Once again, their alarms roused them from their slumber, and Somber reluctantly had to get up and get dressed. As he tossed his dirty clothes into the laundry basket, slipping on underpants and a fresh set of trousers, Discord's arms wrapped around his waist, and he felt the other's breath brush the back of his neck. He laughed, the sensation tickled!

Discord kissed his neck whispering "last night was frankly mind-BLOWING, my dear Somber...."

Somber caught onto the innuendo and felt the urge to laugh. An urge he happily gave in to. He felt Discord let him go, and snared the other in a kiss, feeling quite content that morning.

They finished getting dressed, had breakfast and headed for CHS.

"Last day, right?" Discord looked at Somber as they pulled up at a red light.

"Thank sanity yes..." Somber rolled his eyes "I’ll be glad when its over, and things can calm down!"

"I just hope that deranged witch keeps her hands off you." Discord grumbled. Somber chuckled at the sulky protective tone of Discord's voice.

"That reminds me.." he asked "before I came home all bloodied, did you finish what you were working on?"

"Yup, it's good to go..."

The light turned green and Somber pulled away, heading towards the school. He parked under a tree, the shade granting some relief from the hot sun. As he shut off the cars engine, Discord glanced out of the windows, checking all around, then he woke a small segment of his magic.

As Somber turned his head to tell him to get a move on, Discord snared him in a quick, chaste kiss. He let him go pretty quickly, seeing how red Somber was going.

"Discord!!" Somber hissed, looking around and thankfully seeing the parking lot was deserted. His heart was pounding a mile a minute.

"What? Nobody seen us, I checked!" Discord said smugly "plus I blacked out the windows."

"Seriously you-" Somber gave an exasperated sigh, but it HAD felt nice. And there was a strange thrill at being kissed on school grounds...

He dismissed it, Discord had already been a bad influence on him as it was!

They reached the main doors, and Discord said he was heading to his classroom. Somber needed to see Principal Celestia, so he headed for the office.

Before they parted, Discord murmured something about the kiss being their little secret, which made Somber redden, and he had to resist the urge to smack Discord across the head as he walked rapidly off.

He knocked on the door to Celestia's office, hoping he looked less annoyed. If he did, Celestia didn’t say anything, she just had some forms regarding the fencing club to sign.

As Sombra flicked through the papers, Celestia thought to herself that he'd looked flustered when he walked into her office. Was he feeling alright?

"Somber?" she asked asked as he signed the last page "Lightshield informed me of an argument between yourself and Principal Cinch. Is everything alright? I had meant to speak with you about it before but I’ve been snowed under with Cinch's attempts to badmouth my school..."

"It's nothing," Somber sighed "she's never been happy about the fact I left rather then work under her rules. She cant abide losing, as you’re undoubtedly aware."

"This isn’t about me, Somber." Celestia sounded genuinely concerned, and Somber wondered what Lightshield had told her. He couldn’t go through explaining it again, he'd had enough of his past shoved in his face recently.

"Its really nothing," he said as cheerfully as he could "I learnt from working at CPA that you’re best off not rising to her taunts. She has a formidable ego."

Celestia studied the forced smile on his face. She'd spoken to Cinch at the item of hiring Somber, and had been somewhat taken aback by the sheer vitriol of Cinch's opinions on the professor. But Somber was well-spoken, intelligent and had a clear passion for the material. Her gut feeling had said there was more to this, as Somber had paled slightly when she mentioned Cinch at the interview, hands clenching so tightly on his paperwork his knuckles had turned white. But he'd never shown any inclination to talk about it.

She'd been impressed by his knowledge and had given him a trial at CHS. After seeing how well he did, she'd given him the job.

Celestia knew Cinch was argumentative and snobby. Shed always looked down on CHS, treating herself and Luna as if they were little more than children. So when Lightshield had aired his concerns to her, telling her he'd seen Cinch, on the CCTV camera in the hall, grabs Somber's collar and slam him against the door, shed been concerned.

Lightshield added that he'd tried to broach the subject with professor Somber, but the professor had dismissed it, seeming determined to escape the matter. Celestia was concerned Cinch may be trying to intimidate the other teacher, but WHY was she threatening to hurt him?

Somber's explanation that Cinch hated him simply for not letting her walk over him did make SOME sense, Somber was strong willed and a little haughty at times. But it was still a little alarming.

There’d been no further contact, save for Cinch's accusations about Somber waving a sword around. It struck Celestia that Cinch really WAS obsessed with getting a victory at all costs?

She let Somber go, figuring she'd just keep an eye on him. She had her hands pretty full herself, between Sunset Shimmer's out of control task of keeping magic at bay, and the games in general.

The final event pitched the leader of both teams against each other. Which meant sunset versus Twilight...

Somber was leaning against one of the stands, watching the storm clouds beginning to amass in the sky. A shiver ran up his back and his phone began to buzz softly, a series of buzzes that told him something wicked this way comes...

"Can you cover me a moment? I have an urgent call. I-its the insurance company..." he tried to keep his face straight as he spoke to spitfire.

"Huh? oh, the thing with your house. Yeah sure, you wont miss much for a minute or two, They're still holding the pep rally before the event!" Spitfire ushered him towards the nearest door into the school, where he'd have more privacy "just don’t take too long, okay?"

"Of course not. Thank you.." Sombra blurted, then he darted away. Spitfire shook her head, chuckling.

"That guys still acts like he's got a rod up his butt!" she snickered. Although she had to admit he'd cheered up a little lately.

