Moonshadow

Chapters

The return
The nightmare
Dream
Chapter 4.1
4.2 Poison
The Wolf. part 1

The return

He had returned. No one knew how or why.

The black stallion, who once sowed terror and desolation among ponies, now lay behind the cold bars of Canterlot's dungeon. His imposing figure, once a symbol of untamed fury, seemed diminished in the prison's shadows. Yet, his eyes still burned like embers, filled with memories of battles fought under darkened skies.

After defeating him for good, the Crystal Empire believed the darkness was gone.

But in the silence of the arctic, where the wind sang forgotten songs, an anomaly emerged: a shattered black horn, radiating a dark energy that throbbed with the scream of pure suffering, a lingering agony that seemed to crawl through the echoes of the ice. Archaeologists found it in the far north, beyond the last vestige of life, but they did not see the danger hidden in their discovery.

Unknowingly, they brought the key to destruction to Princess Cadence.

As the heir of the empire, Cadence wielded Amore’s magic, an ancient and powerful blessing, as mysterious as the hearts of the ponies she ruled. She knew that Amore's magic kept the darkest creatures at bay, but this time, something was different. The darkness within the horn seemed alive, as if it awaited something... or someone.

With the horn in her possession, Cadence attempted to purge its curse. But as she cast the spell, her heart was far from the love that had given her lineage its name. Instead, she felt fear—deep, ancient fear—and a growing hatred that fed on every dark whisper escaping from the horn. What was meant to protect now awakened the worst in her, and instead of sealing the evil, she fed it.

The horn gleamed, and a crimson light burst forth into a swirling darkness.

Thick smoke rose, coiling through the air, wrapping everything in a tempest that seemed to devour light itself. At its center, a silhouette began to take shape—a familiar, feared figure… one she loathed with every fiber of her being.

Before her stood a massive black stallion, as imposing as in the worst of nightmares.

His body, encased in tarnished silver armor, gleamed faintly in the dim light like an ancient specter returning from the shadows. A blood-red cloak billowed behind him, and upon his head, a dark and grim crown, bearing the weight of centuries, sat as a witness to fierce battles.

Cadence charged into battle with fiery determination, determined to protect her kingdom. However, the monstrous beast—a creature of insidious cunning, feline agility, and superhuman strength—seemed to toy with her hope. With a swift, brutal movement, he tossed her against the throne like a mere plaything. Each blow felt like a cruel whisper, mocking the princess's dreams of victory as he reveled in her torment.

When she thought it was the end, Twilight Sparkle appeared, like a lightning bolt amidst the storm.

Five long years had passed, and the current ruler of Equestria had not only grown in wisdom but in power. Now, she faced the dark stallion with the confidence of one who knew her magic could rival the shadows. Her dark spells clashed against the powerful blasts of light emanating from her horn, while her wings kept her agile in the air, dodging the black crystals that ricocheted off the vaulted ceiling.

But Sombra did not falter.

The beams of light barely ruffled his dark coat, and with a roar of fury, the dark stallion charged at the young monarch. Twilight met him with the shield of her majestic wings, deflecting his attack and throwing him back to the ground. In a blink, the two were locked in violent combat. Horn against horn, hoof against hoof, each strike crackled with sparks of pure magic that illuminated the chamber like an unceasing lightning storm.

It was a battle of titans.

Sombra possessed brutal strength, but Twilight matched him in skill and surpassed him in magic. Her eyes gleamed with fierce determination as each blow made the very air tremble. Both knew they could fight for a thousand days without tiring, but the cost would be the complete destruction of Equestria.

In a moment of advantage, Sombra unleashed his most deadly spell.

A green lightning bolt, streaked with violet and black, tore through the air, aimed straight at the alicorn. But Twilight, with her characteristic precision, deflected the bolt with a single movement, sending it back toward her foe. The magic struck Sombra with such force that it not only hit his body but delved deep into his mind, tearing through the dark veils that shielded his soul.

A swirl of black smoke revealed a sad and distant memory.

In the heart of the mythical empire, a young colt with jet-black fur stood alone, apart from the cheerful bustle of the others. He did not laugh or play like his peers, who frolicked carefree around him. Instead, he curled up in a corner, his eyes filled with tears, his small body wracked by sobs. His heart was torn by an inexplicable pain, a suffering no one else seemed to see or hear.

No one answered his cries.

The adults, their gazes full of disdain, trotted past, indifferent to his sorrow. There were no words of comfort, no helping hooves. He was left alone, abandoned in a bright world that, to him, was colder than any desert.

Time passed, and the colt was forgotten.

Now, he stood in the midst of an endless desert, under a starless sky, where his presence was as insignificant as the wind sweeping the sand. And it was there, in that unfathomable void, that a crimson crystal appeared, glowing with an ominous light. From its depths, a dark whisper emerged:

"Your destiny has arrived, child," it crooned in a cold, eerie melody.

The darkness enveloped him.

There was no resistance, only surrender. The young colt, consumed by abandonment and pain, twisted and contorted under the shadow that swallowed him whole. Slowly, he became what he had feared most—the monster that now haunted his darkest nightmares.

Twilight, shaken, broke free from the illusion, her wings flapping desperately as she escaped the remnants of that nightmare that still seemed to cling to her mind. Her heart pounded as she turned to face her enemy. In the distance, his ragged breathing echoed faintly, his chest rising and falling violently, each breath like a contained thunderclap. The muscles of his body twisted under his skin, tense, filled with dark energy. He lifted his head wearily, and his gaze, empty, devoid of life’s spark, locked onto her.

“Fool,” he rasped, a harsh laugh tearing through the air. "My worst nightmare... is my own life."

As the day waned, the castle of Canterlot echoed with murmurs and the rhythmic clatter of hooves. The unsettling atmosphere was palpable.

"What are we going to do with him?"

"Same as last time."

"We don’t even know how to activate that power."

"Would Tartarus hold him?"

"What if he escapes?"

The bearers of the Elements of Harmony huddled together, discussing their next steps with nervous glances exchanged. Just then, the creaking sound of the door opening interrupted them.

A light purple unicorn burst into the room, panting.

"I got here as fast as I could!" Starlight exclaimed, trying to smooth her disheveled mane before joining the others. "Are you serious!? King Sombra, the tyrant who brought the Crystal Empire to its knees… is here, in the castle!?"

The girls exchanged perplexed glances at Starlight’s unexpected excitement.

"I'm sorry, it's just... last time he returned, I never got to see him. It’s… impressive."

"Uh, Starlight, we literally have a monster right near us," Rainbow Dash reminded her dryly.

"I know, but it's exciting to see an ancient villain, a legend from a thousand years ago!" Starlight tried to justify herself.

"You’ve already met Chrysalis and Tirek," pointed out Applejack.

"Yes, but this is different! Sombra is a pony who wields dark magic. I’ve only ever read about him, never seen him in action."

"Trust me, we’ve seen him in action... we’ve never experienced anything more horrifying. I can’t believe a pony could be capable of such evil," Fluttershy whispered, her voice trembling with terror.

"He’s not a pony," Twilight’s voice broke through the air, grave and measured, as she entered the room.

"Twilight, what do you mean?" Starlight asked, frowning.

Twilight took a deep breath, pulling an ancient book from her satchel. "This is his journal."

She opened the pages, stopping near the end, where a single word, unfamiliar to all, seemed to glow ominously—Umbrum.

"It was written before he was banished."

A chill ran down the spines of the group, as if a shadow had slipped into the room.

"But... what is an Umbrum?" one of them asked, voice trembling with uncertainty.

Twilight inhaled deeply, letting the rising dread lace her words.

"I don’t know," she admitted, her voice heavy with restrained anxiety. "In ancient times, they sent monsters to the arctic wastelands to imprison them..."

She trailed off, her eyes staring into an unsettling void.

"But the old records are lost, destroyed over time. There’s barely any trace left of Princess Amore."

Uncertainty weighed down on the ponies like a thick fog. It wasn’t just Sombra they were facing now, but something unknown. If his presence as a pony had been terrifying enough, what unimaginable horrors could an Umbrum unleash? And even more troubling—what other creatures might still lie hidden in the arctic, waiting to be freed?

"So, you're telling me the Crystal Empire... is a prison for monsters worse than Tartarus?!" Rainbow Dash shouted, her voice filled with disbelief.

"We don’t know what kind of prison it is or how many ancient creatures were locked away," Twilight said, pointing to the book, "but there’s someone who does."

Her friends looked at her, bewildered, trying to piece together whom she meant.

"You’re not seriously thinking of talking to him, are you?" Rarity asked, her voice tinged with dread.

"Twilight, we love you, but you can’t reason with him," added Applejack, her concern palpable.

"Has anyone actually tried?" Starlight interjected, feeling increasingly sidelined.

"Yeah, we tried... while he had his horn at our throats," Rainbow Dash retorted, her tone laced with sarcasm.

"Girls, calm down. He’s under my spell. He can’t hurt us… for now," Twilight reassured them, though her voice wavered slightly.

"We trust you, Twilight," Fluttershy said softly, approaching her friend. "But we can’t keep him here."

Twilight took a deep breath, fighting to suppress the rising tension in her chest. The weight of her responsibility bore down on her, and her mind raced for a solution.

"It’ll only be a little longer… until I decide what to do with him," she murmured, her voice betraying her growing worry.

Fluttershy gently placed a hoof on Twilight’s, her eyes filled with kindness and understanding.

"We believe in you, Twilight. We’re here for you."

The others nodded in agreement, offering supportive glances.

Twilight lingered alone in the room after the others had left, pacing in circles. Her wings occasionally flared as she trotted, the echo of her hooves bouncing off the stone walls. She was lost in thought until a voice broke through her inner turmoil.

"Are you okay, Twilight?" Starlight’s voice pulled her back to reality. Twilight tried to compose herself, but her friend saw through her facade.

"Something else is bothering you, isn’t it?" Starlight gently prodded.

Twilight sighed, levitating the journal with a faint glow of magic, her eyes scanning the worn pages. The weight of the secrets it held seemed to grow heavier in her grasp. After a moment of silence, she handed the book to Starlight with a solemn expression.

"The Umbrum aren’t the only thing on my mind," her voice, though soft, cracked slightly with a mixture of determination and doubt. "I feel it’s my duty to help him."

I lay back against the cell’s cold wall, my nose desperately trying to grasp something beyond the pervasive stench of decaying rock. The metallic scent in the air evoked images of fresh blood, a foul odor even for me. Yet the stench that finally reached my senses was even more familiar and abhorrent.

To a rabbit, a fox is a threat, and to a blackbird, a hawk. There, in the shadows of my confinement, descended my now enemy.

Starlight and Twilight descended into the dungeons to confront the ancient dark king.

Before them lay the stallion, who, in a feeble attempt to appear strong, tried to rise. It was a futile effort, evident from the spasms that betrayed his deplorable condition. With a false show of bravado, he spoke.

"So... you’ve come to kill me. What’s it going to be this time? Stone? Disintegration?" he mocked. "Feel free to try. It doesn’t matter. I always come back... Death is not enough to stop me," he concluded with a haughty tone.

"Don’t you ever tire of being so fatalistic and sadistic?" Starlight retorted with a smirk, an attempt that, judging by Twilight's expression, was poorly received.

"One of the few pleasures left to me... that and frightening ignorant ponies," he said, taking a step forward. Both mares instinctively recoiled, which only widened the sadistic grin on the dark stallion’s face.

Twilight was questioning her plan. Before her was literally the champion of an entire evil race, a being who had enslaved a whole empire. Even weakened and imprisoned, he was not to be taken lightly... but at this point, she had nothing left to lose.

"So, you’re an Umbrum," she stated plainly, not asking but declaring a fact.

The reaction was immediate. Sombra’s ears folded against his head, his crimson eyes widened and dilated, clearly taken by surprise. He let out a guttural growl, and his fangs—so unusual for a pony—along with his dangerous expression, made him resemble a dark wolf on the hunt.

"Where did you find that out?" he demanded in a dangerously deep baritone. Both mares felt a shiver run down their spines at the sight before them. Even exhausted and trapped, the Umbrum could still instill fear in the hearts of ponies.

Twilight, stepping forward in defiance, replied, "I read your journal."

This seemed to bewilder the dark stallion, as it was surprising to him that the book had survived over a thousand years. Relaxing his posture and regaining composure, he reflected. He had not thought about that journal in a long time. He was surprised that the chronicle of his suffering had survived the ravages of time to end up in the hooves of the mare before him.

"What do you want from me?"

"Information. Many things have been lost to time about ancient Equestria, knowledge from a thousand years ago that now amounts to dust and ashes... but you know it," Twilight explained.

"What makes you think I’m willing to cooperate?" the stallion turned his back.

"I don’t think you have an alternative," Twilight declared with cynical finality.

Sombra clicked his tongue in disdain. He acknowledged the truth of his defeat but would not yield to her, not again.

"The Umbrum. They abandoned me at the edges of their prison, disregarding everything and everyone, obsessed only with their insatiable thirst for destruction," he continued, his voice laden with bitterness. "I was their champion, and they left me to the brink of our race’s extinction," he cleared his throat, his tone echoing with a somber resonance. "They lack the grandeur and vigor that I possess. They are mere opaque vapors, pretending to be what they are not: a simple pony."

Awaiting the worst, the princess remained as still as a block of ice. The coldness of her expression was almost tangible, a shield of serenity amid the chaos surrounding her. She straightened, her majestic bearing a reminder of her unshakable dignity, and met the stallion's gaze.

"Thank you," the princess spoke, her voice, despite its gentleness, resonated with the firmness of an irrefutable truth.

The stallion, with his sleek coat and imposing presence, raised an eyebrow in surprise and curiosity as he watched the mares leave the dungeon with quiet steps. His gaze drifted slowly around the dim corners of the place, making circles in a near-mechanical manner, like a dog patrolling its territory. Threats and thanks floated in the air but did not disturb the creature’s calm.

Determined to find refuge in sleep, the stallion settled in a secluded corner, where the light was scarce and the cold was biting. He didn’t know how, but his determination was unwavering: he would find a way out of that place, with the perseverance only a true will could provide.

