Faded Memory: The Rise and Fall of Sombra

Chapters

Prologue: The Door Is Opened
The Shadow Awakens
Trudging Up The Past
The First Memory
The Night Sky
Love And Anguish
The King's Secret
More
Desperation
War And Trials
The Shadow Is Born
Epilogue: The Door Is Shut
The Final Battle

Prologue: The Door Is Opened

The staircase was illuminated by a small orb of light, revealing only a few feet of the spiraling corridor. Shade let the light float ahead of him as he descended the curving flight. He whispered under his breath as he moved down the stairwell.

"What am I doing?"

It was a good question. He had sworn he would never come near this place again. Yet here he was, descending into the deepest level of the Crystal Empire's library. To a room that would never see the light of day.

Shade had been in the Empire for two weeks now, compiling histories to form a full narrative for his own volume. But he'd hit a wall. One he'd been dreading for years.

He had tried to recall his own memories but found them fuzzy. Whether that was due to age or repression, he wasn't sure. Either way, the only idea for jogging his memory had sent a shiver down his spine. He didn't want to do it but could see no other way. And now he was descending to a room that had been untouched for over twenty years.

Shade came around the last turn of the stairs to discover a too familiar door. Sweat rolled down his brow as he unhinged the door with magic, pulling it open slowly. The smell of ash and smoke wafted out into the corridor, churning Shade's insides. It was as if the fire had only just been put out. How could it still smell so foul?

Willing the orb of light forward, Shade entered the room. As soon as he set one hoof in, his mind was flooded with the memories of that awful day. He remembered entering the room the first time, unaware of what it held within. He remembered finding Emerald Dawn's record of the Dark Times. And he remembered Sombra's tome, wrapped in the leathery hide of one of his victims. Every page of that tome was burned into Shade's head. And what he hated the most was that he'd put it there willingly.

Trying to keep the contents of his stomach from making an appearance, Shade fought his way through the memories of the manuscript. His eyes screwed tightly shut as he concentrated. It was as revolting and nightmare-inducing as he recalled. It had taken years for him to have a peaceful night's sleep. All of that therapy was wasted now it seemed. His eyes flew open and he screamed at the wall in pain, frustration, and terror. As he ran out of breath, he realized something that made his blood run cold.

His screams weren't echoing.

He slowly turned, taking in the room. Ash covered every surface. And the candle cast an eerie, red glow... Shade's eyes locked on the candle.

"I...didn't light you..."

He turned his gaze to the doorway. The door was shut.

In a panic, Shade jumped at the door, trying to open it. It wouldn't budge, not even to shake in its frame. It was as if it were heavier than stone. He struggled against the door for several seconds before falling to the ground. The only sound in the room was Shade gasping for air; partly from exhaustion, but mostly from the ensuing panic attack.

His eyes found the candle again, the flame flickering as if being touched by a breeze. Shade couldn't feel a breeze though. Only the cold stone of the floor. As he exhaled another shaky breath, it became apparent that the exhaling was becoming visible. The temperature was dropping. Sweat began to trickle down his forehead as fear took hold.

"Is...someone...there?"

He slowly stood and approached the desk where the candle sat. For the first time, he realized that there was a rather large pile of ash on the desk itself. A shudder ran through Shade's body as he realized what the ashes had formerly been. Not wanting to dwell on the pile, he looked around the room again. There wasn't much else to see besides his own shadow, cast against the door in the candlelight. It took a moment for Shade to make the grave realization.

The shadow wasn't his.

And it's eyes were green.

Before Shade could muster up a scream, he heard a noise behind him; like sand sifting through an hourglass. He turned around to the pile of ash, discovering it had begun to move. The shadow appeared on the wall in front of Shade, looking down at the pile as it emitted a low rumble; like a chuckle. The ash shifted more and began to form a shape. Shade watched in horror as he began to recognize the object; Sombra's tome.

The candlelight flared even brighter, and the shadow grew bigger. Shade found himself on his knees, unable to move in the presence of the specter. And then something slammed into the door behind him. The shadow grunted in confusion. In that moment, Shade found an ounce of courage and stood back up.

"Go back to Tartarus where you belong."

Shade shot the tome with a ball of flame and it turned to ash once again. The shadow glared at him for a moment.

"You can't escape my memory."

The door shook in its frame this time. The shadow began to shrink as the candle grew dimmer. But its eyes were locked with Shade's.

"I'm still a part of you whether you like it or not."

The door shook a second time as the lights went out and Shade was left in the darkness.

"You may not possess any of my power anymore, but I'm still there. Everything is. Amore, Luna, the War...everything."

Shade shook his head.

"What are you talking about?"

A gust of wind hit Shade's face, sending one last chill down his spine. He turned to the door at the sound of it swinging open. He half expected to hear guards from the palace or perhaps even Shining Armor.

"You shouldn't have come back Shade."

Shade's ears perked up at the voice. It seemed foreign to him. But part of him knew that voice...

"Go! And never touch this place again."

Shade moved forward in the darkness, feeling a weight lift as he exited the room. As he took a deep breath, he realized who had saved him. The door slammed shut behind him and he spun around in the darkness, praying for an answer.

"Emerald?"

No answer came.

Shade found himself walking back to the palace, not sure of when he'd gone outside. His head was swimming, trying to process what had just occurred. He knew that he had at one point held a sliver of Sombra's soul within him, but he'd prayed it had been extinguished long ago. But now...

He found his mind feeling cluttered all of a sudden. It was as if he'd read an entire library in an afternoon. He looked around the street, trying to distract himself.

Wow. Not much had changed since he was young. He remembered running through these streets as a colt, when his biggest worry was being scolded by-

Shade shook his head. That wasn't right. He didn't grow up in the Empire!

And yet...

He distinctly remembered the time that the owner of the fruit stand had scolded him for knocking over one of the baskets, scattering fruit across the street and causing three ponies to slip and fall. It had been so funny at the time! Mother hadn't thought so...

Shade shook his head again. No! That wasn't right at all! He was Shade, son of Chrysalis. He was married to Rarity. They had a daughter. They currently resided in Yakyakistan.

He could still feel the soft touch of Her lips against his...

Shade collapsed in the middle of the street. A crystal pony came trotting over.

"Are you okay?"

Shade looked up at the pony as tears began falling down his cheeks.

"Please...get Shining Armor and Cadance."

The Shadow Awakens

Celestia felt her heart pounding in her chest as she flew. The words of Cadance's letter replayed in her mind on repeat.

Shade was in trouble.

"Tia! Wait up!"

Celestia glanced behind her, discovering that Luna was falling behind. She slowed down and fell back to Luna's position.

"How are you not flying faster? I thought you would be determined to get to the Empire as fast as possible."

Luna took a deep breath.

"Don't take my pacing as a sign of indifference! I'm just as concerned for Shade as you are! But I can't keep up this speed any longer. We're not as young as we once were you know."

As Luna's words sunk in, Celestia began to feel the ache in her own wings. Her sister was right. Ever since they'd given up their immortality, they'd been aging like any other creature. They were in their fifties now. Even if she felt young, her body spoke to the contrary.

"I'm sorry Luna. I'm just worried. Shade having another incident in the Crystal Empire is just so..."

"Scary?"

Celestia nodded.

"Yes. And the fact that Cadance wouldn't disclose anything in her letter concerns me."

Luna nodded in agreement.

"Obviously whatever happened isn't meant to go beyond the family."

Luna began to beat her wings faster.

"Shall we pick up the pace? I believe I've gotten my second wind."

Celestia smiled as they began to fly faster, this time keeping pace with her sister.

It didn't take the sisters long to reach the Empire. They landed at the top of the palace stairs, where Shining Armor was waiting.

"It's good to see you both. Follow me."

Even though her body ached, Celestia felt the itch to run through the hallways until she found her adopted brother. A glance from Luna told her she felt the same. They contained their impulses though and followed Shining Armor. After a few corridors, he stopped at a door and motioned in.

"Cadance hasn't left his side since we found him."

Luna's eyes grew big with concern.

"Found him? Where?"

A voice from within the room answered.

"In the street."

The sisters looked through the doorway and spotted their niece, Cadance. They entered the room as the Crystal princess continued.

"He was spouting off disjointed phrases. It was like he couldn't form a sentence."

Celestia looked past Cadance to a bed against the wall. Shade was tucked under the sheets, unconscious.

"Did he say anything of value?"

Cadance nodded.

"Only one thing. It's why I summoned you."

The sisters locked eyes on the mare, waiting for her to continue. Cadance seemed hesitant for a moment.

"He said...and I quote...If you can't accept us Celestia, then you will have my wrath."

Luna's hoof flew up to her mouth as she gasped. Celestia felt her knees grow weak. It took her several seconds to say anything.

"How? How could he possibly..."

Luna was beginning to cry.

"Please...Not again..."

Cadance looked from one aunt to the other.

"What is he talking about?"

Celestia took a deep breath and sat up straight.

"What was he doing before you found him?"

Shining Armor moved in next to his wife, facing the princesses.

"He was at the library, compiling histories. He's been doing it for two weeks now. But...he apparently went missing for an hour today."

Luna wiped away her tears.

"Missing?"

Cadance looked down at the floor.

"It didn't take much to figure out he had...gone back."

Celestia felt a small tremor pass through her.

"You don't mean he..."

Cadance nodded. Luna tried to control her breathing.

"I thought...he destroyed the books. Why...Why would he..."

Shining Armor chimed in.

"I went down there myself after he was found. There was next to nothing in there. At least...that I could see."

Celestia nodded.

"And...that you couldn't?"

"I...I can't fully describe it. The room just felt...unnatural. I sealed the doorway and the staircase leading to it. No one is ever going near that place again."

Luna nodded her approval.

"Good. But that still doesn't explain what's happened to Shade."

She moved around everypony and sat down next to the bed.

"I'm going to try and talk to him."

Celestia approached the bed.

"Do you think it's safe?"

Luna nodded.

"I can already feel that his mind is restless. But it's not outside my control. Not yet at least."

Luna closed her eyes in concentration, allowing her consciousness to reach out to Shade. She felt a little resistance to the probing, but after a moment, she made the connection.

Luna opened her eyes, finding herself in the throne room of the Crystal palace.

"Shade?"

"Luna?"

She turned around to find the charcoal pony curled up on the floor. He slowly raised his head.

"Is this a dream?"

Luna smiled.

"Now you know better than to ask me that."

Shade's eyes began to come alive with light.

"Luna!!"

He jumped up, pulling her into an embrace.

"Thank the Moon you're here!"

"Thank Cadance. She sent for us."

Luna broke the embrace and looked her brother over.

"Are you hurt? What happened?"

The light in Shade's eyes began to fade.

"I...I was having trouble remembering..."

"Remembering what?"

"The books. I've compiled everything up to the disappearance of Amore. But then..."

Luna nodded.

"That's when Sombra's rule began."

Shade nodded.

"It felt like there was a fog over those memories. So, I...I decided to go to the room. I thought it would jog my memory."

Luna's hoof connected with his jaw before she knew what she was doing.

"You idiot! Why would you go back in that cursed place?!"

"I...I'm sorry...I didn't know what else to do..."

Luna took a deep breath and sighed.

"Did it help at all?"

Shade began to shake.

"It did more than that. Something...reawakened."

Luna could feel her heart racing.

"What Shade?"

"Whatever is left of Sombra's soul. The part within me."

Luna felt a slight tingle down her spine.

"Is he trying to control you?"

Shade shook his head.

"No. It's like...he's conflicted. But I know part of him wants me to remember..."

"Remember what?"

Shade motioned to the throne.

"Him."

Luna turned her eyes to the throne. Her breath caught in her throat as she laid her eyes on the tall, dark stallion before her. As his gaze turned to her, a flicker of surprise passed through his flaming green eyes. The flames died away and revealed his actual eyes. Those piercing crimson eyes.

The stallion seemed to shrink slightly as his demeanor shifted. The smoke-like mane and fangs slowly morphed into normal features. Before long, the Shadow was no longer present. The stallion looked at his body for a moment before finding Luna again, his eyes filled with shock.

Luna felt the tears flowing from her eyes, unable to stop them.

"Sombra..."

A single tear fell from Sombra's eye.

"Luna..."

Before Luna could react, Shade doubled over, letting out a grunt of pain. The throne room shook as black crystals sprouted from the floor. Luna looked back to the throne, but it was too late. Sombra had been reverted to his other form. The Shadow glared menacingly at the two ponies before him.

"Tell me princess, what are you willing to do?"

Luna stepped in front of Shade and stood tall.

"You will not break him. I will fight you myself if I must."

The Shadow smiled.

"Why would we fight? Surely you haven't forgotten?"

Luna stood her ground as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"I've never forgotten. Not for one moment of my life."

The Shadow seemed to shudder for a second. The voice that came through was a mixture of both the Shadow and Sombra.

"Help your friend remember."

Luna looked at Shade, still writhing on the floor.

"Why are you doing this to him?"

The Shadow seemed to gain control again, descended from the throne, and approached her.

"Because I want all to suffer the way I did."

Luna felt her fear melt away, replace by swift anger.

"Do you really think that I haven't?!"

She felt her body morph on its own, leaving the Shadow in shock as he was introduced to the Nightmare herself.

"Look what I became because of you! Look what I did to myself!!"

The throne room shook again, and the black crystals melted away. The Shadow shook its head as it morphed yet again, shrinking into Sombra once more.

Luna quickly extinguished her alter ego and picked Shade up from the floor.

"We're leaving. Shade has to wake up."

Sombra nodded.

"I have no quarrel with that Luna. But the memories are coming back whether he wants them or not. He woke my other half up when he entered that room. But I can try to keep him at bay."

Luna stared at the stallion, his eyes filled with sorrow and longing.

"It really is you, isn't it?"

He nodded.

"I was never truly gone Luna. Just...hidden away."

He looked around the throne room.

"It's all coming back now. Shade can't keep it inside much longer."

Luna's eyes grew with concern.

"What do you mean?"

Sombra's eyes grew sad.

"Shade has to relive my life. Both the good and the bad. If he doesn't, his mind will get torn apart. Two sets of memories can't coexist for long. He'll lose himself."

Luna looked down at Shade, wishing any other ailment could have befallen him. Slowly, she looked back at Sombra.

"I will help you tell your story. But we'll need some time."

Sombra nodded.

"Time is short, but I will bend to your will. Just...don't take too long?"

Luna smiled.

"I'll do my best...my love."

Trudging Up The Past

Shade sat on the edge of the bed, trying to focus on anything besides the pounding in his head.

"It was really sweet of you to come."

Celestia smiled.

"You didn't think we would just ignore this, did you?"

Luna sat down next to Shade.

"And what comes next isn't something you should be alone for."

Shade sighed, looking down at his hooves.

"I really thought it was over. I expelled all that dark magic. And Sombra was defeated."

Luna put a hoof around him and pulled him into a side-hug.

"It's not a matter of magic. You've had a shard of his soul within you ever since you fought him in the mines. Going back to that infernal room awakened what most likely would have remained dormant otherwise."

"So, it's my fault. Thanks."

"You know I don't mean it like that."

Shade glanced at Luna from the corner of his eye.

"So...care to explain yourself?"

Luna slowly turned towards him.

"What do you mean?"

Shade had the slightest glint in his eyes.

"I may have been dreaming, and in pain, but the tension in that throne room-"

Luna's hoof moved on its own and covered her brother's mouth. Celestia raised a brow.

"What exactly happened in that dream?"

Shade glanced at Cadance, who was sitting quietly in the corner, and then back to Luna.

"Is this something you want your niece to hear?"

Luna looked at Cadance thoughtfully.

"I have no objection. Perhaps it's time for her to know more."

Cadance leaned forward.

"What could there possibly be that I don't know by now?"

Celestia sighed.

"Plenty, Cadance. Do you know much about the Empire's history?"

"As much as the average pony. I imagine the three of you could put me to shame though."

Luna nodded.

"You'd be right. Few know anything past a few key events."

Shade's brow furrowed.

"Wait..."

All three princesses turned as Shade spoke.

"I've read every book concerning this kingdom's history. But now...there's something there..."

Luna and Celestia exchanged a look of concern. Shade continued.

"All these memories...so much darkness...death...battles..."

Cadance stood up.

"Battles? As in plural?"

Shade nodded and looked up to Celestia.

"How? How did you keep it from the public? And it went on for so long."

Celestia lowered her gaze, obviously ashamed. Shade turned to Luna.

"And you..."

Luna shook her head.

"Please don't say anything Shade. I don't think I'm ready yet."

Shade slowly closed his mouth and nodded. He turned to Cadance and took a deep breath.

"The Crystal Empire and Equestria were at war with each other. A war that lasted thirteen years."

Cadance covered her mouth in shock.

""How? How could no one know?"

"Because by the end there were barely any of us left."

Shade's head snapped to Celestia. She was shaking visibly.

"So many brave souls died in those dark years..."

Shade shook his head.

"Surely someone remembered."

He looked back to Cadance.

"The Crystal ponies?"

The princess shook her head.

"Nopony remembers anything from Sombra's rule. It's like the curse that took the Empire took their memories as well."

Luna was beginning to cry.

"That's for the best Cadance. Sombra forced everypony to fight through his...devices."

Shade recalled the devices she meant. Helmets that drained ponies of all control and made them Sombra's willing puppets. A piece that had made it all too easy to build a massive army to squash those beneath him.

Shade shook his head. Where had that last part come from? He frowned as he remembered who else was in his head. He whispered under his breath.

"Damn you, Sombra."

Cadance seemed visibly weak.

"Luna...you don't mean that all of our subjects..."

Luna nodded.

"Every pony in the Empire, save a few, was forced to fight...and kill for Sombra."

Cadance collapsed into her seat as the shock sank in. Celestia was tearing up by this point.

"We told our own soldiers to try and free them. No killing. It only led to more loss."