Inside the virtually deserted school, Somber fumbled with the phone as he raced through the hall, looking for Discord's number-

He slammed into someone and gave a startled yell. Firm hands gripped his shoulders, steadying him.

"Relax, Somber," Discord took in his lovers anxious expression "did you-?"

"The phone, yes. Something's going on.." Somber swallowed worriedly, heart in his throat. He felt weird, like the charge in the air before an electrical storm. Elpis was burning against his skin. The heightened sensitivity that had recently made any an all sexual adventures more than intensely pleasurable now made him feel like he'd trod on a live wire. Discord's hand resting on his shoulders was mixing up the signals.

Discord seen him flush and raised an eyebrow. It really was an odd condition Somber had...

There was a funny sort of popping noise, and both phones went dead. The cameras sparked, one exploding in a spray of sparks.

"The electronics have shorted out, and it wasn't ME this time-!" Discord cut off as he seen something out of the corner of his eye and dove forward, pushing Somber to the linoleum floor. they skidded several feet away, out of range of the thing pursuing them.

“I knew those devices we important...” The thing leered as it hit the floor, the force of the impact making the ground shake. Discord kept a protective grip on Somber, who'd gone tense.

"So..you managed to crawl back to your mate did you?" Discord looked up at the thing that’d crashed to the floor where they’d previously stood. It was as Somber had described, part human part- at best he'd call it a slimy mix of a slug and an octopus.

This was the scum bag that'd dared to leave a mark on his precious Somber, that'd tried to kill the one good thing Discord had gained since coming here.

"You should know something about a Draconequus.." he growled, getting to his feet and helping Somber up, keeping the professor behind him "we don’t take a mate easily. Centuries can go by without us ever choosing whom we choose to court. So I'd suggest you shut your filthy mouth before I REALLY get pissed off."

Somber felt a little jab of affection towards Discord. This little tidbit about Discord's species intrigued him, he hadn’t asked much about it since that first night. All he understood from Discord was that Draconequi had fairly voracious sexual appetites!

"Oh dear, whatever will I do?" It cackled "you don’t have your precious Princesses, that world is far away now. All you’ve got is a short circuiting link to YOUR magic, and an unstable power source being wielded by our former jailer."

He cackled at their surprised faces "that's right. I was able to glean a little knowledge from the linger spirits of the others before they faded for good. I seen how you killed them, how unstable that magic of yours is." He directed this at Somber.

"It was so amusing, seeing you fall for my trick. You really believed I cared worth a damn about you? Still, blame your precious lover for making you feel unfulfilled, no-?"

"Shut it!" Somber raged.

"Oh did I hit a nerve?" It grinned "maybe you two should share one last moment before I splatter these halls with your blood-"

Discord pulled Somber towards him, and did just that. The kiss was a searing jolt of pleasure, somehow combining everything they'd felt since that first night where they'd slept together. Discord winked at his lover as he let him go, and Somber pulled the Elpis necklace from around his neck.

The weight of the sword was reassuring in his hands, and he felt the faintest touch of the dark magic at his defences. he flashed back to that alleyway, where he'd summoned a composite image of the equestrian Somber from his memory of that picture. how the illusion had pointed at Somber's heart. Was that they key to keeping this power in check?

"Lets rid this world of this pointless excuse for even a scum bag!" Discord declared defiantly, seeing Somber nod. He turned, smirking at the thing "after this, every damn time my "mate" and I get it on, we'll remember how satisfying it was to put an end to you! Just like we did with all the others!"

Somber flushed when he thought about it. after the first one was defeated, they'd had that first real kiss. The second time, they’d done it in Somber's car.

Oh dear, Discord was right. If trends were a thing maths and statistics had taught him, they'd probably end up doing it later.

This display of confidence only served to piss their opponent off even more. Somber focused on the weight of the sword in his hand as the thing seemed to draw itself in, then it exploded outwards in a maelstrom of spikes. Somber and Discord were forced to opposite sides of the hall. Somber glanced behind him, noting the corridor up ahead was much wider, it'd give them room to fight. He gestured to Discord, and they took off running.

"Hahaa...no use in running now, it's time to die!" the monster cackled, reforming as a misshapen blob of darkness and flesh and chasing after them. It's gloopy body smashed into the lockers, leaving streaks of black goop in its wake, like an oil spill. Somber felt an idea spark in his head, and he shut his eyes, feeling the connection between him and the blade. He spun, slicing the sword across the air in front of him. A razor thin beam of light cut down the hall behind him. The sludge creature screamed in fury as the beam sloughed away a chunk of its body that fell to the floor with a splat. Then it laughed as the blob merely reconnected to the rest of its body.

"No good!" Somber backed up. They were standing in the middle of an intersection. Discord pulled what at first glance looked like a desert eagle from his bag.

"You brought a GUN into school?!" Somber squawked.

"Yes, it proved most compatible with what I had planned. Don't worry, its not registered, I made sure of that when I bought it."

“Whu...." Somber shook his head as Discord levelled the gun ahead of him as their opponent drew near.

"Besides, is it any less arrestable than a sword, if that's what you're worried about?"

How could he be so flippant? Somber shook his head "we'll discuss this later!"

"Of course my dear Somber," Discord chuckled "before or after the celebratory sex?"

Somber didn't have time to answer as the thing caught up to them. It drew itself up, so it could look down at the two.

