Journal entry, seventy-one, day of infiltration sixty-six.

My infiltration has finally started to bear fruit, as I’ve driven a wedge between the royal couple. Though nearly every single one of my initial plans either failed outright or were rendered unviable due to circumstance, I anticipated this. Plans never survive contact with the enemy, it is one’s ability to adapt that determines survival and eventually success.

To this end integrated myself quite deeply into the friend group, seducing Spearhead and taking him as my temporary concubine. The rather thick-headed male has turned out to be quite the asset, both in my endeavor to prevent my future and in other matters. He has proven adept at servicing my more physical needs as well as buoying my confidence on the few occasions it has faltered.

It helps that he has become a skillful lover under my direction, his initial eagerness still present though augmented by real experience. His ministrations are so enjoyable I find myself thinking about him on occasion, wondering if he… no, I need to end this line of thought immediately. I am here to ensure that there are no barriers between me and my eventual domination, not to make friends.

Though with that being said, I certainly would appreciate adding him to my harem when the time comes. Then at least the time he has spent as my lover would not be wasted.

Focus Sombra, focus. No matter how much you have enjoyed your erotic forays with this stallion he is merely a stepping stone. One that will soon be discarded provided all goes well, and the next phase of the plan goes off without a hitch.

To that end, I have increasingly planted the idea of taking a male partner in Shining Armor’s mind. His lecherous looks have grown bolder, and I can sense him close to the door when I fuck Spearhead. He has even started to look at other stallions in a more critical eye, no doubt due to his own blossoming bisexuality.

Furthermore, my teasing is being returned without even the clumsy halfhearted attempt to shield his waning heterosexuality with excuses or obstruction. It is rather amusing really, watching Shining Armor as he goes from changing the subject the very moment something gay comes up in conversation to actively participating.

It's enough to make me wonder just how much of this is his own upbringing versus Cadance’s influence. And an unpleasant influence it is. That hag seems to genuinely despise most of Shining Armor’s hobbies and smaller personality quirks. It goes beyond just a mere mismatch in who they are and has even made me wonder why they are even together at all.

Sure there is a physical spark there, Shining Armor is in near-peak health and though he could hit the gym a bit more, he is wonderfully well-muscled. As reluctant as I am to admit it, Cadance is also fairly attractive for a woman, though she does herself few favors with her choice in makeup. Honestly, who wears fake eyelashes that long? You look like you have spiderwebs sticking off your face. It's repulsive.

Regardless, she is certainly the very image of royalty, though her manners could still use a bit of work. Evidently, Celestia has not imparted the wisdom of which fork to use for one’s salad. Where was I again? Right, their connection.

From what I have come to understand Shining Armor had a bit of a princess fetish. I discovered this just the other day when I-

Sombra’s ears perked up and he trotted up the remaining stairs two at a time, quickly reaching the top floor. There he spotted Shining Armor stepping out of his room, the stallion dropping a large box on the ground before going back inside. So distracted was the other male that he didn't even notice Sombra approach the entrance to his room.

“Moving out already?” Sombra questioned.

Shining Armor stood upright and turned to the disguised king, his face beat red. “Oh h-hey Crystal Throne. What are you doing at home? Didn't you have a date with Spearhead?”

“He wasn't feeling very good so we ended it a bit early,” Sombra raised an eyebrow. “The crown scouts?”

Shining Armor sprinted across the room and shut the top of the box he had just placed outside, using far more force than what was necessary.

“It's nothing, just a club I was in when I was younger,” Shining Armor dismissed.

“It is an equivalent to the filly scouts though just for boys,” offered a voice.

“Hello Twilight. Didn't you have homework to do?” Shining Armor muttered, his tone low and bitter.

“I completed it already,” Twilight replied simply.

Sombra raised an eyebrow. “And what exactly is this, Crown Scouts?”

“It was once a training program put into place to select promising young recruits for the royal guard though it has long since become something different,” Twilight answered.

“We just learned how to tie knots and stuff. No big deal really,” Shining Armor dismissed.

“And you learned sword fighting and armor maintenance. You even reached the rank of solar scout,” Twilight pointed out.

“Solar scout? Is that like a Celestia fan club or something?” Sombra pressed.

“It is not a Celestia fan club,” Shining Armor stated firmly.

“For once you are correct brother. Though you were still president of the Sun Celebrants if I remember correctly,” Twilight Sparkle offered.

Shining Armor’s face immediately became bright red.

