The atmosphere in the castle carried with it a bittersweet tone, as the source of its uplifted spirit was readying for her departure and despite not having left yet, the place already felt devoid of her presence. Twilight gazed out of the balcony window, a soft breeze tossing aside her long mane as she took in the sight of the Crystal Empire in the daytime. It had been her home for four and a half months and it seemed as though she'd always been there. This is where she learned of the cultures of two equine races-those being crystal pony and umbrum-and was initially announced as a ruler, as somepony important for once. This was where she fell in love for the first time and found her literal soulmate, a stallion that practically worshipped the ground she walked on and saw the real her, the her that she tried to hide. Sombra was the last person in all of Equestria she expected to end up with but then again, love was something tricky, something beyond her logical mind couldn't decipher and she didn't mind it.

"Are you ready to go?"

Speaking of the umbrum, Sombra stood in the doorway of her room, his voice soft and cheerless. Twilight jumped slightly, having not heard him come in and turned to face him. His face was a false smile with eyes that looked at her as if it'd be the last time they'd see each other. Oh Sombra. She moved in front of him and placed a comforting hoof on his foreleg.

"Sombra, you know I'm coming back, right?"

He nodded slowly. "I just...have a feeling like something terrible is going to happen."

Twilight wrapped her forelegs around him and rested her head on his chest. "Don't worry about me. I'll be in Ponyville for a few days, pop over to Canterlot to see my parents and the princesses and then come back. The teleportation bracelet saves me the trip and if anything goes wrong, I'll just beam myself back here ASAP."

"'Beam?' 'ASAP'?"

"Never mind." She gazed into his eyes, seeing such vulnerable sadness in them that it pulled at her heartstrings and she almost reconsidered her trip. "The point is, don't worry. We'll still see each other in our dreams." After the crystal gala had ended, Twilight took Sombra upstairs and told him about her erotic dream and all the dreams afterwards, with the exception of the one about Lumen. She went on about the princesses telling her that the two of them were soulmates and thus had a special connection. Sombra was initially hurt and angry that she withheld this information but quickly calmed himself and forgave Twilight when she explained that she wanted their relationship to progress naturally without resolving to oh-we-should-be-together-'cause-fate-says-so.

A genuine smile graced Sombra's lips. "That we will, my innamorata. Seeing you while I sleep is the perfect way to end a day after seeing you while I'm awake."

"That was so unbelievably cheesy. I mean goofy."

Sombra leaned in, his voice a seductive growl. "And yet, you love me anyway."

"Mmm-hmm," Twilight nodded tight-lipped, fighting to control the shudder working its way through her body. The umbrum certainly knew how to wind her up and it was clear that not only was he aware of his effect on her but was also enjoying seeing her reactions. It was both frustrating and oddly arousing. "Sombra, I-I'm not in the mood for a roll in the sheets."

"I didn't say that I wanted to," He whispered, his lips almost pressed against hers and stoking the fire building between her legs. "Funny how your mind immediately goes to sex." A large hoof snaked its way through Twilight's long mane, down her shoulder to come to rest on her chest, lazily stroking the soft fur on it while its counterpart smoothly caressed her lower back. "Now why is that?"

Twilight swallowed before driving her lips into Sombra's, moaning into his mouth as she tasted his gums, their tongues engaged in a battle of dominance that neither side cared who won or lost. When they both finally came up for air, she breathed, "Bed...now."

Effortlessly lifting Twilight up, Sombra carried her to the bed and gently laid her down, his eyes roaming over her writhing body with carnal hunger. "I've created a monster," he smirked, licking his lips in anticipation.

The next two hours were spent in vigorous throes of passion, leaving both participants exhausted but deeply satisfied as they laid together, staring into the other's eyes. Neither of them said a word; nothing needed to be said. Twilight smiled, finding her likeness reflected in the blazing rubies focused lovingly on her face. There was a time when those scarlet eyes paralyzed her with mind-numbing fear but now they only inspired adoration and serenity. And they only came to life for her.

"Twilight? Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did," she sighed, earning her a light spank on the rear.

"So cheeky. I'm trying to be serious."

"Sorry."

"Anyway," Sombra began again. "Would you ever consider marriage?"

