Chapter nine: Paving the way.
We had returned to the airship. "I think you and your friends should be the ones to find the key. And your human counterpart. Sunset". I say and Sunset nods but before she speaks, she yawns. "I believe that it has been a long day. So, I suggest rest should be the priority. Sweet dreams every pony". Says Celestia. And so, we return to the Rainbow castle of Friendship. And a good night sleep. Elsewhere and a few days earlier, a former member of the royal guard was moving through a small village. As they did most of the ponies moved out their way. But unfortunately, one young filly wasn't quick enough. As she accidently bumps into the colt. With look of anger he screams at the poor filly. "YOU STUPID MARE. YOU PATHETIC LITTLE FILLY. WATCH WHERE YOU ARE GOING". As she cowers behind her mother, who apologises. "Please forgive my daughter officer. It is just that she was so excited. She was given the part of Princess Twilight in the schools play about the defeat of the Storm King". She says joyfully. But he wasn't impressed. With a flap of his wings he reared up on his hind legs. And says. "WHAT? SO LITTLE ONE YOU WANT TO BE A PRINCESS DO YOU". Scared the little filly just nods. "WELL, BE ONE JUST DON'T BE THAT POMPUS UNCARING AND DULL WINGED WHORE". He replies.
There were gasps of shock and murmurs. SMACK. The filly's mother slaps his face. "You sir are a disgrace to the uniform of the royal guards. How dare you speak about". But before she finishes her sentence the colt before her swings his right hoof. Catching the mare in the side of her jaw. "YOU DARE SLAP ME. THEN PAY THE PRICE". He says before swinging his other hoof. Blow by blow, one after another he continued to hit the mare. "HELP ME PLEASE. SOME PONY HELP ME". She screamed as splatters of blood are flicked everywhere. But no pony went to her aid. They could not believe a member of the royal guard could be so cruel.
As the mare fell to the ground unconscious the little filly jumped on to the colt's leg and with her mouth bit down as hard as possible. "OUCH, WHY YOU LITTLE EXCUSE FOR A PONY". He screams and kicks the little filly as hard as he could. Sending her crashing into a wheel of a nearby cart. You heard the bones of her little legs and back snap as they broken. He moved and stood over the mare and picked her up once more and began to beat her once more. As her legs began to buckle under her own weight, he was about to snap her neck. Only to be stopped by of all ponies. King Sombra.
With his magic Sombra Teleported her out of the guards' hooves. And then with a force field spell sent the guard flying off to the edge of town. "Leave them alone". Says Sombra. And lighting his horn up and took to standing in front of the two ponies. The attacker wiped his hooves before heading out of the town. As the little filly tries to crawl, she cries. "Mommy please help me. Mommy wake up please". And from the colt all you could hear is a sadistic laugh. He had enjoyed beating those two ponies' up. Then that night. Back at Canter-Lot the captain in charge was just preparing the palace for the night watch. When a member of Luna's royal guard landed. "Captain Surestep sir. We have received reports of a member of the royal guards acting out of character. It appears that they assaulted a mare and her young filly. The mare was seriously beaten and left unconscious. And I am afraid that the poor little filly was severely injured. I am afraid that she may not walk again". Says the guard the captain was shocked before he says. "This is most serious. The royal guards are here to serve the princess. And they would never condone this type of act. A true act of cruelty, Princesses Celestia, Luna and Twilight will wish to hear this. Some pony bring me a scroll and a quill".
Back at my castle I was just tucking in Spike for the night when he belched and out popped a scroll. It was marked with the seal of the royal guards and read most urgent. So, I break the seal and read it. What I read made me take a second look. "Goodnight my sweet boy". I say and in a sleepy stupor says. "Night mommy give Daydream a kiss for me". I happily smile before giving him a kiss on the head. "I will sweetie". I then head to the main hallway catching both Princess Luna and Celestia before they leave. "Princess Celestia, Princess Luna I need to speak to you both about". I call before princess Celestia angrily interrupts me. "YES, TWILIGHT REALLY. YOU WANT TO TALK TO US BOTH ABOUT, ABOUT WHAT. HOW YOU LEFT THE HOSPITAL. HOW YOU WENT OFF TRUDGING THROUGH THE SAN PALMINO DESERT. OR HOW YOU DRAGGED POOR SUNSET THERE ALONG WITH HER FRIEND PINKIE. OR HOW YOU PUT YOUR UNBORN CHILD IN DANGER. WELL"? I look down she was right, I did need to explain to them my reasons, but this was not the right time. "I know I need to explain myself. But that is not what I want to talk about now it is this". And I hold up the scroll before reading it out.
