Winds whipped and shivered as the cold of the north enwrapped an almost completely black colored alicorn pony. He had heard of how cold all of the north was, but then again no one truly knows what a place is like unless he or she had been there their self. He shrugged the cold off and continued on as he sought for discovery and adventure through the barren frozen tundra he had heard of. All of the texts and knowledge of other ponies that he had heard about said that the frozen northern lands were completely and utterly bare, holding nothing. However the adventurous teenage pony felt that the spoken truth may not actually be reality.
Why would there be nothing out there? I mean it is deathly cold, and there are no grasslands, but when you look closely at geographical features, it seems that precious minerals and crystals might be originating from there in large quantity unlike any other land in equestria, he thought
So with an obsessed and knowledge hungry mind he had put himself into the situation he was in now, deathly cold, a bit hungry, and no civilization in sight. But he didn't care, for the truth was all he wanted and needed, if only he could perchance see it through the blizzard he braved. The pony decided to take a break from his long and tiring journey for truth by setting up camp, and soon enough he slept soundly. He then dreamt dreams he could have never imagined before. Everywhere he looked, crystals and minerals where there. Yet the most dazzling sight was what looked like to be a crystal, shaped like a pony of green hair, that was naturally forming. It looked like he was seeing the growth of crystals through hundreds of years in a matter of seconds.
Then the crystals grew dark, and the pony shaped crystal instantly opened its eyes revealing eyes with blood red iris's. The sudden fear of such a startling sight awoke him, making him grateful that the dream was nothing but that, a dream. As he heard nothing, not even howling winds he deduced that the blizzard had subsided overnight and looked outside. What he saw was a discovery unlike any other.
A castle, made entirely of crystal, looking as if it had been abandoned centuries ago. With curiosity, his vigor, and the search for discovery directing his every move he galloped toward the abandoned crystal castle. He then opened the door and entered a beautiful and untouched entrance room, all made of precious minerals, ruby, sapphire, emerald, amethyst, diamond, you name it and it was there in colossal quantities and if the teenage alicorn had a lust for monetary gain and power his mind may have started swirling with thoughts of great wealth. But the pony knew no greed, in fact he hated it, and instead the beauty of the crystals enwrapped him in wonder and amazement with the structures beautiful craftsmanship. He then began exploring the other rooms, each being as beautiful if not more like the entrance, filled to the brim with minerals, sparkling in the northern sun with vibrant colors like a rocky rainbow. He eventually had mapped out the entire castle and with his hunger for knowledge satisfied he decided to leave and tell everyone of his amazing discoveries and unwavering courage for knowledge, maybe if it truly was a marvelously grand discovery princess celestia would maybe even honor him for his discovery. But as he started to head through the door he heard something.
"...rys..."
The pony stopped dead in his tracks confused. For the muttered whisper could have been mistaken for someone calling his own name, which was Rysis. He listened hard as his hunger for discovery, truth, and knowledge had been tugged at again.
"Cr...al"
He heard it all right but he knew that someone couldn't have said it for no one was in the castle, not only because no pony dared challenge whether or not this castle existed, but because it looked as if the building had not been touched for almost thousands of years. He heard something again but could tell the voice was feminine
"cryst......ny"
He then realized that the first word being said over and over was probably crystal, but couldn't make out the second word. He then decided to at least use some of his magic to search through the castle but when using it and looking through its aura while lifting something he saw something weird.
"...ystal...Po..."
There it was again and what was that thing he saw through his aura. Maybe what was making those mutterings was something he couldn't see normally? so he used his magic to produce aura that could act like a pair of glasses and was startled to see an almost transparent Pegasus floating in midair with green hair. Thanks to the ponys magical aura what the Pegasus said became clear as day and was recognized as the mutterings he had heard before
"Oh good you can see me," she said. "I thought you would never hear me."
She smiled looking as if she was finally content to have company as if she had lived here her whole life secluded from the world.
"I'm Miya, what's your name?" She asked.
Though still a bit startled the alicorn decided it was only fair to treat this like a normal meeting.
"My names Rysis. What is this place exactly?" He inquired.
"Well that's kind of a silly question, this is the crystal empire, everyone knows about the crystal empire! Especially for its beautiful gems and the flourishing economy." She answered
The alicorn was a bit confused. How could no one have known about such a beautiful place before? Why had everyone thought nothing existed out here? And is Miya a ghost exactly? And even then why is she like this?
"I don't really know what your talking about. No one in this day and age knows of this place from what I've gathered, in fact it's almost stated that it doesn't exist." He said.
"Oh come on! Stop being such a silly filly, everyone should know about the Crystal Empire. News of other kingdoms spreads like wildfire these days, especially with the kingdom being finally liberated. Talk of the chaos wars should even still be going on if I'm right." She replied.
Rysis was taken aback, by what Miya said. The chaos war ended years ago, centuries even, he wasn't even born remotely close to when the influence of the chaos wars still circulated throughout everyday talk.
"What?! That was almost 1000 years ago! Maybe you just may haven't been up to date with current events? Also do you realize that you're kind of exuding a ghostly appearance there?"
"What?! How?! All I remember was being freed from my slavery by Celestia and Luna a little after the chaos wars had ended, I black out for a second and then...EEK! What happened to my body?! Oh my, um. Oh what can i do?"
"It's ok, calm down I can help you. We are just a bit confused from timey wimey stuff so maybe I can help you get a body or something? Though I doubt it's not really possible."
Suddenly Miya's eyes stretched with sudden realization and glee
"That's it!” She said. “You can help me build my body again! Then we can figure out what happened!"
"Wha-how? It can't be that simple, can it? I was actually starting to doubt that magic was powerful enough to do that."
"Oh no, for other ponies the ability to do that is impossible, but I'm a crystal pony so it's easy as pie! Okay follow me I'll show you how to do it! Come on!"
Miya then led Rysis to what looked like a throne room of sorts covered with shards of crystals.
"Ok Rysis, it's really simple, all you have to do is just configure what shards of crystal you can use to make a body shaped form, then if we can still use the crystal heart at the top, I can possess the form and it will become like I was born into it."
