Chapter 1. Adjustment
The metallic ring of golden shoes on marble filled the hallway as Princess Cadence strode down the high-ceilinged corridors of her palace. She was on her way to get ready for her weekly address. The Princess walked calmly, but with purpose as she always did. Not too fast, but don’t linger, walk with an air of regality and grace. Cadence repeated to herself trying to keep from galloping down the hall, from the position of the sun in the sky she could tell that she was already running late, however she could not break out of her royal facade simply for running a bit late. Cadence knew her advisor would have her head for it.
Days like this were the most stressful and surreal for the new princess, for so long she had sat on the sidelines, observing her mentor Princess Celestia ruling over her kingdom of Equestria. Now she was the ruler, she had the problems of the Crystal Empire resting on her shoulders. She quietly went over her speech in her head making sure it rang right and that she covered all important issues in her address.
“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza! Wipe that scowl off of your face! You’re going to give yourself wrinkles!” A familiar sophisticated voice rang as Cadence strode through the doors of her personal spa.
“Oh, my apologies Cordial, I am just going over my speech for today.” Cadence chirped smiling warmly at her royal advisor.
“ Well come come now get in the bath! We have a lot to do today before your address and, as you probably know, you are running very late!” Cordial Broach snipped already taking Cadence’s crown and collar in her blue magic, pulling them off and laying them on a rack to be polished to a mirror shine. Cadence slipped off her own golden shoes and stepped lightly into the warm prepared bath, allowing herself to sink so that only her eyes, ears and nose remained above the water. The Princess allowed the heat of the water to soak into her muscles and unlock the tension that had been building in her neck and back. Cordial pranced around the circumference of the circular tub, snipping out orders whilst giving Cadence a run down on the tasks at hand.
Cadence paid no mind to Cordial going into an absolute tizzy over the details of the day at hand. Instead she quietly turned her ears back and allowed them to soak into the water as well, so all she could hear was the amplified percussion of hooves on marble, muffled barking of her advisor, and the heated water drizzling into the tub from an ornate faucet. She felt bad for ignoring Cordial, but she desperately needed this time to set her mind straight and prepare for the day.
Cadence watched the gray-coated advisor prance about, eyes darting from worker to worker making sure everything was just so. Cadence eyes focused on Cordials cutie mark, a diamond broach crossed with a purple writing quill, it truly showed that Cordial at her core was meant for organization and dictation of royalty. She closed her eyes allowing herself to sink further into the water.
“PRINCESS CADENCE!!!!!” A shrill screech reverberated into Cadences ears, so loud it was able to reach even when her ears were under water. Cadence jerked her head out of the water quickly, her eyes flying open to find Cordial’s purple eyes scowling at her. “ARE YOU EVEN LISTINING TO ME?”
Cadence gulped “Yes Cordial, I was simply was resting my eyes for a moment”
Cordial, obviously annoyed and unconvinced snipped “ Well I hope so, because I will not be repeating myself.” With that statement, the princess’s adviser scooped up a bubble of water in her magic, and released it onto Cadences head. “ Someone wash her mane, we are running late! I’m going to make sure the balcony is being properly cleaned for the occasion” and with that Cordial trotted out of the spa, her braided blonde tail bouncing behind her.
Cadence stepped out of the tub so that the spa ponies could lather her enormous mane. Two went to work on her mane and two went to work on her tail. They quickly washed it, combed through it and then wrapped the ends in enormous curlers. The princess then laid down on a pillow while a worker shaped and polished her hooves. I don’t see the reason behind this, they are just going to go into those golden shoes anyway Cadence thought, but did not speak, she didn't want the spa pony to feel as if her job were not needed. Besides, Cadence did love it when her natural hooves shone like the walls of her castle, even if no one else saw it. After the hoof polishing they began styling Cadence’s mane and tail, getting her curls just right, and brushing her coat so that not a hair was out of place.
The two ponies brought over Cadence’s collar shoes and crown for her to inspect before she put them on, they were perfect as usual. She thanked the two graciously and they gently slipped her collar over her neck, placed her shoes at her hooves and nestled her crown on her head.
Cadence thanked them all for their diligent work and excused them. “For your hard work you all get the rest of the day off, please go and relax before the address. Oh, and don’t worry about me after the address, I am perfectly capable of handling myself.” The spa ponies giggled bowed to her and left without a word to enjoy the rest of their day, and get their seats for the address.
