Epilogue to Part One: Stealing Laughter
The hallway was a familiar one, but Topaz Glitter walked down it with trepidation, each hooffall echoing an uncomfortable amount of noise through the crystalline hallways of the Crystal Palace. She was jumpy. Really jumpy. Every time one of her hoofsteps echoed across the hallway, she flinched, forcibly restraining herself from glancing behind her to look for guards. It wasn’t as if she was doing anything wrong…
Okay, that was a lie. She knew that even though Princess Flurry hadn’t technically banished her from the palace, it was what the princess had meant. But she really desperately needed advice, and there was only one pony she felt like she could confess her deepest crimes to.
She really hoped that Escher was on duty. Her roommate hadn't been at home, but she also didn’t memorize his schedule. He could be out on a date, or bar hopping, or any number of places. She really hoped he wasn’t.
Nopony came to toss Topaz out of the palace as she made her way to the Empress’ Vault. She passed a few servants, but either they didn’t know of her recent altercation with the alicorn monarch, or they didn’t care to get involved. She’d been hoping that she could have gotten away with a little trip through the palace without being noticed, but that had clearly been a foolish hope. There were lots of bedrooms and guest rooms on the way to the Vault, after all.
She rounded the final turn that led to the Vault and breathed a silent sigh of relief. Escher was on duty. His red and black carapace stood out against the purple and blue crystal of the palace walls. When he saw her coming, his orange insect-like eyes narrowed dangerously. He glanced at his fellow guard, a crystal pony wearing the silver armor typical of the Palace Guard. The crystal pony shifted his stance and readied his spear, preparing to bar her way.
“Topaz…” Escher began with a resigned sigh, turning back to her. “What are you doing here?”
“You heard what she said, Escher!” Topaz said quickly, wishing she didn’t sound so panicked. “She never said I was banned from the castle!”
“Yes, yes, Princess Flurry Heart only banished you from her sight,” the changeling guard replied, rolling his eyes. “I was there, remember? But you know what she meant, Topaz. She would not be happy to find you here.”
“Good thing she’s not here then,” Topaz said cheerfully. “C’mon, Escher. You know I’m harmless. I need to go through. Escher, it’s important.”
“I can’t do it, Topaz. I have my orders.”
“You were ordered, specifically, to disallow me entry to the Vault?” Topaz asked. Escher hesitated. “Exactly. She probably forgot all about it after she banished me. In fact, I’m guessing the princess didn’t leave any standing orders about me at all, did she?”
“Only that we were supposed to toss you in a cell if you broke your banishment,” the crystal pony chimed in. Escher glared at him.
“Thanks, Tigerseye. I was really hoping to not have to throw my best friend and roommate in a cell tonight.”
“No, that’s perfect,” Topaz coaxed the two of them. “Since the technical wording of her banishment was that I couldn’t enter her sight, and she’s not here, I haven’t broken any rules. Please?” She tried to open her eyes as wide as she could, going full puppy-dog treatment on her closest and dearest friend. She could even see the exact moment he caved.
“It’s on your head, Topaz Glitter. And I’m going to clarify things with my commander so you can’t use this loophole again, hear? I won’t have you risking getting thrown in jail just because you can’t let go of your arguments with the princess.”
“Thank you thank you THANK YOU!” Topaz gushed, dashing forward to hug the changeling so quickly that his guard partner nearly leveled his spear towards her. Escher rolled his bug eyes and pushed her away so he could open the heavy stone door that led inside the Vault.
“Don’t be long. I’m not bailing you out of jail if you get yourself caught, okay? You can pay your own bail money, you silly filly.”
“You’re the best ‘ling ever!” Topaz sang as she slipped inside the room. Escher just shook his head.
“Knock when you want out, okay?” he said as he closed the door behind her.
Topaz looked ahead at the long, familiar hallway and immediately relaxed, feeling instantly at home. She loved this well-lit hallway, with its soft, inviting purple carpet and the glowing crystal torches on the wall. She trotted down the hallway, her gait lightening with every step.
The end of the hallway opened into a vast throne room. On the west end of the room was a shrine to the Prince of the Empire, the revered Shining Armor. Eternally burning candles surrounded a bronze bust of the stallion, his gaze both kind and stern. On the east end was a second shrine, complete with its own bust of the legendary Princess Twilight Sparkle, Prince Armor’s sister. Topaz ignored them as she approached the platform, where a single figure slumped on a raised platform, covered with beautiful satin pillows.
