Hunter gave a slight bow of his head to the rulers of the Crystal Empire as Twilight went up to them and hugged them in turn. Spike jumped to the ground and hugged them in turn. The two royals turned to look at him as he walked several steps forward to join them.
“I thank you for remembering that we were coming.” Both of them looked at him as he spoke. “It’s nice to not see a contingent of soldiers ready and waiting.”
Shining barked a laugh and nodded. “I assure you they are in reserve.” He joked.
Hunter chuckled at the white stallion and then turned back to the golden dragon. He reached out to the Netherworld magic and called on Grubby. Behind him, Twilight nudged his hip and he looked back to them from over his shoulder.
“It will be nice to show Hunter the Crystal Empire and all that it has to offer.” She said brightly.
“It will be nice to see new places outside of my own kingdom.” He admitted. “We can also discuss the chance of trade deals and routes. There are products that my Empire does not have in great abundance and it will be nice to have it available for my subjects if the need arises.”
Cadance nodded as he spoke. “We can talk politics later, for now, all you need to do is walk with us as we show you around.” She said to him, a wide smile on her muzzle.
Hunter looked back to the ground ahead of him as Grubby burst from the ground. Cadance and Shining yelped in surprise as the minion stood at attention and waited for his orders.
“I need one brown minion gate made where you stand.” He ordered and the minion saluted smartly and dove back into the ground.
He turned back to them and waited for the minion to finish his task. Sorkeno leaned his head down and it hovered a few feet above Hunter's head and the others all stared up at the golden dragon’s wide snout. He gave a loud snort and Hunter cringed as warm air went over him and he looked up, annoyance crossing his features.
“Yes?”
“You would do better to join your hosts and not stand in a field.” The dragon scolded.
Hunter looked at him, his eyes wide. “Really?”
The dragon said nothing in reply and simply pulled his head back as the minion shouted and waved his arms to earn his Masters' attention. Hunter spun to the minion gate and his gauntlet roared as a single minion leaped from the gate and ran to his side. Wrath jumped to his shoulder and held on in his usual place. Grubby leaped into the gate and was gone now that his job had been completed.
“Now we can leave,” Hunter growled as the dragon chuckled and laid down in place.
Hunter kept up easily as Cadance and Shining led them toward the city. They had not brought any guards with them and after a minute of walking, they were back within the city. Hunter looked down as their hooves landed on the crystal pathway. His hoof boots gave off a loud bell-like sound as he walked forward. He walked with them and his red eyes glowed brightly as he followed closely. He looked to the side and he could see that the Crystal Ponies had stopped what they were doing and were openly staring at him. While he was not surprised it was the look he received from several of them that nearly made him pause. He could see a level of fear in their eyes that he was not expecting.
“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” Twilight asked him as she bumped his shoulder with her own.
“Yes.” He agreed absently and turned his gaze back to his hosts.
He didn’t say anything to her and chose to let what he was seeing go. ‘I’m simply that much more different than what they are used to seeing. Otherwise, there is more going on that what I know. If I wish to know I can ask and I know Twilight would tell me but I have no reason at the moment.’ He thought to himself as he kept up his easy pace and stayed with them. Spike patted his shoulder and he looked at the baby dragon and he wasn’t able to stop the stare that came from him at the giant statue of the baby dragon.
“What in the Great Dark is that?” He asked and he heard Twilight giggle.
“Spike helped save the Crystal Empire and the Crystal Ponies created this statue in his honor.”
Twilight informed him.
“I see.” He replied and gave a slight shake of his head as they walked past it.
He looked past them as several guards looked startled at their approach and moved to protect something from them. He saw the surprised look cross Shining face as he walked forward at a trot. He was able to pull them aside and Hunter could see him stopping to speak to them. Cadance motioned for them to follow and he stayed at the mares pace. She stopped next to a glowing heart-shaped crystal and he walked forward to look at it more closely.
“This is the Crystal Heart. It’s the source of protection and light for all of the Empire.” Cadance informed him. “This is what Spike saved that gained him so much renown.”
“I see. I can tell this holds a great deal of power by itself. Is it contained in its place or is it self-sustaining?” Hunter questioned.
“The Crystal Ponies give it the light and love within them and it is able to create a shield that can protect the Empire.”
“So they feed it?”
“Basically,” Cadance admitted with a shrug.
Hunter glanced over his shoulder as Shining rejoined therm. The Overlord could tell that something was on the other stallions mind but he chose to let it go and focus on what was in front of him. Cadance motioned for them to follow her once more and he fell into place behind her and her husband. Shining looked over his shoulder and Hunter looked at him as the stallion gave him a thin smile. Hunter watched as he leaned over to whisper in the pink Alicorn’s ear and she nodded in reply.
