QueenUmbra#2

Start Part 2

"We should go. The diremites might be back soon."
>All the guards simultaneously agreed, and started to head the way that we came.
>After a quick look around, you followed.
>This place was certainly strange, given that you were able to move around standing up straight.
>Most places in equestria are built with ponies in mind, so you usually had to bend over to fit into buildings.
>A click behind you pulled you from your deep thoughts.
>Whirling around, red eyes greet your own.
>Three things happened in that moment.
>One: the guards noticed, and ran screaming.
>Two: You shove you spear right into the middle of those eyes.
>Three: The diremite stabbed you in your shoulder with it's stinger.

>Well, at least it's dead.
>The poison in the sting of a diremite will stop the bleeding, nor will it kill you, but it will still hurt like hell to go catch up with the rest of the guards.
>Or that was the idea, until a loud series of clicks and screeches came from down the hall.
>Your injuries won't let you manage to follow the ponies without the diremites catching up to you.
>So you stand and fight.
>Well, you set off on this journey prepared to die.
>You just won't be dying how you initially thought.
>Leaning against the stone wall, you decide to rest until they get here.
>Or so you thought.
"Woah!"
>You fall through the wall.
>Lying on your back, you look around.
>You can still see the wall, but you can see through the wall as well.
>Almost as if the wall was an illusion.

>Confused, you can only stare as the diremites rush past.
>There are only a few of them, fortunately.
>You can hear magic bolts flying as the diremites reach the ponies, along with a number of yells, clicks and screeches.
>Then, silence.
>Well, there are no clicks, so the ponies must have killed the diremites.
>Slowly, painfully, you get up.
>And hit the wall you fell through.
"What the?"
>As you study the wall, trying to figure out why you can't get through, you realize you can see.
>Turning around, an empty corridor leads down to a downwards stairway.
>Well, almost empty.
>Little lamps dimly light the hall.
>Made of a pale blue crystal.

>Curious, you walk over and gingerly touch one of the crystals.
>The crystal suddenly grew a bit brighter as you did, and small streams of energy flowed out of it and into you.
>It didn't hurt at all.
>Rather, it felt, familiar somehow.
>As if you knew these what those streams were.
"Anonymous! Are you there?"
>Jolted out of your thoughts, you hear your name being called.
>Looking at the end of the hallway, you see some ponies calling you.
>You rushed over, and started pounding on the wall.
"I"m right here! I know you probably can't see me, but..."
>Even with the banging and yelling, they didn't hear you.
>They weren't even looking at the wall.
"Well, there has to be a way out of here."
>You started towards the stairway.
>Not noticing the crystal you touched was much dimmer than the rest.
>Or that you felt no more pain from your wounds.
>And definitely not the taller mare standing with the ponies.

>You are Umbra, with a couple captains in a tent out in the snowstorm.
>The three of you are looking over a map, trying to figure out where the ice cave is.
>Most of the area had been searched already, considering there are almost two-hundred guards here.
>Nothing like loyalty to their queen to get them working hard.
>Especially when she's there, watching like a hawk.
>Suddenly, with a rush of cold, frozen wind, the tent flap flies open, revealing a young guard, trying to catch his breath.
>"We found it! Almost fell through it, but we found it."
>A feeling of intense pride filled your heart.
>You could always count on the younger guards.
>The older ones always had some sort of political motivation.
"Well, don't just stand there. Show me where."
>A quick bow and a few murmurings from the captains and you were on your way.
>It took all of ten minutes to get there.
>"My Queen, I insist that you refrain from entering. The honor guard can handle their rescue well enough."
>Your oldest captain, Marmosa, leader of the honor guards.
>He would handle the rescue of the other guards well enough.
>But would most likely kill this human on sight.
>You couldn't have that.

"No thanks, I want to be there for the guards when they're rescued."
>"My Queen, I insist you stay. For your own safety." He replied curtly.
>So, he wants to play this game? You really didn't like the attitude he had.
>" I would have hoped that being in the guard had taught you proper respect towards your queen. I am going, and if I hear you speak to me like that again, I will demote you. Understand?"
>The other guards looked horrified, as expected.
>Marmosa on the other hoof, barely twitched his eye.
>"Ma'am, with all due respect-"
"ENOUGH!" You yelled, scaring most of the guards with you. "I have enough to deal with without you being subordinate!"
>Marmosa looks scared shitless right now.
>Good. Serves him right. Maybe you'll manage to survive this ordeal without much more trouble.
"Get out of my sight!" You yelled again, still very angry. "We shall discuss your punishment when this matter is resolved!"
