Redemption's Shadow

Ponyville - Blue's House

A pleasant coolness pervaded the afternoons in the transitory period between winter and spring. In addition to a rise in temperature, the longer days brought a number of seasonal changes: an explosion of bright colors in the small town, an availability of fresh apples and roasted chestnuts in the marketplaces, as lines of ponies would gather around to buy the seasonal food from the different vendors. Blue himself never necessarily paid a lot of mind to it, however Sombra himself was quite the opposite. Enjoying the colors of the town, as he was never quite used to the bright green of the town. When he had arrived it was Fall going on Winter, so he never really saw Ponyville in its bright green colors from when it would transition from the seasons.

"You alright there Sombra? You've been spacing out" Blue said, chuckling as he looked to the larger Unicorn. The two of them currently on the couch in the livingroom, as Sombra was busy looking out the window.

"Hm? O-oh, yes, yes! I'm quite okay." He said, "I'm just very much in awe of the greenness of this town. I'm not used to it. The Empire has grass, yes, but nothing like this."

Blue chuckled softly "Ponyville is located in the middle of plains, so it's only natural it would be quite lively when the Winter Wraps Up" He said, jinxing himself slightly with that annoying melody the townsfolk sing every season, great, now that was going to be stuck in his head for a week.

Sombra chuckled softly "I think Id like to take the opportunity to see the village again, Id very mutch like to enjoy the atmosphere of Spring." After taking a deep breath to savor this tremendously quiet moment, Sombra finally turned over towards Blue to hold him with both hooves. Blue slightly twitching at first, before relaxing.

"Is...this ok?" Sombra asked.

Blue nodded softly, the stallion letting sombra wrap his forelegs around his back, Blue softly then nuzzling the former Tyrant’s chest, Blue now very much content with the idea of Sombra being someone important to him. Sombra sighed through his nostrils as he kept his eyes closed, and rested his chin on top of Blue’s head to keep him spooned. “It really is nice to have a moment like this..."

The two stallions simply held each other for almost a minute straight, neither needing to say anything as they just enjoyed each other's company. For Sombra it was something he never imagined he would ever experience in his life, and for Blue it was something that he could only dream of happening, truthfully both of them where happy, neither one of them wanting to let go of the other.

“So… you have any ideas what we could do for the day?” Sombra asked quietly.

"Mnh...well I have to report to Canterlot for the nightshift, but that's not for a good eight hours from now, so until then, honestly we can just relax at home. Enjoy each other's company perhaps?"

"Id like that..." Sombra chuckled, giving him a nuzzle.

"And I can also cook dinner tonight for you" Blue said, nuzzling him back "Ive been meaning to introduce you to some of my favorite foods."

"Oh really? I wasn't aware you had acquired taste Blue." Sombra said, smirking softly.

"Mnh, it's not so much as acquired taste as it is just a preference for certain tastes." Blue said, giving him another nuzzle. "But yes, I'll make sure to cook something up for you." Blue said, trying to change the subject. "Besides, what kind of pony doesnt like to eat?"

Sombra giggled softly "Not all ponies enjoy eating, especially those who have tasted death, as some call it"

"That's so? Well, I hope you like what I cook for you, then," Blue said, smiling.

Sombra smiled as well, nuzzling him once more "Im sure I will, how did you get to know about these things anyway? I don't recall you ever showing an interest in cooking."

Blue chuckled softly "Well, I guess I made an effort to learn new recipes after I had gotten a position in the guard, I was never really home and I went to a lot of restaurants, and so I kinda just took notes of some of the things I liked, and began to try and make them for myself when I got the chance" Blue said with a smile.

Sombra smiled softly "Well I look forward to your cooking then." He said, gently nudging him with his muzzle.

Blue smiled as well and nuzzled back "I cant wait to show you what I can do" Blue said. The two of them continued to share a gentle moment together, and eventually Blue got up to make dinner, while Sombra stayed seated on the couch, enjoying the warmth of the fire burning in the fireplace.

After Blue had finished making dinner, the two of them sat down to eat, both being rather hungry. The two ponies shared a bowl of soup, as well as a plate full of cutlets. The two of them didn't talk too much during dinner, as Blue had cooked up enough for two plates, so they just ate their dinner occasionally bringing up things like books they had read, and also some ideas of activities to do together, Sombra having already finished his portion by this time.

