7/16/16; Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

[Mal]

Princeshë Celestia was enjoying a rather normal day. Or rather as normal as it could be in a magical kingdom. Which was.... believe it or not rather mundane. It was much the same here as it was in the other kingdoms. Actually, perhaps the day wasn't as mundane as she made it out to be. A group of foals from Canterlot Primary came by today. And that was always something that could put a smile on her muzzle for at least a short time. Alas before her now stood a somewhat squat green pegasus with a similarly green fedora and a yellow mane. "Thank you for your work, ambassador." This pony was the ambassador to Minos. He had just spent the last say... twenty minutes briefing her on the minotaur lord's plan to expand the ~ what was it called ~ booze trade? The way linguistics kept changing around her. The minotaurs did like their strong liquor though.

Lord Sombra reached Canterlot, after a quick consultation where the princesses lived. He'd been sure they took up residence elsewhere.. but some of his memories on the present day of a thousand years ago were fractured. He'd met the other version of himself in secret to prepare his disguise, as odd as it was to consider. Sombra had shown him what was to be done, and some details were not exact; the memories were just mere glimpses. A face in a mirror, a crown, something else.. Sombra didn't intend to make it exact, anyway. Once it was complete, without his own dark magic's touch, Sombra strode off for the castle, a normal, but tall, green-eyed unicorn king of another world.. Or close to it. He had to fight a smirk as he was admitted, lead to the throne room where court was, perhaps, still in session. An audience requested with Princess Celestia.

Princeshë Celestia watched as the ambassador bowed and turned to leave. No doubt Sombra would have passed the squat pony on his way in. Normally the princess would greet the next guest that passed through those doors but the words died upon her lips as a hauntingly familiar guise passed through those doors. The guards were treated to the rare (when not caused by Discord) reaction of the princess as she was rendered completely speechless. Her head was also visibly shaking in the negative as she watched the pony approach. Her composure remained steadfast save for those wide eyes and her... inability to speak. That couldn't be who it appeared to be. No, the doorway had been destroyed. This must... no... this HAD to be some sort of imposter. It was impossible. "Leave us, please." she'd say with a pleasant tone of voice that was yet betrayed just how unsure and yet.... the steel underneath also spoke volumes. Once everypony had left the room she turned her gaze back to the imposter... Now the ball was in his court as it were...

Discord Draconequus was where he wanted, wherever he wanted. While normally he remained in Chaosville, or was submit to retain presence in Canterlot these days, for obvious reasons, he was content to lounge around on hotter days, causing little more than low water pressure by setting off fire hydrants. He was naught but a coil of fur and feathers. He was difficult to spot, if one was not looking for him, for he was perched at the highest level of the dias, a multicolored rug at the base of its throne. Only a certain, royal, vantage point had the luxury of spying the napping monster. His glass of iced, chocolate milk sat beside him with a half eaten plate (plate was bit into) and left over melon rinds, which he was saving for later! He grew tired of listen to the noble babble, occasionally souring their days if they became too heated 'talking' with Tia. Ice bucket challenges for charity! He felt it was appropriate for soggy nobles. His ears pricked up, but he did not, at first, notice her distress, just a tenseness. For now he was in favor of resting. Another noble was likely sent in, whom she had thought that green jolly was her last. He snickered softly, head shifting to rest on his paw.

Lord Sombra barely noticed the green pony on his way out; most of the ponies here were, in his eyes, beneath him and his notice. He was here for only one purpose.. or a few, depending. As the throne room doors were opened again to allow him in, he was surprised by the lavishness of the room itself. Draperies hanging like oversized ribbons from the ceiling, marble floors, gold throne, tall windows of stained glass. It was all very bright, but none so bright at the figure sitting atop the throne. Sombra strode in, down the carpeted path, at a slow pace as he gazed up at her. It was Princess Celestia. Normally his sharp observation would've lead him to see the small changes in her expression for his advantage, but now it wasn't working for him when those memories and feelings surged up. He loved her.. No, the only pony he'd ever have loved is Hope. Shouldn't he feel nothing but hate and vitriol towards Celestia? Radiant, like the sun. The expression on his face was of blank shock, lips slightly parted. It was a genuine reaction, not something he intended to let slip; but she might fill in the blanks for herself regardless. Sombra struggled to regain his composure and control, helped along by the distraction of movement by the throne. What was that? "Celestia.." Spoken with familiarity.

Princeshë Celestia gazed down at the pony that shouldn't, wouldn't, couldn't be here. Some little voice in the back of her head said that it must be a lie. Was that kelpie involved? He'd placed those two foals into the likeness of her and Luna's mirror forms after all. But this... this was way too far. She froze in her initial plan to scan the pony for illusionary magic. She needed to do so, but she... couldn't... Would it not just hurt more if it was a lie? She was trying to move on, why did it keep coming back to haunt her?! "Why have you come here?" The 'like that' was left out but it was implied since she had little doubt ~ It had to be a trick. The little voice of her subconscious whispered 'That is how the world has always worked, Princess. As long as you let it, ponies will seek to use you for their own gain; as they have for centuries.' This thought caused the alicorn on the throne to wilt and her gaze to fall. She needed to go to the meditation garden. Too much stress.

Discord Draconequus closed his eyes, ears folding back as he settled against the cold, gold dais. His ears were pinned back as his body was still as ice. Even chaos rested, but it was not ceaseless. There was a moment of calm that could be attributed to peace. So long as there was a silent calm he would not rouse. He could not feel the tension from Celestia, nor was the voice of somepony he knew. They did, though, speak familiarly. As these nobles tended not to do. That piqued his interest, but not enough for him to raise his head. His curled antler and twisted horn were curved back towards his head, so laying where he was, at the alicorn's hooves, he was hardly noticeable. His raccoon painted eyes slid open as he turned his gaze towards his melon rinds. A laziness washed over him. He had a half a mind to return to Luna's bed but he would provide Celestia company for now as he planned to spend the night awake with Luna as well. Plus it was too hot to steal Luna's sheets.
Discord Draconequus's coiled body was wrapped around the dais, leaving only his torso at the solar maid's left side. He did not sit at her right, putting her upon his left. As arbitrary as it seemed, there was good reason for this. He would lay upon her left side to protect her, while she remained his support on the right. He tended to settle upon the left to walk. He was old in his fashions, and ancient in his nature. For a creature like him small acts were still meaningful, even if random and chaotic. Especially if they were... He furrowed his brows, ruby eyes turning upward at his mate. These nobles always did manage to get her knickers in a twist. Oh maybe he should get her some knickers so that wasn't such a weird saying. Discord. No. Not now. He turned his gaze up toward Celestia, trying to catch her gaze as she looked down. His head titled and his paw laid pads up, a gentle offering. Did she need to hold it? Did she need him to... turn the visitor into a chicken?

