//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: An Unwelcome Guest // Story: To End a Cycle // by Obsedian_Flame //------------------------------// Chapter 4 An Unwelcome Guest Juneth 4, 3672 7:00 AM Dear Diary, It has been a week since my last entry and a lot has happened in that time. It is almost difficult to put the recent events into words as many of them still baffle my mind. Regardless I shall do my best to summarize what has happened over the last seven days. A week ago today I went beyond the northern border to meet with Lord Sombra and to find our lost Crystal Ponies. To my relief I managed to find all of the missing Ponies, but when I approached them I got the feeling that they had been possessed. Their behaviors reminded me of the stories mother used to tell me about the changelings before they began to feel love. I wanted more than anything to help them, but no matter what I did, they never seemed to acknowledge me. As I continued on through the cold north I managed to find him. He was expecting me no doubt because of the messages we had sent through the border. He reacted a lot like how I expected him to, like an arrogant and evil scoundrel. And yet there was another side to him that I did not expect at all. He attempted to intimidate me and threaten me throughout most of our conversation, but once I revealed my true reason for crossing his domain the atmosphere changed. It was a very awkward experience to say the least. At first he laughed off my proposal. But once he knew I was being serious he actually listened. I confronted him about our crystal ponies but he denied my allegations. I just know he has something to do with their zombie-like states. Luckily I managed to explain my proposal to him before he lost patience. It was one of the most difficult conversations of my life, and certainly the most unpleasant one I’ve ever had with anypony. Then came the worst part of it all. Asking for his response. I was expecting that he would refuse my offer. Almost wishing for it in a way. But to my surprise Sombra was much more educated on marriage than I had anticipated. Too much so… Still, I had to get him to agree. The future of the Cystal Empire and our ponies depended on it. So I did the only thing I could think of at the time. I am almost embarrassed to put it into writing. I kissed him. I kissed Lord Sombra. And what was even weirder was that he did not protest it. He returned it. I can hardly even remember what happened in those moments. Everything happened so quickly. All I can remember is how I felt directly after. I felt strange in a way I have never felt before. Just the thought of it makes me feel odd. But that is all I will share for now about that. After it all I was relieved to hear Sombra accept my request. I was so caught up in the moment that I hardly believed him. The expression on his face told me that he was serious, but I couldn’t help but wonder why this had persuaded him. There was no time to ponder it though. I informed him to return our ponies and meet us at the entrance to the Empire in a week. And now that day has come. I have spent the entire week preparing for this day, but yet I still feel anxious and unready. I spent the last few days trying to figure out a way to prevent the Crystal Heart from repelling Sombra once he arrives. Thankfully Sunburst was able to help me figure out a way. When the Crystal Heart was created thousands of years ago there was an enchantment placed upon it to repel any dark forces and to keep happiness and prosperity. After a long few days of searching Sunburst and I found an arcane spell that can convince the Heart not to ward off a specific entity. The spell is only able to be performed by a worthy heir that only the Crystal Heart itself chooses, and Sunburst believes me to be this ‘heir’. I have always trusted Sunburst and always will, but I’m worried the spell will not work. To my knowledge not even Princess Amore was able to perform this spell. Just thinking about such things agonizes me. Sunburst seems to believe in me, however, and the rest of my family as well. I appreciate their confidence in me. I can only hope it isn’t misplaced… As I mentioned before Lord Sombra will be arriving at the Empire today. That is if he sticks to his word… Earlier this week we announced our new truce with Sombra and his arrival into the Empire. The public’s response to it was worse than I ever could have imagined. I have never seen our subjects so scared before. Some Crystal Ponies are even threatening to move to Manehattan and Canterlot. How can I blame them either. We are now admitting an enemy that has tormented the empire for over a thousand years, who once cursed the entire kingdom and even destroyed our former ruler. An enemy that has enslaved our Ponies in the past. They must think we have gone mad. That I’ve gone mad. I cannot let this deter my decision though. This is the only way to lasting peace that I can see and it is my duty to keep my subjects safe no matter the cost. All I can do now is to hope for the best but expect the worst. I wish I could go into more detail about this week, but I fear I must finish this entry and prepare to greet Sombra when he arrives. -Flurry Mi Amore Cadenza Heart Flurry sighed as she set her quill down and looked up from the Diary. Looking out the window of her chambers the Alicorn was greeted to the warming rays of Celestia’s sun. It was a wonderful day out, but this did little to put her troubled mind at ease. Flurry figured a breath of fresh air would be for the best. She got up from her desk and ascended a spiral staircase in the corner of her room which lead to a top balcony overlooking almost the entire Crystal Empire. The young Alicorn took