>Bowing his head shakily, he trotted off away from you.
>Damn it.
>You never usually got angry at any pony.
>It'seems all his fault.
>Sombra.
>How you hate his guts.
>And what he is trying to accomplish within your empire.
>It's gotten you on edge lately.
>A loud series of noises erupt from the hole that is in front of you, interrupting your thoughts.

>Without a second thought, you leap into the hole, followed by a few members of the guard.
>You take a quick scan of the cave, noticing the second hole in the far side of the cave.
>The noises that you are hear are coming from in there.
"Guards! With me!" you yell to the guards that didn't drop down with you.
>Hoping that you didn't get hurt from this, you drop down the second hole.
>Only to land on a stone floor.
>Curious. It seems hoof-made.
>However, you had no time to admire the architecture. The noises you were hearing are much clearer now.
>You could hear screams, hoofs hitting stone, and some strange clicking noises.
>As the rest of your guards fall down the second hole, you light the way with your horn.
>Another quick look around rewards your efforts with a tall entryway where all the noises were coming from.
>Motioning the rest of the guards to follow, you rush to find the source of all the racket.
>Outside of the entryway, a staircase led you down a ways.
>Suddenly, off to your right, you could see another source of light, and the source of noise.
>Seems you found your missing guards.

>As the noises get louder, you yell at your men," Form up! We don't know what's going to happen!"
>The first of the guards round the corner to the staircase, completely ignoring you and your entourage.
>"Diremites, Queen!" Says the next one that rounds the corner.
>Well, at least you know what you're dealing with.
>Not that it makes you feel any better. Diremites can be a real handful.
"At the ready!" You order, preparing a spell of your own.
>The first of the diremites round the corner, and you let loose your spell, singing the top of a fleeing pony's mane.
>He yelps, galloping faster than he thought possible.
>Your spell, however, hits the diremite square in the head, leaving a large crater where it's face was supposed be.
>As the last of the ponies run past, two more diremites follow suit.
>Having just unleashed your spell, you didn't have another prepared.
>The other guards were ready though, and those two diremites went down fast.
>A dread silence hangs in the air, as nopony is sure whether there are more diremites.
>One of the guards, a unicorn, leaps of the staircase and around the corner, horn lit to see in the dark.
>Moments later, you hear him yell, "Clear!"

>A collective sigh of relief is heard from everypony, including yourself.
>One ordeal over, another begins.
>You trot on over to one of the rescued guards, who is frantically searching around.
"You. Where is the human, Anonymous?"
>He looks up at you, tears still streaming down his face.
>Whether they were tears of pain, happiness, or sadness, you didn't know.
>He sighs, and says, "Honestly, I don't know. He was with us one moment, then gone the next. But please, he's injured, and he saved everypony that the dire mites took. I don't think he's any sort of enemy."
>So, he thinks that highly of him, huh? No matter, you have no intentions of doing what he thinks I am going to do Anonymous.
"No worries, I've got no plans to harm him. I just want to check. Safety of the Empire and all that. Now, go. We need to canvas the area, and I'd like to hear everything that transpired here."
>After hearing what you just said, he looked incredibly happy.
>"Yes, Ma'am!"

~~~~A short time later~~~~

>After hearing the guards' stories, you decide that you need to search for this human.
>Not everypony is kind enough to to what he did.
>You are very convinced that he's no spy of any sort.
>After rounding up a few members of the honor guard, you start to head back to the cave.
>"Queen Umbra! Are you going to rescue Anonymous?"
>Eyeing the guard you said that, you saw that he's the one you talked to down there.
>He isn't very injured, so maybe...
"Would you like to come with?"
>His face lights up at the suggestion.
>"Yes! I was actually going to ask, but you beat me to it. I just want to help find my friend."
>Smiling, you motion him to follow.

>Happily joining the rescue party, he falls in line at the back.
>As you lead the way through the cave, you start to think.
>The human was injured, and to top it off, he didn't come with the rest of the guards.
>To be honest, it wasn't looking good.
>The chances are high that he's dead, captured by the dire mites.
>Or, he could be alive, but in one of the capsules for feeding.
>He also could have managed to escape. Not likely, but certainly possible.
>As your thoughts start to trail off, you hear that one guard yell.
>"Anonymous! Anonymous, you out there?"
>Realizing the danger of the diremites hearing, another guard put a hoof in his mouth and shushed him.
>He just nods, acknowledging his mistake.
>Last thing we need is an ambush by the diremites.
>As the group slowly makes its way the the hoof made cave, you can't help but wonder who could have the resources to make something like this.
