//------------------------------// // Chapter Seven // Story: Mare In The Everfree Forest // by MoonLily //------------------------------// I sat up breathing heavily. I was laying on my back staring up at the ceiling. I blinked a bit before pushing myself up to my hooves. I walked out of the room smelling the fresh smell of coffee and hay bacon. Walking into the main room I noticed Twilight was going over some papers and books. Spike was in the kitchen cooking allowing Twilight to sip on her cup of coffee. Her friends were in different parts of the library looking over different types of books. Pinkie was bouncing around happily. I was about to speak up till Rainbow came crashing in.          “I know the perfect gift to say I am sorry” I watched in silence as her hooves tapped on the floor.          “Oh, and what would that be dearie?” I watched as Rarity closed the book placing it on the shelf in front of her.          “She probably never seen a Wonderbolt show! I have eight tickets to the show in Crystal Empire” her voice was full of joy causing me to smile. Using my magic I change the outfit I was wearing. I had on a light blue shawl pin together with a large silver broach with a sapphire blue heart in the middle. My mane was left hanging to my side as I fully entered the room.          “I think that sounds lovely. And while we are there I can introduce you to the nobles of the Crystal empire. And trust me they are different than the stuffy nobles of Canterlot” I watched her jump a bit her wings standing up. “Don’t do that” she was panting as I chuckled a bit.          “Alright” I kept my smile up “So when does the next train leave?”          “Soon” her face was full of enjoyment. I looked towards the others as they nodded.          “I think we need something good” Rarity chuckled as she walked out of the house. I noticed Twilight was packing a few things before running out of the room. I shook my head as I looked towards a defeated Spike.          “You okay?”          “I cooked food” he grumbled. I used my magic to pack the food up quickly while watching him.          “Better?”          “Yes,” he sounded down. I made a large sapphire appear before me. I placed it in his claws.          “Come on the show must be good” I saw his face lit up before running out of the house. I was the last one out locking the place down before following the others to the train station. I stayed silent as Rainbow went on and on about the Wonderbolts. I didn’t ruin her mood by telling her I knew who they were or that I did not care for them. I am trying to make friends while relaxing. The train ride was full of energy as many of the ponies were going to see the show. I stretched my hooves listening to the group chat amongst themselves.  Glancing out of the train I felt my right eye twitching before my sight was gone. Raising my hoof I rubbed my eye hoping to get my sight back.          “You okay Lils?” my ears went up as I looked behind me. I kept my hoof over my eye holding it closed.          “Of course just can’t wait to see the empire again. It's been so long since I last step a hoof there. From what I heard it shrunk a lot” I chuckled as I removed my hoof noticing my sight was back.          “So the empire use to be bigger?” I watched them stare at me as I nodded.          “It was so much bigger. It had a port and mines. The fields were a large part of the empire.” I sighed as I noticed the train crossing into the snow “If you get into trouble while there and I am not around find a tall dark green earth pony wearing a guard uniform. He is Captain Star. tell him you need help. If he gives you lip just look at him and tell him to shove off and to make his special whiskey coffee. He will get the hint” I smiled as I could see them staring at me. I stayed silent as the train pulled into the station. I noticed a short pink alicorn standing next to a white unicorn with a dark blue mane standing on the station.          “This is going to be fun!” I followed the group out to be stopped by the ponies.          “Rainbow it's good to see you”          “Twilie!” I heard the white pony speak up hugging Twilight.          “Shining! Cadence! How are you two” I stayed silent as my eye started to twitch again. My ears twitched as I looked up to the sky trying to remember the date “I need you to meet a pony this is Moon Lily she is in my care…. What are you doing?” I looked down at her.          “Trying to remember where we are in the year” I scratched my head as I saw the ground shift into a small blue pony without eyes or a mouth. I could the others around us gasp in shock.          “We are in the middle of the change cleric. It is ranging from heat to cool. The harvest should be soon” the voice rang out like a wind chime.          “Thank you, Crystal. How have you been?” I fixed my sawl before looking at the pony.          “Better now that I am back home. I am sorry but I hated Sombra cleric” I held my hoof up to her.          “Crystal that was not Snow. And I will agree that pony was not the best. Now go rest or enjoy yourself” I chuckled watching her walk off.          “Who was that?” I turned to the frighted group.          “That was Crystal Heart she is”          “Wait Crystal Heart?” I blinked slowly as I noticed Twilight moving towards me.          “Yes, she is THE crystal heart. When she is powered by love and friendship, she has the ability to move throughout the empire. She also helps the empress move notes along with her guards and the people in times of need. But should we get to the show?”          “Oh, the show right. The arena has had some issues with the ground it is built on. The show has been moved to the public park with vendors and shops set up for you to enjoy” Cadence spoke up causing Rainbow to shout.          “Yes, let's go!” I watched as a blur of colors went past my vision. I shook my head before following them into the empire. I noticed that many of the shops had smaller ones set up on the side of the road allowing many of the guests to explore with ease. I slipped away from the group to explore on my own for a bit. The empire was so much smaller than I remembered. Moving between the houses I found myself sitting on the barrier looking out into the snow.          “You know your worrying Rainbow Dash” a soft voice caused me to turn around. I noticed Fluttershy walking up behind me her mane covering half her face.          “You know if you were here a long time ago, this whole section would be a port for boats and ships. A large canal ran from here to Baltimare allowing supplies to be moved with ease. It all changed with Sombra. Celestia and Luna blocked the river to keep supplies from getting here. The ground was changed as the weather pattern.” I sighed as I shook my head “I am sorry for making her worried. Just got caught up in my memories again” I smiled noticing she had a soft one on her face.          “Can I ask of you something?” her voice was soft. I nodded slightly.          “Of course”          “Can you please make up with Discord?” I noticed her eyes were staring up at me. I sighed as I let out a deep breath.          “I will talk to him over tea. To see how it goes. I will not make any promises Fluttershy. Our fud is older than his and the sisters. But I will try” her head popped up as the smile on her face widen.  I followed her through the crowd back to the main road. As I hit the main road I felt the ground shake while my eye started to twitch. A sharp pain ran through my chest causing me to stop.          “Fluttershy” I called out to the yellow Pegasus causing her to run back.          “Oh my are you okay?” her voice was full of worried as I grabbed my chest.          “Just some magic issues” I winched a bit “It happens when I need to return home to recharge” I whined a bit as I followed behind her. We were sitting by an empty stall watching the Wonderbolts fly above.          “Found her” I rubbed my chest causing Rarity to stand up.          “I’m fine” I sat in between Rarity and Fluttershy as Twilight was staring up at the sky talking to her brother. Cadence had gone off somewhere but it's her empire now. I shifted a bit in my spot as I felt something was a bit off. I turned my head scanning the crowd. My ears were twitching but then again I am not used to being in a large crowd like this.          “Dearie, you okay? You look pale” I could hear Rarity speaking up as I got on my hooves. I opened my muzzle trying to speak but I could not. I started to breathe heavily as I could see the group staring at me instead of the show. I backed up from them looking around. I could handle being in Ponyvile since it was small. Canterlot was okay because I had family and could easily hide. This was a bit different now. Taking a deep breath in and let it out. I jumped up into the air diving head first into the ground and disappearing from their sight.          I was in a world full of colorful liquid that carried all the sights and sounds of the surface world. Placing my hooves on a patch of earth I moved from rock to rock till I couldn’t any noise. Once I was in a place of dull light and silence I moved toward the surface of the liquid. I could always lose myself in this place. One time I went to the bottom instead of the top. I just have to follow the lights and the sounds. They always stayed on the surface where the bottom was full of rocks and darken earth. Moving to the surface I climbed out of the shadows relaxing a bit. Once I was out in the open I noticed I ended up in the castle.          “Of course I did.” I sighed as I noticed I was in an empty hall. Looking in front of me I could see the middle of the empire where the ponies were cheering in joy. Turning away from the window I slowly moved down the hall whistling to myself. I feel so more at ease as I can just think about what I need to do now. My ears folded behind me as I really need to spend some time with Luna. I also need to send my grandfather a letter. Too much to do and so little time. I stopped as I felt another ping of pain run up my leg. I let out a huff as I looked towards the archway. A tall dark green earth pony with a golden yellow and silver mane was staring down at a piece of parchment drinking a cup of coffee.          “That better be some damn good coffee Star” I spoke up causing him to jump. Looking at his eyes they seemed to settle as he sighed shaking his head.          “Damn it Cleric” he grumbled as I picked up his coffee cup.          “I am not staying Star. I thought I could see the flight Pegasus but the crowd” I shivered as I gulped his coffee down. I could test the warm whiskey that he made his coffee with.          “You were never good with crowds. Even with the empress”          “And I thought drinking would kill you” I smiled watching him roll his eyes.          “And here I thought you would just be dead,” I noticed his eyes were glaring at me. Placing his cup down I handed him some bits.          “Go find Cherry Drink. Tell her you to want the extra crystal bottle. She will give you one of the old hundred-year-old whiskey drinks” I could see his eyes widening as he looked over at me. I turned and walked away leaving him silent.