Chapter 2
Interesting creatures
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the characters and creations are the property rights of Hasbro, Inc.
and the MLP: FiM writers, producers, etc.
Crystal Castle
The castle was a lot bigger and more difficult to maneuver than Gleaming remembered. (Wow how much was lost during the time of the Empires cursed isolation. I wonder if any of these pocket spaces are still around and accessible back in my own time.)
Struggling to find her way around the castle and with her mind preoccupied Gleaming failed to see the mare she ran into, both ending up on the floor tangled up in each-others limbs. Both struggled for a while to get free. (Oh this is so embarrassing, I should have been looking where I was going but this magic map is impossible to read. How do creatures read this thing?)
Quickly regaining her senses Gleaming managed to untangle herself from the victim of her negligence. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking were I was going and I’m so lost right now and I have no idea how to get to my appointment.” Gleaming’s apology soon fell into rambling as the frustration that had built up from being unable to navigate what had once been her home for several years started to leak out.
“No, no it's fine really. You're new here right, no of course you’re new. You’re using the physical version of the map instead of the compass charm. Don’t worry everyone makes that mistake when they first get here on business. Just take a few breaths to help calm yourself down and tell me where you need to go. I can help you get there while I calibrate the charm for you.” The mare just dusted herself down while giving Gleaming a warm smile as she spoke to her.
Gleaming was quite grateful for the help being provided as her pride had stopped her from asking for help while she had struggled to find her way around the castle. “Thank you so much the help is appreciated. I’m looking for the academy pocket space. Do you think that you could help me?"
The mare just giggled while waving her hoof, directing Gleaming to follow her. “Sure I can help you, I’m heading there myself.” The mare paused for a moment as she gave Gleaming a look down as she assessed her.
“Are you a new student? If you are this is going to be so exciting, it’s been so long since a new student graced the grounds of the castle what with the royal council and the mages council not getting along.”
Gleaming frowned as the idea of these two groups that basically ran the empire while the Princess was away didn’t sit well with her, especially with the threat of Discord from the south and the current war with the Umbrams from the frozen north. The crystal heart helped keep them out but its magic only reached so far leading to much of the outer city being vulnerable to attack.
“No I’m a student, no need to worry about any plots from me. I have to ask though, are the rumors true? Are the royal and magic council fighting each other while the princess is risking her life negotiating with the dragon lords?”
”Yeah they are all but at war with each other on how to run the empire while the princess is away. Mostly they argue about how and where the military should be used, the allocation of funding and worst of all the about who is more important. I know these are the people in charge but seriously we have so many other things to worry about and all they can do is argue while the empire crumbles around them. Honestly the princess can’t get back soon enough.”
The mare that had been helping Gleaming just had a look of exhaustion on her face. Most likely due to the fact that she had been used as a go between and buffer between the two groups whenever they refused to talk to each other. Hoping to help out a possible colleague and get her mind off the political mess the city was in Gleaming changed the subject by talking about how some of the funnier gossip she had overheard during her time as a waitress in mid-city.
“Wow you’ve lived such an interesting life and I never knew that so many interesting things happened outside of the capital. I’ve never really been allowed outside since I started my apprenticeship with master Leonidas.” A sad look had overtaken the mare as she thought about what she had been missing out on since she had become an apprentice.
Gleaming stopped mid step as she realized that she may have just hurt the mare that had been helping her out. Looking at the mare she really took in her appearance. She had a glossy black coat, with a silky teal mane with emerald green eyes that carried a profound amount of sadness held back by a now hollow and empty smile and she was wearing a plain green, blue and black dress with slightly darker colours that hid her cutie mark from view. Here standing in front of her was a mare that was deeply troubled by something. Gleaming wanted to say something to comfort the mare she had accidently hurt only to come to the realization that neither she nor the mare had exchanged names even though they had been talking the whole time.
“My name is Gleaming Shield and I’m so sorry if I caused you any discomfort. I hope we can be friends as I believe we will be working together in the future.” Introducing herself with a big smile seemed to calm the other mare down a bit and easing the tension between the two ponies.
“Apology accepted Gleaming Shield. It’s just really nice to talk to another mare instead of those stuffy stallions in the academy. You know I think you’re the first mare that’s been invited here since I was made an apprentice. Oh I almost forgot my name is Chrysalis and I do believe your right we can friends.”
A pain shot through Gleaming’s head at hearing Chrysalis’s name. A fire seemed to be burning in her mind as one of her faded and damaged memories tried to surface only causing her pain as something seemed to be forcefully holding it back.
Just as quickly as the pain came it vanished as the memory started to fade again. Chrysalis saw her new friend stumble and grimacing in pain. Offering a hoof to help steady Gleaming she opened the door to the academy sector leading both mares towards their future.