The Crystal Tyrantby Architect of RealitiesChaptersBeginnings and ChangesStressed Lunch and Dark PactThe Condemned and Seeds of HateIn the Dark of the NightSlow to Rise, House Onyx and Metal HeartOf Sisters Intrigue, Plots and DinnerCrystal trials, Burdens of Foals and CourtBeginnings and ChangesAuthor's Note The Game begins 'our' little human, may our gift and changes make things different. Number of Edits: 4 Number of OCs: 2 2nd Crystal Princess Pandora By: Author of Story Metal Heart By: Blacksilverflames Beginnings and Changes Beginnings and Changes Prolog – MLP Convention day, Displaced Perspective ‘By the divine or any that exist please make the singing stop!’ I groaned thinking of the [shudder] 5 hour drive to get out here, with ear buds in place connected to cellphone playing Magic of Wizard’s Dream with joy. Movement from the left gains my attention seeing my brother-in-law gesture to unplug to talk but doing so begrudgingly so not to be rude to my sister’s husband. “What’s up?” raising an eyebrow at him as the metal costume rubs against my body with a grudge only to intensify my natural glare that most who don’t know me presume I am just hostile. He took a sigh before beginning in an apologetic tone. “I would like to say that we’re sorry that we tore you away from work for a few days as our friend got sick and you were well being close enough in build to join us for the cosplay contest your sister hoped to win.” He extended a hand as from what I knew he was cosplaying as someone named ‘Shining Armor’ or some such while knowing good enough my sister ended up being some ‘Cadence Princess of Love’ the one of many reasons why was it was close to her real name and oddly being born on valentine’s day.. ‘Okay now that I am thinking on this again it sounds completely crazy that some character ended up being like my older sister..’ “It’s no trouble #$%@ as we came to a stump in [air quote] ‘differences of opinion’ [air quote], but beyond that perhaps this trip will help trigger my battle action plots for our upcoming simulation like the others are to their thing. Also doesn’t hurt being this badass dark crystal wizard like you both told me that I am playing as.” Giving out a dark chuckle only to be slapped from up front in the passenger seat by my sister giving a knowing grin. “If you are not careful little bro I’ll set you up with my girlfriend &^#(@! here since she’s playing Twilight Sparkle.” I give her a raised eyebrow in response upon my neutral sneered face. Much to ‘&^#(@!’s’ response she only gawked with a blush remaining quiet before muttering about some type of vengeance. We finally arrive at the hotel about twenty minutes later for the girls to sign in for us while mark was the one to suggest we go ahead to the convention and they meet up with us at the artist’s wing, or even the food court as upon entry we were literally swarmed by others as mark beamed showing off his craftsmanship but I get the feeling he made this costume for my size but knowing mark I wouldn’t put it pass him.. ‘They did do this just to get me to come along? Well this I hope will make up for my screw up at their wedding, on the bright side at least they have the funniest wedding picture on the net.’ Sighing before something red glinting caught my eye turning to see various items being sold at the booth to wander over as it seems I should try and improve the outfit perhaps. “Greetings merchant keeper, we require an item that would be suitable for our personage.” The strange older man looks me over appraisingly with a gleam in his eyes before motioning to a container opening it for my eyes as he responded. “Well young man it is good to see someone who is well versed in being their character though I may have something that would actually fit your being and it is called the ‘Alicorn Amulet’, an item of supposed great power that could match a god of the same species with dark influences that would complement your cosplay, also a rather popular buy if I must say so.” He gave a knowing smile as it did have a pull and looking at it than to the full body mirror to get a better display as if thinking on it, wearing metal armor that mark made, the red cape that my sister made with good detail and the horn. The hooves from that weird lower leg setup took a while to get use to and that tail thing behind me actually provided balance unless I ran. Nodding in agreement pulling out my wallet motioning to buy the necklace and also a ‘Crystal Heart’ for mark and my sister. Soon returning to them seeing my sister and her friend &^#(@! with mark having perhaps beaten away the fan girls squealing about ‘Captain Shining Armor’! With a tongue flick before handing my sister the crystal heart before putting the necklace on with a grin. “Well sister I got that cool thing for you and your hubby and I got this for -” Blinking owlishly before losing all feeling in my legs only to collapse as the sound of a dark purple pulse beats nearly in sync to my heart with a fading male scream as someone who looked just like me except more horse like, just got swallowed by my own shadow. A faded sound of a door opening and soon enough being lifted until sleep feel upon me. Unknown Void – Architect of Realities Perspective ‘Ah, finally an agent of flesh and blood has awoken to the ‘gift’ that was offered. Let us prepare a bit of help that would prove useful for his rough journey.’ A purple glow starts to form upon the floor with several appendages pushing into the breach apparently latching onto something before turning to taunt cables slowly dragging what appears to be a metal bodied pony with a black mane and tail up dangling into the empty dark room. ‘This won’t do for where he is to be from..’ Forcing some of its appendages in between the spaces of her form, forming the female four legged pony tiny pony body to bend and rework a painful process into a more Anthro version of herself adding the feature for her to change from her original four legged self to a bipedal shape. Seeing her eyes open an almost unnatural purple glow affects both her irises and her internal operating hud color. “Welcome ‘our’ little pony, we have chosen you to act as our agent to help one we have influence over. Which you will be rewarded when the task is complete, by either staying or taken back to your reality with an altered fate.” Taking a moment to pause so she may digest what was said as a floating view comes into vision showing a bipedal sleeping anthro Sombra being tended to by two individuals, one who looks to be a Rosaline crystal pony maid and the other a shimmering regal white crystal pony wearing a traditional Crystal Empire crown fitting for a princess. “Dark times loom ahead for him indeed.” Crystal Empire – FE (Founded Equestria) 0035 – Sombra Perspective Grumbling with a growing headache as my armored fingers rub my forehead. ‘First thing that flashed into mind was seeing a weird version of this Sombra as some Anthromorphic Pony? Than my shadow killed him? Than my shadow eating said body..? I’m having some fucked up dreams?’ looking around now it is clearly showing that this room was made out of crystals, there was quite a bit of the red theme, my armor on a armor stand and a vanity mirror. All thoughts stopped the moment I looked into the mirror and saw the black eyes with red pupils and purple glow seeping from the corners of my eyes, I felt powerful and ‘different’ the necklace glows softly only to brighten when I rub it gently feeling it purr? ‘Let’s try to relax and meditate on what in the beyond is happening right now.’ The amulet pulses again as images flood our eyes as scenes of being the royal court crystal mage and personal friend to Princess Pandora, though the most recent memories being of her personally coming to make sure you were well after a recent experiment… Which may have been us popping into existence here and possibly murdering the fuck out of him while under some influence and ‘eating’ him… ‘TOTALLY NOT FUCKING CRAZY HERE!?’ the amulet flashes when thinking this. ‘Also possibly understanding my amulet friend..?’ It dimly flashes as if in agreement but still a shiver roams my new body. Sitting upright on the rather comfy large bed, my bed? ‘Possibly though I need to meditate and relax, focus and center myself.’ Taking a deep breath, letting it out slowly to calm the body. A tingling sensation is felt slowly building up, settling our breathing to a calm rhythm there is a tugging sensation as we feel each other. So close yet separate that it is rather confusing yet familiar? It’s the room also? Focusing on the closer of the two, relaxing a breath before reaching out to touch the amulet hanging from us. The feeling is similar to communing with another who feels so alien here as well, but older and amethyst? No, it’s the aura we are. It feels like a shard of something greater yet was changed? Not what it once was but helps us willingly, like an old friend desperately clinging to our very soul. We share a changed fate don’t we? Something is different than intended but feels right? [CREAAAAAAK] The moment our eyes opens to register the noise we are struck to lay back against the bed with a whap to the muzzle and nuzzled by white. “We hath worried about thy wellbeing dearest Sombra! Thou has been slumbering for three days!” the white crystal pony violently hugs and nuzzles passionately, once pulling back we recognize her as our oldest friend Pandora Second Heir to the Crystal Empire. The same mare whom had helped fund our crazy ventures into attaining the same or similar use of magic like the unicorns, with the result being our new horn which grew out of our forehead into a curved dark Amethyst gem horn. Memories and spells start to trickle into our head from the source we had focused on before, our amulet friend here? It glowed softly once as he cough’s once to regain Pandora’s attention in as calm as can be. “We find thy attentions to us to be a flattery onto our fragile ego and it reinforced through fires of thy passionate glomp long hence from foalhood.” That time it got her to glow with a blush before retreating off our bedding and straiten her dress only after to retrieve her hoof shoes and crown to tidy herself with our mirror. “When thou art able our roguish friend, we will call for thee in an hour to join us for lunch with our family.” What? Hold on a second what?! Before a single word could be uttered the door was closed leaving us confused and dazed for a couple reasons… Stressed Lunch and Dark PactAuthor's Note We seem to have heated individuals, hinted spiteful bickering and possible implications and tensions. Number of Edits: 4 Number of OCs by Others: 1 Stressed Lunch and Dark Pact Stressed Lunch and Heated Words Crystal Empire – FE (Founded Equestria) 0035 – Dining Hall, Sombra Perspective Calmly looking around the Dining Hall, having worn the noble attire that Princess Pandora’s personal maid Shining Coat had laid out gave a feeling of being pampered. The sensation felt alien yet natural at the same time, though random memories rolled through our head from the Amulet. As if it was carefully imparting knowledge though for now focusing on another’s memories of those near, both good and bad appeared as ghosts in separate groups. The first group focused on enemies and those related to them and suspicion of working with, the second group were known possible ‘neutrals’ towards us at least and behind that group were several shadowed outlines whom for lacking of cohesion were NOT and WERE ponies and those from here, finally there was the carefully groomed ‘Allies’ and their associates. Though some of them had stuck out from the strange figures behind the neutral pile that has a name stating ‘Displaced’ in a fluctuating glow but next to that group was a purple glowing mirror showing a cyborg bipedal anthro Earth Pony female who looked bewildered and on the side showed her alternate forms as a Pegasus and a Unicorn with slight differences of body build to represent each and oddly her forelimbs change to a desired weapon or appendage. Being snapped back to reality by the shattering of a crystal goblet as Crystal Emperor Shatter Hoof bellowed out. “This cider, I love it! ANOTHER!” [Smash] making our ears fold back from apparently his breakable goblet onto the ground in a festive mood perhaps, we only hope so as his yeti like strength from welcoming us back to the land of the living was well received by his wife Empress Pristine Jewel. We’ve thought it was strange how she welcomed us like the son she never had even though with Shatter Hoof we felt he would pike us onto the battlements if it wasn’t for Pandora’s soulful eyes. We still have no idea what she saw in us that day so long ago but the feeling of repaying her makes us nervous as to how, let alone why these new feelings urge. Though it is odd how the 1st Princess Crystal Heart is often loving but distant, as if afraid to open up around others even if you can see it in her eyes the passionate gaze she washes over others. The most absurd part is she has worshipers! Their temple is having her name as being their worship all because she can create the purest crystals any had ever seen, let alone how the mare looks and is drooled after. ‘Not that we won’t admit to having it sometimes when she sings.. NO! Stop going in that direction, it won’t help us also we aren’t worthy to be courting royalty… At best we can help keep those whom would abuse them away for their own gains…’ A silent sigh leaves our lips before starting on consuming an emerald the size of our finger as it seems our change also affected our eating habits beyond giving us access to magic. Truly brought out of our thoughts as we soon noticed that five sets of eyes were upon us now causing us to blush mildly before speaking up. “We are sorry for our ‘new’ eating habits for being an inconvenience.” A wave of Shatter Hoof’s hand dissuades that sentence as he now speaks up. “Think nothing of it boy, though we have been discussing of what else has changed about thee besides thy new appendage.” He said pointing at our amethyst horn from our forehead which we rub softly in thought before a tickle at our back for two round jeweled protrusions tingle softly causing us to speak cautiously of our thought. “We humbly state there were two other ‘changes’ we’ve noticed upon dressing this day, though it would be an assumption based on Pegasus anatomy where wings would grow from-“ before our spoken thought could be finished Pandora rushed over to look at our back with a growing grin saying her own proclamation. “They are Amethysts just like his horn! Oooh I want to get this too! I wonder what gem mine would look like?!” she says with childish glee. Blanching a bit under her physical touching as a blush flashed across our face like a blizzard striking the tundra, causing Shatter Hoof to bellow out laughing his flank off with his fist hitting the table while his wife gave an amused raised eyebrow at our plight, most confusing was the momentary flash of Jealousy from the eldest sister Crystal Heart. We were simply too dumbfounded to even react besides a slack jaw and wide eyes before Pandora stepped back with glee jumping in place. May we ever live this down? Mayhap not as gossip from the staff will make sure of it as we knew the guards mostly felt sympathy due to how wild or energetic she can be as for trouble or simplicity of US being involved. The worse of it was that moment she had decided to plop a gem in our mouth and close it saying just loud enough this. “If thy mouth remains unhinged flies may enter it or thy kiss be stolen.” The second after those words were said the laughing stopped and a deathly silence reigned in the dining hall, with three beings for that cause as both royal sisters began with near deathly glares with rumors saying they came close to blows and closer to official combat by joust over an unknown topic that hinted at affections. But the largest one in the room was Emperor Shatter Hoof staring us down with the same look he gave the Yeti mountain tribes when they tried invading the Crystal Empire before, though now we feel to be on that receiving end as Empress Pristine Jewel placated him with hushed words. There is a heavy feeling of subtle understanding that we’re at fault for this current setting as our jaw slowly crunched the gem as it tasted of oranges. We know not WHY gems now take like fruits or vegetables we favored before our change. ‘Please may things go better than it is right now, I’d deeply enjoy it if there is a divine hearing us!’ he quietly prays while chewing slowly, hoping not to be drawn and quartered. "Boy, have we ever gave thee the tour of our dungeons?" THAT sounded more rhetorical then any other threat we have ever heard. "Why yes sir, though we hope NEVER to earn a stay as we enjoy staying away from it." We said this nervously, there was another long silence before Emperor Shatter Hoof begins laughing again almost as hard from before. "By the Brightest Gem boy! [wheeze] Seriously we will have to work on thy courage if thou cannot even stand up to us." he points out flatly as we had hung open our jaw again, when Pandora was about to move towards us again he pointedly snapped at her. "Don't thou think of breaking the stallion more with thy words daughter, We SHALL be speaking LATER!" Unknown Void – Metal Heart’s Perspective The memories come crawling back into my brain as some purple portal thing came out of thin AIR! "What the HAY?!” struggling against the inky black tentacles before dragging back through wherever they came from but the moment I touch that portal thing, it felt like my brain was being scrambled before being dumped into a freezer. Something didn’t ‘feel’ right but I still felt like I was being held but supported differently now, eyes fluttering open into the blackness as only a purple mirror dimly glowed while I tried to get my baring while somepony chatted about talked about helping their agent, being rewarded, and changing my fate but the shocker was something about ‘another reality’. “What the hay are you and where in Equestria am I!?” There was a creepy silence for a few short moments before whatever pony was doing all this started laughing, even these tentacle things wiggled, oh sweet celestia please let this be just magic and not some nightmare monster. “Well young Metal Heart, I am the Architect of Realities. You could say I am one who has ‘strange’ capabilities as closest for you to understand would be a Draconicus Discord, but that would be a disservice to compare either of us. I claim not to be a god yet my influence grows through those I ‘Appoint’ or through my own crafted Items. But regardless you are within 'MY' domain which happens to be in 'no reality' at least not any more, mistakes were made and I 'learned' from it.” At the end there I felt a bit skittish but push forward with a brave face. “What would I have to do if I want to help?” my eyes still looking around just in case before the glowing mirror from before moves to be easily seen before me now. “Why ‘my’ little pony, all you would have to do is keep my strange friend you see sleeping on that bed alive, though by this point he’s