Trotting along the countryside at Blueblood's side, Tempo looked at herself again. It was almost as though she was experiencing a new pony each day as the magic continued to slowly fade from her body. Her brilliant shine was receding, and with it, her brief touch at the softer life of those around her. It was a loss to be felt.
Her sister-in-law, Princess Cadance, trotted beside her. "You're looking less and less crystal as the days pass by. But do you feel any different, yet?"
"Every day." Tempo looked between her two jogging partners. "Why are we out here?"
Blueblood snorted softly. "Because, my lovely dear, you need the exercise. A nightly romp is a delight, but I have not had the opportunity to take you out for a proper run, and I believe that will do you well. Your body was made for speed, but has had little opportunity to enjoy it."
Cadance snickered softly. "So bold, Blueblood. But he isn't wrong. Getting a chance to experience this 'altered self' giving its best isn't something you should miss out on. And I could use the run as well." She focused on the simple joy and effort of her trotting for a moment before skewing an ear at Tempo. "It's hard to imagine, when you were entirely, mmm, metal and other things, a jog did nothing for you."
Tempo felt the sweat forming on her brow, and the shortness of her breath, but it was all worth it as the world blurred past her eyes. Her feet thundered along the path, a part of her that was meant to gallop. A part of her new and fading self. She felt warring emotions about that part. "As my usual self, when I want to trot, I just trot, or gallop, if I want to go faster. There was less sweating and fatigue involved." She flicked her ears. "Though I did learn that being sweaty makes things interesting, I am somewhat uncertain about the rest of it."
"Interesting in what way?" Cadance chuckled softly at that. "Don't leave us in the dark."
Tempo huffed, a huff of needing air, rather than just making the noise. "It's an effort, and it feels like it, hm, builds. It's uncomfortable, but I remember it, from somewhere. Like I did this before? But when would that be?"
Blueblood and Cadance both chuckled at that. They shared a knowing grin as they kept up with their run, the three of them enjoying the sights and the sounds of the surroundings. The cool, fresh air was a part of that, as were the birds and the trees. Still, all good things have endings, and so did their trot, looping back towards the crystal palace as all three gently heaved for the breath lost in their activity.
Tempo slowed to a halt as she was the last to arrive back. "I think I get it now. Exercise is vital for our bodies, but also a stress on them. As the body heals the damage from that, it grows stronger?"
Cadance inclined an ear. "Actually, yes. That is a very astute guess on your part." She moved over to press her snout against Tempo's cheek. "Clever sister of mine."
Blueblood pressed against her side, but he could feel her returning to her cool metal state. "My dear, I will, do, and will forever love you, no matter what you're made of." He leaned over to kiss her cheek. "I married the pony inside you, my dear. Metal, crystal, living, none of that matters. It's who you are as a pony that calls to me."
Tempo couldn't help but smile as she nudged Blueblood gently. "That is nice to know." She went to nip at one of his ears. "You remain a poet." She let out a happy sigh. "Is there anything else you wish to do, with my brief time left before I return entirely to how Celestia shaped me?"
Blueblood wiggled his ear. "Would you allow me to take you somewhere special?"
Cadance grinned at that. "He's so sweet to you, Tempo. I'm glad I arranged for this to happen." She stalked off with little giggles, blowing a heart-laden kiss towards them as she vanished into the palace.
Tempo glanced at her husband. "Special, how so?" She nudged him gently. "I will be delighted to accompany you, I do trust you. So, please, reveal to me."
"As my dear mare wishes." He bowed low, and came up facing away from the palace. Unlike the first time, he led her at a gentle walk. "As the ponies of this city have recovered, they've begun to really open up. Some of them are starting businesses of their own, and they're quite lovely." His ears tilted down, eyes glancing off to the side. "Some of them make jewelry. Some of them make other wonderful little knickknacks. Some of them make food. And the others make something that can be even more delicious than cake."
He licked his lips at the thoughts, or perhaps memories. "That reminds me, how has eating gone for you, Tempo dear?" He turned to consider her a moment as they walked together, taking in the sight of her, no matter what form she wore.
"It is a new sensation to me." Tempo wiggled a bit, unsure how to express her thoughts. "Even swallowing felt so strange. Having things then go through me?" She shivered at the idea. "And out again? Very strange. I'm pretty sure I won't miss that part. I am satisfied tasting things, which I could do before."
Blueblood nodded along. "Yes, that was how you worked. I did not anticipate this crystal business, but it is something to explore." He winked as he gave a teasing nip at her cheek. "For today, however, I would bring you here." He waved towards a small shop and led her inside with a big smile, ducking as a small filly darted out just in front of him. "Oh, dear, Opal Bloom, do watch where you're going."
Opal flashed a big grin at him, her ribbon bobbing in her sudden movement. The little filly seemed entirely free of the funk the crystal ponies had before. "Sorry mistah" And off she dashed on her way.
Inside the store, a more gently smiling mare stood behind the counter. "My dear, I trust there is an opening?"