"You mock me with your childish words. Do you two do anything other then interfere and fuck?" its crude words were hurled like darts at the duo before it.

"Sometimes there's dinner involved!" Discord snickered. Somber glared at the thing, trying to keep his temper in check. With anger came the overload, that loss of control...

It split in two, each side with a glaring red eye on it, and they were forced apart again. Somber swung the blade, deflecting its stabs. But no matter how many times he sliced and jabbed at it, it just reformed. He needed something better, all he was doing was putting it off, not hurting it...

It laughed, a tentacle of inky blackness lashing up from the side, cutting deep cross the top of Somber's sword hand, cutting deep. The sword clattered to the ground, oddly not transforming back to its necklace form like before. Blood splattered to the floor as thing lashed around Somber's legs. the world turned upside down as it lifted him upside down. Somber swung wildly, succeeding in severing the limb. This sadly Somber felt a flare of pain in his shoulder and he hit the floor with a thud. Somewhere outside he fancied he heard a tearing, ripping sound, and distant screams.

Then he heard a scream much closer to home. Looking over, he seen the one fighting Discord had stabbed a sharp pointed tentacle right through Discord's shoulder. The gun was no use, the hit was causing too much pain to even lift his arm.

"Discord!" Somber's desperate cry echoed between the two, and the one battling Somber laughed.

"Can't even protect your mate? What use are you.."

Somber shut his eyes, he'd vowed not to give in to his fury, but this was his LOVER for pity’s sake. He could not and would not sit by and see him suffer. Not after Discord had saved him, in so many ways

He reached deep inside, imploring the power to aid him now. There was no hesitation, he needed this dark power.

The thing laughed, grabbing Somber's chin with one oily appendage and forcing the man's gaze up towards its own. Then Somber opened his eyes and the thing paused. This frail humans eyes had been red before, now the had a dangerous green glow to them, and it sensed something powerful. This was more than just Hope, this power was dangerous.

Sombra grabbed the limb holding him in place and it screamed as black electricity crackled over its skin, shocking it to its core. Somber flung it away, hearing it smash into a display case. Next up was the one hurting his Discord...

Discord struggled to bypass the pain and beat this thing. It'd retracted the tentacle it stabbed him with, but wasn't giving up on trying to tear him limb from limb. All he was managing to do was keep a shield between himself at it, its teeth gnashing within inches of his face.

Then just as abruptly it was torn away from him, smashing into a wall. Discord stood, seeing Somber stood there, one hand outstretched. Elpis was nowhere to be seen.

"Somber.." he seen the glow of Somber's dark magic, but also seen the man he'd fallen for. This was the highest he'd seen Somber's power climb, and it was mesmerising.

--If we can just get through this, I’ll tell you...-- he promised as he pressed a hand to his shoulder, giving the injury a jolt of magic to keep it's bleeding at bay.

The two creatures rejoined, and dove after Somber their combined fury targeting him alone. Somber raised his hand, palm facing up. Strange writing etched itself into the air in glowing purple magic. The thing hit it head on, at which point the spell detonated. A burst of purple flame blasted the blobby attack into the far wall, making the building shudder.

"Somber!" Discord ran to his side, pressing a hand to his cheek. Somber blinked, tilting his head to smile at Discord.

"It's OK," he whispered "I haven't forgotten what you taught me."

Discord reloaded the specialist bullets he'd created. As the thing charged them, he whispered something to Somber, who nodded.

As it lunged for them Discord lobbed an old friend of theirs, the flash magic grenade. the unexpectedly bright light made the thing stumble, its swing going wide. It opened its eyes, seeing Discord holding up another grenade and smirking. Enraged, it grabbed for him, only to feel multiple daggers slam into its body each one exploding on impact.

It turned, reeling in pain. Not daggers, it realised, but gunshots. This was an enhanced version of the weapons these humans preferred. The bearer of hope smirked, cocking the weapon once more.

"Gotta wonder how shots I fired?" he sneered "was it five? or Six? Now tell me, do you feel lucky?"

While it was distracted, Discord closed his eyes. He'd been adapting and training his magic bit by bit since arriving in this world. Now was the culmination of it. Out of thin air a giant weight thudded down, hitting the thing right on the head. Black goo spattered Somber's clothing, but he was unharmed.

Discord gave a triumphant cackle. Then the weight began to crack and splinter. He dove back, struggling to outrun the thing as it expanded, the heavy weight crumbling to dust. He fumbled for a spell, succeeding in cutting off several of the tentacles as they reached for him. Like Somber had done, he tried to use a silver fire to melt the thing but it broke straight through, wrapping him up in seconds. It was reminiscent of how Discord had captured Somber with the plunder vines, only there was nothing remotely sexual about THIS.

A pained scream cut off his thoughts on the matter, and his gaze zeroed in on the scream, and he felt like he'd been punched in the gut. The thing had Somber. One coil was lashed around Somber's wrists, holding him up in the air in this manner. another was wrapped his lower legs. As Discord wriggled, he seen the coil inch further up Somber's body, slithering like a snake, and getting increasingly, perversely intimate....

"Get your filthy hands off him!" Discord shut his eyes, the air around him began to shiver-

"Uh-uh!" it sneered, and a gasp of panic from Somber caused Discord's concentration to waver. He seen the thing was tracing one oily limb along Somber's collarbone, callously unbuttoning his shirt...

"One more trick and I’ll do something unmentionable to this mate of yours."

"Don’t you DARE!" Discord hissed, but it just laughed.