“Hey, great grandma,” Topaz said, giggling at her own joke. It was only an accurate title if you added about a hundred ‘greats’ to great grandma. The figure on the pillowed platform didn’t stir. She almost never did.
The Empress Mi Amore Cadenza was wraith-thin, with sunken cheeks and visible ribs. Large dark blotchy bags sat under each closed eye, showing a thousand years’ worth of exhaustion. Her forehooves were clutched around Ocellus’ Apparatus, the magical artifact that served as both a power source and a willing prison for the Empress. It allowed her to feed off the love of her willing subjects, while in turn feeding that power into the colossal shield that blocked the Crystal Empire off from the rest of the world.
As foals, everypony got to take turns coming before the powerful alicorn mare. It was one of the greatest privileges to serve the Empress, at that age. The walls around the shrines, and behind the platform, were covered, plastered in hoof drawn pictures made by the foals of the Empire, as well as the changeling nymphs, Diamond Dog puppies, and yak calves who came to meet the Empress and bathe her in their love and adoration. Everypony, and everyling and every pup and yak, loved the Empress for the sacrifice she made for them all.
Most foals grew out of the experience as they aged, however, and few of the adults visited except on rare occasions. Topaz Glitter was one of the few who bothered to keep visiting the Empress once they graduated from elementary school.
“I argued with your daughter again, Empress,” Topaz confessed as she knelt below the platform. The withered pink alicorn did not stir. “I think I went too far this time. I’m sorry, I just can’t help myself. She’s wrong. She’s wrong and she won’t see it.”
The Empress didn’t move or speak, and Topaz sighed. “I’m sorry. I know it’s a little rude to rehash the argument in front of you, but I have to vent.” Topaz rubbed at her eyes with her hooves. “She still won’t intervene. Things are getting worse for the poor ponies down south. We’ve been locked away for a thousand years, and we’ve been doing nothing. I just feel like we should be doing more. Like, I feel it in my cutie mark, if that makes sense.”
It didn’t, but since the Empress never spoke back, it didn’t matter. Some ponies said she didn’t hear when others spoke. Topaz knew differently. She knew that the Empress heard every word, because once, when she was a tiny foal, Empress Cadenza had spoken to her. Nopony believed her, but she knew. She would remember that moment till the day she died.
“It doesn’t really matter why we argued, I guess,” Topaz said. “In the end, Princess Flurry became so angry she banished me from her presence. I don’t blame her, not really. I crossed a line. I was rude, in front of her entire court. I called her a coward.” Topaz flinched. She still felt horrible about that. “It was a mistake. I’ll apologize the very next chance I get. I know what kind of burdens she carries. She looks so worn some days. I wish there was something more I could do.
“So this is probably the last time I’ll be coming to visit for a while,” Topaz confessed. “I don’t think the guards will let me back in so easily next time. Even Escher. You remember me telling you about him? He’s one of the guards outside your door. He’s a changeling, and he’s amazing. My very best friend and roommate.” She was getting off topic, she knew, but a nagging voice inside her head said that maybe she should just run. Leave. After what she was about to confess, maybe even Empress Cadenza would hate her.
“So after we argued, I was angry. Furious. I was madder than I’d ever been before, so I think I might have done something stupid. Colossally stupid. I mean, imagine the stupidest thing you could think of, and then quadruple that. It was because of something Princess Flurry said. Well, maybe not what she’d said, but something she hinted at. She told me I was a fool, and immature, and if I possessed the information she did, I wouldn’t believe the way I did. It struck me as so arrogant, so heavy-hoofed, that I was convinced in that moment she was hiding something from me. I don’t know why. So, uh, I broke into Shining Armor’s room.”
There was a twitch. The Empress’ ears perked towards her, and Topaz nearly panicked. Well, at least she had the Empress’ attention.
“I was going to break into her office! But uh, I’ve never been inside either room, so I got the two confused. When I got inside, there was a chest. On the dresser. The room hasn’t been touched in centuries, Empress. Maids go in to clean it, but nothing else. I nearly turned to flee when I realized I was in the wrong room. But the chest… called to me. Something inside was glowing. It was blue. I might have maybe walked over and opened the little chest.”
A second ear twitch. Topaz’ breath caught in her throat.
