-Crystal Empire-
“Safe travels, dear brother,” Olstrom said as he and Amore performed a respectful bow to King Malik, Celestia’s afternoon sun shimmering off the illustrious carriage the saddle arabian brothers had initially arrived in, currently being prepared for departure.
“I’ll have our finest warriors to accompany me, brother,” Malik responds with an assuring gesture. “I do not doubt my protection.”
“Please send my absolute best to your wife, King Malik,” Amore expressed.
“I shall, princess. And I look forward to coming back for next month’s festivities. I may even bring my dearly beloved with me—if I can pull her away from her royal duties, that is. Until then, please look after my brother.” Malik’s eyes turn to his adoptive sibling, “All of your accommodations have already been taken care of, Olstrom. I’ve seen to it personally.”
“I appreciate it, brother.”
“And one more thing… About Hoo’Far…” A somber exhale escapes through Malik’s nostrils. “He may never forgive our family nor your father for what happened in the past, but I ask that you continue to try and earn it for the both of us. Once I return home, I will continue to rid Saddle Arabia of such foolish ideals and beliefs that turned Hoo’Far’s father into an outcast in the first place.
“It will be a long and arduous task, but I know we can make things better for generations to come.”
“Just like mother always wanted…” Olstrom adds with closed eyes, fondly remembering the mare who took him in and made him a part of the royal family.
With a content nod and hum, Malik turns away with a flourish, fluttering his royal saddle arabian attire and mane in doing so. He then scales up a small flight of stairs and enters the carriage, followed by a saddle arabian warrior removing the steps and positioning themself alongside the rear open door.
Malik sets himself down on the soft red furnishing stretching around the vehicle’s innards, looking at his brother one more time and offering a gleeful nod before beckoning the saddle arabian warrior outside to close the door, sealing himself away from the world and out of Olstrom’s view.
“Until we meet again,” Olstrom comments with a waving forehoof as the saddle arabian warriors strap themselves into harnesses, one for each of them, at the vehicle’s forefront.
The carriage’s metallic red wheels with golden adornments are set into motion as it’s pulled along and maneuvered toward the southern exit of the Crystal Empire. However, as it chugs along, two individuals that the carriage had been concealing are revealed, causing Olstrom’s ears to rise alongside the realization festering within him.
“Musiqaa?” The black stallion questioned with mild confusion present on his exposed face—Amore, chuckling knowingly. “Apple Crisp? What are you two still doing here?”
“Ah’d think that’d be obvious, partner,” Apple responds on approach as he and Musiqaa stop in front of Osltrom and shift to attention in a militaristic fashion, their uniforms well-kept and faces concealed under black and red cloths with metallic muzzle coverings.
“His Majesty has granted our request to remain here, sir,” Musiqaa chimed in. “He and Princess Amore have already seen to our accommodations, as well.”
A hearty chuckle emanates from Olstrom’s chest. “In other words, I’m stuck with two of my best friends who often bicker with each other like foals?”
“Affirmative, sir!” The duo confirmed, stomping a foreleg in unison.
Olstrom throws his head skyward and lets out boisterous laughter. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Nearby giggling let loose from beautifully parted lips garnered the trio’s attention, prompting them to set their eyes upon Princess Amore.
“I take it you accept these conditions?” She inquired with a playful tone.
Olstrom looks to his saddle arabian cohorts and nods with them. “I do. Now, where do we begin, your—HIGHNESS?!” The stallion cried out abruptly with wide eyes as Amore’s light-blue aura surrounded him, and she pulled him along while skipping away.
“W-wha-?! What are you doing, princess?!” A stunned Olstrom exclaimed as his hooves slid across the empire’s crystalline foundation.
“Steady Grapevine and Opal Pie will show you two to your housings, Musiqaa; Apple Crisp~” Amore chirped while looking back to the duo over her shoulder. “Now, come along, Olstrom~ We’ve got a lot to talk about and much to do.”
“Mighty kind o’ ya, yer highness!” Apple Crisp responds.
“Do take care of our prince, would you?” Musiqaa adds as both stallions waved them off.