When the meal was done, Sombra leaned against the couch, laying down comfortably with a soft sigh. Blue then walked over to the other side of the couch, and sat down next to Sombra, holding the larger unicorn's forehoof.

"Thank you for dinner Blue." Sombra said softly. "It was delicious."

Blue smiled softly "Thank you, it was nothing really."

Sombra chuckled "Don't be modest, it was amazing"

Blue smiled at him "Like I said, nothing. But thank you for the compliment"

Sombra gave him a nuzzle and laid his head on Blue's shoulder, snuggling into his chest. The two of them just stayed like that for a little bit, both of them enjoying the comfortable silence before there was the sound of a knock at the door.

"Hm?" Sombra stood up, approaching the door with annoyance. Upon opening the door, Sombra was met with....somepony who looked almost identical to Blue, except older and without any facial scars, his mane was much more darker, and his eyes...they were a dark shade of green. Sombra had an inkling on who the stallion possibly was; "Can I help you?"

"...is Blue here?" He spoke, his voice rough...and in the background Sombra could hear the thud of a chair falling over, and the quick shuffling of hoofs on the floor.

"I believe you heard that." Sombra's eyes narrowed: "Yes, he is. And who is asking?" Something about the stranger made Sombra straighten his back, his chin slightly up, peering down at the stallion.

"My name is Blue Crest..." He said firmly "Im here to see my son."

Sombra turned his head, looking for Blue's reaction. Blue was, trying to sneak up the stairs it seemed, before both stallions looked to him. He then quietly cursed a... rather an obscene word not even Sombra himself would use before approaching "Dad...haha....what do you want..."

Sombra reluctantly let the older stallion, Blue Crest senior, in. After which he spoke up"I'm here because of the recent news surrounding councilpony Yellowjacket." he said "I figured you were going to get involved knowing you..."

Blue sighed softly "Dad, for the last time. I can't divulge this stuff, you were dishonorably discharged for a reason."

"Son, I didn't have you join the guard just so you could play hero. Doing this job is a responsibility." The older stallion said "I taught you that you needed to be firm with your position, and use what you can to succeed in life."

Blue growled slightly "And where did that get you huh? You wanted me to join the guard, no you practically forced me to join it, all for what? So you could show up Grandpa? so you could succeed?"

"Blue, you need to realize this job isn't what you're trying to make it be!" The older stallion said firmly, stomping his hoof .

"I'm trying to change that dad, unlike you I didn't back out when I got threatened." Blue said firmly "I realize you are worried about me, and I appreciate it. But you still have several issues of your own to deal with, starting with accepting the damn fact that I am not you."

"I am aware that you are not me...you have made that evidently clear son" *he said, sighing frustratingly* "I am worried for you...we may not talk anymore but your still my son...and I love you"

"...I love you too Dad...but im an adult now...with a life and newfound purpose" Blue looked away for a moment, huffing and then looking to his dad* "You and Mom separated for a reason...and I no longer talk to you for a reason as well...I'm glad things are getting better...but right now I do not want to have this talk."

Sombra raised a brow, he wasn't sure what he should have done, considering that Blue's father was treating him like he wasn't even there. But Blue did seem pretty upset by it all, so he decided to stay silent and let the older stallion speak. "You are not listening to me young stallion!" Blue's father growled "I am concerned for your safety! You can't just ignore that you have a clearly corrupt politician who's willing to kill! He attacked Orion! You two have always been close and I know for a damn fact, that is one of the reasons your trying to get involved."

"You aren't helping." Blue grumbled.

"I'm not saying that you should be reckless, but you need to do something, or risk losing your life!" His dad said.

"What makes you think I am going to lose my life?" Blue challenged.

"Because you are always doing what you want! Because you don't listen to what others say to you, you just ignore their opinions!" Blue's father said, in a heated tone.

"Dad, this is not what I want...it's what I have to do." Blue said firmly.

Sombra sighed as he watched the two bicker and argue. He didn't really understand why they were arguing, and he thought that perhaps maybe it was best if he stayed quiet and let them sort things out themselves.

Blue then took a breath and looked to his father. "You to let me live my life. I have a job to do, and I will do it. No matter what you say or do, I will continue to do the things I need to do."

