“Aunty Twilly!” The eager cry of three foals was the first sound to greet Foresight’s ears as the impressive doors opened. This was quickly followed by a miniature stampede which clatted across the corridor and bore Twilight to the floor.
Foresight had the brief impression of tangled limbs, Twilight’s purple was surrounded white, blue and pink. Foresight caught fleeting glimpses of horns and wings among the flailing hooves before with a hearty chuckle Twilight called out, “It’s great to see you all too!”
A glowing haze surrounded the excited foals as Twilight lifted them off her and set them down gently with her magic. She beamed at them and Foresight couldn’t help but smile along with her.
“Did you bring us a gift Twilly?” Came swiftly from the tallest of the three, a white unicorn colt with a purple mane.
“I may have ‘Platinum’ depends if you’ve been good for your Mum and Dad?” Twilight teased and his eyes shone with delight.
“We’ve been real good! No trouble at all!” The next in line replied. Foresight chuckled as she watched the blue earth colt with a messy white mane salute.
“Is this true?” Twilight turned the final and smallest member of their welcoming committee, a pink pegasus filly with a shocking yellow mane.
She stood defiantly, as if trying to match the taller stature of the other two foals, “No! ‘Silver’ is just trying to get himself a present.”
“That’s not true ‘Strong’! I’ve been good for at least two days now!” Silver countered before sticking his tongue out at his sister.
“See he was bad just then!” Strong replied triumphantly as she folded her hooves and lifted her head in an imperious manner.
Twilight gave Foresight a knowing smile as the three foals began to argue, “Well I think you’re all unreliable witnesses. I motion that we ask the parents if you’ve been good.” She winked at Foresight who felt her own smile widening.
The three foals all froze, their faces masks of terror before another voice called out confidently, “I for one think that Aunty Twilly is right. I hereby swear before this court that I will give the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!”
Foresight actually chuckled as a very serious looking white unicorn with blue mane called out from further down the corridor. The effect on the foals was nothing short of bedlam, each one scuffling and jabbing in their effort to line up neatly.
“The Princess seconds this motion of Shining Armour!” A majestic pink alicorn with multi coloured mane that could only be Princess Cadence announced.
Foresight saw the royal couple both standing sternly at the far end of the richly decorated hallway. The palace was simply beautiful and even more so from the inside. Foresight had gotten a full look at the Fiefdoms layout as the Bloomberg had settled into a stationary position just outside the city’s boundaries. The central spire that was the castle was nestled at the apex of out branching roads, being the very fulcrum of what resembled a giant snowflake when seen from the air.
Now within its confines Foresight was even more impressed. Every facet of the place had been carved out of different coloured crystal, all polished to a mirror finish. It was so like the ruins Foresight had investigated during her time as an archaeologist, but yet alive.
Impressive statues and depictions of ponies in heroic poses were much in evidence, while tapestries and carpets of breath taking quality lined the walls and floors. It felt like Canterlot in that the place was old yet so different. Almost like a sister to Equestria’s capital.
The Fiefdom was a living, breathing piece of history. Foresight recognised architecture from bygone eras surrounding her on every side and could easily forget she was in a working city had not the crystal ponies been there to give it sound and life. “Who’s this Aunty?”
Foresight was broken out of her reverie by the question and looked down to see three pairs of curious eyes watching her. The sudden attention of the three foals made Foresight feel uncomfortable.
“This is my good friend Foresight, she may be staying with you for a little while,” Twilight explained and Foresight gave them a little wave.
“Why are her eyes funny?” Platinum asked with no trace of tact and Foresight braced herself for the inevitable fear, but to her pleasant surprise it never came.
“Foresight is a different kind of pony, she’s what’s called a ‘dark unicorn’ and has come to meet you all,” Twilight said encouragingly.
“Oh…” Platinum replied before his little muzzle broke into a grin, “Do you want to see my shield spell? Daddy has been teaching me!”
“I er….” Foresight began only for Silver to push his brother aside.
“No I want to show you my presentation for school! It’s all about turnips!” Silver demanded and Foresight looked pleadingly to Twilight who simply laughed softly.
“Urh-ur!” Strong shrilled shoving Silver in turn, “I have my first fencing lesson today and I want Foresight to watch!”
“Well I…” Foresight tried before a fifth voice joined the conversation.
