//------------------------------// // Diamanda - Part 1 // Story: My Glory // by Eclipse Guardian //------------------------------// -Ponyville- Diamanda trotted elegantly through the streets of Ponyville as the various ponies around town began going into their homes for the night. 'Don't worry my dears, I'll take care of you.' She mused to herself. Despite being trapped and nearly powerless within the mines, Diamanda had plans. She had Crysta's body course, but only for so long as she had magic to spare. 'Hmm, I only have an hour or so until my magic runs dry.' Sighing, she powered up her borrowed horn and teleported across town and into a hotel room she had commandeered for herself. “...You're a good little mare, Crysta. So, I'll leave you for today.” Closing her eyes as she climbed into the bed before her, Diamanda cut off her link to Crysta's mind and erased any memories of her forced take over. 'Wouldn't do for her to think less of me.' She chuckled. -Crystal Mines- Stretching her body, Diamanda lifted herself from the floor and gazed at the door only to find three ponies in white robes in prayer before her. “And you are?” She asked curiously. “We are but your loyal servants, O Goddess.” The pony in front said in awe as she stood up revealing her light-blue coat. “I apologize profusely for Iron Mural's disrespectful behavior, Your Grace.” She leveled a steely gaze at the light-grey stallion to her right, who in turn lowered himself to the ground even further. Diamanda raised a crystalline hoof which made the church ponies bow again. “I understand little one, the focus gem he gave to me was very helpful.” She smiled in benevolence. Matriarch Lulamoon stood up. “Your Holiness is too kind.” She lowered her head a bit. 'If only my daughter was here to meet our Goddess.' Diamanda internally smirked. 'Lovely creatures aren't they? They're perfect for my Blessing.' With a nod of her head Diamanda stepped forward. “I wish to leave this place.” The ponies bowed once more before leading the way. “How did you find me, my loyal ponies? I was very sure I secreted myself away where no one would find me.” Diamanda asked after a short time. The Matriarch perked up at this. “It wasn't easy...but it turns out Iron here was keeping tabs on you and your whereabouts all by himself, Your Holiness.” She said glaring at the stallion again. “I still cannot believe you would keep such information to yourself...especially for all of these years.” Iron Mural shrunk under her gaze. “...I-I...I...” Diamanda raised an elegant eyebrow at that. 'Greed...that won't do...' Her gaze became cold suddenly, making the stallion quake in fear. ... ... ... Eventually, the group reached the surface at the base of the Canterhorn, within what seemed to be a wooden shack of some sort. Diamanda looked around noticing all of the strange dolls and statues spread throughout the room. The objects were all in her liking, which brought a wry grin to her face. The Matriarch bowed her head as she spoke. “This is Iron Mural's abode...” Iron gulped as he took in his Goddess' cold stare. “...You must purify yourself of this...sinful act.” Diamanda said as she trotted slowly toward the terrified Pegasus. “B-But I...” Iron stuttered. Matriarch Lulamoon and the other pony bowed their heads not wanting to incur the wrath of their Goddess. Diamanda's draconic eyes began to glow. “It's not good to harbor such thoughts, little one...” Her voice was smooth like silk, but there was a sort of madness to her tone that made every other pony shiver. Iron Mural fell to his rear as he felt his thoughts muddle and become foggier. “I...I...will not...can not.” He began. Diamanda smiled gently at the stallion as he fell unconscious. “That's better...dream a pure sunset, as beautiful as a flawless crystal.” She turned to her other followers who were looking at her in awe. “This is my power.” She stated before looking to the door. “Leave this one here for now, I wish to know what has become of my Empire.” The Matriarch shook her head. “O-Of course, my Goddess.” With a wave of her horn, she opened the door and followed the alicorn outside and into the crisp, night air. Diamanda took a long deep breath of fresh air. “It has been so long since I have seen the world...” She said taking to the air and performing several moves that would make the Wonderbolts jealous. The Matriarch watched as her Goddess flew around without a care in the world, but she knew better than to think that. 