Rysis didn't really understand much of what Miya said, like how she was a crystal pony, what the crystal heart was, or what this talk of liberation by Celestia and Luna was about, but he didn't really care as his mind was set on helping poor Miya. Miya then added something.
"Oh, um, I hate to add this but sometimes with configuring the crystals it could even take a few days, though if you don't want to help me I-"
"Oh! No I don't mind at all I can come back here each day and we can build the body slowly but steadily."
"Really?! thank you Rysis!"
And so a pact was made between the young Pegasus and pegacorn. Each day after doing what was needed to be done Rysis would go back to the crystal castle and continue working steadily on Miya's new body. Though Rysis refrained from telling anyone about the incident, I mean who would believe he had found a collapsed kingdom in the north, with a ghostly Pegasus that ‘needed’ his help. Regardless, Rysis still decided to help Miya and over the course of building her body the two started to become good friends. Miya would talk of the beautiful landscape of the kingdom and the fabulous trade, while Rysis told tales of his lonely youth, how he had been abandoned at birth, and how he had become known around his hometown for his unendingly hungry craving for knowledge. During all that, Miya's new body began to come together piece by piece but little did the two know that there world would change forever.
Rysis again opened the beautiful door of the crystal castle that he had entered for weeks on end, and entered the greeting room only to be surprised with something unearthly. Some of the crystals were black while others looked like they were being consumed by a dark power, it was like...
It was like his dream! He had to warn and protect Miya and her body! He hurried toward the throne room, but before going through the door exiting the main hall Miya stopped him in his tracks.
He spoke almost in a panic, "Miya something bads going on we have to get out of here!"
"I'm fine Rysis, but you're the one who needs to leave! I don't want you to get hurt, he's coming!"
"What who's coming?!"
"There's no time to explain you have to go quick before-" Miya was then cut short. Smoke of dark power billowed and swirled throughout the air behind Miya as she stood motionless from pure fear. The smoke then took form and out of it a black stallion appeared, clothes of a king, an unearthly curved unicorn horn, purple smoke billowing out of his eyes, but the most horrifying thing for Rysis was the stallions blood red iris's, exactly like in his dream. Then as if the stallion was not frightening enough he spoke with an insulting manner
"Oh would you look at that, a cliche perfect boy trying to give hope to the girl the world has given up on, how precious!"
He laughed in a maniacal manner after his insult, something that absolutely angered Rysis.
"Who are you! You should be the one to be judged, what with your disgusting attire!"
The stallion licked his lips, "Oh, how delicious...it's been too long since I've tasted hatred, but yours is just splendid! Ha, ha, ha."
"Shut up and tell me who you are, you demented demon horse, before I shove my horn through your throat!"
The stallion laughed, "As if you could. I’m surprised you don't recognize me, I mean who would even forget their own father? Especially if that father is as great as I, the glorious King Sombra."
Rysis stood motionless, trying to work out how such a thing could be possible, his hair was almost the same as sombras, and he was an orphan...no it wasn't possible.
"As if! Your no king, only a tyrant! And even then how could you be my fa-"
Suddenly Rysis felt something painful and sharp scratch something in his left chest, enough to make him collapse onto the ground in utter pain.
"*tisk, tisk* haven't I taught you better not to raise your voice, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"
"What...the heck did you do, agh!"
"Oh, looks like someone's had a bit of amnesia, haven't they? I only used some of my dark magic to grow a dark crystal into the inside of your heart, but don't worry I won't kill you...unless you disobey me that is, then I could make that crystal grow far enough to penetrate through your puny little heart."
"Gah! As if that could stop me tyrant!" Rysis spluttered.
"Oh? Then what about your little friend there?"
Rysis gasped in horror and thought no! Anyone but Miya I just can't let her die without knowing a shred of the truth of why she is like this!
"Ooh looks like I hit a soft spot! Perfect! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Well then son, I have an errand for you to run, I need you to get me the shadow gem deep inside Queen Celestia and Queen Luna's castle. Failure to do so or if you completely spill why you're doing this to anyone else then I will make the crystal in your heart pierce you through, leaving your little friend in my ‘dependable’ care."
Miya tried to sway Rysis away from doing so saying, "No! Rysis don't listen to him I'll be fine, don't care about me! I don't want you to die!"
But Miya's pleas could not stop Rysis from trying to save Miya and with a tear down his cheek, anger and crystals in his heart, he unwillingly accepted and flew off towards Celestia, and Luna's castle.
~~~
"Ok Rysis I know your not the kind to be obsessed with dark magic, although you may have been craving it all along, but I want to get this straight. Why did you intrude the castle and try to steal the shadow gem?" Celestia asked a defeated Rysis.
Even though Rysis had done well sneaking and intruding he was eventually caught by Celestia herself, and now he sat in an interrogation room. He knew that he could be killed if he spoke the truth but he needed to get it out so Celestia would perhaps understand and help, but how could he explain it? An idea popped in his mind.
"I'm sorry queen celestia but I can only explain it one way" Rysis said, "If I try otherwise, then I will go sile-"
The pain of another new crystal shard scratching the inside of his heart cut him off with clenching pain.
"Ok I partially understand and I'll play your little game but know that I know when you're lying or not so speak wisely. But for now answer with one word when I ask you something. I can understand that this is somehow threatening your life but I don't know how, so speak wisely. Why did you try to steal the shadow gem?"
"Save" Rysis gasped.
"Save what?" She inquired.
"Life"
"Yours or another's?”
"Another's"
"Where does this other pony live?"
"North."
"How can that be? There is nothing up north."
"Crystal."
The word must have struck a chord with Celestia as the mere mention of it took her aback. "What is hurting you?"
"Curse,"
Another pinch of pain met his heart, just the mere mention of such a curse was enough for Sombra to strike a chord
"Who put this curse on you?" Celestia continued.
"Evil"
"What kind of evil?"
"Dark"
"Dark what?"
"Magic."
"What kind of dark magic? Also remember dear, one word!"
Rysis thought hard, and said, "Shadow."
Celestia instantly changed gears as she realized who was behind the strings. "I want you to stay here"
She said, "The other doctors in canterlot will help with the curse, I'll get an army ready and save that who is dear to you and stop Sombra. All I ask is that you stay here."