"He IS hope, and all of us in the jail had to endure it was part of the punishment. To see hope but never attain it, never know release from that cell it was torture. Each of us dreamed of ripping hope limb from limb. And when you opened that box, you gave it a solid form. How convenient, I suppose I should thank you. Killing this weakling will be so satisfying. And you can sit here and watch." with a casual flick, it sliced a cut into Discord's cheek, making him snarl in pain.

"Yes, I think I’ll let you bleed out slowly. Your mate, your hope? I’ll show some mercy and kill him quickly, but it won't be painless!"

"Just kill this thing!" Somber managed to focus long enough to yell at Discord.

"One move, and I’ll not only kill him, I’ll tarnish that innocence you hanker after so much. Hell die hating you, knowing YOU did this to him..."

"You’re an idiot!" Somber gasped, squirming instinctively as a cold limb hovered over his heart, the oil soaking into his shirt. It reeked of decay and blood, and the sensation was abhorrent. It was threatened, desperate. It wanted to use their bond against them, and the mere thought infuriated Somber. Behind Discord, Somber spotted a gleam of light. The sword, Elpis. Its been knocked about by the fight after he'd dropped it earlier.

"Just do it!" He yelled at Discord "I’ve adapted to worse!"

This triggered something in Discord's memory. A cute little line spoken by Somber the morning after their first night in bed together, Somber saying he was perfectly capable of adapting to change. Or withstanding pain...

"Id rather you hurt me then this thing!" Somber added, glaring balefully at the one holding him prisoner.

Hoping he wouldn’t hurt Somber too much, and trusting his beloved had a plan behind his words, Discord let the anger just seeing that thing pawing Somber had generated rush to the surface.

Discord's voice was a snarl of feral proportions as he dredged up everything he had, opening his eyes and meeting the things incredulous gaze. The air around Discord wavered.

Somber tensed himself for retaliation, but the pain that shot through his body still took his breath away. His vision blanked out briefly, and when he refocused his chest hurt So badly he could barely breathe...

Then a literal giant fist made of warped and shimmering air punched the slimy creature full on, forcing it to let not just sober go, but Discord. Somber held out a hand to Elpis, begging it to use everything it'd brought with it combined with his own power, to destroy this thing. The sword shone, morphing into a beam of light that zipped across the distance between Somber and itself, pausing only to join the a shining shard of magic that appeared floating in front of Somber. This then formed into a glowing blade, which Somber grabbed and dove forward, driving it deep into what he could see with this boosted power was the oily-shadow's heart. It was a sickening sensation, like hacking at meat with a cleaver, but Somber didn't stop. He drove the blade through and through its heart.

It gave a dying scream, unable to believe these two roaches had destroyed it. They’d endured what would kill other humans in this world, for the sake of each other. What crazy kind of magic was this?

It seen the triumph of its jailer, of HOPE, painted across this arrogant humans features. As its last dying act it thrust a coil of its octopi-like body up, aiming for this wretch even as it faded.

One moment Somber felt triumph, relief he'd finally dealt it a fatal blow, then an intense pain erupted in his midsection. He blinked, looking down with fuzzy vision. Blood was blooming on his once pristine white shirt. His vision fuzzed as he realised how deep it gone. He staggered back, the things limb pulling free from the wound it'd inflicted, the world turning grey. The school shook, and screams filtered in from outside as Sombra felt his body impact the floor. he curled up, pathetically trying to press his hands to the stab wound...

"SOMBER!" Discord heard the creatures mocking laughter as it faded into a foul smelling smoke, then dispersed altogether, leaving only a scorch mark on the floor...

"Discord..." Somber looked up at him fuzzily "I don't feel so good-" he was already in shock.

"You’ll be fine..." Discord panicked, whipping off his jacket and pressing it to Somber's stomach "just hold on.."

But the blood stained the fabric all too soon, and Somber coughed painfully, the sound agonising.

"Don’t you dare die on me..." Discord kept his hand's pressed over the wound, trying to summon any magic left in him. he cursed the limits of this world that kept him from his true power. Power that could’ve saved Somber.

He pressed his forehead to Somber's, scared by how clammy and cold his skin was.

"Discord..." Somber fought to get the words out. He clung to the warmth of Discord's skin, recalling their nights together...

There was a loud RIP, and Discord looked behind him, seeing a portal had appeared out of nowhere behind him. On the other side of it was a familiar equine face he knew well..

"Celestia.." Discord gasped.

Celestia stared at the strange portal that'd suddenly opened up in front of her, and seen someone she thought she'd lost. Discord. She leapt from her seat, running over to the portal, heart ablaze with relief. Then she seen the scene the other was caught up in.

A world that looked so familiar, one she'd sent Twilight into to retrieve her crown that first occasion.

Discord was dishevelled, and spattered with blood. She soon realised it wasn’t coming from HIM, rather the badly injured man he was crouched over. He was barely conscious, dark red eyes unable to focus...

"Discord-"

"I don't care how mad you are Celestia's!" Discord yelled "just help me save him!!"

Celestia nodded, and with the cries of her petrified guards echoing in her eras, she dove into the other world. It was a sign how much things were falling apart that she stayed an an equine, instead of instantly transforming into a human as Twilight had described them.

"Who.." she paused as she caught on just WHO this man resembled.

"He’s not like HIM!" Discord said, upset and angry that she hesitated "he's the only reason I have Celestia!!"

