Chapter 23: Crystal Empire, Here Comes Dawn
A few months after Dawn’s Day, another tragedy had struck Equestria. A terrible villain by the name of Tirek had escaped Tartarus and was stealing all the magic from the ponies. Celestia had sent Discord to stop Tirek but ended up betraying the ponies and sided with Tirek. This all had happened when Celestia and Luna’s parents had to leave the country for a while on an emergency meeting with the leaders of one of the countries. Dawn was devastated that one of his friends would betray him and his family and help this horrible magic stealing monster. In the end, Celestia Luna, and Cadence came to the conclusion that to protect their magic, they had to give it to Twilight for safe keeping so Tirek couldn’t get it. Celestia hoped that Twilight would master it and learn to control so much magic so she could fight and defeat Tirek.
Dawn had to give up his small bit of magic as well to Twilight and give up his cutie mark he had earned. This whole event also left him scared. It was worse when Tirek showed up at the palace and tried to take their magic, only to find it was already gone. In his anger, he cast the four alicorns to the pits of Tartarus where Dawn was left in tears of fear. His three fellow alicorns did their best to comfort him during this time and assured him Twilight was sure to defeat Tirek and free them.
Dawn didn’t know how long it took, but it did finally happen. The chains that held them disappeared and their magic returned. When they got back to Canterlot, they learned all that happened and Discord explained he faked the betrayal so Twilight could find her key that would open the chest that came from the tree of harmony. Discord apologized greatly for his deceit and begged for forgiveness. Dawn was the first to say he was forgiven with a hug.
Not only now did the six girls now have a new power they could use to battle any evil forces that may threaten Equestria, but Twilight now had a new castle of her own since her tree home was destroyed by Tirek. It was large and looked to be made of crystal as well. Twilight had also been given the title princess of friendship, along with her friends.
Another typical day for Dawn came around. It was just another school day for him with his cousins Twilight and Spike. Dawn was more than happy and eager to learn from his latest cousin and princess, Twilight Sparkle. Twilight was going through Dawn’s math lesson in Twilight’s new library of her castle and had a few problems scribbled on the black board. Dawn was taking notes so as not to miss anything and was managing to get the jest of it. In the middle of the lesson, Dawn was writing down a few more notes when there was a small flash on his parchment. Discord appeared on the paper looking like a simple doodle. “Discord? What are you doing here?” Dawn whispered.
“Hello Dawn, I just wanted to pop in and see how your lessons are going.” Discord responded.
Dawn continued in his hushed tone. “They’re going fine. I appreciate you coming by to check on me, but I don’t want to get in trouble.”
“Dawn, are you paying attention?” Twilight asked as she turned her gaze from the blackboard to him.
Dawn neatly put his hooves together on his desk. “Yes Twilight, I am.” He gave an innocent smile.
Twilight gave a smile. “Good, now continuing with the multiplication, we….” Twilight continued on.
Dawn looked back down and saw Discord riding a three like a hoarse and using a nine like a lasso on an eight. He couldn’t help but snicker a little. “Discord…please…I’ll get in trouble.” He said as he struggled to hold in his snickers.
“Yeahaw, get a long little numbers!” Discord cheered.
“Dawn Light!” Twilight suddenly called sounding a little irritated. “You didn’t hear a word I said did you?” She gave a stern look.
Dawn shrunk in his seat. “I’m sorry Twilight, but…Discord popped in on my sheet and he was doing some funny things with the numbers.”
Twilight cocked a brow. “Discord?”
Discord popped from the paper to between Dawn and Twilight. “Oh lighten up Sparkle, I was just trying to make math fun for him. I’m sure he’s probably bored by now.”
It was Discord’s turn to receive Twilight’s disapproving eyes. “Math can be plenty fun on its own.” Twilight said.
“Oh please, you may think so, but not everypony thinks like you, you know.” Discord shot back.
“Um, Discord, I do like learning this stuff. I appreciate you trying to help, but I am learning it just fine on my own.” Dawn said in hopes of keeping an argument from breaking out.
Discord looked to Dawn with wide eyes. “Really?” He looked forward with a flat look as he slumped. “Oh fine. But perhaps I could aid with the science lesson. You know, provide some visual aids and such.” He zapped in a model of the solar system.
The sun on the mobile wore a smile. The closest planet orbiting it spoke. “Fatty. Blubbergut. Hippo.” The planet said with each pass. The sun frowned.