~~~
Rysis flew, gasping for air as the crystals in his heart brought wave after wave of pain, but even then it wouldn't stop him from saving Miya. Even though celestia had told him to stay put he needed to get Sombra with the shadow gem or else Sombra would kill him because instead of him coming back with the shadow gem, an army with Celestia and Luna would arrive, and then Sombra would instantly realize what he had done and kill him. Under any circumstances could he not let that happen, he had to try no matter what!
The door broke open as an exhausted and tortured Rysis stumbled painfully through the door. At the moment Sombra had Celestia under his guise of her greatest fear, her own sister turning on her. Sombra put Celestia in a hold that could cause death with his scythe, and with pure pleasure and pride of victory, Sombra congratulated Rysis saying,
"Ah, and here I thought you had betrayed me son. Good, very good!"
The ground then revealed a stone with a rather plain looking stone sword with a hole that could hold a gemstone.
"Now son if you could just put that gem into the sword right there I'll remove the crystal from your heart but one false move and you're dead."
Rysis stumbled toward the sword, thoughts racing through his mind no I can't do this, but Miya...but then the whole world but...what?...what can I do!?
"Rysis stop!" Miya said.
Rysis used what little energy he had to see Miya.
"Don't do it please, you'll be just like him I just can't *sob*"
"I'm, I'm sorry Miya but I can't...you, you have to live on you have to find the truth."
"No, not anymore your future is more important to me than my past...or future!"
Miya then gathered all of her energy and turned into a ball of light and entered Rysis. Suddenly the pain was gone, like it had never happened but Rysis didn't care.
"Miya?!...Miya?"
No response or solid sight showed at all. Miya had sacrificed herself for Rysis.
"MIYA!"
"Oh please son," Sombra said, "If I got a dime for each dead crystal pony, I'd be rich. Besides, they are worth a dime a dozen anyway. Now put the gem into the sword."
Suddenly everything became clear for Rysis. In other times he would be utterly enraged yet he felt nothing but knew what he had to do, it was as if his emotions had given way to help him focus on doing what needed to be done.
"...If you're so obsessed with finding one of these stones," Rysis said, "THEN FIND ONE YOURSELF!"
Rysis then shattered the shadow gem with his horn and stood feeling more victorious than ever.
Sombra screamed with anger and rage.
"Fine then boy! DIE!"
Sombra then looked as if he was trying to make the crystal pierce through Rysis's heart, but to no avail.
"Fine then," Sombra said as he lifted his scythe whilst using his magic to keep Celestia still in a crystal prison, "If you won't die quickly then let your death be long and painful!"
Rysis then took the stone sword and retorted "you can try."
The battle was starting to be long and painful for Rysis. Rysis knew he couldn't keep going like this.
"Why won't you die?!" Sombra screamed.
Sombra lunged forward ready to slice Rysis head clean off but then Rysis began to feel strange and for some reason began to think of crystals. Then almost as quickly as he had thought a wall of crystals appeared in sombras tracks stopping him. Rysis then began to feel incredible power unlike anything he had felt before. A light enveloped him as he felt the power join him and as it happened he accepted it so that he could stop sombra once and for all. As soon as Sombra cut down the crystal wall he stood agape, motionless at who stood before him. One second he was fighting a pathetic pony. Now a majestic alicorn stallion, with armor made of minerals colored in the rainbow, stood before him with a sword as equally as powerful as his appearance. Sombra ignored the fact and shook it off and lunged toward the stallion. Pony, stallion, it was all the same to him because nothing could live under his rage.
At least that's what he thought until he was motionless with a sword through his heart.
Yet it wasn't the end for him at all. He still had more magic to go through, so he could still be stabbed through the heart multiple times but how had he managed to do it?! Enraged sombra began attacking furiously and unendingly but the stallion blocked every hit with ease and what was more the stallion was making Sombra back up as if the stallion were attacking instead of blocking, but it wasn't that that bothered Sombra, it was that he could not find any hatred, anger, or sorrow exuding from this stallion that he could feed on, it was almost unnatural.
Sombra then felt the door behind his back and in a fit of rage and confusion screamed "WHAT ARE YOU?! WHY WONT YOU DIE?!"
The stallion retorted "What? Did you hit your head? Don't you recognize your own son?"
"WHAT?! RYSIS?!"
"I am not Rysis anymore, I've been reborn as the king of the Crystal Empire, Crystalis!"
And with Crystalis's declaration he shoved his sword right through Sombra’s heart, faster than Sombra could use his magic because his anger blocked him from taking action, making his injury mortally wounding.
"Heh...heh, heh, at...least I’ll have...a worthy...successor..." Sombra grunted in pain.
"I will never be your son, and you never had power to begin with! So disappear into what you were named after, banished forever, says I THE KING OF THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE!"
And Sombra breathed his last and faded into shadow. The battle was finally over but the war had been lost. All that Crystalis fought for all this time had been lost forever. Crystalis, with a shattered heart walked into the throne room, where Miya's built body was. Crystalis then used his magic and reformed the body making it a mare Pegasus and hung his head in front of it, defeated with a tear in his eye.
"...l...Po..."
Crystalis immediately lifted his head, for he had maybe found a spark of hope. Then suddenly, a crystal shaped like a heart formed in front of him and the power radiated and the body came to life as crystalis's sorrow was turned to hope.
"Rysis?...RYSIS!"
Miya was alive after all! Joy flooded Crystalis as he hugged her "MIYA! I...I thought I had lost you forever!" He said as tears began to flow from his eyes
"You silly filly," Miya said, "Don't do that again ok?"
Crystalis agreed saying, "Of course."
They then walked to the entrance where crystalis used his new powers to free Luna and Celestia from their hold. He then humbly apologized for his rash actions. But both were not mad but proud of Crystalis.
"There's no need to be ashamed of what you did Crystalis," Celestia said, "It doesn't matter anymore because you've saved countless lives and I believe with your newfound powers you will be able to remake innumerable others who died to sombra! For I celestia officially dub thee as the Crystal King of the Crystal Empire!"
And Crystalis felt happy and let his magic fill the halls with crystal ponies, killed by Sombra, as well as restore the kingdom and the other lives outside the kingdom. From that day onward, Crystalis would lead the Crystal Empire with righteousness, justice, kindness, and peace with Miya by his side.
