Crystal's Embrace

Tuesday, December 24th, 1000 A.F. 10:35 A.M.

Crystal Spire, Crystal Empire, Frozen North

The child started to slowly stir as his body woke itself from slumber. He gave a long yawn as he stretched his arms skyward and rubbed his eyes to get the crust out of them. When he was finally done he fluttered his eyes a bit to get what little grogginess that was left out. He started to scan the room with a blank face taking into account that he was on a really soft bed that seemed to go on forever before dropping off suddenly.

Above him was the roof of the bed and around the base of the roof was a curtain that was currently wide open. To his left was a nightstand made of spruce with intricate symbols filled in with a light blue crystal, past the nightstand was a door that would make anyone feel like an ant. The walls of the room were covered in bookshelves that were overflowing with books.

In front of the bed was a chimney that held a fireplace, in front of said fireplace was a coffee table and two chairs that were made of spruce wood and a bright red material. His eyes finally drifted to the right of the room and to the window that was placed in a cove that was no doubt used to read or relax in the sun when it was out.

He didn’t move or say anything, trying to process the images of the room and what had happened in the day past. He quickly gave up the endeavor and shook his head free of the thoughts. When he stopped shaking his head he finally realized that there was another figure present in the bed that was warming him. The figure was covered with the blanket completely, past the head so he couldn’t see who or what they were.

His curiosity got the best of him as he slowly reached to the top of the blanket. He grabbed it and slowly started to pull it off of the sleeping figure until he could see the head. He scrambled backwards as he saw that the figure next to him was a horse, or rather a pony. After his heart stopped pounding out of his chest and he got his breathing under control, he sat back down and stared at the pony.

That’s not what I am. He thought to himself as he looked down at his hands and body to confirm the thought. But what am I? He asked himself. The pony in front of him started to stir and take the blanket off of her head, proceeding to sit up in the bed propping herself up against the backboard. She did the same morning ritual that the child had done, yawn, stretch, rub, flutter.

The child was starting to breath heavily again as he backed away towards the edge of the bed. The pony looked over at the child and gave a smile to him. “Good morning child.” She stated with grogginess still heavy in her voice. The child slowed his breathing as he realized she was speaking a language he could understand.

“H...hi…” He said shyly as he looked down at the bed. His voice was barely audible but cute nonetheless. She smiled at him and removed herself from the bed.

“It’s okay, I won’t hurt you.” She cooed softly as she approached him. He turned to see her but quickly averted his gaze again back to the bed eliciting a light giggle from Bleak Star. Once she reached him she nuzzled his back causing him to flinch slightly from the feeling.

He was greeted with a happy smile when he turned around to see her. “You must be hungry, are you not?” Star asked. He sheepishly gave a nod. “Then we shall make our way to the dining hall after we retrieve our Lord.” She said as she started walking towards the door.

He slowly got off the bed and followed Bleak Star through the grand doors of the room out into an even larger hallway. The floor was made of a light blue crystal with intricate patterns of a dark blue crystal. The walls were made of the same materials as the floor but the colors were vice-versa with dark blue crystal making up the primary portions of the wall and the light blue crystal making up the patterns.

He stood and gawked at the ominous beauty of the world around him until he finally heard Bleak Star calling to him. “Child! Are you alright?” She asked as she looked at him worriedly. He simply nodded his head and ran after her.

It didn’t take long for them to reach their destination, one of the various guest rooms throughout the Crystal Spire. They were about to knock on the door before hearing a huge crash come from behind the door followed by some yelling. The child hid behind Bleak Star and she put a hoof to her face and shook her head. “By Faust if she doesn’t start listening he’ll have her head by the end of the month.” Annoyance heavy in her voice.

Not soon after a light blue earth pony with a white mane walked out of the room, holding a tray of a shattered teapot and cups on it. She had bruises along her back and neck and a limp on her front left leg. “Soothing Rain, you must stop forgetting what you’re told. You’ll live longer.” Bleak Star stated coldly as Soothing Rain let a single tear fall and continued on her way.

Bleak Star knocked on the door before entering. “We have told you to bring us Earl Grey Tea! Now get along lest you continue to test your endurance!” King Sombra growled at her before realizing it wasn’t Soothing Rain but Bleak Star. “We are sorry Bleak Star, we had thought you were the miserable excuse of a servant.” He apologized.

Bleak Star cheered up slightly at his apology and nodded. “Lord Sombra, the child has awoken.” She presented him by pushing him forwards, closer to the bed of King Sombra. Sombra was a large dark gray unicorn that had oddities about him, primarily his curved horn that faded into a deep red then a vibrant red-orange. His irises were a vibrant red compared to the other colors he had seen walking to the room. His mane was pitch black as well compared to the usual brown or dark brown of other ponies.

His hair hung limp and his eyes looked almost normal with white scleras. Without his armor or usual appearance in public he almost looked normal. His helmet and armor were placed on a mannequin that resembled him in every way possible, almost like an exact replica of the large stallion.