The farthest planet was shivering with chattering teeth. “Can someone pass me a b-b-blanket please, I’m so c-c-cold.”
Dawn snickered at the mobile.
“Thank you, but we have everything we need right here.” Twilight said with an upturned nose.
“Fine.” Discord said as he made the model disappear. He folded his arms and turned away. “I just wanted to spend some time with my friend before he left on his trip.”
“Trip?” Dawn said in a questioning tone as he quirked his head to the side. “What trip?”
“Discord!” Twilight said with a glare. “That was meant to be a surprise.”
“Surprise?” Dawn questioned again.
“Oopsie, did I spoil something?” Discord said with an innocent look as a halo appeared over his head.
Twilight gave a frustrated groan. “Ugh, fine, you can stay.”
“Um, Twilight, Discord, what trip?” Dawn asked carefully with his ears flat against his head.
Twilight looked to Dawn with a warm smile. “Sorry dawn, I was going to surprise you with this but somepony…” She looked to Discord with narrowed eyes, before looking back to Dawn with a smile. “…Ruined it. You see, we’ll be going on a little trip tomorrow. But you won’t know where until we get there.”
“Really?” Dawn perked up with a smile. “Oh boy! Where are we going?”
Twilight gave a laugh. “I just said you won’t know till we get there. As long as somepony…or chaos god…keeps their mouth shut.”
Discord made a zipper motion over his mouth making a real zipper appear on his lips, sealing his mouth shut.
Spike soon entered the room carrying a tray with sandwiches on them. “Who’s ready for lunch?” He asked with a rising tone happily.
“I am!” Dawn cheered as he raised a hoof as high as he could with an eager smile.
Twilight let out a giggle at his eagerness for lunch. “Discord, care to join us?” She offered with a smile, forgetting that he pretty much ruined the surprise trip.
“Why thank you.” Discord said with a smile and a bow. In a white flash, he made a large table appear with everypony suddenly seated as they all wore fancy outfits and an array of foods was displayed before them. Spike and Dawn were put in black tuxedos and Twilight had on a purple sparkling dress. Discord was wearing a black tuxedo of his own with a red bow tie and white gloves.
Twilight and Spike looked around in confusion at first. “Hey, what happened to the sandwiches I made?”
“Uh Discord, is this really necessary?” Twilight asked.
“What, too much?” Discord asked. “I just want to provide a kind of lunch send off since this will be the last time in a good while I’ll get to share a meal with my good friend.”
“I think it’s great Discord, thank you.” Dawn said.
Twilight rolled her eyes and accepted it.
“But what about dinner tonight….and breakfast tomorrow?” Dawn pointed out.
“Oh right, the trip isn’t until tomorrow.” Discord said in a thoughtful tone as he tapped his chin with his eagle claw. “Oh well, no sense letting this food go to waste, dig in every pony.” With that, they all began to eat a delicious meal of cooked vegetables and sweet fruits.
The next day:
Dawn had to pack his things the night before the trip he was about to take and was eager to go. He bid his family a farewell before leaving to Ponyville to meet up with Twilight at the train station. Dawn had never been on a train before and was amazed at how it looked and worked. He shot a million questions about it to Twilight once they reached the station and Twilight happily answered every one. Dawn eagerly took a window seat and Twilight sat next to him. “This is so great, I’ve never been on a train before, but then we didn’t have trains a thousand years ago.”
Twilight let out a giggle. “I know Dawn, you only mentioned it like twelve times already.”
Spike had taken a seat behind them. “Thirteen actually.” He pointed out as he poked his head over the seat.
“Sorry, this is just so fun.” Dawn said. He looked out the window and watched as the scenery go by.
“It’s okay Dawn, it’s perfectly all right to get excited about something new.” Twilight said.
Dawn looked back at Twilight a moment, then leaned over and gave her a hug. “Thanks for taking me on this trip, even though I still don’t know where we’re going.”
Twilight happily hugged back and nuzzled Dawn. “You’re welcome Dawn.”
Dawn soon broke the hug and continued looking out the window. It would be at least two hours before they would reach their destination. As the train drew closer, the terrain was slowly shifting and seemed to be turning white. Dawn soon realized it was snow. The land became more and more covered as it zipped by. Even the inside of the train started to feel chilly. “Why are we heading up north, what’s up north Twilight?” Dawn asked with a cocked brow.
“Think Dawn, is there any place you learned about that’s up north?” Twilight asked with a grin.
