Author's Notes:

Thank you to LadyUmbra and Hail-King-Sombra, who gave me the confidence to keep going with this. You are both awesome, much love!

They've been wonderful supporters, please check them out if you'd like~

Enjoy, everypony!

The lovers dozed under the tree for awhile, just enjoying the peace and solitude without work or staff to bother them. Sombra felt the soft brush of his new cloak against his coat and he smiled, it was a very sweet present.

He tilted his head to watch the snoozing chaos lord. Discord truly was so cute when he was asleep, the way he smiled, the way he made those little snuffling sounds and the way his cheeks flushed faintly.

--I wonder what you’re dreaming about?-- Sombra smiled languidly. Probably something involving himself and a bed made of clouds perhaps?

Again Sombra had a surge of guilt over keeping their relationship private. He felt it more and more keenly with every intimate occasion they shared. He wanted to show this loving, loyal partner of his to the world, let them see the most magical thing he'd ever had...

Yet he kept on hesitating.

--It isn’t fair on Discord. I'm such a coward. I- I need to do something!-- he watched a bird sitting on a branch above his head, listened to it sing.

It was true that he liked to keep his private life- well, private. But there was also the fact he would at some point like to be able to kiss Discord whenever he felt like it and not care if the guards or staff seen him.

Eventually, he decided he'd try to make a decision by the end of the day, then ask Discord what HE wanted to do. He felt his burden lift a little as he finally made his choice.

Discord stirred, yawning softly and stretching then looking down at his lover. He seen Sombra looking content and cosy snuggled up to him and stroked the pony’s mane with one hand.

“Sleep well?” he asked, the pony nodded and Discord leaned down to kiss him softly.

“Happy birthday my sweet stallion.” he whispered.

Sombra smiled happily “thank you, my Discord.” he said, earning another kiss.

Discord's stomach gurgled and the King chuckled, nuzzling his cheek.

“Let us return to the palace, I will have the kitchen whip us up something sweet.” Sombra promised.

“It's a date!” Discord winked as he helped him up, kissed him once more, then they set off back to the palace.

The guards greeted them as they walked along through the royal gardens, offering birthday wishes to the monarch.

The cook greeted the King cheerfully, asking what he could do for him? Sombra smiled and asked him to make some of the dishes he knew both he and his secret lover enjoyed most. The cook saluted him and cheerily declared it was on its way!

Sombra watched the cook trot into the kitchen, but the swinging door stuck on open and thus he seen said cook planting a kiss on the cheek of another stallion sharing the kitchen with him. He blinked, he hadn’t realised-

Seeing the King watching them and the stuck door that had revealed it, the cook flushed but smiled a little. His majesty looked almost adorably clueless as he stood there. The cook knew a bit about the whole wing-emotions thing Sombra displayed, from watching his majesty as he served his meals and the way one wing was titled slightly up now was like a question.

“Your majesty, this is my colt-friend Grapevine.” he gestured to the other stallion. Sombra nodded, taking a moment to rifle through his memory for his knowledge of this pony.

“You started two weeks ago, right?” Sombra was finally able to place him.

“Yes, your majesty.” Grapevine nodded, smiling kindly and bowing.

--Does everypony have the courage I lack?-- Sombra pondered, feeling another guilty jab as he seen how easily these two displayed their affections.

Grapevine thought he seen something in the King's face as he straightened up from his bow, a strange sort of melancholy on the Alicorn's face. Then it was gone as the head cook asked what dessert Sombra fancied?

Sombra asked that they make the cake he knew Discord liked the most, the one with the berries...

“Coming right up, your majesty!” the cook promised and the King left, shutting the door as he did.

Sombra led Discord out to the balcony of the dining room. Below them was a lovely view of the kingdom, with the Rainboom stadium in the distance.

The peace and contentment was a rare but welcome break to Sombra. Having this day just for himself and his Draconequus lover, it was the best gift he could have asked for.

"My sweet stallion?" Discord began as they started in on the first dish.

"Yes, Discord?" Sombra smiled softly.

“Are you SURE you'll be OK without me tomorrow?”

Sombra chuckled at how worried Discord looked. They'd discussed this as they'd shared a drink at the party yesterday. Discord had always attended Flutters tea parties, but he was worried about leaving Sombra for the day, what with his “heat” and all. Sombra had insisted he was FINE, he could last a day.

Discord had vowed he'd be back asap. Flutters had a lot of new animals for him to meet and he wanted to drop by Rarity’s, to thank her for the cloak-

“I will be fine.” Sombra assured him “it's your tea with Fluttershy day, I do not want you to miss that! She's your friend and I have been keeping you to myself for many a day now. Take your time and relax.”

“I don’t mind being captured by you," Discord teased "imagine an interrogation, you could do that thing with the shadow fingers you did when you did me-" he was shut up with a kiss and Sombra gave him a coy smile as he let him go.

"I will do that, if you bring those vines next time!" he teased.

"Deal!" Discord smirked and they started to laugh happily at their attempts at one-upping each other.

"Oh you never cease to amaze me, my King," Discord said contentedly "you have quite an appetite!"

Sombra blushed, but could not deny the compliment made him feel good.

"Tell you what, I will have the cook bake some cakes, you can bring them as a gift." Sombra told his lover.

"You’re the best!" Discord grinned cheerily, hugging the pony tightly, making Sombra chuckle. He felt disappointed that he would be saying goodbye so soon, but told himself not to be so silly. The truth was, though, the freedom he had felt the last few days was pretty addictive.

They finished off the last of the food and took a trip into Discord's chaos realm to escape the palace altogether.

Once there, they started playing a game of “race the flying toasters” and “Crazy cloud ping-pong”.

Sombra laughed so hard he got cramps, but admitted it was the most fun he'd ever had.

As evening drew in, they curled up on a big fluffy cloud shaped like a hammock. Sombra was resting on Discord's stomach and chest, muzzle resting against the chaos lord's neck.

He did have one minor concern about being left alone for the day and nibbled on Discord's ear to get his attention.

“Yes, my King?” Discord smiled, scratching behind Sombra's ear in return.

"What am I supposed to while you're gone." Sombra blurted, then blushed at how farcical he sounded. What was he, a horny school colt?

Discord chuckled, kissing Sombra on the nose. Then the Draconequus leaned in close to the stallion and whispered a few suggestions.

"Wha-? Seriously?" Sombra gave him a suspicious look, head cocked to the side a little.

"Trust me, you'll like how it feels." Discord grinned.

"Mm-hm, if you say so. A bit cold though, surely?"

"Oh, your body heat will take care of that."

Sombra sighed as he tried to think this through "why am I letting you put ideas in my head?" he groaned, starting to laugh.

"Because it's either that or I start putting things in you. And by things, I mean my penis-" Discord quipped. Sombra burst out laughing, his gleeful giggles filling the sky.

"You're incorrigible!" Sombra snorted, jabbing Discord in the chest.

"Oi! Wait, that's a compliment, right?" Discord asked. He seen the answer written on his lover's face, the way those cute little fangs bit at his lower lip.

"Smart ass." he grumbled, kissing him and hearing Sombra's deep, contented laugh once more as he let him go.

“Hay, why don’t I demonstrate?” the Draconequus grinned. Sombra blushed, but the suggestion did give him a shiver. He wasn’t clueless, he knew such “toys” existed, but he just hadn’t given them any thought until Discord had brought them up.

He really HAD been throwing himself too much into his work, hadn’t he?

He blinked those thoughts away as Discord summoned a very sizeable object out of thin air.

“Before you ask, I modelled it on myself. So you should feel very comfortable~” Discord winked.

“I see,” Sombra admired it with a faint smirk “VERY realistic.”

“That's the point, cutie. When you cant get the real deal, this is used to stimulate yourself. Trust me, it'll feel good.”

“Oh, I trust you.” Sombra flushed, eyeing the thing as those same exciting butterflies in his stomach were back and gnawing at his nerve endings. He felt his heart racing as Discord propped him up against the back of the cloud hammock so he could get a good view of what was going on.

Discord summoned another tube from his seemingly endless supply of lubricant, slathering the toy in it.

He leaned over and kissed Sombra as he squeezed and stroked the pony's shaft until he was good and aroused.

The flustered King groaned softly as Discord ceased kissing him and sat back, holding the fabricated phallus in both hands.

“This may feel cold.” Discord said softly, then pressed it against his lover's rump.

Even though Discord had warned him, Sombra couldn’t refrain from uttering a yelp as it was pushed into him.

“Bit chilly, I know, but bear with me.” Discord teased.

“O-of course..” Sombra murmured softly.

Discord smiled as Sombra closed his eyes and uttered a low moan of enjoyment the further in the thing pushed. The chaos lord began by slowly pulling it back then plunging it deep into the stallion, watching his lover's reaction.

Sombra groaned and arched his back, much as he did when the real thing was ploughing him and Discord nodded in approval.

“See? Feels pretty authentic, don't you think?” he said airily as he began moving a little faster, watching the way his lovers body clamped tightly around the realistically modelled sex toy. The Alicorn's wings pomf'd out, shivering lightly.

--Excellent..-- Discord smiled, continuing for a few moments before snapping his fingers to get the pony's attention.

“I'll let YOU take this the rest of the way, so you’ll know how to handle it.”

Sombra flushed, but felt a jab of excitement as he focused his magic around the tool resting inside him. He braced himself with his forelegs, eyes half-closed from the pleasure already echoing through him.

Sombra began slow at first, but the more his mind believed this was in fact his REAL lover, the faster he began to go. He closed his eyes fully, letting his magic take over so he could enjoy the sensations as the false member teased his inner walls.

--Fuck me, this is pretty hot.-- Discord could feel his face heating up, amongst other things. Sombra's eager, pleasured moans only egged him on, the way the stallion shifted so as to fully hilt the toy inside his enticingly firm rear with every thrust had Discord's eyes glued to him.

At last Sombra hit orgasm and while he did miss the sensation of his lovers seed filling his insides, the rumble of pleasure was still pretty satisfying. He was faintly aware of his own semen splashing his coat, but paid it no heed as he flopped back against the clouds, breathing heavily.

He heard a squeak and opened his eyes.

Discord of course, had been watching the entire time. Sombra blushed hotly, yet didn't feel that embarrassed, had he really expected his lover to look away as he rutted himself with a toy based off the Draconequus' own member?

--I should just feel relieved that he did not use a memory spell to record it!-- he thought with a faint smile.

At any rate, going by the Draconequus' face and other body parts, he'd quite enjoyed the show.

“I think,” Sombra said after a moments pause “I can manage.”

A squeak and a nod.

Sombra smiled “did you-?”

A squeak and a shake of the head.

Sombra pulled the toy out from inside him with a small gasp of pleasure, setting it aside. He'd rather enjoyed that. He'd never expected to find himself doing himself with a sex toy, but that was the effect Discord had. He removed those sensibilities that dictated every working moment of the King's day.

“Then get over here before you explode,” the monarch ordered the Draconequus “your King demands it.”

“That was so damn arousing.” the chaos lord growled as he obeyed his King's request and sat in front of the stallion.

But as he prepared to do his precious King, Sombra shook his head and used his magic to sit Discord down.

“It is my turn~” he said seductively.

“Your turn to wha-ohhh….” Discord groaned deeply as Sombra ducked his head to run his tongue up the Draconequus' shaft, swallowing globs of pre that trickled down the chaos beings girth.

“Sombra.” he groaned and the pony grinned, raising his head to kiss Discord in a reversal of the act under the tree.

“Lie down.” the King said suddenly, a spark in his eyes. Discord nestled himself in the spot where Sombra had been propped up whilst enjoying his new toy. Sombra sat down in front of him, smiling, his tail swishing.

He held up a hoof, forming it into the solid-shadow fingers just like he had the first time he'd dominated the chaos lord.

He scooped up the tube of lubricant from the cloud, dispensed it onto the shadow-hand, then pushed two of its fingers into Discord.

“Mmm, thats good...” Discord groaned. He'd been hoping Sombra would treat him to this again...

Sombra did as he'd done last time and used his magic to thicken the shadowy tendrils, exploring and stretching his lover's insides.

Discord moaned loudly as the shadow fingers brushed the sweet-spot in his body while the bulk of them filled and stretched him to an insanely pleasurable degree.

Sombra smirked and angled his body so as to take the Draconequui's shaft fully into his mouth. Its warmth and size filled his muzzle and he gave a low groan as his curiosity was sparked. He hadn't done this before, but after watching Discord, he knew he could do his best to emulate the pleasure his lover had given him.

He ran his tongue along the throbbing member as he felt the tip hit the back of his throat. When he swallowed it squeezed the shaft and made its owner squirm eagerly.

“Sombra….mmm.” Discord's moans made the pony's ears twitch as Sombra pulled back up, sucking on the tip and swallowing once more. He alternated between the tip and the whole shaft, making the shadow fingers twitch and tease his partners sweet spot.

Discord groaned lustfully, nails digging into the cloud beneath him as Sombra's magic surrounded his lower body, keeping him still.

Sombra flexed the shadow hand and another of its fingers elongated and wrapped around the base of Discord's cock. It squeezed, keeping him from coming as the pony teased and licked the head.

Discord wanted to buck his hips, get his stallion to take more of him in, but Sombra was holding him in place. The pony's magic kept him utterly still, he couldn’t even reach forward to tangle his fingers in that mane, he was at Sombra's mercy. The King was controlling Discord's orgasm and it was one of the sexiest things Discord had ever felt.

The urge to cum was so strong, yet that tendril wrapped around his base meant he was denied until the pony saw fit.

“My King-" Discord panted.

“Mmm, yes?” Sombra paused in his ravishing of the chaos lord's member.

“Mm….please!” Discord groaned as the attention ceased.

“Please what?” Sombra smirked, drawing it out, raising a hoof to stroke the throbbing endowment in front of his face “Please take you all in?”.

Discord groaned, oh he was a tease-

“Y-yes, my King.”

“Mmm, I’d say you've earned your reward~” Sombra purred.

As he spoke, the shadow-fingers inside his lover began moving in unison, like a teasing form of rutting.