“Foresight and Aunty Twilight are both tired after their journey so first of all they will be joining Shining and I for tea and biscuits,” Cadence declared with a finality that caused all the foals to groan.
Foresight gave a sigh of relief before she continued, “Then you can show Foresight all your projects.” Foresight was once again surrounded by bouncing excited foals and the lingering sense that she was in over her head.
“That’s simply dreadful Twilight,” Cadence said tenderly as she sipped from her cup. The evening was well settled in now and Cadence true to her word had made sure Twilight and Foresight were comfortably ensconced in her dining room.
Foresight had been treated to one glorious sight after another within the palace, even the simple matter of having tea required a small tour of the whole palace it seemed. She suspected that Cadence was trying to reassure Foresight with all the grandeur on display. It was no secret that Twilight wanted Foresight to stay with Cadence and Shining. No doubt Twilight had informed her sister in law of Foresight’s hesitancy.
Not that Foresight wasn’t impressed, this place was almost divine. But she still had that nagging feeling there was something underneath all the smiles and well wishing. It would have been nice to stay here, if not for that suspicion.
“I know, that’s why I’m so grateful you let our crew and ourselves rest up for a bit before we push north again,” Twilight said, lying back in the comfortable couch and releasing a contented sigh.
“Of course. If there’s anything we can do to help then I’ll make sure it’s done,” Cadence replied with a smile.
“You’re all very welcome here for as long as you need,” Shining agreed eagerly, “We’re already restocking the Bloomberg and treating your wounded.”
“Thanks B.B.B.F.F Twilight smiled as Foresight gave her a curious look, “I’ll explain later”
“So Foresight what do you think of the city? I hope you’re more inclined to stay here after your little tour?” Cadence voiced the question that everypony had been avoiding.
Foresight frowned, “Well it’s nice and all but…..”
“Don’t be shy, we’re all friends here right?” Cadence said with a winning smile.
“To be frank Princess I just don’t get it, all this….” Foresight waved a hoof at the general scene.
It was Shining Armour who answered, “It’s taken a lot of hard work, rebuilding the Empire after its long absence. You know it was banished for over a thousand years right?”
Foresight nodded, “Pretty much everypony knows the story of how the Crystal Empire suddenly disappeared soon after the defeat of it’s tyrant by Luna and Celestia. How it came back again and was saved by Twilight and yourselves.”
Twilight coughed, “Well Spike played a big part, he’s the one who finally secured the Crystal Heart and banished King Sombra.”
“Okay yes,” Foresight admitted, “I mean how come everypony is so happy? It must be something to do with the Crystal Heart right?”
Cadence peered at Foresight over her teacup, “That’s a very good question. One a true archaeologist such as yourself would no doubt ask.” She finished her delicate sip and continued, “We’ve put a lot of research into the Crystal Heart and it has some amazing properties, one of which is the protective shield you have no doubt heard of.” Foresight nodded impatiently, that was old news.
Foresight glanced at one of the tapestries lining the wall which depicted the artifact in question. A large crystal carved into a stylised heart shape floating in the air all surrounded happy crystal ponies.
They’d passed the real Crystal Heart on their way inside the palace. The unique artifact had radiated power even then; spinning slowly in a magical field, held floating between two vertical spikes of crystal. This arrangement was situated in a courtyard surrounded by the four primary foundations of the palace itself, forming an enclosed hall with archways open to the city beyond. It was literally the core as well as the ‘heart’ of the city.
“Well one of the other more interesting things it does is amplifies positive emotions. We’re not entirely sure how it does this to be honest, but I’m sure Twilight has a few theories?” Cadence finished, smiling at Twilight.
“One or Two, but nopony knows ‘Magical Crystal Lore’ like they do here. It’s where the power cores for Bloomberg were made for example,” Twilight grinned, “Which reminds me Cadence, you promised me a quick glance at your research facility while I was here.”
Cadence smiled, “Of course, as I said anything to help.”
Foresight frowned, “But that sounds suspiciously like mind control to me.” Everypony in the room stared at Foresight who coughed before going on, “You can’t just force ponies to be happy, that can’t be right.”
They all continued to stare at Foresight as if she’d sprouted wings before Cadence burst into laughter, “Oh Foresight…” She smiled indulgently, “We don’t force anypony to be happy, they choose to be.”