'Her Holiness seems very against negative actions...she's just as the old stories say.' She smiled in content as she watched Diamanda land on a tree branch. Diamanda folded her crystal wings to her sides as she watched Luna's moon slowly make its way across the sky. “We will soon meet in person, Luna, Celestia,...sister.” She smirked. “Time to begin soon.” She looked down to her followers. “Summon your ponies, Matriarch Lulamoon, than join me in the Crystal Empire.” She ordered gently before flying into the sky, leaving the two ponies to carry out her orders. Diamanda flapped her huge crystal wings as she headed to her former empire, hoping her ponies still remembered her. “They need me as does all of this land.” She muttered to herself as she passed over the edge of the Everfree Forest. “From what my loyal Acolyte's memories have shown me, that corrupted student of my sister's was sealed beneath the ice by Celly and Luna.” Diamanda of course knew all about Sombra's hostile takeover of her beautiful Empire and his eventual defeat, but what she didn't know was how he managed to combine both her's and Penumbra's magic types together. “How? How was that possible? Despite being blood-sisters our magics were not meant to mix together is such a fashion...” She laughed as she flew passed a pair of sleeping ponies on the side of a road. “His greed and avarice destroyed him in the end...pitiful creature.” Diamanda shook her head in disgust. “We Alicorns are the pinnacle of ponykind, no being like him could possibly understand our power.” The Crystal Empire was now in sight, so Diamanda sped up wanting to get there before a certain pink alicorn that she could now sense was starting a teleport.“...Mi Amore Cadenza.” She smiled genuinely. “It will be great to see my daughter's heir.” -The Crystal Empire, 1 Hour later- Cadence paced in the throne room as soon as she returned from Canterlot. 'I get why Celestia wanted me to come back after she explained what became of Twily...' She sighed tiredly. 'But none of this makes sense!' With a groan she looked out the window to see all of her new subjects out and about with large smiles on their faces. 'They were so depressed only yesterday, and now they're suddenly a suns and smiles? I'm glad they no longer look miserable, but stuff like this doesn't just happen overnight!' Cadence looked over at the guard's similar but much more subtle grins and shook her head. 'I hope that mare from the Church didn't force this.' The throne room's door swung open with a bang, startling Cadence who turned to see a crystal pony run up to her with a bow. “Your Majesty! She has returned!” Cadence's wings shivered in anticipation. “Who did? Princess Celestia?” She asked in a confused tone. The mare before her shook her head. “It was Queen-” “Hello my dear Granddaughter.” A silky voice called out from the open doors. Cadence froze at the sound of the unknown voice. “Huh? Who are you?” She looked behind the ecstatic crystal mare to find a huge white Alicorn approaching her. She felt her blood run cold at the sight the other alicorn's deep blue draconic eyes. 'It can't be...' Diamanda trotted into the chamber with an elegant gait, smiling all the way. “Why it's me, Diamanda. You're Grandmother.” As she neared the fear stricken pink alicorn, her crystal hooves made barely a sound on the plush blue carpet leading to the throne. Cadence took a step back as Diamanda passed her by and took a seat on the throne. “You're dead...you're supposed to be dead.” Most wouldn't know it, but Cadence was much older than ponies knew, she was even around the day when her grandmother fled the Empire never to be seen again for hundreds of years. Despite everything her aunt's said and what her own mother mentioned, Cadence always felt uncomfortable around the Crystal Alicorn. Diamanda sighed in content as she got comfortable on her old throne. “It's good to be home.” She fixed her gaze on Cadence. “Why so quiet, my dear? Did you not miss me?” She smiled. Taking a deep breath to steady her heart, Cadence nodded her head once. “...Very much so Grandmother.” She said with her teeth clenched. The tall white mare smiled benevolently. “I certainly missed you, Cadenza.” She flapped her crystal wings then folded them to her sides. “Come here.” Diamanda spread her fore legs open. Cadence hesitantly walked over to her and into Diamanda's welcoming legs. She felt goosebumps go up her spine at the feeling of Diamanda's cold touch, her fur felt like ice, and her hooves were not much better. 'She's so c-cold!' Cadence thought with a shiver. Diamanda watched her shiver with a frown. “Do you still dislike my hugs?” Cadence felt her heart race. “N-no, I'm f-fine...I j-just have a-a cold...” She faked a sneeze. Diamanda released her from the embrace. “I see.” She smirked. “Why don't to your chambers and rest for a while, I have some business to take care of.” Cadence nodded before taking off from the throne room in a panic. 'Celestia must know about this!' Diamanda sighed against her throne. 'I'm spent, I used too much magic trying to get through the barrier.' She snorted. 