Shade looked between his sisters, both of them breaking down before his eyes. He'd never seen them so distraught. His eyes finally landed on Luna. A question formed on his lips that he already knew the answer to. But it still needed to be said out loud.

"He...wasn't always like this...was he?"

Luna was crying now. She shook her head vigorously.

"No. He was a kind pony once. Full of hope for the Empire and nearly as much love in his heart as Amore herself."

Candance regained some of her composure.

"I find that hard to believe."

The tears continued to roll down Luna's cheeks.

"You only ever knew the Shadow. His ambition took hold and soured him to the world around him."

Shade felt his head throb.

"I...lost...everything."

The princesses looked at Shade in surprise. He continued to speak, the words coming slowly.

"I...wanted...to live...in peace. But...Amore..."

Celestia rushed forward, grabbing hold of Shade.

"What happened to her?"

Luna tried to push Celestia away.

"Don't push him! We're barely hearing him as it is!"

Shade looked up at Celestia, a tear rolling down his cheek.

"Pain...so much...pain!"

Celestia was shaking again.

"What did you do Sombra?"

Shade shook his head.

"It's me again. He doesn't want to say. But...I can see..."

Without warning, Shade slumped over into unconsciousness. Celestia stomped her hoof.

"No! I can't wait like this!"

Luna frowned at her sister.

"You can't just interrogate him like this Tia! Shade and Sombra are barely holding it together! We have to create the proper conditions for the memories to come."

Celestia took a few breaths and nodded. Luna turned to Cadance.

"I think we'll need dinner in here. You're welcome to join us if you'd like."

Cadance smiled and left the room without a word. Luna picked up Shade and laid him in bed.

"I think a calm setting will do best. But for now-"

She lit up her horn and her magic floated down to Shade's head. A small smile formed on the stallion's face and a sigh escaped him. Luna smiled.

"-rest in peace for a short while. We'll speak soon."

She turned her attention to Celestia.

"As for you, do I have your word that you'll be patient?"

"Luna...don't you want to know as well?"

"OF COURSE, I DO!!"

Celestia flinched at Luna's raised voice. Luna sighed and rubbed her temples.

"I'm sorry. Of course, I do. But we're talking about extracting memories. You can't just force them out. If the memories can be given to us willingly, then Shade will recover. These memories need to be brought forward without any more sudden questions. What's more, they need to be channeled into a proper vessel."

Celestia took a deep breath and exhaled.

"Alright. How do we do this then?"

"Dinner. Shade needs to be as relaxed as he can be in his state. A question here and there will bring out memories. Then we just let him talk."

"When you say 'him', do you mean Shade or Sombra?"

Luna shook her head.

"Honestly, I'm not sure if there's much of a difference right now. Shade is fighting to preserve his own identity, but Sombra is desperate to survive as well. Not to mention the Shadow-"

"The Shadow?"

Luna felt herself tearing up.

"Sombra's darker half. The one everypony remembers. It wants freedom but doesn't have the power to break out. So, it's tormenting Shade's mind instead. But if it were to succeed in driving him mad, it would trap itself. Sombra knows this. And when I say Sombra, I mean his true self. He's fighting his own darkness to save himself and Shade at the same time."

Celestia shook her head.

"True self? You can't actually believe there's anything left of him, can you Luna?"

"I know there is Tia. I saw him myself in Shade's dream."

"He became corrupt. His kindness was replaced by anger and greed."

Luna glared up at her sister.

"I think we both know why he became so angry."

Celestia shook her head.

"Don't start this again Luna. This didn't start with me. Amore's death-"

"We don't know what happened to-"

Luna stopped herself and took a deep breath before continuing.

"Not yet at least. But no matter what happened back then, you can't deny your part in all of this."

Celestia slowly nodded as her lip trembled.

"I...I was just..."

Luna pulled her sister into a hug.

"There's no need to dwell on it. I've forgiven you for the past. But Sombra hasn't had that chance. Perhaps in letting him share his memory, he'll find some peace."

"And what if it doesn't work?"

Luna tightened her grip, keeping her sister close. They had to believe they could save Shade. Faith would guide them in this undertaking. They would need it. Faith, patience, and a whole lot of dumb luck. But underneath every other intention Luna had, there was one hope that she'd held onto for centuries...

She wanted to believe that Sombra could be redeemed.

The First Memory

Shade felt himself wake up to the smell of food. Several delicious aromas wafted into his nostrils, enticing him to open his eyes. The scene in front of him brought back fond memories; Celestia and Luna were sitting at a table with a full dinner spread between them. His mind drifted between memories, all filled with humor and love.

Suddenly, another memory came to the front of his mind. It was another dinner. But...something was different. All he could see was Luna across from him. Her hair was shorter. Her smile cut him to the core. He could feel the tension in the air as if it were tangible... Shade shook his head and whispered under his breath.

"Stop doing that."

Your memories trigger my own. I can't help that we both have a deep connection with Her.

Shade almost answered but realized that the princesses would hear him. He rolled his eyes and stood up.

"What's for dinner?"

Celestia turned and smiled.

"Take your pick! Cadance made sure there would be a great variety."

Shade approached and sat down at the table. His eyes ogled the various dishes in front of him, unsure where to start. He began stacking food onto his plate without much thought. The three of them ate in silence for several minutes. Shade caught his sisters throwing glances at each other. He knew they were trying to tread carefully.

They don't want to cause you any pain. They're very thoughtful.

Ever since I met them, they've wanted what's best for me.

I can see that. I think I'm most surprised by how much Luna has opened up.

I don't know how I feel about you sifting through my memories.

You've been doing the same. Inadvertently, of course.

Now we just need to sort them out.

You're willing to work together on this? I'm shocked.

I should feel repulsed at having you in my head, but I can tell you're not the same Sombra I've met. And if Luna is willing to give you a chance, then I'll trust her judgement.

Thank you-

"Shade?"

Shade jumped in surprise. He looked between Celestia and Luna and realized he must have missed something.

"Sorry...what was that?"

Luna nodded to the center of the table. Shade's eyes followed and landed on a crystal.

"Oh! Yes, it's a lovely centerpiece."

Celestia covered her mouth, attempting to hold back her laughter.

"Shade...it's not...Luna, I told you he wasn't listening."

Luna began to chuckle.

"Just like old times."

Shade smiled, happy to be amongst his family. He doubted this would have been an easy process if not for them. Celestia motioned to the crystal.

"This crystal has been prepared to receive Sombra's memories. When this is finished, whatever is left of his soul will reside here rather than in you."

Shade nodded.

"Somewhat similar magic to when he tried to escape in Everhoof."

Images of the vast caverns of Everhoof raced through his mind. Some of them were from his own memory, but a lot of them seemed to be Sombra. Imbuing every crystal with his magic, setting up defense spells to keep out unwanted intruders, Even preparing a crystal that could hold his spirit if the impossible should happen.

Shade shook his head to clear it.

"It's pretty mixed up in here."

Then let's begin.

"How do we start?"

Celestia and Luna looked at each other for a moment before Luna began to answer.

"Well-"

Shade held up a hoof.

"Sorry. I wasn't talking to you."

Luna's mouth hung open in shock.

"Are you...talking to him?"

Shade nodded as Sombra laid out the concept.

"Okay. Let's give it a try."

Shade closed his eyes and concentrated. He let a stream of magic flow from his horn to the crystal in front of him. The crystal began to glow immediately. Luna stared into its light with curiosity.

"What now?"

"Now we can speak."

Luna turned to her brother in shock.

"Sombra?"

Shade's face showed no change. His eyes were closed, and his expression was relaxed. But when his mouth opened, it wasn't his voice.

"Hello again Luna."

Celestia leaned forward.

"It's really you..."

"Hello Celestia. It's been a while."

Luna began to tear up.

"I never thought we'd ever get to speak again."

"Never say never, my love. Death isn't absolute."

Celestia looked between "Sombra" and Luna.

"You can't be serious? After all this time?"

A faint smile appeared on the stallion's face. When he spoke, his voice was much clearer.

"Always."

Luna was crying now.

"I never stopped. I knew you were still in there, deep down."

"I wish I could have come back to you Luna. But fate had other plans."

Celestia sat back and sighed.

"I suppose you'll want my apology."

"Perhaps you should hear my story before either of us passes judgement on the other."

Celestia thought for a moment before nodding. Luna reached out and touched his hoof.

"Tell me everything. I want to know what happened."

"I can do better than tell."

The crystal changed color, turning from a brilliant blue to a crimson red. The surface shimmered, becoming like the surface of a mirror.

Celestia and Luna leaned forward as an image began to materialize...

"Why must I go to this?"

"Because it is our duty to oversee it."

"But Mother-"

"Sombra. You're going."

Sombra sighed as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. His cape draped over his body in a regal manner. He had to admit he looked rather...dashing. But he still paled next to his mother. Amore stepped up next to him, adjusting her crown ever so slightly.

"It's important to make appearances and show everypony how much we care about them. Do you want them to think you're just some uptight prince?"

Sombra frowned and mumbled 'No'. Amore smiled.

"Of course not! Besides, it's not every day that we open a library!"

"A place to put our books. How exciting."

Amore gave her son a shove with her flank, pushing him off to the side of the mirror.

"I swear, ever since you became a teenager, you get moodier every day. I half expect you to give birth with how moody you are some days!"

"Mom!"

Amore shot him a smirk.

"Are you going to keep being moody?"

Sombra sighed and shook his head.

"I'll stop. It's just...I had plans today."

Amore stopped adjusting and turned to him.

"Oh? With whom?"

"Nopony. Just myself."

Amore stared at him for several seconds before continuing.

"You know...There's going to be an awful lot of books in that library. A great deal of them have been donated from other kingdoms. There may be something there concerning the Northern Reaches."

Sombra's ears perked up.

"Wh-why would I be interested in that?"

Amore sighed and stepped away from the mirror.

"You know you don't have to hide your little project from me. I'm your mother."

Sombra began shifting his hooves.

"I...I know. But...I just want to know...where I came from."

"Well, when a mare and a stallion love each other very much-"

"I'm being serious!!"

Amore smiled as she watched her son get frustrated. She approached him and gave him a hug.

"I know you want to know more. I wish I could tell you. But until your birthmother appeared, we had no idea anypony lived beyond the mountains. Believe me if I knew anything, I would tell you."

Sombra returned the hug.

"I know. It would just be nice to know. I'm not like everypony else. I don't turn to Crystal during the Faire like all of you. And I know I'm not from Equestria. My body is built for a harsher climate. Equestrians just look...small and weak in comparison."

Amore pulled back and arched her brow.

"You're calling our allies weak?"

"No! It's just...I don't really belong anywhere."

Amore pulled him back in for a second hug.

"You belong right here. You always have since the day you were born."

Sombra wrapped his hooves around his mother, burying his face in her shoulder.

The image faded. Luna turned to see Shade blinking his eyes open as if he’d been asleep.

"I'm sorry. He seems to need rest. I think he wasn't prepared for the feelings that would resurface."

Celestia leaned forward.

"You mean...he's sad?"

Shade nodded.

"He loved Amore more than anypony. I can't see everything yet, but I can tell there's heartbreak around her disappearance."

Luna nodded.

"I always felt like I was competing with her in a way. She was so protective of him."

Shade smiled.

"As a mother should be. Not all of us are so lucky."

Celestia stood up and stretched her legs.

"So, when do we continue?"

Shade became pensive for several seconds.

"Sombra says he just needs a few minutes. He wants to keep going."

Luna picked up a pastry and took a bite.

"Well...this is going to be a long night. Should we order a second dinner?"

Shade smiled at her. But her joke didn't hide her true feelings very well. He could see it in her eyes. This was going to be tough for all of them. But Luna? The few memories he'd seen confirmed that she was in for a world of hurt going down memory lane.

I wish I could comfort her more.

I'll do what I can in your place.

Thank you.

Can I ask you something?

It depends on the question.

Why are you hiding Amore's fate from me?

There was no answer. Shade tried to glean anything he could, but Sombra seemed intent on keeping at least one secret for now. All Shade could find was pain. Pain brought on by loss, sorrow, and a self-hatred unlike anything he'd thought possible.

The Night Sky

Shade continued to project Sombra's memories into the wee hours of the morning. Most of it was just daily routine. Celestia seemed to grow bored as time went on. Luna was fixated on every image. When Sombra decided to give everyone a break, Celestia spoke up.

"I know you want- Um...does he hear me if I just talk to you, Shade?"

Shade nodded.

"We're sort of the same pony right now."

Celestia nodded and continued.

"I know you want us to hear your story, but do you plan on doing a recap of every day?"

Shade was silent for a moment. Then he nodded.

"Ok. That might be easier."

He closed his eyes in concentration. His horn began to glow. After several seconds, he opened his eyes again. Luna gasped as she saw the crimson eyes of Sombra in place of Shade's normal changeling-esque pupils. The eyes found her and a smile grew on Shade's face.

"Bet you weren't expecting that."

Luna approached the stallion tentatively.

"Is it you?"

"For the moment. I just thought it would be easier for Shade not to be the messenger."

He turned to Celestia and bowed his head.

"Celestia."

She gave the stallion a curt nod.

"Sombra."

"I do apologize if I've been boring you. I just wanted everypony to see a bit of what my life was like before...everything. If you'd like, we'll skip forward a few years."

"Only a few years?"

"To just after my 22nd birthday in fact. When a princess came to visit my mother."

He glanced at Luna, who was holding her breath.

"That day..."

"That day."

Celestia was fighting between curiosity and nausea. Why was her sister acting so...juvenile? And over a stallion that wasn't even technically alive anymore.

"Ok! You've got me interested."

The stallion smiled.

"I figured. You never bothered learning much about us, did you?"

Celestia shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"We were dealing with a lot back then. We were still fairly new to being rulers."

Luna cleared her throat.

*cough*Fifty years*cough*

Celestia glared at her.

"Even so, we were still maturing. We might as well have been the same age as you were Sombra."

He smiled and nodded.

"That would explain your own feelings as much as Luna's"

If she had still been in control of the Sun, Celestia would have had a mind to drop it on him in that moment. But she didn't want to crush poor Shade as well.

"Are we going to start or not?"

The stallion began to blink and the crimson disappeared, replaced by Shade's normal pupils once more. He took a drink of water and then focused up for another memory.

The crystal shimmered as another image formed...

Sombra made his way through the halls towards his mother. He knew she'd want to know if he had any intention of heading out. He rounded the corner and found two guards at the door to her study. Equestrian guards.

Sombra approached the door and the guards spread their wings.

"Halt."

Sombra wondered if they were joking, but quickly realized that wasn't the case.

"You don't order me in my own home. I am Prince Sombra and you will let me pass to see my mother."

The guards glanced at each other, unsure what to do. Sombra rolled his eyes.

"Look, I'm just giving her a message. I'll be in and out in thirty seconds. But if you'd rather explain to Princess Amore why she can't find her son..."

The guards' eyes widened. The one on the right responded.

"No need Sir! we're just here on orders. Princess Luna is speaking with Princess Amore."

Sombra arched his brow.

"Princess Luna? I think I remember her. She's the...blue one, yes?"

The guard on the left nodded.

"Yes Sir. Princess Luna, Guardian of the Moon, younger sister of Celestia."

Sombra nodded and walked past the guards. He pushed the door open gently and entered the study.

"Mother? I'm sorry to interrupt."

Amore was sitting in her favorite chair. She smiled as she saw him.

"It's fine Sombra. Was there something you needed? Oh! I don't know if you two have ever had a proper introduction!"

Amore stood up and motioned to the chair across from her. Sombra couldn't see its occupant from where he stood, but that changed quickly as his mother's guest stood up. A slender blue mare appeared from the chair. Sombra's eyes took everything in at once. She was slender, yet muscular. Her coloring was a dark blue like the night sky. Her mane sparkled with starlight. Her eyes were shades of aqua, like the sea. She was far younger-looking than he'd expected.

"Umm...hello. My name is Sombra."

The mare bowed her head.

"We remember you well, young prince. Thy mother speaks fondly of you."

Sombra fought the urge to laugh.

"You Equestrians speak very formally, don't you?"

Her eyes widened. A split second later, she lowered her gaze.

"We- I apologize. My sister says I need to work on addressing the public properly."

Amore giggled.

"You're not in public, Luna. It's just myself and Sombra."

Luna smiled at her friend, grateful for the gesture, and turned back to Sombra.

"I'm princess Luna of Equestria."

She held out a hoof, which Sombra took.

"Prince Sombra of the Crystal Empire. A pleasure."

He leaned down and kissed her hoof. When he looked back up at her face, he could have sworn there was the slightest hint of red in her cheeks. He smiled at her and let go of her hoof.

"It's a pleasure to meet you officially."

Luna took a breath and smiled back.

"The last time I saw you was when Amore told us she'd adopted you. You were a newborn then."

"Well then it was rather rude of me not to recognize you then, wasn't it?"

That elicited a giggle from the princess.

"That must make me sound incredibly old."

"Not at all! I understand that alicorns are quite different from the average pony. You've been in power as long as anypony can remember, yes?"

"Fifty years is hardly that long. Your mother is far more experienced in my opinion."

Amore playfully scolded her peer.

"Don't sell yourself short like that Luna. You've been successfully ruling the largest kingdom in the land. That doesn't sound 'inexperienced' to me."

Sombra watched as Luna looked down at the floor. She was rather shy. Soft-spoken even. He tried to recall anything he'd heard about her but could only recall ever hearing about her sister, Celestia. She was rather mysterious in that capacity. And rather attractive as well...

"Sombra?"

Sombra was jolted back to reality and looked at his mother.

"Hmm?"

"Wasn't there something you wanted to tell me?"

"Something...oh! It's nothing actually."

Sombra saw the slightest smile forming on her lips. It wasn't exactly friendly. In fact...his mother seemed to be looking a little mischievous at the moment. Her eyes darted between Luna and him. His eyes widened as he realized her game.

