While Thomas was sleeping in the calm night, he suddenly started stirring in his sleep and was whimpering. When he woke up, he was in Ponyville, but it was destroyed and covered in huge black crystals and all ponies were enslaved. “Excuse me? What happened?” Thomas asked a pony. “He took over. The magic of friendship died along with it,” she said. “No. No! I’ve gotta find my aunts! Momma!” Thomas said, as he ran over to the Castle of Friendship, but he was too late. It was destroyed too, and he saw tombstones with their bodies. “No! Momma!”
He suddenly heard a roaring sound from afar, causing all the ponies to panic, “What is it?! What’s happening?!”
“Get outta here, kid! Run!” a stallion said. “Go! He’ll kill you!” a mare said. “Who?!” Thomas asked, until he saw a huge black monstrous cloud appear that looked like the evil emperor, King Sombra, then he started running for his life, and found out Sombra was chasing him from behind.
When he stopped running, he was in the Crystal Empire, and saw the Crystal Heart. “The Crystal Heart!” Thomas said, then he ran to it, and tried to guard it with his life, but suddenly Sombra found him and trapped the boy with more crystals made by his dark magic. When Sombra saw Thomas cowering in fear, he was about to gobble him up.
Princess Luna heard Thomas’s scream of horror, and woke up. She got out of bed and went to warn her sister. “Sister! I’ve seen a vision within a young colt’s dream!” she explained. Princess Celestia woke up and saw her standing there, “I felt it, too. It could only mean one thing.” Princess Luna nodded, “King Sombra has returned once again. I sense he may be plotting vengeance against us by using dear little Thomas as a vessel.”
“I’ll inform Cadance and Shining Armor about this, and then Twilight and the fellow Elements. I believe their newborn child’s crystalling may be the key to stopping Sombra and saving the boy,” Princess Celestia said. Princess Luna nodded and went back to bed.
The next morning, Twilight got up and went to the kitchen to get some breakfast, until she saw Spike making some pancakes, “Hey, Twilight. I made you and Starlight some pancakes. And some for myself, but with gems.”
“Thanks, Spike,” she said, then she saw Starlight appear with a soft yawn. “Good morning,” Starlight said, as she went to get some coffee. “Oh, you made pancakes? Cool.”
Starlight and Twilight sat at the map table, and then Spike came over with their plates of pancakes with blueberries for Twilight and chocolate chips for Starlight, and his head gem chips. Twilight and Starlight both took a whiff of their pancakes and used their magic to use their silverware to cut them while eating each bite. “Mm... mm... mmm... Wow, this is really, really delicious. Thank you, Spike,” Twilight said. “No problem, Twilight. Happy to help,” Spike said, before munching on the gems in his pancakes.
After finishing up breakfast, Spike took their empty dishes into the kitchen to wash them. But he suddenly felt his stomach rumble, and belched out a emerald green flame that formed into a scroll, and then he read the crest, “It’s from Princess Celestia!”
“Oh. Must be exciting news,” Twilight said, then took the scroll. “Or she might be wondering how Ponyville’s going or how Thomas is doing,” Starlight said. “Let’s find out,” Twilight said, then she opened the scroll and read it.
‘Dear Twilight,
We have found out that Cadance and Shining Armor have given birth to their child and are expecting you and your friends at the Crystal Empire for the Crystalling presentation. But we have terrible news about Thomas. Last night, my sister, Princess Luna sensed a disturbance within his dream, and we seem to believe that it would mean that it relates to the work of the dark emperor... King Sombra.
You and your friends must protect him, because he might be after him and the newborn foal, and we are the only ones that can keep him safe. We will wait for you at the Crystal Empire this afternoon.
Your fellow mentor,
Princess Celestia’
“King Sombra?! He’s back?! But he was destroyed like a few years ago!” Spike said. “I think a piece of him might’ve survived,” Twilight said. “Spike, take a letter.” Spike nodded and then they wrote to their friends.
