Chapter 4

What felt like hours to Sombra, he and Fluttershy had chosen fifteen shirts, five jeans and eight pairs of shoes. Unfortunately, he had chosen that hideous yellow and black shirt because of the way Fluttershy complimented it. When she started smiling and laughing she gained a twinkle in her eyes. She looked like a crystal pony, shining and glittering to him. After the first shirt, the rest went by fairly easy. When Sombra found a shirt to his liking he asked for Fluttershy's opinion. She would only tell him what was good about the attire until Sombra coaxed her to give the rest of her opinion. He actually liked when she gave her opinion. It was strange that he would want this mare's opinion, but there was something about her that he wanted to please her.

Once they got to the front of the counter, the mare was waiting with a smile. "Will this be all for today?" She asked kindly. She was a dull, yellow colored earth mare with a rust colored mane and tail and befitting emerald eyes. Her smile turned seductive- or what Sombra believed she thought was seductive- when she saw him. "Or would you like to hear about our specials?" She said slowly and again- what she thought was seductive. Sombra glared at her to warn her away but she seemed to only wink in response.

"No thank you." Fluttershy said as she pulled out her wallet from one of the secret pockets she had in her skirt. She seemed to ignore that the other mare was making a move on him. It bothered Sombra to know that she was not affected by the mare. It was as if he wanted Fluttershy to be angry at the mare. What is wrong with me? Sombra thought as he put a hand to his forehead. Maybe the shopping got to him.

"Are you okay… um, Shade?" Fluttershy's voice drifted to him. She had just used the new name they silently agreed upon. He still did not know where she got that name from and was determined to find out later.

"I am fine… Fluttershy." He said. For reasons unknown to him, she blushed. Maybe she was affected by him somehow? It was strangely pleasing to know that she was affected by him. Sombra made a mental note to say her name more often so he could see her blushed face. Though he would prefer a passion induced blush, but he would settle for this. For now.

Soon the mare scanned all the items they had. One item that Sombra found was perfect for him. A black and red plaid shirt that rolled up to the elbows. He and Fluttershy both thought it looked good on him and Fluttershy made a comment about it being good to work in. He didn't mind about that. If he was going to be here a while, then he would have to gain some money somehow. He just needed to find a job that's fitting for himself. "You're total is…" The mare's eyes widened at the price before putting up a smile. "300 bits."

"300 bits?!" Fluttershy exclaimed, if you call raising your voice level one octave an exclamation. Her eyes had widened and she clutched her wallet and the counter while leaning to look at the price. Sombra did not see the price as an issue. He had bought things worth thousands of bits. "A-are you sure that," Fluttershy visibly gulped and looked at the price in sheer horror. "that's the price?"

"Yes ma'am. That is the price." The mare said, smiling as if it didn't effect Fluttershy.

Sombra inwardly growled at the mare for causing Fluttershy to act in this way. He stuffed his hands in his pockets as he watched Fluttershy look into her wallet. But he felt something hard poke at his palm and took a hold of it. When he peeked at the item, his eyes widened at the sight. I had forgotten all about these. He thought with astonishment. He looked to Fluttershy who was mumbling something about the clothing and made a decision.

Fluttershy counted the bits in her wallet for the fourth time. 258 bits. She worried her bottom lip between her teeth and considered the items. Maybe we could take away some shirts and lessen the shoes. "Here. Let me." Sombra said.

When she looked up, Fluttershy gasped. He had somehow gotten hold of a ruby. It shined and glistened in the light as it was set onto the counter for Fluttershy and the mare to gawk at. Once he set the jewel on the counter, Sombra picked up the bags of their purchases and looked at Fluttershy. He jerked his square and muscular jaw toward the door. "Let's go." He rumbled. As she followed Sombra out the door, she looked to the cashier mare to see her expression. She was gaping with her mouth wide open as well as her eyes, staring at the gleaming crystal.

They walked out and were back into the silence again. Fluttershy was pondering on where Sombra had gotten the ruby. Did he buy it somewhere? She thought to herself, taking a glance at Sombra. He was concentrated on the road in front of him. What is he thinking?

