Author's Note

Hopefully, this is alright I only edited once. I have a new story I want to work on

Missed Meeting

Sombra crossed his arms in one of Twilight's plush chairs. Normally when he had to wait for his evaluation he would just read a book. The thick layers of dust covering the once glistening shelves told Sombra he wouldn't get to.

Instead, he watched three spiders in the corner build a large web. They rubbed their legs together working in perfect sync with each other. It made him groan, even the spiders had a friendship. It truly was a new Era.

Speaking of, he wondered if Twilight's thoughts were true. That this castle was being passed down to a yack, a dragon, a pony, a hippogriff, and a griffin. The future of friendship looked solidified.

The elements fused into the souls of living beings. It looks like this magic would be passed down for generations to come. Tartarus, it even seemed like there was more than one holder of such powers.

Sombra sighed again, he even had a theory on it. Not that Twilight would listen to him. He tried to tell her as the previous elements got older their powers would lessen slowly being transferred over to the new elements.

For the old had too much responsibility and would soon leave this planet. The young could not understand what duty meant. That middle zone would be the perfect range of time. Young, ready to learn, grow, and morally malleable. Then that cycle would just repeat till the end of time perhaps further. Twilight just said that the magic itself is friendship so everyone had the magic. Hardly seemed that why if that was true wouldn't everyone be prince or princess of friendship?

Even if he was wrong it didn't matter, he was doomed. His time was over, his magic type would no longer exist. There wasn’t room for anything else but their ideas. The true definition of insanity, trying things over and over again expecting different results. Sombra was not insane, he was clever. He knew it was over the second Discord used him as a pawn in Twilight's.

Of course not being in ice sweated the deal and bringing himself back from the dead was a pain. That…..he didn’t want to think about that and he refused to tell Twilight. She would only ask more questions, put two and two together.

“Sombra. Hello.” Twilight walked in wearing the crown made for her by Celestia and Luna. It still felt weird to wear the armor so she opted not to. It felt like she was always ready for a fight and that's now how she wanted to rule. “Sorry I took so long, there's still so much to do.”

“It’s fine, let's get this over with.” He grumbled the chair squeaking as he shifted. “Is it true you are giving this way to the new elements?”

“Sombra-”

“You know what I mean,” he quickly interrupted before he got another history lecture.

“Yes, but I am waiting for them to graduate school first in the spring. Then this is all theirs. That will be enough time to add on some rooms for boarding and expand the kitchen. They'll be having the map's guidance unless it calls on us. We have yet to understand it fully but I have Starswirl and Sunburst working on it!”

Sombra hummed in thought. He couldn't help the theory spill from his muzzle. “It’s most likely more sentient than you think it is. Whatever helps it helps the crystal heart. I suppose you will want to change the locations of the evaluations.”

Twilight snapped her head gazing into his eyes, “huh, I had never considered they would be similar magic but it does seem knowledgeable. Yes, you’ll have to meet me at the Canterlot Castle, that's where I will be living from now on.” She tapped her hooves together, she hoped the experiments didn't hurt the map. Perhaps she should talk to her team.

Sombra gazed back, she listened to him? Anytime she listened she would ask for something. He ground her teeth and steadied himself. Whatever it was, it would be unpleasant.

Twilight smiled, a warm happiness filled her heart as she finally got to say. “You've been doing really well, no complaints from the elements. It's come to my attention you are actually helping. I heard from Cadence you have been babysitting for her with Discord?” It was amazing to say he improved so much, even joining their society.

“That is correct," Sombra elected not to tell her it was by force. He knew that would change her mind.

“Well, it's kind of you to help here and there. It has been hard to find time to babysit with my coronation and switching of the throne. I won't have a clear schedule until the summer. So helping her is also helping me even if it's temporary."

Her mood and body changed as she leaned forward and growled. "Although, you lay one hoof on my niece and you go back into ice and I will bury you where no one will ever find you. I am keeping an eye on you. Understand?” Twilight huffed, leaning back and smiling once more.

‘Yes,” he growled. Of course, she didn't trust him, he knew she was being too positive. “And?”

“That’s it for now. Keep up the work Sombra you are doing a really good job! Now I must meet with Discord otherwise I would stay and chat. Tight schedule!” She smiled as she teleported away, she was happy her program was going well, if it worked on these two it worked for others. She was going to have the first reform school to exist. Helping those who strayed off the path, featuring them. Showing others love, affection, and friendship.