"So!"

He had shouted, causing both mares to jump slightly. A nervous chuckle followed.

"What...brings you up to the Empire, Princess Luna?"

"Just Luna, thank you. And I just...came to talk with Amore. I've been touring my kingdom and I was far enough North that I figured I'd stop by."

"How fortunate for us. Will you be staying long?"

"I wish I could. I really love this place, but I have to get back to Canterlot. My sister is expecting me back tomorrow."

Sombra felt his hopes collapse, but kept his composure.

"Oh. What a shame."

Amore stepped forward.

"Nonsense! You're staying for dinner. I won't take no for an answer. And if Celestia wants to make a fuss, she can talk to me."

Luna looked at Amore in surprise.

"Oh no! I wouldn't want to be a pest!"

"You're anything but, my dear. Sombra? Why don't you show Luna our latest additions to the gardens? I'm sure she'll love them."

Before either pony could object, Amore was pushing them out of her study. The door shut behind them, leaving the two ponies alone. Well...besides the guards.

It took Sombra a moment to connect that his mother had pushed him and Luna physically together. He could feel the warmth of her flank against his own. It seemed Luna realized this at the same moment, stepping away from him. He noticed her cheeks were turning red again. Not wanting to embarrass her, Sombra cleared his throat.

"Umm...shall we head to the gardens?"

"Yes. That sounds lovely."

They began to walk down the hall. The sound of armor behind them made Sombra pause. He glanced at Luna and whispered.

"Do we have to have chaperones?"

Luna giggled.

"You two can take the evening off. I'll be fine with the Prince here."

The guards bowed before turning around and walking away. Sombra let out a sigh of relief.

"Do you always have them following you?"

"It was my sister's idea. I would have brought my own guard, but bat-ponies can get rather cranky if they have to be out during daylight too much. I'd rather not listen to the whining."

Sombra started to laugh.

"Sounds like a good choice on your part."

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. She noticed after a few seconds and looked at him curiously.

"What?"

"Well...I just didn't expect...that you'd look so young."

"What? You thought I'd actually look my age?"

"Of course not! I know alicorns are immortal and all. I just thought you'd look...well...closer to my mother's age."

Luna nodded.

"It throws a lot of ponies off when we start giving commands. Celestia and I don't look much older than twenty. Would you listen to someone so young?"

"Unlikely. I don't even listen to my own advice sometimes."

That made her giggle. Sombra couldn't help but grin.

They rounded a corner coming to an exit. Sombra opened the doors to reveal the palace gardens. He watched as Luna's eyes grew.

"It's all changed so much!"

She trotted outside with Sombra following right behind. He found it hard not to chuckle at this princess who was acting like a young filly.

"When was the last time you were here?"

She pointed toward the center.

"When that tree was planted."

Sombra looked up at the tree in the center of the gardens.

"Are you serious?!"

Luna nodded.

"Amore planted it in honor of your birth. Celestia and I were so happy for her. She'd always wanted her own family, but never had the chance with ruling the Empire."

Sombra stared up at the tree.

"I don't think I ever knew that..."

"It was a small sapling. How time flies..."

Sombra turned to Luna. She seemed to get embarrassed and turned toward a flower bed.

"I must sound ancient with how I'm carrying on."

Sombra stepped up next to her, not taking his eyes off her.

"Not really. Plenty of ponies think back on memories like that."

He felt a lump forming in his throat.

"I know I'll always look back on...our meeting...as fondly as you recalled that tree."

He saw her smile return, which was enough for him. He looked up at the setting Sun.

"It looks like your sister is at work."

Luna looked up at the sky.

"Horsefeathers! I almost forgot!"

Sombra barely had time to react as Luna shot up into the sky. He watched as she flew up as high as the tree and pause. Her horn began to glow. What came next was amazing to say the least. Sombra saw the Moon, large and full, come over the mountains. As the last rays of sunlight faded, the Moon hit its peak. The stars began to blink into existence as Luna lowered herself to the ground. He couldn't take his eyes off the night sky even as he felt Luna nudge him.

"Is something wrong?"

He slowly shook his head.

"No...I've just...never really looked. Everypony always loves a sunny day. But this...this is magical..."

He turned to Luna and found her crying.

"Oh no! Did I say something wrong?"

Luna wiped the tears away and shook her head.

"No. That's just...the nicest thing anypony has said to me in a while."

Sombra smiled, barely noticing that the entrance to the gardens was opening again. A Crystal pony emerged.

"Dinner is ready Prince Sombra, Princess Luna."

Sombra took a step towards the palace.

"I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

Luna fell into step beside him and nodded.

"Me too."

They walked back into the palace together, their flanks brushing every so often.

Shade opened his eyes to find Luna crying.

"What's wrong sis?"

Luna wiped her tears.

"I was there because I was feeling so...useless. Nopony paid attention to the night. Not when they could laugh and play under the Sun. I just wanted to assurance from Amore that everything would be alright. Sombra didn't even know that. And yet...his words made me want to keep going."

Celestia stood up, crossing over to her sister.

"You never told me..."

She pulled Luna into a hug.

"I never thought you were useless. Not ever."

"I know. But there was so much going on back then. You never seemed to notice. But...He did."

Shade smiled as a now-too-familiar voice chimed in.

I never knew that was why she visited. I was truly in awe of her ability.

I can understand that.

I just wish...there had been more memories like this one...

Shade's smile slowly faded. This wasn't going to get any easier.

Love And Anguish

My dearest Luna,

I find myself staring up at the night sky every evening, waiting to see your masterpiece.
You truly have a gift that pales all others in comparison. Only you could create such beauty.

I feel my Mother may be on to us. Apparently I've been smiling more. She says that's out of character for me.
I have no reason to hide my correspondence with you, but I prefer to keep some things private. At least for a while longer.

I wish I could see you again, but there's hardly ever any spare time. It's been three months since you were here and I long to see your face. Your letters and night sky make me feel alive. I know if I could see you face-to-face, I would never need anything else in my life again.

I hope you're well.

Ever yours,
Sombra

Sombra,

Every fiber of my being tells me to take flight and fly straight for you. Ever since that night in the garden, I've wanted to spend more time with you. I wish I could just drop all my responsibilities and leave Canterlot. My sister seems more than capable of handling things here herself. But I know she would never understand if I left.

I think about that night all the time. Did I ever mention in my previous letters how handsome I thought you were? I felt weak in the knees when you talked about my night sky. And your words have honestly kept me going ever since.

Celestia seems to know something happened to me while I was away. She hasn't asked what, but I think she suspects it's a matter of the heart. Be warned, she knows I went to the Empire. She might ask Amore if she knows anything.

Even if we're found out though, it won't change what I feel.

Your Luna

Sombra closed Luna's letter and sighed. If Celestia and his mother spoke, any secrecy would be gone. Perhaps though, that was a good thing? It had been nice to have the privacy, but he knew it couldn't last indefinitely.

A knock at his door brought him back to the present.

"Come in."

The door opened to reveal Amore.

"Hello dear! How are you this evening?"

"Doing well Mother. And you?"

"Oh, peachy as ever. Have you heard from your...pen pal lately?"

Sombra rolled his eyes.

"Don't you ever want to talk about anything else?"

"Do you have any other major event in your life right now?"

That shut him up. And it elicited a smile from Amore.

"Exactly. And how is Luna these days?"

Sombra furrowed his brow.

"Why are you such a pest?"

"it's in my nature dear. Love is one of my specialties after all. And I introduced the two of you! So, I should get to know some details."

She approached his desk, causing him to shove every paper into the drawer.

"Do you mind?!"

"Oh, not at all! I just wanted to see how your hoofwriting has come along. You used to be such a messy writer."

"When I was seven."

Amore smiled and sat down.

"I'm glad you two have been talking. Luna is often lonely in her position."

Sombra blinked in surprise.

"Lonely?"

Amore nodded.

"Well of course. Her position leaves her up all night while most of Equestria sleeps. Nopony really helps her."

"How could they just leave her alone like that?"

"Well...I don't know. But she doesn't complain about it."

Sombra thought of Luna sitting alone in her castle. Everypony slept on while she protected them. It didn't seem fair.

"I hadn't realized..."

Amore put a hoof around him.

"It's nopony's fault Sombra. That's just how things are. But your friendship definitely helps her."

Sombra began to nod, but then looked straight at his mother.

"What about Celestia? Surely she helps her in some way? Or at least gives her support?"

Amore took a breath and sighed.

"Celestia does her best. The few times we've been in the same place, I've noticed that Luna tends to be left in the background. Celestia has always been more social while Luna blends in. I couldn't say if that was by choice or not."

Sombra frowned.

"She's her sister. She should try harder."

"Running a country is no easy task. You know that."

Sombra sighed and stood up, pacing around the room.

"I just...wish I could see her."

"Well why don't you?"

He looked at his mother in shock.

"What?!"

"Go see her! You've never left the Empire before. You deserve to see some of the world!"

"Are...are you being serious?"

Amore stood up and danced in place.

"Oh! I'll write Celestia at once! I'll tell her you're taking a holiday to see Equestria!"

"That doesn't sound odd at all."

"Nonsense! I'll get a sack packed for you at once!"

Amore ran out of the room, leaving Sombra alone. He felt his excitement begin to grow. He was going to see Luna!

Shade opened his eyes.

"I need a break."

Luna frowned.

"You need too many breaks."

"Anyways, I can tell that Sombra isn't too eager to move forward. Did something happen during his visit?"

Luna became lost in thought for several seconds. Her eyes slowly widened.

"I remember that day...but I can't imagine how it must have looked from his side..."

Luna looked at Shade.

"Sombra can see everything you see, right?"

Yes, I can.

Shade nodded.

"Yes, he can."

"Then...perhaps I should tell you this particular story from my point of view."

She lit up her horn and a similar trail of magic touched the crystal on the table. The crystal began to glow as a new image formed...

My dear Luna,

You won't believe my luck! My Mother is sending me to tour Equestra since I've never been before!

I'll be in Canterlot in a few days. I hope you can make time to see me.

Sombra

Luna re-read the letter several times, her heart jumping in her chest. He was coming to visit her! She could hardly contain herself as she left her room, trotting down the hallway. She couldn't help but smile as she greeted every staff member that was turning in for the night.

"Good evening!"

"Have a nice sleep!"

"Sweet dreams!"

"Goodnight!"

She entered the throne room and instantly spotted her sister, still reading a scroll.

"Aren't you done with your work yet?"

Celestia looked up from her scroll and shook her head.

"Still working out the last few details of this treaty."

She began to look down again, but stopped.

"You seem...happy tonight."

Luna sat on her throne, still smiling.

"Do I? I'm just excited for...work."

Celestia arched her brow.

"I haven't seen you excited to work in years."

"Really? That can't be right."

Celestia shook her head and returned to her scroll. After about a minute, she groaned.

"What is going on with you?"

"Tia, I don't know what you're talking about."

"Ever since you came back from your tour, you've been walking around like you're floating on air."

Luna giggled.

"Well...we do have wings."

"You know what I mean Luna."

"What can I say? My tour did me good. I feel refreshed!"

"Uh-huh..."

The door to the throne room opened and a page came hurrying in.

"A message from Princess Amore, your Highnesses."

Celestia took the scroll he offered and opened it.

"Hmm..."

Luna leaned forward, already having guessed the subject.

"What is it sister?"

"It seems that Amore's son is leaving home for the first time. And he wishes to see Equestria. His first stop will be here in Canterlot."

She glanced at Luna.

"Didn't you just meet her son?"

Luna nodded.

"Yes! He's become quite the stallion since we last saw him. Remember how small he was when we were there last?"

Celestia nodded.

"Yes. Just a newborn. I'm surprised he hasn't gone out sooner. Better late than never I suppose. We'll make sure to give him a proper welcome."

She looked down at the page.

"Tell the chief of staff we'll have a visitor from the Empire soon."

The page bowed and exited the throne room. Once he was gone, Celestia turned fully to face Luna.

"You know, I'm not as blind as you think."

Luna looked at Celestia, feigning confusion.

"What are you talking about?"

"Luna..."

Celestia put a hoof to her forehead.

"Do you even know what you're doing?"

"I don't even know what you're doing, Tia."

"Be serious for once! You come back from a tour that ended with a visit to Amore, you meet her son, you've been acting strange, and now he's coming down to visit? Not to mention the letters you think you're hiding so well!"

Luna felt her anger boiling.

"Did you read any of them?"

"No! But I don't have to to guess you've been writing this stallion."

Luna rolled her eyes.

"So we've written each other a few times. Big deal. He's nice to me."

"Don't you realize the implications?"

"What? That we might like each other?"

"Exactly!"

"So what?!"

"So everything Luna!"

Celestia stood up and began pacing in front of the thrones.

"We have responsibilities. We're two halves of a ruling body. We don't have time for-"

Luna interrupted.

"Love?"

Celestia froze, turning to her sister.

"Yes. You know that as well as I do. We may look young, but we're not. Don't you find it weird that you met this stallion as a baby? And that he'll keep growing older while you look the same? We're going to be around for centuries! He'll be lucky to make it to one!"

Luna glared at her.

"Don't you think all of those thoughts haven't crossed my mind?! Do you think I like thinking of how long I have in this world?! We didn't exactly get a choice in this matter! That damned wizard and our Mother-"

Celestia put a hoof over Luna's mouth.

"Don't talk so loud! As if we need to add any more scandal on top of the one forming."

Luna removed her sister's hoof.

"Scandal?! So I'm a scandal now?"

Celestia sighed.

"Luna...think of the long term. What happens? You fall in love, get married, and eventually lose him."

Luna felt tears welling up in her eyes.

"That's not the point."

"Then what is?"

Luna felt the tears begin to roll down her cheeks.

"I actually feel something...worthwhile for the first time in decades."

Without another word, Luna stood up and walked out of the throne room.

Luna opened her eyes as she broke her link with the crystal. She looked over to Shade and discovered a pair of crimson eyes staring back.

"Hello Luna."

Luna felt her breath catch in her throat.

"I...I didn't think you'd come forward again."

"Shade thought it would be easier for me. Why didn't you ever say anything while I was there? I thought I'd done something wrong!"

"You didn't. And say what? My sister told me we can't be together? I'm already old enough to be your grandmother?"

"You know I never cared about that."

Celestia made a scoffing noise.

"I think thirteen years of war says otherwise."

Sombra glared at Celestia.

"I know you never approved of me, but you know very well that you were only speaking half-truths about the possibilities."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh yes you do Celestia. Don't forget, Shade recovered a certain journal from Everhoof."

Celestia's eyes widened.

"So you did steal it! I knew it!"

Sombra shook his head.

"That's a tricky answer. One I'll go into later. But suffice it to say, I know that there was a way I could have joined Luna for all eternity."

Luna felt herself beginning to cry.

"No Sombra."

Sombra looked back at her, his eyes filled with shock.

"What?"

Luna wiped away the tears.

"Those spells require a constant connection. One that most ponies can't withstand. Shade connected to the ethereal plane for a few moments and it nearly ripped him apart."

"But I was stronger than Shade!"

Luna shook her head.

"Not by the time it would have mattered. Arcane magic amplifies a pony. And you were already filled with so much pain after Amore-"

She couldn't bring herself to finish, leaving Sombra staring at her. He sat back and sighed.

"I...I never meant to do it..."

Luna and Celestia both stared at him. Celestia could barley contain her anger.

"What did you do Sombra?"

A tear fell from one of his crimson eyes. He slowly closed them and connected with the crystal...

"I don't understand Mother. We've seen each other every few months. Whenever we're together, she acts more distant...and her letters...I can tell she's holding something back. She was crying the last time I saw her!"

Amore sat in her study, sipping tea as her son paced back and forth in front of her.

"Have you thought to ask her?"

"I've tried! For the last year I've tried! And she just turns me away. I know it must have something to do with Celestia."

"What makes you say that?"

"Luna always seems to say something about her whenever we talk or write. It's like Celestia has her hoof on her, making sure we don't get too close."

"Perhaps she's just feeling protective."

"Mother, you're protective. I feel like Luna is being kept from me."

"Then talk to her about it."

"And ask what? Is your sister keeping you hostage?"

"You know that's not the case."

"It is though."

Sombra's horn began to glow.

"Celestia doesn't want us together."

"Sombra-"

"Why can't we be happy?"

"Sombra!"

Sombra let out a frustrated scream.

"AUGH!!"

The room shook as black crystals broke through, growing from the walls, ceiling, and floor. Amore had to jump from her seat as a crystal punctured it from underneath.

"SOMBRA!"

He turned to her, breathing heavily. As he stared at his mother's face, which wore a disapproving look, he began to realize what he'd done. His breathing began to slow down as his senses returned.

"I...I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."

"You're acting like a child who hasn't gotten the toy he wanted! Look at my study!"

She lit her horn and the black crystals began to disappear.

"Black crystals. Of all the colors there are, you create black."

Sombra sat down.

"Black can be a good color."

"For accents sweetie. It's dismal as a base."

"They match how I feel."

The last of the crystals disappeared and Amore sighed.

"Sombra, I know you have feelings for Luna. But you have to remember that she's a ruler. And an alicorn as well. Do you think she wants to watch you grow old?"

Sombra took a deep breath and shook his head.

"No."

"Of course not. That doesn't mean you can't be friends still. That was my whole intention with introducing you."

Sombra smirked at her.

"No it wasn't."

Amore rolled her eyes.

"Okay. I could tell you had a crush from the start. But I...I didn't think it would blossom like it did."

Sombra blinked a few times as he registered her last words.

"You...you didn't think she'd like me that way."

Amore put a hoof to her head.

"I forget how different she is from Celestia. She was always more...relaxed about duty."

Sombra turned to her.

"But you were wrong. And now we're both miserable because we were never meant to be in the first place."