a deep breath and looked down at the kingdom over which she ruled. The day was young, and many Crystal Ponies were busy fulfilling their morning errands. Parents taking their children to school for the day, adult Ponies heading to work, and so on. While all seemed well, however, Flurry could tell that many of these Ponies were feeling nervous and uneasy. ‘If only they knew…’ She thought as she closed her eyes and sighed once more. It was no good. Wherever she looked all she could see was the worry and fear of her subjects. She figured it best for now to focus on getting herself ready to welcome into Sombra. After all, if this didn’t go correctly then the worries of the Crystal Ponies would be the least of her concerns. “You’re absolutely sure the spell will work Sunburst?” She asked as she trotted down the halls of the castle. “You’ve asked me that how many times now Flurry? Don’t you trust me?” The yellow coated unicorn asked with a raised brow. “I do trust you Sunburst, it’s just… This has to work. If it doesn’t we could be in serious trouble. Sombra won’t ever agree to a peaceful truce and-” “Flurry, you need to quit worrying and believe in yourself. Just look at your cutie mark. That alone should tell you that it will work. You are the chosen heir of the Crystal Heart and so the spell will work for you.” Sunburst interrupted while following at her side. Flurry smiled a little at the complement and continued trotting down the halls. “Or maybe it wont work and you at least won’t have to marry that evil monster.” Sunburst stated while shrugging. “… What?” Flurry stated while stopping in her tracks. “Hrm?” “It might not work!?” She exclaimed while now looking like a nervous wreck. Sunburst looked serious and stared the Alicorn straight in the eyes. He did not say anything for several moments. It was a long staredown by both ponies before the Unicorn began to snicker and eventually giggle. Flurry was caught off guard by this, “What’s so funny!?” At this the Unicorn broke out into laughter. Flurry was truly confused now as she watched her mentor laugh as if a feather was stroking his hooves. “Hahaha I’m sorry but I couldn’t help but mess with you. I mean that face you made was just priceless!” The Unicorn stated while trying to catch his breath from laughing too hard. Flurry just stood with her jaw open. She couldn’t remember the last time Sunburst had joked around her. In fact she could not remember him ever being like this. It was nice but also slightly unnerving to the young Alicorn. Once Sunburst composed himself he wiped a tear from his eyes and adjusted his cloak. “I’m sorry to make you worry but I couldn’t help but to joke about it. I’ve been reading a lot of Hill Herd books about how it helps to tell a joke when the atmosphere is really tense.” Flurry simply rolled her eyes and shook her head at her mentor’s antics. As mad as she wanted to be though, she couldn’t help but smile. “Well you can tell a joke without giving me a heart attack Sunburst. I really thought you were being serious there.” She stated while now continuing to make her way through the hall. He shook his head, “It’s okay Flurry, you don’t have to worry. I just know that you’re the heir that the book spoke about, and so I know without a doubt the spell will work for you.” She gave a sigh of relief knowing that her mentor had full confidence in her. “Thank you for believing in me.” He nodded, “I too lacked confidence when I was your age. It’s only natural for us to doubt ourselves. But I know that you’re capable of anything you set your mind to.” As he said this, the two were approached by several royal guards and Flurry’s father. The two guards who appeared to be the same two that had escorted Flurry to the border a week ago. They each saluted the young Princess before her father stepped forward, “Well, everything should be in order Flurry. I have the guards stationed throughout the entryway and blocking the streets as well.” She nodded, “Thank you Dad.” Flurry looked as though she was going to say something more before she sighed. Her father looked worried, “Is everything alright? You know if we need more security I can always have Twiley-” “No Dad, it’s important that we don’t have too much security, otherwise I fear Sombra might feel threatened and call off the truce.” She interrupted while making her way toward the front gates of the Castle. The white coated unicorn agreed with this notion but could still tell that something was bothering his daughter. “What’s on your mind then? I can tell you’re bothered right now.” “It’s just that… I don’t want the Crystal Ponies to resent me for what I’m doing.” She confessed with an expression of worry. Shining now understood. “Flurry, they would never resent you. They are just afraid of Sombra. Many of them have lost friends and family to his malice.” “I know… All I can do now is make sure that he doesn’t harm more of them. That’s all that matters now.” She replied while now exiting the castle and stepping into the bright summer sunlight. Shining still looked concerned for his daughter. He wanted to provide her more words of reassurance, but knowing what was to come he thought it best not to add more stress to her already distraught soul. As she went onward, Shining looked over to Sunburst who had stopped at the gate to the Castle, “You’re sure she can do it? The spell?” He asked silently. The yellow coated unicorn nodded without any hesitation, “She was meant to do this Shining. All she has to do is believe.” As she waited in front of the protective barrier, Flurry stared at the cold harsh land beyond. She had been anxiously waiting for nearly 15 minutes for the arrival of the dark lord. Alongside her was her father, mother, and Sunburst. Her