in the middle of eating with royalty in the Crystal Empire. Though you’ll have the rare opportunity to see how the post-unification warring period is like as let us say that the crystal ponies did not join in on that just like in your history says, only Earth Ponies, only Pegasus Ponies and finally Only Unicorn Ponies united. It did not include the nocturnes, Vamponies, Hippogriffs, Crystal Ponies or others.” He said a bit darkly with a hint of glee? “So all you want is for me to help him?” I say as I finally notice something was different with my forelegs and everything else about me! “What the hay am I?!” Pausing only for a tentacle to clamp my muzzle shut as he answered my questions before uncovering my muzzle after I settle down. “That would be your mission yes, also to ensure his continued exsistance but after that you will be rewarded, either staying in that reality or returning to yours with a better fate. Also you are still a pony but just the reality’s version I would drop you into, you can change into each of the three’s types as well though with a ‘added’ crystal variant that would help you against magic users as far as resistance goes.” For the longest time I blink looking at the mirror than myself and finally what’s holding me in whatever inky tentacle things before asking this. “Do I get to bring some stuff with me?” Two bags appear and one looks to be a coin purse and the other a larger sack with both having fine crafted magical stitching with the initials M.H. with a smaller A.o.R. under it, seeing a purple glow under me now as he told me this. “You’ll have a bit of a trek to make but we suggest to get thy barings and see if any gleaming spired castle catches your eyes.” He better not just drop me, if he knows what’s good for him- and he drops me in as I yell out this. “YOU DROPPED ME YOU FAT GOOY INK BLOB OF A TARTARUS FLANK!” continuing my cursing rant before landing muzzle first in snow with only more snow from a tartarus tree to drop MORE on me! After digging myself out of the snow I shake my metal appendage up at the sky for only a digit to rise up on its own that I think matched my mood for whatever other things were watching me now, sighing I start to grumble attempting to get up a higher hill to get a view and notice a trade caravan of ponies the closest thing around before trudging my way along as I try out the Crystal Pony version of myself to blend in as I had found winter clothes in that would hide my looks more to blend in. The Condemned and Seeds of HateAuthor's Note Number of Edits: 4 Number of OCs: 1 (for OC info look back at last chapter, more welcome just pm) We ask for honesty in words by others when reading of our human, also there was no editor except us.. The Condemned and Seeds of Hate The Condemned and Seeds of Hate The Dungeons - Crystal Empire - Sombra Perspective The smell of fear and anguish can be easily taken in with some who sounded defiant for whatever reason they had, but our focus was on Emperor Shatter Hoof leading us for some reason beyond current knowing. But soon we were upon the interrogation room as the first thing we saw were three individuals one being an Earth Pony, another being a Griffin and lastly a Zebra. The confusion was clear on our face as Shatter Hoof just looked them over with mild contempt before uttering these words onto us. “Well boy, choose one of them to end by thou own hand. For they all are to die for conspiracy against the Empire.” Our shock only deepened more before the flash of memories as we had killed unknowingly the one whom we have become, it feels as though our stomach needs to be stronger. ‘Or our feelings of compassion to be deadened.’ He smiled at our own reaction before giving what we think is his malicious grin, one he avoids giving around his family for we felt a shiver. “Boy thou WILL make the choice, as there will be a bit of practice to be had with thou new access to magic, seeing as how we lack proper methods of teaching we shall use OURS…” We felt terrified for our living being, even the guards we took note of gave a shiver. One looked to even be praying for our soul, wait WHAT?!? Taking a moment to calm our thoughts, looking upon the three prisoners bound before us like prizes to slaughter. They each had hoods over their head to cover their identity and our own, but by how they shifted we knew they were uncomfortable thinking that someone who might be a young colt having to kill one of them, the earth pony reacted the worse while the zebra she merely muttered a prayer for our action. But our eyes focused on the golden feathered Griffin as she didn’t move but her body showed the signs of torture and rape that felt, difficult to comprehend in our mind for such things to be allowed but another part told us it was ‘common’ to treat outsiders who commit crime horribly, we presume she would be an incredible flier with few to match her build but to our shame we knew our eyes lingered on her form with almost no clothing on her and what left was stained by fluids... Others could see us just silently look at her before our gaze shifted to the left towards the brown Earth Pony stallion, we saw his mark as being a hammer striking something, the torture had left half of it burned beyond recognizing but his was only physical before our eyes saw older wounds and possibly early signs of frostbite affects. He’ll likely lose a few fingers and a hoof if they were to let him live, if he would survive with no treatment and was lucky, he was undoubtedly older out of the three and held a Strong Presence even in his broken state. Finally we looked upon the zebra and our brow raised at her condition being ‘nearly’ perfect despite a few bruises and thoroughly chained more than the other two, one of the main nasty rumors were that zebras knew arts that raised the dead or even excelled at assassinations, but our brow only furrowed further when in wonder WHY she was better when the griffin was not, or WHY she was chained and not the earth pony stallion? All we knew was that a choice had to be made by us. In our thoughts two figures appeared, one the first we had killed also called Sombra. He held a sneer looking over what we had especially the earth pony and demanded that we kill him, but was interrupted by the other image being our necklace proposing that we kill the zebra due to her mystical arts, while we stood in the middle torn between the choices as three weapons appeared in our thoughts in choice. The first was a shifting melee weapon made of pure Amethyst crystal that was made for strength and melee combat, the second was a similarly shifting pole based weapon as it too was made out of amethyst crystals, lastly was a staff that pulsed as another focus though looked as if plucked unshaped from one of the mines of pure amethyst with runes littering across it. We made the choice as our counterpart Sombra gloated when we clutched the Gem Sword as our choice. To the guards and Emperor Shatter Hoof saw our magic course from our left hand for the first time as a pure sharpened Amethyst bastard sword formed within our clutching grasp, if we were paying any attention the growing smirk and sparkling eyes on Shatter Hoof’s face would have told us volumes of his madness. We lifted our sword pointing at the griffin in the middle and the other two prisoners were pulled back, leaning forward we whispered into her hooded head this. “We are truly sorry, may thou forgive us for this hopefully swift action.” She merely nodded her head and offered her neck with a whimper, we stood at her side and raised our sword high in gesture of our action then swung downward with speed that made the gem blade HUM with approval that felt like a symphony of song to the dying. The next sound that ended the song was that of a thick clean cut with our shadow lashing out at the griffin’s corpse that same moment, the SURGE felt empowering, but the HATE bubbled and lashed with our body feeling a change coursing through our veins, the sound of the other two being killed didn’t reach our ears nor our eyes left the spot she was at, but we FELT our shadow pulling something else within us. It didn’t feel the same as with the griffin, we felt their skill and maybe their abilities wash into us but nothing else. With the griffin we felt as if we consumed her in a more personal way, memories or maybe a new presence within US, it was like a touch rested upon our shoulder in consoling yet filling us with HATE… We felt tears in our eyes after we saw our vision was blurry when our head raised and looked at those in the room, the guards who were stoic and neutral to us before were now showing unadulterated FEAR towards us and had fled to the other half of the room while Emperor Shatter Hoof just smiled where he stood. “Thou task is done boy, thou may just grow a spine yet if we keep this up! Guards, bring in the next batch for us to continue. At most three more groups of three for this undertaking, since it’ll clear up the cells a bit as we wouldn’t want to have him be overworked.” Our Home – House Onyx – Nightfall - Sombra Perspective We simply sat in our new study on the chair by a warm fire and looked at our hand as if it was diseased filth, yet that sensation covered us like the swings of our blade upon four necks this day, the first was the Female Griffin, the second was a Female scarred Diamond Dog , the third a Female Unicorn Pony, the fourth was a Female Earth Pony. Those four stuck out to us, something moved in us when we saw that they were the worse treated yet their talents harmonized inside us, our tears were black water upon each beheading and ignored what our shadow did as it consumed the other two with each group. Rumor had spread quickly after we left as every guard showed fear looking at us and kept from being impolite while the odd one was our king, he REVELED in our action or magical show though unintended did please him. We felt forgiveness from those we ended but that same HATE collected and bubbled up from our depths, the feeling of a dam was being put up to push it back to let it not consume us, it was odd as it felt like others were helping us steel our mind and erect fortifications while the others our shadow consumed were soldiers to be commanded under them. The new servants at our new manor felt alien to us, in truth it was hilarious in some cases because senses from both griffin and dog told us that they were frightened and also trying to gain our favor though we knew some were not loyal for some reason, it may have been the earth pony among the consumed who had a talent for reading others and manipulating, the unicorn had a talent for magic which we felt our potential horizon was broadened, perhaps her talent was magic? The Diamond Dog was an interesting one for knowing how to work gems into useful things with intricate carving for added effect while skilled in hit and run tactics on the ground or under it, but the griffin was a battle genius with calculating ease but was being wasted. They were all being WASTED until under one means or another sent here through unknown third party but the earth pony knew her contact was somepony trusted in the New Equestrian Military. That would be troubling as depending on how this will go if into a war we’ll be overwhelmed at our current state from the presences we have from their information put together from spying or sabotage. But this HATE is distracting, it needs to be channeled into something useful, but the unicorns suggest using our magic with another’s talent we ‘gotten’, [Undying Loyalty] we think it’s called. “Summon the Knight Captain and Head Servant, I wish to converse with each of them separately to learn more about those who I may call ‘friends’. Have the later bring our diner here when they come.” We instructed a maid, taking the time to center ourselves by meditation as these new presences need structure to better commune with. Though being close to diner we’ll likely only get two servants ‘converted’ tonight in-between partaking of gems in their delectable states, it would be nearly impossible to poison us it would guess. The thought just concluded when the door knocked. “Excuse us milord” a jade coated Crystal mare with a ruby mane entered wearing crystal armor with her helmet in arm as she closed the door and strode closer before taking knee, she raised her eyes and barely flinched seeing our eyes as her pupils shrunk a bit before recovering her composure. “We requested to speak first in hopes to show thou of our intentions as a new Dame under thou by Princess Crystal Heart offering us.” She soon after placed down her helmet and presented her hammer that has our emblem on it. Looking her over she gave off a lower born’s accent and noted she had not said her name yet until we remembered she was likely to be from Crystal Heart’s strange ‘worship’ who gave up their names when going into service under her, it felt wrong in some ways but our test will hopefully cut any and all ties to others and only to us. “New Dame, under our service would thou PROMISE us complete loyalty and protect us and be commanded to the best of thou's ability?” Looking into her eyes from her kneeled position to see any sign of faltering. “We shall swear it and continue to do so for it is our DUTY-” We didn’t let her finish as our left hand had lifted and surged from using [Undying Loyalty] our hopeful successful ability into the young adult mare, our essence funneled into her EYES making her body rigorously jolt and spasm from possible pain though she endured and when the tail end of our essence left our palm and ended in her eyes. By the divine we saw the change, the edges of her closed eyes seeped a purple and the opening of them were showing a black with amethyst irises that GLOWED with joy, we literally ‘felt’ her devotion for us radiating off her like a star shining in the night sky. “- and we shall HATE thou’s enemies and smote them into dust!” That change of light hearted religious fealty was now hardline fervor towards us like we were god, in some parts of us it scared us by how quick she had changed but at least we knew it worked. By that time another knock took place as a butler came in with a disdainful slight frown seeing her kneeled before us before shifting it to a false smile when taking careful steps in our view while having a silver tray with gems carefully piled onto a plate separated by types with a bowl for smaller ‘finger’ sized gems. “Duke Sombra of House Onyx, we am Crystal Clear as thou’s Head Butler for every need or task thou wishes of us.” He gave off a refined tone of voice as if having practiced what he was going to see to try and have us see him in the best light as possible, perhaps his name alone lets him see the intentions of others just as ‘clearly’. When he placed the tray on the stand beside the chair we have been sitting in since we came gave us time to rest, though now hopefully this will go just as smoothly. “We would hope that thou will give us a similar oath of fealty as our Knight Captain has? These are dark times and we’ll need our servants’ complete trust to flourish.” We saw his eye travel to the now risen Dame before us as she eyed him with suspicion clear upon her face. He gave her another forced smile before looking back at us when she took her weapon in hand hefting the Crystal Maul with ease only made him move into a kneeling stance with flourish of moving his hands wide showing no weapons presentable, likely would have some under his butler attire perhaps. When his eyes moved up to meet ours he spoke just as rehearsed a tone still. “We will endeavor to show our new lord he has nothing to-“ his words were stopped as our eyes flicked down from our Dame to his head and silently she grabbed his neck holding him down forcing his hands to plant on the flooring and head tilted back to look into our eyes before he activated our ability [Undying Loyalty] once more upon now our second test subject, the essence from our hand flowed into his eyes just as harshly and we saw that it had the benefit of silencing them due to possible pain through conversion to us. His spasm was subdued due to our Dame’s Hold upon his neck as we saw it was possibly more difficult on him than it was on her as it felt like he had another allegiance that we were overwriting at present, but eventually the extended casting of our ability ends leaving us drained more than the earlier beheadings. But our task had results as when his eyes opened they were just like our Knight Captain, he gave an HONEST smile towards us now. “- FEAR as we devote our being as thou humble servant and provide information on the rival house who had us try and sneak in to steal thou secrets before our horrid mistake was revealed to our eyes.” He had finished with a loyal malicious grin crossed his features while our Dame gave a similar smile, but we soon pointed to her as she stood strait ready to be commanded. “Knight Captain, retake thou former name under our command with pride. Also present it than starting tomorrow organize the guards placed under our House’s Command and have three of them meet us later that day.” Pointing to Crystal Clear now with the same hand as he stood with poise, glowing with pride from what is to come from our lips. “Organize the servants as well and choose candidates whom seem the least loyal to meet with us during mid-day one at a time while giving us time to rest before the Captain is to send.” We sighed after with a rub of our head and soon noticed the three gems presented to us by Crystal Clear that we took to eating as the first tasted like blueberries with the second to taste like apples and the last to taste like lemons. Tomorrow has much to bring, though at least we don’t have to worry about immediate death. “Milord, as thou Devout Knight Captain our birth name being Dark Faith. We once were ashamed of our destiny but fully embrace it under thou our handsome lord!” Also possibly worry about a start of a new worship centered on us if not already by non-magic users hoping to achieve what we did, there will be a lot of HATE to come from what our friend tells us.. In the Dark of the NightAuthor's Note Number of Edits: 4 Number of OCs: 1 We always hope to learn more, criticism of both dread and joy are welcomed. In the Dark of the Night In the Dark of the Night Crystal Empire – House Onyx, Master Bedroom – Night Having moved to retire in our new bed chambers that were shown to us by Crystal Clear, with Dark Faith following suit still holding her Crystal Maul hefted on one shoulder as she eyed the other servants and the occasional new guard. It was obvious that they were looking at either us or Dark Faith because of our eyes, though her because of her aggressive stance and clear intimidation already showing her resolve. Eventually we were led to quite well wait for it, Doors made of Onyx we KNOW they are study let alone EXPENSIVE. By the divine if thou thought of the time to even do all this, it made us wonder how it was done so in such a speedy manner, unless it was from our aftermath of well becoming us. Looking the doors over in a new ‘light’ we felt a kinship through it, moving to touch the doors they opened on their