The Princess walked over to a large decorated mirror to asses herself before leaving to meet Cordial and Shining Armor. She looked at her crown, it was a different one than the one she normally wore, this one was only for public addresses and special occasions. The crown was gold, with three spires, one long in the middle and two on the side. The middle spire had a small replica of the crystal heart at its peak, made of a special clear prismatic crystal that refracted even small amounts of light into a million rainbows. The rest of the crown was decorated with purple, pink and blue crystals to complement the prince and princess. The rest of her outfit was the same, today was a royal address, but not a particularly special one.
Just as she went to turn around Cordial and Shining Armor came through the doors of the spa. “ Cadence you only have ten minutes until your address quit dilly dallying and get into your place!” Cordial urged her usually pristine updo sprouting flyaway hairs, it was obvious she had not had a moments rest all morning.
Cadence trotted up to them and said tenderly “Cordial thank you for all your help, I could not do any of this without you” Cordial quipped “ Your welcome, now let’s move move move!!!” and with that Cordial ushered Cadence and her husband down the hall toward the balcony.
“You look stunning darling.” Shining Armor said sweetly as he nuzzled Cadence as they walked.
“Oh in the name of Celestia don’t mess up her mane!!” Cordial fretted.
Cadence smiled broadly, she really did need these two to get her though the day. Before walking out to address her subjects Cadence stopped, put a hoof to her chest, took a deep breath and released it as she stretched her leg out in front of herself.
Author's Note
This is just the first chapter. More to come soon!!
Decorum
“Hello and good afternoon fillies and gentalcolts of the Crystal Empire!” Cadence declared in her normal joyous tone. An Elated applause erupted from the crowd below. “Every day our empire grows more stable, healthy and prosperous. From the farmers of the west, to the industrious City ponies of the East and every pony in-between our Empire has made great strides in becoming the great nation that is once was!” Another bust of cheers and happy stamping rolled from the crowed bellow.
Shining Armor watched his wife give her speech, he had already heard it about fifty times from her practicing in their bedroom. So instead of listening to it again he admired her charisma, and beauty as she spoke. Her eyes sparkled with joy, the curls at the end of her mane bounced with the motion of her head. She was absolutely stunning, at times he could not believe he had been able to get such a gorgeous creature to fall in love with him.
A sharp “TSSTT” came from the right of Shining Armor he looked over to see a very annoyed Cordial Broach. “You can make goo goo eyes later, at least look like your listening.” She snipped, Cordial quickly fixed her gaze back to the crowed in front of her. Shining followed suit.
“It is on beautiful days like today, that I know so long as we maintain our love, compassion and joy for life The Crystal Empire will never fall again.” A tremendous roar erupted from the crowed as the speech ended. Cadence bowed her head slightly with respect, then she turn with Shining Armor and Cordial and walked back into the castle.
“Truly uplifting speech My Princess” Cordial Broach said. She sounded much more relaxed now that the difficult part of the day was done. Cordial allowed her neck to relax slightly no longer feeling the need to have a super tense posture that she held anytime she was in the public eye.
“Thank you Cordial, of course I couldn't have done it without you.” Cadence said with a warm smile.
“ You are extremely welcome My Princess.” Cordial said with a bow “Now if you’ll excuse me I’m off to make sure everything is on track for the crystal heart fair tomorrow. I will see you in the morning Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.” With that fairwell Cordial Broach trotted down the staircase to the left of the couple leading to the outside of the castle.
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Cadence gazed into the wonder of Luna’s night sky deep in thought. Her eyes followed the slowly flowing rainbow auras that stretched far off into the horizon. Cadence worried, like she did most nights, about her kingdom. Even though King Sombra had been defeated by the power of the crystal heart, there was no guarantee that he would not return. Even with the Celestia’s immense power over a thousand years ago, he could not be fully destroyed, only sealed away in ice. Cadence knew that if he did return, he would not make the same mistakes he made in the past. If he did try and overtake the Crystal Empire again he would be much less obvious, and more resourceful. Cadence knew that she had to be prepared for that day. She would not allow him to enslave her citizens again.
There was a distinct thud as the door to the bedroom closed. Cadence turned to see Shining Armor removing his Captain of the Gard uniform, hanging it on a rack near the door. Even though he was prince of the Crystal Empire, his acting position was still captain of the royal guard. After all who would be better to guard the empire than a pony whose specialty was protection spells. His eyes were tired and distant. Cadence smiled weakly at him.
