A Duo of Fangs

by Bro Dash

Meeting the Darkness Incarnate

Angel kept watch atop of Fluttershy's head as his caretaker trot through the marketplace, all the while smiling. Nothing better than shopping in Canterlot! Everyone is so kind, offering to help. She's been asked by twelve people already if she needed help carrying the obviously heavy baskets hanging on her sides. She politely refused, but thanked them for their offer. She just didn't want her burden to be their burden. Plus, it's not so bad. It isn't the first time she's gathered food for her animal friends.

She trot just past the last few stalls of produce and came to a halt at the last one, buying a thick bushel of carrots. Angel cheered up instantly from his droll day as Fluttershy presented one to him. He immediately got to work on the delicious meal. She turned to continue on her way home and came to an immediate halt the moment she set eyes on a very familiar face, of which she recalled was last labeled an enemy to Equestria and the Crystal Empire. Sombra himself! and what evil was he conducting in mid day in Canterlot?

...Buying apples.

Fluttershy looked about for her quickest escape, and before she could even turn away, those heavy baskets making it too hard to do so fast enough without throwing produce out of them...He had seen her, recognized her, and even called her by name! Did she even meet him before this? She didn't recall him even looking at her the entire time they were fending him off to save the crystal empire and-

"Fluttershy?", his voice practically sang. "I thought that was you!"

Fluttershy laughed nervously, turning to the dark stallion, "H-h-hey Sombra! W-what are you doing h-here?"

"Buying a bit of groceries."

Angel obviously did not sense his caretaker's distress, as he just chewed on his carrot whilst giving said stallion his attention. Both ears erect and forward, attention solely on him. Save for when he took a bite of his meal.

"Cute bunny. What's his name?"

"No! Leave him alone!", Fluttershy backed away.

"What? I'd only asked of his name. What's wrong with that?"

"U-uhm...y-you..."

"Look, if I've offended, I hadn't meant to. I just wanted to see how you were doing. You look like you're struggling under those baskets. Do you need help carrying them?", he asked.

"No!", she stood up straight. "I'm perfectly fine!"

"What's wrong Fluttershy?", Sombra asked nicely. It looked genuine.

"You...you're supposed to be...", she lowered ehr voice. "Dead."

"Dead?", Sombra sighed. "Far from it. I recovered. Black Magic has it's perks...", he stopped smiling. Now she saw the dark baleful stallion. His features looked the same as when she last saw him, ready to throw down anyone that stood in his way. He cleared his throat. "I'd like to change your mind. Would you allow me to do that?"

"C-change my mind?", Fluttershy asked. Obviously she was perplexed.

"Yes. I'm not the same stallion, and I can show it to you.", he smiled. "Would you allow me to do that? Perhaps...over lunch?"

"Lunch?", Fluttershy asked. He asked her out to lunch? Surely this cannot be the same Sombra.

"Yes. Lunch. On me."

"I-I don't know, I have lots of my animals to feed, and I'd hate to be late."

"Then we could get something small, and I'll walk you back home."

"Well, I don't live in Canterlot, I live in Ponyville. I'm only here to take care of a few pets for a friend of mine."

"I could still walk you there at least. Carry your groceries for you."

Fluttershy sighed, rubbing her foreleg with her other hoof. "Alright. I guess I could..."

"Wonderful!", Sombra picked up the baskets, setting them on his own back. "We could eat at the Black Tea Cup."

"The Black Tea Cup?", Fluttershy asked. She'd obviously never heard of the Black Tea Cup.

"Yes. It's not that popular. Young adults spend their time there frequently. Can't say I've seen anyone else there. No one older, no one younger. Follow me, it's but a minute's walk away.", he began along the trail that lead to said place.

Fluttershy hurried to Sombra's side, keeping her head aimed downwards along the way. She wasn't really sure what to think. She felt a bit embarrassed to even consider having forgiven this stallion for what he's done. She still gave him a chance. If he has changed, then...surely he wouldn't be of any kind of threat to anyone.

The small diner came up within just a few moments, and it didn't even take that long to get there. In fact, Fluttershy had seen this place before, but she never paid attention. It was off the side a little, even blended in well. It didn't advertise it's name like you'd have expected. There was a sign that had it's name, but you'd not be able to even recognize it unless you walked up to it.

"A nice, calm place. Everyone is friendly.", Sombra smiled.

Fluttershy looked at those who were already there, each occupying a table in their own group. Just friends. One had six, too many for the small table, several had just two. It varied.

"Hey there, Sombra! What'll it be? Espresso, mocha, frappuccino, frape? Or you here for tea?"