She asked quietly, "Som- er- Shade?"

He stopped walking and looked at Fluttershy's eyes. "Yes, Fluttershy?" He asked, curiously.

Her face heated up instantly. It just felt so… good when he said her name. It's just the Season. It's just the Season. She quietly repeated to herself. She franticly averted her eyes to anywhere but at him. Then she noticed the café that they were standing next to. Coffee Cakes, was what the sign read. She looked at Sombra from the corner of her eye and mumbled, "Do you want to grab a bite to eat?"

He gave a small smile, then he leaned in just so an inch separates their faces. Fluttershy was sure her face was the color of one of AppleJack's apples. "Of course." He said gently.

He finally stepped away from her and it felt like the air returned to her lungs. She let out a breath that she was holding. As she blinked to regain her focus she saw Sombra walk off to the café and open the door. Fluttershy thought he was going to walk right through, but he surprised her by waiting for her at the door and watching her. Her face was still heated when she walked past him, giving a mumbled thanks.

Once she walked in, it seemed the entire store was watching her. It's because I don't come out during the Season. But then she got a whiff of Sombra's scent and also knew the reason. A new pony in Ponyville, which means ponies will talk. And the fact that he was with her, made it significantly worse. Or better. Sombra gently placed a hand on her back and lightly urged her forward. Fluttershy shivered at the contact and almost nuzzled him, but she resisted. As she was moved forward to the counter, she heard the comments being made.

"Who is that hunk of a stallion?"

"I can't believe the quietest pony in Ponyville, is with a stallion!"

"And during this time of the year too."

"I wonder if she is interested in switching partners?"

That comment made her angry for some reason. It wasn't like she and Sombra had done anything. Sure, she had taken off his shirt and yeah, she likes the color of his eyes and so what if she wanted to jump up and ride him like a naughty mare would? Fluttershy mentally shook her head and looked up to the menu, trying to avert her attention from the stallion that still had his hand on her back.

"Hi!" Fluttershy looked to see the cashier mare. She was a light brown unicorn mare with a darker brown mane that had some white powder in it. Her green eyes beamed at the two. She had on a green apron that covered her black shirt and nearly hid her khaki colored pants. "My name is Caffeine and I'll be helping you out today! Would you like to hear about our special's today?" Before either could answer she began talking. "We have our delicious Secret Seduction which is like a raspberry tea, but we add a little something to get the girls in the mood, if you know what I mean. We also have a Frappuccino called, Misty Eyed, which looks like our Vanilla Crème, but tastes different with the added cocoa and mint. We added some candy pop rocks so that when you bite into it, it makes the mist! Oh! I almost forgot to tell you about…"

This girl was going on and on about what they had, that Fluttershy was starting to think this was Pinkie's relative. She certainly has the energy. She was about to quietly interrupt when Sombra said, "I think I would like to try a Caramel Ice Coffee. What would you like, my dear?"

Fluttershy was quiet but she looked to the menu and ordered. "I would like a Vanilla Crème Frappuccino, please."

"All righty!" She grabbed two large cups and a pen and asked, "Who should I make it out to?"

"Shaded Crystal." Sombra said, before Fluttershy even got a chance at telling the pony. "Can we also add two Cake Pops, please?"

"Sure thing!" Caffeine beamed and handed the cups to another pony. As that pony was going about making the drinks, Caffeine went to get the Cake Pops. "Is that all for you today?" She asked once she handed them to Fluttershy. When she nodded, Caffeine punched in the numbers for the price. "You're total is… 5 bits."

Fluttershy practically dug out her wallet and shoved the 5 bits to the mare. She didn't want a repeat of what had happened earlier. She was still questioning whether he had bought them or stolen them. Let's not make assumptions yet, Fluttershy. She said to herself. We don't know if he stole the jewel or not. With a quiet thank you, she pulled herself and Sombra to an empty table to wait for their drinks.