Shining Armor smiled back. He walked over and nuzzled Cadence on the cheek. “ What’s on your mind My Princess.” Shining said imitating Cordial Broach’s distinct regal accent.
Cadence leaned into him and wrapping one of her wings over his back the heat from his body comforted her fraying nerves. “ Just enjoying the night sky is all” Cadence lied. She didn't want to worry him further than he already seemed.
Shining Armor looked into her eyes, trying to see what she was hiding, but he decided not to push it. Whatever it was she was worried about, it could wait until the morning. Then he leaned forward and kissed her sweetly. Now wasn't the time to worry, it was time for them to help each other forget every worry they had in the world.
Author's Note
Just a short chapter.
Shadow
The land was dry and cracked. Unforgiving and cruel, a land so harsh, hardly a thing could sustain life in the baron soil. A few tiny spindly bushes remained leaching the remainder of the nutrients out of the ground in vain.
Within the cracks and pockmarks in the dehydrated ground something stirred. The essence was tiny, only a cup full of black smoke, it could be easily mistaken for some discolored sand blowing over the surface of the packed clay. The tiny life force did not expose it’s self to the purifying rays of the sun. Instead it clawed it’s was way around the labyrinth of splits in the ground searching for the shattered pieces of itself to absorb.
The bit of smoke retreated violently into a crack as large black hoof came down on the ground. The smoke quickly took it’s chance, it slithered onto the hoof, wrapping it’s self securely around the back of the hoof to hide it’s self from the sun. The small life force clung to the hoof as it stamped quickly across the hard packed earth.
A sickly changeling trotted quickly across the dead plain. He was returning from yet another unsuccessful scouting mission. The lack of nourishment was starting to show on his already frail looking body. His leathery hide was stretched thin over brittle bones. He had large, blue pupil less eyes were sunk in deep in his sockets. His frail wings were completely worn out from flying tirelessly searching for new sources for food.
He was close now, only a few more miles until he was back with his colony, back to his queen. That is all that drove the solitary changeling onward. He had the intense primal drive to report back to his queen, more than he wanted to rest, more than he wanted to feed, he needed to be back with his hive.
The intense sun heated his black skin to almost unbearable temperatures, the hot dry hair was sapping what little bit of strength he still had in him. The changeling lifted his head, and finally off in the distance he saw his colony’s home.
The changeling colony lived in a huge spiraling structure made out of the same light brown earth that colored the rest of the land. The Hive had many tiny windows carved out of the walls for ventilation. The structure resided at the far end of a dry lake bed, surrounded by foreboding black granite spikes. All around the hive there were changelings buzzing, trying to escape the oven like heat from within The Hive.
Once the solitary changeling heard the buzzing of his colony a new jolt of energy shot through him, his heart filled with joy, he was almost home. The changeling jumped weakly into the air flapping his frail wings wildly to allow himself to slowly glide over the granite peaks, and down onto the earth of the dry lake bed. As soon as his hooves touched down on the ground he took off in a feverish gallop toward his hive. The little changeling ran straight though the front archway of the hive, due to the arid climate there was no need for solid doors.
He galloped up the crude spiral stairway until he reached the only set of doors in The Hive. The huge black doors lead to the queen’s throne room. He stopped for a minute to catch his breath, he then pushed hard on the immense door and slipped though the small gap he was able to produce.
Unlike the rest of The Hive the throne room was finely decorated with black marble and granite, giving it a polished and menacing look. The throne sat at the far end of the room, it was made out of a forest green stone that had a faint shimmer to it in the right light, the back of the chair was ornate, carved to look like a tree with no leaves, and seat of the chair was upholstered in fine black silk. The open windows of the throne room were closed behind thick green curtains that stretched nearly to the ceiling and spilled onto the floor.
The tired changeling noticed that his queen was not in her throne, he scanned the room quickly then he spotted her gazing out of one of the immense windows, with a dissatisfied look on her face.
“My Queen!” The changeling said in a meek raspy voice.
Chrysalis, the changeling queen only acknowledged her subject by looking at him briefly with the side of her eye. “What news have you brought me my subject?” she said in her monotone insect like voice.
The changeling bowed in respect. “My Queen. I am truly sorry, but… my scouting mission was unsuccessful.” The small changeling’s voice trailed off on the last word. He braced for his Queens furry.