Foresight still wasn’t convinced, “I can read minds your Highness and what I saw out there in your city wasn’t natural. Everypony has trouble and disagreements or hard times.” To her surprise Cadence nodded.
“Of course they do, the crystal ponies may not show their displeasure in the same manner as other ponies, but I can assure you they have them.” Cadence replied in a knowing manner.
“When we first came here they were all miserable,” Shining added. He gave Foresight a conspiratorial smile before looking around as if afraid somepony would hear him and dropped his voice, “To be honest they are all very highly strung, they tend to jump from really happy to deep depression in a snap when something really bothers them.”
“It seems to be a natural state for them, they are either happy or sad with few steps in between. Trust me when you meet an unhappy crystal pony you will see it instantly,” Twilight added.
“They’ve just learnt to try and keep a positive outlook on life, so things that would normally annoy a normal pony, they just brush off. We suspect it’s balanced out by the Crystal Heart which they’ve formed a symbiotic bond with.” Cadence said with a sigh, “It makes it all the more important for us to protect it, without the Crystal Heart the crystal ponies would be in real trouble.”
“And it makes them a real pain to work with when their down,” Shining Armour mumbled with a roll of his eyes.
Foresight digested this, it seemed a plausible if unusual explanation. But then again she could hardly be counted normal either. Still… Foresight screwed up her muzzle before replying, “So what you’re saying is that the majority of the city is inhabited by Bipolar ponies?”
Cadence stared wide eyed at Foresight for a moment before nodding with a thoughtful look, “I’ve never heard it put like that, but yes I guess you’re right.” She smiled, “Though it takes something truly terrible to upset them to that degree, otherwise we’d be having ponies throwing themselves off buildings left right and center.”
“What it does mean is that the crystal ponies will throw themselves at anything they decide to turn a hoof to with almost fanatical devotion,” Twilight said with a grin, “It can come in very useful and make them even happier when they succeed.”
Rolling this all over in her mind Foresight took another sip of her cold tea, “So how do you think they will react when they meet a cursed lithi who feels nothing? A creature who is by its very nature is the opposite of a cheerful crystal pony.”
For the first time since they arrived Cadence looked crestfallen, “Ah yes the lithi. I of course know about them.” She frowned, “To be honest I don’t know what will happen.”
Twilight piped up, “You know that does give me an interesting thought. The lithi are basically stone earth ponies right?” Foresight caught the enthusiasm in Twilight’s voice and pricked her own ears as she went on, “And the crystal ponies are as far as we can tell an earth pony offshoot that at some point became well ‘crystally’.”
“Is that your scientific name for them Twilly?” Shining joked and Twilight humphed.
“No it’s ‘Prismaticus Equinus’ if you must know,” Twilight stated with a snort. Twilight held her head high with indignation until she saw everypony else was grinning at her. “The point is they are not too dissimilar to Impasse, he’s essentially made from stone, crystal ponies are made from a different kind of stone thats all.”
Cadence nodded with a smile of understanding, “So if the crystal ponies have a symbiotic connection to the Heart then maybe it could help the lithi? That is what you’re getting at right Twilight?”
Foresight felt a tiny flash of hope, Twilight may have stumbled upon something there. She didn’t let that spark grow however, “But isn’t that really dangerous? He and the other lithi are cursed by NIghtmare Moon. Who knows what effect he may have on the Crystal Heart in return.”
Cadence smiled sadly, “You really are a dour one aren’t you Foresight?”
“Been let down too many times,” Foresight admitted with a frown. Cadence, Twilight and Shining Armour all sat there for a while pondering the idea. “I think it’s worth a shot though,” Foresight said finally. It was a fool’s hope, but a hope nevertheless.
“So this is the Crystal Fiefdom?” Pipsqueak said in a vaguely disappointed tone as he looked across the assembled shops and eateries lining the street. “All seems a bit too flashy for me.”
“That’s cause yer a boy, yer don’t notice nice stuff like we do,” Applebloom replied her eyes aglow with anticipation.
“I mean it’s nice, but I don’t see what all the fuss is about and quite frankly I’m surprised you’re so interested dear,” Pip commented as he waved back at some of the ponies lining the streets. “The locals are very friendly so I guess they got that bit right.”