Sombra couldn't help but nod along with the younger stallion's words, he knew that this was something Blue had to do, and he needed to respect his wishes "You heard him, leave." The stallion took a few more steps towards the older pony. Sombra couldn't deny that there was a part of him that was happy he wasn't the problem for once.

Blue's father finally looked at Sombra. It was actually kinda freaky, that same look that Blue gave him the day they first met...that look of pure determination and lack of fear...it was in his father too "And so it is..." He said, walking to the door before looking back to the king "I hope...you take care of my son...Sombra..." He said simply, before walking out.

Sombra looked surprised, he had expected push back, some form of anger, not defeat. After he left, Blue let out an aggravated sigh, as well as a slightly defeated huff "Misere dea est animae damnatae meae ut agam cum illo homine."

Sombra tilted his head to the side, not sure how to react to the fact Blue just said something in Zeebra. So he gently nuzzled Blue's cheek with his own to which Blue accepted the nuzzle gently sighing "Sorry you had to see that...I didn't want to tell you about the family drama this soon..."

"You've seen all... well, most of my drama. About time I saw yours." Sombra was still at a loss, now gently grooming Blue's mane and ears with little nibbles and pokes with his muzzle.

"...l-look my dad he's...he's not a bad stallion he has just made some...stupid fucking choices" he said "Its a long story..." he said, blushing softly at the nibbles and pokes.

"I can relate to that, I won't lie..." Sombra said "However...I do want to know something." Sombra said, Blue looking to him as the larger Unicorn sighed "Your father has the same name as you...why?"

Blue sighed softly "My...name is slightly fake...but not how you may think it is" He said.

"Are you perhaps Blue Crest the second? Or third?" He cupped the stallion's chin with his magic.

Blue huffed "My name should technically be Blue Cressent Jr" He said "Dad hated Grandpa so mutch to the point where he changed his last name."

"I see. And... you do not feel the same way?" Sombra blushed, feeling a bit sorry for his attempt at making light of the situation.

"I mean...don't get me wrong I like my name...but...it feels odd knowing it's not my true family name" Blue said softly, rubbing his arm "Its just odd I suppose..."

Sombra didn't answer, he had nothing to respond with. The stallion nuzzled his cheek and kissed it, gently comforting Blue. "Blue, my dear...Don't you know that a rose by any other name will still smell just as sweet?" The stallion kissed him gently, smiling.

Blue kissed back, the stallion huffing softly as he accepted the gesture of kindness Sombra smiled, holding the stallion close: "And I think you are very sweet." Sombra kissed Blue's forehead.

Blue smiled back "Your very sweet Sombra..." He said softly, giving him a nuzzle "What did I do to deserve you?"

Hm..." Sombra grinned: "...I do not know what transgression against Faust you made to get me." The stallion sighed, holding onto him: "... But I'm happy you did."

Blue was very mutch content with being held by the mutch larger stallion "As am I" He said softly, nuzzling him "I...just am glad to finally have somepony in my life who wants to be around me, and who I can talk to."

Sombra smiled a little: "... I cannot see why you'd be a pariah..." The stallion licked his own lips with a particular glint in his eyes: "Or forsake such a morsel~"

Blue chuckled "Yea well...with you around it just feels alot better...like...I can truly be myself..."

Sombra smiled and kissed his lips, the amorous glint still persisted: "Mmph... You are also very cute stallion."

Blue chuckled again "Im not that cute..." He said.

Sombra chuckled back, "Oh, you most certainly are, not to speak of how much I want to ravage you~"

Blue flushed very deeply, the stallion chuckling "S-Sombra you damn horny stallion" he said softly punching him in the shoulder as a joking teese "Your cute too you know..."

"... I don't think anypony's ever called me that since I was 6." Sombra huffed, laughing.

"Well you are cute" He said "Especially when you are sleeping or resting...you just look so peaceful and relaxed...Id like to think...you are adorable even~"

Sombra blushed, looking away bashfully: "...well... I... cannot refute that."

"I know you cant" He said, the stallion kissing him on the lips "You...are just a big old softie."

Sombra huffed: "Alright, getting sugary."

Blue chuckled "You are adorable when your flustered you know that right?"

