Chapter 1
A misty gloom flew across the arctic wasteland, a shade through the darkening sky. Frosty wind blew through the air, tugging at the shadowy form as it settled on the uneven landscape. And on one of the snowy slopes, the umbral haze slowly began to pull together, tightening into the form of a stallion.
With minimal effort, Sombra once more took shape, compressing his shadow being into an approximation of solid matter. But it was effort, and he had to focus in order to keep his consciousness from slipping away, from dissolving into the light. And that wasn’t the only weight on him.
He regained himself. Sombra remained still as memories dizzyingly flooded back to him, his mind surfacing once more. More than from just being scattered by the Crystal Heart, he recovered his memories that had been lost during the release, remembering his identity.
If he could feel, he was sure his skull would be pounding. As it calmed down, he turned his nebulous head to look about his surroundings, a lonesome winter expanse. He likely didn’t need to, but he found it easier to see with eyes, being what he was used to. Even after becoming familiar with existing as a shadow due to his lengthy imprisonment, some habits die hard.
Then Sombra sat and thought. The length did not matter, it was a pleasure to be doing so again. Becoming a mindless drone was never enjoyable, especially not for him. Recalling recent events, he’d somehow been freed from his abyssal prison, yet damaged even more in the process. And without his mind, he’d been senselessly trying to invade the Crystal Empire, chasing after the Heart once more. Even not himself, it seemed his soul could still feel the connection. And he’d gotten so close, almost touched it, before it was snatched away by that alicorn and her allies.
But this was interesting, it was good news. When Celestia and Luna had used the Elements of Harmony against him, it had destroyed his body. Literally reduced him to a shadow of his former self. Yet just being in close proximity to the Crystal Heart had restored his physical form. If he could only touch it, he would be able to recover the part of his soul he’d bound to it. It had been necessary at the time in order to use the prism for his own purposes, but now he’d be needing it back to undo the damage from the Elements.
He paused, mediations interrupted and intangible ears perking in habit as a shrill howl began to pick up. A distinct howl. There was no mistaking that noise, one he had not heard for a long time. One he knew very well. Looking up, it was confirmed. Off in the horizon riding the frosty gust at impossible speeds, he could make out the three incandescent beacons. The Windigos. The ancient devourers, pony-eating eating spirits from the time when Discord had ruled, that thrived on malice and spite.
He waited patiently, a trait he’d always prided himself on, among others. His mane tendriled in the breeze like a flame, the edges of his form misting about from where he sat. Of course they’d be the first to contact him. This was bound to be an interesting reunion for both parties.
And the trio soon arrived, hovering above the snow and glowing gently in the advancing night. They settled a distance away. Their eyes were blue orbs illuminated with arcane secrets, wells of knowledge even he’d not yet exhausted.
Sombra remained in place. Offering a half-smile, he called, “Ah, the frigid feeders, Lampon, Podagros, and Deimos. I would have been expecting you, had my mind been in order.”
“We couldn’t help but notice your return and had to see for ourselves,” said Lampon, the eldest, as they shrewdly came closer.
Podagros bobbed in mirth. “Is it too much to believe we missed you?”
“Considering where we left off, yes,” he bluntly replied.
“Then you know you’re a failure,” Deimos spoke up.
“And I thought I was tricky.”
“We could have accomplished much.”
“I take it you were watching when I battled Celestia and Luna?” Sombra kept his tone aloof.
“Yes, truly an embarrassing defeat!”
“You should have waited longer to strike.”
“Shouldn’t have wasted your magic against us.”
He didn’t blink. “I had to protect my own interests, in light of your deceit. It was hardly unexpected for any of us, however regretful.”
Podagros circled around him, eyes sparkling. “Ooh, is that an apology?”
“We might be willing to give it another try.”
Deimos sneered. “If you make amends.”
“No. I have no intention of going after the empire again. My isolation has helped me to reevaluate matters.”
Lampon turned away, remarking sagely, “A pity. This won’t help the issue.”
“How ever did you escape?”
“I couldn't say. I did bind myself to the Crystal Heart during my brief rule, I suspect that’s related.”
“You’re a very sneaky colt, aren’t you?” Podagros enthused.
“You must have come back along with the Crystal Empire, then,” Lampon informed.
“You’re hard to get rid of.”
That caught his attention. “The Crystal Empire came back?”
“It disappeared after your defeat.”