"...And so the righteous king Sombra fell to his son’s power of wrongdoing and greed, and his son took over the crystal empire and rules it with slavery and darkness to this very day. The end," said a tired pony, for he had read an old tale to the prince his duties were appointed to. The prince was partially pleased, but he was curious, so he began to ask questions.
"Hey Cryog? Was that story all true, and the part about us being the only ponies left and-"
"YES! Oh, um sorry just a bit tuckered out."
"I understand Cryog, I'm sorry I have to bore you with my questions and these tales, but if I could just go outsi-" began the prince.
"No, no that won't be necessary my prince, and I thank you for your humblest apologies but this is my duty, besides until you come of age you're not allowed to go outside. Now I believe it should be time for you to take a nap, prince Zyrax."
"Ugh, already?"
"I'm sorry my unoccupied prince but those are my orders."
The young pegacorn sighed and then flew into his bed saying "I understand cryog, goodnight for now."
"Goodnight my fair prince." and the princes door shut.
~~~
Good, still blissfully unaware. Cryog thought as Zyrax's door shut. "Now I can get out of this wretched, disgusting pony form!"
Cryog did just that, revealing his true identity, a changeling! He then looked through a one way window glaring at the true form of Zyrax, and his room in which Zyrax was unaware of. Through this it revealed Zyrax's true form, a teenage changeling and a decrepit black room, rotting and with no trace of any kind of sunlight. Cryog then stepped away tired of seeing the same old answer to the same old trick he had been playing for thirteen years, when he came face to face with a being he couldn't deny fearing, Queen Chrysalis.
"EEK! Oh-um, my majesty-aheh, heh, you scared me there." He said reassuring the queen of his loyalty.
"I do not come to give you a slightest jump or scare cryog, nor do I find interest in the idea at all, what I want to know is if my son is still unaware of his true identity!"
Cryog gulped, fear stretching to every corner of his mind as he responded.
"He is still blissfully unaware my liege..." He said hoping not to be hit, or punished by his previous folly.
"Excellent, Cryog. Honestly, I don't really know anyone else around here who could do the job better." She said satisfyingly, "In fact it brings me to remember a special event that I would like to invite you to, you see a guest is going to grace the Changeling Empire this day, and although I usually despise outsiders, let alone guests, this one is...special. So I would like to invite you to this grand opening ceremony. In fact, it should be starting pretty soon. Just head to my throne room."
Cryog couldn't really believe his ears. The Queen? Complementing him? And nonetheless inviting him to an important event! The chance was too good to pass up, besides rejection of such a gracious offer may sound like insubordination.
"Oh thank you my queen I shall be on my way immediately" and so Cryog flew off.
Chrysalis then made sure Cryog was out of sight and then whispered to a nearby guard saying, "Congratulations, your new duties are to look over my son. I will explain the details later."
Cryog then made it to the throne room, it was filled with a few other changelings and the Queen’s highest, and most powerful guards, unsurprising to say the least. He then took a spot near where the other changelings stood, near the foot of the carpet. Queen Chrysalis then entered, prompting all to bow with respect at her formal presence, she then sat at her throne ready to declare the beginning of this grand ceremony. "My changeling minions, I would like to thank you for arriving here on such short notice." She declared, "For we, of the changeling empire, have been taught to hate and despise outsiders. I have discovered the identity of only one who is worthy to walk the halls of the Changeling Empire city, let alone the streets. It is with great honor that we summon him here today." As the Queen declared this two of her guards closed the doors whilst one brought a black crystal, almost as dark as a Changeling’s skin. One of the Queens invited guests spoke up.
"A crystal?! This is the guest we were so happily promised?!"
"Silence!" Flared the Queen. "I said we were to summon this guest did I not? Now unless anyone else has any smart remarks worthy of insubordination, let the summoning begin."
The Queen’s horn glowed a familiar dark green and poisonous color as she poured dark magic into the black crystal. Soon enough, the crystal began to billow dark smoke.
What is with this dark presence, and darkness that surrounds it? Cryog thought. A blade then swished faster than the eye could see and darkness was all cryog knew as his head rolled onto the floor. The exact kind of fate the queen had expected for one out of many minions she despised.
~~~
First, he was killed by his son. Next, he fought demons after demons in hell. Now, he was in a place unfit to call hell. You may have thought he'd be glad to be out of hell, but in fact he was not.
Can't a cursed soul kill a single demon in his grasp before he is rudely summoned only to feel and cause pain more? He thought. For this cursed soul was not pleased, not at all. He didn't care of what earthly authority the responsible creature of his summoning was, Queen, King, peasant, or God. He was angry and insulted, for he was King Sombra. Enraged, he swung his scythe in a circular motion and became pleased with the sound of a dozen heads or so dropping to the floor. He wasn't as pleased when he saw the creature responsible for his rude awakening sitting before him, alive and uninterested.
"You know, for someone titled the King of shadows, you'd think he'd wear some dark threatening garb, and not take the fashion advice of a heathen" Queen Chrysalis said.
Sombra lunged forward with his scythe ready to feel enlightened by the death of another once more, only to have his request denied when Chrysalis blocked with her sword. Now what was that Sombra tasted? Hate, pure unbridled hate, but coming from the one responsible for his summon? There was enough to keep him fed for centuries on end! Maybe this creature wasn't so stupid and unworthy to summon him after all. There was only one problem, he couldn't tell whom this gigantic amount of hate was aimed at.
"You know at first I thought you were quite dim to have the idea of summoning such an honorable cursed soul as myself with such an unworthy stature." Sombra said, "but now I'm not so sure, because I must say your hatred is quite delicious and plentiful. Though I do only ask one question, dear."
"And what is that my honorable guest?" Queen Chrysalis asked.
"Whom do you itch and crave to lunge this hatred at exactly?"
The queen smiled wryly and replied
"Everyone, including someone who will pique your interest so much, that it may want you to take up my offer of a joining of alignments."
"I'm sorry, but I've just made so many enemies that I can't seem to put one on the top of my 'To torture' list, so if you could, I would find it very enlightening to know whom you speak of."
