Introduction
Thank you again, Cadance, for helping me go through all these old books! The literary history of the Crystal Empire is SO interesting...
It's my pleasure! But... This one here doesn't look like a novel. More like... a very old diary? Let's see what's inside...
Sombra. It was the only word I could remember when they found me alone out in the wastes just north of the Empire.
Not having any family to return a lost colt to, the Crystal Guards brought me to Chestnut Falls' orphanage.
I was years behind my classmates. But I was a quick learner. And Ms. Chestnut Falls would always help me when I couldn't understand the homework.
Sadly, the same couldn't be said about the others, as they rejected me because I had no Cutie Mark, or because they found me weird.
End of 1st round
Sombra's diary, huh...? It's no wonder he turned out so bad. Growing up with no friends whatsoever... Nopony should have to experience that.
I agree. Ostracized, just because you're different... I wouldn't wish that on anypony. We should keep reading...
In my youth, there was only one other young pony who was kind to me. Her name was Radiant Hope, and she was the most amazing pony I've ever met.
She was a bit weird, but I enjoyed it. She had the greatest imagination. Soon, Hope and I were the closest of friends. I sat next to her in every class.
Start of 2nd round
It's good that Sombra had a friend... but it does beg a question. What possibly could have gone so wrong to turn him into a tyrant...?
I'm not sure... But we have plenty of other books to catalog today. Let's read the rest of that diary later!
Ending
Maybe we should put the diary someplace safe until we have the time to go through it properly... Who knows what dark magical secrets it might contain?
You're right... I'll put it in the "high security" section of the library for now. Better safe than sorry!