"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!