Author's Note
This was the original journal found by the adventurers.
Journal Prolouge
Entry 1
My name is Shade.
I have been told by one of my father’s advisers that there has been a recent outbreak of amnesia among some of the citizens of the Empire and that everypony is encouraged to keep journals/diaries in case they should fall victim. I’m having little success thinking of any relevant events to put here for the time being.
Entry 3
The shock of my father’s summons has yet to wear off and I can’t help but feel more anxiety than excitement for my return to the Empire. It has been ten years since I was placed in the myriad boarding schools with the unicorns. What could he want with me now? I have heard of the signs of tension between the tribes before, but they never gave pause in thought to my father in bringing me home. The royal palace seems so foreign to me now.
Entry 8
I’m riding along in a royal carriage as I write this. Like I’m some sort of important diplomat returning from departure. Unfortunately, none of this quells my trembling as we get closer and closer to the Empire. Why am I being called back now?
Entry 10
It feels like I have yet to wake from a distant dream. I was greeted with fanfare and open arms of my father. I just can’t come to terms with the surreal concept that he could actually value me. Are the banquets and festival games supposed to make up for the years of absence? I don’t understand why I’m here. Yet, with unheeded glorious applause, I am.
Entry 33
The Empire is as busy as I expected. My father’s advisers have tried their best to keep me in the fast paced loop of the political infrastructure. All of it gives me a tremendous headache by the end of the day. I stare up at the eloquent decorations of my room and dread the next days activities. I already want to go back to the simplicity of my old dorm and scheduled studies. Did he really bring me here to be some kind of prince?
Entry 59
I barely get a glimpse of my father anymore. The recent assassinations have him on an intolerable edge with his advisers. I’ve taken to learning the layout of the Empire and royal palace to keep myself busy and out of his way. I have no formal title yet, but I can feel the odd stares of the other crystal ponies as I continue my rounds. Some would think it's a compliment to be the spitting image of one's own father, but personally I despise it.
Entry 101
My father has assigned me to study underneath one of his top generals, Silver Starguard. This pony could care less about my grand accomplishments in magical studies; he is only interested in how I fair on a battlefield. I’m no soldier, but my father seems obsessed with having me prepare for the worst.
Entry 138
I finally summed up the courage to confront my father about my presence here. Just as I expected, he explained nothing and just gave me a run about answer. I hate this! You can practically feel as if there is a war soon looming at the rise of every day. My studies with Silver have become nothing more than combat training and I get the feeling I might actually need it someday soon. What is going on?
Entry 222
I, along with Silver’s help, have made a tremendous discovery today. Silver had recently “borrowed” some of the higher end spell books from the royal library and had discreetly encouraged me into trying them out. At first, I thought they were just new odd routines he wanted me to know, but I have accidentally learned to create crystalline magic. It’s amazing! Not even Silver with his massive amount of experience can cast them. Apparently, it’s highly rare for a pony to be able to learn it and near impossible to master. From what I understand, my father has a slight affinity for it...so this is what my ancestors built this empire with.
Entry 302
It’s finally upon us. There was no formal declaration of war, but the small tribal skirmishes have now turned into brutal onslaughts. The three tribes are at war. Each race is pointing at each other for the blame of the elder deaths and the empire has announced a strict neutral stance; Silver informs me otherwise. He is being deployed tomorrow and we still have so much more training to do before I feel my magic is combat worthy. So, I’ve decided to stow away with his platoon. I haven’t even seen my father in months; I doubt he gives a damn. Anyways, what’s he going to do about it? Ground me?
Entry 366
I’ve seen my first battle this day. The unit was ambushed on our march to the unicorn territory and we quickly retaliated. I had highly underestimated myself before; you can’t really tell how powerful combat magic is until you use it in the field. As Silver and I took the lead, it seemed like an unstoppable storm of bloodshed as we rushed through the enemy lines. Even after the fight, I could see the faces of awe in the other soldiers. I doubt anypony has seen the likes of magic I have brought forth today.
Entry 490
Today, we had a diplomatic encounter with the one of the upcoming groups in the war. They were known as the “Sun and Moon Prophets” and they have quite a following. I was able to accompany Silver as he sat at the war discussions, yet I doubt he listened to any of it. As I took in the statistical warnings the prophets had to offer, Silver spent his time making flirtatious passes at the two of them. I can see the battles unfold in my mind, but I doubt Silver perceives them as anything less than a game.
