Redemption's Shadow

by Whooves235

Rating: teen
Tags: Romance, Drama, Original Character, King Sombra, Royal Guard, Violence, Sex, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe
Length: 57555

Sombra has survived death yet again, and with the threat of imprisonment by the princess's has no choice but to seek reformation, and so Blue Crest the Night Guard General takes him in, learning there's more to him then there seems....

Sombra through a miraculous and cruel twist of fate has survived death, leaving the the princess no choice but to imprison him. But, seeing more to Sombra than the anger and hatred that others see in him, Twilight suggests Sombra be reformed. So Luna offers to place him in the care of one of her ponies to help him.

So, Blue Crest, general of the night guard, is given this seemingly impossible mission to reform the former tyrant. But soon, both ponies start to see a different side of Sombra, and both discover that Sombra may be more than they think he is.

Cover Art by CadetRedShirt

Published 2024-04-16 04:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2025-01-25 20:03:01 UTC

Chapter 10: Canterlot Troubles

Ponyville - Blue's House

As quickly as they fell asleep, the morning sun would rise, as Blue had already gotten himself up and prepared for the trip to Canterlot. Grabbing the necessary things he needed he would be in the kitchen making himself a small breakfast while he waited for Sombra, who at this point had also woken up descending the stairs, tugging on the collar of his shirt.

"...would you be so kind to fry up a steak for me? Last evening, as wonderful as it was, wasn't... sating my appetite." The stallion, though dressed neatly, was bleary-eyed and tired. He loathed waking early. And if he could, he would have crawled back to bed.

Blue nodded "Yep, I already have one cooking up." He said "Though if you prefer something uh...raw? I have more in the freezer."

"...Thank you, Blue."

Blue smiled as he finished making his own food, a rather quick one of Toast and Eggs, with a side of some other fruits and stuff while Sombra moved away, digging into the freezer with a slight frown. He wondered if he could have an audience alone with Celestia, once they were there. That would be something for him to find out on his own accord. Sombra returned a little later, preferring to eat alone today, deep in thought.

"Are you ready to head out?"

"Yep, let's go" He said, walking over to the door.

Sombra responded in kind, and walks out of the door after him. The two of them would make the trip to the Ponyville Train Station...admittedly it wasn't Sombra's favorite place, that bright pink train was enough to give him an eye soar. However he trudged through it and boarded the train to get to a secluded cabin. For the first 30 minutes or so, Sombra says nothing, until suddenly leaning forward ever so slightly:

"Blue, can I ask you a question?"

"Yea?" He asked, looking at him. Blue had grabbed a book from the house and opted to read while they where on the ride there, the stallion setting the book down as he heard Sombra speak.

"...If you could change your race into something else... would you?"

Blue hummed for a moment "That's a good question actually...I've always been curious what it was like to use Magic as a Unicorn personally...or what it would be like to be a Kirin"

Sombra nodded: "Sometimes, I do wonder what it would be like to really be a pony. I wonder if it would feel different."

"Hm...I wish I could help explain it in all honesty but I don't know what its like to be an Umbrum Pony Hybrid..." Blue said, the stallion then giving him a re-assuring look "But...I like you the way you are now...pony or not.."

Sombra averted his gaze, blushing with a gruntled look: "You're being syrupy. I order you to stop it."

Blue chuckled softly at that "Sorry your highness, but I don't take orders from ya" He said, making sure that Sombra knew it was a joke and not a mock.

"Mnh...back in my time talking back to a royal like that would be cause for sever punishment..." He huffed "Culture has...changed since I was last fully here..."

"I think a lot of things ended with the old culture with The Nightmare Night" Blue said humming softly.

Sombra raised a brow with a questioning look: "It wasn't so much for fun... Well, yes and no... There was always festivals and such to keep you entertained, but... There were a lot more monsters and wild areas in the past. Foals just...didn't necessarily survive for long. If anything, Crystal Empire had some of the highest chances of foals living to adulthood, due to the Crystal Heart. That is...if you could reach the empire and not expire before getting there." Sombra frowned a little and took a pause, looking more confused: "...Nightmare...night?"

"Yea, technically I should say Summer Sun Celebration, because Nightmare Night is a bit different...but regardless after the day Celestia banished Luna to the moon the culture had changed significantly, with her having to rule on her own for over 1000 Years. I mean it really says something when no pony even knew Celestia had a sister by the time she came back" Blue said.

"Or of the empire even existing or...me existing." Sombra's face changed a bit: "...I hate to give her credit, but she is good at condemning a person's memory."

"Well I mean, Celestia had no choice with Luna, id even say she posed a slight bigger threat then you did" He said.

Sombra narrowed his eyes with a growl: "You're pushing it, but... not necessarily entirely... wrong. Just a small, tiny kernel of truth."

"Are you not aware with what happened with Luna?" Blue asked, tilting his head slightly.

"No? I was under the ice for a thousand years, and a bit...otherwise focused afterwards. And it is not like Luna would reveal something like that to me, considering my magic could... well, I can already spin a few ways to make her absolutely suffer with that information..." Sombra waved his hooves nonchalantly: "... such a weakness to exploit... Wise of her to not tell."

"Well...this happened shortly after you were banished under the ice." Blue said, explaining the situation "Luna had become jealous of Celestia, due to the fact everypony seemed to enjoy the daytime rather than the night. Luna never got any kind of recognition for her duties as Princess of the Night, and then one day she snapped. Using the most powerful dark magic curse in existence, she cursed herself. Turning into a powerful being called Nightmare Moon. She then raised the moon and refused to lower it, claiming that the night would last forever, casting Equestria into eternal darkness. She even created her own army by corrupting the Bat Ponies." Blue said "Celestia and Luna fought a huge battle which destroyed there castle entirely, and left Celestia extremely hurt, giving her no other choice but to use the Elements of Harmony to banish her to the moon for 1000 Years"

Sombra was silent for a moment, his shoulders shaking. Blue saw the stallion begin to laugh, leaning back: "Hhaaahhhahahahahaahah...haahh...I am starting to see Celestia enjoys some dark humor herself then. She casts her moon controlling sister to the moon, me under the tundra from where I came from, roughly. Discord was a statue in their garden, getting all the attention he wanted... Cruel irony."

"Actually I never even thought about that" Blue said, chuckling softly "You make a point there, I suppose she does have a very cruel sense of irony" He said "But yea...after Luna was banished Celestia ruled for over 1000 years, with the Summer Sun Celebration then being created, marking the exact day which Luna was defeated" Blue went quiet for a moment tapping his chin "Actually now that I think about it a lot of our holidays where created when villains where defeated..."

"...I am...ever so happy she decided not to make a festival of my defeat." Sombra's laughter died down: "...it was...maddening thousand years, trapped in a small cavern alone, counting the seconds knowing you cannot die, cannot get free, cannot end your suffering. Start hearing things, seeing things...and the hunger...The nonending hunger I thought I would never have to experience again..."

Blue saw the stallion withdraw, teeth grit: "...and when I got out, I couldn't...I couldn't control myself, couldn't word anything, it was like I was mute again.." The stallion was breathing faster, eyes mere pinpricks and his ears pinned down as he remembered his punishment. Blue could feel the stallion start shaking violently.

Blue would recognize this immediately, the stallion seeing the physical toll that was being put onto the stallion in front of him, Blue wasn't exactly trained for this type of situation, he knew some things from books and other things but he didn't know if they would work 100% of the time. The best thing he could do was think in his mind, he knew one thing that could work so he went for it, the stallion suddenly grabbing Sombra, wrapping his good wing around him in a warm blanket, as well as pressing his entire body on him. Blue blushed ever so softly as he kept him in a warm, tight hug.

Sombra's breathing was irregular, in high, desperate gasps, he wanted to bolt, to just transform into a shadow and disappear...He needed to think, but thinking wasn't happening, he couldn't plan, couldn't anticipate, couldn't---
It took him a moment to even notice the wing around him, or the way Blue's heart beat, but slowly its rhythm was guiding him, calming him. Slowly his breathing calmed and while he still felt nauseated and like he was stuck, his body was slowly getting over his adrenaline rush.

"Its ok..." He said, softly holding him "I'm here..." He softly spoke, using his hoof to rub Sombra's back, the stallion being gentle with his movements as he just continued to hold him "Your safe..."

Sombra didn't answer, focusing on his breathing. It took well over ten minutes for the stallion to slow to a state of... alright enough. He leaned to Blue, looking exhausted: "...I... hope you do not mind that I'm... damaged."

"...we are both damaged in our own ways Sombra...and despite that, I still care about you..." He said softly.

The stallion smiles faintly, and leans against the pegasus. "Thank you."

Canterlot

By the time they arrived in Canterlot it was around 11am, the castle wasn't too far of a trot from the station, as both of them where the oldest buildings in the city. As they walked, ponies would look upon Sombra, not use to seeing a once mad tyrant roaming the streets so casually. Blue wasn't in armor of corse, as this was somewhat of a mix between casual and business. Eventually they would reach the castle, once they entered, some guards would notice. They knew Blue of course, so they trusted him. Granted they gave him and Sombra looks for well...the fact it was Sombra, but they didn't speak or say anything. They would then reach the throne room of the courtroom waiting outside the doors.

Sombra took a deep breath, and stepped forward: "...well, at least it isn't a sentencing."

"Hay, I'm sure things will be ok" He said "The princess's will understand our situation once we explain ourselves." Blue said, Sombra nodded softly and the two made their way into the door, and before them where Celestia and Luna.

Sombra wore a neutral face, but chose to take a step forward and speak first, manners be damned: "... I assume you are aware of yesterday's news?"

If Celestia was annoyed by Sombra's brazen disrespect, it was hardly visible in anything other than a slight over-straightening of her back. In face, she wore her usual calm smile, and the wise, motherly disposition she was known for. Luna stood to the side; more defensive and rigid in her posture, her ears high up in alert.

"We did, yes." Celestia's voice was calm, measuredly so. Sombra narrowed his eyes. It was hard to read what Celestia actually thought, thousand years of masking of her true emotions was indeed formidable. But she was not above a little jab:
"Have you grown careless?"

Sombra's muzzle scrunched in displeasure. There was a tension there, and one that felt almost suffocating to Luna and Blue. The kind of tension that, if it snapped, would result in somepony thrown out of the window.

Sombra opted to not answer.

"With respect ma'am, Sombra has not grown careless, he has shown to me that he is a very well thought out pony who thinks before he acts" Blue said, the stallion stepping forward. "We...where both caught off guard by the tabloid, this wasn't just his fault, as his protector and guardian I should have been more aware of the surrounding's."

Celestia smiled with a slightly more genuine warmth at Blue. Now it was Luna's turn to respond: "What do you intend to do about this?"

"...Hm...I think we should stay in Canterlot for a few days, but the article itself... removing it is out of the question and far too late. I expected some rabble rousing but I expected Ponyville to react, not Canterlot newspapers. It doesn't really make sense why this city's journalists would tail me first, unless they've been doing it for a long time." Sombra tapped his hoof to his chin, going through the possibilities.

"Staying in Canterlot is a bold move...I would imagine going back to Ponyville would be a wiser decision no?" Luna spoke up.

"We both came to an agreement we would not let some report scare us away. If anything we want to flush him out...I wanna know who gave them the right to breach our privacy." Blue said sternly.

"That is... I assume none of you four are behind this?" Again, Sombra seemed to give a rat's ass about talking casually to the nobility in front of him, but instead of hostility.

Celestia shook her head "No, neither of us, Cadence or Twilight are in the habit of employing spies. If I remember right, you preferred a vast spy-network on occasion, not us.." Celestia decided it best to stay hush-hush about Twilight's occasional foray into studying ponies at range.

Sombra shrugged: "...'tis efficient. And for the record, Winter Veil served me well even if she defected in the end."

Blue cleared his throat "Regardless of who did who and what. At the end of the day Sombra does bring up a valid point. There is somepony clearly trying to get a story of some kind out of Sombra to publish." Blue said* "I personally believe that this could hinder not only my job as Sombras protector but also in Sombras own reformation and safety." He said, the stallion remaining professional "And...that is why myself and Sombra had came...to explain ourselves about the article and what actually happened."

Celestia cocked her head to the side, curious but smiling; she didn't fault the pegasus for falling for Sombra, after all the stallion was ruggedly handsome, and possessed a certain charm that, in another world Celestia had fallen for herself. And yet, Blue remained professional. "And what did happen in your own words, Blue?"

"As you know, my job As Sombras protector and therapist requires me to get to know Sombra, however it was becoming increasingly difficult to only keep Sombra within the confides of my home. If we are to truly undergo a reform of him I thought it wise to have him venture into the outside world, to allow him to get familiar with modern day and what it was like. So I took him out to dinner at a local restaurant. Shortly after we went on a nice walk through the park. Sombra kissing me was in his own words, a way of thanking me for the meal and chance to do something other then be in my home" He said, the stallion carefully choosing his words.

Luna raised a brow with a questioning look: "Are you not in a relationship, then?"

Sombra glanced at Blue, considering Luna's question before Blue spoke up "There...there is no relationship no..." He said, the stallion next to him looking slightly off put at the comment, yet...Blue's own feelings felt...off about what he just said.

Celestia chose to not comment: "Let's hope the media finds something else to glamor about. The upcoming Grand Galloping Gala should keep them busy at least for a week, two if I manage to persuade Luna to wear the dress I bought her."

Luna's nose scrunched: "...'tis because it is hideous, sister."

"Yes it is true that myself and Sombra have gotten close, Id even consider him a good friend" Blue said, letting his guard down slightly yet smiling to Sombra "However I'd like to emphasize that this has not in any way effected my job or duties ma'am. I take my job seriously and I won't let these new things effect it, and I think that Sombra also knows and respects that as well."

"Yes, you are annoyingly serious at times, it is true." Sombra smirked.

"Well... I suppose this settles it for a while, I think... though there is something I would wish to discuss with you in private, Celestia." Sombra straightened his back, a slight frown on his face. "It is a private matter, one that doesn't require attention of Princess Luna or Blue."

Celestia stood up and nodded: "Walk with me to the parlor, then." Sombra nodded and followed the tall alicorn to a room at the side of the throne room, with guards visibly tensing nearby.

Celestia's wing twitched in unconscious alert, but it didn't reflect in her voice: "...what bothers you, Sombra?"

Sombra thought for a moment: "...I was wondering if... if you could transform me fully into a pony. I know a spell exists capable of it, but its duration is limited."

Celestia stopped, turning her head abruptly enough that even Sombra took a step backward out of sheer surprise: "Why would you want that?"

Sombra frowned, his ears flat and a growl died on his lips: "... I'm half Umbrum, reforming me is...difficult." When Celestia didn't answer, Sombra explained "Because the way I eat is unpleasant at best and at worst...dangerous, I wager. First; I eat fear, meaning it means either terrorizing your little ponies, or chasing animals like a rapid dog. One would get me imprisoned, the other incarcerated in a bedlam house. It's...not particularly pleasant for me either. I have to be careful to not overfeed, Tartarus damn it, I have to worry about going hungry. Second; If I were to take an extreme approach and starve myself because...reasons, I would eventually give in and...it's not something I can repeat again."

Celestia looked surprised, she hadn't expected the stallion to be so forthcoming: "...There is a spell, and I could, yes. But there is a cost, unfortunately. Your mental health would suffer from a body that it doesn't recognize, or want." The mare took a deep breath and carefully unfurled a wing around Sombra, they may have been bitter enemies once, and seeing his face still gave her pain, but even then she didn't enjoy the implications the stallion didn't say. But it was true what Sombra said, an umbrum was rather difficult to integrate into society of creatures that didn't exactly appreciate being terrified on a nightly basis.

"We'll figure something out. But...this is a big thing to ask, and I cannot just...whip up a spell on a whim. You said you were going to stay in Canterlot for a few days? How about I cast the temporary one on you for a the few days as...as a trial run? And if you're satisfied, we can turn it permanent? But only, absolutely only if you are truly satisfied."

Sombra frowned but nodded: "...I expected something of the sort. Do it."

With some hesitation, the mare aimed her horn on Sombra, focusing: "...I could make you a unicorn, but I don't know what that would do to your magic, are you really certain..."

"Just blast me already, you didn't have this much trouble 1000 years back."

Celestia frowned more: "...just for that I should make you an earth pony."

"Do it and I will shove my hoof so far up under your-OW!!" The stallion yelped as he was suddenly blasted by a thin yellow magic beam, "That hurt you bloody old nag!"

"Well, how do you feel?"

"... I feel... nothing? Did it work?" Sombra asked

Celestia nodded: "Inwardly, yes, outwardly, you're still you."

"Fangs and all?"

"Fangs and all."

Meanwhile Blue was with Luna, discussing some of Ponyville's night time activities. Explaining to her some of the things he had seen from not only the citizens but also active Night Guards on duty as well. He had taken some notes from the recent guard station updates and figured he'd give them to Luna so she could process them. Alas even the General had to do paperwork every now and then. Blue heard the door open, seeing Sombra and Celestia step out, nothing seeming to have happened.

"Everything alright?" Blue asked as the two of them approached.

"Mmhm, just asked for advice." Sombra nodded, but couldn't resist: "She's an old enough bint that her advice occasionally merits listening to."

Celestia snorted with a surprised and slightly annoyed manner.

Blue sighed slightly "Right...well I believe I know of a place where me and Sombra can stay a few nights. I will send a night guardsman to inform you of the location once we get settled in" Blue said, looking to Luna.

Luna nodded and the two took their leave, with Sombra quietly admitting to the pegasus: "... Thank you for waiting. Now... where are you taking me?"

"I know a nice hotel near the castle that has a very nice view of the cliffside" Blue said smiling "I think it would be a very nice place do you not think?" he asked.

"Sounds like it... and I assume they're discreet?"

"Lets just say, my position as the Night General grants me some benefits" He said, giving Sombra a slight devilish look.

"Ahh..." the stallion snickered back: "What sort of cheap love nest are you taking me into~?" The stallion teased him, "Sneaked in like a prostitute."

Blue let out a fake gasp "Me? bring in a prostitude, why I never" He said, putting a hoof over his forehead in a dramatic pose, both stallions letting out a laugh "Don't worry its not a cheep love nest, its actually pretty nice."

"What sort of benefits does the Night guard employ, hmm?" the stallion teased, tail brushing just a bit too high on Blue's leg to be an accident, a bold move on Sombra's part, which promptly cause Blue to flinch, and blush a bit, but Blue didn't bring it up. "Mainly that I can make them be silent on who checks in, I've had to go undercover more then a few times before."

Sombra was silent for a moment, imagining Blue undercover. Imagining the stallion as a gangster or a hooker was indeed amusing, the stallion snickered to himself, still he figured that Blue knew what he was talking about as he lead them through the streets of Canterlot and too the Hotel.

Chapter 1: Shadow King

Canterlot Castle

The sounds coming from the distressed stallion were confusing to those around him. It was clear that he had lost all connection with reality. He made growls and shrieks as he struggled against the restraints, resembling a wild animal as he bit and kicked at them. Every once in a while, he would hurl his body against the unyielding stone wall, hoping to break free but only causing more harm to himself. Sombra's mind seemed shattered, with the stallion desperately clinging onto bits of sanity within his own thoughts. He would occasionally mutter or ramble about crystals or princesses, showing how far gone he truly was.

"How can this be possible? The Elements of Harmony completely obliterated him!" Celestia said, struggling to believe that Sombra had survived the explosion. Her eyes widened as she witnessed him crashing into the wall with great force.

"I'm starting to suspect that he possesses some form of extraordinary regenerative abilities, ones that defy natural limits," Luna chimed in.

Despite her desperate attempts to calm him with her magic, each use only seemed to anger him more. She could feel his thoughts pulsing with dark energy, resisting her every effort to pacify them.

“He also seems to have gone feral again” Cadence said "I think I might be able to undo these changes using my magic, as it draws its healing powers from the Crystal Heart...but it may require some time. However, I cannot guarantee anything."

"Take all the time you need, Princess Cadence," Luna said gently. "We will address the situation with him once we are able to communicate with him."

Twilight, the one who had discovered Sombra, nodded in agreement as she watched the stallion forcibly collide against the wall once more. The sound of metal scraping and a low growl erupted from Sombra's throat as he strained against his restraints. He was securely bound, a sturdy metal collar encircling his neck and fastened to the floor, with smaller manacles on his front legs that limited his movement. But the most important restraint was the metal mask that covered his face, its intricate design obscuring his eyes and tightly restricting his ability to open his mouth.

“Can we continue this somewhere else? Please? I can’t bear to watch this.” Twilight expressed, as Celestia approached her and softly nudged her towards the exit.

“Yes, I suppose it would be for the better, wouldn’t it?” Celestia inquired, proceeding forward while Twilight followed closely behind. Luna remained stationary, cautiously observing the partially conscious Sombra.

Celestia led Twilight out of the dungeon in silence, the journey to the throne room where they were expected feeling uneasy. The bright sunlight and the sight of her friends rushing to greet her failed to improve Twilight's mood.

Applejack broke the silence, inquiring, "Judging by the expression on your face, I suppose everything mentioned in that letter was true, right?"

“Unfortunately, yes,” Twilight sighed, “Sombra is down there, and I don’t think he’s willing to talk. I’m not even sure if he can talk.”

“So, what are we supposed to do about it, blast him again?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Yeah! We can show him the Magic of Friendship with twice the power!” Pinkie exclaimed excitedly.

Twilight shook her head and firmly stated, "No, absolutely not. We have already caused enough harm."

Now all her friends looked at her, all concerned in some way.

“Damage?” Rarity asked, stepping toward Twilight worriedly, “I know we meant to destroy him, but if he’s still alive, whatever do you mean?”

“Oh dear.” Fluttershy covered her mouth in concern.

Twilight shifted her gaze away, unwilling to discuss the events she had just witnessed. Luckily, Celestia spoke on her behalf. "The magical attack you used against Sombra did not work as intended," she explained. "We're not entirely sure how, but he managed to recover from it and revert back to his physical form." Celestia continued, "However, there were consequences. He's now in a nearly primal state, similar to when he first returned from his previous exile. Luna is currently monitoring his dreams to assess his mental state, and we believe that with enough effort, we can bring him back to a stable state where he can regain control."

“And what would you like us to do about all this?” Applejack asked raising an eyebrow.

"For the time being, just carry on with your daily routines. Leave dealing with Sombra to Luna, Cadence, and myself. Let him have some time to recover, maybe he will improve. Return by the week's end, and we will ensure he is banished permanently."

"No" Twilight spoke up.

"I beg your pardon?" Celestia asked, surprised by Twilight's sudden refusal.

"Princess Celestia, as the future ruler of Equestria we can just continue doing this." She said, gesturing to the stairs leading to the dungeon "For 1,000 years you had to deal with the likes of Sombra, Tirek, Discord, and goddess knows what else. I don't want to just lock up our villains over and over again, only for them to return. I want to have Sombra take part in the Reformation Program I discussed with you" Twilight said, looking at Celestia. "It could be the start of something new, something that could change Equestria for the better."

"Twilight...while I admire your selflessness and want to help others, Sombra isn't like any other pony. He is an Umbrum, entirely incapable of feeling anything other than rage and fear. Redeeming him would be no small task." Celestia said.

"That may be true...but I have to believe that somewhere inside Sombra, there is a pony worth redeeming. I have read his journal, I know what he went through in his youth. He is only half Umbrum...I think that with time, we could return him to that state."

"So what do you suggest then?" Luna said, walking up the stairs, having finished what she needed to do and overhearing the conversation.

"We have Sombra live in Ponyville, his magic will be heavily suppressed to only be able to do magic that is necessary to day-to-day living, he will be carefully watched by myself and my friends" Twilight said.

Celestia arched her eyebrow "Are you desiring for Sombra to reside with you in the castle? Are you not concerned that your responsibilities as Princess and Principal at your new school will pose challenges?"

Twilight stood still for a moment, thinking. It was true, she couldn't watch Sombra, nor could any of her friends. They have their own jobs and lives to do. "We could assign somepony to watch him on behalf of us, somepony trustworthy."

"If that is the case might I put forth a candidate?" Luna spoke up, holding her head up high with a slight smile "My newest Night General has shown great promise, and time and time again has proven to me his worth as one of my most trusted and loyal stallions."

"You wish to put a guard in charge of Sombra?" Applejack asked, speaking up.

"Yeah, no offense Princess but that's like putting Soarin in charge of helping Applejack with her annual Apple Pie Bake sale. It just wouldn't end well." Rainbow said, flying above Applejack, who gave her a look after that comment.

"Nonsense...General Blue Crest has shown to me that he is worthy of any task...and when it comes to Sombra I believe somepony with his stature would surface...I also believe that it would benefit us if your plan failed Twilight, as he would easily take care of Sombra if he stepped out of line." Luna said.

"Sister...are you certain?" Celestia asked, with caution in her voice.

"Yes Sister, I am."

Twilight looked at Luna, taking in her words carefully. She made a lot of good points, a Guard who could easily take care of Sombra if he went rogue could end up being useful, and it would also allow her and her friends to continue their duties and job as well. "Very well...I agree with Luna...we can put General Blue in charge of Sombra, will he need any relocation accommodations?"

Luna smiled "No, he lives in Ponyville already. This makes things a lot easier would you not say?"

"It does yes..." Celestia said "Though I do believe we should make sure Sombra is not in a feral state before we do so."

"I have Princess Cadence working on healing Sombra's Mind...he should be in a normal state by the end of the week." Luna said.

"Very well...by this time next week, King Sombra will be placed in the care of General Blue Crest...and from there...we shall see if he truly can be redeemed or not.

The halls of Canterlot Castle were surprisingly quiet and empty as Luna and Blue walked them, trailing along behind Celestia they made their way to the dungeon. A few guards were scattered about, patrolling the halls as usual and occasionally nodding in greeting as the two passed by. The week had passed, and Sombra had been successfully healed to the best of Cadence's ability, and after a long discussion with Sombra and all four Princess's he had reluctantly agreed to the deal given to him.

“Slow day for the Princesses?” Blue asked Luna, the two of them walking to the castle entrance, where they were to meet Sombra.

“Yes General, not many ponies visiting for the day, but I’m sure Celestia doesn’t mind the quiet.” She said, chuckling softly.