Fluttershy looked to the mare that had addressed Sombra, and she was given quite a shock. Well, she wasn't scary, but she wasn't your average Equestrian. She were a batpony.

"Actually, I'm here for lunch, so an ice tea for me, and what would you like, Fluttershy?", Sombra asked.

The mare stared ahead. "Uh...I don't know, I've never been here before."

"Menu is right there, sweety.", the batpony mare pointed to said sign beside the counter she were operating over.

Fluttershy looked the whole menu over. Didn't really know what to get. they offered hot meals, cold meals, sandwiches, baked breads, teas, coffees, smoothies. It's a cafe.

"Well?", the batpony asked.

"Uhm. May I have the...uhm...Sky Fruit?"

"Sky fruit?", the batpony mare's expression lit up. "We haven't sold any of that in a long time! Well, it's mostly due to price, but it's totally worth it, I promise, or you will get your money back. Cross my heart."

"I've had it before, I just...don't know if I really wanna get it. It's just so expensive."

"No worries, have all you want.", Sombra placed a rather large bag of bits on the counter.

"You'd really pay for it all?", Fluttershy asked.

"I'm a king, remember...?", Sombra said lowly.

Fluttershy really didn't want to be reminded.

"Alright, Sky fruit it is. And for a drink? Or no drink. Sky fruit is easily passable as both drink and food.", the bat mare asked.

"No, that'll be all, thank you...", Fluttershy replied.

"Alright. How much am I getting back?", Sombra asked.

The bat amre sighed, emptying the bag of bits, and started counting at an incredible pace, moving bits about in a swift fashion. "You've got four fifty seven total, Sky Fruit costs thirty seven, which I'm not sure you would have needed to give me a whole bag of bits for-"

"Ten Fruits. More for the lovely mare."

"Alright, whatever floats your boat. Your usual costs only fifteen.", the bat mare quickly counted out the remainder bits, and scooped them into the bag, pushing it back to sombra. Sombra stacked the bits for her. "Alright, that should pay for everything, give me about a minute to have your food and drinks done, thank you very much.". she cycled the bits into the register, then bounded off to collect the couple's lunch. When she returned, it were not even but three moments later, and she had a crate full of green seed-like fruits the size of coconuts. She hurriedly fixed Sombra's order, then set the crate on the counter, and the platter containing Sombra's order.

Sombra took his drink and food, even the crate, into his magic. "Thank you. Let's find a table.", Sombra turned to the tables set about.

Fluttershy followed closely, easing off, not really sure how close she should walk to him. He were treating her to lunch, she should return the affection. But he's a criminal. And it's worrying her a bit.

It's worrying her a lot. It's worrying her even more that he's being kind to her.

"Alright.", Sombra set their meals on the table. He sliced open the green fruit for fluttershy, setting the pieces on his platter, then scooted the silver tray to her, taking his food and drink into his magic.

"Oh, thank you.", she said.

"No need to thank me. However, does this change your mind about me?"

"Oh I...I don't know what to think anymore."

"Well, I've definitely changed your mind at least."

"But what made you change your mind?"

"Hmm. Well, I can say it was never my intentions to take over an empire. See, black magic is...complicated. It can backfire sometimes. It's why I'm still here, though."

"And why me?", she asked.

"You? Well...I can't say it's because you fought against me. I had seen you maybe once and didn't pay heed. Though I wish I did.", he smiled. "Mainly...it's those fangs you bear..."

Fluttershy covered her mouth with her hooves hastily.

"They look cute, make you look irresistable.", he flashed his own fangs.

"N-no! I don't..."

"It's nothing to be ashamed about. Though I am curious as of to if you still retain your...instincts.", his horn cast a red glow over the slices of Sky Fruit he'd ordered for her. Immediately Fluttershy's gaze turned to the juicy delicious food swaying before her, she made a small noise of distress, then lunged for the treat, taking it from his magical grasp.

"You're a monster!", she bit into the delicious fruit, practically cooing as the delicious taste washed over her mouth. She could feel her mind numbing over, that same sensation from her batty moments returning like wonderful euphoria.

"I may be a monster to you and some others, but I know what buttons to push, that's what makes me brilliant.", he waved a fresh fruit before her, jsut as she finished her third piece of the Sky Fruit. For a moment, her gaze was captured by the delicious fruit, but she tore herself away.

"No!", she clamped her eyes shut as she turned.

"What?"

"S-stop it!"

"You'd toss away the truth?"

"The...truth?", Fluttershy asked.