“I saw the letter inside. I didn’t read it!” Topaz insisted. “I did see who it was from, though. And who it was to. And then I saw what was glowing beneath it. A gem, a perfect, beautiful, blue gemstone shaped like a balloon. I… Empress, please forgive me. I touched it with my hoof. I couldn’t help myself.” She reached back to her saddlebags, extracting a small blue gem. Only this one wasn’t shaped like a balloon.
“As soon as I touched it, I saw a vision. I don’t know if it was real or not, Empress. I don’t know what to believe. But I think it was real.”
“I was on a pathway made of stars.” Topaz’s voice filled with wonder as she remembered the images from her vision, the sheer incalculable vastness that had surrounded her. “There was an earth pony there. Light pink, with a dark pink mane, and balloons for a cutie mark. She said her name was Pinkie Pie, and she was passing the gem on to me. She said she’d been watching me, that ‘I was gonna do a great job’, and to be sure to turn every frown upside down that I possibly could. She said I was worthy. When I woke up, the gem looked like this.” She held out the blue gem. It was now shaped like a half-sunburst, a mirror image of Topaz Glitter’s half-sunburst cutie mark.
“I’ll give it to you, if you want,” Topaz said, trying not to hyperventilate. “I didn’t quite understand what Pinkie was talking about, but I think she meant great things for me. I’m scared, Empress. I don’t know what all this means. You’re the only pony I can talk to. Please? I know you barely speak to anypony, but just this once if you could help me with this, I’ll be forever grateful.”
That got the biggest reaction of all. No mere ear twitch this time. Instead, to Topaz’ utter shock, the emaciated royal’s eyes slid open, her lips pulling back in the first smile she’d probably smiled in centuries. It was a radiant smile, full of joy and hope.
“My little pony,” whispered her raspy voice, hoarse from centuries of unuse. “Things are about to get very interesting for you.”
Author's note time!
This time we're going to be talking about Topaz Glitter, so I'll go ahead and spoiler the entire thing. Also, very observant readers will note this is not the first time she's shown up...
Topaz represents some really interesting things for me in the development process of Rekindled Embers. In the oldest beginnings of outlines, Bubblegum was destined to be the Element of Laughter. That idea got rejected really early on for several reasons. First of all, she just wasn't going to get along with Emberglow at first, and I didn't like that level of disharmony. Second, I realized I wanted certain balances to be maintained among the ponies I wrote as elements of harmony. Obviously, the canon Mane 6 have certain balances; two earth ponies, two pegasi, and (originally) two unicorns. I wanted the same tribal balance to exist. But there's other balances, as well. Half the Elements will be from Diarchy backgrounds, half not. And there's balances related to other topics as well. Bubblegum didn't fit any of those patterns, so I had to move her out of that spot. (I kept her in the story anyways, because Bubblegum's awesome.)
The next issue with Topaz was with the Element of Laughter itself, and how it fit into the tone/mood of Rekindled Embers in general. How do you write an Element of Laughter that is both unique and interesting, and not just a copy of Pinkie Pie? Other elements felt more natural, less difficult. for some reason Laughter was the hardest. When I finally decided that I wanted Laughter to be a crystal pony, Topaz was born.
But how do you have a pony represent Laughter and not just be a zany chaos whirlwind like Pinks? I had to come up with a profession as well, that both fit the mood of the story, and thematically fit the Element of Laughter. On top of that, in the last few chapters a few people have commented that Emberglow will need extensive therapy to come to terms with some of the trauma she's experienced. I also realized the same thing in the outlining process. Thus, Topaz Glitter became a therapist.
I'm super excited to be introducing you all to her at last. She's a favorite of mine (I guess that's true of all my characters) and I've been looking forward to bringing her into the story for months now.
On a slightly separate note, this is the end of the first part of Rekindled Embers. The second part, beginning with chapter 24, will be posted next Friday (I foresee no delays at this point, editing is going well). As Emberglow's story grows larger, she begins to step onto a larger stage, with ever more central characters. As a result, chapters following this one will begin to see this larger story from different perspectives. Don't worry, though. Emberglow will remain central to the story, even if certain chapters won't focus around her perspective.
This is such a short chapter, but it says so much. More info about the Empire and the introduction of the first changeling in the story, info about the Sparkle family, a nice look into the first of what I assume will be many new characters, and the start of the bigger picture starting to unfold.