Amore closed her eyes as she began to cry.

"I never meant to hurt you Sombra."

Sombra closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.

"I know you wouldn't have done it on purpose. It's just...difficult now. I love her, Mother."

"I know you do. And I should have seen it sooner. I thought nothing of it for so long. But when Celestia told me-"

Sombra's eyes flew open.

"What?"

"I said, when Celestia told...me..."

Amore trailed off, realizing what she'd said. Sombra glared at her.

"You knew?! You knew that Celestia disapproved?!"

"Sombra, it's not like that-"

"Than what?! The two of you have been plotting how to separate us?!"

"No! I just wanted to spare you any pain!"

"PAIN?! My heart has been breaking in two! And now I find out it's because of you?! My own mother?!"

Sombra barely registered that his horn was glowing again.

"Luna makes me happier than anypony in the world and you and her sister are actively trying to drive a wedge between us!"

"Sombra, please! Calm down!"

"I just wanted to be happy! All my life I've felt out of place! Luna finally made me feel like I belong!"

"I know sweetie-"

"NO!! YOU DON'T KNOW!! BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT MY MOTHER!!"

It hit him instantly. He saw the pain in her eyes as she began to cry. He felt an immense throbbing in his head at the buildup of magic. He cried out in pain and turned away from Amore.

"AAAUUGHHH!!!"

He released the magic, expecting it to incinerate the wall. Instead it ricocheted. The bolt of energy bounced around the room, but Sombra didn't care.

Until it stopped.

"S-S-Sombra..."

He looked over his shoulder.

Amore's feet were crystalizing.

Sombra spun around, taking in the sight. Black crystals were crawling up Amore, covering her body. His eyes grew big as panic set in.

"Wha- What happened? What's happening?!"

"Sweetie, look at me."

Sombra shot magic at the crystals, but it had no effect.

"I can't stop it!!"

"Sombra."

Sombra looked up at her face. Amore was still crying.

"It's going to be okay."

Sombra felt the tears in his own eyes now.

"No..."

"I'm sorry I caused you pain."

The crystals were up to her flank now.

"I'm sorry that I thought I could control who you love."

"Mother-"

"Hush now. I haven't got much time."

The crystals were approaching her chest.

"I know you didn't mean to do this, my darling. And know that I don't blame you for what is about to happen."

"I can fix it!"

"I told you to hush sweetie. You're going to have to be strong now."

"I can't..."

"You have to be. For me. For everypony."

The crystals were almost to her head.

"Follow your heart Sombra. It knows better than me."

The crystals moved up the back of her head first, leaving her face for last like some cruel joke.

"I love you more than anything in this world."

Sombra's tears fell to the floor as he watched his mother smile.

"Tell Luna I'm sorry. I was-"

Her words cut off as the crystal solidified. Sombra stared at what looked like an incredible likeness of Amore carved out of crystal. She was fully encased. And Sombra wasn't sure if the magic he'd carelessly shot would keep her alive...or kill her. His tears came faster. He fell to the floor, laying his head against his mother's chest.

"I can't...I can't do this...not alone...please...come back..."

Shade opened his eyes. Both Celestia and Luna were crying. A moment later, he realized he was crying as well. Celestia was the first to speak.

"I...I never meant...I just thought..."

Luna held up a hoof.

"Please don't. I know you thought you knew better than me. You're the responsible sister after all."

Celestia shook her head.

"That doesn't excuse what Amore and I did. It could have been dealt with better. Or we could have just let nature take its course. Perhaps that would have been better for everyone."

Shade stood from up from the table and walked over to his bed.

"No more today. We're all exhausted."

He looked over his shoulder at Luna.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that."

He glanced at Celestia.

"I can understand why you felt the way you did back then, but...please...give me time to process this. Don't try to pretend that what we saw wasn't partially due to you."

Celestia's tears came faster.

"I'm sorry."

"I know. And I still love you sis. But...I need to rest now."

Without another word, Shade climbed into bed. Luna stood up and left the room. Celestia dried her eyes and walked to the window. The night sky was clear as the mare thought how things might have been different had she not been so controlling.

But this only brought more tears.

The King's Secret

Sombra stood on the balcony of the palace, overlooking the citizens of the Empire. There was no cheering. No fanfare. The crown had been placed on his head, but all he could see was sorrow in the eyes of his subjects. In being crowned King, it was the final confirmation to them that Amore was gone. He didn't expect them to be happy. He stood there, looking over everypony.

"Most would find this coronation odd without celebration, but there is no reason to celebrate. I'm wearing this crown due to a tragedy. My mother, the rightful ruler, went missing. And there isn't a trace of her anywhere in the known kingdoms. I wish...I wish nothing more than for her to be here."

A tear fell from his eye, wetting the floor.

"If the day comes that she returns to us, I will gladly give this crown up. I don't wish to be your King. Not yet at least. Not in this manner. But for the good of the Empire, I will serve you."

There were nods from the crowd, along with muttered words of respect and acceptance. Sombra nodded his head and continued.

"I will never stop hoping for Amore's return. I will strive to follow her example to the best of my ability."

More nods from the crowd.

"Long live the King."

Sombra looked down toward the front of the crowd. A single pony had stepped forward. He was staring straight up to the balcony.

"We know you'll do well Sombra. Amore would be proud. Long live the King!"

More ponies echoed his words and soon a chant picked up, like a wave through the crowd.

"Long live the King! Long live the King! Long live the King!"

Sombra bowed his head to the crowd before turning away. His eyes drooped as he entered the palace. Returning to the main hall, he took his place on the throne. A page approached and cleared her throat.

"Your Highness? You have visitors."

Sombra took a deep breath.

"Who is it?"

"The Princesses of Equestria, come to pay their respects."

Sombra sat up, feeling his heart lighten ever so slightly.

"Show them in."

The page nodded and left the hall. After several seconds, the great doors opened and revealed Celestia and Luna. Sombra stood to receive them.

"Welcome, your Highnesses."

Celestia bowed her head.

"King Sombra."

Luna didn't take her eyes off of him.

"We heard you were being crowned. It appears we've missed the festivities?"

Sombra shook his head.

"There will be no festivities. This isn't a happy occasion."

Celestia raised her head and nodded.

"Of course not. Amore was a dear friend to us. We still can't fathom what could have become of her. To just...disappear without a trace?"

Sombra sighed.

"You don't have to remind me. Nopony has put more effort into searching than I have."

Luna stepped forward.

"Of course! We weren't suggesting otherwise."

Sombra noticed Luna shoot a brief glare at Celestia. Celestia was acting rather...stiff, as if she were uncomfortable. Luna on the other hoof was being very sympathetic. Seeing these sisters together always illustrated their differences. Sombra could feel Celestia looking him over, as if she were searching for answers. He glanced at her and caught her eye. She quickly looked elsewhere.

"I suppose there will be changes around here."

Sombra shook his head.

"Not really. My mother was a wise ruler. There's nothing I need to do except follow in her hoofsteps."

Luna smiled and nodded.

"We know the Empire is in good hooves."

Sombra bowed his head to her.

"You two knew my mother better than most. Perhaps you would join me for dinner and we can honor her memory?"

Celestia seemed taken aback.

"You act as if she's dead!"

Luna looked up at her sister in shock.

"Celestia! He's not insinuating anything!"

Sombra lowered his head again.

"My apologies. Luna is right. I meant nothing by it. I just thought we could share fond memories and discuss if there was anymore we could do to find her."

Celestia glared at the King for a moment. Her eyes softened as she felt Luna touch her shoulder.

"Of course, your Majesty. We would love to join you."

Sombra smiled and nodded.

"Thank you. Somepony will show you to your rooms for now. I have to take care of a few things before dinner tonight."

The sisters lowered their heads in acknowledgement and followed a Crystal pony out of the hall. Sombra's eyes followed them as they left. Before disappearing from view, Luna looked back. She wore a sympathetic smile. Sombra smiled back and nodded to her.

From the main hall, Sombra made his way to the west wing of the palace. A group of ponies had gathered in one of the rooms, waiting for his arrival. There had been some grievances and requests that had been on hold after Amore's disappearance. Now they were Sombra's problem. He settled everything within and hour and escorted the ponies out of the palace. From there he went to the kitchen and told the staff his wishes for dinner that evening.

After exiting the kitchen, Sombra felt his energy level dropping rapidly. It felt like a good time to get some rest. He wound his way through the corridors, approaching his bedroom. The normal procedure would have been to take over his mother's old room as it was the royal suite, but he couldn't bring himself to enter it. So he'd remained in his own room just a little further down the hall.

He entered the room and closed the door quickly behind him, letting out a sigh of relief.

"I can't keep this up."

"I think I said something similar."

Sombra spun around to find Luna sitting at his desk.

"I felt so overwhelmed after my first week as a princess. But at least I had Celestia to lean on."

She stood up and approached Sombra.

"You have no idea how hard I had to fight the urge to come here after we found out about Amore. I wanted nothing more than to be with you."

Sombra stared at her, a dozen emotions stirring within him.

"I would have welcomed the comfort."

"I'm sorry."

He was about to respond, but she continued.

"For everything."

"E- Everything?"

Luna began to tear up.

"I've been acting cold towards you for so long. And I didn't want to! But Celestia..."

Sombra rolled his eyes and growled.

"Why is it your sister hates me?"

"She doesn't! She just...doesn't want me to be hurt."

"You know I could never hurt you."

"Not intentionally. But I'm immortal."

Sombra closed his eyes.

"I know. But am I supposed to just pretend I feel nothing for you?"

"I...I don't know..."

He opened his eyes again and looked at the mare. She was crying.

"Is that what you've been doing all this time?"

Her tears came faster.

"I...I..."

Sombra reached out and wiped away her tears. He stared into those aqua eyes that he'd come to love so much.

"Tell me honestly...what do you want?"

For a brief second, Luna stared at him. Then she lunged at him and pressed her lips to his. He was shocked at first, but upon feeling the connection felt the shock melt away. Everything melted away in that moment. He felt everything she did; love, sorrow, and longing. He returned the kiss with his own force and they embraced.

Shade opened his eyes abruptly.

"I'm going to just stop there."

Vacate the rest of that memory from my head NOW!

I apologize. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.

A stream of magic shot from Shade's head to the crystal, but didn't yield an image.

Luna had turned a bright red.

"Um..."

Celestia was nearly as red as her sister.

"I thought you said you'd never..."

Luna stood up and marched over to the window, hiding her face.

"As if I was going to tell either of you about that?!"

She looked over her shoulder, glaring at Shade.

"Thanks, Sombra."

Tell her I'm sorry.

"He says he's sorry."

Luna shook her head and looked back out the window. Celestia's face slowly returned to normal.

"I mean...it's not an unnatural thing..."

Shade threw up a hoof.

"Stop! Just don't. I'm trying to shake the memory off still. No offense to you Luna-"

Luna shuddered.

"None taken. Let's all just stop talking about it."

The three ponies fell silent for several minutes before Sombra spoke up to Shade.

We should continue. There's something they need to see.

Shade's ears perked up.

"Sombra says there's more to that day. That night apparently. And he assures us there won't be any surprises of that sort."

Luna turned back to the table and nodded.

"I'm ready if he is."

Celestia nodded as well and Shade focused on the crystal again...

It was late. Sombra was in a hallway, pacing near a door. He was working up the nerve to knock. He'd already been there for a few minutes. It took him a few more to finally get the courage.

He knocked softly. After a second he heard movement and some grumbling. The door opened slowly to reveal Luna, whose eyes quickly opened all the way at the sight of Sombra.

"What-"

She looked out into the hall and made sure they were alone and lowered her voice.

"What are you doing here?! Celestia is right next door!"

"It's not like that Luna. I need your help. Would you come with me?"

Luna stared at him for a second before sighing and nodding. She followed him as he led the way through the palace.

Sombra and Luna moved quietly through the halls, descending to the lower levels. Luna looked around in confusion.

"Where are we going?"

"The old dungeons."

That made Luna pause.

"Why?"

Sombra looked back at her.

"Because that's where the problem is."

He continued forward, hearing Luna follow him after a second.

They arrived at the old dungeons. The dust and cobwebs spoke to how long they'd gone untouched. A place from an old era of the Empire, back when enemies were caged rather than reasoned with.

Sombra led the way to the last cell and stopped.

"I didn't think anypony would understand if I told the truth. But...maybe you'll believe me when I say I didn't mean for it to happen."

Luna looked at the cell, squinting in the darkness. Sombra lit his horn, casting a red glow on the crystalized Amore. Luna gasped and stepped back.

"What...what happened to her?!"

Sombra took a deep breath, trying not to cry.

"We had an argument. I lost my temper and fired off some magic. I didn't even realize that it hit her until it was too late."

Luna looked at him and shook her head.

"So you hid her away?!"

"What could I have done? Tell everypony that I effectively killed their Princess?"

"Do you know if she's alive?"

Sombra shook his head.

"No. I hope it's just some sort of stasis magic, but I have no way of knowing unless I can undo it."

Luna opened the cell door and approached Amore. She walked around her, inspecting the crystalline casing.

"What spell was it?"

"No spell. Just...raw emotion."

Luna looked at him, her expression unreadable.

"What have you tried?"

Sombra sat down.

"Everything. I've used every possible resource at my disposal. And still nothing frees her. I thought I might need a new perspective... You're the only one I trust to keep this secret."

Luna shook her head.

"I don't know if I can. Celestia should know."

Sombra jumped up.

"No! She already thinks I did something. You heard her earlier! She thinks I offed my own mother!"

Luna put up a hoof.

"Okay, okay. Point taken. But I'm not sure if I have any more knowledge than you do on this."

"Please...just try?"

Luna looked at Amore again.

"You said it was purely emotional? No incantations at all?"

Sombra nodded.

"It was just raw energy."

Luna was silent for a minute, deep in thought. Sombra felt uneasy waiting. Then she spoke.

"I have an idea, but...I can't have you here."

"What? Why not?"

"Because I need to summon something, but nopony is allowed to see it."

Sombra's ears perked up.

"Summon something? Like a magical relic? Or some sort of potion?"

Luna shook her head.

"I can't say. But you need to leave if I'm going to try."

"Luna-"

"Sombra, I mean it."

He saw the seriousness in her eyes and slowly nodded.

"I'll stay within earshot if you need me."

Luna nodded and turned to Amore. Sombra walked down a few cells and sat down.

After a minute, a brilliant light came from the last cell. Sombra had to nearly cover his eyes for how bright it was. The light continued to shine for several seconds before abruptly extinguishing.

Sombra heard Luna gasping for air and rushed back to the cell.

"Luna?"

Luna was sitting on the floor, catching her breath.

"I'm sorry."

Sombra looked at Amore, still crystalized. He lit his horn and looked her over more carefully. He paced around her, examining the crystal.

As he came around to the side, he stepped on something.

"Ouch!"

Sombra lifted his hoof and looked down at the floor. It was a small shard of crystal. The same crystal as Amore...

"Luna look!"

He picked up the shard and showed it to her.

"You chipped the crystal! We could get her out of there!"

Luna looked up at him, still trying to regain her breathing.

"Sombra...it took everything I had to get that much off."

He finally examined her and noticed how disheveled she looked. It was like she'd been fighting an Ursa for a week straight.

"It...It can work. It may take time, but we can free her."

Luna shook her head.

"You don't understand. What I just did was the absolute last resort, and it only splintered a fraction off. If I or Celestia or both of us together tried to do this to the extent of breaking the entire crystal...it would most likely kill us."

Sombra felt his hope melting away like an icicle in the sun.

"There has to be a way..."

Luna shook her head.

"I'm sorry."

Sombra sat down, crestfallen. He felt the tears coming. Before they could fall though, he spotted something in the corner of the cell; a book.

"What's that?"

Luna shifted her body so that it was between him and the book.

"Nothing you need to be concerned about."

Sombra wiped his tears away.

"That's what you summoned, right? Some sort of spellbook?"

She sighed.

"Yes. But that's all I can say."

"You said...If Celestia or you tried. Why couldn't somepony else? Unless..."

He noticed Luna becoming concerned. That confirmed his suspicion.

"It's alicorn magic."

Luna shifted uncomfortably.

"I...I can't say."

Sombra thought of the implications. There was magic that only Luna and Celestia knew. Secrets of their kind. The magic she'd put off in her attempt had left the air charged. He'd never felt anything so powerful before. It was the most successful magic so far and yet it wasn't enough...

At least...not with Luna...

"Luna...What if I helped you try again?"

The princess shook her head.

"You can't."

"Why not?"

"Because-"

She cut herself off. Sombra took a deep breath and sighed.

"Because I'm just a mortal unicorn. And I assume I'm not powerful enough?"

Luna didn't answer. He felt hurt. He understood, but it didn't sting any less. Luna stood up, her legs still a little wobbly, and walked up to him.

"I'm sorry my love. If there were any way..."

Sombra glanced behind her at the book, the wheels in his head still turning.

"Perhaps there is."

He lit his horn and focused his magic.

"I'm sorry Luna."

Her eyes widened as his magic hit her head. She instantly fell to the floor, unconscious. Sombra summoned the book and opened it. His brow arched as he read the first page of content and he looked down at the sleeping mare.

"It seems you and your sister have your own secrets."

Shade opened his eyes and turned to Luna. She was covering her mouth with a hoof.

"I...I don't remember any of that!"

Shade nodded.

"He wiped your memory of everything from when he woke you up. To you, you slept through the night."

Celestia stared in disbelief.

"You used Gusty's journal in front of him? You left it laid out?"

Luna shook her head.

"I don't remember! It was obviously for a good reason!"

"You should have run! You should have run and told me at once!"

Shade waved a hoof in the air.

"Please! What's done is done."

The sisters each cast a glare at the stallion and he sighed.

"I recovered the journal. And I doubt Sombra shared it with anypony else."