Celestia looked into his eyes, seen the raw desperation and so much more in them. She understood. She'd grown to believe Discord had abandoned Equestria to seek something he wanted, that he felt he was missing. He'd found it, only to see it fading now in front of him. She imagined if she were to lose Luna in such a manner, and her heart broke.

She sat beside the bleeding Somber, and activated her magic. She hoped ti would work, that what she had would be enough. These were bad wounds...

A soft golden glow wrapped around the human Sombra' midsection, as she used every bit of training she'd ever had to try and repair his body. As she did, she sensed the power within him.

"He's...able to control it..?" she gasped.

Discord looked at her, a mere nudge away from breaking down.

"He has something akin to dark magic. I seen the resemblance on day one of coming here. Yet he was different. Stubborn, wilful, but he’s KIND. He gave up something he loved to do just to try and protect it. He surrendered Crystal Prep..."

"Like the empire." Celestia sorted these facts in her head as she focused on the slowly healing wound "I had wondered if it was possible to find a world where a being like him would be a gentle ruler."

"He's not a king, he's a professor.." Discord watched his precious Somber, felt a flicker of hope as some colour returned to his face. He silently pleaded for Somber to open his eyes, wake up! He was so busy concentrating on Somber, he didn’t feel a poke of magic healing the wound in his shoulder.

Celestia studied him, seen how frantic he was, seen the way he only had time for this human version of a former tyrant in their world. She realised the strength of their bond was undeniable. It was love.

"I cant explain how he....he's beyond anything I expected to see here. This world is strange but it HAS magic!"

"I know..” Celestia smiled "this is the world Twilight entered all that time ago. I did not think it would be the same place YOU'D end up. Maybe its fated, who knows..."

"I don't want to lose him Celestia, you don't know what he means to me."

“I can see." Celestia assured him, patting his back with one wing. At last she sensed she could help no more, and cut off her magic. She leant her head down and pressed an ear to Somber chest. Hearing a heartbeat she sighed in relief, then sat back up swiftly as he stirred.

Somber opened his eyes, seeing a face hovering near his. It was a soft white, vaguely horse shaped...wait…?

He blinked, blurredly fixing his gaze on what was definitely a PONY. With a flowing mane that reminded him of a certain Principal.

"You’re...Celestia..." he said weakly. He reached up a hand to see if she was real, only strong enough to brush his fingertips over her nose before his arm fell to his side. Then he was enveloped in the warm, familiar arms of his precious Discord a second later. Held gently against the others chest.

"Somber.." Discord breathed in the familiar scent of his lovers skin, feeling the beat of Somber's pulse in his neck as he held him. Weakly, Somber was able to hug him back, even though he felt utterly drained.

Celestia felt tears well up as she watched this, seeing the relief and happiness in Discord's actions. At last Discord released the shaken Somber, and helped him sit up.

"Celestia.." the ex-Draconequus didn’t know how to thank her. Celestia looked at the portal, seeing it waver, and a familiar magic emanating from outside, she smiled.

"I must go Discord, but I’m sure we will see each other soon."

Somber blinked at her, mind still struggling to process that he was alive "you’re...the sun Princess?"

Celestia nodded, seeing they were both bloodied she generated one last spell, fixing their clothing and erasing all signs of blood and conflict from the hall. Only the broken CCTV cameras gave any hint something had gone on. Her magic was at low ebb, but she knew it was all worth it.

"Go on, you two," she smiled in an almost motherly fashion " go, before your guards or whomever serves the worlds comes to investigate..."

"Thank you...for saving me Princess.." Somber managed to say. She nodded, taking in this humanoid version of an old foe.

"It's good to see you living happily in this universe, it puts my heart at ease." she said cryptically. Then she bowed, and leapt back through the portal.

"Say hello to Fluttershy, tell her I’m sorry, and can she forgive me...?" Discord asked her.

“She already has Discord, she told me. She just hoped you'd found happiness. I'll tell her you have..”

“Thank you, old friend...” Discord said genuinely.

She nodded, her kindly gaze never leaving them even as as the portal sealed up.

"Your majesty...what in Equestria just happened?"

“You will not speak of it, it was a magical anomaly that must be a secret." Celestia said firmly as she cast a spell to erase what they'd seen. She felt more than a little tired from the power she'd given to help heal the injured Somber. But she was glad he'd made it through. It was obvious Discord was in love.

The guard all blinked sluggishly at her, seeing their Princess staring into space, smiling. Had they missed something?

"Your majesty, you have blood on your nose!" one cried as he spotted it. Celestia blinked, seeing her reflection in one of the windows. Sure enough there was a small smudge of crimson on her muzzle. She recalled the human Sombra reached up to pt her, trying to see if she was real.. she erased it, saying she was fine, they didn’t need to worry.

She smiled, even as it was tempered by sadness. Seeing Discord again had been a relief, but she knew now it was unlikely he'd ever come home. He'd found something to tether him, something worth dedicating himself to. A special someone. Seeing the human Somber had been a surprise, but she sensed what Discord said was true. He possessed the power and strength of the former tyrant, but he had a gentler soul, not unlike a pony in another world far from her now., She shook her head to dispel that memory and focused on the papers in front of her, sighing as she penned a letter to Fluttershy.

"Discord, how did she-?"

"A portal just tore open, I don’t know..." Discord shook his head "I don’t know and I frankly don’t care how it happened. She saved you, that's all that matters."

Somber brushed the gathering tears away from Discord's eyes, his hands shaking subtly.

"I'm here.." he assured him "I’m sorry if I scared you.."