Blue nodded, looking around the halls as she walked. Though this wasn’t the hall of stained glass, there were still tapestries and paintings spread about. Portraits of the princesses and their accomplishments, most numerable among them being Celestia, adorning the wall beside every window. There were a few paintings of Starswirl thrown in as well, along with a few faces Blue didn’t recognize. Other ponies from Celestia’s past perhaps?

“Do you think you’re ready?” Luna asked, “I do admit, while I believe this task is up your alley, I would not blame you for requesting another pony to do it.”

“I do admit...the task is quite large, and I didn't think I would be chosen for it especially...however I am ready and willing to take it on” Blue said.

"You are a very brave pony Sir Blue Crest, there is a reason I made you my General...and I do not think you will fail me" She said smiling softly.

"Thank you ma'am...I promise that I will try my best." He said, the stallion looking down slightly "Though I do...have my doubts in my own capabilities."

Luna looked to Blue, draping a wing around him "Blue...you proved yourself worthy of your position a long time ago...your service to Equestria during the Zeebra Land Crisis was especially one of them."

Blue was quiet at the mention of the Zeebra Lands, the stallion looking rather sad at the mention "I still don't believe I am worthy of the praise from that."

"You did your duty Blue...a duty that not a lot of ponies would have been able to do..." She said "Please...try not to hold yourself accountable to the things that were beyond your control.."

"I...will try...ma'am" He said, as the two of them came to the front of the castle.

Sombra sat by the door awkwardly, hindered by the manacles on his forelegs, a faint feeling of dizziness, and horrible pain and heat through his body. His muzzle had been uncomfortably tightened, mouth clamped together to the point his fangs stabbed into his gums. Two guards stood on either side of him, each with a chain to guide him along. They muttered to each other as they waited, occasionally yanking the chains roughly.

He hadn't expected anyone to take him out of his cell. He had growled and kicked at the guards a few times when they’d grabbed at him, but between pain, exhaustion, and a rough blast from a Unicorn, they’d captured him quickly. Now they were leading him to who knows where, throwing insults at him all the way.

He tried to ignore them and stand tall as they lead him away, intending to hold himself high to preserve what little bit of pride he had left, but the guards weren’t having it. They’d pull his head to the ground whenever he lifted it above his shoulders, at one point managing to slam his nose to the floor. It was enough to make it bleed, and enough to get Sombra to reluctantly give in to the guards.

In a rather fitting twist of fate, Sombra now knew how the Crystal Ponies felt when he was king.

“Bet it doesn’t feel too good on that side of the chains, huh?” One asked, Sombra recognized the voice as the Unicorn that had blasted him. The guard yanked the chain as he spoke, but Sombra held his ground, bracing himself and letting out a grunt at the pain, only to be harshly jerked aside by the other guard.

“Nah, bet this is the most excitement this lame hack's gotten in a long time,” He said. Sombra growled at his insult, only for a new agony to spread through him as the guard gave him a fierce kick to the ribs. He staggered to the side at the hit, pain surging through his chest, nostrils flaring as the air was forced out of his body.

“That is enough!” A loud booming voice came from the hall, as Luna and Blue approached the two, the guards standing up straight as they stood at attention.

Another yank forward, and Sombra fell hard, legs twisting and jaw slamming into the cold floor. A tinge of metal in his mouth, an even worse pain in his leg, and Sombra decided it just wasn’t worth the effort to get up again. Even when the guards dropped his chains he did nothing more than struggle to catch his breath, ready to get everything over with and face the Sisters’ wrath, even if this supposed reformation was real. However he soon found himself feeling relief as the shackles, muzzle, and all other forms of chains where removed from him. The stallion was utterly confused.

“You really didn’t have to be so rough with him,” A voice said. It did not belong to Celestia or Luna. “But thank you. You can go now.” the voice said, the two ponies quickly leaving the room as Sombra looked to where the voice had come from. Next to the Princess of the Night stood a grey pegasus wearing Night Guard Armor, his vibrant Blue mane and tail sticking out of the armor.

“There, that’s much better, isn’t it?” The pony in front of him asked, stepping back. Sombra stayed where he was, breathing heavily as he took in painful gulps of air. Reaching a hoof to his mouth, he felt over his sore face. "Who...are you..."

"I am Blue Crest...I have been assigned as your new guardian. You and me are going to be taking a trip to Ponyville." He said, the stallion's voice was rough and demanding, yet somehow Sombra could tell he was being sincere.

Sombra’s head tilted curiously, but he didn't question her further as he leaned over and gently grabbed his forearms. He stiffened at the touch, but allowed Blue to readjust his legs into a less awkward position. Sombra folded his sore hoof against his chest, instinctually hiding any pain.

"...why? What is in Ponyville...a new Prison?" Sombra asked, glaring daggers at Blue.

"No...you are going to be living with me in Ponyville now..."

Sombra stood there for a few moments, taking in those words "You....are joking right?"

"I am not."

Sombra stood there again, taking in the words of this stallion, huffing softly "Very well...if that is the case may we go? I would rather not stay here any longer than I need to..."

Blue nodded softly "Very well...the train station is just outside the gates to the city, we will be heading there."

"Then lead the way...guard..." Sombra said, the stallion's eyes not leaving Blue's gaze for a single moment.

Ponyville

The pastel-hued train came to a stop with a slight lurch in the Ponyville train station. Sombra emerged from it with Blue, his ancient armor replaced, much to his chagrin, the plain clothes of a commoner that had been given to him on the train ride. The day was fair and bright, not so much as a cloud in the sky, but that was not what bothered Sombra. Seeing the grand, if a bit tacky castle in the distance was a sore sight. It simply didn’t fit right, not amongst the thatched roofs.

In the Crystal Empire, the Crystal castle had been a natural continuation from the smaller crystal cottages, fitting its surroundings. This one did not. Whoever had designed it, ought to have been fired from his position. Immediately and violently so. The fact that it belonged to one Princess Twilight Sparkle did not ease his mind one bit. In fact, it may have made it worse. The dark-furred stallion scoffed and gave the pony next to him a brief glance.

"Welcome to Ponyville...get comfortable because your gonna be here for a while" Blue said as he gestured for Sombra to follow him. Another scoff as the stallion followed, with his body language tight and his shoulders ready for a sprint... or a charge, as if he was expecting an assassin's blade from any direction. The king kept his senses wary, and his pace brisk.

"I was under the impression that when the Princesses informed me I would lodge with a guard, that it would be in Canterlot, not in some... quaint little town." The tone of Sombra's voice betrayed his meaning; quaint for backwater town, and guard for servant.

"So you where aware of the plan then? You didn't seem like it back at Canterlot..." Blue said, looking to him.

"I did not know if I could trust you or not..." Sombra said "That...is still up in the air..."

"The Princess wanted you to fit in with pony society. Ponyville was the first ever equestrian settlement where Unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth Ponies all began to live together, unlike the major cities of Canterlot, Manehatten, and Cloudsdale" Blue said as he trotted along "She feels this place is appropriate for you due to this environment" He said passing by several ponies looking in awe, fear, confusion, and concern as the two of them walked along casually.

Eventually reaching a rather large-looking house. "This is it.." he said, taking the keys from his armor and using it to unlock the door, Sombra took in the unlit corridor as bright sunlight filtered in, revealing gentle and light tones. The dark-coated umbrum sighed and pushed past Blue "This environment is threatening to melt me into a puddle with this blasted heat, so let me inside, peasant." Oh, the dark-furred stallion was clearly in a mood, alright. what a great start.

Sombra wasted no time in removing the coat off his back, as the far cooler temperatures of Canterlot had necessitated, revealing a dark red waistcoat and white shirt underneath. Blue could finally see the stallion in more detail, the dark muscled torso, strong legs and a nasty scar on his left thigh, big enough to cover most of the outer thigh. Black tail furled and coiled with magic, occasionally twitching with an annoyed motion. His other, unscarred side sported no cutie mark to speak of, though what the Princesses had told Blue, it was due to his rather unique heritage.

Blue would walk in after, with an eye roll at the being called a peasant. Upon walking into the home Sombra was met with honestly a nice place, It seemed Blue was an upper class so to speak, and this seemed to be one of the nicer places in Ponyville, with most of his furniture and appliances being more modern than most places in town. Blue removed his helmet, revealing his Blue mane and a now very clear right eye scar in more detail "Right...im going to go change, just...make yourself comfortable" He said as he walked to the stairs going to the second floor.

"And carry my... are you daft--" the stallion started to protest, but Blue was already gone up the stairs. With a growl, the former king looked at his luggage, which, while not very numerous -mainly his armor sans crown and a few personal effects- did weigh a considerable deal."Unruly... good for nothing...guard... Celestia's staff is...abysmal..." The stallion muttered under his breath, lugging his things up the stairs with his telekinesis. If he could, he would have made the stallion's room's door to show him his worst fear, to teach him a lesson. But with an annoyed groan, he had to admit that the princesses' spell on him that kept him from using most of his so-called dark magic -umbrum magic, if he was asked-, had proven too formidable to break.

At least the guard had had the sense to label his door with a simple door sign, hanging on a nail. Sombra pushed the door open with his shoulder, revealing a room that felt almost nostalgic. It was arranged in much the same way as his foalhood bedroom, the bed was in just the right place, near a window, table to the right side of it, and wardrobe across from it. Clearly, they had talked to Miss Chestnut before preparing for his arrival. Or the guard had a similar taste in furniture placement. Sombra let down his luggage with a somewhat satisfied huff, pressing a hoof on the bed. Comfortable, soft, but not too soft. The sheets were cotton rather than the silk he preferred, but he could at least rationalize that a guard wouldn't be buying Saddle-Arabian silk sheets with their salary.

Sombra would walk to the window of the room, using his magic to open up the curtains to reveal a surprisingly good view of the entire town, Sombra slowly taking everything in. This truly was it...this was his new life, and weather he liked it or not...he was going to have to live with it.

Chapter 2: Difficult Adjustments

Ponyville - Blue's Home

A few hours would pass as Blue would walk into the living room with some more casual clothes on, showing off more of his un-armored form. Of course all the while Sombra had taken an opportunity to explore his new residence, the stallion sitting in the living room of the house attempting to entertain himself with books Blue had, with little to no success. The dark stallion looked over to Blue as he observed him. Without his armor Sombra could very much get a better look at the stallion, who was now sporting a very clear metallic wing on his side, clearly this Pegasuss was battle-hearted and had seen some things...though what things were left to Sombra's imagination.

"I hope you find your room comfortable, I don't often use it unless my family is staying with me." He said, Blue looking to Sombra with a much more relaxed face than before.

"It is...acceptable..." Sombra said in a low voice, putting down the book as he looked to the smaller stallion. He was tempted to ask about his more inorganic parts, but stopped, unsure how to formulate the question on these parts that to him, were admittedly fascinating marvel of technology; how did they function? With some form of magic he had never heard of, with the same power that ran the train? No, that could wait, even if Sombra itched to feel how they felt under his hooves, the thrum of magic or the absence of it...

"For now...you may feel free to roam the house, it's your home so you should get used to it" he said, though he figured the stallion had already done so while he was cleaning himself up, however he still wished to give Sombra a sense of freedom. "With that being said...there are obviously some things you need to know. First of all, you and me are going to have to have weekly "Sessions" with each other, so I can assess your rehabilitation progress" He said "Second, while you're here you will have to get used to doing things a bit differently, we will learn as we go, If you at all need me or have questions don't be afraid to ask."

Sombra raised a brow at Blue, his surprised expression soon disappeared underneath a calm poker face. He took in the stallion's appearance; battle-torn, but serviceable, with the strong, swift build of a pegasus stallion, perhaps slightly bigger than he remembered most pegasi to be. All in all, pleasing to the eyes."Sessions, hmm?" Sombra's voice rang out with a strange softness, as if he was mulling the thought over. With a few quick steps, the umbrum stallion had reached the pegasus, holding his gaze with his own red eyes and far closer than was comfortable. All of Blue's vision seemed to be filled with the stallion's intimidating form, his scent like that of anise and peppery spices filled his nostrils, broad chest just so close, a tuft of thick fur peeked out of the collar. "And what sort of sessions would these be, guard?" A step closer into the pegasus guard's space, to see, to test if he yielded and took a step back.

However Blue did not yield or take any steps back, if anything the Umbrum would see the Pegasuss adjust his posture, pushing his chest out in a more domineering pose "Therapy sessions...checking in on how your emotions are doing as well as how your fitting into society. Our main job is to have you be ready to be independent and out in the world making your own life" He said, huffing as he glared right into those eyes, Sombra seeing that the eye which sported his scar seemed to be artificial...robotic...seemed the Wing wasn't the only thing he lost.

To Sombra, this was interesting, the guard would prove at least fun to rile and play with, and while Sombra was going to try and be genuine in his trying to turn a new page, he couldn't deny the pleasant tingle of satisfaction in a challenge. The stallion held his gaze for a moment longer. "I do have a question or two myself", the stallion hummed, pushing past Blue, the stallion's organic wing brushing against his side and feeling a hefty barrel; a movement carefully calculated and teasing. "Are you aware of my... ah, dietary need?"

The movements that the king would make, caused Blue to let out a soft huff, as he turned to face Sombra again as he walked past him "Yes...I have made it apparent to get weekly deliveries of Crystal straight from the Crystal Empire for you...as well as some stake as well" he said Blue knew Sombra from his studies in the academy, he was a topic of great interest to young ponies who wished to learn about the change in military power. However he was defiantly...different...from how he imagined him to be.

The stallion gave a dry laugh: "Then you've been misinformed..." The stallion lunged at the guard, trapping him against the door, fangs bared and so close to his now-bare neck. Sombra could feel the guard's pulse quicken in alarm as well as a quick defensive form, that previously seen metallic wing suddenly close to Sombra's own neck. Its sharp blades were inches away from him. Sombra could taste the sweet, light notes of a sudden tinge of fear on his tongue. While the guard proved too well-trained to give him anything more than a little sampling, the umbrum was content he wasn't going to starve to death with the Princesses' spell on him.

The spell in question had made him more of a pony than an umbrum, similar to the spell that had given him his fleshy form, only more potent, but it hadn't changed his very core and Sombra felt relief in that. He had pondered it the whole train ride, if he wanted to be changed so drastically in order to fit in. But now, a new obstacle formed; what if this little pegasus guard was too taken aback, demanded further changes... Slowly, Sombra retreated, giving the guard space to breathe. "The steak will work. And the crystals as well, if I can use them as a storage for cultivation."

Blue would huff in annoyance as Sombra backed away from him, drawing his metal wing back to himself in a natural pose. He eyed up the stallion with a glare before clearing his throat "Fine...if that's the case then I will take my leave and go to attend to some other things around the house." He said "Please let me know if you need anything" He noted, before making his way to the stairs to trot back up them.

Sombra would also let out an annoyed huff, traveling up the stairs to get himself freshened up, the guards back at Canterlot had did a poor excuse for a job at providing him with the necessary hygenic needs. As he made his way there he entered the bathroom, looking around before walking to what he presumed was the bath. Stepping into it he looked at the wall and the mirror. His frown visible from its image, annoyed as he didn't recall baths being this small, the stallion groaned with a slight ache in his limbs, and cocked his head, glaring at the shower.

Blue had then passed the bathroom, taking notice of the stallion in there before Sombra took a notice of him. "You, explain to me where the hell is your bath? Surely you're rich enough for one? This one seems to be too low to be one."

"Uh...I don't have a bath I have a shower" He said, slowly walking to the bathroom, walking to the shower. Sombra seemed to have a temporary relief on his face, but it was quickly covered up by his irritation and a hoof gesture of a "go on". Then it would hit Blue as he realized showers, especially modern-day ones, were a later invention than what the stallion was used to. Blue huffed, rolling his eyes slightly as he turned the knobs to the shower on, the water coming out of the hose and hitting the floor and walls as it was fully turned on.

Sombra took a moment to take in the information, before wearily waving Blue away: "That'll be all then. dinner after this..." The stallion grimaced slightly, rememberíng one of Princess' -in particular that of its second youngest member- incessant nagging: "...Please?"

Blue smirked ever so slightly at the please "Yea, I can make some dinner for you."

The stallion didn't answer, only slammed the door in front of Blue, taking the moment to enjoy his shower and to his surprise he found the feeling of it, like a warm rain rather pleasing. Fifteen or so minutes later, Sombra emerged to the kitchen, mane damp and loose curls pooled over his shoulders, and a few loose ones framed his forehead as the ancient creature took a few tired steps and then collapsed onto a chair with a weary sigh. An equally loose shirt hung from his body, made of soft and breathable cotton."Is that coffee I smell?"

"Yea I put it on the pot, I figured you'd want some after such a long trip from Canterlot to here" he said as he walked into the living room with some coffee of his own. Sipping it as he took a seat on the couch very slowly. Huffing as he reclined backward "Did you-"

The stallion groaned and silenced Blue with a raised hoof while pouring himself a mug of the black gold. For once, the stallion didn't seem to demand or want Blue to wait on his hoof and wing. Slowly Sombra levitated the mug over to him, taking the first sip with a soft "thousand years without this... a travesty."

"Uh...right.." he said "Did you find the bed comfortable? I don't know if the bed was ok enough for you so I just wanna make sure" he asked.

"Hmm, it's better than the Canterlot's dungeons." Sombra was surprisingly forthcoming.

"Good to know" He said, taking another sip of his coffee "Now that you are here, It's just going to be me and you" He said, stretching slightly. "The only time Id ever have to leave is to report to the Princesses about the progress we are making."

"And who would be here if you did need to report?" The stallion asked, taking a sip of his coffee with his eyes closed, leaning back against his chair.

"I believe the Princess's are ok with you wandering around ponyville, given the fact the Mane Six frequent the area. That and with your magic damped, it's not a serious threat."

The stallion took a moment to ponder this, then nodded slowly."I suppose I should be thankful they aren't slapping me in chains." Sombra's tone of voice darkens, a low, threatening growl escaped almost involuntarily: "Or put me back into that crevice..."

"They are giving you a chance... it's something that everypony deserves" He said, looking to Sombra "Dont worry, me and you have a long time to spend with each other, I'll help you."

"I'm not worried over you." The stallion scoffed while stretching, a crick could be heard somewhere close to his neck. Blue then notices a collection of scars litter the stallion's body, both big and small.

"Regardless...we have a long road ahead, so it will work out in the end" he said, yawning as he went to take another sip of his coffee.

The stallion took the silent moment with gratefulness, sorting his thoughts carefully and precisely. Being an outlier was certainly a disappointment, but not one that he didn't know how to navigate. Sombra took a long breath and another gulp of his slightly cooler coffee. "I had a lot to think about on the ride here, and while the situation isn't... entirely pleasing, I suppose you wouldn't be terrible to share a house with. Even if you are a bit dim-witted." He just had to throw that last barb in, just so the pegasus didn't think of him as soft. But he tried to compare it to the life he had wanted before everything went down as it did, and compared it to the stress and backstabbings and ugh, politics of the Crystal court... no, perhaps he could carve out something out of this...

"Really? Well uh... I'm glad to hear that" he said smiling, the stallion looking to the larger umbrum "I think that you will be nice to live with as well" He commented, deciding to ignore the other comment but he would keep that in mind.

"Hmm... flattery will get you nowhere." the stallion stated back, but Blue could see Sombra's posture change to a bit more proud form. With a deliberate care Sombra put his mug on the table. "... there is one potential problem. The Princesses forgot to mention a little detail; namely, money. Besides the currency having changed in value since when I was in power, I do not exactly have the resources of an entire empire's coffers... unfortunately. There is also the issue of transporting some of my personal things from Crystal Empire. I didn't exactly materialize from the Aether with my personal library in tow."

"Oh uh...I can put in a request with Princess Twilight to have your things shipped here...though I think they will be heavily looked through to determine if it's ok for you to have them" Blue said "As for the money thing, you don't have to worry about that I have it all covered." He said, sitting up slightly himself.

The umbrum leaned forward, eyes focusing on his empty mug, hooves pressed together in thought. "... It is likely I will need to find something lucrative to do with my time. Hmmm..." Blue could see the stallion's tail wrap close to his unscarred thigh, covering the empty, cutie-markless spot. Possibly, an insecurity? "... ... I am not sure if I am... comfortable, with someone else rooting through my possessions." Sombra's face skewed in annoyance "Besides, I am most excited to see the little Princess' face mad with envy at some of the rarer spells in my collection." Blue got a feeling that the stallion was leaving something untold.

"Ok...uh...if you'd like then, I can ask that we go to the Empire and we can personally pack everything up?" Blue asked, he forgot how difficult it was to talk with Royalty at times. If anything from his experiences with Nobles taught him anything. They all have insecurities and secrets. "As for time management. You and me can always do things together, I'm sure we can come up with some fun things to do" He said smiling.

"Of that, I am sure~ But for now..." the stallion stretched slightly: "We'll decide what to do with my personal things later. I am uncertain of which would be the proper approach. Arriving at the Empire in broad daylight is, understandably, not an option. Hmm..." Sombra stood up suddenly, with a brisk pace he appeared in front of Blue, examining him silently and in great detail.

Sombra turned his head, taking in the stallion's features, until seemingly satisfied, the stallion took a step back. With a soft sigh, the umbrum focused his magic, hoping that this ability of his wasn't under the sealed ones, the so-called Dark magic, though he had tried to argue that most of them were to some extent natural abilities of an umbrum. The Princesses had promised some of the more harmless spells would be unsealed with good behavior, once he was deemed trustworthy enough. Blue could see the stallion's features shift, subtly at first. Slightly smaller stature, soft wings on his back, though lacking in the metallic parts, similar mane and tail to Blue's, and Sombra's horn disappeared as if it had been just a trick of the light. One thing that didn't change was the stallion's colors; dark fur and pitch black mane were still very much present, but otherwise the stallion could have been Blue's monochromatic twin.

Blue blinked slowly as he looked at Sombra changing his features like a Changeling. Blue sitting up properly now as he was now in complete awe to the magic he just watched Sombra perform in front of him "You...you know Changeling Magic?" Blue asked, looking over Sombra's new form in curiosity and slight joy. He hadn't ever seen anything like this before and it was very exciting to him.

"No. Though, you aren't entirely incorrect." The stallion took a deeper breath and grit his teeth, his usual features returning much faster than when he changed, "...umbrum are in some ways similar to changelings. We..." The stallion paused, and sat down, feeling the effects of the magic-dampening spell send a jolt of pain like that of a headache into his brain. "Umbrum and Changelings aren't directly related species, but have some similar qualities. We're both emotion-eaters and with some shape-shifting capabilities. While Changelings are what scholars would classify as a 'true shapeshifter' or 'greater shapeshifter', umbrum are a lesser shapeshifter."

Blue got up and moved to Sombra as he saw him sit down, he figured he may have used a bit too much Magic to do that "Woh hay, you ok?" He asked, genuinely sounding worried.

Sombra shook his hoof dismissively: "Just the magic dampening spell reacting to my natural magic. It takes me more as I have to overcome its effect to make the spell happen." The stallion leaned back and continued: "Umbrum are more related to Windigo, though neither are fond of the other. Territory and food scarcity are the main reasons mainly. I learned to eat meat in part due to this reason, as the frozen tundra was hardly a place booming with population outside of the Empire itself. It... doesn't really sustain me properly, but it is better than starving." Sombra took a pause, allowing the pegasus to take it all in. In all honesty, he wasn't entirely sure why he was even sharing all of this. But he had to admit it felt nice to have someone listen, and hear about what he was rather than running away or telling him to leave. It felt... nice, he concluded in his mind.

Blue just listened in fascination, taking in all the information that Sombra gave, He always was curious how Sombra lived for so long before he returned. The pegasus sitting down next to him as he just watched and observed him "I see...that kinda makes sense given where the empire is located too. Windago's cause alot of snow, so Umbrums being in the cold north makes sense." He said nodding.

"Hmm... I think that is merely the result of my clan's stubbornness. Umbrum are ancient... We have haunted the area for eons. Or we did, until what became the Empire trapped us underneath the ice and snow." Sombra sighed with a gentle shrug: "I wish I could tell you more about the Umbrum, but truth is... I grew up in the empire, I... know rather little about how the Umbrum society functions." There was a moment of silence as the stallion seemed to slowly come to terms with how little he actually knew of himself and his heritage: "...I... anyway, we can copy appearances but any natural abilities we cannot mimic, and as you can see, we cannot change some aspects of ourselves when shapeshifting, unlike Changelings who shift themselves far more... how is it said, in that one new book... molecular... level?"

The stallion nodded "Yea I believe that sounds correct" he said "Still that is very impressive, I only have ever seen Changelings change shape so to see another creature do it is really cool" he said, giving Sombra a genuine smile. Blue had taken notice of the things Sombra was not saying though and while he did wish he could help, he knew he had to have Sombra tell him those things voluntarily, he didn't want to force them out.

It was rare to see the dark umbrum blush, but Blue was certain that Sombra's cheeks reddened ever so slightly. Sombra coughed a bit and shifted, his hooves wrung against each other almost as if the stallion didn't know what to do with them. He almost looked shy for a moment. "Ah... did you have something in mind for today?"

"Um...I mean we could try going out into Town today if you'd like. Otherwise we can stay here and talk." Blue said smiling. "I find your explanations about things that you know really fascinating. So I wouldn't mind hearing more, and I could also talk a bit to if you wanna know things" Blue said, giving the Umbrum full eye contact to show he was serious. It was odd, Blue had noticed the flush of course but he almost felt happy to see Sombra being so open. Perhaps it was just the fact Blue was getting to him or if it was just the situation itself, but Blue felt...good...

Sombra shook his head: "I am not sure what to ask... but I would enjoy a few books to read and breathe some fresh air." The stallion stood up, and like an old cloak, the dignified, proud demeanor returned: "Do not dawdle."

"Ponyville has a new library that was just recently built. We could go there" He said, getting up to follow Sombra, The stallion smiled as he followed behind him, the two ready to take to the town.

Chapter 3: Book of Lies

Ponyville

The two ponies would enter the heart of Ponyville's town district, which was currently full of life. Seemed the Farmers Market was in town. Ponies of all different species and colors walk around and talk with each other, the vendors of each stand shouting out their wears and products to the ponies walking past. Honestly it was very similar to the Crystal Fair that Sombra would be more familiar with, all be it slightly smaller. Sombra was however hesitant at first but raised his head high and walked confidently. Or at least that was the expression he wanted to give, his shield against strangers. He couldn't help but wonder if the crystal fair was as lively, having never experienced it beyond the sounds that reached his bedroom's window. A terrible feeling wrung his heart and stuck into his throat.

