Darkest Before Light

by Vexing Puzzlez

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Dark, Romance
Length: 9078

Corruption: power, magic, indomitable spirit, war and death. This is the formula for making a Sentry into a King. A tribute to ask-king-sombra.tumblr.com

Commander Shade Sovereign of the crystal sentries only wanted the best for Princess Crystalia Armastus and the crystal kingdom. He has sworn himself to protecting the crystal kingdom no matter the cost, as what's customary when one becomes a soldier of the crystal sentries.

But war is coming for this land of peace an happiness, and it'll be up to Shade Sovereign to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to save it.

A tribute to ask-king-sombra.tumblr.com! You should note that this is according to her (and mine…) headcanon and the use of OC's will be frequent.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-09-19 19:37:34 UTC

Prologue

The truth is hidden in order to make the populace able to sleep at night, no? It’s nothing but a bunch of stories. Stories that write themselves down as fact in history, a history that is shattered and broken. A decrepit shell of opinion that has been ushered in without the traditional “Why?” to find clarity in its deceitful wiles.

You come to learn that “Facts” are merely opinions that everyone agrees with...because they'reafraid to know the truth. They do not want another reality superseding their own! It is the will of everything Equestrian; the need to live in a confined space of bliss through ignorance and pretty princesses. They do not earn their daily bread, but merely wait on the charity of those with more power...

Like Celestia, Luna and Cadance. Their very names make me retch; how they can lead their country through such superficial means! Kindness and generosity have proven to be horrendous crutches in my lifetime. I can say for a fact that their methods are doomed to fail, for a country is not built on good intentions alone.

Blood must be spilled. Wars must be fought. It’s equine nature.

It’s simple sociology, and it lays deeply rooted within the forest of fear.

And fear is good.

Fear gives way to control, a power so absolute that your enemies beg to let them serve you in order to escape your wrath! A nation must be ran by respect, fear and a strong leader who capitalizes on all these things.

This is how I brought the Crystal Kingdom out of the clutches of the Griffins, all those years ago! It is how I protected the weak with my body; how I learned the dark arts in order to strengthen myself and those who fought beside me...

...It’s how I was denied my glory...

My right to be revered as a hero to the entire Crystal Empire!I brought us back from the brink of destruction! I was the one who evened the flow of battle with my prowess in the battlefield and supernatural magical abilities!

Ideserved my place on that throne! More than any flippant Princess Crystalia, whose ways of kindness resulted in needless casualties!

I had to do what I had to do in order to protect the Crystal Kingdom, as every Crystal Sentry swore their lives to do. I had a duty that needed to be completed...

...No matter how heinous my deeds were; in that time, they were wholly acceptable...  

It Begins

One does not simply join the most elite squadron of warriors and become its Commander in only two years. One must have an indomitable spirit, resolve, and a passion for the duties of a soldier. I could imagine no stallion more fit for that role of Commander, no pony for that matter!

It almost seemed as if it was fate that he stands by me day to day, a smile on his face that’s warm enough to melt the crystals around us in the throne room. As an alicorn myself, I can honestly say from the bottom of my heart, that I’m ludicrously proud of the stallion the ‘unlucky orphan’ grew up to be.

True, he was an orphan and a thief. It’s also true that he’s not a crystal pony either. He’s a unicorn. A regular unicorn, who in two years, shaped himself to be the finest soldier the Crystal Kingdom has ever seen.

I couldn’t be more proud of him if I tried, seeing as how I was the one who financed his living arrangements until he was strong enough to strike out on his own. Even though he doesn’t remember what I did for him, his smiling heart and face will always share its personal sanctum within my soul.

It’s his sense of duty, of never ending courage that has drawn my...affection...

Oh dear...I’m starting to sweat a little!

“Princess Crystalia? Are you well?” I blinked a little bit before I registered the voice of my Commander. He was holding that iron spear on the ground, gazing back at me with one emerald eye as his brown coat shimmered slightly. I became lost in his eyes, not hearing or seeing him fully until he was in my face and waving a hoof.

I snapped back to reality with a surprised yelp, muffled only by my own hoof.

“Princess,” My Commander yelled as he rushed up to my side and laid a hoof on my bosom (Oh, by the stars!”) while his eyes peered at every nook and cranny of my body. My cheeks flushed from embarrassment as he continued his searching for anything that was amiss, “Did you step on a stray crystal!? Are you experiencing hypothermia!?”

His accusations were becoming a little too frantic and non-plausible, but that only helped in escalating the fire on my cheeks as he leaned in close and laid his free hoof across my forehead, accidentally rubbing our horns together as he did so. I shivered involuntarily at the little jump of magic that arced between us.

“I’m fine, now unhoof me please!” I demanded as the heat in my cheeks almost made me pass out. The Commander snapped up unbelievably fast, swallowing a huge lump in his throat as he slinked off to his position on the right side of my throne. Even though it’s completely lecherous to admit, I did steal a glimpse or two (or three...) of his posterior as he swaggered off to his post.

I bit my lower lip....And quickly shook such inappropriate voyeuristic tendencies and thoughts from my head. Sitting back up, I sighed as a worrisome thought entered my head. It was the thought of my immortality, of how I would inevitably outlive my crush and watch as the life left his body. This thought soon became a vivid picture, alerting me to the severity of the heartache I was sure to be experiencing at his passing.

“Are you sure you’re alright, Princess?” The same voice called out, making me address him for what I hoped to be the last time.

“I am well, Commander Shade Sovereign. There is no reason to worry about me!” I responded with a warm smile in his direction. I had to close my eyes so that I wouldn’t get lost in his for the second time today.