Later on that morning, Twilight, Spike and Starlight waited for their arrival, until a knock on the door was heard. Twilight opened it and then she saw her friends and their sisters, and Fluttershy had the little boy curled up on her back sleeping peacefully with his teddy bear and wrapped in a couple of warm blankets that were tied underneath her saddlebag straps and around her neck and chest, and had a pillow behind her neck for his head to be comfy and she covered some of him with her wings. “Is he okay?” Twilight asked. “Um... I’m sorry, Twilight. When I read your message, I didn’t have the heart to fully wake him up, so I let him sleep on my back with the blankets gently tucked around him and carried him here. He even cried himself to sleep after that horrible nightmare,” Fluttershy explained. “Awwww... poor little darling,” Rarity said. “Twilight? Is it true that Cadance and Shining Armor have given birth?” Applejack asked, then Twilight nodded. “Aww, yeah!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “SHHHHHH!” they all shouted in unison to not wake Thomas up. “He’s trying to sleep,” Fluttershy said. “Heh heh... sorry,” Rainbow Dash said. “It’s fine, darling. Just try to keep the excitement to a minimum,” Rarity said. “The poor thing needs his beauty sleep.” Rarity suddenly gave him a kiss on the cheek without waking him up.
“Rarity? Are we really coming, too?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Yes, darling. And if there’s some time... we’ll get each of you one of those crystal snow globes you’ve mentioned,” Rarity said. “Y’all need to be there for him as well,” Applejack said. “We know. We just wanna help him,” Apple Bloom said, nuzzling her sister’s chest, until Applejack hugged her back.
“By the way, Twilight? I’m also going to help protect him, so I’m coming with,” Starlight said. “Don’t worry, Starlight. As long as you’re with us, it’s fine with me,” Twilight said, then Starlight gave her a warm and reassuring smile.
“Thank you all for being her for my precious little Thomas. I’m just scared about what would happen, but we need to let my son know that he is not alone anymore and that he is both truly loved and cared for, no matter what that monster of a king plots to do with him,” Fluttershy said, as everypony nodded in agreement and smiled at the sleeping little colt who smiled warmly in his sleep.
“Now that we’re ready to go, let’s go pay a visit to the Crystal Empire and be strong for the foal and our precious little Thomas,” Twilight said. After Twilight and the others left the Castle of Friendship, she locked the doors and they all walked over to the train station to wait for their train.
Fluttershy looked back at the little colt asleep on her back and underneath the blankets. “Sweetheart, it’s time to wake up,” Fluttershy said, nuzzling his cheek. Thomas let out a soft yawn and rubbed his eyes, blinking them open. He carefully stretched his arms and then noticed he was sleeping on Fluttershy’s back. “Good morning, Momma,” he softly spoke, laying back down. “Aww... are you still tired?” Fluttershy cooed. “Mmhmm,” Thomas said.
“Good news, sweetie. We’re going to visit the Crystal Empire and go see Cadance and Shining Armor! Princesses Celestia and Luna will be there,” Twilight said. “Okay, Auntie Twilight,” Thomas said. “I missed seeing them.”
“I know, honey,” Starlight said. “Sweetheart? Do you wanna sleep on the train?” Fluttershy asked and then Thomas nodded and then he went back to sleep.
Suddenly, the train came pulling up to the waiting dock and stopped, and then the conductor exited the coach and onto the waiting dock, and Twilight showed him their tickets for the Crystal Empire. “Okay, then. Ahem... ALL ABOARD!” the conductor said. Twilight and the group boarded the train and took their seats. Fluttershy realized Thomas was still sleeping, so after taking her seat, she held him in a cradle with her forelegs wrapped around his small form, and gently rocked him as the sound of her heartbeat kept him calm.
As soon as everypony was ready, the train started moving for its trek to the Crystal Empire.
