've offered to make him one but the humble colt would vehemently refuse like the noble flankhole he is.

'You don't need to waste your materials on me! See, this still works. Thank you for the offer though!'

She rolled her eyes as the colt exited the shop with a hearty "See you next time Flare!" with her responding with a rough "Do that after a good nights rest!"

Her brow furrowed when he left the premise, she knew that he wouldn't heed her order/advice, atleast at first. He was stubborn like that, It was annoying but it made Umbrum... Umbrum. She sighed once more as she made her way back to the forge, her magic already reigniting the flames and she began to work.

She just hoped that his stubbornness wouldn't lead to his heartbreak.

Author's Note

Ayy! another story.

2- Remember

2- Remember

He didn't know why or how he arrived in this world and he didn't bother to care.

All he knew was that something was missing and he just had to find it, it was like an important part of him was gone and that was something he needed to rectify.

There was just something calling for him in Canterlot and he just needed to see who or what it is. And he did! What he found was... simply beautiful.

As if a switch was flicked, memories of silky alabaster fur, soft smiles and captivating eyes were rushing right at him and he remembered everything. From their first meeting to their dates to even their first kisses. It was mesmerizing but with good, comes the bad and he didn't like it, not one bit. He remembered the painful longing, the lonely nights where he laid awake as he waited for them to meet once more and the agony of seeing her leave knowing that she wouldn't come back.

He sighed, his eyes trailing to the Canterlot Castle. He wondered if she remembered him, he hoped that she did but he couldn't stop the small nagging voice in his head that kept on saying that she had already forgotten their time together, he yearned for the fact that that wasn't the case.

While normally he would've told her just who he is and he would've done so if it weren't for the fact that there was another Sombra in the world he was in. A Sombra that once ruled with an iron hoof and an evil grin and he didn't know what to do. If he were to announce the fact that he is indeed Sombra -albeit one from a different world-, then how would she react? Would she think that he was the Dark Tyrant first? Or her long long star-crossed lover from another world? He didn't know and that scared him.

His brow furrowed and he sighed, romance was something he didn't usually dabble in and he was sure that it clearly showed with his priorities. He needed to be different from this world's Sombra, he needed to show that despite the fact that they were once the same pony, they were clearly different.

His grip pickaxe tightened and he started to march his way inside the Crystal Caves. His eyes focused and he started to do his job with even more vigour as he reminded himself of his goal.

He had to prove himself first and until then, he wouldn't dare confess.

Umbrum was the name he used nowadays. It was a bit lazy -considering the fact that it had the same meaning as his former one- that he would admit but he panicked! Flare just found him casually wandering around and asked for his name, he couldn't use Sombra because... well it would be suspicious! After all, what kind of parent named their foal after a tyrannous king!? Not one sensible one that's who!

'Umbrum' sighed and he wondered -it was all he could do- what would Celestia think of him right now. He grimaced as he placed the pickaxe he was using on the ground. He was sure that she would be disappointed that he was in such a sorry state, probably going to chastise him for keeping who he is from her. A small smile grew from his tired expression and he picked up the pickaxe and continued work as he reminisced. She would definitely scold him for what he was currently doing, saying that he didn't need to prove himself to anyone and that his plan was foolish since she loved him for who he is, not what he is.

That was his Celestia always there to chide him whenever he was about to do something that was clearing idiotic. Not that anything he did was idiotic... it was just rather odd in another pony's perspective. Case in point, Tia's.

His brow furrowed and he sighed, but she wasn't here now and she could never be unless he proved himself. He heard the news of her sister and while he may be familiar with his world's Luna, he wasn't familiar with this one. Something he'd needed to change if he were to reconcile with Celestia once more. ~~Sombra~~ Umbrum brought up his mental step by step plan as he tried to see what he needed to do before he was allowed to even meet Celestia.

Step 1: Get a stable job (It would be embarrassing to Celestia if she would be seen with somepony unrespectable and he wouldn't dare do that to her, she doesn't deserve that)

-Side note: The better the job, the better (However it is not highly advised)

Step 2: Be a respectable pony in the eyes of the public (See main reason on step 1)

Step 3: Prove that he is even worthy to be Tia's consort and get their blessings (See the list of ponies below)

-Tia's loved ones, from her student to her family. If they are more, find out who and where.

Step 4: ??? A meeting between him and Celly.

Step 5: ~~Profit~~ Try to go from there

(What if she forgot about us?)

...

What if she moved on?

Now that was the golden question of the hour. Sombra roughly exhaled, he didn't want to even think of the possibility but if she did. He grimaced and shook his head, then he wouldn't blame her. It just proved his point, that there was someone out there who proved themself to be worthier and that was something that he needed to change.

Unless she was happy with them of course, then he would back off because it was her decision but until such information was proven to be fact then... then he would fight! Love is war after all, and war is something that he always won. Why else was his Equestria flourished under his rule? Not through simple smiles and honeyed words that's what! It certainly helped and contributed to the end goal but that isn't the point.

