With a groan, Crimson sat up. From a thin crack in the window above his bed, a beam of light was glimmering across the cabin bedroom. However, there was another light, one far more intense, and it emanated from a place just beyond the bedroom door.
"Unngh... h-hello...?" Crimson winced. He kicked some of the covers off him, overwhelmed by a great dizziness. However, the growling in his belly was even stronger, and he found himself stumbling forward across the room. "Mmmfff... hello? Somepony? How long have I been out?—Gaah!"
He stumbled, nearly pratfalling onto his muzzle when he reached for a right hoof that wasn't there. He dangled halfway out of the bed, glaring at the space at the end of his foreward right stub. With a sigh, he glanced across the room and found a broom. Squeezing it under the pit of his right limb, he formed a temporary crutch and hobbled towards the brightly-lit door.
The door swung open with a squeak. Eyes narrow, Crimson peered immediately into a dining room. Four ponies were gathered at a table: two adults and two children. They had plates full of corn, potatoes, and broccoli. As they ate from the healthy bounty, their crystal bodies lit up from energy that churned deeply within.
"It's simply until he is healthy enough to move around on his own," Tweak said.
"Move around?! Pa, he's only got three legs!"
"He's a strong stallion, Nexx. I can tell. He won't stay down for long."
"Where's he gonna go? Are the Ledo ponies gonna come pick him up?"
"Somehow, I don't think the Ledomaritans are the ponies he wants to contact, Roque."
"Is he in trouble? Do we have a criminal in our house?"
"Oh wow, that's awesome!"
Crimson opened his mouth. "I... uhm..."
Plates and silverware clattered. The glow dimmed slightly as all four members of the family turned and gazed across the cabin.
Crimson winced. "I... w-would definitely feel criminal..." He gulped. "For not showing my gratitude for you kind hospitality." He tried bowing, but he nearly fell on the broom he was using to hold himself up with. "Unnngh... seriously, though. I thank you..."
The mare immediately got up from the table. "Now, now... careful there. You may feel better, but the resonance can still have an effect on you."
"R-resonance?" Crimson remarked as she rushed over to help him over to a chair at the end of the table.
Tweak gazed calmly over at the two young colts. "Roque. Nexx. Stop eating for a second."
"Awwww... but we're hungry!"
"Just for a minute."
The colts took a deep breath, as if meditating. Soon, the glow inside their bodies dwindled. In perfect timing, Tweak and his spouse also glowed with less brilliance.
Crimson found the fog in his vision clearing. When he finally sat down at the table, he could sit upright. "Wow... uhm... that was... that..."
"You've not been in the company of crystal ponies, have you, sir?" the mare asked with a gentle smile.
Crimson slowly shook his head. "I... uh... I can't say that I have."
"We're of the sapphire variety," she said. "Ponies of our strain have a... uh... certain effect on creatures sensitive to leylines. Like unicorns or diamond dogs with metallurgic nerves. It's why most soldiers who have ever flown here from the north don't say long." She gasped. "Oh! I'm sorry! We haven't met, have we? My name is Stasia."
Crimson nodded his head towards her. "Greetings, Stasia. Thank you for your hospitality." His eyes darted towards Tweak, then back to her. "Are you... uh...?"
"Twelve years, peacefully in charge of this property together," Tweak said in between sips of water. "We intend to keep it that way."
"Tweak, darling, don't start with that," Stasia said with a frown. "You know as well as I do that he's likely starving. Besides, haven't you interoggated him enough?"
Tweak glanced at Crimson. "I'm not sure, have I?"
Crimson bit his lip.
"Was it a dragon that bit it off?" Nexx asked. Roque slapped him upside the glossy head. "Ow!"
"Boys..." Tweak droned.
Crimson didn't hesitate. "No. It was a Prime Enforcer," he grumbled. "A very cruel one at that. He made off with the ponies closest to me." With a shudder, he added, "All things considered, I should be dead."
Stasia leaned forward, her jaw dropped. "You battled a Ledomaritan Prime Enforcer... and lived?"