In the royal chamber, Twilight sought out Spike. The teenage dragon, engrossed in a comic, tried to clumsily hide it upon seeing her.

"Spike, I need you to arrange for a room near the north tower. Send the designer to the throne room; I’ll be there in a few minutes," Twilight ordered with resolve.

Hearing this, Spike immediately got up and went off to find the designer, leaving Twilight alone with Starlight.

"I didn’t know we had guests. Who will be staying here?" Starlight was met with an accusatory glance from Twilight. She instantly understood whom Twilight was referring to.

"Are you sure you want to release him so soon? I feel bad for him too. However, he is... unstable."

"Don’t worry, I have a plan," Twilight said as she grabbed a quill and paper. "We won’t make any progress if he keeps sleeping with the rats."

Starlight nodded, acknowledging the validity of her mentor’s words. More than anyone, she understood what it was like to be treated with disdain. But she was a pony. Was it really possible to purify someone whose nature seemed rooted in evil? She could only hope Twilight’s plan would succeed.

The alicorn elegantly settled at her desk, the soft creak of the wood under her weight creating a symphony of serenity in the room. Candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls, and the subtle scent of wax and ink filled the air. With delicate movements, she picked up the yellowed parchment that lay in a corner, its edges worn and paper marked by the passage of time.

With a contemplative pause, her eyes settled on the words she was about to write, words she had not penned in years. The quill glided over the parchment, tracing letters that seemed to whisper forgotten stories and hidden feelings. “Dear Princess Luna,” she began, the fresh black ink contrasting with the aged tone of the parchment, like a thread of hope amid ancient memories.

Author's Note

It's my first story, and english isn't my first lenguge

The nightmare

As the night faded to gray, the dawn came. As the sun adorned the sky with its first rays, it took on a reddish tint and flooded the land, erasing the stars to reveal the clouds. Its warmth awakened the delicate plants, which started to spread their petals.Dahlias, tulips and roses adorned the beautiful garden with their presence. But their beauty was eclipsed by the passing of a mare at dawn. The light shone on her neat white coat in a pale yellow, and her rainbow mane painted the meadow with color.

As it spread her wings, she received the warmth of that old friend. She looked up with some nostalgia, for centuries it had been her duty to raise it when she awoke with the dawn. It was only a sweet memory now, but she never abandoned her connection with it.

Her fantasy was interrupted by snoring coming from her house. She rasped the earth nervously, before trotting back to her house.

Another would have been angry, but she was used to it, so she returned to her room. She looked tenderly at her little sister dozing in her bed, curled up in her blanket and cuddled her plush animals; like an innocent little filly. Once again she had been kept awake, for as was to be expected from the former princess of the night.

As she tried to wake her up for breakfast. A crackling noise sounded, a mystical greenish fire appeared into the room transforming itself into a piece of scroll .

"YOU MUST OVERCOME YOUR FEARS!",shouted the dark blue alicorn as she awoke.

She took a leap hitting the ceiling only to whip herself to the floor. Sobbing her beating wings she proceeded to blink slowly, to soothe her inflamed eyes. He stretched his neck and back trying to shake off the dream.

"Good morning, sis!" Celestia sang jovially. Her relative stared at her with the desire to strangle her.

On her way to breakfast she found the source of the green fire, a letter from Princess Twilight. How strange, she usually avoids writing to us, we only receive letters on holidays. Or when she has to receive information about something she should have been taught before inheriting the throne.

"Thank you, Celestia," she murmured, and proceeded to sit on her futon as he sipped his coffee, which, to be honest, was more milk and sugar than anything else. She carefully opened the seal and began reading, "Dear Princess Luna." Such formality, even if she wasn't a monarch anymore. She couldn't imagine what the purpose of the letter would be, so she left it spitting out her coffee, splashing it around the room.

”Luna," her sister shouted angrily, "I just cleaned up.”

”Sombra is back," she said, silencing her sister.

The faint light crept into the cell through the small window and blinded my half-opened eyelids, I closed them sharply. I swept my fur across the floor as I turned around, hoping to mask hunger and sleep. I was weak and tired, but I won't sleep. I don't want to have nightmares again, but one doesn't own its mind. At least, I was a slave of mine.

I've been a sufferer of horrendous nightmares about that reflection in the crystal ever since I was a colt. I used to placate them with the help of fairy tales, I would read them every night or have someone read them for me.

"You had a bad dream, huh?"

Startled, I turned towards the voice. It was that purple unicorn that had accompanied my captress.

"What do you want? I told you what you already asked for. I have nothing more I can or would give you. It will be better for all of us if we never see each other again.

"You had a nightmare, didn't you? It's happened to me too. Sometimes the mind is an enemy, but you can face it.”

"Why do you care?

"I care about you, and Twilight also cares about you." She took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. -"Listen, I haven't been nice my whole life. I used to be cruel and manipulative, I used to not care about my cause at all. But because of Twilight, I was able to change"

. She stepped closer to the cell and added, "And I think everyone deserves a second chance.”

"Seriously, little Mare, what have you done to feel you have the right to be compared to me?"

"I removed the cutiemarks from the ponies in my village so no one could be special. So technically, I made them my slaves."

"How disturbing.

(Why didn't I think of that?)

The mare held out her hoof to the cell, but received only a muffled laugh in response. I turned around, stood on my hindquarters and leaned my hooves against the bars.

"You are not understanding, we are not alike. You are a creature of magic and light, and I am a being of darkness and gloom. You were born as an entity of goodness, I was born to break it down."

I lower my head, and contract my lips to show my fangs.

"If you ask me to be good, it would be like asking a fish to swim on land or a wolf to devour seeds. It is merely my existence; that is the way I was created, a monster made to free others.”

"I'm a weapon for demonic beings."

"Wow, what an amazing analogy, you must be quite well-read.-" "Well, back in the orphanage, the most interesting thing you could do was ransack the library, in fact, I read more than anything...". He kept quiet realizing that his speech was being brought out of him. "Damn it!"

Starlight smiled, maybe that beast wasn't so fierce. "But there may be another way. The changelings reformed and now they are happy.

That really perplexed me: changelings were among the most repulsive creatures in Equestria. At the orphanage they used to tell their stories of how they would disguise themselves as friendly ponies, and then drain them of their love. And even by them collapsed one of the most beautiful realms that had ever existed, leaving it only as a record on papyrus.

But they were nothing compared to the Umbrun. I knew little of them, but to have Amore fear them, they were not a thing to be dealt with easily. Even I could not bring myself to dare.

"They feed on love. We die with the simple essence of it, don't look for solutions, girl. There won't be any," I snorted, hoping she would finally shut up.

"You've never been in love, have you?

She had touched a nerve, one that had died a thousand years ago. Neither love nor compassion were worthy of creatures like me. My hooves had turned to stone. Eyes sore from fatigue begged to cry. I could not allow myself to be seen in this state.
I twisted my muzzle into a grimace of rage. I threw a thrust that thundered through the metal bars, knocking Starlight off her feet.

"GET AWAY! " I yelled at the pony.

Starlight's glow had dimmed from my presence. The pony scrambled carelessly to her hooves, following the impulses her instincts were telling her. Her sobbing could be heard echoing through the dungeon.

I scratched the floor in irritation, almost tearing up the tiles, I was so frustrated. But with whom, not for her, frankly I cared for neither her nor Twilight. But I had a desire to murder someone.

I just tossed and turned, staring at the prison wall, hoping that at dawn I would wake up with no emotion.

Starlight walked crestfallen out of the dungeon. She thought she had finally been able to tame him down a bit. She should have imagined that it would not be as easy a ride as hers. That steed was not broken, but shattered; it might stay that way forever.

At that moment, her friend Twilight approached her lovingly.

"Did he do something to you?"

"Just yell at me. I couldn't really get anywhere.”

"It's okay, Starlight, we knew it wouldn't be a one-day thing."

"But I want to help."

"And you will, but you have to know when to set your limits. Besides, I contacted someone else myself who could stand up to him."

"Who?"

Suddenly, a blue trail glowed and crashed into the glass, leaving a large hole in the castle's roof. The author of the catastrophe shook her wings and shattered the remains of the glass.

"Luna!" the princess cried, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle, I'm so happy to be here at your call! What's next in your plan to overthrow King Sombra?"

"I've missed you so much," Twilight said, giving her a big hug.

"Me too," she replied, giving him a warm hug. "But tell me, why did you ask for my help? I thought they had already found a way to destroy him."

"Actually, I called you to have a little chat with him."

Luna gave him a questioning look, as if she wasn't quite convinced of his plan. But she blindly trusted her current ruler.

"What do you have in mind, your highness?" he asked with a warm smile.

"Well, he's... complicated. Starlight tried to reason with him, but he wants nothing to do with us. But you were on that path once and you also helped Starlight and Stygian. I'm sure you'll be able to help him, too."

"Twilight, you know I'm all for redemption. But that guy is really struggling."

"Please," Starlight begged, "at least try."

"I'd be happy to help, Twilight. I'll do it for you, other than what you're looking for out of this."

"Twilight wants to know more about the Arctic North, and I'd love to learn more about dark magic.”

Twilight scolded her old apprentice with her eyes, it was true, though not entirely. But she could not be so subjective, she had to look out for the welfare of the creatures in her kingdom. No matter how vile they were, she had to at least try.

Luna descended the dungeon stairs, the polished marble turning to brittle rock with each step. Soon, the light was replaced by darkness.

It was strange for ponies to use these dungeons; it had been years since they had deserved to be there, or had committed worse crimes. No one cared for them anymore, and their upkeep was conspicuous by its absence: dust collected on the floor and rust on the bars corroded the atmosphere. But for Luna that was insignificant compared to the need to return to Sombra.

She stopped a few meters from her cell. The black stallion had his back to her. Sensing her presence, he flicked his ear and turned towards her. Cautiously he approached her. His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at her. It was an emotionless stare, with the dead eyes of a damned soul.

Just as she was about to speak, the prisoner opened his snout.

"Princess Luna, it has certainly been years," he said with a false cordiality. A subtle mockery.

"Thousands, and yet you never learned," she replied contemptuously.

"Learn what? How cowardly and dishonest you princesses are."

"Twilight defeated you! Twice, and you're still being given a chance," Luna snorted. "You should be grateful to have such a compassionate ruler."

"No doubt, she is superior to you. Especially Amore.”

"You psycho! You killed her!" She pointed his horn at the steed's jugular.

"She wanted me to die, it was her or me. I chose to save myself."

Luna calmed her rage and stepped away from the stallion.

"Anyway, she asked me to talk to you. "What's the reason for this?"

"I told you, it's my nature."

"You know what, I can't handle it," she replied irritably.

She moved away from the cell, shining a celestial light from her horn. She spread her wings to intensify her power and focused it on the prisoner. The shadow eyes turned white and her horn radiated a dark purple. Luna approached the portal and entered the threshold of his mind.

It was empty and plain, not even dark or sad; it was in nowhere. She had never seen a mind this desolate in any pony. She walked in the subconscious until she found the corridor of a castle. She entered the hall, it was narrow but its ceiling seemed endless. It was narrow but its ceiling seemed endless. Near the wooden columns, they tangled and wove together as if forming a disturbing tree that rooted the doors in a kind of honeycomb.

She backed away slightly to a place where she could clear her mind from the sight, but the longer she stood there, the darker and more tense the atmosphere became. The air in her lungs seemed to choke her like a snake. In defense, she contracted her wings, wrapping them around her body to make room. She tried to talk to herself to calm down, but the red velvet carpet on the floor drowned out her voice. The eye-shaped fabric made her feel like prey. She wanted to scream, but she couldn't hear herself. A mournful chant boomed in her ears (Come here, son), she pleaded in a guttural growl.

Luna silenced her screams with a powerful burst of light, exposing her mind.

She noticed several elegant mahogany doors with regal engravings of broken hearts in a faux gold color. She inspected each one carefully, searching for the source of her torments. Traveling down the endless corridor, the doors were absurdly similar. Some were white and tall, others black and thin, but none seemed to be of particular interest to her. A rush passed by her ears, again that praying sound was calling her. A mist of green miasma followed and chased it into the dark part.

There the doors lay shattered and splintered on the floor. Except for one. It was made of crystal, like those of the empire; its pale whitish blue color glistened with lavender glitter. Despite its mystical appearance, like everything else in his mind it held a subtle sorrow.

She used a black magic spell and opened the door. A halo of light filtered out of it, illuminating the gloomy atmosphere.

“Inside the door was a heartwarming scene; a classroom with several crystal foals. Everyone was laughing, running and painting. It seemed to be days before the crystal fair, as they were painting the symbol of their flag; a snowflake.

«You could see how hard it was for them to make such a complex symbol with their snouts, they would press so hard on the pencils that they would break. How the whole floor was covered with frost that the foals failed to stick to their paints." Luna felt nostalgic, her childhood was uncounted decades ago and hard to remember. She wished she had grown up surrounded by playful fillies, besides her sister she didn't have any friends in her childhood.”

“Returning to her senses, she turned her gaze to the far end of the room. Far away from all the children was a foal painting alone. His eyes were bright green, contrasting with his black fur and even darker mane. Luna blinked several times, she couldn't believe it. It was Sombra! He was drawing with a dark gray crayon, his lines were confident but vague, like every child he painted without caring if it worked out well. What he wanted was to have fun and boy was he enjoying it. His big eyes sparkled with an emotion Luna never thought she would see in him; happiness.

When he finished his strokes, he took the bottle of purple sparkles and began to frost his drawing. He was so proud of it. He trotted with it in his mouth to show his teacher, until he heard the murmurs of his classmates.”

"That freak can't do anything right," complained one of the students.

"Let him be, he's too dumb to even try. He can barely talk."

" Why isn't he a normal foal?"

"He's not even a crystal pony, I still don't understand why Miss Chestnutfall doesn't take him to the streets."

"It would be nice not to have to see him and his ugly black coat anymore."