While she was externally stationary, internally, Twilight Sparkle was shaking like a stop sign at a construction site. On the one hoof, she was touched that Sombra was looking to the future and wanted a serious commitment. On the other hoof, however, this was all too fast and too fresh. She wasn't twenty-three yet and, despite the recent lapse in activity, was still Princess Celestia's student and there were things she wanted to get done before tying the knot. Then, of course, there was the issue of her coltfriend's relationship with her friends, family and the rest of Equestria to consider.

"I'm not opposed to it," Twilight answered truthfully.

Sombra sat up. "That's not a 'Yes' or 'No.' Sounds an awful lot like an evasion."

"No it isn't. I just think it's too early to be discussing this."

"Geez Twi, I'm not asking you right now. I just want to know if you'd want to."

Twilight rose and sat on her knees. "Maybe some day but for now, let's not worry about it!" She came off angrier than she intended to but this topic made her uncomfortable. Once she'd had time to really think on it, Twilight saw how fast this was all going and realized that for once in her life, she was going into something with no plan. It was both terrifying and liberating but her rational mind was winning over her romantic feelings and she had one question to ponder: did Sombra really love her or was this a result of them being soulmates?

"No, let's!" Sombra folded his forelegs, his eyes narrowed on her. "We love each other and want to be together so what's the issue? We don't have to do it today or tomorrow but it would be nice to have an answer. Yes or no?"

Twilight trembled slightly, her back up against an imaginary wall as those scarlet eyes she adored so much were now drilling into her very core. "No!" She shouted and immediately regretted her answer. "I'm sorry but no."

Instead of anger or sorrow, Sombra stared at Twilight for a minute before laying back down with his back to her. His lack of a response was even more troubling than any word he could've said at that moment. Although Twilight held by her belief, she was sorry that it came out so harshly. She leaned over and laid a gentle hoof on his shoulder.

"Sombra…?"

"Shouldn't you be getting ready?" Sombra muttered with his back still turned.

Twilight withdrew her hoof and gaped sadly at Sombra before sliding off the bed and making a beeline for the door. With a backwards glance, she took one last look at the umbrum and sighed ruefully, unsure of how to fix this particular problem. Sweet Celestia, why are relationships so hard?

Amber tied the scarf carefully around Twilight's neck and pulled her into a tight embrace. "We're going to miss you terribly, Twilight. I know things are tense with His Majesty but please come back soon. We both know things will come apart with you gone." Twilight's lungs burned from the lack of oxygen and she tapped on Amber's elbow to get her attention, causing the crystal pony to release her now-gagging friend and sheepishly apologize for the smothering.

"I will," Twilight answered weakly through her coughs. "Just make sure he doesn't try to blow up the castle while I'm gone. And send my best to Sand Arrow. He's lucky to have you as a wife."

"Doesn't he know it?" Amber snorted and gave Twilight a much softer hug. "I'll miss you."

"Me too."

Taking one last look around at the castle, Twilight recalled all her moments here, both good and bad before she slipped the teleportation bracelet onto her right wrist, feeling its cold weight on her hoof. It would be good to get away and reevaluate her feelings though something nagged at the back of her mind, telling her that she was going about it all wrong. Ignoring the nag, she began to twist the bracelet when a certain dark gray stallion trampled down the steps and raced towards her at full speed. "Sombra?"

Sombra panted and held up a hoof. Once he'd caught his breath, he nervously rubbed his neck and said, "Twilight, I didn't want for you to leave on a bad note. I'm sorry." He laughed and held out his forelegs. "I'm an idiot and I should've considered your feelings." With his lowered ears and guilty look, he resembled a young colt apologizing for breaking the new lamp with a baseball.

Even though she wasn't in the mood to reinsert herself back into that conversation, Twilight had to commend Sombra for his apology and was genuinely touched by his remorseful display. She rubbed his cheek and smiled, "I appreciate it but could we discuss it when I get back?"

"Okay," Sombra stated hopefully. "And Twilight? I hope you have a nice time."

"Thanks Sombra. I'll miss you." Twilight wasn't sure if he truly loved her for her but couldn't deny that his realization of his mistake and subsequent reconciliation make her heart flutter. Twisting the bracelet three times to the left, she waved goodbye to the Crystal Empire as there was a bright flash and she felt herself thrust forward through space.

