A week has passed since Red Vine was run out of town by Sombra and his unexpected shadow powers. Nobody's seen him in that time; not even a glimpse. It's like... he disappeared.

Sombra quickly got a reputation around town as being the pony who can manipulate shadows. Instead of being feared by everyone, he actually turned into a celebrity. He's using his powers not for battle but for show, such as dances, plays, and little performances. He's even getting paid in loose change. In the week's time, he's earned up to 150 bits in total.

Word about a pony who can use shadows was slowly spreading far. It has currently reached Baltimare, where Princess Celestia was visiting to scout a potential spot for this year's Summer Sun Celebration. She's scouting herself as it had been a slow week and she needed something to do.

"It's a honor to have you in our town, Princess." The current mayor of Baltimare said as he bowed to the Princess.

"The pleasure is all mine!" Celestia said in the warm tone she always has.

"And may i said that it is an honor that you choose my city to host this years Summer Sun Celebration."

Celestia nodded to him. "I wish to see Baltimare for myself; it's been a long time since i've last been here. Tell what you need for this year to my assistant Night Light." She moved to the side and allowed a young colt with dark fur to walk up, a notepad and pencil hovering in front of him.

"Un... isn't he a little young?"

Night gave him a bit of a scowl. "I am 5 years old, thank you very much! and Auntie Celestia said i could be her helper if i want."

The mayor was unconvinced and glanced up to the Princess. "His parents were good friends of mine who... unfortunately died several years ago. I took him in and he's my little helper. He's actually proven quite useful." the mayor exclaimed in slight understanding.

"Princess Celestia!" A Guard exclaimed. He walked to her and bowed with his horn glowing. "We caught this stallion trying to break though our lines." He brought forth a stallion who's hooves were bound in rope and his breathing was rapid. "He says he has something to tell you."

"Is that so?" She walked to the stallion and lowered her head. "Speak then."

The stallion gathered his breath. "M'Lady, my name is Red Vine and i am in dire need of your assistance. It's my step-son! he's out of control. He's somehow gathered the ability to manipulate shadows."

Celestia was shocked to hear that. She outlawed Shadow Magic not long after she banished her sister to the moon. "Are you sure?"

"Why would i make this up?! He's taken over the town and he's threatening to destroy it! i've managed to escape to come and warn you that he may come after you!"

This has warranted her full concern. Any threat to Equestria, no matter how small, is worth her attention. "Where is he?"

The School-bell rang, signalling the end of the school day. the young Filly's and Colt's ran out, cheering at the coming weekend. Sombra was among the last ones out.

Tulip caught up to him. "Hey Sombra. you coming over to my house later? My little brother's birthday is today and i'm inviting everyone i can. So you coming?"

"Of course. Marrot Bass is turning, what, 1 today?"

Tulip lowered her eyelids halfway. "Your kidding right? he's turning 5."

Sombra slyly chuckled. "I know that. i was just joking with you." The two reached a fork in the road. Tulip to the left while Sombra took the right. "I"m gonna head to the store; see if i can find him a toy.."

"He'll like that." Tulip walked to home and Sombra to the store.

On the outskirts of town, Celestia and her best guards formed up. Vine and Night Light were with her. "Are you sure he's here?" The Princess asked. "The town looks fine to me."

Crap... he hadn't planned for that. "Un... un... t-t-the bastard set up a curfew. everyone has to be in at 4 or risk death."

"I see..." She turned to her men. "Get ready to go in, men."

Vine turned away and evilly snickered. "(This'll teach this bastard to mess with his owner!)"

Sombra reached the store, rear legs chaffing from all the walking and running he did today. Today was tag... he hates that game. He opened the door and headed on in. The store bell rang as he went in.

This place was basically the pony equivalent of a convenience store. Rows of quick goods like candy, veggie jerky, and crappy toys. But as he gave most of his money to his mother to help pay the bills, he has like 10 bits left, so not enough to buy a full good toy. Plus, he's a little peckish and is looking for something to eat.

"Hello there, Sombra." The man behind the counter said. "What can i do for our small town's local celebrity?"

"Eh, i'm just looking for a toy for a birthday boy. Nothing biggie."

"You need some help?"

