Path of Redemption

by Timeman202

Rating: mature
Tags: Adventure, Violence, Princess Celestia, Slice of Life, Twilight Sparkle, Main 6, Princess Luna, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Romance, King Sombra
Length: 3712

Twilight has managed to control the darkness within; compared to that, redeeming herself should be easy, right?

Coming to grips with herself, and controlling her inner dark thoughts, Twilight Sparkle has made her choice and now the purple alicorn will undergo the path to her redemption. She believes it won't be that hard, but is she right about that?

Originally collabed with Gatolover909.

Notice: This story will contain mild violence as it progresses, but nothing serious. The mature rating comes from an early instance due to the mention of blood. I personally don't understand why there's not a blood warning tag as I don't classify what will happen when that blood is mentioned as "gore". To me, gore would be much, much worse than what will transpire. This story also features some drama at times, but the limit of three blue tags can really bite sometimes.

Published 2022-01-16 16:20:00 UTC
Last updated 2022-02-13 13:51:25 UTC

Chapter 1: Starting One's Redemption

Sombra was waiting patiently. As he was waiting, he heard the clip clop of hooves approaching him. When he looked at Twilight, he was a bit shocked, but smiled none the less.

"So, I see that you have come to grips with yourself, have you?" Sombra asked. Twilight nodded. "Well, it will be difficult for me; but I will do my best to support your decision." The unicorn king said.

"I can help you if you'll let me. But for now, there is something we must do." Twilight said.

"Yes. I know what we must do all too well." Sombra said.

Twilight had sent out letters to Princess Cadence, Shining Armor, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and even Discord. She wanted to reach out to all of them to come see her on her return.

While the majority of them were more than willing to go, Luna tried to plead with her sister to banish Twilight but Celestia convinced her sister to allow Twilight the time. After all, it was the white alicorn that made Twilight choose and now this was the perfect time to reconcile if Twilight had returned repentant.

The time was scheduled for nine PM and soon the appointed time was upon everyone. The ones invited came into Canterlot's throne room to see Twilight and King Sombra, thought Twilight seemed different. Not only was she pregnant, but she was almost as large as Princess Luna now.

"Twilight, you sure did change a lot." Applejack said. Twilight smiled.

"I have Applejack. But at the same time, I have changed very little." Twilight stated.

"So, when are you due?" Cadence asked, noticing Twilight's pregnancy.

"Two months from now." Twilight stated.

"I see..." Shining Armor said. Rainbow Dash went up to Twilight.

"An apology for taking away my wing would be nice." Rainbow Dash said.

"I have something better than that, Rainbow." Twilight said before she started up a spell. Soon, before everyone's eyes, a new wing for Rainbow Dash emerged from the scar that occured when her old wing was removed. It didn't take long for the new wing to gain feathers.

"How did you do that?" Princess Celestia asked.

"Sombra's lessons helped a lot, as you can tell. From those lessons, I was able to figure out how to use Dark Magic as a way to restore missing wings, horns, and even legs if need be." Twilight said. "After all, there are some out there that I wish to restore to their former glory just like Rainbow Dash here." She added as the cyan mare flexed her new wing.

"It's real. I can feel it." Rainbow Dash said. The cyan mare couldn't be happier as her dream had been handed back to her on a silver platter.

"But of course it's real." Twilight said.

"So, does this mean you are seeking forgiveness?" Luna asked.

"If you're asking if I want to use my magic to better Equestria then yes. I do hope to gain the forgiveness of my friends for my actions. They are what matter most to me after all." Twilight said. "And I will let my fellow alicorns live." She added. "Plus I'm sure I can handle Sombra." The purple alicorn concluded.

"I doubted you once, my student; I won't do so this time. It was my own brash actions that caused you to have to leave the first time. I hope to restore our relationship." Celestia said.

"I hope so too, Celestia." Twilight said. The white alicorn noticed that Twilight was not using "princess" to describe the solar monarch anymore. Perhaps though, Celestia can at least be friends with Twilight from this point forward.