He rolled his neck and started to work even harder than before, his end goal in mind. He was sure that he would be sore but it didn't matter, it was just a simple pebble in the road to his goal. The pain would be annoying but it would be worth it, he knew that it would, after all, Celestia was always worth it.

Always.

Author's Note

Another short chapter. Hey, i got inspiration, what can you do?

3- A Chance

"Flare... Why do you do this to your king?" Sombra groaned as he got magically dragged to her shop. He just wanted to sleep, didn't the mare say so herself that he should sleep? If she did then why is she interrupting his sleep!?

He could almost feel the flame-themed mare roll her eyes as they finally entered her shop, the door to his freedom clicking closed before him and he couldn't stop the small short sob at the sight of freedom being so close but oh so far away.

"You? A king?" he just grumbled at her mocking tone, he was a king! Wait... she didn't know that. Oops, way to not blow his cover Sombra. "Pshh... tell me that when you actually look like it" The irony in those statements. The mare then proceeded to just dump him onto the wooden floor below. He glared at the tyrant who took his precious sleeping time, this world's Sombra is nothing compared to the hellish unicorn standing across from him!

"Don't look at me like that," Flare clicked her tongue and the colt continued to do so with spite filled hatred. It was somewhat around the early morning! Who the hell even wakes up that time? "Stop acting like a foal Umbrum-"

"I will if you tell me why I'm even here in the first place!" He growled as he rubbed his eyes with a hoof, he was cranky in the morning so what? He woke up hopeful because Celestia usually woke him up but no! It was Flare and then he was dragged into her shop, he didn't want this. He wanted his sleep, his sleep is his sanctuary and no one is going to take his time from his sanctuary!

Unless they actually needed help, then he would make a very tiny exception.

Just this once! Nothing more, nothing less.

...

It wasn't like a small part of him actually cared if she was in trouble or anything.

"Oi! Stoner! Stop spacing out!" and there goes all his sympathy, she can rot in Tartarus for all he'd care. Stoner? Way to be lazy, sure he mines in a cavern filled with stone and crystal but the double meaning wasn't lost. He just tsk'd and looked away with a frown which turned into a small smile when he heard her sigh loudly. Yes... a small part of him enjoyed her frustration, that's what you get! "I have no idea how you even act like this compared to your normal daily self" She sighed once more "This further proves my point that you couldn't be a king, especially since you don't act like one"

He just stared amused at the grumbling mare, if only she knew. Well his amusement already overshadowed his irritation, Flare would be a great jester. He wondered if he should hire her when he takes over the world. Sombra snorted lightly at that thought, like he cared about the world. While he liked to be a leader, he already accomplished that. Right now, Celestia was his main priority. The world and everyone else in it can burn and he still could care less, unless Celestia did then he'll care.

Somewhat.

Then there were the others... huh, guess he would care even if it was small.

"Just... tell me why I'm here" He calmly stated, he needed a reason but first he needed his entertainment. "Do you perhaps need a place to hide a body? I know a place in the Crystal Caverns that not a lot of ponies visit" Sombra gave his best thinking pose, hoof on chin and all "Or do you need a way to assassinate your competitors? If so then you went to the right pony!" He thumped his chest with a hoof, a proud grin on his face as his eyes glittered with amusement "Just say the name, description and the time you want it done"

"What!? Where did you even get that idea!?" Flare sputtered, horror on her features as she reared back. Oops, maybe she took him a bit too seriously "No! no murdering! I'm just asking for you because Captain Armor asked for a meeting with the miner who gave me such good quality ores!"

"Oh..." He made sure to show his disappointment before perking up at the name of Shining Armor, she mentioned him a week ago. Wasn't he the Nephew-In-Law of Celestia? Perhaps this is a chance to give a good first impression and perhaps get his approval? But he still hadn't been able to accomplish his first two steps, so should he move forward? Eh, he'll deal with it when he meets the other stallion. "When will i be meeting him then?" If he had enough time then he could be able to set up a game plan and know what to do and say but that would take too much time. Just be truthful and honest with your intentions, or atleast show that they are the good kind.

Flare gave a bit of an alarming look before chuckling sheepishly, her next statement nearly made him want to gut her. "In four hours?"

He instead tackled her.

After a few moments of scuffle between friends, Sombra came out of the fight as the victor. Something that surprised the mare when he pinned her down before she groaned and proceeded to sulk in the corner when he released her. She was probably embarrassed, a somewhat trained military personnel lost to a bumpkin from beyond Equestria with selective amnesia.

He snorted, which was far -actually really close, except for the bumpkin part- from the truth but if that's what she wanted to believe then he'll leave her to her thoughts. The 'beyond Equestria' is kind of true but who's telling her? No one. He rolled his neck, it had been a while since he brawled with anyone. He thought he had forgotten how to since it had been so long since he had done so but luckily his body knew what to do when Flare retaliated.

He exhaled roughly and went towards the sulking mare, he recently woke up and if he was going to give a good first impression then he'll need to freshen up and since he's a bit lazy to even trudge back to his dinky shack of a house. So he's going to steal Flare's shower, it's the least she can do after she essentially kidnapped him.

He's definitely going to get back at her later.