Later on, the train made its way near the border of the Frozen North. Thomas was still sleeping in his mother’s embrace, and she was sitting on her seat laying on her four legs, and Starlight sat next to her. “Momma? Are we there yet?” Thomas asked. “Almost, sweetheart,” Fluttershy said. “Did you want to wake up now?” Thomas nodded and then he turned himself towards her and looked at Twilight, “Auntie Twilight? What will I see there at the Crystal Empire?”
Twilight smiled warmly and then explained, “Well, sweetheart. There’s a crystal spa, which is kinda like the one in Ponyville, but it’s a little bit different. There’s crystal ponies, a library, some restaurants and shops, a big stadium and the Crystal Palace, where the Crystal Heart is.”
“And there’s also a big statue of me, honoring myself for saving the entire Crystal Empire,” Spike said. “Really?!” Thomas asked. “First, I helped deliver the Crystal Heart since Twilight was trapped in some crystals, and Cadance flew me to the Heart’s resting place, and in the Equestria Games, I stopped a icicle covered cloud from wreaking havoc by breathing fire!” Spike said. “Wow...” Thomas said.
“Oh! We’re finally here, darlings!” Rarity said in singsong as she saw the train station up ahead, leading to the Crystal Empire. Everypony looked out the window as well, and saw the station too. When they exited, they saw Cadance, Shining Armor, Princesses Celestia and Luna, a fancy stroller and four crystal guards standing there. “Twily! Welcome back!” Shining Armor said, hugging her sister. “Cadance!” Twilight said, then they did their greeting. “Sunshine, sunshine! Ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!” They hugged each other for a little bit, then Cadance looked around, “Where’s Thomas?”
“Hi, Princess Cadance!” Thomas said, as he ran over to her and hugged her on the foreleg, but she lifted him up with one foreleg underneath his bottom and held him closer to her chest. “Hello, Thomas,” Cadance giggled, and held him in both of her hooves, and kissed his cheeks multiple times. She then blew a raspberry on his belly, and Thomas laughed out loud. She stopped and then let Thomas breathe, and then hugged him again. “I missed you being this cute as our baby,” Cadance said. “Can I see her... or him?” Thomas asked. “Do you all want to meet our daughter?” Cadance asked. They all nodded and then Cadance brought the stroller over.
The baby was an adorable alicorn filly with cute chubby cheeks and a tiny muzzle, light grayish magenta fur with tinges of pale light grayish fuchsia, a curled mane and tail with a gradient mixture of light cerise to grayish violet with light arctic blue streaks, and big cute light opal eyes. Her wings were huge as well.
They all adored her appearance. “Aww... she’s an alicorn!” Rarity said. “I didn’t even know that was even possible!” Twilight smiled warmly at her niece and then felt her hoof being hugged. “Please don’t be mad at me, but is the reason she’s an alicorn is because of your marriage?” Thomas asked. “It looks that way,” Cadance said. “Why would you think we’d be mad at you for asking about our daughter?” Shining Armor asked. “Because I didn’t want to be mean to her,” Thomas said. “Oh, sweetie. You did nothing wrong,” Cadance said. “By the way, I read about Sombra in the letter, Aunt Celestia. Is it true he’s haunting him?”
Princess Celestia nodded. “I fear he might be able both the little ones as well, including the Crystal Heart,” Princess Luna said. “We don’t want Thomas to get hurt!” Apple Bloom said. “You have to help him!” Sweetie Belle said. “Don’t worry, girls. We will keep your friend safe,” Cadance said. “But how are we gonna keep him safe from Sombra?” Applejack asked. “Yeah, he could be anywhere around the Crystal Empire hiding somewhere,” Rainbow Dash said. “Or he could be underneath the castle, which could be near the Crystal Heart!” Rarity said.
Starlight thought of something, until an idea popped up in her head. “Well... he can stay with me at Sunburst’s house if that’s okay,” Starlight suggested. “Sunburst and I can take care of him while you prepare for the ceremony and try to come up with a way to stop Sombra.” Everypony smiled at Starlight’s kind suggestive offer, then nodded warmly in agreement. “Thank you so much, Starlight,” Fluttershy said. “Are you sure about this though? Is Sunburst okay with children?”