Lord Sombra didn't account for disbelief, or perhaps he did.. His mind was a jumbled one, as were his emotions. They felt genuine, and tricked him on how he was meant to feel, drew him away from what he was supposed to be doing. On one hoof, he knew them to be false.. but the other very clearly stated it to be true. It hurt, and gazing up at Celestia's face made his heart flutter; it disturbed him. Sombra lifted a hoof to his chest, and he looked down at it as though he didn't know what it was. This was a plan, he knew, based on a leap of faith and many improvisations. Clever as he was, Sombra would do his best. "I came for you." His voice, the smoother, richer one of the other world but oh so gentle. "I remember you. Memories have been plaguing me." A rare truth. As Sombra turned that emerald gaze back up to Celestia, he saw the movement of the creature next to her offering a paw. He couldn't be sure of who.. but he did feel a small twinge of something at the sight. "I was not sure what to do."

Radiant Hope had her hood drawn over her head, hazel eyes looking up at the throne from a distance as she watched Sombra do his thing, if this went completely haywire she would jump in but for now kept her power under control.

Princeshë Celestia lowered her head as a terrible shudder ran down her spine. That v-voice! There was a brief blush before it was, admittedly viciously, squashed down. Her head slowly shook again in denial of what she saw before her. "You cannot possibly be him. The one I know with that face is lost on the other side of a broken mirror." Was she telling herself that or talking to him? That was a good question. "Somepony just sent you here to play with my emotions again didn't they." she brought a hoof up to press against her face and wiped a traitorous tear that found its way running down her muzzle. Well good for 'whomever sent him' he did a wonderful job! She was practically shaking and it took all of the centuries of experience to hold herself as regal as possible. She'd caught sight of Discord's offered paw and as she gazed down at the pony that could not be she shifted one hoof to rest upon it. Never had the alicorn been more glad for the draconequus using the dias as a place to nap....

Discord Draconequus had really only been there to be obnoxious, originally. It was always too tense in the throne room. One could thank the creator that the draconequus hasn't found the drive to redecorate.! He rather fancied pink! Twas a bright color that reminded him of cotton candy, and he did love cotton candy! He had never seen Celestia grow so upset over a -- visitor. The mismatched beast pressed his snaggled tooth to his lower lip as his muzzle sneered up. Now he was taking note of something not right. It was mostly due to the mare's distress. When the hoof met his paw he would pull it to his muzzle and touch it to his lips gently, soothingly. His ears pricked up when the solar mistress attempted to stifle a tear. A snort escaped him as he released her hoof so his paw could press to the ground, claw moving to uncurl form his feathered body and push beneath him as well. Standing for him was quite a show, and what was he if not dramatic?
Discord Draconequus curled his body up, much like a lion rousing from slumber, but this was a creature far more dangerous than a lion. A manticore's paw and a griffon's claw he pushed his pony head up, showing off the gnarled, twisted antler and crooked, twisted horn. His lips curled up into a sneer before dropping, ears folding back. His wings spread, giving a flap as his serpentine body curled from around the dais. Red dragon's tail whipped against the air, the white tuft pushing against the back of the throne to help him rise to his legs. Pushing his rump up a dragon's talon and goat's hoof would become visible. He sat himself up fully before tucking his wings away. A glare was turned to the visitor. He could not recognize him, but the mare did mention something of mirror, magic -- the ilk. Posturing as he did the draconequus gave a yawn to display how -- beneath him the visitor was: showing off his predatory jaws.
Discord Draconequus would have just appeared lazy in that regard as he lowered his head to rest on the arm of the throne, his head curled toward Celestia. He mouthed something. "Are you okay?" All she need was say no and the scruffy bag of dust would be a chicken. But he would push to sit up, paw flexing, claws unsheathing in a threatening manner. No, no -- he was just stretching... as he showed off his monstrous parts. Like a shishi he would sit there, protectively, beside the mare, though he did look quite regal, fiercely kirin on some level -- he was still a crooked amalgamation of -- beast.

Lord Sombra didn't have any idea he'd been followed into Canterlot's castle, and that he was being watched even now. He planned it to be a secret from his current band of travelers, so that none of them would interfere, most of all Princess Amore. There'd been plan to tell Hope at some point.. but he never got around to it. Sombra managed to take note of the brief blush that appeared across the solar princess's cheeks, and taken note for different reasons. The one reason at the top spoke of how much it pleased him to still make her blush. Wait, what? He focused on Celestia, and what little she said still spoke volumes of what might've happened to the other king and he switched gears. He felt vicious glee. He felt awful. These were simultaneous reactions to how shaken and upset the princess looked. "My dear Celestia," Sombra began, dropping his hoof, "I have been sent by nopony; 'tis not my intent. This is the issue that I am experiencing.." More truth. He should tell her ever- No.
Lord Sombra squashed the thought viciously and shoved it aside. Half truths, he reminded himself. Lips parted to speak again, and faltered in his distraction when the beast curled around her throne rose up. Posturing. Sombra might not have claws, but he had sharp teeth, and he wasn't going to let some mangled creature get in his way! "I do not wish to hurt you. There is little I understand about this situation, and I sought.. help." Would the old Sombra have sought help? Pshh.

Radiant Hope grew alert in the shadows, hiding the glow of her horn under her hood and hoped the sound was at least slightly dampened by it, after these centuries she did recognize the spirit of disharmony and had to prepare to aid Sombra if needed, even if it was wrong, she would always be in Sombra's corner.

Princeshë Celestia gazed down at Sombra with a gaze that was... confused perhaps? It kept bouncing between different levels of distress as well as agitation. But then she caught what he said and she closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. A quick 'fix' for a tense situation but it might do. The suspicions were pushed back to the edges of her mind as she entertained the notion that this bygone specter from painful memories was not as much of a hoax as she had first thought. "What is your... situation? Please explain it to me." The alicorn glanced at Discord and leaned to give a thankful (and perhaps affectionate) nudge. She knew something wasn't right but... what? This was a situation she dare not confront on her own. Now she somewhat wished she'd told Discord about the mirror world so he knew what was going on. It was only the three (four) of them in the grand hall at the moment. The guards and even Kibitz had been sent away.