Tweak glanced from her to Crimson.
Crimson caught his gaze and nodded. "But... uhm..." His eyes fell towards the table. "I don't need to... burden you with the tales of my woe. I know the road that lies ahead of me. Once I have gotten my bearings again, I will leave you be."
"Not without getting something to fill that stomach of yours!" Stasia remarked. "Please..." She gestured towards the food. "I do hope you're capable of digesting crystal pony food."
Crimson gazed calmly at the potatoes and corn and smiled. "Oh... I'm sure I'll have no problem. It looks an awful lot like unicorn food."
"Where will you go?" Nexx asked, almost summoning another swat from his older brother.
Crimson merely blinked at him.
"You're so banged up. Why are you in a hurry?" Nexx further asked.
"Now boys..." Stasia grumbled.
"It's a sound question, Ma," Tweak remarked from across the table. His glossy eyes narrowed. "We live out on the fringes of the Confederacy. You may be far from patrolling enforcers, but there are diamond dogs and bounty hunters at every turn. It's not a safe landscape to traverse alone, much less without a terrible injury."
Crimson gazed curiously at him. "I was aware of diamond dog populations in the southeast... but the Searonese?" He blinked. "I thought they always flew past the Sapphire Plains."
Tweak shook his head. "I wish that were so. Aurum is running rampant with them. When you arrived I thought..." His voice trailed. He turned and gazed aside at Stasia.
Stasia hung her head.
Crimson squinted. "You thought what?"
Tweak sighed. "Never mind. It is not the business of unicorns. You have enough problems as it is."
"No. I am curious." Crimson remarked, leaning forward. "What business do metal mares have with simple crystal farmers?"
Tweak said nothing, merely busying himself with another drink of water.
Crimson gazed past Stasia's limbs as she prepared him a healthy plate of food. He caught the gaze of Roque staring at him.
The older colt smiled as he said, "I think the way you flew in on that glider was spectacular!"
Crimson raised an eyebrow. "You mean how I plummeted it to the earth and just barely missed smashing into your cabin?"
"I've never seen a ship like that up close!'
"I hope you never have to."
"Huh?"
Crimson tilted his head aside. Suddenly, with a soft smirk, he leaned towards the colts' side of the table. "You're not scared of anything, are you... uhh..."
"It's Roque! And nope! When I grow up, I'm gonna hunt metal mares!"
"Over my fractured body!" Stasia exclaimed.
"I wanna hunt metal mares too!" Nexx added.
"Nuh uh! You're running the farm!"
"Awwwwww shucks...."
Roque beamed once more. "They're always sticking their helmets into everypony's business! Being bullies! Some stallion's gotta teach them! We crystal ponies—we're not defenseless! We can zap timberwolves from one hundred miles just by shooting light at them! KaPOW!"
"Enough with the theatrics, boy," Tweak grumbled.
Roque instantly hung his head. "Yes, Pa..."
"You know..." Crimson brushed his bangs back with his remaining hoof. "I knew a colt like you." He gulped. "Much, much younger, granted. He too wasn't afraid of anything."
Roque glanced up with a devilish smirk. "I bet he wasn't as fearless as me!"
"Heh... sometimes I wonder." Crimson's smile was a fragile thing; he appeared to be looking through the family table at this point, his gaze caught up in the brown shadows of the rustic abode. "I remember three times he had to be saved from attacking a Franzington glowsnake in one week. He seemed so desperate... so determined to prove that he could fight off evil things." He bit his lips as his brow furrowed. "I wonder how big he's gotten now. I wonder if... he can even pick up a blade, if he's maybe even hurt himself trying to do things that isn't right for his age." The muscular stallion slowly spun the plate of food around with lethargy. "I'd give anything just for one chance to see him and tell him... th-that the fight is not worth it for the fight alone, that he could do the good battle at home. That's where he has everything he'll ever need. He should just leave the fighting... and the p-pain to ponies who are broken already." His voice trailed off as he bit at the air. After a few seconds of drifting, his eyes darted back up towards his present company, and he blinked as if waking up for a second time.