"Poor little colt, even crystallization doesn't save him from being ugly."

The crystal ponies burst into mocking laughter, taking advantage of the fact that the teacher was distracted.

Little Sombra looked at the drawing to which he had put so much care and threw it in the trash. He covered up his tears and ran out into the playground to escape from his classmates.

"He went as far as the schoolyard, where he hid among the brambles of roses and began to cry. Luna approached the foal, forgetting that it was the memory of her enemy. She wanted to comfort that desolate foal, but she knew she could not change that sour memory. Sombra basked in the rose bush, its thorns tore his fur and his tears were lost in the dew."

The little boy wailed until he heard a familiar voice.

"Sombra!" cried a filly of his age. She came running from the stall, panting from exhaustion. "Are you all right? I didn't see you in the classroom and I was scared.The teacher told me you ran out. Please come inside, you're going to miss the festival."

"I'm not going," sobbed Sombra. "I'll never go, no matter what I do they'll never accept me, I'm trying to be normal, I swear I am! But all this. It's just the way I am, I don't know why I'm like this.”

"Why do you want to change who you are?

"They say I'm weird," he replied tearfully.

"They say that about me too, and I'm not weird, am I?"

"Well... "Sombra tried to dissimulate.

"What?" she exclaimed in a sad voice.

"No wait, I didn't mean it."

"I'm just kidding, but look, you're not crying anymore," she went over and hugged him, "I don't care what anyone else thinks. I love you like this."

"Thank you Hope." He hugged his best friend back.

Luna was touched by the scene of those two friends, they loved each other more than anything in the world. All afternoon they played until they went back to the orphanage at sundown."

(Hope, where have I heard that name before?) Luna wondered.

Also what must have happened to her. Sombra had such a faithful friend, how that bond was broken.

She was pulled from her thoughts by a subtle miasma swirling in the darkness of the twilight. The memory began to blur and the scenery to fade.

The green cloud enveloped Sombra as he writhed in pain. He was in a hospital bed near which the crystal heart could be spotted meters away. The foal was weeping and sobbing in pain, while his friend stood beside him in tears. The miasma materialized as a horse, not like ordinary ponies; it was boned, incorporeal, with crooked teeth and lifeless white eyes. Luna lashed out with a thrust, but that creature snapped her out of her subconscious.

She crashed to the dungeon floor, her legs shaking as she tried to get up. It was strange, extremely frightening, what was hidden in her mind was a true danger.

She looked up at Sombra, her serious features were now sad, she could swore there was even a subtle gleam in his eyes. Like that of a stray puppy begging for food.

Luna was too burdened by all she had witnessed to say anything back. She stood and teleported to the throne room.

Sombra for his part lay on the floor shivering, he contracted his hooves to cover his stomach. He was trembling, he was getting chills. With a blank stare he looked up at the roof.

Twilight talked to the interior decorator as soon as she finished the room she had ordered for her prisoner. She knew it was a bit early to have him in the castle. But she had to get him out of this precarious environment if she wanted to befriend him.

Suddenly Starlight arrived, Twilight had asked her to take charge of Sombra's watch while he was in the castle. Of course she agreed, she couldn't think of anyone better for the job; after all, she knew what a villain looked like and would keep her up to date on her patient's schemes.

Before they went back downstairs, they found Luna coming out of the dungeon. She was very agitated, sweat dripping from her brow and her legs were crooked; she looked like she was fleeing from a predator.

“Luna! Oh, no. Did he attack you?",asked Twilight worriedly.

“No, it's not that, it's just...”. She hesitated to answer. “I wasn't ready.”

“I'm sorry. I shouldn't have involved you in this,” she said in a trembling voice.

Luna wrapped her wings around Twilight in a soft hug.

“No Twilight, it's all right. But I need time, I think I know a way to help you.” She lifted Twilight's chin “Help you both.”

Both princesses said goodbye with chivalry. Luna went to her retirement home in the outskirts of Canterlot, where she had multiple records of the past thousand years in Equestria; maybe one of them could explain that nightmare.

When Twilight and Starlight went back down to the bottom of the dungeon, frankly it was tiring, for that and other reasons they wanted to move him to the castle chambers. When they reached his cage, he greeted them with a growl of irritation.

"'You've been up and down here all the time! You're not going let me be miserable alone," the beast said.

"That's why we've come to offer you a place to stay at the castle," Twilight exclaimed warmly.

Sombra questioned her with a "those mares are crazy" look. But he won't be stupid.

"So what is the trap?"

"You'll help us find out more about the Crystal Empire, since you grew up there. If you can prove that you can be trusted, I'll remove your magic blocker. On the condition that you promise to use it for good, of course."

Sombra wanted to scoff at such a naive request, but he kept his truths to himself. It would be idiotic to remain snorting in the cell like a raging bull. Foolishly hoping to be lucky enough to get out. Being in the castle, living with the princess, did not displease him so much. If only he could find a way to take over not just Canterlot, but all of Equestria.

"All right, Princess," he laughed in a baritone voice. "If you think that, I'll show you how wrong you are."

Starlight opened the cage and Shadow came out at a stunted pace, the lack of food and rest taking its toll. Twilight teleported the three of them to the north tower, across from a newly repaired door.

They entered the room, which was spacious without being huge; decorated in purple and red, there was not much furniture other than a small desk with papyrus and quills, next to it was a medium-sized bookshelf full of children's books. In the middle was a crescent-shaped bed mattress, large enough for Sombra to sleep on.

"This is your new room," Twilight announced. "I know you're tired, so rest. When you wake up, I'll bring you some food."

"More stale bread and apples?"

“What?! I asked you for oatmeal. Then she remembered. “I guess the jailer doesn't like you very much. Well it's obvious after your last visit.”

“Last?” he exclaimed incredulously. “I haven't set foot in Canterlot, until now.”

“But you. You invaded Canterlot five years ago.”

“I've been in the arctic wasteland ever since the heart destroyed me.”

“But how?”

“Discord!” Starlight grumbled. “He owes us an explanation.”

“What!” shouted Sombra.

Twilight quickly grabbed Starlight and they both left with a teleportation spell.

Sombra was puzzled, but knew he would get no answer and decided to ignore it. He moved swiftly to the mattress, where he dropped down. After experiencing the stone floor, that soft, feather-filled mattress felt like heaven. His body sank into that soft bed. Would the clouds feel like that? Sombra wanted to believe so. He let himself be absorbed by such an exquisite experience, finally closing his tired eyelids.

Dream

I woke up in the North Tower room, wrapped in a deep and uninterrupted sleep. The night had been quiet, devoid of dreams or nightmares, just the tranquility of my body sinking into the soft mattress, recovering from years of struggle.

That night, the world was reduced to a simple act of rest. As I got up, I began to explore my surroundings. The room was spacious and cozy. Though not as majestic as my quarters in the Crystal Empire, it was a much warmer refuge than the cell or my room in the orphanage. The walls were covered in a soft magenta hue, and a sky-blue carpet covered the floor. My attention was drawn to the furniture in the corner, where a small, curved bookcase was filled with books.

I tried to pick one up, but immediately remembered that my magic was blocked by Sparkle’s spell. With no other option, I attempted to use my mouth, but bit down so hard that the book fell apart into pieces. Sometimes I forget that my fangs can be a problem, especially since I don’t eat meat; I was raised as a vegetarian and have no intention of changing. However, in a moment of extreme hunger, I swallowed a mouse that had been nibbling on my bread crumbs. I didn’t taste it at all, but I can’t help but wonder if, somehow, the flavor might have been acceptable.

I came back to reality as I looked at the ruined book. Among the recognizable fragments of the page, there were watercolor strokes indicating it was a foal’s book. What was that Twilight thinking, giving someone of my stature a book made for fillies?

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. When I opened it, there was Starlight again, this time without Twilight. Surprisingly, she didn’t show the same fear as she had in the dungeon. Despite her height barely reaching my chest, she remained calm and composed. She spoke to me with a courtesy that seemed more fitting for an ordinary pony, and informed me that Twilight wanted me to join her for breakfast.

I neither nodded nor shook my head; I simply followed her to the dining room. As we walked down the hallway, the servants glanced at me with fear and suspicion. Some moved out of the way or hid behind curtains. I straightened my neck, which had been bowed; although I was at their mercy, I wasn’t going to show submission. This gesture made those who looked down on me cower. I felt a flicker of pride: after all these years, my presence still commanded respect, or at least fear, from others. I had always felt frightened, but in that moment, I experienced a renewed sense of power.

After a long walk through the royal corridors, we arrived at the main dining hall. Twilight’s purple magical aura opened the door for us. To my surprise, the room was almost empty despite the numerous chairs set around the large table, nearly as big as my bed.

Starlight took her seat next to Twilight and gestured with her hoof for me to come closer. Reluctantly, I sat on the other side of the table, giving her a serious look. Twilight only barely stifled a mocking chuckle.

Soon, our breakfast was served. They received fluffy pancakes, drenched in honey and adorned with wild frozen berries, while I was given a generous plate of oatmeal accompanied by vegetables. Without a second thought, I attacked the oatmeal with a fierce hunger, emptying the plate in seconds. My bites were so large that I was grateful for my fangs, which kept the food in place. The hunger was so overwhelming that each bite felt like a race against the gnawing emptiness.

Starlight watched me with her eyes narrowed to mere points, like two tiny pebbles, while Twilight stole glances at me, absorbed in her own breakfast.

“Wow, you were really hungry!” Twilight remarked with a smile.

I licked the plate clean to leave not a crumb and nodded slightly.

“It’s nothing. In the dungeon, the food was so bland I didn’t even notice when I swallowed a mouse,” I said, my tone was serious.

Starlight spat out her coffee in surprise, and Twilight hurried to clean up the mess, looking at me with a mix of astonishment and exasperation.

“Do Umbruns eat meat?” Starlight asked, clearly shocked.

“I’m not sure. I only did it because I was Starving ; I didn’t think much about it.”

“And how was it?”

“I swallowed it so quickly I didn’t even taste it. It was nothing to remember .”

A heavy silence filled the dining room; the mares sat frozen, their food untouched. Suddenly, the door burst open.

“Twilight, I need your help!” shouted a yellow pegasus. “The Everfree is—”

The pegasus stopped dead in her tracks upon seeing me. Her wings flared against her body, as if trying to shield her from imminent danger. She trembled visibly, clutching the corner of a column with a look of palpable fear.

I smiled unconsciously, revealing my sharp teeth. Before I could take a step, Twilight rushed over to the pegasus to comfort her. I turned my attention back to the dining room and saw Starlight glaring at me with a mix of anger and bewilderment.

“Fluttershy, it’s okay,” Twilight said, patting her on the shoulder. “He’s under my spell; he’s harmless.”

“TWILIGHT, HE TRIED TO KILL ME!” Fluttershy screamed.

I stifled a laugh just before Starlight scolded me with a hoof.

Fluttershy continued to tremble in Twilight’s embrace, asking why she hadn’t been warned about my presence. Before I could respond, a strange being suddenly appeared in the room.

It was grotesquely hideous, beyond any monstrosity depicted in medieval cat paintings. Its legs seemed a mix of a goat and a lion, and its face was that of an old, sickly pony. Not even the Umbruns could evoke such discomfort.

The creature stared at me with unsettling intensity before its eyes literally spun toward Twilight, who now wore a growing look of annoyance.

“Discord, if Sombra was brought to Canterlot by you, why did we find him in the Arctic North?” Twilight demanded, her horn glowing with contained fury.

The being called Discord tried to disappear but was restrained by the monarch’s purple aura. Fluttershy, who had been trembling, approached him with a look of disappointment.

“You see, years ago, when I devised my plan to unite your enemies, I needed an incentive to make them work together. But you narrowed my options, so I created my own. I took one of the creatures from the Shadow Prison and gave it the appearance of your little friend here. Of course, the creature went mad and got out of control.”

I stayed beside Starlight, who was glaring at Discord with murder in her eyes. Twilight took him aside to discuss the situation. The pegasus was left alone in the dining room, sobbing as she heard what had been done. Even I felt a pang of anger in my chest.

We continued eating breakfast in silence.

“Did you like breakfast?” Starlight asked, trying to lighten the mood.

“The mouse had more flavor,” I replied sarcastically.

“Did you eat a mouse?!” Fluttershy cried out in fear.

“Well—” Twilight pulled out a long scroll. “I’ve planned a few activities for you two; first, you’ll start by reorganizing the library, and then you could bring in the sacks of food for the royal birds.”

“Twilight, please tell me I’m not part of this plan,” Fluttershy begged.

“Don’t worry, Fluttershy, we can handle him,” Starlight replied, to the pegasus’s relief.

I huffed quietly as Starlight led me out of the dining room.

The hallway was eerily empty, the staff having vanished before we could pass. We were alone in the library.

Books of various subjects were strewn across the floor, scattered by Starlight to be reorganized.

“I’ll handle this pile; you can start with that shelf,” Starlight said.

With her magic, she levitated a large stack of books, sorting them into a row of important pony encyclopedias. She muttered something about a Steedlin, which I assumed was an important mage or something similar.

The pile I was assigned consisted of zoology books, which didn’t matter much as long as they were in order. As I picked them up with my fangs, I punctured the covers deeply, tearing the pages. The sound of my actions echoed through the room.

Starlight smiled, barely containing a laugh, and said, “If Twilight was here, she’d have had three heart attacks by now.” She joked before continuing her task.

The entire morning had passed with an oddly serene quiet, and I wondered what that unicorn was plotting. But at that moment, such questions mattered little.

I was busy sorting the books, gently holding them between my fangs. The bookshelf seemed endless; each row I filled left many more to complete. My stack of books seemed never-ending.

Starlight, visibly frustrated with my pace, approached.

“Is this all you’ve accomplished? I’m almost done with the history shelf,” she said, surprised. With a spell, she neatly arranged the books in place with ease.

“Try sorting an entire shelf using only your mouth,” I replied, massaging my tired jaw.

“Come on, it can’t be that hard. My friend Applejack does much tougher tasks than this,” Starlight said, with a touch of challenge.