“You nearly died in my arms you silly, sexy man.." Discord sulked, even as he struggle not to break down from relief. Somber kissed him then, feeling his heart race as that familiar wonderful sensation jolted up his spine. Discord kissed him in return, one hand gently rubbing Somber's back. They heard sounds of shouting and cheering off in the distance.

"Lets get out of here!" Somber said urgently. They shared glances and ran outside through the nearest exit. Out in the fresh air they stood gathering their thoughts. On auto pilot they cut across the rear car park to get to the front lawn. Then Somber seen someone familiar..

Abacus Cinch was furious. How dare Celestia blackmail her into agreeing to a tie, declaring them both victors. And how DARE that pathetic Twilight go over to their side. Her own students had turned on her, the normally loyal Sugarcoat quite bluntly dumping her in it with a few harsh sentences. The looks on her students faces. They’d ALL been corrupted by Celestia. She'd see CHS fall, she'd have her revenge. That school had cost her the reputation she'd worked so hard to maintain. By hook or by crook, she'd fought her way to the top...

"Running away now?" a familiar voice cut the silence, and she spun, dropping her keys. Somber was standing a couple of feet away, arms folded over his chest. There was something odd about him, as if all traces of that former fear were gone. He seemed stronger, even just standing there she felt a nudge of unease. Standing behind Somber was that other teacher she'd seen hanging around before.

"Are you two psychically bonded or something? You're like a couple of cockroaches."

"Very nice," Somber dead-panned "but your little verbal assault is missing one crucial feature. My ability to give a flying fuck!"

Cinch's eyebrows rose as Somber swore. She'd rarely heard him use such language, but again, something was off about him.

"I'm going to guess you've caused a problem, or, by the sounds of it, finally realised I was right about overestimating your own capabilities-"

Somber was still pretty tired from the near death experience, thus he was unable to react fast enough when Cinch moved sharply and slapped him HARD. Hard enough to make him stumble back, arms unfolded to balance himself. He raised a hand to his face, but compared to what he'd felt already, this was easily forgettable.

"SHUT UP, YOU DEGENERATE HACK!" Cinch shouted, fury overriding common sense.

Discord had to clench his fists to stop himself from knocking the stuffing out of Cinch. He settled for setting a hand on Somber's shoulder briefly to steady him, asking was he OK. Somber nodded, expression unchanging. This only served to frustrate Cinch further.

"Somehow this is all your fault!" she glared at Somber. She was a strung out, dishevelled mess by this point, hair slipping from it's perfectly manicured do.

"PRINCIPAL CINCH!" she froze mid-rant at the sound of a female voice. She looked over, seeing Dean Cadance, together with The two Principals Celestia and Luna. All three were giving her stony glares.

"First you bully a student into using magic beyond her control!" Luna fumed "then you try to act as if it never happened!"

"Now we catch you assaulting one of CHS's teachers!" Cadance shook her head "what are you thinking?"

"Y-you don't know this madman!" Cinch yelled "he was bad influence at Crystal Prep too!"

"She's lying." A familiar drawl cut in. Everybody did double takes as Sugar Coat and the other five appeared on the other side of the strange stand-off.

"She told us he was fired, but I heard her gloating that she did CPA a favour by driving him out." the pony-tailed girl said curtly.

"How...?" Cinch twitched.

"I followed you, I wasn't sure why you’d have such a grudge against an ex teacher. Why would you care, unless he did something major to tick you off all that time ago." She glanced up at Somber as she spoke "I’m guessing he wouldn’t do what you wanted."

Somber blinked, floored by this girls astute observations.

Sugarcoat seen the bruise on Somber's face, and put two and two together, and added an extra nail in Cinch's career coffin "oh yeah, she grabbed him by the collar and shoved him against the door as well. It looked like it hurt."

"I knew it" Celestia looked at Somber, who was looking uneasy, also very pale, then glared at Cinch.

"I suggest we open a formal investigation into the professor's situation, alongside Cinch's" Cadance looked at Luna, who nodded.

"Gladly." Celestia said in agreement. Cinch went pale, backing up against her car. She'd driven over there, leaving Cadance to stay with the kids on the bus, she hated having to listen to them chatter and shout!

She grabbed her keys, glaring angrily at Somber, who'd folded his arms across his midsection, he looked straight through her as if he no longer feared nor cared about her.

All she could mange was a parting "You’ll regret this!" before diving into her car and taking off out of the car park.

"I doubt it.." Somber muttered under his breath.

"She shouldn't have been so mean," Sour Sweet said sadly, then snarled "I hope she gets booted out!"

Somber blinked at this girls fervour, it was a little unnerving.

"You tried to help Twilight, didn't you?" Sugar coat stared up at Somber.

"I was concerned how miserable she was. I knew Cinch ruled with an iron fist, but I did not think it had sunk this far."

“It's hit rock bottom and started digging for china." Sugarcoat informed him. Somber looked worried, and his grip around his stomach tightened.

"You got tummy ache?" Indigo Zap asked.

"I don't feel too well," Somber agreed "it's nothing."

"Here," Cadance rummage din her purse and walked over to Somber, holding up a packet of antacids "these will help."

“Thanks.." Somber was able to swallow a couple, handing the box back to Cadance.

"I thought you looked familiar," Cadance said "I seen a photo in the records when Shining Armor was looking up his class photo. You taught him didnt you?"

"Shining Armor? Yes, he was a good student. He often requisitioned my classroom to host his tabletop games."