“Yer just ain’t lookin hard enough Pip. For example look over there,” Applebloom pointed at a shop that looked just like any other in Pip’s estimation.
The idea of a leisurely trot through the town had seemed a good plan to Pip at first. Spending some quality time with Applebloom away from the stresses of work and all that. He’d had visions of them trotting through the ‘City of Love’ and staring besottedly into each other’s eyes. He dearly needed to talk to Applebloom and wanted a quiet, peaceful time to do so.
Of course the reality had been different. Oh they trotted alright, but Applebloom only had eyes for the various sights. Still he’d valiantly attempted to say something romantic every so often and it had been met with indifference. He was now feeling quite sullen about the whole thing, hence his less than cheery praise of the scenery.
“Now that is a work of beauty,” Applebloom said to the increasingly mystified Pip. The store was a simple little furniture store and though while Pip would have agreed the furnishings looked comfortable he saw nothing that should catch Applebloom’s attention.
“It’s ur….nice…” Pip tried only for Applebloom to give him a sour look.
“Nice? Yer simple everyday piece is nice Pip, that there is a work of art,” She scowled at him with a disbelieving expression. “What’s gotten inter yer Pip, I thought yer would be interested?”
“Well It looks like it would be nice to sit on honey, but….” Pip began only for Applebloom to make a strange choking sound.
“Sit on? Are yer crazier than a beehive filled with poisoned joke? She stood there dumbfounded, “That’s about the oddest thing I’ve ever heard yer say Pip, are yer okay?” Applebloom moved forward to check Pip’s forehead and peered into his bemused eyes.
“Well that’s what they’re for,” Pipsqueak countered as he waved his hoof at the assembled chairs.
The blank stare continued, “Pip why in the hay would anypony make a ‘CI-Twelve’ ter sit on? It’d roast yer flank right good.”
Pipsqueak blinked in confusion, “Um Honey that’s a lighting rod are you….” He suddenly stopped and looked back at the store window and there above the display was the CI-Twelve, the latest crystal light on the market. “Oh that makes much more sense….”
“Pip, yer really are distant today. What yer thought I liked all them fro-fro shazzy thingys?” Appleblooms tiny smile told him that she knew the answer. Before Pipsqueak could say anything else Applebloom burst out in raucous laughter, her eyes tearing up with the effort.
“Whooee! That’s one to tell the young’uns!” Applebloom managed to gasp out between chuckles. Pip for his part smiled sheepishly and tried his best to look like he was enjoying the moment as much as she was.
Applebloom wiped her streaming eyes before smiling sadly at him, “Now come on Pip, yer gotta admit that was funny.” Pipsqueak did his best to shrug nonchalantly and Applebloom’s face became serious, “Awww come on Pip, what’s eatin yer now?”
Pip found his eyes drifting to Applebloom’s side, it may have just been his imagination but she seemed a little rounder about the mid-rift. She caught him looking and smiled all the wider, “Is that it huh? I’m a bit scared too, but more excited than anything else.” She hugged him and Pip felt the cloud of anxiety thin.
“I’ve had a lot of time to think about things, where we’re going and the changing nature of the world….” Pipsqueak began only for a hoof to plug his mouth.
“Okay now that’s the most dangerous thing I’ve heard in weeks, includin magic traps n evil deserts Pip,” Applebloom said in mock solemnity, “Yer not going ter get all ‘should we really have this foal’ on me are yer?”
Pipsqueak opened his mouth, then shut it, then opened it again. She’d seen right through him and now Pip knew he was on thin ice, “Well er….”
Applebloom’s face darkened, “Before we set out yer were behind me one hundred percent. Yer want foals, I want want foals. Don’t go tellin me yer got cold hooves yer hear!”
“It’s more complicated than that Applebloom,” Pip began and she gave him a look that could have melted steel. “Of course I want a foal, it was the happiest day of my life when I we found out we were expecting.”
“Mhm?” Applebloom sat down and folded her fore hooves.
“But, well you’ve seen what the worlds like outside Equestria, we’re heading into who knows what. One or both of us might not….” Pipsqueak began only for Applebloom to roll her eyes.
“I think yer bein a little overdramatic Pip, we’re havin a foal not declarin war. Sure there’s a whole cart load of ‘what if’s’ but yer know what?” Applebloom treated pip to a little smile, “There ain’t no force in the world that would stop me from going fer what I want. I want ter have a family with yer Pip, even if that means raisin em in a frozen cave up north yer hear me!”