Once he had Discord truly lost in a haze of need and desire, the pony ceased teasing and went for the climax-

He consolidated the twin tendrils inside Discord into one, pushing and thrusting like he would if he was using his own member. Discord growled, moaning eagerly and clenching his body around the tendril. As he did this, the stallion took his lover's shaft into his mouth once more, letting its length fill his throat-

He gave one final thrust with the shadow tendril, working the close-to-errupting member in his mouth-

He heard Discord's voice calling his name a second before he felt the Draconequus' urgent load hit the back of his throat, the sticky fluid trickling down it as he swallowed rapidly.

When he'd savoured and swallowed every last drop, he sat back up, licking his lips. He released Discord from his magic and was instantly pulled into his arms and kissed hotly.

“Mm, very nice~” he praised, taking in the flushed and content Discord as the kiss ended. He snuggled his lover, heart racing.

“That was literally mind blowing, my King.” Discord groaned “I never expected you to be such a tease...” he kissed the pony fiercely “but I like it!”

They rested awhile, enjoying the time they had...

Even with the lesson on using a sex toy, Discord knew he couldn’t leave Sombra along for long until the pony was free from the very real issue of his sexual urges, amplified by the Infinitum's weird biology.

"It's only for a day, I promise I’ll be right back.." he repeated as he stood in front of a portal to Ponyville the next day.

"I'll be fine." Sombra insisted. He knew he was getting punch drunk off the love and affection he'd been swamped by since their first kiss, but he wasn't about to keep Discord from seeing his other friends. "Go, have fun! I will see you tomorrow."

“Thank you, my King.” Discord gave him a quick smooch, then vanished into the portal which closed behind him.

Already the room felt emptier without the Draconequus' larger-than-life personality to fill it.

--Heh, I do not want to be the possessive type.-- Sombra thought to himself --I am sure this urge will be manageable with nothing to arouse it. I just have to avoid letting my mind wander. And if it does, my hoof shall wander to that intriguing toy.--

Smiling to himself, he drifted over to the bed. Maybe he should practise again...

Discord's affections left Sombra all but oblivious to the changelings spying on him that day.

All he seen was his usual guards, nodding to him and greeting him as reverently as they always did. He thought he felt one of them staring at him however and stopped, glancing back over his shoulder.

Sure enough, one of them WAS staring and Sombra thought he seen a curious look in the pony's eyes. Sombra recalled he was still in heat, so he just gave a bland smile and walked away hurriedly. He didn’t want a repeat of the two guards from last time...

Alone in the hall, the guard smirked. He'd caught the King's scent and as the lower ranked bug had mentioned, the King radiated a needy and lustful aura. He wouldn’t have minded taking a go with the pony, but he was under strict orders to leave him untouched for his Queen.

--You should feel honoured, crystal King. My Queen desires you as her power source for the hive and it's my job to get you to her.--

It'd been easy enough to lure a dozen guards away and take their respective places. The Bug had determined from his prior incursions the guards that were loners or simply kept to themselves.

While having a late lunch, one of the spies observed Sombra enter the kitchen and thank the cook for the cakes he had made for Discord's trip. The cook asked where he had headed and Sombra cheerfully answered “Ponyville”.

The King's protective lover was absent that day, it seemed. The impact this could have ran through his brain as he watched the King leave, noting the way the monarchs body moved. He smirked, soon all that love and naïve desire would be fuelling their hive.

“Excellent,” was the mission leaders response when this news was ferried to him through the ranks of spies “this is a valuable opportunity. We must keep a close watch on his majesty.”

Thus the changeling guards made sure they were always within range of the King, waiting and hoping patiently for an ideal opportunity to steal him away.

The lead on the mission expected it could take days, there was guarantee they'd be able to nab the King this day, they may have to devise a plan to take care of Discord after all-

But barely had the thought crossed his mind then the King walked right into the guards office and unknowingly handed himself to them on a platter.

“I shall be taking dinner down in the orchard this evening and I wish to be left alone.” Sombra informed the guard captain.

The captain nodded, saluting the monarch.

“Yes, sire. The patrol shall remain outside the gates at a respectable distance if you should require us.”

“Thank you.” Sombra bowed his head in gratitude, then left the guards meeting room.

“You heard the King,” the head guard told all of them gathered there “keep an ear out but don't interrupt his majesty, clear?”

“Yes, sir.” all the guards said.

At the back, a quiet guard nodded to himself, a flicker in his eyes. Perfect.

So it went that very evening, as the oblivious King shut the orchard gate behind him, the capture plan was set in motion.

“Evening your majesty!”

The guards greeted Sombra as he walked over to the orchard gates, a covered tray floating alongside him.

“Evening.” Sombra greeted them with a soft smile, nodding in gratitude as one of them opened the gate for him.

He hummed to himself as he headed towards the same tree he and Discord had made love under just a day before. It was as close as he could be to his lover whilst he was away and it was a lovely warm evening, far too nice to spend inside...

The guards all shared glances as the gate swung shut, nodding in unison. They'd give his majesty time to relax, then they'd strike.

A half hour later, Sombra reclined back against the tree, full of food. The evening breeze rustled the leaves, bringing the scent of fresh apples to his nose. He flashed back once again to that wonderful birthday gift and flushed subtly in the light of the setting sun.

--Dammit Discord, you are invading everything in my head!-- but he knew he was grinning ear to ear even so.

The call of the birds and the warmth of his meal was making him feel drowsy and he was starting to doze off.

--Just for a moment.-- he thought.

He bolted awake a little while later, thinking he'd heard a sound like a branch snapping. It was almost full dark now and he lit his horn to light his path as he walked.

“Somepony there? Guards?” he asked, voice echoing around the orchard. It was so quiet.

Too quiet.

He felt a funny feeling grow in the back of his mind as he picked up the pace, trotting through the trees towards the main gate. But it wasn't there. Had he gotten turned around?

He shook his head, this was ludicrous. He knew his way around this orchard, the gate was supposed to be here. Somepony must be playing a prank!

“Discord, is that you?” he called. “If so, this is not as amusing as your other pranks, get down here right now.”

No answer and the stallion's unease grew even more.

Sombra faced the hedge in front of him, he was SURE this was where the gate was-

SNAP.

He whirled round, a snarl rising in the back of his throat-

But it was just three of his personal guard standing there, looking at him with perplexed, nervous expressions.

“We came to find you sire, your mother wishes to see you.”

“Of course.” Sombra shook his head, he was half asleep and overworked, that was it. He started to walk past them, running plans for a vacation through his head, maybe in Canterlot?

“This way Sombra, sir.” One guard indicated a left turn.

“Mm-hmm.” Sombra was just ahead of the guard when it hit him. His guards NEVER called him by his first name.

“What did you-” he turned round to look at the guard, just in time to see the façade drop and a bug-like pony launch at him. He danced aside just in time, swinging one wing up on impulse to bat the thing aside. The other two guards changed too, grinning darkly at him.

--What in blazes?!-- Sombra fired off a blinding spell and bolted through the trees, back towards where he knew the gate was. But more of those things waited in front of the hedge that blocked the gate.

Sombra spread his wings and flew up, sure they'd not be able to hamper him here-

He stopped dead as more appeared from the trees as he drew level, swarming around him in an instant and trying to tear at his wings, their weight pulling him down.

He roared in fury, swinging his body around and dislodging many of them. His glance turned to the castle, why was nopony seeing this?!

Sombra flung another one of his attackers back with a growl and a kick, watching it fly back only to to stop abruptly as it hit an invisible barrier, making it flicker for a split second. His stomach sank, there was a dome shield covering the orchard, the real guard probably couldn't hear or see a thing!

--Guess I’m on my own then!-- he grunted in anger, kicking another of his captors off with a hard push from his hind-legs. Another felt the King's teeth sink into his leg and let go with a howl of pain.

But for every one he stunned, kicked or shot with magic, more simply appeared out of the trees. He shook free from the deluge and turned to shadow, diving into the lengthening shadows of the orchard. He needed to get out and sound the alarm, but in order to do that, he had to first evade these things!

--They’re changelings, I recognise them from that book in Twilight's library!-- he swallowed down his sense of panic and tried to think of a plan.

He slunk from tree to tree, flinging off small bursts of magic to direct their attention elsewhere, even using the same spell he'd used to catch his aide spying on him that day in his office. Hearing more of them rush past his hiding place leaving silence behind, he opened his eyes and slunk forward, he was almost there…

But as he came within bolting distance of the spot where he knew the gate was, there was a flash of green light and he recoiled, squinting upwards. The changelings floated all around him, horns glowing with green magic. The sharp glare of it eradicated the shadows for him to run to, forcing him back to his solid form.

They dove for him again and were met by magic blasts that left searing cuts along their bodies, knocking many of them into the tree trunks or ground hard enough to stun. Another wave swarmed him, latching onto his legs and grabbing his wings to pull on them hard enough to stop him from using them as a weapon.

Sombra bucked and kicked, biting at whatever came within reach, be it wing or hoof or ear. With a feral roar he reared up on his hind-legs, eyes gleaming with fury.

Thwock. Thwock. Thwock.

He felt three sharp jabs to his chest and staggered back onto his hooves. Looking down at his chest, he seen three feather-tipped darts there and felt a numbing pain spreading through his body.

“Well well, you took far more effort than I anticipated.” an oily voice reached Sombra's ears a second before a weight slammed into his back, making the monarch collapse to the grass. Sombra gasped in pain as a sibilant voice whispered in his ear.

"That's right," the one pinning him laughed at the King's pointless struggles "You’re all alone and you wont be getting away."

"Get..off!" Sombra managed to gather enough strength to push the changeling off him, staggering forward but not making it very far before he collapsed back to the grass, his own shadow stretching ahead of him in the eerie green light. He tried to call out, but his throat was locking up-

--Move, you have to!-- He tried to make his body respond to his desperate pleas, gasping in panic as he heard his attacker speaking, heard him laugh.

"My Queen wishes you for a husband, you should feel honoured. There’s nothing you can do to stop her, so just give in." The changeling smirked as he observed his captive trying futilely to drag his body across the grass, legs failing as the drug flooded his system. It'd taken three doses to bring his majesty down, he was a powerful stallion.

Then again, he was an Alicorn and a dark magic one at that. The Queen had warned it would take many of them to wear him down and she hadn't been wrong. Glancing around he could see many of his fellows bore bite marks or scorch wounds from the King's magic and others snarked about broken bones from Sombra's kicks.

Sombra couldn't fight the big changeling as the buggy creature strode slowly over and pushed Sombra's body so he was lying on his back, then tilted the Umbrum's face to meet his.

“You're quite a prize, I believe now is the time to take my catchers fee from you, my Queen promised me.”

The other changelings cackled and nodded in agreement.

Sombra tried to pull his face away, but whatever he'd been injected with made it impossible to stop the changeling from kissing him.

It was creepy, slimy and rough, the changeling pushing his tongue forcefully into the King's mouth, grunting eagerly as he explored it.

--NO!-- Sombra felt a stab of fear, he couldn’t stand being trapped, handled against his will-!

The changeling released him at last, licking his lips perversely and uttering an eager groan.

"Such lustful feelings, oh my, you are tempting."

Sombra felt a shudder as the changeling spoke, his creepy voice sending shivers up the Alicorn's back.

He couldn’t help notice from this angle, that the one sneering at him was fully aroused.

The changeling seen him looking and smirked.

"That's right, I prefer to screw stallions when I take the form of a pony. A bit of rough sex, it gets me going." he laughed at the King's revolted expression.

"You, you're like a walking battery of desire. Were it not for my devotion to my Queen, I’d drain that delectable love energy from you now. Let you feel a changeling’s appetite."

"S-stay away from me...you sicko-" Sombra forced his vocal chords to move, spit out defiant words even as he grew light-headed. He bit back further insults as the changeling pinned him by the throat.

"Watch your mouth, lest I hurt you with more then just poison. Now sleep, King Sombra."

The last thing Sombra seen was that leering grin, then he blacked out.

The changeling gently removed the pony's priceless crown, holding it in one hoof.

"Bring him to the Queen and keep your filthy hooves to yourselves, none of you is to drain even an iota of energy from him. He is our Queen's."

The changeling’s nodded, aware of this ones wrath. Between them, they sealed the stallion inside a cocoon, slipping away into the deepening shadows with their prize.

Alone, the bigger changeling grinned and with a shimmer of green light there stood a perfect clone of the Umbrum Alicorn. He grinned, stretching and testing his new body before heading towards the palace.

He slept in the King's expansive bed that night, marvelling at how much finery this monarch lived in. He could feel the love of the subjects at the edge of his senses. They idolized this strange stallion, yet they knew little about him, truly. Oh, he was going to enjoy this.

The changeling had just gotten out of bed the next morning, when he was pounced upon by a blur of energy. Knocked onto his back in the most undignified way possible, he glowered up at a grinning, gleeful face.

"Morning handsome!" Discord grinned down at the pony.

False-Sombra sighed, it was the real King's lover of course, who else? He blinked dozily up at the chaos lord as he tried to think.

"What's the matter?" Discord ran a hand over Sombra's stomach. Normally this made the King laugh and fidget like a hyperactive foal, but now his Sombra just shifted, giving him an absent smile.

"Sorry," the pony sighed at last, smiling softly "after dinner yesterday, I haven't felt well."

The Draconequus kissed him gently and was relieved when his lover responded to that at least.

The changeling grinned to himself in his head as the chaos being kissed him. The connection, the LOVE that this odd creature attributed to Sombra, it would be enough to satisfy him for awhile.

"You look good enough to eat~" Discord purred.

"You hungry?" The pony teased after a milliseconds delay.

Discord cocked an eyebrow, somepony was being very blunt this morning! Not that Sombra wasn't usually straightforward, after all he'd pretty much demanded Discord stop stalling and screw him that first night, but something was off about this occasion.

"Very much so, but you've already missed breakfast, so I don’t want you being late. Oh, speaking of, did you take my suggestion while I was gone?"

Sombra looked blank, which made Discord chuckle, was he hiding something?

"You know," he nudged the pony's side "about the method of amusing yourself." he let a hand trail on down over that nice bottom, making Sombra squirm in that adorable fashion.

