"ALL ABOARD!"

Pinkie jumped as she heard the loud order come from the train's conductor, who was impatiently looking down at his pocket watch, then at the boarding train riders. With a sigh, she picked up her luggage and stood up from her seat on the wooden bench just outside the train.

'I wish Mr. and Mrs.Cake could come with me...' she thought glumly, casting a bereft look back at the station. Her employers and adopted family were waving enthusiastically at her, beaming as she glanced back at them. Despite her inner turmoil, PInkie smiled widely at them and returned their wave, then bounced onto the train for good effect.

She couldn't risk them seeing her sadness.

As soon as she was out of their line of sight, she ceased her bouncing and went back to walking, her eyes turning downcast as she did. But, she knew she couldn't stay like that for long, she realized as she reached the door to the train car where she would be staying.

Pinkie sighed as she put her hand on the handle, then took a deep breath to prepare herself for the trials she would face on the train ride.

"Is something the matter, ma'am?" asked the conductor, who had stepped onto the train and closed the doors off so no one else could get on.

Pinkie put on her best fake smile and turned back to the conductor. "I'm just a bit tired, is all!" she replied, adding a small giggle for extra emphasis.

The conductor blinked in surprise. "Oh, well, then," he said, not sure how to respond to her perkiness, "have fun, then."

Pinkie nodded while giggling. "I will!" she said, then opened the door to the train car.

'But I won't,' she added to herself silently, but her thoughts didn't betray her expression.

Pinkie took the time to examine the train car and it's inhabitants, which were, not a surprise to her, her friends from Canterlot High.

Rarity and Fluttershy were chatting it up with one another, more than likely discussing all the new venues and shops that the northern districts held.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack were getting into one of their many adrenaline filled arguments, their foreheads ramming into each other as their voices' volumes raised to match their vigor.

And Sunset Shimmer, who was seated in a train seat by herself, was looking out the window, her eyes glazed over from deep thought.

Pinkie held back her urge to sigh at how easily everyone was chatting, how easy-going they were. They didn't have to worry about people finding their emotions fake or their conversations not having a place to go. They were blessed with free speech, unknowing and uncaring of the one friend who had lost that gift only a couple years prior.

Rainbow looked up from her screaming match with Applejack for a brief moment to spot Pinkie and grinned toothily.

"S'up, Pinks?" Rainbow called out, reclining in her seat with her arms crossed behind her head.

Pinkie held back the urge cringe under the gazes of all her friends, who were waiting expectantly for her to say something worthy of her pinkness.

Pinkie forced herself to smile brightly. "Hi, guys!" she chirped, practically skipping over to the seat by Sunset Shimmer.

"It was really nice of you to bring us on the trip with you, Pinkie!" Fluttershy said, smiling at her, "I mean, how often do people get the chance to see the Crystal Empire?"

Pinkie smiled back at her as she sat down by Sunset. "I know, right?" she replied, "I've always wanted to go!" The first truthful thing she said all day.

Applejack nodded in agreement. "Ah hear that it's called that 'cause whenever the light hits all the glass buildings, it looks like a kingdom of crystals!" she exclaimed, glancing out the window briefly, "Ah can't wait til we get there!"

"I agree!" Rarity called out, "I've been dying to get a look at all the styles they have there!"

"Didn't you say you wanted to open a shop there?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes!" Rarity answered enthusiastically, "Think about how wonderful it'd be to have a shop here in Canterlot and in the Empire!"

Applejack chuckled. "Always with fashion, Rares," she said with an eye roll.

As the girls continued their conversation, Pinkie found herself zoning out of the real world as she turned her attention to the window. She could make out the defining features of her reflection in the glass, the world on the other side totally lost on her as she focused on herself.

'That reminds me of...' she started to think to herself, then stopped as she realized where she was going with it. She shook her head lightly and chided herself for almost going into that section of her life.

'I can't think about that... I can't think about...' her thoughts trailed off as she looked away from the window.