Blue would look behind him every now and then to notice Sombra's facial and body expressions. He had noticed there were traces of nervousness in there, Blue even going as far as to slow down so he could walk next to Sombra, giving him a small smile to let him know he was there for him. Blue made a promise to Luna that he would do anything in his power to help reform Sombra. He did not wish to fail the princess, nor did he wish to fail such an important task such as this, and eventually they would reach the new library. Sombra took a good look at the library. It was a, if one was being generous, a quarter of the size of Crystal Empire's library. But, for such a small town, it was it was more than big.

Polished stone with a sapling on top was a curious choice, but Sombra did not comment on it. A feeling of nostalgia seized Sombra's mind. The hours he had spent in the library in his youth were a pleasant memory... Remembering his study was almost bittersweet in comparison. Hours upon hours were spent reading and researching ancient tomes and spells to learn more, to become something great and unrivaled... something that had set his heart ablaze for as long as he could remember.

"I know it's probably not alot compared to places like The Crystal Empire, but Princess Twilight personally overlooked the building of this place and wanted to make sure it had enough space for all the books possible" Blue said, smiling as he took the Umbrum inside, showing him the vast amounts of books, all of them organized and thoughtfully placed throughout the building. categorized by name, type, and even having a section on magic itself.

The stallion took a moment to appreciate the quiet, serene atmosphere before walking to the closest section. History. He had for a while now wondered how much the world had went onwards... and history would hopefully shed some light on the matter. Though, if the 1000 years had been as busy as the history he remembered having learned, with the reign of Grogar, to Discord, to Tirek's invasion in antiquity, to the early medieval of the pillars... he was in for a small mountain of books. With slight hesitation, the stallion reached for the first book and opened it.

Blue would smile softly, glad that Sombra was letting himself enjoy the library, all be it with some slight hesitation. The stallion walked over to a section himself to go look for any kind of books that he was interested in. Blue didn't make it a habit of coming to the library, but when he did he had some enjoyment, and after a good few minutes of looking he would return to the Umbrum. He found Sombra in a far-off corner focusing on what looked to be a book of magic, occasionally stopping to stare at a diagram or a scribble of some kind, but it felt like Sombra was merely trying to distract himself.

Blue would walk up to Sombra, sitting down next to him as he looked at the book he was reading "Find anything good?" he kindly asked, the stallion curious about what magic Sombra was reading about.

"I... yes, I did. It's fascinating. I will borrow it." Blue had a hunch that Sombra was trying to put up a front.

Blue looked around, seeing that they where the only ponies currently here, as he turned to Sombra "..hay..do you want to talk?"

"Why would I want to talk? I have nothing to hide...I'm simply enjoying myself reading, as you requested I try to do."

Blue went quiet as he glanced around the room before noticing a book on the ground...it looked to have been picked up but quickly put down in a rather hasty regard. He picked it up before he heard Sombra let out a huff, he didn't look at Blue, instead he muttered: "... it's... about me..." he quietly said there was no pride in the stallion's voice, but a quiet upset one. Blue's eyes slightly widened as he looked over the book, as he saw the book's title: 'The Short History of Equestrian Monsters'. This could get out of hoof quickly.

"Hay, there are plenty of other books in here...they're not...all about-"

"How dare that author... release such slander...!" Sombra hissed, "I should make them eat their lying hearts..." Blue could see the stallion's hooves shake slightly and a familiar purple mist attempt to pour out of the furious stallion's eyes. Then his horn drew a spark, and the stallion yelped in obvious pain.

Blue jumped slightly, the stallion trying to remain calm. He knew Sombra was upset and he knew that he needed to try and help, however even though he was unfamiliar with how to handle situations like this, Sombra wasn't exactly innocent, the things he did happened. He knew that. He just needed to find a way to make Sombra understand that things are different now "Hay look, I know you are upset but think about this...the book is very old...you were still in the Empire's Wasteland when this came out, things have changed."

Sombra breathed heavily and with a wince. "I know what I did, but this worthless piece of kindling attributes me as... as...something worse..."

Blue frowned slightly as he genuinely felt bad. He only knew Sombra for a day and he could already tell he wanted to change. He sighed softly and looked at the book himself, turning to the page that the book was left open at. While initially the book's text was fairly harmless, if somewhat exaggerated in tone, the longer Blue read, the more outlandish the claims became. While there was truth of Sombra's involvement in slavery and some rather ruthless punishments, where it got hair-raising alarming were outlandish claims of necromantic copulations with corpses, bestial sexual encounters with predatory creatures from windigo to timberwolves to even common dogs. The stallion saw a phrase, a moniker of sorts, used multiple times: the Harlot of the North.

The stallion huffed as he suddenly wanted to understand what all this was. He was a history nerd himself, and this was the only book in the entire library that had claims on Sombra like this, he had read up on him before he moved in. The stallion would then put the book aside "I'm...going to go look for some more books ok?" Blue said.

"Fine...just don't dwaddle" Sombra said, waving a hoof of dissremark to the stallion.

Blue sighed as he got up, and then walked through the history section some more, to try and find out what "Harlot of the North" truly meant. The stallion did find more books, of varying factuality, but in many of them, the moniker repeated. And knowing that Sombra knew of the moniker himself, it probably had some basis in truth, rather than one conducted by later-era scholars. The tamest of takes he could find on Sombra focused on politics and trade deals mostly, as well as war efforts, and made only a passing mention of Sombra's royal guard and his penchant for plenty of lovers. Though Blue could only hope the claims of him killing those he grew bored of was over-exaggeration. He eventually would return to Sombra, who had just been looking out of the window to the library into the town.

Blue walked up to him, sighing softly "..so..I did some research and...well alot of the stuff they say about you I... don't really believe they're all true..." He said "But...I can tell that one thing in particular is bothering you..."

"Between outlandish claims of bestiality and necrophilia, you think I'm bothered? I couldn't possibly!" The stallion growled, the sarcasm all but dripping.

"I know those things are fake beyond belief" Blue said "But...I'm just...confused about what "Harlot of the North" truly means...I've seen it pop up alot.." He said, slightly nervous to utter the phrase, as he knew how delicate the situation was.

Sombra took a moment as he softly sighed. "It... political propaganda has always been part of any ruler's life, that wasn't what bothers me. You don't even know how outlandish the claims could get, provided you were far away to not face the ire, of course. And yes, having... several lovers is a prime target for such slander." The stallion closed his eyes and wearily rubbed his temples, his next words were a mere hushed whisper: "I... didn't want to be alone. But there is another fact that I learned in my time ruling. I wasn't... I was only worth as much as my station. So many of my lovers had ulterior motives. I..." The stallion leaned back, eyes still closed, as if lost in memories long past.

"...some of the lovers enjoyed my status, what it gave them. Some enjoyed the power. Some enjoyed the thought of being a kingslayer, a hero of the people." The stallion's voice took a mocking tone for a moment, before returning to his serious, hushed tone: "...do you understand how tired it can make you? How... little ones understand their worthiness for love? And my enemies, hell, even some of my lovers... I was an easy, disposable... I was a whore. Except I didn't get paid in anything other than betrayal and treachery." The stallion snarled remembering something. "What good is love when all it gives you is misery? A grand gesture of empty words from ponies that have ulterior motives. I treated them right! I did right by them, because for each one, for each one, I foolishly thought it was going to be different. The only thing different was the application of the dagger."

Blue just sat and listened. Nodding as Sombra talked, honestly a lot of the information hurt to take in, seeing a stallion talking about how hurt he was, how much he was hurt. Blue truly began to understand now...understand Sombra as a pony. Blue just continued to listen, making sure his body language showed Sombra that he was fully fixed on what he was talking about. After he was finished Blue would speak quietly "I'm so sorry Sombra...none of that is fair on you. You don't deserve that kind of treatment from ponies" He said, Blue looking over him as he spoke to read his body language "It's true...I don't understand what it's like to be in your shoes, I don't know what it's like to have the power you did and constantly get attacked by ponies you trusted. But...what I do understand? Is that you are not all the things these books say about you."

"While I... appreciate it... You are wrong. I did not want to cause pain. I wanted the crystal ponies to suffer for my pain. It... at the time, it made me feel better. I wanted them to hurt just as much as I did, no, more, so my pain was lesser. So I could be the one lording over them. That I could be the one they knew they hurt and now got the brunt of it as payback." Sombra growled, thinking back, but slowly his voice faded to a whisper: "But it never lasted long, the feeling of triumph. In the end, I would always be... nothing. Just... I would be nothing to them. I overtook the empire because... because I thought it would force them to acknowledge I existed. That I was worthy of something, that I was capable, that I was more than a blank flank with no future that no pony wanted."

Sombra paused, looking tired as his magic flared up in response to his emotions, and the spell on him sapped him more and more of strength. Blue could see the stallion's flowing, magically ethereal mane drop almost unceremoniously, form into thick dark curls that framed his face in an untamed mess. "I know what it's like to not be noticed." Blue said "When I was in the Guard Training as a private I was always teased because ponies thought I was dumb, they made fun of me, called me weak, harassed me. I never got a break from it." He said sighing "When I became General I felt the power, I could do to the ponies who treated me like trash what they did to me...and I did do that...I earned a reputation as the strictest General in the Night Guard."

Sombra bit his lip, about to say something, but decided against it. "Hm... I am surprised. You do not seem the type."

"Well...I take my job really seriously. In the end of it all, while I do enjoy getting back at the ponies who caused me pain...I have worked on doing that less, and focusing more on my duties."

"I ended up... retreating, I suppose. I spent more and more time alone in my study or my..." The stallion paused, then continued: "It felt... safer. Painful but safer. I couldn't be hurt if I didn't... have contact. And once I mastered the mind control spells I... I felt like I could make myself feel safe. Though, only those I was in close contact with, the very few. I mastered them, but controlling more than a hoofful at the time was tiring." Sombra said, looking back outside the window, retreat in his voice as he softly spoke.

Blue nodded "I can understand that...the ability to make yourself feel safe is a powerful feeling." He said "You may have done bad things Sombra...but I think that you are truly trying to change for the better, I can see it."

"You might be the only one..." With a heavy sigh, the stallion stood up. "... I wish to go back to your residence now, the... trip took more out of me than I expected."

"Alright, we can go. Let's go check out this book first" He said smiling, looking to the stallion with understanding eyes. Sombra nodded, slowly trailing behind the stallion. He paid no mind to the librarian, who was trying their very utmost to not stare mouth agape, and after checking out the book, Blue would give it to Sombra, then he would lead the Umbrum back home.

Chapter 4: A Uniqe Discussion

Ponyville - Blue's House

Sombra took a sigh of relief when the door to Blue's home finally closed after a quiet walk back, the stallion's tense shoulders dropped and exhaustion was made apparent

"You going to be ok?" Blue asked, the stallion looking to Sombra in a kind manner, to which his response would be given in a mere grunt as a response, the exhausted stallion dragged himself to the sofa and flopped down.

Blue walked over to the sofa and gently sat down, looking over the stallion in detail. Taking in his features as he just thaught about Sombra for a moment, he was always under the assumption that underneath all that armor and coldness Sombra was a well-kept Stallion, given he was of royalty. However it was surprising how it was the complete opposite. The stallion's red eyes were shut, and underneath the white shirt's collar, at the nape of his neck was a bumpy, ragged scar. The bridge of his muzzle had the telltale signs of a once-broken and poorly healed wound. Along his thigh, the grotesque, fleshy scar, wide and difficult to look at. Smaller nicks and gashes here and there along the stallion's back.

"...you know your safe here right?" Blue said, the stallion trying to get his attention.

"Hmm...? Did you say something?" Sombra murmured, too tired to be wary of danger that he so often expected. Sleep was slowly claiming him, and the stallion's closeness was a comfort. Even if he knew it wouldn't last, just like all of his relationships before. The umbrum murmured, pulling Blue close with a surprisingly soft touch. "I'm cold."

Blue was taken by surprise as he was pulled to the umbrum. He felt himself suddenly lay on top of him, his head against his chest as he was now fully cuddling with him. Blue's face blushed deeply, as he definitely didn't expect to be this close with Sombra after not even a full day of getting to know him.

"You are pleasantly warm", Sombra stated, holding onto Blue the stallion paused for a moment, yawning. Blue just quietly layed there. This was the first time he felt like this...warm...the stallion taking in how soft he felt, it was amazing how soft his fur was, especially with all the scars, he never imagined it like this.

After a while of quiet, Blue would notice that Sombra had at some point, fallen asleep, his grip around Blue slightly stronger. The stallion looked to the Umbrum's face as he ever so slightly moved up close to it, He could feel Sombra's breath in slow, steady puffs, his rising and lowering chest and the warmth of the stallion's exposed limbs. The dark sideburns framed his face, contrasting high cheekbones and the red, curving horn being almost like a beacon of color amongst the dark gray and black hues. Blue would slightly move his hoof up to Sombra's cheeks, gently caressing them as he just admired him. His face was very appealing to Blue. His cheeks softly blushed as he just...stared...the stallion never really had a coltfriend before, and while he had his fair hair of crushes he didn't expect to be this close to a stallion...especially that of Sombra.

Sombra huffed in response, stirring ever so slightly, but seemingly not enough to wake up. Slowly, little by little, Blue was able to take in more and more details, the short fur, almost like a velvet that gave way to his horn, how wonderfully full his eyelashes were, the soft, lazily drifting curls of his mane, coiling ever so slightly. Slightly sharper pointed ears than normal twitch occasionally. With a quiet murmur, he could see the stallion shift slightly, as if something was bothering him in his sleep....it wouldn't be far-fetched for the tyrant king to suffer from nightmares, and with a snap, the moment was gone. The former king jolted awake with a sudden jerking movement and then stared at Blue, cheeks ever so slightly red as Blue felt his balance shift to the side, fast towards the floor.

"What. Were. You. Doing?" Sombra growled, his eyes narrowed at the pegasus, who was now face first into the floor, groaning in pain slightly.

"I was just- uh" Blue picked himself up "I was-er..." He was flustered byond belief trying to think of an excuse "I was...admiring you?" He said nervously.

For a moment the stallion glared at him with a frown and a raised eyebrow, but eventually relented: "I suppose I cannot fault you for that."

"Im sorry for startling you I was not...thinking clearly" He said as he went to take a seat again, this time a bit further from Sombra.

"No, no, it wasn't... well, it wasn't mostly you."

"Are uh...you ok then? You looked troubled when you where asleep" He asked, tilting his head slightly.

Sombra stood up curtly, his face skewed: "I am fine, and you are forgetting your place." He had already shared too much, and now the guard of the Princess of Dreams was prying into his... No, the stallion may have lowered his guard, but Sombra was far from a gullible little pony. The stallion's stern expression returned and he walked away, towards the upstairs, his tail twitching like an angry cat's. Though, clearly Sombra was a moody character, switching his behavior quickly, and was quick to raise a block between his genuine self and an angry sorcerer. And it almost felt like the stallion didn't know which one he needed to be.

Blue sat in thought. From his experience with duties and his special talent, he knew Sombra's emotions were a complex mix of things. He knew Sombra liked to be himself, but he was also very prideful and wanted to seem dominant. Blue needed a way in that Sombra would be comfortable with, he just needed to find it and a few minutes later, the stallion would work up the courage and go to find the Umbrum. He walked upstairs and went to the stallion's room. Knocking on the door.

Sombra opened the door with a curious, somewhat confused look, an opened library book left open on his bed. "Yes? If you're here to offer coffee, I would enjoy some while I read."

"Uh...I can get you coffee if that's what you'd like...I was...more hoping I could join you? I wanna talk" Blue said, smiling softly.

"Talk?" The stallion cocked his head to the side, looking more confused: "What is there to talk about?" With a slight scoff, the large umbrum steps aside, letting Blue into the room. The stallion went back to his bed and shut the book with a slip of paper to mark the spot he was at, then set it on a dresser. Sombra looked at Blue with a confused expression.

"Well it's just-" Blue said, thinking about his words "When you were sleeping you...looked like you were having a nightmare. Does...that happen often?"

It took a moment for Sombra to answer, his expression changing from confused to suspecting: "Sometimes, why?" Sombra frowned and turned away from the stallion, observing his reflection idly from the gleam of his gorget, carefully laid on an armor rest.

"Well I just...was worried when I saw you having the Nightmare and It made me wonder if I needed to worry about you having like...night terrors or something" he said "I don't really know if you having Nightmares is...different."

"... I'm at a turning point in my life, one that feels... shaky at best. Of course there is going to be nightmares. As for night terrors, I've had none for... a while." The stallion tried to deflect, but Blue could feel that the answer was far from honest.

"Right" Blue said, huffing as he contemplated something "Can I show you something?" He asked.

"I... suppose so?" Sombra took a few unsure steps towards Blue, following him as the stallion took a couple of steps back, huffing as he quickly undid his belt and pulled his pants down slightly to show his flank to the Unicorn, unfurling his wings.

"Do you see my Cutie Mark?" he asked, his Cutie Mark was shown to be a blue and cyan brain with a circle around it and a thin line resembling a scan.

The stallion blushed slightly at the surprisingly intimate action, but nodded. "Yes, I do. Not the sort of cutie mark I would expect of a guard. A healer, more likely."

Blue hadn't noticed the blush the King was now sporting "Well...I got my Cutie Mark when I was a kid...it stands for my special talent in Neuropsychology and understanding the mind" Blue said "The reason It actually helps me in the guard is because I can tell when ponies have special traits about themselves, ticks they might have when they are lying or hiding something." He said "I in a sense can read ponies like a book...to an extent."

At first the stallion said nothing, before giving a low chuckle: "if only I had you as my spymaster eons ago..." The stallion shook his head slowly: "You're going to tell me how I'm lying through my teeth, is that it?"

"No no" Blue said, waving his hoofs in the air slightly "I am telling you this because I want you to know, that if you want to talk to me about things...I can help you understand them...if you have a hard time doing so" He said, walking slightly close to him.

"And what guarantee would I have that everything I tell you isn't carried to your precious princesses as a potential weapon against me if my progress isn't good enough?" He retorted back, eyes flicked downwards for a brief moment, before returning to look at the stallion in the face. Then he smirked, but it was a hollow, deflecting smirk; "Was today just that, for you to analyze the big bad umbrum~?" Sombra turned around and let his thick tail travel along Blue's chest and under his chin, before whapping him in the face with it lightly."I can see it already... I'm sure the purple eyesore would find my inner workings fascinating..." the stallion let his uncovered hoof travel along the long red cape of his armor.

Blue flushed as he felt his thick tail travel along his chest and under his chin, slightly recoiling at the whip to his face. Huffnig softly "I can...see how you would feel that way which is why I can only say this; You can trust me. Everything you and I say to each other stays between us." Blue said with a serious tone "And, whatever I need to do to prove that to you...I will do it."

The stallion continued to stroke the rich velvet. "I am not in habit of taking ponies at their word." Sombra paused when Blue declared his willingness to prove his trustworthiness. He thought of making Blue kneel, like everypony of his sworn guard, pledge eternal servitude in body, mind and soul. The thought was admittedly delicious, enough to send a familiar shiver down his back. He remembered his honor guard, a collection of mares and stallions that swore an oath to him, served him as bodyguards and occasional lovers warming his bed. He missed those times.

"I know...and I understand why. Truly I do" he said, the stallion moving next to Sombra "But im serious...I want you to know you can trust me, and whatever I need to do to show you that, I will try my best to do it."

"... in olden times, I would have had you accomplish some grand feat, defeat a foe on my behalf, stain your hooves for me, swear to me your undying loyalty. But now such a thing would be unfitting."

"Right...well...like I said I will try my best to do what you'd like me to do to prove my trustworthiness" Blue said.

The stallion nodded slowly, thinking. But he had no answer for Blue."We will... well, if it is granted to us, perhaps one day I will trust you. But not yet."

Blue sighed softly "I understand...just please know I'm here for you if you wanna talk ok? You may not trust me fully now, but I'd like to at the very least make sure you're ok" He said.

"I... appreciate it. I really do." Sombra nodded, slow, gliding gait with barely any sound on the wooden floor towards Blue. "Now, little Guard... Are you always in a habit of showing off to your guests, or am I the exception?" There was a slight amusement in the stallion's voice, making the pegasus jolt when he realized what Sombra meant. "I knew pegasi were proud and prone to showing off their 'talents' but I didn't quite expect such..." Sombra licked his lips, wishing to put aside the uncomfortable topic for one much, much more enjoyable.

Blue flushed deeply as he quickly squirmed at his pants, pulling them up as fast as he could. "O-oh im- Oh my I didn't mean to. I mean I-" He said, panicked and trying to get himself calm "I didn't even notice that I-" He stammered more.

Sombra laughed, a low chuckle, and let his head fall, to push under Blue's chin, slowly and teasingly nuzzling the pegasus. Determined gait forced Blue to back up all the way to the edge of the bed: "Completely understandable reaction, after all... You are in the presence of me. I can hardly blame you for a reaction when I've had ponies far holier than thou blush like a schoolfilly~."

Blue huffed as he was nuzzled by the stallion, feeling himself getting backed into more and more until he hit the edge of the bed. Just as the king was planning. "N-no no I just, I mean I did take my pants off to show you my cutie mark"

"I'm hardly offended of a guard I could have included into my honor guard..." The stallion purred, this delectable little morsel was positively adorable when flustered, and even if it didn't exactly feed him like fear could, it still caused some corner of his shriveled black heart to stir.

Blue flushed as he looked at Sombra, the stallion huffing as his cock, slightly twitched below him "I-I..." He huffed softly, his face flustered "Im...j-just nervous" he said, the stallion's face warm with heat"I-I will admit...y-you are very...very...attractive..."

The umbrum sighed and stood up, a surprisingly gentle look on his face: "Perhaps it ought to be good for you to not push it for now. You are free to cuddle me if you want to, but we don't have to go further." Sombra sat down on the bed and laid down, patting the empty spot on his mattress. He knew what such nervousness felt like, even if it had been eons since he had last felt it. But he was not a poor lover, and took great pride in the fact.

Blue blushed as he looked to Sombra for a few seconds, that gentle look on his face caused Blue's heart to slightly skip a beat. Was the stallion seriously...crushing...on him? on Sombra? "R-right" He said, the stallion softly moving to the bed and moving to the empty side of the mattress, laying down on it next to Sombra.

Blue could smell the umbrum's delicious, spicy scent of peppers and anise, he felt the stallion's heft against him shift ever so slightly and could swear the stallion was giving him a look-over. "... if you forgive my curiosity, what happened here?" The stallion very lightly touched Blue's metallic wing.

Blue huffed as he tried to settle his hormones down. The stallion just trying to concentrate on something. Luckily that question helped "I uh...well I lost it when I was in the Zeebra Lands..." He said softly, feeling...honestly rather safe "It was...cut off for torture purposes...to get me to talk."

Sombra looked surprised. He had expected an accident, not torture. "...well? Did you?"

"...I didn't talk no...I refused too" He said, the stallion just sighing softly.

The stallion was now very focused on Blue, his eyes traveling down the metal wing slowly. Then he moved his hoof up to the stallion's cheek, near his mechanical eye: "And this?"

Blue flushed as he felt Spmbras hoof on his cheek, ever so slightly leaning into it "I uh...lost my eye in the torture too..." he said huffing softly.

Sombra nodded slowly, shifting a bit. Blue could see Sombra's various scars. "Hmm... I commend you for your resilience."

"Thank you...but...I honestly don't deserve it..." He said "I...have made alot of mistakes...including the one's that happened while in the Zeebra Lands."

"You do realize who you are talking to?" The stallion gave him a pointed look, one eyebrow arched with a questioning, unimpressed look.

"Yes I'm aware" Blue said, sighing softly as he shuffled a bit. Getting his body closer to Sombra as he heard Sombra's breath hitch in surprise for a moment, before the stallion relaxed again, hooves and magic -a warm, slight tingle to it- guided the pegasus to a better position that impeded neither. Sombra huffed slightly, enjoying the pegasus' warmth. "Hmm... you will be most enjoyable during cold months... but do go on. I am rather interested if my mistakes could topple yours in severity." Clearly, the stallion was competitive.

"I..." He huffed softly "I doubt my mistakes could topple yours...but...I think that it's just worth mentioning that we are not all perfect you know?" He said, softly sighing as he felt his head rest against Sombra's chest slightly.

Sombra hummed slightly, his tongue rolling over his teeth in thought. For a while, he was silent, thinking back to his old scars: "How exactly do these work?" Another fascinated look at his mechanical wing: "...is it magic? Or something similar as that train we took? I can't see any markings that would indicate a charm..." The stallion shifted, his curiosity got the better of him. Blue saw mostly the stallion's chest and stomach as Sombra basically loomed over him, pressed somewhat against him, eyes carefully going over his metal wing, gently turning and operating it with his magic. "Can you feel anything when it is touched?"

"I-it uh...mostly mechanical science...with some magic added" Blue huffed softly as he just relaxed in the semi-grasp of Sombra's body, Blue slightly letting his head rest on Sombra's stomach. Blushing furiously "The wing is connected to my nervous system...and it allows me to control it like a normal wing. T-the..magic in the wing is mainly for me using the special features in it."

"Interesting...!" Blue saw a shift he had never imagined Sombra could make; he was genuinely excited. "So fascinating...! We at best-had charms and runic carvings for tethering magic into minerals, but never anything this sophisticated..." The stallion stared at the wing in awe, before seemingly remembering Blue's eye."And your eye? How does it... do you need to take it out, can you see from it? I thought it was similar to a glass eye, but with maybe some magic to orient you.."

Blue blushed slightly at the excitement. The stallion feeling flustered from Sombra genuinely taking an interest in him "U-um.. it is actually quite similar! The eye is connected through some magic and nerves however I can actually remove it at free will" He said, before he actually did so, removing the eye from his socket to show Sombra "Its...magic magically enchanted with a sophisticated spell which allows me to use it like a computer in a way. I can zoom in on things, use it to target specific body parts to injure, and it also can change its color too...I can change my iris color to be whatever I want." He said smiling as he looked up to Sombra.