For a while on the train back to Ponyville, there was silence until Rainbow Dash spoke up.

"So, is my new wing going to have super strength or something? Because if it is, then I might need my other one renewed." Rainbow Dash asked. That caught Twilight off guard as that entire time she was trying to think of a good way to begin the conversation.

"That's..." Twilight couldn't help but shed a few tears. "I'm sorry, it's just that, I expected you to yell at me or something." She added.

"Twilight, you literally restored my wing back to normal. After that, you don't need to apologize to me." Rainbow Dash said.

"What Rainbow Dash is saying darling, is that we are so glad your back." Rarity said.

"It wouldn't be a party without you." Pinkie Pie said.

"Ah think I speak for all of us when ah say you sure did take your sweet time coming back to us, Sugercube." Applejack said. Twilight smiled.

"Thank you, thank you all." Twilight said.

"So, what about him?" Discord asked, pointing to Sombra.

"You should be thankful I just want to enjoy some nice relaxation as we return to ponyville. From there? I promised my wife I'd do my best to fit in around the modern world. Though I suppose things have changed in the one thousand years I've been gone. It'll be interesting to see what all has changed." Sombra noted.

"And don't forget, you offered to help me locate that one unicorn I mentioned." Twilight said.

"Unicorn?" Fluttershy asked.

"There was a past event I bore witness to during my time with Sombra. I saw a unicorn get their horn removed by an Ursa Major. I am sure it was an Ursa Major because I was able to study the difference between an Ursa Minor and Ursa Major." Twilight noted.

"Yeah, that's something we'll never forget." Applejack said. Sombra chuckled.

"At some point, you'll have to tell me everything." Sombra said.

"I'm sure we will, all things considered. I can't wait to throw a party for you." Pinkie Pie said; the pink mare suddenly all the way over at Sombra's side.

"What the...how did you...?" Sombra said before Twilight just stopped him.

"Trust me, Sombra: If there's one thing I learned it's to never question Pinkie Pie." Twilight said.

"I'll take your word for it." Sombra said.

"So, Twilight is seeking a unicorn whose horn was lost to restore it." Luna noted.

"That is the impression I felt from her as well. She seems determined." Celestia said.

"I honestly cannot wait to see where things go from here for her. I feel that her reformation of Sombra could have implications that effect not just Equestria, but the entire world." Luna said.

"So do I, my sister." Celestia said as she saw the leaving train in the distance. "...So do I..." Celestia concluded.

Chapter 2: Home Sweet Home?

"Ah it's good to be back." Twilight said as she, Spike, and Sombra entered the Golden Oak Library. Night has fallen since them and the rest of the elements of harmony had returned to Ponyville. "And this time it's actually the real thing." Twilight said.

"Hoo." An owl perched nerby said before flying down to Twilight Sparkle.

"I missed you too, Owlicious." Twilight said, nuzzling her pet owl.

"Huh. You have an owl for a pet. For some reason, that just fits you to a T." Sombra said.

"Hoo?" Owlicious seemingly asked.

"Who? Twilight of course." Sombra said.

"Silly Sombra, Owlicious was asking you who you were. Owlicious, this is Sombra, my husband. Sombra, this is Owlicious, my pet Owl." Twilight said.

"Hoo." Owlicious said.

"I thought Fluttershy was the only pony who could understand animals." Sombra said.

"I've picked up a few things~" Twilight said with a smile on her face.

"Boy, with how big you've gotten Twilight, we're going to need a bigger bed in the attic." Spike said, calling from upstairs. "Especially more so if Sombra plans on sleeping together with you. Which, I'm going to guess he is." Spike said.

"A good rest does sound good. Normally, I'd be up reading but I think after all that time away from home, a nice rest in the bed I'm familiar with sounds good." Twilight said heading upstairs.

"Hoo." Owlicious said.

"Seriously?" Sombra asked Owlicious.

"Don't bother Sombra. Trust me." Spike said and started heading into his own bed. Sombra rolled his eyes and joined Twilight in bed.