>Whoever it was, this place is very large. And old.
>Very old.
>It is slow going, but you make progress.
>*grumble*
>With no idea how long you've been down here, you decide its time for a break.
"Alright, it's time to eat."
>Sitting on your haunches, you wait for the pack pony to come by and give you some rations.
>They taste awful, but it's nourishment.
>As he come by, you pull out a package and start to open it.
*CLICK*
"Uhh, what's that noise?"
>Suddenly, you hear gears turning in the walls.
>The rest of the guards look around everywhere, not sure of what's happening.
>Just as a sudden feeling of dread washes over you, the floor suddenly gives way underneath you.
"Aaaaahaahaaah!" You scream, as you slide down some sort of chute.
>Not long after, you land abruptly in complete darkness.
>You lost concentration when you fell, losing grasp of the light spell.
>Concentrating on the spell again, you almost have it when something hits you muzzle, at which point it hits the ground beneath you.
"What the?"
>Renewing your spellcasting, you complete the spell.

>As soon as your light spell completes, you look around.
>Only to be crestfallen at what you see.
>You landed in a square room, with no opening, or no way out.
>A glimmer on the ground catches your eye, and looking down, you see the package of rations on the ground by you.
>That must have been what hit you after falling down the chute.
>Well, some form of sustenance in your newfound prison.
>Sighing, you look up at your only hope.
>Only to see the ceiling seal off the room from the chute.
>Tears form in your eyes when you realize that this will be the place you die.
>Alone, with no one there to save you.
>You fear for the Crystal Empire.
>Who'd lead in your stead?
>Hopefully somepony nice.
>You lay down on the cold stone, awaiting your fate.

> You are Anonymous.
>After getting lost in wherever this place is, you fell through a wall and are now even more hopelessly lost wherever you are.
>Great.
>This place was a giant maze.
>You can't even remember where that staircase you went down was.
>The entire time, keeping your hand on the wall to check for more odd walls to fall through.
>Still, you had to admire whoever built this place.
>It's easy to see, no thanks to those strange blue crystal lamps everywhere.
>Oh yeah, it was certainly built. The walls were made of stone and mortar, and the floors as well.
>The ceiling was made of the same materials, but strangely enough, left more than enough room to walk upright.
>Almost as if it was built by humans.
>Nah, humans are an old mares tale.
>Uh, you're human. So I guess the old mares tale is true.
>As you were walking, lost in both mind and body, you stumbled upon a door that you are sure you'd never seen before.
>Old, rotten wood, easy enough to kick down.
>Your reward for your efforts: another staircase, this time leading up.
>Well, at least you getting somewhere.
>Up we go.
>As soon as the stairs level out, you see to your left one of the see through walls.
>And a group of ponies on the other side.

>Rushing over to the wall, you knock on it, hoping that it isn't soundproof like the last one.
>Your hopes are dashed as none of the ponies even glance in your direction.
>Sighing, something else catches your attention.
>Well, somepony to be exact.
>Mainly because you don't remember rescuing her from the diremites.
>A mare stood among the group of ponies, and even through the hazy wall, you could tell she is something special.
>A head taller than the stallions, with a deep black mane and a gorgeous gray coat.
>Not to mention those eyes.
>Those bright green eyes.
>None of that mattered if you couldn't even talk to her.
>With that in mind, you turn your eyes further down the hall.
>Only be surprised at what is on the wall.
>A single lever positioned upright.
>Just then, a thought occurred to you.
"What if that lever pulled down the wall so you could join the ponies and get out of here?"
>Running over, you wasted no time pulling the lever down.
*CLICK*
>Your efforts were rewarded with a long series of what sounded like gears turning in the walls.
>Excited, you look at the ponies on the other side of the wall, waiting ton see them in person.
>Of course, your excitement turns to sheer horror as every single one of the ponies falls through a now open trapdoor underneath them.

>Not even the pegasi in the group were fast enough to escape the trap.
>That you sprung.
>Well, no time like the present.
>Maybe you can figure out where they fell and rescue them.
>You continue to stare as the trapdoor places itself back into its original position.
>Your eyes follow the long hall down to where you haven't explored yet.
>A sigh escapes your lips as you see yet another staircase leading even further down.
>Well, as they say; history repeats itself.
>Time to see where that leads.
>Letting your thoughts drift away as you wander over to the staircase, and as you descend further into the depths; you think on the mare you saw earlier.
>If you wanted to save anypony, it would be her.
>Even through the wall, you just knew that her beauty is unparalleled.
>You never had much luck with the ladies, but for some reason, you wanted to tell that mare how beautiful she is.
