The warm, earthy scent of loam and mushrooms filled Umbra's nostrils as she and Morning materialized in the shadowy tsuki warren. The dark tunnels stretched before them, curving out of sight. Tiny mushrooms and luminous crystals clung to the earthen walls, providing a soft glow to combat the subterranean gloom.

Somewhere ahead, the echoes of dripping water played a hypnotic rhythm. The very air felt densly humid, almost furry against Umbra's coat. This was a living, breathing place that had been shaped from the earth over generations by the tsuki's tireless hands and feet.

The tsuki who greeted them was a picture of vitality, her velvety fur and cotton tail vibrant and well-groomed. Laugh lines creased the corners of her eyes as she went in for a hug. Umbra sank into the embrace, the tsuki's warmth and affection a balm after the chill tundra winds outside.

"I need your strongest warriors," she said gravely. "Ones who love the thrill of the wrestling ring. Can you gather them?"

The tsuki's nose wrinkled. "Warriors? Why want fight?"

Umbra patted her velvety fur. "The yaks have challenged us. If we refuse, they will think us cowardly. But if we fight with honor, we gain their respect and if you see Witching Hour, tell her I'm here."

Understanding lit the tsuki's eyes. "Yes, show strength! Find warriors." She thumped off into the shadows.

Morning shifted her hooves, scanning the shadowy tunnels impatiently. The sooner their champion was found, the better. She was eager to be off this diplomatic mission and back home in the Crystal Empire, shadows familiar and cast just so.

But Umbra simply waited, letting the heavy air seep into her lungs. She had faith the right tsuki would come; these caverns held a steady, enduring power. For now, she listened to their soft breath and the warren's primeval rhythms. Help was coming, borne on the wings of patience.

Morning nodded at where the tsuki had been. "They are good servants."

Umbra gently clopped her on the head. "They are good friends. We don't own them."

"Hmmph." Her thoughts went to the smaller tsuki she did call dibs on. "Hm, wonder if I should have invited him... No, he's no good at delicate diplomacy."

Umbra hiked a brow at that, knowing Morning wasn't terribly good at the art either. "You won't know until you give him a chance to learn and get better." She drew Morning close. "Like I am doing with you."

The wait was not long before a familiar figure emerged from the gloom - Witching Hour, Umbra's sister-in-law. Her disposition was as dour as the shadows she commanded, but Umbra greeted her with a smile.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice," Umbra said. "I have need of your...particular skills."

Witching Hour's eyes narrowed. "Why should I help you?"

Before Umbra could respond, Morning stepped forward eagerly. "The yaks require a demonstration of strength from our champion. You can represent the umbrum in glorious battle!"

Witching considered this, intrigued but still wary. "And what do I get if I succeed in this contest of yours?"

Umbra met her gaze steadily. "The chance to show all of Equestria that umbrum are more than whispered nightmares. We can build honor and reputation through deeds, not fear."

For a moment Witching said nothing, the sound of dripping water filling the heavy silence. Then she smiled, fangs glinting. "Well, when you put it that way...perhaps I'm interested after all."

She elbowed Umbra. "Good job kicking that pathetic excuse to the ground. Sombra will darken our doorsteps no longer."

At that moment, thudding footsteps heralded the arrival of several burly tsuki warriors, ears twitching eagerly for contest. They surrounded Witching, sniffing curiously with nostrils flaring.

Witching drew herself up with haughty umbrum pride. "Yes, I shall be your champion, rabbits." She tossed her mane of shadow, smiling dangerously. "Let us go and remind these yaks why they should respect the shadows."

Umbra chuckled softly. "That isn't technically correct."

Tsuki and umbrum alike looked to her curiously.

"The tsuki will champion themselves as themselves." Umbra pointed the way, beyond the earthen walls. "The yaks are ready for a fight, a real one, yak to tsuki, to show who is stronger."

One of the tsuki inclined his head, ears dangling with the angle. "Yaks mean."

"Yaks can be mean." Umbra took a step towards that proud rabbit warrior. "But they will fight, fair."

She reared up and spread her arms in a traditional tsuki greeting for a hug, or a battle. The two were easily confused. One could end up receiving both in short order. "Are you ready to fight?"

The warriors went rigid. It was an instinct to answer that call. They spread their arms with, somehow, friendly scowls. They all looked ready to hug Umbra into submission. "Ready!" chimed one of them.

Umbra and Morning fell into step behind Witching as the tsuki warriors escorted them out, thumping their feet excitedly. Together, their unlikely delegation strode off to issue the yaks' challenge. For better or worse, the die was cast. Now victory relied on Witching's dark talents. Umbra could only hope they had chosen the right champion for this crucial task.

"Speaking of that." Not that anyone had spoken on their quiet trip. "Why am I here if the tsuki are the ones doing the fighting?" Witching looked over her shoulder at Umbra. "Are you playing a cruel game on me? Points for bravery... But I want answers."

Umbra shook her head firmly with a soft huff. "Sister, I wouldn't do that."

"Yes, you would." Witching fell back to Umbra's side. "We are sisters only connected by your adopted one." She smiled at Morning, the care there sincere. "Which I hear you've finally gone and made one of your own instead of snatching them from the dead hooves of your enemies."

Umbra sighed at that phrasing. "I have had a child. You should come see them before you head home. But that's not why you're here. The yaks will wrestle and fight with the tsuki, but they don't know, and don't respect, umbrum. It hasn't come to a fight there, but why wait? They should learn to fear us with a friendly match..."

