//------------------------------//
// Seneschal of the Crystal Empire 
// Story: Return to Equestria: The Rise of Roam 
// by Daniel-Gleebits 
//------------------------------//

Return to Equestria: The Rise of Roam   

Sunset Shimmer 


Even in her present mood, Sunset could still feel the flickering inner glow of excitement and, to a certain extent, trepidation.  

“The Crystal Empire,” she said aloud. 

The words conjured nostalgia. Her, alone, deep within the forbidden sections of the Canterlot archives, reading feverishly by candlelight, searching for the knowledge that had been hers by right. Or at least, that was what she thought at the time. The thought elicited nothing but a faint and distant unease. She’d discovered many secrets there that neither she nor any pony in living memory beyond the Royal Sisters could possibly know about. Not simply written down, but many encoded, hidden, buried within layers of subterfuge and forgotten references: 

The entrance to Tartarus. The Seven-sided chest of Chicomoztec. The Alicorn Amulet. The location of the Temple of Talacon. The existence of the Tree of Harmony. And of course, the magical mirror.  

But the secret that had captured her imagination the most at the time had been the forgotten realm of the Crystal Empire. For less idealistic reasons than other young mares might have had. Frustrated and resentful of Princess Celestia’s supposed secrecy, Sunset had dreamed of resurrecting the empire, usurping its power for herself and using it as a springboard to conquer Equestria.  

She smiled at the thought, thinking how ridiculous it sounded. 

“Sounds like the plot of a story I would read,” Script conceded, his moustache twitching as he considered it. “Although I’m given to understand that the empire already had the disembodied dark essence of its former king trying to bend it into an imperialistic war machine intent on global domination. How would you have dealt with him?” 

“I don’t think I really considered that at the time,” Sunset admitted. “I had some idea I could just wing it if I got that far.” 

“You must have changed a great deal from that time,” Script said soberly. “I can’t see you making a mistake like that now.” 

“That change didn’t come easy,” Sunset chuckled. “Nobody tells you these things, but getting hit by a rainbow laser actually hurts.” 

“A rainbow laser?” Script asked incredulously.  

“Well, emotionally,” Sunset shrugged. “What? That counts as pain. There were tears. Many, many tears. And people staring.” 

“Just keep an eye out,” Script huffed. “We should be nearly there.” 

“Perhaps we’ve over shot it,” Sunset said with a shiver. “It’s cold enough to be Yakyakistan.” 

“No,” Script said darkly. “It lies ahead. I can feel it.” 

“How’s that?” Sunset asked. “Are you using some kind of alicorn magic spell to home in on it?” 

“No, I mean I can literally feel it,” he said. “Can’t you?” 

Sunset narrowed her eyes at him, but subconsciously began to probe at her tactile senses, and realised that he was right. The cold was beginning to recede, as though they were on the edges of a distant forest fire. Indeed, even the swirling snow around them seemed to be diminishing. Then she saw it, a welcome burst of colour and warmth in the form of an enormous cluster of sparkling crystal buildings. 

Sunset was used to the real thing being far more dazzling and breathtaking than any illustration could make it, but in this case the difference was absolutely astounding. 

“I wouldn’t get too worked up about it,” Script said in response to her expressing this. “You’ve been under the eternal twilight for quite some time. Seeing pure daylight after so long will hit you like flaming torches jammed into your eye sockets. I recommend you wear some tinted green glasses to prevent your eyes being dazzled if you’re not confident.” 

“You have that movie here?” 

“What’s a movie?” 

“Never mind. So we’re here?” 

“Indeed we are,” Script sighed. “And a good thing too. Keeping up that antifreeze spell was murder.” 

“Agreed,” Sunset said, rubbing at the base of her horn where a dull pang like an overused muscle gently throbbed. 

The balloon they occupied – an older looking basket balloon made of faded purple fabric – touched down at the edge of the crystal city before a tall standing arch. Before the arch stood a pair of ponies. 

“Wow,” Script said flatly, eying the two guard ponies. “Secondary thing to look up in the archives: crystal pony vivisection studies.” He arched an eyebrow. “Unless either of you two fine stallions wants to help me with a scientific experiment?” 