“Very good, Ma’am. I would hate to see anything happen to you.” He responded with an equally jovial tone before turning around and facing forward, keeping up his stonewall appearance as a Crystal Sentry.

“I know you’re on duty, Shade, but such formality between good friends is hardly needed.” I added quietly enough so that the other guard on my left, a Captain Sharp Quartz, couldn’t hear me.

“it’s not an issue of formality as much as it’s an issue of leadership, Princess. As much as I would love you,” I felt my brain nearly melt but figured out that it was just a weird pause in the middle of his sentence, his ears swiveling back and forth for a while with a weird expression his face before he continued, “To call me by my nickname; I must demonstrate to those with lower rank than I the proper protocol for addressing a Princess of Equestria Proper.”

His deep-voiced whisper made me shiver a little before I sighed and leaned back on my throne, wondering what I could do for fun right now.

“PRINCESS!!!” The scream nearly made me scream as well, my throne room doors being pushed aside as a Crystal Sentry in the customary silver plating bursted through with a panicked look in his eyes.

“Conduct yourself accordingly, Corporal High Ground!” Shade bellowed in anger as the informal soldier a saluted and bowed as he entered my room further, making sure his chin was scraping the crystal flooring as he did so. His pace was still quick, however.

“Status report, Corporal! Chop chop!” Shade exclaimed.

“I bring a letter from the kingdom of Griffalia! High-Queen Valkyrie Valhalla the Ninth has declared their to be talk of war amongst our ponies! She demands a response or she threatens the kingdom with invasion!”

“WHAT!!!??” Shade exclaimed before widening his eyes and giving a few coughs into his hoof, trying to forget that outburst which was not according to the protocol of being a Crystal Sentry.

“The letter! May I see it, please?” I asked with a worried expression written across my features. There was a feeling of intense dread in my stomach, almost as if someone had replaced its lining with tar.

In a couple of seconds I was reading the crystal clear claw-writing of the High-Queen.

Princess Crystalia,

It has come to my attention that slander is being used against my and my kinsfolk’s good names! This is an outrage of the highest degree, and I will have a response from you on this matter by noon today. Slander is punishable by death if a duel between the slanderer and the insulted is not had and recorded by my Royal Talons, and with the slander being rumors spread on the lips of your subjects, I can only hope that you get back to me as quick as possible...

...Before you’re responsible for more than just the livesof your precious crystal ponies. I hold no bad blood towards you in this missive, Crystalia. You and I are the best of friends, and it’s tearing me up inside that I have to right this. But the Griffin Law must be followed to the highest extremes and nothing short, or else I will have my enemies knocking on the throne room doors by the thousands.

I can only pray to the stars that you hear me out on this and respond accordingly. Blood need not be spilled, Crystalia; but the High-Queen is only the figurehead of her people.

I’m so sorry.

Your Featherbrained Friend,

High-Queen Valkyrie Valhalla the Ninth.

The ink became runny as I openly wept on the missive. I knew about my subjects’ unrest with the griffins for a long time, but the only things that would happen were arguments! For things to have gotten this bad in only a couple of days, I can’t even begin to fathom how boggled I feel!

I know nothing about the etiquette of war, nor do I know what it takes to win one! All I know is peace and serenity, which is what my people needed at the time of my inauguration into being the Crystal Princess. The Crystal Ponies were tribalist against all other pony races, and it was I who calmed their fires of scorn towards their fellow equine!

Surely if tribal inequality can be solved by patience, kindness and generosity; than war will be just another stepping stone! It’s worth a shot!

“I require parchment and....oh my crystal heart!” I gasped in shock as I noticed the gaping hole at the end of the missive, completely covered in blood. I dropped the letter with a worried look on my face as I scanned the Corporal’s body for any wounds.

Upon meeting my gaze, Corporal High Ground shrunk back and winced.

He knows something.

“Out with it, Corporal,” Shade yelled in anger, “Why does this letter contain a hole big enough for an arrow shaft and splatters of blood!?” He stomped his silver-plated horseshoe for emphasis, making me wince before making my face stern.

“Commander!” I called out in a reprimanding voice. He flinched minutely, letting me know that I had successfully gotten my point across.

“It was attached....to a pony’s body.” High Ground finished with an angry look in his eye. I studied it, trying to figure out how a dead pony could have sway on-

“Corporal Mountaintop failed to report in this morning, right?” Shade said sadly as High Ground’s face contorted into intense sorrow. He broke down crying, burying his face in his hooves as he wailed, nearly breaking my heart at how hard he was doing it.

“I see.” Sharp Quartz’s scratchy voice called out, betraying his true age of sixty-one to me.

“My condolences for the loss of your sister, High Ground.” Shade dipped his head towards the wailing pony and closed his eyes. I gasped in horror at what I just heard, knowing full well that the seeds of hate had already found purchase in the soil of my beautiful and tranquil Crystal Empire!

“But we must take the initiative now and fight-”

“No! We will not fight anypony, Commander Shade! It is not the way of the Crystal Pony to show aggression towards someone for a mistake they made-”

“HER DEATH WAS NOT A MISTAKE,” The loudness of the Corporal’s voice made me jump a little as I beheld his tear-streaked face, “IT WAS PLANNED, YOU PINK BAR WENCH!!!”

I gasped when a ray of green magic hit him square on the head, robbing High Ground of his consciousness.