'...him.'

Pinkie was staring at the beakers with sheer scrutiny, letting out a hum of thought as she did. She continued to look at the somewhat reflective glass, the curve of the contained misshaping her reflection.

"Pinkie, the beakers are meant for class purposes, not for ogling at your reflection," she heard a voice say.

Pinkie turned to look at who had spoken to her and felt her heart skip a beat as heat came to her cheeks.

"Sorry, Mr.Sombra," she replied, looking away for a brief moment to hide her blush.

Mr.Sombra crossed his arms as he gave her a somewhat interested look, pondering as to why she was so coy in the matter of science equipment.

She heard him chuckle. "Do you even know the class procedure?" he asked her, obviously enjoying her embarrassment.

Pinkie frowned at him. "Yes," she told him, crossing her arms.

Mr.Sombra quirked a brow upwards. "Really?" he questioned, still disbelieving.

She tried to hide her embarrassment as she continued to stare at him defiantly, forcing her cheeks to remain their normal pink color.

"...No," she said finally, looking away from him.

He chuckled again. "Would you like me to show you?" he suggested, grinning at her.

She smiled and nodded.

"Alright, so it goes like this..."

"Pinkie?"

Pinkie blinked. "Huh?" she questioned, looking around in search of whoever broke her out of her thoughts.

"You kind of zoned out," said Sunset, who shyly looked away from Pinkie's gaze, "is something on your mind?"

Before Pinkie could answer, she heard Rainbow let out a laugh.

"Please!" she exclaimed, "Nothing ever bothers Pinks!"

The others nodded and let out noises of agreement, saving Pinkie from making an explanation as to why she was so immersed in her thoughts.

"Yeah!" Pinkie agreed, "I was just thinking about all the sweets the Empire has!"

Everyone laughed at that.

"You might get some recipe ideas while you're there!" Rarity pointed out.

"Yeah!" Pinkie answered, "Who knows what kinds of stuff they got there?"

As everyone went on to talk about the Empire, Pinkie excluded herself from the conversation again, but was careful not to zone out like she did.

She wasn't going to think about him, she told herself. She wasn't going to remember that day after graduation.

"Freedom!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, pumping her fist into the air, "We have freedom!"

All the girls shared a laugh as Rainbow continued to celebrate their graduation, the thing they had been waiting for since their arrival at high school.

"I can't wait to get to work in my shop knowing I have a diploma!" Rarity exclaimed, closing her eyes as she let out a squeal of joy, "I am so delighted!"

"Ah wouldn't say 'delighted' is how Ah feel," Applejack said with a laugh, "but Ah am glad to say that Ah don't have to do another science project ever again!"

"Just wait 'til you have kids, AJ!" Rainbow exclaimed, laughing when Applejack's face went red.

"Ugh, Rainbow!" Applejack called out, giving Rainbow a playful glare, "Ah can say the same for you, Future Mrs.Soarin!"

Rainbow's cheeks flushed red. "Sh-Shut up!" she shouted, "We're just teammates!"

Pinkie laughed. "And what about that party at the bakery a couple weeks ago?" Pinkie suggested, "You guys seemed pretty friendly!"

"GAH!" Rainbow cried out, "I'm going to get some punch!"

All the girls watched as Rainbow stomped off in a huff, her cheeks puffed up in anger.

"Look who's at the punch table!" Fluttershy whispered, nudging Pinkie in the side.

Pinkie held back a laugh as she saw that Soarin was at the punch table, unbeknownst to Rainbow, who was still in a red mood.

"Oh, this Ah gotta see!" Applejack called out, rushing over to the table.

Rarity rolled her eyes. "I don't know about you two," Rarity said to Fluttershy and Pinkie, "but I'm going to enjoy my time as an adult!"

Fluttershy nodded. "I'm so excited! I can now apply for full shifts at the animal shelter now!" she exclaimed giddily, then toned down when she realized her own excitement, "I mean, uh, I think it's a great thing..."