“Try it yourself,” I challenged her with a mischievous smile.

Determined, Starlight set to work. At first, she handled a mountain of books with great agility, filling the lower section in the blink of an eye. But as she tackled the upper shelves, her pace slowed and her fatigue became evident. Eventually, she collapsed on the floor with a groan of pain, stretching her neck with a crack.

“This is horrible! How do Pinkie Pie and Applejack manage this?” she complained, stretching her muscles. “I need a massage.”

“Looks like this will take some time,” I said dryly.

Starlight looked at me with a mix of determination and frustration. Her horn glowed with a cerulean flare, and a magical light enveloped the books, swirling them into place. When the glow faded, the shelves were perfectly arranged and the floor, now cleared, shone with cleanliness.

I dropped my jaw in astonishment. Starlight gave me a sly smile.

“I think that’s enough for today,” she said with a satisfied grin.

The white disk of the sun traversed the sky, bathing the land in light several times before being covered by the dark mantle of night. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed since I was taken from the dungeon; not that it mattered much. The days were the same: in the mornings, Starlight came to wake me, talking even though I didn’t respond, and we went to the dining room. We had breakfast with Twilight and then went about our tasks: ridiculous things like tending to the gardens or stocking the library. Sometimes, Starlight showed me her spells for practically anything; she may be a silly pony, but I’ve come to tolerate her. Twilight and I only interacted passively aggressively; I had no intention of getting close to her, but I lacked the strength to confront her.

Every afternoon, my strength waned, and with Twilight’s aura, my magic was useless. Was this part of her plan? For now, I would focus on just existing. It wasn’t much different from being a prisoner, but it was preferable to remaining in the ice.

Night fell, and I moved from the comfortable feather mattress to a cold, hard floor. The pale blue light made it difficult to identify where I was. The sound of crystal squeaked under my hooves, spreading into the emptiness. I was outdoors. I recognized the place, one that anyone would call home, but to me, it was just a piece of land. Its beautiful gardens and crystal buildings were worthless; they were rotted by crystal ponies and cursed by the presence of the Umbrun.

I had no idea how I had returned to this place. I merely wandered superficially through the deserted streets; there was not a soul in sight, and even the houses seemed uninhabited. Had that Cadence finally ruined the empire once and for all?

A smell invaded my nose, standing out from the sterile view of lifeless buildings. There was a living essence, a lavender-like scent carried by the warmth of a pony. There she was, standing at the castle’s platform, a lone little crystal pony in that vast space.

Her light mane fluttered gently in the night breeze, decorating her crystalline texture with moonlight. Her beautiful blue eyes sparkled like virgin sapphires from the crystal mines, reflecting a pure, compassionate soul, filled with... hope.

My heart pounded fiercely at the sight of her. So many centuries had passed, and I still had not managed to forget her. It was a torment, the sweetest torment I had ever experienced. If I saw myself, I knew I would regret not forgetting her. The swift wind caressed my fur as I approached her, feeling my hooves float in the air instead of the hard crystal floor. I was behind her; she did not turn around, only gazing melancholically at the horizon. I noticed an old silver medallion on her hooves, something I had not seen before. She only whispered her laments, almost imperceptible to anyone’s ear, murmuring them with helplessness.

I could no longer endure the wait; I embraced her from behind, despite all that had happened, all the pain she had caused me. I simply needed her touch, I needed her. I felt her body, cold, colder than the wasteland. Her once-soft form was now as rigid as steel. Her eyes were now white, her emotions vanished into a dead expression. A shiver ran down my spine; I finally pulled away from her.

“No, it’s not you.” I tried to say, but the words wouldn’t come. This wasn’t real.

I was dreaming again, a dream I hadn’t had since Luna visited me. It wasn’t normal for me to be in such a tranquil place; it was more terrifying than my nightmares. I trotted to the castle’s limits, but no matter how fast I ran, I remained within its walls. Damn dreams.

At one point, I was no longer in the castle. The beautiful streets of the empire had become mounds of snow in a frozen wasteland. This was where they had found me, with nothing to see but the pale frost.

“The red crystal.”

That door had made me what I was now, not what it had taught me I truly was. Its brilliant exterior exuded a hostile essence; it was silent and cold like the northern peaks. I placed my horn against its surface, trying to open it, but nothing happened.

Suddenly, I noticed someone passing by me without looking, heading toward the crystal. They wore a dark brown hood that concealed any recognizable features, except for their voice. It was faint and barely audible amidst the blizzard we were in, but I knew that voice all too well.

My hooves froze in the snow, my entire body became inert; not even the tingle of fear could be felt in my bones. I watched that beautiful pony speaking with the monster who had given me life. She tried to sound friendly and understanding, but her white eyes remained fixed on her prey. Suddenly, she turned away from her target to face me.

Like a cloud of ashes spreading around me, trying to impose its disgusting presence, it moved its miasma-covered hooves through the snow, its white sockets settling into a demonic expression. It uttered guttural chants that attempted to sound like words, which left me unmoved. I growled back at the creature.

“Do you not recognize your own mother when you see her, Sombra?” the beast said, placing its cold hooves on my face, rendering me immobile.

“You are not my mother; I have no family,” I replied, growling.

“Oh, ungrateful colt, we saved you from that horrible prison, only to be left to rot there.”

“They only wanted me as a weapon, leaving me at the mercy of Amore and her weapon,” I snarled.

“What did you want? To live in the prison of mud and torment?”

My chest grew cold at its response. If the Umbrun hadn’t turned me into a pony, I would have lived eternally in the Shadow Prison. Yet, perhaps I wouldn’t have faced the loneliness and disdain of the crystal ponies. I wouldn’t have suffered from Amore’s weapon. I wouldn’t have met her.

“You are despicable beings.”

“And you are the champion of those despicable beings. Don’t fool yourself, Sombra. You may look like a pony, but you’re as rotten as any of us,” she croaked. “Think about it; you could become the worst. Make all those ponies writhe in pain, begging for mercy. With all the pain in the world.”

“Oh, I will. But I don’t need you,” I pointed my horn at its throat. “If I rule, it will be for myself alone. Neither Umbrun nor ponies will stand in my way.”

Rage drove me against the ice wall of a mountain. The stalactites shook upon impact, falling into the snow. She emanated her dark magic, reflected in the ice fragments.

“You were a waste of power and time! Now you will die!”

Before it could drive an ice dagger into my eye, a blue light shot from the sky, turning the Umbrun to rubble. A dark, winged silhouette descended from the pale starry sky like a beautiful angel of death. As it landed before me, I saw that ethereal, dark mane like the night ocean; it was Princess Luna.

“So, all this was a dream?” I asked without looking her in the eyes.

“Indeed,” she replied serenely. “I’ve been suppressing your dreams these past days; they are so extreme and tangled. I’ve never seen anything like it in a pony.”

“Considering I’m not a pony, it might be normal for my kind,” I grumbled.

“You’re not a pony?” she asked incredulously.

“Didn’t Twilight tell you about my race?”

“I suppose she didn’t see it necessary,” she tried to justify. “Still, I should have suspected; you look like one physically, but I’ve always had the feeling you weren’t a pony.”

“I felt the same.”

“And what exactly are you?”

“That creature you just defeated claims to be my mother. That’s how I looked before being altered.”

“An Umbrun; that explains so much.”

I sat next to the cave where the stalactites had fallen, looking at my frost-covered hooves from the crystal fragments. Until Luna joined me.

“You plan to free the Umbrun.”

“No, not anymore. They don’t care about me and they don’t benefit me.”

“Still, you want to enslave the ponies.”

I fell silent, showing a look of disgust.

“I’ve thought about speaking with you, researching ways to change your mindset, but I always reach the same conclusion: you’re a lost cause,” Luna declared with frustration.

“That’s why my goal is to shape a world where I can live: a world without love, without princesses, without Umbrun. A world where only I will rule,” I thought.

“I’m sorry,” Luna said quietly. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’ve been rusty at this job. It’s even hypocritical of me to say that you’re beyond help.”

“What do you mean?” I asked with curiosity. Luna remained silent, gazing wistfully at the stars.

“Twilight would tell you if she think it's necessary,” Luna said thoughtfully. “If you’re thinking of changing, believe me, we will help you. But if not, don’t expect us to leave you unscathed.”

In a gust, the dream dissipated, leaving me alone in the tower room. I would need to get out of here as soon as possible.

Another morning at Canterlot Castle. Starlight and I headed to the royal gardens to replenish the birds’ food. The caretaker had caught a cold, so Twilight had the brilliant idea of assigning the task to us.

I carried about three sacks on my back, while Starlight simply levitated hers. It was infuriating not being able to use magic; whenever I needed an object, I had to use my jaws and make sure not to damage them. It was a hassle trying to read by flipping the pages with my hooves. That’s why, when I ruled the empire, I captured a Crystal Bard to handle that for me. I once told Starlight about it, and she was quite disgusted; even the nosy pony told Twilight.

Fluttershy was there in the garden, feeding the chicks from a small wooden aviary. She completely ignored my presence, singing a lovely melody. I directed my ears to listen to her; that gentle song transported me to simpler memories before witnessing my reflection in the Crystal Heart. How would it be to have a mother? Someone who sings to you with such love just for being alive.

Chestnut Falls, the caretaker of the orphanage, was the closest thing I had to maternal affection; intelligent, kind, and understanding with all the foals. She didn’t treat me like I deserved affection; I was just like all her other children. Although maybe I wasn’t even special to her.

The only one who claimed to be my mother never did anything for me; I was merely a tool for her evil plans. Maybe she wasn’t even my true progenitor; she was prone to lying.

A crack snapped me out of my memories. The branch of the tree where Fluttershy was perched was starting to break apart. If it fell on her head, it would surely kill her. Before the pegasus could react, I positioned myself over her in the blink of an eye. She looked at me, almost having a heart attack, until the branch broke on top of my back.

The debris scattered through my mane while Fluttershy moved away from me, her face struggling between terror and relief.

“Sombra! You saved Fluttershy!” Starlight said, shocked, a huge smile gracing her lips.

Hearing her, I broke my stance, snorting with a grimace of annoyance. I hadn’t been thinking about that at the moment.

Luna rummaged through the old files in her home, digging up everything she could, but the object of her search remained elusive. That name—she had to remember who it was.

“Hope,” she murmured through gritted teeth, her frustration palpable.

Celestia watched her sister with growing concern. Since her return from Canterlot Castle, Luna had been in a frantic search for documents, whispering barely audible words. Celestia wanted to intervene but preferred to stay out of it, dealing with her own bitter feelings about Sombra’s return. However, at that moment, her sister was the most important.

“Sister, what are you looking for? You haven’t stopped sifting through our things since you returned,” Celestia asked, her voice heavy with unease.

“I know I’ve heard that name before… that purple pony with the light blue mane.”

“A Crystal Pony?”

“Do you know her?”

“Radiant Hope. She was our student,” Celestia replied with nostalgia.

“I don’t remember her.”

“It was a thousand years ago, before your transformation into Nightmare,” Celestia explained with a sigh. “She was a young unicorn with great talent, radiating vitality around her. Amore and I were convinced she would become a formidable leader with time.”

“I can’t find anything about her.”

“Like what happened with the Crystal Empire when it disappeared. She left her studies prematurely. I tried to persuade her to continue with her life, but she was determined to do whatever it took to save her friend.”

Celestia showed her a portrait of Hope. She looked just like in Sombra’s dreams: a beautiful purple unicorn with a light blue mane. Her blue eyes sparkled like sapphires, and her coat shone with the brilliance of crystal.

“Sombra must have cared for her deeply. It’s the only thing in his mind that hasn’t been corrupted by fear.”

“She loved him too, Luna,” Celestia responded with sadness.

What began as a tranquil morning quickly turned into chaos when Starlight had to drag me to Twilight’s School of Friendship to deal with a mutant plant. She had left Sunburst in charge while attending to tasks assigned by Twilight. However, that day, Sunburst, as a crystallizer, had to attend a ceremony in the Crystal Empire, leaving the responsibility in Trixie’s hands.

It seemed that Trixie was not the most suitable for the job. Upon learning this, Starlight went into a frenzy and teleported me with her, swearing she wouldn’t leave either Trixie or me alone.

The brief time that Trixie was in charge was enough for her to cast a risky spell that turned harmless vines into monsters spreading through the halls, terrorizing the students. Seeing me, Trixie let out a scream of terror. Starlight quickly encased her in a silence bubble and ordered me to block the vines with my body. I wanted to protest, but her furious glare made me fall silent. I rammed the branches out of the hall while Starlight disintegrated the plant with a brilliant spell.

Once order was restored, the students looked at us with curiosity, disbelief, and, in some cases, with fear or resentment. Even one of them with a mocking expression pulled out a notebook, showing curious drawings of me, some with the princesses in friendly situations. A cheeky filly dared to ask if Luna and I had had something in the past.

Starlight pulled me away from the students and explained that I would cause no more problems. We then headed to the staff lounge to have coffee and cookies.

Trixie remained nervous about my presence; her coffee spilled from her constant trembling. I, on the other hand, sipped my cup of coffee, which was bitter and flavorless. I never understood the appeal of coffee.

A few minutes later, the vice-principal Sunburst arrived, a unicorn with warm colors and a disheveled mane. His glasses were fogged up from the sweat of running.

“Trixie, I only left you for a couple of hours!” Sunburst exclaimed. “I had to leave the ceremony early. The Crystal Ponies will think poorly of me.”

“What a tragedy,” I said with a mocking tone.

Sunburst looked at me with surprise, and I thought he might scream in terror or attack me, but he only approached Starlight to reprimand her for not informing him of my presence. She explained that she hadn’t planned it and cast an irritated glance at Trixie.

Sunburst began bombarding me with questions about dark magic, the Crystal Empire, and what Equestria was like a thousand years ago. I remained coldly detached, as although I wanted to respond, my knowledge was limited.