The stallion huffed more, his tail wagging a little. "...I...I'm going to enact my revenge on you some day, you'll regret calling me cute!"

Blue looked at him, smerking as he saw that tail beginning to wag. He smiled then slowly he began to put his hoof out...and then...he booped Sombras muzzle.

Sombra's eyes narrowed, and he leaned closer: "...you are a silly little creature."

Blue chuckled "Well I just love seeing you smile" He said, softly using his other hoof to caress Sombras face

"Like I said, a silly little creature." Sombra purred, kissing Blue's forehead.

Blue hummed happily "You wanna do anything else tonight?"

"Well... we could go somewhere, do... something. I... admittedly, this was kind of... more structured back in the day." Sombra blushed, knowing he hadn't actually planned anything for once.

"So is there anywhere you wanna go for some after dinner activities?" He asked, nuzzling his chest floor

"Hmm... maybe the park?" Sombra smiled: "I... actually kind of like it, it is... we didn't really have anything like that in the empire, and it would be nice to see more of the green"

"Sure, we can do the park" He said, smiling softly.

Sombra smiled: "Ok..."

Blue kissed his cheek, and nuzzled him, and then he stood up, leaving the room. Sombra followed, watching him walk down the hall, before turning to the door, opening it for the two of them as they walked outside of the house. "It's so beautiful here."

"Yeah... it is rather lovely..." Blue said softly, looking around. "Truthfully I never really payed too much mind to nature...I always had my mind set on work."

Sombra nodded, looking around with him. He was very much enjoying himself, and was surprised at how much he liked the place. "It is very different from the empire." He said.

"Makes sense, I mean I've only been to the Crystal Castle..." He said, tilting his head.

Sombra smiled, walking a little closer to him as they continued their walk. "The Empire has a lot more land than this..."

"That's because the empire is huge..." Blue said quietly. "I've never seen it all...Honestly I have kinda wanted too but, I never found the time." Blue looked to Sombra "I know you don't like talking about going back, so I never really asked or pried you for any information."

"That is...very mutch appreciated..." Sombra said.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable..." Blue said, looking away.

Sombra shook his head "No, no...there is no need for apologies..." He said, trying to keep his voice calm and steady. "I...was just surprised is all...not used to others asking." He said, looking at him shyly before sighing "Blue.." Sombra was quiet for a moment, then continued: "I haven't really tried to get to know you...tell me, please. About yourself."

"Oh...well uh...what kind of things do you want to know about?" He asked, wings shuffling behind him.

Sombra paused as he thought about the first question for a bit: "... I do not mean to pry, but what is this whole debacle with your father and your grandfather about?"

Blue pauses for a moment. Thinking before he sighed softly "Well...my grandfather and my father's relationship is not the best due to how my grandfather chose to raise my dad" Blue said, looking up at the sky slightly "My grandfather is in the guard as well actually...though not the night guard or the day guard."

"Oh? Where then?"

"My grandfather is the General of the Lunar Guard. He is a bat pony...both me, my brothers, and my father are part bat" Blue said.

Sombra looked surprised, but didn't know how to continue: "... meaning what? I... have never actually seen a bat-pony before."

"Well...back when my dad was in the academy and in school. There was alot of prejudice against Bat Ponies...alot of Equestria thought of them as bloodsuckers or loyal servants to Nightmare Moon who at the time was still banished" Blue said as he sighed softly "My father deeply resented the fact he was half bat and took it out on my grandfather. So...by the time my father and mother got married, my father and grandfather got into a very heated argument about the future of the family. My grandfather wanted to teach my father's children about bat culture, while my father wanted nothing to do with it...and my father ended up just...not talking with my grandfather ever again" He said "He changed our family's last name, and never even told me or my brothers about having a living grandfather."

"I see... so, part bat..." Sombra murmured, looking like he was deep in thought. "Is there a physical difference anywhere?" Sombra didn't know how to comfort the stallion about his family woes, and this made him feel a bit awkward. He didn't know if he should have continued to pry.

