When the Darkness Shines

Sombra climbed up onto a small stage with Amore while Cadence stood next to Samaar and Rabia in the crowd, little Selena cheering in Rabia's foreleg. She gave her a little nuzzle before focusing on the stage again when Queen Amore started to speak.

"Here today we see a Prince. Just as strong and capable as any but with more courage than an entire kingdom. He gives up his crown and title to serve our empire on our council. For the last time, I present Prince Sombra of the Umbrum Kingdom!" Amore called out to the crowd. The umbrum subjects all dipped their heads in respect and the crystal ponies followed. After they looked back at the stage the council ponies had came out from behind the curtain to reveal a pendant that held the old gem from his crown. He held his head up proudly as Amore placed the pendant and continued. "And for the first time, may I present Councilor Sombra, representative of the umbrums!" The crowd cheered loudly and beat their hooves on the ground as Sombra smiled down at them from the stage. "Now let us dance the night away!" The signal for the start of the suprise. Two pegasi guards dropped the last large curtain to the area under the palace so it became very dark. Cadence jumped up on the stage and pointed Sombra over to the opposite side while two more guards raised another small curtain that showed only the moon through it. The umbrum subjects gasped and started cheering at their sacred place being replicated here. Cadence excitedly looked over to Sombra to see him stare up at the moon. "Suprise." Cadence half-sung, very pleased that it went off without a hitch. Sombra blinked a few times before turing to Cadence and wrapping around her in a tight hug.

"Thank you." She heard him whisper.

He then pulled only partly away and dragged her off the stage as a band started climbing on it.

"What are you doing?" She giggled curiously as he started spinning them around.

"I want to thank you with a dance. If you want to that is?"

He said it nervously but gazed into her eyes. She nodded and he began spinning her around on the dance floor again. They couldn't see it but Rabia and Amore were smiling at each other excitedly. As they both grew accustomed to it Cadence leaned in closer. She nuzzled the side of his neck to the sounds of the violins with Sombra slightly shocked at first quickly warmed up and rested his head on the back of hers. Cadence eventually wrapped her foreleg around Sombra's as they swayed with each other to the music. When the song stopped and they stopped spinning Sombra leaned into her. They gazed into each other's eyes as they were so close together they could feel the other's breathing. Cadence's eyes only left his own to gaze towards his lips. Sombra's eyes widened at the realization but he quickly and lightly dipped his head. Cadence smiled and started leaning in and closing her eyes.

"Excuse me!"

They snapped back and looked to see Shining Armor standing there. Sombra couldn't help but growl at his very rude interruption.

"I need to talk to you right now." He said to Cadence, completely ignoring Sombra. Cadence gazed over at Sombra who was now annoyed and rolled his eyes with a huff.

"Right now Cadence." He had never said her name before, only your highness. This must be serious. "If you will excuse me, Councilor." She gave a soft wink before following Shining Armor. As soon as they were out of the tent space he bolted up the stairs. Cadence quickly chased after him, following him down a hallway towards his room.

"What is going on Shining Armor?!" He flung the door open and Cadence looked down to see Tamaar. She was violently shaking, her shadows coming in and out as tears streaked down her face. She made loud whimpering noises as she seemed to stare off into nothingness.

"What happened? Now!" She commanded him, slamming her hoof sharply to the floor.

"Amore said the guards would be taking the day and night off and I was free to go anywhere in the castle alone as long as I stayed in the castle and I didn't know she was there and she overheard something I didn't mean for her to hear!" He nervously rambled.

"What was it!?" She snapped and she leaned down trying to calm the frightened umbrum. Her pupils were gone and she seemed in some kind of trance.

"I've felt really really bad about it and I was going to tell you and Amore but I didn't want to get banished cause getting exiled from my own mom sucked and I was talking to myself about how me and my team went to the northern dragon nest to take eggs for my mom cause Daybreaker recently allied with the Dragonlands. They followed us there and we got back under the wall when they attacked and I've felt really guilty about it but I feel like it's my fault the dragons took their home and got their friends and family killed!" He was now in tears as he had at some point in his ramble fell on the floor. Cadence went to respond but was cut off.

"You"

"Did"

"WHAT?!?!"

Cadence turned to see Sombra. His crystal coat was gone, now replaced by dark shadows. His eyes were angry and smoked along with dark smoke sneaking in through his bared teeth. His tail lashed violently. He snarled loudly and dark smoke filled the room and hallway.

"It-it-it was an accident I s-swear." Shining Armor pleaded. Sombra was having none of it. Cadence tried to run over to him but he shifted over Shining Armor and began pounding on him.

"Sombra stop!" Cadence cried out as she ran towards them only to be pulled aside by an unknown force as a large blast came from Shining's broken horn. As the room started to clear of smoke and Cadence peered around. Sombra laid still on the floor, no shadows left.

"I s-swear I d-didn't-t know I could d-do that!" Shining stuttered. Suddenly there was a sharp thud by the door and they both immediately turned to the sound.

The was the queen. A small and soft stream of smoke emitted from her.