> Through Ice and Shadow
>  by DalTRS
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter One: The Summit of Three
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Through Ice and Shadow


   
By Dal


    Edited by Bok and Voidchicken
Proofread by Geomancing and Wylie


Cover Art By FoxInShadow






Chapter One: The Summit of Three




    A unicorn stallion made his way through the windswept pavilion of the solar dais, his fiery mane blowing freely in the in the blinding snow. Another day had come and once again he marched to the shrine of the Sun. The others of his order had also braved the journey - the cold a constant reminder of how vital their duty was. At last he arrived, his white coat giving him an almost ghostlike visage in the boreal wasteland.

   In well-versed fashion he took his position among his five brothers and sisters. They arrayed themselves in a circle around the ornate statue of their most revered celestial body, and with an unspoken word their horns began to shine with power. Their voices filled the air, their song echoed off the faraway mountains, and they grew brighter and brighter till their combined brilliance matched that of the shining Sun.

   The first rays of dawn cut through the abominable clouds - the signal they had all been waiting for. In unison they ceased their ritual. The Sun was raised and the new day could begin.

   Again the stallion trudged through the freshly fallen snow back to the warmth of the castle, and his loving princess. One of his fellows bowed to him, prostrating himself before the newly crowned prince.

   “There is no need for that, friend,” the prince said, helping the other stallion off the frozen ground.

   “Sorry, Prince Luminare. ‘Tis a force of habit.”

Prince, the very thought that he was now one of those snooty nobles made Luminare ill. He would never get used to having that title - even his position as Grand Master of the Solar Guard had taken a while to get used to. He remembered the day he joined the guard - the same day his father cast him out.

He took a vow to show others there would always be a new dawn no matter how much darkness life brought. Seeing the renewed hope upon ponies’ faces was the only reward he ever wanted, and as he made his way home through the icy streets, that sight had become far too rare for his liking.







The long halls of the castle were dark and unwelcoming, a reflection of the malaise that had crept across the once grand kingdom. For Luminare only two bright spots remained: the warm amber eyes of the mare waiting for him. And there she was, Princess Crystal, his bride, and the love of his life.

She was the definition of beauty. How her tri-colored mane of azure, rose, and lavender accentuated her sky blue coat. Her lithe body displayed a degree of elegance no other pony could ever match. And nothing would come close to the smile she would give him, and only him. Why she chose him to be with her forever he would never rightly know.

   “Ten thousand mornings can pass, and I will never tire of seeing you raise the Sun,” she said, her smile positively radiating the joy in her heart.

   “And another ten thousand could pass just as long as I can see your smile,” He replied, letting her lean on him as they trotted down drafty corridors.

   A harsh wind swept past the couple, nipping at their hooves. It was the middle of June, and yet it did not matter to the unrelenting blizzards. In fact it was their wedding day was the last time the Sun shone unhindered. The celebration brought leaders from across the separate tribes - all who managed to put their differences aside if only for a short time. Sadly, as the guests left the ill winds returned.

   If one thing could be taken from the long winter, it was that his job had grown easier through the months. It seemed the Sun was almost eager to end the frigid misery. Unfortunately for his comrades of the Lunar Guard, the opposite was true of the Moon. He could hear Master Starswirl’s groans and curses echoing through their temple, the Moon stubbornly refusing to plunge the world into its blanket of darkness.

   A familiar voice echoed off the stone walls. “There you two are! Just the ponies I was looking for.” Princess Platinum, the very definition of what Luminare hated about nobility. If Crystal was full of love and kindness, her sister was full of greed and a lust for power. “Father has arranged for us to attend the gathering being held by the earth ponies and pegasi. We are to represent our kingdom’s best interests, and reaching an agreement on how to end this dreadful weather.”

    “And what would those interests entail, sister of mine?” Crystal said, arching an eyebrow.

    “To ensure that we do not take any of the blame being levied at us, of course,” Platinum replied, fixing a strand of hair that had blown across her crown.

    “Do we even have an idea as to the cause? Or some plan to stop it?” Luminare said, trying his best to stare down his pompous sister-in-law.

    “Nope, only that it is not natural. Besides, it is those uncouth pegasi’s fault anyway.”

    Crystal could only sigh. “When are we to leave?”

   



    Unicorns of all shapes, sizes, and colors milled about the main stretch of road leading out of their mountain city. Some waved, some cheer and whistled, but all were wishing the royal procession the best of luck on their journey. The crowd’s jubilant attitude wasn’t fooling Crystal.

Misery was written plain as day upon their weary faces and sullen eyes. The unceasing ice and snow had the stoutest of them  looking haggard while others looked like they haven’t had a decent meal in weeks.

With a brave face Crystal waved back to them, trying her best to assure her people everything would be all right.

    There has to be a way.

    An abandoned shrine passed by, its once bright purple facade and ivory columns faded from years of neglect. The sight took her back to the days when ponies would come from across all nations to hear the great teachings of harmony, and to give thanks for the blessings they received in life. How she longed for those days. No cold, no wind, no snow, only peaceful and happy times for every tribe.





    Dim lights appeared on the horizon, the first sign of civilization in many days. The long trip had been fraught with obstacles; the unrelenting snow and ice made the trip through the rolling hills of the earth ponies’ homeland precarious at best. The wide wooden doors of the city’s gates lurched open, signaling the end of their journey.

   “Welcome to our home, oh ‘esteemed’ delegates from the unicorn kingdom,” a hearty voice called out from the rampart above.

   Crystal glanced out the window of her carriage towards the poorly-lit streets and the dismal crowd that had grown around them. All races had suffered under the unrelenting cold, and by the looks of it, the earth ponies more than most. They had no magic to clear the snow and block the cold, and no wings to remove stubborn storm clouds - only the grit and determination that seemed to be a defining trait among them.

  There was an emptiness behind their tired and blackened faces, the very same Crystal had seen in her own ponies. Longer she stared out across the bustling town, her heart growing more and more heavy with each passing moment… and cold? Something frigid and dark had taken hold of their hearts, a feeling Crystal was all too familiar with.

  Hate and mistrust had frozen ponies’ hearts, and driven wedges between even the oldest of friends. Crystal tried her best to stop the petty infighting which had paralyzed the tribes only to be overruled by her father, or never given the time of day to say her piece - that was Platinum’s job after all. But today was different. This was the first time her father - or sister for that matter - had asked her to attend such a high level meeting.

With a sigh Crystal turned her gaze over to the sleeping form of her husband and the lit candle that was his mark. It suited him. He was always one to bring light wherever it was needed. Even in the darkest moments of her life he had been there, shining strong. And now she would need that strength more than ever.

   She looked back at the rose colored heart wrapped in a golden filigree that was her own mark, the symbol for her love and compassion of all beings. A reminder of who she was, who she was meant to be. Today she would step out from her sister’s shadow, and show the world what was within her heart.

   “I swear upon the Sun and Moon that I will show them all what it’s like to love again. I was blessed with this gift, and I intend to share it.

  “This suffering will end.”

   Snuggling closer to her knight, Crystal smiled for the first time since they left home.





   The carriage came to a creaking stop, jarring its occupants out of the warmth of each other’s embrace. “My Princess, we have arrived,” announced the captain of their escort.

   Crystal stepped out of the carriage, her hooves impacting in the dark colored slush of the well used road. In front of her stood the unremarkable town hall, and capital of the earth ponies. It was a simple stone building, for humble and hardworking ponies. Not nearly as grand or tall as the castle from her homeland, but large enough to provide ample space for all affairs of state.

   A shrill shriek pierced the air. “My hooves! Look what your filthy road has done to my hooves!”

  Crystal slowly shook her head. “Sir Candela, could you please help my sister.”

   



   A cacophony of hundreds of ponies assaulted the trio of unicorns while they made their way to the places that had been set aside for them. Ponies from every tribe and walk of life had gathered in the galleries above and to the side of the central table which the meeting would take place. Crystal gulped, there were far more ponies present than she had anticipated - more than even the most packed of courts her father would see.

   A diminutive gray earth pony approached them, a pair of worn spectacles nearly falling off his wrinkled snout. “Excuse me Princess Platinum, Princess Crystal, and Prince Luminare,” he said bowing to each unicorn. “But there have been some changes in the arrangements of the upcoming summit on the behest of the pegasus delegation. Mainly that only one pony will be allowed to represent their tribe.”

   “Very well, we will decide who—”

   Platinum barged in front of Crystal. “I will be the one to represent the unicorn kingdom!”

   “This way, Your Highness.” The clerk bowed once again, and motioned towards the door.

   Crystal looked to Platinum, then to Luminare, her mouth agape with shock. Her one and only chance to make a difference left along with her sister.

   “Well, that certainly makes this easier on us,” a grinning Luminare said, snapping his wife back to reality.

  “Don’t tell me you forgot about this,” he said, gently flicking the blue horn before him with his hoof.

 Crystal rubbed the base of her. “What did you do that for? Oh—” A smile slowly crept along her muzzle. “With all eyes on my sister… I can take matters into my own hooves.”

   



   The meeting was going about as badly as Crystal had feared. If she had to take a guess where it all went wrong, the opening statements consisting only of a disorganized shouting match between all three ponies present would be it. It didn’t help that the stubborn Commander Hurricane was the representative from the pegasi, or that the air-headed Chancellor Puddinghead was the earth ponies’ chosen delegate. Of course her stuck-up sister wasn't much of a boon either.

   Once they had finished speaking over one another, and actually started taking turns to talk, it only became more evident that nothing would get accomplished. Around and around the arguments and blame went, like an ouroboros of thickheadedness. Even if it was horrifying to see grown ponies acting like mere foals in such a formal setting, Crystal couldn't stifle her giggling when her sister was called “Her Royal Snootiness”.

   The sight of Platinum storming out of the summit brought an end to Crystal’s laughter. And not to be outdone, the other two attempted race Platinum to be the first one out, only to succeed in wedging themselves in a doorway.

   Now or never.

   Like Crystal had planned, everypony was too busy watching the spectacle before them. Blue light sprung forth from her horn, coalescing into two halves of a glowing pink heart on each side of the bickering ponies. The two halves melded together, and at last victory was within Crystal’s grasp. Yet something was amiss. Her spell was drawing far more power than normal, its usual warmth fading into bone chilling cold.

   Crystal watched in agonizing slow motion as the icicle encrusted heart fell to the ground and shattered into thousands of icy shards.

   No, no, no. It’s not possible.

   The spell she had cast a hundred times before, the spell which had brought together even the most incorrigible of nobles, the very spell which clued her into her special talent had failed.

   Platinum looked to the ruffian, and the loon. “Hmm, did you two louts happen to feel something strange just now?”

   “Nope! Ooh is that down? Its so soft!”

   “No, just somepony’s leg I'm two seconds away from snapping.”

   Hurricane drew back, preparing to sock the dimwitted earth pony, only to have the whole pile give way and leaving her face to face with the floor. Before she could act, four sets of hooves plodded over her once-polished armor as their owners escaped into the frigid streets of the town. A chill wind met the pegasus, carrying the sounds of haunting echoes in the distance.

   Think Crystal, think. It can’t end like this… it just can’t! But it was too late for her, and soon for all of ponykind. Crystal’s legs grew weak and she slumped to the ground.

   “You aren't going to give up that easily?”

   Crystal found Luminare’s outstretched hoof, and those diamond blue eyes of his. Those eyes. There was a fire inside that stallion’s soul burning so bright, and with such fervor, Crystal wondered how a being could contain so much power while remaining so kindhearted. Truth be told, even since they were foals she could sense something was different about him, and even if he hadn’t been knighted she would have done whatever it took to be with him.

   Those eyes. Always brightening her day - always filling her with hope of better things to come, and now filling her with a fire all her own. Grasping the outstretched hoof, Crystal picked herself up and gave Luminare a quick peck on the cheek.

   “Not on your life.”

   



   “You. First you proclaim yourself as sole ambassador of our kingdom without so much of a word, and then you proceed to act like a markless foal in front of everypony!”

   “Crystal, calm down, please hear me out,” Platinum said in her most diplomatic of voices, one that was conspicuously absent earlier.

   “Calm down? Calm down!? How are you going to explain this to Father? How are you going to explain it to our subjects?”

   “Easy. The Summit of the Tribes was merely a sham. All that mattered was our wild card, and showing that We were serious about leaving this miserable wasteland.”

   “Wild card?”

   “You, silly. Why did you think I took the the spotlight from you and Luminare? Can’t really have you working your magic and bickering with those uncouth wretches at same time - could we?”

   Today had been a day of ups and downs, but this revelation was the only thing so far that managed to leave Crystal truly speechless.

   “Crystal, I love you - envy you even. While you were allowed to find the joy of a true love, and to go out making a difference for those less fortunate than us. I was left with the burdens of being a ‘proper’ heir to the throne. I’m sorry I had to use you like this, but it was the only way. Please forgive me, sister.”

   It stung knowing that her sister played her like a harp, but seeing Platinum genuinely opening up for once was more than enough to bury it in the past.

   “Of course I do,” Crystal said, wrapping Platinum up in a tender hug. “But leaving home? All of us?”

   Platinum nodded. “Yes, all of us. I really, really wish some headway could have been made today, or that your magic had worked. Yet when it was clear that Hurricane and Puddinghead had similar intentions, I decided to have a little fun. I may have gotten a little carried away.”

   Crystal giggled. “Just a little.”

   “Regardless, without the other tribes cooperation we have no other choice but to leave our homes. You have seen the reports; we will all starve or freeze to death if we don’t do something soon.”

   Crystal lowered her head, her mane lightly grazing the floor. It stung, but if moving was their only option remaining, so be it. She could only hope that the other tribes could make it to their new homes in peace.

   “But I guess I could be persuaded to delay my missive to father if some enterprising pony was to meet with the other delegations, and restart this dog and pony show.”

   A flash of blue, and hugs enveloped Platinum. “Oh thank you, sister. Thank you! Thank you!”

   



   Crystal approached the pegasi’s suite with long, drawn out steps. Pegasi were always - to put it mildly - blunt, and an angry Commander Hurricane was not something she was looking forward to. Taking a deep breath and looking back to Luminare for encouragement, Crystal knocked on the solid ironwood door.

   Nothing.

   Maybe they didn’t hear her? The rooms provided to foreign delegations were always made with privacy in mind. Again she knocked, waiting patiently for a response.

   “Excuse me, your Highness, may I help you?” an elderly voice said from behind, making Crystal jump just a little.

   It was that same wrinkled clerk from before.

   “Yes, actually. I was seeking an audience with Commander Hurricane and her delegation, but they seem to be preoccupied at the moment. Could I have you deliver a message to them?”

   “I would love to, but they flew off the moment the summit concluded. Something about ‘I'm glad we will never have to see those featherbrained idiots ever again.’”

   Great, just great. This whole trip is cursed, and that wrinkled menace is its herald. I just know it.

   



   Contrary to how she carried herself publicly, Puddinghead’s office was almost normal, professional even. Despite personal keepsakes and colorful decor full of bright pastels, Crystal noticed it was not unlike her father’s private office.

   “So what can I do for you two - is that a real sunstone necklace? Nana always told me they gave the pony wearing one a super-duper warm feeling, even in this kind of weather!”

   Before Luminare had a chance to think the word yes, Puddinghead was standing next to him, and his necklace mysteriously around her neck.

   “It’s true! It’s true! Now I only need to find—” Puddinghead stopped mid-sentence, noticing the thousand yard stare Luminare was putting a good deal of effort behind. “—its proper owner. Heh. Heh.”

   “Thank you, and thank you for seeing us,” Luminare said, placing the badge of his station back upon its resting place.

   “Oh yeah! You wanted two wanted to restart the summit after we acted one ring short of a three-ring circus!”

   “Uhh yes, how did you—”

   “The answer is no!” Puddinghead said with that impossibly cheerful voice of hers.

   On any other day such a quick dismissal would have sent Crystal home without so much as a rebuttal, but today? Today wasn’t any other day. No, she was going to get answers, even if it meant tempting fate.

“What? Don’t tell you are planning on moving your entire population as well. No offense, but you have neither the magic we unicorns possess, nor winged chariots to ferry everypony across the tundra. How do you plan to deal with those who can’t or won’t make the journey?”

   Puddinghead’s smile grew as wide as a mile as she produced a long scroll from her bushy mane. “Isn’t it obvious? You are hereby proclaimed Lady Regent of the Earth Pony Territories to guide and watch over those who remain until the time is right for us to come and get them!”

   It should have come as no surprise to Crystal that the final horseshoe had yet to drop today. She should have been angry that the earth pony had been so presumptuous. She should have just walked out the door. Yet she remained, calm and collected. If fate had deemed this as her only way to ease some of the suffering during this tragedy then so be it.

   “I accept this title, and promise to carry out my duties with grace, integrity, and to the absolute best of my abilities.”





   Luminare was halfway out the door before abruptly turning around. “Wait what? Honey, are you sure about this?” The last words were past his lips when he caught sight of his wife.

   Awe-inspiring was never something he thought he would end up using to describe her, but nothing else would feel adequate as he stared towards the glowing sky blue mare. Wisps of magic whipped back and forth along her body, knocking over knickknacks and stacks of paper all over the office.

   Then there was that smile, the smile he would never tire of seeing. The smile that was filled with such kindness, such love, that he would give everything to keep it safe. The smile that was currently directed toward him.

   “There was only one thing I have been more sure of in my life… when I said yes to you.”
> Chapter Two: New Beginnings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Two: New Beginnings
   




   The night had been filled with food, drink, and - of course - business. There had been many things to go over: Crystal’s exact obligations, where they would be staying, and even plans in case the earth ponies could never return. Crystal was impressed with the Chancellor; underneath that gaudy hat was the mind of a shrewd and experienced leader. But the evening was giving way to early morning, and a certain sister would be eagerly awaiting for some type of news. After a toast to good fortunes, Crystal and Luminare said their goodbyes.