The next day, Twilight stretched as she left bed though Sombra was already up if him standing over her waiting for her to wake up was any indication of that. The sight caused Twilight to giggle.

"So, how was your first night in an actual bed for a change?" Twilight asked Sombra.

"Surprisingly pleasant. Though I miss the bed I had when I had taken over the Crystal Empire." Sombra said.

"Well Mayor Mare was thinking of adding some additions to the library for me before I left. I suppose I should go talk with her about those if she's still planning on doing them." Twilight said.

"Sounds like a plan." Sombra said. "It's good that you managed to learn how to fly while we were away." He added.

"I'm glad as well." Twilight said. "Huh? Wait something is up..." She noted, as she noticed a few black vines growing outside.

"I have a feeling that's not normal..." Sombra said.

"Yeah, I already sent a letter to Princess Celestia about it." Spike said. "Didn't want to wait after all." He added. Suddenly a golden chest appeared.

"What's that?" Sombra asked. Twilight opened it and revealed the elements of Harmony. Though hers was still somewhat broken.

"The elements of Harmony. I'm going to guess Celestia sent these to me and my friends because something is going on." Twilight said.

"I see. Do you think they'll work considering yours is still broken?" Sombra asked.

"I have a feeling that there's something besides using them that me and my friends will have to do." Twilight said. She grabbed the elements just in time for her friends to arrive.

"Looks like someone's two steps ahead." Rainbow Dash said.

"Yer not even one day back and already there's a bit of a crisis." Applejack said. "Seems the Everfree forest is invadin' Ponyville." She said.

"That old place. I'm surprised the sisters haven't destroyed the place." Sombra noted.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"The place was created long before I first took over the crystal empire. From what little information I know of, the place was created when a surge of black magic suddenly burst forth from where the forest is now." Sombra said.

"Huh. I wonder what caused that of all things." Twilight noted.

"So, I'm guessing this invasion is the forest trying to retake territory." Rainbow Dash said.

"Beats me. The forest should not be coming to life like this. It's magics are far too dormant for this." Sombra noted. "But I smell magic in these vines. They reek of chaos magic." He noted.

"Discord? But isn't he taking currently taking a vacation elsewhere?" Rarity asked Fluttershy.

"Yes. He told me he was off taking a vacation elsewhere." Fluttershy said.

"Well this is not good. I don't know if I can summon him right now." Twilight said.

"Let's focus on how we can stop this infestation first, then deal with Discord later." Rainbow Dash said.

"Right." Twilight said.

"Perhaps we should check the forest for what's going on." Sombra suggested. Pinkie Pie suddenly came out of nowhere and gasped.

"That's what I was thinking! Are you a mind reader Somby?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"...The buck?" Sombra asked, confused by the pink pony's sudden appearance.

"It's Pinkie Pie; don't question it." Rainbow Dash said.

"Right. Let's just head out." Sombra said.

Now that Sombra's magic was on their side, the elements were glad for it as with both him and Twilight using their Dark Magic spells, they were cutting through the obsticles like a knife through butter. Soon the group found a tree that was turning black.

"What is this thing? I have a feeling this is where those elements of yours came from." Sombra said.

"You may be on to something." Twilight said. Suddenly, vines dragging Celestia and Luna were in the vacinity.

"T-twilight. Hurry...return the elements to the Tree of Harmony." Celestia said.

"Right." Twilight said and she and the girls did so. The element of magic fully restored in the process which healed the tree and got rid of the vines.

"That was close..." Luna admitted.

"I think right now, the power of the elements is keeping those vines at bay. If the elements must be used again, they can't be removed for long periods of time." Sombra said, using his magic to read the ground.

"I'm getting that reading too." Twilight noted. A chest with six locks appeared. "I wonder what that is?" Twilight said, approuching the chest.

"Six locks for six keys." Luna noted.

"I've never seen anything like this." Sombra noted, eyeing the chest. "But something must be inside, right?" He asked.

"That's how chests work." Rainbow Dash said.