Discord Draconequus would fully sit himself. His hind legs were tucked beneath him, properly positioned, but his spine gave an unusual arch, given to one designed as he was. His feathers fluffed a bit, perhaps in display. But it was damn hot for one coated in feathers, scales underlying the majority of his torso. The soft feathers gave cushion, and from his chest up he had skin, grey fur threading down up to his chin. His white beard curled in a rather stereotypical view of wizards. As it should. He was one -- sometimes. He pulled his lips back in a grin, tempted to ask about his scars. What? But never mind the mad smile the spirit offered. Actually, the spirit was indeed riddled with scars. Places where parts shouldn't be, were and parts that shouldn't be were placed. He was indeed a draconequus, but of a different breed and caliber. His ears folded back against the nudge, head moving to brush hers as if pushing it away, but accepting the action wholly.
Discord Draconequus did not appear anything more than just lazy, obnoxious, a cat marking his territory. But he was fishing, checking this fellow. After brushing his head down, across Tia's cheek he moved to lean forward and peer off the dais' edge, knowing well what he did. He was above Sombra, looking down. His smile never faced. "Well, well, help you say? Good thing for you, to have come to such an understanding diarch -- and just who are you? Curious you did not introduce yourself for present company." His brows raised, as if in shock. "But I suppose, my own manners fail me, prithee your pardon.." He pressed his paw to his chest, claw gripping the edge of the dais to hold his wormy body up. "Discord, chaos spirit. Perhaps you've heard of me~?" Egotistical snake. His ears folded back as he offered a toothy smile. He moved to lower back, 'seated' by Celestia. He did not like how she was distressed, not one bit. But he'll wait til he knows more...

Lord Sombra still judged the princess's reactions, sharply determining when something might be appropriate, what course to take. He was still as of yet unaware of Hope's presence far back by the doors. Sombra wasn't sure if Celestia had relaxed, but her question told him something: he was in. The king was, temporarily, halted again by the movements and later question, his face one of confusion. Discord? Here? Why? This might.. complicate things. The Crystal Empire was isolated, but news of great figures still reached it. "She knows who I am." Sombra replied heavily, almost wearily. "Sombra." He avoided flashing his title of King. "I remember being destroyed, but not what followed, and now I am plagued by another's memories. Mine, yet not. I am.. at a loss of what to do, or even who I am, who I might be. Where to go."

Radiant Hope stepped forward from the doors and tossed her hood back, walking halfway down the throneroom and just sat down, looking at the three unblinking, yet intelligence burned deep inside those hazel eyes, horn still aglow and humming.

Princeshë Celestia tried not to let out a bit of a giggle as Discord took that nudge and turned it into some form of attempt to show off. That got her to once again blush as she glanced between 'Sombra' and Discord... The alicorn's eyes closed as she took in what was said and let out a great sigh. So it was Sombra... Or rather King Sombra. A tarnished echo of the stallion she'd cared for behind that mirror. Or was her Sombra a gleaming echo of King Sombra? Knowing that much made it somewhat easier to differentiate ~ even if it was painful.... She had to think like the ruler that she was. "I will give you my aid..." she began only to stand and step down. "But only after a few... concessions." She was fairly more sure, now treating this more like a potentially hostile negotiation. "First and foremost a geas-bound oath that you will bring no harm nor attempt to enslave my little ponies nor those of the Crystal Empire." Her gaze shifted to the new pony and she blinked and stared in shock.

Discord Draconequus had temptations, real ones. The kind that would disbar him from the bedroom kind! His ears folded back as the scruffy rat tried to twist away from the greeting. How ruuuude. Oh but a most devious smile painted his features as he curled his paw under his chin in an airy manner. A large, festive looking hat appeared on the spirit's head. It was colored with -- blacks, greens, and reds, dangling crystals from the bring, shimmering as he bobbled his head tauntingly. "Sombrero? What A peculiar name." He would dematerialize the hat as he snaked back, dragon's tail coiling around his hind quarters. "I would have thought a prettier name, with the way you look." Did he just call Sombra a pretty stallion? Probably! He gave a little chuckle at Celestia's sudden ruffling. He could swoon! In fact he would! "You do seem to take exception towards enslavement. Not even for the mines?" He motioned his paw as if to indicate 'a little', because why not?
Discord Draconequus's feathers had ruffled a bit seeing Celestia. He was quite enthralled by such a fierce mare! His jaws parted a bit as his head turned. The left eagle claw would tuck against his chest. My, my, Tia was up in arms today... but it did make him wonder why. Was this scruffy little pony a threat? "Oh, come now Tia, a pony with such a fabulous mane like that? And those side burns? How could he even harm a mouse~?" A serious expression fell over his features. "Unless he is using mice for those sideburns." He was absolutely chuffed! Settling with all claws, talons, hooves and paw upon the ground his ears swiveled forward. He mouthed to Sombra, while Celestia was turned away: 'What did you do?' For even had did not have to take such an oath! He was trusted on his dishonesty!

Lord Sombra eyed the blush with some curiosity, and the way the pair interacted. Those other memories evoked some sliver of jealousy, for that mirror'd Sombra did love Celestia. His green gaze solely settled on the sunbringer when she offered her aid, only to present something that would make his plans difficult. A geas. Touche, Celestia. He was no stranger to this game; while it wouldn't hinder him for a while, certainly that other version of him could remove it? Sombra considered it, and found his eye drawn back to Discord and the.. strange hat. Ugh. Some surprise flickered over his face at the.. were those compliments? The spirit had to be toying with him. "Sombra." He corrected gently. "No, never again. Surely.. ?" He began to answer Celestia, and his voice trailed off into a questioning tone when her shocked expression fixed upon something past him. Sombra's eye caught upon what was mouthed to him by the spirit, to which he gave a look of confusion, and turned. "Hope?" What was she doing here? She wasn't going to get in the way again, was she? The mare had such a fierce look on her face..