She softened before embracing Pip again, “But I need yer ter want it too.”
That was the problem. Pip did want it, wanted more than anything he’d ever wanted in his life. But the sight of that dead pegasus kept intruding on his happy dream, the idea it could be him or Celestia forbid Applebloom lying on that mortuary table. He wanted to say this all to her, but it felt like a heavy metal slug rolling around his tongue.
Applebloom rested her head on his shoulder, “Now I know yer a brave and clever stallion. I see it in yer everyday Pip. I want that pony, the one who picked up a live power cable and shocked a dragon ter protect me. He’s in there somewhere and we just need ter bring him out again.”
Pip hugged her back and for a short while at least the world seemed to drift away, leaving him and Applebloom alone in their private moment. The shops, the passers bye all seemed to melt away as he held Applebloom in his hooves. Pip didn’t know how long they embraced, just holding each other with his eyes closed, but the moment faded too soon for his liking.
Time came back with a rush and Pip suddenly heard the stomping and cheering all around them. He opened his eyes and saw that everypony had stopped and were clattering their their hooves on the ground in support of Applebloom and himself.
“So that’s why they call this the city of love huh?” Pip managed to say before Applebloom smiled widely and kissed him.
For the second time in as many moments the world seemed to slow down for Pipsqueak. For now at least he could keep things together, he could be Applebloom’s support as she was for him. Together they could face anything the world could throw at them and Pip finally felt the lingering sorrow of his trauma retreat.
They finally broke apart and Applebloom beamed at him, “Now no more of this moapin alright? We can do this. Even if it’s just for today we can do this.” Pip smiled weakly as he gazed at Applebloom in a haze, his heart soaring as he hadn’t done for days.
The world seemed lighter, the shops brighter and more appealing, even the CI-Twelves lighting the displays appeared to be smiling down on Pipsqueak and Applebloom resumed their casual way down the street.
So enamoured were they in the sudden hope that blossomed that neither Pip or Applebloom noticed the briefest of flickers in the lights all around. It was the tiniest dulling, less than a heartbeat, but the effect on the crystal ponies was instant.
Each and every one of them shuddered as if filled with a chill. Several of them paused and looked towards the central palace with confused glances. These turned to looks of pained sadness and a few sobs were even heard.
Pip couldn’t fail to notice such a profound change in their manner and glancing at Applebloom saw she’d realised something strange was happening too. Left and right the crystal ponies all around were weeping, it was the most unnerving thing Pip had seen.
The tunnels and dangers of Sal Palomino had been scary for sure, but this was just plain creepy. Other crystal ponies were now coming out of their shops, each one looking towards the central spire of the city with such sorrow that Pip was almost moved to tears himself.
“Pip look they’re all kneeling!” Applebloom called and he saw she was right, every crystal pony as far as the eye could see was kneeling down and touching their muzzles to the ground.
Pipsqueak felt the charge building in his bones as a pale glow spread from each pony. The spreading light seeped out and merged with each other until, flowing through the very structure of the city, it filled up with a bluish radiance.
“It’s the Crystal Heart!” Applebloom shouted over the sudden hum,” They’re powering it up for some reason!”
Pip nodded in mute agreement as the combined power of the ponies all around suddenly was drawn into the palace. It absorbed the throbbing magic like a sponge drinking in water. A tense silence reigned until with musical note the spire released a massive glowing shockwave.
The power swept through the city, but miraculously left the buildings and crystal ponies untouched. Pip hugged Applebloom as the wave washed over them and to his complete amazement felt only a slightly warm tingle. The wave continued onwards until it reached the limits of the city and simply evaporated.
“What in the name of plum cakes and thistle worms was that?” Applebloom said quietly.
Pip looked at Applebloom and saw that she was sparkling. Applebloom looked just like a crystal pony! Further examination showed that he was similarly affected, his normally mottle coat now a mix match of differently hued crystal. What was most disconcerting was that he could now see through both he and Applebloom to the street below.
All the actual crystal ponies stood still for a moment, then as some unspoken command all lowered their heads in unison. Pip stared about and thought he saw a look of profound disappointment on their faces. “I don’t know, but whatever they tried to do I don’t think it worked…..”