"What about you, Pinkie?" Rarity asked, looking over to her, "Care to join us?"

Pinkie nodded. "Yeah!" she answered ecstatically, "I can't wait til I see--" She stopped short when she realized that who she was hoping to see was nowhere in her line of vision.

"See who?" Rarity questioned, quirking a brow upwards in confusion.

"Uh, I'll be right back," Pinkie said, backing away, "I gotta go look for someone."

Before either of her friends could say anything, she dashed out of the gymnasium, hoping to find who she was looking for.

'I wonder where Mr.Sombra went?' she thought to herself, casting her eyes down the hall. It took her a moment to remember where his classroom was and she walked down the hall with purpose.

'I don't think he was at the graduation,' she mused, putting her hand to her chin in thought, 'but I could've sworn he was there...'

She stopped walking as she caught sight of his classroom's number and let out a sigh of relief.

'Maybe he came in here to unwind?' she thought, 'He did that a lot whenever he was stressed during school.'

Pinkie made her over to the door and turned the handle on the door silently, careful not make any noise in the event she was disturbing him. Sure enough, sitting in his chair at his desk, was Mr.Sombra.

Pinkie felt her cheeks turn a slightly darker shade of pink as she looked at him. Even in his thoughtful state, he looked extremely handsome, his mature, masculine feature standing out as he continued to stay in troubled thought.

'Keep it together...' Pinkie told herself, 'don't start acting like a little girl with a crush... You're an adult, now.'

"Uh, Mr.Sombra?" she said, feeling out of place.

He blinked in surprise and looked up to see her, shock taking over his features.

"Uh, hello, Pinkie," Sombra greeted awkwardly, "what are you doing here?"

Why was he so uncomfortable with her right now?

"I saw you leave the gym and came to see if you were alright," she answered, taking a couple steps towards him, "are you?"

"Uh, yes," he replied, "don't worry too much."

Pinkie felt her lips curved downwards into a frown. He was lying to her, she knew.

"I know you, Mr.Sombra," she said sternly, "you're not alright."

With confidence to back her, she walked over to him until she was standing in front of him. She placed the back of hand on his forehead, checking for a high temperature, which she surprisingly didn't find.

"You don't have a fever," she mused aloud, then put her hand down, "that means something's bothering you."

"Nothing's bothering me," he said quickly, then turned away from her.

Pinkie sighed. "Fine, don't tell me," she said crisply, standing up straight and turning away from him, "I thought we were friends, Kingsley."

She didn't like herself for using the "mean nickname" tactic against him, but she knew that it was probably the only way to get anything out of him. When she heard no reply, she resisted the urge to sigh.

'I thought we were more than friends...' she thought to herself, her eyes turning downcast.

"What did you just say?" he blurted out, standing up abruptly.

Pinkie felt her eyes widen and she put a hand to her mouth in shock.

"Did I say that out loud?" she asked, her eyes wide with horror.

"Yes," Sombra breathed, "you did."

'Oh, no!' she thought, completely mortified, 'He knows!'

"Oh, this is embarrassing!" Pinkie exclaimed, then started to rush away, "I'm sorry, I should--"

"Wait!" he shouted, then grabbed her arm.

Pinkie stopped trying to get away and turned to face him, her eyes wide.

"Mr.Sombra..." she whispered, "why are you--"

"I can't hold it back anymore," he told her, pulling her close, "I've been doing it for so long and it's just been so difficult."

"What do you mean?" she breathed, "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying..." he started, then struggled to find the right words as he gave her an alluring look. He put a hand on her back and pulled her closer to him, then leaned towards her shocked form.

"...I love you," he finished, then closed the gap between them.

'WHAT?!' Pinkie found herself thinking, her eyes wide as she tried to process what was happening.

"W-what?" Pinkie stammered as she pulled away, "that's... that's not possible."