“Script, we’re in an entirely new place. Could you not instantly offend everypony, please?” 

“It’s hard,” Script groaned. “You’re all so sensitive.” 

“Lady Shimmer,” one of the guards interceded, sensibly ignoring the contents of the conversation. “Master Script. We’ve been instructed to deliver you to the castle. His lordship wishes to see you immediately.” 

“Mm,” Sunset said, narrowing her eyes as the two ponies led the way into the city. “Why is everypony determined not to mention who is ruling the empire?” 

“Are they?” Script asked innocently. 

“That’s the same tone Twilight took,” sunset complained. “Please tell me it isn’t Prince Blueblood. That guy was a dork.” 

“I know not to whom you’re referring. You’ll see when we get there. As I understand it, you’ve known him before.” 

Sunset considered this. If she’d known them, she supposed that it must be someone who had been infected with the mysterious plague that had turned half of Equestria into Nightlanders. But she hadn’t known too many stallions that well before escaping to the human world, so she couldn’t imagine who Script could be referring to. 

As they trotted down the grand thoroughfare linking the palace to the arch, Sunset continued to drink in the beauty of the place, and with a sudden gut-rending feeling of regret, she saw it for what it must represent to Equestrians everywhere. A last, untouched piece of antebellum Equestria. Unspoiled by war and plague.  

Every building resembled a hewn precious stone, carved to appear like giant rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. The road shone like crystal, and even the trees, bushes, clouds, and ponies had a lapidarian quality. And naturally, the statues did as well. A particularly large one, depicting a stubby bipedal figure holding something aloft, stood upon a pedestal between three buildings, although from behind Sunset couldn’t interpret the features well before they’d moved passed it. 

“It looks pretty,” Script said idly. “But how much of this is functional? Somepony could slip on this road and break their neck.” 

“Would it kill you to be positive for once?” Sunset asked, making a real effort not to roll her eyes. 

“Maybe,” Script shrugged. “Perhaps I should go prancing down the street here, happy as a lamb, and see if I don’t hurt myself on this ridiculous glass floor.” 

If the two guards heard Script, they made no outward expression of it. Sunset was glad of it, but just to be on the safe side, she decided to change the subject. 

“That’s quite a large window,” she projected with false cheer, looking up at the castle’s facade. “Must make it easy to see panoramically.” 

“The space was necessary, Madam Shimmer,” one of the guards said. “His great and honourable lordship requires it to exit the palace.” 

“To exit the palace?” Sunset echoed. “What, he can’t use doors?” 

The guard didn’t reply, but looked faintly puzzled. Next to her, she heard Script hold in a snort. 

The uniform grandiosity of the castle impressed Sunset, and appealed to her sense of symmetry. Idly she wondered how it had looked whilst under the yoke of its previous king, the evil Sombra who had spitefully dragged the empire into banishment with him when the Royal Sisters had defeated him. As she considered it, her imaginings had the beautifully balanced interior turning dark, spiky, and distinctly out of true.  

“It must have been quite different when the dark king ruled, don’t you think?” Script asked into her thoughts. She wished he wouldn’t do that. 

“Very, I suppose,” Sunset answered. Then she frowned. Now that Script mentioned it, she remembered in her reading somewhere about what effects dark magic could have upon normal objects. She tried to remember what it was that she’d read on the subject, but all too soon they’d passed through the elegant hall to the grand double-doors leading to the throne room. 

“Don’t be alarmed,” Script said languidly. “His appearance can be a little startling.” 

“Ah, yes, the mysterious seneschal of the Crystal Empire,” Sunset sighed. “Let’s see him.” 

Obligingly, the two guards took hold of the great doors with their magic, and with a loud clunk, they swung open. 

Sunset blinked. “Um...” she said uncertainly. 

Beyond the doors was a second barrier, a great wall of purple crystal plugging up every inch of the large opening into the throne room beyond. Sunset considered the glistening facets of the barrier with some momentary interest; the wall of purple crystal was rough-looking instead of smooth, yet had a pattern to it as though someone had carved hundreds of triangular shapes into it. 