The queen answered with only two words.
"Your son."
...And it wasn't long before wry smiles seeking vengeance slipped on both the Queen's and King's face at a moments glance.
~~~
Ah, the sun is quite beautiful today, Crystalis thought as he looked down upon the Crystal Empire. Though nature isn't the only one who's taken their course with healing beauty and Crystalis was not wrong for thinking so. As he looked down he saw the thousands of Crystal ponies living happily under his peaceful and gentle rule. Each and every one of them had been brought back from the brink of death thanks to his magic, and for that he was pleased that others could relish in the beauty of the empire he repaired. He looked on as he saw some ponies selling apples, others hauling a days work of mined crystals to be traded for pay at canterlot, but the thing that made Crystalis the happiest was that he saw no single pony sad in the slightest. There were no poor, no hungry or homeless, for he cared for each and every one of his subjects like he or she was his own son or daughter. The happy lives these citizens lived, although unshared with him most of the time, was all he needed to truly feel happy.
"Daddy!"
Speaking of children, Crystalis thought, his daughter flew into his front hooves, which he used to hug her and with a carefree and loving attitude he spun her safely and lovingly around as he heard his daughter squeal a satisfied 'whee!' But first he needed to know something.
"Heh, Ana, weren't you supposed to be in bed for your nap?" He asked responsibly.
His daughter guiltily said, "I'm sorry I just couldn't stay asleep when I just wanted to see you daddy!"
A smile came around Crystalis's face as his heart melted underneath the loving and cute excuse of his daughter
"Ok, Ana, *snicker* but next time you have to take your nap okay?"
Ana smiled with utter sensation and glee over the grace her father had given her.
"Yes-sir, daddy sir! Thank you! Whee!" She then flew off with utter joy to greet other citizens and meet up with some of her other friends in the city.
*giggle*
“Little miss social skipping her nap again?"
Crystalis turned to meet the face he knew all too well. "Yeah, ha, ha." Crystalis replied, "but don't worry; I didn't spoil her too much. Next time she has to take her nap. Besides, she will probably get it before the sun sets tonight, Miya."
"Hahaha, you silly filly! Then again, that was just one reason I married you." Crystalis blushed remembering their wedding day. He wouldn't forget it no matter what, even though it was only about 4 years ago.
*sigh* “That is true heh, heh, heh." Crystalis replied.
"King Crystalis," a guard said, trying to politely interrupt, "I have news to tell you of if you could please spare a moment."
Crystalis knew that if a guard had to be sent to tell him it probably was important. He promised Miya that he would be back soon and that it wouldn't take long, then followed the guards, as they lead him to his throne. He didn't really think of it as a royal place of which only the king could sit, but only a seat that a pony fit to rule the crystal empire could sit in. And so he sat and began to hear of the news brought to him. Though he may have usually dozed off and given some of the work to some of the ponies in economical affairs, something told him he wouldn't be hearing random numbers followed by a multitude of zeros today. Indeed his intuition was right. A message had arrived from the dragon lands of the south, and if dragons from the south thought this to be so important to bring a message of warning to an empire so far up in the north then it must have been dire and it was indeed. His guard recited the written message to Crystalis, who listened intently knowing that if such a heed of warning were to be ignored, the very state of the empire he loved could fall into ruin.
"A warning from the southern dragon lands...*Ahem*" recited the guard, "Many passing dragons in the west have reported to us that a multitude of pony-like stature , possibly enough to be an army, is heading to the northeast. We would usually not find this to be noteworthy, if it weren't for an important detail that affects all ponies in the army's predicted direction. This ‘detail’ is that in the wake of this army's path has black crystals, which have sprung up by an unknown source."
No... Crystalis thought, no not again! It can't be possible! But, the signs are all too real and if the dragons had put in even a pinkies worth of effort to tell us then that means...
"Bar the gates and protect the citizens, I want a specially chosen squad of guards to find my daughter in the city and return her here for safeties sake, as well as to guard her and Miya!" Crystalis commanded.
"Sir, should the army follow you into the beginning battle for your safety?" A guard asked.
"No!" Crystalis replied, "I understand that all of you care for my well being, but until I am forced to my knees to make a decision like that I will put no single pony in danger! Not even my own army." "Yes sir" the guard replied.
Crystalis went to retrieve his sword and crystal armor in order to face his nightmare...again.
~~~
What else is there to do in this boring room? Zyrax thought. For Cryog had not returned and he could not sleep. He was no 5 year old pouting and fighting over whether or not to take a nap but rather, he now tried to find a reason as to why someone like him at his age had to take naps like this periodically, and if he had an outside source he may have found the reason. Sadly, he found none. The prince sighed in uninterest and pure boredom.
"What IS out there? If only I could get some change into my life." Zyrax groaned.
An unknown voice echoed through his room uninvited in response. "Yes, structure is definitely boring, I should know that better than anyone."
Zyrax looked throughout his room but found no change and he didn't even hear his door open before hearing the voice.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
"Oh now come on" the voice replied “I thought you hated structure and order and now you expect me to do as you've asked me to do? *sigh* I guess it's only fair."
A creature that Zyrax could have never imagined before suddenly materialized on top of the ledge of the opening of his canopy bed as if the creature could ignore gravity itself. And ignoring gravity definitely seemed possible, especially since Zyrax couldn't even make out what it was with how many different distinguishing features the creature owned.
"Who are you? Or...WHAT are you?!" Zyrax inquired.
"Oh, just your friendly neighborhood Draconequus, but let's skip names for now. Besides, what really is a name?"
Zyrax was dumbfounded by the creatures ability and moreover, he had never heard of such a creature before!
"Why don't you be like any normal pony and sit on the edge of my bed right side up?" Zyrax wondered aloud.
"That seems like a bit of a boring question, but here's a better one, why not try to not do what others don't dare to do? Honestly I think it's one of the things that makes chaos just absolutely fabulous!" The thing chuckled slightly.
Chaos? Zyrax had never heard the word before more or less used as a term.
"EGAD!" The draconequus said feigning sorrow "you mean you've never heard of wonderful, wonderful chaos?! Well it's a good thing I just decided to zap here or else you may have gotten a wrong idea because frankly, I may as well be a defining term!"