"I can assure you I managed perfectly well." Sombra scolded him as his brain clearly caught up, a smirk on his face "you needn't have worried."

"That's reassuring, but didn't you miss me at all? No way a TOY could take my place."

Discord pretended to sulk and the changeling rolled his eyes.

--These two are insane, but the energy this one produces, it's at an all time peak. He really adores that idiot King.-- the changeling thought, distracting the Draconequus with a kiss as he mulled things over.

"You, work. Go on." Discord set him on his hooves, then noticed something "wait, you wore your crown to bed?"

False-Sombra opened his mouth to conjure up an excuse, but Discord wasn't entirely paying attention.

"Never mind. Where’s the fun in making sense? I’ve taught you well!" Discord snickered.

False-Sombra rolled his eyes in a familiar fashion.

"So how was your trip?" he asked, guessing that was where this thing had been for the last day, leaving his beloved King so unguarded.

"Oh, wonderful! Fluttershy is as adorable as ever, she's fostering a whole clan of bunnies and dear little Angel's nose is put right out of joint!"

False-Sombra gave an amused snort, not knowing nor caring who that was.

"That bunny is a spoilt brat, still, Flutters loves him so." Discord chuckled and shrugged.

The changeling Sombra forced a smile but he was really having to wing this, since the only evidence he had to go on was what that lower ranked spy had given him. He'd only seen them under that tree, post-coitus.

But he got the impression they were pretty deeply involved, even though nopony at the palace seemed to know about this affair. The only clue he'd picked up was two guards betting how long it'd be before the King and his best friend did something that proved they were dating. It seemed the King kept his affections very private.

But it was abundantly clear to him that Discord adored Sombra.

As he rambled, the Draconequus watched his lover get dressed. He thought Sombra seemed a bit absent minded, staring off into space as he looked for his things. Then Discord realised something vital was missing.

"Where's that neckplate you were wearing? The one you were wearing under the tree?"

"Oh, that?" The fake swore inside, he'd forgotten to undress the pony before having him kidnapped. To busy gloating about kissing the paralysed monarch.

"-and your birthday cloak?"

That cloak the King had been wearing before had been something special? Blast it, why had that idiot bug not mentioned this?

Clearing his throat, he smiled seductively "It's in the wash. Also, I’m feeling cold, so I thought I’d wear something heavier." False-Sombra affected a shiver.

Discord frowned, studying his lover worriedly as he pulled the pony into his arms, thinking he did seem a bit pale. He nuzzled behind his stallion's ear, relishing in the scent, although it seemed a little different today. Maybe he was imagining things, Sombra had probably just changed shampoo or something.

---Don't be so ridiculous, Discord. Even if you are the champion at it!---

"You should look after yourself, I don’t want anything happening to you." he murmured at last.

--Too late you dimwitted fool!-- the changeling thought, but instead faked a sincere smile and kissed Discord instead.

"I'll be fine." he said simply.

Discord chuckled, distracted by his lover's smile.

"Well cutie, much as I’d love to bend you over that bed and bone you senseless, we both know you’ll just have to hold on until later, when we'll have more time."

He pulled a packet of seeds from his bag "I brought those plunder seeds I promised, these are a special variety, smooth but firm."

The changeling copped on that Discord had some sort of sexual conquest planned, involving a sex-focused plant. Insane, this creature was insane.

--Who'd have thought that stuck-up King was such a kinky thing?-- he mused.

"I'm sure they're perfect~." False-Sombra lied at last and was fiercely kissed a few more times, the energy from it was quite a rush. He grinned dizzily as he was let go, which must've pleased his partner, as he scratched behind the pony’s ears. It kinda tickled, the changeling noticed and couldn't resist a laugh.

"That’s my Sombra," Discord said fondly "now go, or you'll be late."

"Aren't you coming?" Sombra asked.

"I'll be down in a minute, it stops that pesky bunch of guards seeing us and running their mouths, you know?"

"Oh." Sombra scuffed the carpet with one hoof, scowling down at it then blurting "Well, it's none of their business, come with me!"

Discord was caught off guard by Sombra's sudden grump, but figured something had upset the King and he was feeling demanding. Sombra had been adorably private about their relationship so far, complaining when his aide dared ask if he was dating.

So Discord did as his lover asked. He floated after Sombra and a couple of guards that they passed took note of two things.

His majesty was hanging around with his best friend VERY early in the morning and that the King seemed in a grumpy sort of mood. He greeted them in the usual fashion, but with little of his usual effortless charm. He hadn’t gotten drunk again, had he?

As Discord was sneakily admiring Sombra out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the guards they passed didn't cast those same lustful looks the King's way, as they had before. Had the Infinitum's heat finally ended? Seemed a little abrupt, but the whole thing was technically still a mystery.

He shrugged to himself and escorted Sombra to the dining hall.

Page Assist noticed that the King seemed a bit out of sorts that morning when he arrived at his office. Also, his coat was back to normal, had something changed?

He brought this up to the King, asking had the "urges" finally calmed down? Sombra's response was a cold glare as he told him information of that nature was no longer up for discussion.

"B-but sire, we have to be careful, you remember what we discussed-" Page Assist bleated.

"I said enough!" the King barked, eyes blazing "You can take the rest of today off, I won't be requiring further assistance."

Page Assist was shocked. What had caused his majesty to react this way? Had his lover angered him in some way, putting him in this foul mood?

He hurriedly left, mind whirling.

Partway to his own office, he was startled by that infinitely annoying creature Discord popping out of a house plant and scaring him.

"Cut that out!" he snapped.

"Aw, party pooper. How does Sombra put up with you?" Discord sulked and Page Assist glared.

"Well he ISN'T putting up with me right now, he kicked me out of his office again!" he snapped and Discord paused, mid-retort.

"He did?" the chaos lord frowned.

"Yes, you imbecile!"

"Charming." Discord dead-panned, but continued anyway "that seems odd, I thought you two had gotten over that fight about that report?"

"Well, he's clearly changed his mind! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go to my office and pray I don't lose my job!" Page Assist stomped off.

It was only when he'd reached said office and shut the door behind him, that he realised something odd about the conversation he'd just had.

---How did he know about that report?---

Discord frowned to himself as Page stormed off, Sombra really was acting odd today.

An hour later and he still couldn’t get hold of the pony himself as Sombra seemed to be constantly busy, so he went to the next pony that knew the Alicorn well, Lady Umbra.

She was very pleased to see him drop by and they sat out on the balcony in her room, having some tea.

"What's the matter?" she asked, seeing his anxious face.

"Has Sombra seemed odd to you?"Discord asked at last. Umbra frowned, she hadn't seen him so far that morning, so she shook her head.

"What's happened?" she asked.

So Discord told her about how Sombra had seemed distant that morning, how grumpy he'd been at breakfast and finally how he'd turfed Page out of his office AGAIN over that report.

"This morning? Goodness you two get up early." Umbra chuckled.

Discord realised he may have just dumped himself in it, turned bright red all over and felt the floor vanish from under his feet.

Umbra grabbed Discord via her magic before he literally disappeared into a pit he'd somehow summoned and sat him back on the chair. The pit vanished and she smiled as she regarded the bright red Draconequus.

"Don't worry, I’m not saying it to be improper. I know what’s going on, I’ve seen how happy my son has been this last week. Your visits always cheered him up and now he seems even more content. Am I correct to assume you care about him?"

"That would be an understatement," Discord felt uncharacteristicly nervous. This was Sombra's MOTHER after all. But Umbra just beamed.

"I'm glad. You were the one who saved him back then, he spoke often about how he wouldn't have been able to take this second chance were it not for you."

Despite Sombra having told him this numerous times, hearing it from Umbra made Discord blush faintly.

"Well," he coughed and cleared his throat "besides Fluttershy, he's one of the few I truly care about. I didn't think he'd accept how I felt about him, but I figured it was better to confess than avoiding him because I kept thinking about planting one on him!"

Umbra chuckled, she liked how random yet honest Discord was.

"Yet when I told him, he wasn't angry. A bit surprised at first, I think." the chaos being smiled.

“Surprised? May I ask to hear this story?” Umbra asked, eyes twinkling.

Discord told her the tale of the homicidal cloud copy, the ensuing fight, the eventual the first kiss and she laughed until she got hiccups.

"That's quite an unusual way to go about it!" she wiped her eyes, the giggles finally gone.

"Tell me about it," Discord rolled his eyes, grinning gleefully at her "he was pretty ticked off when the clone copy attacked him. He thought it was some mean spirited trick and I had as hard a time convincing him it wasn't as I did battling the cloud clone!"

"But in the end, he listened?" Umbra asked and Discord nodded.

"We got interrupted before I could properly kiss him, that loopy clone dive bombed me! That was when I finally kicked that cloud copy's ass from here to madness! Afterwards, dear Sombra lands beside me, moves incredibly close and smug as you like he says "Quit stalling and kiss me!". Stopping at just a few kisses to begin with, it was almost impossible!" Discord gave a theatrical wave of his arms and sighed.

Umbra beamed, that sounded like her son in a nutshell. Confident, yet at the same time probably just as unsure!

"It makes me happy," she said seriously "to see he's finally opened up. I was worried he was still distancing himself from anypony's affections. He's had no shortage of wishful suitors, but has turned them all down. He never mentioned wanting to find someone and I think he didn't consider himself ready."

"That reminds me, how did that whole report business come about?" Discord asked.

"Oh, that?" she chuckled "yes, it has caused quite a stir as far as Page has told me. In one of my trances I found out that the Infinitums in the past had quite voracious appetites, if you'll pardon my phrasing, in the reproductive department."

Discord nodded. "They get a bit shag happy?" he asked.

Umbra did a double take, looking at his amused face then busting a gut laughing again.

"Anyway," she carried on between chuckles "I was torn between covering this subject with him myself, or asking a close acquaintance to do it. I thought if he heard it from a stallion, it'd make it less awkward. Sadly, that seems to have backfired."

"Yes, he did get quite mad at his aide," Discord mused "in the end, I read it and pointed out it wasn't his aide being a nosy git, it was just biology. HIS biology in fact. He was a bit less grumpy after that."

"I should have just asked you to begin with," Umbra smiled "I had pondered it, but felt it seemed a bit rude of me to drag you into this."

"To be fair, this whole thing only happened recently." Discord couldn’t help a smile.

"I seen the change in his coat, how much he seemed to be smiling lately. I was relieved to see him looking better, as he's been somewhat withdrawn in recent weeks."

“Yes, he had something on his mind that was dragging him down. I was worried by how miserable he seemed that one night-" he cut off, coughing.

"I wont ask what it was, if he wants to tell me, I’ll leave it up to him." Umbra assured Discord with a knowing smile "you don't need to worry, I wont ask you to betray his trust."

Discord was relieved and pulled a bunch of flowers from thin air as a present. Umbra chuckled, setting them in a vase atop the table.

"You and Sombra are very similar." she mused "you've both had to adapt to a whole new time and place."

“And we've both made colossal mistakes in our pasts. We flamingo'd up."

“Flamingo?"

“Yes! It's like a cock up, only much bigger!" Discord explained with a grin.

"Well, I’ll speak to Sombra myself later, see if everything's alright." Umbra came back to the original topic at hand.

“Thank you.” Discord sighed in relief that she hadn’t thought him crazy.

"I’m sure it's nothing to worry about." she smiled at last.

"I hope so. Maybe I’m just imagining things, but something just seems off today." Discord sighed.

Discord drifted around the Umbrum city, distracting himself until such a time as he could see his dear Sombra.

But as he wandered aimlessly around the main square, one thought above others bugged him about Sombra's responses that morning. Could that sluggish reaction REALLY have been down to bad food?

He decided to return to the palace and ask the cook.

"His highness, complaining about the food? Goodness me no, he seemed perfectly satisfied and the tray was picked clean. Heaven knows that stallion has an appetite. Why do you ask?"

"He was complaining of stomach ache." Discord told him.

The cook frowned uneasily "maybe he ate too much? He has an appetite to match his stature, I’ll say that much."

"Tell me about it.” Discord mumbled to himself, only he had a different appetite in mind.

“What’s that?" the cook asked.

"Nothing, carry on!" Discord declared before shooting out of there.

The cook shook his head, that Discord was an odd fellow.

While this was going on;

Sombra awoke and seen the world around him did not look like the last thing he seen. This wasn't the orchard, where was he?

His memory came back and he gasped, trying to get to his hooves. Something clanked and his blood ran cold. Looking down, he seen there was a chain attached to a collar around his neck. More chains limited his movement in any direction.

--No. not again, please!-- he began to panic, then forced himself to calm down. What was the last thing he could recall? He sat back down, ignoring his quailing stomach.

A changeling grinning evilly down at him, making no pretence of the fact the captive love-emitting King was making him hot. He'd forced a kiss-

Sombra's stomach sank and he whispered one word;

"Changelings."

"Ah, awake at last." a female voice interrupted.

Sombra leapt to his hooves again, backing up as far as the chains would allow. A creature he'd seen from photos in an archival newspaper strode into the dim light provided by a lantern overhead. A jet black body with holes in her legs like formations in rock. Gossamer wings and a curved horn with sharp angles and wicked green eyes. Said eyes fixed on him now, their unearthly glow mimicking his own when his magic flared up.

"Chrysalis." he hissed.

"QUEEN Chrysalis, if you'd be so kind," she smirked "and welcome to my home, my HIVE. Soon to be your home too."

"What are talking about-? Let me go this instant-!" Sombra snapped and tried to dredge his magic only to feel a shocking pain stab into his head.

"Oh silly me, did I forget to mention the suppressor? Can't have you escaping before the wedding."

"What are you talking about, you insane creature!" Sombra snarled.

Chrysalis chuckled merrily.

"What else? OUR wedding! You see, I want a husband but I also require a power source in order to restart my hive. I realised I could do both and all it took was you. After all, what's better for a Queen then a powerful, handsome King?" her eyes wandered over the Pony's muscular, well toned body.

Sombra shuddered at the look on her face.

"You are insane, I am not going near you." Sombra's mind was reeling, this was bad!

Chrysalis rolled her eyes "Yes, yes, I know your preferences lie with the other team, you pompous stallion stuffer! But I can fix that, so I’m not worried."