Blue blushed slightly, huffing "Um...yea" He said, as he gently put a hoof to his ears, slightly brushing some of his fur and suddenly poof! there were small tufts of fur sticking out of the tip of his ear like a bat pony

Sombra's ears perked up with a soft blush on his face. He found it very adorable: "I don't think you should hide those, they're very endearing." Sombra smiled a bit as he leaned over and nuzzled him close to his ear, a soft huff tickled Blue's skin as the stallion's muzzle briefly made contact to his skin. Sombra was fond of physical affection and this was another one of such shows of his appreciation.

Blue blushed deeper at the nuzzle, gently feeling the skin-on-skin contact. It was warm...he liked it when it was warm "T-thanks...I uh... don't normally show them off too much." He said "In addition to that I also uh...have better hearing and more recently I found out I can pitch my vocal tone to speak bat as well."

"Speak bat? Batponies have their own language? I thought only monstrous races had their own..." Sombra said, looking surprised, he tilted his head to the side.

"Yea, here hold on" Blue said, clearing his throat before he suddenly spoke in a very high pitched tone, sounding to Sombra like E's.

Sombra looked intriquired and smiled a bit: "fascinating...! What did you say?"

"I said, the sky looks very pretty, like you." He said, chuckling very softly as he gave him a small peck on the cheek.

Sombra blushed and lowered his head, smiling a bit. He answered Blue with a soft, flitting sound that stretched its s-sounds.

Blue's eyes widened a bit and he chuckled "What language was that?" he asked.

Umbrum. My... kind." Sombra whimpered, blushing a bit more. " I said that I'd want to form a clan with you." Sombra fidgeted a bit "There's no... affectionate words in my language, so that was closest I could think of."

Blue smiled softly "Well, Id be honored to form a clan with you" He said, leaning against him softly while they continued to walk as he felt Sombra's warm fur "This...feels really nice...I never really get to talk about this side of me."

"It really does... I don't get to talk about mine either, often... i suppose aside from the... inconveniences." Sombra kissed Blue suddenly and without warning, smiling a bit: "Considering I haven't seen bottles of blood around the house, I am going to assume you're not a vampire? Or do you secretly feed off of me while I sleep?" The stallion teased a little. "Ah, maybe I am merely under your vampiric spell~"

Blue chuckled "No, you need to be a full bat to be either a fruit bat or vampire bat" He said "Most things revolving around Vampire Bats are actually more or less false."

"Mmh, I figured. That's how it usually is..." Sombra's voice grew a bit more weary, but he smiled a bit: "Shame, I might have enjoyed you sinking your teeth into me..."

He chuckled "Maybe I can someday~" He said, the stallion nuzzling him softly "Oh, I should probably warn you...you had said monstrous races earlier...nowadays its not really politicly polite to say that."

"Oh? Hum..." Sombra paused, blushing: "It was such a common word back then. You wouldn't utter it to a say, centaur diplomat's face without next swallowing your teeth but... it was more of an academic word. It... was rather common in books. I'll... do better."

"It's ok, I understand your confusion" He said giving him a gentle nuzzle and taking a deep breath of fresh air "Im...happy that we had this time together Sombra."

Sombra blushed a bit, smiling almost bashfully: "I agree. Thank you Blue." He said, humming "Out of curiosity... what kind of bat pony is your grandfather?"

"Fruit Bat" He said "Most of the Guard is. Vampire ponies are actualy a very rare gene."

"Huh. So, am I to buy you more fruits in the future?" The stallion said "Maybe you'd enjoy... some juicy peaches?"

Blue smerked slightly "I do have a bit of a sweat tooth for fruits..." He said, the stallion finding Sombra very humorous.

The stallion kissed his wing gently, smiling: "I was reading the paper this morning...and I was wondering, would you be interested in an antique faire in Manehattan? It's next week..."

Blue nodded softly "Sure, that sounds like a nice trip" he said "Ive only been to Manehatten once before, and I so do love history."

"That could be fun, I think. It is held in museum grounds so... could be fun to go show off your antique coltfriend~?"

Blue laughed "Your not that antique you know."

Sombra nodded and grinned: "Oh I know...I just enjoy the idea of you showing me off to others~"

Blue chuckled "Well, Ill make sure to keep that in mind" He said, the both of them finally arriving to the park, taking a seat on a bench and enjoying the sun, the stallion sitting on his haunches as he watched the sky a bit as the breeze blew through his fur, the two of them enjoying the calm day.