Sombasi, brother of Sombra

Princess Shiori flew down from her perch and landed before the trio, Shiori is almost the spitting image of her mother sporting a purple mane with white stripes along with a hint of pink stripes in the mix. Her body and wings are dark purple however unlike her mother who has a vibrant white color at the tips of each of her feathers Shiori on the other hoof has black tipped feathers aligned beautifully along her wings. Finally, Shiori’s tail is also what makes her unique compared to her mother sporting a pitch black tail similar in color to the tips of her wing feathers. A shade of color she undoubtly got from her father Olstrom.

“I’m doing amazing Aunt Starfire, thanks for asking hehe.”, Shiori giggles before she runs into Starfire holding her into a loving embrace. Soon the pair of pegasi part from each other as Shiori turns to her fathers statue. “Dad was pretty amazing, if I do say so myself.”, Shiori says as she beams a smile confidently with closed eyes. The pegasus princess then turns to Sombra and Sombasi whos eyes were still locked onto her with surprise. “Um, Aunt Starfire why are they staring at me?. I mean I know I’m pretty but still hehehe.”, Shiori teases the pair of brothers with a giggle. Sombra and Sombasi were still a bit surprised and stared on to the princess and if one were to look close enough one could see patches of red forming on both brothers cheeks. Sombra is the first to recover as he lifts a hoof to fix his mane and takes on a confident yet charming look before he walks up to Shiori.

“Good morning Princess Shiori.”, Sombra grabs Shiori’s left hoof with his right hoof. “May I say that you are looking rather dashing today dear princess.”, Sombra then kisses Shiori’s hoof and lets it go.

“Hehehe, quite the charmer aren’t you. It’s nice to meet you Sombra, Aunt Starfire has told me lots about you not to mention some of the guards as well.”, The princess complimented with a giggle. This noticeably caused Sombra’s smile to widen a bit more now believing his chances were very high.

“Then what say you and I head-”, Sombra was silenced by a hoof from Shiori moments before she then waved the same hoof in front of her in a left to right motion.

“But you’re not my type, sorry. Let’s be friends though ok?!.”, Shiori says as she beams a large smile and opens her eyes wide with stars forming in them. Sombra’s jaw dropped to the floor and his eyes widen with shock.

“Y...yes, j-just friends.”, he hated to admit it but his pride was crushed, Sombra had hoped that his reputation would be of interest to the princess to boost his chances but his advances were instantly shot down. Meanwhile, Sombasi still hasn’t recovered from his current state and Starfire looked on to the trio before her as she sits onto her flanks and brings her hooves together before moving them near her left cheek before she lets out a loving sigh.

“Awww, young love.”, Starfire says as she continues to stare onto the trio with a blush forming onto both of her cheeks. Shiori turns away from sombra and sees Sombasi who still hasn’t regained his composer. This prompts Shiori to fly over to Sombasi to greet him with a smile.

“Hey there, you must be Sombasi right?!”, a star filled Shiori asks the still quivering Sombasi.

“I...well I um...it’s.”, Sombasi was at a complete loss for words as the beautiful pegasus mare stood before him, this caused both Sombra and Starfire to chuckle a bit.

“Ooooh, a shy type huh?, I didn’t expect that. I figured you’d be like your brother.”, Shiori says as she grabs Sombasi’s left hoof and lifts it into the air. Shiori then pretends to be Sombasi as she acts out a proper greeting.

“Hello princess, I’m Sombasi”, she says with a deeper tone trying to imitate Sombasi.

“Nice to meet you Sombasi, you might be pretty shy around me but that doesn’t mean I don’t like you.”, now acting as herself Shiori shakes Sombasi’s hoof which was being held by her own throughout the entire act before she ends her act with giggling. Shiori then smirks as she lowers her body and performs a certain dance.

“Sunshine, sunshine,
Ladybugs awake,
Clap your hooves,
And do a little shake.”