“Captain Sharp Quartz,” Shade bellowed as the Crystal Sentry flew past me to land in front of Commander Sovereign’s battle-ready posture. The Captain gave a sharp salute as Shade fixed his positioning, “You are to take this pony to the infirmary and alert the rest of the Crystal Sentries of foul play!”

“Belay that,” I called out, watching with a stern look on my face as both Quartz and Sovereign straightened up, “You both are to tell the Crystal Sentries to remain calm and continue going as they always have. I will draft a treaty for the High-Queen of Griffalia by noon!”

“But Princess, I really-”

“Am. I. Clear?” I spelled out of Shade, who seemed to think his authority overshadowed mine. He looked at me with a face of anger before straightening it out into one of happyness. That smile could melt the heart of a windigo!

“Understood, M’lady.” Shade said somberly as he whisked himself away in a teleportation spell. That’s odd. Since when could Shade teleport? His magic is strong in an offensive type of speaking, but miscellaneous spells seemed to be too unimportant to him.

Most peculiar indeed.

I closed my eyes and thought of what to say shortly after Sharp Quartz left the throne room. This treaty would have to symbolize the value of peace and understanding in a written missive, and explain that this situation of racial unrest has only drove us to the point of mass bloodshed, and that we would get nothing out of continuing on like that.

~Poof!~

The jingle of magic made me open my eyes in order to see a tan scroll levitate in front of me with a green aura. A dark-green arar that was easy to make out as Shade’s.

Unraveling and taking the croll with my magic, I read the first few lines before growing immeasurably frightened.

Dearest Crystalia,

Have I not done everything in my power to protect you and this country? Have I not returned the debt of citizenship a hundred fold when I singlehoofedly stopped the invasion of the Crystal Empire by way of slaying Queen Thorax of the Changeling lands? Have I not been the inspiration to every guard you walk past in the crystal-covered hallways of the castle?

Why are you so steadfast...so adamantabout my methods? You have nary a clue on what to do in a situation like this. Your mind is not ready to deal with the horrors of war! I know this because I know you, Crystalia. WE are the best of friends! Not some traitorous pigeon who speaks of friendship as she threatens to destroy everything you built up for the sake of protecting her spot as ruler, as sovereignto Grifflalia!

No more...

My way is not wrong, my friend. It is justified by the the very definition of justice itself. You must come to know that you’re a very kind, wise and generous ruler. You are the definition of a perfect crystal pony...for you were the one who delivered the Crystal Heart onto this world. But even your creation senses the inevitable danger, the inevitable amount of death as it spins round and round forevermore.

I know this because I am in front of it, and I wish to speak with you here.

Not in the castle where the Sentries can bother us...

...Here. By the Heart of the Crystal Kingdom.

Your Best Friend and Commander of the Crystal Sentries,

Shade Sovereign

The letter was a little unexpected and seemed a little out of character for Shade, but he wished to see me and I honestly felt a little bothered with the missive...if you catch my definition of bothered that is.

It was bold, courageous, and in the eyes of others, downright stupid to write a letter like that to the semi-immortal Princess of Love. It’s not like I can control the single most powerful emotion in this world besides hatred.

That’s an ugly emotion that I hope never rears its head in this kingdom...

I conjured a quill and parchment paper, mentally repeating the words of my response to his missive.

Shade Sovereign,

You must be feeling quite tired as of late. I could see the weariness in your eyes...even a few grey hairs around them! You also seem to be more critical towards your troops as well, which actually brings me to a point of worry most thick.

I’m afraid I must deny your request to meet you at the Crystal Centre, for I will be too busy in drafting a peace treaty with the Griffins. I have no doubt that you'd want to talk about increasing the number of our Sentries in order to prepare for this war but I assure you...

When the treaty is received well and the actions of both our people are repented for, then war would have been as fictitious as some of these rumors that have been spreaded around!

Also, I forgot to tell you that I love the new style your mane is in. It makes you look a little...edgy. Keep up the good work in serving me and the Crystal Empire. There may be a reward for you if you do~!

Remember your vows as a soldier of this land, Wayward Shadow, and continue to make me proud!

Your Best Friend,

Princess Crystalia Armastus.

Aaaannndd~ sent! Now to get working on that treaty.

I strongly believe that my way is the best way, and I’m willing to hold true to my beliefs! There will be no war here!

The last thing this world needs is another war. War spawns monsters; evil beings who will never stop thirsting for control, for onerason or another. That’s how Discord came about, and I believe that Equestria has a habit for making monsters out of the most pure-hearted ponies.

If Discord is anything to go by, that is.

Alas, I must draft this treaty before it’s too late!

I can only pray that my people are able to live through this.  

Don't Shoot The Messenger

I am Shade Sovereign, and I am not amused. The missive I received in response to my request was highly uncared for! Princess Crystalia, even though I feel bad for saying this, is enraptured in this frame of mind that everything can be solved with a smile and ink! She was the one who came up with the expression, “The Quill is mightier than the Sword.”

Her passive personality serves to progress the proliferation of scorn towards the Griffins via her subjects, and she’s so constricted over her teachings of love, kindness and generosity to see that her nation is falling apart at the seams!

I, for one, swore a hallowed oath to “Protect the Crystal Kingdom, no matter the cost!” Princess Crystalia was in the front row when I announced it, declaring myself as a Private among the strong-willed Crystal Sentries!

There was a time when I cared not for her virtues, but to her credit, I could honestly see why she’s so crucial to this land. Not just the Crystal Kingdom, but the nation of Equestria as a whole!

After the fall of Discord some five-hundred years ago, The Princess of Night and Day came into an accord with the Princess of Love Divine. They established a covenant with each other; a promise that they would somehow restore the nation of the ever-chaotic Pandemonium, back to the righteous and shining Equestria.

