Redemption's Shadow

Crystal Wastelands

Hours had passed, and both Blue and Sombra where still inside the cave in which the king had been imprisoned in. For Sombra it felt like an eternity, for Blue, he was just thankful he could be here for Sombra. He had never seen him act or speak the way he did when he confessed all of those things to him, and he needed to be there for him in his time of need. Currently however, Blue was softly asleep, leaning against Sombra's larger body as a pillow, the large Umbrum looking to him Sombra smiled a little and nuzzled him, letting his horn glide softly amongst Blue's bangs. "... oh. I forgot. What was in the bag you brought to the hotel room?"

Blue's eyes widdened for a second, remembering everything before they had even arrived in the cave "O-oh...um...well it was a supprise for you, its...hard to exsplain in words."

Sombra looked surprised: "...for... me? Why?"

"I wanted to get you something...I thought it might cheer you up a bit from the train ride."

"Oh... thank you." Sombra was quiet for a moment and then smiled: "it's been a while since I had gifts."

"I think you will like it when I show you" Blue said "I made sure to keep you in mind."

Sombra nuzzled him again "...I should start that teleportation spell..."

"If you think you are rested enough" Blue said quietly, assuring him he could take his time.

"I... want to leave this place. It... it isn't a good place." The stallion shivered, "Too many bad memories, I have done more complicated spells. I just needed to catch my breath." Sombra would then envelop the two of them in magic as Blue teleported with him to the hotel room, sighing a sigh of relief when Yellowjacket was nowhere to be seen.

"Your gift is on the side of the bed.." Blue said, gesturing over to the bag.

The curious stallion then approached the bag, his magic reached over and opening it. it was a small well carved wooden box, it had some very ancient crystal empire runes on it, and when opening it, there was a click and it revealed a leather interior with silk, and in the center were two very small yet expensive-looking cufflinks.

"Cufflinks..." Sombra blushed a bit.

"D-do you like them?"

Sombra would approach Blue smiling "I do, Blue... Thank you." The stallion whispered to him, holding the stallion close. "... maybe I'll get a chance to use them soon." Sombra would kissed his cheek, something that took Blue off guard for a good few seconds, with the stallion not 100% sure how to respond. None the less he smiled back at Sombra who then yawned. "I think I should rest...its been a long day and I feel like sleeping now that we are out of that dreadful cave."

"Alright" Blue said, walking over to the bed to lay down, as Sombra then joined him, the two of them getting under the covers, Blue then feeling something warm press up against him as he blushed, looking over to see Sombra gently pressing his large body against the smaller stallion, Blue huffing softly as he smiled a bit, turning to face away from Sombra as he drifted off to sleep, unknown to him that there was another pony now with them as Luna took a long sigh before stepping into the pegasus guard's dream, the alicorn mare pleasantly surprised that the dream was rather pleasant.

"Blue Crest." The mare cocked her head "Feels like you had an eventful day."

Blue, who was finding himself in a dream where he seemed to be enjoying a hot tub in a spa slightly stardled himself as he looked to Luna. "Y-your highness!" He said, stumbling as he looked around "This-...im in a dream arnt I..."

"Yes. Please relax, everything is fine." Luna smiled and lounged on a chair as well: "...how goes your progress?"

"Oh uh...its going well...I feel that Sombra has really shown some strong progress on things..." He said "I believe he is coming closer and closer to a true reformation."

Luna nodded: "I am happy to hear that. Seems I appointed the right stallion for the job." The mare smiled somewhat encouragingly.

"B-but Princess, while you are here id like to uh mention that we may have some uh...trouble...regarding some things"

"Such as?" Luna inquired, her gaze drifting to a single orange feather floating down from somewhere high above. More and more feathers seemed to flutter down, all of the same orange color. "... Hm."

"Councilpony Yellowjacket...ma'am..."

"The councilpony?" Luna shifted and seemed perplexed: "What does the councilpony have to do with this?"

Blue was taking things cautiously, he had no clue how mutch Luna or Celestia knew about the Yellowjacket situation a a whole "Are you...aware of my private report that I had handed to you last week...about the warehouse bust that the day guard had discovered?"