Sombasi still stares with his mouth dropped and eyes wide open along with a blush present on his cheeks. Sombra looked on as he commented to himself internally with narrowed eyes and a small hint of jealousy.

”-She didn’t call him a friend, she didn’t even do that rather charming dance to me either!-”, a clopping of hooves could be heard as Starfire Raindrop approached them accompanied with some of Starfire’s chuckling.

“Ok love birds that’s enough for now, let’s get inside to meet her Majesty.”, Starfire turns to Shiori. “Shiori dear could you fly ahead to give your mother a heads up for us?.”

“You got it Aunt Starfire.”, Shiori says with a salute before she flies off towards the top of the Crystal Castle presumably headed for Valerica’s room. Starfire then motions for her sons to follow. Sombra then comes to Sombasi’s side as he leans into his brother who was still in a paralyzed state.

“That, was a shameful display brother.”, Sombra says with a smirk as he nudges Sombasi’s right front leg. This finally knocks Sombasi out of his trance.

“B-be quiet brother!”, an embarrassed Sombasi retorts which causes Sombra to laugh a little. The brothers continue to follow their mother before Sombasi looks to his brother with a smirk of his own. “Well, at least I wasn’t friend zoned.”, a wide grin was present on Sombasi along with half closed eyes, Sombra looked to his brother with an annoyed grunt before the trio continue on into the castle.

Starfire, Sombra and Sombasi now find themselves within The Crystal Castles main hallway which lead to the throne room. Many pictures of past rulers and family photos adorned the walls in every direction along with decorative potted plants that were held up on pedestals or mounted to the walls aside the pictures. Guards stood stoically in various stations among the hallway as other guards patrolled the halls walking back and forward a certain distance sometimes meeting the gaze of another guard who patrolled another hallway, the two would nod to each other before returning to their assigned duties. The mother and sons soon reach a pair of large double doors adorned in beautiful crystal attire almost similar to the design that was present on the outside gate. Two guards spotted the trio as they whisper amongst themselves before one of the guardsponies opens the door.

“Aww lady Starfire, The Queen is expecting you and your party. Please head right in.”, Starfire and her sons nod with gratitude as the trio enter the throne room.

The throne room was without a doubt the most attractive room throughout not only the castle but possibly the entire empire as well, various guards were stationed along either side of the room while two more stood in front of Queen Valerica and Princess Shiori who sat proudly upon their thrones, Shiori in particular was waving her right hoof to the trio excitedly as if she hadn’t just seen them not too long ago. Queen Valerica spread her wings before addressing Starfire, Sombra and Sombasi.

“Welcome my friends, I am pleased to have you all here today.” Valerica declared.

“Greetings Queen Valerica and Princess Shiori.”, Starfire replies as she and her sons take a bow before she continues. “My sons and I are here to accept and make arrangements for what we spoke of back in the Orphanage.”

“Indeed dear friend, let us get straight to it then.”, Valerica clapped her hooves twice, this prompted one of the guards near the throne room’s double doors to open them revealing a certain librarian mare, Miss Bubble Maresbury, AKA Miss Maresbury.

“Good morning everypony!.”, Miss Maresbury says as she happily trots over to the trio to join them. “Nice to see you again boys and hello to you too Starfire.” the librarian greets with her right hoof waving to the mother and sons trio.

“Hello Miss maresbury.”, the trio said in unison as Sombra walks closer to the librarian.

“I presume you will be showing me around The Royal library Miss Maresbury?.”, Sombra questions as he puts a hoof to his chin. “What about The Public Library? Did you leave it to somepony else?.”

“That’s correct Sombra, the other librarians can handle things without me for a time.”, the librarian then turns to Valerica and Shiori and bows before she speaks. “Your majesty, your highness, I am ready to perform my duties when you are.”, Miss Maresbury beams a smile after she finishes her statement.

“Excellent Miss Maresbury, please take Sombra to The Royal Library immediately. Certain reading material have been left behind in the library as well as some spells that are perfectly suited to your current abilities. The guards have already removed other material and stored them away in a different location.”, Valerica proclaims, she then turns to Sombra. “You remember our agreement yes?.”

