CHAPTER 4

TIME WASTING

As the six princesses woke they all let out yawns and stretched, relieving their muscles that were cramped from sleeping in unfamiliar beds.

"I don't know about you mares but I actually slept like a filly!" Rarity exclaimed with a smile as she removed her sleeping mask.

"I could have slept better, but these beds are actually very comfortable" Fluttershy gave a warm smile and patted the bed she sat on. A knock on the door sounded and the girls chorused

"Come in!" The door creaked open to reveal Cadence.

"Sorry I didn't wake you girls did I?" The pink alicorn questioned and the girls waved off her concerns.

"Great, because the princes want to have breakfast and then I think King Sombra has something planned." Cadence held a twinkle of amusement in her purple eyes and the girls looked at each other concernedly. The servant backed out of the door, closing it behind her with a soft click.

"Ok, let's get ready girls." Twilight addressed her sisters, levitating her mane brush over to herself from her suitcase.

"Yeah let's see what King Sombra has to throw at us!" Rainbowdash declared with hoof in the air.

As they arrived in the dining room they sat themselves around the table, the princes seeming more wary of starting conversation. Soon the same servants from last night trickled into the room taking their orders for breakfast. Soon they arrived with food, placing it upon the table. They removed the trays over the dishes and started to dig in. Applejack glared at her food, it was an apple fritter.

"Extra apple for the princess of apples." Trenderhoof smiled love struck at the orange mare, the princess in question shivering involuntarily. She took a bite, trying to edge away from the prince.

"Does the beautiful mare want anything else with her meal?" Blueblood curiously asked Rarity while giving a charming smile.

"Uhh, no thank you." Rarity politely answered but felt a bit weirded out by the devilishly grinning prince beside her.

"And some cider for our ladies?" Flim and Flam chorused as they popped up next to Fluttershy and Twilight offering some mugs.

"Oh thank you.." Fluttershy answered as both princesses awkwardly smiled.

The princes all turned to Shining Armour who was scraping his fork against his plate. Upon realising the stares he awkwardly chuckled and picked up a bottle in his magic.

"Sauce?" He offered to RD and Pinkie, the latter giggling characteristically.

"Don't mind if I do!" She squeaked and grabbed the sauce bottle, pouring it over her food. After a little bit more eating the Host coughed, before speaking up.

"I think it is a good idea if my sons get to know you better, princesses." King Sombra suggested and the six sisters bit their lips.

"So, after breakfast the princes will do activities with you individually!" This was met with gulps.

"Oh my..." Fluttershy followed the princes outside.

"I've decided a game of croquet would suffice for this occasion" Flim declared, Levitating a croquet mallet.

"Yay?" Fluttershy tried to be enthusiastic.

"I'll go first!" Blueblood ripped the mallet out of Flim's grip with her own magic.

Fluttershy's teal eyes flickered at his unkindness.

Applejack sighed as the princes before her quarrelled.

"I'm going first!" Blueblood angrily growled.

"You just went first!" Trenderhoof backlashed.

"Well I always go first!" Blueblood snorted.

"Oh for petes sake..." Applejack growled under her breath.

"If ya'll keep arguing ah'll go first!" The orange mare snorted sat them and forcibly took the mallet in her mouth, hitting the ball.

"Arguing? No we never argue!" Trenderhoof desperately tried to cover up, giving an awkward grin. Applejack just rolled her green eyes at his dishonesty.

"Croquet? How...lovely?" Rarity watched as Blueblood hit the ball.

"Yes, my favourite, enjoying it?" He grinned charmingly.

"Uh...yes, how very generous of you..." Her dark blue eyes fluttered while she struggled to remain polite.

"This is so fun!" Pinkie giggled while she leapt into the air.

"JUST HIT IT ALREADY!" The princes all chorused, their patience at wits end.

"Ok, ok, yeesh, your no giggle pots are you?" Her light blue eyes sparkled with amusement that quickly dimmed as the princes snarled.

"I'm so bored!" Rainbowdash groaned and sat on her rump as the five stallions continued their game.

"Stop complaining!" Blueblood rolled his eyes, annoyed.

"Well maybe she wouldn't be so bored if you didn't chose YOUR favourite game to play."

Shining Armour reasoned.

"Just shhh younger brother, your not in charge here!" Blueblood growled, whipping his brother with his tail. Rainbowdash knew teasing, but this wasn't just simple, teasing. Her magenta eyes narrowed at their up loyalty to each other.

"Um, if you guys would just stop arguing, we could actually play-" Twilight started but was cut off as the princes before her continued their very loud, and pointless, arguement.

"What have we gotten ourselves into?" Twilight groaned, her deep purple eyes half lidding with regret.

Meanwhile...

In a secluded part of the castle were the sun didn't shine and the shadows were spread across the walls and floors, a snake like voice hissed into the air.

"Have you started?" The voice was one that could draw you in, and make even the most strong willed stallions crumble. King Sombra stepped out of the shadows, a devilish grin upon his face.

"Yes, my sons are bonding with the princesses as we speak." His deep voice resonated thought the walls of the castle.

"Excellent..." The voice replied, the creepiness of it sending a shiver of fear down Sombra's spine.

"Soon, my friend we can have our revenge." He continued, pausing to glance out a nearby window, were his five sons argued and bickered.

"Soon, that is if your sons don't mess up." The voice replied with a silvery chuckle.

"They do not know what I am using them for, but I can guarantee it shall go as planned." The King turned away from the window to the shadows were the mysterious owner of the voice lurked.

"Brilliant, your more devious than I remember you as Sombra!" The voice gave an evil cackle and Sombra gave a hearty laugh.

"Anything for revenge." He grinned evilly and the voice let out more evil laughs.

"Yes...revenge..." The last words of the voice sounded like a whisper in the air.