They succeeded in only three years. That, by a large extent, is the greatest achievement ever. This one thing brought me to a point of reverence most high for our sovereigns, the saviors of ponykind. Even though the Crystal Ponies refused other non-crystals, it was Filia Crystalia Armastus who escorted them from the tribalistic traditions they threw about terribly.

In the span of another three years, most of Discord’s Chaos was removed from Equis completely. The Princesses had kept what was later called the Covenant of Celestial Love intact, ushering in a new era of peace and happiness for all things.

They had set up two kingdoms; the Crystal Kingdom in the North, and the Equestrian Kingdom in the South. Trade routes were established, friendships explored amongst different tribes of pony. Equestria had finally returned after a thousand years of non-stop war against the God of Discord.

How he managed to defeat Regina Faust Genesis is still a mystery to the masses.

Regardless, I can honestly say that I’m not mad at Princess Crystalia’s decision to solve these endeavors peacefully. It shows that she believe her ideas of Love and Peace will be able to sway not just the denizens of her kingdom, but of the Griffin Lands as well!

It won’t happen. Even if I wish it to happen, I know for a fact that the Crystal Ponies and the Griffins will never see eye to eye. To believe that peace between these two factions is possible is to believe the Elements of Harmony powerless against Discord himself.

You’d obviously be wrong in that aspect.

I casted my head up to the snowing clouds, little pinpricks of tingling energy flittering across my face from all that snowflakes that touched me. Every circular dot was like the comforting hoof of one that cares about you, but it held the bitterness of a wistful dream as well. A beautiful contradiction that made me close my eyes and say a quiet prayer for the filly that was the inspiration for such a magical sensation.

It’s been three months since her passing, but I hope Snowdrop is having the time of her unlife in the hooves of the All-Mother Faust herself. May her afterlife be filled with merriment.

Amen.

~Tmp-tmp tmp- tmp.~

Hooves?

I looked down and came nearly face to face with the last pony I thought I would see today.

“Princess Luna,” I asked incredulously, bowing my head as the custom demanded. I felt a horseshoe grace my chin and slowly lift it to face her beautiful features and sky-blue hair, “I was nary expecting a visit from you, Princess! Is there something I can do for you?”

Luna released my chin as a smile grew against her face, “Nay, Shade Sovereign. We simply wished to see you before heading off to the Crystal Castle with our Sister.” She explained as I took a precautionary glance around us, noticing the shocked and puzzled faces of other Crystal Ponies.

I coughed into my hoof, knowing full well that they just saw that little display of affection Luna did to me.

“Er, I take it you have urgent business with Princess Crystalia?” I asked, trying to change the subject material. There was also that infernal heat on my cheeks that sought release. Luckily for my self-esteem, I was able to keep it at bay.

Her face grew somber, almost pained.

“I trust you know of the missive Crystalia received from Queen Valkyrie Valhalla of Griffalia,” I gave a nod to her question, “Then you should also know that she has asked us for help in this endeavor.”

I quirked my eyebrow at that.

“I’d appreciate if this conversation was struck up in more...” I threw an armored-hoof out to indicate our surroundings, “...Private environment. Talks like this will only serve to heighten civilian unrest, should the wrong ponies hear it.”

Luna nodded before walking up to me and igniting her horn. The familiar sensation of a teleportation spell overwhelmed my body, the jingle of magic alerting me to the fact that we had landed somewhere more to my liking for our conversation.

Lo and behold, we had arrived in my office.

My face immediately went red with embarrassment.

My desk and its surrounding area was barely distinguishable from the sea of different colored documents.

“Stars above, Commander Shade Sovereign,” Luna exclaimed with a mocking tone as she made a beeline for the thicket of the mess, “How dost thee find anything in here!?” She laughed as her horn glowed brightly, using her magic to literally blow my papers off the desk and onto the crystalline floor below.

“...It’s organized chaos?” I offered from behind my fronthooves as I held them up to my face in order not to look at Princess Luna.

The sounds of drawers opening and closing alerted me to her doing something.

Removing the hooves from my eyes, I beheld an astonishing sight.

Everything was...put away? That would’ve taken me all day! How in the h-

“And now it’s just ‘organized’, right?” Luna asked rhetorically as I stared on with a slack-jawed appearance. I guess my face was some sort of comedic relief for her, seeing as how she promptly raised a hoof to stifle a chuckle or two.

“Ha ha,” I stated bemusedly as I walked over to my chair. Sitting down roughly once reaching it, Luna decided that laying down on top of my desk was the best idea in the world. It’s a good thing she organized everything into my drawers, otherwise I would’ve been steamed.

“And now it’s time for that chat, right?” I asked for confirmation. Luna’s face contorted into an unamused frown as she rolled her eyes, rolling off the desk before opting to sit on the opposite side of my position.

She magicked a pillow out of nowhere, lifting her rump in order to scoot it underneath before sitting back down and looking at me.

“You’re quite the buzz kill when you’re serious, Commander Shade,” Luna growled rather cutely. She’s like a filly who was denied a lollipop, “But I guess it’s for the best, considering the crisis the Crystal Kingdom is facing.”

“So I’m told.” I added smugly, watching her eyes narrow at me as I smiled just as smugly as I said my words.

“You’re good, I’ll give you that. Nevertheless, I’m afraid to inform you that war will be inevitable between the Griffins and the Crystal Kingdom.” Luna hung her head, as if she was thinking of something.

