[Canterlot, 5/05/2204, Celestia's Solo Reign]
The gramophone was blasting music as Herb sat on the comfy plush bed. A slow methodical tune encompassed his soul as he tried to soothe his nerves. The date had been approaching rapidly. Every time Herb glanced at the calendar on the wall, the higher and higher the anxiety built. Now, the attack was a mere week away. The group was supposed to leave today- possibly the last day of his life.
Deep down, he knew Celestia would never, ever let anything happen to Herb. But there was always a chance. There was always a voice clawing out of the depths of his brain, saying what if?
Knock knock
The time had come.
Everything he had been working towards was at the apex of his ascent. Slowly, Herb lifted himself off of the bed, and clicked the record player off. He took another deep breath, and walked towards the closed bedroom door. Celestia had been nice enough to lend him a room within the castle- but that didn’t matter now. What mattered was the oncoming storm.
Herb opened the door to be greeted with two guards, shining in their golden armor. Suddenly, his legs felt like jelly, almost refusing to move. Herb only nodded at the two guards, and they nodded back, trotting away as if to say follow us.
With enough mental determination, Herb moved one hoof in front of the other, forcing himself to walk forwards. His world became a blurry mess as he followed behind the two stallions- he felt like he’d grown an extra two feet, head in the clouds, floating above his own body.
There she was. Princess Celestia was conversing with the other guards, and a few wizards, probably preparing them for what was next. The carriages had been converted into long-term bunker vehicles, fitted with food, water, and other supplies to last them at least an entire month. Usually, Celestia wouldn’t come on a journey this reckless, but she decided King Sombra didn’t deserve any chance of survival.
Princess Celestia had stopped talking and looked towards Herb. Herb wore a face of drained color. Herb wore a face of concern, worry, and fear. Celestia noticed this, and merely motioned him forward with her hoof, and pointed into the cart. Herb obliged, and trotted into the enclosed tin can.
[The Crystal Empire, 5/07/2204, Celestia's Solo Reign]
I had devoted myself back into the small workshop. My workshop, unlike my room, was closer to the middle of the black tower, and was entirely void of any windows. Currently, hanging from the ceiling, mere inches off the ground, another bronze boiler hung, and I was currently muzzle-deep, working on an exhaust system.
Ever since my run-in with Princess Celestia, my mind had been racing. Sure, I hated the bitch, but what if she was right? What if she was totally willing to find Herb, and wipe all my (essentially) war crimes under the table? What if King Sombra was the bad guy?
Pfft, of course he was the bad guy. I had teamed up with him in the first place because he was the bad guy. But what if I didn’t want to be the bad guy anymore?
Was I feeling remorse? Regret? These feelings- something I’ve never felt before. It startled me slightly. What if I truly wanted King Sombra wiped off the planet? What if, deep down, I wanted the poor bastard dead?
“Miss Gear.”
“GAH!” I shouted, banging my head on the interior of the massive boiler. I quickly shot myself out, landing on my rump. Slowly, my eyes turned upwards to see a powerful Gray-coated stallion staring back at me. “Oh! King Sombra! What are you doing here?” This isn’t who I want to see right now.
“Dear Miss Gear. Certainly you haven’t forgotten our meeting?” Meeting? What meeting? I need to rack my brain backwards a few days. Oh. OH. That meeting. Of course.
“No- No. I hadn’t. I would never. I mean, I did, but I remember now!” I said, flashing a smile. I knew better than to mess with the big man himself. After all, I’d been shown what happens when I misbehave. Even thinking about it, I start to rub my right-hoof in phantom pain.
“Miss Gear. That doesn’t matter. What does, is why you had summoned me.” King Sombra said, lowering his eyes in a disapproving matter. Why did I summon him? Crap. Wait!
“Oh- I wanted permission for another escapade. Ya know, to test some vehicles?” I smiled meekly, knowing full well I was lying straight to his face.
“Of course. Anything for my loyal engineer. What time did you have in mind?”
“Uhm-” I took a cursory glance at the calendar. In red sharpie, I marked the date, May 12th. “The twelfth.” I said.
“Hmm. Miss Gear, that day already has weapon-testing planned.”
“Uhh- what time?”
“For the weapon-testing? 3:20.” He said. I could almost feel my heart shrink. Yet, in the bottom, there was still a glimmer of hope. Ten minutes to get to the border of The Empire. Ten minutes. Maybe it was highly impractical and illogical, but anything for a chance, right? Maybe, just maybe, I could make it.
“Oh. How about this-” I started rubbing my joints together, deep in thought. “At the end of the weapon-testing, the vehicle exploration can immediately start. Then, we have the rest of the day to drive.”
“Sounds like a plan. However, I hardly imagine you needed to meet me for this. You could have told your personal servant.”
“Oh. Right. By the way, I’ll need another one of those.”
“What happened to the first one I gave you?”
“Retired.”
“Retired?”
“Yep. I got angry.”
[Outside The Crystal Empire, 5/11/2204, Celestia's Solo Reign]
“One- Two- Three, Check!” The mare wizard said, using her horn and focusing on the blanket on top of us.