“Yes your majesty, not all material will be available to me as per our agreement.”, Sombra replies however he was still disappointed about this but shrugged it off. Sombra and Miss Maresbury immediately take their leave as a guardspony escorts them out.

“Now then Sombasi, about that teacher of yours.”, The Queen says as she suddenly forms a smirk, Shiori was noticeably giggling as if she knew her mothers plan. “I’d introduce this individual myself but why ruin the surprise.” suddenly, one of the guardsponies in front of Valerica stepped forward only for blue mist to overtake them revealing a certain dark blue Alicorn mare with a mane that resembles the night sky which magically managed to flow even with the absence of wind. She bears a crescent moon cutie mark along with a patch of black on her flank.

“Greetings Sombasi, we are thy princess of the night and Co-ruler of Equestria.”, Luna greeted as Sombasi’s eyes widened, his pupils becoming dilated, along with his mouth going agape. “And as of this moment forward, thou shall become our most faithful student.”, Luna declares with her canterlot voice which causes everyone in the room to tense up a bit.

“P-princess Luna?!, you’re going to be my teacher?!.”, Sombasi screams his shocked expression still present. “Whaaaaaaaaaat?!”, Starfire is also shocked as even she wasn’t expecting one of the Royal sisters to be here letting out a surprised gasp and a hoof to her mouth.

“Oh my goodness, hello Princess Luna!”.

“Greetings dear Starfire, tis good to see thou once again.” Luna then turns to a still paralyzed Sombasi. “We are as charmed as thou, we’ve longed to have a student much like our dear sister has in the past but haven’t met anypony that met our standards.”, Luna replies however this time she managed to contain her Canterlot voice, for now. Sombasi’s ears perked up upon luna’s mention of standards. “Until now.”, Luna declares as she looks upon Sombasi.

“I’m a bit confused Prin-”, Sombasi replied before he was silenced as Luna instantly appears in front of him and puts a hoof to his muzzle.

“Thou shall call us master from now on, just as we once called our master Starswirl The Bearded.”, Luna corrects Sombasi. In truth, Luna didn’t have to call Starswirl master but did so simply because that was her way of showing her affection. Starswirl was more then just a teacher to Luna and Celestia, at times the pair saw him as a father figure and their best friend. Sombasi regained his composer shortly after.

“Yes master, I thank you for your willingness to teach me but... What do you mean by standards?.”, Sombasi looked down with a sad sigh. “There’s nothing special about me Princess.”, Queen Valerica, Princess Shiori, Starfire Raindrop and even Luna all had sympathetic looks upon hearing his words. Little did Sombasi know there’s a secret about him and Sombra that is playing a large role as to why Luna agreed to be his teacher.

“Thou speaks lightly of thyself far too harshly my student, you have an affinity for dark magic much like myself.”, Luna says in a sympathetic tone, she is noticeably being very careful with her words as she doesn’t want to reveal the truth and cause chaos that even Discord would envy despite being in stone. Sombasi’s ears perk up upon hearing Luna’s words.

“Dark magic?, but master isn’t that magic considered... Evil?.”, Sombasi says as his ears lower to the sides of his head.

“Thou misunderstands my dear student, dark magic is simply the ability to manipulate the darkness to help achieve thy goals but you can even protect thyself and others. It is not evil, it is a weapon like any other type of magic. What thou are thinking of is forbidden magic, those who take the lives of the innocents through force or magic that plays with the deceased such as Necromancy, a foul practice that Grogar himself ever so indulged in.” Luna says with disgust at the mention of Grogar’s actions.