“Only returned a few days ago, like a lost puppy!”
“More of your meddling, I assume?” He didn’t need to ask. Of all the beings he’d dealt with, none were more beset with the magic of the Crystal Empire than the Windigos. As spirits averse to harmony magic, it was one of their greatest threats. And the predominant reason for their former alliance.
“Oh of course not!”
Deimos spoke grimly, “You might be more careful in what you accuse us of.”
He ignored that, continuing, “Speaking of which, perhaps you can inform me how much time has passed.”
“At least four millennia, though we haven’t the most accurate count ourselves.”
“We’ve been hiding in the cracks like filthy roaches!”
“Equestria has only continued to expand due to your inadequacy.”
“My plans were all set, I never could figure what went wrong,” he recounted, gesturing with a shadowy hoof, thinking of his unexpected loss. The Elements of Harmony having triumphed despite his precautions, seemingly defying all logic. “But no need to dwell. We can still profit from each other despite our diverging ambitions.”
“Are you proposing a bargain?”
“See, just like old times!” Podagros squealed.
His face grew hard, form darkening. “I intend to regain my body. If I can make contact with the Heart, it should restore me. But I’d like to know what I’m walking into.”
“And what will you offer? You know there’s a price for information of value.”
“Would the great king dare part with his crown?”
He looked up, hiding any puzzlement he felt. “I’m not wearing any tangible possessions.”
“Not a trouble for us.”
“That’s a splendid cape you have, too. But it would look all the better on me.”
Sombra gave it a moment’s thought. “Fine. I have no use for them, consider it my payment.” He was getting off too easy, he knew. The old spirits were deviously cunning, always furthering a network of schemes. But he would deal with that when they became an obstacle.
Their ghostly faces grinned. “Excellent,” they said in unison, luminous coils reaching out.
He felt a minor irritation as the magical force intruded on his being and the ethereal accessories slowly faded away. He glanced at his back, examining his now bare gray hide in the dark. Night had finally fallen, the only light being the glowing auras of their eyes, though none of them necessarily needed to see in that manner.
Curious, he thought. But the unicorn moved back to business, “I wasn’t quite myself earlier and in my stupor, I went after the Crystal Heart. I remember being stopped by a group of ponies and a small dragon. One of them was an alicorn.”
“A lot happens in four thousand years.”
“The princesses have a niece. The princess of love, isn’t that silly?”
“The Elements of Harmony have changed hands recently.”
Vague, but he’d find out more as necessary. “That could be useful. Are they based in the Everfree castle?”
“Everfree? He hasn’t a clue!”
“The Equestrian capital is a city named Canterlot.”
“The bearers live away in the town of Ponyville. You have one more question,” Deimos stated.
“One more is all I need.” One that would make use of his exclusive source, he thought, already forming a plan. “Has the entrance to Tartarus remained unchanged, will I still be able to gain entrance?”
Podagros flickered. “It’s unchanged as much as anything can be.”
“In location and ritual,” Lampon added.
“If you haven’t forgotten how.”
“Good. My memory isn’t an issue,” he glanced at the dour spirit, “barring outside circumstances. I have all I need in reach.”
“Then what will you do now?”
“What can you do in that fallen state?” Deimos loomed closer.
He saw no harm in answering truthfully, the Windigos were unable to get anywhere near enough to Equestria to interfere, due to the abundant presence of harmony magic. “I’ll get my affairs in order, then proposition Celestia for access to the Crystal Heart. There’s something to be said for the direct approach.” As a starting point.
Pendagros howled with laughter. “I don’t remember you being so foolish as well!”
“I do.”
“Celestia is possibly more stubborn than you. The source of our troubles. You would turn to her expecting good will?”
“No, but it can always be engineered. I won’t trouble myself any more than necessary,” he responded, turning away. He had what he needed, he was done with them for now.
They took notice, glancing at each other. “Very well, Sombra.”
“Our business is concluded.”
“We take our leave,” they spoke in unison, drifting back.
As they flew away into the night, the sorcerer lingered in the desolate landscape, a stain even in the dark. Sombra thought about what he had done and what he would he have to do. What had led up to this and where he’d left off. Affairs he’d yet to conclude and eldritch resources he’d left unattended throughout Equestria. Most of which couldn’t be dealt with in this hindered state.
Celestia likely wouldn’t acquiesce and he’d have his work cut out for him. No matter.
He would restore his body, then he could progress.