“I feel a bit like a broken record but what are the Celebrants?” Sombra asked, raising an eyebrow.

“A Celestia fan club,” Twilight Sparkle replied calmly.

“We are- er were not! It was a club for guys who wanted to become royal guards when we grew up!” Shining Armor hissed while glaring daggers at his sibling.

“Is that why you had a poster of Celestia over your bed up until last year when you-” Twilight Sparkle began.

“Alright, that's enough of that. Out of my room you little dork,” Shining Armor interrupted.

The stallion then gripped the filly by the shoulders and began firmly, but gently pushing her across the hall.

“But I’m not in your room,” Twilight whined.

“I don't care, go bug mom or dad,” Shining Armor retorted.

Twilight Sparkle grumbled under her breath but trotted down the stairs anyway, shooting as nasty a glare as she was able to muster all the while.

“Just… ignore all that,” Shining Armor muttered while passing Sombra by.

“So she was lying?” Sombra pressed.

“I mean no but…” Shining Armor hesitated. “Please don't tell the guys I kept that poster for so long. They’d never let me hear the end of it.”

Sombra chuckled and leaned against the doorframe. “So it sounds like this royal guard thing isn't just born out of nationalist fervor.”

“Look I just really idolized Princess Celestia okay? It's not that weird, plenty of ponies do,” Shining Armor shot back.

“But do plenty of teenage colts?” Sombra teased.

Shining Armor blushed even harder. “Y-yes! Now excuse me but I need to finish packing this stuff up to store in the basement!”

“Fair enough. I for one don't fault you for your childhood obsession. I think it's only natural that you would find Celestia a worthy target of adoration. She is a skilled diplomat and is quite adept at statecraft,” Sombra admitted.

Shining Armor blinked in confusion, his embarrassment and confusion slipping away. “I uh… thanks.”

He then closed the door, leaving Sombra to chuckle to himself.

This event leads me to wonder just how much of his attraction is not simply the fulfillment of some boyhood fantasy. Though at one point Celestia was the focus of such adoration it wouldn't be difficult for that to shift to another princess, one much younger. It would explain how they made things work despite just how little they have in common and how poor their rapport is.

Those are considerations for another time however, for the moment I must enjoy the modicum of success I have acquired while planning on how best to push forward. Shining Armor yearns for me if not emotionally then physically, that much is obvious from the way he looks at me. His own growing acceptance of relationships of a more masculine nature is also a promising sign as well.

He refuses to do anything about it out of loyalty, both to his partner and to his friends though I think I have something in mind for that. For you see I have not only stirred feelings of envy in my roommate as it were, but also the more bookish of their friends. This was unexpected, though if handled properly could indeed work out in my favor, with the possibility of this situation creating the perfect storm as it were.

You see dear diary, I happened upon a curious conversation the other day-

“And thus concludes today’s adventure,” Sombra declared.

“Wow, that was… wow,” Shining Armor muttered.

“No kidding. All those hints about our shopkeeper buddy having debts suddenly make a lot more sense,” Spearhead murmured.

“Wait, that's why he betrayed us? That snake!” Shining Armor declared, slamming a hoof against the table.

“I don't know, what do you think?” Sombra teasingly replied.

“Oh you cheeky dog,” Shining Armor exclaimed. “You laid it all out but I never put the pieces together.”

“Where were you that game Knight Night? You usually see this kinda thing a mile away,” Spearhead proclaimed.

The demure young stallion blinked in surprise. “Oh uh… sorry. I’ve been a bit distracted. In fact, I think I’m gonna head out early and skip the usual snacks. Gotta do some homework, or whatever.”

Knight Night then rose and awkwardly walked out of the room before anyone had a chance to say a word in edgewise.

“What's with him?” Sombra asked.

“Yeah he always does his work before coming to game night,” Shining Armor answered.

“I should go see if he’s okay,” Spearhead offered.

The male then ran after his friend, leaving the others behind.

“I sure hope nothing’s wrong,” Shining Armor murmured.

“I’m sure it's nothing,” Sombra blinked. “Spearhead left his dice behind.”

“I should-”

“Don't worry, I got it,” Sombra interrupted, snatching up the dice for himself.

“Alright then. I’ll just uh… clean up then,” Shining Armor muttered.

Sombra ignored the male and trotted off, proceeding through the house and out the front door. There at the edge of the property, Sombra could see that the pair were chatting just behind a large hedge. Their faces were obscured while their backsides were sticking out either end.