"Nah, i got it." Sombra used his magic to summon up the shadows of himself, the clerk's, and the other two ponies inside. They gathered around him as he browsed a selection of candies. "Go find a toy; preferably something for a 5 year old Earth Pony." The shadows nodded and went to work. They freaked out the Earth Ponies who were in their before Sombra.

The clerk shivered. "I'm never gonna get used to that."

"And since you're moving to Ponyville in a couple of weeks, Cheese Cake, you won't have to." Sombra found a chocolate bar with nougat and grabbed it. "My mom is going to miss you when you guys move."

"Yeah, but Ponyville seems like the perfect place to raise Carrot Cake. It's like the perfect combination between the closeness and friendliness of a small town and the largeness of a big city like Canterlot, which is right next door."

"I heard about Canterlot. everyone there are such snobs." Cheese chuckled. "I mean it. i visited there one time. and this kid named Blue Blood... ugh... i never met anyone so snooty."

One of the shadows came back, carrying a box of Colton Logs. "Eh... he might like those..." He looked at the price of it and the rest of the toys that came. the Logs are the only ones in his price range. "Eh... Tulip might hit me for getting a sub par gift but i have no choice." He pulled out the 10 bits and placed them on the counter. He sent all he shadows except his own back to their owners. "Well, i'm out." He trotted to the door. He spoke in a snooty accent, "Open the door, Cecal." He ordered his shadow.

"Heading home?"

"Yep! I gotta get back there fast. Today's the Season Finale of the Long Ranger and i do NOT intend to miss it."

"The Long Ranger? I never heard of that."

"Yeah. It follows a big burly stallion named Silver as he rides across the desert, righting wrongs. and accompanying him is his Buffalo friend Tonto."

"Odd Premise."

"Yet it works." The Shadow opened the door and Sombra spoke in a goofy manner as the shadow seeped under his hooves and carried him out. "Hi-Ho Silver! AWAAAAAAY!" The door closed behind him and the clerk chuckled to himself.

Sombra rode his shadow home, looking at the box of Colton Logs. "Hmm.... i honestly don't know if he'll like these." He magically unwrapped the chocolate bar and took a bite. "He never showed interest in these." He passed a intersection, unaware of the Princess-led squad to his right. "Maybe i should've gotten him a toy spear."

"Sombra Colion." Celestia called out. That got his attention. He stopped moving and looked to the right, chocolate bar hanging out of his mouth.

"Yeah... that's me..." he brushed them up and continued onward.

"You are under arrest!"

That made him halt. He pulled the bar out of his mouth. "I'm what?!!"

Night Light walked in front of the Princess. "Article 66 of the 6th Paragraph of the Equestrian Charter; any and all use of Shadow Magic is illegal and punishable by 50 years incarceration... or death!"

Sombra can hardly beleive what he's hearing. Mostly because it sounds bogus. "Illegal? This isn't illegal! This is a fun time! I didn't do anything wrong!"

"Not according to what we heard." Celestia calmly exclaimed. "From our source, you took complete control of your town and put everyone under a tyrannical rule!"

Sombra scoffed. "Tyrannical rule?! What kind of a idiot told you that?"

"That..." Red Vine came out from behind Celestia. "Would be me." Sombra's anger boiled. Figures he'd do something like this. He just didn't expect him to go all the way to Celestia. "Don't bother lying. i told her everything. How you harmed me and how you put everyone under your iron hoof."

Sombra lightly chuckled. "Okay... i don't know what... IT told you..." He pointed to Vine. "But he is lying to you. I've never harmed anyone in my entire life. Except for him. So now, if you'll excuse me, i have a birthday party and a Lone Ranger finale to get to." He jumped off the shadow and trotted off.

"I'll handle this!" Vine said before trotting after him. He caught up to Sombra and proceeded to deal with him his own sadistic way. "I have you right where i want you, you little bastard. I am going to make you suffer so much, you'll be begging for death."

Sombra stopped in his tracks and stood there. He summoned Vine's shadow and had it wrap around his neck. "Leave me alone, Vine, or else i will kill you. this isn't a request." He looked to him with evil eyes. "This is a threat." He let Vine go and walked off.

