Chapter 1: Crystal Empire

"You want me to rule with you?" Twilight almost screamed out the sentence in disbelief. "But I'm not ready! Shouldn't there be some sort of training program that lasts weeks? No, months? If not years?!"

"Everything you've gone through over the years has been a training program." Princess Celestia said.

"Okay, but there's gotta be a guide or a rulebook!" exclaimed Twilight.

"Yes, I have it right here. 'How to Rule Equestria', by Nopony McPretendsmith." Discord held a thickmoss green book, looking smug.

Luna exchanged looks with her sister before continuing, "The friendship journal you wrote yourselves is a better guide than any we could provide,"

Twilight held the journal to her chest, hyperventilating.

"We have the utmost confidence in you," said Princess Celestia.

"And we hope you have the same in yourself," Luna continued. Twilight hyperventilated into paper bag.

"Oh, I'm absolutely certain she does." Discord said after looking at the lavender alicorn.

Spike suddenly breathed out green flame, a letter emerging from it. Spike quickly caught in, opening it and handing it over to the older alicorns, "It's from Cadence. She specifically requested for you, Princesses."

Using magic to hold the letter, Celestia and Luna read it's contents, their expressions growing steadily worried. They exchanged looks, nodded. They turned to Twilight.

"We have an urgent matter to attend to. Twilight, will you and your friends take our place until we get back?" Celestia asked.

Twilight, who had just calmed down began panicking again. "What?! So soon?!"

Rainbow Dash put a hoof around the purple alicorn, "We can handle, easy peasy!"

Twilight turned her head to look at Rainbow Dash with her anxious expression. She wasn't ready to rule! What she does something wrong? She wasn't prepared for this! Twilight would be a little less anxious with Luna and Celestia with her but now Cadence had called said princesses and now she had to rule alone!

No, she thought, I'm not alone. She had her friends with her, and they can help her rule over Equestria together for a short while. She turned to Celestia and Luna, the worry gone from her face.

"Alright, I - I mean, we can handle it." Twilight said. Her friends looked at each other with excited expressions, Pinkie cheering. Celestia and Luna smiled, thanked her and left quickly.

The royal guards tried to hold their usual serious expressions while watching over the black unicorn but he can see the fear that was hidden in their eyes and body language. It made him feel guilty even though he never knew what he did to make them feel so. Or maybe he didn't remember?

Speaking of which, he couldn't remember where he came from, or his childhood. But everything about this place, this castle and the princess ruling this kingdom seemed quite familiar. He just couldn't put his hoof on it. Sombra turned to one of the guards.

"Tell me - is this really necessary?" Sombra asked, receiving no response from the ever-so-serious guards. He huffed silently, giving up. He had tried to get a word or two out from the royal guards but no luck so far. He tried to entertain himself, looking around the beautiful castle. When he got bored, he fiddled with the armor he somehow got. Was he in the middle of a war? Was he severely injured, and was recused by the blue ram?

Speaking of Grogar, he felt glad to have escaped the place. Who were those creatures, and why was there a filly with them? He would try to entertain himself with his shadow and crystal powers but looking at the current situation he was in, he decided it was smart not to use it magic.

TIme passed, and Sombra wondered how long he would have to stay here under the watchful eyes of the royal guards when the door opened. Three alicorns and a unicorn walked in, the alicorns looking especially majestic, putting the shadow pony under a small trance. He snapped out of it, blinking multiple times and then bowed with a, "Your Majesties," before standing up on all four again.

"I see what you're talking about," Celestia said, then added in an unsure voice, "I think."

"Where did you say you found him again?" Luna asked, her expression as cold as stone.

"Well, a guard said he was wandering around," Cadence said, then whispered something about Flurry Heart to Shining Armor. The stallion nodded and left. "They say he looked... Lost."

"And I am!" Sombra exclaimed. "I haven't have the slightest idea what crime I have committed to be captured like this!"

"Thou have no idea?" Luna used her royal Canterlot voice, approaching the black stallion, who backed away in fear. She looked quite intimidating for a beautiful mare. Celestia put a hoof on Luna, who looked at her older sister before glaring in defeat and backed away.

"Are you sure you have no memories of your crime?" Celestia asked.

"I am sure! I swear it!" Sombra cried, putting a hoof on his chest. He was genuinely confused. What did he do?

The princesses looked at each other, as if communicating telepathically before nodding and adressing him.

"Very well," Cadence said. "You are free to roam the castle, but only with a guard around you at all times."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Sombra said gratefully. He was glad he wasn't going to Tartarus, or receive the death sentence for whatever crime he believed he was framed for. "Thank you."

Celestia whispered something to Cadence, who looked shocked, then worried, whispering something back, Luna agreeing with the Princess of Love. Celestia said something, looking at them reassuringly which made them agree, but reluctantly.

"On second thoughts, you will be coming with us," Celestia said. "I assume you won't be any trouble?"

"I will not, Princess." Sombra bowed slightly, looking very relieved.

"Very well." Luna said begrudgingly. What used will Sombra be in their castle? He tried to take over the Crystal Empire, so for all they know, this could be an attempted to take over Equestria!

But then again, Sombra really looked confused and genuinely lost. He seemed to be telling the truth.

But that could be a very convincing act, the little voice in Luna's head said, and part of her agreed. She shook those thoughts away and snapped back to reality.

Author's Notes:

Hello, Chiifii here!

I hope you liked this chapter! Constructive critism and thoughts is very appreciated! I try to improve and update as best and often as I can!

Thank you, have a nice day/night!

Chapter 2 : Suggestion

They had taken him to the hospital a day after they returned from the Crystal Empire. Sombra was diagnosed with amnesia. They made sure the (terrified) hospital staff would not say a word about their visit so that the whole Equestria would not lose their heads and start a riot. Now here they are, at the Canterlot Dining Hall two days later, sitting together for lunch.