“Twilight. Can you show him the throne room?” She asked her sister in law. “I’ll be right back.”
“Sure. Come on this way.” She said and bumped his shoulder.
He said nothing as the other two peeled off to the side while he fell in behind the purple Alicorn. He stayed with her as she led him into a tall room and it looks similar to what he had read in reports. The carpet that led to the single throne was a deep reddish-purple and its crystal stones reached for the ceiling above them.
“Remind you of yours?” Twilight teased.
“Oh sure. Mine has so many similar colors.” He replied.
The mare giggled and Spike chuckled on her back. The baby dragon jumped from her back and walked next to them as Wrath grumbled and held tightly to the Overlord's thick armor. He looked around the room as the door at the front opened and the other two rejoined them. His red eyes fell on them as they came back and he could see that they seemed to have recovered from whatever news they had received. He could still see that Shining was a bit tense but he chose to ignore it.
“Okay, now we can show you the rest of it. Let me know if you get tired or hungry and we can stop at the kitchens for a rest and a snack.” Cadance said to him as they motioned for them to follow her once more.
“I’m fine at the moment. But thank you for asking.” Hunter said to her as he came to stand close by.
Spike trotted past him and jumped to Cadance’s back after she moved a wing to allow him. Shining stayed at her side and Twilight fell in beside him. As they moved into the hallway and began down it he cast a quick glance behind them and he could see several soldiers leaning out from their places and staring openly at the group. Hunter knew that he was different but this was becoming annoying even for him. He looked forward as Twilight nudged his shoulder and he moved to stay with them.
Hunter looked ahead of them as they moved into the library section of the castle and he could see Twilight’s eyes light up at the sight of the books and he gave a thin smile at her. Her eyes narrowed for a moment at the look from him but she looked ahead of them as Spike came back to walk with them.
“What do you think so far Hunter?” Spike asked him.
“It’s quite the castle.” He replied.
“Is the Dark Tower better or is this better?”
“The Dark Tower is mine so I will always say it is the better option.” Hunter replied with a chuckle.
Spike laughed and jumped to Twilight’s back as they walked forward. Hunter looked back and he could see the guards leaning out and staring, their eyes held a mixture of fear and anger. He nearly stopped to address them but a tap to his shoulder from Spike got his attention.
“You okay?” He asked.
“Yes. Why?”
“You keep looking back like your waiting for something to follow us.” Spike said to him and he leaned against Twilights mane for a second as he shifted on her back.
Hunter looked at the baby dragon for several seconds before he gave a low sigh. He stopped in place and Twilight stopped with him and her magic pulled Cadance’s tail and the other Alicorn turned to look and the others joined them.
“Is there something I should know?” He finally asked after a few seconds of delay.
“What do you mean?” Shining asked him.
Hunter looked back and pointed over his shoulder at the two staring guards at the front doors. He watched as Shining gave a visible cringe and sighed in reply.
“I was hoping they would ignore you since you’re here with us.” The Prince admitted.
“What has them so nervous? Many of them look at me with eyes full of fear or anger. Some have looked nothing short of terrified.” Hunter informed them.
Cadance sighed and nodded as Shining spoke. “The Empire was ruled by a vicious Unicorn a thousand years ago.”
“My friends and I defeated him when the Empire reappeared after he had cursed it.” Twilight explained. “He had hidden the Crystal Heart and we found it in time to return it to its place to save the Empire.”
Hunter was quiet as he listened to them as they explained. “So what makes them follow my every move like they do? They act as if they are prey and I am the predator in their own Kingdom.”
Shining cringed and groaned under his breath. “You and he have similar coloring. He was a deep grey with a black mane.”
Hunter blinked at him for a second before his mind caught up with him. “You’re kidding.”
“No,” Cadance said to him, sadness in her tone. “We did not even think about it when we asked you here. And we do not regret asking you to visit. You are as welcome here as any pony.”
Hunter looked at Twilight as a growl sounded from the purple Alicorn and she looked over her shoulder. He could see the furious glare that she leveled at the guards and they snapped back to attention in response.
“Just ignore them.” She said to him and as she turned around to look at him. “You do not need to defend your coat color to them or anypony.”
“I was more annoyed than angered. To be honest I was uncertain what I had done to deserve their fear when I first walked among them. Now I understand that it is not something I can change. My fur is covered by my armor so not much of my coloring is seen.”
“He wore armor as well.” Cadance interrupted and her hoof reached out and poked the chest of his armor. “We don’t care about it and Twilight explained why you wear it and we are fine with it. But they are more afraid than we thought they would be.”