“That’s not really a surprise, Princess. I mean, it’s not like the Crystal Ponies have ever forgotten what happened two months ago at our borders with Griffalia. The murder of Gracious Geode at the claws of the escaped griffin convict, Razorwing, was the talk of the Crystal Empire for a whole month and a half. They demanded that the griffin be given the death sentence for not only trespassing without a reason onto our soil, but for the murder of Captain Quartz’s wife.”

Luna’s eyes widened, “Mrs. Geode was betrothed to the Captain of the Crystal Sentries!? Oh constellations most holy!” She exclaimed, making me chuckle a little bit. I don’t know why I found her face to be humorous at a time like this, but normally she’s giving me this face.

“High-Queen Valkyrie deemed the convict guilty of his previous crimes, but had stated in Razorwing’s trial that the murder of “that pony” will not add to his sentence or earn him the public execution most of the Crystal Kingdom cried out for. She should’ve phrased “that pony” better, because the issue easily became one of racial inequality.”

I sat back in my chair and sighed deeply, “Didn’t take long for slander and rumors to spread amongst the populace. The first ever riot, nicknamed the Wail of the Crystals, was held on-”

“December 18th, 962 A.D.” Luna interrupted, making me nod as I leaned forward and placed my head on my hooves.

“Ever since then, the tension in the Crystal Kingdom only rose. It also didn’t take very long for this slander to reach Griffalia, and by extension, the High-Queen.Which brings us to my next point,” I scooted my chair back with my green aura, lifting myself from it and began pacing in front of Luna, “I believe that Princess Crystalia’s ideals are doing more harm than good. Am I right in assuming that my Princess has sent you and Princess Celestia a copy of her missive?” I asked while momentarily stopping my route.

Luna nodded.

“Then you are also aware that her words seemed a little...forced, shall I say?” I proceeded further, watching with interest as Luna’s eyebrow quirked up.

“How do you know?”

“She’s obviously an older griffin, seeing as how she’s been friends with all three of the Princesses for one-hundred plus years. I think the griffins do a battle to the death in order to seize the throne.” I stated with finality, watching as Luna’s face contorted into one of horror.

“You believe the High-Queen is being used; and that her life is the bargaining chip in order to hold her true!?” Luna’s voice became a little loud, so I indicated for her to tone it down a little bit. She complied, even though I could see the beginnings of perspiration on her brow.

I had come up with this theory a long time ago, but my duty as a soldier prevented me from speaking freely to Princess Crystalia.

“I hope you know that this changes everything, Commander! If this theory of yours holds true, then it is possible for us, as in Celestia and I, to personally visit Griffalia. Now that this information has been shared with me, I must go an-” She was getting up! Ah, ponyfeathers!

I grabbed her tail with my magic just as she turned around, earning myself a surprised yelp before a displeased frown.

“Is there a reason why you have our tail in your magic, Commander?”

“Er...Yeah! You see, that’s just a theory and not a case of fact. I’m willing to bet that’s the case, but I’ve yet to acquire proof on it,” I explained as Luna calmed herself, sitting back down on her cushion, “Besides, I hardly think that matters now. I believe that-”

The sudden appearance of a scroll made me stop talking. I took it and sprayed it out on my desk, reading the message quietly.

“If it’s not too much trouble to ask, who’s it from?” Luna asked with curiosity abounding.

I ran. Never had a I ran so hard in my life.

I practically shattered the massive crystal doors in my way with a ray of magic, barreling down the hallway to the sound of falling debris and Luna calling out my name. I tuned her out, however, and kept up my frantic pace.

It took no more than two minutes to escape the confines of Crystal Castle, allowing me a clear shot through the Crystal Centre to the train station. Turning left at the station, I came face to face with a large mass of Crystal Ponies and Sentries.

I nearly lost it then and there.

Barreling through the assembled masses with a shield around my body, I could finally see what all the drama was about.

That’s....That’s Captain Sharp Quartz...

With a document that looks like a treaty....coming out of his back...

Negotiations Have Failed

This was proof; undeniable proof that the kingdom of Griffalia has ended talks of peace.They craved war just like the roaring mass of Crystal Ponies flanking the left side of Sharp Quartz’s red coat, green maned body. As much as they pride themselves on being better than the griffins, I can honestly say that they act so much like one another.

Death happens.

It’s what you grow to expect when you’re a Crystal Sentry. A normal stallion would be mourning the loss of a friend he knew for three years. I am by far, no normal stallion!

I am now a stallion who has to step up, who has to tell Princess Crystalia that her way is ineffective at removing the griffin menace. As much as I believe in tranquility and general serenity for all things, I am not blind enough to not notice when it has become useless.

Tranquility is a fool’s dream now, and I believe the lucidity of Princess Crystalia will yield unfavorable losses in terms of soldiers.

As I’ve stated before, I will protect this kingdom no matter the cost!

Even if it means discharge from my position for defying the princess.

“Why is there a dead stallion in the city!?” The shrill cry of a mare brought my head from looking at Sharp Quartz’s body and to the mare who just yelled. She was a shining dark-green, whose crystalline indigo mane was done up into a tight bun. A trend as of late, or so it would seem for most mares of this kingdom.

Still, she- and the body of Quartz -is creating massive unrest with the denizens of this kingdom. I will not stand for a divided nation.

“Return to your homes! You will be safer there than out here where the body was found!” I yelled at the mare, but I was addressing the entire gathering as well.

She scampered off with a scared visage, occasionally throwing a glance towards the sky in worry.