>Kind of a bad reason to save someone though
>Hopefully she won't think less of you.

>Your thoughts are jarred out of your head as the stairs level off and open up to a new sight.
>Sort of.
>Another damn hall.
>This one, however, doesn't have a staircase at the end.
>Along with a single door to the right in the middle of the hall.
>Turning around, and then looking up, you reorient yourself.
>This new hallway had to be underneath the one that the other ponies fell through.
>Maybe...
>...She's there...
>You couldn't get to the door fast enough.
>Your hopes are once again crushed when you see the door.
>Made of metal, there are no openings to look through.
>It's plain, with nothing but a circle etched into it, with something else eyed inside that.
>You do a double take as you recognize the 'something else'.
>It's looks exactly like your hand.
>Shakily, you put yours up to the one in the door.
>The circle flashed a light blue, and then the door clicked and swung itself inwards.

>Surprisingly, it does so silently.
>Watching as the door opens, you are greeted with a familiar sight.
>Another door.
>Hip hip hooray.
>At the end of the hallway, there is a new sight.
>A welcome one at that.
>There is one of the see through walls at the end of it, and on the other side...
>That mare is there, laying down.
>Welp, no time like the present.
>Walking over to the wall, you knock on it as a precaution.
>No response.
>That's to be expected, though.
>Searching for any way to get through the wall, you spot two new levers on either side of you.
>One of them had to open the door, but given your experience with the last one...
>Hoping for the best, you pull one without thinking.
>Closing your eyes you hear gears moving in the walls again, and a loud bang in front of you.
>Peeking them open, you are rewarded with a wonderful sight.
>The wall is gone.
>And the mare is looking at you, dumbstruck.

"Uh, hi."
>Really? Hi?
>That has to be the worst first words ever.
>It doesn't seem to matter, since she looks up at you with tears in her eyes.
"I'm Anonymous, you are?"
>She just keeps looking up at you, her eyes not breaking away from yours.
"You okay?"
>Looking closer, she's a mess. Her amne is all messed up, and it looks like shes been crying pretty hard.
>She's still the most beautiful mare you've seen, even through all that.
>"You, you are...no, thank you."
>Finally shaking out of her trance, she stands up, and walks over to you.
>"I am Queen Umbra, ruler of the crystal empire."
>Oh.
>OH.
"Well, let's get out of here before that wall closes back up, okay?"
>She smiles at you, and says,"Lets."
>Oh, sweet Celestia, that smile is amazing.
>As soon as she walks over where the wall used to be, the wall rises up from the floor, nearly closeing on her tail.
>Or, it would have, if she hadn't swiftly moved out of the way.

"That was close."
>She just laughs, and motions you to lead the way.
>As the two of you get into the hallway, you wonder something.
"Hey, you wouldn't know anything about my family, would you?"
>"Actually, I do. They made it safe and sound into my empire, where my people are taking care of them. By the way, do you know which way to go?"
>Hearing the news about your family made you happy, but apart from where you have been, you have no clue where to go next.
>And that's the best thing to say.
"Honestly, I came from that way." you say, pointing in the way you came. "I've pretty much explored everything that way, so let's go this way."
>She seems to think on it for a moment then says," Then let's go that way."
>You start off that way, when she asks, "So, how did you find me?"
"From the top?"
>"Yes. Everything. Including how you got lost in the snowstorm.
"Alright, but its a long story."
>"Seriously? We are lost down here, We have plenty of time for you tell that story."
>There are some parts you aren't sure you want to tell her.
>That part where you pull a lever and she disappeared into a trapdoor for one.
>Alright, might as well, got nothing else to talk about.
"Well, It goes like this..."
>So you told her all about your adventures from the past two days.
>The griffon raid on your hometown, the injuries you sustained while fleeing your home.
>How you got lost in the ice cave and manged to save her guards.
>And your escapade inside these caves after getting lost in them.
>All throughout the story you told, she stayed quiet.
>Even when you told her that you pulled the lever that sent her tumbling into the room you found her in.
>The only thing you didn't tell her was that you found her beautiful.
>She's a queen, and besides, it would make things awkward while the two of you are stuck down here.
>In the meantime, you wandered around this place trying to find a way out.
"...And now we are here. Any questions?"
>You asked that out of hope that she'd respond to you in some form.
>"Well, yes. Actually, I've got a few."
>YES.
>Her voice sounds like sex to your ears. You couldn't get enough of it.
>"For starters, you said that you fell through a wall? A wall that you couldn't see through one way, but could the other way?"
