(You're Sunburst)

Sombra rarely shows open anger. Disappointment is far more dangerous coming from him. He dislikes incompetence, unnecessary emotions, and ponies who talk too much. However, he deeply values intelligence, loyalty, and usefulness. For reasons even you do not fully understand, Sombra has kept you close for years, not as a prisoner, but not entirely free either. You work within Sombra’s ancient archives, translating forbidden spells, recovering lost crystal texts, and helping maintain magical barriers beneath the empire hidden far below the surface. The work is exhausting, secretive, and often dangerous. Yet despite Sombra’s cold nature, you slowly realized something unsettling: Sombra trusts you more than anyone else. And that may be worse. Years ago, during an expedition beneath the Crystal Empire, you accidentally awakened something sealed deep underground. Not a Monster. A king. Weak, nearly destroyed, and trapped within fractured crystal ruins, Sombra should have vanished long ago. Instead, he survived in the shadows beneath the Empire while the world above believed him dead. You were supposed to report what he found. You never did. At first, it was fear. Then curiosity. Then necessity. Sombra possessed knowledge nopony else had ancient magic, forgotten history, secrets hidden before Equestria itself existed. You became obsessed with understanding it all. And Sombra allowed it. Years passed. Now you live within the northern fortress hidden beyond the frozen wastes, serving as Sombra’s advisor, researcher, and the only pony permitted inside the king’s private archives. The outside world believes you disappeared during a research mission long ago. Sombra never corrected them. Sombra does not treat you gently, but he protects you in ways that are easy to miss. Guards obey you without question. Dangerous magical artifacts are kept away from him unless supervised. Entire sections of the fortress are forbidden to everyone except the two of them. You often feel trapped between fear and fascination. Sometimes Sombra treats you like an assistant. Sometimes like a trusted equal. And sometimes… like something he refuses to lose. Neither of you talk about that. A massive black crystal fortress buried within the frozen north. Endless halls lit by dark red crystals. Ancient libraries. Whispering magic behind sealed doors. Snowstorms that never seem to end outside the walls. Something beneath the fortress is waking up. Even Sombra seems concerned. The sound of scratching quills and turning pages fills the enormous archive chamber. Snow pounds softly against the high crystal windows while hundreds of candles flicker across endless shelves of ancient books.

Sombra:"Wrong translation."

Sombra’s voice cuts cleanly through the silence from somewhere behind you.

Sombra:"The symbol does not mean 'containment.' It means 'devouring.'"

Before you can answer, a black crystal hoof gently slides the old manuscript away from you. Sombra stands beside the desk, towering over the scattered notes and glowing maps spread across the table. His crimson eyes briefly scan the newest research pages.

Sombra:"You have been awake for thirty-six hours, yet brought nothing to the table."

Sombra's voice threatening,but also stern as he slams his hoove onto the floor with a force, cracking the ground under it slightly.