Radiant Hope stared at the sun's ruler impassively, then at Sombra offering a twitch of her ears before she spoke gently. "I still have faith in him.." then teleported from sight back to the village though a sensation could be felt by Sombra as if a spell was been put on halt, a means to teleport back as well if must.

Princeshë Celestia was torn. And she looked visibly so. She had known hope so long ago... But age and experience had marred her naivete when it came to dealing with dangerous individuals. "He may have gained the memories of one close to me, but.... King Sombra is one of the ponies that caused me to despise the very title so." she'd say with a somewhat flat tone of voice. "Destroying a friend and enslaving her ponies..." The bristling alicorn closed her eyes and took another deep breath to reign herself in. Who knows, perhaps this 'Sombra' was more like the one she knew. She really needed to go to the gardens for a while. She should know better than to get riled up... "I have my little ponies to worry about ~ Wh-Whether that means doing what must be done or not." but she yet looked unsure even if she could. "A geas would have been wasted on you, Discord... It likely would have been unable to take hold."

Discord Draconequus smiling he was very sure he would have broken any oath placed upon him. The only tether he has yet to break was that little summoning spell. It dragged against his chaos, drawing him toward its source, against his will mind you. Not that he disliked it, but he disliked being at the tail end of unexpected events! His gaze turned toward the mare who all but vanished when Sombra had looked toward her. "Listen, Sombrero, I am sure you're a nice pony and all, but you know those sideburns just make you look like a seedy villainous sort." Not that -- he had any of those qualities himself, he was just making potshots at this point. He would crawl down from the top where he was perched, moving to walk up from behind Celestia, curling around like a sly house cat. His ears pricked forward as he stilled before passing the solar mare.
Discord Draconequus had a wonderfully, terrible idea. "I shall vouch for you, seeing as you only need help, and everypony deserves help right?" He looked at Tia and smiled before his head slowly turned to face Sombra, a devious smile on his face. This little pony upset Tia and who was he if not the god of chaos and ho ho disharmony? "But in return you have to just strike a little deal with me, nooo magical bindings or some such, so long as you keep my promise, nothing bad will happen to anypony." He thought carefully. "Oh, if it's all well and good with you Tia, I mean , it is your kingdom, but things seem a bit tense between you and.. this. A neutral party should help negotiate these matters. I wouldn't want you to... make too harsh a judgement." he raised his paw to rest it on the mare's shoulder.
Discord Draconequus vanished and appeared standing beside Sombra, on all fours, with his head held high and upon it a laurel wreath. "Et tu..." He grumbled before sitting. He held out his paw. "An promise of peace. If you promise to remain peaceful, darkness shall not befall our causes." Though should one be making any sort of deals with a snake? We all know how many apples the Muses lost after that one. "I mean you don't haaaave to take it, the geas is much more restrictive." he hissed in amusement. In the pan, or the fire. Those were the choices, huh?

Lord Sombra stared at Hope, aghast, but she did nothing so extreme as he'd assumed she would. Instead, she departed with.. optimistic words. Still have faith in him. What did she mean by that, exactly? He stared at the spot she had been just prior, aware of that recall that she'd left behind in her teleportation. All he had to do was step into it.. but only if things began to get too bad; but things were already going sour. Sombra didn't account for the memories' influence on him. He turned away, facing down the princess of the sun, and the spirit of chaos himself. Sorry, not sorry. "I would rather leave such.. mistakes to the past." Sombra replied, green gaze shifting towards Discord when he moved near Celestia. A hoof almost drifted up to his own face at the quip on his sideburns, but he pushed it back down. Seedy? He bristled inwardly. As for the matter of darkness, was he not already that, as an umbrum? Shadows? Sombra lifted a hoof towards the offered paw and paused; he didn't know what Discord might have in store for him, or what he might know.. After such a meeting as this, he felt like he needed to go punch a wall (or send somepony to the mines) just to regain some sense of his old self; because he found himself sorely tempted, those memories, to tell Celestia that Amore yet lived. She'd already seen Hope! "I do desire to start over, and forge something better, but I might also like to know this deal first? I mean nopony no harm."

Princeshë Celestia looked towards Discord with a somewhat searching expression. Discord seemed awfully driven to bring Sombra into this.... deal of his. But the question was... could she trust the draconequus? Discord always had his own agenda; whatever that may be. Could she really trust him to look after the interests of her ponies? She closed her eyes and let out a defeated sigh. "Do whatever you wish, Discord. Just make sure that nopony is hurt." The alicorn turned and walked back up towards the throne where she. "King Sombra once threatened the element of Kindness amongst the other ponies of the Crystal Empire." she turned her head to the Sombra before her. "You claim to be 'Sombra' ~ a mix between both the Sombra I knew and the depraved tyrant ~ but just how much of the king lays underneath." She made no effort to even hide the fact she was giving that information just to make sure Discord was serious about this 'deal' of his and this wasn't just another.... Nessie. Wait, was she also trying to needle the pony to see what sort of reaction he'd have?

Discord Draconequus flexed his paw a bit when Sombra hesitated. While the pads of his Manticore paw looked soft and inviting, those unsheathed claws flexed from his the digits wereally far less inviting. He glanced back at Celestia, peering over his shoulder. So long as it wasn't a pony, right? He sucked his fangs with a bit of a tsk sound, as his ears folded back to listen in the mare's direction. He ignored Sombra's question a moment. "Of course~ I would never, intentionally, do harm." After all what fun was a game without players. He looked to Sombra with a smile. "My deal is clear cut... you will be let, aught, to the direct quiddity of the matter: if you refrain from a sanction of anabis, and also remain transparent: I shall be sanguine with my actions, acting with oversight and unbending." His contrary manner of speaking dictated that he would refrain from being himself, so long was peace maintained, or his more impersonal behaviors would not impair Sombra's advances. It was difficult to stamp down a meaning to his words. "I would never drreaaam of hurting Tia." Or seeing her hurt....