“Oubliettes and Ogres, yes I remember.." Cadance chuckled "he STILL plays, goes to the championships too."

Somber smiled faintly as he recalled those tabletop games..."its good to hear he's doing well. He was a bright student, when he wasn't goofing about with his friends."

"I'm sure we can find a way to reverse what Cinch did to you. I'll contact Luna, if its alright?"

“Yes, I..." Somber sighed "I think its time I helped put an end to Cinch's insanity."

Cadance nodded, glad to have his help. Cinch was in a LOT of trouble, that was putting it mildly.

"So, what do you teach?" Sugar coat asked Discord "you look like a mad scientist."

"Physics, and thank you. I try, but mad scientist is a tough look to pull off. I'd recommend walking through a hedge backwards, it helps." Discord shot back cordially, which amused Sugarcoat.

"Alright girls, we need to get going..." Dean Cadance ushered the six back towards the bus.

"Are you alright Somber?" Luna asked, seeing how quiet he was.

"I'm fine, just not feeling well, that’s all.."

"Well a lot has happened today..." Celestia sympathised. "We're ending the school days early, I think the students have had a long day too."

Somber walked back towards his car, recalling the kiss he and Discord had shared just that morning. It felt surreal, so much had happened since then it almost seemed like a whole different day.

"Sure you’re alright?" Discord asked. Somber nodded.

They walked past the Wondercolt's statue, where a certain seven girls, one of which was the shy Twilight Somber had encountered, were having a picnic.

"Hi teach!" Pinkie waved, then seen Discord walking alongside Somber "I mean, teaches!"

"Hey crazy hair!" Discord said casually, which made Pinkie whoop. Somber managed a strained smile, spotting the medals they all wore and congratulating them.

"We won!" Applejack cheered "Canterlot finally scored a win!"

"We're awesome!" Rainbow Dash nodded. Twilight bobbed her head and smiled.

"And we got a new Wondercolt!" Rarity nodded at Twilight.

"You’re transferring?" Somber asked. Twilight nodded.

"I-I like it here, I could learn a lot from the students here. but I feel bad for everyone else. They need someone nicer than Cinch."

"I think that Dean of yours will look after that." Somber said, which seemed to make Twilight feel better.

The two adults bid the kids goodbye and set off towards the car.

"They seem to get on well." Applejack remarked.

"I always through Professor Somber was THE most anti-social guy ever. But, he's actually kinda cool.." Rainbow Dash had it admit. Somber had helped her and the others out after all.

"I'm surprised he knew how to fence. Swords are kinda cool.." Sunset Added "I’m gonna sign up!"

While the others chattered about the activities Twilight could sign up for at CHS, Pinkie stood up atop the statue, watching the two teachers stride across the parking lot. She held up her thumbs and forefingers in the shape of a heart, and framed the two figures within it. A knowing smile crept onto her face and she sat down, content in her theory.

Somber drove back to Discord's home in silence, even the air felt lighter, fresher. Those things were gone, and he was alive.

Discord was a silent, comforting presence in the passenger seat beside him. They didn’t need to speak, they knew what they were both feeling.

As they stood at the front door, Discord rummaging for his keys, Somber asked an innocuous question;

"How does take out sound for dinner? I cant cook and you shouldn't have to..."

Discord got the door open and they stumbled inside. But barely was the door closed then Discord turned and snared Somber in his arms, pressing him back against the door. A single kiss embodied all the relief he'd held in check at seeing his precious Somber survive.

"Dis--mmh.." Somber couldn't even get a word in for a good few seconds as he was briefly released only to be kissed again. His heart pounded happily, and he happily reciprocated. His arms wrapped around Discord's shoulders, pressing their bodies together.

At some point balance became an issue, and they slithered to the polished flooring, tangled in one another.

At last Discord let Somber go, and tucked stray strands of the man’s hair behind his ears. Holding him so close only reignited the relief he'd felt earlier at seeing Somber alive. He'd never stop thanking Celestia for this.

His vision blurred, only this time there was nothing to stop him from breaking down. Nobody to keep a straight face in front of, no stray students to intrude on them..

"Discord-?!" Somber blurted, feeling panic at how suddenly the normally steadfast Discord had crumpled. He scooted as close as his could, so he was just seconds away from climbing into Discord’s lap, and wrapped his arms around his shoulders, brushing their foreheads together.

"Hey, I’m right here!"

"I know.." Discord sniffled "the fact you very nearly left for good scared me more than I thought possible. I’ve always been so cavalier about EVERYTHING. Even my friendships, what few I had in Equestria, I sometimes put in second place to my own plans. I took them all for granted, acted as if they were inconsequential."

"Your not alone in that.." Somber interjected "I shut everybody out after CPA, thought people would only betray me if I let them get close. I was wrong...."

Discord managed a very weak smile, pressing a hand to Somber's cheek, the warmth of his skin like an anchor as he continued.

"I acted like I thought it was nonsense. In a way I thought it was, although Fluttershy was an exception. When I thought I’d lost HER, it gave me a sharp shock. But I was still a long way from ever understanding. I felt like I was going crazy trapped by so many rules and regulations in that world, I endeavoured to escape. I used people for my own amusement the same as I did in Equestria, when I arrived HERE. Then I met a stubborn, wilful man who was having none of my nonsense."

Sombra smiled weakly, but was still concerned by how sad Discord was.