Stasia had a soft expression on her face. She glanced over at Tweak.
Tweak saw the hurt in her eyes. The father grumbled, but stifled it long enough to glare at Crimson. "You've faced metal mares before?"
Crimson's ears perked up. He sat straight. "Ahem. Yes. Yes, I have..."
Tweak twirled his glass of water around a few times. His nostrils flared in thought, and ultimately he blurted, "Let us talk after dinner."
At this, I suppose what we're looking for is Crimson to run across EE and Josho amongst the 'Killas who threaten the Crystal Ponies, with Dash and Roarke ending up in the fray somehow.
Crimson's fatherhood, worth 10 times the glow of crystal pony food.
Everypony seems to be ending up on different sides of the conflict. This will not work out well.
So, they defend themselves by glowing? That's sure to be very effective. Undoubtedly.
So, with metal mares, dogs and crystal ponies all crushed into the same crummy hell, I can probably work out how they can reunite at least.
But with Belle, Pilate and Phoenix having pissing matches in north Ledo territory? No clue. I have even less of an idea what the peculiar foal from the first chapter has to do with things. Knowing you, you'll find a novel way to shove her in when we least anticipate it.
Uh-oh. What is this trouble a-brewin'?
Also, light-powered shotguns? I approve of this whole-heartedly.
Thirty-five 4-count flutter kicks. Knock 'em out!
Crimson's son sounds like a pretty cool kid.
Hmm... it seems that there is a heart of gold underneath Crimson's craggy exterior. Nice work, Scolon.
I wonder when that one Divine will appear again?
This chapter gives me more reason to hear Crimson with Liam Neeson's voice. In this chapter, I picture him as Qui-gon Gin when he was in the Skywalker residence and they treat him with hospitality even though he's a stranger when in reality he's a great warrior.
It is easy to forget who crimson and the rest of the mercenaries used to be, what they were originally after. These are battle scared soldiers that haven't been dreaming of their families and lovers for years without rest. Rainbow Dash comes along and sweeps them all towards an entirely different direction. We, the viewers with a biased perspective, wish that they would just go along with it and give her the help she needs. However, that last scene displays just how much it they loss if they join her party.
Oddly enough, this scene almost entirely justifies what Zenith did.
Crimson deserves to see his family, but part of me knows that he will never have the chance.
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Almost
Things are looking somewhat better for Crimson now. Maybe if he has somebody to protect and fight for again, it might help him get out of the pit that he's in.
On the side: I had a funny thought. What if we looked at this whole world from SS&E's point of view? All the ponies would be about knee-high, the size of a large cat at most. When I think of a cat-sized version of Shell, with all his scars and menace, it just makes me want to laugh
You write the absolute best character interaction ever.
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PUNT!
...who am I kidding. He'd rip my leg off.
Crystal ponies with cool glowy powers? Awesome! But they're hiding something. For now, they're gonna be less awesome until they come out with it.
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I used to be a commenter, but then I took a Shell to the - *shot*
On that note: Knee-high Rainbow Dash. That's practically weaponised Hnng!
Is Crimson going to be the one to rescue EE and Josho? I'm not sure what the heck Roarke and Dash are going to be up to after this. Saving Belle and Phoenix, maybe, but they're not where they're expected to be. And Pilate's wandering around with a person who speaks in third person, seems to have magic, and is entirely mysterious. Maybe Roarks hears about what Pilate's partner is up to and tries to get bounty off of him, but finds Pilate alive in the process. Or maybe she avoids them because she's going to be a free agent.
Gah, I have no clue where the heck this story is going, but I can't stop trying to figure it out!
I love where this is going.
I will make this face if we get to meet Crimson's son. He seems pretty awesome. As do the two crystal pony colts. In fact, the entire crystal pony family is pretty awesome. I like the idea that the crystal ponies weren't entirely contained in a strange aberration in the Frozen North. It makes more sense than the opposite.
i believe that all the good characters, maybe even Phoenix, will merge together, and fly right into the city to rescue Bellesmith (for the fact that she is gonna be captured one way or another), and discover another spark right underneath the city itself. its a hunch, but Belle is attracted by something among the city, if the purple hue isn't enough to convince me.
