The hearing hall was a place where all existing members of The Court would gather around for an opportunity to be heard. Though, some nights, it was merely just a preferable place for a few souls to discuss in private.

Sombra was seated at one side of the long table, a glass of his favorite whiskey in hand, while facing him at the opposite side was another man dressed in a black combat attire, the emblem of a green eyed horse embedded on his chest plate.

The man's name was Vanta Black.

"Canterlot has sustained severe damages tonight." Vanta said. "If me and my team had not arrived there sooner, more people would have died and the city would surely be in ruins the next day." He paused and sighed. "I must say that I'm extremely disappointed at how poorly these so called leaders handled their situation."

Sombra did not respond. He gave his drink a light shake; a passive gesture to urge the other man to continue.

"What they've done…" Vanta said. "If I were to decide the fate of that abomination, she would not see another light of day."

Sombra took a sip and spoke into his glass. "Our subordinates have become more reckless. Arrogant. They're like parentless children, they play games that are too much for them, while believing we wouldn't know about it."

"But now they know that we do." Vanta reminded. "And like children being asserted with their parent's authority, I am certain they will reflect on what they've done."

"I don't think that's enough." Sombra said quietly, shaking his head.

"And the girl?"

Sombra raised his head a little, amused by the dissatisfied tone of the other man.

Vanta's eyes squinted, leaning further against the table. "The device on that girl's head shouldn't omit her from being judged in front of The Court."

"And what purpose would that serve?" Sombra said. "Unstable minds are never condemned, my friend. Only contained. Controlled."

"But she's still a threat. The fact remains." Vanta emphasized by jabbing his finger onto the tabletop.

"Exactly what the device is for, my friend. And frankly, I think you are doubting my apprentice's technical capabilities." Sombra raised his voice a little, but remained composed.

Vanta quickly made his recovery with a gentle raise of his hands. "You misunderstood. I am merely concerned."

"Yes, I know. But you have to remember that Sunset is a product of a clandestine experimentation that was kept secret from us. I believe there is a more deserving candidate to be judged here."

Vanta leaned back and slowly let Sombra's words come out, with his opposing conviction standing by.

"The people who were victimized tonight paid the price for Canterlot's inadequacies." Sombra said, finally taking a sip. "Yes. We judge everyone. But Sunset Shimmer isn't one of them. She belongs elsewhere and serve a different purpose."

"And that purpose no longer dictates her." Vanta added. "Whatever that may be."

"Hm." Sombra took another sip as he pondered even more. "Is it possible that the experiment may still be operational? We have been keeping an eye on her for quite some time, that we may have forgotten to look for the root cause of this matter."

There was a subtle glow in Sombra's eyes. For a moment, his gaze was a little unfocused, as if he was enraptured by another deep thought.

"Perhaps." Vanta finally answered slowly. He had an intense look too eager to peel off life's secrets.

He became aware of Sombra's mildly troubled visage. So he carefully chose his words before he dared to spit them out. "You know, I would almost think that the reason why you won't punish Sunset Shimmer is because you're saving The Court's judgement for Nimbus White."

Vanta caught the moment Sombra's eyes hardened with heavy familiarity, and a rather unsettling intensity, before he shifted back to his usual composure and gave a small smile.

"As a ruling member of The Court, Sombra, you know damn well we can never allow you to put him in such position." Vanta reminded sternly.

"Have I not been merciful all these years?" Sombra stretched out his arms with a little bit of flare, that little smile turning into a sardonic smirk. " I have allowed Nimbus to remain in his position as the watcher of Canterlot for more than a decade. I let the man thrive, for God's sake."

Vanta felt that heaviness begin to coat the air around them, but he remained his eyes pinned towards Sombra.

"You don't need to remind me of my duties, Vanta." Sombra's seemingly calm words were burdened by ancient emotions. "Bare in mind, I don't hold any grudges against your words, but never think of me as someone who's weak enough to consider such irresponsible acts."

"Then what do you propose to do now? If you won't let The Court punish Sunset Shimmer, what do you intend to do with her?" Vanta asked.

The look in Sombra's eyes became vivid and direct. "Make her an unofficial member of the Dark Horse."

Vanta was taken aback. "Unofficial member?"

"Sunset is a wild stallion with no rider. It'd be fitting if I entrust you with taming her and molding her into our image."

"You're insisting that I should manage her?"

"Yes."

"And Canterlot?"

"Let the city heal from its wounds for now. Judgement will come to them at the right time." Said Sombra with oozing confidence.

"Fine. I'll take her. But, should the time come, Sombra, I will not hesitate to put her down myself." Vanta said, taking note of Sombra's growing fascination and enthusiasm that he could hardly reciprocate.

