Twilight was always one to worry, and Starlight being her anchor in reality and reason.

Often times Twilight would surprise every pony and have just the solution to a problem, suddenly becoming the calmest without panicking first.

But with all conceivable things, no one could have predicted King Sombra walking in the map room, going on his rampage across Ponyville. But thankfully it ended before anything seriously went wrong, instead trading for a powerful sorcerer behind bars in a measly brick police station.

The Ponyville precinct was prepared enough, with having a decent Unicorn population, they had special magic inhibitor rings for unicorns to where while in incarceration. Sombra now wore one such ring, though his size and physique was enough that extra bindings used to chain his hooves to the walls, giving only a few inches of slack. All except the muzzle which was removed as Twilight Sparkle entered the room.

The King hunched over his shackles, the single bulb sending a dull light over his fur. Twilight stood just on the other side of the bars, looking him over, examining the restraints. She had no expression showing her feelings, but spoke with cold disapproval.

“I sent notice to Princess Celestia and Luna, they’ll know about you in a bit.”

Sombra swiveled his gaze to look up at her, without moving his head. “And my request?”

Silent a moment, she muttered, “We’ll see.”

The stallion looked back at his fetlocks, shifting the large hoof-cuffs along the stone tiles. “Quite the regalia, you ponies must fear me such.”
He scoffed, letting out his natural growl.

Twilight did not need to say what she did, she had no reason. But she wanted to, she had to see his face.
“How does it feel?”

Sombra looks up at her, curious.

“Not yet destroyed, but so weak, it must be close.”

The dark creature felt a spark of hate amidst the quickened beating heart, making him grin his fangs. “My, my, look who’s the evil one.”

Stopping herself from doing anything more, Twilight whipped around.
“Get some rest, you’ll need it when Celestia gets here.” She hissed over her shoulder, walking to the other room.

Starlight waited there, standing up from her seat as the princess marched past. “Twi, is everything alright?”

Twilight grumbled something, and turned to face the mare. Her words caught in her throat as she saw her friend’s face, honest concern. Twilight sighed, calming herself.
“I don’t know, I’m not sure I can do this.”

Starlight gave a comforting hoof on her shoulder, “Do what?”

“All of this. I mean this is Sombra! Not just some bad pony.”

The unicorn grew stern now, “Making excuses?”

Twilight stared at her, shocked at the accusation.
“How can you say that?”

“Because.” Starlight leaned close, “You’re the Princess of Friendship. Not some tattle for Celestia, so she can come turn every pony to stone when they do bad things.”

The alicorn dipped her head, ears drooping.

“Take Discord for instance, and even Stygian, you helped him and Star Swirl find friendship… and me.”

Twilight et her eyes, sparkling with the memory. The unicorn smiled proudly of her friend.

“If not for you none us would be here, and it’d be my fault. What makes you think this time won’t be different?”
She cuffs a hoof around Twilight’s, leading her outside. “We’ve got the imminent danger part of the process out of the way, so it’s all up hill from now, right?”

Giving a faint smile, Twilight still felt uneasy.
“But what am I supposed to do? He’s just evil, that’s all he’s known for.”

The unicorn hummed, “Hasn’t stopped you before, you’ll think of something.”

Her assuring smile was enough to bring the princess’ posture back. The alicorn straightened up, sighing at the lack of any ideas. Seeming to be dazed, Twilight turned to her friends who had all gathered.

“We should get some rest, I… need some time to think before Celestia arrives.”

Spike marches up, “I don’t think it’ll be that soon.”
He holds in his claws a response letter.

Twilight reads it, taking it with her magic, expression becoming more distressed.
“Not until tomorrow… Transfer Sombra to high security magic prison… formal trial scheduled?”

To Be Continued…

Author's Note

stage set, proceed ^^