Starlight distracted him by talking about her recent activities with Twilight, and he listened attentively. The connection between them was evident, a bond between two ponies that was hard to ignore. I had once felt something similar, or at least I thought I did. She had been my only friend, always there during the toughest times. But when I discovered my true nature, she sent the princesses to kill me. Ponies are like that, full of hypocrisy and lies about friendship.

While they were discussing, three young fillies knocked on the door: an orange pegasus, a yellow earth pony, and a purple unicorn with curly mane. The earth pony approached Starlight.

“This wouldn’t have happened if you had let us take charge from time to time,” said the yellow pony.

“Applebloom, we’ve discussed this. You’re still too young,” Starlight replied in a stern tone.

“It’s not fair. We’re more capable than Trixie,” retorted the pegasus, leaving Trixie visibly offended.

As they argued, the young unicorn stood in front of me. Standing dangerously close, she looked at me with her huge green eyes that seemed to pierce my very being. She remained eerily silent for a few seconds before finally asking,

“Who are you?”

“Sombra,” I replied without thinking.

Starlight showed concern for the behavior of the unicorn named Sweetie Belle, but I remained unmoved. Despite her sweet aura, I felt a subtle hostility that, strangely, was oddly soothing. I agreed to help them with their activities, whether out of boredom or curiosity.

It was a day that broke my eternal boredom and insatiable desires for torment, or at least my hardships. I hadn’t felt this way since I was a foal. It was a pity that such a feeling would never be the same again.

As night fell, I returned to my room in the tower as I usually did, but this time Twilight was waiting at the entrance. Her usually serene demeanor showed a displeased seriousness.

“So, you saved Fluttershy’s life,” Twilight said. “And you spent time with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. I didn’t think you’d progress so quickly. I must admit I’m impressed.”

I gave her a false smile as I entered my room. In a flash of light, she appeared in front of me, spreading her wings in a defensive posture.

“I’m not a fool, Sombra. I know you’re up to something,” she declared with anger. “I’d like to believe you’re reforming, that you really care about the ponies helping you. But I know it’s not true.”

She turned away and headed to the window. She prepared to fly to her quarters, only to stop and say,

“I just want you to know that we’re not pretending when we say we care about you.”

Flapping her wings, she soared into the night light, disappearing among the stars. I remained at the window, my hooves sliding coldly over the gleaming marble floor.

I must leave soon, before it becomes painful to betray them. It would be so easy to use the ponies to leave them in misery, but being a normal pony is already impossible for me. I have sealed my fate: I will be the ruler of all Equestria, not just this world.

“I’m sorry, Twilight…sorry, Hope,” I murmured, letting a tear slide down my cheek.

Chapter 4.1

In the far reaches of the northern wasteland, where not even the keenest-eared hare could hear your screams, the snow covers every inch of fur, devouring warmth like a ravenous beast. It was there that a grand empire once rose, majestic and imposing—a place that, to the ponies, was the closest thing to Olympus on earth, though now it was but a frozen desert in a forgotten corner of the world.

By order of the princess, two archaeologists roamed the surroundings of that ancient kingdom, lost among the shadows of a history wrapped in silence. They had previously unearthed the horn of the tyrant who once ruled those lands, a discovery that had shaken Cadence and put the empire on alert for the possible horrors that might emerge again from snow and time.

For it's protection, Cadence assigned them two escorts: a seasoned general, weathered by the adversities of his time, and a young prodigy soldier, frustrated by the routine tasks he deemed unworthy of his talent. Despite the security they offered, the cold and the wind were relentless, and time passed slowly and dangerously in that boundless tundra.

Countless minutes went by, and the only traces they found were scattered fragments of rock, broken remnants of a lost glory. One of the archaeologists knelt over the pieces, examining them with the hope that their journey would not be in vain. But the general looked up at the sky with hardened, tense eyes, his firm voice a whispered warning in the blizzard:

“We must head back before the storm claims us.”

"As always, another pointless job," murmured the young soldier, his tone verging on disdain. "Though, I suppose it’s better than escorting the princess to her endless, trivial parties."

The archaeologist frowned, his gaze cold as marble.

"Soldier, I won’t tolerate such recklessness. Disrespecting Princess Cadence is unacceptable."

The soldier, unfazed, flashed a defiant smile.

"Actually, I don’t even take direct orders from her. Most orders come from Sir Shining Armor, who, by the way, has few tasks to handle," he added, almost as if joking."And, in the end, it’s Celestia who truly gives the orders," he added.

Feeling the rising tension, the general let out a restrained chuckle, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.

"At least it gives us the perfect excuse to sneak back to Equestria now and then, doesn’t it?"

But the young soldier seemed untouched by the attempt to ease things. His eyes flashed with a fire of frustration.

"I'm sick of Equestria, sick of the empire! Nothing interesting ever happens here!" he grumbled, his voice laden with a restless, suppressed yearning.

The general opened his mouth, ready to scold the soldier, when a sudden, dull thud echoed in the distance, breaking the silence of the mountains. The snow trembled, then began to slide gently, falling in a white rush down the slope.

In an instant, the guards sprang to action, forming a protective shield around the archaeologist, who, pale and wide-eyed with fear, took refuge against an ice wall. Then, a strange song rose in the air. It was both familiar and foreign—a howl that resonated among the peaks like the echo of a distant threat. But how could there be wolves in the Crystal Empire?

A frigid gust swept over the ponies' coats, leaving an invisible trail in the snow that soon vanished with the wind. Scarlet drops, nearly imperceptible, speckled the snow like an omen.

The general advanced towards the archaeologist, a strange feeling stirred his heart. As he turned his gaze, an unsettling emptiness greeted him: his young subordinate had disappeared without a trace. But before he could call his name, he spotted him in the distance: the young soldier stood erect, his sword gleaming high as he galloped with determination towards the shadow of a beast waiting in the distance, hidden behind a cloak of mist and mystery.

"Soldier, return here!” roared the general, his voice resonating with authority and concern, but the echo was the only answer that returned to him.

Finally, the sounds of galloping faded, leaving behind a thick, almost oppressive silence. The snow crunched beneath his hooves, but even those sounds seemed muted in that ominous void, as stillness hung over the scene like a dark omen.

"Let’s run!"

"B-but the young one," the archaeologist stammered.

"Do you want to live or not?" he declared as he hurried away.

Both steeds ran desperately toward the empire, left vulnerable as they departed from the mountains, where anyone could spot them. When they reached a small mountain, they stopped to catch their breath, until they saw it.

Its white fur gleamed with celestial lights like the sky, its eyes a deep, almost black blue, and its long, elegant muzzle armed with sharp fangs as it gazed at them passively from the rock. The sun made its icy shards glisten on the hardened fur, like blades that set it apart from any ordinary wolf.

They didn’t waste their precious breath and took shelter at the entrance of the Crystal Empire. The Beast stayed behind, watching them run—no one could tell what it was thinking or what it might do.

The day unfolded naturally, but the Canterlot meadow made it impossible to ignore the tragedy of that day.

Twilight’s friends were having a picnic in the royal gardens. She had told them she’d join them in a moment, but as usual, the food had begun to cool.

Having exhausted every topic of conversation, the mares' minds drifted back to Sombra, who was standing with Starlight several meters away, almost at the base of a hill.

Applejack began to speak.

"I still don’t trust that guy. How does Twilight put up with having him under the same roof?" Applejack clicked her tongue.

"I still don’t understand why we don’t just throw him into Tartarus," said Rainbow Dash.

"Remember what happened with Cozy Glow and Tirek," said Pinkie Pie.

"And we can’t kill him," added Applejack.

The three of them sighed, until Fluttershy decided to break her silence.

"I can’t believe this from you. We promised to trust Twilight. She knows what’s best for everyone," scolded Fluttershy.

"Fluttershy, we’re talking about a damn monster," argued Rainbow Dash.

"Darling, if Twilight didn’t think he was redeemable, she would have gotten rid of him already. She’s a princess for a reason," Rarity responded.

"Still, I don’t know how she can sleep peacefully with that horrible monster around," said Applejack, frowning and shaking her head as if trying to erase the image from her mind.

"Monster, yes; horrible..." Rarity continued, pausing slightly and tilting her head with a hint of interest. "Well, for not being a pony, he is rather... attractive.”

Rainbow Dash spat out her orange juice, coughing so hard that her wings flapped. The others looked at her with concern as she tried to catch her breath, her eyes wide. Rarity, however, averted her gaze with a slight blush; apparently, even she hadn’t thought through what she was saying.

"After Blueblood, I didn’t think you would fall so low," Rainbow Dash grumbled, composing herself as best she could and looking at Rarity in disbelief.

Rarity shot her an offended look but couldn’t find words immediately. For a moment, a silence filled with unspoken whispers hung in the room.

"As if you all haven’t thought about it," Rarity replied, raising an eyebrow defiantly while smiling innocently.

The others narrowed their eyes at her, judging openly. An awkward silence fell among them, and a slight discomfort crept into their expressions, as if, deep down, some part of them was considering her words.

Starlight pretended not to hear the whispers around her, as if her friends weren’t murmuring in the same space. She couldn’t blame them; after all, Sombra was a difficult topic to ignore. But those whispers certainly didn’t make her task any easier.

Since bringing him to the School of Friendship, Sombra had remained inexplicably stoic in the face of any situation that arose. He didn’t growl, protest, or even show a flicker of expression or comment. That unflappable calm made her more nervous than when she was just starting to get to know him.

"Well, what do you want to do today?" she finally asked, her tone somewhat defiant.

Sombra kept his gaze fixed on the horizon, his eyes empty and his expression as impenetrable as ever. Only one of his ears twitched slightly as a gentle breeze caressed his face.

"I guess... nothing," Starlight sighed, rolling her eyes in exasperation. "Wow, for being the embodiment of evil, you're boring."

Sombra snorted, letting out a whinny of exasperation as he sank to the ground, releasing a frustrated sigh. His eyes glimmered with a dark, weary tint.

"Why don't you go off with your little friends and insult me?" he growled, his tone laced with resentment and exhaustion.

Starlight held her ground, though the tension between them was palpable, like a taut rope about to snap. With a calm but unyielding voice, she replied, "Hey, you can’t blame them for feeling nervous—you’ve caused quite a lot of harm."

There was a brief silence, heavy and thick. Starlight, trying to lighten the oppressive atmosphere, let a comment slip without thinking twice. "Well, at least Rarity thinks you’re handsome..." The words vanished from her lips before she could stop them, and she instantly realized how absurd they had sounded.

Sombra arched an eyebrow, looking at her with a mix of concern and bewilderment, as if she were speaking in an unfamiliar language.

"No one has ever said that about me."

Starlight laughed nervously, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks.

"Really? Well... I know you were a villain, but some mare must have had her eye on you." She tried to sound casual, though the words seemed to stumble out of her mouth.

Sombra let out a bitter laugh.

"My relationship with the crystal ponies was anything but friendly."

Starlight hesitated, unsure if her next question was too personal.

"You never had... a special somepony?"

"Absolutely not. No crystal pony was ever worthy of my presence," Sombra scoffed, his tone dripping with both arrogance and disdain.

Starlight flashed a mischievous grin and leaned in slightly, ready to poke where she knew it hurt.

"Oh, really? What about that filly you wrote about so much in your journal?" she teased, a playful glint in her eyes. "Twilight says you filled at least a hundred pages raving about how wonderful and perfect she was. Sounds a bit suspicious to me."

A wave of heat coursed through Sombra, and if he were any other pony, his face would have betrayed a telling blush. But his dark coat concealed the discomfort that was now burning through him at the mention of his first love. He kept his scowl fixed, though he couldn’t quite control the slight quickening of his breath, a small crack in his otherwise impenetrable facade. Starlight’s sly smile widened, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction as she caught that subtle falter in the stallion, who was clearly trying to compose himself. His discomfort only confirmed her suspicion.

"So I was right?" she said, tilting her head slightly, a playful curiosity glinting in her eyes.

The stallion cleared his throat, briefly looking away before replying.

"She was just... a friend," he muttered, though the uncertainty in his voice gave him away.

"Ooh, the dark lord had a sweetheart!" Starlight sang, drawing out each word in a mock-dreamy tone. "How romantic!"

"Shut up!" he growled, his voice barely masking his discomfort.

"Come on, tell me," Starlight pressed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Didn’t you read it in my journal?" he snapped, visibly annoyed, but perhaps a bit defiant as well.

"I tried, but I couldn't get past the first few pages. Too many pompous and... complicated words. Plus, your writing is so... eccentric," she replied, amused, pretending to struggle for the right word.

"It was meant to be imposing," he said, a hint of pride slipping through, though his tone carried a touch of embarrassment.

"You know, sometimes you’re oddly charming," Starlight laughed.

Sombra's ears twitched at her comment as he turned to gaze at the horizon, silent. But Starlight could swear she saw a glimmer in his eyes. With newfound confidence, she ventured to ask,

"What was she like?"

"That doesn’t matter anymore," he replied, his voice fading to almost a whisper.

"If it doesn’t matter, then tell me about her," she insisted gently, as if afraid of shattering something delicate.

Silence stretched between them, and he hesitated for a moment. It had been over a thousand years since he had lost her, yet he still felt her absence like a lingering shadow. Finally, he sighed, letting the words fall with the same weight as his memories of her.

"When I was a colt... the others thought I was strange. I couldn't speak well; the words just wouldn't come out," he chuckled softly, filled with nostalgia. "But she... she was the only one who was kind to me. She was a bit weird, yes, but I enjoyed that. She had the biggest imagination of anyone."

A blend of happiness and melancholy wove through his voice as he spoke about his best friend, and Starlight couldn’t help but feel moved. He shared stories of the games they invented, how she always stayed by his side at the fair when those awful pains would hit him. They grew up together, both weird... but they were weird together.

"She must have been very special."

"She was," he replied, a sad expression darkening his gaze. "Until…”

"Until when?"

"She betrayed me," he whispered, as if each word was heavy with pain.

Starlight felt a pang in her heart. She leaned in a bit closer, trying to grasp the storm that raged within him.

"Why do you think that? Was there something that made you feel that way?"