Indeed Sombra was rather too excited than to be concerned about it all. At long last, years of dormancy had lead to The Court's emergence. While their presence was more like a fairytale hummed by those who reminded the foolish to stay in their places, the name will be once again spoken aloud.

As Sombra lounged quietly in that brief moment of cogitation, Vanta's mind and senses were locked into focus. Being the leader of one of the most infamous assassins in the lesser known society, to be put in the position of handling Sunset was a fair challenge. It was one he was willing to take. Though, he will never stop questioning it. But what baffled him, or should he say mildly irritated him, was how Sombra acted towards the situation.

"And while I'm at it, I'll deploy a few of our Dark Horse for an investigation."

"You will investigate if I say so, Vanta."

"Alright."

After certain decisions were made, Sombra returned to his office. To his surprise, he found a familiar, and pleasant face.

Even before he took a step inside, he could hear the sound of his piano muffled within the office walls. He reminded himself once again that he should not be surprised to see Twilight seated before his grand piano.

Twilight seem to not notice Sombra's entrance, and he took this as a chance to watch her quietly, while she continued to play the somber tune. Twilight's eyes were pressed shut the entire time, and she only let her hands play the keys with easy familiarity.

When the song concluded, Twilight opened her eyes and sighed.

"Wonderful." Sombra said, making Twilight straighten up in her seat and swivel her head towards his place.

"You're here." Twilight quickly stood up with a meek bow. "Forgive me if I–"

"Don't fret, child." Sombra waved his hand. "You're always welcome to come into my office anytime you want."

"I just needed to let that out of my system." Twilight said, offering a small apologetic smile.

Sombra nodded. "I see." He said. "And perhaps the cigarettes were not efficient enough to calm your distraught nerves so you turned to the more therapeutic method."

Twilight froze.

"The smell still lingers." Sombra said, his voice laced with a hint of dismay. "You know how such vices could damage your health." He stretched out his palm and waited.

Twilight walked towards Sombra and reluctantly handed him a pack of cigarettes that she hid in her jacket.

"My dear girl, I'm not mad." Sombra said softly after he pocketed the pack of cigarettes. "I'm concerned. I know deep down that something is troubling you."

Twilight kept her head down, almost wanting to flee away from Sombra's presence. But out of respect, all she could do was remain in silence and in guilt.

"Do you wish to talk about it?" Sombra asked.

A sharp breath escaped Twilight's throat before she raised her chin up to meet Sombra's endearing eyes. "Would you allow a glass of drink?" She asked with harmless coy.

Sombra smiled. "Your favorite vintage?"

"Yes, please."

Sombra and Twilight walked over towards the fireplace where the table of Sombra's alcohol were neatly and fashionably placed. He offered Twilight a glass while he held one for himself, both of them standing just before the warm flames.

"Is it her?" Sombra cleared his throat after a brief moment of peace.

He saw her clench her jaw.

"I am confident in your talents, dear girl. That is why I assigned you to design that device. Sunset Shimmer cannot lay a hand on anyone. Including you."

"It's not that." Twilight said as her eyes bore into the flames.

Sombra took a sip, his brows furrowing. "Then what is?"

For a moment, Twilight was quiet. Then after an internal argument, she downed all of her drink and said, "I just… need to remind myself of some things "

Sombra said nothing but he was most attentive.

"I know she's not the person that I once knew. She's barely even the shadow of that." Twilight said.

"If you have these reassurances, what else is there that is making you doubt?"

"That she might lure me back in. That she would falsely embody the unharmed past I once cherished and ruin what I am now. I don't want that."

Sombra always knew Twilight had a strong sense of mind. But even then, she had fragilities which he completely understood.

"There's a thin line between certain places. And no matter how frail and threatened that line is from snapping, we still hope that it keeps us from crossing the other side." Sombra said.

Their eyes met, and shared looks of vulnerable recognition.

"Being afraid keeps us all in line. It's also what separates us from the monsters of this world." Sombra added. "So, are you afraid, my dear?"

"I'm terrified. "

"Then hold onto that fear… "

There was a special warmth when Sombra circled his one arm around Twilight's shoulders and moved her closer in a light embrace.

"You'll be alright."

She didn't return the gesture, but merely rested her head gently against his chest, allowing herself to get a sense of security.

"You can stay here for the night if you wish to." Sombra tenderly whispered into her hair.

"Thank you." Twilight whispered back, which Sombra greatly appreciated.

Twilight settled into the green couch in front of the fireplace, with a favorite book from Sombra's bookshelf in her arms.

After a short while, Sombra finally heard the soft snoring of a now slumbering Twilight. The rain came pouring down outside the castle, and Sombra instinctively delivered Twilight his very own blanket for her to have. She probably didn't need it considering she was seven feet away from the fireplace. But it reassured him even more if she had it.