Dawn looked down at his seat in thought. It took him two minutes to piece it together. His mouth slowly opened with a drawn out gasp. “The crystal empire?” He asked as he looked to Twilight. His only answer was a simple nod from his alicorn cousin. Dawn’s muzzle grew into a huge grin and he spread out his wings and started jumping up and down in excitement in his seat. “YAHOO! WE’RE GOING TO THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE!”
Twilight giggled again. “Dawn calm down, I know you’re excited, but your disturbing the other passengers.”
Dawn ceased his jumping and lowered his voice but his excitement could barely be contained. “I’m just so excited, we’re going to the crystal empire!” Another thought crossed his mind that made his joy grow even more. “That means I get to see cousin Cadence and cousin Shining Armor!”
“Yep, we’ll be staying there for about a week to visit them.” Spike pointed out.
Dawn started jumping again with a huge toothy grin and let out squeals of delight in an attempt not to bother the other train riders.
The terrain outside quickly shifted from snowy to sunny as the train neared the station. Dawn looked out the window and saw one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen. An entire city made of crystal. Even the citizens seemed to be made of crystal as they seemed to sparkle and were transparent. The train pulled up to the station and Dawn was the first one out as he rushed out to look at it. Twilight and Spike had to run to catch up to him so he wouldn’t run off. “Dawn, stay close to us okay.”
“Wow, look at this place, it so shiny and crystally.” Dawn said, seemingly not hearing Twilight’s words.
“And we lost him.” Spike commented.
Dawn spotted a crystal pony nearby and rushed over to the mare. “Hi there!” He chirped.
His sudden appearance made the crystal mare jump in surprise. “Oh, uh…hello there, can I…help you?”
“Hi, I’m Dawn Light, this is the first time I’ve been to the crystal empire and never met a crystal pony before. It’s nice to meet you.”
The crystal mare gave a nervous smile at first. “Oh, well, it’s…nice to meet you two. Welcome too…wait, did you say Dawn Light?”
Twilight and Spike came up behind Dawn.
“Yep, that’s me.” Dawn responded with a smile to the mare’s question.
The crystal mare saw Twilight on approach with Spike. She gave a gasp. “You’re princess Twilight Sparkle.” She then turned her eyes to the little alicorn prince before her. “And you must be prince Dawn Light.” She bowed low. “Please forgive me for not noticing sooner your majesties.”
Dawn gave a sigh and a roll of his eyes. This was something he didn’t want. “Please don’t bow, I just wanted to meet you.”
The mare rose from her bow. “Thank you your majesty, I am honored.”
“Sorry about the sudden intrusion mam.” Twilight said. “He’s just really eager.”
“It’s quit all right, I’m glad I could welcome you to our fair city.” The mare stated.
A pair of crystal pony guards approached the group. “Princess Twilight Sparkle, Spike the dragon, prince Dawn Light, we have been sent to escort you to the crystal palace, please come with us.” The first guard said.
“Aw, but I wanted to talk to this pony some more.” Dawn whined.
Twilight giggled. “Don’t worry Dawn, you’ll have plenty of time to meet the crystal ponies once we get settled.”
“Okay.” That perked him up quickly. He faced the mare again. “It was nice meeting you miss…” He trailed off.
“Honey Wheat your majesty.” The mare replied.
“I hope to meet you again miss Honey Wheat.” Dawn said with a smile. The group then departed following the crystal guards. Dawn darted his head left and right trying to take everything in as he passed by all the structures. He waved to some of the crystal ponies he saw along the way and all they did was give a smile and bow. At least they weren’t intimidated like the last time when he had guards with him walking around. But he did wish they would at least wave back. Sure he was a prince, but he just wanted friends, not respect.
As they drew closer to the crystal palace, Dawn caught site of two ponies that made his excitement grow more. He flared his wings and flew away from his entourage to grip his pink alicorn cousin in a tight hug. “Cousin Cadence, I’m so happy to see you!”
Cadence felt some air escape her lungs when her little cousin plowed into her for a hug. She quickly shook it off and hugged him back. “It’s great to see you too Dawn, it’s been too long.” She happily nuzzled his cheek with hers.
They soon broke the hug and Dawn hopped to the other pony that filled him with joy to see and gripped him in an equally tight hug. “Cousin Shining Armor, I missed you.”
Shining gave a grunt of his own when Dawn jumped him. He too quickly shook it off and smiled as he hugged Dawn back. “I missed you too kiddo, glad you could make it.”