Vine rubbed his neck and snickered evilly. "I was hoping you'd say that." He galloped back to Celestia with a perfect lie already in line. "I tried to talk him out of his role of power but he wouldn't listen! He told me that he's going to the party to kill all the Fillies and Colts there with a sword."

Something about Vine's voice is telling Celestia that this is wrong but she can't tell if he's lying either. "Very well... let us follow him."

Sombra reached the party, finished up his chocolate bar, and tossed the wrapper away. Tulip was waiting for him out front. "There you are. What kept you?!"

"Eh, i was delayed. This real jerk blocked my path and i had to deal with it." He pulled out the box of logs. "This was the only thing i could find in my price range."

Tulip grunted disapprovingly. "That's too bad. he hates Colton Logs." Sombra cursed to himself. "HE does however like swords. see." She pointed to the plastic 2 foot toy sword on the ground.

"Oh, Come on!" He used his magic to pick it up. "I could've bought him one of these!"

Vine led Celestia and the others to the location of the party and, much to Vine's luck, Sombra had a sword. What a stroke of bad luck. "See. i told you."

So he did. He is going to kill them all. "I'll deal with this."

Sombra lowered his head in defeat. "Can i put my name on it, so we can both give it to him?"

Tulip chuckled. "I figured that to be the case. look at the name tag."

Sombra did and saw that his name was also on there. "Lucky." Tulip chuckled warmly with closed eyes. He went towards the party when Tulip stopped him.

"Um... Sombra..." He stopped and looked to her. "Um... before we go in... i have something i wish to tell you."

"What is it?"

"Well...." She ran her hoof though her hair. "you see the thing is... I un... i..." Sombra cocked his head to the side in confusion. "I... i may have....."

And then things went to hell.

Sombra was suddenly and violently struck by a beam of light, sending him crashing into a tree. He hit the sycamore hard, causing it to topple over. Tulip yelled in fear as this happened. the toy sword he had fell where he once was.

A large burn mark marked him on the side as Sombra rolled off the tree. He grunted in pain as he touched the mark. She gasped in shivers as he looked to where the blast came from.

Energy sparked from Celestia's horn, giving off steam as it cooled down from the magical attack. "Stay away from her!" She exclaimed.

This whole commotion drew a crowd, most of whom are from the party. "No!" Tulip exclaimed. She tried to run to Sombra but was blocked by several guards. "Stay back!" They boldly exclaimed. "This monster will harm you!"

"Monster? Harm me? He's my friend."

Sombra struggled to get up, holding his side. It hurts so much. "Sombra Colion..." Celestia exclaimed. "...under the penalty of the use of Shadow Magic, i hereby sentence you to Death!" She used her magic to summon a spear of light. "Forgive me." She used her magic to fling it over. Sombra closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable.

"WAIT!"

The spear stopped in mid-air, just inches away from Sombra's mother's face. "Get out of the way, madam." One of the guards exclaimed.

"NO! you are making a mistake. Sombra would never hurt anyone! He didn't know that Shadow magic was illegal..."

Red Vine cursed to himself. he forgot all about that bitch. She's always been annoying. He glanced to Celestia, who was holding the spear with her magic. That gave him an idea.

"Ma'am, we've been told that that colt has taken the town under his iron rule and has everyone under the grip of fear!"

"What? No. Sombra did not do any of that..." Vine creaked on over the Celestia, acting normal. He then kicked her in the leg, making her lose her balance and making her lose her grip on the spear. "He wouldn't have..." The Spear flew... and struck Sombra's mother in the chest, right though the heart.

"MOM!!!" Sombra yelled at the top of his lungs. It was for naught as the spear killed her instantly. Her lifeless body collapsed as Sombra looked on in shock. "No.... no no no no......"

Vine chuckled evilly, this time Celestia caught it. "What did you kick me for?!"

"I saw a bug." He coldly said. He walked over to Sombra, who was still standing there in shock as tears rivered down his face. "HA! I win, you bastard! I Told you i would make you pay for embarrassing me and pay i did!" Sombra lowered his head as he choked up. "Oh, is the little baby gonna cry? Well, cry away, you bastard!!! It won't matter once i get done with you!"

Is he forgetting that Princess Celestia is right here? She's hearing everything and she's not liking what she is hearing. She picked up the sword and saw that it was a toy. "You lied to me."