parents looked timid, much like herself. None of them knew what to expect, but they knew that anything involving Sombra was unlikely to be pleasant. While waiting patiently Flurry caught sight of a figure approaching through the storm. It was the form of a Pony, but it was not Lord Sombra. This was instead one of the lost crystal Ponies Flurry had seen the week before while trying to find the dark lord. The lone figure did not approach any further, staying some 15 meters away from the barrier. It was not long before the figure was accompanied by multiple others. And before they knew it there were some 60 of these seemingly possessed Ponies assembled behind the barrier. It was an unnerving sight to the others who until now had only heard of this behavior from the tales that Flurry had told a week prior. Seeing it, however, was far more terrifying than they could have imagined. Bringing them out of their thoughts, however, was the sudden arrival of a dark cloud of smoke which assembled directly above the lost Ponies. The cloud then landed directly in front of them and manifested itself into the form of Lord Sombra. The dark coated Unicorn looked around at the barrier before his eyes fell on the royal Ponies before him. He then approached the transparent shield until he was only a step away from it. “I don’t suppose I’m late am I?” The tyrant asked in his signature ominous tone with a sly grin. Flurry stepped forward until she too was right next to the barrier, “No. You aren’t.” She replied simply. He then took one more step to where he was nearly touching the magical shield. The dark Unicorn could feel the magic from the barrier still attempting to repel him. “I expect that you will honor your word?” The white coated Alicorn remained put, “Not until you honor yours. Release my subjects and I will allow you in.” She replied sternly. There was a moment of silence as both Ponies stared each other down intently. Neither one showed emotion to the other. From the others’ perspective the two could have been engaging in a staring contest. But after a long and intense moment the dark Unicorn chuckled, “As you wish Princess. This is their home after all.” That very second all the formerly lost Crystal Ponies went forward to the barrier and passed directly through. They were escorted down the street by a troop of royal guards who intended to reunite them with their families. Flurry watched as the Crystal Ponies passed by, but to her dismay they had not regained the shine or sparkle that they normally would have, and nor did they look too content to return. She could not focus on this, however, as she heard the dark Unicorn before her clear his throat. She brought her attention back to Sombra who was still within inches from the shield, “I have upheld my part of the deal, Princess.” Flurry nodded and then turned to face the center of the Crystal Castle, or more accurately; the Crystal Heart. ‘Here goes nothing.’ She thought while closing her eyes and summoning her magic. A bright golden light emanated from her horn as Flurry connected with the Crystal Heart itself. “By the power given to me through the Crystal Heart, I, Princess Flurry Mi Amore Cadenza Heart, heir of the Crystal Empire wish to grant clemency to Lord Sombra!” She shouted with conviction. Before she knew it, a beam of magic shot straight at the Crystal Heart. Sombra watched skeptically as the white coated Alicorn cast this strange spell. Shinning, Cadence, and Sunburst also watched the young Princess as her the beam from her magic struck the Crystal Heart and subsequently shot straight up into the sky and made contact with the circular barrier around the Empire. The beam then pulsated around the entire circumference of the shield until it reached the ground on all sides. After a few moments, all had settled, and the young Alicorn withdrew her magic while taking a deep breath. The spell had not been easy on her, but there was no time to recover, for she wasn’t even sure if it had worked. She looked back to the dark Unicorn who had remained next to the barrier the entire time. He had a raised brow, no doubt still feeling unsure of the spell that the Princess had cast. Flurry sighed, “You may enter now.” He looked up to her, then to the shield. He then extended one of his hooves forward until it was practically touching the magical wall. To his surprise, the barrier did not repel him, and instead allowed him to pass right through without harm. Once inside, the tyrant Unicorn looked around at the expansive empire that had given him so much grief over the last millennia. Flurry was joined by her parents and Sunburst who all looked much less passive than her, not letting the Dark Lord out of their sight. The royal guards surrounding the esplanade were also on high alert, monitoring Sombra very carefully as he looked around at the Kingdom he had once ruled. After a few moments the Dark Lord returned his attention to the four Ponies before him. “It has not changed a bit since last I was here.” The Umbrum stated with a look of disgust. This did not help ease the minds of Flurry’s parents who each looked about ready to send the arrogant tyrant back where he had come from. “Watch your tongue Sombra! You are only here because you have agreed to Flurry’s terms. If you keep running your mouth I will personally see to it that you never step hoof across this barrier again.” Shining Armor irately said. Sombra rolled his eyes but turned his attention to the young white coated Alicorn. Flurry was expecting some other snide remark from the self proclaimed king, but to her surprise, the Umbrum took a knee, “Thank you for your hospitality, Princess.” He then took her hoof and planted a kiss on her metallic silver