Our group was sitting in our seats on the train, headed north where the Crystal Empire is located. Some of the girls (Pinkie and Rarity) were ecstatic about the thought of seeing this new city and meeting the locals. Though when they learned we would be going to the far north, they were worried that they didn’t bring warm enough clothes. Luckily I had a solution for that problem.
“And yer sure that this is going to work Lex?” AppleJack asks as I finish writing the personal enchantment on her arm. The others had their own enchantments written already and she was the last one. I shrug at her question.
“Probably. These enchantment are set to keep outside elements like the snow and wind away from contact to your bodies and to keep you all insulated from the cold itself. Plus I set them to work like beacons incase any of us get separated on the way to the city.” I tell them, wiping my brow. These types of personal enchantments that use the individuals natural pool of magic takes a lot of concentration and effort to write. Not very easy on a moving train.
I take my seat and rest, drinking from the water bottle I got before we left. We still had about half an hour before we were set to arrive at the closest train station to the Crystal Empire. Sitting up properly, I break out a book I grabbed before leaving for the castle, Equestrian Wildlife and Dangers Volume 2. Going through, I see that most of the ‘wild’ animals are mythical creatures like Chimeras, Hydras, even Wyverns and Phoenix. Feeling a tapping on my arm, I see Twilight looking at me questioning.
“Hai?” I say to her. Twilight pulls out what I recognize as the notes she took on the different types of Dark Magic I mentioned at the castle.
“Do you think you can tell me about some of the different types of magic from Fiore before we arrive?” She asks with subtle puppy dog eyes, the others looking to me curious as we told them what we talked to the princesses about earlier. I look to her with a blank expression. This causes her to begin to get nervous, until a grin breaks across my face at her reaction. She pouts at me from my reaction to her. I just chuckle and place my book away in my purse again.
“Well, you will have to be a little more specific. Do you want me to go over styles of magic, types of magic or just elements of magic?” I ask her, the others curious as well. The group all talk to each other for a moment before Spike steps up.
“Do you think you can go over some styles of magic, whatever that means.” He asks, the others nodding that that is what they want to hear about. I nod to them and put on my instructor face.
“Sure. You see ‘styles’ of magic refers to the way the magic is used. It goes beyond just the diffrence between offence, defence and healing. An example of this, is a style called Maker Magic. This is a style that lets the wizard give their magic a tangible form. Maker magic is unique as this style is dependant on the wizards imagination, making it so even two users of the same element of Maker Magic can use different strategies.” I explain, Twilight and Spike both taking notes and the others listening intently. Rainbow suddenly raises her hand. I nod to her to speak.
“What elements are there for Maker Magic?” She asks. The others look to her in surprise for the fact she was the one to ask that question. She looks to her friends. “What? I know there are tons of different elements just from Lex’s Solid Script Magic, I’m genuinely curious about this.” I just giggle a little at her friends reaction to her legit logic.
“Well, as of right now, there are five elements used for Maker Magic that I know of. They are Ice Maker Magic, Iron Maker Magic, Wood Maker Magic, Water Maker Magic, and finally, the most complex one, Memory Maker Magic.” I tell them. It takes a second before they all get the implications of Memory Maker Magic.
“Memory maker magic? You mean they can make memories?” Spike asks shocked. I nod but hold my hand up to stop them from rushing me with questions.
“Memory Maker Magic is extremely complex, and isn’t limited to making memories. It can create illusions, copy other types of magic, create new combinations, and a few other things. But the main drawback is it requires extreme focus, making it difficult to use in, say, a war zone. But in a one on one fight...” I tell them. The group nods and each think about what they want me to explain next. After a minute, Twilight raises her hand. I point to her.
“Earlier in the castle, you mentioned someone who used something called Angel Magic and said it ‘summons’ beings to do battle. What did you mean by that?” She asks.