"Yep. I've been looking for more while we're down here, but no such luck."
>She stopped walking for a moment whole she absorbed the info.
>"The crystal you touched, you said it sent a stream of energy at you? And did you absorb it?"
"Yeah, here, let me show you."
>Walking over to one of the many crystal torches lining the walls, you touch it so she can see.
>The process repeats itself, and you absorb a stream of energy from it.
"See, it looks like that."
>You turn around to see her dumbstruck.
>Cute.
>She then points her hoof to the crystal and says, "Look, it not glowing as much as before."
>And now it's turn.
>The crystal is certainly less bright than before.
"What do you think caused that?"
>You look over to her, only to see her shaking he head.
>"Moving on, you pulled the lever that sent me and my guards down the trapdoor, right?"
>Shit. You were hoping she didn't ask about that.
"W-well, yes, probably. I may not have, you never know."
>"Doesn't really matter. The majority of the guards you sent down there are honor guards. They aren't actually loyal to me."
>What.
"Wait, you're their queen, how can they not be loyal?"
>She gives you a look that says that she's done with that topic.
>"It doesn't matter right now, we need to focus on getting out of here."
>Hrmm...
"Not fair."
>As soon as you say that, she turns to you, looking confused.
>Oh, sweet Celestia...
>Confused ponies are so adorable.
>"What isn't fair?"
"Simple, really. I answered your questions, so now it's your turn."
>She looks at you for a moment, and then starts walking again.
>"I am a queen. I don't need to answer your questions."
>You follow after her, wondering why she would play the queen card in this situation.
"Well, that is fine and all, but we are still stuck down here together. It would be easier if we get to know each other, don't you agree?"
>She just stays silent.
"Fine. Don't talk."


>You are Umbra, and you are stuck down here with Anonymous the human.
>Not that you are complaining.
>He's taller than every pony you've ever met, except maybe Celestia.
>But then, you haven't seen her or Luna in a few years.
>But Anonymous here, oh boy.
>You can only catch glimpses underneath the tattered clothing he wears, but he's made of solid muscle.
>All that work on the family farm seems to have paid off.
>But he just asked a very personal question.
>He probably doesn't even realize what he asked.
>Questioning the honor guards loyalties.
>If only it was so simple.
>Their loyalties lie with their leader, Marmosa.
>Marmosa's loyalties lie not with you, but with Sombra.
>And Sombra's loyalties lie with power and greed.


>Back to Anonymous.
>The two of you have been wandering for a while in silence now.
>You've also been looking for a source of water along with an exit.
"Thirsty..."
>"Me too."
>Well, a response is good.
"Yet here we are, stuck under who knows how much ice, and we can't find any water."
>She chuckles a bit.
>"Quite ironic."
>You wander for a while longer, looking for any sign of water.
>And an exit.
>Suddenly, your hand catches on the wall.
"What the..."
>Glancing at your hand, you see it sticking halfway through the wall.
>Umbra just stares in astonishment.
>"To be honest, I didn't believe you about the wall."
>You roll your eyes, "Thanks."
"Well, ladies first."
>"Why, thank you. Such a gentlecolt. Must have had plenty of mares after you in your village, huh?"
>You flinch slightly, since she unknowingly hit a nerve.
"Honestly, no. Not very many mares liked me all that much."
>Just as she was about to go through the wall, she sits on her haunches and looks up at you, disbelief in her eyes.
>Looks like you aren't getting away without storytime.
>"What? That can't be right. I mean, look at yourself. You're a mighty fine specimen for a human. Not that I've ever met a human before, but still."
>You sigh.
>Working on the forms certainly helped you look your best, but...you are still a human.
"Umbra, I'm a human. Always have been. The problem is simple. Nopony, not one, in their right mind would want to be with me."
"I was the town freakshow. I got a few dates because the girls lost a bet or something; but I never had a mare be into me just for being me."
"When I was small, I was bullied, and I was shunned, just for being different. The one mare I confessed to told me that she'd never be with me because I'm a freak of nature. I've long since lost faith that I'll ever find a special somepony."
>She just sits there, taking in your little rant. Obviously she didn't expect you to say that.
>Looking down, she said, "I have a confession to make. You can tell I'm not a normal unicorn, right?"
"You mean apart from being the most beautiful mare I've ever seen?"
>You did not just say that.
>Umbra looks shocked by the sudden compliment, blushes ever so slightly, then regains her composure.
>"W-well, not that. For both of us, I'll just forget you just said that."
>Yeesh, at least she wasn't offended or anything like tha.
>In fact, she seemed a little happy you complimented her.