"It is," he told her, leaning towards her again, "I know it is..."

"No, it's not!" she exclaimed, pushing him away, "This can't happen!"

He blinked at her. "Pinkie..." he breathed, trying to reach towards her.

"You're- you're a teacher!" she said, backing away from him, "And I'm--"

"Graduated," he told her, taking her hand, "you're not a student anymore, Pinkie."

"I'm sorry, but--" she took a deep breath, then pulled her hand away, "I can't do this."

Pinkie turned away from him, then ran off, swiping her hand across her wet cheeks as tears started to flood out of her eyes.

'I can't do this...' she thought to herself, 'I can't do this...'

"We're here!" cried Rarity.

Pinkie let out a huff of sleepy air as she sat up from her spot on Sunset's shoulder.

"Huh?" she slurred, rubbing her tired eyes.

Sunset cleared her throat awkwardly. "You, uh, fell asleep on the way here," she told her, "and you kind of slept on me."

Pinkie spared Sunset's shoulder a glance, where she caught sight of a line of drool.

"Whoops," she said, "Sorry!"

Sunset laughed nervously. "It's fine," she told her, then looked at her shoulder with a bemused expression, "it'll dry..."

Pinkie blushed, embarrassed that she had drooled on one of her friends. With a sigh, she stood up and stretched her sleeping limbs, letting out a tired groan as she did. She reached over the hangar that was above her head and grabbed onto the handle of her suitcase, which she pulled down and held at her side.

"Let's hurry along!" Rarity chirped, ushering her friends forward, "I am simply delighted to be here for the first time!"

"Same here!" Rainbow exclaimed, "I can't wait til we get to the Crystal Stadium!"

"Don't forget the berry orchards!" Applejack called out, "I hear that the workers use this special technique to enhance the flavor!"

"Oh, what about the petting zoos with the ewes?" Fluttershy cooed, "I hear they have the softest fleece in all of Equis!"

As the girls continued to discuss their plans, Pinkie found herself hanging back with Sunset, who remained silent as they made their way off the train.

"Oh, look at it!" Rarity cried, pointing at the glass buildings in the distance, "They were telling the truth about the buildings looking like crystals!"

Pinkie, despite her negative mood, stared in awe at the brilliance of the city before her. Tall, pointed skyscrapers jutted from the city's depths, resembling large crystals. The city's buildings held wires that roped around all the different skyscrapers, each wire bearing an assortment of colored jewels that reflected the sun's light.

"Whoa..." Pinkie breathed, totally shocked by the city's appearance.

"What do you know, even Pinks is speechless!" Rainbow exclaimed, jerking a thumb her way.

Everyone shared a laugh at that, including Pinkie, though not as full-heartedly.

"Come on, we better get to the hotel," Rarity said, breaking the group's attention from her, much to her appreciation.

And with that, the six girls left the train station, ready to take on the Crystal Empire.

"Are you sure it's alright if you go alone?" Fluttershy asked, giving Pinkie a somewhat sad look.

Pinkie waved her hand dismissively. "I'll be fine, really!" she assured her, "It's just a dance for a high school!"

Applejack frowned. "Well, we just don't want you to feel left out of our plans, is all," she said, "I mean, this was your trip, after all."

Pinkie laughed. "It's alright, AJ!" she told her, "You guys have fun! The dance won't be boring, I assure you!"

Rarity laughed at that. "True!" she replied, "But it's probably nothing like the one we had during high school!"

Pinkie and the others laughed together, reminiscing about the extraordinary night that followed the arrival of the enigmatic Twilight Sparkle, who later turned out to be a magical pony princess from an alternate world who needed to regain her crown with a magical element. To say that the night wasn't interesting to say the least was a huge lie.

"We'll see you later, Pinks!" Rainbow called as she and the others made their way out of the hotel room.

Once Pinkie heard the door the click close, she let out a sigh of relief and dropped her smile. It was getting harder to keep up the charade, she realized.