The child slowly approached the stallion who sat in his bed calmly analyzing him. The child stopped at the edge of the bed and put his hands behind his back, staring at the ground as he did so. “Look at me boy.” King Sombra ordered. The child complied and looked up to the stallion who was staring at him emotionless.

“What is your name?” Sombra asked, this time a little warmer in his tone.

The child shook his head. “I-I can’t remember.” He flinched a bit as he stated this in the fear of getting hit. When he didn’t feel the sting of a hand or hoof on the back of his head or anywhere else he looked up to see Sombra still staring with the same emotionless look.

“So you do not have a memory of your own name child?” He continued.

The child shook his head as he fumbled with his hands. “I can’t… I can’t remember anything.” He said sheepishly. He felt two hooves pick him up and lift him onto the bed. The one who placed him there was King Sombra.

“That cannot be helped, you’re not exactly a creature of these lands or any known ones for that matter. Tell me, do you know what you are?” The supposed ‘King of Darkness’ asked.

The child looked down at his hands for a second before nodding his head.

“What are you?”

“A human.” The child answered hesitantly. Sombra gave a light chuckle and rubbed the childs head with his hoof.

“At least you know that much child. Tell me, what would you like to be called?” Sombra asked. The child shrugged his shoulders. “It makes it that much harder to address you, we shall think of a name over breakfast. You are hungry, are you not?” The child nodded his head so fervently Sombra almost thought it would fall off if he went any faster. He placed a hoof on his head to make him stop. “Alright, we shall go to breakfast, we will discuss what shall happen there.” Sombra said as he removed his covers and slipped out of the bed.

The child sat idle on the bed as the king donned his cloak and armor, leaving his helmet off but carrying it in his magical grasp. King Sombra looked much more regal and like the terrifying king he was supposed to be, even without his helmet. His hair soon was animated as magic flowed through it, making it look like a black flame. He turned to the child with a smile. “Let us depart.” He gestured to the door.

Bleak Star bowed to King Sombra as his eyes met hers. He walked over to her and lifted her chin up, “Do not bow to me Bleak Star, it is unbecoming of family.” He smiled at her as she stood up and rubbed the back of her head with her hoof before walking over to the child and placing him on her back.

She nodded to King Sombra and they started out the door, closing it tightly behind them.

The walk to the dining hall was quiet as none of them spoke a word. When they arrived they all sat at the head of the table, waiting for their food to arrive. King Sombra was the one to break the silence. “Child, I must ask, dost thou fear us?” He asked.

The child looked up to him and thought about it for a second. “No, I think you look cool!” He was greeted by a hearty laugh from the king and a light chuckle from Star. “Can I ask you something?” The child inquired, receiving a nod from the king. “What is your name? Oh and yours!” He pointed to Star and Sombra.

“My name is Sombra, King Sombra.” Sombra stated proudly as the child turned to face Star.

“And my name is Bleak Star, ser… I mean your caretaker.” She caught herself before she messed up again.

“What’s a caretaker?” The child asked. Sombra was about to answer before he was cut off by a bell, signaling that the food was about to be served. In a minute the table was filled with breakfast foods from oats to omelets, Sombra laughed when he saw the childs face. It was utter astonishment.

The child looked up to Sombra, “Go ahead child, eat all that you wish.” He smiled and the child back as he started grabbing a bunch of food and putting it on his plate. He looked over to Bleak Star who had her eyes closed, muttering something to herself. When she opened her eyes and saw King Sombra smiling at her she blushed majorly.

“I’m sorry my lord.” She apologized as Sombra laughed.

“For what Bleak Star? You’ve nothing to be sorry for.” He pointed out as she nodded and started filling her plate as well.

The rest of the breakfast went on by uneventfully as they ate in silence, occasionally breaking the silence to ask for condiments or food they couldn’t reach. The table was cleared of dishes and leftover food by the servants, the child sat quietly waiting for the king or Star to ask him something or to move away from the table.

“How do you feel now that you have a hot meal in your stomach child?” Sombra asked. The child nodded his head before Sombra continued to question him. “Do you know how old you are?”

“I…I’m four.” He replied uncertainly.

“Do you know when you were born?” The child shook his head. “That’s fine, it will come to you in time. Tell me, do you have a name for yourself yet?” He continued, the child sunk further into his seat and shook his head. Sombra smiled as a name came to his head. “How about Sidian?” He asked as the child seemed to brighten up and fervently nodded his head.

“That’s an awesome name!” He exclaimed as he bounded off his chair and wrapped his arms around Sombra, catching him off guard as he quickly caught himself charging his horn and cancelled the spell. He was not used to being hugged or shown any other such affection. He returned the hug hesitantly. The two sat in quiet as the hug dragged on for what seemed like forever. Sombra looked up to Bleak Star who was smiling at them before he cleared his throat.

Sidian…