Darkness again, but there was no chains or imaginary monsters this time.
And Mane had his clothes this time. And he thought he was gonna have a good night sleep after he filled his stomach with a delicious banquet in his honor, but no...

Two eyes showed clearly in front of him, red and green. Those were way too familiar to be mistaken.

"Hey Mane!" Greeted Sombra's ghosts in his deep voice. "So you found them! My fan club."

"Eh, don't be mistaken, they are not here to bring back you or your reign of terror."

"I know, I know... I learned my lesson after I died by Celestia's blade, and suffer in Tirek's kingdom underground."

"Just like the rest pretty much."

"I guess... I don't know about Discord. He's still a prankster of the worst kind."

"I've heard the rumors in Canterlot. Every time Celestia gives him a chance, he fuck's up."

Sombra's smoky ghost looked around and It was just a huge imaginary room in almost complete darkness.

"I thought you were afraid of the dark..." Sombra noticed.

"This is apparently every dream I have..."

"Let me help." Sombra casted a fireball in the air, illuminating their spot in an orange and yellow bright light.

"Thanks, even though your presence was enough... So, why are you here?"

"To give you some suggestions that may be helpful."

"If It's about my partner Pinkamena and come to terms with her, please help."

"Uh... It was not about that, but what happened?"

"Now she kind of hates me because I'm related to an evil warlord and I didn't told her before. And... apparently, she heard what Sigil, their leader, said to me and now she thinks him up to something with her."

"Oh oh! She's jealous!" Laughed Sombra.

"Yeah, I know. Best I can think is stay away from Sigil most of times."

"Yes. And about being related to me... to start with, you are NOT my son!" Sombra stated. "And you are not related to my actions. Try to tell her that."

"I would, if she wasn't so fretful when she's angry!"

"Then... stop her and make her listen!"

"That seems too forceful."

"Do you have another idea?"

"Okay, you won that part. Anyway, you had other things to tell me, right?" Mane asked.

"Yes. Inked Quill, the cult's scribe. He was part of the old scribe team during my reign. But don't talk about It near him, he doesn't enjoy..."

"Ironic. But what does he has in special?"

"There's some stuff you may want to learn with him. It includes... some of my most powerful magic spells." Sombra said, looking at him in the eyes with a smile.

"No! I don't wanna be like you!" Mane screamed.

"It's nothing like that! Just, tricks that may let you survive in battle."

Shaker took his hands to the head and scrubbed his hair in stress, while walking in circles inside the lit spot they were. The dead king just looked at him with a convinced look. It was not the first time Mane was asked to learn Sombra's magic, and he always refused to not fall in his uncle's evil road.

"Remember that scene on the saloon?" Sombra asked, raising an eyebrow at Mane.

"Which one?!" - His voice was indeed stressed.

"You know... *sip* BOOM!" He mimicked when Mane drank Pinkamena's drink and the confusion started.

"How can I forget? I still have pains every time I stand up!"

"That could have been avoided with a inoffensive defense trick..." Sombra said with a giggle.

"Good. Why you didn't told me before, then?"

"Because... ONE! I can't teach you any of my tricks and magics by orders of Tirek! And TWO! Hopefully this reminder changes your mind in learning what I'm telling you!"

"Can you at least leave me a clue or two?" Mane begged.

"Alright, calm down... for one, remember this, you are originated from the Crystal Empire... and for the other one, since I made that pact with Tirek when I was your age to take over the throne, all the blood in the family changed, they just didn't know what they could do... including you..."

"Oh thanks! I was a newborn foal!"

"Did I changed your mind?"

"Hmm... I'll think about It..."

Sombra's face changed from normal to an enraged one, but Mane didn't let that intimidate him, he knew Sombra pretty well to let him affect.

"BAH!" King Sombra snarled showing his pointy teeth. "When you get in trouble and you can't get out, don't come ask me help or any of my comrades down there! I thought you were smarter than that!"

And Sombra vanished with an evil laugh to the underworld, leaving Mane alone again.

"I'm not gonna be like you..."