He looked down at her bruised form, and she him. The same princess who arrived at his castle with her beautiful face. The same princess that enjoyed kids just as much as he did, maybe even more. And the same princess that he fell in love with all those years ago. "Arbiter, please don't sacrifice yourself for me." She rasped. Arbiter looked ahead, determined to protect the one he loves. They were both surrounded by attackers of the crown from all sides.

General Arbiter Sage was badly beaten. His body was covered in cuts and scrapes with a few large gashes leaking blood to the floor. His sword cut in two now laying at his sides. Any normal pony in the royal guard would realize they've lost. His comrades are either captured or defeated. He calculated that his remaining men either surrendered or fled for safety. If he guessed, they are attempting a desperate final offensive. But right now, he had more concerning matters at hoof. The odds were not in his favor at 432 to 1. All was lost.

"Don't worry princess. I'm just doing my job." He smirked. "I know that you hate it when I do this… but I need to do it." This is not the day his princess gets hurt! Not like this. Not by some bug! Arbiter grabbed onto Celestia's hoof as his horn lit up in crimson red. Not a moment later, both were, sadly, in a dark forest. And he knew this forest all too well. "Oh... buck." He growled.

"We're… in the Everfree Forest…" Celestia whimpered, curling into herself. The distant howls of the mysterious creatures in this strange place echoed in their ears. Luck, unfortunately, was not on their side this time.

"I am sorry, princess, but my emergency jump was the fastest way out of danger. I just didn't think we would end up in more danger." Arbiter held his head down in shame. He has failed his duty. This was a big blow to his pride. And his honor.

Celestia weakly smiled, caressing his cheek with her bloody hoof. "Arbiter, my faithful friend. You have been at my side for years. A small mistake means nothing to me, especially this one. If it weren't for you, both of us would've been captured." She then tried to get up but fell back down, only to be caught by Arbiter.

"You are injured, princess. We must find shelter. The queen will send search parties after us. Here, let me help you." Arbiter crouched down and pulled Celestia on top of his back. Grunting as he stood up, he was surprised to see how easy this actually was. Sure, his armor weighed a lot, but Celestia weighed about one hundred pounds. He carried some of his comrades that were heavier than her. This was surprising to him due to how many times he caught her sneaking into the castle's pantry and stealing all of the raspberry cakes.

He stood up and placed one hoof forward. Than another. And another and soon he was galloping through the underbrush. Dash left, jump right, hop over that boulder and duck under that log, he ran which way and that. He had only one place in mind. And his gut told him he was close. And like always, he was right. When they reached a clearing, there it was. "The Castle of the Two Sisters. I haven't been here since…" This sight gave him a warm feeling. A place so familiar to him, that he could probably tell you it's entire history and its inner workings. He slowly trotted up to the old castle. Celestia was asleep on his back, lightly snoring. He opened the large wooden front doors and walked in. The big doors slamming behind him. Thankfully Celestia did not wake up from her slumber.

"Mmm?" He thought wrong. She groggily opened her eyes. All she could see were blurred gray brick walls. "Where are we?" She asked. She was still half asleep by the sound of her voice.

"Your old castle, princess. We will wait here until it is safe." He said as he led her through the old halls. They soon arrived at an old golden engraved wooden door. He opened it to reveal a dusty room. But not just any room. Celestia's old room. And there's that warm feeling again. He sat her down by the door. "Stay here while I make your room a little more tolerable."

"Well, princess. I..." He turned around to find Celestia asleep against the door frame. He looked down at her with a sad smile. She has been through a lot. By Faust, they both have. But he needed to stay awake. To protect Equestria's ruler. Sure, there was Luna. But she can easily take care of herself. He saw he vanish into the shadows during the fight. Lifting Celestia up, he carried her to the bed, now completely dust free, just like the rest of the room. He pulled the covers over her and planted a small kiss on her forehead. "I love you Tia." He blew out the candles in the room and began to walk out of the room, taking one last look at her sleeping form. He didn't know how much longer he could keep up the charade. He longed to feel her hair. To kiss her lips and share the same bed again. To watch her raise the sun just inside her room. Just the two of them. To truly let her know he loved her. He silently closed the door, leaving the room in darkness.