"Com... what now?" The stallion looked confused. Right, 1000 years, most of which spent in isolation and/or in the Aether. "It's like a... spyglass or a scope of some kind? And it can calculate..." The stallion fell silent for a bit, his mind taking all of it in. If he was impressed before, it was nothing compared to this. "...this makes my armor feel almost foolish in comparison." Sombra huffed, thinking back to his defeat, and let out a small whinny of annoyance: "With something like this against me, I could have accepted my defeat with grace. Not the mere happenstance and sheer luck..."

"Hay, you have some pretty cool stuff too!" He said "I mean, your Sombra... whether the princess likes to admit it or not, you are one of the top three most powerful Unicorns to ever exist" Blue said "You created magic that ponies still use today, you are a scholer in your own amazing way! I'm just a Pegauss...I have no magic...unlike you.."

Blue could see the umbrum king's chest puff out like a particularly proud pigeon's, clearly pleased with the adoring words. "Well, it's true I did do some rather capable feats of magic! I even re-engineered Grogar's spell for immortality." The stallion shifted to pull Blue closer, now what could be said to resemble a rather tight embrace: "But top three? Really? I can only imagine Star Swirl to be one of the other two, but who would be... oh! Of course, Clover the Clever the second. That makes sense." Sombra had all but forgotten the stallion was even there, oblivious to how much his body pressed against Blue's own.

"Y-yea...you are a really amazing Unicorn Sombra...your magic is impressive" He said, blushing as he ever so slightly nuzzled into Sombra's stomach. The stallion huffed softly enjoying how comfortable this felt to him "You may have made mistakes but you also did alot of wonderful things.."

Another hitched breath, as the stallion fell silent from his self-grandeur. "What... what did you say?"

"You are an amazing unicorn...and you may have made some mistakes but you have done alot of wonderful things Sombra...you re-defined magic with your spells and skill" He said looking at him.

"I..." Sombra stammered. "I... I need a moment." The stallion didn't care that it hurt him, turning into a mist was the only way he could slip out quickly. He felt like his heart had thundered right out of his chest and ran. Blue saw the stallion vanish and flee downstairs so quickly that he could barely comprehend what was happening. Sombra hid in a small dark corner to take it all in. He had done something... he had done something that had been worthwhile? That had been remembered, that was useful... The stallion felt a wetness in his face but quickly wiped it away, but the smile was not as easy to dispel. He couldn't stop smiling. It felt like all the years of his life spent studying, spent drudging after others, being a blank flank had been worth it after all. And then the pragmatic, cruel voice that so often plagued him, robbed him of mirth with the suggestion that it was a little too good to be true. They'd say anything to put a yoke on him, to bridle him to the Princesses will.

Blue was now worried. Had he done something wrong? Blue was being careful with his words when he spoke. The stallion huffed as he got up and went downstairs to find Sombra, he was confused and worried. If he did hurt him he didn't mean to "Sombra? I didn't mean any offense if I hurt you..." he said, his voice sounding of genuine concern "Where are you??"

Sombra shook his head, trying to rid himself of the inner voice made of every bad experience he had had. "...No, no... you didn't. Quite the opposite..." Shyly the stallion emerged from the shadows of Blue's staircase, his brow dripping with sweat and a rogue tear."... it... Hhah... how do I put it? It made me... happy." The stallion sat down and blushed, hiding his face with his hooves: "It made me happier than any victory I've ever had, than any completed spell has ever made me."

Blue walked over to the stallion, gently sitting down in front of him as he looked at him, the pegasus observing his face and blush, as well as his tears. "I...well I'm...happy that you are happy" He said, softly smiling at him "I meant every word you know...you really are amazing.."

"Y...you're making it worse... stop it...!" The stallion blushed even more, hiding more of his face, but from the gaps here and there, Blue could see him smile; not the cruel, vindicative grins, or the smug sneers, but a genuinely happy smile. So happy in fact, that the stallion had been thrown for a loop and into a state of near-panic."... I... I never... I never thought anyone would find anything I ever did worthwhile... I...I can't stop smiling, what is this??"

"Its joy Sombra" He said, gently taking one of Sombra's hoofs to hold for comfort "You are feeling happiness and pride..." He said, Blue gently smiling just looking at him "This is normal...don't worry nothing wrong with you."

The stallion swallowed slowly, the heat that radiated off his cheeks felt so strange after so many bitter years spent in anger and hatred."It... it is such an insignificant thing, it shouldn't... it's hardly proper for me to react like this!" he stallion muttered, but slowly lowered his other hoof too. He felt a terrible need to sink into the shadows, but resisted, just barely."... It's so strange... happiness is such a foreign feeling for me. Genuine, actual, real happiness, I know I felt it eons ago, I know I felt it when I was a foal but... after that, it has all been so bleak." The stallion whispered, almost as if anything louder would lead to some terrible calamity.

"I know it's probably hard for you, but this is a good thing. It's a huge step into the direction you want for yourself" Blue said "This is really healthy for you...even if it doesn't seem like it"

"I... I want to calm down." The stallion groaned, blushing a bit. "... I... I never was very good with regulating my emotions..." The stallion laid down and leaned closer to Blue, holding onto him tightly, his cheek pressed tight onto Blue's chest. Listening to the steady rhythm of the pegasus' heartbeat slowly calmed him down. With a soft sigh, Sombra closed his eyes and focused.

Blue flushed slightly as the large Umbrun leaned into him. His heartbeat accelerated slightly as he held onto the stallion. Blue's body heat resonated with Sombra. "You are gonna be ok...I promise" He said, speaking softly as he ever so slightly leaned into Sombra as well.

The stallion's body was very warm, still reacting to his emotions. But the stallion looked exhausted by such an extreme length. "... if you do not mind... I need sleep. It has been a while."

"Alright..." Blue said, softly letting him go. "You can come to find me if you need anything ok?"

Sombra nodded as he took another breath, before slowly walking back up the stairs to his own chambers, the stallion lay down on his bed as he stared to the ceiling, he could still feel his heart thumping, and his cheeks hot from blush. What was this other feeling he was having? He didn't recognize it...no...he did recognize it...but he didn't think it would be possible for it to happen again. Whatever the case, the stallion would soon close his eyes and return to slumber, finally getting some rest.

Chapter 5: Moral or Duty

Ponyville - Blue's House

Blue stirred slowly as he felt his eyes softly blinking awake, groaning softly as he turned his head to look at the clock; 3:00 am. He groaned as he stretched out his wings and yawned softly, getting out of the bed he stretched all his joints he would walked over to his armor stand, removed the pieces of his armor and softly strapped them on, getting slightly jolted awake with the cold feel of metal on fur. The stallion going to the mirror as he quickly did his mane correctly so the helmet could fit on, as well as get some personal hygiene out of the way.

Quietly opening the door, he walked past the guest bedroom, he used caution as he peeked through the crack of the door, looking to Sombra who was currently passed out cold. The stallion sighed softly as he was thankful he was quiet enough to not wake him. As Blue walked down the stairs he would think to himself for a bit. It had now been three weeks since Sombra began to stay with him, the first day still quite vivid in Blue's head. It was strange, he wasn't expecting things to be this calm or even like the way things have gone. He would quickly go to the fridge and then grab a small snack, as he tossed together a quick sandwich and put it in his mouth as he left the door.

Walking through the dead of the night in Ponyville, he would get a good rhythm going with his wings as he took off into the sky. While taking the train to Canterlot was quite a normal thing, Blue was the type of pony who enjoyed taking a long relaxing flight. Even then, he knew it would take a good thirty minutes of flying. So he prepared himself for the semi-long journey to the castle.

Canterlot - Castle

Blue slowly opened the gates to the castle hallway, he recognized it as being one in the west wing of the palace. his station for the night. It was always quite strange being a guard, sometimes you would just stand in the middle of the hallway like some tourist, rather than pacing back and forth, otherwise, it was the opposite. Still he knew he had a job to do, so he had to find a superior in order to report to. And seeing as he was the General he knew that he wasn't about to find one just standing around here. So without further hesitation on the matter he turned in the direction that would take him to the throne room. Knowing that he needed to report to Princess Luna, however what he didn't expect was for her to find him first.

Stopping forward travel in time to avoid colliding with her wasn't a possibility at his speed; even if he face-planted into the ground, he still would've ended up slamming into her at full force. So instead he did the one thing that he could do in the available moment and tucked his right legs in to unbalance and tip himself while pushing with his left legs to send himself toppling to the side to avoid her, before tucking into the roll to quickly get back onto his hooves in order to throw her a salute.

"Apologies, Your Highness!"

Luna returned the salute. "Apology accepted, General, but please be at ease."

He nodded and slowly lowered his hoof to the ground again, but continued to remain standing at attention regardless.

"I suppose that is better," she sighed, "but that is not important at the moment. Right now I am simply relieved to be seeing you right now. I was getting quite worried."

"I don't understand, Your Highness," he admitted.

"I suppose that is to be expected. But rest assured I will do my best to explain the situation before us, General" Luna assured him. "It has just been quite a while since we have heard from you. We were beginning to get worried."

"I apologize, Your-"

Blue's attempt at an apology was silence as Luna gently pressed her right forehoof against his lips and shook her head.

"You have no need to apologize for something that is far outside of your control, after all being the guardian for a pony like Sombra is no easy task." She said, smiling softly "However we are happy to see you."

Blue would nod softly "Yes ma'am...Sombra has been a lot of work, however I am happy to say that it has been good progress."

"We are happy to hear this, Sombra’s not giving you too much trouble I hope.” Luna said, as she began to walk down the hall.

Blue shook his head, “Oh no, just a bit stubborn is all."

"This is to be expected..." Luna said "He always was stubborn."

"Did you know Sombra?...before his turn I mean" Blue asked softly, the stallion now walking beside the Alicorn. Luna looked to the ceiling slightly at the question. The mare takes in the question and thinks carefully of a response.

"We did not know Sombra in person no...however we frequented his dreams quite often" Luna said "He has such a fascination with the night, and it was truly a type that I had never seen in a pony before. We spoke in dreams often, and would frequently speak about our interests and lives."

"So...you two were friends then?"

"In a way I suppose yes..." Luna said "However even back then we saw glimpses into Sombra's umbrum side...we knew he could be quite stubborn, as when he was making a point he went to quite the lengthy degree to prove it correctly. However...we also saw that he was a pony who truly just wanted ponies to talk to...to keep company..."

"Yea...I picked up on the same thing..." Blue said softly.

"Tell me...what have you found out about Sombra?" Luna asked.

"...with...all due respect Princess, I feel that I shouldn't tell you right now." Blue said.

Luna was silent as she observed Blue "And why is that?"

"...If I am to have Sombra trust me, I need him to know I won't tell things he tells me to others."

"I see...and prey tell then, how are we to know if everything is going ok then?" Luna asked.

"I promise you that if Sombra were to say anything concerning the well-being of the country or my own health, I would find a way to let you know" Blue said. "My job is still to protect the crown and country."

"Yes...however I sense there is more" Luna said.

"More?" Blue asked, as the two of them reached Luna's room.

Luna smiled softly "One of the many reasons I made you my General...is because you have a strong sense of both Morality and Duty...and you are one of the very few who I know can differentiate between when it is the time for one or the other." Luna said, as she gave Blue a soft nod. "Return to Ponyville...I have a feeling your duties will have to continue soon...we will speak again"

"Yes ma'am" Blue said, bowing to her before he began the trek back home, meanwhile Luna looked out the windows to her balcony, she looked into the darkness of the night in thought, watching Blue in the sky as he flew back home.

"Good luck Blue Crest...may the night sky bless you in your quest..."

Ponyville - Blue's House

Sombra woke up with a tired, dry yawn, groaning in annoyance as he looked to himself in the mirror. He could have almost sworn the mirror cracked, huffing in a foul manner he left his room and went down the stairs to see Blue in the process of making breakfast. "I hope to godess you cooked a good morning meal..."

"Good morning to you too..." Blue said, rolling his eyes "I'll get to work on your food soon, I'm just finishing up my own. Unless you'd rather have me put a crystal on the grill."

The stallion laughed: "No, why would you heat up crystals? Meat is fine, a steak will work fine. But umbrum aren't dragons.", the stallion rose up slowly and cantered next to the pegasus: "Crystals are more... they're not food per say. They're more like a... container. A box to store your food in. Minerals in the far north have always possessed strong magical qualities of various sorts, depending on the crystal's mineral structure..." Sombra paused as he sat on the soft, lush pillow of Blue's kitchen table, then continued: "Most crystals are capable of housing emotions in them, similar to a bottle holding liquid. Umbrums mainly eat emotions, similar to changelings, though in a different method. Usually we either bottle the emotion from the atmosphere or straight up siphon it from the air, unlike changelings who need to be close to their target and more... sucking-sort of effect? And the emotions we eat are different too."

"I see...so in a sense you could have an entire cabinet of crystals which store different emotions" He said, the stallion rubbing his chin as he got the stake out and began to prepare it "That's a very unique magical technique, I don't think I have ever seen it before."

"Hmm... sort of. Fear is our preferred emotion to feast on." Sombra leaned to his hoof, and sort of blushed: "... you'd be surprised how long this took me to figure out. I would be lying if I said I don't know what starving feels like. And with no other umbrum to guide me until recently... there's so much I don't know." The stallion continued: "I think crystals were used as food storage for months where there was either long travel and shortage of food, or in preparation to bad months, in a similar way ponies would prepare hay and such for winter."

"Well...maybe I could help you with the Crystal Thing. I'm sure I could ask around and try to get some things for you" Blue said smiling as he began to cook the stake "Honestly the more I hear you talk the more fascinated I am with your culture and magic" He said "I wanna know everything I can at this point."

Sombra hid a smile behind his hoof and nodded: "...well, this is a welcome change, at least. Anything you'd want to know?"

"Actually there is one" He asked "You can turn into a shadow...how does that work? What's it like? Can you still feel things? Like...is your body just gone??"

"It's not gone, the shadow is my body. It's actually... well, my actual self. This that you see is a result of a spell that binds my form into that of a... fleshier creature. A modification of that spell I showed you earlier, the lesser shapeshifting. It's, to be honest, not actually a spell, more like a natural ability. It's our food-securing method, shapeshifting, I mean. This, this that I... am, is a modification to fool the spell that imprisons the umbrum in the shadow prison."

"So uh...when you had turned into like...a version of me...what was that?" Blue asked, curious as he continued to work on the stake.

"Our feeding method, though used in a way it isn't meant to be used." The stallion stood up slowly: "Umbrum are crepuscular, meaning we are most active during dusk and early morning, where there is little light. To cultivate fear, we'd scare ponies with a form they'd find scary, and as ponies don't see color in the dark very well... well, color isn't a terribly important thing. So we remain sort of easy to tell apart from the real deal. Say you were afraid of... dogs." The stallion paused and let his form shift into a large, growling and aggressive dog, still in his usual colors with red eyes and dark fur. The stallion shifted back quickly: "... hhhah... the color doesn't change because it isn't a necessary component."

"That's actually really cool" He said "Godess if I had the ability to shape-shift I don't know what I'd do with myself."

The stallion blushed a bit and smiled for a moment, then sighed: "... It is somewhat bothersome, I won't lie, that the princess' spell limits even that." Sombra scoffed with slight annoyance. "It is, for comparison... Imagine if your wings were partially bound. You could fly, sort of, but not well enough to make it really useful. With me it has the extra malus of limiting what I can eat." He rubbed his temple with an annoyed sigh, he really shouldn't have complained. What if the Princesses thought this a sinister plot? Or just think him ungrateful? The thought of being sentenced to another 1000 years of icy, soul-tearing and mind-shattering isolation gave a strong shiver down his back."It, it isn't that I'm not happy about this chance! I mean it, it is just... No, no, I should probably just... accept this and..." The stallion seemed to withdraw.

"Hay...if you wanna speak your mind you can, I won't judge you Sombra" He said smiling softly as he looked to the Umbrum with reassurance, wanting him to see that he was in a judge-free zone.

"It's just... I don't want to be a pony any more than I imagine you wouldn't want to be a... I do not know, a bird? It feels... wrong. Strange. Yes, it would fix so many problems but...", the stallion paused, looking for words."I wouldn't feel like I am... myself? Like I am trapped in a cage. And I can only imagine how much worse it would be if I was more used to my umbrum form over the fleshy form I grew up with." Sombra said, sighing and then huffing "The struggles I have to endure to simply get food is frustrating."

Blue nodded softly, he was slowly starting to realize more about Sombra in the ways that would help. He truly was a survivor, not by choice. The stallion huffed as he finished his stake and took it to Sombra and put it on his plate "I understand...but I want you to know now that you are living with me you can ask for whatever you'd like to eat."

"... Well, there is a problem with that. Fear is... well, it would require scaring ponies. and I am not sure how to do it without ending up in front of the princesses." Sombra shook his head, worried "Maybe I just need to abandon the thought, Umbrum feed off of negative emotions...I do not know how substituting would make it any better. Positive emotions taste bitter and unpleasant." Sombra took a bite out of his steak, lost in thought.

"Right...well still, I will try my best to find something to be good for you" he said "In the meantime we can stick to the stake."

Sombra didn't answer, deep in thought as he silently chewed. "... this wasn't hunted."

"The meat? Uh...no I believe it's locally sourced from Griffonstone" he said "Equestria doesn't make meat so most of it is from out of the country" Blue said.

"It was slaughtered, and I can feel the fear of that... but it wasn't a chase. There's a rather small amount of fear..."

"I wasn't aware meat contained fear" Blue said slightly surprised, raising an eyebrow.

"It lingers in flesh. Not much, but some amount."

"Huh...the more you know..." Blue said, walking over to the fridge to pull out some salad "I'm telling you Sombra, the more you introduce me to this stuff the more fascinated I am with them and you."

Sombra chewed, blushing a bit: "I... hm... I am happy you think so. I thought it would be too... strange."

"I like Strange" Blue said smiling "I've always loved learning about different things. I get that from one of my guard friends. We grew up as kids together" He said remembering fondly "Ever since I've just always had a fascination with strange and mysterious things" He said looking to Sombra "So far I've loved spending time with you and learning about you."

Sombra smiled, surprised: "You remind me of my... a pony I knew. She loved all things weird and strange, saw faeries and thought the shadows spoke to her." Sombra took a moment to remember: "I remember those days so fondly."

"She sounds nice" Blue said smiling "I'm happy that you are able to remember those days fondly, having happy memories is always nice." He said, before he heard a knock at the door, tilting his head he walked to the front door and as he opened it the stallion was practically attacked by a rather eager journalist, who spoke a mile a minute.

"Any words you'd want to tell about reforming one of the worst tyrants in history??" The reporter quickly said, Blue stood there for a second looking at the pony dead in the eye....before slamming the door shut.

"Fucking great...they tracked me down..." Blue mumbled softly he heard heavy hoofsteps from behind him, and saw Sombra's form, his mane at the same time ethereally moving but also a tangled mess.

"So...what exactly is our plan for today?" Sombra said, the stallion would have commented on who was at the door, but Blue looked annoyed and he thought it best to leave that alone.

"Well...we could go out to eat at a restaurant if you'd like? I know a few good places in town."

"... you mean a tavern? We could..." Sombra's voice faded away for a moment, then continued with a whisper: "...do you think it wise? I do not know if I should really be out and about... might not look good."

"You have been living here for three weeks now, and we have gone into town a few times. I'm sure it won't be a big deal" Blue said "I'm your guardian and most ponies here know me, most of the Royal Guards who live in Ponyville are relatively known well across the town. Besides I'm sure it will be good for you to get out of the house."

"I could use some fresh air..." The stallion nodded, but also looked a bit worried: "Though... ah, nothing, forget about it." Sombra didn't make a point to remind the pegasus that a pony restaurant would likely be geared towards vegetarian meals, one sorely lacking in fear. Well, maybe his presence would at least give him enough of a reaction to give him something to nibble. Besides, he could just enjoy the company of Blue, and hopefully, at least some wine with it.

"Hay.." Blue would reach to Sombras hoof, gently holding it "Don't worry...I won't leave your side..." He said, smiling at him softly. His kind smile, dark cyan eyes looked to him with reassurance.

"I'm not very... social, even in the best of days. But, I suppose we can try.", Sombra relented, his shoulders sagged a bit. "Oh... you are paying, right?"

"Yea I'll pay don't worry."

"Good colt~ I'll see you soon, need to freshen up...feels rather prudent." The stallion smirked, and sauntered off. Leaving Blue to himself.

Chapter 6: Dinner with a King

Ponyville - Blue's House

Sombra would take a few steps out of the shower, to dry himself off, absentmindedly brushing his mane from the mess they'd become. He was still new to the technology of the time, and these new automated showers were something that still confused him. He would notice Blue standing close to the door, and chime up "Do you... think I should do something with my mane?"

Blue smiled softly as he looked to the stallion "Hm...maybe...it depends on what you would wanna do with it."

"I... I don't know, but I suppose such a long mane isn't exactly fashion forward..." Sombra turned his head a bit, looking somewhat bothered by something. If Blue had to guess, he was feeling his age.

"Hm..." Blue hummed softly as he walked up to the stallion, brushing a bit of his wet mane to the side as he looked to him "I personally think...you look very handsome with a long mane" He said "But...if you wanna change it...I can help you choose some styles."

For a moment, Sombra said nothing, he wasn't used to the complements, especially one about him being handsome "I am not sure. The thought just crept on me after the walk back from the library. Maybe I just need a moment to think about it." Sombra smiled a bit, looking at the pegasus, laughing quietly. "You look like a baby bird."

Blue chuckled quietly as he blushed from the comment, acting quite bashful as he looked to the side "I-..I do?"

"Well, right now at least. Very fluffy."

"Our floof gets softer when the Winter season comes around...so it's extra soft this time around" He said smiling as he looked to Sombra, happy to see the stallion in a good mood.

"I shall go and put some clothes on, then we can depart" The stallion disappeared into his room, trimming his sideburns into a more neat form and wearing clothing a little less... attention gathering than his usual armor. He had been somewhat insistent on wool, remembering fondly the woolen, warm garments of his foalhood. A knit dark red sweater and a long black coat make him feel secure. And he had to admit, he quite enjoyed the look.

Blue on the otherhoof would be downstairs, in a rather casual outfit. A nice brown sweater with a Tanish scarf. Wearing some dark pants. He looked to Sombra smiling "You look really nice."

Sombra smiled a bit. "You as well. Lead the way then."

The stallion nodded as he walked out leading Sombra around town. It was lively to say the least, most ponies still doing their usual business. Blue smiled as he walked alongside Sombra. Eventually they made their way to the restaurant part of town, and Blue led Sombra to a building that slightly resembled Crystal Empire architecture.

Sombra stopped for a moment, taking in the architecture: "... well built. Solid. Is it new?"

Blue nodded "Ever since the Empire came back, Equestria and The Empire have been wanting to trade some culture...so some businesses were opened in Equestria. This is a restaurant that sells Crystal Empire delicacies."

"Is it... is it ran by a Crystal Pony?" Sombra looked worried.

"I don't think so, I think the Crystal ponies just helped to build it and organize it. The pony who runs it would be local."

"I see..." Sombra tapped his hoof to his chin: "...shame, the royal chef made some gorgeous dinners... if you discount the occasional poisoning." Sombra still looked nervous, and it was just barely visible in his eyes: he worried how the others would look at him, dining in a place that so clearly mirrored the empire he had usurped. "Have you visited it before?"

"Mhm, they had some good food" He said smiling, the stallion looking happy "I figured this would be a nice place to go too, and it might make you feel a bit nice to be surrounded by familiar things."

"It would, yes. It's been so long since I tasted Crystal Empire food." Sombra followed him inside, and tried to calm his paranoid self. "Do you need a reservation?"

"Only on a busy day, we should be fine for now" Blue said as he walked up to the host and smiled "Table for two please."

Sombra pretended not to notice the momentary pause in the restaurant's host gaze, but all in all, she was the very model of professionalism. They were led to a table a bit away from prying eyes and ears, which Sombra was relieved for.

Blue sat down and smiled as he quickly ordered some drinks "So uh...this place looks nice to you yea?" He asked.

Sombra nodded: "The colors are more modern, no way we could have achieved such brilliant colors with natural dyes, but... yes. It is familiar. Makes me wonder..." Sombra let his voice die down as his drink, an unsweetened tea was placed in front of him. "They've done their research well, though." Sombra took a sip of his drink, smiling a little. "I'm... a little surprised they had dandelion and grass tea."

Blue chuckled "Well I'm glad you're enjoying yourself" He said "So...if I could poke your mind a bit...what was the Empire like 1000 years ago? I've only ever read about it in history books."

"Well... depends on the angle you're looking at, I suppose." Another sip, "All in all, one could say that the empire was prosperous. The most recent war had been over for almost 100 years, and while food was still imported, especially grain, mostly... life was decent for most, even if there were still poor around and poor districts here and there." Sombra paused to pour a drink of the tea to Blue's cup: "... Dandelion and grass was considered a peasant... no, rather, a poor pony's drink."

Really?" He said, taking his cup and sipping from it "This tastes quite nice...what were the other options then?"

"Grass and dandelions were... well, all over, remarkably good at surviving, so it was easy to use even if you could barely afford anything else." Sombra took a sip: "...takes me back to my foalhood." There was a pause as the umbrum thought back: "For ponies who could afford it, spring spruce was fairly common, though even that was a peasant dish. And it was mostly available only during spring. Then, actual tea and coffee were popular with the gentry. I took a liking to coffee, I won't lie. If you were very rich, maybe with apple included, sometimes even just the apple flowers. Which is, honestly, a waste."

"Huh...coffee is a rather affordable drink now, and Ponyville is the home of the Apple Family so you can get free Apples almost all the time" He said smiling as he took a sip "If you're lucky enough you can even get some Zap Apples too."

"The empire didn't have enough warm climate to accumulate apple farming, so ours were imported into the city." Sombra chuckled to him: "...Miss Chestnut always made us peel our apples, the rare few when we got them. Magic or wax to preserve wasn't good for growing foals, she said."

Blue smiled softly as he listened to him speak "She sounds like a nice mare."

"She was." Sombra didn't continue for a while, focusing on his drink: "There were... certain injustices present, of course, but I suppose for an average crystal pony, life was good. Starving was rare."