own force revealing well, two possible tastes. The first being a blue and black for the furnishings, while a white and black for the rugs, bath robes and bathroom showing easily ‘whom’ gave us what and three bath robes with the violet one in the middle of a blue robe with CH broidery and a white robe with P broidery also. The desk was no different though at least the pieces fit more to our style than the confliction, we wondered how they were even able to accomplish this let alone well this! Alright let us first write out our instructions for Crystal Clear to do on the side tomorrow than a request of our House’s requested documents to get our head around the current state of affairs before we try anything long term, perhaps we can practice our dark ritual on expendable subjects in case of failure. Ordering Crystal Clear bring some candles and ordered Dark Faith to make sure we were undisturbed was a relief, though her method made it so she stood at rest inside the room with her new malevolent gaze eyeing every point of entry in her opinion. Placing the candles around us and closed our eyes to focus on a tiny flame spell to ignite the candles, to others since we knew where they were they flashed to life with an unnatural glow. Sombra’s Mind – Ruined Mental Scape – unknown Keeping our eyes closed we focused on our body, taking deep breaths to slow our heart rate as the world around us fell apart to only the six candles surrounding us. They each spoke with their burning fire, but as we focus more on our body leading to the mind, the rest of our world became unfocused with each beat of our heart and breathe. But soon enough our world snapped back into focus for when our eyes open it was of a completely different place all together, the first thing we SAW was the sky was broken, black tentacles curled around the broken holes within it looking down at us with maddening glee that we even saw it. We wouldn’t deny being surprised at first though our attention was drawn away by a couple voices though when a glowing purple hand turned us away from the sky view only to see a ruined castle’s courtyard, a smiling glowing figure with the body of an Alicorn with a familiar necklace adorned ‘her’ neck with radiance. Looking behind ‘herself’ at the two bickering unicorns one who was myself of this world and the other a familiar black unicorn with a glowing star for a cutie mark. “We’ll tell thou again fiend we shall not concede our point that broadening our magical resources is paramount!” The Black female unicorn anthro pony wearing a purple slim fitting robe with a wizard’s hat snapped at the armor wearing Sombra with his red unicorn horn, I thought it was weird since my gem horn was rough amethyst when his is just a red horn. He snarled in response snapping back at her while locking gaze with her. “WE shall focus on DARK MAGIC, it’s our greatest tool at this time and the whelp has no basic understanding of our magic!” She rebuked him by throwing him back with a force wave of magic stomping after him for a moment. “WE should teach the colt how to UNDERSTAND our magic first so he may not end up as some ONE TRICK FRAUD!” She venomously spat only to make him grunt in acknowledgement standing up once more before having caught sight of me. “Well, well, well! The whelp finally has arrived to grace everypony, thou should listen to us first as it’s vital to thou survival.” He began until a sound of flapping wings with a burst of wind with a soft thud of a new arrival and a protective talon hand touched our shoulder and in the other hand a weapon brought to bear before the others. “Each and every one of you ponies have done nothing but ARGUE; I’d make the point that we should ‘Properly’ introduce ourselves and get to what we agreed upon first like say I don’t know the fucking sky here?!?” The griffin pointed above them with the spear in talons at the quite ominous breached ‘sky’ in my mental state with numerous eyes looking down upon us with twisted mirth, going so far as to wave a tentacle tauntingly at her and me. “Yea, last time I was in my ‘safe place’ in my own head it wasn’t a fortress I don’t think, and you lot weren’t here either?” I said pointing at them and the white furred female diamond dog who sat perched on a fallen tree in the courtyard just growling at the sky, before retreating to my side giving my form a look over before pulling me from the female griffin into a powerful hug with a happy bark. The yellow female earth pony simply walked out from what I think was the main castle doors from the interior with a serious expression on her face while rubbing her chin until she walked close enough to join in. “We have completed our rough ‘study’ of the mental scape we have landed in by a result of-“ she pointed at me in a awkward diamond dog hug. “- the colt’s slaying of slaying us, the fascinating theory we have deduced is with a certain level of focus he could alter this state and even bring this place or even US into his dream state as the colt appears to be a Lucid Dreamer.” During her whole conversation each of us backed up a step or two by the expression forming upon her studious librarian face, I saw a crazy woman when her grin went full blown and her teeth took on an unnatural gleam just like her eyes. “Right… First of all I knew I was a lucid dreamer but second of all who are you all?” I said motioning with my hand having finally broken free from the larger female diamond dog’s hold much to her disappointment but sat down smiling at the question, which she spoke up first in a gruff tone of pride. “We are White Snout! Proud Alpha of Crystal Claw Clan!” Her tail wagged with joy as she sat closer looking into our eyes with joy though there was a look in her expression I was not understanding, that was until the yellow one replied to my possibly read confusion. “She is likely having seen thou as an abandoned pup in need and either maternal instincts are kicking in or some deeper emotional meaning we’ll leave unsaid.” The nod confirmed that though that made me think until the armored talons of the golden feathered female griffin clasping onto my shoulder and gave a turn for our eyes to lock as she looked into my eyes. “Well young hatchling my name is Valira Goldfeather, one of the fastest fliers in the Griffin Kingdoms and former active hero to my kin.” She said this proudly before leaning closer one last time with a nod, until she started to poke my body with a slight frown. “Well young hatchling you’ll need to get some work in on your body and learn how to properly lead and use weapons in any fight.” Sombra took a step forward having brushed past the black unicorn who frowned as he spoke up in a proud tone. “We are Sombra, thou’s first kill in our reality and pioneer practitioner in the Dark Arts of Magic, Rituals and Crystalmancy! Our knowledge of this world especially of the Crystal Empire will be of use, also note that OUR Dark Magic are thou’s greatest weapon!” he had made it clear on that subject and quite possibly pride, also at the mention of crystals White Snout grinned at the thought and the black unicorn groaned before pushing him aside. Clearing her throat she took a slight bow before introducing herself in a more elegant noble tone. “We would be Star Talent and quite honestly the greatest wizard of our age, present us a tome with a magic we know not and it would be easy to learn as breathing. Hoping to advise thou not to take all the blowhard has to say on the subject as our wider range of adapting and learning is to greater effect.” She smiled as the feeling of a predatory look crossed her features before coming closer to kiss my hand, having caught me off guard before she winked at me. “Though if thou wishes to learn of a more intimate art we wouldn’t mind.” White Snout pulled two steps back from her in a protective manner until a tap on my shoulder caught us both off guard as a merely smiling Female Yellow Earth Pony stood there with an apron over a long sleeve shirt and skirt down to her knees. “We appreciate the cursory glance young Colt, physical studies may be learned at a later date but for now know that we are Keen Mind, pioneer into the Studies of the mind and body. A Doctor having hoped to make her own way but now appearances has us as thou personal physician and aid to more subtle affairs others have towards us or those thou deem interested.” She nodded astutely before taking a step back and made me wonder how she sneaked up on us, with a similar smile from before when she got out of my personal space. Letting my eyes look them over carefully and once up at the sky expecting it too to speak, much to my expectations it didn’t but I felt like it was smiling at me or something. Though my Amulet was the last as ‘she’ walked up and melded into my form with the necklace taking root even here onto my body as I felt her whisper inside me. “We are thou’s proud friend, guide and tool always one and whole with thou holding us as thine possession close to the heart, mind and soul. All we ask is that thou use us with care, for we shall be forever loyal.” She spoke in an enchanting tone that always whispered something more than what she said. White Snout wore a tribal attire with scavenged armor that showed her in her prime with fewer scars, her posture was showing a very strong physical build and how she resorted to claws and brawl fighting against others with a heightened nose and natural ability with digging and gem shaping. The next closest to me was Valira Goldfeather who wore custom gold with chain armor over most of her body as only light segmented plating covered the bones for her wings, I think it might had been made to be enchanted against magic users or to enhance her own protection. Keen Mind in her doctor’s attire still regarded me with a smile though the thought of her dressed as a cute librarian continued to cross my mind as something more though that smirk seemed to have told her what thoughts I may have been having as that creepy smile returned with a passion that made me worry. But she had gotten cuffed in the back of the head by Star Talent who shook her head before gracing me with her own elegant smile and the bow of her head, though it may have been trying to draw out my arousal by her wink again. Finally it was Sombra who was regarding me in some way before tossing his armored hand about as if gesturing me to speak up or well look at where we are, which reminded me of why I was here. Attempting to focus on the bigger picture around me, first starting what is closest to me as the courtyard starts to come to life with cobblestones being replaced with the once dead tree now standing again with life blooming onto its branches producing translucent apples that glitter. Moving my hands slowly skyward as the once slowly deepening cracks in the sky start to mend themselves forcing the tentacle appendages back but not before at least hearing a shuddering chuckle, only to furrow my brow in concentration feeling my amulet help me in her own way. The sensation was a comforting warmth with the heat being focused on my amethyst horn, the sky was after much stress was fixed though not reinforced yet. Receding the red sea around the mountain back as far as it could be pushed before erecting a higher level ground, forcing the mountain to shudder under the work forcing my own breath to hold until it released the heightened effort. Taking the time to construct a tiered road from the castle landing outside the walls down circling it with empty space for construction to take place only to stop about halfway down before adding in winch operated elevators. They reached far down to the new base of the mountain as if a temporary solution from the exhaustive work. “So, how does it look so far?” I asked keeping my eyes closed attempting to do finer touches on the sky to keep whatever that thing was outside here by reinforcing it with living constellations that moved up there. “I hate to point this out but the sky’s stars are moving, also snapping at each other.” Valira Goldfeather had spoken up sounding rather shocked by the sight, though the happy whines of approval of Snout told me she felt what I did with the environment. The ponies mostly were in mild shock except for Keen Mind who started cheering like a little girl getting her favorite present ever, for when my eyes open they were only seeing her forest green stare with childish glee etched across her face. “Thou MUST do more, make this ‘world’ more complex! Show us the creativity of the mind! Thou has the potential and under our guide, the mind will become the greatest defense anything will ever conceive of!” Backing up a moment I try to make something to act as a heavy guardian, first focusing on the image of a spider-pony but made of crystals, smoothed and carved to make it a work of art at least to me. Giving it some intelligence and imprinting of how it should move and felt it could do defensive abilities and maybe blast someone. “Well now colt, thou knows something rather interesting there. This application and some alteration could make such a construct to be highly resistant to magical attacks and its mobile sturdy frame only adds to it’s possible capabilities.” Sombra complimented while White Snout looked it over rabidly, pointing things out to me that need fixing. Anything else was interrupted when Valira Goldfeather spun me to face her armored glory again only to ask a request of me with the reward being her utter loyalty. “You and me, we NEED to find the three shitbags who had their fun with me when I was alive and kicking, all you have to do handsome is just get us close enough and summon me from you for my revenge on their actions.” Taking a moment to smile for that thought. “On the plus side you get three more actual guards trained from this place for a leg up in our training you martially, and increases your options for when you can summon everyone at once and maintain it. From what glow has been telling me, all you have to do is practice in here and outside with summoning and controlling. But after what you do for me and I’ll follow you forever if possible for as long as you exist here or beyond.” I nodded at her agreement with a smile offering a hand, which she took it and then a beak to muzzle kiss giving a smirk at my expense and befuddlement. With an audible sound happening in the background that may have sounded like broken gears as my brain restarted with seeing and hearing a laughing griffin female with a giggling unicorn joining in saying this. “We should have stolen his lips if that was the reaction he gives us! Though in all seriousness we simply request to be thou teacher in normal and advanced magic with a side hope of thou absorbing tomes with magic writings.” Another nod which she followed by a lick with a hungry look in those white pupils, looking at White Snout now I noticed she was looking at me with a wagging expression. “We wish to be summon anytime wish, but demand when in danger!” She gave no ground on that issue and similar reactions were given, surprisingly even my counterpart though the reasoning was they exist because of me. But as for Keen Mind I KNEW what she wanted and could do that while learning from her, but the invisible pull from my body grew though only became apparent when I did one last alteration adding proper bedrooms for them in the castle proper with a signpost left where I was for directions to each room on parchment. Everything from my mental space faded to nothing soon enough as another scent filled our nose. Crystal Empire – House Onyx, Master Bedroom (again) – Night The darkness of the room fluttered back into our vison with Dark Faith having kneeled in front of us now, as if having sensed our ‘waking’ from meditation with a joyful expression upon her darker furred muzzle making us wonder what she has been up to while we meditated. Her eyes glowed with the same expression with an unnatural Amethyst complexion, having a violet robe in hand in offering we stood up slowly careful to step out of the ring of used up candles before walking behind a dignity blind to undress into the robe for bed. When we reemerge from behind the dignity screen we saw a slight mix of disappointment and drool- okay we have to admit that the SIGNS of her body language were clear to us even with her reserved ‘religious’ and knight training still doesn’t hide that from us, we’d have to be either normal or having somepony who’s specialty was reading body language of others and their possible reactions mentally. “Dark Faith, tell us truly if thou desires our form or is it more?” The pure expression of both surprise and embarrassment etched across her face like a blushing sun, though admittedly her eyes glowed more from that too which we felt was correct? So many new things and we are exhausted beyond belief let’s hope our rest will be fulfilling, that’s if we cared to weave something nice, maybe how we think the crystal princesses may be like with us? “Milord we would doth lie if we claim otherwise, we found it hard to resist while thou practiced in the ritual thou were doing, we feared if entering it would have ruined thou task and brought shame upon us if not our head.” She stated with a shuffling that a filly would before her crush, if said filly wasn’t a full grown mare that had trained herself to be a temple of a body maybe hidden under her current armor. But our instinct is ‘acting up’ down stairs by that possible thought which she clearly smelled with a smile etched on her lips though still careful not to mention it. Sighing after long last we asked this of her. “If thou had a wild wish at this time in hopes of doing with us what might that be now?” Her reaction was almost as priceless as the first time with a few stutters and tripping over words before finally chocking out some understandable response. “Milord, we’d be deeply honored if say were to snuggle thou when sleeping when it be just thou.” Her voice was quiet and lacking the earlier confidence she bore openly before that only made this easier to accept, besides it was only a snuggle, what harm could that cause? With a nod she Squeed before bowing on her hands and knees before us, moving towards the armor stand where ours lay hanged her slowly in a deliberate act, unfastened her segmented crystal armor to lay on the ground in a folded action with reverence. Soon enough she wore only bandages over her breasts that gave an impression of heavy C that could boarder line on D if she ate more perhaps, though her hips had a simple tied cloth that first wrapped around under her tail for the rest of it to come between her legs to slide back up behind it to be tucked in giving a careful though easy to unwrap style for utility. Moving into the bed with a sigh at feeling it’s comfort made us think it was just one large pillow instead of a bed before we are roused from our thoughts and melting ease, by Dark Faith entering the bed gently before nervously as can be wrapped her arms around us. Her scent filled our nose with crystal berries from the field mixed with a warm breath and hearing her breathe in our scent with a shudder, following with a happy ‘purr’ like reaction before