//------------------------------// // Chapter 11~ // Story: Sombasi, Brother of Sombra // by Pomp-Neigh //------------------------------// -Crystal Empire: Crystal Castle- Radiant Hope tightened her grasp on Princess Celestia’s pink mane, which fluttered in the wind as the duo began to descend to the base of the Empire’s seat of power. Those who saw the alicorn’s aerial form from below gazed up in wonder and awe, some having never before seen the solar diarch in pony. During the duo’s aerial traversal and talks, the young filly still had that lingering interest in the sun alicorn’s appearance. The solar equine was almost precisely as Hope had seen in her vision, save for a couple of outlying details: The color of Celestia’s mane and tail are a vibrant pink, and they lack that strange flowing phenomenon akin to being submerged underwater. Hope found herself hesitant and conflicted, wondering if she should- “What troubles thine mind, Hope?” Celestia inquired, jolting the young unicorn to attention. Was Celestia a mind reader? Or was she just that sharp? Hope quickly shook her head, “Er, nothing!” she attempted to convince, forcing a smile. “Everything is fine!” Celestia glanced back to the filly and raised an eyebrow, the southern archway of the Crystal Castle’s tripod foundation drawing closer.  “Oh?” a smirk adorned the alicorn’s muzzle, “Art thine words truly free of lies?” her gaze went forward, chuckling, “Forgive me, child, but I remain unconvinced.” Hope’s eyes widened, hesitation stifling her words and actions. Then again, she couldn’t help but scold herself—it’s just a question about Celestia’s mane, for Amore’s sake! What’s with the hesitation?! “Uhm, Princess Celestia?” the filly inquired, steeling herself.  “Yes?”  “I’ve been meaning to ask: did you… ever had a rainbow mane? Or plan to change it? A-and your tail! Also your tail.” Silence was all that Hope received in response, save for the flapping of Celestia’s wings. But due to her positioning on the alicorn’s back and their forward gaze, she could not see Celestia’s stunned expression. “Th… thou has seen it…” Those words sent ripples throughout Hope’s body, the implications overflowing the young purple unicorn’s mind. The duo remained silent for the remainder of the flight, both working the gears of their brains to form proper words.  Celestia’s hooves soon graced crystalline grounds with resounding clops and flapping wings, folding them firmly to either side. She intakes the Crystal Heart rotating between a stalagmite and stalactite nearby, resting within the epicenter of a snowflake insignia etched into the ground. Nearby Crystal Guards observed the solar diarch’s arrival with interest but were grateful for briefings given by those of the upper ranks at the behest of Princess Amore. They certainly wouldn’t expect the random appearance of an alicorn princess from an allied nation.  “Radiant Hope…” Celestia began, breaking the silence but keeping her gaze forward—Hope’s ears perking up in response. “Did my mane and tail flow as if I submerged myself in an ocean current’s embrace?” “Y-yeah!” the filly boomed. “That’s it-! Wait, hang on…” realization dawned on Hope, “Princess, about what you said before, you know, ‘Thou has seen it’?” Celestia looked back to the filly, nodding. “Verily, my dear. Pray, take a moment to collect thine thoughts.” Hope’s gaze fell to the crystalline floors in her sight, and after a moment of pondering, it all fell into place, and she gasped loudly. “You saw it too, didn’t you…? You looked into the Crystal Heart and saw me as a princess.” The alicorn’s eyes widened. “Th-that mare on the balcony was thou…?”  Hope nods in rapid succession. “Yup. Sure was. Why do you ask?” she gasped, “Wait, did you see somepony else?! Oh no! Did I ruin it?!”  Celestia’s gaze slowly traveled forward, dumbfounded by the filly’s revelation. “By my mother’s grace…” she greedily intakes fresh air through her nostrils, raising her head and regaining her composure before trotting closer to the Crystal Heart. Standing before the heart-shaped artifact, Celestia flares up her horn and surrounds Hope’s form in a golden aura, floating the filly off her back and gently lowering them onto the shimmering ground. “Thank you!” Hope expressed. Celestia gave the filly a motherly smile, followed by a nod. She then shifts her gaze to the rotating artifact, peering into it with what Hoped perceived as determination. “I have never before seen nor heard of two visions given to two separate ponies intertwining to such an extent.” her eyes rested on Hope. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but can I assume thine vision portrayed a royal declaration taking place within the empire?”       “Yup. At first, I assumed it would be Princess Amore, so you can guess my surprise when it turned out to be me. You and Princess Luna were there, too, and-” “Luna’s mane practically replicated her night sky,” Celestia absent-mindedly interjects, though not intending to cut off Hope’s words, “while mine own flowed with the colors of the rainbow.”       Hope’s eyes went to the Heart and back to the alicorn. “So… does this mean you’re going to dye your mane?” “Ohohahahaha!” the alicorn’s sudden laughter echoed via the ceiling of the castle above them. “Hehe, oh, my dear, thou ‘rt far too precious.” Celestia drapes a wing across her face, her laughter fading away slowly with its’ last remnants escaping her throat. “As much as I’ve attempted to dabble in such activities, mine efforts hath always failed.” “Wow, really?” Hope inquired, cocking their head. “How come?” “Magic, my dear,” the alicorn answered. Simple yet effective. “Any dye that laid upon mine or mine own sister’s mane and tail would simply sizzle away, all thanks to our celestial charges. Now, picture, if thou would:  I could dye mine hair at night, but come morning, mine beloved sun would undo the effort. And the same falls true to mine sister, her own attempt thwarted by her moon. In essence: it would take somepony with tremendous power to make such changes to either of us.”   “Oh, ok, I get it. That sounds really cool! So, do you guys, like, talk to the sun and moon?” Celestia chuckles. “In a manner of speaking. Tis complicated to explain accurately, as words do not do it justice. But, yes… we do speak to them, simply put,” her gaze went to the ceiling, practically looking right through the crystalline structure and meeting her celestial charge: The sun. “And they respond, in turn…” Hope noted the expression Celestia had taken with those words—sadness, with a hint of longing. The filly had many questions, but an urge to change the subject became dominant above all. “So…” she began, awkwardly scraping a hoof against the crystal ground. “Who, uh, who did you see?” Celestia remained silent, staring at the ceiling, unfazed by Hope’s inquiry. “Princess?” “P-pardon?” Celestia finally responds, eyes widening. She quickly shifts her gaze to Hope, “My deepest apologies, Hope. I didn’t mean to be rude.”  “N-no, it’s ok, really!” the filly shook her head in protest. “There’s no need to apologize.” she suddenly turned away, “Yes, yes, I know that!” The alicorn questionably looked around Hope, “Hope, who art thou speaking to?” she questioned, seeing no one else in their general vicinity. Hope’s eyes shot wide open, looking back at the princess in realization. “Oh! I was just talking to my fairy friends. They scolded me for asking whether the sun and moon can talk- you know what? I’m just going to be quiet now.” Celestia blinked twice. -Fairy Friends?- she states inertly. -Ah, tis likely the imaginations of the youthful. Or mayhaps it’s a coping mechanism? She is an orphan, after all.  It pains me to see such children grow up without their parents…  A predicament Luna and I know all too well…- The sun diarch perished those thoughts with a gentle shake of her head, now wasn’t the time for them. “Thou asked us about who we saw in the vision, yes?”  