Blue nodded softly "You know uh...when I went and studied to become a general I read a book about you."

Sombra's ears swiveled to attention, "You did? I thought Celestia had me removed from most history books. Though, I suppose military would be held to a different standard."

Blue chuckled "Oh she did...you just needed to know where to look" He said winking slightly.

"Hmm, what, did you seduce some lonely librarian?" Sombra teased back with a dry smile: "... what did it say?"

"Well...it was actually an interesting book tackling the Empires corrupt ideology at the time...it went over your take over but it didn't focus on your...injustices but rather the small improvements you attempted to make as well as your ideology going into it."

Sombra blushed a bit: "... I wish I could say it was because of some temporary altruism, but the truth is most of the improvements were for practicality."

"Even so...those things did actually help in the end...some ponies liked some of the things you did to help improve things, and they went on to improve upon them and put them into current society" Blue said taking a sip of his tea "For example, your studies on alchemical magic helped Unicorns produce food for the poor as well as make more materials for ponies who needed them."

Sombra blushed more, focusing intently on pouring himself another cup: "I was simply curious... And food production had to made more efficient for my goals." The stallion felt nice knowing some of the things he did had been useful, had been... made possible by him. "Do you know why the empire has the star-like pattern in its street design?"

He shook his head "Not really no, I always just thought it was like that."

Sombra seemed to perk up now even more: "Oh, no, no, initially the empire was a hodgepodge of houses in narrow streets and snaking roads. Besides being somewhat difficult to traverse with a cart and... well... occasional mugging here and there, I did make the street design more geometrical. After all, the ground had already been torn up to find the Umbrum prison, might as well, right? But I did something a little more. The entire city's main streets, Emerald Street in the north, Ruby in west, Sapphire in south and Diamond in east, was laid carefully over a natural magical leyline." The stallion paused, accepting their entrees: "Mmh, this is tasty... Anyway, with that and a couple runes in right places, the entire city became a magical siphon, with the trapped Crystal Heart in the highest tower acting as a focus point allowing me to cast that curse that made the empire disappear. Technically, I -or anyone else gifted in magic- could do it again."

"Wait so the reason it's called the 'Crystal' Empire is because of you? I always thought the Princess had made it look how it did now" He said as he began to eat as well, humming at how good the food was "That's really impressive...you have a really good taste in architecture."

"Oh, no, you misunderstand. Crystal has always been a construction material, it just never had much...zoning laws. The Empire got its start as an Earth pony kingdom somewhere around Grogar's time, at least that is what the prevalent theory was back then. Aside from the poorest districts, houses were made from crystal."

"Oh I see...but it sounds like you helped to greatly improve how it looked" He said.

Sombra blushed and smirked: "That 'I cast the largest spell in history' boast went completely past you, didn't it?" Sombra took a moment to focus on his food, and he had to say, aside from a few more modern techniques, the flavors were familiar and comforting.

Blue laughed softly "You don't have to try too hard to impress me you know Sombra... I'm already impressed of you as it is...honestly I love hearing you talk about all of your knowledge and experiences."

Sombra blushed a bit, and took another forkful of dinner: "It's... so strange being complimented like that. It's... not something I'm used to."

"Well...like my good friend Orion once told me. Have the courage to be kind, even to those who may seem like they don't want it" He said smiling "And...I think you deserve to have kindness given to you."

"...You would have been so strange in my time." the stallion muttered, smiling slightly. "...what else would you want to hear about the empire?"

"What was the culture like? Surely it would be different than it is now yes?"

Sombra paused as he struggled to explain the differences in something he remembered as being natural, no-need-to-explain things: "Well... We discussed food culture already. You probably know about Crystal Faire...Hmm...Oh, there is one thing that is vastly different. Culture around cutie marks."

"Oh really? I always assumed it was the same. How is it different?" He asked.

"Well, getting a cutie mark wasn't as widely celebrated in the Empire as it was in Equestria at the time, or now. It was... a proof of becoming an adult, in a way. While foals with cutie marks were still considered well, foals, could however, start to gain experience in their field of expertise as an apprentice. Magic schools at the time didn't even accept students with too far-off cutie marks, not to even speak of blank flanks." The stallion took a pause, his ears swiveling just a bit: "... I... have experience with that, unfortunately." Blank flanks -like I was thought to be-, were considered good for nothing. And I mean that literally. Blank flanks were good with nothing. If you had a family who could support you, you could find some manual labor work in a family farm or business, but if you lacked those safety nets..."

Another pause, as Sombra took a mouthful and swallowed: "I believe the Apple family's youngest was a blank flank for a long time? In her case, back in the Empire's hayday, she would have had her family support her by giving her some work to do in a farm. It wouldn't be important work, but it would be work to gain a small amount of bridles, maybe even bits to her name. But she likely wouldn't inherit much aside from a calculated allowance. An orphan however would have a lot tougher time. Not many places would want someone who would never amount to something as good as one with a cutie mark, especially educated fields. Some... some had to turn to ah... questionable means of procuring a living. Crime, usually."

"That...sounds rough..." Blue said, frowning as he thought it over, all those fillies and colts who grew up living like that "Why...would the Empire support that kind of behavior? It doesn't seem beneficial at all to the prosperity of the civilization."

"It... it is hard to change tradition, especially in one fell swoop. It just... was as it was." Sombra shook his head: "Either way, I am positively elated to hear that is hardly what happens today."

"Oh heavens no, if it did you would be shunned for even trying to act like it" He said "Thankfully I have yet to see anything like that happen."

"Mmh.Hmm... what else... Oh, there's some changes in magic usage and learning. I heard sorcerers are no longer a separate class."

"Oh yea, everypony can be whatever kind of sorcerer they wanna be" Blue said smiling softly.

"Ah, in the past sorcerer was the title of a magic practitioner with no formal education. An educated, learned mage was a wizard, while sorcerers usually were either self-studied -like myself- or under the tutelage of some other sorcerer." Sombra smiled a little: "Usually the distinction could be seen in how the magic was cast."

"So... theoretically what kind of sorcerer could you be classed as?" Blue asked curiously.

"Self-learned sorcerer, though I suppose if I were to classify my spell repertoire..." Sombra thought, curious: "Illusionist would be the closest call, I think, with some dabbling in ah... more forbidden spells, like Grogarian necromancy... Sorcerers were known for being less focused on specific schools of magic, and more whatever they happened to learn, if I were to put it simply. While somepony like say, Star Swirl has very clear repertoire of evocation and transfiguration."I don't know if it makes sense..."

"That makes alot of sense to me" He said "Given what I have read and also seen for myself, I can absolutely see why you'd be an illusionist."

"Even if I may have ah... met Star Swirl some weeks ago and almost decked him in the face." Sombra scoffed, annoyed. "I used to idolize him when I was young, I wanted to be just like him... didn't turn out that way, and the old codger is still alive, because of course he is! "Oh, illusions are just parlor tricks my ass.' I should have parlor tricked my hoof so far up his-" Sombra fumed, then remembered where they were. "Dinner's good. Very good. Moving on."

Blue smirked softly "Hay...its ok" Blue said holding his hoof "Star Swirl is an absolute cunt" He chuckled "You should have seen what he was like to Twilight after she saved his ass from the void."

"Mmhm, I can only imagine..." The stallion laughed a bit: "Let us not talk of old codgers any longer. Besides souring my appetite, I dread it might summon a fletchling princess..."

"Of course" Blue said nodding softly.

"...this dinner really is good." Sombra said smiling.

"Mhm! They have really good food here" He said, smiling as he ate some more of his food "They are rich with flavor. By the way...I don't think I ever got to ask. What kind of hobbies do you enjoy doing? I rarely see you doing anything at home other than sleeping."

"... The magic blocking spell leaves me somewhat exhausted, admittedly, more so than usual." Sombra nodded: "Hobbies? I... don't... Hm." The stallion paused for a while, then continued: "I don't suppose I have a 'hobby' per say. I enjoy reading and magic theory, spellcraft. But if you are asking if I knit scarves for 'fun', no, no I do not. I try to keep myself in shape, but that is hardly an enjoyable task."

"I see...I believe that I've seen you come back from the gym every now and then..." Blue said, tapping a hoof to his chin "Are you interested in any hobbies? Maybe you could pick one up! I know there are tons of things you could try" he said smiling.

Hm... well, fortune favors the bold, I suppose. What would you suggest?"

"Well...I know this is kinda a stereotype, but it's also kinda fun. I know there's a very popular culture in Crystal Collecting. Ponies who collect different crystals, observe them, label them, and then keep them on a shelf for others to see. I've been told it's quite soothing for somepony who likes to have control over stuff or wants to own something." Blue said "There's also drawing, book clubs, magic clubs, and I know that the town hall hosts different activities daily for ponies to try!"

"You are telling one of the best sorcerers in history that he should join a magic club?" The stallion leaned forward, waiting for the pegasus' reaction. Sombra allowed Blue's thought to catch up and then continued: "Perhaps something yes, eventually, but I am not entirely sold on crystal collecting. I did that for years, except they had four legs and half a brain."

Blue chuckled at the crystal remark, Blue wasn't 100% afraid to laugh at dark humor. The stallion looking to Sombra "Well...if those things don't work then maybe you could try more physical hobbies? I partake in fencing and boxing myself" he said smiling "I like to keep myself fit."

"I noticed~ And it looks good on you, all that lean muscle..." Sombra smiled with a surprisingly warm glint in his eyes. "maybe we can come up with something, but I have never been a craftspony."

"I'm always willing to help" He said, blushing at the compliments to his body that Sombra was making.

The stallion took a sip of his drink, a dry white mulberry wine. "Hmm... there is something I used to do as a foal, that, if it isn't too foalish, I might be interested in resuming."

"Oh? What would that be?" He asked, curious as he tilted his head.

"Small gardens of common crops were popular at the time and when my... health permitted it, I enjoyed spending time there. Reading, or taking care of the garden. I admit, I wasn't terribly good at it, but it... was nice." Sombra smiled to himself, reminiscing: "Even if the orphanage's matron made me upend my pockets of little critters before heading back inside."

Blue actually felt a warmth in his heart after hearing this, smiling genuinely as he looked to him "That...really sweet..." He said "You know...I think Ponyville has a public garden that ponies can go too, I think Applejack is in charge of it" He said "And...if you'd like I can make room in my yard for a small garden as well."

Sombra's smile faltered a little at the mention of the element of honesty. "Maybe I will, and maybe we can do that later in the yard. I am...rusty in all manner of agriculture, and I imagine the field has progressed somewhat in the thousand years. But...would..." Sombra bit his lip, blushing slightly: "Would you come with me? At least for the first time?"

Blue nodded "Of course I will" he said smiling "Id be happy to come with, delighted even" he said, the stallion looking to the blushing Sombra, it was actually really adorable, Blue really did find this umbrum a handsome and cute pony. Not that he'd admit it just yet.

"It... might keep me in check, and ponies might not feel so alarmed when you're present." Sombra huffed, "Now, I do not know about you, but I still have the stomach for dessert."

"Oh 100% yes. Dessert sounds amazing" He said "I'm actually curious as to what delicacies the Crystal Empire have" He said.

"Back then... aside from nobility, sugar was hard to come by so I would expect a lot of fresh fruit and berries instead. Cream and maybe butter."

"..have you not had any of the current-day desserts?" He asked, tilting his head.

Sombra shook his head: "I partake in sweets rarely. And the modern ones are just too sweet for my tongue."

"Are you...aware of what the current day desserts are?" He asked.

Sombra tilted his head with a questioning look but said nothing, motioning him to continue.

Blue would smile softly "I think you're going to enjoy what's coming" he said, before the waiter came back with two cups of Vinnila Ice Cream with Chocolate Syrup, a tray of brownies, and some rather tasty-looking chocolate strawberries.

Sombra looked surprised: "Hmm... They look good. Indulgent, even. And I admit.. I love to indulge on occasion~" The stallion smiled, picking up a strawberry. "Hmh...!"

"Oh trust me, you're going to absolutely melt in your seat once you try this stuff" he said, smiling as he was already eating up his ice cream.

Sombra took a bite out of the ice cream and Blue could see his expression shift: "Mmfh... it's cold? Wh...wh..."

"Mhm! It's called Ice Cream" he said smiling.

"The taste is good, but it's strange eating something this cold..." Sombra said.

"You get used to it, it's why some come with hot fudge, it's somewhat buried at the bottom of the cup" Blue said.

"I see... Well, it is decent, the brownie though. While I mean no offense to the chef, it is far too sweet for my palate."

"That's fair... it's pure chocolate after all" Blue chuckled.

"Mmhmm... overall a successful dessert."

"Indeed so" He said, licking his lips "You wanna take the long way back home? I know a trip through the park at night time is very calming" he said smiling.

Sombra nodded, eyes focusing for a moment on Blue's lips, but averted their gaze when the server approached.

The server would give the two their bill, to which Blue would put down some bits, and smile as he got up from his seat "Shall we?" Blue said, offering a hoof to Sombra.

Sombra didn't say anything, momentarily pausing with a slightly lopsided, dry smirk: "I am not so old to not be able to stand on my own."

Blue chuckled "It's just a form of being a gentlestallion goofball" He said, the stallion rolling his eyes playfully.

Sombra chuckled as he grabbed Blue's hoof, softly getting up as the two of them left the door to enter the night.

Chapter 7: A Single Shot

Ponyville Park

The air was cool on their faces as they stepped outside, and the rhythmic clacking of their hooves on the cobblestone echoed around them. The night was warm and quiet with the lights from the streetlamps illuminating the way in front of the two ponies.

"You know, im up almost all the time at night due to work...but there is something nice about taking a night to yourself to just enjoy its beauty..." Blue said, looking around as he admired the surroundings.

"I enjoy the quiet of the evening. The hustle of a city dies down, everything is still. It's easier to breathe and not needing to..." Sombra grew quiet, thinking to himself softly as he stopped himself from speaking.

"Hm?" Blue asked, tilting his head slightly.

"... And not needing to walk the night to find sources of bits, was what I was going to say."

"Oh.." He said, looking to him "...I still am sorry you had to deal with that...its...no way for a child to grow up."

"...My childhood was relatively nice my... young adult years less so, and there is no need to apologize as it is long gone. It is old history." Sombra shook his head and moved forward, walking into the park with the stallion: "I assume this is where you either mug me or murder me." The stallion's dark humor was back in full force.

Blue laughed "Nah I wouldn't be that obvious...first I'd gain your trust and then I'd do it, bit before then I'd make sure to seduce you~" He said, joining in on the dark humor.

"Hm, a stallion after my own cold, dead heart." Sombra quipped back with a dark smile. "Not that you could, ponies stronger than you have tried and failed. Princesses tried, and the only thing I got out of it was a kink in the neck and occasional headache."

Blue chuckled "You'd be impressed on what I can do if I'm all armored up and with my sword" He said "Then again...you are a powerful Unicorn and Umbrum who could very easily overpower me or banish me to wherever you deem fit."

"It's true, I could overpower you... have you at my mercy... Here with not a soul in sight~ Or perhaps you would prefer to do your civic duty and strike down such a terrible villain?" Sombra held his head high, cantering past Blue.

Blue sighed softly "You really are not that bad of a villain Sombra...you have shown me that your trying to change."

"Yes...well most ponies wouldn't give me the opportunity to show them that" He said "There is something however I do want to give to you though...as a thank you for dinner."

"Hm?" He asked, tilting his head curiously "What is it?"

Sombra turned around and trotted back to Blue.

"This."

Blue felt the stallion's lips on his own, soft, warm, inviting and demanding, Blue's wings pomfed up in surprise. The stallion felt the warmth of Sombra's lips, his face flustered and hot as he stood there, eyes slightly lidding as he felt Sombra's touch.

The stallion took their time, not feeling the need to rush things. Sombra pushed forward just a little, hoof behind Blue's neck, tongue licking the pegasus' lips. Blue closed his eyes fully as he embraced the stallion's kiss, huffing softly as he felt his tongue against his lips, slightly opening them to invite him in.

It is here that Sombra's touch got a bit firmer, pulling the stallion closer and his tongue slipping in with ease, dancing against Blue's own. Blue let Sombra hold him, the stallion taking comfort in how firm his hold on him was, for some...odd reason he felt safe...as if he knew he wasn't in danger, and just as fast as the kiss happened, it was separated.

"Hhaah..." Slowly Sombra withdrew, with a teasing pat on the cheek: "Good pony~" Sombra continued onward: "Your reward for taking me out to eat."

Blue huffed deeply, slightly speechless save for a breath out "That was...one hell of a reward..."

Sombra smiled to himself and gave the stallion a wry look: "I know."

Blue just stood there, not sure of what to make of what had happened. Did Sombra like him? Surely this was just a gesture of Sombra being a bit lewd...Blue was used to this but...nothing in this regard...Sombra remained silent for a long time, letting the silence comfort them. In his mind, he was content, but not sated. The dinner had done little to quell his hunger. He considered telling this to Blue, but decided against it. "Thank you. It's... refreshing for somepony to treat me like just... a pony."

Blue broke out of his trance, clearing his throat "Hay...everypony deserves a bit of kindness and respect...even if you don't think you yourself deserve it" He smiled "And you know what? Screw what others say...to me? you are a pony..."

The stallion turned his head towards Blue, then quickly turned his head away: "You are being sappy, stop it." Blue could tell from the way Sombra's ears flattened that he was probably a little embarrassed. Blue could feel the way the umbrum sucked in air, almost fluffing up as their emotions seemed to get the better of them, something that seemed to happen often as of recently "You seem to bring out more emotions in me in mere days than I have felt in thousand years. I am... unaccustomed to it."

Blue stayed quiet, not sure how to respond to that, instead he just offered the king a comforting and knowing look that he could continue talking if he wished and that he would listen.

"I am... unfamiliar with these feelings...I had them once long ago...but...it never ended up working in my favor..." Sombra said. It was strange, how such a simple thing could unearth so many memories. It was also incredibly annoying, he huffed softly, and looked to Blue. "What is on agenda tomorrow, Blue? Somepony to visit, I recall?"

"Oh uh...Celestia and Luna are sending one of the Elements to check up on us...im not sure which one though..." he said "Its been an entire month since we have been living together so."

"Hmm... I hope it is not the rainbow one. She is very disagreeable." Sombra took a long sigh, "reminds me of one of my generals. Capable on the battlefield and as a guard, but set off at the drop of a pin. Now, I know I am known for ah, having a temper, but... that mare was a contrarian through and through." In his mind, Sombra was happy to see their house draw near.

"Eh...if Rainbow shows up I'm sure Applejack will as well...im like 90% sure they are an item" he said, shrugging as they approached the house.

"An... item? Ah. Lovers." Sombra smiled a little. "... I... am somewhat intrigued by Applejack. But that could just be my preferences in mares showing."

"Oh yea, those two are lovers, they flirt all the time...then again sometimes ponies confuse there flirting to there constant competitions with one another" He said, the stallion remembering some times he saw the two of them in Ponyville. Upon hearing Sombra mention a preference in mares however, there was...a slight sliver of sadness that came upon Blue's face...which not even he himself realized was showing.

Sombra's eyes flicker to Blue, the Umbrum almost immediately picking up on that sliver of emotion that showed: "... you misunderstand me. I have certain preferences when it comes feminine form. But I am equally attracted to stallions. More, even, occasionally." Sombra let his magic push the door open, entering the dark foyer. "I don't mean preferences as in for mares or stallions. I enjoy both. But I cannot deny that a strong mare does feel ever so slightly... more titillating than a lithe one."

Blue tilted his head "What do you mean misunderstand?" He asked, confused.

Sombra looked to Blue, realizing that the stallion hadn't even been aware of his own emotions showing "Oh...its nothing I just...needed to clarify myself" He said, this would have to be something he needed to test again sometime...was Blue always showing emotions without knowing? "I could regale you with stories of my past paramours... Some historical figures in there as well." He said, smirking slightly.

Blue chuckled "I wouldn't mind hearing about them sometime" He said smiling as he looked to him.

"Mmmh... perhaps tomorrow. It is late and we have a busy day tomorrow. Sacred laws of hospitality dictate a full table, does it not?"

"It does dictate a full table yes, I assume you have something in mind?" Blue asked, the stallion grabbing his keys from his pocket and unlocking the front door, turning on the lights as the two of them made there way inside.

"Mmhm. I admit I will need your help with some of it, but yes."

"So what do you have in mind?"

"Well, they're arriving at... one, right? So brunch..." Sombra tapped his hoof to his chin, explaining the recipes to the stallion in length. "...but I only need you to help with the busy work, mainly setting the table. We will need to wake early, some of it takes time."

"Right uh...I can get to work on the table stuff now" he said, walking over to the dining room table.

"Tomorrow, Blue, tomorrow. You really are tired..." Sombra sighed and smiled a little: "Go take a rest."

Blue yawned, nodding his head "Alright alright...I'll go rest..." he said as he began his descent upstairs "Oh by the way, there is a recipe book in there from Colton Ramsay, he's this famous chef who runs his own T.V show called Kitchen of Tartarus," He said "You can grab some recipes there."

"Duly noted. Sleep well. I'll read that for a while, then head to bed myself." Sombra smiles and watched the stallion ascend to his bedroom. He'd go onto grab the cookbook and skim it for a moment, but when he was certain the stallion was asleep, Sombra took to his shadowy form and slipped out of a cracked window.

The long, fleeting shadows traveling down cobblestone streets, through cracked windows and open doors, through gaps and cracks. Cries and fearful whimpers followed where he went and each one brought the stallion satiety. It brought Sombra very little joy, but he had promised himself he would never starve again. But unlike the cruel king he had been, intoxicated by the realization of how much fear sustained him, now he tried to hold himself back, sampling here and there. A sudden jolt, a momentary awakening from vivid dream, or the sudden chill in a room, eyes that you felt but didn't see. With a satisfied sigh, the stallion slipped in to his room.

Blue would be sleeping soundly at this point when Sombra returned from his night excurses. The stallion smiling slightly in his sleep as he was resting. His gentle breathing quiet and peacefully. Sombra smiled as he passed through, letting his still shadowy hoof gently grace the stallion's cheek. He considered crawling next to the stallion, but settled into his own room instead for tonight. Sharing a bed so early... well, he just didn't want to seem too forceful, now did he? Still...the way this stallion made him feel, it was...unlike anything he had felt in so long...memories fleeing back to Radiant Hope and the way she made him feel all those years ago.

Sombra turned in his bed, facing the wall. He thought about how things have changed...1,000 Years of his life gone, all the ponies he knew dead, and what little ponies who truly loved him where as well...was it so wrong to wish for this happiness again? He wanted to feel it but...it felt wrong for him...as if he didn't deserve it. Why should he? After all...who could love a monster?

Somewhere in Ponyville

Paper Quill stared into the teacup clasped firmly in his hooves, his eyes focused on his reflection in the amber liquid. The warmth had long since left the ceramic vessel, dissipating in the gentle breeze. He couldn’t recall the precise time when he had gotten back from the park. With a sigh, the dejected Pegasus set the cup down on the table, his thirst long forgotten.

Sitting to the left of his drink was his favorite camera, the one that he had used to take countless photos with for the Ponyville Times. Sure it wasn't a huge news company like Canterlot Times or Manehatten Press, but it still paied well enough. A small frown pulled at the corners of Quill’s mouth. He reached out with his left hoof to stroke the cool metal body. The camera was quintessential to some of his earliest and most Importent news stories.

He remembered his first big break, when he was assigned him to cover the wedding of Princess Cadence and Captain Shining Armor in Canterlot. It had been the opportunity of a lifetime for him, and a chance to get his work seen by ponies in high society. He had been ecstatic about the offer and accepted the assignment in a minute. Then the inevitable wedding day had arrived. With the exception of the event’s official photographer, the press had been barred from covering the actual ceremony. The gallery he had been waiting in since the early morning was situated just outside where the newlywed would present themselves to the citizens of Canterlot.

That was when everything had gone wrong. The Invasion, the panic, all of the injuries. That day stuck in Quill's mind for a long time...did it give him his big break? Yes absolutely. Now everypony had heard of Ponyville Times, and knew of him as a reporter. But was it worth it in the end? Taking photos of all those ponies injured and hurt?

That was when he had run into him outside of Canterlot General Hospital, and the moment he had been offered a chance to work again. Still, after all that, his new boss had kept true to his word. When Quill had delivered the pictures, he was paid a very handsome sum and even got him in touch with a studio he could work for. Even with a more-or-less reliable income, Quill couldn’t remember feeling more needed in his life.

His gaze shifted to the innocuous paper slip that led him to the park tonight... Quill frowned, wanting nothing more than to crush the paper underhoof, throw it away, and go back home without a second thought. But if he did that, what would his boss do? Would he really make good on his threat of exposing Quill’s identity? If that happened, would Quill be fired from his job? Arrested? At the very least, he’d gain the mistrust of every pony in Equestria.

He looked to his camera, picking it up and looking at the current photo loaded up. It would be the biggest scoop in his entire career, it would probably get him even higher in the food chain of the news industry. He shook his head softly, huffing. No he had to do this, not just for his own sake, but for Equestria's as well. This was King Sombra...one of the most evil unicorns in history. Ponies had to know what he was up to, and once they knew he had seduced a guard, a general no less. They would have the entire truth.

The young stallion would raise up from his table, grabbing his camera and swinging it around his neck, and grabbing the piece of paper. He would then look to his watch, it was close to midnight. Right on time. He trotted over to the back of the cafe he was sitting at, and approached the old dumpster. Before hearing a voice.

"You got it?"

Quill nodded softly "I have it yes. Just as you said, King Sombra has indeed seduced his guard watcher."

"Excellent...once this prints tomorrow morning, I will have everything I need."

"Sir...are you sure that this is wise? Your already dealing with what's going on in Cloudsdale. Do you really need to have this on-top of that as well?" Quill asked.

"Don't question me Quill. I know what I am doing, and something like this is exactly what I need to happen. It will take the focus of the entire country away from what's going on in Cloudsdale, and allow me to continue my plans"

"If you insist sir..." Quill said "I just hope you know what your doing"

"Trust me...I always know what I'm doing"

Chapter 8: Loyalty and Honesty

Ponyville - Blue's House

As the morning came, Blue would wake up early as Sombra had suggested. The stallion got into the shower and cleaned himself off, making sure he was presentable. Blue himself wondered what Sombra was going to make for food. But he figured he knew what was the best food for the moment.

