No sign of that beast…

Sombra glanced around warily still, who knows what else is hiding around the corner. The bakery was full of distractions, and being stuck in the middle of the open did not help his concerns. The pink earth pony placed him next to her at the front counter of the Sugar Cube Corner, and went about her job of selling taffy and cookies.

Everything was a bright color and ponies moved in and out of the store, some sat at the tables and talked all at once. Two foals ran from one side of the floor to the other, they were pretending to be a knight and princess.

“The dragon is right behind you princess!”
“Never fear, I’ll keep the cupcakes safe!”

Sombra felt a pang as memories came back. Faint, but still clear enough to pull him out of reality. A different filly snuck up beside him, looking in awe. “Are you really King Sombra?”

He stared at her blankly, too distracted to have listened. But Pinkie was there to answer for him, her smile big as she gestured to the unicorn. “He sure is!” She exclaimed loud enough for the next two tables to hear. As she leaned closer to the filly, “He’s under cover, so don’t tell anypony!” she whispered, loudly.

“Wow, cool!” The filly excitedly jumped away.

Pinkie Pie nudges Sombra’s arm with her hoof, “Hey, why so fray?”

Sombra stared at her, confused with both occupied thoughts and what she had said. Pinkie paid no mind, instead tried encouraging him. “Don’t you like it here? I think it’s great!”

“It’s not my usual area.” Sombra looked around, feeling uncomfortable. Deep down he was wishing he was locked in his room again. All of these were ponies, ponies he had cast mind control spells on last he was here. Without his magic Sombra was outnumbered if they decided they did not want him around. Looking closer he saw none of them even noticed him, or did not care. They were all talking, smiling, and laughing.

Opposite to Sombra, Pinkie smiled as big as she could. She looked at her friendship student, in his dismal state. “Come on, I know you had fun at least once in your life.” She urged, looking completely innocent.

Sombra looked at her, a kind of expression that might have been offense if he was not feeling so terrible. “Yes… but that was a long time ago.”

The pony tipped her head to the side, looking curious. “When? Was it when you were king?”

The unicorn slouched over, letting his chin rest on the counter. “It was before that.” He sighed.
“My time as king was the worst I have ever felt, and everything after.”

Pinkie looked shocked, “But that was so long ago!”
She then whispered, “Because you’re so old!”

Sombra glared at her, and rolled his eyes. “And I’d rather not remember.”

“But it’s the most important thing to remember, like, what was it that made you happy?” Pinkie put her head down beside his.

Anywhere else…
He sighed, energy draining with every second being here. “Why does it matter, it was a long time ago.”

Pinkie touched his shoulder, smile turned sympathetic. “Because all the best parts of my life keep me going on to the next, and laughter always makes the greyest areas bright again.”

The pony continued to hoof over bags of pastries as the conversation ended, leaving Sombra to stare off into space remembering his hauntingly happy past.

Besides, she’d hate to see her time with you a burden to yourself…

Beside him, on his left, Pinkie’s voice. He looked to his right, where the earth pony was not even looking at him, occupied with customers.

“What was that?”

She looked at him, “Number nine large? Oh, you want one too don’t you. Coming right up!”

Author's Note

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