“But wouldn’t other ponies fear me with such magic?.”, Sombasi asks with a worried tone. “If they see a pony wielding darkness they’d automatically fear it and flee to the light... I understand what you told me master it’s just, I don’t want to be seen as a monster.”, Sombasi says before he sighs in defeat. Luna was taken a back from his words, truth be told she was happy that Sombasi seemed to have a good heart especially since Luna, Valerica and starfire know what Sombasi and Sombra truely are. An Umbrum. Starfire and Valerica also couldn’t help but to smile as well upon hearing Sombasi’s words. Princess Shiori was beginning to take a liking to this more talkative side of Sombasi.

“That is why I have chosen thou my faithful student, thou possesses a kind heart and we know that thy will command the darkness for the greater good no matter what other ponies call you.”, Luna commends as she puts her right hoof onto her Umbrum students right shoulder. “Just as we do Sombasi. Our subjects may fear us but we choose to defend them from the shadows.”, Luna says as she winks to him. However, Luna didn’t want to show it but she was actually sad for how some ponies feared her not to mention the darkness of her night yet they openly enjoy Celestia’s presence and the light of day. She internally says to herself ”-even if our actions go unnoticed-”

“Magnificent!, our business is concluded here.”, Queen Valerica announces with a clap of her hooves as she turns to Princess Shiori. “Daughter, could you escort Sombasi and Starfire outside the throne room for a moment and take them to the dining room? I’d like to discuss some things with Princess Luna.”

“Sure thing mom!”, Shiori says gleefully as she spreads her wings and flies right next to Sombasi’s side which causes him to blush and Starfire to giggle. Valerica notices this and narrows her eyes while thinking internally.

”-He seems nice enough-”

Sombasi, Princess Shiori and Starfire are now outside of the throne room its doors shutting behind them thanks to the guards. The trio begin to walk down the hallway towards the Dining room.

“I can’t believe Princess Luna is gonna be teaching you Sombasi, you must be very special to have warranted her attention.”, Shiori says looking Sombasi straight into his eyes. Sombasi didn’t want to make the same mistake he did outside in front of Olstrom’s statue so he regains his composer.

“Sorry about earlier Princess Shiori, I didn’t properly introduce myself since I was... Paralyzed.”, Sombasi says while putting his right hoof behind his head in nervousness. Shiori suddenly had a smirk beginning to form on her face as she leans into Sombasi. Starfire watches the duo holding back her laughter.

“Because I’m so preeeeeeeety?.”, Shiori teased the now flabbergasted Umbrum as she leans back giggling.

“W-well you see uh, Sombra casted a paralyzing spell on me moments before you showed up and...ehehe.”, Sombasi says embarrassingly before he gives up his made up tale. He realizes that she was watching them throughout Starfires’s tale but kept herself hidden until the stories conclusion. Shiori then took on a mischievous smile and prepares to perform an act.

“You don’t think I’m... Pretty?.”, Shiori says with a fake saddened face as she pretends to have tears forming up in her eyes. This is all an act of course as she knows Sombasi doesn’t feel that way. She turns and begins to walk away from the umbrum and his mother figure however a smile began to form on her face as she whispered. “3... 2...1”.

“NO THAT’S NOT TRUE I THINK YOU’RE GORGEOUS!.”, Sombasi yelled as he tried his best not to hurt her feelings. He then put his right hoof to his muzzle as his head went red.
“Oh boy...”, he whispered in a combination of worry and embarrassment. Shiori instantly turned around and ran up to Sombasi and stopped right in front of him, Starfire continues to giggle in the background.

“See?, that wasn’t hard now was it. I like it better when you’re being honest and confident.”, Shiori then bows to Sombasi in a gratitude before she rises. “Thank you very much for the compliment fine gentlecolt.”, she shoots a still fully blushed Sombasi a wink. Suddeny, a sense of realization came upon her. “Oh hoof!, my instructors gonna kill me I’m supposed to head up to my room for my studies.”, Shiori spreads her wings and flaps into the air as she yells out to Sombasi and Starfire. “I’ll see you too later, bye!”, Sombasi simply raised his right hoof and stared with a blush on his cheeks as the princess flew away however Starfire couldn’t help but notice Shiori was mostly looking at Sombasi as she gave them her goodbyes. Starfire looked to her son with a smile.