'Why was it trying to keep me out? I am the one who created this Empire and its ponies.' As the day progressed, ponies all across the Empire entered and exited Diamanda's palace wanting to greet and prostrate themselves to their Queen. Diamanda sat at her throne with a welcoming smile the entire time, blessing various children and elderly as they filed into the chamber. 'How beautiful. Their energy has returned.' With the Heart pulsating below and the Crystal Ponies coats regaining their lustre, Diamanda felt her powers return to her slowly, but surely. Cadence never returned to the throne room, much to Diamanda's displeasure. 'Hmm, she's avoiding me.' Her granddaughter was known for avoiding her during her previous reign but... 'She'll come around.' She thought with a chuckle. Diamanda spread her wings quieting down her subjects. “I'm afraid that is all I have time for my little ones.” The crystal ponies bowed once more before leaving with slight hesitation. As soon as the doors closed Diamanda let out as small laugh. “Hahhh.” She rested against the back of her throne with a sag. “I should rest. It's been a long day.” With that Diamanda closed her eyes and entered the realm of sleep. -Ponyville- Aphelia watched as the various robed cultists were placed in chains and taken away to Canterlot by Princess Celestia's guard. She sighed. “I knew this would happen.” 'It had to be done, there are laws in place.' Echo reminded the changeling queen from beside her. 'They assaulted a Princess after all.' Aphelia gave her a blank look. “You act like you never attacked one of them before.” The shade gave her a nervous grin. 'Right...' The grey changeling shook her head. “You and Avec were wrong after all...it's funny really.” Echo merely huffed and gazed at the ground. “All that time searching for a way to revive the Dark Mother, and all it really took was time.” Both non-ponies watched as Princess Luna and their Empress trotted through town toward the direction of Tartarus. “Guess we'll be leaving in a minute here. Have you made up with the Dark Mother yet?” Aphelia asked the shade as they made their way over. Echo shook her head. 'No actually. It seems her anger at me from before her revival is still there. She refuses to speak to me.' Aphelia laughed. “Well you did try to harm her loved ones!” Echo cringed at that. 'I was only doing what I thought was best for my Mistress...' She mumbled. The changeling queen pulled on Echo's ear with her magic playfully. “Oh cheer up! With the Dark Mother once more whole we can begin our plans.” She smiled at Echo's brightened look. 'I suppose you're right about that, Queen Aphelia. The time of Empress Penumbra is just around the corner after all.' Echo said as the pair caught up to the group leaving Ponyville. 'Once the Mistress' magic has returned in full...it will truly begin.' -The Crystal Empire- Princess Cadence tip-hooved out of palace as the Crystal Guards made their rounds. Just an hour ago she realized her Grandmother had still not fallen asleep even though her eyes were closed at the time, and was current at the top of the Crystal Spire doing...something. 'Ever since she miraculously returned the patrols around here have doubled. I hope I'm wrong about this hunch of mine.' She thought with a shudder. Not that Diamanda acted different to the public or anything, but her recent actions had set off alarm bells in Cadence's mind. Something about her grandmother just seemed...wrong. In the past, she would usually hold feasts for all of the castle and spend hours outside chatting with her subjects, even after she had just returned from a lengthy mission to another country. And her touch was just so...cold. 'That cannot be normal. Sure her hooves are made of actual crystal, including her wings, but her hugs were always so comforting and warm, so similar to Celestia's.' Stamp, stamp, stamp. Cadence halted at the sound of metal encased hooves hitting the ground as a nearby sentry passed by her location. 'Damn.' She ducked around the side out of a building. Stamp, stamp, stamp... The guard trotted away without noticing Cadence's presence. 'I hate sneaking around my own ponies, but if they saw me they would bring me back and Diamanda would know.' The pink alicorn eyed the empty street looking around for other guards. 'Here's my chance.' Spreading her wings, Cadence took over to the rooftops and cast a camouflage spell just in case. ... ... ... Cadence landed near the twin pillars of crystal, acting as the Empire's main entrance and folded her wings to her sides. Outside the barrier the storm was quiet and unmoving as Cadence carefully stepped through it. No alarms were set off by her presence but she was buffeted by the icy chill in the air and snow slowly falling across her coat. 'As cold as this is, it's nothing like Grandmother's.' Finally outside the barrier and out of Diamanda's magic zone, Cadence lit her horn and let out a pulse of magic toward the direction of Canterlot. '...Please, please answer Aunty.' A minute or so passed as Cadence stood there waiting for a response. Ding! A pulse of solar magic answered back. 