Sombra was already up. The scent of coffee and burning wood tickled Blue's nose when he arrived to the kitchen. Sombra looked surprisingly... well, cheerful was the wrong word, as the stallion probably would have died before looking 'cheerful' but there was an absence of irritability in the stallion that Blue couldn't quite place. "Coffee's brewed, help yourself to it, then chop me some fresh herbs. I have a bread proofing. You don't have a levain, so I had to change some things, but there is brewers' yeast -modern era is so convenient, we used to have to walk to the brewery to get ours or make beer ourselves- so that works. I didn't think being in a kitchen would be this pleasing after such a long time, but then again, I don't have to feed 15-odd foals."

"Thank you Sombra" He said as he went to grab the coffee, and then also went into his cabinets to grab the herbs, he would then use his metallic wing to begin chopping them, it was surprising actually, his wing seemed sharper than most knives and the way he was cutting them was truly methodical. The stallion just sipping on his coffee as he did so.

"... Blue, I never asked you this... but when did you start to live on your own? At what age, I mean?" Sombra was focusing on tending to the fire, stoking it with precision, even if he admitted that it felt decidedly odd to throw wood into the oven rather than coal that the Empire was accustomed to. Wood was simply too scarce to use in such a way... Sombra clicked his tongue.

"Oh uh...hmm" Blue tapped his chin a bit "Well...I joined the guard when I was 19...and by the time I became a 2nd LT I was around...24? Shortly after that I was finally able to live on my own without having to live in Canterlot so Id say...I was 25 years old when I first bought the house" he said.

Sombra didn't respond immediately, taking a sip of his coffee and washing his hooves from the wood ash. "... You were older than I was when I usurped the crown, though only by a year... Strange to think that."

"Really? Huh..." Blue said, the stallion then finishing with the cut herbs as he put them to the side "Right, Herbs are done, whats next?"

"Hmm... grind these." Sombra's magic passed him the next item. "...It's strange to cook again. It brings memories. I... am weighted down by them."

"How so? You seem to enjoy cooking" he said as he began to grind the things Sombra passed to him.

"I do. But the memories are... happy. Sometimes a little chaotic, sometimes a little shall we say, anger inducing, nothing like working over a stove for hours to find the littlest one throwing the dish to a wall." Sombra took a while to focus on what he was doing, not looking at Blue: "... and that is the problem. The memories are happy. I don't deserve such a nice memory. And as I remember those nice memories, it is like my throat closes up and a vice squeezes my chest."

Blue hummed softly "I think...what your experiencing is a sense of self-unworthiness..." he said "Some ponies...when they do bad things...believe they should only be judged by said bad things, to the point where they will even make themselves believe that feeling happy is wrong..." He said, as he continued to grind "Some guards even get these feelings...when they fail to save somepony or somepony dies on their watch, they tend to try and focus on bad memories to make themselves feel bad."

Sombra didn't answer, but quickly grabbed the mortar and pestle from him, not with anger, but adding the ground ingredients into a stew: "... It's difficult to remember sometimes, especially when you remember ponies who you wronged. And who wronged you in return." The stallion's voice was bitter, but focused as he stirred, placing the bread in an oven: "...let's talk about something else."

Blue nodded "Alright...Did you sleep good?" he asked.

"Yes, even if getting up was rather difficult. I got used to it, but honestly... to sleep until noon, wouldn't that be grand?"

Blue chuckled "My personal best record is sleeping until 5pm" Blue said.

Sombra chuckled "Had you been in the orphanage, Miss Chestnut would have hauled you from bed by eight by your ears, or with the gentle rapping of a switch on your bedpost. I am aware that might make her seen unkindly, but she wasn't. Merely upheld a routine."

Blue laughed "Oh my goddess my mother did the same thing, she'd yell at me to get up by 10am and if I didn't my entire room would be actually trashed" He said.

Sombra laughed a bit, smiling: "I admit I may have been something of a special case, I was sick often, so she was more lenient with me. Maybe that is why I turned out the way I did." Sombra frowned temporarily.

Blue was quiet for a moment "So uh...what is your favorite dish to cook?"

"Hmm... hard to say. Soups, perhaps. I never really had a favorite. It's always been enjoyable, never a passion for me. Food is just... food. I admit, to my shame, that a gourmand I am not." Sombra took a sip from his now cold coffee and grimaced, but continued drinking it. "...though I admit that I do enjoy luxuries terribly. A plush sofa, a good book..."

"I think I should show you an episode of Kitchen of Tartarus...you would get a kick out of it" Blue said smirking.

"Hah, maybe I will. Well... until they arrive, everything should be set for now." Sombra sighed, and sat down on the kitchen chair: "... I procured some fresh fruit and less fresh wine from the market. Quaint little place. Half the size of Empire's own marketplace..."

"Oh yea, Ponyville's market is always a nice place to go to" he said smiling as he walked over to the living area "Did you get any apples? Im pretty sure Applejack would appreciate that."

"I did. As well as carrots, the herbs you chopped, strawberries..." Sombra smiled a little: "It was strange how...easily everything was available."

Blue hummed softly as he thought to himself "I really hope those stories about Applejack hating all other fruits are just stories..." He said to himself...huffing as he smiled again, grabbing the remote to turn on the TV as Sombra smiled and grabbed himself a book to read.

Sombra had barely managed to turn a page however when Blue's front door opened with a tremendous bang and a rainbow-colored blur skidded to a halt at the coffee table: "WHAT IN THE HAY IS THIS???"

Sombra peered at the item with annoyance: "To me, that would be a tabloid. I didn't know you could re---" He stopped speaking when he saw Blue's expression.

Blue was pale in the face, the stallion clearly shook. He felt as if his entire world was collapsing in front of him. As if he was going to vomit out his entire insides, organs included.

Sombra followed Blue's gaze, eyes squinted as he read the article: "... WHAT!?"

There in the article was a photo of Blue and Sombra kissing each other from last night, as well as a photo of them at dinner. The caption reading 'King of Darkness finds new love?' the entire article was worded either as slander to Sombra or concern over his return. Some of it even going into detail about Blue and him being seduced or mind-controlled.

"Sorry ya'll, ah tried to stop her from rushing in like a sheepdog inna tizzy." Applejack said as she came into the room Sombra took an annoyed breath through their teeth and growled.

"And this is why I outlawed free press..." Sombra muttered in anger.

"U-um..." Blue was still pale, with a slight flush on his face as well now "I assume the princesses are not pleased with this?" Blue asked the two mares, the stallion doing his best to keep his composure.

"Well, ah figure the surrounding towns to Canterlot might still hear Twahlight's scream echoing." AJ said, shaking her head with a grimace.

Rainbow on the other hand punctuated it with a jab to Blue's chest with a hoof: "So what the hay is this? You dating this creep now?" Sombra growled loudly in response, but said nothing, taking instead the slightly calming option of walking to the kitchen to check on the food, fuming.

"He's not a creep!" Blue almost immediately said, the stallion looking to Rainbow with a look of protection and defense "He-..we...went to dinner yesterday and he just thanked me in his own way..." He said, blushing "Even if I was dating him, it shouldn't be that big of a deal."

AJ looked after Sombra, then back to Rainbow and Blue. "... looked to be like one Tartarus of a way to me, but ah ain't judgin'. Maybe some actual howd'ya say it, social life could do some good. Just... be careful alright?"

"We have been careful...I have no idea how this happened, I could have sworn we were alone at the park" He said, reading through the paper "It just doesn't make sense..."

"Um... maybe ah'll go check on yer formerly terrifyin' coltfriend then. Ah don't trust Rainbow to come outta it with all her feathers attached. Rainbow, why don'cha tell 'im about yer new stunt?" AJ took a few worried steps towards the kitchen, peeking in carefully.

"He's not my colt-...ugh..." Blue said, huffing with frustration as he continued to read through the article, then noticing the publisher...Canterlot Times...this got Blue slightly perplexed. What would the Canterlot Newspaper be doing in Ponyville, and why so far away as well...then he noticed the photo's publisher....Paper Quill. He was from the Ponyville Times. Now this was interesting.

Rainbow scratched her other hoof with an uncertain look. "Hey, it's just gossip, You should see how often Wonderbolts are in and out. If Spitfire switched out to kale instead of spinach, you bet there'd be an article in less than a week about how she hates the spinach industry."

"Yea I know...The Wonderbolts have been on heavy criticism as of lately, I know you're probably used to it" Blue said, the stallion relaxing slightly.

"And you're sure you aren't under a spell or something? Some mind control thing?" Rainbow said, squinting

Blue would sigh softly and show a small pendent on his neck "Princess Celestia gave this to me, resistant to Mind Control Magic. She said I can remove it whenever I want" He said "So long as I have had this on, I know he hasn't done anything."

Rainbow shrugged, sitting down: "...so... how is he then? Overall?"

"Things have been fine I guess? Sombra's definitely made it so that life isn't dull that's for sure."

"Well, that's good." Rainbow looked relieved, and sniffed the air: "Smells great, what are you cooking?"

"Oh we made you and AJ some food, we figured it was worth being polite...that and Sombra apparently really enjoys cooking" He said.

Rainbow looked surprised, wings spread: "What?? He, with all of... the evil emperor vibe enjoys cooking? I figured he'd enjoy something like... I don't know, staking enemies on long poles?"

If Rainbow was about to continue, she was cut off by Sombra's low, nonplussed voice: "Wrong tyrant, you're thinking of Vlaamperd Welara, the batpony ruler. I met him a few times, serious, piercing eyes."

"You met him too?!" Blue asked shocked, surprised, and smiling slightly "Oh you have to tell me about that" He said, eyes beaming with joy.

Sombra smiled a little, lowering a large stone dish to a dinner table. The scent was wonderful and Sombra looked rather proud, especially with Rainbow around which the stallion seemed to take as a challenge or a threat."I did, he owes me 5 bits. Of course, he's long dead now, so I cannot collect..."

"That's actually hilarious to know" Blue said, the stallion licking his lips at the food as it was placed down, hopping off from his comfortable couch and walking over to the table.

AJ followed soon after, carrying a basket of apples and other fruit. "Well, soup's up everypony."

Blue would approach the table, and sit down right next to Sombra, giving him a reassuring smile, Sombra smiled a bit, feeling a moment of fondness for the pegasus.

Blue just smiled to Sombra softly. The stallion clearly enjoying himself as he began to eat, the stallion verbally showing how much he enjoyed the food with some hums "This is so good..."

"It really is! Ah didn't know you could cook." Applejack said, smiling as she too began to eat.

Sombra looked a little proud of the fact, but the ever-so-slight blush showed that he appreciated the comment. Sombra smiled a bit: "The recipes are old, the few I remember from foalhood." Noticing Rainbow's suspicious glare, though steadily softening one: "No poison, not my ah... 'style'. Also, not a very good look poisoning your guest when you and your guard are the only ones present." Sombra looked surprisingly relaxed now, and wondered if time with Blue had made it happen. The four prattled on slowly getting more comfortable, even if Sombra's dark sense of humor was decidedly going over the pair's heads.

Eventually the table would begin to talk about some other topics, Applejack telling stories from the farm, Rainbow talking about Wonderbolt Gossip, and Blue divulging in some stories from the guard. "So then, I was locked in the room with the guy for an entire 2 hours, and all we had to entertain ourselves was a ball of yarn and some old forks, next thing you know half the room has been turned into a diorama of Canterlot Castle" Blue laughed as he took a sip from his drink, as well as finishing up some food "I'm telling you, that's the last time I ever go on shift while hungover"

Sombra smiled, eyes kept on Blue, his head leaning to his hoof. He had been quiet for a while now, simply taking in all that Blue was saying. It was a strange feeling, so warm and fuzzy. But it felt good and he was content."The first time I got drunk was at a wedding that Ho... a friend and I sneaked into. We danced all night, and ran out with a bottle of wine when our orphanage's matron spotted us. Finished the bottle elsewhere, and she pulled me to dance even if there was no music to be heard. We crawled back home in the wee hours of the morning drunk off our asses and suffered the consequences the next afternoon." Sombra smiled, lost in sweet memories.

"I heard Rainbow's a lightweight, too." Blue said, chuckling softly, which caused the earth pony to nudge the pegasus next to her, and saw Rainbow blush red.

"No I'm not, I bet I can drink more than you!"

"Yeah, cider maybe. How about something harder like... I don't know, calvados?" Sombra broke from his trip to memory lane: "Oh, it has been eons since I had a calvados... There really is nothing better than a Tres Vielle Reserve as an aperitif... Crystal Empire's castle wine cellar should still have a few bottles of 12 ATS vintage..."

"Really? You know I've never been that mutch of a drinker...other then special occasions I more or less just drink one or two glasses...then again I do go overboard at bars occasionally" He chuckled "Still the fact the Empire has drinks like that is impressive."

"The empire had a long history of trade with surrounding principalities and countries. And I wouldn't be too surprised if Applejack's ancestors took to the city with a cartload of apples and their byproducts. Though, 12 ATS would have been pricey... likely available to nobility alone."

Applejack leaned back: "It would be fun to create a new cultivar for the Crystal empire, like a crystal apple?"

Sombra leaned forward with a wicked grin: "Ah, then every worm that bores in is symbolic..."

Applejack laughed: "Yeah, that would be you. Eating it from inside out."

Blue chuckled "Would a crystal apple make you look all shiny and stuff? I know eating Zap Apples can sometimes make pegasi fly faster in rare occasions" Blue said "Then again I never understood the whole crystal look..."

"Heck, we don't fully know how Zap Apples work, and we cultivate them! So... maybe? Ahm not sure how to get such an effect on an apple, maybe crossbreeding with zap apple...? But that would make it finicky and difficult to predict how it would grow and this is actually really exciting!"

"Ughhh, that's all she's going to think about today, thanks a lot..." Rainbow groaned, laughing a little.

Blue would smile softly, looking around the table to the three ponies. It was nice, knowing that after everything that these three ponies had been through, at the end of the day a dinner and some small talk could ease up the long tension. Blue was honestly happy, he couldn't remember the last time he had this much fun with a group of ponies outside his own small friend group. He looked to Applejack and Rainbow, seeing that there two tails had sense wrapped around each other. He then looked to Sombra, who for the first time in a long while, was beaming with joy. It was clear the stallion enjoyed being social, and Blue was happy. Happy that he could give Sombra a chance to be his true self.

Chapter 9: After The Meal

Ponyville - Blue's House

As the day went on, eventually Rainbow and Applejack left the house, leaving the two stallions to clean up afterward. Soon Sombra collapsed to the sofa "Ah, peace and quiet..."

Blue yawned slightly "Yeah...but it was fun. I always enjoy talking with other ponies" He said smiling as he sat next to the collapsed stallion, his eyes then darted back to the newspaper "Though...I'm still rather pissed about that fucking thing..."

Sombra pulled the stallion closer, resting his head on the stallion's lap: "Mmh... it bothers you? I admit, I do not enjoy the thought to some rat with a camera being able to go unnoticed by a royal guard and well, me. Though, the Princesses' spell has dulled my senses, but...I do have to ask."

Sombra moved a bit, his hoof directing Blue's gaze to his eyes: "Does it bother you because you wish it stayed a secret? Do you... want me to be a secret?" Sombra kept his voice even, but he felt a terrifying cold in the pit of his stomach. He was used to being unwanted, even a secret, but for some reason it hurt so much more now, the off chance that Blue was ashamed.

Blue looked to him "No...It bothers me because I was having a very nice moment with you..." He said "And the fact I have to worry about ponies spying on us now pisses me off" He said "I don't want you to be a secret no...I just would have preferred I tell The Princess something like that myself."

"Ah." The stallion's voice is nonplussed, but his expression betrays his emotions, the deep red blush visible. "I... thank you, I suppose I admit, I am... tired. I'm not much for long periods of social interaction, and the two certainly filled whatever need for interaction I had. Do you mind if I close my eyes just for a moment? You are warm and I enjoy being close to you."

"Of course...I don't mind what so ever" He said, smiling softly as he continued playing with the stallion's mane, softly looking at him with relaxed eyes.

The stallion quickly drifted to sleep, his breath steady as his mane curled slightly around Blue's hoof, the stallion just stared at Sombra, smiling softly the entire time as he did...he had no idea why but...he felt happy...truly he did feel happy around this stallion. It was a feeling Blue hadn't felt in quite some time. He enjoyed how soft and warm the stallion felt on him.

With Sombra however things felt different, he knew his reformation was going to be a controversy, but not in this angle. Surely there were many who disagreed, that was certain, but he imagined it would have come from the fearful masses. The Princesses had set in place every conceivable precaution they could think of, so unless they doubted their own system, deploying reporters made little sense. Discord wasn't in the habit of enjoying gossip columns, or giving heed to something so easy, the very creature loved a challenge.

Canterlot - Royal Castle

It was four o'clock in the afternoon, Princess Luna realized she should be asleep, but she figured she should stay up to see the end of both shifts, as there had been a lot of reports coming in between the shift changes of Day and Nightguards. Luna wanted to personally see to it that things were going accordingly.

As she walked down the halls of the castle, she would see many of the guards from her sister's battalion, keeping an eye on the capitol building and doing their rounds as per usual, as she continued on her way she'd stop at her sister's office, opening it.

There Celestia sat at her desk, trying to focus on the paperwork currently before her, and not feel a sense of being overwhelmed by the height of the stack that sat on her desk in the inbox. However what seemed to be annoying the sun princess was how it managed to sit on her desk while simultaneously conveying an utterly dull sense of superiority over her, almost as if it were mocking her with its presence.

Luna smirked softly as she entered the room "Enjoying the day's reports dear sister?"

She glared at the stack of documents in annoyance, and then in a moment of immortal immaturity, stuck her tongue out at the pile before addressing Luna "Oh yes I am...oh so enjoying them" she said, sighing softly "Is there something I can help you with dear sister?"

"Yes, I wanted to give you the most recent report from General Blue"

Celestia paused as she pulled open the top drawer on the right side of her desk, before pulling out a manila file folder and setting it down on the top of the desk. "Ah excellent, Twilight will be happy to have an update to the file, please to tell me."

"Well, from what I have been told by the General, it seems that Sombra has begun to show a lot of positive changes in his behavior and personality, it especially seems that Sombra has become quite a different pony altogether, but only around the General." Luna said "Though, that's not without issues. Sombra still has a tendency to show and speak negative actions, such as wanting to curse ponies or wish them harm. However I have been assured by the General that Sombra has never once acted upon such threats."

Celestia was about to ask what she meant when it came to Sombra's negative actions, but stopped herself just before the words could get out. She knew that Blue was quite the honest stallion, however she also knew from Luna that he had done some questionable things during the Zeebra Crisis.

"Honestly Tia, though I don't trust Sombra completely, I do trust my General...and if what he is telling me is true, then perhaps your pupil's new reformation program is worth something after all."

"Perhaps so yes...Twilight was always one step ahead of us on all of these issues." Celestia said, using her magic to write down notes and what she was told. "However I still worry about Sombra's Umbrum half...we may have cast a spell to prevent him from using his dark magic, but we can't be so sure that he won't break free of the spell."

And then Celesta heard a familiar throat-clear behind Luna, and immediately leaned over to see a guard standing behind her. All negative thoughts suddenly vanished as a sense of professionalism. "Yes Private Ranks? How can I help you?"

"E-er...hello ma'am...I'm sorry if I interrupted something" He said, speaking with a slight stutter.

"No no, you are perfectly fine Ranks...please tell me, what seems to be the issue." She asked, smiling softly.

Ranks would huff slightly, as he took out a folded newspaper from his bag, handing it over to Princess Luna, who was close to him. "Erm...I figured you two would wanna take a look at this..."

Using her magic to levitate the newspaper over to her, she would unfold it and look upon the front cover, her face immediately going sour upon seeing it.

"Luna? What's the prob-" She spoke, getting up and walking over to the newspaper herself. As she looked at the sight before her. There in the article was a photo of Blue and Sombra kissing each other, as well as a photo of them at dinner. The caption reading 'King of Darkness finds new love?' the entire article was worded either as slander to Sombra or concern over his return. Some of it even goes into detail about Blue and him being seduced or mind-controlled.

"Luna...I believe we now know why Sombra seemed to have calmed his demeanor while with Blue..." Celestia said.

"Yes...I do believe that seems to be the case" Luna said, sighing softly as she put the newspaper down on Celestia's desk "Knowing General Blue, I assume he will come to me shortly about this. We will have to talk about this with him and Sombra when they come."

"Are you so certain Sombra will come?" Celestia asked.

"Yes...I have faith in my general...even if his decisions can sometimes become...questionable..." Luna said, sighing softly before she looked to Ranks "Thank you for bringing this to our attention Sir Ranks, you are dismissed"

Ranks would solute, walking out of the door and going back to his duties in the castle, Celestia and Luna then looking to each other in acknowledgment as they left each other to their duties.

Ponyville - Blue's House

Sombra woke softly, blinking his eyes as he woke to the sound of the oven being opened. The smell of fresh food made his ears perk up and his nose sniffing the delicious smell, he looked over and saw Blue smiling and cleaning up the kitchen, as he stretched himself out, walking over to the kitchen.

"You cleaning all by yourself? why don't you let me help?"

"Nah its fine, its a good distraction for me." Blue said smiling he then huffed softly "Sombra...there is something we should discuss" he said quietly, he felt bad about ruining the moment, but he didn't want to forget.

"What is it..?" The stallion asked.

"The Article from this morning...pony who wrote it...he was from Canterlot" Blue softly explained "I don't necessarily think it was a coincidence somepony from Canterlot just happened to be here in Ponyville around the time we were out at dinner...Canterlot and Ponyville are very far away from each other..."

"Half a day in train and a week with steady march. I knew my redeeming would be a hot topic but... you think somepony's been following us for longer?" Sombra pulled away and sat up, serious. "It could also be a case of nosey neighbors."

"I know my neighbors, they don't snoop. I don't know why but I get the feeling somepony wants something to do with you" Blue said.

Sombra paused for a moment: "That's a long list. Half of Canterlot Nobles are probably threatened by me redeeming, other half by if I do not. Crystal Empire... well, better I stay away from there. Then there's those that doubt my sincerity in redeeming -not helped by Discord's little puppet of me showing off how dangerous I can be- and I know Princesses have their doubts."

Sombra took a moment to breathe: "...and I doubt myself. I...I was a weapon all my life, I thought I was going to be the wicked witch to... to my friend's brave Princess. What if.. if this is just a calm before the storm and I fail my redeeming? What if I do not redeem fast enough?"

"Hay...look at me" Blue said, using his hoof to gently guide his gaze to him "I won't let you go down that path...I'm here to help you, I will make sure you show all those ponies you're capable of change." He said "And I most certainly won't let some snobby nobles say otherwise...I work with them on a daily basis and if I could? Half their muzzles would be broken by now."

Sombra smiled a little: "That does make me feel better."

He snuggled the stallion gently, his head nuzzling Blue's cheek causing the stallion to blush softly. "I promise you, I won't let anything bad happen. Not while I'm your guardian" He said smiling softly "However...this does mean we need to start looking into this probably."

Sombra frowned, and thought: "I think we need to travel to Canterlot."

"If we do, we run the risk of the reporter following us...how good is your telleportation skills?" He asked.

"...with the Princesses' spell...I would be lucky if I can teleport out of town limits." Without it, I suppose I could reach close to Canterlot. Having never been there, teleporting is...difficult and dangerous."

The stallion blushed a little, his ears laid flat against his head, and the scowl on his face betrayed how much this fact angered him. He felt handicapped.

"If that's the case...we can take the risk of going by train" He said.

"What, a week-long march isn't your speed?" Sombra hissed, then shook his head. "No, that...Came out wrong. The train is good."

"Hay... don't worry you're frustrated I get it.." He said "Just take some breaths and calm your mind..."

Sombra frowned: "...a bit, yes. We need to get the train tickets, but...well, storming the news headquarters shouldn't be too difficult...Should be able to intimidate a paltry reporter..."

"I was suggesting we talk to the Princess first actually...knowing them they have seen the report, and while we may have talked to some of the Mane 6 about it, I think telling them in person would better defend ourselves"

Sombra held back expressing his displeasure. He loathed the idea of interacting with the Princesses, and the only thing worse was to ask for their help. But Blue had a point. They didn't fully know how much the princesses knew, and at least by explaining the situation...perhaps some of the more drastic actions towards them could be avoided.

Sombra grit his teeth; the thought that Blue might be reassigned, replaced by somepony less... enthusiastic to their task would mean what Sombra equaled to a house arrest. He did not enjoy the thought.

"...your words carry merit. You would have made good council back in the day."

Blue smiled "Don't worry, I will do most of the talking. I have a feeling that Celestia and Luna will be reasonable with me, Twilight is rarely at Canterlot and Cadence is always in the Empire so we wont have to deal with all four of them" He said "And if Cadence were there and she said something, she wouldn't hear the end of it from me."

Sombra gave a dry laugh: "Hmm... my knight in shining armor."

Blue chuckled "In any case, let's get some sleep...we have a long day prepared for tomorrow as well as a long trip" Blue said smiling softly as he walked away from Sombra to head up the stairs. "Sleep well Sombra, I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Even if Sombra tried to convince Blue of being relieved, inward he still felt worry and annoyance. Because of the articles, he had to lay low and make no suspicious movements. Which meant a night spent with an empty stomach, as he couldn't slip out to feed. With reluctance, he closed his eyes, thinking that before they left tomorrow, he'd need something meaty to eat.

Chapter 11: The Sting of a Jacket

Hay and Stay Hotel - Canterlot

As Blue and Sombra made their way into the hotel, The staff was a bit wide-eyed at their newest guest, the hotel reception seemed to not be able to take their eyes off of the almost as tall as Celestia stallion. Granted this was Sombra so Blue wasn't too surprised about this. Blue walked over to the reception nonetheless, putting down his badge.

"Room for two, but please refrain from putting it down in the registry, royal guard business."

"A... Ah, I see... Will do, sir." The receptionist wrote down fake names and handed them their keys. "Here you go, please have a good stay." Blue nodded as he led Sombra to the room they were staying in. Seemed the reception gave them the best room, given it was on the top floor and had a balcony Sombra smirked slightly in approval of the room.

