King and I - 21

“Remove him from the throne? As in get rid of him? Brother?” You ask in shock. You’d never have thought that Fury would want to usurp Sombra; in fact he’s the last pony you’d expect to say this.

“It’s a badly kept secret that he and I hail from the same blood. I’m not going to go into detail over it. It doesn’t really matter in relation to recent events.”

You can’t say you’re entirely surprised by the two being brothers, now that you know you can see a few similarities between the two that you didn’t draw a connection to before. They both have similar facial structures, and both are highly proficient in magic. “Why?” Is the only question you can ask.

“It’s simple. I fear for my dear brother’s life. You’ve seen first-hoof how this conflict is intensifying to the point where we may not be able to contain it. The last thing I, or indeed he desires is for the violence to spill out onto the streets. It would spell a major loss of life for both our soldiers and citizens. It has left me in a tight spot.”

His horn lights up and pulls the map from under the table. He rolls it out and studies it intently for a few moments. The map hasn’t been modified much since you last saw it yesterday. A new, blue circle covers a rather large area to the south. “I’m presented with two options, allow my brother to be killed in the violence, or usurp him and provide protection from the rebels.”

“I thought this war was going in your favor.” You remind him, just a short time ago Sombra boasted over the dining table about his dominance over the ill-equipped rebels. Either he’s been lying the entire time, for a benefit that escapes you, or things have changed for the worse very rapidly. Outside interference isn’t out of the picture as Sombra did imply that it was Celestia and Luna.

“It is actually. To an extent anyway, back an animal into a corner and it only becomes more violent. The attack on the palace was something none of us saw coming. They were never that brazen in the beginning, content to engage in small scale civil disobedience. My brother is a prime target and my personal concern for his wellbeing trumps a swift victory in this war.”

He looks down to the map and points to the blue circle. “They’ve relocated to here to a base that we destroyed in a previous raid under the belief that we wouldn’t check there again. Our scouts have reported large shipments of weapons being handed to them by unknown benefactors. We don’t have the stallion-power to scour the empire for these smugglers, especially not after the recent assaults.

Direct attacks seem to be useless too, they always manage to scrape by and prop themselves up again. They may be receiving reinforcements from the smugglers too. I suspect that they’re planning a last ditch assault on the palace in order to kill my brother outright and push our loyal forces into disarray. From there it would be a small stretch to assume total control.”

Wow, he really has all of this figured out.

“So, you want to get to him first?”

He nods. “And with some theatrics, potentially stage some kind of death or execution. I play the hero and place myself onto the throne as the underdog, and nopony is any the wiser. My brother is not sent to the afterlife, and the rebels lose much momentum as they believe in their own victory. The only problem is organizing the whole thing.”

“I could help.” You suggest, shuffling closer to Fury. “The rebels talked to me after the botched execution, they’d been spying on me for a long time and wanted me, as the newest mage, to act as a spy for them.”

Fury grins. “Fortune favors us indeed. Their assurance in the unknown will be their downfall.” His smile droops, “You didn’t tell them anything did you?”

“What could I tell them that’d be useful?” You ask racking your brain for ideas. Fury’s smile comes back even greater than before.

“Simple my dear friend, you tell them that one of Sombra’s mages is about to defect.”

---

You spent an hour or so going over ideas for using your new position as a rebel mole. You weren’t one hundred percent behind the idea yet, especially considering everything that could go wrong with such a complicated plan. Fury didn’t seem to mind, and just told you to stop being such a worry-wart. You aren’t as confident in his plan as you let on.

It didn’t take long for Fury to come up with something as it seems he’s had this in mind for a long time now. The rest of the guild is apparently in on the plot too, and have already gone to set the pieces into motion. All Fury has to do is go convince Sombra of his idea, and send you to arrange a meeting with the rebel leader.

Despite all this you agree to help him set it in motion. With plenty of time to waste you stroll back down into the library which is vacant once again. You wonder what Warm is doing right now. Still, you remain conscious of prying eyes and walk over to the message box propped up on the front desk. You circle around discovering a conveniently placed quill and parchment for you to use.

With your improved control you easily scribble away your message. “One of the mages wishes to defect, in contact with them now.” You roll it up and slip it into the box before hastily leaving again. You’re not sure how they’ll get back to you; Sombra started rotating the staff a while ago to interfere with spies.

You don’t have anything else to do. You stop for a moment watching as a maid diligently polishes the floor with a dirtied cloth. The staff put a hell of a lot of work into maintaining this place you muse. She lifts the cloth away and smiles at her own reflection. She looks over to you suddenly with a small blush on her face. “Oh! Hello ma’am.” She performs a small bow. “Do you need anything?”

“No, no. I’m just thinking about what to do now.” You pass her by without another word. An idea strikes you, the garden! You can go have a nice nap down there. With a new spring in your step you trot away from the confused maid.

You take in a deep breath of the fresh air. The garden is no different from your last visit, apart from the black smudge parked by the edge of the pond further in; figures that he’d be here of all times. With a sigh you head towards him wanting to get your inevitable game of verbal tennis over with so you can relax.