“This corner looks good.”
“Ehh- This one could use some more work.” One of the orange stallions said, pointing towards an area that Herb, despite being a unicorn, could not see. For him, all he was pointing at was the sky.
“If we want this invisibility spell to stay hooked, we should divert some magic into repairing that.”
“But what about this corner? It’s already too weak.”
“Do you suggest re-casting it?”
“Perhaps.”
“Fair. One cannot expect a spell to last forever.” Once again, the wizards moved, each to one corner.
“Three, Two, One, BREAK!” The area above the hastily-setup camp had erupted into a storm of blue sparks, as the previously casted invisibility spell broke.
“And- Three, Two, One, CAST!” He repeated, the sparks seemingly reforming into the blanket it once was, then vanishing into the air. Although Herb knew it was still there, he couldn’t help but worry of being spotted.
“Whew. Nice work, you guys.” They marveled at their work, looking upwards. Herb still just saw a bunch of ponies looking at the sky. They had setup camp on top of a nearby mountain, with a vantage point on The Crystal Empire. For the past few days the guards, wizards, and even Princess Celestia were debating on how to approach the Empire. There were four wizards. Each wizard would be positioned at equal spaces around the boundary of The Empire, ensuring complete coverage of the large city. Each wizard would be accompanied by two guards, both of which were pegasus, in case something went wrong, they could just fly away.
Celestia sat on the edge, overlooking the Empire. Her face wore a sad expression. Herb slowly approached her, eventually laying on his stomach besides her.
“Look at that place. It used to be so full of life.” She said. For a moment, Herb swore he saw a tear stream down her eye. “Now, nothing more than solitary confinement.”
“You’re doing all you can. Sending them into the future can guarantee them a fighting chance at escape.”
“I know, Herb, but I can’t help but think- what would happen if one Crystal pony had family outside the Empire?” Princess Celestia pondered. This was a very real concern, as separating two ponies forever would just be pointlessly cruel.
“Princess, I have family in there.” This revaluation made Celestia turn and look towards him. “Rusty isn’t just my marefriend… She is everything I have. We both grew up without parents, and while Rusty tuned out… worse… We were our family. She’s my family. And as somepony with family inside the Empire, I say do it. Send them forward.”
Princess Celestia smiled at Herb. It seemed his words had an effect on the lonesome Princess.
“Whatever happens down there… I forgive you.” Herb said. Princess Celestia diverted her eyes back towards The Empire. Whatever happens… happens.
[The Crystal Empire, 5/12/2204, Celestia's Solo Reign]
I glance at the clock tower. The time is currently 3:15. I have 15 minutes to get outside The Empire.I don’t know why. I don’t know why I care. I don’t know why I trust Celestia’s word so much. After all, she’s the bitch who caused all this in the first place. She doesn’t know how to run bucking kindergarten play, much less an entire country.
But I trust her. When I was in her care, I felt safe. Something I’ve not felt in years. My deep internal instinct rings out across any source of logical processing going on in my head.
I’ve been waiting for far too long for this bucking guard. At any weapon-demo, there’s always at least one that’s tardy. How has The Crystal Empire not been invaded with these dopes at the helm already?
Perhaps they didn’t care. Perhaps they thought nothing of it besides a demo. Perhaps…
Perhaps they are scared of me.
I take a look at the stallions lined against the wall. The towering, darker maned stallions. Are they really scared of me? Why would they be? I’m just some sweet little mare, absolutely defenseless. Yeah, right.
Eventually, I let out a deep breath that I didn’t know I was holding. Once again, glancing at the clock tower, the time is 3:17. Damn. I inhale again, but realize I feel something holding my chest in. Like a strap around my neck, I raise my hoof to feel it, yet there's nothing. I just extend my neck, inhaling as much oxygen as possible before I begin.
“Alright, we’re gonna start without the last guard.” I know I’m being hasty, but I cannot wait any longer. The more time I wait, the farther Herb gets. Once again, I inhale more oxygen, but the tightening sensation doesn’t go away.
The other guards look confused towards me. Did they really not expect me to continue until the last guard gets here? After all, it is tradition. But I’m on a tight schedule, dammit. I look around at the ponies in front of me. Do they look… taller than usual? And what’s with their eyes? Whatever. I can’t be bothered.
“Bring in the executionee, please.” I yell. Just like any other weapons-demo, a rundown stallion comes from one of the entrances of the park, and makes their way towards the brick wall.
But this time, it’s a mare. This stuns me for a moment. I had always assumed the trouble-makers in society were all stallions. After all, our entire army-force were stallions. Stallions were nasty brutes. But seeing a mare slowly shamble her way in front of the wall makes my chest tighten more than before.
I start to sweat slightly. Why am I sweating? I don’t know. But looking at the skinny, frail mare makes my heart stop. Not only is it a mare, but she has an orange-tinted tan coat. Very, very similar to my own. I can feel a chill run up my spine, despite my own sweating. But no matter. I need to get this demo done before 3:30. I glance at the time again, with a slightly pained expression that I hoped nopony noticed. 2:19. Oh buck.