“NO WAY!!! WHAT’S TO STOP THE GRIFFINS FROM DRAGGING US FROM OUR HOMES!!??” The burly voice of a huge stallion boomed as he thundered forward from the mass of crystal ponies, mashing his face against my helmet and making me strain my neck muscles in order to hold him back.

“GET BACK TO YOUR HOUSE, SIR!!!” That was a Sentry’s voice, but that’s not what caused my eyes to widen in fear.

It was the battle cry that came afterwards. It was the cry of outraged citizens and the roar of once-stoic Sentries. Following those cries were the sounds of colliding armor and flesh, pained grunts and pulverizing blows. I instantly teleported out of the oncoming wall of death, appearing near the Crystal Heart itself. I couldn’t believe what was happening...

It was a riot in a time of pre-war. It’s what any enemy general dreams of. And we were delivering it on a silver platter to whoever was manipulating us.

This means one thing and one thing only...

There is an enemy general. War is here.

Negotiations have failed...

“PRINCESS!” The sentry’s voice startled me from my evening glass of tea as I sat on the throne, contemplating how well my treaty was received. She charged into the room, and I had to do my best not to wince at the huge bang that accompanied the thrown-open doors.

There’s only one mare in the Crystal Sentries, and it takes a lot to unnerve her.

“Major Blood Diamond!? What has you so frazzled!?” I asked the mare with a black eyepatch accompanying her silver Sentry-issued headgear. Unlike the other mares of the Crystal Kingdom, Blood Diamond’s mane was a solid fuschia like mine, but it was done in an unkempt style that made her look like a stallion more than a mare.

“It’s a madhouse out there, your majesty! The ponies are rioting against the sentries in the Crystal Centre! Commander Shade Sovereign was caught in the middle, and I couldn’t see him after things got hectic!” Blood Diamond exclaimed with worry on her face, an emotion that’s seldom seen at all.

I grew worried...increasingly worried.

I rose from my throne, snapped my wings open, and took off towards the circular window overlooking the throne room behind the throne, using my magic to open it as I soared from its confines.

My eyes went to work in scanning the bleeding horizon, the sound of rioters roaring louder than any blazing inferno. Sentries poured from their posts, heading towards different sections of my kingdom as they worked to detain and quell the rioters at the root.

I felt tears come to my eyes as I turned my head to the left, noticing the Crystal Centre practically shaking with the force of a thousand hooves and bodies crashing against one another. Spear butts were used to swat unruly citizens, leaving nasty welts and bruises as my Sentries used non-lethal tactics to fend off my ponies.

This was horrible....

“I need to get down there!” I emboldened myself, shaking the tears from my eyes as my people basically fought one another to the brink of civil war. Diving towards the Crystal Centre, I easily made out Shade Sovereign standing near the Crystal Heart, glaring at me as I approached his position.

I swallowed a lump in my throat for some reason...

Pulling up as the ground came to meet me, I effortlessly came to hover before landing and folding my wings.

“Welcome to the Crystal Kingdom, Princess Crystalia...” Shade seethed as he turned around and charged his horn up, a vicious looking green aura coming to it as he snarled at the oncoming storm of ponies.

“This is not my kingdom, Commander Sovereign!” I rebuked harshly, but he didn’t acknowledge my rebuttal as he fired a loud beam into the air, thunderous enough to rival a challenge from a dragon! The Sentries and crystal ponies halted their blows against one another, both of them looking towards the sky with scared faces.

Heavy breathing alerted me to the growing anger of my favorite Crystal Sentry, my face contorting into fear as his grey-brown fur flashed ash-grey for a moment or two.

Slowly, the heads of everything turned to face the body of Shade Sovereign, who was panting with his head down. His mouth opened and closed in time with his inhales and exhales.

And then he stopped breathing altogether.

I never expected what came next.

“ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!”

A large shockwave of green and purple exploded from Shade’s mouth, rocketing towards the first wave of ponies like a cannonball. They didn’t know what hit them as they all gave pained grunts and hollers, the vocal blast sending them flying like a murder of crows into buildings and stalls alike.

It didn’t stop there....

Anything that came into contact with that wall of nigh-invisible force was sent packing into the sky, later crashing in harmful positions and with yells of pain. Houses struggled against the hurricane-like wall, trying their damnedest to stay rooted.

But as quick and as far the vocal blast came did it go away. Many ponies were crying in agony as bones and the like poked out from their bodies. Most were impaled on wood and crystal, their bodies becoming stiff as blood dripped fr-

I emptied my stomach.  The sight was too much for me. So much destruction and death...

All caused by Shade...

“YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED!” Shade’s voice called out as I continued emptying my innards as the flashes of bodies traversed my mind. Their lifeless eyes and bleeding bodies would stay with me until the end of time.

I panted, raising my head as some of my flowing mane filtered in front of my face. Using my magic to move it, I came face to face with a pair of eyes that would forever scar me to this day.

And they belonged to my crush...

“Princess!? Were you harmed!? Are you alright!?” Shade asked frantically as the color of green polluted his eyes completely, purple wisps of some unknown energy flowing ethereally from the corners.

“NO,” I yelled angrily, even going so far as to slap him in the face with my hoof. He caressed the smacked part with a look of intense shock, his eyes and coat reverting back to normal instantly. That was NOT the Shade Sovereign I’ve developed feelings for, “There are ponies who were just mortally wounded with that absolutely barbaric spell you just cast, and you ask if I’m alright!?”

“...I did what I had to...” Shade breathed out, shocking me thoroughly as he leered back into my eyes. This was no longer the Shade Sovereign I’ve come to love, but I’m not gonna give up on him!

