Years had passed and Sombra had grown into a small and young stallion. Barely a few years after the incident of Sombra nearly killing his father. Osirus had kept his distance since then and decided against interfering with the foal and his mother. He feared his son, but curiosity had gotten the better of him, and he wanted to see the extent of Sombras power. Sombra had begun to talk the previous year. The young foal learned fast. After his first word he began to speak full sentences.
"Mom, why does dad avoid me?" Sombra asked. His voice laced with sadness. For as long as he could remember Sombra only wanted his fathers approval and love.
"It's not in him to love." His mother responded. It was true. The last few years were lonely and sad for the mother and the foal. Even as a prince Sombra lived with the peasants that dwelled in the slums of the crystal kingdom. Living off the scraps of his cruel father. But Sombra couldn't be happier. He happily skipped across the streets of the crystal kingdom. Shouting hellos and good mornings to all the shop keepers and workers. They happily responded with waves of their hooves and cheerful smiles.
"Hello Prince Sombra!" Said the baker. Sombra smiled and ran over to see his friend. As soon as he reached the window the baker gave him a bag of bread. Sombra thanked him and ran off smiling as he sprinted to his mother. Sombra stopped in front of the small shack and used his magic to open the door. The door slowly opened with an eerie screech.
"Mom are you okay?" Sombra asked. The room was dark and whatever light that slipped through the cracks in the windows seemed to be absorbed by the dark.
"Sombra, my little shadow." She smiled " Are you okay?" She asked. Ignoring the sickness that plagued her. Each moment she grew weaker, and closer to death.
"Mommy? Are you getting any better?" Sombra asked. His eyes on the verge of tears. "I brought you some bread." He levitated one of the loafs of bread to his mothers mouth. She weakly chewed the bread. While she ate Sombra levitated water for her to sip. She struggled to lift her head high enough for her lips to reach the water. Sombra helped her, and after Sombra's mother had had her fill Sombra helped himself and saved the leftovers for later. Over the course of the last few years Sombra's mother had grown ill, and she slowly grew weaker as each day passed. There was no know cure to the mysterious illness. The realization of his mothers potential death had struck Sombra hard. He tried not to show how much it hurt him. It would only hurt her. His mother had told him one night that she wanted him to live happy after her passing.
"Mom, what will happen when...you know? What will happen to you?" Sombra asked.
"I'll be going to a better place. Somewhere beautiful and perfect." She weakly smiled.
Sombra burst into tears. Sobbing, not even bothering to try to conceal his sadness. With what little strength she had left, she nuzzled her head against his.
"Don't cry little shadow. Just know that whatever happens that mommy loves you." She kissed his head.
Suddenly her eyes went dark and distant. Her head fell softly to the floor. Her body still and growing cold. Sombra starred in shock at the sudden loss of his mother. He couldn't take the loss. He wouldn't.
"MOMMY!" He screamed. "Mommy...don't...leave...me." He sobbed. His black fur glistened as the singular stream of light from the window reflected off the fresh hot tears that streamed endlessly from his eyes.