"What did you just call me-?! You come near me and I promise I shall rip your damn wings off!" Sombra snarled and Chrysalis felt a brief stab of unease at the very real level of fury in his voice. He was a powerful looking pony whose wings alone were able to break bones and those sharp predatory fangs could indeed tear her wings off.

--He's a deserving pony of becoming my King,-- she grinned –after all, a girl deserves the best!--

She took a step closer and Sombra lunged. The chains went taught, but he swung a massive wing around and she barely flew back in time to avoid being punched out by the big feathered appendages.

His wingspan was impressive and the air generated by them threatened to extinguish the lantern. With a flare of her magic she lit more of them so she could see properly.

She kept back out of his range, realising she was dealing with a creature that could overpower her if she didn't get him under control, fast. Taunting him with so little holding him back had been fun, but she had to stop playing around now. He needed to learn he couldn't escape.

She bellowed for her servants to get their asses in here and seconds later they came tearing in. Two of them were hiding something between them.

Chrysalis faced Sombra, smirking confidently again.

"Seems you can't be trusted with those things, so I’m afraid I’ll just have to "clip" them." She taunted.

Sombra growled, refusing to answer her.

"GO!" she yelled. The changeling's lunged for Sombra.

Sombra shot to one side, swinging the wings as a weapon once more. Even with the chains restricting his area of movement, he caught two of them, slinging them back against the wall with heavy thuds, stunning them. One drone shot back just in time to avoid having sharp teeth puncture its wing.

Chrysalis merely ordered more to join the fray, ordering them to get that pony under control!

It took several changeling's to subdue him in the end, but Chrysalis grinned as she heard Sombra cry out in pain amidst the scrum.

"Back it up, my pets." she cooed and the out of breath, battered changelings retreated, nursing various cuts and scrapes. The device they'd wrestled onto the Queen's captive was a restraint for his wings. Due to Sombra's large wingspan, Chrysalis had had a special one made from components stolen from the Umbrum town during earlier forays. She'd had her eyes on Sombra since learning he was alive and knew flat out he'd be a difficult one to contain, but it would be worth the wait to have such an ideal mate.

The device had a bar that lay across the pony’s back, with cables fed through it that clamped onto the wings. If he tried to stretch or flap them, the cables would go taut and spikes would dig in and cause serious pain. In short, he wouldn't be able to fly away without falling in agony.

Sombra soon realised this, as he seen blood bloom under his crystal feathers. He felt like being sick. Captured and tortured, he thought this nightmare was over...

Chrysalis smiled coldly, sensing his fear "you see, you can't escape so you may as well surrender and become my King."

"Only in your twisted dreams, you lunatic." Sombra snarled "you had best be prepared for what you will unleash by doing this."

"Oh, I’m an old hand at dealing with that sort of trouble. You’ve no hope and I’ve nothing to worry about. I have a replacement acting in for you, they'll never suspect. After all..."

She smirked as she walked closer "one thing I learned from my scouts was this; you are a mystery. You hide so much of yourself that your own staff don't know enough about you to assume you’re acting any different!"

This hit close to home and Sombra's mind flashed back, all those articles wondering would he ever love somepony? Who was he under the crown?

"You see? You've done this to yourself!" Chrysalis cackled "they go on and on about you, about the reportedly hidden heart of their great King Sombra! All it would take was seeing you step out with a partner at last and they'd love you even more!"

"You're forgetting someone." Sombra choked out at last.

"You mean that little mistake of a chaos god you seem to insist on screwing? I instructed my changeling to screw with him in more ways than one, so he won't notice you're not you. By the sound of what my spies told me, he's drunk off your bedroom antics, off your heat-"

"Cease your lies, you foul witch!" Sombra spat.

"You know I’m right. Nopony will notice you’re missing and your little plaything doesn’t have the attention span! You’re mine now, dear Sombra, just give up."

"You will regret this soon enough." Sombra said coldly, his gaze never leaving her face.

Something about his words chilled her a moment and she fought to put them aside. She gathered her magic and stared calmly at the King.

"Now, just give up any hope of escaping and we can be very happy." she chuckled as she launched the spell, her glowing green eyes locking onto his. Green slime locked his hooves in place and rapidly encroached on his body the more he struggled.

"Unhand me this instant!" The king roared and for a moment she seen a funny flicker in his eyes, the remnants of what he'd once been.

--I have to lock him down, for as enticing as he is when he's got a mean streak, I won't have him upstaging me. Say goodnight, Sombra!--

As the King snarled threats and swore he'd make her pay, all the while fighting pointlessly against the substance holding him in place as it covered his body, she reached into a bag by her hooves. This was the crowning achievement of her plan...

Finally Sombra's whole body was completely immobilised and she strode over to him. From one hoof hung a pitch black collar with jagged green symbols on it.

"You know what this is?" Chrysalis asked. Sombra glared, but with the slime holding him hostage, he couldn't even open his mouth.

Chrysalis heard the growl rumbling deep in his body and chuckled.

"Its very old, but very, shall we say potent?" She admired the thing, turning it this way and that. "The longer you're exposed to it, the more it buries your true self. Obedience through pain, it's an old method passed down through the hive. You'll be my obedient little power supply and more importantly you'll be my slave."

Sombra growled something that might've been "fuck you", but she didn't care. She watched him try to move away to no avail as she clipped the collar around his neck, the slime moving back to allow it. Soon as the collar clicked closed, she stepped back. Sombra roared futilely, the sound muffled by his restraints as it shocked him brutally.

She waited as he withstood a level of pain that'd fell most changelings, let alone an equestrian. His eyes met hers and she seen that stubborn nature fighting the collar at every step. She even caught a glimpse of fury, of that darker side of him that was so much like hers. Pity he seemed resigned to becoming a docile slave, what with his foolish refusal of her generous offer, perhaps had he been more cooperative she could've had him as an equal.

--You abandoned your real nature, didn't you Sombra? Tamed by the arrogant Celestia, you're no more than a pet, like your foolish lover. Thus it's fitting you become my pet..--

Sombra gave everything he had, but eventually the fight left him and his body went slack, the slime the only thing keeping him on his feet.

The Alicorn had fought her admirably and she had to applaud him for it, but in the end he'd lost.

Chrysalis released him from the cocoon slime and he crumpled to the floor, the collar pulsing gently as the Queen stood over him, checking his breathing was OK. Yes, he'd survived and he'd wake once the pain faded.

She dismissed the changelings and smirked in glee as Sombra stirred several minutes later.

"Wake up." she said sweetly, watching as he sat up, taking in his surroundings. Soon enough his gaze returned to her and she pressed a hoof to his face, seeing he didn't flinch away. Didn't react at all, but she didn't care. It wasn't as if she felt anything for him, he was just there to serve her needs.

Unable to resist the way he was so blank, her willing pet, she kissed him. Taking this from him with his will suppressed was rather enticing. His warmth was quite pleasant, the softness of his crystal coat tempting. Her scouts had not kidded, he really did have such a wellspring of power within him. She pushed the kiss even deeper, slipping her tongue into his mouth. He didn't react save for his body's innate physical instinct and she groaned happily, the taste of his love-!

Unknown to her, the little changeling who'd first spied upon Sombra and Discord as they cuddled under the tree in the orchard, watched the kiss from the doorway. He felt bad for tearing this pony away from the one he loved, something felt wrong about it, doubly so the way the Queen looked at him as if he was hers.

Chrysalis gazed at the pretty cloak Sombra wore and those fine shoes. He wouldn't need those, he'd look much better in black and green after all.

She unclipped the cloak, watching how he shivered as it brushed lightly over his back as it crumpled to the floor. Next came that gleaming regalia band around his neck.

"Discard those old clothes, my pet." She commanded and Sombra merely blinked, unwavering gaze seeing nothing as he discarded the shoes. He ruffled his wings, but made no move to lift them. He looked GOOD, such a fine coat.

"It's late, we should eat." Chrysalis toyed with Sombra's mane, kissing him for another little jolt of those emotions "this way, my prize."

The little Bug hid as the Queen strode by, the mind controlled King alongside her. Sombra didn’t speak, merely responded by nodding as the Queen spoke.

The changelings gathered around her as she entered the hall she held her dinner in. They chittered excitedly as they examined the emotionless stallion by their Queen's side.

"Yes, my pets. He's mine at last." She looked triumphantly up at Sombra, who just stared blankly ahead. She was pleased by how well the collar was working, he was a blank slate.

"Prepare for a new lease on life, we will soon have the ultimate hybrid! A magic hidden for so long and MY power, mixed together. We will be unstoppable."

The changelings cheered, admiring their new King.

"Since we need to hurry, the wedding will be the day after tomorrow. Then we will begin."

More loud cheers met this announcement. She marched her enslaved King with her to the dining table and sat him at her side while her servants brought some real food. Changelings still liked to eat, after all.

She noted however that Sombra would not eat a single bite, merely shaking his head and staring ahead of him, crimson eyes dulled. She wasn't concerned, the foolish pony would be forced to eat if needed, she couldn't have him collapsing on her.

She escorted him to a room of his own and took perverse pleasure in teasingly kissing him before having him locked in the room for the night.

When she came to find him the next morning, he was as distant as ever, proving the spell had taken root. There was slim chance of his true self resurfacing, she could mould him into a true ally for her cause.

"Oh, this is working perfectly." she giggled giddily "you truly have become MY King now, Sombra."

He nodded mutely. She was a little perplexed by his lack of speech, but it wasn't as if she needed him to speak, the wedding ceremony was just for her own childlike dreams of a perfect wedding like those lovey-dovey Equestrians.

"I want to show you something, my King." she purred, beckoning him to follow her. He nodded numbly, plodding along at a sedate pace beside her, only ever responding when she commanded him to look at her.

She led him to a big room she'd had set aside just for her. They stepped out onto on a balcony overlooking it, their hoof-steps echoing around the currently empty cavern.

"Look my King, this is where I'll raise my enhanced brood. Once you offer me your complete power on our wedding night, I will create the ultimate changeling. Magnificent, isn't it?" she pressed against his chest as he sat there, feeling how soft his fur was. He had a delicious scent, one of longing and desire that was almost enough to get her drunk!

Stealing another kiss from the emotionless stallion, Chrysalis silently celebrated her plan. It was all coming true, soon she'd have a hybrid breed of changelings that could defeat those blasted Princesses and take care of those six girls into the bargain.

She looked down at the room, imagining how strong her hive would become with this fresh infusion of magic. Delicious, lust filled dark magic at that.

"This plan has worked just perfect," she sang softly "I’ve found the King I’ve dreamed of since bug-hood."

Had she looked back at her captive she'd have seen a brief, flickering look of darkness in Sombra's eyes. But the only one who seen it was the small Bug that’d been following them ever since helping capture Sombra.

He crept away again, the doubt only growing.

While she canoodled with her captive King, Discord was discovering something was definitely up with his precious Sombra on his return.

While Discord spoke with Umbra, the real Sombra was sitting by Chrysalis' side, his mind blank and unfocused.

While she had him measured for a wedding outfit, Discord was searching for Page Assist.

Umbra spoke to her son at dinner and realised Discord was right. Although Sombra seemed as cheerful as ever, it felt fake somehow. He also refused to discuss the Page/Report situation.

Discord tried sweeping his tail up the back of Sombra's thighs as they walked towards the stallion's room but instead of making his wings go POMF, it seemed to genuinely startle him, making him jump.

"Discord!” he barked, looking flustered "don't startle me like that!"

--I know this isn't right, that always got you worked up.-- Discord felt his unease grow as Sombra stalked ahead, scowling.

Even more suspect was Sombra changing his tune from earlier in that day, feigning tiredness so he could slip into his room un-boned, even after several deep hint-filled kisses from Discord.

--OK, now I’m really suspicious. No way my Sombra would be able to resist being sarcastic about that. This is just too strange.--

He knew there could be a chance Sombra was just having a bad day, but part of him was angry.

--I'm not jealous or bitter at him. This just doesn't seem like the kind, gentle Sombra I’ve known. You've never shut me out this coldly before, my King.--

Part of him did wonder was it because Sombra's heat was over? Did he not feel as strongly now he'd been satisfied?

He was ashamed the thought brought tears to his eyes, but the prospect just made his heart ache. All those nights together, they'd been so magical, he didn’t have to give that up, did he?

The changeling lay back on the bed, sighing contentedly. He'd absorbed enough of that weird creatures love for Sombra to feed him for the day. So much sexual tension as well, it added a nice taste.

It'd rebuked the idea of sexual contact simply because the being did not interest him. Although he would have to settle for letting Discord screw him eventually, if only to avoid suspicion.

Across the room, he spotted some bottles of expensive liquor. Maybe this wouldn’t be so dull after all.

Once he was sure Sombra was fast asleep, Discord snuck into his room. He opened the stallion's closet door and his suspicions were confirmed. The cloak was missing along with the neckplate and shoes Sombra had been wearing the day before.

Stealthily, he drifted across to the bed and hovered as close to the sleeping pony as he dared and discovered he smelt like booze.

--Is he trying to make himself ill?-- Discord couldn't shake the fact this didn't seem like the same pony he'd made love to so often. Sombra was rarely this bull-headed.

As he flew back out the balcony window, Discord had another realisation.

His lover's scent had changed.

Back in his own cottage, he wondered if he was going crazy. He recalled Twilight saying she'd felt like that during the whole Cadance-was-a-changeling incident.

"What will it take my King, to make you look at me that way again?" he asked the silence in his home.

It hit him like a ton of bricks after that thought.

No way.

It COULDN'T be.

--It's true they’ve not been seen since then, but surely not..-- yet the more he thought about it, the more concerned he got.

Part of him wanted to fly to Ponyville and wake Twilight, but he knew she'd go bananas. Also, he'd tried that before and that Princess slept like a log, even Spike hadn't been able to wake her. No, he'd have to do this alone. If he was wrong, he'd let the King go if he asked. But he'd rather know this was truly his old friend than feel this way.

He decided to test Sombra, preferably in a public place where the guard would be able to restrain him if his theory was correct and Sombra WAS a changeling.

What scared him the most was the fact that if this Sombra was a fake, where was his beloved Umbrum?