He carefully took the book away from her clutches, after that he dragged his sofa chair and took his place beside the couch, watching over the girl, guarding her until he too would surrender to the calls of slumber and doze off peacefully into the sounds of crackling wood and the gentle tapping of the rain.

Nimbus had already downed three bottles of whiskey. While Rave and Titania have been observing him for the past hour, as the two of them needed to maintain a calm facade amidst the quagmire they were in.

Canterlot's mayor and police department took care of the city's superficial damages, Nimbus and his underground empire on the other hand, was hammered into mending their crumbling operation. Men and resources were reduced to almost nothing, and relationships between certain parties have been disturbed. Worse than that, Nimbus was extremely distraught by the untimely visit of the Dark Horse.

"Surely they'd be laughing now that they know that I failed to get rid of one girl? My reputation has become a joke! And my credibility is definitely questioned." Nimbus rambled.

There was a pause. A much needed one, to say the least. Rave and Titania just stared at their master patiently, while Nimbus himself was already struggling to keep his composure.

The old man leaned against his desk. Catching his breath, he loosened his tie and wiped his sweat. He looked at Rave and something in his eyes suddenly sparked with realization.

"What did Canyon do?" He asked.

Rave swallowed. "Sir?"

"Listen to me, boy." Nimbus said, on the verge of breaking. "Sunset claimed that she was a failed drug experiment. Now, I don't know what she meant by that but I know that you have an ongoing operation of your own. The one that I fully supported."

Titania darted eyes between the two, growing clueless herself. "Experiments?"

"It's a special project that I've been working on." Rave said, trying to sound as calm as possible.

"Care to tell us the nature of this project, Rave?" Titania asked.

Nimbus raised his hand. "No. Tell us about Sunset. I know you and Canyon were very close. If what Sunset claims is true–"

"She was a mistake made by our miscalculations a long time ago." Rave blurted out, a sense of responsibility oozing from his eyes.

Both Titania and Nimbus stood agape.

"So it's true… " Nimbus said, uncertain how to react.

Titania turned her body to face the younger man beside him, her brows furrowing furiously. "You mean to tell us that you actually created that goddamn monster? You knew and you kept quiet?!

"I admit that I'm partially responsible for all of this. That doesn't mean that I intended for it all to happen. Condemn me now if you will, but you have to admit to yourselves that you do not have much to spare at this very moment. You can't get rid of me."

"And why shouldn't we, Rave?" Titania shot back. "Do you even realize how much we have lost because of your foolishness?"

"Yes. It cost me a friend. And the trust of the people I admire the most."

"He's right, Titania." Nimbus finally spoke. "It won't bring us good if we get rid of him."

The response made Titania speechless, and Rave looked back at her unapologetically.

"What's done is done. Given the severity of our situation, I suggest we do not dwell in the past. We've been depressed enough." Nimbus said, weak and distant. At that moment, Rave knew their relationship was forever changed. And that was something he was willing to accept.

"Now that we are aware, what now that The Court has taken hold of Sunset Shimmer?" Titania said.

Nimbus grumbled at the mentioning of the two being in the same sentence. "They took her alive, didn't they?" He said, massaging his temple.

"Yes." Titania nodded.

"Now, what does that mean?" Nimbus said.

"Should it mean something?" Rave asked.

"There is always meaning behind The Court's actions, my dear boy." Nimbus said, gritting his teeth as fear and frustration became present in his eyes. "Do you know why I annually surrender a large portion of my proceeds?"

"To keep them at bay like you said?"

"They were never to benefit from the money. They're too powerful for that. It was to keep me in my place. I get to keep my authority as the top proprietor of this city. In reality, it's an eternal punishment. A merciful one."

"Punishment?" Rave was almost hesitant to ask. "For what?"

Nimbus cracked a sad and ironic smile. "For something he thought that I did was wrong. Even more than the men we already were. The men with this kind of life to lead."

"He?"

"Sombra." Titania answered when Nimbus couldn't. He was too distressed to even utter such name. "He's the one that Nimbus is afraid of."

"And you should be afraid, boy." Nimbus said, his voice hoarse with weariness.

Rave remembered Canyon's words about a decade old hatred. Maybe this was it.

"You're… afraid that he might do something now that your credibility is threatened…" Rave said.

"Yes. And because he has that monster by his side."

Rave offered a look of optimism. "I think it's time I should inform you that the experiments have finally bore fruit. "

"What?" Titania asked.

Rave smiled. "Our very own monsters."

Author's Notes:

Had to sprinkle a little Twilight and Sombra moment before we proceed to the heavier stuff.

As always, lemme know what you guys think.