Twilight and Spike finally managed to reach the three. When they did, Twilight and Cadence greeted each other in their usual manner with their song and dance routine. “Sunshine, sunshine, lady bugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake!” They shared a laugh, then a hug. When Twilight moved to greet her brother, Spike got a greeting hug from Cadence, then from Shining Armor.
“So, what do you think of the crystal empire so far?” Cadence asked.
“It’s great here, everything is all shiny and pretty.” Dawn responded.
“Come on, let’s get you all settled in and rest up a bit. I imagine you’re a bit tired from that long train ride.” Shining suggested.
“I could use a nap.” Spike said.
“Spike, that’s practically all you did on the train.” Twilight pointed out with a giggle.
“Yeah Spike, you are kind of lazy.” Dawn said with a cheeky grin.
Spike puffed his cheeks in annoyance. “Hey, I am not.”
Dawn and Twilight, even Cadence and Shining Armor shared a laugh. The crystal guards had taken to carrying the luggage Spike, Dawn, and Twilight brought after meeting up with them.
Once they entered the palace, Dawn started gawking in amazement again. “Wow, this place is huge. It seems bigger than Canterlot castle.”
“That’s because it is.” Cadence said. “From what I learned about the previous ruler before Sombra, she wanted a big castle. The size and shape had to be big so it could maximize the use of the crystal pony’s positive energy to drive off any dark forces that threaten it.”
“Sombra?” Dawn cocked his head in confusion. “Oh right, that nasty unicorn guy Twilight told me about. He was wanting to conquer everything by using the power of the crystal empire. But then my sisters showed up and turned him to shadow and sealed him away.”
“That’s right Dawn, glad to see you were paying attention during your history lessons.” Twilight said.
“Of course I was.” Dawn chirped. “I also liked the story you told me of how you and your friends and Spike helped save the crystal empire from Sombra when he came back. That was so cool.”
“Yeah, I was pretty awesome.” Spike said with a cheeky smile.
“All right Mr. Hero, this is your room.” Shining said. They stopped at a door and Shining opened it with his magic to allow them entrance. Dawn walked in first to inspect the room.
There were two beds to the left that looked identical and were king size. They had four posts with what looked like curtains tied to the posts and blue sheets and pillows. There was a single night stand between the two with a single lamp. On the opposite side of the room was a pair of dressers. Across from the room was a large window with white curtains and finally, next to the dressers was a door that led to the bath room. “Dawn, Twilight, Spike, this will be your room.” Cadence informed.
“Nice place.” Dawn said.
“Thanks Cadence.” Twilight said. The guards walked in and placed their luggage on the first bed.
“We’ll let you unpack and settle in first, then you can meet up with us in the throne room where we’ll head to the dining room for lunch.” Shining informed.
“Good idea, I am getting hungry.” Spike said.
Once Cadence and Shining Armor were gone, Twilight went over to the luggage to unpack and Dawn look in the room some more. “Wow, the Crystal Empire. I still can’t believe I’m here.” He started hopping up and down in glee. “This is so exciting! Thanks for bringing me here Twilight, Spike!”
“Don’t mention it little buddy.” Spike said with a smile.
After a few minutes of unpacking, the trio began their trek through the palace to the throne room. Along the way, they had a chance meeting with a guard that wasn’t a crystal pony, but a pegasus. Dawn was the first to greet him out of curiosity. “Hi there, I’m Dawn Light, what’s your name?”
The guard looked to Dawn with a smile, then bowed. “Greetings your highness, I am Flash Sentry.”
(You may commence with the booing now.)
Twilight adopted a small blush upon seeing the guard. “Oh, hello Flash. It’s…*ahem* good to see you again.”
“Princess Twilight, always a pleasure.” Flash dawned a small blush of his own. “So…I understand you and your new cousin are here for a visit?”
“Oh yes, Dawn Light was just so eager to come visit the Crystal Empire. So his sisters asked me to take him, so here we are…together…at the Crystal Empire. Heh heh.” Twilight chuckled nervously still wearing the blush.
Dawn watched the display curiously. He leaned to Spike and whispered to him. “What’s with them?”
Spike whispered back. “Twilight has a crush on Flash Sentry.” He followed up with a chuckle.
Dawn made an O’ with his mouth in realization. Then he smirked, then giggled.
“Would you…like an escort to the throne room?” Flash asked.
“Sure, I would love one.” Twilight answered.
“All right then, right this way.” Flash said as he began to lead the way.
“Twilight, don’t you know the way already?” Dawn asked.