Sombra sat down, taking a moment to look out the window: "Ugh, it seems even in the modern age ponies can't help themselves in making their business lavish...Never was fond of it as a foal."

"Ehh I've never been a fan of it myself, but with my job I'm able to afford it to a degree" Blue said "Besides, most ponies don't come to this hotel for the building itself, it's mainly the view and the actual place the hotel is at."

"Mmhm." Sombra nodded, muffled, eating, "So, on the whole, thoughts on how this trip will go?"

"I think it will go well, especially the fact that I'm with you. I enjoy having company" He said, giving Sombra a loving look.

Sombra smiled with a sly smile "Well...I will admit, being with you isn't so bad either."

"Well...I'm glad that's the case" Blue said, smiling in return as he looked to the clock "Alright, I'm going to head down and get an idea of what we can do here, just make yourself comfortable alright?"

"Alright...be back soon. I don't wish to wait for too long, I have good company of advanced spell matrices so I can keep myself occupied."

Blue chuckled softly, rolling his eyes as he left the room, leaving Sombra to himself. That was until Sombra heard some wing flaps coming from the balcony of the room

"I have to say...it is quite the honor being in a presence such as yourself~"

Sombra frowned, feeling his shoulders tense. He had had run-ins with assassins before...But never ones so brazen. The stallion didn't immediately lower his book, but his eyes were lodged tight onto the open balcony door "...typically ponies that intend my demise do it quietly. What do you want?"

Sombra shifted, ready to bounce off the bed. But he had never been one to make sudden movements, and wasn't about to start now. "Oh I'm far from a pathetic assassin King Sombra..." The stallion explained, he appeared to be an orange stallion wearing a Wonderbolt Generals Jacket. He had a dark black mane and with yellow-gold stripes going through it. His eyes a crimson red.

"And you failed to reply to my question." Sombra frowned, his expression deepening to something close to contempt. "I do not care to repeat myself, so perhaps you would want to try that again?" The stallion rose up from the bed, ears high in alert. He took a few careful steps towards the stallion, annoyed, his tail swishing like an angry cat

"Merely to meet the stallion who had broken the nation, with his surprise reformation...and...shocking love life" He said, holding up the newspaper tabloid "But I suppose none of that truly matters at the end of it all" He softly adjusted his tie, putting the tabloid down and walking into the room "I am Yellowjack...Air Pony Counciler of Equestria, and owner of the Wonderbolts"

"Well, now you have met me." Sombra growled, "Leave, before I throw you out." The dark stallion still seemed irked, his book -that he had enjoyed reading- lay forgotten on the bed.

"Mn...no" He said "You see Sombra...I am what you call a stallion of ambition...of course if you will" He said "As one of the three most powerful and influential ponies in all of Equestria I have a reputation and a business to uphold" He continued on, pacing around the room slightly, but never breaking eye contact "You...coming back...well...that puts a bit of a hindrance in that."

To Sombra, the stallion's boasting of his status meant very little, but at the sign of a threat, his eyes narrowed. If he had any luck, this was some delusional twat insecure of their position. If he didn't, then... well. Perhaps he was one of the ponies who thought change only happened to creatures not of his caliber?

"Last I checked I've done very little, unless you find lounging on a nice divan a personal affront." the stallion hissed, annoyed. He walked past the stallion, knowing the magic that bound his soul to the realm of the living could withstand a fall, or a backstabbing.

"Mn...you haven't done anything as of yet...however it's the future I am far more concerned with" He said "And unlike some other idiots I'm not going to just sit here and babble on about my plans and allow you to foil them...so im going to just cut straight to the point" He said, before he took out what looked like a VHS Tape, of course Sombra had no idea what the hell it was... until he walked over to the TV, inserting the tape into it, before the screen flashed to life...showing Sombra something that would most likely cause panic. It was him and Blue...in the train....and Sombra was having his panic attack.

The stallion tensed considerably, silent as a grave. Yellowjacket saw how, despite the attempt at masking it, Sombra was alarmed, no, more than alarmed. He was nervous. Sombra grit his teeth, red eyes flashed all the more bright against his paling face. Sombra turned his head towards the stallion in almost a robotic way, like he was momentarily numb. Hairs at the back of his neck and shoulders stood up, his voice was an aggressive hiss.

"Do you think you can just waltz in here and blackmail me??"

Sombra was scared, so very, very scared, but he had never been the one to shy away. No...when he was scared, he went for the throat. And now he closed the distance to Yellowjacket, eyes locked onto his eyes. But his magic didn't come; the shadows didn't answer to his silent call.

Of course, Celestia's spell... The stallion regretted his choice now.

"I can when it serves me well" Yellowjacket smerked "Now here is what is going to happen...at some point in the future, you will owe me one single thing...and when you have completed that...the tape will be handed to you" He said, as he continued to pace "And before you go and try to have your little...fuck toy known as Blue Crest try to save you" He said picking up the paper "Know that I have been the one behind all of this...I control all of the newspaper companies in Equestria, I decide what gets published and when...and trust me when I say you are always going to be followed" He said, walking up close to Sombra smirking "So try to defy me...or get in my way...and everything will be released"

The stallion growled: "I should bind your wings and throw you off the balcony... I should gore you for this insolence!!"

But despite the threat, the stallion didn't move, but his voice was barely audible from the growling, grave tones. "Leave, if you know what is good for you, before I have half a mind to make sure you suffer!"

Yellowjacket chuckled as he walked back to the edge of the balcony "You may have been a powerful, feared, and well-known king 1,000 Years ago....but this is the modern age Sombra, you...are nothing but a pathetic excuse for a stallion, longing for a place in a world he doesn't belong in...I...on the other hand...have taken everything you were..." He said, flaring his wings* "Keep our little...talk...in mind when you go to speak to your 'Prince~' hm?" *He said, mocking Sombra with the name that only he and Blue should know, as he flew off.

It was purely out of adrenaline that the stallion didn't even budge until he could no longer see the pegasus, collapsing as his legs gave out. He laid on the carpeted floor, heaving and his eyes wild. And Blue wasn't there to help him. He could feel his heart race, his vision tunnel into something small. He had no place in this era, that...he knew that. He hadn't even had a place in the era he grew in, far less here.

Canterlot Castle

It was around four o'clock in the afternoon, The day was officially over and giving way to evening. Celestia could feel that little detail down in her very bones, needling and prodding her to attend to her last official duty of the day and lower the sun so the moon could rise. But at the moment that needling sensation just wasn't quite enough to get her up and out of her office chair.

The pile of paperwork occupying her inbox had eventually migrated its way to her outbox. But if asked about the finer details of what she'd processed, she wouldn't be able to give much of an explanation. Her mind had been elsewhere the entire time, leaving her more or less running purely on autopilot for the majority of it. Sombra's wish that he had asked for her to do was replaying in her mind over and over again. Had he truly changed so much to want to purge the very thing that made him who he was?

It was only when she felt a shod hoof prodding at her side, did she really come to and take note of her surroundings.

"Bit for your thoughts?" Luna asked her while giving her a look that only a sibling could manage.

"If only," she sighed as she rotated to better face her. "Sister...what do you think of General Blue's report of Sombra? and there visit today?"

Luna was quiet for a moment and sighed softly "Truthfully sister, I do not know how to feel. On the one hoof Sombra was one of our greatest foes next to Lord Tirek, it took almost all of our strength to defeat him...and now that he is free and roaming our lands, it gives me cause for worry." She said, then she looked out the window, looking to the sky as the sun began to set, Celestia's magic slowly lowering it.

"Somehow that does not surprise me." Celestia huffed.

"On the other hoof...where it not for chances like the one you are giving Sombra, perhaps I would not be here with you right now. It was your student who saved us from The Nightmare, and also gave Discord a chance to show his worth being reformed as well. If you believe Twilight to be capable of ruling Equestria after we retire, then we must have faith in her."

"Sister...the truth is I don't want to believe that this could actually work. As much as I admire Twilight's dedication to wanting to help Equestria's villains, Sombra is something completely different. He is half Umbrum, they are pure evil." Celestia groaned. "He enslaved the entire Crystal Empire, brainwashed the populous, and tried to conquer all of Equestria, and we are supposed to believe he will simply change his ways just because of a program?"

She groaned again, and leaned back in her chair as she covered her face with her hooves.

"Sister...I put Blue Crest on this job because he has shown me he is the most loyal pony to the country, and that he holds his job and the ponies under his command at high regard. He took the job, knowing full well Sombra could try to take him under his dark magic control, he forfeited his own personal time and well-being for this job. And yet, when we learn about Sombra showing change, we doubt the capabilities of not only the pony we put in charge of watching him, but your most gifted students' future plans? Is that truly the situation we find ourselves in?"

Celestia's doubts aside, she needed that forceful energy and enthusiasm that Luna had right now.

"Rest assured, Sister, Blue Crest and Twilight Sparkle both have shown in the past their intuition in others. I believe we can trust them and give Sombra a chance. Just like you gave it to me."

"I suppose...you make a good point sister." Celestia said smiling in response.

"Now how about you and I get something to eat because I am starving and of no use to anypony on an empty stomach!" Luna stated. "I have been waiting nearly an hour for you and I refuse to wait any longer. Now move!"

Celestia wanted to comment, but was interrupted at her stomach growling at the mention of food, effectively shutting down any discussion on the matter.

"Well when you put it that way..."

Hay and Stay Hotel - Canterlot

A few hours later, Blue would return, with a small bag. The stallion had a bit of a smile on his face "Hay Sombra, sorry I took longer, I wanted to-" Blue noticed then immediately Sombra on the floor, dropping everything he had on and rushing over to him "Sombra?!"

"I'm... I'm fine. I just... was trying out a spell. It was a bit more adverse than I expected." Sombra lied, refusing to look at the stallion. He had inadvertently brought Blue into his problems. He didn't know how to deter the stallion. Blue wrapped a wing around him, holding him tightly again

"Are you sure? You look sick..." he said, looking him over as he tried to make sense of the situation "What kind of spell was it?"

The stallion didn't answer initially: "I...feel sick. I'm..." The stallion rushed to the bathroom and threw up, all the years of insecurities and hurt came out with his body being first to react.

"It... it was an emotion-spell, it backfired..." More lies. But he didn't know what else to do. He had pulled Blue, who was innocent, into his myriad of problems. Now he was going to be followed for as long as the stallion was attached to him. All of the sudden, his old prison cell under the tundra was sounding good. He could just... cast a sleep spell on himself and... cease to be, forgotten. Like he should have been ages ago.

"I'm sorry Blue."

"Hay hay...don't apologize" He said, softly walking to the bathroom and sitting next to him, rubbing his back softly "You didn't do anything wrong... you are ok and that's what's important" He said, softly nuzzling him. The stallion wasn't sure why he made that much of a gesture to him, but he felt it would help calm him.

Instead of leaning onto Blue, the stallion shied away from him, eyes averted: "No... it's..."

The stallion was lost, his footing destabilized. He didn't know how to word the thoughts as he scrambled to get back to his mental calm.

"... I should have been more careful. Should have been smarter."

Blue noticed the shied away, immediately putting out some warning flags in his mind* "Hay what's wrong...you seem distant..."

The stallion didn't answer. Instead, his shoulders sagged and he rinsed his mouth of the bile. "...I'm going to bed."

"W-wait hold on-" Blue said, getting up as he followed the stallion.

"It was just... a bad spell. Need to sleep the effect off." The stallion growled. He felt exhausted, spent and ill.

"Sombra please can you just talk to me?" He asked, the stallion sounding genuinely worried.

Sombra didn't answer at first, climbing into bed. He closed his eyes for a moment, but Blue's presence, the tone of his voice made him open his eyes again: "You didn't do anything wrong, it's not you. I'm the source of all these problems. I'm the reason we're followed around and you suffer because of me."

The stallion used his magic to draw the curtains closed.

"Sombra...you are not to blame for any of that stuff...those damn reporters are just nosey fools who want to make big by reporting on you. You are not the problem, and you shouldn't blame yourself"

"If...If I had been content being a nopony, a footnote in a history book, none of this would have happened! None of this would have happened and the world would be better for it! Better without me!" The stallion yelled, growl and anger in his voice, "I am to be blamed! Of course I am!! I caused all of this and you'll be hurt by me eventually!"

"Don't talk like that! Sombra for godess sake you shouldn't blame yourself for that stuff. You made mistakes, everybody does, even bad ones" Blue said, trying to calm him down all be it with himself getting a bit heated "You say you would be better not around well I disagree! I want you around...I think the world would be boring and sad without you in my life right now"

"Boring and sad is better than what I offer! You will get hurt. It's not if, it's when!" The stallion stood up, growling: "... and I can't let that happen. Not again, not... Please look for another assignment."

"No I'm not going to do that! I'm not going to abandon you!" He said shouting, being quite firm in his stance* "Not after everything we have done together!"

The stallion roared in fury, his hoofsteps heavy even against the carpet as he stood up, eyes blazing: "Everything we've done? I'll tell you exactly what we've done." Sombra stepped close to Blue, so close that Blue had to crane his neck to look at Sombra's eyes. "I let myself get attached, enough to lower my guard, when I never should have!" The stallion's voice was venomous, cruel and cold.

If he couldn't keep the stallion safe with reason, then he would do it with force.

"Im not abandoning you" He said aggressively "I'm never going to abandon somepony! Never again! I'm not going to sit by while you suffer not when you are trying so hard! I've seen the good in you, I have seen a side of you that no pony else has! And I'll be fucking damned if I abandon you just because some fucking reporters!-" Blue staggered before he noticed something...the stallion pausing as he slowly walked to the table near the balcony, first noticing the newspaper...then...a single...orange feather...

Sombra's breathing was heavy and loud, as he followed Blue with his gaze. He was angry, no, livid that the stallion tried to go down with him, even though he deserved better. But at the same time, he was both terrified and relieved that Blue could see past his behavior. The next moment, Sombra only heard one word.

"Yellowjacket" Blue said in a low tone, the stallion's voice sounding threatening, something Sombra had never even heard before. Furthermore the fact he said Yellowjacket right away says something else...Blue knows what is going on.

Chapter 12: A Prison of Emotions

Yellowjacket's Mansion

Yellowjacket's mansion was at a premium spot in Canterlot, which made its luxurious and immaculately maintained lawn and gardens an even clearer statement of wealth and power. The manor’s facade, columns and pillars were all made of flawless marble, carved in traditional Roaman fashion. quite large and full of expensive things, mostly trophies and some expensive-looking decorations. It came with all of the amenities that money and magic could provide. Including an excellent selection of muffling and silencing spells, to which Yellowjacket smirked as he landed at his front door.

"Welcome home sir" Yellowjacket's butler said, the unicorn bowing in respect.

"Ahh Antique...just the butler I was looking for. Please do me a favor and get me a bottle of our finest champagne...I have yet again scored a victory for my cause."

"Then I am to assume the meeting went well?" Antique, walking alongside him.

"Incredibly so...King Sombra was like butter in my hoofs! I knew that 1000 Years without contact with any kind of pony would make him vulnerable... it's why I chose him after all."

"So then...you have him cornered then?" Antique asked, the unicorn tilting his head slightly.

"I have him backed into a corner yes" Yellowjacket said, pulling out the recording again "So long as I have this, he will do whatever I tell him to do...and I have very big plans for him..."

"Very well sir...I shall get to fetching that champagne for you, your bedroom and study have been tidied up for you as well."

"As always Antique, your perfection in cleaning continues to astound me" Yellowjacket said as he trotted up the steps, walking along his hallway with several photos of himself throughout his life, one where he was still in the bolts, another from when he first became a lawyer, and then of him becoming the Council Pony of Air...truly he had accomplished much in his life. He would proceed to swing the door open to his bedroom and walk over to his bed, sitting down.

"Finally...all is coming together" He said softly to himself "I have all the pieces in place, and victory will soon be upon this land..." He said, smirking softly, he then looked over to the dresser, seeing an old photo of a mare, himself, and another stallion whose head had been ripped from the photograph.

"If...only you were still here to see it..." He said, walking over and gently picking up the frame "You would have been so proud...seeing me accomplish what we had talked about for so long..." he said, he would then turn his head at the sound of a knock at his bedroom door.

"Sir?" Antique called out.

"Yes what is it?"

"You have two guests sir, Captian Spitfire and I believe a Royal Guard..." Antique said, the unicorn sounding rather nervous at the last part.

Yellowjacket's brows furrowed as he heard those words, groaning softly he put the photo frame down "This day is going to be a long one it seems..." He said, as he left the room Yellowjacket would begin to walk down the staircase looking rather unphased by the two ponies now infrount of him. Upon reaching the bottom of the steps he would walk up to the two of them, wings folded to his sides "Captain Spitfire, I was surprised to hear you had shown up...I didn't expect it" He said, looking to Orion as he raised his brow "And who might you be?"

"Orion Snow" He said "Captian of the Royal Guard."

"My my...two captains in one room. Not every day something like this happens" Yellowjacket said, smirking as he looked to Spitfire. “Is there something I can help you with?” he asked with a very business-like tone.

Orion would look to Spitfire, and then Spitfire would look back to Orion "Is there somewhere we can talk?" Spitfire asked.

Yellowjacket squinted slightly as he turned "Yes follow me...we can go to my study." He said, leading the two ponies around the mansion. They walked for a few moments and entered a large study with books and papers, allowing the two to enter the room first Yellowjacket would then sigh softly as he closed the door behind them...

Hay and Stay Hotel - Canterlot

"...Yellowjacket was here..." Blue asked in a low tone.

"...you know each other?" Sombra frowned, his mind -so prone to paranoia- spinning it into a malicious intent. But as much as his mind told him to leave, now, that he had been let down again, he stood firm, reasons which he didn't even know himself.

Blue looked to Sombra, and for the first time since they had known each other he saw something in Blue's eyes, something he was all to familiar with pure unadulterated...hate "What did he do" He said, his voice vile, almost like a serpent.

Sombra averted his eyes, shaking his head: "I can't."

Blue walked up to Sombra "What did he say, did he threaten you?" He asked.

Sombra frowned, anxious. He could cast a silence spell, but how did Yellowjacket find everything out? Technology must have progressed so much compared to his time, he couldn't even imagine the ways... With his lips tight, Sombra was looking down, shaking his head: "...Not here."

Blue looked to Sombra, and the older stallion could see in Blue's eyes and body language he was currently ready to snap, his wings tensed up, his eyes dialed, teeth slightly gritting. It was unlike anything Sombra had seen in Blue before "Telleport us somewhere private..."

"... I'll try." Sombra let a place filter into his mind, thinking of a place where they wouldn't be bothered, or followed into. Crystal Empire's royal treasury came to mind, but so did the about 30 traps in it, and the numerous guards and the immediate trip to the dungeons if they were caught. No, it wasn't good. Finally, he settled for a place, letting it filter into his mind, the feelings it stirred and wrangled his stomach into knots. Blue felt a warmth wrap around them, and in a blink they were gone. Blue was at first hit with the stench of an unmoving, but not as cold as he expected air. The place was dark, with only Sombra's own horn's light reflecting them in ice's surface. Surface that was littered with scratch marks, old and new. Again and again, maddened, desperate, lonely. Sombra had teleported them into his old prison.

Blue looked around for a moment before looking back to Sombra "What happened."

Sombra closed his eyes, his breathing heavy as he tried to ignore the feelings he felt: "...he...he had a... I do not know what it was called... in the tv. Of me and you, my... weakness. In the train." The stallion's voice was strained, his muscles constricted and his blood ran cold.

"...what did he ask from you" Blue said, still looking to him.

The stallion's voice was shaking: "...a favor later. I... I can't think..." Blue inhaled, then exhaled, turning around before he shouted furiously, suddenly his metal wing flung open, and his metal feathers shot out from his wing, right into the wall with a loud sound of compressed air, and then the sound of the wall getting hit. Sombra laid down, feeling the mental exhaustion."...I'm sorry... I should have done something, did something... cast something... But I...I couldn't, I couldn't think. I panicked."

"No, dont you dare blame yourself" He said, walking up to Sombra as he sat down, holding his hoof "You did nothing wrong you hear me?"

Sombra took a shaky breath, his voice choking. "I... I want to hurt him. I want to hurt him so badly and slowly and give him an agonizing end."

The stallion leaned towards Blue: "I... I fooled you. I'm not strong. I'm not... I can't protect you. I'm a parasite."

"No you're not... you're not a parasite you're a victim..." Blue said, softly holding his hoof "....just like me..."

Sombra pulled the stallion close, holding onto him on the ice, tightly. "Did... did he hurt you..."

"...no...but he has something on me..." Blue said quietly "Same as you..."

The stallion frowned, holding onto him tightly his mane slowly losing its magical qualities and laying flat in thick curls. "I don't like this, I can't control any of this, I can't... understand." Sombra nuzzled Blue's cheek, but it wasn't the usual way Sombra held the stallion. It was desperate, pitiful attempt to regain control, to do something on his own. This place suffocated him, and he needed it all gone. Needed to control the situation. And where his brain failed, his instincts took over.

"I know, I know im sorry...I suspected something was going on with the Canterlot Reporter but Im an idiot for not realizing Yellowjacket was behind it all" He said softly "Dont...dont give up hope because of this please...you have come so far and I dont want to see you get hurt..."

Sombra's voice was quiet, and Blue felt a wetness against his cheek, The proud stallion was crying, not even realizing it. "I... I need to regain control..." Blue noticed how tight the larger stallion pressed against him. It felt wrong, off. Blue had to balance himself to make sure he didn't tip over from the stallion's weight.

Blue would softly wipe his tears from his cheek. The stallion made sure to let him hold onto him "What do you need from me...tell me what you want."

"I need to have control..." Sombra brushed his face against Blue's, and there was something in his voice that made Blue's hair stand on end. It was like the pegasus had been given a front row seat to just how deep Sombra's problems ran. The look on the stallion's face was crazed, wild. Sombra felt so many emotions, the disgust of his body, the pure panic of his mind, the need to claim the stallion in front of him in any way possible. It was like some feral creature took root.

Blue reacted, the stallion could tell what he was wanting, he gently used force to keep Sombra at bay, mainly pushing him away slightly "Sombra that isn't...a healthy way to cope." Blue said as he grabbed his hoof holding it. "I can help you but not like that, not with that"

Sombra didn't know what happened. he started to well and truly cry. A terribly, gut-wrenching wail of someone who had their mental walls shatter into pieces, every bit of their psyche so raw and exposed. Something so ingrained in him just came out as this beastly wail of pure, unfiltered suffering and Blue truly had no idea what to do, so he did the one thing he knew could help. He just wrapped him in that tight warm embrace again, holding him softly, rubbing his back, doing anything he could to help. Blue wished he knew what he could do but he just knew he had to be there for him.

"I'm sorry... I'm so...so sorry, please don't leave me... please don't..." Sombra's voice was rough and sore, and his entire face was wet with tears. It took almost an hour for the stallion to slowly calm down and he blushed deep red, embarrassed. "Blue..." Sombra muttered, staring into somewhere far off, his shivering body now more calm. "... I'm... I'm sorry"

"Shh shh its ok...I wont leave you...I promise you I wont" He said, softly holding onto him as he slowly rocked the stallion back and fourth "I understand...truly I do...you are not the first pony Yellowjacket has done this too and sadly not the last either..."

"I...I felt so helpless, so stupid. It...it was like I was a foal again." Sombra swallowed, even though his mouth was dry. The stallion's curls framed Blue's chest. "... I... I felt my control of the situation slip. Ever since the article. I... I couldn't... handle it, it was like I was powerless again. Worthless. He called me pathetic, and that I had no place here in this era." Sombra explained, it was more like a word vomit, the words, feelings just poured out. "...I didn't belong in mine either... I thought this one would have been better. If...If Discord could make a friend, then surely... surely I could too. A...And keep my friend too."

Blue looked to Sombra softly, moving his face to look to Blue "You don't listen to a word that stallion said ok? Yellowjacket is nothing but a dirty politician who will say anything to make himself more powerful." He said, softly wiping the tears from Sombra "You belong in this era...you may feel the opposite but you do...and things are better for you" He said as he got closer to him "...Discord made a friend...yea...but you made something better in my opinion...because what you and me have is a connection that I haven't felt myself ever before...I don't know what it is...but what I do know is that its strong."

Sombra blushed deep red, deeper than he had before, to the point that Blue was momentarily worried the poor stallion was going to aneurysm. He didn't respond for a while, his voice a meek whisper: "...B-blue...I-...I think I care for you..."

Blue smiled, slight tears in his eyes as he looked to him, wrapping him in a warm embrace "I care for you too Sombra...a lot..." Blue just continued to gently hold him, letting him take his time. He knew this was new for Sombra and he wanted to make sure all of this was confortable for him.

"It's... it's stupid..." Sombra gave a weak laugh, "... I... I always wanted somepony like you. Somepony who wouldn't leave. All my years, I either fucked it up or they weren't genuine anyway..." He wiped off his tears: "I was so hurt by not being wanted, I started to expect it. Tartarus dammit... I think I made it worse for myself." Sombra was silent for a while, head resting on Blue's shoulder: "...do you know what one of the theories for why I was in the Tundra alone, mute?"

Sombra nuzzled close to Blue: "The guards theorized, since there were no wreckage of a carriage, no tracks, nothing, that I had been intentionally left there to die. That my... muteness may have less of a trauma and more something wrong with me inherently. That my parents didn't want a faulty foal. I overheard them and it stuck. They were wrong, of course... but I lived with that assumption for what, 12 years? Then you watch as ponies younger than you, less quirky than you get happy families... even though you try so hard, you learn and you work so hard to speak."

Blue softly listened to Sombra "Life is cruel...and sometimes unfair things happen...and you ask yourself so many times why they happen to you, why you deserve it...and yet it takes forever to have it make sence" He said, softly.

Blue felt Sombra's hold tighten, but this time it felt warm. "what is he blackmailing you with...? Yellowjacket."

"...I have a death toll under my name..." Blue said softly "One that is supposed to be private. For security purposes."

"How meany?" Sombra asked, curious now, as he never really could picture Blue being a killer.

"...multiple..." He said softly "They all died and it was my fault...and I have to live with that guilt daily..." He said, suddenly some things started to make sence to Sombra. The small hints of emotionless moments, the pills on his desk, the way he freeked when he realized Yellowjacket had been to the hotel. Blue wasnt just a vet of a civil war, he had PTSD from it too.