>"I'm talking about me looking different than other unicorns."
>She did have a darker tone to her mane and coat colors.
"Well, you do look different than them, I guess."
>Her face goes deadpan as she gets ready for a lecture.
>Oh boy, here we go.
>"I'm what is known as a shadow pony. An incredibly rare genetic mutation is part of what differentiates us from the average unicorn."
>"We live about as long as an alicorn, and our reproduction cycles only occur about every ten years or so.
>A blush and an uncomfortable shuffle accompany that last part.
>"Another is that shadow ponies can freely control crystals at will. Alicorns and exceptionally gifted unicorns can only slightly manipulate them."
>"We also have no cutie marks whatsoever, are omnivores versus straight vegetarians, and are built slightly more muscular and larger."
>She flashes you a toothy smile, and you see her sharp canines in the process.
>"The combination of everything results in what you see in front of you. The darker coat and mane, and the diffrent style of horn." she says, pointing her hoof to the red horn on her head.
"And the eyes?"
>"Same thing."
>Everything you were just told is intriguing, to say the least.
"How many shadow ponies are left in the world?"
>She shakes her head, and replies,"Only two. The rest died in a war a thousand years ago."
"Who's the other? Your mate?"
>You asked this with a bit more venom in your voice than you would have prefered.
>Fortunately, she didn't seem to take notice.
>That, or she didn't care.
>Since her face read a mix of emotions.
>First, shock, then outrage, then sadness.
>All because of you and your stupid mouth.
>She shook her head, then surprised you with what she said.
>"Can I make another confession?"
"Go right ahead, I won't stop you."
>Sighing, she shakes her head, then looks at you, still unsure of something.
>You hear her mutter,"Can't believe I'm telling a stranger this."
>Must be really personal.
>"Do you remember asking me why my guards aren't loyal?"
>Huh? You asked about the other shadow pony, not her guards.
"Yeah, but what do they have to do with the other shadow pony?"
>Looking at you, she sighs.
>"A lot, really. I'll get back to them in a moment, but I should talk about Sombra."
>Sombra, huh. I guess that's the pony's name.
"He's the other shadow pony in the world. He lives in the Crystal Empire, which I rule.
>So it's a he, huh?
>"He's...an incredibly influential noble in the empire, to the point of being almost as powerful as me. To make things worse, he has followers. Followers thot obey him, not me.
>"I've estimated that he controls at least half of the empire, if not more. He's done this with a specific goal in mind."
"That goal would be?"
>To take over the Crystal Empire. More than likely Sombra's eyes are on the throne. So, as his influence grew, so did his ego."
>"Initially he used subtlety and tricks to get more power. Now, that he has power, i couldn't stop him from doing what had happened a few months ago."
>"He came to me one afternoon and gave me an ultimatum."
>"Marry him or he would start a civil war in the empire."
>Your turn to be shocked.
"Seriously? What'd you do?"
>"I love my subjects, and he has influence in the places it counts. The majority of the royal guard is loyal to him. If he started a war..."
"The guards would have give him the upper hand in the fight."
>"Yeah."
>The only sounds you heard after that were nonexistent.
>You knew you were jealous, but to know the reason why they are together sucked even more than the fact that they are together.
>She didn't even need to say what she said to that ultimatum.
>An almost silent sob escapes from her, and you kneel down to look at her face to face.
>Tears form two small rivers on her face, and her eyes are squeezed shut.
>You want to comfort her, but how?
>Hesitatingly, you raise a hand and pet her mane.
>Softer than sin itself.
>You grasp that there is no way she is going to like this.
>Startled at your gesture, she moves to back away from you, but stops midway through the motion.
>Her eyes fly open, eyeing you suspiciously behind a sea of tears.
>Slowly, shaky, she leans back into your hand.
"Do you want me to continue?" you ask, uncertain of what she wants.
>"Mmhmm. Yes, please, it's rather nice." she responds, a wide, but bashful smile creeping back onto her face.
>Continuing for what seemed to be an lifetime, she gradually moves closer to you, finally resting her head on your shoulder.
>As she did, you reached up with your other hand and wiped her tears off with the back off your hand.
>She reaches around your neck into a tender hug, full of emotion.
>You feel silent tears run down your face at each other's situations.
>Eternity passes as the two of you embrace one another in somber silence.
>"The wedding is in two months." She shakily mumbles into your shoulder, "I hate him."
>Finding words to respond gets harder as each moment ticks past.
"Well, is there anypony that you love?" you ask, knowing that you don't want to hear an answer.
>She snuggles into your neck as if it were a bottomless pit.