“Why don't you stop treating me like a fool for a few seconds and actually give me some worth of my position as a prince."
"OH! I am soooo sorry your royal highness! Hahaha!" The creature seemed merely amused.
Zyrax was starting to get tired of the Draconequus’ rambling by now.
"Just shut up and tell me what this chaos is already!" He said in frustration.
The draconequus sighed and said, "Fine but I'm only going to say it once. Chaos is an element in which anything can happen. No one can predict what one in an alignment of chaos will do nor does it have any true purpose or moral of good and/or evil. It just happens and no one can ever predict what may happen. But the consequences of chaos is almost as overwhelming as an all you can eat buffet with every dish from every corner of the world. It could bring pain, it could bring sorrow, joy, anger, evil, you name it, chaos can nearly anything. In fact, it can show what boring routine can't do. For example, chaos could show you truth right now instead of this lie you've been living."
"What lie?! This is all real, ever since I was born I was raised here and there has been no sign of lies from even this room!"
The draconequus cackled with amusement at such faith that could easily be broken. "Are you sure about that?" He said, "If a lie is to be kept routine is something that must always be done but if I feel like it I could let chaos take over and show you just how wrong you are."
"As if!" Zyrax retorted, "If chaos can bring everything then why not a lie?! I know what's black and white!"
"Even if it means staying in this room your entire life?"
The Draconequus’ question piqued Zyrax's interest. Could it all be a lie? Could chaos really show the truth in this circumstance and even then would it just be an illusion? A lie? He had to know.
"Fine then." Zyrax said, "Prove me wrong if you can, but then again chaos can't be perfect with lies now can it?"
"Oh you are quite right with that my boy, but anything your about to see is anything but a lie!" The Draconequus then snapped his fingers and the room began to change immediately. The cheerful sunny birds and clear white walls were gone and done with immediately as a cloak was lifted from zyrax's eyes. Or was the cloak being put over his eyes instead? The room still turned from its cheerful state, his vanity turned to be black and broken just like the rest of what his room was turning into, his history books now looked to be unofficial and obviously falsely written. Then everything was done, the room was black and rotting, there was not an inch of sunlight anywhere and what was more startling to zyrax was that it all was perfect! He couldn't find a single flaw if what he saw was a lie.
"Ooh nice physique!" The draconequus said, but this time without sarcasm behind this statement,
"I don't really like the hairstyle though, maybe you should try styling it up in your vanity."
Zyrax looked in to the mirror of his vanity, he did not see a white pegacorn with fair blue eyes and a dark blue mane like he had always seen since he was a child, instead a foul rotting creature with black skin, 2 insect like wings and green soul piercing eyes stared back at him in disbelief.
No! Zyrax thought.
“No, no, no, nononononono! This isn't true! It's all a lie! It has to be!” Zyrax's thoughts slipped through his mouth for all to hear. His rage began to start its burst of frenzy.
"I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS!" He screamed and in a fit of rage lunged at the draconequus, who dodged with ease whilst observing the changeling prince. The prince was inadvertently changing forms, constantly to show his utmost and undeniable rage. He changed to a dragon, demons, bull, anything that his mind saw fit to show that he was right and to threaten rule over the draconequus with his rage even if what he was enforcing wasn't true.
The draconequus yawned saying "If I keep this up it's probably going to become a dead boring routine"
So he then made a mirror appear and as Zyrax lunged forward in the form of a dragon wrought on by his rage he saw himself and stopped. The rage subsided due to confusion taking over and so did the form. It wasn't long before zyrax stood there, motionless staring at the two green eyes he had seen earlier. There was no denying anything now, and in grievance zyrax collapsed to the ground quietly sobbing over the 13 years he had so easily lost, 13 years under the guise of a lie.
***
Crystalis stood, unwavering, determined, and without fear. He was ready for whatever was to come his way and to stop such a threat with as little death to the subjects he treated as family possible.
The only real question is where and when will they be coming, Crystalis thought, it's been an hour so I can at least know that the guards have probably found Ana by now. But it will still be a while until my message to Luna and Celestia reaches canterlot so if they come now I may be able to-
Crystallis’s thoughts were cut short. His time of contemplation was over as he saw an army he could still recognize despite the few miles between him and it. Changelings, thousands of them, obviously hungry, ready to start a war with his empire at any time they wanted. From the demeanor of the troops they looked restless, craving war more and more as second after second passed. But Crystalis was ready as he showed his determination, ready to defend the city he was responsible for for however little cost he could afford, even if it only meant his singular death. However, things started to look strange as he looked on. There were no changeling empire banners, no changelings flying with their wings ready to start assault with a starting aerial attack. No, something was different but it wasn't the fact that they wanted war but it seemed to be more of how they would start it. The changeling army stopped a few hundred feet away and Crystalis stood ready, prepared for any possibility or surprise attack but saw none. The waves of the army then parted revealing the horrid queen of the changeling empire, Queen Chrysalis, whom obviously wanted to talk before starting her assault. Crystalis walked forward ready to find out what was going on but wary of any trickery of backstabbing or use of magic and made sure to prepare anything he needed to counter whatever could have been used to kill him. At last the two rulers met face to face but both did not care for each other but instead only faced each other now to communicate any details that needed to be said and to ask what needed to be asked.
"Well, well if it isn't the neighborly rock head, King Rainbow." Chrysalis said insultingly.
"What is it that you plan to do Chrysalis?" Crystalis commanded ignoring the queen’s insult "I know what you changelings are about and I know that you just wouldn't march an army all this way just to make an insult at me and then make like a stupid ding dong; ditch and retreat."
“Isn't it obvious? Or were you never told your little fairy tales when you were young?"
Crystalis smirked, prepared with a smart retort, and said "Oh don't worry, I did. From what I've heard, you’re all just a joke."
The queen growled in contempt then quickly regained her composure, and lifted up a black crystal.
"Do you know what this is?" She asked.
Crystalis's smirk of success faded away as he saw the black crystal spiraling with active dark energy, a sign of a catastrophic possibility to come at hand.
The queen cackled and said, "Oh so you DO know what this is then hm? Tell you what; if you can survive with your tacky armor and slay your way through my first brigade of soldiers with your little dagger there then I might just tell you how I got a hold of this."