   Puddinghead waved to the pair of unicorns as they departed her estate, and wished them all the luck in the world in the trials that were sure to come. The moon reflected off scattered pieces of ice that were once puddles of melted snow and slush. For once, there was not a cloud in sight. She looked up to the moon, her trademarked grin as wide as ever.

   “Those two are really something! Even I had a hard time resisting her power! It seems like I’m leaving things in capable hooves just like you said. I’m so grateful for what you have done for me, and for my—her ponies.”

   



   Platinum paced back and forth along what was now a well worn path through the diplomatic suite. The recently polished wood floor had dulled with her nervous fidgeting. Even a groove was beginning to form under the wear of her hoofbeats. Her sister was never one to stay out this late, even during their youth. A gentle knock on the door drew her attention from the constant worry wracking her mind. A welcomed sigh of relief washed over her when she saw her sister and brother-in-law enter.

   Platinum knew better to doubt Luminare’s prowess when it came to defense, but it still would have been nice to have been sent a missive with their whereabouts.

   “Where have you two been? You had me worried sick.”

   Crystal wrapped her sister up in a another hug. “Sorry to worry you. We were guests of the good Chancellor for a better part of the evening, and we kind of lost track of time. But I bring news!”

   “Don’t tell me they actually agreed to restart negotiations.”

   “Nope, she made me Lady Regent to rule in her stead.” Crystal said, grinning ear to ear.

   Thud.

   “Oh dear. You weren't joking when you said she wouldn't react well.”

   Thankfully, a splash of chilled water was all it took to rouse Platinum from her little fainting spell. After informing her that Crystal really had been given the title to the entire earth pony empire, and it wasn't some elaborate joke to get back at her, the group came together to plan their next course of action. Sadly, no matter how hard they tried, it would likely involve saying goodbye for a very long time.

   



   Goodbyes are always hard, last goodbyes even harder. If one thing had come close to shaking Crystal’s resolve, it was seeing her family and her friends for what was possibly the last time. King Bullion, Platinum, her best friend Clover, and most of the other nobility had attended the farewell party being thrown in Luminare’s and her honor. Toasts were held, stories were told, and tears were shed, but all in all it went far better than Crystal had ever hoped.

   Platinum actually cried, disregarding the fact it was improper for the leader of the exploration expedition to show an emotion. For her part, Crystal joined her with her own tears.

   When confronting her father over her decision to remain with the earth ponies, he could only smile and lament that she was acting more and more like her mother everyday. Something about how when she had her heart set on something, there was no mountain too tall, or valley too wide that could stand in her way.

   Clover’s reaction on the other hoof was far more puzzling, it was almost like she had been planning for this day. Even going so far as to have several gifts waiting in the wings.

Clover saw Crystal staring at the odd looking black box among all the colorful presents, and knew the reason why the princess was so drawn to it. “I know you want to open it now, but for my sake, could you do it when you are on your way back? Master Starswirl doesn't know I borrowed it,” she said with a mischievous grin.

   Not wanting to anger that old codger, Crystal decided that heeding her friend’s advice was in her and Clover’s best interest. Instead of asking questions, she smiled and hugged the young mage. Together they went back to enjoying the company of friends and family until the time came to say goodbye later that night.

   



   Crystal shuffled around in the cramped carriage taking them back to what was now her new home, trying to contain the foal-like glee brewing from within as not to wake Luminare. It was a struggle worming her way through the entirety of her belongings, but finally she found the object of her desire.

   She had no idea why she was overcome with such excitement over just a little gift from an old friend, but it finally dawned on her as she cracked open the magical seal placed upon the little box. The entire cabin filled with light, some from the object within, some from the increasingly luminescent mare.

   Her necklace.

   Memories came flooding back from that joyous day, her cute-ceañera to be exact.





  Ponies from near and far had come to see the princess with the rose colored heart for a mark. Some said it was sign of peace and prosperity, while others thought it to be a sign that Harmony was returning to the land.

   Either way it made no difference to Crystal, yet many ponies still insisted on bringing her gifts. Some honestly wishing her good fortunes, some trying to earn a blessing or favor, and one pony in particular- a zebra - only wished to speak with the young princess.

   “The coldness in their hearts will only grow
   But your mark of destiny they will learn to know
   Yet Spirits of winter’s wrath never cease
   Destroying the Sisters’ hope for lasting peace
   Now take my gift without reservations
   And use its light to save your nations”

   Crystal thought the zebra’s words only to be more cryptic and ultimately wrong predictions of her future like many others had made before. That was until she opened the plain looking chest left in front of her. Now she wanted to know everything behind those words, and most of all - why her. She looked back and forth trying to find the zebra, desperate for some kind of answers, but she was already gone.

   In the chest lay a massive gemstone of swirling colors from all across the spectrum, which incidentally lent to its name: cosmic spectrum. Rarer than the most flawless of diamond, more luxurious than the most majestic of sapphires; if one wanted to purchase an entire kingdom this “gift” would nearly accomplish that.

   Crystal was speechless; she had never seen Cosmic Spectrum before, even in her time as the royal jeweler’s apprentice. And to see such a large gem was not only unheard of, but claiming such thing existed would have a pony laughed out of any reputable social circle.

   She needed to keep this a secret, at least until she could cut it down to a presentable shape. Looking back to her flank, she knew just the one the zebra had intended.


#


   It took months of working in secret to finally cut and polish the gem into a miniature replica of her cutiemark, but in the end it was so worth it. She rushed to her room and its set of mirrors so she could see her hard work adorning her neck at last. With little twist of her magic the heart came to rest on her chest. She twirled around, checking out how it looked from different angles against her sky blue coat. She wasn’t too up to date on current fads in court, but even she knew that she would turn some heads at the next gala.

   Crystal thought back to the zebra and her words. What made her so deserving of this gift? She had only managed to bring together two feuding noble families. How others hadn't seen the love the heiress and heir had for each other, she did not know. But it only took her presence, a few words, and a little helping push from her magic for them to come together.

   Getting a cutiemark from doing what came natural was not something she had expected. The feeling of contentment and knowing that she had spread just a little bit of love and joy to the world was a reward in itself.

   Lost in her own little world, Crystal had failed to notice the necklace glowing ever brighter. A warm feeling began spreading from her chest then to the rest of body like she had slipped into a perfectly drawn bath. It was when she herself started to glow that she looked down to the near blinding light of her necklace. No worry or fear gripped her heart as a white flash enveloped her - only the total serenity of the world’s love opening up to her.





Her heartbeat quickened wile pulses of adrenaline coursed through her veins. Quickly she closed the box and reapplied the magical seals. Sure that it posed no more danger, she finally took a moment to place a hoof over her throbbing chest and take a deep gasping breath.

   That was close.

   Unlike the first time the necklace had nearly taken her, she knew the consequences of inaction. The maids never could remove the scorch marks, or the fused and melted glass from her dressing room floor.

   Nor did she forget the long lecture she received from the Archmage about dealing with such powerful magic, and that artifacts of such power did not belong in the care of such careless little fillies.

   What did he know anyway? In all the time he had the necklace, he could never replicate what Crystal had done, even after she told him that it wasn’t just the necklace that caused the near calamity.

   Carefully she levitated the little container to the rear of the carriage, making sure it was as far away from her as possible. Why had Clover gone through the trouble of giving this back?

   ’And use its light to save your nations.’ Sorry you old zebra sage, but that ship has sailed.

   



   Again Crystal and Luminare found themselves passing through the massive wooden threshold of the city’s gate. Now instead of the hustle and bustle of lively city - deserted streets and an eerie stillness greeted them.

   “It looks like nopony is home. Are you sure Puddinghead knows what she is doing? ” Luminare asked.

   Crystal nodded. “Sure as sure.”

   Despite his wife’s assurances, Luminare still felt uneasy at the rate which all these events had unfolded. If he hadn’t have known better, he could swear somepony was orchestrating every little bit of his life for the past month. And there Crystal went, rushing off to do whatever she could to show ponies that somepony cared.

   This wasn’t the first time she had done something so brash, never thinking of the consequences that would result from her actions. Consequences not so much to others, but to herself.

   Luminare thought back to the days he was still courting Crystal. By the Sun, she hasn't changed in all these years, and he loved her for it.

   



  It was winter, actually winter, not some magical doom frost that would surely end all life as he knew it. Not quite as cold as it was now, but enough to chill a mare to the bone if they weren't careful. Of course that would never stop Crystal from pulling an elderly couple’s cart home from the Winter Moon Celebration, or turning back when the wind picked up.

   When she had finally made it back to the castle the following day, she was in a dreadful state. Her blue coat had nearly turned into a pale grey, frost clung to her muzzle and eyes, and no matter how many blankets the maids piled on-she would not stop shivering. She didn’t even know where she was; she only kept calling Luminare’s name before mercifully passing out from exhaustion.

   He had heard the news that his lady was close to death soon after. He couldn't believe how reckless her actions had been, or that she made it home in the first place judging from the quaking bundle of fur and blankets beneath him.

   “Oh Crystal, look what you have done to yourself,” Luminare said, sliding up next to his beloved.

   There he lay, watching her take one labored breath after another, praying to the Sun and Moon she would survive another day. Hours he spent beside her, stoking the fire, telling her tales of gallantry from the past. Anything to keep her safe and warm in his clutch. The hours grew late, duty called, and soon he would have to leave. But as he started to leave her side, he felt a hoof wrap itself around his foreleg.

   “Please,” a raspy voice barely eked out, “please don't leave.”

   He stared into her amber eyes, promising to her and himself that he would never leave her side in this life or the next. Luminare sat back down, curling himself around the only being in all of existence that mattered to him now.

   The Sun would not rise that day.

   After what seemed like an eternity, a week had passed and Crystal was back to her energetic self. But Luminare would never forget that night, and the promise he made.

   A promise he intended to keep by proposing just a day later. A promise he has kept, even now as they made their way through the abandoned streets of their new home.

   Never would he leave her side.

   



   Just as the Chancellor had told her, the center of town was filled the sounds of city life. Ponies were haggling over the price of apples in the makeshift market, wagon wheels ground through the hardened slush, even a few colts and fillies were building a snowpony on a street corner. All of which abruptly stopped when the royal carriage and its occupants passed by.

   By the time they reached the city hall and their new place of residence, Luminare and Crystal had gathered quite the following. Everypony left in the town had crowded around their new leaders, eager to catch a glimpse of the ponies who had awed the great Puddinghead.

   Whispers and mutterings were quietly exchanged, each one more absurd than the last. Some said a savage pony from the north had swooped in and threatened the Chancellor into giving him control over the town. Others said a prince from a faraway land had wooed Puddinghead with gifts and a silver tongue. They were all proven wrong when two unassuming unicorns stepped out into the street.

   One could hear a pin drop as the crowd stood slack jawed in front of their new Prince and Princess. One pair paralyzed by fear from the sheer amount of ponies who had to chosen to stay, the other trying to process how their old leader could put two unicorns in charge.

   Taking deep practiced breaths, Crystal put on her best smile for the crowd.

   “Hello everypony! I am Princess Crystal, and this is my husband Prince Luminare,” Crystal said, both ponies taking a bow before their new subjects. “I know this perpetual winter has been hard on all of us. And I want you to know that I will do everything within my power to make sure we will make it through.”

   A gruff snort came from somepony in back. “I wouldn’t take help from some pointy-headed freak, even if my life depended on it!”

   Luminare clenched his teeth, stepping forward just a bit towards the source of the voice. He was about to speak when Crystal laid a hoof on his chest, shaking her head.

   “You in the back there! Yes you! The one who called me a freak. Could you please come forward. I am not angry. I just wish to speak with you.”

   A burly mass of muscle and grit shambled forth. By the Moon was he big, dwarfing the petite mare by at least two horn lengths.

   “What is your name, Sir?” Crystal inquired.

   “Name’s Wrought Iron, most ponies just call me Ron though. Don’t laugh.”

   “Okay Ron, what is it that makes me a freak? Is it this?” Crystal said, pointing to her horn.

   Wrought Iron nodded. “That, and the crazy, weird magic you can do.”

   “Oh is that true? Tell me, what would happen if you were to, say, buck that building over there as hard you could?” she said, pointing to a rather robust looking stone house.

   “Well I suppose I would cave in the foundation. Why?”

   “Do you think either Luminare or I could accomplish such a feat? Do you think even the mighty Commander Hurricane could destroy a building in a single blow?”

   “Well I guess not, but what does that have to do with anything?”

   “Magic, Ron, magic. Sure we unicorns have horns which let us do seemingly terrifying, and miraculous tasks. But you earth ponies possess strength beyond anything we could hope to match. You can sing to the earth, coaxing it to make your crops lush and green. The pegasi have their own brand of magic. If we could fly as they do, we couldn't step foot in their floating cities, and we couldn't hope to stop a stubborn cloud from ruining an otherwise perfect sky.”

   Crystal looked the wall of pony dead in the eyes. “Can’t you see Ron? We all have magic, and we are all the same.”


#


   The ash grey pony faltered for a second, lost in the amber depths. There was only love deep down in that mare’s soul, genuine and pure.

   What was this little unicorn doing to him? Why did he feel so warm and bubbly? Deep down inside, the warmth of unicorn’s aura melting the icy grip upon his heart. He couldn’t hate this creature in front of him-he couldn’t stop himself from taking a knee before his princess.


#


   “I’m so sorry, my Lady, please forgive me.”

   Crystal smiled, all these ponies needed was to be shown that they were all in this together, wing, horn, and hoof. She lent over the stallion, wrapping his neck - or at least as far as she could - in a hug.

   “Of course I forgive you! What kind of princess would I be if I let one petty insult ruin a chance to make a new friend!”

Like a chain reaction, pony after pony began cheering and chanting their princess’s name. Above the town the storm clouds broke, the winds died down, and the sun shone for the first time in months.

   Far away three sets of ice blue eyes glared at the source of warmth and love that causing them so much pain and frustration. A puny, insignificant mortal. But if there was one thing about mortals, they could be easily dealt with.

   No cloud may have obscured the sky above the town that day, but the mountains which cradled it were not so lucky. Shrill cries began echoing across the valley, and the sky turned pitch black as the snow began to fall.
> Chapter Three: Love and Hope
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
Chapter Three: Love and Hope






Beyond building up the trust between her new subjects--no--her friends, several challenges presented themselves. First and foremost was the matter of supplies. Sure they had been left with an ample store, but there were just so many ponies who stayed. As luck would have it, Crystal had just the thing.

The idea of a greenhouse was first brought up after the snow refused to recede, and several spells had been developed to mimic their effects. Unfortunately there were no earth ponies willing to help with the cultivation. Now with the help of several farmers, Crystal had several fields encased in a heat-trapping bubble. She was always one to be hooves-on, never letting herself fall to the same mindset like so many nobles before.

And now it was bearing fruit--literally and figuratively. For every seed planted, for every drop of sweat, friendships were made and new bonds forged. Soon everypony knew the blue unicorn with heart-shaped cutiemark, and soon everypony came to admire their new princess. Even Luminare had let go of his remaining distrust thanks to an evening on the town, courtesy of Wrought Iron.

The poor smith had invited him for drinks at the last open tavern in the city. An apology for the whole “calling your wife a freak” thing as he so slightly put it. Luminare graciously accepted, never one to turn down a lager--earth pony lager at that. But much like most decisions he made in the last month, he got far more than he bargained for.

Never had Luminare seen a pony knock back so many pints, and the fact he was apparently expected to keep up was taking its toll on his more “modest” frame. An old earth pony tradition, he was told. More like an excuse to get everypony drunk-not that he would complain. And so the beer continued to flow as stories were told, and laughter echoed throughout the night. It was early next morning when both stallions ended up stumbling home-singing songs of camaraderie, and of better times.

With each passing day their community became more and more close knit. With each passing day Crystal’s dream was becoming a reality.





The warmth coming from the happy town had grown intolerable. Each smiling pony a dagger in their chest, each laugh an arrow to their side. That accursed little unicorn was the worst of them all. Love radiated off her like the heat from a raging inferno. They hated her, feared her. They dared not venture close to her domain, lest they melt just like the once frozen hearts of her wretched ponies.

They screamed and hissed at the barrier, seething with impotent rage. Her warmth had to come to an end, and just one push would be all it would take to send an entire mountainside worth of snow to ensure it. Again they tried to find an opening in the protective bubble, and again they were repulsed. All they needed was a tiny bit of strife or hate, and to their perverse delight-such a window was about to open.





One month had passed since Crystal and Luminare’s arrival, and things had never seemed so bright. The abominable weather had faded, and the first signs of a spring a long time in the making had made their first appearances. Colts and fillies laughed and played, birds chirped, and life had finally returned to some sense of normalcy.

A wholly unexpected sound echoed across the valley. The sound of life, the sound of ponies. Perhaps the earth ponies had returned? Regardless, Luminare and Crystal rushed to the the city gates to greet whoever it may be., 

Hundreds of unicorns and pegasi greeted them--odd as it was to see that combination. On one side was an orderly column of pegasi, on the other a rather ragtag collection of unicorns from all walks of life.

“So are you going to let us in, or are you just going to let us freeze to death,” a gruff looking pegasi asked, scars covering his navy blue face and chest, and missing feathers spotted throughout his wings. This stallion had seen some grizzly sights in his time, and Crystal was not about to draw such a warrior’s ire.

A pair of fairly pampered unicorns pushed the pegasus out the way, doing their best to gain Crystal and Luminare’s undivided attention. A shiver crept across Crystal’s spine. Either it was the cold, or the fact the pegasus had continued staring into her eyes-completely ignoring the sudden obstruction.

“Do not mind Stormseeker, he has been a bit grumpy since we ran into his lance a week ago,” said the well to do mare.

Her stallion counterpart took a quick yet graceful bow. “Forgive us my Princess and Prince; in our haste we did not recognize you. But that begs the question-what are two ponies of such high nobility doing in a Sun forsaken place like this?”

Luminare sneered, trying to in no way hide it. Oh, he remembered these ponies, from his time as a guard stationed in the King’s court. Lady High Cliff and her husband Mighty Falls, the only ponies he thought could surpass Platinum in their arrogance.

