Heart of Darkness (King Sombra x Reader)

The Crystal Heart

It is dark and thundering at the edge of Equestria, in the frozen wastelands nobody calls home, and the air is thick with magic. The king, Sombra, or rather his shadow, stands upon a high balcony in the snowy mountains he now calls home, gazing out upon the land. He murmurs to himself, his eyes glowing with a fierce and unquenchable desire. Suddenly, he hears a sound in the distance, a sound that sets his blood churning. It is the sound of someone approaching, coming towards his makeshift home that he's slowly regenerating in after those wretched ponies banished him to the darkness once more. Sombra takes a deep breath, preparing himself for whatever may come.

He steps bak into the darkness and moves swiftly and silently to his dark throne he built with the last of his power, sitting down in regal grace. The door to his home creaks open, and in steps a small figure, shrouded in a hood and trembling slightly. As the figure approaches, Sombra raises a brow, his curiosity piqued.

"Show yourself" he commands in a thundering voice.

I approach in a dark hood, bowing before him. "My king," I say as I bow to the ground before his shadow, the wind lifting my hood away to reveal me as a unicorn with a pale golden coat and a long burgundy mane. "I have searched the lands far and wide for you, my king."

Sombra's gaze flicks over to me, his eyes narrowing as he takes me in. He leans back in his throne, studying me carefully. There is a tense silence for a moment before he finally speaks.

"And why have you come here, seeking me out?"

I stand up from my bow slightly. "I've been fascinated by you for ages! I studied you and your rule for years. When... when you were defeated, I knew I had to seek you out and bring you back. But you appear... weakened."

Sombra's eyes flash at my words, his jaw tightening slightly. He looks upon me with a mixture of suspicion and begrudging curiosity.

"Weakened?" he repeats, his voice low and menacing. "I'll have you know, I may be diminished, but I am far from weak. I am still a force to be reckoned with." 

With that, shadows surround me, and I yelp slightly. "But of course," I bow quickly. "Forgive me."

Sombra watches me with a mixture of irritation and begrudging respect. He can smell the awe and sycophantic flattery on me, but there's something about my devotion that piques his interest nonetheless.

"Hmph. You seem overly eager, pony," he remarks, his voice a low rumble. "Tell me, what is your name?"

"Autumn Rose, my king" I respond. "But my friends call me Rose."

Sombra's eyes travel over me, examining me more closely. Autumn Rose, huh? He leans forward, his gaze intense. "Autumn Rose," he repeats, seemingly tasting the name as he says it. "And what is it that you want, Autumn Rose? Why have you sought me out?"

"I want to help you. You can't take back the Crystal Empire in this state" I say.

Sombra scoffs, sitting back in his throne, his expression dark. "And why would I need your help?" he hisses, his eyes narrowing. "You presume to think I cannot return to my former glory without some assistance from a commoner like you?"

"With what I have to offer, the Crystal Empire can be ours!" I protest.

Sombra's eyes narrow at the word "ours." His glare darkens further as he scrutinizes me. The word "ours" has clearly struck a nerve.

"Watch your tongue, Autumn Rose," he warns, his voice dropping to a low growl. "The Crystal Empire was mine once before, and it will be mine again. I need no one's help, least of all a fawning sycophant such as yourself." He leans forward, his eyes glinting with annoyance. 

"But... ours-" I begin.

Sombra slams his partially-generated hooves down upon the arms of his throne, his eyes flaring as he glares at me, almost spitting his next words. "Do not presume to tell me what the Crystal Empire will be. I am the rightful ruler, and I alone!" he snarls, his whole body and shadow tense. "I do not share my throne, nor do I need your help in reconquering what is rightfully MINE!"

I startle and immediately fall into a bow. "Of course, my king, please forgive me. I-I only meant that I live to serve you."

Sombra eyes me with a mixture of annoyance and reluctant amusement at my attempt to placate him. His expression softens marginally, but he still appears irritated. "Hmph. I suppose your intent is clear enough..." he mutters, sitting back in his throne, his expression still gruff. "But be careful with your words, Autumn Rose. You do not want to anger me further."

"I do have something that can help you," I say softly.

Sombra's irritation gives way to curiosity, his expression now one of guarded interest. He leans forward slightly, studying me with a critical eye. "And what is it that you think you have that could be of any use to me?" he queries, his voice low and gruff.

I open my bag to reveal none other than the Crystal Heart. "This."

Sombra's eyes widen marginally at the sight of the Crystal Heart, his entire demeanor changing into one of intense anticipation. "The Crystal Heart..." he whispers, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and hunger. He leans forward, his gaze fixated on the glowing crystal.