Sombra was a tad confused by the mare's actions. Fluttershy almost dragged him to the table they were now seated at. He had heard what everyone was saying when they had walked inside the establishment, but he was also confused by their comments. What did they mean by this time of the year? That unicorn mare, Rarity, called it, 'The Season.' He wondered what it was about this "Season" that got everyone so concerned about it. And what was that just now? Why did she pull me away? Sombra noticed the strange behavior Fluttershy had when she paid for the beverages and the snacks. Almost like she didn't want Sombra to pay. It was just a ruby. He thought as he looked at the treat in his hand. It was a Cake Pop, what he had ordered himself and Fluttershy. His looked to be chocolate with a hard dark icing and pastel colored sprinkles. Hers probably was a vanilla by the light color icing and the same colored sprinkles. "Do you… like… Cake Pops?" He asked, hoping to engage in a conversation. He didn't like when they were quiet. It only happened a few times since he met her, but he already wanted to hear her voice. One day it will be screaming in pleasure. The twisted voice in his head promised.

"Um… yes. I have tried them before. One of my friends works at a bakery, so she usually has me and my other friends try them." She smiled and looked at her Cake Pop. When she brought it to her lips and began to lick it, Sombra had to shift in his seat to find a better position.

She gave a delicate swipe of her tongue to the treat in her hands. She did it again and once more, taking a few sprinkles, all while Sombra tried to keep his erection down. Don't think of it like that. Don't think of it like that. But his mind had already twisted the image of her doing that exact same thing to his penis. Dammit. She then did the inexplicable. She popped half the treat into her mouth and slowly, very slowly, pulled it out of her mouth. The damn thing was chocolate the whole time. She smiled and blushed slightly. As she chewed half the treat, Sombra tried not to go crossed eyed. She is just eating a damn sweet, which is what you should do too. Sombra reminded himself.

Sombra popped the treat in half and yanked the stick out of his mouth. He let it sit in his mouth, before he took a bite. It was indeed chocolate, like he thought it was. But it was moist and easy to chew and swallow, which he had to stop himself from going to the front and asking for the rest. He was always a sucker for sweets. Many times he had snuck into the castle's kitchen to steal a piece of cake before it was served to his family.

Sombra looked to Fluttershy and caught her looking back down at her treat. So she had been staring at him too. Sombra unconsciously sat up straighter to make himself look bigger. Before he could start to talk to her again he heard his name, his new name, called. When Fluttershy was about to get up he stopped her by saying, "Allow me."

Once he got there, he grabbed the drinks from Caffeine. Before he left though she whispered, "You and her are such a cute couple." She winked and went to take care of some other customers.

Sombra was confused again but shrugged it off and turned to his seat. But before he made a step he saw four males had come up to Fluttershy. She was looking uncomfortable and flustered and they had a look in their eyes that Sombra knew all too well. He was seething as stomped his way over to the ponies, trying not to crush the drinks in the process. It took all his self-control to appear calm when he really wanted to go on a rampage.

Two of the males were pegasi, like her, and twins by the look of it. Both were orange, had bright green eyes and white mane's and tail's. Only difference was the length. The one that was hovering over Fluttershy had a longer mane and tail, whilst the one sitting on the table with a boyish grin had the shorter. One male was a rain colored blue unicorn with black shoulder length mane and short tail. His golden eyes were glued to Fluttershy's breasts as she tried to make herself look smaller by crossing her arms over her chest and resting her hands on her shoulder's. The last male was sitting where Sombra had been. He was a white earth stallion with a short, pale green mane and tail. His blue eyes watched Fluttershy with sick interest, as if he was already imaging what he was going to do. Too bad he won't be doing anything of the sort once Sombra was done with him.

As he got closer, Sombra heard the unicorn say, "Why don't you just come with us? I'm sure we can pay more than whatever that colt is paying you."

That got Sombra in a rage. With a calming aura that scared everypony in his path, he used his magic to lift the lid of his tea and sent it flying toward the unicorn. Once it landed on him, he turned around and was about to yell at whoever until he caught sight of Sombra. He immediately coward in fear at the massive size of him. He noted that the earth pony was already getting up and backing off. The short maned twin got off the table and the long maned twin was heading toward the door already. At least they have the brains to escape. Sombra stared the unicorn in the eyes and watched with sick amusement as the colt tried to look brave.