"I am, yes. It was ah... a doorstopper of a report." Luna side-eyed momentarily, but returned back to form.

"Well it uh... proteins to that subject again" He said "And my hypothesis of the underground black mail dealings."

"That is a very serious accusation towards a councilpony who has never been anything but courteous, Blue." The princess replied, but not as cold or angry as Blue might have expected.

"Ma'am...with respect, I have told you time and time again that I believe he is behind all of it. I understand all of the evidence is circumstantial at best but I have a gut feeling about this."

Luna shook her head: "A mere gut feeling, no matter how strong, is not going to be enough, Blue." The mare shifted, looking apologetic. "And what would be his motive for blackmailing ponies? We personally know he gained his status as a council pony with both recommendation and merit."

"Princess Luna...we know that boxes of Blackmail Letters were found at that warehouse bust, and we know most of those letters belonged to high nobility and wealthy business ponies in Canterlot, some even belonging to guard ponies themselves" Blue said "While we may not 100% know his motive, I have a strong hunch it's him."

Luna nodded: "I understand Blue...but our hooves are tied without concrete evidence."

"I know..." He said "But I owe it to ponies, all of the ponies who are suffuring; Fancy Pants, Bill Neigh, Blue Moon and North Star, Orion Snow, Spitfire, Parish Nandermane, Sombra-" He stopped himself the second he said that last one-

"Sombra?" Now Luna looked confused and surprised. "...Explain."

"S-sombra...was...threatened...with Blackmail by Yellowjacket today..."

Luna was silent for a very long time: "...are you certain? I can't imagine Sombra to have much that he'd care about remaining hidden... Or that he'd be nice enough to let any pony live afterwards, but more to the point. How do you know he is even telling the truth?"

"As I have said...he is changing...working hard to change...and the things he was blackmailed with are very sensitive to him" he said "I have faith that Sombra isn't lying about this, and I trust him."

Luna took a sigh: "... Unfortunately, as concrete evidence as that is, we still don't know what they actually talked about, and Sombra isn't... what most would consider a reliable source of information. I fear that Yellowjacket's words carry more weight than a pardoned tyrant's."

"I understand ma'am..."

"Blue...I do think you are the best pony for this job despite all the troubles. Your situations may be different, but I think in your cores, you're rather similar."

"I...you do?" He asked, confused at what she meant.

"I leave that for you to decipher. Call it... a gut feeling." The mare smiled, knowing full well what she'd said, "...and I believe it is time to wake up." With that Blue suddenly found himself sturred awake, groaning softly as he was blinded by the morning light, groaning softly, Sombra mumbled and covered his head with a pillow, turning a bit and flipping Blue onto the mattress in the process.

"....hfh... tell the rebellion I'll sentence them later..."

Blue squirmed slightly as he was flipped, huffing softly "He really is a heavy sleeper..." he said Blue could feel him drifting off to sleep again, hoof pressed against the pillow, Blue gently smiling as he tapped the Umbrum gently

"...mhr...? Blue...?" Sombra raised his head slightly, mane still limp and now considerably more messy bedhair. Bleary red eyes were attempting to focus on him.

"Hay, good morning."

"Is it morning already?" Sombra asked, raising his head a bit as he checked the window, yep those sunlight rays were deffenently bright, the Umbrum groaning as he stretched, huffing.

"I'll let you take care of your business" he said, getting off the bed. "I'll make us some food"

Sombra huffed, getting out of the bed and heading into the hotel room's shower, and some 15 minutes later, coming back looking considerably more alert.

Blue was in the kitchen making himself a breakfast sandwich, the stallion humming softly to himself as he heard Sombra "Welcome to the land of the fully alert and living...brekfest is almost done" He said "Im lucky the Hotel Room has a good kitchen."

"Mmhmm... good... Coffee..." the stallion mumbled.

"Now then...a few things" Blue said, looking to Sombra "One, I had a talk with Luna and I was discussing the whole Yellowjacket thing with her. Two I was thinking we could do some walking around the city today, and get to use this opportunity at being in Canterlot to our advantage."