It occurred to him then that he wasn't alone, what about Lady Umbra?

The next day, Discord pretended to be as happy-go-lucky as ever, flirting with his precious pony. But now the theory was in his head, he couldn't shake it, this was NOT his Sombra. He followed the King down the hall and into the throne room.

He'd asked Sombra if he could sit in on it, as he was bored and Sombra had simply shrugged as if he didn't care.

So Discord watched as his precious Sombra sat through a bunch of complaints, seeming entirely uninterested, then set his plan in motion.

He'd gone to Umbra of course and she was as suspicious as he was, stating Sombra had seemed unlike his usual gentle self. So she'd agreed to help him and approached her son now, pretending to look surprised.

"Oh, where did that pretty necklace go, child?"

"What necklace?" Sombra said idly.

"The one you got for your birthday, the one with the two wings crossed!"

"It's in the bedroom." Sombra responded with a shrug.

Discord chuckled abruptly.

Strike one.

"What?" Sombra looked up from his scroll, frowning angrily "what is it?"

"Nice try, but you weren't given that for your BIRTHDAY. It was another occasion entirely. Can't you remember, silly Sombra?" The Draconequus giggled.

"What are you babbling about?" Sombra snapped "I don't have time for your shenanigans!"

Discord reached up and scratched behind Sombra's ear and the pony snarled, batting him away.

"Cease that!" he snapped.

The guards at the back of the room, the same two that'd been joking about these two bonking, now shared looks of concern. In all the time they'd known him, they'd never seen the King react to his best friend that way.

"See now I KNOW you're not yourself. That's always worked, ever since Canterlot."

“What, Canterlot?" Sombra snapped with a frown. Discord's hands clenched, out of sight of the King.

Strike two.

"The same Canterlot where Tia looked after you," the Draconequus said "you can't have forgotten, that incident nearly killed you."

"Do you have some motive for wasting my time, Discord?!" Sombra snapped "i'm asking you to leave, now."

The guards strode over.

"Problem, sire?"

"Yes, I want to deal with my work, alone." Sombra snapped.

"Uh." The guards shot Umbra a confused look. They didn't understand the Kings mood.

"Oh, I almost forgot, child! Page Assist wants to discuss that Infinitum Clause report," Umbra added and Sombra snarled.

"What report? I told him to take a vacation from his job. There is no report."

"Yes there is, we spoke about it," Discord said calmly "you were concerned about apologising to your aide."

"I have done nothing to apologise for, now leave me in peace, both of you!"

"We must ask you to leave," the guard got Discord's attention "It's his majesty's orders."

On cue, Umbra leaned against Discord and made a fake sniffling noise as the Draconequus turned to guide them both towards the door, then they stopped.

Discord glared over his shoulder at Sombra now, full fury in his eyes. Sombra got up and walked away, turning his back to them as he picked up another scroll.

"You're a real piece of work, Sombra. You haven't been that rude to your mother since you were a child! Grow up!" the chaos lord snapped coldly.

"You expect me to remember every incident of my childhood? Don't be stupid." The fake snarked. Dead silence fell and Discord began to laugh softly.

Strike three.

"Now what?" Sombra snapped.

"Drop the charade." Discord folded his arms smugly and even Umbra looked triumphant as they turned back to face him. Sombra frowned.

"You were separated from your mother right after your birth. You were raised in the Crystal Empire until the time when you became your darker self. You never met her until two years ago."

The changeling swore silently, frozen. How had he fallen into that?

"Now, why don't you show us who you really are," Umbra said "you're not my child!"

The guards exchanged looks, what was going on here?

Sombra lowered his head slightly, then began to laugh. It started off softly, then got louder until it echoed around the room, a cold blooded cackle like his tyrant side had once uttered. There was an explosion of brilliant green light and when it faded a changeling stood there.

"You just had to ruin the fun, didn't you? So sentimental. Ah well, it's too late anyway!"

"Where's my son?!" Umbra cried.

"He's with my Queen. Soon he will become her betrothed and the changelings will become more powerful than ever!"

Discord gave a furious snarl, hands clenching.

"If that bitch lays one hoof on him, I’ll destroy her personally-"

"Your precious King is much better off with a powerful being like my Queen. Besides, you're too late to stop her now. In no time, she will make him forget you ever existed. ALL of you."

What happened next scared even the guard. The room darkened and coils of black chain lashed around the changelings body. It tried to break free but more snapped out of the darkness, trapping him in place. Discord appeared in front of him, eyes blazing with a hatred and fury that scared the changeling a little.

"I don't care if I have to rip you limb from limb, you're giving me back that pony."

"I'm not telling you anything. You've lost, accept it!" the changeling laughed.

Discord chuckled and jabbed the changeling in the forehead.

"You don't know who I am. Do you? There's a reason I was locked away so long, I can cause such delightful misery..."

He disappeared bit by bit until all that remained was a grin. Than that too vanished.

"Stop these games you accursed creature!" the changeling snapped, trying to wriggle free. At last, he was able to contort his body to slip free of the chains. He hit the ground, peering into the darkness. The door was ahead, right? He flapped his wings and headed for that.

Out of the gloom lunged a giant, familiar face. Chrysalis.

"M-my Queen!" he stammered.

"You disappoint me!" she sneered "to think I once considered you worthy of me. You're nothing but a failure."

"I brought you the pony, my Queen, what more can I do? He's yours now...you need me!"

"On the contrary, I don't. I have my King now, let those equestrians deal with you! You're a liability." she faded into the black.

Desperate and freaked out, the changeling leapt for where she'd been, crying "my queen!" But in a flash, he was suddenly in a room surrounded by a dozen pony guards with spears. All of them aimed at HIM.

No matter where he turned, spears pressed in on him, threatening to tear holes in his wings. Above it all, he heard his Queen's mocking laugh, seen her cosying up to that bastard pony. The stallion smirked, as if goading him.

As the nightmares closed in, he covered his eyes and shouted;

"Stop! I-i'll tell you!"

The illusion vanished and he was back in chains, a smug Discord standing there.

"Smart move. Now where's the hive, or whatever you call it?" Discord ordered. Babbling, the mind-addled changeling told him how to fly there, willing to tell him anything for the nightmares to end! In a show of mercy, Discord knocked the changeling out.

Watching this unfold and seeing the changeling flail and panic as he fought whatever Discord was showing him, Umbra was startled by what the chaos being could do. It was quite unlike anything she'd imagined.

"Illusions are my forte," Discord sighed as he seen her watching him "at times like this, I can use them to get information. I know it looks awful."

But to his surprise, she shook her head.

"We have a chance to find somepony we both care about," she said gently "I know my son would stop at nothing if it were you in his place."

This comforted Discord, who nodded, taking a deep breath.

Page Assist came in, staring in shock.

"W-what is that?" he squawked, staring at the changeling "where is his majesty?"

"Kidnapped," Discord said. "by that pest of a Queen, Chrysalis."

Page Assist looked about to faint at the news as Discord grabbed him by the scruff of the neck.

"We need to talk." he said.

Page Assist paced back and forth in Sombra's office.

"It explains everything. Why he suddenly became so surly-"

"I knew something was off, but I thought maybe he'd just had a bad day." Discord shook his head.

"We have to get him back, if that changeling Queen took him to create a hybrid, we are in big trouble-"

“I know." Discord pointed out but Page Assist didn't hear it.

"You don't get it, his majesty is in some serious trouble-"

"I'm aware of that."

"He's a very different type of Umbrum-"

"I'm AWARE of what he is!!" Discord shook him and glared. Page Assist blinked vacantly.

"You do?" he asked.

Discord face-palmed "who do you think explained it so he wouldn't be so pissed at you?"

Page Assist ran this through his head. Sombra had said "I had a helping hand".

HAND.

Only one creature Sombra had ever spoken about had those.

At last the penny dropped and Page's jaw dropped along with it.

"And the last hamster crosses the finish line." Discord drawled.

"It was YOU all along?"

"Of course it was, you nincompoop!" Discord snapped "and before you ask, yes I disguised myself as pony for that party. I wanted to dance with my King."

Page Assist had to think a moment. Was he really that surprised? This WAS the King's closest friend after all. He thought about the way Sombra had been smiling, how he'd seemed happier since this whole affair began. He shut his mouth, finally looking up. The Draconequus was waiting impatiently, arms folded, tapping one foot against the floor.

"I see." Page Assist didn’t have anything smart to say about that fact.

Discord glared at him again.

"Save whatever presumptions and judgement for someone who gives a damn. All I care about is getting him back safe and sound! And I know a faster way to find him. The guard wont reach him in time if she's already got a wedding in mind."

"If she tricks him into bed, oh geez." Page Assist looked aghast "as you're aware, h-he's-"

"In heat? Yeah, I got the idea pretty quickly." Discord said bluntly "Even though it's against his wishes, it'll play into those urges. That pony has a body that wont quit and I mean that seriously."

"We have to stop her." Page Assist wailed.

Discord closed his eyes "it's gonna use up a lot of my power, but I can track Sombra's magic through the chaos realm."

"Good! Open a portal, I’ll get the guard-!"

"You don't get it, in order to travel that far, I’ll only be able to go by myself. I can't transport that many ponies." Discord shook his head "especially if I’m to have any chance of tearing Chrysalis' little army apart. I'll get him out, but chances are she'll send reinforcements here. You need to wake the whole ARMY. Get Captain Corona and tell him to get every available soldier he can!"

Page Assist nodded.

Umbra came in and Discord told her the plan. She gave him a brief hug, whispering;

"Bring him home, please."

"I promise." Discord vowed "that fugly bug wont lay a hoof on him if I have anything to say about it!"

Then he was gone, leaving the two behind.

"My lady, did you know about them? I mean-" Page Assist coughed and Umbra rolled her eyes.

"Yes, I’ve had an idea those two would grow beyond friendship at some point or another. He's always cared for my son. Now stop freaking out."

"Buh.." Page blinked.

Umbra shook her head "you really need to go on a date, remind me to look for one for you. Now lets MOVE."

The aide nodded mutely.

Discord tore holes in reality as he honed in on the familiar signature of his lover's magic. As he worked, he recalled the wonderful nights that he and his King had had together. The way Sombra smiled, the way his eyes caught the light and that cute way he squirmed when Discord nuzzled his stomach-

The way he gave Discord pleasure beyond anything he'd dreamt of, how he allowed the Draconequus to take him...

He felt the trace grow stronger and headed in a new direction. Looking down at the map he'd grabbed from his house, he tallied what the changeling had said against what his instincts said. He was close, he could feel it.

--Chrysalis, you insane over-sized cricket, I am going to make you regret existing if you've hurt my Sombra.-- the thought of that bug Queen even so much as kissing Sombra made his temper spike. The air around him crackled ominously as he felt a his old malicious self returning. Magic surged, eager to be unleashed.

He was getting his Sombra back, one way or another and Celestia help anything that got in his way.

Back in the Umbrum kingdom, messengers were sent out to the nearest source of help, the Crystal Empire. Begging them to come at once-!

Umbra sent them via that long-distance spell Celestia had given her, then paced her room anxiously as she awaited a reply.

Unaware of the force of vengeance headed towards her, Chrysalis was busy checking her future husband out. She'd had special clothes made just for him, that shiny cloak and regalia he'd worn before had been disposed of. He wouldn't need those old reminders any more.

One thing had survived however.

The little bug that’d first chanced upon Sombra and Discord snuggling had found a discarded object on the floor whilst skulking around the room Sombra had been held in. It was a necklace, comprising of two different wings crossed one over the other.

He'd looped it around his neck, concealing it as best he could. Given changelings often scavenged things they found out and about, it wouldn't be considered too unusual, unless the Queen recognised it as belonging to her soon-to-be-husband.

The little Bug frowned as he mooched around the corridors of the hive. He didn't like this situation.

The love he'd felt emanating from the pony and chaos creatures had been so delicious, yet now it was fading. The pony wasn't eating and he hadn't spoken a single word since the brainwashing.

"Ah, little bug, I require you!" He jumped as he heard his Queen's voice. She was standing in the doorway a few rooms down, looking impatient.

"Yes my Queen?" he snapped to attention and ran over to her.

"Stay here and make sure my groom-to-be doesn't wander off. Also, try to persuade him to at least eat something, I don't want him fainting in the middle of the ceremony!" she barked.

The bug nodded and trotted into the room as the Queen left, the door shutting behind her.

The bug looked up at the imposing pony, who was staring out of a window, his expression distant.

“Hello?” he said timidly “w-would you like some food?”

Sombra didn’t answer, didn’t even seem to react. The only sign he was even listening was a minor shift in his bound wings.

The small changeling scuffed the floor with one hoof, brow furrowed. The more he stood in silence, the guiltier he grew. He felt around his neck for the scavenged necklace and buzzed over to sit by the pony, seeing how melancholy he looked.

"You miss him, don't you?" he asked. The pony didn't respond, just blinked, staring at the dismal view out the window of the hive.

"I'm sorry," the bug whispered "you were happy before and because of me you were torn away from that. This isn't right, I don't want the hive to fade away, but this cant be the right way to save it. I wish I lived in a place as bright as your palace."

Still no answer.

Bug studied the green and black attire the King now wore, flinching at the barbaric restraints keeping his wings and magic prisoner. He made his mind up, he was going to do the little he could to help this pony break free from the Queen's spell.

He took the necklace off and looped it around its original owners neck. The necklace gave off a soft shimmer as it reunited with its owners skin and the little Bug stared in fascination, did that mean it was magical?

“That's new." he whispered, it looked like a star to him.

He watched as the light faded, then tucked the necklace into the neckline of the King's outfit. It clinked against the collar keeping the monarchs mind enslaved, burying his real self.

"I'm guessing your loved one gave you that. The wings kinda remind me of yours and his."

"Discord."

Bug jumped, almost slipping off the windowsill in shock. Had the pony just spoken?

He looked up at the equine's face, seeing the look of longing had sharpened into one of acute loss. Those steely red eyes focused now on the small changeling.

Sombra looked about to speak again, then he fell silent and the dullness swept over his eyes once more.