"For you, of course." Her faceted eyes went to Tempo. "Is she the one?"
"She is." Blue threw a leg over her, escorting her up. "One deluxe, kindly. Treat her like a goddess, for she is one."
Tempo felt herself eased into a comfortable reclining seat. "What is going on?" She didn't have too long to ponder as ponies scurried around her with a flurry of action. They began painting her hooves and delicately combing her eyebrows to perfection. They powdered her cheeks and rubbed her down, easing away the fatigue from that trot with new bursts of delight she didn't know her body could make.
When they finally finished, Tempo glanced around at the dozen or so ponies that had been rubbing her fur and making her glow. "That was a very odd sensation."
The same mare from the counter came out with a mirror.
Tempo froze, gaping at the strange pony in the reflection. "Is that me?" She raised a hoof towards her gently dusted cheek. "It's quite." She struggled to find the word for it, and failed. "Blueblood?"
He peeked in from the front. "Yes, lov─" He stumbled, actually seeing her. "How delightful!" His eyes tracked across every inch of her with wonder and awe. "I cannot wait to show you off in the evening."
Tempo blushed brightly and started to squirm in the chair. "Oh, you." She slid from the chair to her hooves. "What is happening in the evening?"
"A celebration!" He swept in, sweeping her into his arms. "For the end of the crystal curse, and the breaking of King Sombra, the day of Harmonizing Hearts!"
Tempo twirled in the sweep, looking mildly confused. "Wasn't the Crystal Fair for that?"
"Heavens no." He went to her side, directing her down the street. "That was a yearly thing, ideally, celebrating the city, and repowering the heart. This one's a special new one for the return of the Crystal Empire and the joy everypony's feeling right now with Sombra properly defeated. It's a little sooner than next year's fair, but I believe a bit of celebration is warranted."
They strolled through the town, their destination known to all as they were greeted with cheerful waves from all they passed by.
The entire Empire seemed to be out and about for the festival, with the center square decorated in banners, lights and a huge feast arrayed at one end, where food of all sorts glistened gently, waiting to be snacked on. Tempo showed little interest in that, instead firmly pressed to Blue's side. "How lovely. What is it we will be doing? I did not get to partake of the Crystal Fair's events, I admit to a degree of curiosity."
Blueblood escorted her up onto the stage. "Today's going to be a dance for everypony in the empire to take a partner and join the music in harmony." He touched noses with her. "It's also a chance to celebrate the heroes of the day. A pity Spike's not here, they consider him quite the stalwart figure of the day." He chuckled gently. "He was the one carrying the crystal heart, in the end."
Tempo smiled as she considered. "Spike and I are similar in some ways. Neither of us were born natural ponies, but we still wanted to help, and we did."
A slow, upbeat song began to play, and Blueblood extended a hoof to Tempo. "You are both beloved and valued members of our community." He drew her into a dance, jostling and laughing with his motions. "This one's a bit more vigorous than I'm used to." Not that it stopped him from trying to shake his rump around to the tune of the music alongside his beloved.
They danced, they laughed, they spun. At least until a pair of guards came rushing up to the stage.
Cadance herself was carried in on a grand throne, glittering in all her glory. She stood up in time for the throne to land there. "Ponies of the Crystal Empire! You are free today!" She threw a hoof, streamers exploding a short distance away. "Let your hearts know the lightness, for all your chains have been broken!"
The crowd cheered wildly at Cadance's appearance. "Long live Princess Cadance!"
Tempo gasped softly. "Will I ever get over that reaction? I thought I had come to terms with it, but to have a whole nation praising you?" She flipped an ear back. "That was improper of me. I don't mean that I am jealous. I will guard Cadance."
Blue nuzzled her soft, if increasingly firm, cheek. "It's alright. She is the princess. We're all a little jealous. But she should be jealous too."
"Why?" Tempo turned to face him fully. "What would she be jealous of?"
Blue pointed to Tempo's chest. "She doesn't get to have you as their eternal beloved, my dear." He nuzzled her gently. "You're all mine."
Tempo squeaked as he made that claim, her heart racing from the attention, which she felt so very keenly, and knew it would not last long. Her heart, for one, slowed, and stopped, but she was still standing and alert. She still felt tense, but that physical reminder had passed as her body slid onwards towards its natural metal state. "I'm a failure." She choked on her words.
"No, you're not." Blueblood firmly interrupted her. "I love you dearly, and I knew what I was getting into." He placed a hoof on her chest, and felt it, or the lack of it. He drew her into a powerful hug. "My dear, you are as lovely as ever." Even if she was cooling in his grasp, the last of the glimmer fading. "I will never forget this moment I got to see you truly alive."
Tempo glanced at her metal body, and wondered, briefly, how she had managed to shed her flesh so easily. It was not as if she could have avoided it, the power of the crystal heart fleeing her without her say so in the matter. "You're not wrong." She swayed against Blueblood, resuming the steps to the song playing. "I am stronger now. I will defend her, and you." She nuzzled gently with a sigh, even if she didn't need to breathe anymore. "We will be strong."