“You see, there are some wizards who use summoning magic to call upon allies from other dimensions to do battle with or for them. These types of wizards are referred to as Holder Type wizards, because they use magical items. The most popular type of summoning magic is called Celestial Magic. This type of magic can only work if the wizard has something called a Celestial Spirit Key, which they use to summon spirits from another world to help them. There is also the aforementioned Angel Magic, which is extremely dangerous as it requires a payment of something, mostly years of ones life, represented by gold coins. At least that is how one of the wizards I know of used it for a while.” I explain, Twilight writing it all down and adding things to the bit of Angel Magic she already had.
Oddly, it was Fluttershy that was the next one to raise her hand. I just nod to her. She mumbles quietly for a second before taking a breath.
“Um, I was wonder, do you think others aside from unicorns and Alicorns could use magic from Fiore?” She asks.
“Of course.” I say without pause. The group actually look surprised by my immediate response. “I mean, back in Fiore, it wasn’t just humans that used magic. There are certain creatures like Vulcans, Dragons, and creatures called Exeeds that use their own types of magic. So it isn’t a stretch to say that Pegasi and Earth ponies could learn to use magic, especially since they have their own types of internal magical abilities as well as there being tons of Ethernano in the air.” I explain further, the group all nodding, Spike in particular looking excited at the prospect. I wonder if he could develop a new type of Dragon Slayer Magic?
The others don’t get a chance to ask any more questions the train whistle goes off, telling us we have arrived at the station. I look out the window, but all I see in white fields and snow blowing past the window. As the train stops Rarity gives me one of her coats she brought and get ready to leave. Opening the door, the wind blows at me, but I don’t feel that cold. Going outside, it actually feels like it does during fall back home, just with some serious wind. The others follow me out, each surprised by the way we feel from the storm.
“Guess your enchantments work Lex.” Rainbow states. The others nod, and Rarity hands her a bag of bits. Guess they made a bet while I was writing the enchantments. Looking through the storm I see a silhouette of someone walking towards us.
“Twilight!” He calls. It sound a bit like a stereotypical surfer dude.
“Shining Armor?” Twilight asks. As he gets close I can get a clear view of him. His two toned blue mane is messed up from the wind and he is wearing some wierd mask with a black scarf and winter expedition gear. Boots, winter jacket, gloves, all of it. I can barely see his white fur under all those layer. Guess it is a lot colder than I thought. He lights up his horn and removed his mask.
“Twily! You made it!” He says, bringing his little sister in for a hug. He then gets a serious expression. “We better get moving. There are things out here that we really don’t want to run into after dark.” He says nervously. I can see the fatigue on his face, he must be pretty tired.
“You mean Sombra?” I ask him. He just now noticed me, and raised a brow before seeing all of us aren’t wearing proper gear.
“Yes. And who are you? Also, why aren’t all of you freezing?” He asks as we begin to walk. The others soon get close, keeping together as to not get sperated.
“My name is Lex. I am a wizard that just arrived in Ponyville the other day. I came along to see if I could help out. And the reason we aren’t freezing is because I put an enchantment on all of us to keep us warm until we make it to the empire.” I tell him, lifting my arm and showing the magic writing.
“Impressive.” He states, looking at the others who show their own marks. “Anyways, something keeps trying to get into the empire. We think it is the unicorn king that originally took over the place!” He says over the wind.
“But the princess sent me here to find a way to help protect the empire! If Sombra can’t get in, then it already must be safe right?” She calls to him.
“Don’t underestimate the power of corrupted Dark Magic Twilight! He may be stuck outside for now, but it is likely he will keep going until he gets what he wants.” I tell her. Just then, what sounds like a low roar goes out across the expanse. The girls all look around as I grab hold of my sword.
“We have to get to the Crystal Empire! Now!” Shining says, just before a mass of black smoke appear behind us, growling. It quickly grows and gains the two eyes of the corrupted unicorn. We all immediately run as it tries to follow.
“HURRY!” Twilight yells. I look back and see it is way to close for comfort.
