Redemption's Shadow

Ponyville - Blue's House

The following morning, Sombra would wake up to the scent of haycakes and sunny side eggs. His head lazily lifted off the pillow he was inadvertently snuggling. It has become a bit routine for him to wake up to the smell of Blue making brekfest for himself, but with this new spell from Twilight, today Sombra was a lot more exsited. The stallion yawned and stretched himself, going through the usual morning routine: brushing his teeth, having a cold shower, brushing his coat till it was smooth, lightly polishing his hooves, and dawning his usual attire.

His hooves thumped as he walked down the steps, and once he entered the kitchen, Blue immediately turned around with his usual smile. "Good morning, Sombra."

"Good morning, Blue." He walked over to the stallion giving him a nuzzle, his food already waiting for him as he looked to it, eyes wide. Blue could tell that Sombra was a lot more awake today then most other mornings. "Looking forward to breakfast I take it?"

"Incredibly so yes." Sombra said "But first I need coffee to wake up with." Sombra helped the stallion up before cantering to their kitchen, taking a coffee pot from the table. Blue may have been content with other, quicker methods of brewing, but Sombra had to admit he enjoyed the slower method of brewing his coffee on the heated surface of their wood-burning oven. He would then take the brewed coffee and walk over to the table, quickly telleporting the spell scroll that Twilight gave them.

"So you just...cast the spell and it should work?"

"In theory yes..." Sombra said nodding, closing his eyes and rolling his shoulders, getting ready to cast. Blue saw red magic aura filter out and absorb into Sombra, who shivered as it subsided: "...well, that felt... unpleasant."

"But...do you feel ok?" He asked, tilting his head.

I do, it was just a bit stomach-churning." Sombra huffed, as he looked to the food, he then levitated his fork and cut a bit of his haycake apart, sticking it onto the silverware and holding it up to his mouth, before slowly eating the piece, his eyes going wide as he did so. "It... tastes so good, even just the scent." Sombra said savoring the gentle, flavors.

Blue sat down, smiling softly as he took a bite, humming softly "Well it tastes just as great as it looks. Haycakes are my favorite breakfast item." Sombra just continued to slowly chew, his eyes wide as Blue just watched him. "Are you ok?"

Sombra nodded: "Y...yes... I... I'm just happy..." Sombra blushed a bit: "Is... is it silly...?"

"No, not at all."

Sombra huffed: "... good. Thank you."

The stallion took a moment standing up and walking over to the door, then picked something, today's newspaper: "I wonder if Yellowjacket has made any moves..."

"Lets...try not to worry about that now yea? Im sure whatever is going on we will be told soon. For now lets just...enjoy the day yea?"

"I...suppose you are right yes" Sombra said, as he put the Newspaper down on the table next to the sofa he smiled slightly, relaxing considerably finding the familiarity of their home comforting."... when is the next uh... session with the elements?"

"Im not sure actually...given the whole Yellowjacket thing has happened within the same timespan as our meeting with AJ and RD...and the fact we have also seen and talked to Twilight and Rarity....meaning-"

Sombra got a shiver down his spine, like that of a prey animal suddenly feeling the eyes of a predator on their back: "... no... You're not saying..."

"Uhhh...yea by my count, the only one's we have yet to talk too are Fluttershy and-"

Suddenly the door would burst open with a pink blur entering the house "HIIIIII!!!"

Sombra's face turned sour as he counted to ten: "...Pinkie Pie." It wasn't that Sombra particularly hated Pinkie, at best he was willing to stay away and hope she did the same. If he didn't know any better, he'd expected her to be kin to Discord.

"I was in the area restashing my emergency ball supply when I realized that Sombra's 2 month Redeemeversary is TODAY!"

Sombra's eyes narrowed "is that a thing? I do not think that is--"

"SO I THREW YOU A PARTAAAAAYYYYY and this is your invite!" The pink pony grinned from ear to ear, the streamers and confetti now everywhere in their kitchen.

"Thank you...Pinkie for the invites, we will make sure to mark the date" Blue said.

"No, silly, it's today! HAPPY REDEEMAVERSARY!!" The pink menace jumped from the table to the floor, completely oblivious to how Sombra's brows knitted and how his expression darkened.

"Oh...uh...got it" He said, walking over to Sombra and giving him a gentle rub on his back to calm him down.