It was just to observe him, that's all, thought Celestia as she looked at Sombra who politely ate his meal, surrounded by a very wary Mane Six and a very grumpy Luna. No one knew how to break the very uncomfortable silence. What were they even supposed to say? Somepony they had known to be evil was suddenly nice and was eating lunch with them, and had no memory of all the times he tried to take over the Crystal Empire.

"So, uhh," Twilight said after clearing his throat, "How are you feeling so far?"

Sombra quickly swallowed the piece of chicken and responded, "I'm feeling quite alright. Although I am a bit confused. Why are the ponies so afraid of me? It is as if I did a terrible crime. If I did, I couldn't remember..."

They exchanged looks with each other before turning to Sombra, then looked away in different directions awkwardly, not knowing if they should tell him or not.

"Ah, don't worry, whatever you did isn't really that bad," Rainbow Dash said slowly.

"'Isn't that bad'? Darling, he tried to take over -" Rarity was cut off by Applejack, who put a hoof on the white mare's mouth, slowly shaking her head.

"Take over? Take over what?" Sombra asked.

"Oh, nothing important to worry about!" Discord said, coming out of nowhere, grinning nervously.

"Ah, Discord, care to join us?" Princess Celestia asked.

"Well, if you don't mind!" Discord squeezed in between Luna and Celestia, smiling happily like a foal who had gotten a piece of candy. Both princesses scooted away to make some space as the draconequus spawned a plate and multiple of his eagle-clawed hands to grab some food.

No one made any effort to start a conversation. They finished lunch and Luna was the first to leave. Soon, they heard doors slamming. Celestia sighed.

Honestly...

The room he received for his stay was large, and honestly, Sombra felt like it wasn't necessary to give him a room this big. There was knock on the door a few moments later. He used his magic (how he only remembered his name and magical abilities and nothing about his past was a mystery to him) to open the door.

"The Princess requires you presence," said the nervous looking stallion guard.

"Ah, of course. Could you lead the way?" Sombra asked politely. The guard nodded, and lead him to the throne room, picking up his pace as if the unicorn behind him was going to attack when the guard least expect it.

"You think it's... Wise for him to spend time with Twilight Sparkle and her friends?" Luna asked, looking at her older sister in disbelief. She was never the one to doubt her sister's decisions but this just seemed ridiculous. What if he harms them? What if this amnesia is a trick?

No, it cannot be a trick, Luna thought. The doctors themselves have confirmed it. Unless Sombra himself threatened them?

No, the shadow pony was with them the whole time. There was no way he could have tried anything.

Perhaps it was telepathic?

No... If he did, the doctors would've reacted badly. And they would've known.

"Give him a chance, Luna," Celestia smiled. "Perhaps he is redeemable after all."

"Yeah, like Discord!" Rainbow Dash said, glancing at the draconequus.

"Oh, stop, you're making me feel special." Discord mocked embarrassment.

"Your Majesty, I have brought him." the guard approached them, bowing.

"Thank you, you may resume your duties," said Princess Celestia. The guard bowed one more time and left, looking glad to be getting out of there.

"You called, Your Majesty?" Sombra asked, approaching the group.

"Oh, yes, there is something I need you to do,"

"Ah, anything, Princess."

"Me and my sister are going to be quite busy this week, so I have asked Twilight and her friends to watch over you." Princess Celestia explained.

"Of course, Princess, but err... May I ask why this is necessary?" Sombra asked hesitantly.

Princess Luna opened her mouth to speak but her sister put a hoof on her shoulder and shook her head slowly. Luna scowled, closing her mouth and whatever she intended to say died right there.

"Well, since you don't remember anything, maybe you can start anew in Ponyville! Perhaps it will help you remember a thing or two," said Princess Celestia. Okay, maybe the last sentence was a lie. They absolutely do not want him to remember anything about him being evil.

But if he does remember, his new personality might've imprinted on him and perhaps he will try and become a better pony. Perhaps more tolerable than Discord.

"Twilight, will you help Sombra with his disguise?" Celestia asked.

"Of course, Princess!" Twilight smiled, walking up to Sombra with her horns lit.

Princess Celestia chuckled as she watched her student approach Sombra.

"Sister?" Luna looked at her sister. "What is on your mind?"

"Oh, nothing to worry about," Celestia looked at Luna misheviously. "Perhaps if you get to know this new Sombra, something more will happen. Oh, but who knows."

"What do you mean?" Luna looked confused, but it didn't take long to realize what her sister meant.With a gasp, she exclaimed, "'Tia, that is absurd! I will never have such feelings for him!"

"Time will tell, Lulu," Celestia laughed as Luna huffed, looking away.

I will never grow such feelings for him, thought Luna, glaring at the shadow pony who now, with the help of Twilight, had dark grey fur, sky blue mane and tale and looked just about their height. His horn was now fully dark grey instead of black and red. One thing that did not change is his green eyes.

The Sombra most ponies know is the one who have red eyes, and this one has green, just as Celestia remembered during the time she visited Princess Amore and met a very troubled Sombra. He now looks more happy and relaxed instead of jumpy, grumpy and troubled (sometimes it reminds Celestia of her own sister, how much alike they were).

"C'mon, Sombra, I'll give you a tour around Ponyville!" Pinkie said excitedly, bouncing after her friends who were leaving the castle. "We can throw a party to welcome you, too!"

"I don't think it's necessary, err..."

"You can call me Pinkie! That's Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy! Oh, and don't forget Spike!"

"Nice to meet you." Sombra smiled. He had friends - if they would allow him to consider them his friends. He looked forward for this Ponyville tour.