I cast. “Solid Script Storm!” The word appears and launches a powerful gale at the black mass, causing it to actually slow down a bit.
“Nice one Lex!” Rainbow shouts.
“Keep going! Don’t stop!” I tell her. We all continue to run as Sombra tries to catch up to us again. Looking forward we see what looks like a light blue dome in the distance.
“Almost there!” Me and Shining say, before we both stop and turn to the mass of darkness. The others go on ahead as me and the prince stare down the dark mist. Shining launches a beam of pink magic, only for it to go through the mass as though nothing happened.
“Solid Script Fire!” I cast the spell and the work appears before bursting into flames and rushing to the mist. It actually hits it and the mass roars in pain and anger. It looks to me and dives, trying to cover me. I quickly teleport away and stand next to Shining. He creates a shield over us as I use Orient Script Defend on us as well, momentarily stopping the black mass. The mass backs off and goes to charge again, and Shining lifts me with his magic and throws me to the others.
“What are you doing?!?” I call out as I am flung into the dome, landing on the grass next to the panting ponies.
“Everypony ok?” Twilight asks, getting several tired confirmations, and a groan from me. After a second, Shining is also flung into the barrier, but his horn is covered in black crystals. Twilight goes to check on him, and he tries to use his magic, only for it to be blocked. I walk up to him and slap him in the face, earning several gasps from the girls.
“What were you thinking?!? If you let me stay, I could have made sure we both got in no problem! Now you can’t even use your magic!” I tell him with anger, Twilight trying to hold me back from attacking her bro. I just sigh and walk back to the others and look past the hill we are next to.
“Sparkle-rific!” Pinkie says, looking at the shining city before us. The others go ahead, while I look back to the dome and barely see the outline of the dark mass.
‘Don’t worry Sombra. I’ll find a way to get you back to the way you were before.’ I join back up with the others and we walk to the city. Walking in, Rarity is gushing at the building, seeing that they are all made of crystals. We walk far a bit more and enter what appear to be the castle of the empire. We walk for a bit before entering what is the throne room and I see a new Alicorn slouched on a throne.
She looks like she is about to pass out any second. She has a three toned mane of pink, yellow and purple, pink fur and wearing a pink and gold dress and the regalia of most royalty. Her eyes show her fatigue and her horn is lit up the same color as the shield outside. Though she does look happy seeing Twilight walk in.
“Cadence!” Twilight calls, rushing to the older mare. They meet in the middle and do some wierd, childish dance and song, causing me to raise a brow and for Shining to quietly groan in embarrassment for them. Though she does scrunch her eyes and her magic flickers with the shield outside afterwards.
“One of these days, we need to get together when the fate of Equestria isn’t hanging in the balance.” She says with a tired smile.
“You ok miss?” I ask, walking up with the others. Shining goes to her side and shakes his head.
“She has been using her magic to fill the empire with love and light. That seems to be what is protecting it. But she hasn’t slept, barely eats. I want to help her, but my protection spell has been countered by King Sombra.” He says, to which I glare at him and he flinches and rubs his head. Cadence notices this and raises a brow to me.
“Me and Shining were holding Sombra off outside while the others ran to the empire. Then he had the genius idea of throwing me into the shield instead of letting me help him, and getting the both of us in safely.” I tell her. She just sighs and shakes her head at her husband, before doing a double take at me.
“You were holding off Sombra? How?” She asks, returning to the throne to sit.
“I am a wizard. I use magic he has never seen before and it looks like works against him in his mist state. If he should get in, I could fight him off for a time, but not indefinitely. But that is besides the point. We are here to do whatever we can to help.” I tell her, the others nodding.
“Well with Cadence using her magic to keep up the barrier, and me keeping an eye out for trouble in the Arctic, we haven’t been able to gather any info from the crystal ponies.” Shining said with worry. I see that Rarity is about to go nuts from the new info so I case Silent on her before she can begin, which makes her look ridiculous from no noise coming from her. We all laugh a little at her, making her blush and pout, before I disspell the attack.
