//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Sacanas // by Lets Do This //------------------------------// Moons passed, and then years. The Crystal Empire prospered. It was all but unknown to the outside world, hidden safely in its mountain-ringed plain in the chill Frozen North. But it was sufficient to itself, and had no needs or wants that could not be satisfied. The Yaks visited often to trade, and for the annual Crystal Faire, and other official celebrations. And whenever their boisterous nature prompted them to visit. But otherwise, the Empire shunned outside contact, save for those few like-minded ponies who found their way to it, and decided that the Empire was just the place they'd always longed to be. It was such a pleasant place in fact, so safe and welcoming, that no one who came to it truly wanted to leave. And with the power of the Crystal Heart drawing on the love and devotion of the Empire's citizens, and projecting back the strange spell that gave them their shimmering, crystalline appearance, they came to think of themselves as an entirely new tribe of ponies. Not unicorns or earth ponies any longer, but Crystal Ponies, citizens of the Crystal Empire. With the passing of years, custom became tradition, tradition became history, and history mingled with the few scattered relics found in the ancient crystal dwellings to become cherished lore and myth. The citizenry simply forgot they'd ever lived anywhere else. They were Crystal Ponies, always had been. Princess Amore, influenced by the devotion of her subjects and the power of the Heart, grew unusually tall and strong, a giant among unicorns, both in size and in magical prowess. Yet she remained ever and always the kind-hearted, light-hearted Princess she had always been, beloved by her subjects. In the Audience Hall of the Crystal Palace, justice was swift but always fair, disagreements were quickly and satisfactorily reconciled. Her Majesty's attention and care were unflagging, from morn until night. Save for one thing. One event which always brought the workings of her administration to a complete standstill. The Royal Sorcerer, as was the way with powerful mages, would sometimes disappear for days or weeks at a time on mysterious errands of her own. Then unexpectedly she would return. The doors of the Audience Hall would crackle with blue electric fire and slam open. And into the Audience Hall, she would stride, the armored, cloaked sorcerer. Powerful, masterful, utterly aloof, as if she owned the place. Sacanas would march straight up the carpet to the base of the Amethyst Thone. And bow her head, deeply and willingly, to her sovereign. "Your Majesty." "Sacanas!" Amore would shout, delighted to have her back again. Throwing aside all other work, the Princess would hurriedly descend from the throne and throw her forehooves around the fiercely proud mage, hugging her with cheerful abandon. And Sacanas would indulge the closeness, holding her tightly with a hoof, with both pride and pleasure. The Princess's court knew enough to put their agenda on hold as the Princess got caught up with her beloved Regent and friend. There would be no distracting her, while she chattered away with the mage. Petitioners who had to be rescheduled did not begrudge their Princess the disruption. Her Highness was the perfect sovereign otherwise, and none would deny her these reunions, seeing how they brought her so much joy. Finally, Amore would return to her throne, recomposing herself as the powerful and fair monarch she had become. And Sacanas would take her accustomed place at the base of the throne, as Royal Sorcerer, ready to turn her wits, her power, her craft to the needs of her Princess and her Empire. Seeing them together like that, everypony in the Empire would breathe a sigh of relief. Somehow, whenever Sacanas returned, whenever the Crystal Princess and her Royal Sorcerer were at each other's side, it seemed as if there was no problem, no issue that could not be overcome, nothing the two of them could not handle together. At such times, the Crystal Empire was truly at its best. It felt to the citizens of the Empire as if nothing could ever change it, nothing at all, not ever... And Sacanas, in the deep, quiet privacy of her thoughts... ... would smile, coldly and ruthlessly. Everything was just as she'd planned it. She had her dominion now, to serve as a power base. Had a powerful, beloved sovereign to rule it for her. An easily swayed populace, utterly devoted to their kind and loving Princess. And that Princess in turn was utterly devoted to Sacanas, accepting and trusting her every word, her every suggestion. And thinking she did it out of pity, out of kindness, out of love for her poor, mad beloved Auntie... It was exactly as Sacanas had intended, ever since she'd determined that the Princess, not the Prince, was the true path to power amongst the unicorns. And had used rumor and gentle proddings of magic to encourage the Princess to become dissatisfied with life in the Palace of the Unicorns. So that one day she would venture out of it, and need to be rescued from her own curiosity. At which point Sacanas herself could step in, as if by chance. To rescue her, and serve as her guide and her teacher... ... and her friend, her closest friend in all the world. Before whom, she had no others. Sacanas nodded. It had all worked perfectly. They were ready now. Let them come, she would tell herself, in her darkest, blackest heart of hearts. Let the other tribes come and try to challenge us. Them, and those accursed, obscene alicorns! Only they could possibly stand against us. But we have a plan for them. Oh, yes! Don't we, Princess? Don't we just? Sacanas would look up at Amore, exchanging a smile with her beloved Princess. Who never suspected a thing, never suspected she was being used -- had been used, all along... And the best part of it? The part that Sacanas found so astonishing and wonderful? She was still here. Her darling daughter had never been lost, not at all. And she never would be. Sacanas had sworn herself to that. They will not harm you, the sorcerer would whisper to herself, solemnly, fiercely, viciously. Swearing bitter, merciless vengeance against everyone, everything, that was not unicorn... Never, she swore to herself. Not while I draw breath. I alone will protect you... from them... ... my little love-song... ... Mi Amore Cadenza.