"I have no idea what is inside. But I have a feeling it is not a mystery you will be solving alone." Celestia said to Twilight. The purple alicorn smiled.

"I think you may be right." Twilight said.

Chapter 3: A Much Better Day

Twilight and Sombra were enjoying a nice picnic at Ponyville's local park.

"So, did you hear that Luna is actually making the Shadowbolts a real thing?" Twilight asked.

"Actually, it's more like she'd be reviving the Shadowbolts. Or at least I heard something like them being around a thousand years ago." Sombra said.

"Well, all the same, Luna is letting Rainbow Dash be a part of them seeing as Rainbow Dash got dropped from Wonderbolt Academy considering...you know..." Twilight said.

"It is nice to see your friend achieving her dream in some right." Sombra said.

"I was a bit scared that after...you know...that Rainbow wouldn't get her dream somehow." Twilight said.

"What even is her dream exactly? To be something like those stunt fliers?" Sombra asked.

"Rainbow Dash sees the Wonderbolts as the best fliers because how daredevil their stunts can be. And trust me, Rainbow Dash is no slouch when it has come to the stuff they've done. I can't help but be mystified at how easily she's been able to copy their tricks and I've only seen one show." Twilight said. "...Completely her idea when I was still learning how to use these things." The purple alicorn spread her wings to emphasize her point.

"Why didn't you ask that other pegasus friend of yours; Fluttershy I believe was her name." Sombra said.

"Fluttershy doesn't fly as much as Rainbow Dash." Twilight said. "In fact, she prefers to walk everywhere." She added before taking a sip from the drink she had.

"But Rainbow Dash doesn't seem like the best option..." Sombra said.

"Sure, it took me a while, but I managed to get flying down enough. I'm nowhere near the skill of the Wonderbolts I can tell you that much, but I can say that if it comes down to it, I don't have to worry about falling to my death as well as being able to fly after an arial opponet. I've also been improving on my flight. But I'm defiantly not skilled enough to do anything the Wonderbolts do." Twilight said.

"Well, I would hope you're not a show-off." Sombra said.

"I don't think it's about showing off. Those tricks the Wonderbolts are really risky. From what I was able to study between the one show I saw and watching Rainbow Dash, those maneuvers don't look easy to pull off." Twilight said.

"How hard could it be?" Sombra said. Twilight suddenly brought out a few drawings; it was all seemingly wonderbolt based drawings.

"You were saying? These drawings are all based on the tricks I've seen." Twilight said.

"...Yeah, I stand correctly." Sombra said after looking through the drawings.

"So, I get to stay in Ponyville so long as there's no tour going on?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"That's right." The mare in a Shadowbolt costume said to her.

"And I can make my own training schedule unless there's a show coming up?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"But of course, Rainbow Dash." Luna said.

"I have to say, this deal is a little too good to be true. What's the catch here?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"You will have to leave your post as the weather manager effective immediately upon signing this. You will get to choose your replacement however." The Shadowbolt said.

"That's fine. I already have someone in mind." Rainbow Dash said and signed the contract.

"I know I said you'd become my captain but..." Luna said.

"This is fine. I'd rather earn that spot." Rainbow Dash said.

"Well, so long as your flying skills up, you may do just that someday." The Shadowbolt said.

"It'll be an honor to fly with you. I've heard tales of Night Wing; your mother." Rainbow Dash said.

"I say the honor is all mine to be flying with the Element of Loyalty." The Shadowbolt said. The two mares did a fisthoof in celebration. "Now, I hope you don't mind, but before you head off anywhere, I would like to invite you to a feast happening in twenty minutes." The Shadowbolt said.

"Sure thing, Captain Shadow Glide. But uh...why is there a feast happening?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Easy: It's to celebrate us becoming official. Will have to get you your own shadowbolt uniform, but I can't wait to be working with you." Shadow Glide said.

"Same here." Rainbow Dash said.