She looked at Script, but he simply stood straight, looking expectant. 

She glanced towards the guards, who were standing at attention facing away from the door. After a few moments however, they looked back at her and Script, as though wondering why they weren’t entering. Then they both looked at the entrance. 

“Your great and honourable lordship, with the greatest of humility and respect, you’re pressing up against the door again.” 

A deep and resonant rumbling sound fairly shook the floor beneath them. 

“Ahh, see,” Script said, tapping the crystal floor dispassionately. “There’s another problem with this design. No flexibility at all. One earthquake would bring the entire thing crashing down.” 

Sunset watched in awe as the great wall of purple crystal seemed to rise, tearing itself from the entrance and rising into the throne room. Then something else swept by the opening, Sunset only catching the merest glimpse of it. A flash of purple and green, like a kite flying by a window. 

A monumental foot, ending in long, curved claws and covered in purple scales slammed down just inside the doorway, making Sunset jump and take an involuntary step backwards. For a brief second as a large, shadowy, cruel-shaped muzzle of long, sabre-like teeth sipped into view, Sunset had to fight the urge to flee. Then the deep green eyes found her, and the terrible mouth curved upwards into a toothy grin. 

“Sunset Shimmer!” the beast bellowed, fairly ruffling Sunset’s hair and sending Script’s toga into a flurry. 

“And Parchment Script, my lord,” one of the guard ponies, added respectfully. “Madam Shimmer, Master Script. The Great and Honourable Spike, the Brave and Glorious. Rightly appointed Lord of the Crystal Empire, Defender of the Crystal Heart, and Protector of the Realm.” 

Spike, smiling fit to split his enormous face in two, gave a small wave through the door with his terrifying clawed hand. 

“Hi,” he said coquettishly. “Come in, come in! It’s been so long. I’d hug you, but, you know.” 

As the doors swung shut behind her, Sunset Shimmer was still staring, mouth agape, up into the towering visage of Spike, his horned head and gracefully folded wings creating a distinct and awe-inspiring picture against the sparkling crystal decor of the chamber. 

“Spike,” Sunset Shimmer said at last, half laughing. “You’re the ruler of the Crystal Empire?” 

Spike shrugged modestly. “More-or-less,” he said modestly. “While Shining Armour and Cadance look after things in Canterlot, they invited me to look after things for them.” He winked. “I’m sort of a local hero here, you know? Which reminds me.” 

He rose up onto his feet, bowing his head from the ceiling, and swept an arm across his chest decorously in a low bow, eyes closed and aimed at the floor.  

“Welcome, Sunset Shimmer, and Parchment Script of the Roamans, to the Crystal Empire.” He looked up, opening one eye. “Seriously, no pony told you it was me?” he asked confidentially. 

“No,” Sunset chuckled. “No pony. And you’re... you’re so big. And have wings.” 

Spike waved an airy hand, turning his head to one side so they wouldn’t see the colour rising in his scales.  

“Oh, well, we all grow up some time, right?” 

The more he spoke, the more she could recognise him. The little affectations of humility, the eagerness and excitement that characterised his movements, restrained though they were by the proximity of the walls. Although it was startling to see him as he was in contrast to how she remembered him, she could see the baby dragon she had known behind the fearsome reptilian eyes, which despite his enormity and angular, predatory appearance, still contrived to look warm and kindly. 

“Huh!?” Spike gasped, rattling the enormous chandelier in front of his nose when Sunset confirmed that she didn’t know the story of his ascension. “No pony told you how I saved the Crystal Empire?” 

“Twice,” Script said hastily.  

“Twice!” Spike said, spreading his arms. 

“Yes, your great and honourable lordship,” Script said loudly. “Perhaps we could—“ 

“You want to hear about it?” Spike asked, plainly not hearing Script and casting one large eye upon Sunset. 

Sunset glanced surreptitiously at Script, who was making small but insistent signs and signals in the negative.  