"Undeniably, it was a mishap, but I do see you were once imbued with the animalistic values of a vampire fruit bat...Out of everyone, you've experienced what it's like to be on the opposite team, to cause suffering. Even if much more minor than capturing land for your harsh rule. I won't convince you that you are a menace. But I will tell you that you are the only one who can relate to me. Even if it were a sliver of a relation."

Fluttershy turned to the dark stallion, the Sky Fruit still dangling within reach. Right above her gaze. She didn't even look at it. In fact, she pouted at the stallion.

"Alright fine, I'll stop teasing. But show more fang.", he placed the fruit back in the crate

"You're a monster..."

"We both know you don't mean it."

Fluttershy sighed, then retrieved the remainder of her first fruit, "I'm not talking to you now.", she bit into another slice.

"Understandable, take your time. I'm still walking you back, am I not?"

"Yes...I'm just upset."

"Well, I know more than one way to cheer someone up. If you're still upset when we leave...I'll make you smile...", he said mischievously. He sounded so sinister, though.

"Why did you do that?"

"Because now your fangs look...more pronounced. That's what I want to see. those fangs, ruffled feathers...Like watching a female lion submit. None of that talk, though, you are neither submitting nor a predator. Still...you make my heart sing."

Fluttershy blushed, turning away.

"I should have expected as much. Your name is Fluttershy after all. Am I going a bit too fast for you?"

"I-I don't know...I've...never done this before..."

"Well, allow me to take the lead.", he swooped over to her through the table. He were a cloud of black smoke with but his head still attached, taking her side as he nuzzled into her neck, placing a kiss on her cheek...

"Stop!", she pushed away, nearly falling out of the chair because of it.

"What's wrong?", Sombra asked.

Fluttershy hopped down out of the chair, walking swiftly out of the cafe and down the street. Sombra chuckled, smirking. She likes it. He knows it.

Just a few minutes after, Fluttershy was coming up to the hotel she and her friends had been staying in, that...event still fresh in her mind. Twilight, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash were in the lobby when she arrived, and they greeted her like they usually did, only to be met with the shocked expression on her face and the distress shook them immediately.

"What's wrong, Darling?", Rarity stood on her bean bag chair.

"He was...", she began. "So nice!"

"Oh!", Rarity gasped, "He?", she asked. "Darling, do you mean to tell me you've met someone?"

"Really?", Rainbow dash jumped into the air, hovering but a hoof's length away from the vanilla mare. "Is he hot? Does he look cool? Is he a soldier?"

"Good for you fluttershy.", Twilight smiled, setting her book down. "But...unlike these girls, I don't immediately jump to conclusions, thinking he's your coltfriend or something. Heheheh!", she chuckled fakely. "So who is he?", she asked immediately after, getting in on the fine gossip.

Fluttershy whined, and Angel...where was Angel? Fluttershy gasped, then yelped, checking her entire body, "Angel!!", she screamed.

"He's an angel?", Rainbow Dash asked.

"No! He has Angel!"

"Oh!", Rarity laughed once. "Then if he's so nice, he'll simply take care of him until you return!"

"No, it's not that!"

"Then what's got you so worked up? Actually, that's a dumb question.", Rainbow Dash said in an "obvious" tone. "Your name is Flutter shyyyy."

"No, it's...it's..."

The three leaned in closer, waiting for her to say his name at the very least.

"...Sombra....", she said, as if the horror that had threatened an entire empire had return to take revenge on more than just the crystal empire.

"No way.", Rainbow Dash said, unbelieving. "Uh-uh."

"You're kidding, right?", Twilight asked.

"Darling, surely you are mistaken.", Rarity said.

"She's not." The devil himself strolled into the lobby. Angel jumped off one of the baskets he had set to his sides and hurried to his caretaker, jumping onto her back and nuzzling into her neck lovingly. He wanted her to be happy! He was happy. She should be happy if he's happy, should she not?

"My word...the devil walks again!", Rarity commented.

"Didn't we tear you to shreds with the-" Her mouth sealed shut with a smack, zipping closed with a magic zipper.

"Of course I am.", he said without a smile.

"Twilight, do something!", Rarity turned to the alicorn. But Twilight were not doing anything. She were holding her chin with her hoof, looking rather ponderous.

"She's obviously taking a smarter look on this situation. Fluttershy~!", he chimed, smiling mischievously. A rather plump, ripe, delicious looking fruit wavered before her, catching her gaze. For a moment, her jaw quivered, but she tore herself away, backing from the devil's fruit.