"You talked to Luna? You... didn't tell her... did you?"

"I didn't tell her what Yellowjacket used to Blackmail you...just that he did blackmail you" He said "The truth is that I have been making a case on that dick for some time now, and we just had a talk about it."

"I see... Thank you." Sombra nodded, taking a deep sigh. "What was her reaction?"

"She was surprised he 'allegedly' blackmailed you, and she said that unfortunately in this case it's his word against you, and I think you are aware of how well that would go" Blue said "The truth is, getting Yellowjacket is harder then you'd think it would be."

"Figured. That's hardly a new thing, that ponies higher up get out of trouble easy."

"Its not that he is getting out of trouble...its that he is good at hiding his tracks" Blue said, walking over to the door to pick up the newspaper "He has been doing this song and dance for a few years now so he is bound to-" He stopped as he looked to the photo on the paper.

"Is it another article..." Sombra frowned, peeking over his shoulder.

"Yea uh..." Blue was pale, but his face it was a mix of emotions; Anger, Joy, Sadness "You...are gonna wanna read this."

Sombra frowned and grabbed the newspaper, throwing it down on the table as he muched on his breakfast. The stallion's eyes scanned the page, landing on the headline.

SCANDLE IN THE COURT?!
"Just hours ago, Council Pony Yellowjacket was taken out of his home via medical ponies after an altercation with the Captian of both The Royal Guard and The Wonderbolts! Sources close to the two captians say they had acted in self defence while the Council Pony was the agressor! Motives behind the attack still remain unclear, however the Captian of the Royal Guard is now in the hospital undergoing stab wounds, while the Council Pony is getting special treatment from Equestria's Finest!"

"Going along with this shocking reveal, photos where delivered to the gazzete just an hour after the altercation showing that both Captians of the Guard and Wonderbolts are a secret item?! This just comes days after the report of Soarin and Thunderlane where outed as a gay couple as well...."(Continued on Pg 2.)

Sombra chuckled, "First, someone apparently got tired of his bull... Second, this would be a good moment to go, grab a pillow and just..." The stallion mimed suffocating Yellowjacket with a pillow. and while it would seem like this would be something Blue would have been happy about, something was off with Blue, his eyes fixated on the picture of the Guard Captain and Spitfire.

Sombra raised a brow with a hum: "... What is it? Old flame?"

"...he's my best friend...we've known each other since foalhood..." He said, looking worried "I...I knew he was living with Spitfire because of some personal reasons but I didn't think-" He just looked outside the window "...I really hope he's going to be ok..."

Sombra said nothing, frowning a bit, the Umbrum now strangeling enough feeling a bit jealous over how Blue fussed over this Guard captain. The stallion got up, sighing: "Well... since you're friends, he will probably contact you. If... when that happens, you probably would prefer me to be out of the way."

Blue would open his wing, pulling Sombra close "...Id like you to stay...please...I need someone to have comfort in" He said softly, clearly worried. Sombra huffed but leaned closer In his mind the stallion growled. He wasn't good with comforting, or... or being mentally close to someone, helping someone. It was difficult for him to relate to what Blue was feeling, he couldn't completely understand why Blue fret over something that had very little to do with him.

"... what do you want to do?" Sombra asked.

"This...is alot that just happened, and I am sure that the Princess's themselves are just finding out about it as well...so right now we need to just bide our time...wait until we need to act" He said "Lets...just focus on our time together yea? Taking a trip around Canterlot?"

Sombra nodded slowly, finishing his coffee. "That would be better for now. If we make a harsh movement, as tempting as it is to ensure Yellowjacket stays quiet... we'll just have your friend under fire, if he were to pass away, even though there probably are so many who would wish that bastard ill."

"My friend won't be under fire...Orion is a good stallion who is better then me in most cases...what he did...for whatever reason, I know was for the greater good"

"Mmhm. Populus might not think so." Sombra shook his head, even though he itched to go taunt the councilpony. "...where then? Any places you wish to show me?"

"Well uh...that depends...where do you wanna go? Canterlot is huge and it has alot of places to visit" He said smiling.

