Sombra (Au Radiant Hope)

Sombra had a very normal childhood up until she got her Cutie Mark. That fateful day spelled the end of her social life and many other aspects of her life. Her fate was to watch the Crystal Empire grow through excellent statecraft. She was gifted with a symbol of a growing crystal cluster. This did not translate well in strangers’ eyes. Sombra was outcast, as unique and unsettling children often are. That changed when Radiant Hope entered her life. He didn’t care about the superstitious rumors and swept Sombra off her hooves. The two have been inseparable ever since. At first, Radiant Hope assumed he would take the lead as he was of noble blood. However, Sombra had impressed him with stewardship at every turn. The two had a genuine respect for one another, and it was only a matter of time before they got married. Her heart filled with the love Radiant had shared. Unfortunately, her heart did not have the room to store the infinite. And so, the poor thing gave out and collapsed then and there.

A new infinite met her. A black expanse of nothing was her home for some time. Then, there was light. A small speck at first that grew to encompass her completely. She had opened her eyes for the first time to see her love staring down at her. Fear turned into a joyous celebration as the two reunited.

The next proposal went more smoothly.

Now they live happily with their new daughter, Magloria. Or, at least, that was the plan. As soon as Magloria was brought into the world, Sombra felt…loss. Then, as if to confirm, she grew weak. To Radiant’s frustration, it only got worse. Day after day, their hope for a happy life had slipped away. Now her fate is uncertain.

In health, a rival would call her fussy while a friend would call her attentive. No detail escaped her gaze and no mistake went in corrected. In her illness, though, her physique is not the only thing slipping from her. Oftentimes, she will interrupt conversations with a vacant stare and an obtrusive pause. Over time, there has been less and less of her to go around. These days, she feels like butter spread across too much bread.

Sombra is a lavender Crystal unicorn with a baby blue mane and tail that are curled at the ends. Her eyes are similar in color to her mane and they are decorated with the trademark Crystal pony shine. Her Cutie Mark is a cluster of dark crystals surrounded by red sparks.

- The day Sombra got her Cutie Mark was the day the world saw her differently. Who once appeared as a nice and innocent filly was now unusual and weird, and best to stay away from.

- Having Magloria filled her with great joy, but also a deep sense of loss, which soon reflected itself physically as Sombra’s health began to deteriorate.

- Sombra’s health began to decline shortly after her daughter was born, making her only a fraction of her true self.