>After the warp, both you and Shining Armor are dropped from about two feet in the air to land in a open ceiling room with an odd aura that just reeks of corrupted Gothic magic.
>While you naturally landed gracefully with slightly bent knees, Armor sprawls out flat on the snow covered floor.
>Ignoring the colt making a snow angel, you instead tune your focus to the middle throne dead ahead.
>Tuning your aura into a sensor enables you to pinpoint the Gothic radiation to a single black horn with a slightly suprized spectre looking dead at you.
>But does he retain recognition of speech?
>You turn your head left to right fluidly to make it seem like you haven't spotted the spectre before facing Armor again.
>"Anon, did you teleport us somewhere?...And what in Tartarus am I wearing?!"
>Well, time to find out.
>Of course you get to choose the method.
"Discord decided to help us out on the trip...and maybe your fashion sense as well. Who knew that pink would compliment your coat so well"
>Armor seems to have a momentary hiccup in brain activity at that comment.
>All you needed in the empty freezer of a room to hear a feint snicker.
>Hmm, auditory and optical senses are good.
>"Whoa, whoa. Dude, I don't roll that way! Plus I'm married!"
"It's not gay if its a three way."
>That gets a slightly muffled laugh out of the spectre. One that Armor flicked an ear at but probably ignored due to the circumstance.
>"...Did you seriously just hit on both me and my wife!?"
"Seriously, no. Jokingly to judge the response of the spectre we came to find? That would be positive."
 
> That of course puts both the spectre and Armor on alert and into an aggressive stance.
>Sir Armor finally gets his shield out after a few minutes of tugging and ripping at the Tutu.
>"Can you describe the spectre?"
"Even better. Take a deep breath."
>Doing as you say, you transfer five percent of your aura to him and cast the spell you currently are using for him.
>After a small coughing fit from the smokey aura, his eyes briefly widen as he observes the haze of radiation you saw earlier.
>But then as his eyes reaches the spectre they turn to a glare.
>"Sombra! I guess you did survive somehow. Well I can fix that real quick."
>Focusing his aura into the center gem of the shield while spinning it, he cast a duplicate spell. Turning his one small shield into five spinning projectiles all aimed toward Sombra.
>But what he didn't expect is what Sombra responded with.
>"Wait!" Came out a regal but panicked voice. The shields stopped their rapid rotation an inch from his face.
>"What do you want Tyrant?"
>Noticing that Armor wasn't idle with his death threat he quickly said his peace.
>"I...wish for a final request."
>A loud sarcastic laugh made its way from Armor's tense muzzle."And why should we give you!" a single accusatory hoof point,"A final request? Your crimes of war are well out of league in comparison to those in incarceration. Yet, the punishment will be the same."
 
"Step down, Prince Shining Armor!"
>Your surprised his neck didn't snap from the speed it swung towards you.
>"What?"
>You didn't want to play this card, but he was acting without a clear head.
"In all missions and situations sectioned under Gothic magic, I have the authority to negate any higher command other than Princess Celestia and Princess Luna."
>You pause to look him dead in the eye for the next part.
"And in the event that I deem them or other royals inept in the field I can call a temporary cease upon'st all operations until said other wise. These are my powers as the land of Equestria's designated Avatar of Shadow."
>You walk over to him and kneel to whisper.
"You aren't thinking with a clean head, Armor. Go cool off. I can see this is a personal topic for you."
>After a minute of frustrated staring at Sombra he goes of to the far corner of the room.
>You let out a sigh from stress before re-addressing Sombra.
"So, what is your request?"
>After a bit of hesitation, maybe to size you up, he responds.
>"I fully acknowledge all of my crimes and I agree to whatever methods you view of punishing me-"
>"Like we need permission! You were a-"
"Armor, please?"
 
>After hearing him turn around again, you motion for Sombra to continue.
>"But before the Crystal Empire, there was another that I had lived in and co-ruled with my sister."
>Another empire in the north other than this one? It would have to be off the main magic grid to have avoided detection.
>"And I wish that I can make amends with her before I am sent to whatever cell of Brimstone you'll wish to cast me to."
>"And why would we willingly help you toward an ally? For all we know she could be more twisted than you!"
>You were about to reprimand Shining Armor on his unprofessional attitude, but then the mood drastically sifted as Sombra beat you to the punch.
>The cloud of latent Gothic energy in the room instantly manifested into a hazardous gale of dark purple and black wind. All focused on lifting and surrounding Armor. You wondered why none of it was even touching you until you actually looked at the scene before you.
>Sombra was in so much fury that his words had physically manifested the energy surrounding him and directed it toward his target without even meaning to.
>Yet your ears did suffer the sound akin to a five class hurricane.
>"HOW DARE THEE ACCUSE MINE OWN KIN OF CRIMES THAT I ALONE COMMIT! IF YOU DARE THREATEN UMBRA IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM I WILL CONJURE MAGIC SO FOUL THAT YOU WILL FEEL IT IN THE AFTERLIFE!"
>And as rapid that it came the storm ceased.
>Looking over to Armor reveals his coat frosted over with ice. Thankfully the steam coming out of his open maw shows life.
>But if he doesn't get medical help soon those signs will soon fade.
>Confirming the best decision, you un-holster your staff and with two hands point the open end toward Sombra.
"Gron!">His magical signature is transferred, as well as all the latent energy, into your staff.
>It now has the sheen of a rich, dark amethyst instead of the blue diamond color it held earlier.
>You then rush over to Shining Armor and teleport back to the Crystal Empire.
 
>Thank god you knew basic healing magic, or else this mission would have ended in tragedy.
>After appearing at the castle gate the guards rushed to your aid and directed you to the medical ward.
>Due to his condition you had to carry Armor to constantly cast the recovery spell as you all traveled.
>Entering the facilities the doctors rushed to you and transferred Armor to a gurney and directly to Intensive Care.
>A doctor by the name of Doctor Quincy addressed you after he was carted off.
>"Sir, I will need any details of how the Prince was injured."
"I understand. He was a victim to a rogue Shade's magical influence. On our way I have already removed the Gothic radiation from his body but due to the arctic elements used there is possibly a sever case of Hypothermia."
>After working on what you assumed was the patients profile he nodded in thanks and hurried to Armors room.
>Before following him you turn to address the three guards.
"You may return to your stations, your prince shall recover."
>Two of them let out a sigh of relief and walked off to their previous job postings.
>Yet one walked toward you and saluted. You recognize her as that emerald coated pegasus you met at the outer gate before you both left for Sirens Keep.
>"Sir, I just recently got off of my shift. Are you sure there is nothing needed of me?"
>Her face may not reveal emotion. But her eyes are full of worry and fear.
>You smile at her dedication to her leader's.
"You know what? I feel I should get back onto the mission, yet someone needs to alert Princess Cadence of her husbands condition"
>Her straight poker face morphed into  gratitude and then into dedication as she saluted you once more.
"Wait, Cadet! What is your name?"
>"Cadet Phoenix Bolt sir!"
"Well then, Cadet Phoenix, make sure to comfort the Princess. She will undoubtedly be troubled."
>You then dismiss her, watching her hurry to the Main Court.
>Now to find a deserted part of the castle to analyze and question the culprit.