“Sure, Spike,” Sunset enthused, shooting a beaming smile at Script’s darkening expression. “Tell me all the details.” 

  



  

“You’re kidding,” Sunset whispered in awe as she munched on a piece of cake. “The whole stadium?” 

“Yeah,” Spike grunted modestly, wave an airy, clawed hand the width of a small car. “Like I said though, it’s nothing anypony else wouldn’t have done if they could breath fire, you know? But enough about me, how are you? It’s been— what, seventy years?” 

Script, who looked very much as though he wished there was something he could politely interest himself in, coughed meaningfully. 

“As interesting as it is to hear of your valorous deeds, oh great and honourable Spike, the brave and glorious, Sunset and I have come here apurpose.” 

“Oh, you probably did, yeah,” Spike said, rubbing his horny chin in a musing way. “We can finish catching up later,” he added to Sunset, giving her another sawblade smile. “So what can I do you for? Need some crystal? We export that, you know.” 

Sunset found herself smiling as Spike jabbed a finger into his slightly inflated chest. She could just imagine the lists he’d made in the course of his duties for the empire. She had to wonder what he wrote with though. What bird alive could give him a quill? 

“No, your lordship,” she said. “We’re here for some hopefully not-so-lost knowledge.” 

“Oh, neat,” he boomed. “Want me to take you to the library? I can drop you off.” 

“Is it that far you need to fly us there?” Sunset asked, a little puzzled since the empire wasn’t a large city. 

“No, I climb across the buildings,” Spike said sheepishly, pointing out of the large opening.  

“You need not trouble yourself,” Script reassured him. “I have a feeling that what we seek is here, in the palace.” 

“Oh?” Spike said, raising his heavy, scaly brow. “Why do you say that?” 

“Because of you,” Script said, shrugging. 

Both Spike and Sunset looked at him. Spike’s eyes widened, and Sunset scowled. 

“Are you suggesting that Spike—“ Sunset began. 

“No, no, I don’t mean that,” Script interrupted impatiently. “I mean this.” 

Raising his head and imbuing his horn in a soft blue light, a thick tome appeared out of the ether of nowhere. As it hovered in front of Script’s long snout, Sunset read the cover of the book. 


A Recent History of the Crystal Empire ~ Facet Faucet 


Script cleared his throat. “Chapter eleven, page one hundred and twenty seven, and I quote It was then discovered by Princess Twilight and Spike(GHBG) that certain aspects of the palace were not as they seemed. Upon using a controlled form of minor dark magic, it was revealed that the insidious Sombra had utilised his dark powers to conceal the crystal heart, and even the means by which anypony might have stumbled upon it.” 

The book snapped shut. “You see?” Script said confidently, looking at both of them in turn. “You get it?” 

Spike rubbed his chin again, apparently thinking about it. Sunset on the other hand understood immediately. 

“So you believe there are other parts of the castle that Sombra might have concealed.” 

Script clapped his hooves together once in the manner one might do when snapping their fingers. “Exactly. The Crystal Empire predates the Royal Sister’s dominion over Equestia. And even if they managed to eliminate information about male alicorns here before Sombra’s reign, I’m willing to bet he had information on them himself, which the sisters would have no access to during his reign, or whilst the empire was trapped in limbo.” 

“But the empire has been back for years, I heard,” Sunset contested, frowning. “Surely they would have come and erased any such information by now.” 

“Possibly,” Script said. “If they found it. I’m willing to bet they missed something.” 

Sunset shot him a gimlet stare. “You mean you’re guessing. Hoping.” 

“Don’t question my genius and intuition,” Script said dismissively. “With your permission, Lord Spike, I’d like to search the castle.” 

Spike gave a good-natured shrug. “Doesn’t bother me. I’ll get you somepony to show you around if you like. I’d do it myself, but...” he trailed off, his deep growl of a voice rising a few octaves towards the end. 

“We understand, Spike,” Sunset assured him. “We’ll be fine with a guide, right Script?” 

“So long as it’s not one of those really chatty ones,” he said darkly. 