Hope meets the alicorn’s gaze. “From how you reacted, it’s clear that you didn’t see me up on that balcony. So, who was it?” she asked excitedly, Celestia laughing lightly at the filly’s antics. “In truth? I haven’t much to go upon.” the filly’s clear signs of confusion prompt the alicorn to continue. “It’s just as I said. The pony I saw was but an obscured presence; thus, I couldn’t make out their appearance. I have only words to aid me in unraveling mine vision; wouldst thou like to hear it?” “Yes, please!” The sun princess chuckles. “Very well.” clearing her throat, she began to cite something from memory:  “‘She will be the spark that ignites a new era. And I, Celestia Sol Invictus, shall pass mine crown onto this worthy successor.’” she finished with a smile. “...That’s it?” Hope questioned with a raised eyebrow, snorting. “I’m sorry, but why does the Heart have to be so ‘mysterious-ish’?” “The Crystal Heart works in mysterious ways, Hope, but I’m sure Princess Amore explained that to you all.” Hope giggles. “She sure did. Every time somepony has a vision, the princess is there to help them perceive what they saw. So, Sombra and I thought: ‘Hey, how about we take a look for ourselves?’ and bam! Visions!” When hearing Sombra’s name, Celestia became lost in thoughts… and anything Hope said afterward would go unheard. -Sombra, Sombasi, Snowdrop, and the changeling, Arthrodite. Amore… please, my friend, thou must tread carefully--   Distant voices suddenly became known and drew ever closer, coming from beyond the same archway Celestia and Hope had entered, which halted their talks and garnered their attention.  Their ears picked up accompanying laughter, as well. But when it came to Celestia, hearing the unmistakable laugh of her younger sibling—genuine, joyous laughter—shocked her completely. “L-Lulu?” she muttered in disbelief, having not heard such joy from her lunar counterpart for quite some time. Luna’s form flies through the archway and lands a short distance away from Celestia and Hope, gently setting down the filly she kept locked within her forelimbs. But throughout it all, they remained deep in conversation, and depending on the subject, they’d share laughter before smoothly transitioning onto another topic. “And that, Snowdrop, is how mine sister and I bested Discord, the spiritual Lord of Chaos,” Luna finished proudly. “That’s amazing, princess!” Snowdrop clapped her forelimbs together. “I-I knew Discord was powerful, based on the stories I’ve heard from Miss. Chestnut. But I never thought anypony could change entire landscapes with a simple gesture.” “Alas, mine confidant, stories tend to change over time by various means. But mine sister and I ‘rt living libraries. After all, it was we who bested that clown, so who better to tell the tale than either Sister of Equestria?” The blind filly smiles. “I suppose you’re right.” Luna fires up her horn and levitates the ice-colored pegasus onto her back in a light-blue aura. “Come, Snowdrop. Let us continue our talks inside, and mayhaps we’ll find some food and drink.”  The duo trotted away toward the double doors that allowed one access to the castle, resting at the precipice of a flight of crystalline, light-purple stairs. But along the way, the lunar diarch stopped abruptly, looking back over her left shoulder. “Sister!” she exclaimed, garnering her shocked sibling’s attention. “I trust thou shall be more than adequate in the talks with Amore, yes?!”  Celestia’s mouth imitated a goldfish, but she managed a nod.  “Huzzah!” Luna emphasized with a raised forelimb. “In that case, mine confidant and I shall be elsewhere in the castle until thine meeting’s completion! Until later, sister!”  With those parting words, Luna returned to the stairs before her and began to scale them, once more lost in talks with the filly on her back. ………. “C-confidant…?” Celestia muttered, dumbfounded as she observed Luna’s form being concealed via the doors closing shut behind her, courtesy of a light-blue aura. “She called Snowdrop… confidant…” “Aww, that’s so adorable,” Hope cooed. “Those two are kicking it off quite well. Good for them!” she fixates on the sun princess. “What do you think, Princess Celestia?”  A moment of silence takes hold. “P-Princess… Celestia…? Are you o-” “C-confidant… she said ‘Confidant’...” “Uhm, right… My fairy friends wanted to say that you’re kind of weird.” The esteemed carriage of the sun and moon alicorn princesses now passed a particular tavern, garnering the attention of Arthrodite through the window of the private room she inhabited. Of course, the window was enchanted so that no one could peer into the room. Arthrodite had only ever met the alicorn sisters once before, and she remembered how tense she felt during the occasion. Both she and Amore had come to an agreement: revealing the changeling to the Crystal Empire’s allies.  