“I’m sure, Fluttershy,” Starlight replied. “Plus, you’re looking at a unicorn mare who’s heart was healed by a sweet innocent child who I love as a nephew. So I’m positive Sunburst will be okay with having Thomas around until further notice.” Starlight patted Fluttershy’s shoulder, and then Fluttershy looked underneath her to see Thomas hugging her chest. “I’ll be okay, Momma,” Thomas said. “It’s okay, sweetheart,” Fluttershy said. “I know you will. Your Auntie Starlight and her friend, Sunburst will look after you for a while.” Thomas nodded, then walked towards his Auntie Starlight as she leaned down and gently lifted him up with her hoof and held him close to her chest for some love and comfort.
“Don’t worry, sweetie. I’ll take care of you,” Starlight said. “You’ll be safe with me and Sunburst, okay?” Thomas nodded, and then nuzzled her chest as she rested her head on top of his, “Everything’s going to be fine, honey.”
Fluttershy handed Starlight Thomas’s bag of stuff and gave him his teddy bear, and then she gave him one more hug and nuzzled her cheek on his cheek. “His bag has his Daring Do books and some others if he wants a bedtime story, and some crayons if he wants to draw a picture, and this teddy bear if he’s scared or nervous,” Fluttershy said. Starlight nodded, and placed Thomas’s bag on her back.
“Spike, can you go with? It’s in case if... well, you know,” Twilight asked. “Yeah, I know,” Spike said, and then he helped Starlight with Thomas’s clothes.
“Will you and the others be okay?” Thomas asked. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll be fine,” Cadance said. “We’ll take care of the rest,” Shining Armor said. The baby whimpered about King Sombra’s reign, then Twilight comforted her, “Don’t worry, bug. We’ll stop the mean dark king and protect you both.”
“Uh, Princess Cadance? What are you gonna call her?” Thomas asked. “Well, since the Crystal Empire is surrounded by a flurry of snow from beyond and that the heart protects us... I was thinking... Flurry Heart,” Cadance said. “I like it. Do you like it, Flurry?” Thomas asked, until she replied with an excited squeal. “I think it’s lovely,” Twilight said, then she kissed her on the cheek, and Flurry giggled and waved her forelegs.
Fluttershy then stroked her son’s hair, and looked down at him. “Be good for your Auntie Starlight, okay? And when this is over, we’ll have some time together here,” Fluttershy said, then she received a nod from her son and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Bye, Momma,” Thomas said, as Starlight put him on her back and then she and Spike began to walk over to Sunburst’s house. “We’ll see you guys later! We’ll probably come visit you if you need anything, okay?!” Spike said.
When they were gone, the others followed them, but went to the palace after Starlight, Spike and Thomas turned left towards the other houses, until it lead to Sunburst’s house, which was a big blue crystal library but smaller and round. When they stopped near the front door, Thomas hid underneath Starlight’s chest in shyness from his nightmare, until Starlight gently rubbed his head. “Don’t be scared, sweetie. Sunburst is a good pony. I promise. I’m sure he probably won’t mind you staying at his place with me and Spike while your mother and other aunts sort out Sombra and the ceremony,” she said to him sweetly, as he hugged her foreleg. “Okay, Auntie Starlight. I trust you,” Thomas said. “That’s a good little colt,” Starlight said. “Now, leave the talking to me.”
Starlight knocked on the door four times, and then it was answered, revealing a unicorn stallion with brilliant pale orange fur with light apple greenish gray spots on his forelegs and muzzle, a reddish and brownish orange mane and tail, including a long goatee on his chin, a gradient of dark cornflower blue to moderate cyan eyes, and he was wearing a cerulean blue robe with teal streaks and stars, and silver round glasses. He had the same cutie mark when he was a colt.