Shade lurched suddenly, as if he were going to be sick. His eyes closed and opened to reveal Sombra's eyes once again.

"Luna, I can explain-"

Luna's anger came out.

"Explain what?! How you stole from me?! How you wiped my memory?!"

"I was desperate! I thought I could use or improve the magic!"

Celestia chimed in.

"She didn't use any spell. She tried to hit Amore with 100% arcane magic. And it nearly killed her!"

"I know that now! I studied that journal front to back a dozen times."

Luna stared at the stallion.

"You betrayed my trust without me even knowing..."

Sombra looked at her.

"I won't ask your forgiveness, my love. I don't deserve it."

Celestia scoffed.

"Of course you don't."

Sombra ignored her.

"I just wanted to get Amore back."

Luna shook her head.

"But you didn't get her back. And you didn't return the book."

Sombra nodded.

"I know. And you should know what happened..."

Sombra sat at his desk, pouring over his notes. He'd been reading this journal cover to cover for a month now. He couldn't believe the insight he'd gained! It made him feel powerful to have this knowledge. And to know the secret of an alicorn's magic? That was priceless. He felt a small amount of remorse for deceiving Luna, but it was necessary. He had to bring Amore back after all. Then the world could be set right. And after one month of studying, he felt that it was time to try.

Leaving his room, Sombra made his way to the dungeon. It was the middle of the night, so he wouldn't be seen as he moved silently through the palace. It didn't take him long to get to his destination. As he entered the corridor of cells, he cast a spell to seal himself in. He couldn't risk anypony interrupting. Or hearing for that matter. There was likely going to be a bit of noise with this attempt.

"I'm here, Amore."

He smiled hopefully at his mother and opened the journal.

"Let's begin."

Sombra closed his eyes and focused. He stood in a meditative state for several minutes, reaching out with his magic. He could sense there was something there, just out of reach. He focused harder and felt his magic brush against something. It was true! The ethereal plane could actually be accessed! He allowed his magic aura to push against the plane until he felt them begin to meld ever so slightly.

And that's when the pain started.

It was immense! Sombra felt as if something was crushing him from all sides. It was too much pressure! But he had to persist. He felt himself connecting with the plane and tried to harness some of the arcane magic that resided there. He felt power begin to flow through his veins, unlike anything he'd ever felt before.

He opened his eyes and focused on Amore.

"Come back, Mother."

A beam of magic projected from his horn to Amore. Sombra smiled at his success. He was wielding the magic of the alicorns! He thought how Celestia would react as she realized she was no longer unique. He thought how overjoyed Luna would be that they could be together forever. He could be as powerful as them! Or perhaps...more? All of this went through his head in the split second when the connection had been made.

And then it was gone.

Sombra felt his control slip and the ethereal plane shattered its connection with him. More pain cycled through him as the leftover magic fought to get out of his body. His knees buckled and he fell to the floor. This wasn't how it was supposed to go! He looked up at Amore's figure, still solid and unaffected.

"I'm...s-s-sorry."

He felt something stir within him. A need. A terrible, terrible need. It was easy to tell that his magic had been depleted within seconds of connecting to the plane. So it stood to reason...

"I need...more! I...need...more! I NEED MORE!!"

Sombra didn't leave the dungeon for another hour, refusing to look disheveled when he walked through the halls again. That and he had to get his pain under control. His head was still throbbing as he lifted his enchantment from the dungeon entrance.

I need more.

Yes. That was the answer. But how to gain that much magic? He would need hundreds, perhaps even a thousand times as much energy. He stopped as he came to the main hall. He stared around the room, taking it in.

"Crystals..."

As he connected the dots, he felt himself salivate. That was the answer! Crystals were perfect for harnessing magic!

"Crystals!"

His voice echoed through the hall as his plan began to form.

"You can't be serious, my King! Shut down the mine?"

Sombra sat on his throne, looking down at the ponies who oversaw the excavation of the Everhoof mines.

"I am serious. Do you dare to question my judgement?"

One of the ponies lowered his head.

"Of course not, your Highness. But...the mines account for much of the business we do with the other kingdoms. If we shut them down, the kingdom will become destitute."

Sombra looked down at the stallion.

"So you do question my judgement."

He looked to each of the other ponies.

"I'm doing this for your own good. I want every worker out of those mines immediately. They will be reopened when I say, and only when I say."

The rest of the ponies bowed their heads and began to leave. The pony that had spoken up though remained behind. Sombra stared down at him, a frown forming.

"Do you have something else to say?"

"Sire...these black crystals aren't as dangerous as they appear. Ever since we discovered them a year ago, all they do is turn other crystals black. We avoid them well enough. But if they're actually dangerous, maybe we should collapse the tunnels they occupy. It might slow them down at least."

Sombra's frown deepened.

"And risk collapsing all of Everhoof? I think not. I will take care of the crystals."

"So...the mines might not be closed for long?"

"I can't say for certain. Rest assured, all will be well once my work is done."

The pony bowed and ran after his companions. Sombra brooded over his bad luck. Nopony was supposed to have seen those crystals. He should have closed the mines sooner. It couldn't be helped now though. Besides, there were more pressing matters. Luna was coming to see him.

He had ordered the staff to make the palace ready for their guest. Banners were hung, the crystals polished, and a brilliant dinner was planned. Sombra felt his heart skip a beat as at the thought of seeing his love once again. As if reading his mind, a page entered the hall.

"Your Highness! Princess Luna has arrived!"

Sombra turned around with a flourish of his cape.

"Excellent! Show her in."

The page bowed and opened the doors. Luna came walking in, a big smile on her face.

"Good day to you King Sombra. How art thou?"

Sombra had to stymie his laughter. He nodded to the page and the pony ran off.

"A bit formal, don't you think?"

Luna looked around the hall.

"We wanted to appear formal until..."

Her smile grew as she saw nopony was around.

"I knew we were alone."

She leaned forward and kissed Sombra. He felt his heart leap at the warmth of her lips, a smile growing on his face. She pulled away, giggling after a moment.

"I see that made your day."

Sombra sighed.

"You have no idea."

He turned towards a hallway and motioned to it.

"Care for a walk in the gardens?"

Luna nodded enthusiastically, falling into step beside him. They arrived at the gardens and began to stroll. Luna looked at Sombra, concern in her eyes.

"You seem tired, my love."

Sombra nodded.

"Wearing this crown has been the most difficult thing in my life. I hope that will change one day."

"You'll grow used to your responsibilities. Then you'll wonder how you ever fretted about them."

He smiled at her.

"Is that how you feel?"

She winked.

"Remember, I raise the Moon. So yes, I feel that way."

He chuckled.

"You truly are amazing. And you can always make me laugh."

"You look like you could use it right now. Is there something bothering you?"

"Nothing too concerning. A little trouble in our mines, but it will soon be taken care of."

"There's always something I suppose. Celestia always goes on about everything that happens during the day. It gets a bit annoying honestly. And she never asks about my nights."

"Is there something wrong?"

"Oh no! Nothing at all. It would just be nice if she asked."

Sombra rolled his eyes.

"Your sister seems to be very...self-involved."

Luna shrugged.

"It's not her fault so much happens while the Sun is up."

"It's a shame more ponies aren't up to enjoy your nights. They're truly miraculous."

She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

"You're sweet."

Sombra looked up at the tree in the center of the garden.

"I wish Amore could help me. Then again if she were here, I wouldn't be wearing this crown."

"I'm sure she's watching over you."

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

"You think she's..."

Luna's eyes grew sad.

"I've searched through the dream realm, hoping I'd find her somewhere. Maybe she'd been kidnapped, or had run away, or something else to explain it... But I can't find her anywhere."

Sombra felt a pressure in his chest. At first he thought it was guilt. But after a moment, he realized that it was grief. Luna couldn't find Amore.. Could she really be gone? He felt tears welling up.

"It makes her fate seem so...final. I...I don't want to admit it though."

A tear rolled down his cheek. Luna reached up and wiped it away.

"I know. And you don't have to. Not yet at least. The wound is still fresh."

Sombra nodded. His sadness grew, but he refused to let it consume him. He shook his head and stood tall.

"I have a wonderful dinner planned for us this evening. Would you like me to tell you about it?"

Luna nodded, a sympathetic smile on her face.

"That would be wonderful."

Shade opened his eyes.

"So that's why..."

Luna looked at Shade.

"What?"

"The mines, the crystals...he wanted to bring Amore back."

Celestia leaned forward.

"Do you mean to say that that is what caused the War?"

The stallion shook his head.

"No. That was part of it, but it wasn't the whole picture."

Luna was sitting back in her seat.

"I always wondered what trouble the mines were causing..."

Shade chimed in.

"When I was there, every crystal as far as I could see was black as night. All of them radiated Sombra's magic. He was stockpiling his own reserve to try and revive Amore."

Celestia shook her head.

"He willingly drained his magic into every crystal?"

"Every one. And probably more. Most have them returned to normal now. It took all of his magic to attempt to keep his spirit alive outside a proper vessel."

Luna sighed.

"I can't believe all of this was happening right under our noses. All he had to do was reach out for our help."

I was desperate. I couldn't think straight. And after the journal...I couldn't confess.

Shade sighed and shook his head.

You should have confessed from the start.

Celestia looked at Luna sympathetically.

"You couldn't have known Luna. And besides, we were dealing with our own issues at the time. We'd just defeated Discord and Tirek was about to enter Equestria."

Luna nodded.

"I know, I know. But I still should have known something was off."

Shade felt his mind growing darker.

"This is it...The tipping point."

Celestia looked at Shade.

"What was that?"

Shade rubbed his temples, feeling something pushing to get out.

Sombra? What's wrong?

The Shadow has come. His memories and my own are about to become one.

Should I be worried?

I can still guide you through, but I don't dare possess you again. There's a chance it wouldn't be me that takes over.

Shade nodded.

"I understand. Do you want to say anything?"

Luna looked at Shade in confusion.

"What's happening?"

"We're at Sombra's breaking point. This is where he and the Shadow become one. And he won't be able to talk himself again."

Luna leaned forward, her concern growing.

"Can't you come forward just once more?"

Shade shook his head.

"It's too big a risk."

"Please..."

He could see the longing in his sister's eyes. He wanted to oblige her so much, but Sombra had spoken.

"He says he's sorry. And that he loves you."

Shade stood up and approached Luna.

"And he said to give you this."

He kissed her on the cheek. Luna lifted her hoof, caressing the spot.

"He's...not coming back..."

Shade shook his head.

"He says he's even going to talk to me less. There's just too much now. We're about to enter Sombra's fall into madness and the Crystal War itself. He said he'll try to keep the worst of it back, but he can't guarantee anything."

Celestia closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"We've seen most of it before Shade. We'll endure."

Luna nodded in agreement.

Shade took his seat again and focused on the crystal...

Sombra sighed as he sat up in bed. Luna was fixing her hair in the nearby mirror. He smiled at her.

"We must do this more often."

Luna smiled back.

"I wish we could."

Sombra furrowed his brow.

"Then why don't we?"

Luna laughed.

"Easy there. I didn't think you could recover that fast."

"Not that! I mean this. Us! I want you in my life more than the occasional visit."

Luna froze and turned to him.

"What are you saying?"

"I want you to stay here with me, Luna."

Luna stared at him. He couldn't tell what she was thinking.

"Well?"

"Are you...proposing to me?"

Sombra suddenly realized what he'd done. He felt his face grow hot, undoubtedly turning red.

"Well...I guess I am."

Luna's eyes grew sad.

"Sombra...we've talked about this."

Sombra got out of the bed and growled.

"No, Celestia has talked about this. And she's made it very clear she doesn't want you and me to be together."

"Sombra, that's not the point-"

"And of course the age issue comes up every time!"

"Don't I get a say?! I don't want to watch you die!"

"Then I won't!!"

Luna jerked back in surprise.

"You what?"

Sombra smiled.

"I won't die. You and Celestia are immortal, so there must be a way. And I'll find it!"

Luna shook her head.

"Sombra-"

"NO!"

She jumped back, shocked at his volume. Sombra began pacing.

"I'm tired of being told I can't have you just because of something as inconvenient as Death! I will find a way. And then there will be no reason for us to not have the fairy tale ending we deserve. Just you and me...forever."

Luna had begun to cry.

"You can't...it's not...Sombra, you'll waste your life away on such a hope. And that would be worse than watching you die!"

Sombra stopped and looked at her.

"So you'd rather I give up on us?"

The mare gasped in shock.

"How could you- I never said that!"

"But if I don't at least try, I'll always hate myself. Because what if I can figure it out? And what if I don't because I decided love wasn't worth the fight?"

Luna shook her head.

"You're twisting words and trying to rationalize driving yourself crazy. I can't watch you do this to yourself! Please!"

Sombra watched as Luna broke down, crying into her hooves. He felt his rush dissipating as he watched her cry. After a moment, he pulled the princess into an embrace.

"I'm sorry, my love. I didn't mean to upset you. It's just...frustrating. I love you more than anything."

Luna pressed her face into his chest.

"I love you too. I just...don't want to get lost in a fantasy."

Sombra let go and pulled away.

"If you would rather part ways and be spared the pain, I understand. But I will never stop loving you. And I will be immortal."

Luna wiped her tears and stood up.

"Then you won't give it up?"

He shook his head.

"I can't Luna. I need more time in this life. I need more."

Luna walked to the bedroom door, only pausing for a moment.

"I guess that's where we differ. Because I always thought you were enough as you are."

She exited the room, leaving Sombra alone. He felt a tear on his cheek as he closed his eyes to focus. A wisp of magic left his horn and shot out the window, heading in the direction of the Everhoof mines.

"I'm closer than you think, my love. And soon, I will ascend beyond even your sister."

When he opened his eyes, he found himself in front of the mirror. His lip trembled as he took in the sight. His eyes had become bloodshot. And the more he blinked, the more his eyes changed. The bloodshot coloring slowly turned green, surrounding his crimson irises. He wanted to cry, but no tears came. Instead, a stinging pain arrived. He winced as he looked at his reflection. A purplish smoke started to emit from his eyes. It trailed off to the sides for an inch or so before fading.

Sombra stared at his reflection, unsure of what to make of this transformation. A small jolt through his veins told him something was at work. But he barely felt any of it. The only thing he felt in this moment was his heart breaking.

Desperation

Shade rubbed his temples.

"My head is pounding. It's like I can feel Sombra fighting with himself in my head."

Luna put a hoof around her brother.

"I'm sorry you have to go through this. You've been amazing so far."

He smiled and nodded.

"Up until now, Sombra has had good control of his darker half. Now though..."

He cringed as his head throbbed again.

"I can see bits and pieces..."

A tear rolled down his cheek.

"I thought I knew what to expect after reading those damned books, but this-"

He winced again.

"I don't know how long I can do this."

Luna pulled him into a hug.

"Please hold on. We'll make it through together."

Shade looked over at Celestia. She nodded encouragingly.

"You've faced a lot in your time Shade. Don't let a memory be what takes you down."

Shade smiled and nodded.

"Alright. Then we'd better get started."

He fired up his horn and the crystal shimmered...

Sombra paced back and forth in front of his throne. The main hall was beginning to look different. He'd been cultivating his black crystals everywhere. The more he created, the more power he could contain. And what's more, the black crystals seemed to feed off the magic of the other Crystal ponies to a certain degree. He was gathering power faster than before! But it wasn't enough. He couldn't risk it. He would keep going.

"Page!!"

A page came running into the room.

"Y-Yes your Highness?"

"These black crystals must be combatted. We must bring in all the crystals we have on hoof."

"All of them? But how will we-"

Sombra glared down at the page.

"ALL OF THEM! EVERY LAST CRYSTAL IN THE EMPIRE!!"

Sombra's voice echoed through the hall and the page cowered to the floor.

"Y-Y-Y-Yes your Highness!"

The pony ran out of sight and Sombra turned away.

"I will use every last crystal in the land if it means success."

He shot a bolt of magic to the top of his throne. The magic redirected to the floor and a divot began to form. A set of stairs began taking shape, stretching down into an abyss.

Sombra quickly walked down the stairs, the top closing up to avoid trespassers. He descended for several minutes, the darkness growing thicker. When he finally reached the bottom, there was only a single door. He pushed it open and walked into his private study. There were several tables with instruments, vials, and other assorted scientific equipment. The only table free of this clutter was the one with the journal on it.

Sombra opened the stolen journal and began taking notes in his own as he read through the pages. If he couldn't access the ethereal plane without killing himself, than he would figure out another way. And he was already getting close to his first breakthrough! The magic just needed a little more tweaking.

The king turned to his instruments and began mixing potions together. Magic alone wasn't going to be enough. It would take multiple steps. He poured his latest concoction into a bowl and set it aside as he wrote.

"Mixture 17 appears stable. This, along with the first official variation on the ascension spells, could prove promising. Testing will begin tonight."

It was coming together at last. It had taken him the better part of a year, but at last some progress was being made!

Sombra sat on his throne, deep in thought. While he was happy with his progress, he hadn't considered one thing; the actual testing. Using himself as the subject was no longer a possibility. There were far too many variables to risk his own life. So he needed something else...

"Your Majesty!"

Sombra was yanked back to the present as a guard entered the room. Sombra glared at the pony.

"What is it?"

"We've discovered a thief."

Sombra sat forward.

"A thief? In my Empire?"

The guard nodded and turned to the door.

"Bring them in!"

The doors opened, revealing two more guards and a pony between them. They entered the room and approached Sombra. The first guard continued.

"This mare was discovered hoarding crystals."

Sombra looked down at the mare.

"Did you not know that I ordered every crystal be turned over to me?"

The mare didn't meet his gaze. She was shaking, obviously afraid. Sombra fought the urge to smile and descended from his throne.

"I am trying to protect all of you. Have you not noticed the state of emergency we're in? The black crystals have appeared everywhere. And we have to salvage what few crystals we have left for the good of the Empire."