"... Surely you didn't do it on purpose. I assume this was in the Zeebra Lands yes? casualties are impossible to stop happening. And you are not a seer. You can't see to the future." Sombra sighed softly, and let his hoof pet the pegasus' mane slowly. He knew how fighting and battles affected ponies, hell even how just adverse conditions affected ponies, even if crystal ponies had been very telling in their condition outwardly."I... don't think you deserve such guilt. You're not a malicious pony."

"....The Zeebra Land Civil War...it was a rough battle and I...I had to take over command after our general was killed in action..." Blue said softly "We...where being chased out of the country after we killed the rebel's leaders...and it was my job to get our men to safty outside the borders" He said, slightly shaking "We had two paths infrount of us...one that would take a week, another that took only 2 days....I chose the one that took two days..." He said, tears starting to form up "T-the entire path was lined with landmines...and I lead all of my men into it because I tried to take the easy way out..."

"You couldn't have known, you were thinking of their safety." Sombra held him tight.

Blue took some deep breaths as he tried to calm himself down "L-luna...she uh...she said the same...told me that I did the best I could and that id be granted General of her Night Guard despite it..." He said "B-but...the details of how and why those men died where never made public...Y-yellowjacket found out...and that's what he's holding against me. I could loose my job...and...be arrested possibly"

Sombra was silent but held the stallion close. He made his mind, he was going to make sure Yellowjacket went down, and he would go down screaming. Blue couldn't see the stallion's expression of pure hatred and conviction to avenge the smaller pegasus' suffering as well as his own. And Sombra was nothing, if not dangerous in his anger. And he had the time and the patience to pull it off. He would lay a trap so intricate and well-planned that no matter the step Yellowjacket took, Sombra would see him suffer.

"Im sorry that I wasn't careful...Yellowjacket has been a thorn in my side as well as others for a good few years now...I never thought he'd come for you..." Blue said softly as he continued to hold Sombra as well as be held by him as well.

"I want to take him down, Blue. I want to destroy his life to the point that he wishes I'd tossed him off the balcony..." the stallion growled with a furious tone. "I don't care if the Princesses do not approve, I will see him suffer to the point of madness!" Blue could only imagine situations where he had been this angry.

"I know, I know" Blue said "I want to bring him down too, but Yellowjacket is a smart pony...he's been doing this song and dance for 2 years now, he's clever."

"Well, he is about to find out that he is not the only creature that can scheme..." The stallion growled, holding onto Blue tightly, "... but that is a plan that has to be done quietly, and with patience." Sombra nuzzled him, sighing a little: "... and first, we need to leave this place." Sombra looked tired, more tired than before. The emotional meltdown had took more out of him than he expected. But at least he didn't have to send Blue away. "... I won't deny, my relationship with this place is... difficult." Sombra looked up, taking a deep breath: "... It is so painful to be here... but at the same time, it feels almost grounding. Like I am not lost."

"I honestly didnt think you bring me here...but I can understand why it was the first place you thought of" He said.

"...I... couldn't think of any other place."

"Its ok...im glad you trust me enough to take me here" He said, the stallion still holding him.

"... I know that this place is not known to ponies, none aside from Celestia and Luna. I know Cadence and Twilight do not know where this is, though they know of its existence." The stallion pulled away to tuck his hooves under his body, kind of like a cat. "...it is so strange to return. I thought I would have been more scared. Maybe it is because you are here with me."

Blue sighed, looking around slightly "Ive known you had secret places all throughout Equestria, so im not supprised we ended up in one of those places." He said "But...im glad im able to help you be less scared"

"This isn't a hidden base though... Celestia and Luna cast me here, alone for a thousand years. They tore open the earth, cast me inside and sealed the entrance." The stallion shivered, remembering the moment. "I remember emerging from here, a raving feral beast that could think of nothing except their thirst and hunger."

"Wait...this is where you where for 1,000 Years?" Blue said, supprised as he took in his sorroundings again, realizing that they where indeed in the area "I thought that it was just...a random cave...not a detailed prison."

"Hmm, the scratchings in the walls, floor and ceiling didn't clue you in..." Sombra frowned but nuzzled Blue. "... I was so lonely..."

Blue would go and lean next to him, draping his one good wing around him "Your not alone anymore..."

Sombra was content, even if the place they were in still made his heart race. He kept glancing upwards, as if expecting the Princesses to appear and close the chasm entrance of his prison.

"What do you wanna do now then? Do you want to head back?" He asked softly.

"I... do not know. There's so much that the world has changed with time that places I once knew are probably either gone... or populated with." The stallion paused: "...I never managed to stray very far from north."

"Do you like our home in Ponyville?" Blue asked, the stallion tilting his head slightly.

Sombra hummed: "I do"

"Is there anything you'd like me to get or do to help you feel more at home?" He asked softly "I wanna make sure your happy and comfortable."

Sombra smiled a little: "Nothing really. Maybe a few more book shelves perhaps." The stallion said.

"...I know this cave is... cold and terrible and..", Sombra paused, trying hard not to look at their surroundings: "...but I do not think I can teleport us out yet... I need to rest."

"That's ok...I'll be right here with you." He said, yawning slightly "We can just cuddle for a bit" He softly said, pushing his head under his chin "If you'd like..."

"I would like that very much...yes..." Sombra said, smiling softly.

Chapter 13: A Light in Darkness

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.

Chapter 14: Books and Quills

Canterlot

Both ponies were traveling along within the city, currently the two of them where at the corner of Halter Avenue and Second Street in what out-of-towners charitably called “downtown” Canterlot. Blue knew this area of Canterlot was mainly where most of the eating establishments where located, so he knew this would be the best place to take Sombra.

"So what sort of restaurant are you taking me to?"

"Well...what type of food do you wanna try out now that your a Unicorn?" Blue asked.

"Honestly... anything goes, I think." Sombra thought for a bit: "I am curious to see how there's... a change."

Blue thought for a moment before he would lead them to a restaurant close to the entrance to the district. Blue knew of this place from the times he had to do some shifts in Canterlot. It wasn't the most fancy place but it was still a good place with good food. Then, a crisp aroma filled both ponies nostrils. It was the familiar scent of baked goods coming out of the oven, which instantly made Sombra move slightly faster then Blue, which got a chuckle out of him.

"Welcome to Straw Hat Cafe," a voice said.

"Table for two please?" Blue asked. Sombra looked around the place slightly as the hostess nervously looked at him. Both trying to not stare at the other.

"Of corse...you two can take the empty table off to the right." She said, as the mare directed the two over to the table

Sombra seated down when the hostess showed them a table for two. "It's... different. I quite like it."

"That's good, don't worry this place will be good, I've been here before, they have very nice food" He said, the stallion would then smiled as they waited for the waiter, Sombra nodded, leaning closer, letting his hoof trace Blue's own softly. Blue smiled as he felt Sombra do this. Eventually their waitress came and the both of them ordered there food and drinks.

Sombra took his first bite of his food and stopped for a moment after swallowing. "... it... it's funny. It doesn't taste different, but it feels... well, different."

Blue chomped down on his own food, gulping softly "Really? Different how?" He asked.

"it feels... sating. Good." Sombra smiled a little: "... but I still feels so wrong."

"Wrong in what way?" Blue asked, tilting his head a bit.

"You recall how you compared Umbrums to that of Changelings when it came to transformation?" Sombra asked, Blue nodding slowly in response. "Well...the same can also be said on how we feed off emotions. We don't necessarily get...full...like a normal biological pony would be after eating a large meal. Instead it essentially keeps our magical aura at full power, allowing us to use our dark magic, and the same can be said for a Changeling when they feed off love. However as I told you a while back we either bottle the emotion from the atmosphere or straight up siphon it from the air, unlike Changelings who need to be at close range to suck the love out of another."

Blue would quietly continue to eat his food, the stallion observing Sombr and listening to him

"For me however it is different, because I am half Unicorn, when I ate emotions it only kept my magical aura powered up. It is one of the very few things I learned about my culture, but nonetheless it proved to be helpful, if I hadn't learned it I most likely would have starved out in the Crystal Wastes." Sombra said, the stallion then looking to his food and then back at Blue. "Do you know why I eat meat?"

Blue nodded softly, the stallion paying attention to everything being said by the him and taking in the info "...I uh... I'm not sure to be honest...I didn't want to ask in case it was a sensitive topic" Blue said "I recall you mentioning once you could taste lingering emotions from meat, but not mutch else."

"It isn't so much that it is a necessary dietary need in fact, it is practically unnecessary in normal circumstances. I learned it to avoid starvation. Happy, positive, loving Empire in my youth was rather... averse to the dietary needs of something like me, and with nopony -me included- knowing I needed something special to sate me, I ate what I found to work for me, somewhat. Death is a rather harrowing, fearful experience, so the meat still carries traces of the emotion I needed." The stallion paused, remembering moments: "Hay, apples, I could eat a bushel and not feel like I got my fill. I... was used to the feeling of hunger in my youth, despite our caretaker's best efforts. At some point I just... started to hunt, thinking I was somehow even more off than before."

"Well...what about now?"

Sombra thought for a moment "I suppose it is...different now...given that I have a biological form, I don't have to rely on the emotions to sedate me." he said "But...it doesn't feel right to me, it's like...i feel empty when I eat now, rather then feeling the raw energy from emotion I'm used to."

"Well...its a trial and error thing right? I'm sure we can eventually figure something out." Blue said, smiling softly as the server gave the two their bill, to which Blue would put down some bits, and smile as he got up from his seat "Shall we?" Blue said, offering a hoof to Sombra. Sombra chuckled as he grabbed Blue's hoof, softly getting up as the two of them left the door to enter the night. Sombra held his breath, ready to see a paparazzi hiding somewhere, but to his relief none were there. After walking back to their hotel room, the dark stallion sat Blue down: "...I have been thinking."

"Oh?" He asked, tilting his head.

"... if... I were to do something that... isn't strictly legal, but would help take down Yellowjacket, at least for a while, what would be your reaction?"

Blue would think for a moment, sighing softly "Sombra...if im being honest? Ive once or twice...bent...the law for the greater good..." He said "Yellowjacket will most likely go to trial against Spitfire and Orion, where his entire blackmail ring will be exposed..."

"Hmh, I... am not sure I share the sentiment. Your friend hurt him, did he not? I would imagine the stallion has both enough wealth and the nerve to twist it before and during trial. I would prefer... guaranteeing he goes down."

"...I would like to believe that Orion and Spitfire both had a reason for going to Yellowjacket...and if my hunch is correct, its because they were both blackmailed." He said, pacing slightly "But you do have a point...he has alot of money and wealth to twist the narrative...what needs to be done is having evidence put forth against him"

"And I think his hospitalization is a brilliant chance to even the playing field. As much as I would enjoy seeing him lifeless, I much, much more enjoy seeing him holding onto the mud-dragged remains of his previous life, ruined to the point of no return..." For a moment, Blue was reminded that Sombra had been terror in his earlier years, and he started to understand how as the stallion growled with a wicked grin.

"Ahem... but... I can keep you out of the loop for your safety. You don't break your guard's oath if you do not know what I'm doing, after all."

"...how about we do this" Blue said, looking to Sombra "You can go to Yellowjacket house and snoop around, don't touch or remove anything however, just look around. You take notes on what you saw, then you tell me those notes, then I can find a way to be put in charge of the Yellowjacket Case...I'm sure Luna won't need much convincing" He said "Then with me in charge, I can put your notes to good use and find them for the right side."

Sombra took a moment to look at Blue, surprised by his cunning, quietly muttering with a heavy sigh "If you were there 1,000 years ago, and lived in the empire. You would have made a fine general in my army"

Blue chuckled softly "Thank you, I was more or less just thinking of the safer route where you didn't necessarily break any laws other than breaking and entering. Plus if I take over the investigation I can use your notes to properly get the evidence, and no one would be of the wiser."

"I agree, the plan sounds good, however we will need to make me an Umbrum again if I were to go ahead and do such a thing. As with my current Unicorn Biology, I am not able to take my smoke form." Sombra said.

"Well...we are heading back home tomorrow, so we can visit Twilight and then we can see some options."

"Very well." Sombra said, yawning softly the stallion flopped down, laying on his back, hooves crossed over his chest, "sleep well, Blue."

"Sleep well Sombra..." He said.

Canterlot Jail

For Yellowjack, the past few days seemed the same. His cell was perpetually dim. During the day, a small rectangular opening high up in the wall let in a few rays of the sun. At night, the only source of light were the few enchanted torches that burned in the corridor behind his cell's door.

The sound of heavy, metal-clad hooves outside his cell was a clear sign that a dinner would be served. He sighed and put down the quill he was holding in his mouth, quickly inspecting the page he wrote while there was still enough light to read. he was going to be going to trial soon, and he needed to prepare himself for his defence.

he grabbed the piece of paper and carefully stored it under the mattress, Although 'mattress' was a bit too generous a word. How does one call a compressed bunch of hay sewn into a cloth? In any case, he slept on it, so he thought that he might as well call it a mattress.

The hoofsteps were closer now. Judging by his quick pace, the guard was in a hurry today. A little unusual. his guard was hardly a speedy fellow. If anything, Yellowjacket would describe the normal pace at which he did things as 'glacial'. Due to his quick pace, he didn't have to wait much longer until the guard was in his view.

"You have a visitor, step away from the door and prepare to be shackled." The guard said.

"Oh how wonderful, perhaps its Discord himself, come to torture me with something that isn't this damn boring cell." he taunted with venom in her voice and made his way towards the back of his cell, turning around so his wings could be shackled. Once they were, the two ponies made their way over to the visitor center. Yellowjacket taking a seat down on a stool as he looked across the way and through the glass.

In front of him stood a very sharply dressed pony, he had a suitcase and some paperwork with him. He looked to Yellowjacket before speaking up. "That orange jumpsuit does not look good on you."

"Im aware of that. Please tell me you didn't just come here to taunt my fashion sense?" Yellowjacket said, brows furrowing in frustration.

"Of course not" The stallion said "You will be happy to know, my team and I are working du-diligently on your case, so far we have a solid plan. We will try to pin the blame on both Spitfire and the Guard Captian, saying they abused their rank and station to gain access to your home, and then physically assaulted you."

"Hmfh...sounds simple enough...and what of the Blackmail?"

"Unfortunately...that information will be leaked regardless, as the defense has plenty of evidence to tie you to the blackmail ring" The lawyer said "However, we can use this to our advantage."

"How? The moment the jury finds out they will immediately know we are withholding information, my reputation will be dragged through the mud." Yellowjacket said, growling.

"It will help, because Spitfire and the Guard Captian also tried to blackmail you into quitting the blackmail ring." He said "The moment they pull out their trump card, we will pull out ours. We may lose social reputation but so will they."

"And so both parties will be guilty of Blackmail, meaning there isn't a clear black and white view of the situation...very good" Yellowjacket said, smerking.

"There is...one thing I wished to bring up to you" The lawyer said, pulling out a piece of paper and showing it to him from behind the glass. "I was digging around trying to get some information on the guard captain, when I stumbled upon this."

"What is it?"

"According to this paperwork, Orion Snow was recommended for the guard captain position by the General of the Night Guard...Blue Crest."

"Blue Crest? why does that name seem familiar" Yellowjacket tapped his chin.

"It's because, it's the same pony who is dating one King Sombra."

"That's right! That damn guard and King Sombra were my last blackmail victims before I got thrown in here..." He said "But why is this Blue Crest so important?"

"Because, according to this information he has a degree in law. There is a high possibility that he will try to take the lead in the case."

"Alright, then convince the law offices to throw it out due to personal bias."

"Unfortunately, we cant." The lawyer pulled out a piece of paper again "Section 5; Subsection C of the Guard Tribunal Act. It states that if any guard is put on trial, a peer of the guard or the guard's commanding officer may represent them in a court of law, bias and personal prejudice put aside."

"Why the fuck is that even a law?!" Yellowjacket said, banging his hoofs on the table. He then eyed the guard a few feet away, calming down as to not make a scene.

"The law was passed in 1025 ANM. Celestia herself approved of it." The lawyer said "It was done shortly after Nightmare Moon's imprisonment, it was so the Night Guard and Bat Ponies could be tried fairly without their opinions of Princess Luna affecting the case or lawyers' sway, as a lot of them had participated in activities which resulted in arrests."

"Fan-Fucking-Tastic. So if Blue Crest represents Orion and Spitfire, how mutch shit are we going to be in?" Yellowjacket asked.

"We should be fine, I've read over Blue Crest's files and while impressive he has only ever been in court twice. He will be outmatched in years served." The lawyer said "Even so...we have people looking into his relationship with King Sombra, if we can dig anything up that will make it impossible for him to act as a defence lawyer, we will jump at it immediately."

"You better. Because Im not going to let my life be ruined by Two Captains, One General, and a fucking Wannabie Tyrant turned House Pet!"

"Don't worry Yellowjacket...we won't loose." The lawyer said "I swear it."

Canterlot: Hay and Stay Hotel

Eventualy some time would pass, with both ponies having slept through the night, and the morning now arriving, with the sunlight shining bright through the balcony onto the bed Sombra turned around and buried his face to Blue's fur, not wanting to get up, however in doing so he stirred Blue awake. The stallion huffed softly, nuzzling him "Mngh...morning..."

"Nn...not yet..." The stallion murmured

Blue smiled softly as he nuzzled him again "Come on its morning..."

"Nnnnooo... hnn..." Sombra pulled the bedsheet over his head and grumbled.

Blue chuckled as he would remove the covers, giving sombra a gentle nuzzle again Sombra huffed and nuzzled the stallion back. "Ok fine...I'm up..."

"Good, now help me pack up."

"Right...we should get home so we can visit ugh... Twilight." Sombra said, rolling his eyes with a slight disdain tone in his voice.

"Hay, I'm sure Twilight will be ok...she is usually the most reasonable of the Mane 6"

"Mmh. I am not much of a fan, nonetheless." A shiver ran down his spine as he was reminded of the excruciating pain of having your body destroyed so very thoroughly. Not to mention imploding."...curse this bed and this sweet stallion for being this comfy..." He kissed Blue lovingly.

"Aw...you called me sweet~" He said, chuckling softly as he kissed him back. "Just get yourself ready, we can talk more later" He said, walking to the bathroom to get himself freshened up.

"Mm... shame." The stallion shrugged and stretched, eventually grabbing his clothes with his magic: "... Blue tell me... Green or red?"

"I'd say do a combo of both, try experimenting a bit" He said from the bathroom, the stallion combing his hair and washing it as well.

Sombra huffed, but tried it on, the dark colors both some of his favorites. "Hmm... maybe not. I'll go with green today, I think.

Blue would walk out in his newly tailored uniform from Rarity, smiling at the stallion "Looks great to me" He said.

"I could wear a potato sack, and you'd say that." Sombra huffed with a slight nervousness in his voice.

"Yea well...you look handsome to me regardless"

"Thank you." Sombra said "Ready to go?"

"Yea I am" He said, smiling as he trotted to the door "Hopefully the trip back isn't too long"

"It shouldn't be. But we still have a bit of work to do before that." Sombra nodded, trotting out of the door with Blue, and making their way toward the train station as they trotted along, Canterlot was per usual quite busy. However there where a few more guards out then normal.

Sombra gave Blue a questioning look: "Seems the stabbing has guards antsy..."

"Mh...yea I think they are doubling patrols"

"Well... I would wager that it makes the hmh, nobles feel safer. And the general populace as well, in my experience." The stallion replied, his eyes flicking towards the train station "... Equestria isn't exactly known for violent crime, far less the capital."

"Yeah but this meany guards is concerning...I'm wondering what the Princesses are doing..." He said, eventually the two of them got onto the train, taking there seats in a private car, Sombra however taking extra precautions this time around as he quickly did a scan of the coach car for any hidden devices or cameras. Blue would have said something, but given the reason why he was so jumpy, he knew he had a justifiable reason.

The trip back was long, with both ponies mainly talking and taking small naps, however by the time they made it back it was around lunchtime. The two of them getting off the train and gently trotting off to Blue's home. "I admit I didn't think the ride would take so long. But we are here none the less."

"Yes, now are we going to head back home? or go immediately to Twilights Castle?"

"Oh I have somepony sending our luggage back home for us, perks of being a General" Blue chuckled "Let's go."

"Very well then."

Ponyville: Twilights Castle

As the two ponies entered the Castle, they where greeted by Spike, who nervously guided both of them to Twilights Library, the young dragon looking back at Sombra every now and then. They would eventually reach the room and open the doors to see Twilight reading through numerous amounts of scrolls and books.

Sombra wasn't entirely surprised of the scene unfolding in front of him. Twilight appeared calm on the surface but even as a unicorn Sombra could see the little, subtle cues that the mare was hardly in a good place right now. Her wings twitched with a nervous jitter, and the way she smiled had just a bit too much force in it.

"Princess Twilight, thank you for taking the time to meet with us...is uh...everything ok?"

Twilight paused: "No, no it isn't exactly alright, but it will be alright shortly I am rather certain, there's so much to do to keep ponies from reacting badly to anything or rumors from spreading and---" Twilight took a breath: "...but that is nothing to do with you. I... hope, at least?"

Sombra raised a brow: "...none with me, if that is what you're implying. I am not some ill omen. Besides, even if I did somehow make anxiety happen, I couldn't cast such a spell."

"Right, the dispel on your magic--" Twilight started, sighing, but Sombra continued with a raised hoof.

"That and I am currently an unicorn."

"...what." Twilight's voice was flat.

Sombra took a breath, and explained his situation and the spell Celestia had cast on him. "...but, I do not actually enjoy this. I had hoped I'd be more unbothered by the change, but..."

"We...where hoping that you could help a bit?" Blue asked "When Sombra turns back into an Umbrum, we where hoping you could help us in regards to his eating habits. Seeing as he feeds on emotions as a food source. Regular food isn't cutting it out, and I really want to find a way to have him eat comfortably."

"Oh... oh?!" Twilight gasped and Sombra had to put all of his body into resisting rolling his eyes.

"Yes, yes, I will explain you more of my ahem, species later, if you could just..."

Twilight stopped for a moment, thinking: "OH! I might have the perfect thing!"

"You do?" Blue asked.

"Oh, yeah, years ago I used a spell to make parasprites basically eat anything except food, of course that didn't exactly go according to plan then, but with a bit of um... tweaking, I could change your dietary needs and physiology so that you could get energy and necessary nutrients from actual food-- Uh... pony food. Sorry." Twilight's ears flicked back flat against her head almost like she expected the dark stallion to do a 180-degree pivot on his entire process so far and march on conquering the throne by combat. Sombra merely shrugged

"Not the first time I've heard it put like that, probably won't be the last. You're excused."

"Right, and the spell won't cause any pain or change Sombra in any seriously consequential way?" He asked "Not that I'm not confident in your abilities Princess, but given this is a...first time...basics I am a bit weary."

"Well, the parasprites were rather content eating fence posts after the spell. And an entire barn. But that was because they're known for ferocious appetites! And I... admittedly, didn't think the spell through when I cast it last time." Twilight blushed just a bit.

"...could you show me the spell? I don't think Celestia's spell would hamper me casting it, and I am an accomplished sorcerer." Sombra sounded proud, assured of his skill with magic and also feeling most secure casting this sort of alteration himself.

"Oh... I... yeah, I could give you a copy of it, so you don't have to memorize it immediately." Twilight said.

"Right...uh speeking of Celestia...I assume she and Luna are dealing with the uh...current ruckus in the city?" He asked.

"Yes, they're handling a lot of the press right now while I handle the administrative things. Prin-- Ahem, Celestia has press conferences after 1000 years honed down to an art form. So, let me just cast that spell to put you back into your form and I'll get you that dietary spell."

"Right, thank you" Blue said as he watched the two of them leave the room and moments later Sombra was back to the room with Twilight, putting away a scroll into his saddlebag. "So, I assume everything went well?"

"Yes, I think we're ready to go home." Sombra muttered, taking a deep breath as something in him felt right, felt like a piece of a puzzle that fit in its spot.

"Great" Blue said smiling, as he turned to the Princess "Twilight, since we are here. I do assume you would want to know of our progress? The last time we spoke was when Sombra was assigned to me." Blue said "Or have the Princess's updated you?"

"Oh, that would be good. We didn't have much time to chat this morning." Twilight smiled and motioned Blue to continue: "So... how have things uh... worked out for you?"

"Well, Im happy to report that Sombra's Reformation Progress is going very well. He has improved overall in social skills, as we frequently go out in Ponyville on walks and also going into shops and restaurants." Blue said "And, now that Sombra's dietary needs are handled with your spell, I feel there will be great improvements as well."

Sombra blushed a little but said nothing, his tail slyly entwining with Blue's own. "My social skills were perfectly fine before. I just don't care for constant prattle."

Blue chuckled "Like I said...its good...still needs slight improving" He said, blushing from the tail entwining, he had a feeling Twilight would likely notice, but the stallion is beginning to warm up to that.

Twilight smiled a little: "...when I have, I would actually like to discuss some less... dire things with you, Sombra." Sombra raised his gaze, looking confused more than anything, to which Twilight continued: "Just... history things, magic, stuff like that."

Sombra huffed, but nodded: "...perhaps that can be arranged."

"Sounds fun!" Blue said smiling, before quickly bowing "Thank you again Twilight for your help, this means alot to us" He said.

Sombra in contrast raised his muzzle to the air, finding it insulting to bow to a creature 1000 years his junior, but reluctantly -and with a soft kick to his leg from Blue- nodded his head down, unwilling to go to a full bow.

Blue would raise his head, then he would gesture for Sombra to follow, and as the two left, Twilight could very clearly see Blue's Tail fully entwining with Sombra's in a loving gesture Sombra huffed after the door behind them closed, looking like he had to crawl through Tartarus just now.

"I think that went rather well"

"Yes...I suppose it did." Sombra said "Though, I think that the Princess is quite the talker."

"Hay, just be glad it wasn't Pinkie Pie."

A shiver went down Sombras spine "Don't even remind me, I went into her head once and it made me never want to go in again."

Blue chuckled "Come on, lets go home."

Chapter 15: Parties and Casseroles

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.

Chapter 16: Bloodlines

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.