Hunter sighed and sagged in his armor for a moment before he shook himself and right his form once he was still. “So who was this king that has them so frightened by me?”
“He was called King Sombra,” Twilight replied.
Hunter was quiet as he considered the name. “Not familiar to me. I might send word to Gnarl about the name and see what he knows. We keep records of Equestria and some events in time. I can see what he knows.” He said to them and all three perked at his words. “Any pony that resembles me is one we might know about or at least have an idea about.”
“That’s a good idea,” Twilight said to him.
“You keep tabs on Equestria?” Shining said to him, with a laughing glance.
“And you don’t? Your Empire is a separate entity from Equestria, correct?” They nodded in reply. “Then you keep tabs on them as well.”
Hunter went quiet as he summoned a scroll and quill and ink and began to write a note to Gnarl about Sombra. He finished and looked over his shoulder to Wrath who took it from him and without a spoken command ran for the exit.
“He…Where is he…?” Cadance asked as she watched the minion gallop out the doors, the guards watching as he vanished from sight.
“He knows to take it to Gnarl and he will return with the reply. He is my personal minion that is with me most of the time and as such he is a bit more advanced and can understand and discern my needs without my needing to speak.” Hunter explained.
“He’s a very useful minion.” Twilight supplied.
“Did you interact with more of the minions while you were gone?” Shining asked her.
“Of course.” She said with a smile. “I had a group of five that were my personal minions. None of them were on the same level as Wrath though. They were basic minions?” She said as she looked at Hunter.
“True. They were combat minions. Their purpose was to guide and protect should the need arise.” Hunter confirmed.
“Wow,” Shining said as he looked at the Black Unicorn.
“Are you okay?” Twilight asked him as the conversation changed.
“I’m fine. Being feared is nothing new and I will ignore it. So long as they do not act on that fear I have no reason to act out in reply. They will get over it.” He replied.
“We were never able to find out where Sombra came from. All the records from that time are gone and the Crystal Ponies don’t seem to have many memories from before him.” Cadance explained.
Hunter looked thoughtful for several seconds before he shrugged. “Hopefully Gnarl can find something in our records.”
“Is it possible that he is from your Empire?” Twilight asked him, her tone cautious.
Hunter looked at her for a moment before he shrugged once more. “It is possible. There have been many times when ponies have crossed the borders. It is possible that a relative decided to leave the Netherworld and go elsewhere.”
“Let’s hope not. That will just make ponies even more afraid.” Cadance said to him.
“I agree. But if it turns out to be true then there is nothing I can do about it.” He countered. “It will have been from several generations back and was most likely a second or third son or even more removed.”
“Could one of your relatives have come to find a kingdom of their own?” Shining asked him.
“It’s possible. We keep to tradition when it comes to the rules of succession. It’s all well documented.” He replied.
“Let’s hope not.” Twilight whispered.
“How does it work?” Cadance asked him.
“The first son is the automatic heir to the kingdom. Everything that comes with it will pass to him.”
“Even if a filly is born first?” Shining asked.
“I have been through many birth records of my line and I have never seen a filly born first. But even then the first colt would be the heir.” Hunter informed him.
Cadance smiled and leaned back on her haunches. “Don’t worry about the guards. We will worry about it if we need to but for now please just enjoy the tour. You’re always welcome here in the Empire.” She said and Shining nodded in agreement with her.
Hunter nodded. “Thank you for that. So far I have no issue with your home and am impressed with it so far.”
“Let’s have a quick lunch and then we can pick up where we left off.” Cadance said brightly and motioned for them to follow her once more.
Gnarl looked up as a screech caught his attention and he set the stack of papers aside as Wrath ran into the throne room. At first he was alarmed by the minion's appearance since the Master was careful about keeping that minion with him unless he deemed it needed. That feeling faded moments later as he realized that Wrath was carrying a scroll for him and he reached out for it and the red armored minion dropped it into his hand. The Minion Master opened the scroll and read through the Master's request.
“Thousand-year-old bloodlines? And if we have any information on a pony called Sombra who took control of the Crystal Empire. I do not recall any pony by that name.” Gnarl muttered as he began to wobble down the steps and he called on the minions he had immediate access to and they fell in behind him.
He led them to the records room and they pushed open the doors for him and he walked in. The smell of aged papers hit his nose and he breathed in deeply and walked into the room. The room was its own library and he began to walk down the rows of records until he reached the ones detailing the Master's bloodline. The minions began to crawl up the shelves until they reached the upper levels and began to screech and call out.
“Bring them to me. Do not damage them.” Gnarl yelled and the minion chittered as they began to pull out the book.