"When she discovered my true nature, when she realized the illusion they had created about me was a lie... she called the princesses to have me eliminated."

"Oh..." Starlight barely managed to contain her surprise.

"That's when I understood that you can't trust ponies.”

The words slipped from his lips like poison, heavy with disillusionment and pain. Starlight felt the atmosphere grow heavy, the echo of betrayal resonating in the air between them.

He turned his gaze to the sky, and the once-dreamy expression twisted into a grimace of pain as he recalled the image of her—the one who had once brought him joy and love, now piercing his heart with grief. Yet, despite it all, his heart continued to beat wildly for her.

He tried to forget her, to bury that love deep in his mind, hoping it would fade away. But, inevitably, that love always found its way back.

4.2 Poison

Shining Armor advanced through the icy slopes, his breath visible in the freezing air, like a sigh of despair. The snow crunched under his hooves, and the wind, sharp as a dagger, seemed to whisper warnings. The darkness of the landscape stretched endlessly, like an ocean of ice, and he, alone in his mission, felt the weight of time pressing heavily on his shoulders.

One of the most promising soldiers had vanished: a young prodigy whose determination shone as brightly as his inexperience. He had heard tales of the dangers Equestria had faced, of the heroines who had defended it valiantly, and, driven by a childish longing for glory, he had joined the guard, dreaming of becoming a hero.
Shining had tried to guide him toward being more grounded, but the young stallion stubbornly clung to his arrogance. The prince had thought it wise to send him on a dangerous mission to help him understand his limits; he hadn’t imagined it might be his last.

Desperately, he scraped the snow, hoping to find a sign, only for it to be swept away by a swift breeze. The tracks had been erased by the storm.

“Are you sure there was a wolf here? Not even they can endure this environment,” he said, his severe gaze lost in the icy horizon.

“Absolutely sure, my lord. I would never mistake those fangs,” the general replied, his voice steady, though his demeanor betrayed a mix of respect and unease.

The silence that followed was heavy, as though the very air resisted moving.

“It’s so strange...” Shining murmured, narrowing his eyes in search of answers among the frost and the dancing shadows of the blizzard.

“Though...” the general added, hesitating for a moment before continuing, “I’ve never seen a wolf with crystal embedded in its fur.”

The weight of his words lingered in the frozen air, as if the world itself held its breath at such a revelation.

Shining kept walking, his hooves crunching against the ice, until he stumbled upon a sight that froze him in place. Crystal pillars, completely shattered. The ice prisons were beginning to open.

"General, my feather and parchment! This is critical!" Shining commanded, his voice tight with urgency as he turned sharply toward his subordinate.

Without hesitation, the general handed him the items, sensing the gravity in every movement of his commander. Shining grasped the quill with his magic, and with a speed that reflected both precision and desperation, he scrawled an urgent plea onto the parchment:

“Princess Twilight, danger is imminent. The pillars are shattered, and the ice prisons are opening. We must act before it’s too late. We need your help, now more than ever.”

Cold sweat beaded on his brow as he rolled up the letter, sealing it swiftly with a spell. He closed his eyes briefly, focusing his magic, and sent the message flying through the air toward his sister.

“Quickly, Twily, we need you,” he murmured, almost a prayer, before turning and sprinting back toward the castle.

Once they were gone, the wolf emerged near the prisons. Its size matched the hollow at the entrance perfectly, and it scratched at a pillar, sharpening its claws. For a moment, it simply stared into the horizon, watching the ponies as they ran. Even it seemed to understand the dangers that lay ahead.

It was a quiet morning in the palace of Canterlot. Sunlight filtered softly through the tall windows, bathing the dining room in a warm, golden glow. At the table, an unusual trio shared breakfast”a scene that, despite its apparent normality, never ceased to feel strange to them.

Starlight Glimmer, her shoulders slumped and her gaze lost in the steam rising from her teacup, felt trapped in a tangle of doubts. She had tried everything with her patient: kind words, carefully thought-out strategies, even painfully direct conversations. Yet nothing seemed to work.

In fact, she was certain things had only gotten worse. He, seated across the table, seemed quieter than ever. His gaze remained fixed on some indefinite point, and Starlight’s few attempts at conversation had fallen into an abyss of silence.

Twilight kept her eyes fixed on her coffee cup, feigning indifference. But inside, every sip carried the bitter weight of resignation. The hope she had once held for him was slowly fading, dissipating like the steam rising from her drink. She tried to ignore it, to avoid thinking about the cracks forming in her plans, but it was impossible not to feel the heavy burden of failure.

From the corner of her eye, she observed Sombra. His plate remained untouched, the vegetables still arranged with the precision of someone who hadn’t so much as nudged his food. Twilight raised an eyebrow and, in an attempt to ease the tension, adopted a mocking, almost maternal tone.

"Not going to eat your vegetables?" Twilight asked, a hint of irony in her voice, as she took another sip of her coffee.

"I don’t know why, but every time I eat, I feel weaker," Sombra replied, his tone unusually subdued. "It’s as if the food is draining my strength."

"That doesn’t make any sense," Starlight said, frowning as she cast a skeptical glance at Sombra.

But Twilight didn’t respond right away. Something about Sombra’s words unsettled her, like an off-key note in a melody she couldn’t ignore.

"Wait a moment," she said finally, her voice firm. Without hesitation, she reached for a spoon from the plate in front of Sombra. She scooped up some of the untouched vegetables and brought them to her mouth.

Starlight and Sombra exchanged looks, both taken aback by Twilight’s sudden action. The dining room fell into an uncomfortable silence as the princess chewed slowly, her expression unreadable.

Then, Twilight froze. Her face twisted in a grimace of pain, and her eyes widened with alarm. She barely managed to swallow before erupting into a fit of violent coughing.

"Twilight!" Starlight shouted, leaping to her hooves.

The princess fell from her chair, clutching her chest as her body convulsed uncontrollably. Her coughing was harsh and desperate, as if something invisible was suffocating her from within.

Within seconds, several servants burst into the room, alerted by the commotion. Two of them hurried to support Twilight while others ran to summon the castle's medics.

Starlight stood frozen, her mind racing for answers, while Sombra watched the scene unfold with a mixture of concern and suspicion. The tension in the air was unbearable, each second dragging on as though time itself resisted moving forward.

They both followed closely as Twilight was rushed through the palace corridors, the sound of their hooves echoing against the cold marble floors. The atmosphere was thick with unease, but as they reached the infirmary, a wave of relief washed over them.

Twilight was already seated, recovering under the care of the royal healer, her breathing still uneven but no longer labored.

Thanks to an advanced spell, Twilight's discomfort had disappeared. But the healer, her expression serious, held a glass goblet with the remaining food. Her eyes, narrowed in concentration, flickered with concern as she turned toward them.

"Someone has been poisoning Sombra's food for weeks," she announced gravely, placing the goblet onto a tray. The sound of the glass striking the metal rang through the room like a sentence.

Starlight clenched her jaw, indignant.

"That explains a lot. Poison in the food... how cowardly."

The healer nodded, wiping her hooves with a cloth before speaking again.

"I suppose your friend must have a natural resistance to poison. If the princess weren’t an alicorn, it probably would’ve killed her," she stated, her tone clinical and direct.

Twilight furrowed her brow, visibly shaken by the implication, while Starlight muttered something inaudible. But it was Sombra who broke the tense silence, his deep, calm voice filling the room.

"Healing magic... I haven’t seen it in years," he said, his gaze distant, as if the spell evoked memories from a time long past, one buried under centuries of darkness.

"Yes, it’s not widely known," the healer replied with a slight shrug as she stowed her magical tools in a worn leather bag. "It was discovered centuries ago in nearly illegible writings. Most mages have forgotten about it by now."

She paused, glancing at those present, then shook her head dismissively, as if recalling something trivial.

"Well, I suppose it doesn’t interest you."

Starlight, however, raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

"It interests me," she said firmly, stepping forward slightly. "Tell me more."

As she spoke, she couldn’t help but notice Sombra quietly turning and leaving the room. His steps were slow but deliberate, the sound of his hooves echoing softly as he crossed the threshold. His elongated shadow disappeared down the corridor.

Twilight, now looking much better after the healing spell, watched him go with a mixture of curiosity and compassion.

"I guess the thought of being poisoned hit him hard," she commented, leaning back slightly in her seat, her eyes narrowing in thought. "It must be difficult living knowing the whole world wants you dead."

Starlight nodded, though her attention remained divided between Twilight’s words and the promise of learning more about the ancient healing magic. Outside, the echo of Sombra’s hooves faded, leaving them enveloped in a tense silence.

Hours later, Twilight had managed to recover from the poison incident. Sitting on her throne, her thoughts tangled in a web of doubts. The first thing she did was dismiss the cook. In another time, his fate would have been exile at best, but the situation was more complicated now.

Her relationship with Sombra, since his return, had become worse than she could have imagined. There was something in his presence that disrupted the peace she had once known. The weight of uncertainty pressed on her chest, and before she could delve deeper into her concerns, a letter arrived from her brother.

Twilight prayed, a fleeting sigh of hope crossing her lips, wishing it would be nothing more than a trivial message. But as she opened it, reality unfolded like a shadow even longer than the one she had already faced. Cadence had significantly weakened her magic while trying to block Sombra’s return. And worse yet, Shining Armor’s magic was useless this time.

What lay ahead was far more terrifying than a wolf. They needed deep and precise knowledge, the kind of wisdom that only the oldest beings possessed, to seal the crystal prisons once again before something even darker and more dangerous escaped.

"What are we going to do with him?" Starlight asked, her voice tinged with anxiety as she stepped toward Twilight.

The alicorn didn’t respond immediately. She paced in circles around the room, her wings slightly extended and her gaze lost on the floor. Finally, she let out a frustrated sigh.

"I honestly don’t know anymore," she admitted, stopping for a moment before resuming her frantic pacing. "I can’t think of anything else. And to top it off, now I have to deal with this problem in the Crystal Empire. I can’t abandon either of them."

Starlight watched her with concern, trying to find some semblance of calm amidst the chaos.

"But we can't leave him here either," Starlight added urgently, her tone rising. "Not after the poison incident."

"Exactly!" Twilight exclaimed, stopping suddenly. "And on top of that, I had to fire my best cook. I never thought he'd try something like that."

"Well... his justification was that Sombra forced him to make a completely black pizza, with green peppers and purple sauce," Starlight replied, biting her lip to hold back laughter.

Twilight shot her a stern look, but couldn't stop an exasperated sigh from escaping her lips.

"That doesn’t change anything. The worst part is that it wasn’t even his fault. Damn it, what did Discord do to that Umbrun?"

Starlight made a face, but chose not to press the topic further. Instead, Twilight straightened up, her face reflecting a mixture of determination and exhaustion.

"Back to the important matters," Twilight declared firmly. "I’ll head to the Crystal Empire to help my brother. In the meantime, you and Spike will handle the castle."

Starlight tilted her head, uncertain.

"Are you sure that’s the best option?"

Twilight gave her a calm, but confident look.

"Don’t worry, I won’t be long. It’s probably just another one of those mischievous creatures."

Starlight seemed to relax for a moment, but then, as if a shadow crossed her mind, she murmured:

"What if the ice breaks?"

The question seemed to freeze the air. Twilight stood still, her gaze fixed on the empty space, before walking slowly toward the window. Her eyes lost themselves in the horizon, where the snow-covered mountains seemed to hold secrets she wished she didn’t have to face.

"Then..." she whispered, barely audible, as a spark of determination ignited in her gaze. "I’ll have to face it."

The silence that followed was heavy, laden with uncertainty. Starlight didn’t know what to respond, but she knew that whatever "it" was, Twilight was ready to face it, no matter the cost.

Twilight spread her majestic wings, the setting sun reflecting off each feather as she soared into the sky. With a powerful beat of her wings, she sliced through the cold air and began her flight toward the Crystal Empire. As she ascended, her silhouette slowly faded into the distance, lost among the clouds that covered the horizon.

From the balcony, Starlight watched in silence, her gaze fixed on the spot where her friend and leader had disappeared. A pang in her heart pierced her, a bitter feeling that reminded her of the growing burden she had to carry.

Days passed since Twilight left for the Crystal Empire. The castle was immersed in a heavy silence. Starlight wandered the empty halls, accompanied only by her thoughts. Spike, who had taken charge of the royal duties with surprising efficiency due to his experience, didn't seem as affected by the princess's absence. But Starlight couldn't escape the unease that gripped her chest.

Sombra, on the other hand, showed no apparent change. His demeanor remained the same”reserved, even distant. However, the poisoning incident had transformed him into someone colder, more inaccessible. An invisible wall stood between them, separating them further, and Starlight felt as though every word they exchanged was a vain effort.

Burdened by the tension and the confusion, Starlight could no longer bear it. Without thinking, she sought his attention in the most abrupt way she could, her sharp voice breaking the silence.

”So... ”Starlight took a step toward him, her voice trembling, hesitant, as if each word cost her more than the last”. Could you teach me about dark magic?

A slight tremor ran through one of Sombra's ears, a flicker of curiosity that quickly vanished beneath his cold expression. His eyes, fixed on her, betrayed not the slightest emotion, but his sarcastic tone spoke for him.

”Didn't think you'd ask so... shamelessly ”he murmured, releasing a harsh, almost cruel laugh. His voice was low, and the laughter reverberated in the air like the echo of something ancient and sinister”. Though, of course, with your... record, I'm not surprised.

Starlight quickly shook her head, not wanting to sound too eager.

”Don't misunderstand me. ”Her voice sounded firmer, though the tension in the air remained palpable”. I'm just looking to expand my knowledge, to understand all kinds of magic.

Sombra watched her for a moment, his gaze cold and calculating, before releasing a heavy sigh, as if Starlight's request were something trivial.

"Sure." He replied with disdain, his voice soft but laced with sarcasm.

Starlight challenged him with her gaze, and without missing the opportunity, she let out a smile full of cynicism.

"What else could you do, other than wander around and lie down like a depressed dog all day?"

