Shining sat outside the medical bay staring into the void, his two guards' words falling into the background.

"That is everything that could be canceled sir, sir are you listening?" A yellow unicorn growled, he couldn't believe it this was the fifth time he had to explain things. He understood why Shining was like this but he needed orders to act.

Discord interrupted things as he shut the door behind him, his head covered in a couple of bandages and his eyes glowed a deep swirl of yellow and red. The fall left him a bit groggy at worse, nothing that wouldn't be healed in a few hours.

"IS SHE OKAY? WHAT IS HAPPENING?" Shining shouted pushing away the guard and bolting for Discord.

"Shining loud, please." Discord rubbed his head "she was just tired." He pushed Shining away from him.

Shining looked back to his guard, "find a way to cancel everything. Do whatever you have to do to make it happen." Not another word was uttered as he bolted through the medical bay door.

Shining no longer cared for rules or courtesy. His entire future, the mother of his foal, of the empire just fell down a flight of stairs. Tears formed in his eyes as he held her hoof, the doors slamming behind him.

The guard sighed, knowing better than to bother him at such a time. He couldn't hold this against his king. There was no backup no emergency plan. The two monarchs were young, one of them an alicorn. No one had even considered this a possibility. "how am I going to be everywhere at once?"

He wasn't sure he had them to go get help as long-distance contact hadn't been running since the changelings turned. In fact, most of those defenses were reduced or non-existent. He rubbed his temples with his hooves and groaned.

Discord's head throbbed and before he knew it his talons snapped. "Is five of you on roller skates enough?"

The guard's mouth hung low as he stared at five exact replicas. All of them stood on roller skates shaped like themselves but plaid in color. He took a look at the strange creature beside him, he was about to say no but he really noticed him. The poor creature looked tired and hurt, drained. The guard looked back at the copies, it would allow him to get more done and keep Shining happy. "Thank you, names Star Fleet I-"

The creature was already gone before Star could ask, he supposed he had no choice in the matter. If he refused it be a wasted opportunity.

"Alright you, keep an eye out here. You and you, go hunt down any and all contact information for remaining meetings and events. You and you, try to shut down any meetings with the citizens without panic. We want to keep this a closely guarded secret both royals are out and we are at risk for any invasion. Dismissed." He looked at the door, anxiety welling up in his chest he decided to go hunt down that creature. Clearly, he was powerful therefore he was useful to the cause.

"Anyway, it was so funny to see her out of her element." Sombra snickered he had moved his work to the huge hot tub in the spa. His magic makes his paperwork waterproof.

"You will have to teach me Changish someday! I assume I will need it since our kingdoms are now allies. Who would have thought?" She said handing over a stack of organized papers to Sombra. "Kind of like you."

Sombra paused his writing, "I'm sorry?" The calendar was the last thing on his mind with a statement like that. An ally? Him?

"Well, we are allies now right?" Ivy asked tilting her head "I thought since your good now..." Ivy couldn't help the worry creeping into her chest. Did she misunderstand something critical? No, Cadence hardly ever made a poor choice in character. If this stallion hung around Flurry then he had to be safe.

"No... I'm doing a favor for a favor. Are you alright? Did you forget what I have done?" It was too late for him, and he wasn't worth the effort. That Sombra spent so much time in the dark that the light burned, that he forgot how good a simple hug was. That he didn't know how to connect with the newest generation of ponies. "I'm too old for that nonsense."

Ivy was quiet for a moment. Her worries about a tyrant were calmed, unfortunately, new worries formed for the horse beside her. "You are never too old for anything."

Silence followed, an awkward and tense one as the two stared at each other. Ivy wanted to say something more rearing but the exhaustion in his eyes told Ivy he wouldn't hear it.

Sombra said nothing he knew arguing would do nothing. This current generation was hard-headed if not impossible. Saying anything would cause her to say more but there was nothing to say. He knew what he said was true and that he'd be lucky to have one friend let alone more.

It could stay like that for a long time but the silence broke with the shining of the bright purple spa doors. SLAM!

The two ponies jumped out of the hot tub and would have jumped out of their own hide. Discord groaned as the hot water hit his muzzle. He rubbed his temples, carrying a small foal in his claw. The swirling in his eyes was noticeable but no longer severe.

"Oh sit Discord!" Sombra panicked, running over to his friend. He grabbed his head and turned it back and forth. No external injuries, but that didn't mean it wasn't internal. "What happened?"

Discord groaned, "I'm fine Cadence slept and walked off a setstairs. She's fine." Discord walked to the hot tub, putting just his legs into the warm water. He relaxed, casting a cooling spell on Flurry so the steam wouldn't bother her. "I think I will be using that spare room Cadence offered."

"Would you like me to take you? These hallways can be confusing and you seem hurt." Ivy stepped out of the hottub. She turned to Sombra as she helped Discord on his feet. "I'll be back to help you."

Sombra stood up and took Discord's other side. Carefully they walked off to the spare room Cadence had prepared.

Author's Note

Sorry about the delay I was in charge of the business I work for for a whole week. I just didn't have time to write. I wanted there to be more but it would have taken longer so I posted what I had