Author's Note

...While writing the first few exchanges of dialogue I suddenly got the urge to want to see fan-art of Twilight Sparkle in a Wonderbolt Uniform. If anyone finds some picture of alicorn Twilight in a Wonderbolt uniform, please post a link in the comments. First person to do so gets their Ponysona featured in the corruption path, so you all have incentive now.

Chapter 4: Labor Surprise

"That was a trip." Sombra said.

"Yes. But now I'm glad to be back home for the time being." Twilight said.

"As am I. While I am curious as to what is in that chest that appeared as much as you are, you must learn to pace yourself my dear." Sombra said.

"It's nice to know you care." Twilight said, leaning against her husband.

"My only hope is that I can understand what it is about you that makes you as special as you are, Twilight Sparkle." Sombra said.

"Well, there is something I have been studying on the side: Genealogy." Twilight said.

"That study of one's familial history?" Sombra asked.

"Yes. Funny thing is, I've managed to figure out that I am a descendent of Clover the Clever. I've always been a fan of Starswirl the Bearded, but to find out I'm related to his own apprentice is something else entirely." Twilight said. "There's just...one small problem..." She added.

"What is it dear?" Sombra asked.

"I can't seem to figure out who my mother's great grandmother was." Twilight said. "I've mapped out every part of my father's bloodline, which is where my relationship to Clover the Clever comes from; but I am unable to finish my mother's side of my family. And I know that I am Twilight Velvet's Daughter. Just to make sure, I did a retest. Twilight Velvet is my biological mother." She added.

"But you can't seem to figure out your mother's great grandmother." Sombra said, putting a hoof over his wife.

"I just can't seem to get it. It's like I'm missing something in my family line." Twilight said. Sombra hugged Twilight close.

"You're a smart one, Twilight; if anyone can figure things out, it's you." Sombra said. Twilight smiled and leaned into the hug.

"Thank you Sombra." Twilight said. Sombra opened his mouth to speak further, but he felt something wet on the floor. "Uh oh..." Twilight said.

"We need to get you to the hospital right away." Sombra noted.

"Seriously, she's giving birth now?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"That's what's going on yes. Sombra rushed her over as fast as he could as soon as she started going into labor." Spike said. "And considering he's a super powered unicorn, that wasn't hard to accomplish. He was over here faster than I had time to react to the fact that Twilight was going into labor." He added.

"Teleportation ah reckon." Applejack said. "Wasn't that a might dangerous?" She asked.

"The baby is fine; nothing bad happened to it from the sudden teleportation." Nurse Redheart said as she came in. "Though...when the baby was delivered, and Twilight took a look at her...she wanted you all to come in as soon as possible." She added.

"...Now what in Equestria could she want to do that for?" Rarity said. Suddenly Pinkie Pie's body was vibrating rapidly.

"Oh...is another dozzy coming?" Fluttershy asked Pinkie Pie.

"Yes it is. And this one is BIGGER than before!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. The rest of the main six plus Spike rushed to Twilight's room right away.

In Twilight's room, the group saw a fainted Sombra and Twilgiht holding onto what seemed to be a unicorn.

"We came as soon as we could Twilight." Spike said. "So, why does everyone need to be here?" He asked.

"See that for yourselves." Twilight said, uncovering the unicorn for all to see. While definatly a Unicorn filly; and therefore female; the colors of said filly were very pink.

"I don't get it." Rainbow Dash said.

"She looks exactly like Radiant Hope. That's why Sombra fainted." Twilight said. Not only did Pinkie Pie's body expand a bunch, but all the conscious mares other than Twilight had their jaws drop to the floor.

"You've gotta be kiddin' me..." Apple Jack said.

"I...I don't know how...but...there's no denying the similarities." Twilight said.

"That IS the mother of all doozies." Pinkie Pie said.

"But it can't be the same Radiant Hope right? She existed a thousand years ago." Rarity said.

"I can only hope. For now, I have decided to give this identical unicorn filly the same name: Radiant Hope." Twilight said. "It's the only name that fits for such an impossible filly." She added.

"I'm sure she'll turn out just fine no matter what." Rainbow Dash said.