'It's so hard,' she thought, 'I thought that I could keep going, but...'

Pinkie took a ragged breath as she walked into the bathroom, trying to disregard her troubles, but to no avail. She took a seat in front of the mirror, taking one of her make-up sponges in her hand, then lightly rubbing some concealer onto her lids as she looked at her tired reflection.

'It's getting harder to hide the dark circles...' she mused, giving the lines underneath her eyes a sad look. They had accumulated from all the restless nights where she would lie awake, wondering where her life went so wrong.

'I wish I never went after him,' she thought to herself, then shook her head, 'but then I never would've known he loved me...'

She put the sponge down as tears filled her eyes, threatening to spill over, despite her silent pleas. She sucked in a ragged breath as she wiped the tears away, refusing to cry over him anymore.

"He's not here," she told herself, "You're never going to see him again, Pinkie."

Although it was rather strange to talk herself, Pinkie did it whenever she found herself wasting tears over the man who didn't even bother to go after her. Despite seeing her cry, despite how much he claimed to want her, he remained there, watching her as she left his life.

'He said he loved me...' she mused, looking back at her reflection. The tearful little girl who faced her seemed so foreign to her, as she felt like such an old woman who had seen too many things in her life, despite her age. Her heart clenched as she looked back at how she used to be, before all the things that happened affected her life.

'...but he lied.'

Pinkie scanned the dance floor with interest as she watched the ecstatic teens dance erratically, the moves they used somewhat foreign to her. The music thumped rhythmically, enticing those who leaned against the walls with resigned thoughts on dancing to jump the floor.

Pinkie found herself wanting to do the same, much like she did when she was younger and in high school. But, she knew it wouldn't professional, seeing as how she was supposed to be working and not frolicking with the students.

'I'm not surprised the chaperones are staying off the floor,' she thought to herself, her gaze going over to the silhouettes that resided by the walls. All the teachers and faculty who were roped into watching the dance resolutely remained on the wall, scrutinizing the floor with choleric, but absent gazes.

She sighed as she looked down at her feet, trying to block out the sound of the of the thumping music. But, just as she was beginning to successfully tune out the world around her, her ears picked up the sound of a familiar techno beat.

The music held foreign lyrics, the meaning behind them lost on Pinkie as the poppy sounds that laid underneath changed in octave and tone throughout. The teens recognized the catchy tune and joined together in the set dance, happily singing the words, despite not knowing them.

Pinkie felt her heart constrict as she recognized where she had heard it from and closed her eyes as she took deep, steadying breaths to keep from losing her composure.

'I should've figured they would play this,' she thought, chiding herself for not thinking ahead. She couldn't remember it... She couldn't let herself replay that memory for her...

But, despite her silent pleas against it, her mind clicked the play button for the bittersweet memory.

"Come on, Mr.Sombra!" Pinkie exclaimed, holding out a hand for him to grab onto.

He gave her a dour look as he shook his head resolutely. "No," he said flatly, crossing his arms tightly to his chest.

"Aw, don't be such a grumpy pants!" Pinkie teased, walking over to her older friend, "It's just a dance!"

Mr.Sombra narrowed his eyes in irritance. "I said, 'no'," he told her, turning away from her, "I refuse to dance with those annoying brats."

Pinkie frowned. "Just because they're mean to you doesn't mean it's right to be mean back, Mister!" she said in a maternal tone, then added, "Besides, it's a group dance! It's mandatory!"

"It is not!" he argued, uncrossing his arms as he leaned towards her in minor hostility, "I'm supposed to be watching the dance, not partaking in it!"

Pinkie sighed. "Alright, fine, be grumpy," she conceded, turning away from him.

He let out an annoyed huff and turned his head away from her. "I don't see why you're so intent on making me-- GAH!"

Mr.Sombra felt Pinkie take hold of his arm and jerk him onto the dance floor, somehow managing to pull him with her, despite their height and weight difference.