Speaking of… A glance at the nearby clock reminded Arthrodite that she needed to prepare for the big ‘unraveling’ with King Malik and Prince Olstrom. That’ll be fun. So there she was, in the castle’s throne room, standing alongside Princess Amore, who sat sternly on the crystal throne while looking down upon the equestrian diarchy. She recalled Amore stating her case that day, and if either sister didn’t like who she kept around as a friend and ally, then they could march right back to their precious castle that edged the Everfree Forest. The ponies of Equestria could be quite hypocritical. Peace and harmony, indeed… so long as you’re a pony.  The changeling smirked, still impressed by how authoritative Amore could be when necessary, even having the teats to get into an alicorn’s face if she had to. And by the Hive, Amore drilled into the Sisters when they dared to imply I couldn’t be trusted purely because of my race.  Suddenly, Arthrodite’s self-recollection faded upon spotting a light-gray crystal unicorn stallion giving chase of the carriage. “Wait…” she began, narrowing her eyes. And upon recognition, she lets loose a heartful chuckle. “Oh dear, Maneigh Marco… how badly did you screw up this time?” ……….  “Wait! Wait!” Maneigh Marco exclaimed between batted breaths. “Stop the carriage, please!” At the carriage’s forefront, the guards pulling the vehicle flicked their ears. “Did you hear something?” a unicorn stallion asked, positioned further to the rear with two more of his fellow guards in front of him, a pegasus mare to his right, all pulling along the carriage at the reigns. “I’m not sure,” the pegasus mare responds. “At least, I think I heard-” “Stop! Stop the carriage!”   Their ears swiveled toward the carriage’s rear.  “My name is Maneigh Marco! I’m Princess Amore’s Royal Assistant!”       “Royal Assistant?!” one of the frontal earth pony guards inquired. “Halt!” the other exclaimed, causing them to stop in unison. “Oh, thank y- woah! Whoaaaaah!” a loud ‘THUNK’ results at the carriage’s rear, garnering flinching expressions from nearby crystal onlookers.  The equestrian guards quickly detach themselves from the reigns, stampeding around the carriage and soon resting their eyes upon the downed form of the Royal Assistant. Maneigh Marco groans while laid out on his back, blood visibly going down his nostrils. “U-uh, sir?” an earth pony equestrian guard began in concern. “Art thou ok?” “I-I’m fine,” Maneigh responds with a strained, raised forelimb. “I think…” The equestrians swiftly jump into action, aiding the Royal Assistant back onto his hooves, the pegasus mare sweeping bits of dust off him with her wings. “Th-thank you.” Maneigh expressed, adjusting his red, royal attire and tightening his purple tie. “Ahem!” he scraped his throat. “I am here to see you all to the castle, although I must apologize for my late… entrance. Now, I presume the princesses are inside?”  “A-actually, sir, about that,” the pegasus equestrian guardsmare began. “The Princesses are probably at the castle by now. They left pretty urgently back at the marketplace, but Princess Celestia, praise be to her name and the sun, ordered us to continue onward.” Maneigh’s left eye twitched endlessly after a stunted moment of the dead. However, the sound of clapping hooves made itself known nearby, and all in attendance shifted their gaze toward the source. “Woohoo! Way to go, Maneigh!” Arthrodite compliments, having donned her crystal unicorn mare disguise, earning a dreadful groan from the Royal Assistant. “Nice ‘rearing game’ you’ve got there. You know, if you reared a mare as good as you did to that carriage, you wouldn’t be single anymore.”    Maneigh deadpanned. “Mature, Arthrodite… very mature.” he wipes a forelimb across his face in misery. “Look, I don’t have time for any of your games, so can you just get over here and help me?” Arthrodite chuckled. “Relax, carriage breeder; I’m just busting your balls.”  The disguised changeling trots forth, passing the equestrian guards in the process.  “Hey boys,” she dropped, her voice garnering hearts in their eyes. “Woah…” “What a mare!” “I think I’m in love.” “Ugh,” the pegasus guardsmare spat, rolling her eyes. “Stallions.”