“Lady High, Lord Mighty. So great to… see you,” Crystal managed to force out.

Heh. I guess Crystal remembers them as well.

“It is a long story, one I will tell you once we have taken care of everyponies’ needs. I would also like to hear both of your tales. I wasn’t expecting any ‘company’ for some time. Now would you three gather everypony up, and lead them to the town hall? I will arrange to have plenty of warm rooms and fresh food waiting.”

Well this should be entertaining… and probably painful.





As they walked, they shared stories of how each of them had ended up traveling together. It turned out some cloak and dagger skulduggery had taken place, leaving High and Mighty, along with all their servants and a troupe of traveling entertainers, stranded.

Stormseeker’s tale was just as heartbreaking. Apparently his detachment had been cut off by a freak blizzard, and had failed to check in. When they got back to Pega, they had found it abandoned except for a note detailing that they should take refuge with Crystal and Luminare.

Crystal’s and Luminare’s own tale had them chuckling. And after arriving back to the town hall, they were all in much better spirits. Inside, Crystal’s orders had been followed to the letter. Hundreds of bowls of piping hot soup were arrayed on several tables, while rooms had been prepped and readied with cots and beds; everything anypony could need after spending days in the winter wasteland.

That is when the trouble began. Even if the earth ponies had grown to tolerate and befriend the other tribes, the newcomers certainly had not. It started innocently enough, an accidental bump here, a knocked over bowl there. Soon it escalated into insults, then shoving, and before anypony knew it, all Tartarus had broken out.

Pies, pans, anything you could get a hoof on were flying thick and heavy through the air. Not one care given to who may be in their path. In the center of it all was Luminare and Crystal, trying desperately to calm everypony down.

Storm clouds as dark as night descended upon the town. The wind’s gleeful cackling drowned out the cursing and yelling from below.

Freeze.

Those stupid ponies had left themselves wide open. All because of simple—but oh so exploitable—differences, and now they would make them pay.

Suffer.

The wind grew into a deafening, almost maniacal laughter as the three icy horrors sliced back and forth along the mountain’s summit.

Perish.





“Please, everypony stop!” Crystal shouted at the top of her lungs, looking from pony to pony in a vain attempt to restore some semblance of order.

Unfortunately Luminare was not faring any better. The majority of his concentration spent on plucking the more dangerous of items from the air.

“I said STOP!” Crystal’s voiced boomed throughout the room, the ground quaking beneath her. “Did I do that?”

“Avalanche!” somepony cried out.

Ponies froze where they stood, several of them not caring that a pie had just impacted in their faces. Crystal and Luminare raced outside, surely this was a mistake. They even went over this before taking over. There was no way an avalanche could reach them here. To their mounting horror, this was not the case.

Her pupils shrunk to pin pricks, her mouth agape in disbelief. A white wall of flowing snow was all she could see. So high it had blocked out the Sun, casting the town into unnatural darkness. A grim herald to the destruction heading straight for them. And there was nothing she could do.

No, no, no, no!

“Get everypony in the hall!” Luminare barked to a couple pegasi, and some earth ponies he knew were in the guard.

“You heard him! Get your tails in gear!” The pegasi snapped to attention at the sound of Stormseeker’s orders. “Now you two find a way to stop that thing, and let me worry about getting everypony inside,” he said, saluting Luminare.

“Crystal. Crystal we have to go now.” Luminare shouted, trying to wake his catatonic wife.

“Why? It’s all over. Our dream, our ponies, our lives. All will be gone, buried under the snow we tried so hard to escape.”

“Have you really not noticed how strong you are? How you commanded the respect and admiration of some many strangers in such a short time? How you won my heart till the end of time? Open your eyes Crystal, not even Starswirl could hope to match you now. 

“Now let’s go!”

Was she really that strong? She looked back to the throngs of panicking and crying ponies. It was kind of ironic that ponies from every tribe would all be sharing the same frigid grave.

Wait.

Crystal leapt into action. She was right, by the Sun and Moon she was right!

“Where are you going?”

“No time to explain, just clear the center of the hall by the time I return! And whatever you do, stay back.”

“Now where is it!” Crystal yelled, flinging crate after crate out of the way. She sincerely regretted burying it so far back, but she was equally grateful she decided to keep it in the first place.

“Aha! There you are!” she announced triumphantly. Grabbing the runed metal box with her magic, she turned tail and ran as fast as she could back to her waiting husband. The roar and rumble of imminent white death growing louder by the second.





Luminare had done what Crystal asked. At the site of the failed summit he stood, ponies of all three nations huddled to the sides of the grand hall. Luckily Stormseeker was a stallion of his word, and had managed to get every single pony to the makeshift shelter in record time.

Over a thousand souls, all looking to the unicorn with the heart shaped cutiemark. And she was trembling. Scared of the doom that was only mere seconds away-terrified of the consequences if she failed.

Her horn ignited, breaking the seals upon the cast iron box. Incredible light poured out-nearly blinding her, and filling the entire chamber with its otherworldly rays.

Her necklace.

Quickly she placed it around her neck, and locked it into place. A wave of unimaginable power crashed down upon her, threatening to sweep her away. The entirety of the world’s love called to her, begging for her to let go. She wouldn't, not yet.

Her horn ablaze, she thought of the surrounding town, its objects, and its inhabitants. She thought of a meadow from her childhood, where her sister would laugh and play among the wild flowers and swim in the crystal clear stream which was filled with cool mountain water. It was perfect.

She dumped more and more energy into her spell, the endless well of magic heeding her every whim. Everything was set and primed, ready for her final push. A push that wouldn’t come.

Luminare watched on. Magic flowed and arced around Crystal in some kind of elegant waltz. His fur was standing on end, maybe from the adrenaline coursing through his veins, definitely from the magic radiating off his wife. He noticed her looking back and forth, and the spell that was growing more and more out of control.

Going against Crystal’s wishes, he rushed to her side. Wind and magic buffeted him with every step. How she was managing to contain so much power he wouldn’t dare to guess. All he knew is that she needed him, and a promise is a promise.

“Stay back! The call, it’s so strong. I don’t know if I can hold it much longer.”

“Crystal, listen to me. Do you love them?”

“With all my heart.”

“Do you love me?”

“Now, and forever.”

Luminare wrapped her up with his fore legs, leaning in so that their horns crossed.

“Then what’s holding you back?”

In an instant, Crystal and Luminare were consumed the massive pillar of light. The thatch roof above offered no resistance as it punched its way higher and higher into the sky.

The colossal mass of ice and snow was now on the outskirts of the city, casually wiping away farms and houses unlucky enough to be in its path. So eager it was to gorge itself on the puny ponies, only to be denied its terrible hunger when the entire city winked out of existence. Nopony left to hear the wind’s enraged screams as the wave of snow broke upon a now empty valley.





“Crystal,” a motherly voice whispered.

Who was that? How long was she asleep? Did she do it? Crystal opened her eyes. A little at first, but full and wide when she saw her surroundings.

For as far as she could see, stars hung suspended in sea of blues, yellows, and purples. An eerie, yet calming stillness permeated this place. If this was Elysium, it was kind of nice. But where was Luminare?

“Luminare! Are you there?” she called out.

Crystal raised a hoof to her ear. Nothing, only the melodic chimes of this strange place.

“Great. Not only am I dead, but I’m alone as well,” she said, throwing her hooves up and collapsing on what she hoped was solid ground.

“You are not alone, and I imagine death is not a thing that will trouble you, or your husband now,” a more commanding voice said, as two mares emerged from the æther.

One was a mare of radiant white. Her flowing prismatic mane invoking images of the first rays of dawn breaking on a humid summer’s day. Next to her was a mare of midnight blue. Her mane resembling the clearest and most splendid of night skies. It was not the magical manes that perplexed Crystal, it was their bodies. Not only where they larger than even the most stout of earth pony, but they possessed both wings and a horn.

Crystal recalled some old mares’ tales her nanny would tell her. Stories about beings of light coming to ponies in their most desperate times. The details surrounding each story were different, except for it was the same kind of creature each time. An elegant mare with the power of an earth pony, the horn of an unicorn, and the wings of a pegasus.

Alicorns.

“Welcome Crystal. We have been expecting you for some time,” the motherly voice said once again, this time coming from the taller white mare.

“Who… who are you?”

Both mares took a bow before Crystal.

“I am the Sun,” the white mare said.

“And I am the Moon,” the blue mare said.

These ponies are the Sun and Moon? The celestial sisters who watch over all pony kind! And they are bowing!

Bowing to me.

“Please, please don’t do that. I’m no pony special.”

“YouR humbleness serves you well. But once again you are incorrect,” the Moon said.

“Crystal, you are the first mortal to set hoof in our home. That is something very special indeed,” the Sun said, approaching Crystal, “Let us show you.”

Panels of light sprung into existence around Crystal, each one a window to her past deeds and triumphs.

The two lovers she brought together when she got her cutiemark, and the happy family they now had. The elderly couple who made it home together from what was one of the best times in their lives. In the center was a more recent event, one where an entire city escaped certain doom. Pony after pony whose life she touched passed before her, each and every one giving thanks to the sky blue mare that made it possible.

One final image appeared before her: a pony announcing her intent to the world.

“I swear upon the Sun and Moon that I will show them all what its like to love again. I was blessed with this gift, and I intend to share it. 

“This suffering will end.”

Crystal was speechless. She never gave a second thought about what she considered doing the right thing, or the consequences therein. So many ponies, and so many hearts that had blossomed thanks to her touch. They were right; she was indeed a very special pony.

“Now you see why you are here, and why we have watched over you for so long,” the Moon said.

“You are not the only one we took an interest in,” the Sun started to say, bringing forth an image of a sleeping Luminare. “Your husband has been one of my chosen for the majority of his life. I know the light that burns within him. The very light that you found yourself drawn to like a moth to a flame.”

“And it is no coincidence you two found each other,” the Moon added. “There are forces in this world. Some good, some evil beyond measure. Then there are two that are nearly inseparable.”

“Love.”

“And Hope.”

“Warmth.”

“And Light.”

“Now it has come time for the both of you to fulfill your destinies. And spread your magic across not only your lands, but the entire world as well.”

The Sun looked at her, eyes burning with power. “Do you intend to keep your vow you swore upon my Sun, and my sister’s Moon?”

“I swore it before, and I shall swear it again. No pony will suffer as long as I draw breath,” Crystal said, bringing her foreleg across her chest.

“Then follow your heart. It will show you all you need to know.”

A wisp of blue magic leapt from Crystal’s chest. She watched on as it began to orbit her, slowly at first, then faster and faster until she was rising into the air. A familiar glow once again made its appearance, growing brighter as the magical winds churned around her.

She would follow her heart- follow it right back to the stallion she gave it to.

With that last thought, her world exploded in light.





Crystal’s spell had quite the reaction on Luminare; knocking the mighty knight out cold, and sending him to the land of dreams. When he finally awakened, he found himself in the epicenter of a scorch mark that bore a remarkable likeness to his wife’s cutiemark, yet there was no trace of the mare that only moments before had saved his life and the lives of so many others. And so he searched for her. Every room, every building, every square foot of the town for some clue to where Crystal had gone to.

During his fruitless hunt, he found out what exactly Crystal’s spell had done. The cozy valley and tall mountains that surrounded the city had vanished, replaced with—if he wasn’t mistaken—a once verdant plain where Crystal would take him during their summer respites.

After everything he had been witness to over the past month, this was by far the most unbelievable. His wife, a mare who never received training in the highest schools of magic, had teleported an entire town hundreds of miles with—as far as he could tell—no error. Had Crystal left herself behind so that they may live? Had her necklace devoured the mare at last? He didn’t know, or want to dwell upon it.

Then there was that heavenly blue mare. That had to have been one of the strangest dreams in his life. She radiated a power he had only felt when his counterparts in the Lunar Guard performed their most sacred of ceremonies. She kept reassuring him everything would be alright, and that Crystal was safe and sound under her protection. Perhaps that is why he hadn't been ravaged by dread or worry? That, or he was in shock.

Dusk had fallen and yet ponies continued to mill about Luminare’s home, or what had been home; Crystal’s spell had not been kind to the old town hall. Some were walking from group to group to check if everything was okay, others just sitting and enjoying the company of a newfound friend.

None of the earlier mistrust lingered here, only an unspoken understanding that life was too short to hate based upon silly differences. Luminare chuckled at this fact; no matter who you are, standing together in the face of death has a strange habit of making one reevaluate their priorities.

Crystal would be proud of them. Sure they had not come together the way she would have liked, but they did all the same. Still, it would be all the better if she was here by his side. Luminare looked to the starry sky above, and the Moon which hung so beautifully in the crisp winter’s night. His thoughts still lingering back to that dream, and the words of comfort within.

“I know you are safe wherever you are. But please, please come back-if not for me, but for them,” Luminare pleaded, hanging his lead low and slowly making his way inside. There was a lot of work to get done, and he was only one pony.

A glint of light caught Luminare’s eye just as he was about to close the door. To the south, a pink beam was streaking ever skyward. Whatever it was, it was powerful. He watched on as the beam continued its path towards the apex of the sky--building in intensity all the while, and bathing the entire world in its warmth and light. Then it happened, one of the most majestic and beautiful sights he had ever seen.

A heart ignited in the sky, burning bright in all its rose colored magnificence. Ponies wept, ponies laughed, others shared a tender embrace. Luminare just stared. There was no mistaking who was behind this. She had done it, she showed the world how much she cared--how much she loved.

He knelt down, tears falling from his face. He was a strong stallion, but he could not deny the feelings that longed to be set free. In his ecstasy, he did not notice the heart slowly descending from its heavenly perch, nor did he notice how it was growing closer and closer.

“Everypony look! The heart! The heart is here!”

Sure enough it was right above the town--right above him. Gently it floated down, its aura still whipping back and forth in the breeze. A flash of light and magic illuminated the entire town, driving away the encroaching night.

The light faded, leaving a pulsating pink glow which emanated from a crystalline heart, and a… mare. Luminare couldn’t believe his eyes. The being before him had a familiar tri-color mane and sky blue coat, but there was no denying there was something more divine about her. Her coat reflected under the pink glow like a sparkling gem, and instead of the unicorn he knew, this mare had a set of feathery wings along with her long spiraled horn. Wings or not, she was back, back with him.

“Crystal!” he shouted, his voice almost breaking as galloped towards her.

The mare smiled, light still pouring from her eyes.

Luminare nearly tackled her, raising her off the ground with his strong forelegs, twirling around in their shared bliss before setting her back down. He looked her deep within the eyes and kissed her. Not a kiss of passion, nor of relief, or desire. A kiss only those who share the same heart could know. A moment of true love.

In the ruins of the town hall, crystals erupted from the earth, causing Crystal and Luminare to break their embrace. Taller the crystals grew, taking the form of pillars and arches. Spires rocketed skyward, and sparkling liquid crystal flowed around their tops, creating elegant domes. Walkways, bridges, and balconies materialized from thin air as the crystals worked their magic. In a matter of minutes, an entire castle sat at the site of Crystal’s triumph, the moon reflecting off its gleaming crystal facade.

Grander than even the most lavish of holds in their old lands. It was beautiful beyond words; more glorious than the vision of any craftspony. Four wide arches made its base, supporting the many spires and a massive central one which reached into the heavens. A gem as big as a house sat in its pinnacle, sparkling like a terrestrial lighthouse.

Luminare stared awestruck at the structure; Crystal only giggled.

“Come on! This is going to be great!” she yelled in almost youthful excitement. She enveloped the crystal heart in her magic, and took Luminare’s hoof in hers, dragging both of them to the base of the castle.

In the center of her scorch mark, two crystal spikes—one pointed up,the other pointed down—stood. A gathering of ponies had formed around it; many roused from the slumber by the commotion, many others still present from earlier. A hush fell over the crowed as Crystal and Luminare approached. Ponies whispered amongst themselves; rumors of how Crystal had returned from the afterlife, or that she had ascended to godhood. They were not far off.

Crystal cut a path to the middle, Luminare and heart still in tow. There she placed the heart in between the twin spikes, and it slid naturally it into place between the spikes with a quiet hum.

“Its good to see everypony alive and well, and I’m glad to see the ugliness of earlier has been left where it belongs,” Crystal said, her cheery smile more infectious than ever. “But I must ask one more thing of all of you,” she began to say, her new wings flaring open as her voice became more commanding and serious. “Wonderful events are unfolding across all of ponydom, and we have been chosen to play a special role in them.

“This-” she pointed a hoof the still glowing heart, “-is a gift. Sent to us as not only a shield against the bitter cold, but as a beacon for all of ponykind. We are the first ponies to put aside our differences, the first to truly embrace what it means to be united, and the first to share our love.

“It is up to us to share that love, our hopes, our dreams across this earth. I ask of you, open your hearts, show me the love I know resides within you. Show the world how wonderful it can truly be.”

And so they did. Earth pony, pegasus, unicorn, or alicorn, it didn't matter anymore; they all bowed before the heart. Their love ran free, their hopes unleashed. The crystal heart becoming stronger and stronger with each passing second. Until…

A roar of magic and light exploded from the heart as a cascade of magic swept across the town. Everything took on the heart’s crystal sheen; plants, animals buildings, even ponies sparkled in the love fueled shockwave. At the pinnacle of the castle, their magic streaked into the sky and beyond, creating an aurora of beautiful pastels that could be seen the world over.

That day an empire was born. Born not out of hardship or strife, but of love for one another, and the hope for a better life for all. All thanks to one mare who cared too much, and the stallion who would never leave her side.
> Chapter Four: A Shining Beacon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

    


Chapter Four: A Shining Beacon






Warm summer winds flowed across Crystal’s outstretched wings. The scent of blooming wildflowers and freshly tilled earth filled the air. Oh how she missed this. Maybe not the flying, but definitely the sights and smells of a midsummer day. A secluded grove of trees came into view, and she made a soft landing just at their edge. She would come here every once in a while, using her precious free time to relax and think. Today she would reflect upon the trio of unicorns which had visited her.