“Starlight! Glad you’re here again! Oh, where are my manners? Please, come on in!” Sunburst said. “Thanks, Sunburst,” Starlight said, as she came inside with Thomas still hiding underneath her tail and hugging her hind leg, and Spike came in with the stuff. “So, how was the ride here?” Sunburst asked. “It was a little boring, but so far, so good,” Spike said. “It’s still good to see you again. We’re actually here because of something happening to my nephew, Thomas. He’s been having nightmares about King Sombra’s reign of terror and it won’t stop,” Starlight said. “King Sombra?! That’s sounds kinda harsh,” Sunburst said. “When I heard about it, I’ve been waiting for you ever since I was told by Princess Cadance that you were coming to visit the Crystal Empire for a few days like last time.”
“Thanks. So anyway, while the others, including his mother, Fluttershy are sorting out some ideas for the Crystalling and coming up with a plan on how to defeat King Sombra, would it be okay if you, Spike and I watched over Thomas for a while?” Starlight asked.
“Yeah! Sure! I don’t mind having him here as well,” Sunburst said. “He can even use the spare room upstairs.”
“Maybe I can be his bodyguard, but I might need to sleep too,” Spike said. “Don’t worry, Spike. I’m sure Princess Luna will know what to do during his bedtime,” Starlight said. “Oh, okay,” Spike said. “So, where is the little guy?” Sunburst asked.
Starlight looked underneath her belly and say Thomas hugging her hind leg and hiding underneath her tail, then she leaned her head closer and then nuzzled his small hand, “It’s okay, honey. Sunburst won’t hurt or threaten you. You can come out and meet him, sweetie.”
Thomas then nodded and then walked over to her right foreleg and stood by her side as she stroked him with her left hoof, “Sunburst, this is my nephew, Thomas, and Fluttershy’s son. Thomas, this is my friend, Sunburst.”
“Hey, buddy. It’s nice to meet you,” Sunburst said. “It’s nice to meet you too, Sunburst,” Thomas said. “See, sweetie? He’s very polite,” Starlight said, then she gave him a kiss on the forehead. “How about... if we play some Dragon’s Pit after we find you somewhere to sleep?” Sunburst asked. “Okay,” Thomas said, then he and Starlight followed Sunburst upstairs.
While they were taking care of Thomas, and Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were being taken care of by Twilight and Shining Armor’s parents, Twilight Velvet and Night Light, the others were trying to find some solutions for both defeating Sombra and doing the Crystalling while Rarity and Fluttershy were helping Twilight watch over Flurry. It was now past 9:55pm in the night.
“Ugh! This is so embarrassing! How are we gonna do one simple ceremony if we don’t even know how it might stop one pony we already defeated?!” Rainbow Dash asked frustratingly. “I don’t know, darling. But we’ll find an answer soon,” Rarity said.
“Oh, I hope my baby’s okay. I’m so scared about that horrible King Sombra hurting my sweet baby boy,” Fluttershy said. “Settle down now, sugarcube. I’m sure Starlight knows what she’s doin’,” Applejack said. “I’m sorry. It’s just too hard for me,” Fluttershy said, until she felt Princess Celestia walk over and laid next to her. “Hush now, Fluttershy. Your son will be alright because he has Twilight’s most faithful student and friend to look out for him, and especially Spike,” she said softly. “Do you really think so, Princess Celestia?” Twilight asked. “I know so, Twilight. I love him as much as we all do. Thus, we have the magic of friendship and love to thank because I believe that can stop the evil king and save the future for the empire, including the Crystalling,” Princess Celestia said. “Thank you, Princess Celestia,” Fluttershy said. “You’re welcome, Fluttershy,” the princess said kindly.
Suddenly, Flurry Heart let out a soft baby yawn before laying down on Twilight’s right foreleg. “Aww... looks like my little niece is getting sleepy already,” Twilight said, and kissed her forehead. “I’ll take care of it, Twilight,” Cadance said, as Twilight gave her the baby alicorn and then she was carried off to bed.