'Cadence? What's wrong? I heard your distress signal.' Princess Celestia's voice sounded in her mind. Cadence let out a relieved sigh. “Aunty Celestia...we have a situation in the Empire you probably won't believe.” 'A situation?' “It's Her, Celestia. Diamanda is back...” Cadence said with a shiver. '...' For a moment Celestia was silent over the line before she responded in a confused tone. 'What did you say, Cadence?' “She's back in the Crystal Empire, Diamanda just showed up out of nowhere and took over.” Cadence took a deep steadying breath before continuing. “Even the guards won't listen to me. She had me confined to my room after we had an argument, if you could call it that.” Cadence flapped her wings in distress as the memory of the last hour came to her mind. 'Cadence, are you absolutely sure it was Her, and not one of Sombra's illusions?' Celestia asked. “We already cleared the castle of any remaining traps after his defeat, and that was definitely Diamanda. There was no way anypony could imitate her so well.” Cadence said as she looked back to the Spire, blu-ish light occasionally brightening up the sky. “I can still feel the heart, she's doing something to it, but Diamanda has blocked off the area where it was being held in the plaza.” '...' “Aunty?” '...' “Celestia?!” '...Run.' “What?” Cadence's eyes widened. 'You must get away from there, Cadence! It's hard to tell exactly, I can feel the taint in her magic getting stronger.' Celestia sounded panicked so Cadence lit her horn a bit more to feel the magic coming from the Spire... Boom! Before she could get a proper look a large beam of blue energy exploded from the top of the Spire feeling exactly like Diamanda's magic. “What in Faust's name!?” Cadence yelled as she took a step back in shock. 'Cadence! Mi Amore Cadenza! You have to get away from that place!' Celestia yelled over the mental link. “But the ponies! I can't just abandon them!” 'I know. Do not worry we will save them from whatever is wrong with Diamanda, but you must leave for now!' Cadence watched as the magical might of her Grandmother pierced the clouds lighting the black sky with an ominous light. “Forgive me.” She whispered before taking off into the sky. -The Crystal Spire- Diamanda panted as she finally released her magic into the aether. “That should do.” She grinned as she witnessed the fruit of labor. At the very edges of the barrier protecting the Empire, crystal began to form a dome over the barrier itself as an extra security measure. “My Granddaughter left...shame I thought she would see things my way.” Diamanda chuckled as she turned toward the staircase beginning her trek back to her throne room. With her magic almost fully restored, Diamanda could at last begin the task she set out for herself during her self-imprisonment within the mines. “I still need my unicorn magic.” Diamanda's crystal hooves rang throughout the staircase as she contemplated her situation. “Hmm...” Once she reached the throne room and sealed the passage to the spire, Diamanda stopped and drag a hoof across the floor with a small smirk. “What's this?” There were traces of dark magic along the carpet leading up to her throne which sparked Diamanda's curiosity. “How interesting seems like my sister's former apprentice was looking for something.” Trotting up to her throne Diamanda tapped the chair in a rhythmic pattern, the throne creaked for a moment before moving backward revealing a set of regalia. Diamanda chuckled. “I don't understand why Sombra would want my regalia, I don't think it would fit his pitiful frame.” With a wing, Diamanda pulled out a crystal helmet. The helmet was finely shaped to fit Diamanda's large alicorn frame and was almost identical in shape to her sister's. The same couldn't be said for the other pieces of her regalia, each was made of crystal but was eerily similar in shape to Nightmare Moon's armour. “They changed form again...” Diamanda removed the rest of the armour regalia from under her throne before it moved back into place. The crystal alicorn slipped her hooves into the shoes as she felt the enchantments move through her legs causing a content sigh to escape her. Diamanda tapped each shoe against the floor listening to the soft clang they made. Diamanda eyed the chest plate watching it as light streaming in through the windows glittered off of its surface. With a grin, Diamanda used her wings to place the plate around her neck hearing a familiar chiming sound as the spells attached to the regalia activated. “Lovely.” She sat on her haunches lifting the helmet with her hooves bringing it to eye level. “Thus it begins again.” She intoned placing the helmet over her head. With a rush, a wave of powerful magics bombarded the chamber, crystals rose from the floor in random locations around Diamanda's body. “They will be here soon...” Breathing in, Diamanda whistled calling for something. A familiar chirping sound rang out as a white and blue bird flew in from somewhere and landed on Diamanda's raised foreleg. “Amrita, I have a task for you.” The icy Phoenix raised her head. “I need you to fly to Ponyville and bring my Acolyte to me. Her name is Crysta Feather.” The bird flapped her wings and nodded before taking off through an open window. Diamanda nodded to herself as she sat on her throne and waited. -Ponyville- Penumbra growled as she moved through the town. 