Sombra blinked as he stared into space, was that it? Was she planning something? He ground his teeth more, he hated waiting to see what she planned to use him for. Not to mention what she planned to do about his outburst. He quickly decided to visit the one pony he could pressure into telling him, Apple Jack. It was risky but a risk he figured was worth taking.

He surrounded himself in purple, sinking into the floor as a black mass. The black shadow bounced from tree to tree until he found the pony he was looking for. Popping out of the trees the shadow spoke “Hello Apple Jack.”

“AGHS! Apple butters Sombra you scared me right!” She yelled holding her hoof to her chest.

“I didn't mean to,” he lied digging through her thoughts. This was the only way he could get them where he wanted them without drawing attention.“Perhaps I will call to you sooner.”

“Darn tooten! I mighta bucked ya’ straight in ‘ta jaw!” Apple Jack’s heart pounded in her chest. “I’m gettin’ ta old fo’ this!” Taking a deep breath, she leaned against a tree. “What ya want?”

“Right,” the intimidating stallion puffed his chest up, strolling in half circles as he did during his takeovers. Sombra glared at her with a piercing stare, his fangs glinting in the sun. Apple jack shuddered, right where he wanted her. “Tell me how are my assessments going?” He asked, roaming her thoughts.

Twat is he plannin’?

I hope this ain’t what I think?

Twat if she can’t open her new school?

Sombra smiled, a new school. That was something he was going to look into. He could imagine using him as teaching material, on display like a trophy.

Twat if I have to teach?

Who ‘ill take care of Granny?

Who ‘ill take care of the farm?

Sombra raised his eyebrow at that question. Was that a real worry? She seemed perfectly fine to him. "Well?"

“Ri…right! Sombra ya doin’ just fine. What ya’ worryin’ for?” Apple Jack asked, taking another deep breath, he wasn't being evil he was just behaving like he always did. He wasn't the same stallion and if he was they could fix that. She felt her chest get lighter as she breathed.

“That’s it? There’s nothing that you wish to lecture me about?” Sombra asked, tried reading through more of her mind.

Apple Bloom ... moving … Twilight’s school ….survive ta’ two of us.

He huffed in frustration, her thoughts weren't clear enough.

“Wa’ you think ya need lecturin’’ on? I say ya fine!” Apple insisted as she stomped her hooves into the dirt, a small cloud of dust wafted into the air.

“ACHOOO!” Sombra jolted. He brought his hoof up to scratch his nose. He grumbled, “I suppose I am just not used to having such a positive review. Go about your business” He said as he trotted to the farmhouse. At least he had something to start with.

“Oh? Hey twer ya’ goin’?” Apple Jack said, this was a good thing but could see him being anxious. Starlight was when she stopped getting lessons. It seemed fitting but she would tell Twi anyway.

"I'm just saying hello to Ms. Smith." He said as he sauntered away. Sombra had to check up on his unlikely confidant. It was shocking how well they got along.

Perhaps it was age? Everyone else he knew was much younger than he was. Even though granny techniques were younger than him, she understood. She understood what it was like to be treated like you're made out of glass. The eye rolls of the young foals when you ask a technology question, and they treat you like children.

The old barn door clattered loudly behind Sombra. The house moaned under his heavy hooves. Turning left he entered the kitchen catching the familiar sight of Mrs. Smith cooking. "Hello, Mrs. Smith."

"I tot' I tol' ya' call me granny!" Granny Smith turned around to greet her new friend. "Been a while now, where ya' been."

"Indeed." He said as he sat down next to the stove. "I was dragged into one of Discord’s shenanigans."

Granny giggled, "tat sound like em. Ain't a dull day go by."

Smiling softly, Sombra spoke "you are certainly correct. How's the farm?"

Granny sighed immediately sitting down, giving the job of stirring to Sombra. "They wan' me to retire…"

Sombra took to stirring the pot of apples, "You don't have to don't listen to them. What do they know?" Purple surrounded the edges of his eyes. "Just because you're old doesn't mean you're useless." He growled a concept he wished the elements would grasp instead of ignoring every suggestion he made.