Theory time! So, obviously, Topaz is Laughter because it's literally stated in your comment. Judging off of characters we already know about, I assume Lofty will represent Loyalty, and Emberglow will represent Generosity. Discord/Heartwing(I think that's his new name) may be Kindness, but it is yet to be seen. Finally, Rarity's standing is kind of up in the air, with her being a former bearer, I doubt that she'll be part of the Elements again, especially with Emberglow possibly taking Generosity. These are only loose assumptions, and given that Magic and Honesty don't have any clear bearers at the moment, I'll have to wait and see what new characters are introduced along the way.
I am very intrigued for the future, and seeing more perspectives is definitely going to shift how I view this story. Excited for more!
10541612
I'm curious to learn more about Topaz now. Having the new embodiment of Laughter be a therapist is a great idea. They don't so much induce joy as they do return the ability to be joyful to people. I'm going to have to rework my theory. If Heartwing was Kindness, than the element would have reacted from one of the many times he's touched it. Now I'm thinking he has to be Loyalty, what with how he stands by the memories of those long gone so fiercely. Assuming everything else still works, that leaves Kindness to go to someone from the Diarchy, though I have zero clue. Oak Chips, if he's alive?
10541644
It's funny. Lots of my ideas start with What If questions that are completely random.
Such as, What If the new Element of Kindness hates Fluttershy?
It led to all kinds of fascinating ideas.
And Oak Chips? You'll be learning a bit more about what happened to him next chapter...
10541612
Poor Emberglow could definitely use a drink right about now.
Every single chapter is better than the last, I swear. Keep up the great work.
Well that happened. Laughter is reborn.
Might be a consequence of being an epilogue, but this is definitely your weakest chapter thus far.
10541667
Ha, maybe. Just meeting Sunset might make things even worse for her, though. I don't think she needs an existential revelation about the multiverse right after an existential revelation about the world.
10542046
Wow, really? I would have said Chapter 3, for sure.
Predicting it RIGHT NOW:
The new Laughter is going to meet some very interesting knighted ponies who may come soon enough to the Empire
This story is seriously underrated! Can’t wait to see what comes next
I appreciate the contrast here. We're finally seeing some bits of the outside world, and what is going on in the other kingdoms, and it reads almost as if it were from some cutesy slice-of-life fic. The lighthearted exchanges between this new pony and her friend, the apparent freedom they seem to have to do things without some ministry whisking them away -- it all paints something that feels well and truly *pony*. Like the old days of the show were like.
10542213
I think that's because you're still held up on the author's note. Chapter three was a little clumsy on the exposing how their world works, but it was largely fine otherwise.
The very worst thing about this story is having to wait for a new chapter after I catch up. Truly a captivating read! Big thankies for ever thinking to write it down, because I can read and reread this story for hours and never get enough.
Short chapter this time good chapter but im still excited for embers return
10542046
Really? What's so bad about it?
I didn't know what to make of this at first. However, I really liked it and really looking forward to more. Really well done. After a couple of chapters in I couldn't stop reading.
10551147
What can I say, I love reading this kind of story where mysteries slowly unfold and are cleverly hinted at.
True, especially with how much has changed, but I'll still put good money on Flurry Heart allying with the Changelings. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, as the old saying goes.
The interesting thing though is, what happened to Princess Cadence. I will just have to read on then.
How confusing will this story be? I won't read it if it's too confusing. Or did I already ask this?
10551866
Confusing is honestly a subjective term. I tend to think my writing is pretty simple.
The story does have elements of mystery to it, but nothing too difficult, I think.
My god, this is such a brilliant plot. I think you might even have beaten Hard Reset to be my favourite story on the site. Please publish a print copy so I can buy it!
I love all the horrible dates you have designed for all the characters. Poor Cadence! And poor Gadget!
10586049
I'm thinking about it, honestly, but that's a loooooooooong ways off. I have to finish it first, after all.
I'm so glad you're enjoying things, though.
OMG. Wow! Twist season is in session!!
10586056
I would happily add this to my physical library and if you ever wanted more artwork for such a book or perhaps some audio I'd be happy to help however I could.
Wow. Well if that isn't a premonition
Oh, look, the Empress of Ponykind on her Crystal Throne, sustaining the Barrier, sustained by the sacrifice of the love of thousands of children every day! Does she have genetically engineered supersoldiers, too?
10541612
Therapist for the Element of Laughter, huh? Guess great minds think alike lol. Had the same idea for a pony who became that element in a roleplay group I'm in. Though it changed terms from Laughter to Comfort.