"For the first time, I had found something I wanted that I couldn’t just TAKE. Or manipulate, and it threw me. I became more and more curious about you, not just because of your resemblance to the other Sombra. The way you brooked no hesitation in tearing me a new one that first night where I fixed your collarbone really startled me. Very few have ever gotten through my immense EGO the way you have. Before I realised what I’d gotten myself into, I was thinking about more than just a friendship with you..."

Somber flushed a little, remembering how stony and standoffish he himself had been at the start.

"That night where you showed just how selfish I was being by trying to distance you from this conflict, it made me realise I was past the point of ever running such a risk again. I told Celestia you were all the reason I had, and I wasn't kidding. There was something else I promised myself id tell you when this was over.."

"What’s that..?" Somber asked, seeing Discord looking just a LITTLE bit flustered.

Discord kissed him then, a fierce, deep kiss that turned Somber's legs to rubber. He was grateful he was already kneeling down or he'd have just toppled over, as comedic as it sounded.

The words that came out of Discord's mouth wiped away all traces of these thoughts, the weight behind the trio of words immense;

"I love you."

Somber blinked, surprised despite himself. But he could see the raw honesty is Discord's expression, this wasn’t a joke.

--He...loves me? I...-- Somber's world was upside down yet again, and his own feelings came pelting down onto his mind, demanding he answer a very important question: how did HE feel? There was no denying they’d become closer than mere friends, more than just lovers.

Discord babbled on, unsure how else to fill the silence "I don’t know how else to say it. I fell harder then I considered possible, for the first time I found myself at someone else's feet. You can think me as crazy as you please my dear Somber, but its glaringly obvious. I'm in love with you-"

He was cut off by Somber kissing him. A firm but gentle kiss. Discord groaned softly, hw was he supposed to refuse this man? Every little thing Somber did left him scrabbling to match his intensity. Did this mean Somber felt-?

Somber knew hat his decision was, and Discord deserved to hear it after he been brave enough to admit how he felt. How could Somber do any less in return? He took a shaky breath and opened his mouth;

"You barged into my life and turned everything upside down, exposed me for a coward hiding behind my own arrogance and talked me into believing in magic. I have never met anyone that got that close, or did so much to me. Never mind letting letting them away with it! Add in the fact I came to realise I LIKED it, and it adds up to a very clear conclusion. I love you too, end of story." he smiled honestly.

Discord seized him and kissed him. Hearing his precious lover not only accepted but shared his feelings was a dream come true.

When they finally parted, they were both pretty out of breath, faces flushed and clothing rumpled from eager, exploring hands..

"Hey..” Discord chuckled "I'm going to ruin the romantic mood and suggest: why don’t we have mind blowing celebratory sex? Lot to celebrate after all.."

Somber burst out laughing. THIS was the Discord he loved, the goofy, blunt, tactless guy who's mind was a permanent resident of the gutter.

"Hey, don’t laugh-!" Discord said, reddening "you know, its a fact Draconequi are only any good at sentimental moods when they find a partner they want. Other than that were crude as all buggery."

"Then allow me to take a leaf out of your crude book and say this:" Somber closed the distance between them, red eyes blazing with that familiar fire that just flat out turned Discord on "shut up and just DO ME, you doofus."

Discord grinned, and in a repeat of before, threw Somber across his shoulder. Somber's heart poudned in his chest, and he laughed giddily, a sentiment echoed by the excitable Discord.

Discord charged up the stairs and into their bedroom, as he'd come to think of it. He deposited Somber down on the bed, pinning his lover there as he devoured him with his eyes. They were both breathing heavily, clothing all out of place. Discord seen his own desire reflected in Somber's deep red eyes.

"Let me take care of everything.." he whispered, staying Somber's hand as he made to unbutton his own clothing "I want to take you in all over again, like I did that first night..."

Somber blinked but nodded, content to grant Discord his wish.

"Good man.." Discord smiled, and took Somber's breath away with a heated kiss. He took his time removing Somber's clothes, hands and kisses exploring his lovers body as each article was thrown aside to join his own, just as they’d done that first night. So much had happened since then, not least the feelings between them taking even deeper root..

Every touch against his skin felt like it drove Somber's body temperature higher, and the bed covers soon stuck to his back, the cool air of the room brushed over bare skin. Discord's soft voice, repeating his name, was like music...and theirs was a duet.

Every scar of Somber's body was traced by the one who'd been by his side when he'd gotten them, this intimate examination of his body finally sealed with a kiss. Somber wrapped his arms around Discord's shoulders, there was no need for hesitation or preparation this time. Discord's eyes met his and they shared a smile that spoke volumes.

"Ready?" Discord mimicked that night once more.

"Oh, yes.." Somber smiled seductively and he felt Discord's hands settle at his hips, a delicious shiver wracking his body in earnest...

Somber's moan of pleasure was muffled by Discord's kiss as the latter pushed gently into him. He braced his feet against the bed, that delirious heady thrill of anticipation giving way to the even more intoxicating reality as Discord made the first move.

Their day had begun with a kiss, been shaken up by a fight that’d threatened to tear them both apart, and had been brought full circle with a declaration of love.

As the climax faded, they clung onto one another, dazed and exhausted but deliriously happy.

Discord lay down beside Somber as they wrapped the covers around themselves.

Discord pondered something Fluttershy had taught him and wondered if friendship was magic, what power then did LOVE possess?

--Enough to make YOU slow down and enjoy what you have. Love is as chaotic as it is wonderful it would seem. --