>"No."
>You fight back a sigh of relief.
>"I am interested in someone, though. I've never met anyone like him." she warmly continues.
>The relief you were feeling transforms into a cold, hard stone that drops into the pit of your stomach.
"Who is he? Is he good to you?"
>Asking this is making your heart cold and uncaring.
>He's nice. The first who's treated me like an equal instead of a queen in a long, long time. I honestly cant't say much more than that."
>If there is a silver lining in this, you can't find it.
>Why are you even getting jealous?
>Umbra isn't your marefriend, and she will most likely never be.
>"What about you? Are you in love with anypony?"
>So the tables have been turned on you.
>Perhaps this is a chance to shake off these uncomfortable feelings you've got.
"Not anymore, but there was this one mare a few years back. I loved her for almost all my life, and we were best of friends. We always did everything together. I thought she felt the same way."
>Umbra's head tilts against you slightly, allowing her to hear you better.
"As we grew up and aged, our friendship distanced from one another. I was losing her, and I didn't want that, so I-I...worked up the courage to ask her out after school one day.
"When I asked her, she looked absolutely disgusted, and turned me down right away. She wasn't even gentle about it. As she turned around to walk away, she said something to me, and those were the last words I ever heard her talk to me about.
>Silence invades the air and you sorted out your thoughts.
>"What did she say?" Umbra asks, gently pulling away from you, all while staring into your eyes.
>Unfortunately for you, she certainly wasn't making it easier. Those feelings of jealousy still hadn't gone away either, making this conversation an emotional roller coaster.
>Looking into her piercing stare, you can't help but feel overwhelmed.
>Even now, some hurts don't go away.
>Many linger for a long time.
"I hate you, you're frightening, hideous, and you reek. How anypony could love you, let alone be friends with you is beyond me. You know all those mares that asked you out over the past few years? They only did it because they lost bets or did it on a dare. Go drag yourself out of my sight."
>Umbra almost looked offended until she figured out that you were repeating what that mare had told you all that time ago.
>A rush of emotion crashes down on you. You've never told anypony this before.
"That was the last time I ever went to school. My mother was concerned about it and tried to make me attend again. My father, though, somehow he knew. We always had a connection of sorts. After calming down my mother, he came out to the farm and sat by me without saying a single word."
>"No doubt to comfort you."
"Yes, no doubt about it. I resolved myself to help out my family in whatever way I could. Nopony visited me from school. I knew then that any friends I thought I had were all fake, which only strengthened my resolve."
"I decided that I'd never love again. I never want to feel that again."
>You and Umbra sat in the stillness, not looking away from each other.
>Suddenly, she laughs a dryly.
"What is so funny?"
>Scooting herself closer, the resting her head on your chest, she replies.
>"Look at us, two ponies broken by love. I honestly don't know if I believe in love anymore, but if it was...I'd be willing to try."
>You couldn't, hear part of what she said, but you still laugh.
>Glaring at you, she inquires, "Okay, my turn. What's so funny?"
"Umbra."
>"Yeah?"
"I'm not a pony."
>Once, twice, she blinks at you
>A face of realization hits her, and then she facehooves.
>"I know that!" she turns her head, embarrassed.
>Laughing some more, you stand up and then pick up Umbra, princess style.
>"What are you doing, you ruffian? Set me down this instant!"
"Nope."
>A look of indignation flashes across her face, then she playfully swats one of her hooves at your chest.
>"Meanie."
>Aw, she's pouting.
"We should see what is behind the wall, remember?"
>Her face lost all emotion, then regained some again as she looks at you deadpan.
>"Right. No need to pick me up for that, you know."
"I know."
>"Then why would you?"
"Because I could."
>She opens her mouth to respond, but you leap through the wall before she gets the chance, still carrying her very much like a princess.
>The wall opens up to another hallway.
>You don't even get the chance to be disappointed before the hallway's differences strike you.
>The normally bright blue crystal torches are a shade of deep and vibrant violet, much more closely spaced, and between them are murals lining the walls, ending in a wall with a door at the end.
>Umbra gasps at the change of scenery, and you are so shocked, you almost drop her on the ground.
>"Put me down."
"Okay."
>Not even caring about the conversation a few seconds ago, you gently set her down on the ground.
>She walks over to the closest mural, and you follow.
>The mural is faded, and it is near impossible to tell what it could have portrayed.
>Slowly she walks over to each one, carefully inspecting each one.
>Finally, you reach one that isn't faded to oblivion.
>The scene it depicts is strange.
>Ponies and a race of bipedal creatures cover the mural, painting a picture of friendship, war, and acts of depravity.