Entry 550
The war is in full swing now and I look forward to the letter from my father every week demanding I return to the empire. The front lines are tough, but Silver and I are tougher. Why can’t my father understand this? I’m fighting for his cause as half-hazard as it seems. I refuse to go back just to be locked away behind closed doors again. Out in the field I can do something much greater.
Entry 611
I had a most vivid dream last night. I was in my old dorm and the moon prophet visited me. She spoke of a great chaos that was unleashed upon the land. It’s all terribly confusing and I couldn't make out most of what she was talking about, but she wanted me to speak with Silver about it. Now here is the kicker, before I could explain my dream to Silver... he already knew.
Entry 649
I only write now just to keep my sanity. This quill and journal are of little use when trying to explain the horrors I witnessed today...but I'll try. Silver had been on an edge I had never seen before, like he expected all of this to happen. Waves of chaotic magic flowed over the unit like a tidal wave and what happened next is impossible to explain with simple text. Most ponies chose suicide over the transformations, but I can still hear the screams as I close my eyes. Silver is different, with just sheer willpower he was able to hold back the magic from corrupting him and me. Silver has taught me several forms of mental resistance training and it’s the only thing keeping me alive... or what I would hope to be considered alive.
Entry 650
It’s just Silver and I, with half a continent to go before we reach the empire. If the empire still exists. Everyday is a battle with the corrupted beings around us. How many of them were beasts? How many of them ponies? I barely get sleep anymore but when I do all I can see is the moon prophet spitting gibberish at me. Like an unheard call to all that might still be left.
Entry 651
Silver is the only thing keeping me moving anymore. He feeds me, bathes me, talks to me. I can’t help but think how easy it would be to turn the blade upon myself and have it all end. How can he be so rock solid in all of this? I just follow him through the wilds, he is my beacon, my last hope.
Entry 652
I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE! The smell of the blood. The unearthly sounds around me. The voices clawing at my mind. Just keep writing, Silver is telling me to keep writing but what will I write about how can he be so damn calm can he not hear them can HE NOT SEE THEM I can’t I just can’t I don’t want to move anymore please make it end just make it stop make it stop make it stop make it stop make it stop.
Entry 653
Against all odds I’m home. I’m sitting up in my room at the palace with no memory of how I got here. I read back on my last few entries and wonder how I I’m even alive. As I look outside I can see the Empires defense keeping what looks like a wall of fog at bay, but I know too well what is on the other side. I’m so tired yet I feel like I have been sleeping for days. At least the nightmares have stopped. I'll speak with Silver tomorrow about what happened.
Entry 669
It has been a month since Silver carried me back to the Empire, yet it feels like ages since I have had a restful sleep. The magic outside the walls seems to be stemming from a being now called “Discord”. I try my best to bring to light what the prophets said to the strategy meeting but my father will hear none of it. Though he disregards my words as wild ramblings, I sense displeasure within him when anypony speaks of the prophets. I’m certain the chaos did not alter my judgement in this sense.
Entry 711
I had hoped my return to the Empire would ease my troubles, but something looms heavily over us all. I wake up every day with little energy and it takes everything I got just to make it to combat practice with Silver. Is the chaos that powerful to touch us even now behind the defenses of the Empire? Silver wants to show me something he recently found tomorrow. Let’s see if I can muster some enthusiasm for him.
Entry 712
Years ago Silver introduced me to crystalline magic through unconventional means. My offense and defense are superb when I bring crystals to the field, but I have never had the sense of “True Enlightenment” in it’s study. Once again, Silver has somehow produced a spellbook from my father’s personal collection, and within it is a form called “Shadow Magic”. I was revered as a genius as I studied with the unicorns, but I could not reach anything close to mastering a specific school. But with this... Only in a few hours I had learned to use Shadoflage and Neatherstep. I can feel it’s magic coursing through my body like none other. “True Enlightenment” was said to be earned by those who could master a form of magic. This must be mine.
Entry 732
I’m worried. Father was always reclusive, but one might believe he is a hermit for how little anypony sees of him. Only a select few members of his cabinet are allowed. I just spend my days with Silver practicing magic in the barracks. What could he be doing up there in the recesses of the Palace? I’m certain tonight Silver will again barge in with wild plans to go take over one of the pubs. I swear sometimes his cheeriness can get on my nerves.
Entry 780
There have been whispers of the existence of a weapon powerful enough to take on Discord. Every now and then I'll hear rumors from the scouting squads, but nothing concrete. Apparently the prophets are still putting up a fight somewhere out beyond the chaos. None of my father’s advisers will even believe in the existence of a rebel faction, but I choose to have hope. You can see Discord’s army growing bigger outside the barrier. The prophets seemed to have some sense of what was going to happen, let’s hope this “Ace in the hole” works.