They had been semi-famous traveling performers before the exodus. Crystal never did have a chance to see them as they would rarely stop at the castle beyond special occasions. Last she heard, they had quit. The long winter and increasingly bitter audiences had destroyed their will to keep performing week to week.

She was happy to grant them an audience, like anypony for that matter. And like many ponies before them, they came in search of a favor from the newly crowned empress. To her surprise, and great delight, they wanted to help grow the nascent art scene that had been developing since High and Mighty’s caravan arrived. All they needed was a place to perform the new works of art that were being churned out.

New construction was touchy subject; living in a bubble really limited the supply of timber and other resources. But she couldn’t decline their request. She could see it in their eyes. That faint glimmer of love waiting to ignite once again. She was the embodiment of love, it was duty to stoke those embers, be they lost or unknown. It wouldn’t take much convincing anyways, in fact this happened at a very opportune time.

If one thing the previous months had taught Crystal, other than flying was way harder than it looked, it was she was a naturally gifted schemer. Being manipulative wasn’t really part of her nature, but when she saw an opportunity like the one in front of her, she couldn’t help herself.

Besides, she had a very good track record for these sorts of things. Ever since that night almost half a year ago, she had been looking for something to cement the ties she had weaved between everypony. Having it on the anniversary was a no-brainier, but finding just the right things to include in the celebration was tricky part. And now she only needed one more piece.

"An open mind and an open ear." Words her father would always tell her; words Crystal seemed to recite to herself day after day. If not for an open mind, she would never have learned how the earth ponies loved to celebrate the yearly harvest. Just being open let otherwise forgotten unicorn performers rekindle the forgotten love of their craft.

After all, this was their Empire as much as Crystal’s. Everything she and Luminare did was for the betterment of their ponies’ lives. And why wouldn’t they? For every ounce of effort spent, their ponies would would repay it ten fold. Yet they found it would only take a tiniest of nudges to reap the biggest rewards.

‘Yes, it had been a very productive day,’ she thought, sitting under one of the few willows that managed to survive the winter. And now it was time to truly relax. Eventually though, her mind would wander back to a question that had been nagging her for some time: “Why haven’t I told him?” He already knew Crystal wasn’t a normal pony, so she was so worried about breaking the news that they would never have to say goodbye?

Perhaps telling him in the right circumstances would make it easier for him, or her for that matter. Either way, it was about time she should head back to her castle at the heart of the Empire.

It would always make Crystal chuckle that they first decided to name their new kingdom “Crystal’s Empire”, it was just so… boastful. Besides, one single city was hardly worth the title of Empire. Of course High and Mighty wouldn't have it any other way, and eventually they gained support from the rest of de facto leadership which had sprouted up.

Crystal was the first to rule over—what they believed—the remains of all three tribes, and thus was to be crowned Empress by law-though she insisted on still being called Princess. She tried to convince them otherwise-“The Kingdom of Hearts” sounded so much better. In the end she relented, gaining one small concession in the process: changing it from Crystal’s to just Crystal. A fine comprise she thought, they got what they wanted and she didn’t “technically” have her name emblazoned for all to see. After that, she was thankful that they quickly chose a snowflake as the Empire’s coat of arms, and not something such as her likeness.





Away from stuffy nobles and worrying thoughts, in a secluded dusty scrap of earth, Luminare would spend a great deal of time watching his winged friends practice their craft. Stormseeker and his pegasi had brought with them the martial traditions of Pega. Their striking arms and armor captivated the unicorn knight. Smiths back home tried and tried to copy the sleek and lightweight designs, but could never get the same amount of protection of true pegasi steel.

The spears they wielded—or lances as they called them—also fascinated Luminare. They were far longer than a normal unicorn or earth pony spear, designed to strike from a distance. Which came in handy when one didn't possess magic or sheer brute strength.

They would stand or fly to opposite positions facing each other, then charge. The goal being to knock the other off balance, and into the cushions on either side, or clouds brought in below. This “jousting” intrigued Luminare, until later that day, Stormseeker noticed him and invited him to a match. To say he wasn’t nervous would be a lie. If that old pegasus was to be believed, he was probably one of the fiercest warriors of all ponykind.

And there Luminare stood, face to face with one of the few ponies who he knew could kick his flank. With a gulp, he swallowed his fear and charged.

Luminare awoke several hours later-dazed, and nursing a massive headache. He lost, of course, but those few seconds of heart pounding terror was some of the most fun he ever had. Stormseeker was waiting for him when he returned. His once polished armor marred with some recently acquired mark.

“Up for another go?” Stormseeker said, a grin hidden underneath his helm.

“Storm,” Luminare began to say, noticing that his previous effort wasn't a complete disaster, “I know my ego can take a beating, but can yours?”

“Bring it, spearhead.”

Gone were the noble prince and the grizzled veteran. They were just two colts without a care in the world.





Eventually Luminare would claim his victory, but like Stormseeker, he would not gloat. Instead he tried to share his experiences with others. Soon unicorns and earth ponies started showing up to the weekly joust. They only watched at first, but like Luminare, they too gave in to temptation and joined in.

Jousting became so popular, half the Empire was either donning a suit of armor or just watching the spectacle from the side. The makeshift patch of dirt was far too inadequate for the needs of so many. Thankfully, it didn’t take much convincing Crystal that a purpose built arena needed to be constructed. Even if she thought it was a foalish game played by ponies who just wanted to beat each other senseless.

Crystal hadn’t been entirely forward with her husband. Not that she enjoyed or wished to hide things from Luminare, but she needed to keep this a secret for a little while longer. After all they had been through, she just wanted some time for her ponies to relax and enjoy themselves.

Truth be told, she had already made arrangements for a stadium to be built a week ago. You couldn’t go anywhere without hearing talk of a recent match, who had the best form, or other gossip surrounding the game. If Luminare wasn’t with her or training the new royal guard, he was jousting with Stormseeker.





The months ticked down, and Crystal’s plans drew closer and closer to fruition. Oh, how marvelous it was going be. The arena was already packed with ponies hooping and hollering as their peers slammed into one another. The new theater had been erected, replacing the now destroyed town hall. Earth ponies were beginning to prepare for their harvest festival. Placing various booths and attractions in the spaces Crystal had granted them around the castle. With her own plans for that evening ironed out, all that was left was to string together all her threads into one final tapestry.

Luminare and Crystal walked along the freshly cleaned stone path from their castle. The castle’s crystal spires still left Luminare a little awestruck every time he took in their entire majesty. As they saddled up to the podium, Luminare stared at hundreds of ponies were waiting for Crystal’s anniversary speech. Many ponies were decked out in their finest armor, some were in colorful poly-chromatic outfits he remembered from performers of his foalhoood. Yet many others still wore the same clothes of day to day life, some looking like they barely made it in from the fields.

“Dear friends and countryponies,” Crystal started. “One year ago we nearly let the coldness in our hearts bury us under ice and snow. But now I see in you the happiness I had almost forgotten during frigid winter.” Crystal saw something then, something a year ago she would of thought impossible. An earth pony mare and a pegasus stallion standing close together, his wing draped around her back. That single sight made everything she had gone through worth it.

“You do not know the joy it brings me to see everypony here today, and how proud you make me. That is why I thought I would give a little back today. You may have noticed a little construction around the castle lately. An arena for all you jousters, and a theater for those who do not wish to don arms and armor. There are also the many arts, crafts, delicious food, and even a petting zoo of the harvest festival. With so many new and exciting events planned, I couldn’t help but bring them all together.” Crystal took a moment, trying to judge the reaction of the crowd, finding only an awkward silence.

“Three separate occasions, from three different tribes. Yet all I see are ponies who have forgotten those differences, and embraced each other like their own. In that same spirit of togetherness we are still here today, and in that spirit, it is my utmost pleasure to present the first annual Crystal Fair!”

There she got the reaction she desired. Ponies were cheering, and stomping their hooves. Pegasi flew in loops around the crowd Chants of “Long live the Princess. Long live the Crystal Empire!” rang out. The jubilant roar was almost deafening.

“I’m going to have to keep on eye on you, you know that? Exactly how long have you been planning this?” Luminare whispered, gently nudging his wife.

“About six months,” Crystal said, watching the crowd before filter out to their chosen attractions. “Now you go have fun, but try not to get too banged up. I have another surprise for you later.”

Luminare gave his wife a quick peck on the cheek, and galloped off towards the packed arena. Tonight was looking to be one he would never forget.





It was late in the evening when Luminare returned home, sweaty, bruised, and in desperate need of a nap. Also probably a bath. He may have overdone it a tad bit, but he was a strong stallion, and wouldn’t let that stop him from whatever Crystal had planned tonight. Crystal was waiting for him when got done freshening up. He wasn’t one for formal wear, but for tonight, he would make an exception.

“So where are we heading?” Luminare asked, curiosity eating at him from the inside.

Crystal flashed a playful grin. “You know it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, right? Just follow me!”

He followed her through the castle until they reached a door adjacent to the throne room. If the castle looked intimidating from the outside--the inside was plain awe inspiring. He had spent months living here, and had yet to explore all of it. Which made him wonder,  what she was doing in front of this particular door? Inside was a massive staircase that lead to the top of the central spire. Crystal took a step up the stairs, causing Luminare to emit an involuntary groan.

Crystal looked to him with a scowl on her face, before lightening up and sticking her tongue out at him. “What's the matter? Can’t handle some stairs?”

A blush crept over his face.

“Don’t worry, I wasn’t going to walk them all,” Crystal smiled, stretching her wings from wingtip to wingtip. “Hop on my back.”

“Excuse me?”

“Trust me, I’ll be fine.”

Luminare shrugged, hoping Crystal knew what she was doing. He climbed up her back, her wings unfurling to let him get a better grip. To his surprise, Crystal didn't even bat a lash as she carried his entire weight.

“Alright, hold on tight!” she said, and lept into the air.

Air whipped past his face, and he felt the strong muscles of Crystal’s wings hard at work below him. He had never been airborne before, or moving this fast, or moving this fast while in close proximity to very hard crystal stairs.

Another set of steps streaked past him, sending his heart racing. Now that he thought of it, this was really fun. It would be even better if he wasn’t getting a face full of Crystal’s mane. Yup, he was definitely going have her do this again.

“I forgot to mention! Flying is easy, now landing, that’s the hard part!”

“What?!”

“And… NOW!” Crystal yelled.

In a dull thud, and in spite of Luminare’s bulk, Crystal landed with a practiced grace. They trotted up the last few steps, and through the hatch at the top.

The sight that greeted Luminare nearly took his breath away. He could see everything in the Empire. The wooden homes and shops that lined the streets heading to the castle. The verdant plains of grass and recently plowed fields. The dotted groves of trees that followed the shining stream which snaked through the Empire. And each and every one of them was aglow under the dancing aurora of pastels above him.

A blanket had been placed in the middle, a basket full of wine and other refreshments placed to its side. Crystal made herself comfortable and motioned for Luminare to come join her.

“Do you like it?” Crystal asked, a knowing smile creeping across her lips.

“Like it? I love it, Crystal. Almost as much as I love you.”

Crystal snuggled up against him, draping a wing over his back, just like the couple she saw earlier. “I love you too.”

From their place high above the cares of the world, they could truly be themselves. They talked, and joked. Drank and and laughed. But she knew she would have to spoil it sooner, rather then later. Just thinking about it made her sigh.

“What’s the matter?”

“It’s… well… I have been neglecting to tell you something. You know that night a year ago? When I got these?” she said, ruffling her feathers. “I learned I was not a normal pony.”

“You didn't need to sprout wings for me to know that,” Luminare joked.

Crystal giggled; how dare he use humor at a time like this. She took a deep breath. No more putting this off. “I met some ponies, very ancient, and very powerful ponies. They told me things, things I did not believe to be true. But they opened my eyes. They showed me everything, Luminare. Everypony whose life I touched. And I knew there was only truth in their words.

“Look above you. I know you can feel the magic coming from the heart, and I know you can feel the love and hope radiate across the world. That’s because it is part of us Luminare. We are Love and Hope, and it is our duty to protect this land, now and forever.”

At first, repercussions and doubt raced through his mind; thoughts no pony ever wants to dwell upon. But, that also meant he would never have to let her go. Never say goodbye.

Never break his promise.

He could live with that—forever apparently. In his heart of hearts he knew something greater than him had been guiding him all this time, and it felt good to know he wasn’t alone. “Forever is nothing, as long as I never have to leave you.”

Crystal sighed with relief, as Luminare threw a foreleg across her shoulders, bringing her closer. Everything had worked out better than she could of hoped. And the future was looking brighter than ever with him, forever by her side.





Years passed into decades, and decades into centuries. Many of Luminare's fears had come to pass, just as he had dreaded.  They wouldn’t let themselves become detached or aloof, even if the pain never really got better with time. And when the time to say goodbye came, she was always there for him, as he was always there for her. Twin anchors in the ever flowing sands of time.

Things changed, as they always do from generation to generation. Small things at first, but as time marched on, the Empire was barely recognizable from the tiny village all those years ago. It had grown to unprecedented size and scope, filled with tens of thousands of ponies.

Even the weather beyond the Empire’s borders had lessened in time, letting adventurous ponies from the far south finally brave the distance to the shining beacon in the north. They brought tales of the Kingdom of Equestria, and its two mysterious rulers: Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

Crystal and Luminare rejoiced when they learned their friends and family had made a new start, and finally found a way to work together. Crystal was particularly taken with the mention of her best friend, and sister having such a pivotal role in its founding.

Yet through the years Crystal and Luminare only grew closer. And every year, they would make the journey to the pinnacle of their tower to bask under the twilight of their love.





“One hoof after another,” he chanted, the motto of any diligent scout. He made his way through the never ending maze of drifts and blowing snow. He couldn’t stop now. He was so close.

He couldn’t imagine how anything could live up this far north. It was wasteland filled with the remains of shattered kingdoms and broken dreams. Yet there was no mistaking the streamers of love coming from over the hill, the same ones had been tracking for months now. And as he crossed the peak, he knew he had found what his king had been searching for.

And he would be very pleased indeed.

> Chapter Five: Snowflakes and Ash
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Five: Snowflakes and Ash






It was that time of year again. The autumn harvest had just finished up, and there was a slight nip in the morning air. Everything screamed that the Crystal Fair was ready to begin. Unfortunately for Rose Quartz, she was stuck serving post during the most important jousting tournament of year. She let out a sigh, blowing a piece of her sparkling ruby hair out of her eyes. She wasn't even supposed to be here today, and now she was stuck with the most boring job a royal guard could do. 

Oh well, it's not like today could get any worse.

With another sigh she scanned the horizon beyond the Empire's magic. Why Prince Luminare insisted on having border patrols was anypony’s guess. Nothing ever happened out here--just the same old boring snow, the same old white drifts, and the same old caravan of ponies. Wait. Shaking her head, she did a double take to make sure she hadn't gone insane. Sure enough, there were five coaches flanked by at least twenty ponies.

How in Crystal's name did they make it here?

There were stories of the occasional pony from the south finding their little bit of paradise, but this was an unprecedented number. It seems like the fair was going to have a few more guests tonight. She needed go get superior--maybe even the Prince or Princess--and now. She started to turn back, but a stallion’s cries for help reached her.

She had never seen an outsider. He looked so strange with his plain auburn mane and an equally plain tan coat buried underneath the layers of cold weather gear; no sparkles, and no shine. Now that she thought of it, they looked remarkably similar to the Prince Luminare. Regardless, if somepony was in trouble, it was her duty to help.

“Thank goodness we found you. My wife is going into labor, and we don’t know what to do,” the stallion said, ushering Rose into the back of one of the carriages.

“Wait, there is nothing—” Rose tried to say as everything went black.

Behind, two darkened figures hovered over the unconscious pony.

“Are they always this gullible?” a feminine voice asked in a mocking tone.

“Yes, Chrissy. Yes they are.”

The stallion and Rose exited the carriage, shuffling through the snow towards an unsuspecting Empire.

“Remember what I taught you, and everything will be fine,” the stallion said.

Rose turned to the stallion, her eyes looking distant and blue. “Don’t worry, father. I'm not the one who has to deal with her.”

She was right, the first steps have gone exactly to plan, but now it was all up to him.





Princess Crystal and Prince Luminare stood triumphant in their castle’s balcony. Her flowing mane and radiant aura displayed in in all their glory. Gleaming crystal paths filled with equally gleaming crystal ponies stretched as far as they could see in each direction. An undulating mass of sparkling pastels, all waiting in bated breath for her to give the word.

“And it’s my honor to announce this year’s Crystal Fair officially open!” Crystal yelled, as an uproar of cheers and celebration echoed across the Empire.

“Marvelous,” Luminare began to say, “And as always, I can’t wait for later.”

“You know I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she beamed.

So many years had passed, and she still had the same genuine smile he fell in love with. Crystal had changed over the years, every pony does. Seeing her going through a growth spurt several centuries back was unexpected to say the least. Luminare had always looked up to her, though he never imagined he would have to physically. Yes she had changed, but her caring and compassionate nature had only grown. And like always, Luminare was there, striving to follow in her hoofsteps.

He had seen his fair share of change as well. So many ponies had come and gone. So many memories and  so many friends. He took this time of year to reflect on his past. Where he had been, and where he was going. He had turned to books of all places. The mind was sharpest weapon of all. That, and learning more powerful magic was something he always wanted to do, but he never had the time. A problem he no longer had.

Then there was their ponies. By the Sun they made them so proud. Those first few years had been trying times, but they came together, thanks in no small part to Crystal’s benevolent deviousness. Yet nothing compared to the effects the Empire’s magic had upon them. And now, they didn't even resemble any of the three tribes of old. They truly had become one.

A mare calling his name snapped him back to the present. Rose Quartz was her name. She may not of looked it, but Luminare knew a thing or two about selecting ponies to join his guard, and she was going to go far. It must be something important she was seeking him out. Sure enough, right behind her was several coaches and ponies Luminare never thought he would see again.