But what Arbiter didn't know was that Celestia was still awake, very tired, but awake. After all, she will protect the only one she could protect right now. Her personal guardspony. But after what just happened. After what she felt on her forehead and what he said. She couldn't help but wonder. She always knew that Arbiter was unique. His cyan eyes. His crimson red magic, to her knowledge only one other pony had. And his voice. The way he acts around her as if they were best friends, yet still formal all the same. So many things about him remind her of the pony she once loved in secret. Prince Sombra. The most kind, loving, and unique pony in the world. But then everything changed in him.

It happened so fast. One day he's living like he always did while his father did most of the royal business. The next, it's like he forgot everything he stood for. He became a monster. And now he is trapped, alone in the Frozen North. But that doesn't mean she doesn't still love him. She was actually happy with him, unlike the mask she puts on to hide her exhaustion of her day to day work. But at least her sister makes things easier. But she still holds on to a memory long gone. He seemed in pain the last time they spoke. And now she will never see him again. She closed her eyes and tried to forget the recent events, hoping this will all pass as always.

"Sombra!" Celestia gasped as she bolted up from her sleep. Arbiter barged in the room wearing new gear. He ditched his golden royal armor for the older enchanted steel plated guard armor of old. It was more comfortable, and reminded him of when he would play hide n' seek and disguise himself as a guard. Attached to his left hoof was a steel rimmed kite shield, also enchanted. In his right he had no weapon. At least that is what it looked like. But really he had a concealed hoof mounted crossbow. And just like his other gear, it was also enchanted. Unlike other physical ranged weapons, the arrows magically appear once the user draws back into a firing position. And all of this was standard for the guard of old. The only reason for all the downgrades was that they were no longer needed. The world isn't as dangerous as it was a few hundred years ago.

"Arbiter? Where did you find that armor?" Celestia asked as she hopped out of bed. She walked over to examine his new gear. She felt fine now that she had her nap. From the light pouring in from the pulled curtains, it was morning. Which was odd considering that only she could raise the sun. Maybe Luna escaped? "And how did you get it on? That armor is more complex than anything we have now! I thought I told them to destroy all of the armaments of old." Arbiter shrugged. He knew why. He stashed a bunch of things where it would be kept hidden from others.

"I found an entire stash of most, if not all of the armaments in a hidden room. As well as ancient spell tomes, power gems, blueprints, scrolls and even an old world Chrystar Gem. Last one in existence too." He raised said crystal up to show her. It was a small white glowing crystal wrapped inside of a small pendant around his neck.

Celestia looked as her faithful guard in utter astonishment. "Arbiter… How do you know of that? No one knows about Chrystar Gems except for Luna and I and-" She looked down in thought. Should she tell him about what her lover was so close to figuring out? Not even Luna knows. And she promised him that she would not tell.

"Oh uh. My father was a historian, remember." He lied. He already made up his backstory a long time ago, so this was simply protocol for him. "He told me that Prince Sombra almost got this little thing to do something. He was so close to finding out before he… you know… possession stuff."

Possession? She never knew of Sombra being possessed! "Sombra was being possessed?" She said to herself more than to him. Arbiter cursed at his slip up. Now he needs to think of something. And quick before she gets suspicious.

"Uh… Yes princess… One of the kids he adopted was a dark caster and made him do all those nasty things. Just know that he fought 'till the very end…" He was smiling inside. It wasn't a complete lie. He was also kind of saddened by the fact that she never knew. He always thought she knew about that small detail. That she took his hints before. But at least she knows now. And the smile she is wearing right now is all the more refreshing for him. Maybe he could let her know that he still cares? He looked back to her glistening magenta eyes, longing for her not so lost love.

"You loved him, didn't you?" He asked, already knowing the answer. Celestia cleared her throat. She fidgeted with her hooves and tried to avoid eye contact with him. He always loved it when she was shy.

"I-I'm sorry?" She was pretending to have not heard the question. Very poorly though. She was never good with lies. Especially in this case.

"You loved Prince Sombra. I can tell by that look on your face." He coyly leaned on his side, giving her a smug look. "And that's fine. Because I know for a fact that he loves you more." Celestia looked at him, actually confused this time.

"When did you become a love expert, Arbiter? Sombra is trapped away. He's a… monster now. He does not care for me, or anyone." But he only shrugged and walked out of the room.