The mare had stopped shaking, but still wouldn't meet his gaze. Sombra was standing directly in front of her now, looking down.

"And now I'm told you were keeping crystals for yourself? Have you no love for your Empire?"

"It's not our Empire anymore."

Sombra hid his shock well. He hadn't expected the mare to talk.

"Oh? Tell me, were we conquered while I wasn't looking?"

The mare slowly raised her eyes, meeting his for the first time.

"Our Empire fell the moment you took the crown."

Sombra's face twisted into a snarl.

"I have done nothing but strive to protect the Empire."

The mare seemed to be gain confidence as she spoke.

"Yet these crystals keep growing. You say you'll take care of them, but all you've done is take every other crystal. The Crystal ponies have nothing to use for trade! There are ponies starving! And your name is dragged through the streets because everypony knows that you don't care what happens to any of us!"

Sombra stared at her for several seconds before turning to one of the guards.

"Is this true? Ponies blame me for their suffering?"

The guard shook his head.

"Of course not!"

Sombra shook his head and sighed.

"I hate liars."

He turned to the other guard.

"Would you care to tell me?"

This guard was beginning to sweat.

"Well...uh...I suppose...Your Majesty doesn't have the most...flattering opinion amongst the ponies..."

The King nodded.

"Better. PAGE!!"

Everypony flinched at Sombra's voice. The page came into the room timidly.

"Yes your Highness?"

Sombra looked back down at the mare in front of him as he spoke.

"It appears that ponies blame me for the state of the Empire. Such talk will only lead to more problems. We certainly don't need any more of those while we deal with the current crisis. From this day forth, any talk against the Crown will be punishable."

The page scribbled the last words on a roll of parchment, his body trembling.

"Punishable with...what?"

Sombra smiled.

"Oh, leave it like that. Let their imaginations consider the possibilities."

The mare glared at Sombra, a spark of rebellion in her eyes.

"You're no King. You're a tyrant."

Sombra leaned in close and whispered to her.

"I'm so much more than what any of you ponies say I am."

An idea flashed through his mind, making him smile.

"And as the first to break my new law, you'll witness firsthoof what the punishment is."

He stood back up and looked to the guards.

"Take her to the dungeon. The first cell. I don't want to have to walk that entire length just to see this pony."

He made a mental note that he would need to move Amore out of the dungeon. With this new law, it was bound to start filling up.

The guards led the mare away and Sombra returned to his throne. A tyrant? He was trying to save the Empire. To save Amore! And tonight, he had a test subject who would help him achieve that goal.

Sombra descended the stairs toward his lab. He had the mare floating behind him, unconscious. He felt something in him say this was wrong, but he knew he had no other course. If he didn't gain immortality and power, he wouldn't be able to bring his mother back or stand with Luna. It had to be done.

He opened the door to his lab and entered, depositing the mare on a table in the middle of the room. She began to come to as he strapped her limbs down.

"Wha...where...am I?"

Sombra smiled.

"Congratulations. You're going to be my assistant this evening."

The mare tried to sit up, but discovered her predicament. Her eyes grew as she began to notice her surroundings.

"What is this place? What are you doing?!"

She struggled against the straps as Sombra summoned several items.

"You're the first pony to tell me the truth in a long time. I didn't really care what my subjects thought of me, but I had never had confirmation that they hated me. For that, I thank you."

He looked down at her.

"It's always best to know what others think of you."

"Then why did you make that law?"

A smile grew on his face.

"How else am I going to have ponies to assist me in my research?"

He watched as fear began to appear in her eyes.

"Research?"

He nodded.

"I have a lot to do in this world. But I need all the time I can get. So it stands to reason...that I can't die."

He flipped the pages of the books in front of him, finding the spells he needed.

"So you are about to help me find out if what I want can be obtained."

"You're...you're insane."

"Determined, passionate, focused...but never insane."

He began to lace the spells together, taking aim at the mare.

"You can't do this! Ponies will wonder where I am!"

Sombra nodded.

"And they'll find out."

The mare began to shake as his magic settled over her.

"One."

Her mouth was forced open.

"By."

He poured a potion down her throat.

"One."

She coughed and gagged on the concoction. But the sensation was quickly replaced as Sombra increased the magic's potency. She began to squirm, as if she had an unreachable itch.

"What are you-"

Her back suddenly arched and she gasped in pain. Sombra continued to increase the magic as he felt it connect with the potion he'd forced into her. And that's when the screaming started.

Sombra watched as the mare fought against her bonds, her body writhing in agony. Her screams filled the room, but Sombra knew nopony would ever hear them. The mare's body started to bubble, like water when it boils. She kept shaking and screaming as the magic took effect. Sombra watched as her body seemed to break down and turn black. His eyes widened.

"That's not right..."

The mare screamed louder as the last of her color disappeared and her body began to convulse. The screams began to take on a higher pitch. The mare's features melted away. For the briefest second, Sombra thought he saw bits of her skeleton, but that too dissolved into the black mass that had formed in front of him. The screaming turned into something like a hiss. Sombra felt the magic hit its peak and broke contact.

The mass slid out of the table's straps like water. It fell to the floor, still hissing. Sombra stared at the creature, noticing how it flinched regularly. Was it having a fit?

"Light! Light!"

Sombra looked around at the candles and realized that the light was harming his creation. He quickly extinguished the ones closest to the creature. The hissing died down and the mass stopped flinching. Sombra stared in awe as the mass began to take shape. It looked like a pony, but its body was in a constant flux. Tendrils of black substance trailed off in the air behind it. Fangs protruded from its mouth. And when it opened its eyes, he found they were grey and lifeless.

"Damn."

He picked up a quill and began writing in his own journal.

"First test is a failure. Mixture 17 and First Variation yield an imperfect result. Subject has mutated into something...monstrous."

The creature slowly stood up.

"Kill."

Sombra looked up, curiosity in his eyes.

"What was that?"

"Kill...me."

Sombra arched his brow.

"Subject still bears some consciousness."

The creature bore its fangs.

"Kill!"

Sombra set his quill down and looked the creature over. He reached out with his magic, doing his best to discover the results. The mare had become some sort of mutation thanks to the combination he'd used, but on the inside...

His eyes widened and a smile grew on his face.

"If my work was correct, then I don't think you'll be dying anytime soon. The outward result is definitely undesirable, but...I may have cracked the secret to immortality without alicorn magic."

"KILL!!"

The creature leaped at Sombra. He easily dodged and shot another spell at the mutant. It collapsed on the floor, unconscious.

"You're the first step on the road to my greater purpose."

He turned back to his journal and continued writing.

Shade severed the connection and sat back in his chair. The tears trailed down his cheeks, dripping off his jaw.

"Shade?"

He turned to Celestia, concern in her eyes. He shook his head and felt the tears increase.

"I can feel it...I can feel his...excitement. He actually believed destroying these ponies was accomplishing something!"

He folded his hooves around himself in a hug, beginning to tremble.

"But the pain...he felt so much pain too...it was like he'd lost all control!"

He began to choke on his words as his body tried to hold back his sobbing.

"All..I feel...is...pain! I can't...I can't..."

Shade didn't even know what hit him as Luna's spell connected with his head. The stallion was unconscious before he hit the floor. Celestia looked at her sister in shock.

"Luna!"

Luna met her sister's gaze, tears clouding her eyes.

"That was not Sombra."

"He twisted his own goals to the degree that he was willing to torture ponies. It wasn't something possessing him. It wasn't a curse or a hex. That was him!"

Luna shook her head.

"Shade said there was pain! Somewhere within him he felt pain for what he was doing!"

"How can you defend him?! He was a monster!!"

"SO WAS I ONCE!!!"

Celestia was left speechless as Luna stood there, fully transformed into Nightmare Moon.

"Did you not hear the whispers in the kingdom? The terrors that ponies faced when they slept? Or do you choose to believe that "little Luna" isn't capable of such atrocities?"

Celestia shook her head.

"I never...that's not the point! Sombra chose-"

"He didn't choose anything! We drove him to this! You with your disapproval and me with breaking his heart. All he wanted was the life he'd lost. The mother he'd lost! He was alone and desperate. Do you have any idea what that does to a pony?!"

Celestia stood up, glaring at the Nightmare.

"OF COURSE I DO!"

Heat began to radiate off of Celestia.

"I had to fight my own sister! And when I realized we would only kill each other, I had to do the last thing I ever wanted to do! I was alone and desperate! Maybe not in the same way you or Sombra felt, but I know that pain."

Celestia took a deep breath and sat back down. She immediately jumped back up as her rear hit something misshapen on the chair. She turned to discover that the chair was...melted. She looked back toward Luna, noticing now how the table was deformed in a similar manner on her end. Her temper had gotten the better of her for the first time in a long while.

"I...I'm sorry."

Luna, who had reverted to her normal form, sighed.

"Me too."

Luna summoned a new chair for her sister and they both sat in silence for a minute before Luna spoke up.

"I know he did some horrible things. But I also know he hated doing them on some level. That's how I felt about myself back then. And...how I still do."

Celestia couldn't meet her sister's gaze.

"I didn't speak to anypony for three days after I banished you. I hated myself so much..."

"You did what you had to."

"I'm guessing you thought that too?"

Luna nodded.

"I'm guessing Sombra thought the same."

"I did."

The princesses both jumped. Shade was sitting up, though he still looked to be unconscious. But Sombra's voice came out of his mouth all the same.

"I know I said I wouldn't come back, but Shade is in a lucid state right now thanks to you. You made the right call. He was reliving every one of those sessions."

Celestia leaned forward.

"How...how many were there?"

Shade's lip quivered and a tear escaped from one of his eyelids as Sombra responded.

"One hundred and eighty nine."

Luna began to cry softly.

"Those poor souls."

"Deep down, I knew it was wrong. But on the surface, I just wanted to fix everything."

"Bullshit."

Luna looked at her sister in shock. Celestia was glaring at Shade's unconscious body.

"You act like everything you did was for Amore and Luna. Deep down, you know that isn't the whole truth."

Sombra didn't respond for several seconds. It seemed that Celestia had hit a nerve.

"You're.....right."

Now Celestia seemed shocked.

"R-...Really?"

"I...I wanted to believe my actions were selfless. And I convinced myself pretty well. But...it wasn't the truth. I was angry because your power and longevity were obtainable. And I wanted them for myself. I was angry that you denied me a life with Luna when, in my mind, it was fully possible. I still wanted to bring my mother back, but that desire became secondary after a while..."

Luna wiped her tears as Celestia nodded.

"And that's when we entered the picture again. Crystal ponies got away from the Empire and told us about everything happening there."

Luna chimed in.

"I didn't want to believe it. But when I saw the Empire for myself-"

Sombra interrupted.

"I'm sorry to cut you off, but Shade is starting to come back. I'll do my best to help him stay calm, but he'll need both of you on this."

Celestia sighed.

"The war is about to begin again..."

War And Trials

Sombra looked out over the Empire. His crystals now covered a majority. He could feel the power in the air. So much so, that he could barely stop salivating. He'd even grown fangs as he'd fed off the magic that surrounded him. It brought a smile to his face. The smile vanished as he remembered why he was out here. Word had reached him that Celestia and Luna were on their way. And to make matters more interesting, they seemed to have a battalion of soldiers with them.

He had discovered too late that a few Crystal ponies had run off. Apparently they'd gone to the sisters for aid. And now he faced an invasion. He didn't have time for this! His experiments were his top priority. Even though he'd had dozens of failures, he was still determined.

The king took a deep breath as he tried to remain calm. His eyes fell on the main square in front of him. It was empty. Nopony ever walked around anymore. As ponies had begun to disappear, the rest of the citizens had grown restless. A few had even tried to rebel.

And now the majority of the Empire was in chains. Sombra's needs had only grown more. He needed crystals brought in for testing. He needed subjects to test on. And nopony seemed willing to help. With an enemy approaching, Sombra was faced with another dilemma; how to get these ponies to fight. He knew this would be the biggest problem as soon as he had heard about Equestria's movement.

Luckily, he was more than adept at making ponies follow orders. It was easy enough to keep his guards and staff bewitched by himself, but the scale needed for the entire Empire would require something different. That's when the idea for the armor had come. For the last week, every last pony had been outfitted with their new armor. The last of his soldiers had been created not even an hour ago. He was ready for the coming battle.

As if on cue, a horn sounded in the distance. Sombra lifted his gaze to the horizon and saw a mass rise above it. Celestia's army had arrived. The Equestrian soldiers marched right to the border before stopping. Sombra looked down at them, a frown forming on his face. He didn't see the sisters, but he knew they couldn't be far.

"What have I done to earn such a visit?"

He heard hooves touch down behind him on the balcony. He smiled and turned to his visitors, nodding to each of them.

"Celestia. Luna."

Luna gasped. He could only imagine it was due to his appearance. His smile softened ever so slightly.

"It's good to see you again."

His eyes turned to Celestia.

"Now, care to explain the reason an army is at my doorstep?"

Celestia stood tall as she glared down at Sombra.

"Your rule is over Sombra. The Empire needs to heal."

"Heal? From what? A little redecorating?"

He motioned to the black crystals all around. Celestia didn't break eye contact.

"You've enslaved your own ponies, caused suffering, and have dabbled in dark magic. You will step down and surrender."

Sombra's smile returned, this time with a more sinister tone.

"Oh? I wasn't aware my fate had already been decided."

He glanced at Luna.

"And what is your opinion of all of this?"

Luna's eyes took in their surroundings. When her eyes found Sombra again, they were beginning to tear up.

"This place was once so beautiful..."

Sombra's smile disappeared.

"It...It will be again. I just need more time."

Celestia stomped her hoof.

"You have had more than enough time, Sombra!"

Sombra glared at the alicorn.

"You know nothing! You never approved of me once! I love your sister more than anything in this world. But if you can't accept us Celestia, then you'll have my wrath!"

He stomped his hoof and black crystals began to grow from the floor. Celestia took off into the air, but Luna remained.

"Sombra..."

Sombra looked at her, the hatred still burning in his eyes. She was crying now. He wanted nothing more than to dry her tears.

"I'm...I'm sorry Luna..."

"Please...stop this now."

The black crystals stopped forming as a single tear rolled down Sombra's cheek.

"I can't."

Luna's lip trembled and she took to the sky. Sombra watched her and Celestia fly toward their battalion. He heard Celestia's voice echo over the air as she called to her soldiers.

"Evacuate the Empire! Lead its citizens to safety!"

Sombra's lip curled in a snarl.

"That may be a little difficult Princess."

He lit his horn and opened the barracks on either side of the palace. He looked down with pride as his creations came forth. Every pony wore dark armor with his crest on it. They also each wore a helmet, specially designed to make them more obedient. Sombra's soldiers marched into the street, heading straight for Celestia's army. Sombra watched from his balcony as the two armies grew closer to one another. He smiled as he lit his horn.

"No mercy."

The command was delivered instantly to every armored pony. They began to charge the Equestrians. The battle had begun.

Sombra locked himself in the palace after the first few days. He had work to do and couldn't be interrupted by something as trivial as a war. That's what it had escalated to now. Celestia and Luna called a retreat in the first battle. But within a week, more soldiers arrived. This time, the sisters weren't accompanying them. Sombra had been pleased with this. They had too many other matters on their plates to oversee a war constantly.

The fighting had been going on for six months now. The Equestrians had only advanced several feet into the Empire. Sombra's soldiers were too much. They showed no fear, no remorse, and no weakness. They were perfect in every way. He stayed in his hidden laboratory for the most part. He constantly mixed potions, tested crystals, and tweaked spells in his attempts to perfect his formula for ascension.

"Mixture 34 is proving stable. This mixture along with a refined ruby crystal and the Sixth Variation spells will comprise test number 11."

His tests had been unsuccessful in correcting the exterior factors. Every pony had turned into, what he now called, an umbrum. They possessed the immortality, but became these hideous creatures. Almost like shadows. They couldn't stand the light for more than a few seconds, only thriving in the dark.

Part of Sombra felt that he should have ended their suffering, but he wanted to study them more. Not to mention they could be useful if he ever figured out how to make them more compliant. So instead, he'd locked them away in the mines of Everhoof. Nopony ever went in there anymore since he'd shut it down. The mines were his personal vault now. He'd even moved Amore into one of the deepest tunnels in the mountain. It was the only place he felt she'd be safe.

Amore...

Sombra paused for a moment. What would she say? Even when he revived her, what would she think of what he'd done? He shook his head and focused on his work again. There was no time for nonsense. He had to keep going...

"Test number 76 yields same results. Will need to begin work on Mixture 36 and the Seventh Variation."

Sombra slammed his journal shut and stunned the hissing umbrum in front of him. It dropped to the floor unconscious, leaving Sombra to steam in his frustration.

"Dammit!!"

His voice echoed around the room. And then it shook. Sombra looked up at the ceiling, his rage still fresh. Something was hitting the palace... He left his lab and made for the main hall as quickly as possible. From there, he went to the balcony. He had to see for himself. Could the Equestrians really have broken through? It was impossible!

Sombra stepped outside, feeling the cold chill of the air for the first time in four years. He looked off to the edge of the Empire and saw the fighting still carrying on. And then he saw a ball of magic flying toward the palace.

Sombra knelt down as the magic connected with the wall to his left, shaking the entire structure. His eyes traced the magic back to a lone figure on the edge of the battle. An old stallion with a white beard.

"So, Celestia brought in her mentor. Couldn't even bother to try herself."

Sombra smirked as he watched Star Swirl prepare another volley. Before old mage could fire though, Sombra lit his horn. A wave of black crystal began growing rapidly towards the old unicorn. Star Swirl had to cut off his spell and jump out of the way. Sombra continued growing wave after wave until Star Swirl finally retreated. Sombra began to laugh as the old fool ran away.