His position is comical considering how dignified he usually presents himself, lying on his back, legs crossed and staring off into the distance. All he needs is a straw in his mouth and he’ll look like a real farmer. Sombra doesn’t even notice you until you clear your throat. He jumps under his skin and scrambles to his feet. Upon noticing it’s you he relaxes. “Don’t sneak up on me like that.”

You roll your eyes and sit down in the cool grass. “I was right next to you; you need to pay more attention.” He huffs like a child and sits next to you looking out over the pristine blue pond. You starch your forelegs above your head and collapse into the grass. His eyes flicker over you for a moment before realigning themselves. Thankfully he remains silent allowing you to relax.

You drift off into your own little world, thinking back to your time as a human. Resignation fills you as you realize that there’s little chance of going back now. You have a few too many responsibilities to just pick up and run, and as much as you don’t want to admit it you’re enjoying all the excitement and intrigue. A few weeks ago you would have slapped yourself for saying that, but now you’re not so sure.

Your eyes grow heavy as you drift away into a small nap.

---

Sombra looks back down to Rose, her petite chest rising and falling in a light slumber. His eyes linger scanning over her body, her striking red hair, her intimidating pointed horn (much like his own) and her wide flared hips. It was no secret to him that she was very attractive.

Sombra knew she was the target of much affection from guards too cowardly to approach her. Despite this they still cheered heartily during their time in the barracks, gossiping like teenagers about which member of the castle staff they would like to lay with next. He was willing to give them that much, so long as the maids were willing and it was in good faith.

It was a different story all together when the lecherous bastards began talking about Rose. Some accused him of playing favorites and “keeping her for yourself” but the truth of the matter was that Sombra never stood for such juvenile behavior within his ranks. They were slipping, and he had to nip it in the bud before it got out of hoof.

Even if they did have a point.

Sombra shakes his head. “No!” At least… not as much as they think. Sombra looks down to the ground, what is wrong with him? Doting over a filly like this, he’s a King; he can get anything he desires at a moment’s notice.

Except for her.

He looks back again, afraid of her opening her red eyes wide and shouting at him. What started as a small novelty, a toy, a tool to be used in his schemes has developed into an unfulfilled infatuation. One that plays contrary to everything he’s done to this point, his dismissive nature, his cold exterior and pointed tongue; a collection of small regrets that keep him from revealing his true feelings.

He growls. Why? He’s above this; he’s above fawning over things that escape his grasp, so why can’t he get over the mare asleep next to him? His hoof slams down into the ground, displacing grass and dirt. She isn’t like the others, her words are genuine, filled with all the anger and malice, the joy and happiness, not afraid to argue back at him or disparage his opinions or actions. The kind of pony he wishes he were surrounded by.

“It’s too late for that now.”

Even now he sees that spark of fear in her eyes at his presence, an all too familiar feeling, something that can kindle into an inferno of hatred for his being. He remembers the dinner date, his batting eyelashes and foolish attempts to swoon a mare, who at the moment despises him. He can’t blame her, not after showing such little concern for her welfare at the advent of her capture.

He’s been cut off from others for too long. A cool breeze sweeps through the suspended garden bringing him back to reality. Rose is still there, her brilliant eyes meet his. “Hello? Anybody there?”

---

Sombra averts his gaze back to the pond after staring for a little too long for your taste. Was he watching you the entire time you were asleep? He evidently hasn’t moved from his spot next to you. “How long was I out?” You mutter, looking up to the setting sun. That must have passed an hour or so. Sombra remains uncharacteristically silent. “What up with you?” You poke his ribs with a hoof. He flinches and grunts before shuffling away from your reach.

“I was thinking.”

…

“And?”

“I was thinking about how I’ve treated you recently.” You raise an eyebrow but don’t interrupt. “I understand that from your perspective I’ve been cruel and cold to you.”

“What gave you that impression?” You jab dryly, motioning to your new body.

He ignores you and carries on. “And I’d like to apologize for it all. In retrospect in served no real purpose beyond my own aloofness leading me to believe that interaction, or even some level of relations with others was unnecessary.”

“I’m not sure you need to apologize to me first. What about Fury?”

“Well, you are present at this moment so I decided to take advantage. But yes, I believe we both need a good long talk about recent events.”

“So why the sudden change of heart, it wasn’t too long ago that you were all for leaving me to the dogs.” He visibly winces which only inflames your curiosity, you’ve hit a very obvious nerve.

“You, you changed my mind.”

“Really?” You ask.

He nods. “I can’t quite fathom it myself. It’s sudden, something that I only realized just now with you lying there next to me. Perhaps the problems I face are not a result of outside influence, but a product of my own actions. I isolated myself from others to ensure that they couldn’t hurt me, but all it has truly done is prevent them from coming to my aid.”

“So, what are you going to do?”

“Make up for my mistakes, which is what you suggested, is it not?”

“You have a lot of work to do.”

He looks you in the eye, “I do. Would you come to my aid in this matter?”

“Sure.  It’s funny, when you first brought me here you were the last pony I would trust or give help to. But now I find myself realizing that you are one of the few I actually trust.”

“And why is that? I’ve done many a thing to earn your ire.”

“You’ve never lied, the entire time I’ve been here. This is less than I can say for many others. Whether or not it’ll stay that way is yet to be seen.” He looks away again. “Don’t make an effort for my sake; there are some things we’d all like to hide.”

“More than you’d ever know.”