Entry 847
FREEDOM COMES WITH THE DAWN OF A NEW DAY!
I can’t believe I’m writing this! The skies are completely clear! The army outside the barrier is gone! No signs of struggle, no warning of its disappearance! Are we really free from the chaos? I’m heading out with Silver today to collect as much information as possible. Maybe my Father will make an appearance? I can’t even remember the last time I spoke with him.
Entry 848
Curse it all! I have been detained by my father in order to keep me from joining up with Silver and the unit. Even now as I write this a guard is keeping an eye on my every move. Shadoflage has a limitation if someone is actively looking for you. So I’m stuck.
Entry 850
Father has finally released me from my detention. If I were to leave now I would be days behind the unit with little to go on but the tracking skills Silver taught me. Father planned this from the start. Also to note I have discovered an odd occurrence during the Neatherstep. I witnessed something strange around a sleeping guard around the barracks during training, I believe I could read his mind. I’ll investigate further this evening with more individuals being asleep.
Entry 851
It’s not mind reading, I’m peering into a ponies’ dream! It’s such an odd sensation, like staring into a large sphere of clouded water. As I pass my hoof through them I can almost feel the altering of space. I bet with some time and practice I could enter these pocket dimensions. But now what disturbs me the most. All of the dreams I have visited have been the same. A sinister figure looms over the individual dreaming and slowly begins move them about like a puppet on strings. This figure is a cruel disfigured shape of my father. He has a melted red horn, nasty fangs capable of piercing flesh, and a heinous green glow to his eyes. They call out “Sombra” in the dream. I suddenly feel myself filled with dread as I realized that I too have been having the same nightmares. But for how long? Why did I not remember this until now? Could this be the reason everypony is so drained? I must go inform my father of this.
Entry 852
Intel about the remaining forces of the tribes has returned. They are scattered and confused, but alive. And what does my father do in their time of desperation? DECLARE WAR ON THEM?! This is INSANE! These ponies need our help! Father must believe he can take Equestria by force! By the stars... He might be able to do it.
Entry 869
Silver returned today, alone. I felt his presence and met him at the walls of the Empire. I have never seen Silver truly angry until today. You could feel the seething hate roll off him like waves. He instructed me to go hide in the western safe-house and so I did. He was heading in the direction of the Palace. What does he intend to do? I’ll wait here for now. But I’m growing ever so tired. And I can hear things outside the house. But now I can barely move. Even moving this quill is becoming a challenge. What is going on?
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Entry 2-1
My NAME is Shade.
My name IS Shade.
My name is Shade.
Yes it seems I do possess the same writing style as the owner of this book. I’m moving on with the assumption that I am Shade and this is my journal. I have awoken in this room with little memory of anything. I recognize the surroundings but nothing is making sense. I read through the journal entries trying to find a clue but it’s not there. I remember nothing. I'll continue to fill these pages in hopes of reclaiming my memory, but I have my doubts.
Entry 2-2
I step outside only to discover a vacated “Empire”. I recognize some of the areas this journal mentions so I feel confident in this fact. After wandering about for a while I ran into another group of ponies. All they could do is scream and run in fear. Do I scare them that much? From their cries I believe they are mistaken me for a character earlier mentioned as Sombra. I'll need to investigate more.
Entry 2-7
Though my memories are gone, my muscles and horn seem to almost instinctively react to situations. Could this be the training? It frightens me knowing so little at this moment, what is left in my mind is bare concepts rather than things and experiences. I know all the spells I’m casting, but can’t remember where I learned them. I’ll take exploration of my surroundings step by step.
Entry 2-11
I’ve located the palace but I’m having difficulties entering. There is a huge array of traps located about the grounds, even up to the doors themselves. Whomever put up all of these dangers wanted to keep ponies out to an almost paranoid extreme. It’s going to take me quite a bit of time to disarm them.
Entry 2-16
Progress through the trapped palace area has been slow and tedious, but now I’m faced with a new threat. There seems to be some kind of armed forces now attempting to occupy the surroundings. Not that there is much to stop them, everypony has been hiding indoors. It was almost a ghost town before this new battalion showed up.
Entry 2-17
The unidentified forces have now found out the hard way why the palace is so difficult to get into. They had to of triggered ten traps in the courtyard before figuring out what was wrong. Unlike the citizens my shadow spells seems to keep me from being noticed and has allowed me to sneak around. Time is running short if I want to gather more information on the Empire. I have to work faster.