Realization dawns on Olstrom as he shoots his head back to his saddle arabian brethren while still being pulled along by Amore. “Y-you all planned this!”
Musiqaa and Apple simply continued to smile and wave, even removing their head coverings in the process. All while the scenario gains the interest of bystanders and passing ponies.
“Hush now, Olstrom,” Amore states, garnering the dragged-along stallion’s attention. “First, I’ll have some of my finest clothiers fix you something more appropriate for your stay here—no need to cover up your handsome face and body, you silly stallion. Then we can discuss our plans over dinner tonight! Oh! I’ll be sure to drop you off at your new home once we’re done, ok?”
“That sounds nice and all, princess, but pulling me along isn’t necessary—I can walk!” Realization suddenly takes hold, “Wait—hang on… Did you just…?!”
“Ohohaha~!” The vermillion mare expressed glee as they continued onward towards the Crystal Castle. “This is going to be lovely! Latona, be praised!”
……….
Meanwhile…
“Did… Did she just ask him out to dinner…?” Musiqaa questioned with a look of shock present on his face.
“Y-yeah…” Apple responds with a matching expression, chuckling afterward. “Though it sounds like she told him rather than asked him. That, uh, wasn’t part o’ the plan… Huh. Ah’ll be. That there sugarcube is one mighty forward pony.”
“I’m glad you think so, Apple.” A familiar mare’s voice adds as approaching hoofsteps accompany the voice, causing the saddle arabians to turn to its source. “Because Opal Pie and I have something to ask you two.”
Apple and Musiqaa held their stunned and wide-eyed expressions as, there, standing before them, were the two earth pony mares responsible for showing them where they’d be staying for the time being. The same mares they’d spent ample time with ever since their arrival.
Grapevine bumps her fellow crystal guard with her flank.
“Oomph—Grape!” Opal shouts, flustered and glaring at the purple-coated, silver-maned mare. “Don’t rush me.”
Grape rolls her emerald eyes, “Then stop being so shy and get to it already. Now that they’re staying here for a little while, this is as good a time as any!”
Opal sighs in resignation, turning her reddened features to Apple.
“A-Apple Crisp… Would you like to be my date at the festival next month?”
“Naturally, that would make Musiqaa my date!” Grapevine declared, finishing with a wink and blowing a kiss in her chosen stallion’s direction.
Silence takes hold as the stallions allow the mares’ requests to run through their psyche. They then share a look, nod, and set their focus on the earth ponies with determined expressions, answering in unison:
“We’d be honored.”
-Crystal Empire: Southern Fields-
The last semblances of the late afternoon sun’s orange rays crept over Mount Everhoof as Sombra, Sombasi, and Radiant Hope lay on their backs on a lush hill, its blades of grass dancing in the wind.
“So, how’s everything been going with Lobellia, Sombasi?” Hope asked, lying in the middle with the dark gray unicorn colts on either side.
“It’s awful,” he answered dreadfully. “Sombasi would rather move into the treehouse at this rate. And don’t get Sombasi started on how long Blueblood takes in the bathroom; it’s insane!”
Sombra lets loose a whistle from Sombasi and Hope’s right. “That sounds harsh, brother. In any case, have either of you tried to get along?”
The younger colt scoffs, “Sombasi tried, but Bluey’s stubborn flank always rejects any of Sombasi’s peace offerings. So Smbasi sees no point in trying any longer.”
“To be fair, it’s only been a few days,” Hope chimed in. “Give it time.”
Sombasi rolls away and onto his stomach, burying his face into the ground. He muffles something undiscernible into the earth, causing Hope and Sombra to sigh worriedly.
“You two are gonna have to like each other at some point,” Sombra began—Hope nodding in agreement. “It’s why Miss. Chestnut put you two together in the first place.”
Sombasi lifts himself halfway with a grunt, using his forehooves to stay upright, and lets out a sigh.
“I know. It’s just…why does Lobellia like to bully Sombasi more than anypony else? And that was before we became roommates.”