So many characters! And you flesh out all of them, even the ones not on screen. Page. Whatever. Totally not jealous or anything... (No judging - Rarity duckface is only acceptable duckface)
I have a feeling everyone's gonna meet up in the craziest ways possible, even if I have no idea exactly how. Or at least hopefully they all meet up - I'm not going to consider the alternative for now. Somehow, through all of this, I don't know how Dash is going to complete her journey (if she ever does) with an entourage. Unless Bucket o' Bolts loans her the super fast magic flying thing she has, of course. Well, another lovely chapter - until tomorrow!
Those crystal pony colts are awesome and adorable.
Sounds like more is broken with Crimson than his leg.
The fact that the Crystal Ponies won't even talk about the Searonese... are... you implying... could it be that Searonese power source is not a special crystal found in Aurum, but the Crystal Ponies themselves?
Oh, if this turns out right, if this is the truth, I swear to everything...
Up next... More bellesmith.
If the pattern follows.
Crimson gets to play Shane in a classic honest-farmers-vs-land-barons scenario. Wicked!
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Crystal pony used glow!
It's not very effective.
Just a little further, Crimson. Don't fall apart just yet.
Honeytiger's last comment was stupid. Honeytiger deleted it. You are all stupid. Hmm...
See guys, I'm good with kids!
2308611
Have you played the Mother series?
PSI Flash is an OHKO if you're lucky, EVEN AGAINST A HUGE STONE STATUE THAT CAN KILL YOU IN ONE HIT.
A message from MASH -
It's late and I'm tired. Sorry...
IIIIIt's Dashie's evaluation time!
So Crimson is slowly but surely making a recovery. Also, Imploding is going into a bit too much detail with these crystal ponies for them to just be the healers of Crimson. The'll probably have a bigger role later. Also, as a note - and I'm being completely honest, but just remember that I still love Imploding and everything he does - I'm not sure I like Innavedr's new style. That being how the story switches between different characters' points of view so quickly. It's sort of disorienting to me and it's starting to feel less and less "Austraeoh," if you know what I mean. It's kind of a zen thing, but if you sense it, you'll know what I mean. I guess we'll see how it'll turn out, but...I don't know...These are my thoughts so far.
-MASH
2336892 wow, no comments on this since it came out it seem! The crowd of readers is slot being thinned out! Only the hardy make it this far!
Let's see what Crimson can do to help Tweak's family. Crimson and Tweak should leave some time soon, I believe. I don't know when though.
-Spirit
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With as many characters there are now, it only makes sense that this is the current style. Personally, I enjoy it. All the loneliness that Dash has had to endure is slowly going away to be filled instead by great friends.
Crimson, you are one hardcore son of a bitch.
Crimson is recovering well and I think that these farmers will have a larger role to play in the coming story, onto the next chapter!
2308694 you ever doubted it?
Talking about EE I see?
6157658 I'm leaning more towards Crimson's offspring.
This is such an interesting take on crystal ponies.
Doesn't matter how old you are. Most foreboding words right there
I wonder how RD will react when she meets them...and how they would react if she told them about the Crystal Empire and it's Princess
8645531
While that would be a highly amusing conversation, it's unfortunately an impossible one, since the fic broke from canon at the beginning of season 2. It's likely the curse on the Crystal Empire hasn't even lifted yet.
Chrystal ponies exist here, that’s also interesting.
Also, Crimson’s little talk about a colt he once knew were really sweet. I don’t even know this colt, but I sure hope I meet him one day.
Given this series’ track record though, I’d say that most everything is worth noting, so I’ll be hopeful.
Watch it turn out to be Shell.
It is smart to be fearful. As fear keeps you alive. Only the foolish are with out fear. True courage is moving forward for the greater good despite the fear, not lacking it.
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I’m pretty sure it’s Eagle Eye lol