“It was wrong, Commander!!! There was a more peaceful plan in the works before you did...THAT!” I yelled at him, thrusting a forehoof out to indicate the completely destroyed Crystal Centre. It’s a wonder how the Crystal Heart wasn’t swept away...

Shade spaced out as he looked at the damage with a face of indifference, making me grind my teeth in frustration.

“I see ponies who gave their lives for the greater good of a nation that’s about to enter a war with itself and Griffalia,” His explanation made my eyes widen in fear for a little bit before lowering them in distaste as he turned his head to look at me for once, “They made the ultimate sacrifice in trying to persuade you.”

He........He poked me......in the chest.....

“Now you see how ineffective that treaty was, right? Can we finally do this my way?” Shade pressed, making me shake my head rapidly before snarling at him.

“Report to your office and await me there, Commander Sovereign. We must have words....” I hissed angrily for the first time ina while.

 Shade continued to look at me for a while, as if debating whether he should follow my orders or not, before simply walking off towards the castle. My eyes followed him as his form became hard to track against the gaining distance.

I could, however, see the form of Major Blood Diamond slow from her frantic running in order to look at Shade Sovereign in confusion before running towards me again.

“Was that...Shade?” She asked as I quirked an eyebrow up at her rather disrespectful addressing of a superior.

“Indeed it was, Commander Shade Sovereign.” I responded, hoping she’ll get the humor.

“Huh? Oh, yeah! Sorry about that, your highness!” She dipped her head, the scratchy, tom-coltish voice coming out in an embarrassed manner. She even looked back to the disappearing form of Shade, her face contorting into a lecherous grin as she saw something she liked.

I cleared my throat.

“Oh! Right, right,” I forgot to mention that she's a bit of an airhead sometimes, “You’d be glad to know that the riots have been quieted in all other sectors without too many injuries! Pretty sweet, huh!?” Major Diamond explained as he placed a hoof on her lined chest plating and raising her head up with a smug smile.

I was in no mood for that kind of happiness, however.

“Very good, but now I need a favor to be done.” I replied with a serious face.

“Anything for you, Princess Crystalia.”

“I need you to monitor Shade Sovereign closely. Don’t let him catch on to the fact that you’re spying on him. What happened here is inexcusable, and I have to know what’s happening with him.” I explained while walking past Major Diamond, jerking my head to indicate the Crystal Centre.

She saluted before turning around to view what I was indicating.

The sound of regurgitation filled the air as if on some type of cue.

White Rabbit

This is a matter of the utmost importance. Princess Crystalia has not seen the error of her ways, and I believe that Major Blood Diamond is here to keep a record of my daily activities.

Well I say, ‘let her’. All I’m going to do is read this tome I hid in one of my drawers. Ah, stored is more like it. There’s no reason to hide such a marvelous book on the art of war, especially when the situation at hoof calls for it.

I peeked at Major Blood Diamond from the corner of my eye, bending down in my desk’s chair so that my horn lined up with the invisible lock on my bottom drawer.

“Is there a problem, Commander?” Her voice was like the act of smithing, physically buffeting the iron of my ears until its clamor rung out into my consciousness.

It’s tiresome.

“Keep quiet, Major. You are at the position of attention, and you will maintain the status quo for such a position.” I responded quickly but without a trace of rudeness in my voice. Her right eye twitched minutely, a gesture only other soldiers would be able to pick up on. Well, soldiers and princesses.

~Click!~

The drawer slid open, revealing to me the hardback tome of ancient battle magics and stratagems. This tome was the secret to my success in ascending the ranks as a Crystal Sentry, and I made sure to hide its existence from the princess. I know she doesn’t approve of such literature, but the power is necessary in order to protect this great nation.

I will see my oath fulfilled to the fullest.

Levitating the hefty, dusty tome, I quickly brought it to bare against the crystal structure of my desktop. I had counted the amount of pages in this tome, which revealed to be along the lines of some two-thousand, and every page was filled with delicious knowledge of forbidden magics that pertain to the art of warfare.

Curious enough, the tome’s name happened to be that of ‘White Rabbit’, even though the name draws a blank for me in terms of powerful unicorns or alicorns. Regardless, I can not begin to describe the amount of spells that would prove to be the undoing of any assault the griffins may launch.

I’ve predicted that if it was just me fighting. the chance of defeating the griffins would be a staggering 95%! This method took a lot of brain crunching, and I doubt non-unicorns/alicorns would be able to understand the complexity of such algorithms!

“You seem a little happy, Commander. Mind telling me what has your ship-a-sailing?”

“Be...quiet.” I snapped coldly, affixing both my eyes to peer at the mare who was no less than twenty feet away from me.

She swallowed a lump in her throat and snapped back to attention, although she never kept her eyes off of me. At least she’s loyal to the princess’s words.

Sighing to alleviate my anger, I quickly remembered the chant needed to open the tome’s magical restriction lock.

“An oath of protection to those I love, and a threat of destruction to those I loathe.” I spoke like I rehearsed the lines for a play, a smile on my face as I felt my horn charge up with the energy needed to offer the tome.

The magic funneled from my horn, the pull very noticeable, as the brown tome with silver-plated edges glowed my aura color...which is green, before dwindling down to its original color scheme.

The book gracefully opened and flipped its pages to where I left off, which was about one-thousand-three-hundred-seventy-four pages in. A bold header adorned the entirety of page one-thousand-three-hundred-seventy-five, which was read as “The Art of Corruption.”