Bug made a decision. He buzzed his wings to lift himself up and alighted on the pony's back. This was going to hurt, but it was all he could think of. He grasped the pony's wings and whispered in his ear;

"This is what her lies have done, mister King. If you want to break free, just remember how much it hurts."

Muttering an apology, he tugged at the Alicorn's wings, stretching the suppressing strap so that it bit into the pony's wing. Sombra bucked sharply, throwing the changeling off. Around his neck, the collar sparked for a moment, as if it'd encountered opposition...

Sombra canted sideways, a pained and startled gaze fixing on the changeling as he extracted himself from a nearby vase.

“W-who?” he rasped.

"You understand me?" the Bug whispered. Sombra managed a nod, body shaking a little as he fought to keep his mind straight. The hypnosis spell on that collar was so strong.

The collar sparked now and he gasped, body shuddering from the pain.

“Stretch your wings. Think of your beloved and flap them, please!” the changeling whispered, seeing the hypnosis already sweeping back in “remember your love-!”

But it was too late, the collar flared brightly again and in a second Sombra had gone blank again, back to being unemotional.

Nothing Bug did after that got any response and he didn’t dare try the wing trick again. If Sombra's wings bled, the Queen would suspect something was wrong and might re-enforce the spell, ruining any chance of escape.

The Bug tried to get him to eat, but the pony turned his head away. It was like a subconscious protest, Bug thought, against the loss of the one he'd adored.

Discord felt a shiver run up his spine and seconds later hit a see-through wall. Of course, that bug Queen had set up a shield. He hovered in mid-air, recalling how he'd unravelled Sombra's shield that time.

But THIS would require more power then he usually allowed himself to use. Chaos magic, like dark magic, was very easy to run wild on. You could really lose yourself in it...

But without it, he'd never get his love back.

He imagined his beloved stallion in cahoots with Chrysalis, kissing HER, imagined her duping the Alicorn king into bed-

His heart become a roiling ball of fury, his chest about to burst as red sparks made his coat bristle all over.

--She took away the one I fell for, she must pay.-- he felt his limits break and with a surge of adrenaline and a roar of anger, he let it flood his veins with liquid fire.

He was unleashed, and angry...

Some time later, the door creaked open and two higher ranked changeling guards stood there. Bug blinked up at them, was it time already?

"Our Queen awaits." they intoned and the captive Sombra merely nodded as they gestured for him to follow them.

“Mmm, smell those pheromones.” The first changeling leaned close to Sombra's neck as they walked, teeth glinting. The pony didn't respond, just kept his eyes ahead of him.

“I know,” the other took a deep breath “our Queen is most fortunate. I want a taste.”

“Unless you want to be hiveless, keep your hooves to yourself.” the first guard said “Chrysalis will not tolerate any attempted besmirching of her new husband.”

“Fine, fine.” the second guard snorted.

Bug looked from one to the next, then at the King. Could he hear this?

The two guards escorted Sombra to the massive main chamber where hundreds of changelings were gathered to see their new King.

Chrysalis, wearing an outfit made to match Sombra's, smirked smugly as she ordered him to see her and the pony's gaze went straight to her face, she could get to like this!

The changelings cheered as their new King ascended the steps to the rocky outcropping that served as an altar of sorts.

"Today, we usher in a new era for all changelings!" Chrysalis boasted as she caressed her new partners cheek with one hoof, smirking then stealing a kiss, licking her lips as she let him go. Such valuable love...

"At last, I have found a worthy guardian and power source for our new brood. Magic unlike anything seen before combined with my own! We will not fall to those pathetic elements of harmony, nor that bratty pink Princess!"

The changelings booed and hissed at the reminder. Such was their excitement and fervour that none noticed something move within the shadows, deep down at the bottom of the crevasse beyond the altar.

One of the higher ranked changelings stepped forward and began intoning the ceremony for a changeling wedding. Chrysalis felt like a giddy little bug again, she'd finally done it, finally secured her hive's future! She had a powerful King all her own and he was a magnificent specimen, made of living crystal with delectable love stored within him. He shimmered in the myriad of green and yellow lights in the cavern.

Chrysalis chuckled as the overseer of the wedding recited the line about “any who could prove the bond was not sacred, step forward now”. Who was there to object? Sombra would never realise he'd had a life before her. He'd be a husk she could admire like a trophy, a source of power.

"Speak now or be cast aside-!" the changeling cut off as he heard a sharp voice pierce the attentive silence.

"Sounds like my cue!" the voice echoed eerily around the walls.

Chrysalis whirled, baring her fangs.

"Who dares?" she spat.

"Take a guess, Chrissy." a swirling shadow lit from within by red lighting rose up now from the bottom of the pit. Changelings scattered, frightened by this intruder.

"How?" Chrysalis gaped, how had her guards not spotted this thing?

"Oh, I didn't bother using the door, I just ripped a hole in reality." the shadow took definite form.

"You!" Chrysalis scowled "well, you're too late, your little screw-toy is mine now!"

Her degrading words only made Discord more furious. How dare she-

"You took something very important from me, Chrysalis. I may have promised Celestia I wouldn't cause trouble, but even she will not stand between me and getting back what I want."

It pained him to see the way Sombra wouldn't even look up, just stared dully at something nopony else could fathom.

--What did she do to you, my love?-- he wondered, snarling deep in his chest.

"Get him!" Chrysalis screamed, pointing a hoof at Discord.

The swarm leapt as one, even as jagged bolts of black lightning swatted many aside, leaving them unconscious and drained. But where one lot fell, more took their place.

The chaos lord roared and launched into the swarm of attackers. Chrysalis laughed, how deluded could Discord be, did he think he had a chance against so many?

"What an admirable effort, wouldn’t you say, my King?" she chuckled.

No answer, of course not. He hadn't spoken since she'd collared him.

“We needn’t fret, they will keep him busy. Let the wedding continue!” she laughed, glancing over at the changeling overseeing their wedding. He was staring at Sombra in panic, mouth opening and shutting with nothing coming out.

“My Queen.” he croaked in shock at last, lifting a hoof to point at the stallion.

"What-?!" She looked at him, then back at Sombra. What she seen made her feel the first prickle of unease.

Sombra was staring up at the formidable figure his lover had become and his expression was one of gut-wrenching hope.

Even as Discord's form shifted more and more into a fanged, shadowy coil of fury and vengeance, his looming presence filling the cavern, Sombra only saw the being that had treasured him so sincerely. Who loved him and made love to him night after night, saving him from himself.

Who was he marrying? It was not the one he wanted to be with, he was sure. The feeling grew as his vision blurred from the beautiful heartache his memories were giving him.

He'd been betrayed, lied to.

Tricked.

--This cant be!!-- Chrysalis stood frozen, the battle around her forgotten as she watched her former captive actually responding. The collar flickered, as if labouring under an immense backlash...

She shook her head, mind clanging alarms yet she couldn’t move a muscle.

--Impossible.-- she thought numbly –he can't have broken my spell! He doesn’t have love magic, he's a creature of darkness!--

Time seemed to slow, the sounds of the fight phasing out. Little Bug, hidden behind an outcropping, watched as the tears that filled the pony's eyes fell down his face now and one splashed onto the necklace hidden below the collar of his outfit, absorbing into it and stirring it to wake.

A faint light began to shine from within the necklace. A light that quickly spread to the collar, leeching its magic. It seemed to calcify, turning brittle and grey-

"What's that?!" Chrysalis lunged urgently for it, mind breaking free of its stun lock as her disbelief became real panic.

But little Bug wasn't going to let her do it.

He gathered up any and all bravery he had and tackled her at a run, his small weight cannonballing into her chest and knocking her on her ass. She screamed and lashed out with her forelegs, blows striking Bug's head and back as he did his best to stop her from reaching the King.

Despite his bravery, Bug didn't last long against the bigger changeling. She wrestled him off, striking him once more across the face with her hoof. He mewled in pain as she threw him to the ground, her hoof raising to stamp him out for good.

--Please run away, King.-- the changeling thought, closing his eyes and readying himself for a killing blow.

But as Chrysalis' hoof descended, a bubble popped into existence around the small Bug, throwing her back several feet. The stunned overseer changeling helped his Queen to her feet as he snapped out of his own trance and they looked at what had thwarted the Queen.

Images filled Sombra's head as he witnessed the fight above him. It was all so clear now, this was the one he loved, not that Queen! His love had come to get him back. The sharp pain of seeing him again, mixed with his true feelings, fought the spell around his mind.

A soft glow filled his vision and he looked down. Something was draped around his neck.

Sombra pressed a hoof to it and felt a familiar warmth as more memories flashed through his mind. Glimpses of that first night and how passionate it had been, the nights that had followed and the kisses shared. He remembered a birthday gift, lovemaking in the orchard under an apple tree, the sound of a shower running, hands caressing his wings-

--Get this spell out of my head!-- he screamed inside. No sooner had the words formed in his head then he experienced a piercing pain so bad he almost blacked out. His pulse roared in his ears, heart pounding in anger and defiance.

--Remember how much her lies hurt.-- words stitched together from hazy memories jabbed into his head, stabbing like knives. The light grew brighter, he couldn't see-

With a sickening lurch of adrenaline, his head cleared. He found he could see properly, THINK for himself again. Something brushed his coat and he looked down to see grey cracked metal falling in rusted chunks. A collar?

He heard a scream of fury and whipped round in time to see Queen Chrysalis about to hurt a smaller changeling.

The words he'd heard in his head, they belonged to this changeling. He recognised his face, instinctively knew this small Bug had tried to help him and he felt sorry for him. This Bug had given him the necklace back then and in turn his freedom NOW.

He begged the necklace and whatever was in it to protect the little Bug, even as he forced his aching body forward to reach the battered changeling in time to stop the Queen-

To his relief, a shield swirled up around himself and the Bug, sending Chrysalis flying. Sombra glared at her and the changeling helping her up, as he stood over the innocent Bug.

"You witch." Sombra spat out as they stared at him in surprise "Princess Cadance was right about you!"

Chrysalis hissed in fury at that name.

"You can't hide in there forever, or did you forget you have no magic?" she laughed, he couldn’t keep this up, sooner or later he'd run out of power!

Sombra merely glared at her, remaining silent. He could feel the suppressor locked around his horn, not the strongest type but more than he had strength to shatter right now.

"That little trinket cant protect you for much longer." Chrysalis grinned widely “then we will finish what we started.”

Sombra looked to the side, where he could see Discord appeared to be beating back the swarm of changelings. But he could also hear the chaos lord roaring in pain as he was hit and scratched, bitten and bruised.

He could not fall now, not after Discord had risked his life to save him, this was ending here!

Bug whimpered, opening his eyes as the noise of the fight muffled a little. He seen a shield surrounding him and hooves braced either side of his body, realising mister King was protecting him.

The dazed changeling looked up at him, his eyes meeting tired crimson ones. He was free from the hypnosis, Bug noted with relief. Had his words helped?

He buzzed one wing, for his throat hurt too much to talk. Mister King needed to break his shackles!

Sombra stared down at the Bug, seeing a desperate attempt to communicate there. Then it clicked, the changeling was telling him to use his wings. He looked at them now, a swell of nausea rising up as he seen and felt the wing brace locking them in place.

"If you want to break free, remember how much it hurts."

Those were the words this little Bug had pleaded with the Alicorn to remember, even as the spell retook his mind. This would hurt, might even cause serious damage, but it was his only chance.

Sombra closed his eyes, gritted his teeth and began moving his wings. Pain bit into them and he gasped out loud, but dug his hooves in regardless, putting his strength into the powerful wings. The apparatus restraining them began to creak, the components fracturing against the Alicorn's might.

"What"? Chrysalis stammered, eyes widening "is he insane-?!"

She cut off as with a feral roar, Sombra shattered the restraints, wings unfolding to maximum. Blood splattered the floor as he did and he was in obvious pain for fresh tears gathered in his eyes. But when he lifted his head up, Chrysalis seen only triumph there and it sent a cold chill into her.

"You will never have me, nor my empire!" the Umbrum vowed, then grabbed Bug by the scruff of his neck, slinging him atop his back and telling him to hold on.

Then he turned to look up at his lover, now a raging whirlwind of shadow and called his name.

Discord heard Sombra's voice through the static of his rage like a light in the fog and came back to himself a moment. He looked beyond the swarm he battled against and his eyes locked with Sombra's. He seen the pony he adored, seen those same emotions mirrored in those garnet red eyes.

Even though distance separated them and the roar and fury of the fight drowned out all sound, Discord read the movement of those lips.

"I need you to catch me, one more time."

Then the shield dropped and Sombra took off at a run.

Chrysalis snapped out of her daze and dove after him, firing off a searing bolt of magic that sliced across Sombra's hind leg. Normally this would be enough to cripple any normal opponent but Sombra didn’t stop running.

Bug clung to Sombra's neck as the pony dove off the ledge, his injured wings unable to fly. He shut his eyes, convinced they were going to die.

The immense Discorded shadow gave an ear-shattering roar, batting a fresh wave of changelings aside long enough to get free and dive down, arms reaching for the plummeting pony.

Chrysalis shrieked in fury as Discord caught Sombra before she could intercept, cradling the pony's body in his hands. The the shadow being then folded into himself, his shadow swirling around the lover he'd come to reclaim.

With a blast of icy air, they disappeared.

Silence fell as the changelings realised what had happened. They looked at chrysalis, who stood stock still and seething in anger.

"You’ll pay for this, Discord!" the jilted Queen screamed. How dare that screwed up chaos lord take what she wanted?!

She turned to her generals "that kingdom will BURN! We fly!"

They nodded and began to gather the swarm, fetching weapons and forming squadrons behind their queen as she tore away the fancy wedding gown she wore, eyes blazing. She seen the collar, now looking like it'd aged a thousand years, lying scattered in pieces on the rocky floor...

"You won't get away with this, Sombra!"

Discord shot through several portals as he escaped, finally coming to a stop as he ejected from the chaos realm and crashed into a forest. Sombra fell from his arms, rolling across the forest floor, Bug clinging to him still.

Coughing, the King lifted his head, blurting the Draconequus' name, where was he?

There! Discord was still part shadow and lightning, sparks racing over his coat as he writhed and twisted, howling in anger as he searched blindly for someone or something to punish. Sombra set the injured changeling aside and half scrambled, half staggered over to Discord.