shoe. The action had caught Flurry completely off guard as her wings perked up unintentionally. “I-Y-You’re welcome.” She stuttered while pulling her hoof back. As they watched on, Flurry’s parents’ faces were also red, but not at all for the same reason. Shinning Armor in particular looked as though steam was going to blow out of his ears from his anger towards the presumptuous Umbrum. Flurry could tell how tense the situation was becoming and quickly changed the subject, “Well, I think it’d be best for us to retire to the Castle and sort out the terms of our arrangement, don’t you agree?” The dark coated Unicorn raised a brow with a charismatic smirk, “I would be obliged Princess.” The young Alicorn then proceeded to lead the way onward to the Crystal Castle. It had been an awkward trot up to the Castle. Nearly the entire Crystal Empire population had witnessed Sombra’s arrival into their domain and none of them felt good about it. The Crystal Ponies could do nothing other than scowl and quiver in fear as the one who had threatened them every day of their lives simply strolled down the esplanade as if he was already their new ruler. The royal guards stayed especially vigilant not only to the Tyrant King, but also for their own Ponies, some of which looked ready to storm the walkway in an attempt to protest this absurd truce. Luckily for Flurry, however, things had been kept under control well enough, and before they knew it they had arrived at the entrance to the Castle. The doors were opened by several royal guards and the group entered thereafter. Once inside, Sombra looked around at the interior of the Castle. He wasn’t surprised to see that little had changed in here either since last he had taken over the empire. The stained glass murals looked the same as before, albeit there had been a new one added to one of the previously empty spots. The picture depicted a young white coated Alicorn Mare with a multicolored mane who’s wings were splayed out to the edge of the frames. At the center of her chest was a depiction of the Crystal Heart which coincidentally was the theme for the colors and shapes in the background as well. “How cliché…” The dark Unicorn spouted out, rolling his eyes in annoyance. This again had not sat well with Flurry’s parents both of whom stopped and watched as the entitled Umbrum trotted on. Shining muttered under his breath, “I swear to Luna I’m gonna blast him up to the Moon if he makes one more-” “Dad, I know he’s getting under your skin but we have to tolerate him for now otherwise we could all end up paying for it.” Flurry whispered to her father while Sombra was out of earshot. The white Unicorn grumbled, “I guess you’re right…” It didn’t take long before the lot of them caught up with the dark lord as they were nearing the end of the hall. Flurry cleared her throat, “Lord Sombra, I’d love to keep touring the Castle but I think we should get to sorting out the conditions of our marriage. Will you follow me?” Her parents raised their eyebrows at this, “Alone?” They asked skeptically in unison. Flurry nodded, “Yes, alone.” “But-” “Mom, Dad, I’ll be fine.” She interrupted them while turning and heading to a staircase. Cadence and Shining had little to say to express how much they hated this idea. Shining took a step forward and was about to protest further before Sombra chimed in with a chuckle, “Do not fret your highness's, the Princess will be quite safe with me.” The Umbrum’s snarky grin did not help settle matters with the two parents. “Why you-” “Dad, I said we’ll be fine, trust me.” Their daughter reassured them. Both parents then glanced over to the Dark Unicorn who was watching them intently. They each wanted nothing more than to send the tyrant straight to the pits of Tartarus for his flagrant disrespect and ill intentions. “Come, Lord Sombra.” Flurry called while trotting up the steps. The Dark Lord took one last look at the two royals before nodding, “As you wish, Princess.” He replied before following her up the steps. Cadence and Shinning simply watched as their daughter left along with their sworn rival. Words could not describe the dread that they each felt at seeing these events transpire. The mere thought of it made their stomachs turn with trepidation. “So…” Stated another voice. Both royals turned to see Sunburst who they had almost forgotten had been here the entire time. The yellow Unicorn was levitating a notepad and a quill in front of him. He then closed the book after jotting a few notes down. “Is nopony going to mention the fact that Flurry actually cast the spell!?” The Unicorn said aloud with enthusiasm. “I thought you said Flurry was absolutely capable of performing the spell Sunburst. Why would we have doubted her?” Cadence asked confused. He shrugged, “Well I mean I was only like 63% sure it would actually work…” … “YOU WHAT-” After a short walk to the upper levels of the Castle, Flurry led Sombra into her personal study. It was a cozy and inviting room with a series of long bookshelves lining the walls, an open space in the middle with antique furniture, and a warm fireplace that was presently lit. As they both entered, Flurry shut the door and sighed out of relief. As the dark coated Unicorn roamed around the room examining the books on the shelves, Flurry took the time to search through a nearby shelve. Once she had what she needed the young Alicorn cleared her throat and turned towards Sombra who was currently reading one of the books off the wall. “Lord Sombra, I’d like to sort through the conditions of our marriage if you don’t mind.” The Umbrum glanced her way and nodded, “As you wish Princess Flurry Heart.” He then approached the table and the two went to work preparing a set of documents.