"I won't be so easily defeated."

He looked down at the battle below, taking in the carnage. His soldiers were fighting admirably. And there were more of them than before since Sombra had started taking prisoners. He could only imagine the despair caused when the Equestrians realized they were fighting themselves. With a final grin, Sombra returned to the interior of the palace, sealing the door behind him.

Seven years now. Seven. Sombra glared out at the battlefield from his balcony, his annoyance evident. How could Celestia justify this seemingly endless conflict? He had more important things to do.

He saw two bodies rise above the fighting; Celestia and Luna. They seemed to be directing their soldiers. For the briefest moment, Sombra saw Luna beginning to drift away from her sister. She seemed to be moving towards...him! Sombra couldn't deny that he wanted very much to see her. Hope was dashed away as Celestia suddenly turned to Luna. He could hear words on the wind, but not clear enough to make them out. He could see Luna sag a little midair. Obviously Celestia had thwarted her sister's escape.

Sombra growled in frustration and returned to the confines of his palace. Celestia would rue the day she'd decided to challenge him.

"Mixture 42 proves to be the closest candidate thus far, but a new crystal must be tested along with a new Variation. Will begin working on the Thirteenth Variation at once."

He set the quill down and rubbed his temples. The war had carried on for what seemed like an eternity. What was it now? Ten? Eleven years? The battling had fallen into a lull. The Equestrians were holding off their attack currently while they waited for another wave of reinforcements. Celestia had proved to be unwillingly to let up on the attack. These brief moments between battles were the only respite that anypony got.

Sombra had had to make sure to take these opportunities to replenish the bodies of his soldiers. Too many had dropped dead due to malnourishment after the first few years. Now he had to deal with that as well as his own work.

And then there were the helmets. It seemed that prolonged exposure had begun to leave ponies rather...unfit was the only word that came to mind. It was as if their minds went rotten. They couldn't speak or eat on their own. Sombra had had to start rotating the Crystal ponies. Some would fight, others would work. And then they'd swap after a year. That method had been working successfully for the last six years.

Sombra continued rubbing his temples, trying to relieve the headache that the last decade had granted him.

"I don't know how much longer I can do this..."

He hated to admit it, but this fight had run him into the ground. He had unlocked immortality, but could only have it if he were willing to become a feral umbrum. And that was the last thing he wanted.

"Mixture 42. Thirteenth Variation. And..."

An idea popped into his head. He couldn't believe he'd never thought to try it. But at the same time...

Sombra lit his horn, summoning a small box from a nearby table. He opened it, revealing the shard of Amore that Luna had broken off all those years ago.

"Infused onyx crystal. These will comprise Test number 189."

Sombra sat on his throne, contemplating how close he might be to his breakthrough. For the first time in years, he felt excitement at the possibilities.

"Your Majesty."

Sombra looked down to discover two guards with a mare between them. His eyes darted between all three ponies.

"What is the meaning of this?"

One of the guards stepped forward. His eyes had a greenish hue to them, the sign of Sombra's control.

"We found this pony trying to hide some scrolls away. She evaded us for several minutes before being caught."

Sombra sighed.

"And why should this concern me?"

"The scrolls were stolen from the library. She is a thief."

The king waved his hoof.

"I could care less about a petty criminal. Just put her back where you found her."

The guards nodded and began to take the mare away. But something piqued Sombra's curiosity.

"What did the scrolls contain?"

The guards stopped and turned back to Sombra.

"Enchantments for protection."

Sombra chuckled.

"You want to protect yourself from me? I doubt any enchantment will do the trick."

The mare looked up at him, her face devoid of emotion.

"It wasn't for me."

"Oh? Then who?"

The mare stared at him for several seconds before responding.

"Our history."

Sombra chuckled.

"I see! We have a historian amongst us. What is your name?"

"Emerald Dawn."

"And you wanted to what? Protect our history? Do you think I'm going to burn the library to the ground?"

"I hope you won't. But that's not the history I was talking about."

Sombra was growing tired of the conversation. He stood up and marched down to the mare.

"Speak quickly then, or I will have you thrown back into the war."

"Nopony has been able to keep a history of these dark times."

A small smile grew on Emerald's face.

"Except for me."

Sombra's eyes narrowed.

"Is that supposed to scare me?"

"I doubt anything I do can do that. But rest assured, ponies will see you for what you really are; a monster."

Sombra smirked at her.

"One little history book? That's your weapon against me?"

"It's all anypony will ever need to understand you."

His smirk turned into a snarl.

"Nopony can understand me! There is more at play in this world than you know."

Sombra looked at the guards and nodded. They turned and left without a word, coerced by Sombra's magic. Emerald Dawn looked around in confusion.

"Are you letting me go then?"

Sombra shot his magic at the throne and the stairs to his lab began to appear in the floor.

"On the contrary, my dear. You're going to be number 189."

The mare looked at the stairs, fear growing in her eyes. Sombra took that moment to knock her unconscious. He carried her down the stairs and into his lab, quickly strapping her to the table and preparing. He looked at his notes, double checking his work on the Thirteenth Variation.

"This has to be precise."

He made a small adjustment and looked over the scribblings. He smiled and nodded to himself.

"Yes. That should do it."

"Wha..."

His ears perked up as he heard Emerald coming to. He turned to the table, seeing his latest subject regain consciousness.

"I do apologize for the haste, but I really don't want to wait any longer."

Emerald looked around the room and tried to sit up.

"Wha- What are you doing?"

Sombra found himself more talkative than usual. Perhaps it was because of what the mare had said earlier.

"You are about to be my latest attempt at ascending to unimaginable power."

He turned to her as he mixed potions together.

"Power and immortality."

Emerald shook her head.

"You're insane."

"You ponies keep saying that. How is it that none of you can see?"

"I'm guessing you want a pair of wings too?"

Sombra laughed.

"You're smarter than I thought! No, I don't want to be an alicorn. I want...more."

Emerald looked around the room again, taking in everything.

"189...this is where they've been disappearing."

Sombra nodded.

"Yes. I figured others had noticed by now, but you all wisely kept it to yourselves."

"What did you do with their bodies?"

Sombra turned back to his instruments and vials.

"Who said they were dead?"

He could hear Emerald struggle against the straps. Pointless.

"Don't bother. Nopony has been able to get out."

"Why is power so important to you? You were already our King."

That made Sombra pause. He looked over his shoulder at the mare and sighed.

"It's the only way I'll get her back."

Emerald stopped struggling and looked up at him.

"Who?"

He turned away from her again, unable to meet her gaze.

"Amore."

"But...she died so long ago..."

A flash of smoke signaled the completion of Mixture 42. Sombra turned to Emerald, potion in hoof and shook his head.

"If that turns out to be the truth, then I suppose this really is about power. But...I guess you'll never know."

He forced her mouth open and dumped the potion down her throat. Emreald gagged on the liquid, coughing up a few drops. Sombra summoned Amore's shard and placed it on Emerald's chest.

"This is going to hurt."

He lit his horn and began his incantation. Emerald instantly arched her back as the magic set in. The crystal shard began to glow, growing brighter with each passing second. Emerald's body began to bubble and darken. She was squirming and crying out, but not nearly to the level that the others had. Sombra's eyes glistened at this development as he continued the incantation. Emerald's flesh seemed to dissolve into the familiar black mass of an umbrum. Her skeleton followed quickly. But then...

Sombra watched as the crystal hovered above the mass. It seemed to be emitting its own energy now. The spells were working! A layer of magic draped over the mass and it began to squirm violently. After a few seconds, smoke began to rise from it. Sombra hadn't seen this happen before. His curiosity threatened to break his concentration as he watched the mass evaporate before his eyes, transforming into a black cloud surrounding the crystal.

And then there was a brilliant flash of light. Sombra shielded his eyes and stopped chanting. As the light died down, he heard the crystal drop to the table. He uncovered his face and looked at his work. The crystal was alone. Where was the-

His eyes found the darkest corner of the room. The black cloud of mist was there, beginning to take shape. It had a similar texture to the umbrum, like water being poured into a glass. The mist solidified further, its shape becoming recognizable.

"Dammit!"

Sombra stomped his hooves as an umbrum stood before him.

"I was so close! Why didn't it-"

He froze as the umbrum opened its eyes. They weren't grey and lifeless, but a brilliant green. And they were staring at him. And then a voice spoke.

"Wh-what happened?"

Sombra came around the table, inching closer to his latest creation.

"Emerald?"

The black skin of the umbrum seemed to solidify and transform further. Within a few seconds, Emerald Dawn was standing in front of Sombra. She looked down at herself, confused.

"I...I feel...different. But I...I look the same..."

She looked up at Sombra.

"What did you do?"

Sombra smiled.

"I've succeeded."

The Shadow Is Born

Sombra led Emerald through the darkness. It had taken him no time to spirit her away from the palace once he was certain of his success. Even though he was leaving his kingdom during a war, he knew that his army would be more than enough to keep anypony from realizing he was gone. And now he and his test subject were descending into the Everhoof mines.

He knew the path well from bringing his failed experiments down here. But he was here on another matter entirely now. He had brought Emerald along to ensure she didn't run off, but also with another purpose in mind. Now she was walking in front of him as they continued through the tunnels.

"Why are we here? I thought the mines were too dangerous."

"That's what I told everypony."

Emerald looked around at the crystals sticking out from the rock all around her.

"These crystals...they're not...normal."

"An astute observation."

"What did you do to them?"

Sombra frowned.

"Nothing that concerns you."

He nodded to a tunnel on the right.

"Turn here."

Emerald followed his direction and they began going down a sloping path.

"How deep are we?"

That actually made Sombra think.

"Well...I'd have to say we're below the base of the mountain by this point."

"You're not sure?"

Sombra actually shrugged.

"I was just trying to find the deepest point. I was never entirely sure how deep that actually was."

"What's the point of coming down here?"

Sombra paused as he recognized where they were.

"Your existence is due to a very special crystal. And now I need one more piece."

They turned the last corner and a figure came into view. Emerald gasped as she looked up at the crystal statue that had once been Amore. Sombra could see tears in her eyes.

""What...what did you do to her?!"

Sombra approached his mother and sat down.

"It was an accident. A moment of anger that I have been trying to undo for years."

Emerald looked at him in shock.

"Do you mean...everything that's happened has been..."

She trailed off as Sombra nodded.

"I need her back."

His expression darkened.

"But I also need everypony to know that I'm not a normal pony. Too long has Celestia looked down on me as inferior."

"You don't really believe that, do you?"

He glared at Emerald.

"You have no idea of her true nature. Despite her sunny appearance, there is malice underneath."

He stood back up and approached Emerald.

"That's why I have to have more..."

"More what?"

"Time, power...everything."

He walked behind Emerald and gave her a shove toward Amore.

"And you're going to help me."

Before Emerald could say anything, Sombra began chanting. The air grew thick with magic as Sombra found a connection to the ethereal plane. But instead of allowing the plane to use his own energy, he redirected its hunger toward Emerald.

The mare gasped as she felt the connection, draining her reserve of magic.

"What's...happening..."

Sombra launched another spell at Emerald, using her as a conduit to increase the magic he'd released. A bolt of energy shot from Emerald to Amore, connecting the two through a visible tendril of light. Emerald keeled over in pain, beginning to squirm on the ground. Sombra continued the spell feeling the plane beginning to latch on to him. He pulled magic from the crystals around him in a last ditch effort, maintaining the connection for a few seconds longer.

"Come on!"

He felt the connection waver. The crystals immediately around him had returned to their normal hues. He didn't dare pull from the mines anymore. He couldn't risk losing his stockpile. Perhaps...

Sombra reached out with his magic, stretching his senses to the limit as he felt for the crystals he'd cultivated in the Empire. After several seconds, he found them. And just in time! He could feel his own reserve beginning to deplete. He drew on the magic from the Empire and felt a rush of new energy. The connection solidified again, and he increased the spell.

"I...must...succeed..."

He held the connection for nearly a minute. And then he felt the last of the Empire's magic trickle through him. He severed the connection before his own magic could be drawn on again. The break caused a shockwave, shaking the tunnel and knocking Sombra to his knees. He took deep breaths as he tried to regain some strength. He'd held out longer than Luna had all those years ago, but Amore was still frozen in place. A sigh escaped him.

"What will it take, Mother?"

He stared up at her for several seconds. And then a small shard fell from her face. Sombra got to his feet, stumbling forward. He picked up the shard and smiled. His smile slowly vanished as he stared at the crystal.

It was tear-shaped...

Sombra felt his lip tremble. He blinked away the tears that were trying to escape. His eyes stung as the liquid met the purple haze that trailed from his tear ducts. He turned away from Amore, not wanting to look at her face again. With some effort, he hoisted Emerald over his back. He couldn't afford to waste magic right now.

Sombra walked slowly back through the mines, turning to another tunnel that had long been abandoned. It was in this dark corner of the world that he'd sealed the umbrum. He looked at the corridor of stone in front of him. A haze of magic served as divide between the mines and this dead end. And on the other side, he could see dozens of grey eyes staring at him. Some stared in fear, while others glared in anger. It didn't matter to him though.

Sombra slid Emerald off his back, allowing her to fall to the floor. The contact with the cold surface caused her to cough. She opened her eyes, trying to get her bearings.

"Where are we?"

Sombra didn't meet her eyes at all as he responded.

"Your new home."

His horn lit up and the wall of magic shimmered. Before Emerald could react, Sombra shoved her forward. She stumbled through the wall and into the umbrum's cage. A chorus of hissing began as Emerald looked around frantically.

"Wait! What is this?!"

Sombra had no expression as she spun around to see him. He blinked a few times before turning away.

"Like I said, your new home."

He walked away, never looking back. Not even as he heard Emerald begin to cry. He couldn't afford to be weak. Not now. Not when he was so close.

He wound through the tunnels of Everhoof before coming to a cavern. He'd discovered this particular place on one of his earliest surveys. The cavern was tall and had a large crystal at one end of it. The crystal was black as night, his own magic embedded within. Not wanting to waste another moment, Sombra summoned a vial of potion he'd prepared before leaving the palace. He held Amore's tear in his hoof and began to cast the Variation. The small crystal began to glow.

Sombra paused, having deduced the only acceptable stopping point in the spells to drink the potion. It was bitter beyond belief, causing him to cough. He cleared his throat and continued the spells as quickly as he could. The crystals in the cavern began to emanate their magic as Sombra continued reciting. He felt something begin to change.

His body began to feel like it was on fire. He wanted to stop, but knew it was impossible. If he stopped now, he'd be dooming himself. He didn't dare look down, knowing that his body must be beginning to bubble and distort like his experiments. He pushed forward, chanting louder than before. The crystal began to float away from his hoof and was growing even brighter.

Sombra was yelling the spells by this point, desperate to finish. He felt his body falling apart. He wasn't even sure how he was still speaking. His legs gave out and he fell to the floor. He couldn't feel his heart pounding in his chest anymore. He wasn't even sure if he still had a chest. The crystal was floating above him now as he began wrapping up the Variation. Sombra couldn't help but reach for Amore's tear. He nearly lost control as his eyes saw his hoof.

There was nothing left but bone.

Sombra shouted the last few words as he felt the last of his body dissolve. The last thing he recalled was the crystal letting off a brilliant light and another shockwave shaking him to his core.

Sombra, wake up.

Sombra's eyes flew open suddenly and he took a huge breath. He was still in the cavern, but now he was standing. He looked around, trying to figure out what had happened. Where had that voice come from? He looked down at himself and found his body was still forming. The swirling, black shadow substance solidified into his normal body. Sombra forgot about the voice and began to laugh.

He'd done it! Looking to the large crystal in the cavern, Sombra caught his reflection. His features seemed unchanged for the most part. Then his eyes found his horn. It had turned red and smooth, not unlike some of the crystals he'd harvested. It had a curve to it that gave it resemblance to a tooth or claw. His smile grew as he stared at it, a crowning piece to his newfound power.

He'd never felt so good in his entire life! He could feel the difference, the magic coursing through his new body. It was more power than he'd ever had before! He turned to leave, wanting to leave these mines far behind him.

And suddenly he was flying. Sombra felt light as a feather and was speeding through the tunnels! He tried to look back but couldn't see himself. It was as if he'd become one with the shadows. Within a minute, he found himself at the entrance to the mines. As he had the thought to stop, he found himself slowing down and landing. He looked down to find his body beginning to form again. He'd apparently turned into some sort of smoky shadow in order to fly. That was something he hadn't expected. It only made him smile more.

He looked to the South. It had taken him hours to get here from the Empire. Something told him it wouldn't take nearly as long getting back. He had a war to win. And a mare to win back.

Stop before it's too late.

Sombra spun around to the mountain entrance, only to find nothing.

"Who's there?!"

Only the arctic wind made any noise. Sombra stared at the dark mouth of the mines for several minutes, waiting for something to appear. But there was nothing. He smirked at the mountain and lit his horn. The snow and rocks further up began to shake and crack. Within seconds, an avalanche descended on the entrance, sealing the mines. He turned to the South, ready to return to his Empire. It was time for the world to meet the new Sombra.

Sombra

He froze. That voice again. It was quieter though. Perhaps it had been buried in the mines. But how could he still hear-

Sombra

Sombra went rigid as he recognized the voice. A mixture of grief and anger filled him as he took flight toward the Empire. He had to leave this infernal mountain behind. He could never go back.

He couldn't face Amore like this...

Shade opened his eyes and shivered.

"She was there. She was in the mines. The...the umbrum never told me..."

Celestia was wiping tears away.

"How could he ignore her?"

Luna chimed in.

"If you'd done everything he had, could you have looked our mother in the eye?"

Shade took a deep breath.

"I can feel the pain he felt. It's...immobilizing. He had so much hatred and sadness occupying him at once. He couldn't make sense of it all. Not alone..."

Luna began to cry.

"If only I'd done more."