Gnarl jumped back as a warning screech went out and a minion fell to the ground and a large book fell on top of the prone minion. Gnarl looked at the groaning minion and waited as it got to its feet and opened the book for the minion Master. The others came down the shelves and waited close by. He looked back as Wrath stayed close and waited for the Minion Master to send a reply. The Advisor began to look through the records and he looked at the spelling for the name he was searching for and began to flip through the pages. He made a noise and the minion holding the book groaned under the book.
He looked up as another minion brought a separate book holding the records for over eleven hundred years ago for any sign of the Crystal Empire. The minion began flipping pages in both books until he reached the time frame he was looking for. His glowing gold eyes scanned the entries and he began to write out a reply to his Master.
Hunter looked up as they moved through the market stalls and he said nothing as ponies got out of his way. His armor tightened on his form as he moved and he looked where he had been told by Twilight or Cadance. Shining had rejoined them after talking with a group of guards for several seconds. So far they had not been hassled by anypony and Hunter strove to keep it that way. Twilight held out a crystal basket for him to look at and he had to admit they knew how to use the materials they had access to. He opened his mouth to speak as a faint screech caught this attention as ponies began to cry out around him.
“What the?” Spike said as he stood up on Twilights back.
“Wrath.” Hunter supplied and the baby dragon nodded.
Hunter looked back as Wrath caught up to them and the minion jumped for his armor. The minion scrambled into place and gave a scroll to his Master and went still. Hunter’s magic opened the note and he read it in silence. He folded it closed and slid it into a gap in his armor for safekeeping. Twilight and the others waited for him to speak though he remained quiet.
“What did he say?” She asked as she set the basket back down.
“Later.” He said to her and she seemed to accept it as he leaned his head down to speak further to her. “I will let you know where there are no prying ears.” He whispered.
She nodded and after a moments delay seemed to accept what he had said. Cadance and Shining nodded in understanding and began to guide them through the stalls. They stopped at several stalls for Hunter to see what they had to offer and Twilight put several food items in front of him to try and he finally tried a few of them at her insistence. He admitted they were sweeter than he thought they would be but not something he would try again. Spike teased him about not eating more despite knowing why. They moved back to the castle and made their way to the throne room. Cadance sent the guards out and they gathered up by the throne.
“Okay spill. What did Gnarl have to say?” Twilight asked him bluntly.
“Why?” He asked her, teasingly.
“You looked upset for a second so I know it’s not the best news.” She replied.
“How can you tell if I was upset or not?”
“I know you.” She replied.
“Fair enough.” He admitted. He said nothing for a second as he looked at each of them for a second before a sigh pulled from him.
“What does it say?” Cadance asked.
“Sombra came from my bloodline.” He admitted.
“You’re kidding. Please tell me you’re kidding?” Shining said to him.
Hunter shook his head. “He is of the Netherworld Empire. He’s a distant relative of mine. I assure you it is not wrong. The Overlord’s bloodline is well documented and everything is kept in meticulous records. We have pictures and drawings of each pony and unless he suddenly is no longer grey with a black mane and no longer a Unicorn then maybe it’s not him. But if all that is the same as what you told me then he is from my line.”
“Who was he in your line?” Cadance asked him, her tone quiet.
“He was a third son who chose to leave for his own reasons. The records say that he took over the Crystal Empire to make it his own. It’s all in the records they just have to be found and correlated to join them to each other.” Hunter explained. “It takes time but they can be joined together and tell more of a story then they could separately.”
Twilight looked between them and back to him before a sigh escaped her. “Oh shit.” She cursed under her breath.
Shining looked at the cursing mare for a moment before he looked at Hunter, accusation in his eyes.
“She may have learned that from me as well.” He admitted as Twilight blushed. “I am not Sombra. He is a distant relative at best and has no bearing on me personally.”
Cadance nodded in understanding and Shining patted his shoulder. “We know. But you have to admit its quite the coincidence.”
Hunter nodded. “I agree it is. He was overrun by greed that can live within each of us.”
Twilight bumped his shoulder with hers and Spike patted his armor. Cadance and Shining said nothing in reply and simply nodded in understanding. They both motioned for them to follow and the fell in behind them.
He leaned down to Twilights and whispered in her ear. “Not one word about the evil my line carries.”
She nodded and smiled to him. “I promise.” She whispered in reply.
They reached a balcony and his eyes widened at the view that they showed him. The whole of the Crystal Empire stretched out as far as the eye could see. He stayed at their side as he looked out. Wrath stayed on his armor and held tightly as the minion also looked out over the railing.
“Wow.” He whispered as he looked out over the kingdom.
He watched out of the corner of his eyes as Twilight joined him and she leaned gently against his armor. He said nothing as she stayed by him and he ignored the protective brother look he was getting from her elder sibling.