>Glancing over to your companion, her ears are flattened as she makes out what the mural means.
"Umbra? Do you know what this means?'
>Not looking at you, she nonchalantly responds, "Yeah."
"Well?" you ask, eager to know what it meant.
>"It's ancient history."
"Enlighten me."
>Finally tearing her eyes from the mural, she squints at you.
>"Fine, but be quiet while I talk about it."
>"It begins about two thousand years ago, when humanity ended their last golden age. It tells the story of an end of an era, and their deeds in making great diplomatic relations. Humanity at the time had two beloved princes, and one of them was a friend to the races of the ponies, while the other was not. Karke, as one of the princes was called, was friends to both my grandfather and the last alicorn prince. He fostered a great relationship between the three kingdoms. His brother, however,was jealous, and started some experiments behind the royal family's backs. He discovered that shadow pony horns are a great source of human magic. Once discovered, he used this information to start a civil war with the intention of wiping out the shadow ponies. Karke, when he discovered this, built a fortress as a base of operations and then marched to war against his brother. Fearing for the safety of the shadow ponies, many of my kind went with him. The last alicorn prince went with him. That, Anon, is where the mural leaves off. I know what happens after up to a certain point. Once on the battleground, the armies clashed, and somehow, a large magic chain got set off, creating a massive explosion. What is left of the battleground is known as the Blasted Lands. Currently, the changelings live there. So, that's that. Any questions?"
"Yes, but I think they can wait. Let's see what is behind the door, shall we?"
>Honestly, that was too much information to take in at once.
>But she doesn't seem to mind the lack of questions right now, and heads on over to the door.
>You are honestly grateful, since during her explanation, she seemed like she didn't want to talk too deeply about it.
>As the you approach the door, you recognize the design.
>The door is in the same style as the door that blocked off Umbra's little dungeon.
>Spotting the circle in the center of the door, you place a hand in the center of it, and it swings open slowly, but silently.
>"What?"
"Well, this is very unexpected."
>Your eyes are greeted with a vision of comfiness.
>The room the door opens to what looks like a large study.
>Bookshelves line the walls, filled with many tomes.
>An unlit fireplace behind two high backed velvet chairs.
>In the center, a large square slab of black crystal.
>Your ears perk up at a familiar sound.
>Running water.
>Looking over to your left, you see a small fountain of water.
>Umbra saw it too, since the two of you trip over each other in an attempt to get to the fountain.
"Oof..."
>"Ow!"
>...
>.....
>Well, this is awkward.
>Somehow, the two of you tripped each other in such a way that she landed on top of you, her face hovering over your own.
>A silence invades the room as you lock eyes with her.
>You can feel her warmth on your chest, as her mane tickles your neck.
>Your hands almost have a spasm as you try to decide whether or not to hug her.
>Not an option, unfortunately.
>Sighing, she gets off and walks over to the fountain.
>Standing back up, you walk over to it, and get what had to have been the best drink of your life.
>After the two of you drink your fill, you go over to the chairs and sit down.
>Even though they are alittle dusty, they are among the softest chairs you've ever sat in.
[Anonymous...]
"Yeah, Umbra?"
>Startled, she looks over to you, and says, "Anon, I didn't say anything."
>A shiver runs up your spine.
>You think nothing of it, and close your eyes.
[Anonymous..co...]
>Your eyes fly open, and you stare at Umbra.
"Umbra, not funny."
>She just looks at you strangely, then shakes her head.
>Deciding that getting up would be the best course of action, you do so as your head spins.
>Walking over to inspect the crystal slab in the center of the room, you spot another circle with a hand carved into the side of the slab.
>Placing your hand on it, it doesn't do anything.
>Must be broken.
[Anonymous..com...ea...]
>Deciding to ignore Umbra, you glance over to the books.
>On a stand is an open book.
[Anonymous, come read me...]
>Suddenly, your head is filled with happy thoughts as you slowly shamble your way over to the book.
"Anonymous?"
>You can hear a voice in the background, but it is drowned out by the multitude of colors you see and hear.
[Come, Anonymous, fill your head with my knowledge]
"Yess...massterr..."
>Your shambling speeds up a smidge, as you approach the book.
>"ANON!!!"
>The same voice returns, louder, but not clearer, along with a slight tug on your leg.
>The vibrant colors dance all around you, as you reach the book.
>So vibrant and crisp are the colors that you could taste them.
[Yes, read me, and learn of my knowledge]
Picking up the book, a scream shatters your world as all color fades to black.
>"NO, ANOON!!!"


End part 2