pressing in a bit firmer with her slight husky voice whispering this into our ear. “We wish thou the best of dreams Milord, for thou’s dreams coming true would make us only happy to make true.” With that our world faded with a snore soon taking our lips and something pressed to our neck leaving wetness. Dreaming – Sombra’s Violet Bubble – First Dream The first thing we noticed was the very bed we rested upon being what we are in now in this dream, looking up at the ‘sky’ showed we were at the pinnacle of the castle’s central tower that overlooked the empire and it’s night sky that twinkled from our view showing a dark blue moon for some reason. Though some obvious giggling from a familiar voice of ‘Pandora’ with a smooth velvet tone of Crystal Heart having muttered something to her before both appeared wearing violent silks. Pandora smiles with a bounce to emphasize her appearance with that glittering white crystal coat and mane leading to her joyful ruby red eyes at our seeing this, taking a leap onto the bed only to land on our left side snuggling up. Crystal Heart during that distracting moment fluidly slid up and under the covers on our right side with her glittering light blue coat hidden under the sheets while a heavy blush covered from her ears to her shoulders hiding her face by nibbling our neck and clinging onto our form, her sister only taking more notice by our surprised reaction and responding by taking a kiss from our lips that we thought would feel like from lunch earlier that day and ending it by biting her bottom lip only to guide our fingers under the covers to her stomach stroking her belly fur. All the while we had yet to notice somepony looking into on this dream from the outside when a light blush crossed her dark blue muzzle and her dark starry mane flowed, slowly in another direction at that particular moment with a slight lidded stare at the dream orb she saw that stood out from others for an odd reason. Her curiosity only deepened to ‘watch’ it play out as the night had been rather uneventful so far to her subjects sleeping, though she had to be careful due to this one wasn’t technically being not one of her ‘subjects’ but from the Crystal Empire. But when she returned by the third hour having been lured back each hour from a deepening curiosity as she has never seen a dream involving more than one mare before let alone involving two princesses of the crystal empire that she has met before, though the stallion in question seems to be the description of this newly appointed ‘Crystal Unicorn’ pony, the implication of one being born or ‘made’ or ‘changed to one’ was too absurd to ignore and now she has the opportunity to contact him. When we were in the final ‘throws’ of our wet dream we felt something enter and took guard but the sudden crystal weapon while in current ‘state’ only well made it more awkward until we saw the ‘aggressor’ being a Female Mare wearing a gown with a regal appeal and took notice he had changed the wet dream to a field showing the same night sky and him in his full armor. “Who are thou knave?” We demanded but the response made us steel our will, also her ‘Royal Canterlot Voice’ added to her wellbeing. “WE DOTH NOT A KNAVE HEALTHY STALLION, WE BE PRINCESS LUNA! WOULD THOU BE ONE NAMED SOMBRA?” The sound and ‘wind’ blew at us but standing our ground in a guarded pose using what ‘skill’ we absorbed were pretty good for normal standards and had prepared to summon White Snout. “We would be he, though we humbly REQUEST thou voice to be lowered to a more ‘tolerant’ level of civil conversing.” We spoke in a more calmed voice but it was still evident by our flushed cheeks that blush was consuming our fur coat at this time, also our ringing ears be folded back. “*coughs* We may attempt to make it more reasonable since we had, ‘intruded’ upon thou dream as our curiosity drew us to this dream bubble.” We just stared in wonder before she spoke again looking up at the sky not truly regarding our battle ready stance, also our flustered state when we can see she is blushing too from her spoken words. “We may have ‘openly’ looked at thou dream and saw the traces of one whom can mold or shape their dreams freely, would this be true young Sombra? Also we ask if thou like the night, for we have not seen this pattern before.” Looking around with embarrassment before answering her thusly. “Well it is true we call our self a Lucid Dreamer but it is not a widely regarded name or one we have openly called what we do. Also we do enjoy the peaceful jeweled night even though we have to lay our head to rest.” We noticed she flushed at calling the night that but not the reason why, it was like being given a compliment perhaps? “We doth have thusly spent our time crafting our nights with great ease for all to gaze upon with joy!” She stated loudly but not as loud before with a sheepish response before forming a table for us to sit at with a gentle smile. “We hope to partake respite with thou for a short time if thou be willing?” Upon us giving a nod she only smiled more as the moon glowed before our first informal ‘talk’ began with flushed faces and more than half of the conversation revolving about our ‘wet dream’ and the wonder as for how we had become so ‘perverse’ in the more mirthful questions. Which sadly left us floundering and stuttering over our responses but she seemed far more shocked at our informal way of conversing with her and now prostrating before her as all the ponies her and her sister meet, though we hope she doesn’t share the ‘name’ of calling us a perverse stallion to others… But oddly enough we think this might be the start of a foreign friendship? Or tis a wrong thing for this to happen when our emperor has refused to join this Equestria, but we do know one thing, she has said she’ll invite us to the next gala and we may bring three with us. Crystal Waste – Trade Caravan – Metal Heart same night! I grumbled and had to beat off a few ‘grabby’ types with my new ‘fists’ to work out some of my frustrations because of that slick inkblot tentacle Bastard for dropping me earlier, sooner or later I’ll figure out how to get payback on him. “Well at least I’ll be arriving ‘back’ at the Crystal Empire tomorrow sometime around noon, hopefully I’ll be able to find him easy enough. Though from these notes I’ll need to give him my ‘letter of introduction’ and so on and he might still be suspicious as I would be too if something in the sky just dropped some help and not even at my doorstep too, maybe I should show what I can do.” Grumbling some more as I took another bite out of some hard bread with the wind being blocked by the caravan wagons, looking up at the viewer’s perspective giving my new ‘finger’ a work out at the reader’s direction not realizing that it isn't just the Architect of Realities watching me actions but through what he is willing to show others that heard of him. Though there is a good chance I MAY have pissed somepony else off in the process or not. Slow to Rise, House Onyx and Metal HeartAuthor's Note Number of Edits: 3 Number of OCs: 1 (yay Metall Heart finally made it!) Currently listed abilities: [Undying Loyalty] [Symbol Magic] [Golem Creation] [Soul Channeling] (currently known. ^..^) Slow to Rise, House Onyx and Metal Heart Slow to Rise, House Onyx and Metal Heart Crystal Empire – House Onyx, Sombra’s Chamber – Early Dawn [Sombra Perspective] The first thing we felt was relieved, happy and slightly damp at waist level, though the light of the reflected sun that shined into our damned face irked us the most than the possibility of shaming ourselves in bed, though a thought irks us that we seemed to have forgotten until there was a shuffling sound at the foot of our bed. That looked like an odd blurry lump at the foot end of our covers until a familiar if darker green coat with a darker red mane came into focus while rubbing her muzzle giving a smile. “Good day Milord!” She purred out happily. When the ‘cogs’ of our brain finally locked into a traction baring work, those thoughts turned into a rather furious blush to wash over our muzzle and maybe cover our form. “Dark Faith, why were thou under our covers in such a position?” To most it may have been a simple exploratory innocent question, if it were not for our profuse blushing that added what we thought. “Milord, we hoped to have helped thou recover by cleaning any stains and hiding such acts.” It did not help her case with the lick to the side of her muzzle getting something white, possibly sticky, glob… MOVING ON TO BETTER THINGS! “…We see.” Giving pause long enough to think of how to get her out of the room. “Could the bath be prepared and after that dress to commence thou position and duties today…” The look she gave us was a beaming smile, first having moved to the adjoining bathroom than after when hearing the water stop. Returning to the room to slowly put on her armor, we think it is so she may be for our viewing pleasure or just provocatively natural at it. Only ONCE did she leave the room did we sigh rubbing a four fingered hand over our face and down to our nose on our muzzle, the action felt paradoxical in how it was both alien and familiar though that will perhaps fade with time. Taking a whiff of our body we smelled like Dark Faith in some respects, though it was faint, but what interested us was we smelled something like coal? We’ll have to figure out the better thought of what our scent is like when we get dirty, getting up out of the bed we made our way to the bathroom seeing that the tub was drawn. Around this time was also when we noticed there was no robe on our being when there was last night, yet our robe was hung cleanly on the hanger there..? Get clean first than figure out the ‘ins and outs’ of our new home, also our duties here and make some headway on our companions’ requests. Smiling as we try to ‘summon’ White Snout only to feel something large and unnatural ‘dig’ it’s way out of our shadow, the process is painful but when we saw that large dog arm emerge from us, all thoughts of pain were drawn out and our eyes may have grown comically big to others. With a final grunt the much taller three dimensional Diamond Dog shape turned to face us, her eye sockets and gaps between her teeth gave off an orange glow, than she immediately hugged us and hearing her in our head as he spoke. ‘White Snout happy! Little Pup smells of female, was it green coat red mane one?’ She tilted her head until the bathtub which was sunken into the floor and made to possibly fit five made her only drag us to the bath. The sensation of being cleaned by a shadow form dog like White Snout is what we can say is ‘different’, being dunked in the tub only to be licked and groomed. It is like being manhandled but in a rough primal cleaning, during this we noticed she had no smell, perhaps an added bonus to being what she is when summoned? That would definitely help out a diamond dog who is skilled at sneak attacks, or any of the others? ‘We will give pup best cleaning!’ She barked in our head causing a wince, and having noticed this she ‘tried’ to be quieter but we gave up and just let her be her. Which on the whole it wasn’t bad, the only down side was the claws! As we made that point perfectly clear after the second raking across our back. [Roughly 57 Minutes later] Out we emerged, cleaned and VERY shiny due to her paw work on our coat and mane, it must be because we are a crystal pony and remind her of a gem, that moves and talks, RIGHT! The first sight out of the bathroom in our violet bath robe was a crystal maid who bowed midway and apparently having not seen the now battle tense Diamond Dog shadow being that now also emerged from the bathroom. “Duke Sombra Onyx, we’ve been requested to personally greet thou in pony by Head Servant Crystal Clear, we are Smooth Touch assigned as thou Chambermaid.” Her coat from what we could see is a soft shiny blue with a curled white managed mane and tail that is well groomed with a look of being the softest pillow, she is rather young though the exact estimate would be seventeen? Still a growing mare and had the ‘plush’ curves to match her name, just makes us wonder if everyone will be that good looking or is it just our perception? That brings up another point, we’ll be meeting and ‘branding’ loyalty to us onto them and let us hope it is not draining like yesterday. She took that moment to finally stand strait from her bow, only to look up above and behind our head, then her eyes rolled back and fell onto the floor having fainted. THAT is quite the reaction, though we should do something about this, as white snout will no doubt help us. ‘White Snout? If thou could collect the pony maid and hold her still in front of us that would help until we are done.’ She looked down at us curiously before giving a glowing toothy smile, moving over to pick her up easily by one paw and depositing her gently as can be before us. ‘We help!’ Held in place we began to channel [Undying Loyalty] getting the feeling this will be a long day. Crystal Empire – House Onyx, Study - Morning [Perspective Sombra] It felt strange, using the ability was increasingly becoming less tasking with each use, and perhaps it would be the same with the others he has too? Two other abilities that seem to have wide spanning uses would be [Symbol Magic] and [Golem Creation], maybe we should test this tomorrow by making a REAL crystal spider-pony! In our giddy we were brought back by the soft touch on our shoulder and our gaze turned to a VERY loyal Smooth Touch, whom presented our breakfast in the study where we started reading ‘Crystal Theories and You!’ to see what other opinions there were besides our other inside our head, doesn’t hurt to study like what Star Talent said. Though while taking a couple bites she silently smiled and remained if we wished for something, or somepony for her to fetch while White Snout seemed to be taking a nap on the rug behind us. “My Duke, I wish to inform thou that it seems that the Princesses wished to join for dinner tonight and wonder how thou felt about the manor and all furnishings.” She gave a slight bow after giving the message, apparently from Crystal Clear when she had gone to retrieve our gem food. “When able could thou tell Crystal Clear that a portion of larger crystals are to be put aside that would more than fill a wagon?” Taking a few moments to bite into a ruby, savoring its apple flavor with a shiver before continuing after clearing our throat. “It would be for an experiment we are going to attempt tomorrow if at possible, also bring our tome for our House’s Funds and see if he has organized the lists and deeds we were given for our viewing with said tome.” Smooth Touch nodded in seeming to understand the task told to her before taking a bow than moving to leave the study, once the door was fully shut White Snout spoke up gently. ‘Yellow pony and Black pony wish to be summoned, we go back since safe.’ With that said we felt a shiver as it wasn’t painful this time but more like a large ripple in a pond, though closing our eyes we focused on trying for pulling at Star Talent and Keen Mind to see how it felt for two. Note to SELF it hurts JUST AS MUCH! It didn’t feel like claws were digging out of us but summoning two ponies seem to have almost the same pain threshold as summoning White Snout, but soon we see two female pony shadow form shapes with one having a horn and the other not with a slightly better physical build. We noticed that the eye sockets and between their teeth had two different shades of purple, we presume a darker royal purple for Star Talent and Keen Mind a lighter purple. ‘Interesting, the summoning process is rather different than theorized but within estimations of magic to sentient follower study fields.’ The earth pony form rambled a bit while the unicorn shape sauntered closer with a smile seeing what we were doing. ‘Young darling, we are rather proud thou are taking our advice seriously though perhaps we can help with what thou is planning?’ She spoke up in our head as we gave her a response, which gathered Keen Mind’s attention. ‘We were planning to try creating a real golem construct guardian like within our mind scape, though admittedly this one will be on a smaller scale than that large one, and if we are successful we’ll try implanting magic abilities into it by [Symbol Magic] to see what becomes of it and test it’s functionality.’ That familiar lacking of space from Keen Mind only on a scarier factor of her being a pure shadow form as we call it. ‘Before it is accomplished DO summon us and White Snout for guidance, it would be rather fruitful for faster endeavors if successful so young colt will improve efficiency.’ Seeing her be pulled back and pushed towards a book to read a smiling Star Talent approaches and leans on the chair’s right armrest, giving what we think to be a possible elegant smile, it’s hard to tell in their creepy shadow forms. ‘We hope young stallion that thou will take some time to learn a few basic elemental spells? Also an experimental teleportation spell too.’ Giving her a small nod she smiled more unnaturally, that sent a shiver as it tingled along our spine with her soft breath. The moment after she had us standing and showed through illusion how to spawn in each of the basic magic elements that Equestria knows of. Which to our understanding is Earth, Fire, Water and Wind, not including the Light and Dark fields that exist outside that range. Also there’s some spirit field we may have picked up ability too from the Zebra, odd how it’s more of a manipulation and possible dead. We guess not all rumors are rumors? Something to try later, but from what Star Talent had been telling us no one has even tried mixing those basics to see what they spawn. ‘Star Talent?’ She took a moment to pause her lesson giving a smile. ‘Yes young stallion?’ That tone makes me wonder what she or the others see us as or something, it’s just too weird that they are just okay with us. Since we did end them, shouldn’t they be more angry or something? ‘First has anypony tried mixing the basic element magic to see what is made? Also on a deeper different subject, why do thou and the others like us so much?’ For the first she answered rather simply, which surprised us for how such a thing can be overlooked. ‘Well darling it was never tried before as Star Swirl always tended to move onto another field of study when inspiration took him or for lack of a better word what the princesses would like.’ Seeming to take a figurative breath though being how she’s adjusting still, to being what she is now as a part of us. ‘It was Valira Goldfeather who came to thou defense when we ‘appeared’ within thou mental scape, we were rather surprised by what she told us. Which was after having beaten it out of thou’s worse counterpart, stupid stallion braggart thinking he knows more than us.’ Taking a moment to give out a fake cough before continuing. ‘That aside we soon came to realize that thou is in a rather new and murky waters of existence, his flawed ritual aside introduced one who is new and lost to our world. We came to an agreement that we would try to help thou with what we knew, perhaps through that we could find renewed joy and some semblance of vengeance if any.’ We stared quietly into her eye sockets for the longest time as during her elegant voice she had somehow worked herself onto our lap, there was ripple in our mind that felt like having breathed in a cooled breeze carried scent of paper with ink with a faint bit of ash from candles, that was until she spoke up again. ‘Though in a way we could also see it as having made a herd with thou.’ We stuttered and made a utter fool of ourselves that stopped when we were kissed and a rather unpony tongue swam within our mouth until she pulled back and for a moment her creepy shadow features looked just like a pristine Star Talent from our mindscape. It was at this moment that Keen Mind came up standing the unicorn in front of us and pointed at us saying this rather excitedly. ‘THAT! Do it again and focus on what she looks like!’ we were both caught off guard until she repeated it more forcefully and went to grab a small mirror for her to point at Star Talent, not to get on Keen’s bad side we closed our eyes and envisioned her shadow more like herself that we saw. It may have been working by the gasp we heard, we opened our eyes to risk seeing when we saw a VERY nude Star Talent looking at herself in the mirror as we were rather shocked only for her to revert back into the shadow form again. A VERY scary and beaming Keen Mind came up to us and said these words that made Star shudder. ‘We will be undergoing INTENSIVE MENTAL TRAINING when thou next meditates, for now send us back so we may prepare. Thou may continue doing what thou wish with Star as we have our own lesson plan, it will test thou limits and ‘slight’ chance of breaking mental concepts.’ She said before diving into our shadow with that unnatural smile that terrified us worse than imaged, which made us wonder what she went through to get that kind of smile or was it her shadow form that made it so? Looking back to Star Talent she just gave a beaming smile before moving closer to straddle our lap and levitating a book over to us in a dark royal purple aura, showing it to be a rough history of the Neighboring Goat Kingdom in the Crystal Mountains. ‘Well our handsome young stallion, let us start on an enjoyable lesson.’ Said lesson taught us about the current King Amadeus and their strange brand of Bell Magic. Crystal Empire - House Onyx, Study – Noon, Lunch [Perspective Sombra] Taking a breath now with a sigh after Crystal Clear, Smooth touch and Star Talent unbound the two other servants whom before now were panicking in fear until the beginning and ending of our use of [Undying Loyalty]. Only to look at our desk to see not just a few papers or documents of what we would be reading to get things in order, but 5 books worth! 'Could it had KILLED somepony to organize this mess?!?' Taking a calming breath before sighing, than looking at Crystal Clear we asked this. “This would be EVERYTHING pertaining to our new house..? Doesn’t this seem rather extensive?” He gave a good natured smile before pulling off the top ledger to give to us before starting. “Our Duke, all that is upon thou desk would be EVERYTHING pertaining to this Glorious House that be in thou name. No stone was unturned just to assure this, the top ledger would be covering the Estate and immediate Magic Academy/Library for thou to head which is being built on the Crown’s own coin. Admittedly it was pushed through rather quickly from what we heard to be of Princess Pandora’s expressed Wish to be able to use magic as thou does, the workers and materials were by Princess Crystal Heart’s subtle doing.” He gave pause for us to try absorbing this information, which was until we asked the question. “Our next question would be as to WHY the princesses push so aggressively on this matter let alone for us? We could understand excitement and maybe test the waters by taking on a student or three to try expanding but this, it just seems too big and fast!” To our baffled reaction he smiled as if something was plain as a transparent gem was there. “Our Duke, how would a mare go about to try getting a stallion of age to notice them? Let alone court them?” The question was met with a look by Star Talent as she sauntered closer with a gentle smile. Thinking on it we opened our mouth saying our thoughts. “Well from what we would think, it would be done by wearing and/or doing something to catch his eye, maybe something to impress or draw their attention. First it would be them trying to get to know the stallion, observing them discreetly and take note of their likes or dislikes. Second would be using what they learned. Third ask him out. Forth after the first date wait for him to contact her, be friendly if they see him. Fifth make him feel special. Sixth would be make the First Kiss Special. Seven finally would be just to let the relationship unfold.” Nodding at having remembered studying that by heart, that was before we started to put it together as our hands went up to our head over our face. “By the all gem! We are being wooed? But, but, we have NEVER before been courted!?! WHY us?!?” Our head was being cradled even though Star Talent was just lightly giggling and Crystal Clear’s face showed mirth at our reaction before taking a calm approach. “Our Duke, we would like to point out that the thought let alone action of being courted by Crystal Royalty would be a great honor to this House and name as first to head it.” We reacted with a deadpan that its effect was reduced by shadow form bosom and giggling Star Talent who somehow worked into our lap AGAIN… Taking the time to motion the silver tray over that had a couple hand sized gems, with yet another bowl filled with tiny gems of the ‘finger food’ variety. Taking a clean bite from the Emerald that tasted like a Lettuce, these perplexing ‘tastes’ from gem eating often throws our thoughts out of alignment. “How likely would be to piss off anyone of note if what the princesses are doing is correct and earn us their ire? Or, more accurately violent actions?” It was Crystal Clear’s turn to look away with an uncomfortable cough, which earned a raised eyebrow. “Our Duke, previously before we saw the error of our ways, were given order to relay if such a rumor was true. Though know that it has not been said or left this room but the construction and some minor digging will come to the same conclusion we have made just from that. But we wouldn’t put it pass others to be plotting at least ONE violent demise.” That bit of knowledge kicked it where it hurt, if we hadn’t used that ability on him he’d have likely killed us in a subtle manner. “As a hypothetical thought, how would ‘thou’ have tried to kill us?” That earned a furrowed brow before he composed himself. “Our duke, we as per instruction would had likely killed thou while sleeping in the dead of night and done away with the weapon so it would not be traced back to us, the likely trouble would have had come to get around Dark Faith being previously a gifted knight from the first princess having likely foresaw such possible action may occurred.” Nodding slowly as our face turned to that possible neutral face sneer again but Star Talent seemed to sense our discomfort. ‘It would seem we should turn the guards and servants all the faster into loyal followers, our young stallion. We’ll relay this information to the others, know that thou will be safe with us around.’ And just like that, she slithered into our shadow sending a warm shiver up our spine. Looking back at the four servant ponies under our loyalty now gave only a deep shuddering breath, before having Crystal Clear spread out the pile into a more organized setting than its previous chaotic mess. “Let us get these organized than as we’ll have much to do-“ Our eyes stopped when one document mentioned Crystal Mines that came under our ownership, which put a thought into our head. “Crystal Clear, remember that assortment of gems we told thou to collect into a wagon for our experiment? If so than we know where it would be best suited if all goes well.” Giving a smile and firm nod before making a note making it a habit to write by levitating inked quill to train our magic and levitating paperwork, though most of our attention swayed to the one of two major industry businesses we now owned. “Crystal Clear once done resume thou duties but inform us when it is close to around 1:30 or when Dark Faith is bringing her three Guards ponies, from what our ears heard earlier she was being rather cruel with them for being ‘lazy’ in her opinion.” He nodded softly before bringing up a point. “That may have been due to some of them being Prison Marked, those whom work off their sentence if deemed able to by as a recruited soldier or militia.” We looked at him for a moment before sighing with a mutter under our breath. “Of course we had to have some criminals in our guard, it’d only make it easier to kill us…” Looking over the other heavy industry we had, was rather surprised it be the old Crystal Forges, they hadn’t been used in some decades though perhaps with a bit of work they can be renewed and improved than the House Sturdycraft’s productions. But that would put us at odds with them having the military support and our being ‘court mage’ is the opposed side of them, which will make getting headway much more difficult. The only ones whom would be willing to join us would be either orphans, criminals or those to attempt in stealing our knowledge or kill us. ‘Oh joy it is with our bottom of the barrel recruitment, maybe the Orphans will grow into adapt users of the art under us?’ We scrawled down another note giving it to Crystal Clear, his brow quirked up for a moment in reading it before nodding in understanding when he left. It was around this time that Smooth Touch moved closer and placed her hands on our shoulders causing a flinch before that was, she started to knead the tension away with well her name sake showing through when we felt like butter. We attempted to push on with our levitation magic using it as an increase in difficulty, but that too failed when we grudgingly placed most of the documents down only to focus on the ledger in our lap. “We were wondering Smooth Touch, what were thou thought when joining our house?” Our eyes shut with a sigh. She responded with a gentle smooth chuckle saying this. “We our good Duke, were born and abandoned in an orphanage. We had left it recently when hearing rumor that servants were being hired for a new house being formed, it was Princess Pandora who gave us this chance. She thought thou would enjoy us as a personal chambermaid, even suggesting that as a snuggling type thou wouldn’t mind one cute as us.” There was a flush of embarrassment before she continued after composing and moving her fingers up into our mane slowly with the fur. “We hoped for a better life and perhaps a family, though know that we shall now put thou first always.” That put a slight frown on our face, does that mean the ones hit by our ability now view us that deeply? Would they not seek out love or to form families? All because of our selfishness, just to protect us. It doesn’t help our conscience in all this, we wouldn’t want our loyal subjects to not seek out love or continue their family line. We’d very likely promote it as that means they could raise their young to be loyal naturally to us with pride, instead of changed forever through magic. The divine bless her fingers for being so nice, it’s like we could die happy like this. Not that we are asking it to happen or anything! This besides snuggled last night is bringing us comfort and peace. Our ears were next, THAT is an experience in of itself, WOW! The sensations is lightning pleasantly jolting through our body and we couldn’t help but let our jaw relax and close our eyes with a goofy grin. “Our duke, may we continue giving this massage?” Even her voice is smooth, we couldn’t help but dumbly nod and she moved to our arms taking care to each one at a time. Crystal Empire – Northern District, Near House Onyx – mid afternoon [Perspective Metal Heart] I am just glad to be in this city after the hellish trip I’ve been through! This Stallion or Mare BETTER be worth all this celestia fucked adventure, if not somepony is getting the BEATING of a lifetime! Looking at the ‘letter of introduction’ with this ‘House Onyx’ symbol to help me point the way, which wasn’t hard because of how pristine and orderly this city was built, even the outer crystal walls were intimidating! Never had those mentioned in the history books or how Tribeist they are either, I’ll have to be careful on my hooves around them in this crystal mode, it’s funny how they are not mentioned in the unification story either.. Looking up in the distance in front there was a wagon line being inspected that held building materials I think for crystal buildings for this place, also those Guards at the gate there have this ‘House Onyx’ symbol on their chest plates. Taking a breath I walked up giving the best smile I could today but even they could tell it was forced. “Greetings sirs, I have a letter of introduction to be meeting with the Head of this house. The business is also stated in my letter here as well.” Offering it as the one on the right nodded to the left one, walking up to extend out a hand to take the letter than began to read it. With their eyebrow going up the Right Guard asked this simple question, as the cold has been an annoying ass this whole time that only made my grudge for that inky bastard more passionate. “Thou are a mercenary hoping to be hired as personal guard?” His incredulous look alone made me want to vent my frustrations on the stallion for my trip, which with venom dripping from my voice replied. “Why yes, I am otherwise I wouldn’t have taken the last trade caravan ALL the way up NORTH to here while breaking or damaging grabby stallions who didn’t understand the word ‘NO’, if you WANT a personal TEST of my combat prowess than go right ahead and make my day BETTER. If not PLEASE get a superior or a messenger while we both wait out here while you both do your jobs.” My eye must have twitched or something to cause him to flinch at some parts. He slowly nodded moving back to the gate as even the worker ponies hauling materials gave me a wide birth just to not rile me up, oddly enough when a Knight Mare did come they held no fear what so ever in her eyes, guess she’s rather creepy with those eyes she has, all black except for those glowing amethyst irises, a very dark emerald coat with equally dark ruby red mane that was mostly hidden by her helmet. By looks alone she wasn’t somepony to mess with by her ready stance and hand hefting her Crystal Maul easily, how strong is this mare when it would take a normal pony two hands to wield that or a unicorn! Apparently having seen my gawking she gave a smirk in return before motioning me closer with the hand holding the letter inside the walled area, even sizing me up with her gaze as I knew it didn’t feel right for a pony to be like that. “So thou are the mare who came with a Letter of Introduction to see Milord? From appearances we wonder how ‘effective’ thou would be against potential assassins to our generous divine blessed Duke.” She gave off that very ‘radical’ type of mare with fervent beliefs, maybe gauged towards the apparent stallion I am meeting. “Yes I came with a Letter of Introduction also bringing some letters and books for him too from the same one who gave me that letter you are holding.” Adding to that by adjusting the duffle bag hanging from my shoulder and pointing to the letter in her Crystal Gauntlet covered hand. “Well at least for now we shall see, we will head to the Manor proper in the entry area than hand off thou letter to a servant to be read by our handsome Duke.” Yup, going on the list of creepy radical ponies to watch out for saying the wrong thing, I wonder if the stallion’s a dick or if I’ll say something wrong and get my hoof stuck in my mouth? Eh. If it happens I will play it off as either myself being me or exhausted from traveling, if it doesn’t work maybe show off what none of these crystal ponies will ever likely have for a long time to prove my worthwhile dishing out the hurt. [Inside the House Onyx Foyer] Been waiting here now for about twenty minutes with Ms. Creepy eyes watching me like a griffin waiting for a reason to attack. Wow, whoever put this manor together went all out on this, even apparent self-portraits? He has some kind of inflated ego and looks to be a Crystal Unicorn…? That there is a mindfuck as he looks like King Sombra from the history books, wait a sec- “Greetings Traveler, our name is Sombra. Duke of the newly founded ‘House Onyx’, Soon Headmaster to the first Crystal Magic Academy and Royal Court Mage to the Crystal Empire. May we have thou name for formalities sake?” I’m just too dumbfounded by the situation in front of my eyes, THIS?!? I WOULD HAVE SAID FUCK IT ALL IF HE TOLD ME THIS WAS THE STALLION! He must have seen the look on my face as I would have done something if that was not for a large dog figure hadn’t grabbed me from behind only for Creepy Eyes to smash the daylights out of me, oh look are those stars? [Third Pony Perspective] And out like a light she went having turned back into her ‘anthro’ metal self only furthering the confusion by Sombra saying this. “What by the maker is that..? Dark Faith, could thou be a dear and um, politely put ‘Metal Heart’ into an empty bunk? Also White Snout could thou please stay with Dark Faith to make sure nothing bad happens to either of them?” There was only an excited nod before the larger shadow form Diamond Dog bounded out of the front door with an Armored Dark Faith behind her yelling out. “Slow down mutt as he said the both of us!” There came a sigh from Sombra as a Shadow form of a Griffin female holding a crystal sword in her talons appeared from behind him with a possible smirk from her blue glowing eye sockets and inside her beak. Leaving questions for our equally confused displaced and a knocked out pony in his custody. Added on top a Dinner with TWO Crystal Princesses to plan for even though Crystal Clear said he had everything in hand for his ‘big night’, there was a final look of embarrassment at the ‘self-portraits’ of himself that Pandora had commissioned. “When did she have these done, also how? We never even posed for any of them.” Of Sisters Intrigue, Plots and DinnerAuthor's Note Number of Edits: 6 Number of OCs: 1 We humbly ask for feedback. Of Sisters Intrigue, Plots and Dinner Of Sisters intrigue, Plots and Dinner Crystal Empire – The Castle – That morning (same day as last chapter) [Perspective, Princess Crystal Heart] Today is going rather well, a lovely sleep and a calm morning. Though when our wedding day comes with the stallion we have in mind, that day is going to be perfect, the kind of day we have dreamed of since but a wide eyed foal, which it all might be ruined by our younger chaotic ‘free spirited’ sister. It was a good thing that we put some strong bodied ponies into our hopeful coltfriend to be new House, knowing our sister she’ll only