"You're going to dance, Mister!" she proclaimed, "Whether you like it or not!"

"I don't!" he exclaimed, jerking his arm away from her, "I'm not dancing!"

Pinkie watched as he stalked off, his arms crossed over his chest resolutely. She sighed and crossed her arms in the same manner, then cast him a sideways look.

"Fine, then, Your Highness," she said with a bit of snark, "have fun without me!"

With a "hmmph!", Pinkie stalked off, her nose held high in the air. But, just as she making her way out, she felt someone grab her arm.

"What did you say?" Mr.Sombra snarled, not taking kindly to her offhand nickname for him.

Pinkie, who refused to be intimidated, turned to face him with a sharp glare.

"You heard me, Mister High and Mighty!" she snapped at him, causing him to blink in surprise, "You're acting like a mean king, Mr.Sombra!"

Although it sounded rather childish, now that she was looking back on it, Pinkie found herself smiling in remembrance of that spur-of-the-moment nickname she created for him.

And while she was expecting him to be angry with her for it, instead, he laughed at the name, and released his hold on her arm.

"Ha, that's pretty cute!" he called out, "I like the sound of 'King Sombra'!"

Pinkie joined in on the laughter. "I do, too, now that I think about it!" she replied, "It suits you, in a way!"

Mr.Sombra stopped laughing as his gaze went over to the dance floor, a small grin taking over his features as he kept on looking.

"If I dance with you one time, will you quit your complaining, Servant?" he asked her, grinning when she heard his nickname for her.

"Hey, I'm not a servant!" she protested, which only caused him to laugh.

"You're lower in rank, Pinkie," he told her simply, "I can't change that, Servant."

She frowned at him, but then smiled as she nodded. "Okie dokie lokie!" she exclaimed, "Let's go dancing!"

Pinkie shook her head in an attempt to rid herself of the nostalgia that was taking over her, her gaze shifting to the dance floor once more to clear her head.

'He had a great time that night...' she thought wistfully, 'he had fun with me, even though he didn't want to...'

She sighed once more, her eyes flickering over to a dancing couple. They were too old to be students, she saw, so they must have been chaperones for the dance, deciding to enjoy the dance themselves.

'I wish that was me out there...' she mused, yearning tearing at her chest, 'And I wish he was out there, too...'

Pinkie closed her eyes for a brief moment as she kept herself composed, refusing to let her emotions get the better of her. Then, she opened them again, her eyes wide as she realized something.

'Wait a minute...' she thought, getting off the wall as she peered at the couple again. When she did, she felt her entire being freeze as she came to realize who she was looking at.

He was there. He was out on the dancefloor, dancing like nothing was holding him back.

But he wasn't alone.

Pinkie felt tears rush to her eyes as she saw him with another woman, their hands clasped together as they twisted and turned to the music. Her heart might as well have stopped when she saw him flash a smile at her, one that held a special meaning she thought she once knew.

He had moved on. He had moved on with his life and found someone else, while she waited for an answer to come to her and tell her what to do with her life.

And she had gotten it. She had gotten it loud and clear.

'I gotta get out of here,' she thought as her breathing quickened, 'I can't stay in here!'

Pinkie turned away from the dancing pair as she rushed out of the gymnasium, her heart pounding in her chest. The hallway held no light for her to see, but she cared little for that at the time. All that mattered was that she got out of there and quickly.

'I don't care if I get fired from this gig,' she told herself, 'I don't care if I get fired from my job! I just can't be here!'

As she rounded a corner, she caught the red luminescent light of the EXIT sign that hung over the metal doors that kept her in her nightmare. With purpose, Pinkie ran to the doors and slammed them open, taking gulps of the fresh night air.

Finally, once she caught her breath, she let out a cry of sadness, one that she had been holding in for the past three years of her life. She collapsed to the ground on her knees, her magenta hair falling over her face like veil. Through her tears, she could see that her curls turned straight, as they did whenever she felt heartbroken.