“Unsuccessful.” Chrysalis repeated in a low dissatisfied tone. She turned her gaze back to the world beyond her window, her expression hardening.
The small worker did not know how to react. Should he stay silent? Should he explain the extent of his mission? He decided the latter to try and dispel some of the tension building in the room.
“Yes, My Queen. I traveled far to the west, out to the tribes of the buffalos and pony’s scattered across the plains. Their numbers were few, so few it wouldn’t be worth it to try and feed off the population. Since they could only sustain a few changelings at a time.
Also since the community is so small, we would surely be noticed.” The changeling explained.
Chrysalis bristled, the small changeling could feel a magical static zip though the air. Before he could do anything in protest the changeling queen threw him hard against the wall like a rag doll with her magic. The small changeling squealed in pain as his skull cracked against the marble.
“So that’s it then!” The Queen snarled venom dripping from her voice. “You checked one place and came running home as if your job was done! Does the survival of your colony, of your queen mean NOTHING to you!”
The Queen stalked toward him, her presence was formidable to say the least. Her eyes were pricing emeralds, burning with furry, only made more unsettling by the thin snake like pupils. Her horn lit up again with her sickly green magic as she stood over her mortally injured subject.
“mm My Queen! Please, I beg of you!” The changeling wailed “I promise you I searched as far as I could I-I tried My Queen.” He bawled tears streaming from his eyes. He tried to stand, to have some sort of composure but he was hopelessly dizzy from his head injury, he simply fell onto his side and gazed into the burning green irises that were currently bearing down on him.
The small changeling hated himself for upsetting his queen. He looked into the eyes he wanted to please so much, hoping to see some forgiveness.
“You little worm, how dare you beg and plead like a little foal!” Chrysalis hissed as she wrapped her magic around his neck, lifting him off the ground so that he was eye level with her. “You FAILED your Queen, why should we keep you around? You’re just another sniveling mouth to feed!” Chrysalis said, her mouth curling into a snarl, bearing her long fangs. She slowly tightened her hold around his neck, stopping his ability to breathe.
As the Queen gazed into his face, watching as he gasped for air and struggled against his grip. Why should I allow him to live? My colony is already starving. If he can’t help us feed then he must die. Chrysalis thought
The queen noticed something flicker at the corner of his right front hoof. Was he trying to use magic against her?
Chrysalis released her hold on his neck and wrapped her magic around the magical force lingering on her subjects hoof. She brought the small black cloud up to her face for closer inspection.
It was small, about the size of an apple. The small cloud at first struggled against her magic, then it relaxed. The changeling queen sensed a suppressing amount of magical energy coming from the small ball of smoke.
“What is this?” Chrysalis barked at her subject, who was currently gasping for air on the floor of her throne room.
The small changeling shrunk away from her words. “I…I have no idea my Queen, I’ve never seen it before in my life!”
“LIAR!” Chrysalis screamed stamping her hoof on the ground. “Is this some sort of poison, some sort of spell used for spying?”
“N…NO! No my Queen, I promise I’ve never seen that thing before in my life.” He pleaded.
Chrysalis stared coldly at her subject. “ I will deal with you in a minute, first I must find out what this thing is.” Before walking away from her wounded subject she stomped down hard on his right front foreleg until she heard the bone break under her hoof.
Chrysalis walked away from the now screeching changeling and walked into an adjoining room.
It was a small room full of magic books, ingredients for potions, and most importantly a magical table used to create enchantments and try out new spells.
Chrysalis placed the small ball of smoke into the table, as it tried to rise up Chrysalis sent a blast of magical energy around the perimeter of the table, binding the ball of smoke so it could only move about the table.
The Queen sensed a peculiar magic from the smoke, almost as if it were conscious. It seemed to be calculating as it tried to feel its way out of the enchanted table, not running on a pre-determined set of tasks like a spell would be. Chrysalis peered deep into the smoke, trying to find a trait or quirk about it that would help her unlock its identity.
Then she saw a flicker, like at the bottom of a fire pit. She squinted to try and focus on it, but it kept flickering on and off, so slight that the Queen wondered if perhaps her eyes were playing tricks on her.
Then out of the darkness of the smoke two eyes, blood red and glowing like molten rock appeared, staring intently at Chrysalis.