'These ponies are aggravating!' She yelled internally as the flash of cameras and loud questions filled her vision. It was finally dawn as she and Luna made their way out of Ponyville heading for Tartarus, but before they could even step outside of the town groups of paparazzi and news ponies assaulted her personal space. It was only thanks to Luna's wing wrapped around her barrel and her gentle reassurances that Penumbra hadn't blasted the irritating creatures into the next life. 'If it wasn't for my sweet Luwa, you would all be dead at my hooves.' She didn't really mean that but she felt tempted to punish them regardless. “Princess! Are you aware that your current affair with what ponies think to be the Nightmare reborn could lead to the return of Eternal Night!?” One called out bringing a deep growling sound from Penumbra. Luna herself felt a vein in her head pulse at the reporter's rude question. “No, she is not the Nightmare. Penumbra is not and never was a Nightmare, that was merely a title I wore when I returned.” “Blackmare Moon! Are you truly a fillyfooler!?” Another asked Penumbra almost shoving a mic near her face. Penumbra's large wings flared in anger. “What did you call me, you insipid foal!?” The term wasn't lost on her but the constant stream of insulting questions was beginning to truly grate on her nerves. The various reporters had dubbed her 'Blackmare Moon' due to her appearance and even that seemed offensive to the mare of darkness. “If you keep this up I will imprison each and every one of you inside Tartarus for the rest of your lives!” The ponies gasped and backed away in sudden fear as Penumbra bared her razor sharp teeth. A few of the braver reporters stood forward still asking questions, followed by another who thought Penumbra could not do so without being sued. Luna looked at Celestia with a pleading look, her sister nodded once before trotting forward and clearing her throat to catch the ponies' attention. “I'm afraid the time for questions is over, so each of you please leave for now, I'll answer any remaining questions you may still have.” Princess Celestia smiled benevolently. The group hesitantly backed away and bowed halfheartedly and left the scene but not before snapping a few more photos. Luna sighed in relief while Penumbra continued glaring at the ponies as they hid behind bushes and houses. “How do you put up with those mortals?!” Penumbra let her magic fade away as she passed Celestia and trotted across the bridge leading out of town. Celestia chuckled. “Years of patience and a smile.” Luna rolled her eyes at that. Penumbra grumbled cutely as she folded her wings back to her sides. “As soon as I return home I am making a law to forbid any form of 'reporting' or 'news'.” Both princesses looked at each other and giggled slightly. Celestia held her smile before she felt a tingle in the back of her mind. 'Oh, it's Cadence.' She lifted a wing and patted Penumbra's back. “I'll be right back, it seems like Cadence needs help.” The other alicorns looked at her as she trotted away. Off to the side, Twilight's friends watched. Fluttershy was no longer crying but her eyes showed an unusual hardness to them. “...” She mumbled something before dashing over to Penumbra much to the others' confusion. “Twilight.” Penumbra twitched an ear in Fluttershy's direction as she turned to her. “You again? What do you want now?” The alicorn frowned as the yellow mare refused to back away from her glare. “I know that you do not remember us, but we are still your friends Twilight.” Fluttershy said as she stood in front of the much larger mare. Penumbra swiped a lock of purple mane out of her face. “I know your name little pegasus, but I already told you I do not know anything about you.” The dark mare was sick of this guessing game. “As I have told you before I have no intention of becoming 'friends' with you mares or anypony.” Penumbra stated coldly. Fluttershy felt her eyes water again but she refused to back down or let them fall. “You don't mean that. I'm the Element of Kindness, and I can tell you're just confused and scared by everything.” Luna stayed just behind her lover with her horn lit in case