"Comes with the job I guess." As the door shut he yelled one last thing. "And I doubt that he doesn't love you!"

He walked down the halls, making sure everything was secure. He activated the castle's security golems. So they should be safe for now. "Platinum's mane, let this disaster end." He mumbled to himself. He just wanted to get back to Canterlot and stand guard, not whatever this is.

"What's so wrong about being trapped in your lover's old castle, Sombra?" Someone said from behind.

"Who's there?" He quickly faced where the voice was coming from, crossbow drawn. "Show yourself!" Suddenly, six glowing ponies came out from the shadows.

"Is that any way to treat your stepmother?" Arbiter almost went numb in the head for what he was seeing. Lowering his crossbow, he took a hesitant step forward. A white unicorn stood at the edge of the shadows. She had a pink mane and emerald green eyes. A dark purple robe covering most of her and an amethyst engraved silver crown. "Princess Platinum… And..." To her right was a tan pony wearing a green cape. He was smiling at him, waving a hoof. "Mister Clover?"

"Hello old friend." He chuckled. Next to him was a black Pegasus wearing old spartan armor. One of his red eyes sporting a large red mark across it. He saluted.

"You've done good, solder." His name was Hurricane. Commander Hurricane. Next to him was a female Pegasus wearing armor almost like Hurricane's. She was milky tan Pegasus with a fire orange mane and gray eyes. She was looking away with a blush.

"Private Pansy… shy as always." Earning a laugh out of the others.

"We should get on with pleasantries as soon as possible. Celestia will likely be here soon."

"Chancellor Puddinghead, you are aware only Sombra can see us." Puddinghead scoffed. Then smiled like a madman. He rushed over to Arbiter's side and hugged him. Arbiter laughed nervously and pushed him away. He looked just like the element of laughter. Pinkie Pie. But much older. Pudding was then pulled back by none other than one of the first friends he ever had. He grinned at her and she, him.

"Hello Cookie." Arbiter walked up and gave her a hug. Smart Cookie was a white earth pony with a yellow-green mane and light turquoise eyes. She was Puddinghead's secretary. And unlike Puddinghead's craziness, she was the opposite.

"Hello Sombra. Long time no see."

"Arbiter?" Arbiter froze. "Who are you talking to?" He heard the sound of her hooves on the ruined red carpet come closer. Clover made a crazy gesture and cackled. "Arbiter? Are you okay?" Thanks to his quick thinking, he stared out of a broken window and sighed.

"Only reminiscing on recent events, princess. Nothing to be concerned about."

"Oh! Oh! Tell her about Luna's pranks!" Clover suggested. Arbiter grimaced, remembering said pranks.

"Is something wrong?" Celestia asked. He shook his head, glaring at Clover from the corner of his eye.

"Nothing, princess. Just… I'm stressed as of late. I have no doubt that you can see why?" Celestia giggled and sat down at his side, joining him in looking over the vast expanse of endless dark trees that is the Everfree Forest.

"What's our plan of action?" Celestia asked. She had many concerns going through her head as of now. Will she get her kingdom back? Is her sister okay? What of Twilight and her friends? And she knew this was not as important as the other things but it was top priority for her. What about her raspberry cakes! Things were grim for the both of them and they could do nothing. They were two ponies against an army! An army of shape-shifting bugs. She waited for her trusted friend to give her desperately needed insight on her troubles, but Arbiter seemed to be not paying attention.

Meanwhile, Sombra was having a one sided conversation with those that only he could see. He really wanted to tell them to shut up, but then he would make Celestia suspicious. "Sombra. Just use a Chrystar Gem. All you need is a source of pure love." Said Platinum from her spot just behind him.

"Just tell her who you really are…" Cover said below him. She was swatting at the necklace although her hoof simply passed right through it. "You love her, she loves you. Are you afraid that she would reject you?" Arbiter sighed and nodded. Clover giggled. "She won't be silly. She loves you too much to do that." Arbiter mumbled. Of course she does. He's only afraid of her reaction. And how the public would take all of this. "Just kiss her."

"Yeah, kiss her Sombra!"

"It's about time you do it."

"Sombra's finally gonna do it?"

"Oooh… I'll get the camera!"

"If you want our help we need to be in the physical world."

"Kiss her Sombra! Kiss her!"

