The Queen of Shadows (an MLP fanfic)

Chapter 3

"What was she thinking?!" Shining Armor exclaimed, pacing around the throne room. "I don't understand! How could our daughter do this to us?! Doesn't she know what she is getting herself into?!"

"Shining Armor, please." Cadence said, trying to calm her husband. "Control yourself."

"Mother is right. You must control yourself, Father." Skyla agreed.

"I just don't get it." Shining Armor said. "How could she just run away and marry the King of Shadows? It doesn't make sense."

"Maybe she thought the Empire was more important than herself." Cadence hypothesised. "Shining she did this to protect us. She didn't want the Empire to fall to darkness."

"Why are you taking her side?" Shining Armor asked his wife.

"Because she is our daughter." She replied. "We need to be supportive of her choice. Even if we don't agree with it."

"Well, do you agree with her choice?" The Prince asked.

"Of course not!" Cadence exclaimed. "But Flurry Heart thinks she made the right decision! She was thinking of the future of the Empire! We should at least commemorate her for that!" Cadence collapsed into a fit of sobs at the thought of her daughter becoming the Queen of Shadows.

"You're right." Shining Armor walked over and consoled his wife. "Flurry does believe that she made the right decision. And we should commemorate her for thinking of the entire Empire rather than herself."

"I just wish we could see her again." Cadence sobbed. "She left without saying good bye."

"I do as well, believe me. But we can't mope around about this now." Shining said.

"You're right. We should inform the Crystal Ponies that their Princess Flurry Heart has sacrificed her freedom for their safety." Cadence got up and walked out of the throne room with her husband.

Princess Flurry Heart woke up to find herself in a room she didn't recognise.

"Huh?" She looked around the candle lit chamber. There was a dresser, a chair, a nightstand, and the bed she lay upon. "Where am I?" Suddenly, it all came back to her. "Oh, that's right. I gave my hoof to the King of Shadows to save the Crystal Empire." She sighed. "I hope one day mom and dad can forgive me." She shook her head. "No! Don't be sorry, Flurry! You did this for the good of your people! It was the right decision!" She jumped at a knock on the door. "Who is it?"

"It is I, my future Queen." Sombra said. "May I come in?"

"Of course, my King." Flurry Heart replied as tears formed in her eyes.

The door opened and Sombra entered. "I thought I should see how my dear fiance was doing." He smiled at her, his voice softer and more caring than before.

Flurry Heart noticed that he now had the eyes of a regular pony, though they were still red.

"I also brought this." He lit his horn and levitated a black gown with red gems and a matching tiara and shoes over to her. "Now then, get dressed and meet me in the dining room for breakfast." He walked over and kissed her cheek. The action caused Flurry to jolt. He left her behind and exited the room.

Flurry examined the dress a little closer. She had to admit, it did look rather nice. She hesitated for a few moments before sliping it on along with the shoes and tiara. Looking into a mirror, Flurry saw a completely different pony who still managed to resemble her.

Sighing, Flurry walked out of the room and went to the dining room.

In the dining room, Sombra was losing his patience. "Where is she?! I told her to be here!"

"Sir... You must be patient..." A shadow on the wall whispered.

"I have been patient!" Sombra yelled. "Where is she?!"

"Sir... I don't know..." The shadow replied.

"Rawr!"  In a fit of rage, Sombra threw an Umbrum chalice against the doors at the end of the room, causing it to shatter.

There was a creak as the doors opened and Flurry Heart entered.

"Is everything ok in here?" She asked, a little frightened.

"Yes, my dear." Sombra replied, regaining his composure. "Everything is grand. Especially, now that you're here." He walked over to her and kissed her hoof. "Now then, come. Sit down, my queen." He walked her over to the table and pulled out her chair, motioning for her to sit down.

Flurry did so, hesitantly. "Thank you."

Sombra allowed himself to smile and sat at the other end, across from her. "Now then, what shall it be? Pancakes? Waffles? Muffins? My shadows can make any dish you desire."

"Well, my mom makes the best pancakes in the entire Crystal Empire." Flurry told him. "Would a plate of those be possible?"

"Of course." Sombra smiled. He then called over one of the shadows that danced on the walls. "A plate of Crystal Empire pancakes for my future queen."

The shadow nodded and went into a kitchen area off the dining room. A few moments later they came back and placed a plate of pancakes in the shape of hearts in front of the princess.

"Go on. Tell me what you think." Sombra requested.

Flurry Heart eyed him suspiciously and took a small bite. "Wow! This is amazing!" She praised him with a smile.

"Did they get it right?" He asked.

"They most certainly did!" She exclaimed, taking another bite. "These taste exactly like my mother's!"

"I'm glad you like it, my sweet." He said. "Now then, anything to drink?"

"Crystalberry juice?" She asked, hopeful.

"As you wish." He called over another shadow and told them her request.

The shadow then left and came back with a challace of the sweet liquid and set it down behind her plate.

Flurry took a small sip. "Yum! This is wonderful! I haven't had this drink since I was a filly!" She gave him a small smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He replied. They ate the rest of their meal in silence.