"Mmhmm mm hmmhmmhmm!!!", Rainbow Dash Mumbled.

Sombra unsealed ehr mouth.

"What are you doing here?", she asked.

"Living. Still practicing and studying Dark Magic, communing with dark forces to further my use and research of said subject. It's not outlawed. At least not in Equestria."

"Thanks to the Mage's Concordat.", Twilight finally gave her input. "One of the...worst decisions, making black magic legal, but it's so taboo to this society, it's extremely rare to see someone partaking in the dark arts." Twilight sighed, "Thats why you survived..."

"I don't follow.", Rainbow Dash admitted.

"He's an agent of darkness, nuff said. He was obliterated. not killed, obliterated. No one has bested him in the game of life, he simply tread in the wrong place at the wrong time. The dark forces revived him, rebuilt him. But they took away his magic."

"Most of it.", Sombra set the stray Sky fruit in the crate, adn then said crate before him. He lifted the groceries Fluttershy had bought off his back, and set them beside the crate. "I'm surprised you know so much."

"So...do we do something now?", Rainbow Dash asked.

"No, Rainbow Dash.", Twilight said. "Did fluttershhy really say that you were...nice?"

"She did? I hadn't heard that part."

Fluttershy whined, looking away, head turned down.

Rainbow Dash appeared in the stallion's face in a flash, "Look here, buster! Fluttershy is my friend. You have something going, apparently, but you better watch yourself! The moment you slip up, I'll throw you off a cliff before you can take a breath to say you're sorry!!", she pushed him. "Am I clear enough for you?"

Sombra stared the mare down calmly, giving her his signature sinister gaze. "Do not mistake me for something defenseless. I may not have all my magic, but I am not powerless."

Twilight pulled Rainbow Dash away by her tail, seating her in the spot she had previously been napping. "Look, Rainbow Dash has proper incentive to say that. Frankly, I don't believe you should even be allowed to consider doing something like that with one of my friends, or anyone important, for that matter. You were at one point...", she lowered her voice so no one outside the group could hear. "An enemy of Equestria. Fluttershy can make the choice on her own whether she'll believe you. But if you do cause even the slightest harm, you won't just be flying of a cliff. You'll be plummeting into Tartarus' deepest pits where not even the dark forces can bring you back from. You can meet your mentors in magic there, and stay."

"Gladly. And when you visit me in the pits of tartarus, you and I can commune. It will go a long way to help you complete your magic studies, Twilight."

Twilight flinched. Indeed, one of ehr life goals is to master all forms of magic, but she had never told anyone that before. Or recorded it in any form other than memory. Twilight then recalled the vaguely familiar feeling of someone else digging in her mind and memories. Just like when Princess Celestia had taken a look into her mind for a lesson on magic. He was definitely reading her like a book. He can find every secret of the castle in her recesses. Why would she think of that?!

"But I have no use for secrets.", Sombra spoke.

"What?", Rainbow Dash asked.

"You are in my head.", Twilgiht said.

"But of course. You are whom I must worry about the most, you're an alicorn, same as the princesses. Same as Cadence. It's not aiding me in my favor at all, but I have to be sure I won't hit the wrong buttons."

"I don't think I should let you leave with that information."

Sombra looked at fluttershy, feeling a bit of...worry? Gods, when was the last time he'd worried about anything? "No."

"There is no debate. We can't afford for you to have that knowledge.", Twilight's horn glowed brightly.

"You'd deny me love?"

Her horn sparked, canceling the spell. "What?"

"Love. Your...sister-in-law would understand. You'd not just be denying me secrets I have given no heed to, but you'd also be denying me a chance to love someone."

"Cut the soupy drama, Sombra!", Rainbow Dash said sassily. "You're evil!"

"Rainbow Dash.", Twilight's horn sparked a small spell. Her mouth sealed again.

"MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!", Rainbow Dash screamed.

"Twilight...", Rarity approached the purple alicorn. "I...uhm...do understand there is a new complication present. So, if you wouldn't mind, may I have a word with you?", she asked.

"Yes. Rainbow Dash, with me, Rarity, let's go. Sombra, we will be back.", she nodded. Sombra nodded in turn.

Just around the corner, Twilight got one of the guards to watch the corner whilst they spoke. Anything he heard from them concerning Sombra is of no worries to anyone other than those three in particular.

Rainbow Dash's mouth unzipped. "What the hay, twilight?!", Rainbow Dash hissed.

"Calm down.", Twilight hushed the mare. "Rarity, you said you had something to say?"

"Well, I do recall Sombra being evil and all, trying to take over the Crystal Empire, but...Did he really say love?", the alabaster unicorn asked.

