//------------------------------//
// Verse 24 
// Story: The Nightmare Knights Become A Band 
// by SwordTune 
//------------------------------//

Luna held her head up as she walked around, the night market’s fresh air and glowing crystal lamps rejuvenating her spirit. In the past two weeks, despite the tension between dragons and ponies still being high, conflict around the city seemed to have stabilized. Arguments and brawls still broke out. From Shining’s own assessment, there were enough fights in a day to keep him busy and strung out on coffee.
But the Dragonlord had spent the passing days in the dragons’ consulate, speaking with her consuls. She gave Cadence assurance that dragons would be on their best behaviour throughout the night market.
Short lines of dragons crowded the street at stalls, each selling particular jewels. Lapis, jade, rubies, and diamonds, every dragon seemed to have their own taste.
“Well, where’s the nearest bank that will take it?” A voice in the crowd caught her attention. 
“I don’t know, I’ve never been here before.” Luna turned and scanned the crowd with confidence that she wouldn’t have to look for long. In the middle of the street, she recognized two of Starlight’s students, the very same ones who had visited them in Fillydelphia. The hippogriff and dragon nudged a few yaks and ponies out of the way and spread their wings, flying higher to get a better view.
“Ugh, everything looks the same,” Smolder said, “but a bank has to be nearby, right? I mean, this is a market!”
Luna decided, with Starlight still retrieving her guitar, it was best she kept an eye on them. “Having trouble?” She asked as she flew up to the both of them.
“Luna!” Smolder regained herself before losing balance with her wings. “What are you doing here?”
The alicorn shot a cheeky look from the corner of her eye. “This is a night market after all. Huh? Get it? Night market? Me?”
“Yeah, hehe,” Smolder folded her arms. “That’s cool and all. But, we’re not lost, we know exactly where we are.”
“Yeah, we just don’t know where we’re going, that’s all,” Silverstream nodded.
Luna tilted her head. “I think that’s one definition of being lost. How are your two even here? The railways from Ponyville haven’t been opened yet.”
“We came with our friends on an airship from Vanhoover,” Smolder answered. “But, just don’t tell Headmare Starlight, okay? She really didn’t want us coming for some reason.”
Luna nodded and kept her own mouth shut. “I will keep your presence here discrete.” They didn’t need to know why their Headmare was so concerned. So long as they stayed for the night market, and only the night market, they wouldn’t have to see what the Crystal Empire had become.





The first band came on to bring some ambient music to the market. They were local, just a few crystal ponies layering a slow beat over everyone from the heart of the marketplace. A few ponies and dragons stopped around the market centre, a raised circle which could put just about anything on display, from hearth’s warming trees to art shows.
And tonight, it would be music.
Lightning Dust smiled. It was nice having another band be the opening act this time. With a few hours before they were up to perform, she had been taking the chance to actually enjoy the night market instead of doing stage prep.
“Hey, buddy,” she flagged down a yak at a crystal disc stall, “what do you have that’s relaxing?”
“Pony needs to be more specific,” he scratched his head. “Many songs relaxing.”
Lightning Dust lowered her head. “I’m not exactly looking for songs. More like… sounds. You know what I mean? The kind of stuff you can fall asleep to.”
“Yes, Harold has those.” The yak pushed a rack of CDs up to the front of the stall. 
There were all sorts of river sounds, raindrops, even urban white noise. Seated at the bottom, however, was a stack of discs labelled Affirming Whispers.
“Yeah, I’ll just, um,” Lightning Dust grabbed a “forest sounds” disc and place it on top of a copy of Affirming Whispers. “Just these two, thanks.” The yak shrugged and bagged the discs, taking Lightning’s bits into his shop till. 
She turned and headed down the street, rounding the corner to the food section of the market. It surprised her how much food in the Crystal Empire wasn’t actually made out of crystals. Rich, salty sauces sizzled on grills and massive pots of stir-fried food.