The chaos being roared again and Sombra felt the pain he was in. Couldn’t he sense him, or was his anger too great?

Seeing Discord about to take off in search of a target for his vengeance, Sombra threw himself at him, using his body weight to pin the upper half of Discord's form to the leaf strewn floor.

But his precious Draconequus was still so angry, his actual form seeming to warp and shift as he fought back against the very pony he'd gone so far to save.

"Discord, please!" Sombra gasped. His heart cramped up as Discord only roared in reply. How could he stop him? His magic was locked up behind this suppressor...

His vision began to blur and he nuzzled against Discord's neck. A choked sob tore from his throat, his heart felt ready to break from the thought of losing Discord. The Draconequus had given everything to rescue him, it wasn’t fair he should be stuck this way-!

"Please listen to me," he choked out "do you remember that night when we first made love? You said you would protect me from those nightmares, you promised you wouldn't let me suffer all alone. I need you Discord, I need you by my side-”

The pain in his voice was clear and it finally stood a chance. The furious beast of chaos, once fixated on pursuing the scent of every changeling he could find, now heard a voice pierce through the howl of anger in his head. A voice that tied to intense feelings, nights of passion. He knew that voice now, it was the one he fought for-.

Discord stilled abruptly, body tensed like a coil of energy and Sombra didn’t dare raise his head, afraid this was the calm before the storm.

“You gave me something I refuse to live without, your HEART. You showed me a world where I laugh and see myself as you do. Please come back to me, Discord-”

He cut off again as his chest was cramped so tight he could hardly breathe, gasping sobs tearing their way from his throat. Discord's heartbeat pounded close in his ear as he lay pressed to his body, tears soaking into the chaos creatures fur. Remembering something they'd shared a smile over one evening in his chambers, Sombra pressed a trembling kiss over the Draconequus' heart.

--Beat with mine again..-- the pony pleaded, the scent of his lover’s fur filling his muzzle.

The haze cleared even further as Discord felt the kiss to his chest. It was the sweetest thing his love had ever done-

"I’m not going back without you." Sombra croaked out loud, closing his eyes as the tears stung.

The silence seemed to stretch forever and his heart felt ready to break, then he felt a warm hand settle on his back. His breath caught in his throat, heart freezing as fear and hope tugged brutally at it. Was Discord back to his senses or was he about to throw Sombra aside? He pleaded silently for it to be the former.

"Sombra." Discord's voice was a croak, but it held a lot of emotion. "Look up."

Sombra raised his head, meeting tired eyes he knew so well.

"Hey," Discord chided gently, although his voice trembled "no need to be upset, I’m here."

Sombra struggled to speak, fresh tears welling up. He looked heartbreakingly relieved, ears shivering against his head.

"You nearly weren’t!" Sombra finally blurted as he pushed himself up a little so he could peer down at the Draconequus.

"Sombra." Discord said softly, gently brushing Sombra's cheek with one hand.

"If you ended up lost, what would be the point in saving me-?" Sombra began, but was cut off by Discord pressing a finger to his lips.

"Hush up. There is every point in the WORLD to saving you, my precious Sombra. Your ponies need you, Equestria needs you. If you got hurt because I was too afraid to do what’s right, what was needed, I’d never forgive myself. I knew unleashing that much magic at once was dangerous, but if I didn't, I knew you'd be still looking at HER with those kind eyes. I couldn’t stand seeing what she'd done to you."

Discord fell silent as he studied his precious stallion, seen the fear, panic, pain and worry in his eyes. He knew he couldn't childishly hope to shield Sombra from these feelings, but he COULD do his best to get him through it.

"Discord." Sombra spoke at last, his heart rate calming enough to let him breathe.

Their eyes met and Sombra found himself swept up in an adoring kiss that made his heart race in longing and relief.

He was free and his beloved was here. They were safe.

Discord sat them up, pressing the pony against his chest in a fierce embrace.

“Sombra, my precious King.” he whispered “don’t fret, it's alright. We're together.”

“I-I know,” Sombra choked out “but I feared we may not have been.”

“I'm sorry I scared you, please forgive me.” Discord soothed, rubbing his stallions back. Sombra was shaking in relief, joy and probably a half dozen other emotions. Discord nuzzled behind the pony's ears, which were trembling just a little. He had to be in shock from all that'd happened, that spell breaking would have hurt.

"Sombra..." He got his lovers attention and the pony blinked up at him. Discord kissed him lightly, then said what he'd been thinking for a while now.

"I love you." he said firmly.

Sombra flushed, heartbeat picking up a notch.

"Discord.." he said in a hushed voice, heart lifting. Discord smiled.

"I mean it. I love you so damn much, Sombra." he said bluntly. Sombra blushed softly, then quickly closed the gap between them and kissed Discord in lieu of words. He couldn't seem to speak.

“You've given me something I longed for all my life. Acceptance,” the chaos lord whispered as the kiss ended “you looked at me and seen someone worth caring for, not just a nuisance prankster. I realised as I flew to the hive that I would give up anything fate could ask of me as long as I got you back!”

Sombra was about to say something of his own, when Discord suddenly went tense. Sombra felt a jab of panic, what was happening?

"Sombra." Discord suddenly set him down, shielding him with his body "run."

"What?" Sombra now seen what Discord was so on edge about. The Draconequus had spotted the lone changeling that'd helped Sombra break free. In his efforts to return his beloved Draconequus to normal, he'd forgotten about his other rescuer!

Discord lunged for the Bug with an angry roar and Sombra bolted unsteadily to his feet. His injured wings cramped up and he bit back a cry of pain but he managed to close the gap in a second, getting between Discord and the changeling.

"Discord, stop!" he cried. But he found himself scooped up by Discord's tail and lifted out of reach of him.

"Where there's one, there'll be more-" Discord began.

"HE IS NOT THE ENEMY!" Sombra cried as loud as he could.

Discord looked at him, looking confused and hurt. Then something dawned on him.

"The hypnosis, it's still active." he said, horror sinking in.

"No it s not." Sombra glared. "it is just me!"

"Prove it." Discord said coldly, even as he began to panic "what did I say the morning after our first night together, when you fobbed the staff pony off saying you'd had a rough night?"

Sombra smiled despite the pain in his chest.

"”Rough, hm? That's not what you were saying last night! As I recall, it wasn't really words, orgasmic moans maybe". Then you said I was hotter than the damn shower water and if I wanted to make it to breakfast on time, I-"

He was cut off as Discord brought him close enough to kiss him.

"And what a stunning voice you had, my love." the chaos lord said, relief coursing through him "I’m sorry."

"It is alright," Sombra whispered "just please trust me."

Discord nodded and set Sombra down. The monarch moved so he stood between Discord and the changeling and stood up on his hind legs to nudge Discord's muzzle with his own. His hooves came to rest on his lover's chest.

"It was while you were fighting her minions. That necklace you gave me, it began to glow."

Discord seen it now, hanging around his pony's neck. It held many sweet memories, Sombra had been wearing it when they'd slept together that first time.

"It snapped me out of that daze she had me in. I seen you, that was what triggered it. Chrysalis tried to attack me, stop me from getting free from her hold. But that little changeling bought me enough time to survive. I seen her getting ready to stomp him out Discord, I couldn't let it happen. He saved me, just like you did. Please, hear him out."

He looked into eyes that had always shown him such kindness and devotion as he prayed Discord would follow his request. His legs were shaking, his back throbbing and he was so tired. Sensing Sombra's discomfort, Discord wrapped his arms around the stallion's middle, supporting the pony's body against his own.

"For you, my precious Sombra. Always for you."

Sombra gave a relieved, shaky sigh. He was let go and settled back onto all fours.

He looked over now at the changeling, who was watching this with wide, slightly starry eyes.

"Why is he spaced out, just how hard did Chrysalis hit him?" Discord asked.

"Sorry," the changeling stammered, shaking his head to dispel the haze "you two have such a strong aura, the sensation of your bond is extremely powerful. It's delicious."

"He cannot help it." Sombra surmised, looking at Discord.

"...Fine." Discord grumbled "he does know I’m the jealous type, right?"

Sombra chuckled softly, nuzzling his neck.

Discord glanced at the Bug, seen it's right cheek was swollen really badly and it looked pretty downcast.

"She must've been super pissed." he surmised, eyebrow raised.

Sombra looked at the Bug "do you have a name?" he asked.

The Bug shook his head "I’m too low ranking, so I’m just..Bug. I have a pheromone signature, but no name."

Sombra looked at the way the changeling bug had a soft, almost feathery texture to his wings.

"What about Feather?" he suggested and the Bug's eyes lit up.

"I can have a name?" he asked breathlessly.

"Why shouldn't you?" Sombra asked. This set off poor Feather, who began to cry once more as he bowed before the stallion.

"Thank you, King. Nopony has ever been so kind to me before."

"Bit of an oddity, isn't he?" Discord muttered and Feather stopped bowing to look up at him now.

"I am a "runt", according to my nest mates. They pushed me around a lot. I didn't like seeing what the Queen was doing to the King. When I seen you before, you were so happy together."

"What do you mean, when you seen us before?" Sombra asked and the changeling blushed bright red, bowing once more into the grass.

"W-well, I was scouting the gardens when I seen you both, you were doing what you were doing over there, but under a tree."

Sombra proceeded to go beet red as the realisation sunk in.

"Little pervert-!" Discord snapped and Sombra had to move quickly to stop him from trying to strangle Feather.

"How long was he watching us for?" the Draconequus snapped.

"I-I didn't see you doing anything. I just seen you kiss a few times, you were so content together."

Sombra flushed as he recalled that moment, the afterglow of their passionate coupling.

"You two have a very powerful bond, it's nearly overwhelming." Feather sniffled "I’d never seen anything like it."

"I see." Sombra understood the tears now.

Feather sniffled.

"What are you going to do with me? I can't go back, I betrayed the hive by attacking the Queen. I have no home now."

Sombra frowned, mind whirring. At last he sighed and Discord looked at him.

"Let me guess, you want to keep him?" he sighed. Sombra looked up at him, a pleading look in his eyes.

"I owe him a debt for helping get me back to YOU," he said "I seen Chrysalis try to kill him. He is right, he will not be safe if the hive catches him."

"Oh..fine!" Discord groaned "but I swear, if I catch him peeping ever again, he's out on his ear!"

"I wont do that, I p-promise!" Feather stammered, hope rising.

"We need to get back." Sombra said now the matter was settled. He tried to flap his wings and intense pain jabbed through his back.

"Sombra!" Discord cried as he peered at his lover's wings, seeing the blood from the suppressor seeping through the feathers. Now he looked closer, he also seen the magic suppressor on his lover's horn.

"How do I get this thing off?" he panicked. Feather bit his lip and coughed nervously, nearly bolting when Discord whirled on him.

"What do you know?" the Draconequus threatened, picking the changeling up under his forelegs and bringing him close to his face.

"L-let me try." Feather begged.

Discord brought him over to Sombra and kept a stern eye on him as the changeling balanced on Sombra's back, angled his head and used his sharp little fangs to gnaw at the suppressor. Within a few seconds, there was a click and it emitted a bright flash before falling to the grass. One of Feather's fangs was missing a chip from it, but he said it didn't hurt.

"How?" Sombra said woozily as his magic flooded his senses.

"I have thinner teeth then the others, I learnt to pick locks to gather food. The Queen had the key around her neck, it had thin spikes like my teeth." Feather blushed.

"Huh, that's almost impressive." Discord had to admit.

Feather figured this was as kind as Discord likely felt towards him and gladly took it.

Before they could ascertain where they were and how far they had to go, there was a sudden rumble overhead. Feather cried for them to hide and the trio hid beneath a heavy cover of trees. The sound of many wings buzzing zoomed above them.

“What is going on?" Sombra whispered.

"They're attacking, those are the sounds of the squadrons." Feather realised what would require so many changelings "she's furious."

"She's heading for my home." Sombra's heart sank.

"She's going to get her ass kicked." Discord vowed.

He looked at Sombra now "I can try get us as close via portal as I can, but I used up quite a lot back there against that psycho bug-"

"My magic will assert itself," Sombra nodded "let's go!"

Discord settled Sombra atop his back and Feather clung onto his tail as he ripped open a portal.

They zoomed through patches of clear air and chaos space, Sombra clinging on for dear life. It was like a rock skimming over a pond, each little skip making his stomach flop and flutter. It was quite a weird sensation.

"Is your magic any better?" Discord asked as they neared the city. Sombra managed a reassuring voice.

"Almost. I am sorry if I am heavy, my wing's cannot-"

"Pah, you don't weigh that much. Besides, not like this is the first time you've ridden me, after all." Discord caught Sombra's eye and waggled his eyebrows rudely.

The crude sexual innuendo made Sombra laugh for a brief moment despite his fear for his kingdom. It made him remember why he fell for this crazy being and how much much he loved him. He nuzzled against his lover's back, memorizing the scent of his fur, feeling relief beyond measure to be back with him once more.

Once this was over, he taking a holiday and he was dragging Discord along with him. Even if all they did was stay in bed and snuggle, he would happily settle for that.

"Discord?" he mumbled softly.

"Mmm?"

"Once this is over, can we just tell our friends? Heck, I wish to inform the entire empire and beyond its borders! I am tired of hiding and sneaking around, I want free right to kiss you whenever the buck I feel like and if anypony does not like it, they can kiss my flank."

"First off, your flank? That's my department. Secondly," the Draconequus wished they had time to stop and let him kiss Sombra until he got dizzy "if it makes you happy, I’ll put an advert in the paper!"

Sombra laughed softly, heart cramping up in happiness "I’m glad to hear that."

Feather heard the emotion in their voices, again felt that bond between them that the Queen had attempted to manipulate for her own ends. He knew that had she succeeded, she would've created a breed of changelings that combined her power and that of the Umbrum.

When they cleared the next portal, Sombra seen the Umbrum city ahead. His stomach sank, the sky was swarming with changelings.

"No-" Sombra felt his blood run cold in his veins.

"Hang on, handsome. You too, you little escapee." Discord said sharply. He felt Sombra's forelegs tighten around his neck, heard the worried hitch of breath in his ear.