Penumbra reacted rashly. Penumbra's left eye twitched. “What?” The little pegasus kept her gaze as her other friends gave her looks of concern and apprehension. “I understand. I know what it feels like to be afraid of those around you.” She smiled softly. “I am not afraid!” Penumbra got right in Fluttershy's face. “I am the Alicorn of Tartarus! Darkness Incarnate! One of the first monsters! Don't think you would understand anything about such things!” As her anger rose so did the Aura of Fear she gave off, causing Fluttershy to shiver. Fluttershy felt her smile fall slightly before she took a step back. “...I do.” She said with a heartfelt nervous look. Penumbra faltered as she took in the look the other mare was giving her. 'What is this mare!? Why doesn't she cower!?' Everypony should be shown kindness sometime in their lives. Penumbra shook her head at the sudden appearance of an unknown memory. She turned away reaching out for Luna in a panic. “G-Get away from me!” She demanded quietly. Fluttershy let her smile fall as Luna hugged Penumbra to herself. “...Even if you forget about us or spurn our friendship, we will always be here for you Twilight.” She said in her normal tone. Penumbra took several deep breaths and waited a good long while before gazing at Fluttershy once again. “...Then...prove it to me. Prove to me how strong your so called 'friendship' is.” A hopeful look came over Fluttershy's face as similar smiles showed on her friends' muzzles. “Okay.” She gave Penumbra one more smile before joining Applejack and the others. Luna nuzzled her mate affectionately. “Well done, Penny. I knew you would come around.” Penumbra grumbled a bit as she nuzzled back. “Whatever, Luwa. But this had better be worth it.” -Crystal Empire- The ice phoenix Amrita flew through the snowy plains of the Frozen North at the command of her owner even though she realized something was worrying about Diamanda's behavior. The crystal barrier now covering the Empire and keeping outsiders out. Locking Cadence in her own room like a prisoner and now the summons for this Crysta mare in Ponyville. Even Amrita's mate who was once at Diamanda's constantly couldn't explain the alicorn's bizarre attitude. Diamanda's voice was soft but full of malice, her touch wasn't warm anymore and her eyes gave a sense of foreboding whenever they looked at you... ... ... ... “Is that you, Lux?” A deep silky voice called out from somewhere in the blizzard. Amrita refused to stop but caught sight of a deep black figure moving in the distance among the endless white. “No?” A shadowy hoof reached out smacking the bird into the snow. “Hmm, another animal.” Amrita looked up seeing a mouth-less equine head peering at her from above. “Squawk!” She flew back into the air and pelted Umbra with small icicles in warning. The creature merely narrowed its eyes in amusement. “Cute, but you're not who I'm looking for.” Amrita charged at Umbra. “Oh?” Before the phoenix rammed into Umbra, the creature burst into black smoke and vanished from the plain. “Maybe next time, little thing.” It laughed before going silent. Amrita felt her feathers shiver as a feeling of despair rolled over her then disappeared a second later. The bird looked around again before taking off for Ponyville again thinking about what that thing was. -Ponyille- Spike paced as he kept an eye on the Elements of Harmony, their gems would glow occasionally then putter out then a little later glow again but more brightly. Currently the only Element not to glow at all was Twilight's Element of Magic, it was pitch black. The other elements were constantly attempting -from what Spike could tell- to pierce the black aura emanating from the tiara but to no avail. “I have a feeling this has something to do with Twilight's new appearance.” Spike mumbled as he planted himself into the chair that sat before the Elements. The door opened and Princess Celestia and even Cadence stepped in much to Spike's surprise. Cadence's mane was disheveled while her coat was halfway frozen and her eyes looked panicked. “Um, what's happened now?” He asked nervously. Celestia had a stoney look across her muzzle. “Spike, give my sister this letter, only she'll understand what's inside.” She levitated over a scroll to which Spike grabbed confusedly. “Take it to her quickly.” Spike eyed the scroll before nodding once and running out the door. Celestia sighed tiredly as she closed the door with her back hoof. “Things are getting progressively worse.” Cadence nodded at that. “But I don't understand how did you know about Diamanda being alive?” The solar princess took a seat at the center table followed by Cadence. “I never told anypony about this but...you have aright to know now that the situation has taken a turn for the worst.” She took a deep breath. “During Chrysalis' attempt at stealing the throne