Sombra thought about it: "Hmm... I've heard that canterlot has a good library, but... I'm sure you would prefer fresh air. Maybe a park, or just a walk?"

"How about a walk through the park to the library?"

"That would be nice." The stallion moved to their bed to change his clothes, selecting clean clothes for himself.

"Alright, we can go and do that then" He said smiling, approaching the door as Sombra finished changing, the both of them walking out of the hotel the sun's rays high up as they take to the street.

Canterlot

Blue and Sombra took in the fresh breath of air, it was quite nice to be in Canterlot due to being in a mountain. The two of them taking a walk in the nicest part of the streets was more or less an opportunity for them to get to explore the city in better depth. Sombra smiled a bit, enjoying the moment of peace and the slight hustle and bustle of a capitol town. "No reporters in sight. Good." he said looking at Blue briefly.

"Yea...I think they have alot of other things more important to cover right now."

Sombra smiled, and closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the breeze and the warm sun. He couldn't recall when he had just enjoyed things like this. Listening, breathing. Simply existing. No schemes, no grand plans, no armies, no war, no stress of ruling. "... Blue?"

"Hm?" Blue asked, looking over to him.

"Thank you for being with me." The words are quiet, but truthful.

Blue smiled as he leaned against Sombra, nuzzling him softly, somehow this action was becoming a bit more casual for him. The idea of being close to Sombra felt...warm to Blue. It felt normal, right, almost comforting in a way. "Its nothing Sombra...I just wanna make sure your happy."

The dark stallion blushed slightly and a strained sound escaped his throat: "... you really are cute, you know?"

"Im not-...im-...im not cute..." He said, blushing as he tried to hide his fluster, Blue being very taken aback by the statement. He wasn't used to that kind of praise before, and he definitely didn't expect it to come from Sombra of all ponies.

"And getting cuter." Sombra laughed, leaning back the stallion let his hoof pick Blue's chin and lifted the pegasus' head, whispering very quietly "And that is the full and honest truth." Sombra gave the stallion a quick peck on the cheek and hopped off the bench: "Hm. Now then... what is there to do here..?"

Blue was frozen for...a few seconds. The cheek kiss took him even more off guard than the being called cute comment. Nonetheless he quickly snapped out of it "Well uh...the Canterlot Park is mainly for looking around and admiring the scenery...I know the Princess's frequents the area"

"... let's move on then. Considering the city we're in... any new clothes you'd need?"

"Actualy now that you mention it, I could go for getting a new trench coat...I think Rarity has a shop she sometimes runs"

"Hm... then, we head in that direction." Sombra walked next to the pegasus, in good spirits. The shop is small for Canterlot, but all in all, quality seemed to reign here, Blue would walk into the shop, taking it in for a slight moment. Rows upon rows of clothing, mares and stallions' alike framed the shop, with almost shone with the sun that gleamed in from large windows. Gems and fancy fabrics as far as they could see. Summer was clearly in for something breezy and light. From a back room, a dainty, sophisticated voice called out: "Just a moment, I'll be with you in a moment...!"

They barely had a breath each, when the alabaster unicorn mare also known as Rarity cantered to shop side, starting with: "Welcome to Carousel Boutique how can I--" followed with a sharp inhale of what Sombra could only perceive as taking in... well, him. The mare soon recovered with a hoof over her mouth: "...ahem. How can I... ahm. Help you?" Rarity's voice was polite, but it was that sort of fake polite with grit teeth smiles and considerable effort of will. Sombra's frown deepened, but he made no mention.

"Hello Rarity, we are just shopping around, and I'm considering getting a new trench coat for myself" Blue said "Fitted of course"

"I...ah, well... the autumn collection isn't out yet, but if you do not mind a last year's design redone a bit while I make sure it is fitted? Let me show you the trenchcoats, please. Follow me." Rarity hummed.

"Of corse, that works perfectly fine for me" He said "Do you have any good recommendations? I'm usualy going to be wearing the trench coat with my off duty uniform."