"Dear Princesses, Celestia, Luna and Twilight. It has come to my attention that a member of or former member of the royal guard as acted in a most inappropriate manner. They have committed a serious act of cruelty against a mare and a filly. A physical assault, that has left both ponies in hospital. The mare received a serious concussion and was still unconscious in hospital. And the little filly received more serious injuries. It is believed by the doctors the little filly will not walk again. It is believed by all that witness it that the mare would have been killed if not for the actions of a unicorn named Sombra. Your loyal servant Captain Artimus Surestep". Princess Celestia's eyes widened. And with her magic she snatched the scroll and read it again and again. "I see. Thank you, Princess, for bringing this to my attention. I will go see Sombra". She says. I still can't believe that Sombra was still alive. Alive but now reformed and good.
So, after they left, I went and rested. Though that night I could not sleep I dreamt it was, me and you my sweet. And so, all night I tossed and turned. I knew that tomorrow was going to be busy, so I tried to relax and sleep. Back at the palace in Canter-Lot. "Captain fetch me Sombra". Says Celestia and in response the captain says. "I anticipated that you would want to see Sombra, so I already had him brought here". Turning to the door he shouts. "Come in". The doors open and in walks Sombra. He was dressed in a fine-looking business suit. His mane was styled. And I do have to admit he was very handsome and dashing. I now know why in my dream I married him. But back to the story. Sombra bowed and said. "Your majesty. It is an honour to meet you again". Celestia stands and nods. And Sombra stands once more. "Sombra it has come to my attention that you acted bravely and with great kindness. When you stood up for the mare and her filly".
Sombra asks. "How are they"? There was true concern in his voice. Celestia stands and moved closer. "The mare is going to be okay. But I am afraid that the young filly will not walk again". She says. The look of real sadness was now on his face. "If it would help the filly walk again. Then take my immortality. And use the power to heal the filly." He says this genuine offer overwhelmed Celestia. She grabs him and hugs him. "Thank you for you offer but, unfortunately it is impossible to do. But again, thank you for that wonderful offer". She continues to hug him when Luna came in and starts to snigger. And Celestia stops and then says. "So, describe the royal guard that attacked them both"? He ponders for a moment.
"They were male. He wore a crystal guard's uniform. His coat pale orange or brilliant gamboge. Vivid blue coloured eyes. Dyed. Bright blue mane. No, he dyed his mane bright blue. I think. He only lost it more when the mare said sorry for her filly bumping into him, because she won the part of Princess Twilight in the school play". He says, and shocked looks are on the two Princesses face. "Captain". Shouted Celestia. The captain raced in. "Captain. Find and arrest Flash Sentry. Charged with violent assault of a mare. And of a Filly. And bring him before me". She says and the captain salutes and leaves. Elsewhere Flash Sentry was settling down for the night when. "Did you enjoy that"? A menacing voice says Flash is startled and looks around but there was no pony. "Who. Who said that"? He mutters, and a shadow appeared before him. It was vaguely pony shaped. But what stood out the most was those eyes, those red eyes. "So, did you enjoy it? Beating up defenceless mares and fillies"?
Flash thought for a moment before saying "Yes. Yes, I did enjoy it greatly. I only wish it was Princess Twilight". The shadow chuckled with a sinister laugh. "So, you want revenge on Princess Twilight. Join me and we will have our revenge". Flashes eyes turned red and green and black smoke started to emanate from them. "Yes. Yes. Revenge sounds right. And I know how to do it. First take away what she loves. Her putrid school of friendship. Then those she loves and keep her alive long enough to see the whole of Equestria burn". And an evil laugh sounded out through the night.