"Princess Cadence has taught me a few things about love. Her special talent is love, after all. Love can happen anywhere, anytime. I'm surprised Zecora hasn't found anyone yet."

"I recall her once spending time with a unicorn, but it must not have gotten anywhere.", Rarity said.

"Anyway, aside from that, Cadence also told me that no one should be denied love. You girls saw how he actually looked worried when I threatened to wipe his memory, right?"

"I definitely did. It was not his character at all.", Rarity agreed.

"Yeah. Totally not him. Stood out like red on blue.", Rainbow Dash also agreed.

"I don't know what worries me more, though.", Twilight began. "That he has fallen for Fluttershy, or that he's even alive. He could be lying about everything for all I know."

"I admit, I'm happy that this has happened, but at the same time, I'm equally as torn! The devil walks again, and he could easily commit more crimes against Equestria.", Rarity said.

Twilight sighed, sitting down. "If we tell Celestia, I'm afraid she might just smite him on the spot. It'd be the best course of action. We'd not be taking any chances. But if he's telling the truth, then we'd be putting away an innocent stallion."

"What do you wanna do then, watch him?", Rainbow Dash asked.

"I like the idea. But if he does end up causing harm to Fluttershy, how are we supposed to react to that?", Twilight said.

"I think it would be properly addressed if we spoke to him to prevent him from seeing her anymore. Treat him like an Equestrian rather than a criminal. He's done one bad thing and hasn't conspired to do any bad or worse than before.", Rarity said in her best official tone she could muster. Like a trained democrat.

"You've got a good point there."

"Really? We're just going to let him off the hook?", Rainbow Dash asked.

"I am. I'm a princess. I'll give him the guidelines, and he must obey, so long as he shows interest in Fluttershy. Should she deny him, push him away, he can't do anything about it. He must leave her alone. Sound good enough?", Twilight asked.

"What if he is still evil?"

"Well, if he commits a crime, I don't need to do anything. Someone will catch him. The system has evolved well. Plus, I know that if he does commit a crime, his name will be recognized. Sombra's existence will then be reported to all higher powers. Me, Celestia, Luna, Cadence."

"Got a good point there. Alright, I'm in, but if he hurts Fluttershy, I get first go at him.", she slammed her hooves together.

"Fine. you can have the first hit. Only one. Make it count."

"Yeahhehehehhh!", Rainbow Dash sneered.

"Darling, are you sure about this?", Rarity asked.

"I am. I'm still a little worried, and I probably shouldn't, but I'll give it a shot. For love's sake, Rarity.", Twilight sighed, annoyed.

"Alright then. We all seem to be within agreement."

Twilight nodded.

As the three returned, Sombra were teasing Fluttershy with a small piece of neon green fruit, which had to be the remnants of the Sky Fruit. Fluttershy caught the small slice with one snap of her fangs, digging into it's deliciousness, ending the tease and gaining a bit of triumph.

"Sombra.", Twilight addressed the stallion.

He stood up, turning to the trio, offering Fluttershy another piece of fruit as she finished the previous. "Yes?"

"You will be given one chance. Society and...with Fluttershy. It's already a shaky bridge you've built, but we'll keep an eye on you and Fluttershy."

Sombra smiled. "Thank you."

"But I have rules you're going to follow. You will not harm her in any way. Keep your black magic a secret, no open practice. As long as you are here in Equestria, you are not allowed to regain your full potential. No major contracts with the dark forces. Should you commit a crime, you will first be given to the mercy of the law, and then whence Celestia finds out, I will not help you. I will, in fact, help bring you to her. You will follow everything I have said."

"Understood. You sound like her mother.", Sombra smiled.

Twilight scoffed, and Rainbow Dash laughed.

Author's Note:

The best I've ever done. I love how this is turning out. Seems short though. A tiny bit.

Comments

[Moongaze14]

This story seems interesting. I like the way Sombra flirts with Fluttershy and his smartass comments to RD and Twilight. You get a favorite and a like. I hope the next chapter comes soon.

[Water Lilly]

Umm...alright.

[Animated Rarity]

Interesting but no build up no explaining how he is even alive or how he knows fluttershy or how he arrived in canterlot or why they even know him at the bar. BUT its Sombra x Fluttershy so fav

[CountessRose]

I like it so far. would love to see more. :)

[OnyxFang]

AWESOME

[Bro Dash]

5783445

Well, and I understand you made that comment 9 months ago, It's not going to be explained right off the bat. Give it time. Clues are in the text. Find them.