Entry 2-20
I have split up my days removing some of the bigger traps from the palace and reading up on the texts in the libraries. The battalion has finally reached the innards of the palace itself. It has become a race to gather as much knowledge before the opposing group does. But I am alone, and they range in the hundreds.
Entry 2-25
There has been an incident today outside the palace. A majority of the occupying unit clashed with an unknown force at the outskirts of the Empire. Whatever it was could cast spells like nothing I have witnesses before. I can only describe it as a malicious crystalline maelstrom of death. I overheard some of the forces speaking about the Empire’s magical defenses, but what I doubt they know is of the crystal heart needed to power it. Going through the libraries I had already removed key pieces of information to try and keep a few steps ahead of them. In my haste to gain my own ground I hope I haven’t sealed my fate with this new opposing force.
Entry 2-28
Something is wrong, my mind is growing hazy and I can barely remember the events of the days past. This journal is the only thing keeping me straight now. I’ve searched all of the palace grounds and I can’t locate the crystal heart. Powering up the defenses has become the priority of all parties involved as the magical beast battles on. From what I can account the unidentified forces are at quarter their original strength. It’s getting difficult to formulate a plan and I grow tired extremely easy throughout the day. I have to press on to figure this out.
Entry 2-31
The remainder of the unit has been able to bring in reinforcements and create some kind of alternate barrier now covering the empire from the attacks of the magical beast. It has given all of us some time to work things out. Even now I’m just as afraid of this howling monstrosity that attempts to break through, but my information is getting me nowhere on the location of the crystal heart. There has to be something I’m missing.
Entry 2-35
Hells bells! Every day I have to read over this journal just to remember anything or progress anywhere. I’m so tired all the time, even with a full nights rest. Today a new civilian unit entered the Empire grounds. I discovered them in the royal library as I was working and disregarded them at first, but they seem to have a young dragon accompanying them. I believe it can see though my magic with it’s dragon eyes, so I had to take an extra careful distance to observe them. The danger of this seems to come from the purple one. She has systematically run through the exact same books I have gathered over the days. Purple sleuth is extremely efficient. This could become a problem very quickly.
Entry 2-36
I was awoken this time to a most monstrous noise. Somepony apparently can’t use a flugelhorn correctly. It literally sounds like they yelled “Flugelhorn” into the damned thing. But what was truly surprising was the appearance of the crystal fair. It’s not even the correct time of year, even so I couldn't resist throwing on a disguise and participating in the activities. I was so happy for a moment. Until the barrier fell, and I remembered why I was even out here in the first place. The lurking beast at our throats. I HAVE to find the crystal heart.
Entry 2-37
Dammit I can’t believe I overlooked the use of shadow magic. The royal throne room had been significantly changed through shadow manipulation. After sneaking past the dragon cohort I have found Purple sleuth overcome by one of the many taps set in the palace. This would be the first time I have been able to accurately observe anypony up close of the now occupying force. She defies everything I know of common tribal anatomy. She is not part of the unicorn, earth pony, or even a Pegasus tribe. The jaw line, lower back structure, mane length, pupil size... They all indicate multiple genetic lines. It’s almost like she is all of them in one. The calls of the dragon cohort were what shook me from my daze. I admit I took far too much time observing her rather than dealing with the trap stalling us. I had to retreat for now.
Entry Final
My body is trembling with the events that have unfolded. With partial memories I now can piece together a semblance of what happened. After I left the palace things must have escalated quickly. My father. He stumbled into the safe-house with such terrible wounds. The back of my eyeballs burned with such an intense rage. I wanted nothing more than to end it all right there. But seeing him in such a pathetic state, I did the only thing I could.
I held him close and comforted him in his final moments. It no longer mattered, no doctor would take him in. His final resting place would be here bleeding out into my arms. He spilled his guts of all the events up to present, every word burned into my brain like a brand. Even at that moment he never did apologize to me. I was only recalled back to the Empire to serve as a decoy to his would be assassins. Of all the nerve in the world, he left me in charge of his make believe destiny. I now know of three artifacts of his power: the amulet, the spell-book, and my fathers crown. What the hells do I do with this? I don’t even have a purpose. I can’t even be among my people. I bare the essence of my fathers image so well that I frighten any crystal pony on sight.
I leave this day in search of what memories I have lost. So many pieces are still missing to this puzzle and I’m a thousand years behind. I look back upon the Crystal Empire, my home, and yet can’t shed a single tear.