Chrysalis gasped and took a step back from the shock. In the center of the red eyes there were two sickly green irises staring back at her, cold and full of hate.
“What is this sorcery?” Chrysalis wondered out loud, visibly shaken. Whatever this presence was, it was amazingly potent given its small size. Just gazing into the eyes gave Chrysalis a feeling or sorrow and dread that she had never felt before, and yet she could not pull her eyes away from those burning red orbs.
This force was obviously conscious, perhaps it was a ghost of some sort or some creature not yet discovered by pony-kind. Whatever it was is scared and fascinated Chrysalis immensely.
Chrysalis decided to take a chance, it was obvious that whatever this thing was it was trying to tell her something. It was obvious by the was the eyes burned into her, and the way the smoke was boiling angrily under the restraint of Chrysalis’s spell.
Chrysalis steadied herself for what she was about to do, she knew this could have dire repercussions, but as much as this black entity scared her, she had a strange feeling that it could save her and her colony. If she could only control it.
The changeling queen closed her eyes and focused her magical energy, slowly she began to extend her consciousness into that of the black cloud. It was similar to what she would do before taking on the form of another pony to find out their quirks, relatives and friends to make her disguise more real. She felt a wall as she began to reach into it’s mind, it was resisting. This was strange, most normal creatures did not know, nor had the ability to block themselves from Chrysalis’s mind-reaching ability. This made the Queen even more excited.
She pushed harder, trying to break though the wall, she could sense a roiling field of energy past this mental block. In one last attempt Chrysalis focused all of her energy into a fine point.
Finally she broke though the wall, a torrent of emotions, visions and memories flooded into Chrysalis’s mind.
Anger, Hate, Malice, Greed, Power,
Green fields, rainbows dancing through an azure sky, strange sparkling ponies with chains around their necks, pulling huge crystal blocks to build a monument, Hooves clad in steal coming down shattering a crystal floor in rage. Blood pooling below dark grey hooves… slowly looking up to see a white alicorn with a flowing pastel rainbow main and tail.
Celestia? Who’s memories are this?
Just as she thought that the visions stopped. Everything when black, then a unicorn stallion appeared before her.
He had a very regal presence, he was royalty for sure. He was clad in steal armor, and had a red cape draped over his back with a mink-tail fringe. His main was black as coal, slicked back and held in place by a metal crown adorned with red and metallic spikes. His face, was chilling, those green and red eyes staring back at her, now had a face to go with it. The last thing was his horn. It was a strange horn, red and curved upward like a molten hot blade.
The mysterious unicorn smiled at her revealing sharp fangs. “Hello Queen Chrysalis.” He said with a deep rumbling voice.
Chrysalis stared in wonder at the royal unicorn in front of her. How had she never heard of him?
Chrysalis raised her head. “Who are you?” She asked guarding herself mentally, she didn’t know how much she could trust this being.
The unicorn smiled, a low rumbling laugh rumbling from his chest. “I forget how long I’ve been gone, trapped under artic ice for a thousand years, raising again only to be blasted to pieces by that damned crystal princess. It’s not a surprise you haven heard about me.”
Chrysalis didn’t budge, she was not going to put her guard down until she knew who this pony was.
“No need to have your guard up Queen, I promise you I only want to help you.” He said with a smile.
Chrysalis raised and eyebrow. “Help me but your only a small ball of smoke.”
He chuckled “Well yes, so I guess I will require your assistance first, however I assure you, if you choose to help me your efforts will be greatly rewarded.”
Chrysalis was still skeptical “And how would that be exactly? As you probably tell from peering inside of my head, my kingdom isn't exactly thriving.”
“Yes, and I have a solution for you as payment for your… generosity.” The unicorn said slyly.
“I’m listening.” Chrysalis said intrigued
“I believe we have a mutual enemy… tell me if the name, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, Means anything to you?” He said with a smile
Chrysalis’s eyes widened and a huge smile crossed her lips “More than you know.” Chrysalis let her guard down a little. “You still haven’t told me who you are.”
The unicorn laughed again “Oh forgive me.” His eyes gave a brief flash. “My name is King Sombra.”
Author's Note
Whew! Long Chapter! Sorry for the delay things have been crazy. I started a new job so I haven't had as much time to write, but I hope to begin making more updates soon.
Things are going to start picking up soon, now that I've got the basic set up of the plot.
Happy reading! and as always I look forward to your feedback!