Sombra held back a frown: "Pinkie. Pinkie, stop fidgeting---" The stallion's form fell apart at Pinkie's apparent lack of acknowledgement as she droned on on the details and guestions, in front was the snarling tyrant he had once been: "CEASE YOUR PRATTLE OR--"

Pinkie froze.

The stallion paused then took a deep breath, letting his form knit himself back together: "We just... just got back from Canterlot. It was a... trying few days. I would appreciate peace and quiet."

Blue jumped slightly at the yelling, quickly coming back as he stammered "Who wants food?!" he said smiling, trying to break the tension. Sombra took a deep breath, then marched out of the kitchen.

Pinkie was still frozen: "...I... did not know he could still do that. That was kind of mean."

"He's uh...still working on some social skills, im sorry" He said scratching the back of his head. This...really would have been easier if they knew in advance but then again this is Pinkie "Is it just you? or is Fluttershy here as well?"

"No, Fluttershy had an emergency in her Sanctuary, so it is just me! You mentioned food? Oooh! Let me guess! Is it... Lemon Marenque Topsy Turvy Butterscotch Surprise? THE SURPRISE IS THERE'S NO LEMON!"

"Uhh...well I just made brekfest but we...we have...stake and hayburgers in the fridge." Blue said.

"Oh. I was so close though!" Pinkie smiled, having bounced back quickly: "... but... does this mean you're not coming to the party?

"Oh no uh...we will be sure to make it...when uh...is the party?" He asked.

"Oh, at six in the evening! I went to check the library because I didn't know much about Sombra and I know everypony in Ponyville, so I had to update my files from 'Meaniehead' to 'Meaniehead but tries' and I read that Umbrum are kind of like cats and I know Opalescence is always active during evening and morning, so the---" Pinkie took a deep breath: "Party needs to be at the evening."

"...we will try to make it by then" He said smiling softly.

Pinkie grinned: "Okie dokie~"

"Oh uh...one thing. Under no circumstances can the Crystal Empire be brought up at the party or even themed of. Keep the theme of the party something simple...like a color or something" He said "I want him to be relaxed."

"Ohhhh Oh yeah, that would be a bit of a sore spot... What colors do---" Pinkie gulped like she had tasted something bad and leaned forward, whispering: "...does he still like liqorice and fruit cake or was that a temporary madness? Please tell me it was madness thing? And the green and black... yeesh!"

"...try red and Blue" He said "With some white."

"Okie dokie lokie~"

Blue would sigh as he exscused himself to go and find Sombra who was sitting on the sofa in their livingroom, massaging his temples "Are you going to be ok?"

"Yes I... I will be alright." The stallion murmured: "I just... that is a level of exuberance I find terribly tiring and it thins my patience." Sombra leaned back, "... I wanted to spend the day with you and you alone, away from all the morons of the world. I wanted to... I suppose I wanted to take you out on a date." The stallion harrumphed, letting his annoyance show. His eyes fell upon the parchment scroll, and he sighed: "And I wanted to cook something special for you tonight as well."

Blue sat down next to the stallion and gently rubbed his back"You are so incredibly sweat" he would kiss the side of his cheek.

Sombra smirked a little, teasing tint in his voice: "Only towards you" Sombra didn't exactly enjoy the throes of the feelings he had for Blue, its emotional intensity and how new it was to him, but feeling Blue near him made him calm.

"Just stay here, I'll deal with Pinkie and then I'll tell you what we will do ok?" He said. Softly nuzzling him as he got up, Sombra nodding softly as Blue went to walk back to Pinkie. "Pinkie...I was wondering if it was possible to...rescedual the party maybe?" He asked.

"Well.... then it wouldn't a 2 month redeemeversary... but we could throw a Belated Redeemeversary!" Pinkie grinned. "I do have some baking already happening, Gummy's got my back while I delivered the invites but I suppose those could be a test batch!"

"The Related Redeemeversary seems lovely, just uh...send us a card about the new date?" He asked smiling.

Pinkie nodded, grinning: "Ohhhhh! I was supposed to ask something, now that you're not coming... How is he doing, also I need your help updating stuff for his profile. Like, what colors does Sombra like, how about what food does he like, is a haunted house more of a snack or a dinner aaaaaaand most importantly, Blue, most importantly DOES. HE. HAVE. A. BIRTHDAY? There's about 1002 he has missed and we really, really need to do those super duper hyyyyyper quick to get through all of them!"

