Today was the anniversary of Sombra's defeat and the freedom of the Crystal Empire from his tyranny. It was the day of merry. Crystal ponies crowd the streets, stores and gaming tents were setup along the road. Music flew through the air, smiles adorn the crystal ponies' faces. A joyous celebration indeed.
Atop the crystal palace, Princess Cadence, watch over the wondrous occasion. She looked over her shoulder and saw her beloved husband. He was a magnificent stallion, kind and loving, his coat as white as snow, his mane and tail a mixture of dark and a lighter shade of blue. He stood tall beside her, giving her a smile as he trot beside her.
"Cadence, why are you not participating down there?" The unicorn stallion asked.
"It is their day, Shining, they are the ones who suffered not me." Cadence replied.
"Well, you did protect them from Sombra until the Elements arrived," Shining pointed a hoof at her. "and you are their princess after all. Go and have fun I will keep things checked." he smiled.
Cadence giggled then leaned close to him and gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks hon." she trotted into the castle to join the festivities.
It was in the early evening when Twilight and her friends arrived. As soon as they got off the train, Pinkie Pie disappeared leaving a pink puff of smoke behind.
The rest of the elements of harmony shook their heads and chuckled then trotted to meet with princess Cadence.
After a few minutes they found her helping setup bonfires for the night.
"Cadence!" Princess Twilight called.
Princess Cadence turned around to see the owner of the familiar voice. "Twilight!"
Both Alicorns ran towards each other and did their 'traditional' dance. "Sunshine! Sunshine! Ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" both princesses laughed.
"It's good to see you Cadence!" Princess Twilight said.
"You too Twilight, and the elements?" She looked over Twilight's shoulder as the elements bowed.
The pink alicorn raised a hoof, "there is no need to bow, it is good to see all of you! However, where's Pinkie Pie?"
With the mention of her name, the pink party pony appeared out of nowhere, holding two cotton candy cones. "Yes?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Oh, I see. Are you enjoying the celebration so far?"
Pinkie pie gave a huge grin. "Yeeeees surrreeyyy!"
Cadence chuckled, "That is good to hear, now do not let me delay your fun, go and enjoy the festivities. Meet me here later tonight." With that the element bearers scattered to see what the celebration have to offer, leaving princess Twilight behind.
"What's all this wood for?" Twilight asked.
"This lumbers are to be used as bonfires tonight. Many are being build in the city. They will be ignited for the late night songs and gatherings." The pink alicorn replied as she levitated another lumber.
"Oh, well that's something. I'm looking forward to it." Twilight said as she started to trot towards the palace.
"Twilight! Be sure to participate and not stay cooped up in the library!" Cadence shouted.
Twilight cringed and gave a sheepish smile.
---
Later that night. Princess Cadence, Twilight, Shining and the elements of harmony sat with a several crystal ponies around the bonfire. Songs were sang and others drank in merry. A group of ponies danced between the bonfire and the audience. The fire that ignites in the centre, warms them in the cold night that comes from the snowy peaks above the empire.
In the next song, sang by an old unicorn stallion. He wore a red cloak and his coat was dark blue.
"We drink to our youth, for the days come and gone.
For the age of aggression is just about done."
Cadence and Shining smiled and held their hooves together.
"We'll drive out the rebellion and restore what we own.
With our blood and our steel we'll take back our home."
Twilight raised and eyebrow.
"Down with Umbra! The defiant of kings!
On the day of your death we will drink and we'll sing."
Twilight gasped, she looked around to see if anypony noticed the foul lyrics but none seem to.
"We're the children of Crystals, and we fight all our lives.
And when Crystal Heart beckons, every one of us dies!
But this land is ours and we'll see it wiped clean.
Of the scourge that has sullied our hopes and our dreams!"
The old stallion's head sharply turned to Cadence. He charged up a telekinetic blast spell. Twilight noticed this, she knew there was no time to charge a counter spell so she wuickly jumped to intercept it.
"Cadence! Watch out!" She shouted. She was just in time to receive the entirety of the spell but she was blasted off towards the royal couple. The crystal ponies gasped in horror. Cadence's eyes were widened in shock. Shining glared at the old stallion and ordered the crystal guards to arrest him.
"Down with Cadence! The puppet of queens!
On the day of your death we will drink and we'll sing."
The crystal guards tried to pounce at the perpetrator but was restrained by dark tendrils that came out of the ground.
Cadence saw his glaring eyes, it was red and dull, it was like he was no longer a pony but merely an empty shell. Making a quick decision, she smite the old unicorn by the side. The old unicorn staggered, losing balance. He tried to conjure another spell. But the elements had already formed up ready to blast him with rainbow magic.
"We're the children of Crystals, and we fight all our lives.
And when the shadows beckons, every one of us dies!"
The old unicorn stood tall and face the rainbow. It surrounds him as it slowly eats away the shadow the surrounds him.
"We drink to our youth, to the days come and gone.
For the age of aggression is just about done."
The old unicorn fell upon the cobblestone road. The darkness that dulled his senses was gone from his eyes.
The princess, shining and the elements slowly trotted to inspect the old unicorn. They jolted back as a dark mist rose from the unmoving body of the old unicorn then fade out of existence.