Pegasi fluttered about, unicorns trotted along, and the ever powerful earth ponies could be seen drawing the carriages of the newcomers. By Rose, stood a tan earth pony. He was well dressed with purple finery, and carried about an air of earned smugness. A noble no doubt.

It had been many years since anypony from the south had ventured this far. Crystal had been in contact with one of their leaders through some crazy alicorn magic for a while now, but having a prominent pony in the flesh was very new. Yes, it was probably best to let Crystal handle this. She was always better with ponies than he was after all.

Rose galloped up to them, saluting, then bowing. “Your highness, I bring before you Lord Mayflower,” she said, allowing the earth pony a place before the royals.

“Ahh… Princess Crystal. Tales of your beauty do no you justice,” Mayflower said, bowing and placing a kiss on Crystal’s hoof. He turned, meeting the glare of a very unenthused prince. Luminare had been a great many of things in his life, but jealous was not one of them. Mayflower’s pupils shrunk to pinpricks for only a second, before recomposing himself despite Luminare’s best efforts.

"And you must be the fiery Prince Luminare. I am Lord Mayflower, and this,” he said, pointing to the ponies behind him, “is my fellowship.”

“We welcome you to the Crystal Empire, Lord Mayflower. As you can guess, we do not get many guests here, but I will ensure your stay here will be lovely,” Crystal said, bidding him to rise.

“Charmed,” Luminare deadpanned.

“I hope so, your Highness. We are not just visiting. We came to make a new start. And we were hoping, if you would let us, we could do it here.”

Crystal’s eyes lit up, their brightness only matched by the grin she wore. “Of course! The Empire is welcome to all. Please, join us for dinner tonight. I would love to learn all about you, and your friends.”

Something about Mayflower wasn’t right. It wasn’t just that he had placed his lips upon Crystal’s hoof, many ponies have done that before, and many more will. He seemed fake, hollow. The air around him was cold and draining, like the ambient magic was being sucked into some sort of void.

Was it horrible of him to think this way about a pony he just met? Yes, and he would never hear the end of it from Crystal. Still, a primal fear deep down was screaming at him that something was terribly wrong. But it was his duty to give the newcomers a chance, even if he was a little more vigilant around them. Perhaps Crystal’s impromptu dinner plans would set him more at ease.

As the nobles and royalty discussed matters that were far too important for the ears of simple guardsponies, Rose had struck up a conversation with some of her colleagues.

“So, what’s the plan for later?” she asked.

She was met with a series of shrugs and “uhhs”.

“Nothing? That’s perfect! My cousin is throwing a party at the tavern down the road, and I know I score us some free crystal cider. Meet up in an hour?” Nopony would refuse a drink, and sure enough they all agreed to meet her up at the address she gave them.

This is almost too easy.





The day was spent with a tour around the Empire, and avoiding Luminare’s suspicious gaze. Crystal would go on and on about the history of a particular building or regale him with tales of long ago. Even it had only lasted a second, a tinge of regret had popped up in the back of his mind of the fate that awaited this beautiful land. He couldn’t let himself grow weak now. All that mattered was his “fellowship” had been shown to the castle to rest and relax, and after hours of constant drivel from the two ponies, they had finally arrived to a large banquet hall.

He had to admit, it was grand by any standard. Banners both ancient and new hung overhead. Pastel stained glass windows cast a colorful hue across the entire room. A large blue crystal table sat in center, topped with a variety of dishes; the smell would of made his mouth water if he were capable of such thing.

Guards lead by Rose Quartz stood on the perimeter in their polished armor and signature stoic pose. Caterers and servants were scurrying back and forth, no doubt worrying about every last detail. At the head of the table sat Crystal, to her right Luminare, and many other of their friends lined the seats further down. Everything was in place and awaiting the moment he could play his masterstroke.

Being the guest of honor, Mayflower was afforded a seat to Crystal’s left. There he produced a sealed bottle. To anypony it would of looked like a fine vintage of wine from the southern hills of Canterlot. Thankfully, he was not anypony. The ingredients that went into making it had been very expensive and hard to come by. Hopefully that pea-brained alchemist was right, or things would get very awkward, and very soon.

“A token of good things to come,” he whispered to Crystal, passing the bottle to her.

Taking hold of the bottle with her magic, she popped the cork and filled the glasses of everypony at the table. She gently sat down the bottle, and lifted her her own glass into the air.

“Fillies and gentlecolts. Today as we celebrate our togetherness; I would like to welcome some new faces, ones who wish to join our Empire, just so they can experience the love and joy it all brings us,” she said, ringing her glass so all would rise. “I propose a toast. To friends of old. To another year of bliss. And to the pony who is responsible for all our new friends: Lord Mayflower,” she said, taking a swig, and looking Mayflower dead in the eyes.

This was it, the moment years of planning and scheming had lead to. He returned her gaze, and took a quick swig of his own cup. The warm bubbly feeling rushing down his throat was nothing compared to power he felt surging from the Crystal Princess. It had worked! She was his, and there was nothing anypony could do to stop him.

Like Luminare, ponies all around spat the foul mixture out of their mouths. Then it hit him. A searing, ripping sensation tore across his chest, and deep into his being. He doubled over, spasming on the hall’s floor. Through the pain he could see Crystal wasn’t faring much better. Her coat had grown pale and dull. All the while she clutched her chest, desperately trying to hold on to some invisible object.

“Why schmoopy doo? Why are trying to take him?” she cried.

What did she just say?

“Come now Crystal, you know there is only room in there for me now,” Mayflower said gleefully, a green fire burning within his eyes.

“MAYFLOWER! What is the meaning of this treachery?!” Luminare bellowed.

“You ponies. Always demanding, always accusing. All we changelings ever wanted was love! And now I have her!”

“No,” Crystal whispered before passing out.

That was enough for Luminare. “Guards! Seize him! And make sure the rest of his followers are placed under watch!”

To his horror, his most trusted of friends and compatriots stood there with menacing smirks on their faces.

“Poor, poor Luminare, you were right to fear me. Oh yes, I knew. Guards, take him away.”

“As you wish, King Morpheus,” Rose said, bowing to the earth pony.

Green fire erupted from the ponies he thought friends, leaving creatures who looked as they crawled from the nightmares of some foal. They were black as the blackest night, grotesque holes were scattered about their equine forms, empty ice blue eyes, sharp fangs, and gnarled horns dominated their heads, and translucent insect wings adorned their backs. Atop the being that was once Mayflower, a crown resembling some sort of fungus sat. No longer trapped in his earth pony disguise, he stood head and shoulders above Luminare, matching Crystal’s impressive stature.

Luminare felt the grasp of one of vile creatures dragging him away, helpless to do anything as he watched Crystal slip out of his sight.

“So Princess, let us see this Crystal Heart I keep hearing about,” Morpheus said, the shouting and screaming echoing across the room music to his ears.





Shaking his head to clear the fog, Luminare awoke groaning in pain. Everything hurt--his legs, his hooves, his back, his head, and even his horn. What ever that beast had done to him was very powerful, and very scary now that he thought of it. Even Stormseeker wasn’t capable of inflicting this much damage upon him. Where was he? He glanced around, trying to piece together his surroundings.

He found himself in a darkened room. Pods of green, glowing slime reflecting off the moisture slicked walls. He swore he saw equine shapes moving within the alien growths.

“You’re awake. Good. I was getting… hungry,” the monster that was once Rose said, licking one of her fangs.

“Where is Crystal?” Luminare snarled, struggling to get his hooves.

“Father is taking her on a date last I heard. The main course being your precious Crystal Heart. It’s such a shame I’m stuck with the leftovers,” she said, staring intently at Luminare. “I bet you taste spicy.”

She walked closer until she was face to face with the enraged pony. “Now sit still, I promise this will only hurt for the rest of your life.”

Green fire traced across Luminare, and flowed into the open maw of the beast. “Such power…”

The fire continued to spread. He felt so weak, so useless. That was until the beast tried to pry at something that did not belong to her. Familiar blue magic arced across Luminare, right towards the mangled horn of his captor. In a flash, the beast cried out in pain.

“What was that?” she growled.

“My wife.”

He felt Crystal’s magic pour into his deepest parts of his being, and with every beat of his heart he could feel it coursing through him. His blood was on fire, his strength had returned, and now this changeling would feel his wrath.

“I know not what your true nature is, but you remind of a tick. And you know how I used to deal with parasites?” he said, his entire body igniting like a torch. “Flame.”

She was in over her head. He wasn’t supposed to be this strong after the potion. Either through treachery, or incompetence her father had lead her to this failure.

“Now listen,” Luminare said, leaning closer to changeling. “I want you, and the the rest of your misbegotten kind out of the Empire. Or things are going to get very, very unpleasant.”

Ponies were supposedly weak, pathetic creatures, incapable of such acts. But the look in his eyes told her that the stallion’s threats were not hollow. She had no choice.

Luminare reined himself in while he watched the changeling flee. He wasn’t going to pursue her. This was no time for petty vengeance. Crystal needed help, and fast. His magic sprang to life, cutting open the pods the were scattered around the room. The forms of Rose Quartz and the other missing guardsponies spilled onto the floor. One by one he helped them up and cleaned them off. Fortunately, they looked no worse for wear beyond some residual slime.

He filled them in as they raced towards the castle. Hopefully they would be enough to stop whatever the other changelings so he could make it to their King.

Hopefully he wasn’t too late.





“You will pay for that!” Morpheus howled, as a blue jolt sent him flying across the crystal floor, “Lousy good for nothing quack told me that love poison would have you head over hooves for me.”

“I am the Princess of Love. Do you really think something like that could stop me?” Crystal boasted. She was lying, convincing though she was. If it really had done nothing, that obnoxious bug would be halfway to some Moon-forsaken wasteland. The poison almost turned her into a gibbering mess. If it wasn’t for some quick acting, and some help from Luminare, she would be nothing more than a loveless husk right now.

“No matter. You were only to be an appetizer, just another stepping stone on the way to my true destiny,” Morpheus said, letting loose an evil laugh, “Besides, if you had any real power left, I would be halfway to the dragon badlands.”

Oh horse apples.

“I may not be able to feast on your love, but yours is not the only heart I desire,” he said, gazing at the floating Crystal Heart. “It’s incredible to a being like myself. A nexus to the entire world’s love, ripe and waiting, just for me. Do you know what I can do with that much power?”

“Umm… no?”

“I CAN BECOME A GOD!” he bellowed, slamming his hooves down in a shower of sparks, and sending Crystal reeling back towards a crystal arch.

The gross green fire of his magic wrapped itself around the Heart like a snake squeezing the life out of some unfortunate prey. Nothing compared to the power which flowed into him. Even the Crystal Princess’s magic felt like a drop in the bucket under the Crystal Heart’s unrelenting torrent. With this he would become more than a mere god. Not even the Sun and Moon could hope to stop him.

Morpheus pressed his assault. His magic coiled tighter around the Heart. The sporadic sounds of shattering glass echoed off the crystal chamber. Fractures spider webbed across the its surface as rays of light and magic poured from them. To Crystal’s mounting horror, he wasn’t draining the Heart, he was destroying it.

“Please stop! Please anything but that. Drain me dry, but leave the heart alone.”

Morpheus leapt in front of Crystal, bringing them face to face. Steam snorted out of his nostrils and green fire erupted from his eyes.

“Do you honestly think I give a flying feather about the Heart, or what will happen to your precious Empire when it shatters? No, you are going to watch as suck the life from it, and see your precious little ponies freeze and suffer until the winter claims every last one of them.”

“You stay away from her!” roared a being that was part fire and part pony. With a sickening crunch, it slammed into Morpheus, sending the changeling rocketing into nearby wall, and the Crystal Heart tumbling through the air. In a burst of magic, the surrounding crystal morphed around the changeling, and sealed him behind several feet of the stuff.

Crystal dashed towards the heart, catching it with her hooves moments before it impacted. She looked it over, and her blood ran cold. Her worst fears were becoming a reality.

“Crystal? Is everything all right? He didn’t hurt you did he?” Luminare asked, the flames surrounding him dying out.

“No,” she replied, holding up the heart.

How it was still in one piece was miracle in itself. Glowing liquid leaked from the myriad of cracks across its pink surface. Its once terrific brilliance was only a faint glimmer.

“Can you save it?”

Crystal thought over what she could possibly do to mend the broken heart. It would take a unimaginably powerful source of the purest of love. And sadly, only one thing in the entire world that would do. She had to do it, for them, she must.

“Yes,” she began to reply, ears drooping while tears ran down her cheek, “But it needs love Luminare, not just any either, it needs... Me.”

Luminare couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “No, you can’t. You just can’t.”

Thud.

“When I get out here, you will wish I had only drained the life out of you!” an enraged voice roared as the crystal wall cracked and crumbled.

“Luminare, do you love them?”

“With all my heart.”

“Do you love me?”

“Now and forever.”

Crystal stepped closer to Luminare, bringing her muzzle close to his and surrounding him with the feathery embrace of her wings.

“Then don’t hold back,” she said, kissing the stallion.

This went against everything he had devoted his life to. It was to never come to this. The promise he made all those years ago, the promise he had faithfully fulfilled to this day, was to be broken by his own hooves. He wished with all his soul that there was another way, but Crystal wouldn’t even suggest such a thing if there was another way. For the Empire, for his friends, for the world, and for her, he would do what she asked.

A blue light erupted from the two ponies, and a glowing ethereal heart was drawn Luminare’s chest. It gently floated over the dying Crystal Heart. Crystal brought the tip of her horn to Luminare’s, giving him one last smile. “Goodbye, the Light of my life.”

“Goodbye, my Love.”

In a blinding flash, magic exploded all around the couple. The ethereal heart and Crystal Heart became one. The cracks and fractures sealing and mending with brilliant sky blue light.

Crash. "You will never escape us!" Morpheus cackled madly, before the wave of magic struck him. “We are everywhere!” he roared, vanishing in the blinding, all encompassing light. Across the Empire, the marauding changeling's were swept away by the wave, sending them flying well over the horizon.

The light faded, and Luminare opened his eyes. Only the Crystal Heart remained, once again suspended in its rightful place. She was gone, and he knew deep down that she wasn't coming back. The little bit of composure he had left nearly shattered when he gazed upon the Heart. No longer the rose colored beauty had had known for centuries, it was now a familiar sky blue sheen. She had truly given everything to save her ponies.

And there he sat, eyes locked with the Heart while little particles of Crystal’s magic fell like snowflakes all around him. For Luminare, they may as well been ash.
> Chapter Six: When the Light Fades
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Six: When the Light Fades







The approaching sound of galloping hooves made him tense up. Even after losing what was most precious in his long life, duty still called, and could not be denied.

“Rose Quartz reporting in, Sir. The attack seems to be over. What ever you and the Princess did sent them flying,” she said, snapping to attention.

Luminare paused for a second. What was he going to do, or more importantly, what was he going to say? He was barely keeping himself together, and now he had to help the entire Empire through her loss.

“Sir?”

“Thank you Rose. I will need to convene court, and I want you to help get the word out,” Luminare said, every word a chore to spit out through the tears and sadness that were threatening to overwhelm him. They would, and soon, but not now.

“Yes Sir,” she said, saluting and running off.

Luminare looked to the Heart again. It was forever changed now, and he wasn’t sure it was for the better. How was he supposed to look upon it and not see Crystal’s sacrifice? How could he ever hope to be what Crystal was to everypony? Hope, the very thing he strived to spread all these years. Where was hope when he needed it most? There was no hope to save her- no hope of ever seeing her smile again. As far as he was concerned, there was no hope.

Now that he thought of it, the heart wasn’t just the Crystal Heart any more, it was a part of her--it was her. She wasn’t going to be left here, on display for everypony to see. He grabbed the heart, and stormed off to the place he should have been all this time.





The long halls of the castle had never felt so empty, so foreign. She had only been gone for a short while, and Luminare could tell everything had lost its usual luster. Crystal meant so much to everypony, even if they knew it or not. He hadn’t broken the news, and he saw ponies moping about the castle as he trotted past. He had never seen them so dejected; their bright and vibrant coats had already faded a little. They didn’t even notice that Luminare had the Crystal Heart in his possession.

Finally he reached the grand staircase that lead to the central tower’s apex. He staggered at the sight of the steps. All the memories, all the feelings he had kept bottled up let loose. He would not use magic to get up these steps. Instead, he put one hoof forward, and started to walk.

Every step he took, a tear would fall. Every step he took, another memory of Crystal would replay in his mind. Every little thing she said. Every warm embrace they shared. It all came back to him, and it tore at him, body and mind. Thousands upon thousands of steps, and he never once failed to wet one. His face was drenched and red--yet through the pain, and through the guilt, he reached the summit.

Luminare lovingly floated the heart down to the center of the tower. This is where she told them about their shared fates all those years ago. This is where they would come to celebrate year after year. So many happy memories of lying here with her. She could rest here, and no pony would ever disturb her.

He didn’t care what that meant for the ponies below. Honestly he didn’t really care at all anymore. Crystal was everything to him--the singular pillar holding his entire immortal life above the ravages of time. Now she was gone, and his entire world had come crashing down. He collapsed to the ground in a disheveled heap, holding tight to the Crystal Heart.

It hurt to cry now, not that it would stop the tears from falling. And there he wept alone in his constant sorrow, until finally, mercifully, sleep took him.





A peaceful, dreamless sleep is all Luminare asked for. The sweet nothingness of unconsciousness would be preferable to the nightmare his life had become.

He awoke in a nearly pitch black space, a faint glow in the distance lighting up the otherwise featureless expanse. It was soothing here. It helped him forget about the real world and its troubles. No more pain, no more tears, no more memories of Crystal. This shadow he found himself in made it all go away. But then there was that light.

He took a few steps towards the light and hesitated - the feelings of pain and loss increasing with the light’s intensity. Still he was inexorably drawn to it. Beneath the torment, was the kind and welcoming familiarity of something close to him, or part of him as he found out. In front of him was a single candle, its light casting a golden corona far greater than it had any right to be.

His cutiemark.