Midnight snarled a smile out at that. "I love the idea, but 'sister' why don't you fight them yourself? You're capable of that, aren't you?"

Umbra lifted an ear at that. "I am, but I'm also princess of the Crystal Empire. Pony, umbrum, it gets all tangled when you bring me into it. They need to fight an umbrum. No qualifiers, no confusion. Just umbrum."

Morning clucked her tongue. "Clever, mother. You are thinking steps ahead. I love it."

Witching Hour considered Umbra's words, pride and pragmatism warring within her. She lived for contests that allowed her umbrum abilities to shine. Yet Umbra made a valid point - as princess, her involvement would muddy the waters.

"Very well, I shall be your champion," Witching finally conceded. She smirked, baring sharp fangs. "After all, any chance to put yaks in their place is fine by me."

The tsuki warriors thumped their feet eagerly, no doubt envisioning the impending battles. Umbra hoped their confidence was not misplaced. Yaks were formidable, stubborn opponents. Diplomacy remained the ideal solution, though she had doubts on that front.

Before long they arrived at the yaks' village, the scent of wood smoke and roasted food permeating the icy air. Yaks stirred from their lodges, shaggy heads swiveling toward the strange delegation.

Their chieftain, Rutherford, soon emerged, shoulders hunched beneath his horned helm. His gaze swept over the newcomers, lingering on Witching's umbrum features with a scowl.

"Why ponies bring creepy shadows here?" he rumbled. "Yaks smash bad dreams, not talk to them."

Witching bristled, but Umbra stepped forward calmly. "Greetings, honored chieftain. We come in peace, seeking cultural exchange." She gestured to the tsuki. "Wrestling contests foster strength and unity between tribes."

The chieftain grunted, stroking his braided beard. "Hmm...yaks always ready to crush weaklings in fight. Why not? We show you puny outsiders meaning of strength!"

He stomped the ground, rallying the other yaks with guttural shouts. Soon the contests were prepared - makeshift rings scratched into the snowy earth as yaks limbered up with practiced moves.

Witching wasted no time stepping into the first ring, sable coat stark against the white ground. Her opponent lumbered forward, horns lowered menacingly. Yet Witching showed no fear, only a razor smile of anticipation...

The contests raged fiercely as yak battled tsuki and umbrum alike beneath the cold arctic sun. Umbra watched it all unfold with bated breath, silently praying her gambit would pay off. Witching more than held her own, employing agility and sly tricks to counter the yaks' brute force.

No amount of yak strength could properly counter shadow trickery and agility. She laughed at each graceless charge and never did their horns catch her. "Is that the best you can do?"

"No!" thundered the yak warrior, trying all the harder as the gathered crowd of yaks and the one tsuki not already in a battle cheered them on.

"Not win." The yak pawed at the ground with great tosses of the earth with their scuffing shoes. "Only not lose. Win!"

"Fine," sighed out Witching as if it was all a chore. She darted in, swerving around his eager horns to drive a hoof into his thick cheek.

But it had little effect. She was an umbrum, not known for their physical strength.

The battle took a turn, with Witching trying harder and harder to actually land a telling blow on the stubborn yak. But the yak was... happy, cheering on her attempts even as he pressed in, trying to put her down in kind. The fight had become real in his eyes, and he was pleased.

Umbra shook her head, turning to see how the tsuki were doing.

Prince Rutherford had crashed into their largest, sharp horns going against grasping hands as the two trembled with intense strength. Each was trying to knock the other over, and neither was making good progress save the grunts of their effort.

Umbra clapped at the sight with a smile. They were battling, each on their own terms. "You can do it!" She wasn't cheering either side on specifically. A good battle needed two warriors at least.

Morning skewed an ear off. "I don't understand, mother. Do you want our tsuki to win or not?"

Umbra turned to Morning, keeping one eye on the fierce contests unfolding before them.

"It's not about anyone winning or losing," she explained patiently. "The goal is fostering mutual respect between our peoples. If the yaks see the tsuki and umbrum can match them in combat, they will start to regard us as equals."

She gestured to where Witching was darting around her burly yak opponent, the shadows writhing in her wake. "Our friend is showing them umbrum are more than whispered nightmares - we have honor and skill worthy of allies."

Meanwhile, the tsuki grappler had managed to topple Prince Rutherford onto his back, eliciting roars of approval from the yak spectators. Umbra clapped along with them. She wanted all sides to acquit themselves well.

"Do you understand, Morning?" she asked gently. "This isn't a contest to crown supremacy. It is the start of building trust between former strangers. With time and patience, that trust can become lasting friendship."

Morning wrinkled her nose doubtfully. "I still think we should crush them completely and claim victory over these beasts." At Umbra's stern look, she huffed. "But...I suppose giving friendship a chance could be acceptable too."

Umbra hid a smile. It seemed her daughter still had some lessons to learn about diplomacy. But the fact that Morning was willing to try warmed her heart.

She turned her gaze back to the makeshift arena. Witching was panting now but grinning fiercely, while her yak opponent sported several dark bruises. Yet he too seemed to be enjoying the contest, laughter booming across the icy tundra.

Win or lose, Umbra sensed these competitions marked a turning point. Watching former enemies spar with camaraderie gave her hope. Perhaps one day yaks, tsuki and umbrum alike could stand together as allies.

Everyone enjoys a good fight, there in the snow. The tsuki are pleased, having found a creature that can give a proper wrestling match.

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