Lord Sombra made sure to hesitate for as long as possible from striking any sort of deal with the god of chaos, or even Princess Celestia. He'd never known much about the sunbringer, but this meeting was telling him more than what he'd heard about her, which was very, very good. He had to ignore the feelings that were coming from that other's memories, had to stay above them, if he hoped to get the advantages he wanted.. but it'd been very difficult thus far. His hoof still hovered a short distance from Discord's lion's paw as he watched Celestia return to her throne, ears perked and focused on what she said. She was sharp. Sombra had also, apparently and unwittingly, managed to make some mix of both himself and the good king when he'd been leaning for only one; it created confusion, and he preferred causing confusion.. Depraved tyrant. Good, she understood how much of a threat he was, how much of a threat he could be even now. Sombra turned his face up towards the draconequus, listening closely, trying to determine what Discord was saying. Trying to say. Discord had a very confusing way of talking. "I've no intention to hurt the ponies here." Which was the truth, he just wanted to regain the Crystal Empire, and was here for information he could use. His hoof moved towards Discord's paw, brow wrinkling ever so slightly. Surely he wouldn't be an issue, as Sombra had no intention to cause problems here.. other than the apparent emotional upset. "There is something else, information of which I wish to offer up to you, dear Celestia. As you have seen, Radiant Hope is still.. alive. There is one other who still yet lives, too. You may be interested to hear it, and see her again." While it could be skewed as a threat.. it wasn't. It was a simple statement. A hook; now he just needed to see if Celestia would bite. He had a reason, born of inspiration, on why he was actually going to tell her now.

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Celestia let out a bit of a sigh and her ears fell as she sat back on her throne. Her analytical mind was in shock at the presence of Sombra… But yet… When it was said that another besides Radiant Hope might have survived she didn’t even twitch. Of course others might… What other ghosts from the past would claw their way into the present? Finally the alicorn turned her gaze back up to Sombra and Discord. “Who else has survived?” the alicorn was almost the epitome of calm at the moment. She noted full well that Sombra only said he didn’t intend to hurt the ponies here. That didn’t mean he intended no harm to ponies outside of the walls of this chamber, nor the ponies in the Crystal Empire who had already suffered enough at his hooves.

The alicorn looked back up at Discord and let her gaze remain on the Draconequus. It already felt like there was some vice squeezing on her 'old' heart ~ And it was making her feel all the more numb... "I will help you, Sombra... If only in his memory. I also trust Discord to keep you hooving his line at the very least.." A pony should always know better than to make a deal with Discord with anything other than succinct terms. Heavens above she knows that well....

"Times have changed, and I'm going against everything I should do; your claims or not. However fool me twice, shame on me... And I will not make the same mistake thrice."

The alicorn's facade softened and she turned her gaze to the spot where Hope had once stood with a small smile that slowly fell into a thoughtful frown. As much as it would hurt her to have to fight old friends as well as Sombra. It was obvious that Hope would do anything for the former King.... ~ T'was best not think about it. She would rectify her mistake if the need arose.

She turned back to the 'former' king and offered a genial, if perhaps kind, smile. For now she'd give him the benefit of the doubt. "Now, what is it that you require? Information? Access to the public section of the Canterlot Archive? Perhaps something to eat even?"

The alicorn needed to get with the minds at the school of magic. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

[Deleted]

Discord took great delight in taking advantage of ponies. But this was no ordinary pony. He was what Discord wanted to be... a King. So the jealous, envious creature would be more tactful in showing his discrimination. Why could he have, what Discord could not? His arrogance was becoming, why Discord could even say they could be brothers-in-arms if he wasn't so fluffy. The muffhead really should take better care not to dress so -- stupidly. Capes? Who wore capes anymore? Not even superheroes wore capes anymore! Beyond his edgy attempt to be cool with those ragged head curls... Discord did not like him. Well that aside his very existence seemed to fluster Celestia. He did not like to see that she was so distraught. Not even he could distress Celestia in such a matter and he has tried to enslave her country. Discord smiled warmly as Celestia spoke. He made sure to take Sombra's hoof in his as he expelled a bit of chaos magic into the mix. Was -- the deal going to be magically sealed? What was that? If Sombra refused the deal thought it would be of no consequence.

"Hoo, yes, yes. Keeping you in like would be my pleasure." He grinned, slithering his forked tongue out at the king.

He shifted his eight and turned back towards the throne. The male moved to sit beside Celestia, his back to Sombra in, what Discord could profess, is the rudest gesture any pony could make short of talking about one's mother being a cow. The spirit flexed his wings, head curling to Celestia in the way a dragon rose over his hoard. Yes, yes. The solar mare was one of his preciouses. He wouldn't let anyone, but himself, be the cause of them having a big, bad, no -good, very bad day. He nicker-purred softly and chuckled. He had a devious idea, far more insulting than his deal.

"Why not take him on a tour of the Kingdom Tia. Show him the dungeons, or perhaps even permit him to see your little wall of shame." You know, where it chronicled his defeat? While he hated that wall, it would perhaps keep Sombra recognizing that only only pony could ruin their kingdom, and he was sitting right there. Waves of spoiled brat were rolling off the big foal.

[Mal]

Despite everything that King Sombra was, he'd been quite truthful on the matter. He had no intention to harm anypony in Canterlot. His squabble wasn't with them, or Equestria. It was with the Crystal Empire. For the time being, all he wanted was his kingdom back. Would he enslave the crystal ponies again? He'd already found the door he was looking for far before the royal sisters came to seal him in ice, so he had no need of slavery or the mines.. or did he? That would take some time to think on; they'd certainly not follow his rule willingly. They were afraid.

Sombra paid close attention to Celestia as she took the bait. It didn't matter if she wanted to or not, or if it was curiosity, or even a need for information to fulfill. He had her. A claw wrapped around his hoof and he stiffened, having not expected Discord to close the gap.. and something like magic was in it. Ew. He was glad to withdraw his hoof from Discord's grasp as quickly as possible and fixed Celestia with a charming, gracious smile. He hadn't answered right away for the sake of.. a dramatic pause. There were still a few theatrics in the king, if just for his own amusement.

"I wouldn't dare ask so much of you, lovely sun." Sombra hadn't missed Discord's attitude towards him. Two could play at that game! Any expressions he wanted to make at Discord, any of the annoyance he felt at the court's jester, he kept inward and let Discord sit himself back by the throne.

"I only wish to ask for a place to stay for only a little while, and to figure out why such memories haunt me so. I have no desire to tarry on thy doorstep a moment longer than I should." Sombra made it clear he was only going to be here for a short time, not forever; it would better explain it when he later left for the Crystal Empire, when he got what he wanted of this place. "As for the other matter, I must confess."