had hired servants whom she thought were interesting or funny. Furrowing of the brow slightly from deeper thought at the more ‘slime’ of nobility who may try to take his life, tis not his fault that they are being foals over what he’s accomplished for our tribe let alone coming future events. Tis a good thing that mother had sided with us and sister for what were given to our resourceful stallion, though it’s a bit strange how mother was won over so easily. It may have been from the strange behavior that either her or father has been giving off since dear Sombra’s change, though we can see that glint in father’s eye that our hopeful coltfriend will be used for his new magical capabilities that he’s been literally giggling like a madstallion from yesterday. Some days we worry that father’s obsession in making that alicorn wench bend the knee to his ‘superior’ ability, has reminded us that she is strong enough to break another’s hoof by a single stomp. Though that makes us wonder if Sombra could do more than just become both crystal and unicorn, from what sister said at the table the other day about those amethyst stumps on his back makes us wonder if he isn’t more than just a crystal unicorn? Perhaps tonight at dinner we may subtly broach the subject, maybe he’ll even try gracing us with becoming more like him. Though other concerns like these more shady equestrians might try to steal his secrets or dread the imagination of foalnapping him. Tis a good thing we carefully chosen each guard, even those whom were bought from the dungeons were more than willing though they seemed scared of our hopeful coltfriend. Perhaps father had him do something unkind in the dungeons to scare them? We’ll have to ask about this later when we go to dinner, grudgingly we were caught by sister and had to include her in said engagement. Looking out a window smiling as we continued walking to the Dining Hall to have our breakfast and gauge current feelings abound this day, it is rather nice feeling and seeing the emotions of others and how best to work to our advantage or sway their opinions. Strangely enough only our younger sister tends to throw us off this ‘game’, she tries to call my ability and cause chaos of most our plans to improve our home. Her foalishness will be the end of her someday we just know it, but we’ll be thrown into tartarus first before letting us or even Sombra suffer more than he has. [Dining Hall] Soon upon entering we see only our younger sister Pandora, it is STRANGE how our parents are not here yet but we don’t see plates or food set aside for them yet. Looking to the closest servant he bowed slightly seeming to explain the unsaid question. “Thou highness, both of thou parentage had to commence with royal duties earlier this morn. Thou mother sits on the throne while the emperor goes on political visit to meet with King Amadeus of the Goat kingdom in the Crystal Mountains, he’ll be absent perhaps for two weeks.” That bit of news made us smile honestly as it’ll give us greater chances to be alone with either mother or Sombra. Looking towards the dining table walking measuredly up to it taking our usual seating across from our sister as she sits there stuffing her face yet we wonder where she puts it all away, eating like a commoner no less even making us wonder if she’s more like father when he’s drunk and consuming. “Hello sister! I really hope dinner with cute Sombra will go well tonight, oh if only you didn’t try to be sneaky about trying to get a one up on me, you have another thing coming.” She still gave that childish grin but her eyes were rather sharp like father, seems she’s definitely gotten more of him inside her than we desired. Though it is a good thing we take after mother more as he was a rather blind stallion from what she said when she knocked off her sibling to get him. Taking a slight cough to clear our voice before looking at the few servants there already responding as such. “Well ‘Dear’ sister of ours, we merely thought thou were not interested in what plans we made for the day when instructing the messenger the early morn. For it wouldn’t be just of us to interrupt thou busy schedule of being tutored.” We added onto that giving a gentle serine smile, hiding our true feelings masterfully. “When it involves ‘OUR’ foalhood friend I wouldn’t mind holding off on studying to see him or to ‘play’ with him, just like ‘old times’.” She added with a smug grin, knowing we were often sick when younger. Though sometimes he was able to sneak in to give us some nice berry soup to help us feel better even read a bedtime story. Smiling a bit more leaving her confused for a moment. “Well younger sister of ours, just like ‘old times’ we’ll enjoy his ‘company’ again just as well if not more ‘passionately’, for It wouldn’t hurt to repay his warm feelings from then.” Looking sidelong at the three servants in the room remembering their faces as they KNEW not to speak about what we currently ‘squabbled’ about, lest they wish not to go into the dungeon if not the less sanitary work of the castle if lucky. Refocusing on our sister we could see those flushed cheeks as we hide our own blush hopefully well enough with our ‘mask’ we’ve been perfecting for social encounters, folding her arms and giving a huff as we finally started to delicately cut into our meal to eat. That twas until she THREW a squished crystal berry at our face when it landed on our muzzle, she laughed while we looked at it cross-eyed almost in disbelief until we stood up and ‘VERY’ ladylike leaped from our seat across the table to enact unadulterated divine justice while wielding a lettuce and carrot in each hand. Equestria – Canterlot Castle, Joining Royal Chambers – before sunset (same day as last chapter) [Third pony perspective] The room circular in design allowed for an area of peace and familiarity from the two still young newly crowned twin royalty, the glowing white coated pink mane and tailed Celestia was unwinding from her rejuvenating day in a white bathrobe. Smiling into her tea as she had reason to this day when her sister Luna came into her chambers’ early that morn, talking about of all things a stallion who seemed of good character. What was rather more surprising was that she INVITED somepony to the gala, that one being the stallion in question newly placed as the Crystal Empire’s Royal Court Mage. In hind sight she had been rather worried at the strange report, which was brought to her attention by the former pony Pegasus Leader Commander Hurricane. He wouldn’t say how he learned about the stallion but what was said, this Sombra had somehow turned from a mere crystal pony to know what is to be believed as now a Crystal Unicorn Pony. Somehow Princess Platinum heard of this news before even she or her sister did, as even Starswirl the bearded and his student Clover the Clever are rather intrigued to the same degree. It had been UTTER chaos because many wonder if it was just some trick that the empire was throwing out to flaunt ‘their’ superiority to the rest of pony kind, It may have been Emperor Shatter Hoof’s way of figuratively hoofing us in the face again when upon invited to unification he outright refused to bend the knee to a Alicorn. While it was surprising and even brash perhaps on both their parts, she may have shattered one of his hooves intentionally when he had spit upon her. Though from that little ‘spat’ between heads it was starswirl who has been trying to with little to no success in the short three and a half decade period of time, to temper celestia’s natural fiery disposition and quick to anger. Sighing on that after another sip from her tea, the doors to Luna’s Chambers opened as she walked in with a more confident measured pace before taking a seat near her sister, a black coat elegant like her black sky with her mane and tail filled with shimmering stars. “We hope thou day was rather becoming sister ours?” Brimming with an unrepressed smile upon her muzzle, seeing the cup that was prepared for her already there before her on the table. “Indeed it was Luna, though we hath been busy trying to quell the rampant rumors abound. Some of which are truly insane for the lengths they go from calling the stallion Sombra a ‘genius of our age’ to a ‘horrid abomination of the era’!” Celestia gave out a fuming huff before trying to take a calming sip from the tea set before, though Luna’s reaction to the rumors were of being disturbed by how cruel some ponies could be even if most didn’t stay up for her nights. Leaning a bit closer while nursing her tea in a tired ‘morning’ fashion Luna asked this. “Whom hath seen positive reaction to these rumors? For it would only be proper that we when meeting him and his to be brought along guests to the gala would smooth our relations if he met only those. To our view, the handsome stallion is young and bright minded if well. Embarrassed from when we entered his, wet dream?” That made celestia stop, blinking owlishly before looking into Luna’s light blushing face to say this. “Come again Luna? We may had not heard thou correctly, as we thought our sister met the stallion during his lewd dreaming.” Luna simply looked away clicking her tongue having to apparently scold herself for that misstep, which only caused a light pink to rise from celestia’s once white furred cheeks. “Luna, please tell us thou didn’t insert into the dream as the mare he may have been fantasizing about.” Taking a visible breath Luna returned her gaze saying this cautiously. “We hath not at first invaded his dream, we admit to ‘watching’ it at moments when we patrolled the dreams of others, repeatedly.” Celestia narrowed her gaze as the tea lightly bubbled. “Luna, we hath been through this before. It hath better not been a perversion of thou own wants forced onto said dream!” Celestia’s voice lightly shook the room though the pink only deepened on her muzzle before continuing. “It was awkward enough when thou did it to our dream and ‘joined’ with us in our ‘fantasy’, if stallions or mares even heard of this or imagined it alone.” Causing her to shudder lightly. “The ponies or other foreign species whom try to court us for political, power or favor would be ravenous or fanatical if they knew we liked that moment together.” Both of them sighing as Luna was the first to admit this. “We hath felt distant of late due to duties of the crown haven’t we sister?” Celestia nodded with a sigh saying this. “It was rather foalish, thinking all the work our mother made it look easy to our eyes didn’t she?” They sighed together before a light mirthful giggling happened, that if anypony else present in that chamber would have swooned by the melody that both gave off. Looking at the ceiling Luna said this softly, during which was rather hopeful. “The question is would he be able to accept our invitation or would the crystal emperor keep him there under hoof in sight. As we know starswirl does have leeway with thou, but has to often send out his student to study things in his stead due to thou own worry for the stallion.” Celestia looked at her sister before snorting once. “Starswirl can go wherever he wishes to be, we do not restrict his presence to be near us but he chooses to treat US of all ponies like foals.” That earned a giggle from Luna knowing that feeling. “Indeed it doth happens to us as well, we thought it be only us that suffered this!” smiles formed from their muzzles before looking at each other leaning in to nuzzle each other affectionately until Luna licked her sister’s snout before darting away to start raising her moon and celestia from her seat lowering the sun. “We bid thou good night sister ours, we might tempt thou yet further as we think Sombra if we pursued him wouldn’t mind the two of us together by his dreams with joy.” She left the chamber with Celestia calling after her. “Luna, what doth thou mean by that? Luna!” Giving an auditable grunt before continuing. “That mare could be a whorse at times depending on if she likes to be or not.” Celestia was left to grumble and mirthfully ‘fume’ before heading to her chambers to rest for the night. Equestria – Somewhere in a secluded room – Midday [Third Pony Perspective] There in a sparely lit candled room sat figures just out of the direct light though by the three whom sat in there apparently waited for somepony to arrive. The first from the left half of the table was a rather built kind of figure whom wore metal armor of an earthen tone, slouching forward before tilting their helmeted head to the left speaking in a high pitched gruff male tone. “Why do we simply wait for that old stallion when the matters at hand are so vital? Shouldn’t we just be bringing the issue to task with our might under the princesses?” The one in the middle whom sports some type of crown and a finer attire huffed as she spoke in an elegant fashion showing a pristine horn. “Well it would doth be foolish if we acted now only to earn the ire of the princesses without due cause, speaking of which WE did see one of YOURS flying from the Crystal Empire when that information was brought out. Why did thou think it needed to tell the princesses in the first place you brash ruffian.” The one who had their hooves displayed while leaning back in his chair grunted in response as he idly sharpened his short sword. “Well somepony had to get this ball rolling since we all know those crystals won’t do like we wanted, it would be SO much easier if we simply invaded and made them join us! Besides those Griffin featherbrains are getting edgy towards my Pegasus citizens, we’d be rather comfy if you two didn’t sit on your flanks and helped with that issue!” The heavy armored earth pony slammed his fist onto the table speaking in a high pitch once more. “Well we would be getting thou over inflated EGO driven flank out of the fire if our forces were not currently ENGAGED with the dragon lands to the south! It’s bad enough that we need her ponies support against those fiery beasts.” He gestured to the now gasping shocked mare in the middle as she leaned into view revealing a Princess Platinum pointing a manicured digit in his direction. “If it wasn’t OUR help with thou problem Commander Pudding we would be more at ease to put our talents of magic to better use!” Sitting forward now Commander Hurricane just grins at them both saying this in a taunting tone. “Oh, the unicorn cannot do more than one thing? I feel sorry to have thought EITHER of you both were ever capable of actual leadership.” That whipped their heads in his direction as anypony could cut the tension with a cleaver, that was until the doors opened revealing an aged pony walking in with an oversized hat with dangling bells and frowning when seeing what may be an argument forming again. Giving each of them a solemn deadpan before giving a slight frown of disappointment that was exaggerated by his age. “What is going on here?” Looking at each of them as if a scolding parent would to rowdy foals, as they point to each other trying to lay more blame on the other, that was until a solid strike of a staff hitting the floor that made the light each candle gave off flicker stronger for a moment of that time showing each face. “We thought each of thou were better than this, unification was 35 years ago and even now when thou are older and hopefully wiser. Thou still act like foals at the slightest provocation! What would have Faust said if she saw the children of those whom served under her loyally for generations simply went at each other’s throats again like predators?” Taking a breath as his rant becomes more passionate with hate in his aged eyes at the three others present. “It was bad enough when the Thestrals and the Crystal ponies broke off after our fall, but worse yet when went we fled south to this place our new home land they out right REFUSED to rejoin under her daughters when they had lost NOTHING. They even condemned US of all ponies for INVADING their land and driving the Thestrals further south? Well in truth they may be correct but one doth not break the oath each species swore.” A dangerous glint crossed his eyes that made the other unicorn in the room flinch back, while the other two at the table may have shared an unspoken glance on edge. “Seeing as how there is a new ‘type’ of Crystal pony, there is a good chance we might be able to bring him under our sway, the issue lays with how to get him out of his protective guard and speak in a more ‘pleasant’ setting. From what we heard earlier today Princess Luna seems to have invited a Stallion, we have it under belief that it would be the same on topic named ‘Sombra’.” He grimaced slightly before looking back up. It was Princess Platinum who spoke up, in a careful tone. “So what would get this Stallion to come when he would likely heed his emperor’s will, let alone brave leaving his home on the princess’s invitation? It is not like she’s inviting the monster to the gala now right?” She gave a light chuckle until seeing a crown form further on Starswirl’s face, moving back with slight fear when he responded. “It doth seem OUR princess HAS, and from appearances she’s sent enough tickets for the Crystal Royals to come as well under the impression that it would be using the emperor’s own arrogance to ‘show’ off his ponies own glory of accomplishment.” Hearing a snort come from Commander Hurricane as he leaned closer idly waving his blade about before putting it down out of view. “Why couldn’t we go with foalnapping him? I’ve got ponies in the last caravan who can get it done all they need is my signal to strike.” He gave off a cocky brash attitude, often use to his flying strategies and cloud tactics until Commander Pudding butted in. “It would only give our hand away as for what we are doing, one wrong step and the princesses will do a full investigation to try to keep us from going to war with the Crystal Tribe.” Princess Platinum sighs and says this softly in an alluring tone. “Colts, it takes a mare to lead a colt by the snout to get what she wants. Why not leave it to us as he’ll likely be fascinated by learning magic fields even if he is an abomination to all life.” She spoke the last few words with displayed venom as her nails raked the table leaving visible groves’ that made both stallions closest to her move a bit further away. “While we would ‘ENJOY’ thou taking initiative we believe Princess Luna show’s more than some interest in him, as for what KIND we do not yet know, though he’ll have difficult time resisting her if she doth get serious in seeking a coltfriend.” They all shivered at that sentence having seen the trauma from the ‘last’ courting attempt where the stallion kept babbling about being haunted in his dreams, or there was no way out as Princess Platinum gave a slight sheepish smile before saying this. “We’ve been offering her advice on courting also some books of those bards more successful tales that she and Princess Celestia barrows from her at times.” She grinned with pride from their bemused reactions until she huffed and say this in a dismissive tone. “Stallions, never one for the finer arts of a mare’s wooing it makes us wonder how most of thou even had gotten a