"As much as I'd like to tell you, I’m afraid I can’t give you what you’re looking for." Sombra spoke slowly, his voice resonating with a darkness that seemed to emanate from his very being. "Dark magic has been part of me since my conception. It simply... flows through me."

"That’s what Twilight told me." Starlight frowned, recalling her friend's words. "Umbruns are beings of dangerous darkness."

Sombra averted his gaze, his dull eyes filled with an unsettling calm.

"All magical beings have the potential to possess that power... if they choose to." His tone was low, as if speaking of something too ancient and dark to truly understand. "You just need a truly strong emotion... and let it fill your entire being. Focus that negative energy on what you want to achieve."

Starlight bit her lip, thoughtful. Sombra's words echoed in her mind, and a shadow of unease gripped her. It wasn’t so different from the times she had let her own emotions overflow, those times when her desires and fears had pulled her to dangerous limits.

"It must be quite dangerous," she said, reflecting in silence. Maybe she wasn’t ready to investigate something so risky.

"And you can lose control of your own mind." Sombra took a long pause, his gaze distant. His voice became softer, as if speaking from a place of bitter experience. "When you learn to control your own suffering and fear... you’ll succeed in drowning others with them."

"I think that's why Luna became Nightmare Moon." Starlight’s connection was immediate, as if the idea had been forming in her mind for some time.

Sombra watched her intently, a flash of surprise in his eyes before responding with a low laugh, tinged with something indescribable.

"She did that?" His tone was almost incredulous, as if the truth seemed strange to him, though he probably knew it well.

"Didn't you ever hear about Nightmare Moon?" Starlight was taken aback, but quickly masked it with a grimace that didn’t quite hide her concern.

"I was locked away for a thousand years." Sombra’s response was as cold as the distance in his gaze. A corner of his past seemed to have stripped him of any trace of emotion. "Before that, she was just a normal princess."

"She was consumed by darkness and jealousy." Starlight lowered her gaze, the echo of her words ringing with a pain she barely understood. "Because the ponies didn’t appreciate her night."

"You ponies are very fragile." Sombra allowed himself a bitter smile, as if the observation was a contemptuous judgment. "You’ll find any foolish reason to turn evil."

Starlight stared at him for a long moment, as if his words had struck her harder than she expected.

"You also fit in with us." Her response was quick, biting, like a reflection of something she had been waiting to say.

"You had a choice. I was born this way." Sombra’s voice was deep, heavy with resentment, as if each word were soaked in a bitter history.

Starlight didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she stood up and walked toward the edge of the garden, her steps softly echoing on the earth. The cool air gently tousled her curls, and the sound of leaves swaying in the trees accompanied her silence. Without turning, her words floated in the air, thoughtful.

"It must be cruel, having so much power... and still not having the freedom to use it. A king who can't even decide the course of his own life." The observation was not a mockery, but a sincere reflection, an empathy trying to reach something she still didn't fully understand.

Sombra, who had maintained a stoic expression up until that point, flashed a moment of fury. His face twisted into a grimace full of hatred, and with a violent movement, he stood, ripping plants and bushes from his path as if his rage could find relief in destruction.

Starlight watched in silence, feeling the atmosphere around them grow heavier. Had she gone too far? Her words, though well-intentioned, seemed to have struck a deep wound.

"I ruined it... didn't I?" she whispered to herself, an expression of uncertainty and regret crossing her face.

Flying through the opaque night sky, Luna stretched her wings against the cold air currents on her way to Canterlot. Her mind spun in circles, and she knew she had to speak about it soon.

Back in their home, her sister had told her that an old pony, centuries ago, had found a small leather suitcase with a golden symbol of two intertwined serpents. Inside were a few scrolls and medicines”notes she had taken from her time with them. There was no doubt they were from Radiant Hope.

She asked her sister if she would come with her to the castle, but Celestia refused without further explanation. Luna understood that Celestia wanted to be as far from Sombra as possible. Luna knew why, but it was better not to bring it up.

Likewise, Celestia questioned her sister about why she was so involved in this situation. It wasn’t just about fulfilling a favor for Twilight. There was something more to it. Maybe, in the end, Luna had grown fond of Sombra. Maybe it was selfish desires, a way to forgive herself, or simply her duty to heal the nightmares.

Luna didn’t answer. She didn’t even know herself.

Luna arrived at Canterlot, breathless, with an old suitcase between her hooves. Upon reaching the palace, she was surprised to find the throne room empty. Before she could react, Starlight came running to meet her.

“Luna, I saw you arrive,” Starlight said, catching up to her, out of breath after a short sprint. “Twilight had to leave. It seems something serious is happening in the North Arctic.”

Starlight's gaze shifted to the bag hanging at Luna’s side, its frayed edges speaking of long travels and heavy secrets.

“And what’s that?” she asked, tilting her head with curiosity.

Luna held the suitcase firmly, as if fearing that the words to come would be heavier than the object itself.

“It’s something I was going to discuss with Twilight,” she replied, her tone laced with a seriousness that silenced any trace of lightness. A pause stretched, and then she gave the bag a slight shake, as if to emphasize that its contents were far from ordinary. “I’ve discovered some things about that pony...”

“I don’t think I’m ready to hear about it,” Starlight murmured, diverting her gaze as if fearing the weight of the words to come.

“Has he told you anything?” Luna asked, scrutinizing Starlight with a mix of curiosity and urgency.

"Yes... but not in a pleasant way," Starlight admitted, her voice tinged with discomfort. "She says she betrayed him."

Luna frowned, a flash of indignation crossing her face.

"That’s not true!" she exclaimed firmly, her tone louder than she intended.

"Maybe not, but he’s not in the mood to hear it," Starlight replied with a sigh. Her shoulders slumped slightly. "He’s barely reacted to anything for weeks."

Luna took a moment to calm herself, her expression softening as she nodded resolutely.

"Leave it to me. I know what I have to do."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked toward the gardens.

The air in the gardens was cold, filled with a silence broken only by the dry leaves crunching beneath her hooves. Under an ancient tree, whose bare branches stretched out like pleading hands toward the sky, stood he. A broken stallion, his gaze lost in a nonexistent horizon.

Luna did not call out to him. Instead, she moved directly toward him, each step heavy with determination.

"Hello," Luna greeted him with an unexpected calm, her voice carrying an empathy she rarely allowed to show. "I know we didn’t start off well, but I think it’s absurd to keep up this hostility."

Sombra snorted, shaking himself as if to rid himself of the weight of his words. Without bothering to look at her, he replied tiredly:

"Whatever."

Luna did not flinch. Instead, she allowed the silence to fill the space as she lay down on the grass, her eyes fixed on the bare branches of the tree.

"It’s quite a nice place," she remarked softly, as if speaking more to herself than to him.

Sombra, intrigued despite himself, barely turned his head to look at her. Luna's carefree expression contrasted sharply with the burden he felt on his shoulders.

"You're doing this all the time, aren't you?" Sombra finally said, his voice laden with irony. "Discord, Starlight, and the others... they've certainly changed their way of dealing with villains. Aren't there any prisons left in Tartarus?"

Sombra's biting remark seemed to seek a reaction, but Luna didn’t let the provocation affect her.

"Times have changed," she responded in a soft voice, her words trembling like leaves in the wind. "We have evolved."

Sombra let out a bitter laugh, a shadow of mockery creeping into his tone.

"Or maybe it was Celestia who changed?" he asked, his eyes now fixed on her, dark and accusing. "When her precious little sister turned out to be just like the monsters she used to imprison."

The silence that followed was heavy, as if the world itself held its breath in the face of those words.

Luna tensed, her posture stiffening, and her eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and fury.

"How did you know that?" she spat, her voice sharp.

Sombra let out a cruel laugh, his twisted smile reflecting a dark satisfaction.

"Starlight told me," he replied, enjoying the moment. "She thought she’d make me sympathize with you."

His smile widened as he added with venom:

"Even with everything”power, status, a sister who loved you”you fell into darkness. You sure were a brat, princess."

Luna gritted her teeth, but she didn’t let her expression betray the pain those words caused her. Instead, her tone sharpened with malice.

"I think we have something in common, don’t we?"

Sombra narrowed his eyes, but his mocking demeanor faltered for a moment.

"No one in the Crystal Empire cared," he spat bitterly.

"Of course they did," Luna retorted, her calm confidence disarming his sarcasm.

With slow, deliberate movements, she took the valise and turned it so Sombra could clearly see the symbol etched on it.

A chill ran through Sombra as he recognized the shape: the staff with the two intertwined serpents, an emblem he knew all too well. His heart began to race, and for a moment, he couldn’t tell if it was from fear or something else. He straightened up, instinctively becoming more defensive.

"She loved you," Luna said, her voice soft but charged with an intensity that pierced through any barrier.

"She sent you to kill me," he replied, his tone bitter, though with an almost imperceptible tremor.

Luna took a step forward, her gaze locked with his, as if she were trying to pierce the armor that protected him.

"She loved you so much that abandoning you killed her!" she exclaimed, her voice breaking slightly at the end.

The silence that followed was deafening, heavy with the words neither of them dared to speak.

Sombra breathed heavily, as though the very air itself refused to enter his lungs. He didn’t want to hear what he knew was true. It was easier, less painful, to cling to the idea that she had chosen to destroy him, than to face the weight of knowing he was the one who condemned her to suffering.

Luna watched him in silence for a moment, her gaze filled with something more than simple compassion”it was a mix of sadness and resolve, as though she understood that the words to follow wouldn’t be easy to say, nor easy to hear.

"When we sent you to the Arctic wasteland, she stayed with us," she said finally, her tone grave, each word laden with memory. "As much as my sister tried to cheer her up, to motivate her to continue her studies, she couldn’t. She couldn’t stop thinking about you."

She paused, her gaze drifting toward the bag she carried.

"The only thing we know is that one day, she disappeared. She went to where the Crystal Empire once was. No one knew what happened to her... until a mountaineer found this." She raised the bag carefully, as though it contained something more than just an object. Her voice softened. "I think she was looking for you."

Sombra remained silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on the bag as though it were a ghost that haunted him. Finally, he spoke, but his voice was hollow, devoid of any emotion

”She Is death, anyway”

Luna frowned, her frustration palpable.

”Does it not matter to you? ”she snapped, her tone sharp like a knife”. You don't even respect her death.

Sombra gritted his teeth, looking away.

”You wouldn't understand.”

Luna took a step toward him, her voice rising with an intensity that forced him to look at her.

”Of course I understand! ”she shouted, her tone cracking slightly at the end”. I've lived for years with the constant fear of hurting those I love.

Sombra stared at her, his expression hardening.

”But you haven’t lived with the fear of those you love destroying you ”he replied, his voice low but filled with a deep pain he couldn’t hide.

The silence that followed was as heavy as the air in the wasteland. Both knew that, deep down, they shared more than they were willing to admit.

”It doesn’t have to be that way ”Luna said, her voice barely a whisper, full of sincerity”. You can have friends again.

Sombra let out a long, heavy sigh, as if releasing a burden he had been carrying for centuries. Then, without saying another word, he let himself fall onto the grass. He remained still, his body tense as he tried to calm the storm raging inside him.

”I think it’s too late for me ”he murmured finally, his voice broken, barely audible.

hesitation, Luna extended her wing and gently wrapped it around him. There was no fear in her gesture, only a sincere warmth that spoke of understanding and acceptance.

Sombra didn’t pull away. For the first time, he allowed someone to cross the barrier he had always kept firmly in place. He stayed there, under the old tree, feeling the weight of the leaves whispering above them as the breeze played with his mane.

He said nothing more. Perhaps words were unnecessary. Luna remained by his side, offering him comfort in a silence that, for the first time, didn’t feel empty.

Even if only for that moment, he allowed the breeze to carry away his worries.

Author's Note

Hello guys happy holidays, I didnt get a lot of free time because of college, but at least i could finish this chapter before the yeah ends. I wont let this story but dont expect chapters so often. I’ll strive to make at least one chapter every two months

The Wolf. part 1

I found myself playing chess with the former Princess of the Night, the one who once brushed with tyranny. Anyone who doesn’t know them might think that princesses are brilliant strategists, endowed with ancient wisdom.

And yet, there she was, frozen behind the board, her gaze lost among her pieces. I would swear she was sweating cold under her fur. I had already beaten her several times, so out of sheer boredom, I gave her an advantage, curious to see what she would do with it. But I wasn’t planning on giving her the game.

It was easy to come back from that. Too easy.

It was hard to believe. A millennium ago, I fought against this same pony, and now we were here, in front of a chessboard. At least she didn’t have the habit of lecturing like Twilight.

Later, Starlight would arrive with snacks and another board game. She seemed annoyed, maybe jealous that Luna was progressing faster than her, but I didn’t pay attention.

Now that I think about it… I haven’t played with anyone else except Hope.

I close my eyes for a moment, and there she is, as if time hadn’t passed. Her laugh, her warmth… the way she always found a way to make me feel less alone. Maybe she did love me. Maybe I wasn’t just a convenient option.

But no.

The sweetness of the memory turns sour. I know how it ended. I know what she did when she discovered what I am.

I shake my head. There’s no point in going back there. The more I stir up those moments, the more bitter they become.

“I won!” Luna shouted, moving her pawn to the other side of the board.

“Luna, this is chess, not Chinese checkers,” Starlight said.

Luna shrank in her seat when she heard her. I stifled a laugh before sarcastically adding:

“Apparently, to be royalty, you don’t need the slightest bit of military knowledge. Is that right, Lunita?”

I smiled with a hint of sarcasm as Luna struck the table in a comedic way. Despite everything, the atmosphere was oddly pleasant. No one would think we were three former criminals, once capable of reducing Equestria to ashes.

—Seriously, how did you do it? —Starlight whispered into Luna's ear. —I tried everything I could think of and it wouldn’t open even a little.

—I have my methods —Luna replied proudly.

We kept playing in that small room until the sun faded into the horizon. After chess, in which, of course, Luna sucked, Starlight brought out one of those modern games with trapdoors and little colorful figures. I told her that in my day, we used our imagination and didn’t need those things. Luna joined in, saying that back then, little foals spent the day outside, playing with whatever they could find.