Halfway down, waiting at the back of a line and staring at the menu, Lightning noticed two familiar faces.
“Do you think Yona would like… fried milk dough?”
“Dude, I don’t even know. If it’s a yak dessert she’d probably eat it.”
“No way, yaks have a huge variety of dishes and some of them are really acquired tastes.”
Lightning Dust squinted. It was definitely the griffon and earth pony student from Starlight’s school.
Gallus’s wings popped up. “Then why are you asking me? Shouldn’t you, I dunno, be asking your girlfriend what she likes?”
“Okay, first of all, she’s not my girlfriend,” Sandbar said, “we’re talking it easy, feeling things out, you know. Second of all, she’s shopping with Ocellus, so no, I can’t ask her right now.”
“Alright, why don’t I just fly over and--” Gallus’s head whipped around like an owl on a swivel chair. “Is that Lightning Dust?”
“Oh, bucket of fudge.” Lightning rolled her eyes and sunk her shoulders low. Running away was pointless, the ponies around her were all crystal ponies, there weren’t any pegasi to blend in with. She decided facing them was the only way.
“Oh, hurray!” She put zero effort into her fake enthusiasm. “Hello there, impressionable youths.”
“Wait, shouldn’t you be getting ready with the band?” Sandbar asked as she walked up to their line. Lightning Dust looked at the sign above the stall. Fried doughnuts, shaved ice with fruit and syrup, it was an entire stall dedicated to yak desserts.
“We’re not on for a few more hours,” she mumbled, more focused on picking out something delicious to order.
The two students looked at each other.
“So, uh, Lightning Dust, since you’re here, do you think you could help us with something?”
Gallus pushed Sandbar back. “What are you doing?”
“Well it’s not like we know any other creature to ask,” he said.
Lightning rolled her eyes. “If I answer your questions will you two quit bickering like foals?”
“Yes!” Sandbar bounced. “Okay, so, say I was trying to buy a gift for a girl. I need something that says ‘we’re more than friends’ but also says ‘I’m not trying to rush into things.’ What’s the best gift for that?”
Lightning sputtered. “Pfft, how should I know?”
“But you’re a girl, so I thought, erm…” Sandbar stuttered. “That you’d know?”
“Haha!” she laughed in his face. “Is that what you learn in that friendship school? Ha! Figures Dash would be a teacher there.”
Gallus’s feathers ruffled up. “Hey, a little quieter, okay? We’re just asking for some recommendations, not the end-all-be-all.” He spotted the paper bag under her wing. “Like something you’d like to buy.”
Lightning followed his eyes. She tightened her grip and crushed the bag around the two discs, stuffing it further under her feathers. “It’s nothing. Absolutely nothing, just an empty bag.”
“Oookay,” Gallus backed up. “Then just tell us what normally works. You gotta know something, right?”
“Heh. Nope.”
“Not even--”
“Nope.”
“So when you offered to answer our questions, you really meant you had no answers?”
“Ugh, how does Starlight deal with you?” Lightning groaned. “Look, a relationship is all about caring, whoever it is. Don’t get a gift to impress, just show who you like that you’re listening to them. And if you’re not sure, ask. Great way to start a conversation.”
“That’s funny,” Gallus raised a brow, “Professor Rainbow Dash says you don’t care about any creature but yourself. Is that why you don’t have a boyfriend?”
Lightning Dust clenched her whole face. “Yep, that’s why. No other reason.”
Sandbar stepped up. “But how do you know if what she says is the whole story?”

“Oh, look at the time! It’s ‘I don’t care o’clock.’ Stay out of trouble kids, and never mention this to Starlight.” She crouched down and launched herself up into the air. As fast as, well, lightning, she burst through the night’s cold sky, leaving them to figure the rest out on their own.
“Aw,” Sandbar sank his head. “But I still don’t know what to buy.”
“I think her point was not to worry about it, dude.”
Sandbar shivered. “Like how I’m worrying about it now?”
“Yes.” Gallus pat his friend on the back. “You should just stop.”