“Maybe we should call it for the night,” Shining Armor said, until he yawn. “Yep. Ya said it,” Applejack said. “I could probably use some sleep, too,” Rainbow Dash said. “Certainly, darling,” Rarity said. Princess Luna nodded, and then they all went to their rooms to get ready for bed.
Cadance placed Flurry in her crib and tucked the blankets around her, then gently gave her a kiss on her forehead. “Goodnight, Flurry. I love you,” she whispered softly, and left the room.
Meanwhile, at Sunburst’s house, Starlight was sitting on a rocking chair with a dark greenish blue robe with some lining and patterns in aqua green and light grayish purple, and had a pair of teal fuzzy slippers with purple lining that Rarity made for her on all four hooves, and she was holding Thomas in her forelegs in a cradle against her chest and he was already asleep with sweet dreams with the help from Princess Luna’s dream magic. He was wearing his favorite blue star covered pajamas with the slipper socks that he wore on the night he ran away and hugging his teddy bear and wrapped in a blanket. Starlight rocked back and forth on the chair while Thomas slept comfortably while feeling the soft warmth of her robe and chest fur, and Starlight had a bedtime story book in the pocket of her robe.
Sunburst came in, reading a book and wearing a robe that looked like his cape, but it was blue and had light blue stars and moons on it and had a strap around his waist. “How’s he doing?” he asked. “Shhhhhh... He’s already asleep,” Starlight said softly. “He’s so cute when he sleeps. I love him so much.” She leaned her head down and gave Thomas a kiss on the forehead.
“Yeah, I know,” Sunburst said. “Starlight? I’ll take care of the book,” Spike said. “Thanks, Spike,” Starlight said. “No problem. Remember, shhhhhh...” Spike said, and he softly snickered at his joke and took the bedtime book to Thomas’s bag, and then they suddenly saw a blue unicorn mare come in, until they saw that it was Trixie in a purple Saddle Arabian robe with yellow and blue stars and moons she sewn on, a gray towel fabric robe inside the robe, and dark blue slippers with purple bows with yellow crescent moon studs, and a dark blue sleeping cap with purple stars and moons all over and a purple yarn stringy ball piece at the tip. “Trixie? What are you doing here?” Starlight asked. “Trixie has come to aid the protection of her cute and beloved nephew, Thomas,” she explained. “And look how sweet he is in those precious little pajamas!”
“Shhhhhh... keep it down,” Starlight said. “Sorry,” Trixie said, suddenly the clock chimed at 11:00pm. “Well, look at the time. Guess it’s time for bed then,” Sunburst said. “I’m gonna take Thomas upstairs and put him into bed. I’ll see you guys in the morning,” Starlight said, then she went upstairs to the spare bedroom with Thomas in her right foreleg. “Could I use the couch?” Trixie asked. “Of course. Just don’t break anything delicate,” Sunburst said. “Thank you. I now bid you pleasant dreams and goodnight,” Trixie said. Sunburst nodded and went upstairs to bed. Spike tucked Trixie under the blankets and turned off the light, then he slept on the other side of the couch.
Starlight then opened the door to the spare guest bedroom, and it was medium sized that could only fit 3 ponies, and it had a green colored wall, and a medium sized brown wooden bed with dark blue sheets with light blue stars and white pillows, and a small desk with a magic candle that had a purple and blue flame next to the bed.
She then walked over to the bed, lit the candle with her magic, and then gently placed Thomas onto the mattress and pulled the sheets over his small form, and gave him his teddy bear. When he was already snug and warm under the blankets and comfy on the soft bed, Starlight leaned down towards his level and softly stroked his hair with her hoof. “Goodnight, little nephew. I love you,” she whispered, then gave him a kiss on the cheek, and left the room and quietly leaving the door halfway open behind her, and then Thomas slept peacefully under the full light of Princess Luna’s beautiful moon, causing a magical blanket of warmth to protect him.