His special talent, his driving force, a symbol of everything he was. Was. Now? Now it filled him with nothing but a hurt that tore through to deepest part of soul, and a longing that could never be fulfilled. It was his burden, his curse, a reminder of his greatest failure. He was supposed to be the light of Hope - a shining beacon to all. How could be that now? Hope was a lie, one he had perpetuated for centuries.

Oh, how he loathed the light, and its false promises. The darkness from earlier was were he belonged now. It was numbing, uncaring, unfeeling, and the only peace he knew. He brought his face the candle, its dancing flame reflecting in his tear-stained eyes. He was so weak now, so tired. He couldn't go on, not like this. There was only one choice left, one he knew would only end in tears.

“Father, forgive me.”

And with a great gust of his lungs, the light faded, and only shadow remained.





Snow was falling on the Empire, forcing ponies into taking shelter in their crystal homes where hearths long dormant were filled and lit. Above them all, on the tower which used to protect them, lay Luminare. A snowflake gently fluttered and fell, landing on his snout.

Slowly life returned to him. He stretched and groaned, taking time to get a few kinks out of his neck. Shaking loose some built up snow, he trotted up to the ledge of the spire, and took a look at the enchanted lands below. A deep and monstrous laugh rolled out of his belly. He was free. Free from the light, free from his destiny, free to show the world the one and only truth… Despair.

On his side, the once burning candle had been snuffed out. Smoke was rising from the blackened wick, spreading across the stallion’s body, and dying it an ashen grey. His fiery mane faded and darkened to a charcoal black. His pupils became a piercing red, and his brilliant eyes turned an eerie green as shadowy magic poured from them. His horn curved to a smooth and sharpened point - its tip colored a sanguine red.

Dark and bubbling magic spilled from his horn on to floor. The crystal rose by his command, its smooth bluish sheen twisting into a grotesque facsimile of a mirror. He looked good and princely- maybe even dark and dangerous. Not good enough. He thought back to his previous life, recalling images of nobles and their preposterous garbs they wore.

Those will do.

Shimmering balls sparked to life in front of him. With a pulse of magic, forms coalesced and took the shapes he desired. Silver barding snapped in place around his legs and chest, while a gaudy red cape with spotted white trim hung over his back and flanks. And last but least, a sleek jet black crown floated on to his head, and socketed around his horn. Now this was more like it. He looked regal, dominating - a look fit for royalty of his status. A look fit for a king.

A cold wind swept across the tower’s precipice. Any normal pony would have been chilled to the bone, but to Luminare, it merely mirrored the coldness which had taken hold within him. The crunch of freshly fallen snow followed with each hoofstep as he approached the hallowed ground of Her resting place.

That reminded him. The peasants below would not survive in this weather, and as reluctant as he was to admit it, they still served a purpose. Looking up to the sky, he let loose a dark beam of magic, and bent the weather to his will. The storm clouds fled like injured animals, leaving a menacing orange sky in their retreat.

His magic once again oozed into life. Runes and marks of shadow appeared in a perimeter around the heart, and sank into the ground. The magic traveled down to the base of the tower, where it burrowed itself deep within the crystal walls. Nopony would disturb her, and now he made sure of it.

With that taken care of, the time had come for everypony to meet their new king, and crush their little hearts with the news of Crystal’s demise. Though, King Luminare just didn’t sound right. He wasn’t that stallion any more, and he definitely wasn’t a stallion of the light such a name would imply.

Sombra.

That was a name he hadn’t thought about since his foalhood. A name that use to terrify him and drive him deep under the covers at night. Sombra. He was the boogeyman that was always out to get little Luminare, and always hiding in the shadows, waiting for him to fall. And now it seems the beast had finally caught him.

It was so long ago when his father told him the tale of the shade which supposedly haunted their family. For as far as he could remember, his family had been ponies of light. They were candlemakers, lantern lighters, and hedge wizards who specialized in illumination. Sadly, they were also all lowborn, and never to be members of the Solar Guard, the raisers of the Sun. That all changed the day Luminare got his cutiemark.





Today was to be like any other day. He would get up before the break of dawn and head down to the open air Shrine of the Sun. And just like everyday he would watch the stallions and mares of the Solar Guard practice their craft. Lately though, he had been coming more and more for the glimpses he would get of her. Princess Crystal sat next to her father in the royal booths. Why she would be here every morning was a mystery to him, but he was glad for whatever reason it was.

She was always so happy, always smiling. A radiant blue angel among the dull stonework and uptight nobles. It was that smile which enchanted him, and kept him coming back for more. Secretly, he would pretend she was smiling just for him.

Today was no different. Knights took their places around their charge, while nobles and the Princess took their usual places. Not many commoners came today, but that was to be expected any more; no pony wanted to make their already long days any longer. Luminare was stuck watching behind the shoddy wooden barriers that somepony thought made decent viewing platforms while keeping the peasantry back. Good thing the rotting wood was terrible at both tasks.

A gentle hum filled the air as they started their ritual. Somedays they would sing, other days they would chant, either way it would always end with the Sun’s brilliant rays cutting through the many surronding peaks. He watched on while they sung, and waited for that glorious moment when light would flood the earth. And he waited, and waited. Something wasn't right. They never took this long. That was when he felt a tug on his horn and heard the whisper which would change his life.

“Go. Lend your light to theirs.”

He turned around, and tried to find the source of the mysterious voice. Nothing. Again he felt the tug while his horn began to glow a brilliant gold. Power unimagined coursed through him. He knew what he needed to do now as he vaulted over the wooden logs and galloped towards the struggling knights.

Cries and howls came from the nobles.

“Somepony stop him!”

“What is he thinking?”

But one voice rose above the rest, the voice of a little blue filly cutting through the shouts of angered ponies with the sound and harmony of a hundred silver bells.

“I believe in you.”  

Those four simple words of encouragement made his heart swell. Nothing could stop him now as he lept over the last barrier and took a place near the knights. 

Strange sensations washed over him; a rhythm tugging at his entire being. Every once in a while the rhythm would stop for just a brief moment before starting again.

I wonder.

The pause came once again, and he followed voice’s instruction. He let himself melt into the flow, melding his light with theirs. His hopes, his dreams, his zest for life combined with the others; their joint emotions igniting into blazing light.

“Thank you,” the voice whispered.

In the middle of the circle, a golden statue of the Sun began to glow. Even with his eyes closed, he was nearly blinded by light. And just when he couldn’t take anymore, the light faded and the rhythm stopped. Sunshine blanketed the mountain range, its snow capped peaks bathed in shimmering shades of yellows and oranges.

He couldn’t believe it, he had help raise the Sun! That’s when he noticed the stern and very unenthused faces staring intently at him. He withered and shrunk under their collective gaze- feeling like a mere mouse in the presence of giants.

“You, boy, what is your name?” an elderly stallion asked.

“Luminare,” he squeaked.

The stallion’s eyes grew while his frown turned into a welcoming smile. “Well then, Luminare. I suppose you and I are going to get acquainted quite well in the coming days,” he said pointing to Luminare’s side.

Following the elder’s hoof, Luminare looked to his side to find a lit candle with a glowing halo around it.

His cutiemark!

The elder could see the fire in that young colt’s eyes. A burning passion not even the most valiant of his knight’s possesed. How one so young could join their choir, only the Sun knew, and for everyponies’ sake, he hoped the Sun knew what it was doing.

“Come now Luminare, there are some ponies I would like you to meet,” the elder said, motioning Luminare to follow.

“Yes sir!”

On his way past the crowd of perturbed nobles, he took one last glimpse to see if he could spot the princess. To his surprise, she was still there, waving a hoof at and him and flashing a smile that nearly made him trip and fall.

Later that night, around a large wooden table filled with baked bread and steaming vegetable stew, Luminare told his tale to his father, and showed him the pride that now adorned his flank.

Instead of a happy embrace, or a pat on that back, his father sat there trembling in disbelief. He asked everypony to leave the room, so he could talk with his son, stallion on stallion. As the door locked, he looked his son dead in the eyes.

“Son, I'm going to tell you a secret that does not leave this room. Do you understand?”

Luminare gulped, and nodded.

“Do you know why our family has never once raised the Sun when we, out of all ponies, should have had the honor many, many years ago?”

“It’s because we aren’t nobles--right, father?”

“No son, I wish it was just that. For many generations, our family has passed down a tale from father to son. A tale of the watcher in the night. A beast by the name of Sombra.

“He stalks our line, waiting for the one who would finally touch the Sun, and the one who would fall from the light. It is said when that day comes, a great shadow would sweep across the kingdom, leaving it in the deepest, darkest pit of fear and despair. Son, I want you to promise me, whatever happens, never lose yourself. For I fear you have doomed us all this day.”





Sombra. The name of the monster which haunted his nightmares for years after that night. The name of the monster who would drown a kingdom in darkness.

The name of the monster he had become.

A wicked, guttural laugh echoed from the tower. Shadows washed over Sombra, cloaking him in dark magic before he vanished from sight.

> Chapter Seven: My Heart for a Kingdom
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Seven: My Heart for a Kingdom




In the great hall of the crystal throne, nobles sat and gossiped in their not so finest clothes. It had been hours since they had been summoned here, and the wait had become intolerable. Some huffed and fanned themselves, while others rapped their hooves repeatedly in a vain attempt to show their contempt. A few farmers and other business ponies wandered in, no doubt seeking answers about the changeling attack or the crazy weather.

A chill wind blew through the hall. The lamps and candles that lined the walls dimmed to mere flickers. Already spooked by the events of earlier, guards looked back and forth for any signs of trouble. At the base of the throne, shadows swirled and rose, the nearby light sucked into the whirling maelstrom. Just as quickly as they appeared, the shadows melted into the ground, leaving a strange pony in their place.

“Seize him!” a guard shouted.

In a flash, Sombra was encircled by a wall of gleaming blue armor and sharpened steel. They were trained well, but nothing could have prepared them for the being they now faced.

“Come now,” Sombra said. “Is this how you intend to treat your new king?”

“We serve their Royal Highness Princess Crystal and Prince Luminare. You have no power here,” a guard growled, shoving his lance closer to Sombra’s exposed neck.

“Now there is where you are mistaken,” Sombra chuckled, his eyes flashing and horn afire.

All at once the guards seized up. Their eyes turned green, and their lances fell from their clutches with a loud clang that echoed through the hall. A hush fell across the rest of the gathered ponies.

“As I was about to say before I was rudely interrupted. I bring terrible news. Princess Crystal was lost during the invasion, giving everything to stop the changeling king. Poor Prince Luminare couldn’t handle the loss, and took the coward’s way out,” Sombra said with faked concern, grinning all the while.

“You lie,” somepony shouted, others echoing and shouting the same sentiments.

“Is that so? Then how is it that I hid away the Crystal Heart? Or that neither one has shown up to stop me by now?”

Gasps and whispers filled the crowd, until sompony tumbled into the throne room. “The Heart! The Heart is gone!”

He approached the crystal throne, the floor darkening with each of his steps. The throne was a once proud--if not excessive--testament to the pony who once sat upon it. Crystal would always comment on how it made her feel like a mere foal in its seat. One step more, and it would be all his.

“I am Sombra, your new king.”

With a heavy clunk of his armor, Sombra sat upon the crystal throne. From above, one could see a wave of shadow fanning out from the castle like a rock dropped into a still pond. From border to border, be it the castle or tiniest gem, not a single crystal was left untainted.

Ponies froze where they stood. Their eyes turning to a sickly green. Their beautiful faceted coats cracked and shattered, leaving them dull and drab. Cries and forlorn moans could be heard across the Empire. Everypony would experience their deepest fears, reliving them time and time again until they forgot their names, their passions, what it was like to have hope. They would be left perfect, obedient slaves. Just the way he wanted.

He may have been strong enough to blanket the Empire in despair, but the world would require something extra--something like Cosmic Spectrum. Spectrum, as Crystal and Luminare learned the day the Empire was founded, had unique qualities when exposed to powerful emotions. It would amplify them--positive or negative--and grant tremendous power to anypony who had a gemstone in their possession.  It was also normally very, very rare. That would be if the land he was searching in hadn’t been flooded with emotional magic for hundreds of years. 

Now he had the means to gather as much as he needed, and with these crystals, not even the Sun and Moon could hope to stop his shadow.  





She gazed across the crumbling ruins of her castle. A lone white figure lied gasping in a crumpled heap of fur and feathers below her. She had won! Never again shall the sun rise, and all shall come to love her eternal night.

“Sister, why? We were meant to rule together,” the white figure said between long, difficult breaths.

“I am not your sister,” she spat, rearing up with her powerful legs for the final blow.

“Luna…”

Slam.

“Celestia!” Princess Luna screamed from the top of her lungs, blowing the covers and drapes off her bed.

Another nightmare, just like the one from yesterday, and the day before that. This time was worse than the others. The hate, the sick sense of accomplishment of seeing her broken and battered sister--it all felt so real, and it scared it her.

With a yawn she flopped out of bed, walking to her balcony. She looked to the north, and the comforting streams of yellows, pinks, and other pastels. For the third week in a row they were absent, and now that she thought of it, Crystal had not come to see her in her dreams for just as long. A shame, she really could use a friend right about now.

“Luna, are you alright? I heard you screaming all the way from our throne,” the warm voice of Celestia asked.

“Tis nothing, Sister. Just a nightmare,” Luna said. She was the Moon, the night and dreams were her domains. Something was very wrong for such an occurrence to take place.

“Luna?” Celestia said, that motherly look of concern still apparent in her eyes.

“Sorry, sister. My mind wandered for a moment.”

Celestia always meant well, and Luna loved her for it. They were night and day, sun and moon, together forever, sisters till the end of time. And even if they had grown distant lately, nothing could change that.

Luna brushed up next to Celestia, letting her head rest upon the larger alicorn’s neck. “Thanks for checking on me.”

Celestia returned a soft nuzzle. “It’s what sisters do.”

They sat there, admiring the beauty of the land they tried to so hard to keep pristine and safe. Just two ponies enjoying a moment of sisterly love.

“Don’t you have court to attend to?”

“Equestria will fine without me. It’s my sister I'm worried about.”

Luna giggled, Celestia’s sunny disposition and humor always made it hard to feel down for too long.

“Luna,” a new voice said.

Both princesses quickly turned to the voice, finding an ethereal alicorn mare.

Luna did a double take. “Crystal? What are you doing here--oh no.”

Crystal’s head drooped, and her ears folded back. “What happened to me doesn’t matter. He changed, and now I’m no longer certain if the stallion I loved is under the shadow he cloaks himself in.”

Crystal was Love, she was eternal just like the Sun and Moon. If she really had fallen, there is no telling what would happen to the natural order of the world, or the effect it would have upon Him. Love and Hope were inseparable, entwined to the deepest parts of their beings. To have that half torn so suddenly from him, Hope would surely fall.

“Luminare,” Celestia whispered.

Crystal nodded. “He made the entire Crystal Empire his slave.” Tears streamed down her translucent face. “Please stop him. Please save him.”

Luna’s demeanor became cold and sharp. She rose to her hooves, wings flaring to her sides. “We will.”

Crystal grew pale and thin, only mere traces of her left like a mist in the wind. “Thank you.”

“Good bye, my friend,” Luna said, her steely outer shell nearly cracking along with her voice as Crystal faded from sight.

“I’m sorry, Luna.”

Luna didn’t respond, the burning desire to make good on her vow was the only thing keeping her from breaking down. She stepped out on to the balcony, and with a powerful thrust of her wings, she was airborne. “Save your sympathies for the crystal ponies.”






Ice clung to the tips of Luna’s wings, and her eyes stung from the constant cold. Still, she pressed on. An orange light appeared over the horizon- an oasis in the snowy wastes. She had always wanted to visit her friend in the icy north, but the rigors of running Equestria would never allow it. It was ironic then that her visit would be under these circumstances.

They passed through the Empire’s protective bubble, and neared the large castle in the center. The nightmarish landscape which greeted them was not what they were expecting. Ponies trudged in great lines, shackled together with heavy iron chains. The weather was thick and hot under the oppressive orange sky. Jagged, dark purple crystals dotted the landscape, leading to the looming central spire.

Luna felt the air around her get warmer. Waves of heat rippled off of Celestia, he eyes nearly a blinding white. “How dare he!” she said, thunder echoing in the distance.  

She was not alone in her rage. Luna had seen a great deal of nastiness during her nightly forays, but seeing ponies reduced to beasts of burden was something else entirely.

Golden light erupted across the crystal ponies, their bonds vanishing into dust. “Go to your homes, and do not come out till either my sister or I tell you to.”

“Home?”

“Just go!” Celestia yelled, using her ear splitting royal voice.

Ponies scattered to the winds, and took shelter in whatever house or building was nearby. The two princesses’ hoofsteps echoed off the the crystal walls of the street, the only sound in the now seemingly empty city. Above them, the formidable castle stretched into the sky, and within it, the pony they seeked.





An angry roar ripped through the castle while clouds of dark magic billowed into the halls. On the Crystal throne sat King Sombra, his face covered in sweat. Twisting the Empire’s magic to his own dark needs was proving to be far harder than he anticipated. His slaves had worked tirelessly at all hours of the day to supply the crystals he needed.

He needed more.

Not just any crystal would do, he needed one of almost unheard of size and purity. Crystal’s old necklace would be perfect, if only it wasn’t lost centuries ago. A thought struck him then, a wicked, evil thought. Something he wouldn’t have contemplated even a day ago.

The Crystal Heart.    

It was pure, and untarnished by his shadow--a perfect focus for his magic, even if it needed the taint of love removed from it.

Knock.

What was that? Surely, not one of the slaves.

Knock.

Whoever it is, they are going to pay deeply for this interruption.

Boom.

The wide doors of the hall blew open in an explosion of blue and golden magic. Its force knocking over displays and loose furniture, and cracking a few windows. Two mares followed in its wake, not just any mares, alicorns.

A chill rushed through Sombra. He knew others may have noticed the Heart’s disappearance, but not so soon, and definitely not ones so powerful.

