RCG-001 is the designation for a Type-C# Engram (Crystaline subtrate, read-only, multiple partions, single sapient) originating from the Mid-Diarch Era. It is made up of two (2) partitions.

Partition 1: An audio recording from "Sombra Lightbringer" addressed to Princess Celestia. Full transcripts in Addendum 001-A

Partition 2: Mental copy of Sombra Lightbringer. Due to thaumic engineering limitations at the time of its creations, it is capable of operation for only ~14 hours at a time, after which it requires a full system reset. Each reset causes the engram to revert to the mental state (memories included) of Sombra Lightbringer at the time of its creation.


>Sombra looked at the love of his life and gave her a sad smile.
>"I'll be back, I promise. But if I don't-"
"You'll make it. I know you will."
>He gave her a peck on the lips.
>"If I don't make make it, I've made an engram. It's a copy of me. Couldn't get the memory right, but it's the best I could on such short notice."
>"Damned brave fool", Celestia thought to herself.
>Then again, that was what made her fall in love with him in the first place.


>"You look like shit. I assume I'm dead then?"
>Celestia took some time to compose an answer.
"Something like that. It doesn't feel right, using your engram. Like I'm violating you for my own pleasure."
>Sombra smirked. "It's my choice. Sooner or later, I would die. This way, I can at least make you happy, for a while, until you move on. Promise me you'll move on."
>Celestia nodded, her first lie of the day.
>"Good. Now, tell me about your day."
"Well, apart from holding court, there was this incident with my sister..."


A thousand years later
>Sombra opened his eyes again. He held out his hooves in front of himself. Everything felt weird. His body had changed.
>That's extremely weird. He should either be inside an engram or waking up in bed, ready for his mission to cleanse the Dark Shard.
>He looked up to see Celestia. Bigger than he remembered.
>Much more tired looking too.
"So. You going to give me an explaination, or are you just *that* impressed by my handsome mug?"
>She laughed. Like she hadn't laughed in years.
>Sombra smirked. He loved to see her happy. Loved to see that beautiful smile.
>Her face once again grew somber.
>"You were corrupted by the Dark Shard. I - I hunted you - *it* down, but it took me a thousand years. Overlaid your engram over the body."
>Sombra thought for a moment.
"I know what that thing can do. I'm sure you did what had to be done."
>She looked away. He knew her well enough to know she was feeling guilty over something.
"I'd love to see what you've done with the world in the mean time."
>Celestia smiled again.
>"You'll love it, I'm certain."


>Celestia had taken many lovers over the course of her long life.
>She knows what it looks like when somepony's heart breaks in front of her.
>Even when they tried to hide it.
>The more Sombra saw, the sadder he got.
>He liked riding the Ferris Wheel for some reason though, and they did it together for hours.
>When she closed her eyes, she could almost pretend that everything was perfect. She was with her lost lover, who had held her heart for thousands of years.
>Almost.
>He turned to her.
>"Why?"
"I thought you would be proud. Remember all those times we talked about changing the world for the better? No war, no poverty, no violence. What's so wrong with it?"
>He turned to her with a look of vague disgust and confusion.
>"And no choice. You had a thousand years to know me, and you thought *this* is what I wanted?"
>Celestia felt tears flowing down her muzzle.
>The light of Canterlot started appearing over the horizon and the Ferris Wheel lifted the two lovers into the air.
>Sombra flinched. He wasn't mad. It wasn't even about disappointment. He just felt old, sad and out of place.
>Just like Celestia.
>"For what it's worth, I'll always love you."
>A minute of silence as the two thought about every choice they'd made that had led up to this moment.
>Then he walked out of the car and out of her life.
>Celestia wept.


To My Dearest Celestia,

I wish words can express my love for you. Fortunately, they don't need to.
I know that sounds pretty cheesy, and I'm not the best writer, but I'm completely serious.
If things go right, this will just be a forgotten letter we'll dust off in a decade and laugh at.
But. But things might not go well.
Words can't express how much I love you, but I hope they can help you remember.
Remember all those moments we spent together. The laughter joy and the tears.
When the good times start to fade, I hope this helps you remember.
Remember me. The part of me I left in here can't lay down long-term memories, so you'll have to do the remembering for both of us.
And when you're ready to let go, don't feel too bad about forgetting me.
I always knew that one day, it'll happen. I wish so damn much that I can spend eternity with you.
Don't feel bad. If you want to remember one thing to keep with you always, it's that I want you to smile.

Love always,
Sombra Lightbringer

That's why he fell to the darkness, Celestia would one day realize. It promised him eternity. Eternity with her.


Date: 1351-01-14

>Sombra leaned his body against Celestia as she wrapped a wing around his barrel.
>He wasn't used to her being so much bigger than him, nor to having a golem for a body, but these things can be adjusted to.
>He was happy, because he had the one thing he always wanted.
>Forever, with Her.
"You know, this new world of yours wasn't what I expected. But I think I can grow to like it. As long as you're by my side."
>Celestia wept tears of joy, and he politely ignored them.
"I just have one question."
>"Oh? What might that be?"
"Why?"
>She looked shocked.
>"P-pardon?"
"When I made this engram, I inserted a secret enchantment. It would let me know if it were ever tampered with or copied."
>"Ah, well, did you not trust me?" She stuttered.
>Sombra looked at her sadly. He knew she was lying by omission about something important, even if he didn't know what it was.
"I don't know. Was I right not to?"
>A glow from Celestia's horn, and the dream world faded away.
>Sombra felt nothing as his consciousness was reset once again.
>"Almost. Almost had it." Celestia said, as a lone tear made its way down her face.
>"Just a few more tries. And I'll have everything perfect."