“I think you left quite an impression on her son.”, Starfire teases with a wink.

“Mom!”, Sombasi replies embarrassingly before the two start to laugh and open the doors to the dining room.

It’s now midday and Celestia’s sun is at its absolute highest. Luna and Queen Valerica looked out of a window inside of Valericas room, the two moving there after Sombasi and Starfire were escorted to the dining room by Shiori.

“So, what do you think about him?”, Valerica asked Luna. “You sure you’re up to this Luna?, we can find him another teacher hay I’m sure your sis-”

“Our sister cannot hope to teach him like we can.”, Luna interrupted. “Sister does not understand the darkness and the powers that come with it, she is the princess of the sun and light. Sombasi is an Umbrum, he and his brother are the very incarnations of darkness itself. The darkness is our area of expertise.”, Luna declared rather bluntly. “Tis is why we are Sombasi’s best choice over any other to become thy teacher.” Valerica couldn’t help but to accept Luna’s words, Luna is the Princess of the darkness that is brought with the night and the moon therefore if anypony would have any amount of understanding when it comes to an Umbrum it was most assuredly her.

“Alright then Luna, if you think you can handle it I trust you.”, Valerica replied with a smile before she takes on a worried expression. “Just please don’t allow Sombasi to lose himself, the last thing we need is another Planemeld Event.”

“Thou have nothing to fear dear friend, as we told Sombasi in thy throne room we will teach him to control darkness along with some conventional spells and wield it for good not evil.”, Luna assures with a smile. “Now then, shall we tend to our quarry in the dining room?. I shall teleport us there immediately.”

“Oh please do Luna, it would certainly make my day hehe.”, Valerica giggles as the two disappear after a spell is casted by Luna.

Sombra looks out of The Royal Library window to take in the view before he returns to a book Miss Maresbury had given him before she left the room. He has been gathering various knowledge while also learning some very useful spells from some of the scrolls Queen Valerica had left for him, one spell in particular was Crystal Manipulation. He was quite fond of this and he felt he’d be using this often. As time goes on he notices that Miss Maresbury hasn’t been seen for nearly half an hour, he’s beginning to ponder if he should look for her however as if some deity were listening to his thoughts Miss Maresbury opened the door to the library.

“Forgive me for being gone for a while dear Sombra.” Miss Maresbury says while holding a book wrapped in a brown leather bag designed perfectly for pony use.

“It’s fine Miss Mares but what is that you have there?,” Sombra says as he points a hoof to the mysterious book.

“This is a very special book for you dear Sombra, my personal favorite actually.”, Miss Maresbury then walks to the table Sombra was sitting at and places the covered book in front of him. “Keep this to yourself ok, even I will pretend as if this never happened. I see many great things coming from you Sombra and it’d be a shame if somepony found out about this and stopped your growth.” Miss Maresbury shoots Sombra a wink. Sombra thought about it for a moment before he answered.

“My lips are sealed Miss Mares.”, Sombra says as he uses his left hoof to metaphorically zip his lips. Sombra wants to learn any amount of magic possible and will eagerly do so no matter what. No harm in keeping one little lie he figured.

“Excellent Sombra, now I have to get going but do enjoy the book. Oh, and don’t forget to join everypony in the Dining Room.”, Miss Maresbury says before she opens the library’s entrance but before exiting she looks back to Sombra. “Remember dear, only you may know of that books existence. Nopony else.”. She says as she closes the door. Sombra looks down to the mysterious book before he begins to unwrap it putting the leather bag aside. Before Sombra could read the book a note was present, he picked up the note and began to read its contents.

“The truth shall be revealed to you upon reading this tome, seek me out should you ever decide to abandon this lie you and that brother of yours have been living. Don’t worry, I’ll find you should you feel ready to do so. I expect you to do what’s best for us both and I hope you won’t report this to the others.