“O-Okay,” I accidentally stutter, having a few stallions shoot a look towards me. I clear my throat, still not bringing in enough air. “Does anypony know what this is?” I trot towards a small desk, setup by myself with a large cylindrical object on it, similar to a cannon.
I didn’t realize how tired I was. When I stop at the desk, my legs start shaking. I clear my throat again, trying to get myself under control. Once again, I glance at the tower. Officially, it was 3:20. I have ten minutes. I’ve spent 5 minutes bumbling to some guards about waiting.
Suddenly, I feel my heart descent deeper into my chest. Like my ribs begin guarding it, it begins thumping harder than usual. I look back at the stallions. Again, why are they looking at me like that? Are they mad at me? What did I do? They’re eyes are showing something of fury, and I can almost see fire beaming behind the glossy surface.
Are they planning a coup? Take over The Empire? What about the mare? Will they kill an innocent? Wait- she’s not innocent. She’s here for… she’s…
“I-I’m sorry.” I stutter out, backing away from the tall stallions. The one closest to me suddenly steps out. His eyes go sharp, and I watch his lips move. What is he saying? “I’m sorry.” I repeat. Why are they suddenly so hostile? Are they trying to surround me?
Buck it, I’ve got to get out of here.
And I make a dash for the exit.
[Outside The Crystal Empire, 5/12/2204, Celestia's Solo Reign]
“I still don’t see her. Can’t we wait a little bit longer?” Herb questions the tall alicorn.
“I’m sorry. We have to continue the spell. She can always escape until we finalize the casting.” Princess Celestia reaches a hoof onto Herb’s shoulder, who doesn’t reply.
“Okay, I’m going to begin pre-spell preperations.” One of the wizards said. Quietly, he approached the outskirts of The Empire. He lowers his head all the way to the ground, touching snow against his horn.
“Do you think King Sombra knows were here?” Herb questions Celestia.
“If he doesn’t, he will in a few moments.” Just as Celestia finished talking, the wizard’s horn ignited a blinding white, as a monumental bubble encompassed the city. For a moment, the bubble was undefined. Blurry at the edges. But, as the other three wizards started their spell across the axis’s of the compass, the bubble suddenly gained an edge. Standing so close to the barrier, the bubble looked like one large wall.
“Now he knows we’re here.” Celestia said with a smile.
“What if he comes to attack us right now?” Herb said, taking a few steps back from fear.
“Don’t worry, the spell is designed to let common pony out, while keeping King Sombra in. He is exceptionally powerful, the spell will recognize it and push him back.”
“So why don’t we just… not send the city forward in time?”
“Do you really think King Sombra isn’t smart enough to break this barrier? We live in a glass house, currently.” Princess Celestia explained. Herb took a glance, past the barrier and into the city. He focused his eyes on a clock-tower. 3:27.
“Please hurry, Rusty.”
[The Crystal Empire, 5/12/2204, Celestia's Solo Reign]
I can my heartbeat through my hooves. Every time I stop, I see them. The guards are towering over me, with that same old expression of anger. Why are they trying to kill me? I think I’ve been pretty nice to them, all things considered.
The wind pushes through my mane, cooling my body temperature. I’m still sweating, however. The grip around my neck has loosened slightly, allowing me to take in the air while running, but I still know it’s temporary. I have to get to the city’s edge. I have to find him.
I come to a sliding stop in front of even more guards. Why are there so many? However, they don’t seem to see me. Rather, looking upwards. Just as luck has it, I quickly get back on my hooves and avoid them.
I can’t keep going. I have to calm down. I have to.
However, just before I stop, I spot a something.
I’m standing in the middle of the main-street. A street that goes all the way back to the castle. But, at the other end, I see them. The familiar golden chest plate tells me who they are. The familiar towering alicorn tells me who they are.
A familiar green unicorn tells me I’m almost home.
But I can’t run. My hooves are in pain, and every step hurts. I just start limping towards them. I have to see them. I have to touch Herb.
The shortness of breath comes back again. Did somepony put a collar on me? I try extending my neck, but this time it hurts. I can’t bring in any air, and I just start hobbling forward, holding my breath. I can see them. I’m so close, I can see the whites of their eyes.
Herb is motioning me to hurry. I can’t. He’s moving his lips, but just like the guards, I can’t hear him. He’s so close.
My legs finally give up, suddenly feeling cold. The muscles that contract are nothing more than freezing, as I start to see blackness encompass my soul.
[Outside The Crystal Empire, 5/12/2204, Celestia's Solo Reign]
“Rusty! Cmon, get up!” Herb’s screaming at the top of the lungs, looking at the pony, no more than ten feet away. “Rusty, please! Please get up!”
“Please, Rusty.” Celestia whispers to herself.
“Let me go in there! It’ll take ten seconds!”
“Nothing can go in! It’s a one-way mirror!” The wizard yells, horn still planted at the edge of the dome.
“Get up Rusty! Please!” Herb yells again. To his surprise, the pony stirs on the ground, and looks at him with deeply sad blue eyes.
Before he is suddenly looking at snow.