Blue sighed taking a deep breath "He's doing good, his favorite color is red, I don't know what his favorite food would be, however I can get back to you on that soon. A haunted house would be a four-course meal for Sombra, and his birthday is December 14th."

Pinkie nodded, pulling out a notebook and writing it down: "... Though I don't know if he would need a haunted house... he is trying to change up his diet, isn't he?"

"Yes, he is though I have a feeling he would find the theme very humorous" He said.

"Well, I can still try and make some cupcakes with fear baked into them instead of love though I do need to put Gummy into a daycare for the time being he is too young to read horror novels...I do wonder if Sombra would prefer classic literature like Frankenpony's monster or something more modern hmm... I will need to experiment! Which is my favorite thing to do after parties and throwing parties for my friends and---Oh! I should get going, I have sooooo much baking to do! Byeeee!"

The mare was gone in a flash.

Blue noticed Sombra leaning towards the kitchen door from the sofa, utterly perplexed. "Did I hear... I... what Is she... what."

"Sombra...I find it best to just smile and nod, and go with whatever she is saying and doing" He said "If you knew...the things that mare has caused...it would keep you awake...forever."

"...what was that about a haunted house?"

"Oh just a theme for the party she wants to throw" He said "I told her you'd most likely find it extremely humorous."

"I would, but you're not wrong, it would be a four course meal..." The stallion licked his lips, looking hungry just thinking of it.

Blue chuckled "I know that" He said "So, I have just bought us the rest of the day, and likely a couple more free days."

Sombra smiled, kissing his cheek: "Good, How about we go and take a little walk then?"

"Sure, I wouldn't mind" He said smiling "Where would you like to walk?"

"Maybe the market? We need to stock up anyway."

"Sounds good to me, Ive been meaning to check out the market anyways" He said.

Sombra sighed: "I... You're going to laugh at me but..."

Sombra leaned back, frowning a little: "I thought this change was something I had to do, that I couldn't expect anypony to want to conform to my eating habits... and Pinkie made it sound so easy, just... making me something to eat."

"Pinkie is...a very very odd pony...but I think that if anypony like Pinkie doesn't care about what you eat? it shows something" he said smiling.

Sombra nodded a bit, smiling. "Thank you Blue...you always somehow find a way to make things better."

"What you do, is your decision and your decision only" he said, as he nuzzled him "Lets go, im interested to see what the market will bring today" Sombra followed the stallion with a nod, straightening his clothing. As the two walked outside.

Ponyville - Marketplace

As per usual, the town was busy with the market booming from activity. Ponies going left and right, visiting different vendor tents and picking up all kinds of different foods and goods. Ponyville being a small town heavily relied on the Marketplace for income, and for most ponies who lived here, this was an opportunity to make big bits. "What would you want for dinner? Any ideas?" Sombra said as he smiled a little, trotting alongside Blue.

"Hm...well sence it's your first day being able to actually consume food properly, what kind of food would you wanna try?"

"... there is something. It's a simple dish." Sombra smiled a bit to himself. "There is a dish I'd want to make."

"Oh? What is it then?" He asked.

"It's a simple casserole... Chestnut used to make it when I was sick." Sombra smiled a little, in the sort of way that Blue could only imagine what warmth he felt.

"It sounds delicious" He said, smiling softly, happy to see Sombra so happy "Id love to help make it."

"Excellent, then lets go gather the ingredients" Sombra said smiling as he and Blue would pick out some fruit, vegetables, and other assortments of things from the different market tents, holding the bag of there goods around him. However soon Sombra began to notice something, when he had first arrived, ponies would stare at him, usually in fear or hide from him. But now? things seemed...different. "Did I imagine things or... were the ponies not reacting much to me anymore?" Sombra looked surprised but also somewhat relieved.

"I mean...we have been here for two months now...I guess ponies are just used to you being around now" He said, which caused Sombra to smile.

"Perhaps" He said "We're going to need dandelions."

"Alright, I know a flower shop to go too" He said, smiling as he gestured to Sombra to follow him, he knew there where three ponies who ran the shop, so it should be a rather fast trip and as they arrived the three ponies were busy making bouquets:

"Oh hello Blue, what do you need? Roses? A new house plant..." Seeing Sombra trailing behind, the mare clams up.