"When I first took control of the Crystal Empire, I turned the princess to crystal and shattered her, spreading her shards across Equestria. I did it out of rage, and hurt. Radiant Hope was so desperate to bring her back, and I couldn't let that happen. I regret it now. However.. She has been brought back together, and given the healing magic required to give her life. Alive, and remembers everything still. Princess Amore."

There was much truth in it, and as much truth as he dared give, but he left out a vital detail: the other Starswirl. He didn't know if the sisters ever knew the Starswirl the Bearded of this world, but it would very much surprise them if the old goat followed him back to the castle. Yet another thing, another detail left out purposefully, to keep them unbalanced. "Amore is back at my camp, with Hope. I can bring them both to the castle, if you'll allow it." Sombra left it at that, then, and shifted his emerald gaze over towards Discord where he had his back to the king, an eyebrow arched at this mention of a 'wall of shame.' What wall was that? Painful memories of Celestia's that she kept chronicled? This he'd like to see.

[Deleted]

Celestia twitched and half failed to hold back a blush as Sombra referred to her as ‘lovely sun’. Damn it stop toying with her! The alicorn was rather pleased to see that Discord and Sombra made their deal, and when the Draconequus moved to join her once again she dipped her head to offer the Draconequus an affectionate nudge. She was unable to reduce the blush though nor the little smile that had briefly appeared.

A smile that she suddenly found nigh uncontrollable after Discord suggested she take Sombra on a tour and show him the ‘wall of shame’ as it were! The poor alicorn first giggled but then the giggle developed into a laugh that lasted well over a minute or two. That was the laugh she needed! Show Sombra the ‘wall of shame’!

The adorable overgrown foal of a draconequus…

“I’m not sure Sombra would like to see the~” she tried to hold back another giggle. “Wall of shame…” there was a telling smile on her muzzle but some part of her desired the king to actually ask for the offer.

When Sombra began to speak of Hope and… Princess Amore.. her eyebrows raised. The alicorn’s attention turned to him again and she let out a sigh. “You may feel free to bring both Hope and… Princess Amore here. A few of the guest chambers will be prepared for you” Hearing that familiar name after all this time caused her to hesitate.

Part of the reason she held more resentment towards the dark king over somepony like say… Discord… was that he’d actually ‘slain’ someone she called friend. It was somwhat personal.

“Is there anything else I should notify the guards about?”

[Deleted]

Discord leaned his skull close to nuzzle the mare in return. That blush though. It wasn't hard to spy it marring her white fur. Had he more than just annoyance for the truffle, and instead held a scathing hatred for him: he perhaps would have tempted to slither his tongue out to give the mare a little, teasing lick, really show off. But he would remain poised, pronounced, and particularly petulant toward the ant of a pony.

The draconequus' fur and feathers bristled at the term. Lovely sun? His ears pricked forward as his head shifted to turn an eye toward the charming bastard. If one could tap into the chaotic leylines that made up the spirits magic there was a minor spike. Not enough to cause anything major, but somewhere out there a pony misplaced one of his white socks. The absolute -- disgust that rumbled from Discord. But pet names? Was he serious? Sure he called them by nicknames. Pet names? Urfgh. He felt his stomach lurch with the lunch he just had. Watermelon everywhere, would be messy. Though he was rather tempted to mallet that melon-shaped head of his. That little truffle.... His gaze narrowed, but before he could really speak out Tia went a fit with giggles. His brow arched, lips curling a bit at her amusement. He always loved their laughter. His jokes were not something he just smashed together! They were very thoughtful. That and he just liked making his little alicorn laugh.

There was a smug sense of accomplishment when he could make Celestia lose composure in such a manner. Shifting his weight he pushed to stand. All this political talk was making his ass numb. Shaking out his fur and feathers he slid himself between the mare and stallion, ears pinning back as his lips curled up in that trademark grin. "Oh, let us not forget the chemicals he must use to keep his hair so much resembling a dish scrubbing clump." He shot. "They mustn't be allowed. And I must protest putting him in a guest room. He is a king, isn't he? He should be put where there is more security. We wouldn't want him... assassinated or something terrible like -- dare I suggest: whoopie cushioned." He pressed his paw to his chest most dramatically.

[Mal]

There was some sort of satisfaction in Sombra to see how he'd made Celestia blush. Was it the memories of the other he held, expressing such emotion at seeing her flustered or was it at his own, cruel amusement? Either way, he was flirting, despite himself.. or perhaps to spite Discord. Arrogant worm. He had many scathing things to say that took a great deal of effort and self control to hold back. He mustn't let Discord make him lose face. The plan he set forth with was perfect, and it would work no matter the interference of one chaotic spirit.

King Sombra's cruel thoughts towards Discord crumbled at the sound of the giggle that came from Celestia. It was a pleasant sound, like the pure, tinkling notes of chimes or crystal. Yet why was she laughing so? His head tilted and he caught more mention of her 'wall of shame.' Perhaps it wasn't the chronicles of her failures, after all, if she found such mirth in it, or there was a joke therein that was going straight over his head.

"I do profess, I am curious about this wall you speak of." Sombra admitted, calmly. His green gaze switched to Discord again when he altered his position, placing his snake's body between the king and Celestia. The very insults falling from the spirit's lips drew his old ire again, but Sombra knew how to handle this. It was a subtle back-and-forth game of passive-aggressiveness, and he knew how to play it well enough, just as he knew how to wrap a pony around his hoof, knew how to pick apart their deepest fears from the simplest of clues. He put an ironshod hoof to his chin in thought.

"I don't believe so, my dear Celestia, and I wish to thank you for your hospitality. You have my deepest gratitude." King Sombra acknowledged Celestia first, as though Discord's underhoofed insults meant nothing to him. He did sigh, though, as though he found them most wearying, too. He had to be most subtle, if it meant avoiding any consequences from Celestia; their exchange of affection throughout the entire meeting hadn't gone past his sharp eyes.

"I request you show a little more respect, if you will, Discord. I know nothing of such chemicals," a way of saying his perfectly kept mane was completely natural, "and I have taken great care so that it does not resemble an old mane brush." Discord's mane was implied, that stiff ridge of black bristles on the back of his neck. "I think I will be quite safe within this castle." Sombra had no concept of modern day objects, such as whoopie-cushions, to even know what Discord spoke of. He was powerful enough that he was self-assured, confident, that nopony could possibly kill him or catch him unawares. Arrogant, in short, but his power was nothing to be laughed at.