Ignoring the many fancy and archaic symbols, I quickly brought my eyes to rest upon the next page. This page had the workings of some spells that had my attention immediately. Apparently, it was possible to attune your magical aura to darkness, and use it to further enhance your capabilities of magical warfare.

White Rabbit also states, as it’s written, “This is a step to be used only in the most dire of situations. Tampering in the dark arts is frowned upon by the generic masses, and thou will be hanged under the assumption of conspiring with Demons.”

I was intrigued by the promise of more power to protect my country more than anything.

My eyes wandered over to the various but masterfully crafted illustrations of a unicorn mare with green and purple eyes, a red pupil accenting the whole ensemble as her horn glowed a sickly black.

From there, White Rabbit illustrated this mare erupting shards of blackened crystal from the ground and stretching them into spires or towers of varying length and thickness. The next illustration took me awhile to figure out, but I eventually pegged it as a type of mind-altering/destroying spell.

Then, as if it couldn’t get any better, the next spell depicted the art of ‘Hellfire Rays’. The illustration literally showed a row of ponies be hit with this amalgamation of purple, green and black, then having nothing but their ashes fall from the aftermath. These spells are in every way contradictory to my beliefs, but the power associated with this knowledge cannot and will not go untouched by me.

My country will always have need of those with power, no matter what era it’s in. The same could be said for any country at all. Everything wasn’t built by trust, but by force and power. That’s the first thing White Rabbit had on its pages.

I still dream about finding the brilliant compiler of this tome to this day.

Confined to my office until the time of my chat with Princess Crystalia, I began to take notes on these spells and practice the first two.

Discreetly, I began thinking of all the things that get under my skin/make me angry, using their power in order to charge my horn. White Rabbit stated that if this is done enough, then I will no longer have to concern myself with doing it for I will automatically feel the power of darkness within my very being.

Powerful stuff, this tome.

Still, that did nothing to dull the effort it took to actually perform the‘Hell Spire’ spell. It took some straining, but I was able to summon a pretty thick chunk- about the size of my foreleg -from the floor.

I smiled at my accomplishment, feeling a soft tingling in my horn for the remote magic radiating in the black crystal figure to my left.

Hindsight in mind, I should have really thought that out more. I had forgotten that a certain Major was still at attention near my door.

“SWEET HAY CAKES!!!” Major Diamond screamed in surprise as the figure shot back into the ground, leaving nothing but a circular shadow that was the same shape in its wake. That’s actually pretty interesting, and some more tests are going to have to be done in order for me to learn everything about this spell it seems.

“Compose yourself, Major, everything’s under control. You should have more faith in your superiors...” I began as I rose from my seat, levitating the book with me so that it remained in front of my face as I read up on the spell that intrigued me the most.

Conjuring up three spires of crystal in front of Major Diamond, I quickly levitated White Rabbit out of the way in order to practice this next spell. Surprisingly enough, Major Diamond weaved her way out of the formation just in time to avoid my first try.

The ray came out like a roaring furnace, smacking into the crystal spire that stuck out the most. It took half a second for the crystal to be incinerated, a crystal that’s supposedly conjured from the pits of Hell. Amazing!

The green and purple inferno left as soon as it came, and it even jumped to the other crystals! It took one and a half seconds to fully destroy my creations.

“Unbelieveable!” I hastily brought White Rabbit to my face and searched for whoever compiled this. Even if this magic is taboo, its usefulness could possibly know no end! Who was the wise, if not then foolish, individual that singlehoofedly did th-

I dropped the tome, the weight of the picture my eyes fell upon too great for my mind. From my mouth came a stream of orphaned adjectives and broken nouns, all wrapped together by stuttering verbs. I even began to sweat.

It can’t be possible. After everything I’ve heard about her, and how she studies under the most powerful unicorn in existence!

“Commander-” I raised my hoof, effectively cutting off Major Blood Diamond as my face contorted into one of pure horror. never in all my years did I think she was suffering in the shadow of her mentor. I’d have to send for her at once after this whole war is over.

“It’s Clover...Clover the Clever...” I breathed out in disbelief. The surrealness of this movement is capsizing every coherent thought.

“...What about Clover the Clever, Commander?” Major Diamond pushed, making me grimace. I was actually glad that she wasn’t as bright as she looked, which is not bright at all in context.

“Nothing...Nothing at all,” I began as I made my way back to the desk, levitating White Rabbit to me, “Actually, there’s an order for you, Major,” Her eyes never left mine, “I need you to send word to Starswirl the Bearded. Tell him that an audience needs to be held between us as soon as possible.” I ordered as I sat back in my chair, plopping the ancient tome on the desk while continuing to read from it.

“It was done yesterday, Commander.” She dipped her head and exited the room. Her steps were a little too fast for my liking, which immediately alerted me to the premise that she would go and tell Princess Crystalia that I summoned Starswirl. If it comes to that, there is no doubt in my mind that the princess would belay my command.

Most annoying indeed.

“Then I’ll just have to improvise...” I thought as I raised a hoof to my chin and began thinking about all the possible ways I could contact Starswirl.

The first thought was a carrier pigeon, but there are no native birds out here in these lands of ice and snow.

Another thought; this one entertaining the idea of a mail courier, was hastily shut out. For one, the pony would have to travel down to Equestria, which would take at least three days. By then, there is no doubt in my mind that the griffins will launch their assault on the Crystal Kingdom, of that; of that I’m sure.

That left me with nothing. Nothing at all.

I felt something at that moment. It was a small, tingling sensation that turned my head to gaze upon White Rabbit’s tan pages.

A smirk worked its way across my face.