Svengallop buttoned up his jacket. Despite the Heart’s protection against the winter storm beyond the Empire’s boundaries, the air was still cold. Inside the black leather button was a soft layer of fur from Yakyakistan. 
He wondered what kind of fur, sincerely hoping that jackets weren’t the main product of yak haircuts.
“Typical,” he said, looking around the supply closet below the stage. “I’m the sound guy, so I have to double check everything before we play.”
Cadence had the market centre transformed into a stage, but it was still a minimal set-up. There was hidden space below the raised pavilion, so the band above could be viewed from every angle. No curtains or fancy banners. They were passing entertainment only. The market where all creatures could be together was the real star of the show tonight. It was a good idea. Svengallop had to admit, he doubted a few songs by themselves could change what he saw when they first came to the city.
But it still would have been nice if they could have a real backstage, one that wasn’t crammed with barely enough space to breathe.
“Oh jeez,” he coughed. The fog machine was working fine, even if it did sputter in his face. As soon as he was sure the lights and sounds would be exactly as he planned them, he took the stairs up. The exit opened behind the market management centre and led directly to the main street.
An hour until showtime. He flipped up his coat’s collar to block off the breeze and took a walk around the market centre. A few ponies stopped to take photos of the performers. They were just locals, but they weren’t bad.
“Friends might be waiting for us,” he heard a young yak behind speak. “We should go back to them, then look for hotel.” They were so close behind, Svengallop couldn’t help but turn around. They seemed oddly familiar.
“Silverstream and Smolder are still looking for a bank so they can withdraw some bits,” the changeling replied. “It’ll be quicker if we found the hotel instead of distracting them.”
“Why Crystal Empire so confusing? All buildings just look like crystals.”
A changeling in the Crystal Empire. Svengallop snorted. Of all the things, he didn’t think he’d see the day when a changeling could walk around in the Crystal Empire without drawing strange glances. But there was more to them than that.
Starlight. “Svengallop hissed. Why the heck are her students here?”
The city was bad enough without more trouble to distract them. Did she bring them on purpose, or were they here like last time, without permission? Based on how Starlight reacted in Fillydelphia, he guessed it was the latter. But, either way it was, he didn’t want them causing a distraction for Starlight.
But a growing concern scratched the back of his head. Some little detail. He tried remembering the students who showed up before. Besides those two, there was an earth pony, a griffon, and a hippogriff.
And a dragon.
If they were just in the market it’d be fine, but there was no hotel anywhere near the night market. All the hotels he knew of were pony-owned. Some of them probably agreed with the CNP’s stance. 
Svengallop checked his watch. Fifty-five minutes until the Knights were expected on stage. He looked down the streets that converged on the market centre. No sign of Luna or the others. This close to a show, he didn’t like to get distracted. But if those kids brought their friend to the wrong hotel, there could be more than just trouble.
Svengallop knocked his forehead. “Come on, get a grip. They’re Starlight’s students, not yours. Focus on your job.” What was the worst that could happen? They were kids. Even crystal ponies wouldn’t treat kids like a threat.
But he also never imagined that dragons could one day become friendly, and that the city of love would one day reject them out of fear. There were a lot of unknowns in their little new world. Out of all those unknowns, Svengallop was sure of one thing.
A kid didn’t need to see what he saw at the rails two weeks ago.
He gathered up his thoughts and hurried up to the two students. “Excuse me, but did I hear you two were looking for a hotel?”
The yak turned around with a funny look on her face. “Yes? Why pony want to know?”
“Yona!” The changeling chided her. “He’s one of Luna’s band members. Sven-something, I think.”
His eyes twitched. To be forgotten to the background by a couple of kids, nothing could humble a once-great pony like himself more than that. But he shook it off.
“Svengallop,” he put a hoof to his chest and raised his head, “the ex-manager responsible for the greatest pop-singer in Equestrian history, and yes, sound mixer and keyboardist for the Nightmare Knights. And you are?”