The queen started to turn around to be protected by her army and launch her first wave but then turned remembering something.
She turned and said "Oh! And one more thing deary..." She then hushed her voice to a barely audible whisper "These first minions of mine are the ones I hate the most out of this group."
Crystalis stood frozen in disgust over what queen chrysalis had said as she cackled off back into the crowd of her army and before he slew even one changeling as the first force bolted toward him and his beloved city crystalis could only think of one thing. Justice being done to such a wicked queen as herself. And so he began to protect his city.
***
Black skin, green eyes, sharp fangs, blue insect like wings, and hooves filled with holes exuding an appearance of rot and decay. It wasn't changing in the slightest as zyrax stared at the changeling starring him back through the mirror. No sign of magic disorientation or mist of any kind. But he still searched for it hoping, and hoping on a truthless hope.
"Nothing's going to change" The Draconequus replied, interrupting his concentration on his visage, "If you're just going to sit there looking at your handsome mug nothing is going to change. Your still in your room, you still know your true identity, and for whatever reason I don't know I'm still here waiting for you to make some chaos with any decision you may make if you decide to stop pouting over the truth of what you are and instead make a choice to decide WHO you are!”
The Draconequus was right and Zyrax knew it but he had never quite put his finger on deciding WHO he wanted to be. Maybe that's why this creature loved chaos so much. Maybe, this was the only thing he could use to change the path laid before him? He contemplated and found his awnser within himself and focused on it. He took a bent and broken hairbrush on his vanity and styled his hair to a manly ponytail, he didn't just want to show everyone he had changed to this realization of truth, he wanted people to know it the moment they laid eyes on him.
"Oh and now I believe this is the time I open the door for you and introduce myself." The Draconequus said "The name's discord."
"Discord, huh?" Zyrax replied "Well we don't want to just open the door and go out there without a weapon to defend ourselves against all those changelings, you have anything up your sleeves weapon wise?"
Discord smiled devilishly, happy at last that some form of change was going to happen and whipped out a changeling axe "I did manage to scavenge this while running along the ceilings of your little abode here." Zyrax took the axe with his aura ready to change his path of destiny the way he saw fit. "Open the door if you're ready because I'm as ready as I'll ever need to be."
Of course discord opened the door and the battle of escape began.
***
Crystalis still stood along with his castle but this time with less energy than he had started out with. He had no doubt the first wave was no cesspool of quality but the quantity of the first wave was overwhelming. Still, his Empire stood, and he could still go through many fights. They hadn't even managed to scratch him so he could still take on much more, but he had lost a lot of energy. He then heard slow mocking clapping from far into the changeling army's group, obviously queen Chrysalis's.
"Well done kiddo" she shouted to Crystalis, staying in the safety of her fellow changelings "I guess you do deserve a tidbit of information now hm? Well then I guess I should tell you that the crystal I showed you is quite fresh actually, only just sprung up from the ground before you had your little gladiator battle. I'm confident you know the source?"
Crystalis stood his ground, his fears realized but none of them overtaking him, he was ready to face him again, even if it included the Changeling Empire. He had to.
"Well kiddo I can't really just let you go so easily right now so have some fun with some more of my soldiers but these ones are actually competent. Have fun." A swarm approached him but before they reached him he heard familiar stomps of hooves that he had stalled for with the first wave. Cavalry had arrived.
***
Who knew the wind could feel so nice? Zyrax thought as he flew through the air, for he was finally free to enjoy the indescribable beauties of the real world where the sun shone bright, trees and beautiful foliage were everywhere, and there was no single Changeling in the world who could stop him. In fact not many tried to stop him at the castle when breaking out, not even his own mother, and for this he was a bit confused, and then zoned out of the real world to think as to why his mother would not stop him. Was she even there at the time? His thoughts were unfortunately though interrupted when he realized he had flown too low and something red and surprisingly tasty suddenly blocked his mouth. Whatever it was it looked partially appetizing and he decided it could be a shame if he just threw it away. He took a bite and was overwhelmed with a sensation of flavor he had never experienced before. Was this, an apple? Most stories he had been told of talked of apples as something so wretched and disgusting it spread up like weeds, but now that he had experienced it it was like mana from heaven. He decided he needed to focus on more important things, so he landed and then restarted his train of thought that was interrupted by such a lovely snack.
If mother had been there she would have called a whole Calvary to stick me back in to my room, and make me forget of what I saw, but there was little to none resistance getting out of there. Zyrax thought, a shame discord had to leave but then again you can't really predict chaos. But maybe I can predict what my people is actually like from the constants and variables that are derived from the stories I was told. So if every pony in the world was wicked and horrible in my stories then that must mean they are actually nice, peaceful, ki- Zyrax jerked as he immediately realized something.
Of course! He thought, My people are the ones bent on power and war and destruction, how could I not see this?! Eh another matter for another day but the real question is where could mother be trying to invade if she isn't at the empire. He thought back for any clues but the only one he could gather was the most recently told story he was told from Cryog of the evil Crystal Empire in the south.
Ok, then, Zyrax thought, Maybe if Cryog told me that story on a whim then maybe...eh, it's a guess but it's the only lead i got...so for now I'm going to ask mother why she holed me up and lied to me. I guess it's off to the Crystal Empire in the north! Heh, constants and variables.
And so Zyrax sped off to the north with a probable answer in sight.
***
Things were starting to get tough, and Crystalis knew this. Thankfully Celestia and Luna had arrived just in time, and if it weren't for them the Empire and his family would have been taken hours ago. Yet they were at a disadvantage, and losing ground. A group of Changelings then dog piled him by surprise.
Heh! Nice try, Crystalis thought, but still pitiful. He then sprayed them all over the field in disarray, making sure that each had lost ability to harm him and his kingdom. He looked around and then realized that Chrysalis's top soldiers had him trapped in a circle while some of her other minions had Celestia and Luna busy. Not good at all. The wall of Changelings then split and Chrysalis herself came walking through, a sly smile still on her face.
"Bravo, bravo" she said sarcastically. "But I fear your little fight for your Empire has come to an end." She unsheathed her sword ready to fight and Crystalis readied himself.