Granny sighed "I know n' I know if I go I ain't ever gonna be treated as an adult never again. I hear ya can't leave ta' place wit out permission. But my gran goals are flocken' this here nest. Twat' am I supposed ta do?"

"You got Big Mac and I'm sure Apple will come back eventually. I'll help." The words just poured out of his muzzle and he dropped the spoon into the pot with a plunk. That….had never happened before. He never volunteered.

"You're the only one I can talk to. Discord brushes me off, if I talk to the elements it's an insurrection, and I can't talk to Starlight alone. I think they worry we will team up, something I considered but realized would be in vain."

"Thank ye, the zap apple harvest is in two weeks now. We could use ya help."

Turning off the stove he poured two bowls of apple stew. Using his magic Sombra levitated over two cups and a bottle of apple shine.

--- a few hours later ----

"So I bit Twilight's hoof and ran away. Turns out what I was seeing was called a train. I thought it was a giant snake." Sombra wheezed as he poured more apple shine into two glasses.

Granny wheezed, "that ain't nottin. These youngens they came up with magical money called bit-bots. I ain't neva gonna understand. I asked… I asked if it's a bot where's the mechanics." She slammed her hoof down onto the table.

Sombra relaxed into his chair feeling truly at ease. "What will they think of next? Space travel?!?! Without luna?!?!? Just poof space."

"That day come ya can slap meh behind n call meh Roger."

"I'll hold you to that."

"Ya do and ain't no magic I'll keep ya safe. Toss ya into 'nother dimension."

Sombra chuckled he couldn't remember the last time he was so relaxed. "You really get it Ms. Smith. These foals just pick this stuff up like it's nothing."

"Preachin' to the choir friend." Grancy smiled the only sound was the pouring of liquor into a glass. "I'm glad ya' vistin' I ain't think we finish Love n ta' dark."

"You didn't continue?"

"Of course not, das our favorite show. It ain't as fun watchin' alone. I know ya like it." Grany wiggled her brows and cackled. It brought her back to a time her husband and she watched Hills on the Run. They never got to finish it. "Come now." She said squeaking her chair along the floor. Long white-streaked marks just how many times she did such an action.

Sombra looked around quickly stepping down from his chair with a rattle. "I don't know why I like it I never thought I'd watch one of those garbage telenovelas, yet I can't seem to stop."

"Is called a guilty pleasure erry ones got one. This ones ours come onnnn let go throw popcorn in 'wardos dumb muzzle."

"That sounds amazing," Sombra said as he levitated out a bucked of pre-pooped carmel popcorn hidden behind the sink pipes. He followed granny to her living room.

Static fuzzed for a moment before making a clear picture. Granny grabbed her remote scanning down the recorded episodes. She hadn't missed recording a single one since they last left off.

Discord muzzle was beet red, three hours alone at a boring dinner party. It would have been shorter if it hadn't been impossible to find a reason to bail. Sombra was that reason, she was the reason why it sucked and why he got to leave. He was going to hear it from Discord. He looked around shocked to see Applejack turning the door nob to her home. "Hello?" He asked, Sombras magic was coming from here, but he had no idea why."

"Discord? What ya doin' here?"

"Looking for Sombra" He answered following her inside.

"Well I don't thank he-" she cut off as the TV blasted through the Apple home.

"OH EDWARDO I WOULD MARRY YOU BUT I DON"T KNOW WHO YOU ARE?"

"The buss it destroyed your memory!"

"I can not wed a stranger which is why I'm marrying. DR MERELLIO!"

"NOOOO ME AMMOOOOOREEE. What about our sun?"

"I HAVE NO SUN!"

Tune in next time. Will Edwardo and Mare find love? Or will the Doctor sweep her off her feet?

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Sombra yelled tossing popcorn at the screen.

"Twat the Tartarus 'wardo? Ya keep gettin' screwed and ya' keep goin' back!"

"Why?!?! Why did this happen to him?!"

"What in the damn Tartarus?" Apple asked as she gazed up her drunk granda watching her soap operas, with the used to be king of the crystal empire.

Discord would yell if he could stop wheezing. this was priceless and he was never going to let Sombra forget that. He took out a camera. "If you can't beat em join I'm" He waved the camera near Apple Jack and wiggled his eyebrows.

Apple rolled her eyes, children, all of them. She went upstairs in a huff. Someone had to run this farm tomorrow. Looked like it was her, alone, again.