“Well, how about this. The main six will go and try to talk to the crystal ponies and get whatever info they can. You stay here with your wife and make sure she is ok.” I tell them, earning nods from the ponies.
“What are you going to do Lex?” Fluttershy asks.
“I am going to look around this place and see if I can find Sombra’s room or study. Any ruler would have secrets hidden in their most personal of places, so maybe I could find some clues of a way to stop him and save the empire.” I tell them. Shining nods and takes out what looks like a map of the castle. I look to it and see where Sombra’s personal study and bedroom are located.
Soon after we all split up, me going up to the western wing of the castle to Sombra’s room, while the girls go out to find some crystal ponies to interrogate.
‘Ok, all that time play professor Layton, don’t fail me now.’ I think as I arrive before Sombra’s room. Walking in, it is actually surprising how normal the room looks. There is a king sized bed made of red silk, a large desk with papers and a few quills on it, a bookshelf and an old painting on the far wall. I look to the painting and admire what it depicts.
On the portrait was an older crystal unicorn mare with a peach coat and red hair with some grey here and there with shining blue eyes that looks like she is in her late 40s standing behind a silver coated, black maned unicorn colt with red eyes that looks like he is about ten, both of them wearing royal clothes. I guess that was the previous ruler of the empire and Sombra as a colt. But looking again I see the colt Sombra holding something that confused me. In his hands, he is holding a rather large egg with purple markings on it. The egg was almost as big as Sombra’s torso!
I am not sure why, but that egg looked familiar to me. I look to the bottom of the portrait and see the description. ‘The young Prince Sonbāsutā on his twelfth birthday, after getting his Cutie Mark.’ Sonbāsutā? That means ‘The Somber Star’ in Japanese. So Sombra had a Japanese name before he went nuts? I look around the room some more, taking the books out of the shelf and flipping through them before I look to the painting again and notice a small imprint behind it.
Carefully taking the painting off the wall, I see the outline of a small door. Guiding my fingers along the sides, I find a small latch in the wall and open the hatch. Inside I see something odd. A large purple crystal. It is bigger than my head and is placed on a red silk pillow. Next to it is an old book that was missing most of the late pages, with a pair of red crystals on the cover. I look to the painting again and see the same mark on Sombra’s clothes.
“So Sonbāsutā had two red crystals for his Cutie Mark?” I ask aloud. Taking the crystal out of the little compartment, it is actually lighter than I thought it would be. About as heavy as a small sack of potatoes. I place on it on the bed and look it over. It appears to be almost the same as the crystals that appeared on Shining Armors horn, just purple and not ugly black. I am not sure why, but I decide to focus through my dark eye. What I see is shocking.
Inside of the crystal is the outline of a cat in a small dress. She looks like she is sleeping, her eyes closed almost peacefully. I look over the gem and realize that this crystal was made through some kind of Dark Magic. I place a hand on the crystal close to the cats head and soon get a headache.
’please...help....him.’ I gasp and take my hand away, my eye still dark and seeing the cat within the crystal. After a second I put my hand back on the crystal and focus.
‘Who are you? What happened?’ I think and soon get another headache, the voice going in and out like having a bad connection through a phone.
’I’m..Echo..Sonbāsutā..friend. Betrayed..love..magic..flaring..please...HELP HIM!’ I jump back and pant heavily. I grab my head and groan as images fill my vision. An adult Sonbāsut destroying some training dummies with anger. A mare with blue hair laughing. Sonbāsutā’s magic flaring. Crystals covering a room. The corrupted eyes.
Getting back to my feet, I look to the crystallized cat, no, not cat, Echo in sadness. She was there when Sombra came to be. She was a friend. I look to the crystal with determination. “I promise, I’ll get him back.” The Exceed within the crystal almost looks like she is going to smile. I grab the book, Sonbāsutā childhood journal, from the room and put my glasses on, reading through it. What I learn makes my eyes widen and my heart ache in sadness.