“We wish to speak with Luminare,” the one with the night sky for a mane asked.

“That coward is gone, now leave me.”

In a burst of light, both mares vanished, then reappeared right in front of him. The blue one brought her head down to his, looking him dead in the eyes. “We wish to speak with Luminare.”

They knew. How they did, or why they cared was a mystery, but it threw a wrench in his plans all the same. But, he wasn’t lying. Luminare was gone, left in his shadow, too weak and cowardly to do anything.

“My name is King Sombra. Now leave me.”

Judging from how powerful Crystal was, taking on one alicorn would be a tremendous task, and two was out of the question. But, he had a few tricks, and most importantly of all--surprise.

His horn blackened, and spikes sprung up from underneath the intruders. They took flight in an instant, avoiding being impaled by a good margin, but that wasn’t the point so to speak. A streak of the blackest black shot forth from his horn at lightning speed towards the flying mares, enveloping in them in utter darkness.

Gotcha.

Now that those annoyances were taken care of, it was time to go collect the heart and bend the world to his knees. He dusted himself off and walked away. Thats when he felt it, a power that he would awake every morning. The power of the burning Sun.

Rays of sunlight shot out in all directions from the blackness, shattering the prison into a million pieces.

“You have a lot to answer for,” the white mare said.

He rushed to the pit before his throne; he needed to get the Heart, it was his only chance now. A wall of solid moonlight blocked his path, and he skidded across its surface. Slowly the magic faded, taking Sombra’s enchantments along with it. He would not be reaching the Heart that way.

Sombra fell on his haunches. He knew he recognized that dark blue mare from somewhere. The beings before him were not just alicorns, they were the Sun and Moon. There was no way he would win this battle, but if he played his cards right, neither would they.

Time to find out if there really is a dark side of the Moon.

Weaving shadows around him like a cloak, Sombra vanished. He needed room for this to work, room and time. Blowing snow, and bitter cold greeted him as he winked back into existence. The Empire sat a good distance away, its glow still illuminating the drifts of snow in an orange haze.  

“We just want to talk, Luminare,” the Moon said, popping into existence right behind him. A second pop followed, and the Sun appeared next to her.

“You wish to talk? Let’s talk about what you told Luminare centuries ago. How you would protect Her, how she was safe. Where were you when they came to steal her heart?!”

Sombra’s eyes flashed, and his magic searched for any crack in the Moon’s mental barriers. Any regrets, any fears; there had to be something. What he found amazed even him. A dark seed of pure negativity, hidden and buried deep within the scarred depths of her mind. Now all he had to do was give that seed a little room to grow.  

Luna faltered, looking like she had just been struck by a heavy maul, and her eyes turned green and distant.

“Luna?” Celestia asked.

Walls built long ago to contain the centuries of anger and resentment began to crack. Everything was her fault. The fear of the dark her ponies always showed, and how they would always avoid her--never giving a second thought to her night. Even Celestia spent less and less time with her. Now she had failed her friend, and Crystal could also be heaped among the pile of her many mistakes.

“Luna?”

The walls came crashing down. Every regret, every misstep, came rolling back to the forefront of her mind. The years of loneliness, the centuries of neglect toppled over and buried her. The resentment she had for Celestia’s Sun, once bottled up and corked, flowed forth like a raging river.

You are weak, little Moon. Take my power, destroy the Sun. Let all bask in our glorious night!

The Moon cast her hooves to her head, shaking it violently. “Silence you foul beast! I alone rule the night!”

“What did you do to her!?” the Sun said, snow melting all around her.

Sombra flashed a wicked grin. “I only freed her mind.”

A ray of pure sunlight streaked towards him, hitting the ground just inches away. He dove to the side, avoiding the miniature steam explosion of melted snow and vaporized earth. The Sun rushed to the Moon’s side, the break he was hoping for. With his magic gone, the Moon returned to her senses.

“Luna, are you all right?” the Sun asked, helping the Moon off the ground.

“I will be fine,” the Moon said, a tinge of contempt in her voice.

Somehow, the air grew even colder, and the light faded and dimmed around them.

“Such is the folly of love. Too concerned about one another to pay attention to what really matters,” Sombra said, forcing both mares to look his way.

A giant ball of dark magic hovered from the tip of his horn. Shadowy faces could be seen its roiling surface, and little tangles of magic shot out from every side.   

“The Crystal Empire is mine!”

A lance of shadow streaked out from the ball towards the Sun and Moon. They dodged it easily enough, he did give them ample warning after all. A fact that should have told them something wasn’t right.

The Sun laughed. “All that bravado, and you missed?”

“I wasn’t aiming for you.”

The Sun and Moon paused for a second, then looked behind them.

The beam was heading straight for the Empire, and there was nothing they could do. It impacted on the outer shield, and soon the Empire was covered in the his dark magic. As the last part of the beam faded, the it collapsed to the size of a marble and vanished from sight.

The sound of a large explosion rocked the trio of ponies. A blast of wind almost blew them away trying to fill the sudden vacuum. The wind dissipated, and they looked to the site of Empire. It was gone, only barren crystal and bedrock remained.  

“You- you monster,” the Moon whispered.

“They are fine, if you were wondering. I just put them in a place for safe keeping.”

“Bring them back,” the Sun said, slamming a hoof down in a shower of sparks.

Sombra smiled. “Now why would I do that?”

“He was right, Luna. Luminare is gone.”

“I’m so sorry, Crystal,” Luna said, hanging her head low.

“King Sombra. You are beyond redemption, beyond forgiveness. Let the icy depths of this land be your prison until you find it in your heart to right your wrongs. So sayeth the Day!”

“And so sayeth the Night!”

Together they rose above the ground, and together they combined their power. Twin beams of day and night hurtled towards Sombra, enveloping him.

“When Hope and Love become one, the Empire will return, and along with it, so shall I.”

Numbness overtook him, his physical body stripped away until only his essence remained. In a ferocious roar, an entire glacier opened up, swallowing his shadowy form whole.

Celestia and Luna collapsed into the snow--spent and exhausted from their display.

“Do you believe Love and Hope can return after such tragedy?” Luna asked, still huffing and puffing.

“I’m afraid only time will tell.”

> Chapter Eight: Through Ice and Shadow
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Eight: Through Ice and Shadow

Art by Geomancing






Today had been a complete disaster. Not only was their wedding nearly ruined, but the entire city had almost met its demise. Yet despite the near catastrophe, only music and laughter filled the well-tended courtyard outside the gleaming halls of Canterlot’s majestic castle.

No plans of some mad mare would ruin Princess Cadance’s and Shining Armor’s first dance of the rest of their lives. Around and around they went, their hearts overflowing with the bliss only true love could provide. They lost themselves in each other, the jubilant crowd that encircled them, just a blur.

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna watched along with a hint of concern while the happy newlyweds danced across the grass. It appeared the sisters were the only ponies who had not forgotten the troubles of earlier.

“You should have summoned me earlier, Sister. Not in a thousand years has our kingdom come so close to ruin,” Luna whispered.

“I had to find out if they were ready, and you know very well how close IT is to returning. They are our only chance of stopping him... and freeing those we let down so long ago,” Celestia said, her head drooping if only for second before her legendary composure returned. “Besides, I was somewhat indisposed after my encounter with the changeling queen.” She grimaced; the green goop of that miserable cocoon would haunt her memories for some time.

“That reminds me. The hoofmaidens did a superb job of cleaning your mane,” Luna said, winking and giving her sister a gentle nudge with a wing. She glanced back over to the couple that were still locked in each other’s forelegs. “They need to know.”

“We should let them enjoy themselves for a little while longer. If anything, they have at least earned that.”

Luna nodded in agreement, and turned her attentions to the ongoing party and the revelers therein.





The booming music from the DJ’s booth had dropped to a much more respectable volume as the party persisted into the night, shedding more and more guests with each passing hour. Soon it would be time for the newlyweds to be off on their well deserved honeymoon, but not before they had found themselves in a secluded glen.

The eerie beauty of moonlit flowers had caught Cadance’s fancy, her hoof caressing their soft petals. “Luna was right! The way the moon reflects off the daylilies is quite enchanting, wouldn't you agree?”

Shining Armor gazed upon his wife. “Can’t say that I can. I haven't been able to turn my eyes from this most amazing of creatures I’ve found.”

A soft sigh emanated from the princess as she leaned back into her husband’s embrace, placing her head upon his chest.

“I can’t get over how nearly lost you. I feel so ashamed that I let her use me like that. You are the love of my life,” A hoof pressed against his lips, cutting his apology short.

Looking deep within Shining’s eyes, Cadance opened her heart. “And you are the light of mine. Nothing will ever change that.” Another content sigh escaped her lips, returning her head to its impromptu pillow.

A playful voice cut through the din of the tranquil garden. “Are we interrupting anything?”

Cadance craned her neck towards the intruder, or make that, intruders that had so brazenly disturbed them. “Auntie? Luna? Of course not! Come, sit, we were just enjoying the serenity of this delightful place.”

The two alicorns made their way to the couple, both finding a patch of cool grass to rest themselves upon.

“You two have accomplished something special on this day,” Luna began to say. “Not only have you both vowed to keep each other for the rest of your lives, but you have also saved our kingdom from a grim fate. For that I thank you both, but it’s partly my and my sister’s fault that you two found yourselves in that position.” Luna hung her head low before turning to face Cadance. “I know of the ‘dream’, Cadance.”

Cadance audibly gasped at the sudden and unwelcome turn in conversation, beads of sweat beginning to form under her veil.

Celestia nodded at her niece with an encouraging smile. “It’s alright Cadance, Shining needs to know.”

With a practiced gesture, Cadance steadied herself and began to recall the dream. “I awoke one night, only to come face to face with a glowing spirit. It was like looking into some strange mirror. I thought I was still dreaming, till I saw the royal guards come crashing into my chambers. The strange spirit only had to look at them, rendering some of the strongest ponies I know into a comatose heap. That is when she spoke with a loving, tender voice.”

My sweet, dearest Cadance, don’t be afraid. You and Shining Armor are two very important links in a chain of events that started over a thousand years ago.

“The apparition’s horn glowed with a fierce blue light, and a shimmering crystalline heart took shape above my head.”

It has been so long since the light of Hope and Love have shined upon Equestria; with you and Shining Armor, the Empire has a brilliant future ahead of it. That is only if you can defeat the shadows of the past. Please Princess Cadance, you have to save them.

“Images of a beautiful kingdom full of ponies flashed in my mind, then these horrible green eyes. Everything faded to white after that. When I awoke again, I was in the castle’s infirmary,” she said, nervously fluffing her wings.

Holding tight to his bride, Shining reassuringly whispered in her ear. “It’s okay, I’m here.”

She gave him soft hug in return.

“Like the dream, the shadows she mentioned are also very real. Queen Chrysalis was the first, and soon the second shall rise. Sister, can you show them please?”

Celestia levitated a small crystal above the group, and blasted it with a ray of light. The little gem began to glow, casting down an image of a gleaming city. “This is The Crystal Empire, the very one from your visions, Cadance. You will not find any mention of its history as it vanished shortly before the Nightmare.”

Celestia’s eyes took on a sinister green, her horn bubbling with a dark magic. Serrated growths grew along the pristine land, marring the once extravagant city. In its center, a black unicorn sat upon a wicked crystal throne. “King Sombra, Lord of Shadow and Fear. Only through the love and hope you two share, can he truly be defeated. Even we were not powerful enough to stop him before he cast the Empire through time and space.”

With a brilliant flash from her eyes, Celestia dispelled the illusion.

Luna emerged from the dissipating cloud of magic, taking a seat alongside Shining and Cadance. “This is your legacy.” She glared at the couple, making sure she had their undivided attention. “And it began long before my sister and I set foot on this land. Even before the founding of Equestria. It was during a never-ending winter that Love and Hope shined their brightest. And it all started shortly after a wedding between two ponies...”





“... I left the frozen wasteland humbled and defeated. What Sombra did to me only hastened a fall a long time in the making, and I was a fool to think I could deal with it alone. In the end, my sister paid the price,” Luna said, hanging her head in shame.

“I always wondered what would drive a pony like Luminare to such acts of heartlessness and evil--then I banished my own sister,” Celestia said, hugging Luna tight. “Like Love and Hope, Night and Day were never meant to be separated. Those were the hardest days of my life, and it scares me to this day how close I came to throwing everything away.”  

Celestia looked over to Cadance, the pink princess still in her new husband’s loving clutch. “A thousand years I waited, focused on getting back what was most precious to me, and nearly forgetting the dark king’s promise. Until a certain pegasus filly ventured to a place beyond mortal’s reach.”       

“There is no mistaking what you two are,” Luna said.

“Love and Hope are once again one, and soon the Empire will return,” Celestia said.

“Now it has come time for the both of you to fulfill your destinies.”

“To spread the warmth and light you share across Equestria.”

Both Luna and Celestia approached the couple. “From now and forever, let it be known that Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor are Love and Hope, Princess and Prince of the Crystal Empire, and the rightful heirs to the Crystal Throne,” they said, bowing before Cadance and Shining.

Speechless was the only word to describe Shining Armor. How could he not be? He was a stallion who prided himself on knowing everything. The most frightening parts of his life was when he dove headfirst in to the unknown and uncertain. His plan at the Fall Formal Gala, and the day he asked Cadance for her hoof in marriage, terrified wouldn't even begin to describe what he felt during those moments. Now the unknown had come and gobbled him up like some story book monster.

A pink blur of fur and feathers tackled him, raining kisses down upon his face. “I told you, Shining! I told you! You were always so worried about leaving me, never thinking that being Love’s love didn’t have its perks,” Cadance said in between more smooches.

Luna just stared. “You mean to tell me they married without knowing?”

“Yup.”

“Huh.” It would take a fool or a pony stronger than her to commit to such a relationship, and Luna had been around her niece long enough to know that she was no fool.

“Celestia,” Cadance said. “I know how hard it must of been for both of you to keep this hidden for long. And I thank you for everything you have given us. But.”

“But?”

“But I have a few rules now that Shining and I are to take a proper title. One: No more interruptions today; two: No more secrets, starting with Her.”

Celestia looked to Luna, who shrugged in return.

“Okay Cadance,” Celestia said, smiling. “You two have a lovely honeymoon.”

“Thanks, auntie.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

The two princesses left, filtering back into the few ponies who remained at the party. What didn’t leave was the hundreds if not thousands of questions running through Shining’s mind. Some he knew better than to seek answers for.

“You seem to be taking this pretty well,” he said.

“Are you kidding? I’ve been dreaming of this day since I was small. The whole foalnapping and ancient king of shadow thing was unexpected, but nothing I can’t handle with you by my side,” she said snuggling up to Shining once again. “Oh, one thing.”

“Yes?”

“Can you teach me that shield spell?”





Months passed, yet the memory of the Empire’s impending return was still fresh in their minds. Despite her lackadaisical attitude on her wedding day, Cadance had poured her heart and soul into preparing for the coming lord of shadow. Shining would help her with the physical workouts he put his guardsponies through, and at night he would teach her the defensive spells of his namesake.

So many ponies she hadn’t even met depended upon her now, and she was not about to let them down like they had been time and time again.

On a bright summer’s day, it came as no surprise that it was Princess Celestia knocking on the door of their Canterlot home.

“It’s time.”

Cadance and Shining nodded to each other. They were ready.

“By the way, you are not the only ponies I am sending. Twilight and her friends will be joining you shortly after you arrive in the Empire.”

“Why Twilight? I know she is her student and all, but this is no place for her!” Shining pleaded.

“I think it’s time you come clean like you promised, Celestia,” Cadance said, glaring at her aunt.

“This must remain a secret, and must not leave this room, no matter how much you wish otherwise.”

Both Cadance and Shining nodded. “We swear.”

Celestia quickly shut the door and locked it with her magic. “Let me begin by saying that Twilight Sparkle is a very, very special pony...”  





“Well this explains why you had a rail line and depot built in the middle of nowhere,” Shining said, throwing another bag into waiting train, and still trying to wrap his head around what the Princess had told him. How much more did she have buried under the centuries of her life anyways? At least their conversation had removed a few of the lingering doubts still rattling away in the back of his mind.

Luggage, and supplies were being piled into cars. Tents, warm weather gear, anything an arctic expedition could need. Celestia and Luna stood next to the busy couple, having come to see them off and wish them luck.

“When you two succeed in defeating Sombra, I figured it would help the crystal ponies better adjust and learn about a world they no longer know. Think of it as a belated wedding gift,” Celestia said.

“I still think I should be joining them, Sister,” Luna said, pouting a little.

“Revenge is not what the Crystal Empire needs, Luna.”

“But it’s so cold up there, and you know what say about revenge.”

“No.”

“Fine,” Luna said, crossing her forelegs and making no effort to hide her displeasure.

The last of the bags had been packed, coal had been loaded to the tender, and water had been fed into the boiler. Everything was ready for their departure. They said their goodbyes, and waved as the train huffed and puffed past the Princesses.

“Good luck!” Celestia yelled.

Luna waved, frowning a little. I should be with them.






Biting wind and snow greeted her as she and Shining made their way off the train. The wind cut through the layers of head wraps and coats like they were nothing, and the coldness of the air made it hard to breathe.

She heard Shining yell over the roar of the arctic winds. “Are you okay?”

“Just a little cold!”

They pressed on, the crunch of snow still audible despite the constant roar. It shouldn’t be far now. They crested a hill, and nothing prepared her for the sight the entered her view.

An orange glow reflected off the snow covered countryside. Inside a shimmering barrier, lush green pastures and meadows stretched far into the distance. Crystals dotted the landscape, and crystal clear streams weaved to and fro through the rolling hills. Little houses and farms gave way to a burgeoning city not much unlike Canterlot. In the distance they could make out the dark, corrupted form of a castle.  

With trepidation and soft hoofsteps, they entered the Empire. It was deathly quiet, not even birds or insects could be heard. Finally they made it to the central city, finding it deserted as well. There should have been thousands of ponies living here, and not single sign of them remained.