He took off at speed, hearing Feather shriek in surprise. The changelings spotted them and tried to charge them, but Discord put his agility into overdrive, darting this way and that. He knew the city inside and out, having spent so much time in it by himself and with it's King. Sombra deflected many of them as they flew, bursts of magic shattering crystal left and right. It made him furious to see his city crawling with these bugs.

As he fought, he noted they seemed drawn to the magic blasts he was using to throw them off their tail. The magic was like-

"Like moths to a flame." he whispered, an idea tentatively blooming. He spoke as loudly to Discord as he could over the racket surrounding them.

"Get to the top of the place, I have a plan."

Discord nodded and flew as close to the palace as he could then banked sharply upwards, almost hugging the walls as they headed for the top. The glittering walls of the palace shot by, their reflections distorted by the fractal patterns. Feather felt about to be sick, this was a little much for a creature who had barely ventured out of his hive until recently!

They landed on the top of the palace where Sombra summoned a bubble shield to protect them as the changelings tried to catch up.

"Whatever your plan is, my dear Sombra, you may need to hurry it up!" Discord said urgently.

Sombra dismounted from his back, stumbling onto shaky hooves. He sat down at the towers centre and took the twin-winged necklace from around his neck. He looked down at it, seeing there was still a faint glow within. Whatever had saved him back in that cave at the fake wedding was still hanging on.

--Can you help me? There’s so many changelings.-- he seen a faint glimmer and took a deep breath.

He extended his forelegs, the necklace floating just above them. Spell markings writ themselves into the crystal of the roof around him as he closed his eyes. They rapidly expanded, sketching out what appeared to be a labyrinthine shape.

"What are you doing?” Feather asked.

"Discord, could you keep a grip on Feather in a minute, this may mess with his head a little."

Sombra opened his eyes and looked over at the Draconequus as he spoke. Discord nodded and Feather looked blankly between the two.

"What's gonna happen?" he asked, concerned by this request.

"In order to expel them all from the city, I need to gather them together." Sombra stated.

"If they're all in one spot..." Discord and Feather both realised the logic of Sombra's plan. They exchanged looks, Discord worried and Feather confused.

"Then what?" he asked, his insect-like wings buzzing.

"I can teleport them out, but I cannot guarantee how far away it will go." Sombra sighed sadly "I am sorry Feather, but you will witness me scattering them far from you and their hive. I bear no hate for your species, only Chrysalis' way of saving it. I hope someday you'll forgive me but I must do this, for the safety of my own people."

Feather nodded, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. Sombra looked at Discord, asking he come sit beside him a moment.

"What do you need my precious King?" Discord asked. Sombra smiled and said two words.

"A kiss."

He got one that made his wings go pomf and sent familiar delicious shivers up his spine. He smiled, nuzzling Discord's nose before asking him and Feather to stay as far away as possible, this was going to get crazy.

He closed his eyes, keeping the feeling of that wonderful kiss in the forefront of his mind.

"You want love? Then come and get it!" he whispered, feeding everything he could feel into the necklace. All those wonderful nights with Discord, the sense of safety and comfort, pleasure and anticipation. Hearing those three words from Discord after the rescue.

Discord felt a strange shiver run through both himself and the changeling. Feather squirmed anxiously, trying to get free.

"What's gotten into you?" Discord snapped.

"The love," the changeling whined "i-it's so delicious!"

He was gazing starry-eyed at the King.

Discord heard a thud and seen a changeling pressing itself to the shield and drooling, followed swiftly by more.

He realised what his beloved was doing, he was drawing them all to one one place. How? By offering them the love and lust they desired so badly.

The amulet pulsed, then grew to almost ten times it's size. Sombra began feeding the magic into it. It began to glow brighter, until it was almost obscured. The changeling's were gnashing and drooling at the shield, sensing such delicious energy, nothing down below could compete!

"What?" Chrysalis stared as her minions all turned to face the light blazing from the top of the tower, it was like a beacon. "Ignore the light, you fools! It's that King's treachery!"

But they didn’t listen, their eyes were fixed on the glowing light. She flew from one to the next, trying to haul them back, but they slipped through her grasp.

Then she got a taste of it herself and felt her mind go slack. It was so tempting, love both emotional and sexual.

She shook her head and her anger returned.

"No! I won't have it! I’ll kill you Sombra!" she screamed. She flew towards the light and that was when everything changed.

Cadance and Shining Armor had received a magic scroll delivery via an emergency spell cast by Lady Umbra, pleading for aid.

They didn't wait, summoning their guards and setting off immediately for the Umbrum kingdom.

One of the advancements made to the empire was new railways, one of which headed straight for the Umbrum kingdom. The driver put the train into full speed and they tore through the wastes separating their kingdoms. Unlike the cargo trains, this one had a magic-powered engine that could match a speeding pegasi for mph!

"I hope we can get there in time!" Cadance fretted. The train was carrying as many soldiers as they could fit, already to fight.

As they approached, they seen the sky was filled with changelings.

"It's like the wedding all over again!" Shining Armor paled.

"Umbra's letter said they kidnapped Sombra, I hope Discord was able to get him back." Cadance had been surprised when she read that Discord had gone after Chrysalis solo.

"Cadie honey, I have to ask." Shining Armor piped up, curiosity gnawing at his mind "Is- are those two?"

Cadance rolled her eyes "Yes, Shining, they're in a relationship."

"Huh." Shining thought back to their recent visit "explains why Sombra wasn't phased by Discord sticking moustaches on statues and running loose on his own!"

"The dance at the party gave it away for me," Cadance smiled softly "I don't think many realised the pony doing that flirty dance was in fact Discord."

"I thought he was some dignitary with a crush on Sombra."

Cadance smiled softly at him "I can't explain it, but I sensed Sombra was happier then I’d ever picked up on."

A shout from the driver told them they were there. The two royals exchanged looks and nodded.

They disembarked and raced alongside the guards, heading towards the heart of the city.

“There’s so many..!” Shining Armor growled “We have to reach the palace!”

They began pushing back the changelings attacking the citizens, slowly making their way towards the palace block by block.

Then there was an audible boom and they felt a sudden vibration in the air.

"Look!" Cadance pointed to the castle, where a blinding light was drawing the changelings to it, their expressions dazed.

"What's going on?" Shining asked "who's doing that?"

The whole group picked up the pace, eyes fixed on the palace.

But soon as they got close enough, Cadance suddenly seemed to go blank, floored by the sheer adoration and love within the blast of magic and she stopped mid-sentence, mid-stride, her eyes shrinking to pinpricks as she seen a flash of images and sensations.

A grey hoof, being held in two mismatched hands, the sense of warmth on her cheek, from a kiss. A sense of safety, amidst nightmares so dark. The simple joy of having a loved one nearby…

These were Sombra's memories, his emotions. They were strong enough to make her heart ache. A reclusive King, his heart finally feeling free all thanks to the love of his best friend.

“Cadie?” she came back to herself to find tears in her eyes.

Discord kept an iron grip on the fidgeting changeling as the light enveloped his precious Umbrum.

"Sombra!" he yelled, panic clawing at his heart. The light expanded, shooting up into the sky. As it faded, Discord stared at what emerged from it.

A crystal illusion was the best way he could describe it.

It was big, appearing first as a pair of wings enclosing a body. They unfolded, their impressive span seeming to envelop the palace and unveiling the ponies beneath. The winged necklace, now more like an artefact, was held in his hooves.

Sombra's mane was made of shifting light, seeming to reflect and refract many different colours. Only the top half of his body was visible, the rest disappearing into the corona of light surrounding the tower.

Chrysalis screeched to a halt mid-flight and tried to back-peddle, but the big crystal illusion flickered and a pulse of light flashed across the sky. Every changeling froze in place, held aloft by a purple, shining magic.

The apparition spoke, even though its mouth never moved, it's voice was heard loud and clear by all.

"You claim love is what feeds you, yet you are undone by the very thing you seek. Love is not about force, about manipulation. Your plan failed because it is not your right to tear down that which is not yours. I will not tolerate your actions against my kingdom, against myself, against who I love. Do not dare cross these borders again, or it will be the last action you take. I will protect the citizens of this empire, no matter what it takes."

The former necklace began to glow once more. It disappeared into the pony's body, which began to glow and become significantly more solid.

The massive crystal King closed his eyes, magic making his horn glow brightly.

Chrysalis realised what was coming and felt a terrifying sense of deja vu, coupled with a fresh fear. What WAS Sombra? She'd never thought he had this kind of power.

The immense crystal monarch emitted a pulse of light and her musings were cut off as an energy wave punched into her, catapulting not just her but all her minions across the sky. A teleport spell tingled over her skin and the world went white.

The next thing she seen was a big empty expanse. No kingdom in sight, only dry, scrubby looking trees and rocky caves. Wherever they were, it was nowhere near home, again.

"Sombra..?" Cadance stared at the crystallized pony that dominated the sky. She heard Sombra's voice, spelling out what would happen if Chrysalis should harm him, his loved one, or any citizen of his empire ever again.

"OK, that’s new." Shining sputtered out, seeing shock and awe on the faces of the ponies around them "he never mentioned having a THIRD form!"

"I doubt he knew before now!" they turned as they heard a familiar voice. It was Captain Corona, a gargoyle guard who stood at the head of Sombra's army.

"Greetings your highnesses," he said hurriedly "good to see you!"

There was a big kaboom of a spell going off and they looked up in time to see the changelings be catapulted back then teleported en masse, the trails of the teleport spells as they flew away from the empire looked like shooting stars. Ponies cheered, dancing and hugging as the invading changelings were banished from the kingdom.

"Look!" One of the crystal guards pointed at the palace. The giant Alicorn illusion was starting to fade, disintegrating into the wind, sparkles of light scattering like fireworks over the sky. They seen a faint light fall from the centre of it, landing atop the towers top.

"Let's go!" Cadance cried. Corona nodded, and they raced to the palace.

Discord felt his brain short circuit as he took in the vision of a pony that loomed above them now.

He kept a tight grip on Feather, even covering his eyes as the rest of the changelings were ejected from the kingdom's skies.

Then the giant illusion faded and a glowing shape fell to the floor.

"Sombra!" Discord hurriedly set the changeling down on the ground, running across the shimmery tiles to where the light faded to show his precious King. But Sombra was very still...

"Don't you dare." Discord felt his throat lock up in fear as he seen the pony lying there so lifeless. He knelt beside him, placing a paw on his cheek.

"C'mon Sombra, wake up."

Feather came over, eyes filled with worried tears. He sensed something was wrong. The love in that blast had made his heart ache and it was all from this pony's feelings. How much he loved the being now franticly trying to rouse him.

Discord panicked even more as he seen Sombra's wings begin to fuse to his body.

"No you don't, you're not going through that again, my love." he muttered, wiping his eyes.

He closed his eyes, dredging as deep into his magic as he could so as to give the pony everything he had. He felt a hoof settle over his and he opened his eyes to see Feather there.

"I absorbed some of your King's magic when he unleashed that blast. Please, take it."

"Thank you." Discord said hoarsely, petting Feather's head. The changeling closed his eyes, giving his power to the Draconequus, who in turn fed it into Sombra's body.

It worked, to their gut-wrenching relief. The chaos magic plus the return of some of his own power made Sombra's crystal coma fusion judder and stop, then go into reverse.

The pony's wings shivered, rising slightly then falling as the stasis was halted and undone. Some colour returned to Sombra's face and Discord seen him draw breath.

"Sombra." he whispered, caressing the pony's cheek, hoping for a word, for his eyes to open.

Sombra wheezed, coughed and began hyperventilating as he believed he couldn't breathe, his lungs straining for air-

"It's alright!" Discord scooped him up in his arms, cradling the pony to his chest "breathe, my precious Sombra, it's OK!"

Sombra coughed, shivered and still struggled to breathe deeply.

Discord kissed him softly, massaging the base of his ear with one hand. Sombra relaxed, the comfort of the kiss snapping him back to reality and thus, when Discord released him, he took a deep breath at last.

"Dis...cor...d.." he croaked, trying to talk only for Discord to shush him.

"It's over, you did it." The Draconequus whispered.

Sombra smiled, although it seemed to take immense effort. He managed to find enough strength to weakly raise his head and nuzzle Discord's cheek lovingly.

"Discord, I love you." he whispered as he lost grip on consciousness and passed out. Discord laid him down very gently, stroking his mane.

"Is he OK?" Feather asked.

Discord listened to his Umbrum's breathing and nodded shakily.

"He's exhausted and barely there. He needs help, but I have nothing left to give him, even MY magic has its limits-"

The door to the tower was thrown open and Discord protectively crouched over the unconscious King, snarling ferociously. Feather hid behind Discord, clinging to his back.

But it wasn't changelings, it was a familiar Prince, Princess, and many guards.

"Discord!" Cadance pelted over, Corona beside her.

Discord stepped back, still casting protective glances at his unconscious beloved as he did.

"Your majesty-?" Corona knelt by Sombra, checking his pulse.

"Is he?” Shining Armor dared to ask, then sighed as Corona relaxed visibly.

"He has a pulse, but its erratic. I'd guess he's severely drained, we need to get him to his bed. Fetch the doctor and send him to his highness room!" the Gargoyle bellowed to a trio of Umbrum guards. They nodded, running back down the stairs.

"It's over." Cadance said to Discord, but the Draconequus didn’t seem to hear her, he was focused only on Sombra.

"We need to move his highness-" Corona began.

Discord didn't speak, just moved over to the King. As he'd done before when Sombra had been hurt, he gently picked up the Alicorn, cradling him carefully.

Sombra didn't even move, only his regular breathing assuring them all he was alive. Without a word, Discord flew down the stairway, heading for the King's bedroom.

The chaos lord lovingly laid his stallion down on his stomach atop the bed, so the injured wings could be reached. In the seconds before the doctor entered the room, he placed a kiss at the base of Sombra's horn. Sombra shifted softly, making a barely audible sighing sound.

"That's my Sombra. Keep fighting." Discord whispered, moving back as the doctor ran in.

Even he was shooed outside the door, as the doctor tended to Sombra...