She wrapped her arms around herself in a futile attempt to comfort herself, her arms shaking with every sob she let out. Her throat soon became raw as the cries racked her entire body, her ribs aching from the convulsions her body went through with each sob.

'It hurts so much...' she thought, tears flooding her eyes, 'Why does it have to hurt so much?!'

"Pinkie?"

Pinkie's eyes shot open as her sobs cut short, sitting up straight as she tried to place the owner of the voice. With a heavy heart and a wary gaze, she turned to face who had said her name in such a familiar tone.

To her surprise, it was Mr.Sombra-- no, just Sombra now -- who had said her name. His eyes were wide with shock and surprise as he continued to look at her, as if he were wondering if she was real or not.

"What are you doing here?" he questioned, totally bewildered.

She didn't answer, her words caught in her throat as she remembered all the things she missed about him. His beautiful, scarlet eyes and the way they shone like rubies whenever the light hit them just right. His wavy black hair that he tried so hard to keep tame, but ended up being messily tressed.

"Pinkie, are you alright?" he inquired, bringing himself to her level.

And the way he said her name. It felt so good to hear him say it again.

Pinkie's eyes welled up with tears as she continued to look at him, which spilled over as she leaped at him, her arms outstretched. She wrapped her arms around his neck tightly, snuggling her head into the crook of his neck. She felt her heart break as she felt his arms wrap around her in return.

"I missed you, too, you idiot," he whispered in her ear, rubbing her back.

Pinkie pulled away from him just enough to where she could see his face, her heart not feeling as heavy as it did before. Without a moment's thought, she leaned towards him and kissed him, all the negative feelings she had been feeling for past three years dissipating as she held him close to her.

He leaned into the kiss, their lips molding into one another's as it continued on. After a few moments, he pulled away and looked at her with an almost serene smile.

"I've been wanting to do that for such a long time," he whispered, pulling her close.

Pinkie smiled back at him, the first genuine one she had made in a long time. If the bounce she felt against her shoulders were any consolation, her hair gone back to it's normal, curly mess, meaning one thing;

She was happy again.

"I missed you, Sombra," she told him, wiping her tears away, "I wish I didn't run away..."

Sombra shushed her. "I understand why you did," he replied, "It was wrong of me to put something like that onto your shoulders..."

Pinkie shook her head. "I'm glad you told me," she admitted, "I really am."

Sombra gave her a troubled frown. "I should've gone after you," he said, more to himself than to her, "maybe then--"

"Kingsley, you are not going to blame yourself for this!" Pinkie argued, poking him in the chest, "I shouldn't have run away!"

Sombra blinked at her in surprise, then smiled at her. "That's the first time I've ever been glad to hear you call me that," he told her, leaning towards her, "besides, if there's one thing I learned in my time without you..."

Pinkie felt herself get pulled to her feet by Sombra, to which she gave him a confused look. He gave her a reassuring smile, which she weakly returned.

"I learned that a king..." Sombra started, releasing Pinkie's hands. Much to her surprise, he kneeled down, maintaining his gaze with her.

'Is he...?' she thought, her mind becoming a flurrying mess.

Sombra put his hand into his pant pocket, then pulled it out, revealing a small, velvet box.

'He is!'

"...is nothing without a queen," he finished, opening the box. In it was a small, but beautiful diamond ring that caught the light and shone brightly.

"Oh sweet cupcakes..." Pinkie breathed, putting her hand to her mouth in shock.

"Pinkamena Diane Pie..." Sombra started, taking her hand, "...will you marry me?"

Author's Notes:

DUN DUN DUN!

Yeah, super huge bombshell, huh? Whelp, just you wait for the next installment of the Equestria Girls story arc, "Answered", coming to a site near you! Alright, just on FIMFiction, but still.

Now, you probably have, like, a gazillion questions, don'tcha? Well, wait, alright? All will be answered in due time...