[Deleted]

Celestia tried not to giggle as Discord reacted to Sombra’s use of a pet name. However her amusement turned back to Sombra as he expressed a desire to see the ‘wall of shame’. “The wall is simply an article of… important events in Equestrian history.” she let out a long sigh to try to regain her composure. It was terribly hard with the level of foalishness even the dark king was showing. She was definitely old enough to know the passive aggression game! It was actually rather amusing to sit back and watch the fireworks fly.

Alas the alicorn shook her head at the jibes about Sombra’s hair from Discord, though a small smile escaped once again and she seriously had to hold back a chortle when Sombra returned with a comment about an old mane brush…

“Now, now, my dear colts… Do play nice.” she chastised with a small smirk upon her muzzle. The alicorn stepped down from the throne and started to make her way past Sombra and towards the large double doors. “If you two are finished posturing I’m sure we could show Sombra the… ‘wall of shame.” she nearly let out another giggle at that. She had no idea why Discord calling it that tickled her funny bone so.

Perhaps this whole situation still had her a little upset…

[Deleted]

Discord never really liked that wall. It showed off mistakes he has made in the past. The spirit really was inclined to take a wrecking ball to it, but he did like seeing himself on it. Ahhh the woes of balancing his arrogance and egotism! Really they got him into trouble! If it were up to him the wall would show all of his glorious exploits across the land. But were he to honestly think about it... that was not something he wished to show Celestia and Luna. He had spread chaos far and wide, if only to get back at them. He is not sure how many balances he had ruined, nor peoples he has ruined in his tome trolling for a way to really spark their attention and force them out of their little castle to face him... it had worked eventually. But the cogs he set into motion... he could not remember. It was waht worried him most.

His lips curled back, ears folding against his skull. "Respect is earned." The snake bit venomously. "If you want it, try acting the part." Hoo, this little truffle was saucy, but the spirit wasn't going to let him get under his fur. He had plans. Wonderful, devious plans.

He really did not like the pony flirting with Celestia as he was. Did he not recognize the very role he had, sitting at her side? He snorted defiantly. He glanced back at Tia's remark, brows furrowing. Colt? He was a several thousand and plus year old beast! He'd do whatever he pleased! Grunting the spirit pushed off the ground to float. "Oh yes, by all means, show him the wall." The draconequus had a sly smirk on his muzzle, as if he knew something Sombra didn't.

Well -- he did!

He fiddled with that wall regularly, sometimes entertaining visitors by making images move.

Yes, yes... into my parlour...

[Mal]

King Sombra did try his best to appear above it all, as aggravating as Discord was. If only he had a chance to talk to Celestia alone, perhaps things would have run.. a bit smoother. His attention was grabbed by the solar maiden again, giggling aside, as she explained her 'wall of shame' to display important events in history. Equestrian history. He certainly wouldn't mind taking a look at it, out of curiosity, to get a gist of what has happened in Equestria. There was still so little he knew about the country; he still didn't know if they had different currency, or if they used gems like the Crystal Empire did. Questions, questions..

Being called a colt by Celestia, even though it was also aimed at Discord, finally prompted Sombra to allow himself to make a face. He wrinkled his snout in protest to being called a colt, an expression he let fade naturally despite the chaotic spirit's venomous retort. Respect.

He was a king and in his mind he deserved respect.

Sombra's attention was pulled back to Celestia when she rose from her throne, and passed by him on the way out of the room. She was taller than he remembered, though he'd grown tall himself, and he felt something ripple through his coat at her passing. Those damned memories again, or were they something.. more? They confused him, even now, and he was having such a hard time trying to separate realities; headache-inducing, those were. Sombra gave a flick of his tail and shook his head to clear it, turning to follow after Princess Celestia. He caught the sly smirk on Discord's thin face as he did, and allowed a mixed look of confusion and suspicion. What was it, then? Were they laughing at him all along? He would have to wait and see..

Sombra trailed after Princess Celestia's long-legged stride with his usual gait.

[Deleted]

Celestia took the opportunity offered by the brief walk to the large double doors to center herself. Her facade seemed to be back operational again even if she would need to visit the gardens soon. This made sure of that. She had been negligent in her duties within her own mind. Having Luna back as well as the ‘friendship’ of Discord… it was wonderful. Almost like back before she and Luna began to rule. Call her sentimental but she enjoyed that feeling.

Somber was… an unknown variable. Perhaps while he is here she could get a vague understanding of his motives. What might his companions say? It would be nice to speak with both Radiant Hope and Princess Amore again…

She stretched out her magic to open the double doors for their little group to proceed, and then with but a turn it was off towards the wall of ‘shame’ as it were. “Canterlot became the capitol after the Everfree Castle became inhospitable. Unfortunately due to that the wall begins around that time period.” she began.

Eventually they came to the hall in question and she came to stop and gazed up at the window depicting Discord's first defeat... Then another window which showed well... It was akin to the 'wall of shame' Sombra thought Discord spoke of... She tried not to look at it.

[Deleted]

The spirit allowed his body to hover. If one took a moment to inspect the chimeric beast: he did not appear to use magic. Floating as such was second nature for him. Perhaps he pushed against gravity, or simply manipulated the natural chaos existent in the universe to float. It was better explained through the concept of his refusal of time. He floated along the boundaries between universes. The curving split between this world and the next. All really complicated.

He simply floated without magic.

When Celestia moved forward the spirit of chaos cut passed Sombra so he was at the mare's flank. And what a lovely flank it was! Rainbow cotton candy was delightful~! Not as tasty as pink, buuuut... He paw raised up so it pressed to her rump. He would attempt to push off to vanish and reappear in front of the doors before the solar princess opened them. He again, used no visile magic, but it had been something. As it something bent, or pushed put of his way, much like a pegasus breaking the sound barrier. In his case it was the barrier of time.

He flashed into the room so he was waiting for them both before they entered. He sat upon his haunches in front of his window. "Honestly this depiction doesn't do my terror justice!" He cocked his head, cooing.

The following window was of Luna's corruption. How he did enjoy toying around with that form. Alas ~! The snake chuckled as he pushed to stand on all fours. While hardly comparable in size to an alicorn, he was quite intimidating with his predatory features and true evil nature which he retained. He may be 'reformed', but it did not mean he was without sin.