“She’s a big old meanie to everypony in the orphanage, Sombasi. There’s no way she’s targetting you over-”
“Sombra will have to disagree with that, Hope.” The elder sibling interjects, gaining the filly’s attention. “Sombra noticed it, too. Sure, she’s a jerk to everypony, but when it comes to my brother…Well…” He trails off while spinning a forehoof, allowing her to put the pieces together.
“See?” Sombasi inqruired of Hope. “Sombra sees it.”
“Ehehe.” Hope laughed in uncertainty while resting a hoof on the back of her neck. “I…guess you two might be right. I haven’t noticed it, but I’ll take your word for it.” The dark-purple crystal unicorn hums in thought, “Why don’t you ask her?”
“Huh?” Sombasi questioned in confusion.
“Yeah! You know, like, just go up to her and ask her why she’s being a grumpy filly.”
“Miss. Chestnut always said that the first step to solving a problem is acknowledging there is one,” Sombra adds, causing his younger brother to ponder on it.
“Sombasi supposes he could try it. Ok, then.” The dark-gray unicorn abruptly leaps onto his hooves. “I’ll give it a go, even though I know how it’ll end.”
“There you go!” Hope gleed.
“And just think,” starts Sombra, “if you two do start to get along, you might get your own rooms again.” With that, Sombra lifts himself onto his hooves and shakes to disperse any particles of grass caught in his fur, mane, and tail.
Once Hope joins the brotherly duo upright, the trio standing tall and proud, Sombra suddenly turns toward the direction of the empire with a wide grin.
“Last one home is buying shakes from Mr. Sweet Tooth!”
Sombra and Hope are the first to launch off into a full gallop, Sombasi remaining in place with a delayed response.
“H-hey!” He shouts with an extended forehoof. “No fa-!”
‘Som…ba…siiii…’
The colt’s ears shoot upward as a mare’s voice practically whispers in his ears, carried by a sudden surge of wind that danced in his mane.
“Who- who’s there?!” He calls out while turning in place and looking in every direction. “Hello…?!”
‘You both…have grown…so much…’
Sombasi’s heart began to race as an ominous feeling started to take hold of him, his breaths becoming panicked. No matter where he looked, he couldn’t seem to track down who was responsible for the words he’d heard.
‘Soon…you and your brother will…awaken…’
“Who’s out there?!” He screamed while lowering himself to the ground, quivering in fear.
‘Fear shall…spread across…the empire…’
Sombasi folds his ears against his head and covers his eyes with his forelimbs.
‘There will…be…darkness…’
“S-stop! Whoever you are, j-just leave me alone!”
‘And we…will…reclaim…what was taken…’
A red magical aura surrounds the dark-gray unicorn’s form, forcing him to lower his forehooves before lifting his head upward. And as Sombasi dared to open his eyes… He saw someone looking down at him…
“Svartelfheim.”
Sombasi had finally reached his limit as he bolted like a frightened feline, tripping several times along the way in a panic before finally managing to regain his bearings and run off to the empire’s safety.
He dared not to look back as the colt ran for all he was worth, distancing himself from the strange shadow-mare. And her voice… It was strange, but somehow, someway…
He knew that voice.
……….
As Sombasi’s form disappears over the grassy hill, the shadow-equine lets loose a series of chuckling of an ominous nature.
“Sombra… Sombasi… My sons. You shall throw open the gates of the Evergloam, and when that time comes, we shall be a family again…”
The shadowy specter begins to fade away slowly, letting loose a final series of words alongside it.
“Let darkness take the world…”
“And deliver it upon our lord…Dokkalfar.”
-???-
Within a mysterious realm with a night sky filled with stars and shimmering crystals protruding up from all around the crystalline landscape, a light magentaish-gray coated alicorn mare, who looked to have been in a recent scuffle, stares with deep focus upon a scale-modeled battlefield.
“Hmmm…”
Her youthful voice travels all across the realm as she holds a white flag, setting it down near several red flags of an opposing faction.
“So that’s how you want to play it, huh, Dok? Fine.” She grins, manifesting another white flag into her grasp, raising it up high, and slamming it down upon the board competitively.
“Try this on for size, edgelord!”