-Your possible ally, Q.C.”

“This pony or whatever they are only just met me and they think I’d trust a thing they’d say?, Sombra is no fool.”, Sombra says annoyingly as he crumples up the note and throws it into the nearby trash can that was positioned near his table. The Umbrum then looked down upon the book that stood before him as curiosity got the better of him. He reads the books title. “Grogar’s Grimoire.”, Sombra says as he flips to the very first page of Grogar’s Grimoire however some of the pages were noticeably torn out. The mysterious being who wrote that note made sure he’d see this particular Chapter. He reads aloud the very first page he sees.

“Warning: To anypony or creature that follows in my footsteps be warned before you read this Chapter. In this chapter I, Grogar, shall speak of a being that even I am right to fear. I have encountered many a foe, including that human... That damned Megan Williams, yet this entity dwarfs them all. A being that the gods themselves banished at the beginning of this worlds creation. Do not ask how I obtained this knowledge. You have been warned my potential student or a future fool.

Chapter 93 - The Umbrum Queen and the Goddess Of Darkness: Nocturnal.”

Miss Maresbury walks down the hallway and turns to the restrooms, specifically the mares restroom, and enters. She looks around and upon realizing no other pony was present she walks to a wall located right next to the very last stall before her horn ignites causing the wall to fade away only to reveal yet another Miss Maresbury who was tied up and unconscious . Suddenly, green flames ignited Miss Maresbury only to reveal a large insect pony whose legs had various holes in them along with a dangerously curved horn, she had a pair of fangs that stuck out from her muzzle along with green eyes and black pupils that could become slitted. Her wings and tail were practically see through much like a traditional insects.

“Time to wake up, pathetic pony”, the being said as her eyes begin to glow with a green light upon which Miss Maresbury regains her consciousness.

“W...where am I-”, Miss Maresbury’s eyes shot wide open upon seeing the being before her. “Chrysalis!, help!, somepony help me!.”, Maresbury’s calls for help only made Chrysalis laugh.

“Aww yes music to my ears, do keep going though nopony can hear you scream thanks to my magic. Not even that princess of the night Luna.”, Chrysalis says casually before she takes on a face of anger and grits her teeth. “And it’s Queen Chrysalis foolish pony!.”, Queen Chrysalis says with a hateful tone.

“Please, don’t hurt me... I, I have colts at home.”, Miss Maresbury pleaded tears coming out of her eyes.

“Silence worm, I’m not going to kill you. After all, me and my subjects can’t feed off of a dead host.”, Chrysalis says with a chuckle. “Besides, you did help me so I think I’ll spare you regardless.“

“Help you?!, why I’d never!.”, Miss Maresbury retorted.

“Oh but that’s where you’re wrong, it was you I disguised myself as to reach my target. My mission is now complete, I just hope that he’ll make the right decision.”, Chrysalis says as she looks behind her.

“Wait, when I entered the restroom you were that mare?, you knocked me unconsious!.”, Miss Maresbury then began to think before she made a shocking realization. “Sombra?!, your target is Sombra?. You leave that young stallion alone, he’s done nothing wrong to you!.”, Miss Maresbury screams as she attempts to defend Sombra.

“It’s not about what he did to me, oh no, it’s about what he can do for me and my Hive. He is the key to ensuring that my children can feed for the rest of eternity!.”

“Why?, why did you pick him?, why can’t you just leave him alone?.”, Miss Maresbury pleads.

“Why am I even wasting my time with you?.”, Queen Chrysalis questions with annoyance. “Now, I can’t have you running off to warn anypony so I’ll be taking your memories. None of this ever happened, at least for you”, the changeling queen then thinks to herself for a moment. “Now then, I believe it was memory manipulation chapter 87 in Grogar’s Gremoire?.” her horn begins to glow as she aims it at Miss Maresbury. “Hold still, my little pony.”

(To be continued in Chapter 9 - A Plot and a Crystal Heart.)