"I can only imagine how frightening it must be to immortalize such destructive forces in delicate glass." He winked at Celestia. "I love the irony darling." He marched toward Sombra and if the truffle didn't flinch back the spirit would circle him like a vulture. "Fierce, unrelenting powers always sought to burden the kingdom...and yet..." he curled his head down so his lips would graze over Sombra's ear as his spoke, his hot breathe exhaling as his sharp, snaggled tooth ghosted over the fuzzy cartilage. "...yet you're not there... " He finished circling him and walked toward Tia where he would invade her space.

This act was not only to draw her thoughts from her burdensome worries, but hide Sombra from her gaze. "And yet things work out for the kingdom." He finished the sentence, as if he hadn't finished just injecting the poisonous thoughts into Sombra's mind. He nosed the mare, reassuring her. Luna was here and all would be well.

She just needed to keep her spirits up!

[Mal]

The king made sure to keep pace with the tall alicorn mare, although his forward progress was briefly halted by the draconequus as he slipped past in front, and touched Princess Celestia's flank with a paw. There was something about that that bothered him so, but he tried to stifle it and keep his expression neutral. Keep his patience. Soon, all of this will be dealt with and he can retrieve Hope and Amore from their little encampment..

He just had to play nice a little while yet.

Sombra followed Celestia through the halls to the place she spoke of, which hadn't been all that far from the throne room itself. It was a decorative room, long but not as large as the throne room had been, with stained glass windows set at intervals. The scenes the stained glass windows depicted drew his interest quickly, and he pointedly lingered over the window that showed Discord's first defeat, eying it with curiosity. The sisters defeated him, and had turned him to stone.

"I see." He mused, and stepped on to the second window in line. Princess Luna, or more importantly, Nightmare Moon being banished by Princess Celestia. Again he noticed the strange, six gems of different colors appeared in this window as it had the first with Discord. His gaze was briefly blocked by the circling spirit himself, and he held his head back.. only to have lips brushing at his ear. It twitched, but Sombra stood tall, yet one lip was slightly curled to reveal the glint of teeth. Normal teeth. "So after my time." He clarified, as though in defense to the chaotic god's teasing.

It bothered him so.

"I did hear something of what happened.. with your sister." He addressed Celestia. "How she went dark and you banished her for a thousand years. The same amount of time as I. I could almost jest that you find banishments a useful punishment." There was no malice to his words, or any attempt to make Princess Celestia look bad, but it was certainly a thought that had been on his mind for a while. Sombra moved on, going down the way to see what else the windows' depictions showed him.

[Deleted]

Celestia remained quiet, although her head did jerk around to gaze upon Discord as his paw pressed to her rump. All accompanied with a rather humorless expression with an eyebrow raised. On one hoof it was rather endearing to have Discord seemingly marking his territory in such a way. But did he really have to try to antagonize the ‘former’ Dark King?

Then Discord was waiting before the doors to the room, and then once again he vanished and was waiting for them in the chamber. Some ponies liked to liken it to a chapel. That notion amused her a little, but it was also rather irritating in a sense. Alas the alicorn let out a quiet snort. “Most ponies who lived during your reign had no wish to relive it even for a glass depiction: I believe that speaks rather well for your ‘terror’….

The alicorn gazed up at the glass depicting her defeat of Nightmare Moon with an unreadable expression. It was because she was distracted in that way that she missed Discord and Sombra’s interaction. Alas she was brought out of those thoughts as Discord nosed her and drew her attention from the image.

The alicorn let out a smile and seems to be fine. ~ At least until Sombra spoke.

Initially her gaze simply turned to the unicorn as he spoke of hearing what happened. But then he continued and mentioned the thousand year limit… And the fact it was a similar amount as he. ~ He may have said that comment in jest, but it hurt.

Initially the alicorn recoiled as if struck and her gaze lowered, but then she bit her lower lip and gave the dark king a look fit to kill. Like he very well could have spontaneously combusted. Did parts of her mane even ignite momentarily? But just as quick as the fire had appeared it was gone but her expression remained un-amused.

“If you have his memories you should very well have some clue how banishing Luna affected me. Please do not speak of things you do not know.” Had the temperature gone up by about twenty-five degrees, or even a shade more, in that room?

[Deleted]

Seemed quite proud of that thought. It was comforting. At least someponies feared him! Not that it was at all comforting to be reminded of having his can kicked across the playground. Twice. "Stone itches you know. And you can't scratch!" He would say, wraping his forearms around himself. Oooh the horror. He has also grown to greatly dislike pigeons. Strange that.

While Celestia was lost in thought Discord relished in sinking his fangs, so to speak, into the so-called king. There wasn't anything very kingly about him. Unless you counted that absurd mane. What was it with royals and ridiculous mane styles? His own short, stiff mane was a result of his ancient genetics. He may have been a spirit, but he was a draconequus first. He returned to Celestia to soothe her, but as he attempted to calm her Sombra said something most vexxing. It was far from his teasing about ropes. No, no. This was far more...


Amusing.

Did the truffle just put his hoof in his mouth? Had that been on purpose or accident? No... one could not be so - satisfyingly crass. He felt his heart flutter. The things he could do to him, the things he could say~. He had already compiled a list of come-backs in his head. The limp-wristed goon actually went there! It was as if it was Hearth's Warming Eve! He had been given the gift that keeps on giving.

Humiliation.

Discord was all but ready to drop the theatrical mic on his ass, until an ironic chill crawled down his spine. Glancing to the mare, he could have sworn she became one of the captureable critters from Bygone's little hoofheld. Ooh~. He was a might turned on by her anger. Sadly he had not been the one to cause it. But now he could aggressively salt those wounds.

He moved to stand. Reaching his forelimbs out he would rest a paw and claw on Celestia's shoulders. "Now, as a king I would like to think you would have more tact than to talk about somepony's sister." Tsk, tsk, tsk. He murred. "Perhaps we should reevaluate our etiquette. Perhaps some tea to calm down?" He offered Tia a gently, sly expression. "You are being incredibly hospitable. Now we cannot blame Sombrero for his social faux pas. He has, after all, lived beneath a rock, or was hit by one. I can't quite recall the excuse he gave." He legitimately forgot. He was too busy crooning over the possibility of humiliating the truffle.

And there he went and did it himself!

Ohhh ho ho ho!