"Hmm... for you, light and neutral shades work well. Let's see... aha! This one would be wonderful on you! Follow me to trying this on, and I'll make adjustments." Rarity smiled, but her eyes shifted briefly to Sombra, observing some of the waistcoats on a rack with a serious expression, hoof carefully feeling the silk.

"Alright sounds good to me" He said, smiling as he followed her to the fitting area.

Sombra smiled a bit, side-eyeing the pair as they walked away. Rarity tutted and started to mark where to take in the seams for Blue's coat. "You've been on the news recently."

"Oh uh...yea..." Blue said, the stallion huffing slightly "I assume AJ and Rainbow already told you all about the meeting?"

"They did indeed, Darling, but I also happened to get the Canterlot Gazette myself." Rarity paused, putting in another pin: "... so if you don't mind me asking. Why Sombra, of all ponies?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, why do you choose him to date of all ponies darling?" Rarity asked as she continued with the pin placements.

"I-" Blue was scilent "W-well we are not..."

"Oh? Well the newspaper and most ponies certainly belive you two are a couple."

"I-I can understand why they think that but...I mean it isn't really true ya know? We haven't...even like...made anything official." Blue said, huffing a bit "B-besides it would be un-professional for me to date him, I'm his guardian and he is basically my patient. Id be breaking several violations."

"Mnh...Darling if you want my opinion on things...love is a fickle thing. It ends up finding ponies in the most un-usual circumstances...and...if I do say so myself...I have seen the way he looks at you just from the few seconds I saw him. That stallion has feelings for you."

Blue was quiet, in thought as he let the words gently escape his mouth "I...I know he does..." he said "A-and I wont deny I do as well..." Blue blushed slightly as he looked back to Sombra with a gaze "Its...hard to exsplain...but...after I got to know him...it turned out we had alot more in common with each other."

"You must pardon my enthusiasm, but... I do not see how you could have anything in common with a... how to put this nicely... a slaver tyrant." Rarity said bluntly.

Blue sighed softly "Its...not that I am not aware of what he's done...but I can tell that he regrets what he did, and wants to change...if he could take it all back I think he would..."

"Hmm...Alright, darling. I'll take your word for it." Bue would continue to stand still, letting Rarity take all the measurements she needed to take. The stallion being patient with her and allowing her to speek and ask the questions she wants, Rarity did ask more about Sombra, the kind of person he was behind closed doors, and if initially, Blue had been worried over the magnitude of the task. Pins and measuring tape floated over Blue's vision.

Meanwhile with Sombra, he could just see Rarity and Blue talking, most of the clothing infrount of him looking quite new and recently made the dark stallion leaned a little closer, taking a closer look: There were metal rivets rather than hoof-sewn, the kind he was used to, and the embroidery seemed unusually uniform. Machines really did quicken everything, he thought. He heard Rarity usher Blue out of the fitting area. With slight hesitation, Rarity turned her attention to Sombra: "Is there...anything I could get for you? Some slight modernization of your wardrobe, perhaps something classical, but... fresh?"

Sombra took a breath: "my... clothes are still useable."

Rarity huffed "I see, but surely one should treat oneself sometime!" Rarity pursed her lips, then noticed something in Sombra's clothing: careful signs of mending, tears laboriously fixed, seams redone when the garment had gotten tight. "I.... didn't think a tyra--- royalty would mend their clothes."

"...why wouldn't I? Clothes were labor-intensive, of course you'd take care of them so they last longer." The stallion seemed perplexed, when Rarity started to almost vibrate from excitement.

"That is such a refreshing attitude to clothing...! Most ponies in Canterlot do not think twice about using a garment respectfully! And history of sewing, you need to tell me more, come on, to be fitted, I bet you haven't been measured in ages, Blue, darling, are alright for a bit while I steal your coltfriend to refresh his wardrobe and pick his brain on..." Rarity had seemingly shifted gears, "i can have Sassy bring you some iced tea while you wait~"

"Uh...sure" Blue said, blinking. He blushed at the word coltfriend and he could see that Sombra had done the same...that was probably going to be a lengthy discussion later. Sombra tried to resist, but too little, too late. Rarity was in full swing. Nearly an hour later, the two stallions stumble out of the Shop with bags and packages, far more than they intended to get. Sombra looked a little confused still, "perhaps somewhere quiet for a moment... I fear my ears will fall off if I need to converse more..."