marefriend.” Sighing Starswirl spoke up again before looking at the three. “Well if he doth come, all we ask of thou is to arrange it so the two of us will be alone for at least an hour. At worse if we do come to blows we shall attempt a spell modified from zebra rituals to banish his soul and put ours into his body, that way we will be in a place there to take action for the greater whole of Equestria.” He gave them a gentle fatherly smile that had them exchange looks before Commander Hurricane spoke up. “So how will we know it’s really you and not that Sombra stallion?” Crystal Empire – Unknown Wine Cellar – Midday (strangely convenient?) [Third Pony Perspective] Seven of the most influential Crystal Nobles in the Empire sit in the same lavishly set Cellar, openly tasting different brands of wine. Shard Hammer, whom is Hand of the King and known as ‘The Mountain’ to those he fights though often at odds with Daunting Guard. Daunting Guard, whom is Lord Commander of the stalwart honorable knights whom protect the Empire from outsiders and on the war council. Perfect Edict, whom is Master of Laws the documentation with making efficient laws and smooth running of the Empire. Forgecraft, whom is Master of Coin and represent craftsponies of the highest military or any equipment in all the empire. Solid Gem, whom is the Grand Maester as her family built the empire that still stands today. Sunset Shimmer, whom is Mistress of Whispers happen to also have the gift for celebrations and wine especially whom is hosting today, looking about the room during mid sip she places her glass down and lightly speaks. “Whom wishes to start off our little gathering and wine tasting today?” The response she gets is from Forgecraft, knowing he’s been irked by sudden shifts in budget. In a slurred moment he spoke with a bit of spite put into his speech. “It be the princesses again and their spending habits! They had us pulled away from our other duties to balance out what materials they spent and land they had bought for the ‘House Onyx’ that be put there, we swear by the all gem that if those willing religious sods of the Elder Princess were not involved we would be ranting of this issue to the queen! Looking into what all of it entails is a ‘Magic Academy’ being built there as well!” His ‘little’ rant gained the attention of others with a gruff response. Shard Hammer spoken up next with a twitch in his eye at mention. “That stallion be unworthy of the crown’s attention no matter what foul trickery he’s done to earn it! The first day we laid eyes on that runt from the princesses dragging him in all those years ago we KNEW he’d be trouble.” That same eye twitch gave him away with a clenching of the hand, though Daunting Guard spoke up in defense it seemed. “Thou art only projecting insecurities of thou own onto the colt, our knights had humorously seen the funniest aftermath that make us feel unease for the princesses' future! Could thou IMAGINE the princesses arguing about something that led to ACTUAL blows they only saw the aftermath of food coated the table and walls?” Smiling more Sunset Shimmer spoke in a sing song manner. “We know what the argument was about, even some juicy details of her nightly slipping away in all black form fitting attire to a certain somepony, as the fairer sex we do know WHY they quarrel with each other.” The stallions in the room looked at her for the longest moment until Solid Gem spoke up. “Thou does mean they quarrel over this stallion Sombra correct? It would explain why Princess Crystal Heart asked us to personally design and build both home and Academy for their possible to be coltfriend?” That got a chocking sound out of Shard Hammer and Forgecraft looking different levels of livid to hate. They looked at each other in the room as Sunset Shimmer smiles while swirling her drink before taking another sip giving a response. “We think the young stallion may be in over his head though we already have one placed in a prime position to end him at our leisure, all it takes is a slip of a hand does it not now everypony?” A grin props onto Forgecraft’s face while Shard Hammer frowns seeming to not like that eluded option, Daunting Guard narrows his gaze at her suspiciously than at the other males in the room with disdain. “Thou all act like cowards whom should be treating this with a positive outcome.” Mistress of Whispers took note of the silence that came from Perfect Edict’s seat and his neutral regard for the other’s antics as he met her gaze with a raised brow. Crystal Empire – House Onyx, Dining Hall – That evening [Sombra Perspective] Looking around the room as it technically would be the ‘first’ time truly eating in this room now instead of our study, with both royal crystal siblings sitting opposed of each other with a evident glare from both though shown differently. Pandora has a forced smile while her features look to be egging her older sister on, while Crystal Heart looks VERY calm, if it were not for her agitated tail barely moving back and forth as if swatting something. “Um, how doth thou both feel tonight? We hope something has not happened on this nice night?” Their gazes shifted suddenly onto us making a folding of our ears and slight jump at the feeling of being preyed upon by two predators, Pandora smiled more genuinely in her bubbly way that hides more. “Oh down worry we are just having a ‘friendly’ game with each other over a nice prize.” When she said that there was a licking of her muzzle that heated up our face for how ‘lewd’ it appeared until Crystal Heart placed her hand on ours resting at the table with a calming warm smile. “What our younger sister says in a way is being truthful, though know that when we quarrel it would not be done to a degree to worry thou of our wellbeing.” She smiled a bit more lightly gripping our hand before Pandora gave a tug. “Sister might be right about that though I wouldn’t mind coming by to 'play' more often cutie, as for your information father’s gone on diplomatic duties to the northern kingdom. Mother’s allowed us to come over as we wished though said we both cannot stay the night, it just isn’t fair we cannot have a ‘sleepover’ like long ago.” We get the feeling she is more than implying something less than ‘innocent’ this time around that Crystal Heart seems to react to us. “While our sister might definitely be an uncouth young mare, we would be overjoyed if we may share in small outings or if thou feels brave enough to read to us again like ‘old times’?” Okay, something is clearly up as since we suspect they are courting us these ‘hints’ or such suggestions feel like more, from what our use of Keen Mind’s skills during their talk and banter. They are acting like two riled of cats over food or two mares for one stallion, this is going to be awkward beyond what happened this morning isn’t it? At least we are relaxed after Smooth Touch’s Massage to not be tense during this point, but we’re still nervous and slightly sweating. “Well we wouldn’t mind either or both of thou coming over to be with us, maybe arrange something later the following marrow? For that morning we hope to check out the places thou both have given onto us, maybe even try some of our magic that could benefit the empire if it works.” That got both of their attentions and it’s clear by their eyes they wish to WATCH us work, maybe they love the magic we can do now? That wouldn’t hurt if they were just seeking us as for genuine love, though it would hurt if it be political in union. “We BOTH would be very happy to see what magic or things thou could show onto us, if it wouldn’t be of any trouble could thou tell us more of what be intended in hopes of fortune favoring endeavors?” Crystal Heart asked while Pandora gave her a look before speaking up after her sister. “Like what sister just said, because it wouldn’t hurt to learn how you do your magic their cutie. Because hopefully you’ll be able to make us crystal unicorns too?” Both myself and Crystal Heart Sputter at her open blatant question, though that might be good to do though we would have to make sure it works again. “Well we would have to test the ritual again a few times to make sure it goes over well, thou noticed how we fared when we risked it ourselves?” They gave each other a look before intensifying a gaze onto us. “Did thou not test this ritual beforehand to make sure it be safe?” We couldn’t look them in the eye, their faces showing concern when we’ve become barraged by their questions and combined poking/checking over that we attempted to keep their hands away. “We are fine, physically and mentally we were utterly drained but we’re better see? Though we’ll be fine tuning it to make sure there is nothing wrong.” There was a pause before Crystal Heart brought up a question. Smiling softly she spoke calmly though her tail acted in concern. “Did thou ritual only intend to grow a horn upon thou head? For we feel by the stumps on thou back may be for wings?” Both Pandora and we looked at her than back to us in question. And the stares were rather ‘unbecoming’ of a higher born mare, looking into their eyes was that explorative sight that was soon quelled down when Smooth Touch placed her hand on our shoulder when depositing our meal of gems with Crystal Clear and the other two servants from the kitchen placing the meals prepared for tonight before them. Putting on a nervous smile before continuing. “Perhaps we will discover this reasoning another day? It would be nice to confirm something like this as quickly as possible.” Taking a bite into a ruby made us shudder softly at the wonderful taste of apples again, with seeing an emerald and citrine too with a familiar bowl of smaller lower quality gems to distract us. “It’s very good to have our hard work be appreciated by both of thou, though we worry how others will view us for all of this help. Wouldn’t others get jealous of the attention thou gives onto us?” The response caused them to look at each other with a pregnant pause filling the air other than our continued chewing after. “Indeed it might very well, though we are happy because thou does not look at us as princesses, but as thou loving friends whom treat thou just as highly.” Crystal Heart stated with Pandora nodding vigorously with a smile. “True, true, though it doesn’t hurt that you are cute and smart.” That left us flushed badly in the face looking down at our meal hoping to make it go away, or that this dinner will end on a bright note. “Hey Sombra what’s been up with your guards and some of the servants? They have been paying us A LOT of attention like they are on high alert.” That finished verbiage made us brace for the coming storm. Crystal trials, Burdens of Foals and CourtAuthor's Note Number of Edits: 3 Number of OCs: 1 We believe a possible displaced be coming? Crystal trials, Burdens of Foals and Court Crystal Trials, Burdens of Foals and Court Crystal Empire – House Onyx, Sombra’s Study – Two weeks since that night, morning now [Sombra Perspective] Sighing as we rub the sleep from our eyes this morning, looking out the window into the cloudy day yet even now a bit of light strikes the face while we held our journal of our experiences and research on all kinds of magic. It is a fascinating study to undergo while we asked Keen Mind to keep mental records of the more detailed sensitive technics like our original ritual, though through consulting her for our other troubles of the mind, even undergoing technics to try and help us overcome this mental hurdle. That wasn’t helped in most cases due to the empire’s royal sisters or Princess Luna’s visits during our dreams at least a couple days out of the week. Giving a shudder from that thought from being pounced by Pandora to play for Heart’s more controlled well worded requests just as passionately, it’s left us feeling like a toy being pulled in two directions with a third poking our condition. Sighing our frustration only to gasp from the smooth touch gracing our neck from our chamber maiden, (who also goes by the same name.) bringing our delicious gem breakfast and seeing our frustration. Though apparently since that same night we’ve earned two snugglers in our bed, Dark faith and Smooth Touch. That’s another thing that is utterly becoming a habit of breaking us in as we don’t even refuse or feel uncomfortable by being snuggled, are we just that pitiful or lonely…? Yes, we could be lonely in a way… Which added onto our problems though we guess our entire staff had to be made trustworthy, by use of our [Undying Loyalty] ability, we may have security of mind and body but our morals conflict from this forced companionship. Speaking of such it took some time but this ‘Metal Heart’ came around without tricks or play, we figuratively exposed our self and only wish for the best of this empire and its land. Even if others wish to try and murder us by ploy or confrontation, but when we mentioned the goat kingdom she took drastic interest demanding to know what year it was, stranger still is she holds secrets but dares not share them. But good news besides murky ones being we received mail from those like us that brings joy to our heart like a fluttering bird. The details of it are sketchy at best though from reading all the letters we have much to prepare for, to solidify our position first among the empire, we’ve been through trial and error improving the Crystal Construct Project, which admittedly went very badly at first… -Flashback- [The morning after THAT dinner - day one] We had decided to set up a spot just outside the Crystal Mines we owned preferably away from valuable equipment in case of explosion, not like we will tell our captivated audience whom came to observe us, which were both Crystal Heart and Pandora. Also the Lord Commander Daunting Guard, who was curious about our attempts to make magic guardians made of crystals, though the Emperor’s Hand Shard Hammer was quite adamant in throwing down our idea to improve the Crystal Empire should be ‘through strong hands and hooves in battle’. Going so far as to call what we did was foal’s play, though when we tried for a construct in the shape of a Pegasus Pony we may have fed it negative energy from our befouled mood. That got us panicking while it flied and pounced us with Dark Faith reacting to IT, we’re glad our first try was not that a shape of being a pony-spider for it would have been worse than some running and often dodging a dive-bomb maneuver. Which got Pandora and the Emperor’s Hand laughing their flanks off only until it started to actually get serious, but stopped dead when Metal Heart took his personal hammer and THREW it. Striking the magically carved word of life from its body causing it to stutter and fail only to fall and shatter apart like a glass pane upon hitting the ground in chunks. After that screw up, the second attempt Dark Faith took proper preparation with her weapon of choice a hefty crystal maul, a heavy crystal javelin set and a nocked crystal crossbow, with having Metal Heart idly looking at what we are doing and those present more on guard. Only to try the test again (shaped as a unicorn this time.) seeing at first do nothing leaving us and our crowd confused until we tried giving it orders, which was to take stance like Daunting Guard. When anypony else tried commanding it nothing happened, that was when we got inspired to take a gem and inscribe ‘Secondary Command’ into it and have Dark Faith try it while held. Which indeed worked, leading us to cheer foalishly! Though it led to some problems as it took commands LITERALLY, it turned awkward when Shard Hammer commanded it to duel him until he falls. It was sturdy though yet again mindless when it blatantly struck at him making it easy to overcome, though with a bit more of experimenting making the crystal construct fixed like a unicorn again. We worked on with loyalty, magic, mind and finally life put on it. The results were Baffling to say the least, it didn’t speak but it reacted with intelligence and obeyed us still quite literally but it still felt off. As if it reacted to our wishes and tried to accomplish that, it even obeyed the wielder of the command crystal until it was to threaten US or the princesses in question. Pandora wanted it to speak and have a name, which was innocent at the time we discovered it’s version of ‘speaking’ was some type of harmonic musical chime. Though by the end of that day we asked it if it could mine enough crystals to fill three carts and protect the shipment for us, which it rather did well, its name ended up as Chime Melody for how beautiful it was in 'singing’. -End Flashback- Looking up at the ceiling for a moment with a sigh, basking in the massage nearly dosing off as it felt strange for another to know how our body tensed like it was the back of her hand. Though oddly enough we did end up learning far more intimate details about our servants, and house guards that Keen Mind has taken to mentally note down such things for future references, even with our errors; our comrades within us help us learn to grow. Tis funny how even inanimate things could also learn if given a chance to grow an individualistic mind, which became one of the top THREE current mental studies of living and now magical construct ‘emulated’ life. It was rather shocking when Chime Melody even adjusted its form slightly for more feminine appearances, perhaps it was from interacting with the princesses. But what truly seemed odd was a sense of innocence radiated off it and shown true emotion when seeing us, even emulating a sort of ‘happy’ song. Things only got stranger when on the third day we have it imitate our action to make another construct to see the result. -Flashback 2- [The Northern Crystal Mine – day three] In having ordered Chime to assist us in putting together and shaping a basic pony physical shape to gauge it’s adaptability to situations were spot on, our magic carving progressively became easier to do even made smaller more hidden on protectable locations proved to help with our writing skill. A side benefit is that if thou are the most skilled writer thou can be the most talented rune carver, or simply able to make stronger [Symbol Magic] runes. Though Chime Melody has confounded us as to how it is able to keep going let alone perfectly mimic us in any fashion commanded. Though when the Lord Commander saw our astonishment, we studied our Chime’s first successful crafting and testing said construct to full working order. He soon after requested a duel to physically test the new construct’s ability for combat, if he saw it suitable for his possible needs he would wish to commission more combat oriented ones. Said duel was soon underway as it lasted for a good twenty or so minutes as they learned from each other, which also showed it could learn from fighting and perform only two magical actions, increased resistance and ‘natural’ regeneration so long as its carvings remain whole while touching the ground. But when the Hand of the Emperor took a turn next and brutally struck down the poor construct with both might and experience, we thought we saw Chime’s ‘horn’ glow when the construct it made finally