Twilight hesitated a moment. “Well…yes…but we haven’t seen each other in a while so this would be a good chance for us to talk. Dawn, Flash Sentry is a friend I made here in the Crystal Empire.”
“Friend huh, so how’d you two meet?” Dawn asked.
“Oh nothing much happened really. We just happened upon each other during one of my trips to the Crystal Empire.” Twilight said.
“Oh come on Twilight, your leaving out the best part about the other world we went to.” Spike pointed out.
“Other world?” Dawn questioned.
Twilight gave a tired sigh while Flash shared a laugh. “I remember hearing about that trip. I was there when Twilight told her friends about what all happened.”
“Come on Twilight, you gotta tell me now.” Dawn nearly whined.
“All right Dawn, I’ll tell you about it over lunch.” Twilight relented.
The now turned group of four made their way to the throne room where they met up with Cadence and Shining Armor and, from there, went to the dining hall for lunch where Twilight recanted her tale of her adventure to this whole other world inhabited by strange bipedal creatures she came to learn were called humans. She told how it started with this unicorn trying to steal her crown and escaped to this other world. Dawn was glued to every word Twilight said about her journey. When it started and Twilight said how Spike had turned into a dog, Dawn nearly lost it. He also found it interesting that there were these…human versions of Twilight and his friends from Ponyville.
Twilight told of this one girl who was once Celestia’s student named Sunset Shimmer and she was the unicorn that stole her crown and escaped to this other world. She had to go to this place called a high school and win the crown back at this celebration the school holds once a year. She didn’t have much time for the portal to this other world and hers would only stay open for a short time and if it closed before she went through it, she would be stuck there for a very long time.
In the end, Twilight and her new human friends that resembled her pony friends banded together and defeated Sunset Shimmer and reclaimed her element of magic.
“Wow, what a story. Can I go see this other world Twilight? Can I, can I can I?” Dawn asked with each hop.
“I’m sorry Dawn, but that could be dangerous. Besides, the portal is closed now and won’t be open again for a very long time.” Twilight informed.
“Awwww.” Dawn whined. Dawn Light, Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Shining Armor, and Cadence enjoyed the rest of their meal as they talked and told each other about what may be new or just making idle chatter. Though Dawn was enjoying his time with his extended family, he was eager to get out there and see the rest of the Crystal Empire.
After Lunch was had, Dawn, Twilight, and Spike were making their way back through the palace to the exit to look around the empire while Cadence and Shining took care of their royal duties. Dawn gave a smug grin as he had an idea to just mess with Twilight for fun. It quickly vanished as he gave a genuine smile. “So Twilight, you like him don’t you?” He suddenly asked.
Twilight looked to Dawn curiously. “Hm? Like who?”
Dawn gave a sly grin. “You know who, that Pegasus guard Flash Sentry? You like him.”
Twilight’s face flushed red. “I…I do not.” She protested.
Spike giggled at the scene and just watched. “Oh come on Twilight, I may have a foal body and mind, but I wasn’t born yesterday. My experience with Crystal gave me some insight to the whole love thing. I saw the way you looked at him.”
Twilight turned her nose up and away with a blush. “I do not, and I don’t appreciate you talking about it.”
Dawn walked backwards in front of Twilight. “Twilight and Flash, sitting in a tree.” Spike then joined in as he jumped next to Dawn. “K-I-S-S-I-N-G!”
Twilight shot Dawn angry eyes still with a blush. “Knock it off Dawn.” She warned.
He galloped a little ahead. “You want me to stop you gotta catch me first.” He declared before flaring his wings and taking off.
Twilight realized what he was doing and managed to shake off the taunting she got from her cousin and gave a smile. “You asked for it!” Spike hopped onto Twilight’s back so as not to be left behind and she took off after Dawn. “I’m gonna get you!”
“Try and catch me!” Dawn called back and stuck his tongue out at her. Their laughter echoed through the halls of the palace as they raced through the place. Dawn managed to find a window that led outside and swerved to take it. Twilight managed to follow and now the chase was on outside the palace.
“Get back here you little scamp!” Twilight called playfully.
“Not a chance slow poke!” Dawn taunted back.
Spike was not looking too good from the ride he was getting.
The chase went on over the empire giving Dawn a good look at the whole area. In his admiration, he slowed down his flight which allowed Twilight to catch him and tackle him into a cloud. “Got you!” The two shared a laugh while Spike hung tightly to Twilight. Thus was Dawn’s first day in the Crystal Empire.