Sneaking up to the hedge, Sombra raised his ears and listened closely to the conversation.

“I just… don't like roleplaying as much these days,” Knight Night remarked absently.

“That's bologna and you know it. You always beg us to play and you’re like, the first one here every time,” Spearhead retorted.

“So what, ponies change,” Knight Night shot back.

“Not that much, not that quickly,” Spearhead whispered. “So what's really bothering you? Its Crystal Throne, isn't it?”

“N-no,” Knight Night sputtered.

“It is, isn't it? First Cadance now you,” Spearhead muttered in a disappointing tone.

“It's not like with Cadance,” Knight Night stated firmly. “I just… miss the time we got to spend together alone is all. I don't blame you for spending time with him or anything I just…”

Spearhead sighed. “I get it. I was your first friend, and we haven't really had a chance to hang out like we used to.”

“Y-yeah,” Knight Night muttered. “I just really miss you. Miss hanging out with you I mean.”

“We totally never finished that game, didn't we? That one with the house and the hill!” Spearhead asked suddenly.

“What do you… oh yeah, we didn't,” Knight Night replied.

“How about this? I’ll come by this weekend and we can finish it. It’ll be like old times, only with less studying and more hanging out like bros,” Spearhead proclaimed.

“Right yeah. Just two bros,” Knight Night rather awkwardly added, his tone carrying a subtle undercurrent of disappointment.

It seems as though someone has a bit of a crush. Sombra thought to himself. No wonder he has been so short with me. I took his stallion.

Sombra mused briefly on the irony of him stealing one stallion by accident while purposefully trying to take another. His thoughts were interrupted when Spearhead spoke once more.

“Cool, so this Saturday then? Say like, noon?” Spearhead inquired.

“Yeah, that sounds fun. It’ll just be us though right? No Crystal Throne?” Knight Night asked hesitantly.

“Just us,” Spearhead replied.

Knight Night breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay, I’ll see you then.”

Sombra hastily trotted back to the path and slowly began to approach the street, dice held aloft. Just as he was about to reach the sidewalk, Spearhead trotted up to him, his eyes widening in surprise.

“Oh, Crystal! What are you doing here?” Spearhead asked.

“You forgot some things,” Sombra replied.

“My dice thanks!” Spearhead exclaimed, snatching up the small bag.

“Annd?” Sombra pressed.

Spearhead cocked his head to one side. “And what… oh!”

The male then leaned forward and planted a kiss on his partner’s lips.

“Later Crystal!” Spearhead called.

“Later, lover,” Sombra purred.

This little interaction makes it obvious that the feelings go at least one way, and since then I’ve been able to deduce more. Namely that Spearhead is slightly attracted to Knight Night, though the circumstances around that attraction are a bit odd. You see apparently when they were younger they were trying on Knight’s parent’s clothes.

A typical childhood experience became a bit more impactful when Knight Night chose to dawn his mother’s wedding dress. He apparently wouldn't take it off for some time, and Spearhead even went so far as to admit that he looked weirdly confident while wearing it. Since then Knight Night has apparently taken every opportunity to dress up as a female character, indicating some rather repressed emotions.

I note this not out of genuine care for his, or perhaps her, well-being but rather it is a string I may pull on. For if I get them together, while in one fell swoop seducing Shining Armor, I would align everything into the perfect position. I could bow out of the relationship gracefully, earning brownie points in the process, while moving my own plans along.

All I require is a catalyst.

Like a moderately powerful lust potion which will combo quite well with a bit of alcohol and some mild prompting. Being isolated together at the Sparkle family cabin for a few days will ensure that the air is charged with untapped sexual energy. A few beers, a small nudge, and some playful banter are all I’ll need to snag Shining Armor’s heart.

But if that doesn't work, and the instance is only a one-off, it will at least earn me some potent blackmail. I hope it doesn't come to that, however, as that would mean my primary plan has failed and I would need to fall back to a secondary one. I shall not think of such a thing though, for my plan is perfect, if a bit childish though I suppose it's not like I’m much older than them.

My reign was brief, and I ascended to the throne at a young age so the difference isn't that-

Why am I writing all this down? Am I trying to justify my own actions? This is all getting rather ridiculous. I need to attend to the potion and finish packing for our trip.

I need no excuse, nor permission. I was king once, and I shall be again! Any action I take is justified in order to get back what is rightfully mine.

Author's Note

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