Title:           Mist and Shadows 04
Author:          AvexedAuthor
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/8v7iRK0j
First Edit:      Monday 2nd of February 2015 08:22:26 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Thursday 5th of February 2015 10:09:20 PM CDT

>After entrusting Cadet Phoenix to console Princess Cadence, you rally your memories of the palace to find somewhere cut off from civilians.
>Too bad the castle is pretty small compared to most you've seen. Not one area you know of is completely shut off from possible bystanders.
>OF course there is one place you could always go...
"Sirens Keep! Oh god how did I miss that!"
>Guess your mind is slipping with age.
>Ever since you hit the tender age of twenty your mind has been slipping.
>...wait what?
"Ugh, okay first step is teleport back. Second is to find a brain puzzle or something."
>Since Sombra's Spectre had resided in the keep for about a week you can lock on to his magical residue as a waypoint.
"Ven zahd Vuld"> You turn etheral and are transported to the throne room of Siren's Keep.
>Once you arrive, the spell ends and reinstates your physical properties. Sure enough the throne room looks the same but with snow covering your recent tracks due to the open ceiling.
>Walking over to the middle throne you unholster your staff that currently entraps Sombra's soul.
"Alright, time for questions. Sil Gaar amativ">Sombra's soul is released from your staff and manifested in a sitting position in the middle throne.
>"Why do you release me, Gothicmancer? Do you not wish to punish me for what I did to Sir Armor?" Sombra asks in a confused but melancholic voice.
"Now is not the time for rash actions. I came here to investigate a situation and judge based on my discretion."
>You make sure to look Sombra directly in the eye. Your face holds not a scowl but a glare that shan't receive any shit.
"So we shall start over, spectre."
>Closing your eyes, you then re open them absent of any tension they held earlier and smile at Sombra.
"Hello, my title is Anon the Shadow. Ho do I greet thee?"
 
>Sombra seems to be put off by this. You raise an eyebrow at him, urging him to go on.
>After realizing you were serious he released a sigh and went along with it. "My title is King Sombra the Mist. But I guess that title should be Ex King now." ending the sentence in a snarl.
"Well met, Sombra the Mist. How about we start off with a mutual questionnaire. I'll start off. First question, how did you learn to corrupt your gothic aura?"
>An eyebrow raise of confusion is given,"What do you mean,"corrupt my gothic aura"? This is how I have always used my magic"
>Well that's troublesome. Usually if somebeing is using corrupted gothic magic the cause is a spell invoked by said individual.
>If Sombra is telling the truth then somebeing cast the spell onto him, probably at a young age.
>Guess this wasn't another open-shut case.
>"Since you brought up magic, what type of masking are you using for your own aura? I know you to be a gothic mage yet I feel nor see any after effect on your person or in your aura."
"That is because I am using Gothic magic in the raw. There are no effects. Gothic magic will only start affecting the user if they cast in a corrupt fashion. Such as feeding your spell with emotion based energy to make them more powerful"
>"Really? Well that certainly goes against all that I ever learned."
"Most likely the reason you became a tyrant as well. The dangers of using emotion based gothic magic is permanent emotional confusion. Such as instead of laughing at a joke you feel rage and act as such. As well as making you more prone to follow those emotions."
>This bit of news makes Sombra eyes scowl in anger."And if I am to understand. Since I didn't make this choice for myself, somepony corrupted my magic for me as a little colt."
"That is my hypothesis."
 
>"And this individual is the reason that I had to leave my home kingdom," as he talks you are having to manually suppress the corrupted aura radiating from the spectre as he talks."And my sister? Who undoubtedly was forced to act as ruler in my stead!"
>You have to end this before he causes another rage-cast.
"Lu Nahlot">The magic being manifested is instantly stopped at the source, leaving Sombra dissoriented.
>"What...did you do to my magic?"
"Momentarily quelled it since you were emotionally casting unknowingly again. Another side effect of corruption"
>"I..see. I thank you for your help. I guess it's your turn for a question?"
>Nodding at him, you ask him about his final request he mentioned before Armor's accident.
>He first takes a moment to calm down before responding,"As I mentioned in my...tirade of sorts, I use to live in a northern kingdom. I had to leave due to disagreements between me and my sister. Now I realize that I may not be totally at fault, but I still wish to repent for the sins that I can."
>Hmm, so he is a soul bonded to the realm by his own grief.
>Seems like it's going to be another one of THOSE jobs.
>Eyes closed and head nodding, you confirm your decision and respond.
"Alright, you've got a deal!"
>Sombra stares at you in confusion for what had to be the fourth time today,"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean that I agree to guide you to your empire and help you reach your sister."
>"But we've just met! Plus, I put that prince in the hospital, how could you trust me after committing such an action!?"
"Easy, jobs like this fall under my jurisdiction in the Equestrian Magic council. And that accident was as much Armor's fault as it was yours."
 
>He seems to searches your face for any tell tale signs of a ruse.
"Of course, we are going to do things my way."
>"Ah, I see. So there is a catch! Very well, speak your terms."
"Since you are basically using magic harmful to both others and yourself, I will be instructing you on Gothic spellcraft throughout the trip."
>"...that's it?"
>After nodding in confirmation Sombra just stared at you.
>...
"Oh, how could I forget!"
>"Ah, so the terms aren't finished."
"No there finished! I forgot that we have one place to go before we can start our journey."
>"Oh. Well, where to?" he says in confusion. Probably alerted to your now dimming mood.
"Well...I will have to inform the Divine Council about the current situation."
>"What is the Divine Council?"
"The group of officials that I belong to. They consist of Highmage Blackstone, Princess Twilight, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna..."
>Sombra is a bit shaken from you mentioning the Royal Sisters, but also picks up on your delaying mention of the last member.
>"And?"
"Princess Cadence and her husband Shining Armor"
>By the Nine you aren't looking forward to this.