"Hello again, son."
Crystalis ducked for dear life. Any closer, he thought, and that would have killed me!
Sombra grinned cruely at Crystalis's sudden fear that he had instilled on him.
"What's the matter Chrysalis?!" He asked "Can't take me out without needing an insane dark magic user on your side?!"
"Oh no!" she replied, "We both have clouds of hatred hanging over your head, so it's only fair that we both kill you. Besides," Her tone became one akin to mocking, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"Fine then, if you're too cowardly to face me on your own then I'll take both of you out." Crystalis said. But deep down he knew he was too weakened by the swarms of previous Changelings to go on in this state. Just as he was about to lift his sword, ready to take the challenge head on even though it may end with his life lost everyone heard a shout that made every soul in every corner of the battlefield stop to find the source.
"STOP!"
The cry rang out like the loudest thing in equestria and as Chrysalis looked up, she was literally stunned to see her son, Zyrax, with an axe held in his magical aura.
***
And there everyone stood, shocked, silent as if the boy hearing of their fairy tales had now found a way into the creases of each book. He had them all stunned but now was not the time to show off. Zyrax descended from the mountaintop and looked at all the figures he could make out from the pictures of his fairy tales. The disgustingly ugly tyrant Rysis of the Crystal Empire, beaten and bruised in beautiful armor, yet standing tall to protect his kingdom. The twin sisters Celestevil and Lunaoz, the twin sisters who caused destruction keeping the destruction of an Empire at bay. Zyrax felt truly happy now knowing that the characters of fairy tales were not at all tyrants and made of evil but had hearts and good intentions.
He landed gently on the ground a few feet away from his mother, whom was obviously stunned, disgruntled, but most of all enraged. "Zyrax" she growled wrathfully "you will do as your told and forget everything you have seen and return to your room this instant." "No. I hunger the truth, so before anything else is to happen on this battlefield, I wish to know why you locked me up!"
"Because, my son, I did not want you to mix with these disgusting, foul creatures. They are all inferior bugs we must squash, because we are truly the superior race, while they squirm like tiny disgusting insects!"
Zyrax finally knew the truth, the world was a beautiful place, to be shared, to love others and care for them. His mother was the tyrant in the books of his fairy tales. He looked over at the battered king of the Crystal Empire. Judging from how he looked, Zyrax knew he wouldn't last long unless...
"This world is no fairy tale, ruled by tyrants, and won with hatred and greed, and I will prove it to you this day Chrysalis! Today you and Sombra will fall to the ground, justified and banished to your own personal hells. And though you may have the advantage I have entered the fairy tale and now I will decide whether you live happily ever after or not!"
Zyrax then heard a tiny cry from the top of the castle walls, cheering him on.
"Go kill that big bad witch, Mr. Rotty Hooves!" Zyrax found the tiny innocent plea of encouragement amusing and inspiring, but he knew what he needed to do before fighting her mother. He cloaked the tiny pony in a shielding bubble of magic strong enough to dispel his mothers wrathful fire spell from killing such an innocent life, then put her down onto the ground level of the inside of the castle gently. Then he readied his axe for the final confrontation between his mother and his path of destiny.
***
I can't believe it! Crystalis thought, who knew a Changeling would actually try to help a Pony Empire? I guess I should start counting my blessings-ah but now is not the time for that. Indeed he was right, for he was fighting Sombra once again. He knew that he needed to always be on guard if he were to survive.
"Well son," Sombra scowled, "I must say you have done well in raising your people, especially that little precious one."
"You will not touch a hair on her mane as long as you still breath curd!" Crystalis snarled.
"Oh so that's my new granddaughter? Lovely! Tell me, why did you not invite me to see her after she was born?"
"Oh, you know, you were dead, banished, mentally insane, and I thought I told you that I am no longer your son!"
"Through relational means" Sombra cackled "Through genetic means; You are quite definitely my son, and that is quite definitely my granddaughter!"
Crystalis couldn't take anymore insults aimed at his daughter coming from a tyrant and focused more on the battle then talk, for his daughters sake.
***
You know if you really think about it, Zyrax thought, being a changeling is pretty helpful! For indeed, it was proving to be of tremendous help to him, as he had disguised himself as a normal Changeling soldier in the ring after an attack from his mother sent him flying into the crowd. What was more; Chrysalis was slaying her own men just to get to her own son!
Maybe if I stay hidden long enough I can open a big enough gap to let me and the Crystal King make a tactical regroup... He thought, but alas he had been spotted by his mother after she killed a dozen soldiers or so.
"How dare you!? You just sat there and watched as a dozen of your kin just fell to the ground?!" Chrysalis screamed.
"If I may, your 'majesty', I'd like to point out that you’re the one killing them merely out of haste..." He then blocked a swing he saw coming a mile away invoked by his mother's anger and then spied a thin enough opening in the ring of Changlings. Zyrax busted through it, prompting Crystalis to follow quickly. As he flew with Crystalis next to him, and both Chrysalis and Sombra close behind, Zyrax thought up a brilliant idea and shared it to Crystalis.
"Hey how about we end this Changeling style?" He then used enough magic to provide one more trick for both of them.
They both broke through the clouds and waited. A moment later Chrysalis and Sombra broke through at high speed...
And impaled themselves on the weapons of their desired enemies, with Zyrax slaying Sombra and Crystalis slaying Chrysalis. At least, that's what they thought, until their enemies’ disguises wore off, revealing that they had swapped roles!
As both the tyrannical king and queen fell to their death, they screamed in utter livid rage until they hit the ground. Cold, and dead at last.
That was all that was needed for what was left of the Changeling Empire to flee in utter fear.
"Well..." Crystalis said "Of all the possibilities in the world I didn't expect a changeling to actually help me."
"Yeah well, it's a long story." Zyrax said, "But until then can you trust me until I can fully explain myself?"
"Well you helped save my empire, kept my daughter safe, and even stood up to your mother I believe?" Crystalis said, "Though regardless you definitely have my trust, though you might want to at least look trustworthy enough to my people."
Zyrax nodded in agreement and then changed his form to that of a teenage colt and walked into the empire with Crystalis, Luna, and Celestia.