Blue chuckled "Back to the park it is" He said as he led them back to the park and went to sit on a bench "So, you got some fitting then?"

"That and 235 questions about fashion of my era..." Sombra blew a horse-y braying huff, looking a bit socially spent.

"Well, I'm glad you had a chance to get some social time. It's good for you" He said, leaning against the taller stallion.

Sombra blushed deeply "So uh...about...what Rarity said-"

"About...the coltfriend thing?" Blue asked, blushing back.

"Y-yea."

Blue was silent as he looked down at the ground in thought. "...we came to Canterlot to clear up the rumor that we where dating in the first place...Tartarus we even told the Princess's that."

"Yes...the...irony of the situation has been on the back of my mind for a while." Sombra said "B-but...in truth I-...ever since the caves, the way you were there for me, the way you held me, you...showed me kindness that only one pony had ever done to me before...and that was almost 1,000 years ago."

Blue sighed softly, brushing his own mane aside a bit "I... won't lie, as I've gotten to know you more and more, I've grown attached to you. Seen a side of you that I don't think any other pony could even believe existed." He said, blue would blush as he looked to Sombra "Truthfully I...like...the idea of having you as a Coltfriend...even if it sounds crazy to others"

"I...also...like the idea of having you as my Coltfriend, Blue." Sombra said softly. "So...is it official then? Are we... dating?"

"yes...we can date each other." He said smiling softly, the stallion just looking into Sombras eyes, Blue noticed that something in the stallion had changed however. His mane no longer flowed with invisible breeze, and somehow, the stallion felt warmer, softer. Something was amiss.

"...you seem....different..." He said, softly nuzzling into him "Did you change something about your mane?"

"You could say that..." Sombra averted his gaze, biting his lip "...I... asked Celestia to cast a polymorphing spell on me, make me into a... unicorn." The stallion mumbled, still averting Blue's gaze.

Blue's ears twitched "You did?...how uh...does it feel??"

"... uncomfortable. Not... all the time but.... occasionally."

"Do you want to go back to normal?"

"Do you want me to?" Sombra asked, looking back at Blue's gaze.

"Sombra...Ive never cared about the fact you were an Umbrum, and regarding what conversation we just had I would still date you....Unicorn or Umbrum."

"...I... don't know. It feels so strange but... I... I don't know. Maybe it's better I force myself to this mold. For... everypony. I could eat normal food..."

"You shouldn't force yourself to do something you don't want to do Sombra" He said, caressing his cheek "Do what you think is best for yourself."

"But... I don't exactly fit in society when I need to stoke fear in ponies just to eat." He sighed, "but I feel so... wrong."

"...maybe we should go to Twilight...she is currently one of if not the most knowledgeable in Magic...surely she has something that could help"

"...I... don't know." Sombra's shoulders sagged. "Tomorrow, maybe...? I... can only take so many historical questions in a day."

"That's ok...we are heading back home tomorrow anyways so it's probably a good idea" He said smiling.

Sombra smiled faintly: "maybe a restaurant next? Given the fact I can eat now I...am curious how food would taste like"

"Of corse, I know a good place to get some food" He said, getting up and wrapping his tail around Sombras who blushed and followed Blue, letting his tail entwine with Blue's own. As the two walked, they took there time, Blue especially as he leaned against Sombra as they walked, he could feel his heart pounding in his chest.

Sombra smiled slightly, momentarily forgetting his uncomfort, his tail entwining more. "Hum... Blue. What level of intimacy is correct in public?"

"What we are doing right now is fine...and if you wish too kiss me on the lips or cheek quickly that's also fine" He said smiling. Sombra nodded and Blue just smiled softly as he continued to walk with Sombra, as they reached the restaurant district in the city.

"So... is ahem... is this a date?" Sombra blushed a bit: "can't say I've ever been on one."

"I suppose it is yes~" He said, purring softly as he nuzzled into Sombra.