“Freaky,” Shining whispered.

Cadance looked around. “Tell me about it.”

“Who are you?”

Cadance let out an earsplitting shriek, turning around instantly to see a cowering red maned, light pink pony.

“I’m so sorry! You startled me, I’m not mad or anything. Here, let me help you up,” Cadance said, lending a hoof the crystal pony. “There. I am Princess Cadance, and this is my husband Prince Shining Armor. What’s your name?”

“My name? I-I don’t remember. You remind me of somepony though,” she said in a slow, lethargic voice.  

“It’s okay, Sombra can’t hurt you now,” Shining said.

“Sombra!” the crystal pony shouted, taking off and vanishing into one of the nearby houses.

Cadance shook her head.

He shrugged. “What?”

“Smooth.”

“How was I supposed to know?”

“I’m just giving you a hard time, Shiny. Now lets go find that heart.”





At last they had reached the castle. Celestia’s story did no justice to how intimidating the structure looked face-to-face. Its darkened crystal spires dominated the landscape, towering above everything around it--a feeling Sombra no doubt intended. It looked dangerous, jagged, wrong--just being its presence brought about a feeling of unease.

Cadance looked over the structure from tip to bottom, smiling all the while. “Can you imagine what it was like before Sombra?”  

“Nope,” Shining said, hoping they would just go inside already.

“It must have been beautiful,” she said, taking one last look before stepping inside.

To Shining’s lament, the inside of the castle wasn’t much better. Halls and corridors stretched into the pitch black darkness. An occasional torch could be seen illuminating a room or another one of the many arches and banners, and in the distance, a set of massive double doors.

Out of nowhere, a beam of light nearly blinded him. “Ahh! Cadance, watch where you are point that thing,” he said, bringing a hoof to his face to clear his eyes.

The light moved away. “Sorry!”

Still seeing spots, Shining lit his own horn. “Well, lets get this started. There is no telling when he will show up.”





For hours they searched. Combing through room after room, and hall after hall. Nothing. There was no hint nor trace of it. Wherever Sombra had hidden the Heart, it was beyond their combined means of finding.  

Empty-hooved, they met back at the Crystal Throne.

“Are you sure neither of the princesses ever told you where to find the heart?”

“They knew it was what gave the Empire its magic, but they never found out what Sombra did with it,” Cadance replied, walking up the steps of the throne.

Shining sighed. “It could be anywhere at this point.”

Cadance traced a hoof along the smooth crystal of the throne. Crystal had ruled from here for centuries with grace and wisdom. Perhaps it was the pressure getting to her, but she had never felt so small.

I wonder what it’s like.

She sat upon the throne. The cool surface brushed against her fur, and its seat fitted her almost perfectly. For being made of crystal it was really quite comfortable. She closed her eyes, and thought back to the fantasies she had of this moment as a filly. Not as extravagant as she imagined, but it no less fulfilling.

Lost in her daydream, she heard Shining yell. “Cadance!”

Opening her eyes, she looked to her husband. A blue light filled the entire throne room. Her horn was aglow along with her entire body. A shiver ran up her spine, preceding a constant flow of familiar magic. The glow turned into a bright blue light, and in a flash, it spread out in all directions in the form brilliant blue wave.  

Lamps ignited as the wave passed, brightening up the castle’s gloomy interiors, and revealing a pink princess sitting on an immaculate crystal throne. The entire room glimmered and shined with crystal formations of every shade of purple and blue. Beautiful, just as Cadance imagined.

“Cadance! Are you alright?” Shining asked, rushing up to her.

“I’m fine,” she said, smiling to him.

Rumble.

“What was that?” they said in unison, looking to each other.

They rushed to the observation deck and gazed upon Cadance’s handiwork.

Across the empire, Sombra’s taint and corruption had melted and faded away. Crystals and crystal buildings returned to their elegant selves. The desolate orange sky gave way to the winter winds. And the castle was once again the gleaming beacon in the center of the Empire.

Purples, blues, and other pastels of shining crystal roads and buildings mixed with greens and whites the various trees and bushes, painting a frighteningly beautiful landscape.  

Rumble.

In the distance, a black cloud as dark as night roiled and churned. Larger and larger it grew, till it was nearly on the outskirts of the Empire. Two impossibly large green eyes appeared in the blackness.

“Crystals. Slaves,” a deep, malevolent voice boomed.

Candace narrowed her brow. “Sombra.”

This is what she had prepared for. That heartless monster wasn't going to be allowed to hurt ponies ever again--she was going to make sure of that.

Her horn sparked to life, power building till it looked like a massive blue flare. All around the Empire, a shimmering shield rose into the sky, meeting just above the castle’s central spire.

“Let's see you get through that.”

The Crystal Empire is mine.

The shield flickered, and Cadance grimaced. She could feel him poking and prodding at it, forcing her to use more and more magic. She could usually keep the shield up for a good while, but Sombra’s constant drain was already beginning to take its toll.

She felt a leg wrap around her, leading her back into the castle. “You are stronger than him.” She turned her head and fell into Shining’s big teal eyes. Those eyes. A light burned deep down within them. Even back in school, she counted on those eyes to make her day just a little better. A light that always spurred her on, and always let her know that as long as he was there, everything would be okay.

“Sit, you need to conserve your strength until I can find the Heart,” he said, helping down upon the throne.

Yes, everything would be alright. She closed her eyes, and went to sleep--the last moments of rest she would get for a long while.





Minutes turned to hours, and hours turned to days. Long ago giving up the search for the Crystal Heart, Shining had devoted himself to keeping watch for Sombra, and taking care of his ever deteriorating wife.

The high pitched screech of a train whistle echoed in the distance.

“Twilight,” Cadance said, trying to get up, but a white unicorn made doing so impossible.

“I will get them, you just rest,” he said, putting on his headwrap and snow visor.

Cadance giggled. “You know, you look ridiculous with those on.”

Shining unwrapped his mouth and placed a little kiss on Cadance’s cheek. “You think this looks funny? You should have seen the getup this little pink mare was wearing earlier!”     

“Hey!” she shouted as Shining disappeared behind the double doors of the throne room. “No fair.”





The biting cold didn’t register to him now. Adrenaline pumped through his veins as he bounded over drift after drift. He had to make it to the girls before He did.

The train station came into view and thankfully along with it, six mares and a little dragon. After hugging his sister and telling Fluttershy what had him so alarmed, they trudged back into the waiting blizzard.

Twilight, the ever curious mare she is, questioned why he was in such a hurry, or why she was sent by Celestia to find a way to protect the Empire if Cadance was already doing so. If she only knew half of what he did, and knowing his sister, she probably would soon.

A horn blew in the distance.

Oh no.

“We have to get the Crystal Empire! Now!” he shouted, as a cyclone of shadow blew right up next to them.

They ran, ran as fast as their legs could let them, and it still wasn’t fast enough. Shining looked behind him, the cloud of darkness was nipping at his hooves. They wouldn’t make it; he needed to buy some time.

He turned around, shooting a beam of magic at the mass of shadows. It passed right through, leaving the beast unphased.

Here goes nothing.

Charging another spell, the darkness swallowed him.





Shadows swirled around the magenta barrier of his shield. Just like he had hoped, Sombra had stopped, letting his sister and friends make it into Cadance’s protection.

“You should not have come here, Hope,” Sombra said.

“And let you drown the world in despair? I think not.”

This would go nowhere. He needed a way to reach out to him. He was like him once. If there was a shred of Luminare left under that monster, what would he still remember? One image came to mind.

“It was her smile, wasn’t it?”

The shadows grew less and less thick. “What did you say?”

“Crystal. It was her smile that made you feel so warm inside, and made it so you never wanted to let her go in the morning.”

The shadows vanished, leaving an ash grey stallion standing in front of Shining. “How? How do you know?”

“It’s the same smile that I see in my Cadance.”

Sombra collapsed to the ground. He was a fool, and it took until now to realize it. The path he was treading would only end with another Love fading from the earth. He couldn’t, not her, not her smile.

“The Sun and Moon were right. I am beyond any meaningful forgiveness. The shadow, it’s so strong. Even now I can feel it clawing its way back into my mind. But, I beg of you, Hope reborn, listen to this broken stallion.”

Shining nodded.

“Love is so strong, stronger than she thinks. But she has her limits, and you have to be there to stop her from going over them. Please, promise me that you will never let her make the same choice my Crystal did.”

“I promise,” Shining said, putting a hoof above his heart.

“Then go. Go back to her, before its too late.”

Just as Sombra finished, a jet of shadow shot out, hitting Shining’s horn.  

“Go!”

Shining took off, the shimmering shield of Cadance’s magic was close now. With a great leap he passed through the shield, landing right behind his sister.

Twilight called his name. “Your horn.”

He tried casting a simple levitation spell, but his magic was blocked, corked behind some black crystal growths. How was he supposed to help Cadance now?





“...and do a little shake!” both Twilight and Cadance yelled in unison, almost succumbing to a fit of giggles.

Ever since the changeling queen, what was once a childish display had turned into something far more important for those two. A secret hoofshake of sorts--one he was glad for.

After explaining Cadance’s state, and what was at stake, Shining told Twilight of the last lead to the Heart he had yet to follow up on: the crystal ponies themselves. Hopefully with Cadance’s magic filling the land for the last few days they would have been less skittish. Not that he blamed them, Sombra must of put them through Tartarus. Rarity seemed happy though.

“Like a research paper!”

What?

“This must be some part of my test!” Twilight said, mainly talking to herself.

What did Celestia tell her? Never mind, I don’t want to know, or interfere with whatever she has planned.

A purple hoof sunk into his chest. “...and deliver it to you!”

He turned to Cadance, not believing what he was seeing.

“Don’t worry, big brother. I’m really good at this sort of thing.”

What did he have to worry about? There was only a Celestia-knows old unicorn wizard out there trying to smother everything he cared about in shadow.

“Oh, Twily, you need to ask about the Crystal Heart,” he said to an empty space. “Oh ponyfeathers.”

Cadance giggled. “You know how she is when she gets wrapped up like this.”

Shining peered out a window, finding his sister and her six friends. “I’m counting on it.”

He looked back to Cadance. He wasn’t lying about what she was going through. She looked miserable. She hadn’t slept or eaten in days. She had bags under eyes, and bags under those. With his magic gone, he couldn't possibly ease her burden. Wrapping a leg around Cadance’s neck, he pulled her into a hug. But, he was still here, and that's what mattered.





“Shining Armor, Cadance, I found something!” Twilight shouted, bursting into the throne room at full gallop with Spike hot on her hooves. Trailing behind her was a book.

Of course she would find a book.

She went on to tell them about the Crystal Fair, how it was used to renew the spirit of love and unity across the Empire. Glancing at the pages, he caught a glimpse of the Crystal Heart surrounded by ponies. She had only been here for a short while, and she was closer to finding the heart than he ever got.

By the sounds of it, this Fair was just as important as the Heart, and her suggestion of hosting one definitely wouldn’t hurt. He should say something, but things were starting to look up for once, and he didn’t want to mess up Twilight’s line of thought.

“That sounds pretty promising,” he said, looking to see what Cadance had to say. His smile and growing enthusiasm sunk. She was asleep for once, but it still bothered him to see her like this.

Twilight took the cue. “We will start right away.”





Time passed, and Cadance was looking worse and worse. Twilight’s plan had better work, as they weren’t going to another chance to try something else. Even getting Cadance to the grand balcony to announce the fair taxed her like she was carrying around lead weights. He feared her mental burden was far greater.

“We have a problem,” Twilight said bounding back to the balcony.

Shining placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Twilight, calm down, what’s wrong?”

“It’s the Crystal Heart.”

Yes, she found it!

“I thought it was just a statue. I didn’t know it was an actual relic. The book didn’t mention anything about the crystal ponies powering the Heart,” she said, nervously pacing through the book until she fit the final, torn out page. “There must be a page missing, how did I not notice?”

“It’s okay Twilight,” Cadance said, her eyes rolling back into her head as she fell into Shining’s clutch. Her magic cut out, and the tranquil blue skies gave way to a howling blizzard. A sound of ancient warhorns filled the air; Sombra would be here soon.

Black smoke surrounded the Empire. In the distance, Sombra’s viper-like head could be seen waiting to claim what was his.

No.

Throwing a hoof to Cadance, Shining lifted her up and gave her a look.

Cadance stared deep into his eyes. Every bit of fire, every bit of passion and love Shining had for her was there. A light so bright it was a wonder how he didn’t shine like the sun. It warmed her, and filled her with a strength she didn’t know she had.

Her horn came to life once again, and in a pulse of love and light, the shield began to rise. Sombra’s angry roar could he heard all they way to the castle.

Shining watched Cadance nearly collapse again. She couldn’t go on like this, and he didn’t want to think what would happen if she forced herself to. There was no more time for fairs or research projects--he needed to find the heart.

“You stay here with Cadance. She needs you,” Twilight said.

Cadance collapsed into his chest, looking him the eyes once again. Twilight was right, and there was also the promise he made.

“I’ll find the Heart!” Twilight said, galloping off.

There weren’t many ponies better suited than his sister to entrust the future of the world with he supposed.

“She will find it, don’t you worry,” he said, gently rubbing his head against her’s.

She looked up and smiled. “I know.”





Cadance looked like death, her fur was pale, her eyes weren’t as bright, even her breathing had become labored and raspy. Every once and while her shield would flicker for a moment. Time was running out.

In between bouts of unconsciousness, Cadance could hear his whispers.

You will fail.

He will leave you.

She wouldn’t let him win. She could feel the dark king’s desperation, Twilight had to be close. She was so tired, but she had to go on. She just had to.

The magic on Cadance’s horn was just a flicker now. She wouldn't let it fade. She would rather perish than let that beast win.

“Cadance? Do you want to save them?” Shining whispered.

“More than anything,” she managed to squeak out.

“Do you trust me?”

“Always.”

Shining wrapped her up with his fore legs. “Then let it go.”

Was he really saying that? She looked to him, a pleading look was etched on his face. “Let it go, Cadance”

She closed her eyes, trusting in Shining’s judgement, and let her magic fade.

The barrier collapsed almost instantly under Sombra’s assault, flickering just a moment before the winds of the abominable blizzard rushed in. Screams from the gathered crystal ponies below filled the air. Shadows raced towards the castle. A massive dark crystal spike erupted from the earth with Sombra riding along with it. It was the end.

High above, a gleaming blue speck was falling through the air. She felt herself being lifted up by Shining’s powerful back. She opened her eyes and saw it.

The Crystal Heart.

Love radiated from it, filling her with renewed vigor and strength. Her wings unfurled, ready to take flight. She only nodded to Shining. It was time to end this.

With a great heave of Shining’s muscles, she was airborne, streaking towards the falling Heart and dragon. She caught both of them with her magic as she flew above the crowd of hundreds of crystal ponies who "oohed" and "awed" with her passing.

“Behold, The Crystal Princess!” one shouted.

“The Crystal Heart has returned. Use the light and love within you to ensure that King Sombra does not!” she said positioning the Heart directly underneath the central spire. Two spikes locked the heart in place. The sound of building energy could be heard, and ponies began to bow one by one before their new princess.

Every pony released their hopes, their dreams and love to the Heart, light spreading across the Empire. Through the streets, through ponies, buildings, and air it radiated in a dazzling blue glow.

“What? No--no! Stop!” Sombra yelled, his dark magic already stripped away by the love of the fully powered Heart.

The Heart began to whirl, drawing in the collected power, and all at once, it let it go in shock wave of pure love and light.

The wave washed over the Empire. Crystal ponies regained their long lost sparkling coats, and regained the long lost smiles as the hope taken from the flooded their bodies. Even Twilight and her friends were shining like sparkling gems.

Sombra watched on as the wave washed over him. He tried to hide, tried to stop it, but it was no use. Finally, oblivion’s sweet embrace was now his. No more pain, no more emptiness, just a tranquil nothingness for eternity. He should thank the new Crystal Princess for her mercy. For his crimes, the pits of Tartarus should have been all he deserved. 

“I never stopped loving you-”

That voice, it was sweet music to his ears. The shadow he wrapped himself in so tightly dissolved and melted as the light, and the memories washed over him.

Bright light filled his view as he felt two legs lifting him up. He looked up and saw a sight he never thought he would see again- the smile of the blue angel carrying him towards the happiness he abandoned so long ago.

“-my dearest Luminare.”





The crystal ponies were really nice once Cadance and Shining Armor got to properly meet them. They wanted to know everything about their new Princess and Prince, some even invited them over for drinks and jousting. There would be time for all of that, but first, Cadance and Shining Armor needed to see off their seven best friends.

Twilight and others had all met up with them after the initial craziness died down. Shining and Cadance couldn’t believe what they had done making the fair work. There was petting zoo, food, the jousting tournament and even some lovely arts and crafts. Not to mention how they kept the crystal ponies' spirits high until little Spike found the real Crystal Heart. And Twilight, poor Twilight, she broke the only rule of her test.

Only true, true friends would go through something like that. After the wedding it should of come as no surprise, but Cadance and Shining couldn’t help but feel a little undeserving.

They waved goodbye to their friends as the trained pulled away from the station on its way back to Canterlot.

“You know, I can’t help but worry what happened to Crystal and Luminare could happen to us,” Cadance said.

Shining drew her into another hug. “We will never end up like them. I promise. Besides, they didn’t have those seven backing them up now did they?

Cadance smiled, and leaned into Shining. “I guess not.”

And so they walked through the melting snow, back to their new home and the site of the Crystal Heart. Where if anypony would have looked, they could have seen two figures, locked in a tender embrace, together for all of eternity.

Love. Love has been praised in song and poem. Love is what binds us together, and makes life worth living. Love has made us slaves, saints, and sometimes, even monsters. Love fills us with the deepest of pains and the greatest of joys.

Love is so many wonderful and joyous things, but one truth shines above the rest.   

Through the highest of peaks and the lowest of valleys. Through long centuries and unimaginable loss. 

Through ice and shadow…



… Love will find a way.