from me, she left me in the caverns beneath Canterlot by myself.” She began. Cadence gestured with a hoof. “You already told everypony about that...” “I know. But what I did not say was...I wasn't as alone as I thought I was.” Celestia fixed her gaze to the table. She heard her niece gasp. “She was there. She spoke to me. Taunted me. Welcomed me even... She wasn't the same though. The Diamanda I once knew was long gone, replaced by something terrifying.” She looked up. “I wrote about my entire experience in the scroll I gave Spike. At first I thought it was a dream, Because I awoke sometime later and found my self alone near the cavern exit.” Cadence's eyebrows rose. “My Grandmother was an expert in the field of mind magic, far surpassing anything Sombra or Chrysalis could conjure up...” She felt a shudder down her spine. “Precisely. It turns out Diamanda used her powers on me to make me forget about the conversation we had, I remember talking to her but not the exact words we spoke of.” Celestia closed her eyes. “You think she's up to something?” “Yes. But with Tirek loose in Equestria and still no word about his location I'm afraid we'll have to set aside the Diamanda situation right now until we deal with Tirek.” She opened her eyes and looked at Cadence. “Luna will take care of Twi- I mean Penumbra. While we do what we can ourselves.” At Cadence's nod both mares stood back up heading for the exit. Crysta groaned as she awoke from her slumber. “Wh-where am I?” She looked around the hotel room. “This isn't the train car, how did I get here?” There was a scratching sound at the window to her right, where she spotted a white and blue bird looking right at her. “A-an Ice Phoenix?” Climbing to her hooves, Crysta trotted over to the window and opened it with her magic...which caused the entire window to blow apart. “Ah!” She and the bird jumped away. “H-How did that happen? My magic isn't that powerful!” Crysta looked at her horn only to find it seemingly made of crystal. “...My horn!” The phoenix flew in squawking at her to look up. Crysta gazed away from her horn. “W-What?” The Phoenix rolled its eyes at her confused expression and chirped. The unicorn stepped closer to which the bird flew onto her back. “What are yo-AH!” She was suddenly engulfed by a bright light. Without warning she landed on her back roughly which ripped her cloak from her body and skid across the floor. “Ow...” She turn to land a small glare at the phoenix before her breath was taken from her at the sight of a large white alicorn before her. Diamanda smiled at her from her throne. “Hello my dear. I am Diamanda.” Crysta bolted to her hooves and bowed as low as she could. “Goddess of Crystal!” “Yes. Come to me, little one.” Diamanda eyed the unicorn's horn with hidden excitement. Crysta slowly and carefully made her way over to Diamanda's throne, the guards within the chamber paid her little attention. Once she made it, Diamanda reached out a hoof to pat her head. “So you are my new Acolyte? You're quite beautiful, little one.” Crysta blushed. “No need to be afraid I won't harm you.” Diamanda nuzzled her and whispered in her ear. “Now I have something for you to do for me.” Crysta froze at the cold touch of Diamanda's fur. “W-What is it?” She stammered. Diamanda's voice was husky. “Release your magic.” Crysta looked confused and hesitant as she remembered what happened earlier. “Are you sure? I-I couldn't control it a few minutes ago.” Diamanda looked her straight in the eye. “Trust me.” Her gaze was hypnotizing. Literally. Crysta backed up without thought and channeled the magic through her horn again, as with before it exploded outward but Diamanda could only grin as she stood up leveled her own horn at the wild magic. Crysta felt an intense pain coming from her horn as magic poured out in waves. 'It hurts!' Diamanda laughed as the light-blue magic coming from the unicorn's horn began to twist its way toward her horn. “To be whole again!” She lifted her head as more and more magic was absorbed into her body. After five or six minutes had passed Crysta stopped screaming and fell to her side unconscious, while Diamanda laughed at the top of her lungs. “Hahahhahahaa!!” The guards around her fidgeted in place but said nothing about the disturbing scene before them. Once her fit died down Diamanda looked at Crysta benevolently. “You were a great help, little one. I thank you.” She nodded to her guards. “Take her to the visitor's quarters.” A couple guards nodded quickly before one scooped the unicorn onto his fellow's back and they left the chamber. Once that was done, Diamanda focused inward and summoned the magic into her horn. “Perfect.” She trotted back to her throne. “Ready the Empire for the eventual arrival of my fellow Alicorns, I wish for it to be presentable for when they arrive.” Diamanda sighed contentedly.