"GEAAAAAAHH!" Arbiter reeled back on his hind legs and flipped around, bolting to the nearest exit. He couldn't take their voices anymore. Annoying in death, as they were in life.

Celestia watched Arbiter as he stormed out of the hall yelling. "Arbiter! Where are you going?" She called. But it was too late as he was already gone. "What was that all about? I'd better go check on him." And check up on him she shall.

"Arbiter?" Celestia found him huddled in the corner of her old room. "Are you alright?" She limped over to his prone form, laying down next to him.

"Our old friends have a point, Tia…" He mumbled. "We need them." Celestia stroked his mane, laying her head on his belly.

"What do you mean? Our old friends?" Arbiter couldn't believe he was actually doing this.

"I think it's time I show you who I really am… please keep an open mind Tia." Arbiter lifted her head and got to his hooves.

Celestia watched as he walked over to the edge of her bed and sat down facing her. "Tia… I never left you… ever. And I want you to know that I still loved you, even after all this time." He took a deep, shaky breath and closed his eyes. At first nothing happened. All was quiet with nothing the birds chirping outside. Then she saw it. The small spark of red appearing on his hoof. Then, at record speed he was engulfed by red flames. She was shocked and was about to rush over despite her limp but stopped at who she saw when the flames died.

"Sombra…" Her breath was taken away at the pony she thought was locked away for years.

"Hello… Tia. Clover and the others told me to do it. So we can get Canterlot back. To be honest…" He felt like choking on his words but swallowed his fear of rejection, for her. "I thought our reunion would be a little more romantic than this…"

Celestia, at first, was mad at Sombra's deception. For so long he's been right under her nose for years and she never, not once, found out! "You… Y-You're… a- You're alive?" She was having trouble forming words as her brain attempted to function correctly. Sombra gave her a soft smile and slowly made his way towards her. Celestia began to back up all the while staring into his green eyes. Her rump eventually hit the wall and before she could do a thing her mouth instantly parted and let his tongue inside.

They spent a good minute or two groping each other and finding new angles to kiss. "I'm so so sorry my little sunflower." Celestia started sobbing as soon as he called her old nickname he gave her so long ago. "Shh…" He wiped away a few of her tears gently with his hoof. His kind and caring smile instantly made her memories kick into overdrive. "The other Sombra in the icy wastelands is the little brat that possessed me. But I never left you for a moment. Before I was your guard, I was that butler, Smudged Glass." He gave her another peck on the lips.

"I want to try for a baby." Celestia suddenly blurted out of the blue.

Sombra nearly fainted right then and there. A baby?! "You… You want to have… a foul? But I just revealed myself. Not to mention we still need to get your kingdom back." He nervously chuckled.

"I have total faith in Twilight and her friends to fix things, Sombra. It's been decades! Please, let me have this. I don't care that the Chrystar needs love to bring our old friends back. I don't care that my kingdom is under siege. I care about us, Sombra. And I am NOT letting Luna go before me!" Sombra looked over by the bed to see the others all cheering him on. This was a battle he could not win and he knew it. If he could even call it a battle to begin with.

"ALL OF YOU GET OUT!"

Hours later, Sombra slowly opened his eyes to a rather surprising sight. Celestia was talking with Luna! And it looked heated. When he woke he thought he would be holding a sound asleep Celestia. Guess Luna had other plans. "And what of our kingdom, sister? What of Twilight and her friends?" Asked Celestia.

"Fine. Everything is fine! But Sombra! He is standing right here!" Celestia sighed. Of course the only thing she's concerned about is him.

"Lulu, it turns out that Arbiter was really Sombra in disguise! And-"

"We can talk when we get back to Canterlot." She then faced Sombra who was now out of bed. "I will be watching you."

It's only been a night and Centerlot is already back to its former glory. But the weird thing is that no pony seems to be talking about it. Not a single one. It's been two days since Sombra revealed himself to the world. Two days after the attack. And the wedding took place just earlier today without incident. But this can't be the end can it? Surely there are spies still around?

Sombra had all of these questions but to be frank, he just wanted to rule his kingdom. He wanted to regain his peoples trust. And now that he sits on the crystal throne once more, tending to his ponies needs, he can gain that trust. And prepare for the darkness that is to come.