Celestia shook her head.

"The fault isn't yours. It's mine."

Luna shouted through her tears.

"I could have gone to him! I could have helped him!"

Shade shook his head.

"He had already lost himself by then. All he could do was follow the plan; find his new power, keep his Empire from falling to his enemies, and somehow try to gain the respect of both of you. It was twisted and all kinds of wrong, but it was all he had after Amore and Luna were both gone."

They all looked at each other and settled into their chairs. This latest stint had been emotionally exhausting to say the least. Celestia was the first to speak again.

"What was next?"

Shade could barely respond before a tear rolled down his cheek.

"More tyranny...and more cruelty. He reveled in his new status. He even went into battle himself."

Luna's eyes widened.

"I remember that. When we received word that Sombra had joined the fight, we knew we had to put a stop to all of this."

Celestia sighed.

"So, we've come to it then. The last battle of the Crystal War..."

Epilogue: The Door Is Shut

Shade walked down the library stairs to the lowest level. This was where old records were kept, but it was also where Sombra's stairwell was tucked away. He walked down the corridor and found newly laid stones covering the doorway that led down to the cursed room.

After everything he had learned, there had still been one thing that he needed to know. And only one pony could tell him. He just hoped she was still nearby...

Shade stood in front of the stone wall, making sure he was alone before he spoke.

"Um...Emerald? Are you still there?"

He sat still, straining his ears for any noise. He knew that it had been her he heard when he'd last been in that room. He was positive.

"Emerald...please? I have to know something."

"I told you to leave this place."

Shade nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of a voice behind him. He spun around to discover a pony covered in a cloak. He couldn't quite make out the face, but he didn't need to. He recognized those green eyes from the Everhoof mine.

"I...I thought I freed you."

"You freed me from Sombra's hold over the mine. The other umbrum were freed from the dark magic cast on them because they were cursed by half-baked incantations. But for me...I'm a creature of shadow, just like he was. Immortal and haunted by memory."

Shade felt a tear roll down his cheek.

"I'm so sorry Emerald..."

She shook her head.

"You owe me nothing. Even after pulling a stupid stunt like going into that room."

"Thank you for your help with that by the way."

She bowed her head in acknowledgement.

"It was the least I could do. Now...what was this question you had?"

Shade's eyes lit up as he remembered why he'd come down here in the first place.

"Amore!"

Emerald seemed visibly shocked.

"What about her?"

"She's still in the mines, right? Surely with Celestia and Luna to help she could be revived!"

Emerald pulled back her hood. Her features solidified from shadow to pony and tears formed in her eyes.

"Shade...I'm so sorry."

Shade felt confusion setting in.

"Wh-why are you sorry?"

Emerald sat down and sighed.

"When you banished dark magic from Everhoof, it freed the umbrum and purified the crystals."

"Right."

"All the crystals."

It took a moment, but it sank in. Shade felt his knees give out, forcing him to sit.

"But...what does that mean? Has she been free all this time?"

Emerald shook her head and sighed.

"Let me tell you about my time in Everhoof. After Sombra was defeated, his magic gave out. The wall that kept the umbrum imprisoned fell apart and we were free to roam the mines. I returned to Amore within the first hour of my freedom."

Emerald was crying again.

"I...I sat there with her for years. I'm not sure how many exactly. But...somehow she reached out to me."

Shade's eyes lit up.

"The crystal! The crystal Sombra used on you was cut from Amore. It must have created a small connection between you two!"

Emerald shrugged.

"I didn't know that for sure. Either way, I was able to speak to her."

"So, she was alive..."

"Yes. And because Sombra used a part of her on himself, she knew too well what he'd done."

Shade felt his lip tremble. That was the last thing Sombra would have wanted to happen. Emerald continued.

"Amore and I talked endlessly. I lost track of all time in the pitch black. None of the other umbrum ever bothered us. It's like they were afraid of her seeing them."

She sniffled.

"And then...one day...Amore told me it was time."

"Time?"

"Time for her to rest. As it turned out, she'd been keeping track of the time."

"How long had it been?"

"Three hundred years."

Shade's eyes grew wide.

"You talked to each other for three hundred years?!"

Emerald nodded.

"We shared everything about ourselves. I knew her better than anypony ever did. And after three hundred years, there was still one thing I didn't understand."

"What?"

"Why she didn't hate Sombra."

Shade felt himself tearing up again as Emerald continued.

"She still loved him despite all that he'd done. I guess that's a mother for you. She loved him more than anything else in her life."

Shade nodded.

"And he loved her. I know he wanted to bring her back, but...too much changed."

Emerald scoffed.

"Too much changed. That's an understatement."

"Emerald, I've had his memories swirling around my head for the past week. I can tell you this all started with good intentions. But...love and hatred have a strange way of mixing..."

Emerald closed her eyes and sighed.

"Funny...Amore said something similar."

"What happened next?"

Emerald opened her eyes again.

"She...stopped talking. Her crystal began to radiate energy though. It gave us all a sense of peace."

"I...I don't remember feeling any of that in the mines."

The mare shook her head.

"You wouldn't have. Her crystal stopped emitting energy after another century."

Shade felt a lump in his throat.

"Was she..."

"I don't think so. She just...lost her will. I think it took everything in her to last as long as she did. But in the end...she became dormant. And when Sombra returned, he made sure to store a piece of his soul in the mines. Any trace of Amore's magic after that was gone."

A small smile formed on her face.

"And then you turned up. You healed everything."

Shade felt his own smile start.

"I'm sorry I couldn't have come sooner."

"The first thing I did once you'd cleansed everything was to go back to Amore. Her crystal was a brilliant ruby color! And then..."

Emerald's lip quivered.

"It shattered."

Shade felt his heart ache.

"Shattered?"

"Yes. And underneath the crystal, I saw her spirit. She was barely visible. Similar to how the spirits of the umbrum looked."

Shade felt the tears coming again. He wasn't alone as Emerald started back up as well.

"She...she smiled at me. She didn't say anything. Just smiled. And then..."

Shade nodded in understanding. After over a thousand years, Amore had finally passed on. And it was because of him. His eyes lowered to the floor as his head hung low.

"I...I'm sorry. I wish I could have saved her."

Emerald reached out and lifted his head up with her hoof.

"You did save her, Shade."

Shade felt everything come crashing down on him. His own memories were still muddled by traces of Sombra. And hearing that Amore had been released from her crystal prison was overwhelming to say the least. He began to cry and covered his face. Emerald pulled him into a hug, patting him on the back.

"It's ok. We're all at peace now."

Shade cried for a few minutes while Emerald held him. When he regained control of himself, he wiped away the tears and stood up. Emerald straightened her cloak and raised the hood. Shade stared at her for a second before speaking.

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"What are you going to do now?"

Emerald turned away and began walking down the corridor.

"The Empire as I remember it is gone. It only serves as a reminder of a darker time. I'll go off and find a place for myself. Somewhere quiet and out of the way. Nopony needs to know of my survival."

"That sounds awful lonely."

"That's how I want it."

Shade nodded and sighed.

"I won't forget you Emerald Dawn."

She looked over her shoulder and smiled.

"Nor I you, Shade."

She dissolved into a cloud of smoke and flew up the stairs, leaving Shade standing alone. He stared after her for several seconds before looking back at the sealed doorway. He had experienced so much pain because of Sombra. The nightmares he'd experienced had left him scarred inside. Few were privy to that knowledge. After the week he'd just had though, something felt different.

Shade shook his head and walked away. He made his way up to the main level of the library and then outside. He looked around at the Empire as the Crystal ponies went about their lives. He felt a sense of pride and relief at the current state of things. He wasn't sure how long Sombra's memory would linger in his mind, but part of him knew that it wasn't anything to worry about. Not this time.

The end of the nightmare had finally come. And both he and Sombra could finally rest in peace.

The Final Battle

Sombra walked back toward the palace flanked by several of his soldiers. It had been a good day for battle. None of the Equestrians could react fast enough to his attacks. And none of them could land any blows when he phased into his shadow form. The battle was still occurring, but he had had enough for today. His armor was stained with blood and he was beginning to feel hungry. Best to leave fighting for tomorrow.

He chuckled to himself. He wouldn't have lasted as long as he had before his transformation. He'd been so weak in comparison. He walked up the stairs of the palace, sighing as he thought of a good, hot meal.

"Return to the battlefield."

The soldiers obeyed without hesitation. The helmets had been holding up remarkably well for the last thirteen years. Sombra congratulated himself on his hoofwork. He entered the palace and made for his throne. He was ready to rest after battling Equestrians all day.

"Page! Have my dinner prepared!"

He waited for an answer. And yet none came. Sombra looked around.

"PAGE!!"

Nothing. A twinge of fear went up and down Sombra's spine. Every Crystal pony in the palace was under his control. So why wasn't the page responding?

"I command you to come here at once!!"

He slammed his hoof against the floor. Still nothing. Sombra was getting angry. Where were his servants?! He looked around the main hall, trying to find signs of anypony. He began backing up toward his throne.

"Guards!"

Nopony appeared.

"GUARDS!!!"

He fell into his throne, unsure of how he could have lost control of them.

"Are you actually frightened, Sombra? Can you not meet without a battalion between us?"

Whatever fleeting moment of fear Sombra may have felt melted away as rage took hold. His eyes glared upward, finding Celestia and Luna hovering near the ceiling.

"Sneaking in uninvited, are we?"

The alicorns lowered themselves to the floor, folding their wings against their armor. Celestia was the first to speak.

"This ends today, Sombra."

Sombra rolled his eyes.

"You say that after thirteen years of war. I'm sure everypony appreciates you taking your time."

Luna stepped forward.

"Sombra, please! We've been trying to save the Crystal ponies. But those helmets you built...they're like something from a horror story!"

Sombra turned to the dark blue mare. She was as beautiful as the first time he'd met her. The only difference now was that her eyes looked older. Worn down in a way. Had he been the cause of that?

Sombra lit his horn, lighting the room to a nearly blinding level. It was gone after a few seconds.

"There. The helmets are dead. The Crystal ponies can remove them without any trouble."

Celestia narrowed her eyes.

"What are you playing at?"

Sombra sat back in his throne.

"I don't need them to fight anymore. I've gotten what I was after."

"And what was that?"

He smiled down at Celestia.

"Time. All the time I need in fact."

Celestia scowled at him.

"Enough of this!"

She shot a bolt of magic at him. He shifted his form to a shadow for a split second as the bolt connected with the throne. He rematerialized again and chuckled.

"You'll have to do better than that."

He transformed again and flew around the room, extinguishing lights and throwing the hall into a darkened state.

"Tell me Celestia, how do you kill a shadow?"

Celestia shot bolts around the room.

"Come out, you coward!"

Sombra's laughter filled the hall as he flew back to his throne.

"You know, now that I've gained this power, I've been able to work on some other spells. It's always good to have a variety when you-"

Celestia stomped her hoof.

"ENOUGH!!"

The room grew lighter again and Sombra frowned.

"It's rude to interrupt your host."

"I've had enough of your games, you monster!"

Sombra sighed and shook his head.

"Monster? There are worse things than monsters."

A crooked smile formed on his face.

"Let me show you."

He shot the magic so quick, Celestia couldn't react. Her eyes were engulfed in green, like Sombra's. She seemed frozen in place. Sombra turned to Luna, his smile softening.

"Now that we have a few minutes alone, what is your opinion of me?"

Luna stared at her sister. She seemed unsure of what to do. Sombra descended from his throne and approached her.

"I know I've done some terrible things, Luna. I only wanted a chance...to prove myself."

Luna shook her head in dismay.

"You call this proving yourself?! What happened to the stallion that was happy with his life? The stallion that I-"

She choked on her words for a moment.

"-that I loved?"

Sombra found himself faltering ever so slightly.

"I'm...I'm still here Luna. It's just...I had to find a way."

"A way?"

"Yes! I told you I would find a way for us to be together!"

Luna shook her head.

"Sombra..."

Sombra furrowed his brow.

"Tell me you don't love me anymore and I will give myself up. Tell me the truth, and this all ends now."

Tears filled Luna's eyes.

"I...I..."

The tears began to fall.

"I can't."

Sombra sighed at this small triumph.

"Even after everything?"

Luna shook her head.

"You have no idea what it's like. I hate what you've done. But...some part of me feels like there's more to all of this then I understand. It feels almost like a forgotten memory..."

Sombra's ears perked up. Was she fighting through his memory enchantment?

Luna shook her head again.

"I hear about what is happening here and try to stop loving you. But deep down...I know the stallion I fell in love with is still there somewhere."

Sombra tried to take a step back, but felt his legs give out. He sat clumsily on the floor, unsure of what to say.

"Luna...I-"

"Luna?"

Both of them turned to Celestia. Sombra's spell had broken and she was shaking her head to clear it. As soon as Celestia found Sombra in her sights, she glared at him.

"Get away from her!!"

Sombra barely had time to dodge Celestia's magic. He felt searing heat coming off the mare. Celestia kept firing at him.

"It's your fault! You're the one who filled her head with this nonsense! But I won't let you take her from me!!"

Sombra found himself feeling threatened. He actually feared for his life, even though that was absurd at this point. How was he suddenly at a disadvantage? What exactly had she seen in her vision?!

"What are you trying to do, Celestia?! Kill me?!"

"If that's what it will take to end the nightmare!!"

Luna tried to pull her sister back.

"Celestia, no! There has to be another way!"

"Luna, this is not a negotiation! He has to pay for what he's done!"

"With his life?!"

Sombra peaked around a pillar, seeing that Luna had gotten in front of Celestia. She was distracted! He stepped out into the open.

"Luna's right Celestia. We can talk this out."

Celestia locked her eyes on him and pushed Luna to the side.

"There will be no talking! My sister doesn't understand what's at stake!"

Sombra unleashed his magic quickly so as not to be on the defense again. A bolt of red lightning shot at Celestia.

And that's when Luna jumped in front of her sister.

"NO!!"

The magic connected and Luna crumpled to the floor. Sombra stared at her body, unsure of what his magic had done.

"Luna...LUNA!!!"

Sombra barely noticed that Celestia had shot back at him. He felt the magic hit him in the chest and looked back at her. She was glaring at him with a stare that could have burned a hole through his head.

"I banish you, Sombra. Your rule is at an end."

Sombra felt his body beginning to break apart.

"What?!"

He was turning into a shadow again, but not of his own free will.

"No!"

Sombra could feel himself being pulled away from the world. He couldn't go! He had to know if Luna was safe! He looked again at her body, seemingly lifeless on the floor. He looked back at Celestia and saw a small smile on her face. The last of his hatred began to burn as he cursed her.

"Damn you, Celestia! You'll pay for what you've done!!"

He still felt his magic. It wasn't too late for one last spell. His horn lit up as he amplified Celestia's own spell. If he was being sentenced to purgatory, he was taking her with him! Celestia seemed to guess that something was happening though. Sombra watched as she grabbed Luna and took off into the air.

Focusing, Sombra pushed his spell to the limit, not knowing how far it would reach. He cried out as the last of his strength left him. With his last breath, he felt pain, heartache, and rage.

He felt his body disintegrate.

He would never forgive Celestia.

He would never see Amore again.

He would never know if Luna survived.

The last thing he saw was the wall of ice towering over him as he was dragged into the depths of the frozen tundra.

Shade opened his eyes and took a deep breath. He felt chills all over his body as the remnant of Sombra's pain subsided. His heart felt like it was ready to burst. Yet, at the same time...

His head felt lighter than before.

"I think...I think it's over..."

Yes, it is.

Shade stared at the crystal in front of him. It had lost its color, turning a vibrant shade of black. The voice, which he knew all too well, spoke from the crystal itself.

You've been a remarkable pony through this endeavor, Shade. Thank you for helping me.

Shade nodded.

"It was no tr- Actually it was a lot of trouble."

I'm sorry that I've put you through so much in your life. You should know that your encounters with me have never been with the entirety of my soul. Not even this interaction is truly pure. But my memories are as close as you'll ever get to knowing my full story.

Shade sighed.

"It'll take time to process, but I think...maybe...one day I can put you behind me. No offense."

I wish you a peaceful life free of my meddling. Celestia?

Celestia turned her gaze to the crystal.

I thank you for finally listening to my side of things. I don't expect your forgiveness.

Celestia nodded.

"Nor I yours. We both handled things poorly back then. We have to live with that."

Agreed. Luna?

Luna leaned forward; her eyes locked on the crystal.

"Yes?"

Words can't express how happy I am to finally know your fate after that day. I can never forgive myself for the pain I caused you. And I expect no forgiveness from you either.

Luna began to cry as Sombra continued.

Just know that I never stopped loving you. I don't know what weight that carries after everything that's happened, but it's the truth. I never stopped loving you and hoping we'd be reunited one day.

Luna wiped her tears and sniffled.

"I never stopped either, my love. I just...wish we'd reunited under better circumstances."

The crystal shimmered and an image of Sombra appeared. It was him from before his transformation. From what Shade could tell, it looked to be Sombra from when he first met Luna.

Sombra smiled as a tear rolled down his cheek.

I have no right to ask anything of you, my love. But...would you protect this crystal? It now holds the remainder of my soul. I don't know how long it will last for but, while I still have life, I would spend it under your care.

Luna smiled and nodded.

"I would love nothing more."

Sombra smiled as he faded back into the crystal. The room fell silent as Luna gingerly picked the crystal up and set it in her saddlebag.

Celestia stood up and pulled her sister into a hug.

"I'm sorry Luna. So much happened back then and I was a terrible sister."

Luna returned the hug.

"We've both had a lot of history since then. Let's not dwell on the past."

Shade stood up and stretched his legs.

"I need to get some fresh air. I've been stuck in this room for a week."

Celestia smiled at her brother.

"Would you like us to join you?"

He shook his head.

"That's ok. I need a little time with my own thoughts."