"What were you saying, colt?" Sombra asked calmly. Inside, he was thinking of spells that could aide him in disposing of the nuisance.

The unicorn tried his best to seem strong willed but Sombra could tell it was only to mask his fear. "I-I… uh…" He was stuttering and staring to shake and sweat.

Sombra quickly used a spell that would poke inside his mind and brought forth his worst fear, which was the dark. Sombra waves the illusion of the room getting darker and he and the other unicorn standing alone in the room. The colt looks around the room in horror and starts to mumble about not being alone and that it was getting too dark and where a stuffed dragon by the name of Mr. Knight was. Sombra hissed to the unicorn with his mind, "Look here…" The unicorn did as he was told and his eyes almost immediately went green and had the purple shadows flowing from his eyes. He was watching as Sombra started to disappear and left his red eyes glowing, until the unicorn curled into a ball and laid on his side.

As quickly as he used the spell, Sombra stopped it. Now he and the rest of the room was looking at the colt who was on the ground, lying on his side in a ball and weeping about not being alone. He flicked his eyes just in time to see Fluttershy stare in horror at the unicorn. She slowly raised her eyes to his. They were filled with tears and fear, what Sombra suspected was from when those stallions ganged on her and by what she had just witnessed.

Sombra rarely felt any guilt, but when she had looked at him that way, Sombra wished he had used a different approach on the situation. He gently took hold of Fluttershy and took her out of the building, using his magic to open the door and glide their items behind them. Dammit…

Fluttershy was shaking all over and was close to tears. She had never been ganged on before and had never seen anything so scary in her life. When Sombra had come to her rescue, it was almost like one of her romance novels. Her stallion would intimidate the other stallion until he left her, then he would sweep her off her feet and carry her to the nearest secluded spot to show her how much she means to him.

But Fluttershy knew that that would never happen. One: She and Sombra had just met. Two: She was not nearly as attractive as what the stallions proclaim. Three: Sombra was intimidating to her. And what she had witnessed, proved how strong he is. And it scared her.

She didn't know what had just happened, but it was a big deal no less. Sure, the pony went over the line assuming Sombra was paying her to be with him, but he didn't have to be severely punished. Twilight had told her and the other's what it looked like to have been shown your fear by Sombra's magic. Your eyes turn green and a purple mist flows out the corners of your eyes. That's exactly what had happened to that unicorn. He was shown his fear and it was used to abuse him.

"Fluttershy. Here" His voice cut through her thoughts and when she looked up to meet his gaze, it looked like he was sad. Her Frappuccino, which she had forgotten in the short time, floated to her. She took it gently and the magic disappeared. She took a sip and took a calming breath before looking to Sombra. He opened his mouth a couple of times before shutting it. He sighed and asked, "Did you need anything else from town?"

Fluttershy was slightly relieved that he didn't bring up the incident, but the look in his eyes told her that he had wanted to. Fluttershy looked down at her feet and thought for a moment. The pantry is full, but only enough for me. I'll go shopping tomorrow for food. The animals all have their food ready in the shed. So why do I feel like… She then remembered what she had promised to Angel Bunny. "I need to pick up some cupcakes for tonight." She said quietly.

He looked confused for a moment but nodded in understanding. She started in a direction of another pastry shop with Sombra following silently behind her. She didn't want Sombra and Pinkie Pie to meet. Knowing her energetic behavior, Pinkie might scare Sombra. And Fluttershy just wanted to get home quickly and go to bed. Which reminded her that she needed to find a place for Sombra to sleep.

For a moment Fluttershy almost wanted to ask Sombra if he preferred to sleep with her, but with a blush and a shake of her head, she dismissed the idea. Of course he can't sleep with her. That was just absurd. She couldn't even imagine what it might be like to curl up against his bulking chest. Her head may rest on it while he stroked her hair. And maybe she would get to inhale his masculine scent…

"Fluttershy!" His voice made her stop so abruptly, she might as well slammed into a wall. She looked back to find that he was a few feet from her. All their bags from the clothing store were floating next to him. He crossed his arms and said in a harsh tone, "I asked you if you were alright."