Starlight teased us, calling us a couple of old timers.

A squeak sounded from the door before it opened, revealing Spike. He was carrying a pile of pizza boxes and a bucket full of gemstones. His eyes widened in surprise; clearly, he hadn’t expected to find us here.

—Oh, I’m sorry —Spike said, setting the snacks aside—. Usually, no one’s here.

—It’s fine, Spike. You can join us if you want —Starlight invited.

—No, it’s just that I already had plans with someone else and… —He turned to Luna—. I’m telling you for your own good, you should hide.

Then he froze, and for a moment, I felt like he was starting to sweat cold. Could dragons sweat? I don’t know, but it seemed like he could.

Before anyone could say anything else, the door slammed open. A dragoness with crimson scales and a streak of bright pink entered, clearly the same age as Spike.

He tried to rush her out of the room, but she didn’t take him seriously and walked right in without hesitation. Her pupils dilated when she saw Luna, and suddenly, she let out a high-pitched scream, like an excited foal.

—Luna! Oh, Celestia, I didn’t expect to find you here. —She shook her claw violently in greeting—. If I’d known, I would’ve dressed up better.

—Young dragoness, there’s no need for formalities. Besides, any friend of Spike is a friend of mine —Luna replied calmly.

The dragoness became even more excited, nearly on the verge of tears from happiness. Luna, visibly uncomfortable, tried to lighten the mood.

Meanwhile, Spike sneaked over to me and whispered:

—You should take advantage of her being distracted to escape —he said nervously.

—Oh, yes, the great and powerful Spike has to save the tyrant —I joked in a monotone.

—I’m serious. Don’t say I didn’t warn you —he insisted, while trying to shake me with his adolescent dragon arms.

The pink dragoness twisted her neck unnervingly in our direction, her eyes wide with surprise. She walked toward us with an almost unnatural calm, showing no emotion at all. When she was close enough, she stood nose to nose with me and, with a trembling claw, touched my face as if she couldn’t believe I was real.

—Do you need something, miss? —I growled, showing my fangs to make her back off.

She lifted her gaze, and her eyes gleamed with a strange glimmer.

—So… you really are… King Sombra —she asked, incredulous.

I nodded with disdain.

The scream she let out was so high-pitched it would have made dogs deaf. Then, without thinking twice, she pinched her scales hard, as if she needed to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.

—You’re a thousand years old, right?! What was the world like a thousand years ago? Is it true that the Crystal Empire is more advanced in magic? Oh, why is your horn red? Why do you have fangs? Is it some kind of deformity caused by dark magic? Is that why you don’t have a cutie mark, or do you have one? What would a red crystal be? Why does your hair move like that? It looks so long and silky... What’s it like to be trapped in ice for a thousand years? Is it true you had a romance with Celestia? My friend ships you two, though I ship you with Luna. Did you have something? —The dragoness screamed, growing more excited with each question.

My mind started spinning from the avalanche of inquiries. I could barely process half of her shrill outbursts. When I finally gathered myself, the dragoness was passed out on the floor.

Spike caught her carefully before she could collapse.

—Mina! —he exclaimed, rushing her to the couch.

—Looks like you have a fan after all, Sombra —Starlight said with a mischievous smile.

—Your girlfriend is weird —I grumbled softly.

—She’s not weird and she’s not my girlfriend! —Spike protested, annoyed.

I smiled maliciously, but before I could make another comment, Luna surprised me with a friendly slap on the back. I barely had time to react when Starlight jumped up and hung herself around my neck.

My muscles, tense from habit, relaxed. The rage I usually feel in these situations just… didn’t arise. It didn’t flow through my body like it should. Instead, a strange, cold, foreign feeling took over me.

What’s happening to me?

The days passed like the others, with a strange normalcy. Twilight didn’t return, and Starlight seemed not to be too concerned. I continued with my activities alongside her, and Luna stayed by our side; she was a curious mare, different from what you'd expect from a princess.

She and Starlight were among the few tolerable things in this castle, but still, I felt a thorn twisting inside me. If I didn’t act soon, it would be harder to confront them for the throne.

This is why villains shouldn’t have friends. Sooner or later, doubts arise that eat away at us.

When I reclaim the Crystal Empire, they will once again be my enemies. I’ll see in their eyes the same gleam of hatred and fear as always. It’s not like I’m used to any other reaction.

My only friend lies dead. No one cared. Why should I care if this world ends in ashes? It’s not like this world hadn’t tried to kill me over and over again… even before I realized my purpose was evil.

What will I do once I accomplish my goal? I don’t know.

What I do know is that I won’t release the Umbrum. Those psychopaths brought me to this horrid place, and when I’m king, their freedom will only serve to have them tortured for centuries.

The crystal ponies will pay for what they did to me and Hope. Or they’ll watch their beloved city reduced to rubble.
And after that...? What happens after that?

It doesn’t matter what I do, in the end, I’ll be dead. I have no allies, no family. Every living being follows a path that leads to death… but I wonder if I was ever truly alive.

—Why, Amore?! —I screamed to the sky, my voice filled with rage and despair—. Why didn’t you kill me when you knew what I was? You knew and still left me to suffer! You made me believe I could be free… You only lied to me.

The tremor in my voice threatened to break into something more vulnerable. Before the tears could escape my eyes, the echo of footsteps resonated from the balcony.

—She believed every living being was capable of choosing their own destiny —Luna said, approaching me.

I turned my gaze toward the horizon.

—She never met a being like me.

—Sombra, I’m sorry. Amore was very important to Celestia and me; she was our guide when Starswirl disappeared. It was unthinkable for me not to hate her killer —Luna said with sadness—. But now I see that she didn’t know what to do with you. We thought the Umbrum were incurable monsters.

I made a gesture of annoyance, but she continued:

—I saw you in your memories. You were just a child… a child who wasn’t to blame for suffering because of his ancestors. Had we known sooner, we wouldn’t have rested until we found a way to ease your pain.

—The “what ifs” don’t exist —I replied coldly—. I’ve already accepted that I’m a monster.

Luna fell silent for a moment before asking with a calm voice:

—Sombra, who are you? Are you really what the Umbrum taught you to be? Will you truly continue following their orders?

I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly.
—I’m something that was never meant to exist. In this world, there’s no place for me. My stars, the ones that should guide my destiny… they’ve never existed.

—That means you’re free to be whoever you want to be. You don’t have to follow what others think of you. —Luna smiled. —If you decide to, I’ll help you leave all that behind. You’ll finally be able to live like any other pony. And if I have to go to the ends of the world to do it, I will.

A strange sensation ran down my spine, a joy I didn’t want to accept. I tried to stay calm, but my voice trembled a little.

—Why are you doing this for me?

Luna looked at me with sincerity.

—Because among monsters, we must help each other.

Shining and Twilight rode out toward the icy north, feeling miles away from the Crystal Empire. Their hooves slipped on the thin layer of snow covering the treacherous ice. They were farther than any pony had ever ventured before.

—A crystal wolf... Not even in my worst nightmares did I imagine something like this —Shining growled, annoyed.

—I thought they were just tales to scare naughty little foals. By now, nothing should surprise me —Twilight replied.

—Is there anything in the old records about wolves?

—Just rumors and old legends. You know, those stories ponies tell about how, under the full moon, some transform into beasts. Why are wolves so popular in those stories?

—They're big, strong, and have sharper senses than any creature. Of course, not as big as this one...

A cold gust of wind blew through Twilight’s ear. Among the icicles, a patch of fur moved fleetingly. Unknowingly, they had reached the mouth of a cave. The darkness inside was dense, but in the back, a frosty glow outlined the shape of an ice structure. Twilight squinted, trying to make out the shape more clearly, when something struck her full force and slammed her to the frozen ground.

Her vision failed for a moment, the light fracturing into blurry flashes. But amidst the haze, she made out colossal fangs, twice the length of her horn. Eyes, black as the void, stared at her emotionlessly, like two lifeless marbles in the vastness. The beast's muzzle twisted into a threatening snarl, and its breath escaped in clouds of frozen steam.

It was like staring a demon in the eye.

Its white fur, hardened by stalagmites of ice, revealed the powerful muscles rippling beneath the frost. Twilight felt terror grip her, her body fighting against the urge to succumb to paralysis. But before she could give in, a blue glow interrupted the scene: her brother's shield enveloped her in a fleeting refuge.

Twilight clung to Shining’s back, desperately flapping her wings to escape. She didn’t see the treacherous icicles hidden in the shadows. A cruel shard slashed through her wing, tearing a muffled scream from her. The pain shot through her like a lightning strike, and though she managed to soften the fall, they could only crash into a pile of rocks that, for the moment, served as their only defense.

But they wouldn’t protect them forever.

—Hold on, sister —Shining wrapped her in a firm embrace, his voice trying to convey calm—. I sent a call for help to Starlight. She’ll help us soon… unless you can teleport.

Twilight tried to concentrate, but between the fear and the sharp pain in her wing, even the simplest spell seemed unthinkable. Sadly, she shook her head in silence. Shining held her tighter against his chest as he enveloped them in a force field.

The wolf's claws sank into the thin layer of ice separating them. Its heavy, ragged breath echoed through the cave like a sinister melody of disaster.

Then, Twilight spotted an intense blue light. For a moment, she thought her mind was abandoning her, that her consciousness was dissolving into nothingness. But then, a clear and determined voice brought her back to reality.

—Get away from her! —Starlight shouted, unleashing a sky-blue bolt at the beast.

The attack didn’t seem to cause any serious damage, but it was enough to make the wolf retreat. Shining didn’t waste the opportunity; holding Twilight, he bolted out of the cave in a frantic sprint. When they finally left the darkness behind, fear and relief mixed in their chests with such intensity that they felt as if their hearts were about to burst.

They leapt over the snow mound and rushed to Starlight, embracing her with palpable relief. The sensation of having narrowly escaped left them breathless.

—Starlight... If you hadn’t come, I don’t know what would have happened to us —Shining said, still stunned.

—Hey, it's nothing. No monster is a match for... —Starlight cut off her own bravado as soon as she clearly saw her former mentor—. Twilight! Oh, Celestia, we need to get you to the hospital right now.

—It's just a scratch —she tried to downplay it, though her voice betrayed the pain that pierced through her wing like a knife. The cold wrapped around her with invisible claws, claiming her warmth, her life. It was terrifying.

They set off towards the Crystal Empire. Finally, it seemed like their adventure had come to an end.

But then, an unsettling hiss reverberated in Twilight's ears. Her coat stood on end instantly. For a moment, she forgot about her injury.

The calls of her friends seemed distant, drowned out by the rumbling of the earth shaking beneath their hooves. The ice cracked. It split open.

There was no time to react.

The ground collapsed beneath her, and the darkness swallowed her whole.

She plummeted toward a frozen lagoon. The air escaped her lungs in a strangled cry. She tried to flap her wings, but the pain paralyzed her. Her friends were too far away. No one would reach her in time.

She felt the chilling embrace of the water engulf her completely, a sensation she wouldn't wish on her worst enemy. Her skin prickled instantly, and a shiver ran down her spine as the current dragged her away. Despite the panic threatening to consume her, she gathered the courage to open her eyes, clinging to the faint light flickering above, marking the way to the surface.

Each movement became heavier, as if her body were turning into lead. Her strength faded with each passing second. She struggled desperately, raising a trembling hoof toward the light, but just as she was only a few inches from reaching the air, a shudder paralyzed her.

She felt gravity reclaiming her once more, slowly dragging her back to the depths. Then, something grabbed her. Firm hooves seized her roughly, preventing her from sinking any further.

Consciousness rushed back to her all at once. Amid shadows and whirlpools, she distinguished a pair of scarlet eyes. Even in the darkness of the water, they shone with a hypnotic intensity.

He held her at the edge of the lake, still with water covering both of them. Twilight gasped, her body trembling from both the cold and the presence of the stallion holding her. In front of her, Sombra stood motionless, his expression stoic and impenetrable, as if the scene evoked no emotion in him at all.

The icy air pressed against her chest, but it was something else that made her blood freeze further in her veins. Her eyes widened like a prey caught under the gaze of its predator.

Sombra opened his jaws, and the same demonic grin of the creature on his dark coat appeared on his face.

When Twilight opened her eyes again, she found herself out of the water, her body lying on the frozen shore. She gasped heavily, her breath escaping in trembling clouds as she tried to fill her lungs with the air that had been ripped away from her.

Beside her, Sombra remained impassive. Without a word, he shook himself with a sharp movement, scattering drops that struck the ice with a dry sound. Then, without even glancing at her, he made his way toward the cave’s exit.

Outside, Starlight was waiting for them.

After the incident, Starlight teleported them to the outskirts of the Crystal Empire. The icy wind greeted them immediately, carrying snowflakes that stuck to their manes. There was no time to lose: Twilight needed medical attention before the fever and cold weakened her further.

Sombra, however, seemed immune to the frigid temperature. He stood upright, with snow accumulating on his dark coat, showing no signs of shivering. Unlike the others, he didn't display any discomfort or exhaustion.

But his presence was still an issue. Shining Armor's attitude made it clear: his hostility, though contained, was palpable. After all, what Sombra had done to Cadence was still a raw wound for the crystal ponies. Bringing him into the Empire was not an option.

—I'm not leaving you here alone —Starlight insisted, frowning.

—Do it anyway —Sombra replied indifferently, letting himself fall onto the hardened snow.

Twilight looked at them with concern before taking a step toward the illuminated path that led to the city.

—We'll be back soon —she assured, before moving forward, disappearing with the others into the icy mist.

—How can we leave him so close to the Empire? —Shining Armor was visibly upset, the tension in his voice even more apparent.

—He won't do anything, trust me —Starlight replied firmly.

—What I don't trust is him.

Shining snorted in frustration and started walking, accompanied by Starlight, who continued protesting under her breath. Twilight walked behind them, but before entering the illuminated path, she turned her head toward Sombra.

—You saved me —she murmured. The blizzard swallowed her words before they could reach him.