  



  

“Spirits, take me now. I’m ready.” 

Sunset frowned at him, but otherwise she couldn’t help agreeing. 

“...as I said before, the ceiling was designed and built independently of the main structure here, as at one time the hall was an audience chamber that saw up to the palace’s pinnacle. Instead an additional floor was added and the third floor state room installed above. Whilst the style is different, the complimentary placement of the...” 

“We need to ditch him,” Script said, eyeing the guide’s back.  

For once, Sunset agreed with him. They were never going to search the place whilst he led them on an audio tour that didn’t have a pause button. 

“Well what do you suggest?” 

Script cleared his throat loudly. “Very interesting. Where might the restrooms be?” 

The guide paused in his endless flow. “Oh. Down the hall, two floors down, through the passage on the right, two doors on the left near the servant’s quarters.” 

“Thank you,” Script said, taking the guide’s hoof in both of his own. “It has been a truly inspirational tour. If you don’t mind though, I’m going to process it all. I might be a while.” 

“Oh,” the guide brayed, his cheeks flushing. “Very well. Madam Shimmer—“ 

“I need to use the facilities as well,” she said apologetically, unable to believe this was working. “We’ll catch up to you.” 

Disappearing down the stairs, the two of them let out sighs of relief. 

“I am a genius!” Script hissed, pumping a hoof. “So original.” 

“So where should we try first?” Sunset asked. “The way to the crystal heart was in the throne room.” 

“It’s simple,” Script said confidently. “Habit will tell us.” 

“Habit? How would you know King Sombra’s habits?” 

Script shot her a sideways look. “Haven’t you figured it out yet?” he asked, his tone pitying. “Think back to the story I told you back when we first met up with Loyal Stride.” 

Sunset considered this. It seemed like quite some time ago, but she did remember him telling her.... well, quite a bit actually.  

“About how Rome became a republic,” Script added when it seemed clear that she didn’t understand. 

Then it clicked. Sunset’s breath seemed to vanish as she realised what he was saying. 

“Wait, wait,” she exclaimed. “You mean that King Sombra—“ 

Script nodded, grinning.  

“But...” Sunset stared disbelievingly at the floor, not actually seeing it. Then something occurred to her, and she grinned. “So... so Roam was the reason the Crystal Empire disappeared.” 

Script frowned. “What?” 

“Sombra was your king. The last king. The one who fell to insanity and darkness. And then...” She trailed off, trying to remember more details. “Then your ancestors banished him across the sea. To here!” 

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Script snapped. “It’s not like they knew they were banishing him to Equestria. Aside from the royal sisters, no pony from either Roam nor Equestria had ever been to the other. Besides, it’s done. Unless you’ve suddenly invented a time spell that can go back that far, I’m afraid there’s nothing you can do about it.” 

Sunset snickered. She found herself warming to Script a little in these little tit-for-tat engagements. As to the time spell, she’d actually been in the process of expanding the standard spell found in the Canterlot archives, more as a side-project than anything else, but had had to stop when, discovery, self-banishment, etc. 

As far as she knew, the only force able to effectively and safely time travel was a chaos magic user, of which she knew only one. And he wasn’t exactly available. 

“So the basement then?” she asked. “I think you said that’s where the, um... thing happened.” 

“I don’t recall saying so,” Script said a little stiffly.  

“Then where?” 

A distant look came into his eye. Something like shame, or perhaps self doubt came into his expression. Sunset was almost sorry she’d brought it up. At least when he spoke, it was in his usual sardonic tone. 

“Where do you hide books and research where no pony will find it?” he asked. “Why, in the library of course.” 

Sunset felt disappointed. “A tree in the forest, huh?” 

“It was more insidious than that,” Script assured her. “But in essence, yes. The secret entrance to the secret dungeon lab where secret things happened was right under my prodigious nose the entire time. Again, another reason why I was cast as the most likely suspect.” 

“Well, how did you find it?” Sunset asked. 

Script’s face darkened. “In the most clichéd, least imaginative manner possible,” he growled. “I noticed that the wall looked different.” 


- To be Continued