“Ocellus,” the changeling gave a courteous nod, “and my friend Yona. We’re just a little turned around, that’s all. We’re looking for a hotel we could spend the night at.”
“Funny that Starlight brought you all here without providing the hotels herself,” he tapped his chin.
“Oh, no, we came on our own,” Ocellus laughed nervously, “please don’t tell our Headmare.”
Svengallop smirked. “Don’t worry dear, I’m not one to spill tea.” 
“What tea?” Yona asked.
“It’s nothing,” he waved the comment away. “If you two are hunting for a place to stay, you could try the palace.” He gestured a hoof toward the towering structure off in the distance. In the night, even with the glow of the Crystal Heart, its size was more imposing and ominous than it was comforting.
“Us? At a palace?” Ocellus’s voice pitched up. “W-we couldn’t possibly deserve that kind of honour. We’re just a couple of students.” 
Svengallop shrugged. “The Knights are staying there, since Luna is helping with the princess with some city matters. You’re students of one of the Knights, Cadence won’t turn you all away. Besides, Starlight always teleports to Ponyville at the end of the day, so you and your friends probably won’t see her.” 
Ocellus and Yona traded glances. The palace did sound like an option, and best of all, if they were treated as guests of the Crystal Princess, they wouldn’t have to use Silverstream’s card. They thanked him for the tip.
“I see why Luna wanted you to be in her band,” Ocellus smiled. “You’re really helpful!”
“Heh, yeah,” Svengallop waved goodbye to them. “Helpful. Definitely me.”
He turned around and headed back to the underground storage. They had a lot less than an hour until they went on stage now. Where were they? Trying to find Luna in the middle of the night might’ve been like trying to find a drop of dark blue paint in the middle of a bunch of even darker blue paint, but he expected to have found Lightning Dust already.
Starlight was only ever just barely on time thanks to her teleportation, so he didn’t count on seeing her yet. But Tempest was definitely around as well.
He stomped his hooves and pouted. “Where in Equestria is the rest of my band?”





Dropsy put down her binoculars.
“You should get to the market,” she told Tempest.
“But,” Tempest hovered her eyes at the border between the Crystal Empire and the freezing storm. For hours, a massive black shadow could be seen stalking around the boundaries between the wild and tamed lands.
“The market can’t hold everyone in the city, Fizzy,” Glitter Drops said. “I bet half the city is still up in arms over the dragon issue.”
“I know,” Tempest dug her hoof at the ground, “but you’re my best friend. I can’t leave you here guarding the city.”
“I won’t be alone. The whole Northern Patrol’s on high alert tonight.” She stuck her tongue out and taunted the shadow. It was dozens of times larger than the average house, but even it couldn’t pass the Crystal Heart’s magic.
But it could still roar. The very shriek of its voice seemed to thicken the snow storm whirling outside the Empire.
“Alright,” Tempest sighed. “Think you can teleport me back to the city?” She turned to look behind them. There were miles of countryside before she could reach what could be considered the capital of the Crystal Empire.
“Just be sure to buy me some of those fried milk-dough balls. Mmm, the yaks really know their desserts.”
Tempest laughed softly. “I will. If Svengallop doesn’t kill me for showing up on time. Half an hour early is half an hour late for that stallion.” 
Glitter Drops giggled and teleported her friend away to the night market. As soon as she was gone, her stomach started rumbling, thinking of those milk-dough balls. Delicious.
“What about you, huh big guy?” she taunted the shadow. “Think I should save a bite for you? Lookin’ kind of hungry, out there in the cold.”
She laughed at it as it riled and seethed from behind the veil of the storm. But her laughter ran cold as it pushed its head forward, daring the boundary between them. Its black skin burned against the limits of the Crystal Heart, the magic forcing it back. For a second, however, Glitter Drops swore she saw the edge of its body leak in.
“What are you up to?” she mumbled.
The shadow reared up, exposing its full height. “Yes. Hungry.”