"Oh, So what!? I got this bastard right where i want him now! And without his precious little mommy to stop me, i can do whatever the fuck i want to him! And there's not a thing a mammy pampy princess like you can do about it!"

Yes there is. "Guards. Arrest Red Vine. He lied to me and brought this horror upon that innocent young colt."

"You can't do nothing! I own this bastard child and there's nothing you can do about it! I WIN AND THIS LOSER WILL PAY!!!"

Sombra's heard enough. "shut up..."

Vine laughed with a scoff. "What? are you telling me to shut up? That is hilarious!"

Something inside Sombra snapped. His eyes turned completely green with red iris's and purple fire coming out of the side. "I SAID SHUT UP!!!"

Begin Song:

The Key - Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep OST

Suddenly, everybody's shadow, even Princess Celestia's, burst out from the ground and circled around Vine. Everyone yelled in surprised as that happened. This scared the bejebus out of him. "Wh--- Stop! STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!!!"

"You... you abused me my entire life.... well, now i'm sick of it! I'm gonna do what i should've done a long time ago!!"

The Shadows formed a dome over Vine, covering him and Sombra in darkness. All the others could do was watch in horror as this whole thing took place. Celestia tried to break though it but whatever this kid is... he's too powerful. she can't break though the dome.

suddenly, a blood curdling scream yelled out of the dome, scaring the kids. The dome dissipated several seconds later, revealing Sombra, the shadows... and the bloodied and mangled corpse of Vine. The kids yelled out in terror.

the shadows belonging to Tulip and Twilight Velvet wrapped around him and lifted him up several feet into the air. Sombra then turned his attention to Celestia. "You... you killed my mother..." The shadows readied to attack her and she got ready to defend. "DIE!!!!!!!" Sombra yelled and the shadows shot towards Celestia like missiles.

Tulip watched in horror. Her best friend is turning into a monster. She had to do something, anything. "SOMBRA!!!"

Tulips yelling plead snapped him back to normal. His eyes went back to normal white and the shadows went back to their owners. He was softly placed back on the ground.

His body shook in horror as he looked around as the mess he caused. His mother... dead. Red Vine... a mangled mess. His friends... afraid of him. and the Princess... hates him. HIs life... it's all gone. it's turned into a complete and utter mess that he cannot possible hope to reverse.

He looked to Tulip who looked at him with unbridled fear. "S-Sombra..."

He caused this... he caused this and now everyone is afraid of him. They won't want to be with him anymore. He slowly backed up in fear of what he had done... Then turned and ran off as fast as he could.

"SOMBRA!" Tulip yelled out. He heard her but he didn't look back. He wants to be as far away from this as possible.

Tears ran down Tulips face. Her best friend... is gone... She got angry and turned to Celestia. "I hope your happy!" She yelled. "Because of you, my best friend is gone! This is all your fault! I HATE YOU!!!"

Celestia isn't going to countermand that. In way.. this was her fault. She bought Vine's lies and brought this down on a innocent colt who was enjoying a sweet and innocent life until she came.

Twilight Velvet stormed over to Night Light and beamed him on the head. "I hope your happy!!"

Night rubbed his head and looked to her. "I had nothing to do with this! This was all that Vine guy's fault, right Auntie Celestia?" She didn't reply. She just looked on in horror of what she did. "Auntie Celestia?"

"No... No, Night Light... we are to blame for this... for believing Vine's insidious lies. I only hope that Sombra can come back."

But he won't be coming back.

Sombra climbed the hill to the north of town, panting as he reached the top. He looked back down to what his home was and sobbed to himself. "I can't go back... they'll hate me... and Tulip... she'll.... she'll be afraid of me." He wiped his eyes but continued to cry. "Good-bye... Tulip..." He turned and ran north as fast as he could.

"And Celestia... one day... i'm gonna make you pay for destroying my life..."

On this day, Celestia accidentally commented a heinous crime against a young colt who lived in a town bordering Equestria with the northern arctic regions. And unknown to her, she had unwittingly created a mosnter.

A monster... that would bring Equestria to it's knees.

End Song.

Author's Note

welp, new chapter. sorry it took so long but i had other things.