Fluttershy blushed at the realization of not paying attention. Plastering what she hoped was a genuine looking smile she replied quietly, "I'm alright."

Apparently, he didn't buy it. Instead he walked until he was right in front of her. She looked up with frightened eyes as thoughts of what he might do to her. Is he going to yell at me? What if he tried to scare me with his magic, like he did with that other pony? Is he going to say that he finds me attractive and wants to fuck me senselessly right here in the middle of the street? She blushed at the thought, but mentally shook it away. This dang Season is getting to me.

She was shocked out of her mind when a soft, yet firm hand came to caress her cheek. She looked at Sombra and found him gazing at her with a strange warmth in his eyes. His thumb lightly swiped under her cerulean eye. "Fluttershy…" He whispered. Was it her imagination, or did her just step closer? Her eyes fluttered when she felt how warm his hand was. She unconsciously nuzzled into it, closing her eyes, and took a deep breath of his scent. She felt comfortable. Content to just stay here with him. "Sombra…"

"Awww! You two are adorable!" A sudden voice piped.

As quickly as the moment came, it disappeared when Sombra pulled away from her. It took Fluttershy a full minuet or two to regain her composure. Her cheeks were still aflame with his touch and a dash of embarrassment. Goodness… She felt that all the way to her toes. It was like a spark when he touched her. She looked around to find the source of the voice, both in thanks and in irritation.

The sign read, 'Sugar Sweet Cakes' in sparkly pink paint with a cupcake where the 'a' was to be in Cakes. The mare was leaning her elbows on the counter of her stall. She was a unicorn with big blue eyes. Her fur was a pale yellow, shades lighter than Fluttershy's. Her mane and tail were bright pink with a white stripes running through. Her shirt was white and she wore a pink, ruffled apron. Her stall was plastered with different sized cupcakes in different varieties. She smiled and said, "Don't mind me, continue."

"Somethings should be done in private. Without intrusion." Sombra growled. Fluttershy blushed at what could be done in "private".

"Alright, I'm sorry." The stall mare put her hands up in a surrender motion. "But you should know that I'm not trying to be a pervert or anything. I just see it happen a lot that it becomes entertainment on a quiet street."

"What do you mean it happens a lot?" Sombra was still growling, but it was decreased. Fluttershy thought that was a good sign.

The stall mare raised a questioning eyebrow. "What do you mean? You do know what season it is right?"

Fear bubbled up inside of Fluttershy. She was hoping to avoid this until they were alone. "Shade…"

"What season is it?" Sombra growled. He looked angry, the muscles in his arms were bunching together, ready to fight.

"What season…" She looked confused before she said, "It's the Heated Season."

Sombra stared at the ceiling fan. His arms were crossed behind his head as he laid on the bed that Fluttershy gave him. He kept replaying the scene in his head.

"What is a Heated Season?" Sombra asked with a curious glance to Fluttershy. She seemed to be horrified at the scene. He suspected that she never wanted to breech the subject.

"The Heated Season is the time of the year when a males are overly attracted to females. The females are ready to mate and have children… I thought you knew this? Most ponies know this stuff from overhearing their parents from the next room going at it."

"I'm not from here." He growled at her. "I'm from the Crystal Empire."

"Oh. That's why your coat looks shiny." The unicorn smiled and casted a glance at some of the pastries on her stall. "Still, I suspect even Crystal Ponies to know this."

"Well, since I don't," Sombra growled through clenched teeth. "Tell me about this season."

"It's only the first day of the Season." The unicorn was waved him off as she looked around her stall of pastries. "Not many are at the height of mating, unless you were horny to begin with. Most males with a female usually mate with them all the Season. But unmated males and females will go into a frenzy. If without release for too long, accidents can occur. Such as rape and pregnancy. And it will be allowed until the end of the Season when everyone is back to normal. You'll be fine so long as your marefriend gives you what you need, but you need to do it in turn."