The air around Twilight crackled as her hooves landed once more on terra firma. Dusting herself off, she found that she had arrived on the outskirts of Ponyville and a wave of nostalgia and homesickness hit her like a train. Gentle tears slid down her face but she quickly wiped them away, having remembered that this was an occasion of joy not sorrow and she picked up her hooves to advance. As this was a surprise visit, she'd opted for teleporting just outside the town and could already imagine the slack-jawed reactions of her friends as she came waltzing in. Pinkie Pie would roll out the banners and party cannon, Rarity would bring up the state of her mane and hooves, Applejack would squeeze the bones out of her body with a tight hug, Rainbow Dash would give her a punch to the foreleg and Fluttershy would ball her eyes out with relief. A smile touched Twilight's lips and she found her pace changed from a leisurely trot to a full-on gallop.

The real challenge, however, would be getting them to believe that Sombra willingly let her leave. True, they now knew he was treating Twilight well and appeared to be much nicer than previously advertised, but the others would no doubt argue about the extent of his kindness towards his former fiancée and that letting her visit them was beyond comprehension. Twilight thought back to her last interaction with Sombra and regretted her half-hearted acceptance of his considerate apology. No matter his feelings, whether they be true or of a magically kismet-derived nature, he was still nice to her and only wanted to make her happy. Well, when I get back, I going to tell him that I'm sorry too for hurting his feelings but the truth is, I'm not ready for...-

"Oof!"

There was thud and Twilight found herself colliding with a Pegasus mare, her satchel of envelopes spilling into a flurry of white that engulfed the both of them. Once the slight dizziness subsided, Twilight shook her head and immediately dove to pull the Pegasus to her hooves, apologizing profusely for her carelessness. Admittedly, Twilight had never really spoken with the mailmare known as Derpy but thought her to be pleasant enough and hated that she was unjustly made fun of only because of her crossed eyes. "Oh Derpy, I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed, shoving the envelopes back into the satchel and levitating it onto the pegasus' back. "Are you okay?"

The Pegasus bobbed her head and stared at Twilight incredulously. "Twilight Sparkle? What in the hay happened to you? Nopony has seen you for months and then poof, you're back! We were all worried!"

"I know, I know and I'm sorry but you could tell me where my friends are?"

"Oh that's easy. They're over at Golden Oak for a sleepover!" Derpy chirped excitedly.

"Great! Listen, they don't know that I'm here yet so could you-..."

"Escort you there via a shortcut to the back and keep the surprise to myself? Double yes!"

The two set off on an alternate route with Derpy chattering about the latest gossip in town, mostly the reason behind Twilight's absence and the other Elements' tight-lipped silence on the matter. Apparently some ponies believed she was drafted into the Princesses' Secret Service and was undercover in Whinneyapolis. Another theory stated that she ran off to search for Star Swirl the Bearded's lost relics while another rumor held that she met a stallion and had eloped. Apparently Filthy Rich was the originator of that gem and Twilight mentally added his name to the top of her newly-made Shit List. All of them were silly, especially the elopement one, even though it was somewhat true in a certain point of view, but it was still surprising that her state of being MIA would have the residents so abuzz with speculation.

"The nerve of them! I mean, come on, me running off with a stallion? Derpy?"

She noticed her companion had gone silent and frantically searched for her when she realized that the Pegasus was no longer beside her. Though she barely knew anything about Muffins "Derpy" Hooves, she didn't think her to be the type to abruptly end a conversation just for the opportunity for a cheap scare. As her search commenced, the scariness of the night crept up on Twilight, causing every cricket chirp or wind whistle to conjure up visions of things hiding in the darkness. Still, the thought of her acquaintance lost or hurt drove her on. "D-Derpy? Are you okay?"

Something moved by her peripheral followed by a scrapping sound and Twilight spun around, finding an unconscious Derpy being dragged across the dirt by a figure in the dark, its eyes glowing a malevolent green. Before she could move, several pairs of hooves grasped at Twilight as a cloth was tightly bound around her mouth. She winced at the sensation of a rope tightening around her limbs as a tall black figure emerged from out of the night, one that Twilight had hoped to never meet again, especially under these conditions.

"Hello again, Twilight Sparkle. Fancy meeting you here," Queen Chrysalis smiled with false humor before green flames engulfed her form, transforming her into an exact copy of the bound and gagged mare before her. Speaking in Twilight's voice, the changeling giggled, "By the way, welcome home," before Twilight fell forward and the blackness consumed her.