Dawning Song craned her neck and hopped from hoof to hoof in the middle of the crowd. Realising what she was doing was futile she sat down and looked glumly at the floor.
“What are you doing, Dawn?” A voice behind the filly asked. She looked to where the voice was coming from and her face lit up as a purple light surrounded her.
“Daddy!” she said to Shining Armor lifted her up above the crowd, “Is Mummy about to do her speech?” He nodded and pointed a hoof at the her mother walking in front of the pair to the balcony, smiling warmly at them as she did. There was a roar of approval from the crowds gathered outside the palace as Cadance came into view.
“My dear subjects, I have momentous news.” Cadance began. Light erupted from her horn and the image of the capital of the Crystal Empire appeared in the sky. “Years ago this great city reappeared after over a thousand years of absence. Within its walls came thousands of earth ponies and the revival of the crystal ponies.” Cadance’s magic began to expand as more and more cities began to appear in the sky, “Since that day more have appeared to join Cristamera. Cities like the grand port of Amethandria and the great vineyards of Emerald Hills. Along with our land returned our pegasus and unicorn brothers and sisters. Together we held the Equestria Games and five Crystal Fairs to remind the world that we are here. Well I am delighted to say that the town of Pursorubi has appeared on our easternmost fringe,” Pursorubi appeared in green rather than the blue that made up the rest of the image, “With this we are once again complete. The Crystal Empire is whole once more!” The cheers from the crowd were almost deafening, causing Dawning Song to cover her ears with her hooves to block out the noise. The image in the sky faded as the noise died down.
“Now this is truly reason to celebrate,” Cadance continued, “and that is exactly what I plan for us to do. We shall hold a fair far grander than the Crystal Fair. We shall have a commemoration of the marvel of our people: our wealth and the harmony between us that rivals that which holds Equestria together. The celebrations will take place across all of our lands but it shall climax in a fantastic display of the greatest we have to offer right here in Cristamera. We shall invite dignitaries and visitors from across the world to come and celebrate with us. I would like all of you to know that this is not a celebration of the achievements of a few or many of you, but of you all. Without each and every one of you being here we would not have this empire, we would not be complete. Everypony has a role that they play. You all embody what makes this empire perfect. The Reunification Fair is my way of thanking you all.” The ponies cheered again as Cadance stepped back from the balcony and back into the centre room of the palace. The stallions and mares of the court applauded Cadance as she turned to them. Shining Armor lowered Dawning Song to the floor so that she could run to her mother.
“That was great, Mummy! Are we really gonna have another fair?” she asked excitedly.
“We sure are, Dawny, and I’m sure all your aunties will come down to attend,” Cadence said, beaming at her daughter.
“You mean it? It’s been so long since they visited. I’ve nearly finished the sweets auntie Pinkie gave me last time! Well with Daddy’s help of course, he’s been eating most of them.” Cadence looked with an exasperated look at her husband looking at his hooves sheepishly. “Oh it’s gonna be the third best thing ever!”
“Oh?” Shining Armor asked as the trio walked into the corridor going east, towards the royal apartments. “What’s second and first Dawn?”
“Well I thought it would be obvious, silly.” Dawning Song giggled. “The second is when I become empress and get to help everypony like Mummy does. The best day ever is today.”
“Why today?”
“Because today everypony is back together. We’re whole again. Race you to my room!” All of a sudden Dawning Song ran off towards her bedroom. Cadence looked towards Shining Armor and began to laugh.
“Liquid pride. It’s liquid pride,” Shining Armor said before Cadance could comment on the tears welling up in her husband’s eyes. “Someday our filly could change the world,” he said.
Suddenly Cadance burst into a gallop after their daughter. Shining Armor was shocked for a second. He just stood watching one of the most powerful mares in the world galloped away with four priceless shoes levitated around her head. Shaking himself out of his stupor he started running to catch up with the alicorn and Unicorn that made up his entire world, laughing the whole way.
The diamond dog was thrown onto the ground. He brushed the dirt off of his red vest. He was trying to look tough but the other dogs did not look scared. If Fido or Spot were here then they’d be paying me some respect, he thought. Rover turned and looked at his abductors. They were as big as Rover, with heavy muscular builds. He faced forward again when one of them jabbed at him with his javelin. Rover did not want to make the him pull out his sword. Another was standing in front of him. He was older than the others and sat while the others stood. This must be the Alpha Rover realised. Where the others wore steel cuirasses this dog wore silver with intricate gilding. If I’m gonna make an impression this is the dog to impress Rover decided. Rover cleared his throat and addressed the older dog.
“Greetings brother,” he began. He tried to stand up but was pushed down immediately by the guard dogs behind him. They're very strong. I must show them I can be just as strong. No, I can be more strong, twice as strong. Despite the bravado Rover was unable to stop his legs from shaking. “I am Rover. I can tell you’re not from here. Here I am the Alpha, with my brothers Fido and Spot. There isn’t a place for you here. You may think you’re tough but we’re tougher. You caught me by surprise. You cheated. That’s all. Spot and Fido will get you, they’ll get you all and you will go. You will go aw-” Rover paused, looking confused, “Why are you laughing?” he asked. The older dog ended his low chuckle and nodded at one of his soldiers. The soldier then slammed his javelin against the floor. Rover turned to see what was going on and instantly regretted it. Another soldier, walked into a tent. This one clutched a net in his paw. Rover wretched and vomited as he saw what was in the net. The severed heads of Fido and Spot stared blankly at Rover. Their faces were frozen in shock and fear. Rover wanted to yell at the old dog. He wanted to jump up and pounce and claw and bite and kick him. He wanted to avenge his brothers, but he knew it was impossible. His eyes were fixed on the net. A guard grabbed Fido’s head and forced him to face the old dog.
“My name is Aetius.” a guard grabbed Rover’s head turned it to face the old dog as he began to address him. “Your caves are ours. We have taken what gems you have, and the pups that showed promise.” The elder dog spoke with a commanding voice and stood, towering over the kneeling, shaking Rover. As he did he stared directly into Rover‘s eyes. Any courage Rover had inside of him when he had entered the tent had gone. All he was able to do was look back at Aetius and cry. Fido... he thought, Spot... Wha- what will they do to me?
“The others" continued Aetius, "have been either put to the sword or to work. You are the last of your tribe's Alpha's. As long as you live they will have hope and they will remember their lives before we arrived. This cannot be permitted. You will not die straight away however. First you are going to tell me all I want to know.”
“I will say nothing.” Rover barked. Must be strong, for Spot and Fido. “You will have to kill me. Kill me like you killed my Fido and Spot.” One of the guard dogs pulled out a dagger and walked to Rover. In an instant he plunged the dagger into Rover’s back left paw and twisted it. Rover howled in agony and cried even more. “I still won’t talk. I won’t talk no matter how much you hurt me.” Rover spat at Aetius and the dog twisted the dagger again, the other way this time, making Rover howl even louder. Throughout it all Aetius’ eyes remained locked onto Rover.
“Oh, he is going to hurt you. He is going to hurt you until you beg me for mercy. Still, there shall be no mercy until I am satisfied I have drained you of all you know. You are going to tell me everything you know about The Crystal Empire. You will tell me every rumour, every word you’ve heard the mules say, everything your dogs have told you they have heard. It is going to hurt and it is going to take a long time, but you will tell me what I want to know.”