"She's not my marefriend." Sombra's voice softened. It almost felt wrong to say that she wasn't his. Almost.

The mare in question was blushing and shaking from head to toe. She was blinking her sapphire eyes rapidly, as if to hold back tears. She quietly stepped toward the stall and put down a few bits. "Two-o… carrot c-cupcakes… p-please." She barely whispered. Her voice was cracking and Sombra felt terrible for what he had said, even if it was the truth.

The mare made haste with gathering the cupcakes and placing them into a bag. She leaned to say something to Fluttershy, but Sombra was unable to hear. He didn't even get a chance to talk to her as she quickly raced down the sidewalk. Sombra didn't feel like using magic this time. Instead he grabbed the bags that had been set by his feet and began to walk.

"You're going to hurt her one way or another." The unicorn's voice broke through his thoughts. "I can tell you'll be bad for her heart."

Sombra heard a tentative knock on his door. He knew she was out there. "Come in." He called out quietly.

Her head peeked in as the door opened, only one sapphire eye was seen. Her pink mane was most pulled into a high ponytail with a little hanging at the side of her face. The rest of her body followed soon after, which was clad in different attire than before. She wore a light yellow tank top with thin straps, a pair of short green pants and blue boots. She held folded blankets in her hands. "I… brought these… for you. It can get… cold… over here." She forced out each word without looking at him.

It made sense why she would avoid him. Once they got back she immediately led him to a spare room on the second floor. After a quick and quiet goodbye, she had fled to the kitchen. Sombra had stayed in his room the rest of the day to try and heal his minor scrapes. The wound on his shoulder would definitely leave a scar, but he would ask about a doctor tomorrow. No use going into town after a rather hectic day.

She set the blankets on his side table, still trying to keep her distance. "I'll be in the backyard if you need me." She whispered and fled before Sombra could get a word out.

Sombra was back to being alone, but now it was even more painful. "Shit."

Rarity watched Fluttershy through her binoculars that she had borrowed from Pinkie. She looked upset about something as she planted some seeds into the ground. Rarity knew of only one male that could do this to her best friend.

"Uh… Rarity?" Spike asked his marefriend, who was currently sitting atop a tree branch. "Are you sure they're together? I'm sure that Shade is just a friend of Fluttershy's."

"My dear dragon, what you do not see is that these two obviously have sexual tension between them." She put down the binoculars to look at her companion. She would always say that she had quite a catch in a handsome young dragon. What she hated was that he was a few years younger than herself. "Which means that they obviously have some sort of sexual experience or at least want to be in a sexual relationship."

"You sure that's not the Season and the paranoia that she finally has a male friend that's not me?" Spike sucked on a lollipop that Rarity had made for him. The candy itself was actually a ruby that Rarity deemed 'unfit for a dress of her quality'.

"What it is, is that I am trying to protect my best friend from losing her virginity to a stallion that will only like her for her body." Rarity went back to scanning Fluttershy's backyard. "She deserves better than that."

Spike knew that his marefriend was protective of the pegasus. She just didn't know that she can be too protective. Spike knew of one thing that could distract her. Throwing his lollipop away, he climbed up the tree with ease to his marefriend. She was oblivious to her companions whereabouts, so when she felt hands on her hips and the world became a blur, she had yelped. "S-spike! What are you doing?! Put me down, you barbarian!" She slapped at his back but was careful to not hurt him too much.

Once on the ground, Spike sat Rarity down at the base of the tree. They were lucky to be in the woods, farther away from Fluttershy's house. "Spike! What is the meaning of-" She was instantly cut off by her dragon's lips on hers. She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck as he held her gently by the hips.

When one of his hands reached the inside of her skirt, Rarity blushed. "S-spike. We… we're outside!" She tried to keep her voice even, but the ministrations that he was giving her were too much to bear. She shook as Spike rubbed her core from outside her panties. Her legs opening as an invitation.

"I don't see a problem." Spike whispered into her ear. Immediately, Rarity agreed.