"Oh yes, I need some dandelions" Blue said smiling softly "Just enough to make some food from." The mare's eyes were glued to Sombra's, who seemed to tower over them, dark and foreboding.

"Have I... seen you somewhere before?" The stallion asked looking at her surprised.

"Nope, never before I'm sure!" The red-haired mare protested.

"Here, dandelions. Anything else?" The mare shook like a leaf.

"Roses, roses would be good." Sombra said.

Blue would grab his bag of bits and hand them over to Roseluck "Here ya go, this should be enough."

The mare would gently hand Blue and Sombra the flowers they asked for, with Sombra nodding in appreciation. The stallion found it smart to walk away, but he was surprised somewhat. There was fear in the atmosphere, its taste sweet to the tongue, but Sombra was surprised at how the mare's fear seemed to be that of a person who knew what he could do almost as if she'd seen him in action all those years ago.

The other two seemed to be afraid of him, but not in the personal way Roseluck seemed to be. The stallion paused, finally connecting the dots.

"Ma'am, please give the Doctor this: I am still cross with him over pushing back things." He said, to which Roseluck nodded softly, Blue's ear twitched, as he saw Sombra say that to Rose, then as the two walked away Blue spoke up.

"Everything ok with her? I heard you mention a doctor" He said.

"Everything is alright, it's a long... confusing story." Sombra walked forward, "I'm not even sure where to start..."

"Right...well no one is sick right?" He asked, the stallion tilting his head slightly.

"No, no. Don't worry about it."

"Er alright" Blue said "So back home then?"

Sombra nodded: "Yes, home."

Ponyville - Blue's House

The walk back to the house had been pleasant. The two had shared small talk mostly. Blue asking Sombra some questions about his magic, Sombra asking Blue about the kind of work he had been up too at the guard, and when was the next time Pinkie had something planned for, without summoning her with the 'P-word' of course. opening the doo Blue would take the bag of items Sombra needed to cook, and put them on the kitchen counter.

"Well then, let's get cooking then shall we?" Blue said smiling.

Sombra smiled back nodding: "Yes, let's. Help me peel these vegetables..."

Blue nodded, grabbing some kitchen equipment and beginning to peel the vegetables as Sombra requested, the stallion smiling as he did. While he cut the vegetables and prepared the necessary things for Sombra, a thought came to mind. "Hay Sombra...I have a question."

"Hm? Yes what is it?"

"Well its just...I've been thinking and I wanted to ask, do you...ever plan on wanting to go back to the Crystal Empire at all?"

Sombra would stop chopping his dandelions as he was silent for a moment "Its...not that I don't want to return, the Empire was my home. I grew up there, I was raised there at the orphanage, I spent almost my entire life there." Sombra said, sighing softly "But...after everything I've done to the ponies there, I fear that...even if I wished to go, they wouldn't want me there."

"Sombra...you have shown amazing growth since we first began your redeeming process. You're a far different pony than you were three months ago."

"I know that. But they don't." Sombra said, turning to Blue "I have nothing at the Crystal Empire left for me. All of the ponies I once knew as friends now hate me, the only pony who cared about me is long passed away, and the only remaining thing that even remotely ties me to the empire is my secret room within the Crystal Castle."

Blue's ears did perk at that last part, but he thought it best to not push "I...understand, I just wanted to ask."

"No no, its fine. Honestly I'm glad you did, I've been avoiding the topic of going back for some time, and I'm glad I was able to get my thoughts out."

Blue would nod softly as he returned to cutting and preparing the food, and soon after a few hours, they had a creamy vegetable casserole in front of them. Sombra blushed a bit.

"You ok? You seem flustered" Blue asked.

"It's been years since I had this dish. It... feels good, even just the scent." Sombra took a big portion, savoring the gentle, herby flavors with a slight bitterness of daffodils. Sombra was silent for a moment, eyes wide.".... it... it's never tasted this good..." He said, slight tears in his eyes.

"Thats a good thing isn't it?" He asked.

Sombra nodded: "Y...yes...I...I'm just happy..." Sombra blushed a bit: "Is... is it silly...?"

"No, not at all" Blue said, smiling as he gently put his hoof ontop of Sombra's, the larger Unicorn looking down at there hoofs as he softly turned his own, allowing them to hold eachother's hoofs in a soft embrace, the two of them simply looking and smiling at each other.

"... good. Thank you." Sombra said.