broke. It looked to us and let out a sad song of sorts that drew the princesses’ ire. Only for him to give a ‘mock’ apology for breaking a ‘toy’ for foals, that made us narrow our eyes at him as we thought of how to improve the current designs and what runes from [Symbol Magic] was even possible. -End Flashback 2- Smiling back now it was around the sixth day when our two sleepless nights worth of working had paid off, sneaking over to the crystal mine having chime and the four other constructs to mine enough to fill eight mine carts. Oh the effort White Snout did in pointing our flaws during that time to help improve the design were well marked down into our crystalmancy book, the time and magic put into carefully making it was a grand feat as it stood TWELVE FEET TALL, walked on four mobile shielded legs and body dense enough to nearly match diamonds from our teeth’s gauging. For the record we are still scared of being able to chew into diamonds with ‘minor’ difficulty, more magically rare stones though surprisingly give a small power boost overall though it depends on the quality for how much. But that day couldn’t have been better as the light snowfall that day only made it all the sweeter, also apparently White Snout can UNDERSTAND what Chime’s saying, which is rather strange though being a Diamond Dog we yet to truly understand her. Also our companion shadow forms when they overshadow a crystal construct, it naturally reshapes to ‘their’ former living appearance and strength albeit a crystal body to protect themselves from magical attacks on a ‘mostly’ resistant or absorbent level until the form breaks due to quality. Which got us having to ask Chime politely to improve their quality and density of the Enlightened Construct class. -Flashback 3- [Northern Crystal Mines – day six] Upon arriving the following day the princesses were there before us and a female gendered crystal construct now had a more notable female crystal form, only to discover it was Pandora’s doing from the beginning to testing it out. Which also caused ‘her’ behavior to change slightly to us but to the mares present it was more like a landslide was witnessed from how they reacted. Showing how it acted like a happy foal around us which Crystal Heart in jest said we are Chime's parent which earned a happy ‘confirmation’ chimed vocal response and a sharp nuzzle. With repeated flailing from sharp construct hugs and excessive amounts of medical salves for cuts later, having been pried free to than make a unforgettable reveal in showing. The Hand of the Emperor whom was here yet again looked utterly uninterested while the Lord Commander at least showed good interest as we visually shown from the first more crude construct, to the ‘Enlightened’ and newly shown ‘Knight’ classes of Crystal Constructs. Only got us some applause from the princesses whom wished for two of each possibly showing support for our stride in this first magic study. The Lord Commander wished to test the new knight class in question whom successfully warded off his attacks this time and nearly disarmed him when dueling showing a satisfactory nod quite possibly earning us a commission and funding for other tasks and research outside of our assets. Though the figurative and near literal heart stopper was indeed our large pride and joy, the ‘Pony-Spider Brute’. When we had ordered Chime to ‘call’ the Brute to come and be shown off, everypony tilted their ends almost in unison except for Dark Faith and Metal Heart. The both of them seem to have smug looks for different reasons the first likely for underestimating us and the later to see the brick shitting expressions of pure unadulterated FEAR. They went into a confused alerted state when a auditable quadruped *THUD* struck the ground coming from the mines, the sound continued several times only getting louder and more ominous. We silently asked chime how far in did she have it work in the mines before a scraping was heard from the entrance, we heard a screech of terror that sounded like both sisters, and possibly somepony else nearby? Turning back to look at our audience smiling before doing so as we spoke loud enough to say this to the ponies of note present. “Behold the terror to any foe whom would dare amass a force to attack our empire again! We dubbed its type to be based on the mysterious ‘Pony-spider’ tribe described in tales from the library, we classify this as the ‘Brute’! It was specifically built to be heavy and mobile though we point out its specific key features that will terrify any enemy trying to attack it, a new spell called ‘Shield’ where physical and magical attacks are blocked unless overpowered.” Taking this time to look back at it as it came closer to finally stand behind us. We saw the arms and three fingered claws it bore shown in a spread and lance like formation showing its clear intimidating fashion. “Its body is nearly as strong as diamonds due to quality and magical infusion upon it, we have also through trial and error may have made this construct NEARLY immune to magic in theory. Also boasting several other defensive and offensive tricks that the Emperor will no doubt love.” When its ‘voice’ came out, it was not a musical chime or such. It was an earthy deep shuddering tone showing guardian level of intelligence. “We’ve gathered the appropriate gem stones in basket on our abdomen, hallowed master.” Both stallions looked at each other slowly while still watching the Brute monstrosity with one eye each, having come to possibly the greatest agreement that anypony will ever hear them come to terms on if ever on their own. “How many can be made and what be the time table for the ‘Knights’/‘Brutes’?” Which got us smiling happily and the first one to brave coming up to our brute was undoubtedly being Pandora, though Crystal Heart found only safety shivering against us asking repeatedly if it won’t eat them all. -End Flashback 3- Closing the journal in our lap as we stop reminiscing with a sigh dreadfully looking finally at long last again for the fifteenth time at the stacked parchments writing in detail about these bright minded foals, whom we had given the chance of a better life and to hopefully learn magic from us at the first Academy of its kind in this Empire. We felt dirty for having to use those whom may be ignored if things go badly, but at least most of them may survive… We feel monstrous for thinking that and for our ignorance to a blatant oversight! Sighing we looked down at our necklace as it hummed noiselessly but we felt it in our body and soul, the massage distracts our heavy heart from this. Those poor, poor foals. They trusted us but now the two we failed were either a soulless husk or a possessed weaker monstrosity from beyond this plane of life, at least we were able to perform the [Soul Manipulation] upon the entity to put it into a vessel more suitable for no harmful effects towards others. Though the only benefit gained from this ‘thing’, has been dark knowledge (which the Sombra in our head drools to learn more from) and knowing we could alter a soul weaker than us, which is both a deep concern and a moral question now to us. Do we change another’s nature for our boon or let it be? Weirdly it is the ponies in our head whom want to make some sort of use or have it contribute towards something instead of destroying it like what White Snout and Valira Goldfeather wish to be done, though if we did the Sombra in our head said it is possible to absorb its power to grow stronger. Star Talent cautions against that unless there is a safe surefire method developed just in case to prevent other planer corruption of any sort into pure magic to deepen our pool, which brings up the point of either risking ourselves or patently wait and research for surefire rituals for that and ensure it’s contained before anything else. But on a brighter note we have our first students to learn from us, young and full of hopes and wonders. Teaching them general knowledge first to get them to a high enough suitable level to understand magical wordings and meanings, stressing the importance on focus when casting to not be distracted. The workload is definitely easier with having the 'Enlightened' class constructs teaching here, giving our students a 'living' first hand example of what our magic has accomplished. Though when they are ready, before the ritual we would bring them under [Undying Loyalty] so that they will be loyal to us and the empire and no other, but we have made it known to our servants and guards we would wish for them to have special someponies to love and continue their family line under our house. We may have taken from them but we hope they will have a loving family regardless of our heinous selfish actions. At least the ten students we have did not meet each other until the academy dining hall, those two foals were the bottom of our twelve choices as cynical it had to be. Though Keen Mind keeps trying to assure us that mistakes happen and that any field of study has it’s ‘casualties’, like her. “Smooth Touch.” Her massaging at this point stops for a moment looking into our eyes with concern, waiting for our next words patiently it seems. “Are we a monster with the trappings of a stallion?” She smiled softly leaning in to nuzzle softly before replying to our question. “I believe you are a good stallion my gentle hearted duke, we all wished to have been of better help over what happened. To me it isn’t your fault, nopony could have predicted that.” Closing our eyes to let the weight of seven dead weigh on us, it is funny how we are so hard on our self to the point where even sympathy comes from the Sombra from our mind. No amount of self-pity will ever rectify that mistake, but at least we have ten foals we will painstakingly work with preparation for when any of them are ready to be assigned to their lifelong sentient partner. We’ll need to make a private request from the emperor and empress for at least one task, binding of the Royal Blessing to each amulet that will symbiotically help protect the wearer from corruption. Seems to be something our little friend on our neck forgot to mention this when we tried the ritual on those foals, which was also why how our Sombra died from our entry. The Crystal Empire – House Onyx Carriage – Noon [Sombra Perspective] The carriage trip only takes a bit, with how it feels only so much longer because there is Metal Heart and Dark Faith in the same carriage with the later sitting next to us and the first across with a scowl upon her face looking at us with disdain. “I still CANNOT stress how much of a monster you are, for what you did to those foals. Buck do I know what CAN be said to describe you now!” Dark Faith bristled from those words with narrowed eyes before sharply spitting back at her as we take the verbal beating. “Our divine Duke is still a pony whom can mistakes, unlike thou fake piece of useless metal flank! We don’t see thou trying to move on to fix mistakes, or ease burdens for the future!” They often argue with each other, tis strange how it just keeps going back and forth. If we weren’t present it would have likely devolved into an outright duel to the death mayhap, though it doesn’t help us when there is squabbling as we do know that this ‘Metal Heart’ will be staying until her ‘mission’ is completed. Whenever that will be, though we did make a wondrous stride and even had begun having asked Chime to help us produce more enlightened class constructs to aid us as the Emperor will likely want to have a ‘full scale’ production startup of the knights and brutes.. It’s a good thing that we had the rune of ‘guardian’ be on it to give the property an actual proper defense as we’ll have two more made for the estate and academy. It’s rather funny how we ride in a carriage with our house symbol when others would gawk at the Knight constructs whom pull it from up front, with two of our house guards sitting on the high front seat to observe our surroundings. It can be rather stressful to uphold a stoic face in front of a crowd, we still have to try and get used to being in a seat of importance. “Guard, how much longer until we arrive?” The guard on the right up front spoke up saying thusly taking a moment to let us see his eyes glow. “Milord we shalt be there soon for thou business and guard the carriage.” [At the Northern Crystal Mine] Upon our arrival the snow started to fall lightly again that made us feel wary if it will always be snowing here, maybe something to consider trying to fix in the future. Our attention was earned by two things, quadruped heavy- *THUDS* -upon the ground and Chime’s musical harmonic ‘singing’ that seemed to affect how the other constructs worked. Her form has undergone quite the change since she was first made by our efforts, the once crude and sharp edges were now smooth and dulled to not cut nor rend flesh from bone but looked almost soft enough to hug or hold. Also her more pronounced ‘female’ figure at first subtly changed each time we came also now being at least a full head above us soon enough. Though that brings to question if it’s the result of the runes we have added to her since then, it’s funny how trying to protect her runes by making a copy of them upon a multi layered ‘cute’ crystal shaped heart inside her chest. Strengthened a protective diamond shell around it only to protect our pride and ‘living’ joy into this first large scale magical research, with ‘Hive Mind’ worked with ‘Life Link’ to a lode stone in the castle in secret she’ll likely outlive any of us. She even learned how to write by Crystal Heart whom has taken joy in coming to visit to hear her sing, and Pandora teaching her weird things that make Chime feel more alive than anything else. The sight of her coming into view on the Brute’s loaded abdomen is rather shocking when she would jump down and ‘shoo’ it along to continue working before coming up to give us a near back breaking hug, having learned to ‘adjust’ passionate hugs and nuzzles from the other times. It’s funny how we praise her like a foal when the size alone makes us fear how big she’ll get, maybe it has to do with using the castle as her lode stone? That’s a deep possibility, also shows how little we truly know about the subject, it may take decades to learn more than we have with chime who seems to have a literal innate talent for gems even sensing them, it’s likely how she’s able to detect us coming. Smiling softly we pet her crouched form on the head as she nuzzles our hand, earning a chimed song that has the feeling of love from Chime Melody while Metal Heart only snorts in displeasure from earlier berated topic. With a lightened heart we soon enough we got to asking chime if she could make three more brutes, one being for our home and one for the academy that we’ve shown her before. Though the final Brute would hopefully be for the Castle, with any added details if desired. But looking around at the mine's grounds we had originally hoped for both constructs and fellow crystal ponies to work together here though none seem to desire such a job, maybe it’s because of our constructs that causes so much fear? That though darkened our mood slightly as they fear magic users or beings, maybe we could try to make them see that we work for the citizens’ benefit? That there is nothing to fear from our magic and show them that our constructs are along the same lines of our dubbed ‘Crystalmancy’ its effects of gems and crystals in all their shapes and being. We’ll stress that it’ll be one of the first fields of study foals will undergo when they have completed the ritual successfully, even stress there is still risks of minor death or possession if they understand the gravity versus completing it and becoming such as us. But we are not sure yet if a Crystal Unicorn can be sired, or even other dreadful things like sterility, fears that we and those whom complete the ritual and become Crystal Unicorns of the empire may have to deal with if so. That would be rather depressing if it always took a ritual to become any crystal type of the other tribes, though that makes us wonder how they view us, let alone what we hope to do. Metal Heart has stated repeatedly that our kin are severely tribest, and outright suspicious of other tribes or species. For good reasons to be honest as others have at least a couple times in in the decades even before 'unification' as the equestrian tribes call this age, not like they also are unknowing of evil actions either towards us or other tribes. Though with one last hug from Chime before taking our departing to the castle, to welcome the Emperor’s Return since it had been a fortnight leaving and sit in on the first official Court with the small council. By the chill in the air it’s likely bad tidings. The Crystal Empire – Throne Room, Court – Early Afternoon [Sombra Perspective] When the carriage arrived at the castle grounds the royal guards welcomed us with unnerved shakes, by note of carriages the whole of the council arrived so far and we are last except for the emperor’s return royal company of his elite guard being two hundred. When leaving the carriage to trot towards the north eastern front doors they opened them long before we even got to the doors, as if hoping to not converse with us as by the averted gaze and shivering not from the cold told our eyes. But he interior is a warmer splendid feeling to show the richness of our empire as the castle itself is the first thing to be seen for miles, though with a brisk canter pace having our Captain of the Guard, the ‘mercenary’ Metal Heart matching pace. A new addition following right behind us is from Chime one of the Enlightened class whom looked of a regal but modest assistant. The funniest thing was as soon as Chime could write any of the other enlightened constructs could as well, though the enlightened seem to develop their own ‘flare’ or slightly different seeming to take on a ‘special’ role like a cutie mark. This one reminds us of Crystal Clear if the stallion was a mare instead and make of crystals, odd thing that is when a feminine figure wearing a butler attire, all of which is crystal which started a new line of thought. Maybe they will act differently if they wore cloth- Our mind stops when we realized the doors to the throne room were reached so soon, as we were lost in thought cantering mostly to here while Dark Faith and Metal Heart were told they had to wait outside, the only reason our enlightened were allowed in was because as our assistant and a show of successful magic study to the crowns. Most of the royal family is present, the Empress Pristine Jewel upon the throne, the First Princess Crystal Heart and the Second Princess Pandora. They were at the throne at the far end of the Throne room, while the small council stood on either side of straightest path leading to the throne as they split into two rows. On the left would be first the Emperor's Hand, Shard Hammer, in custom full armor for his size while his maul hangs from his dominant side except for his helm strapped to his belt. Second on the same side after which would be the Master of Coin, Crystal Forgecraft, wearing a sort of formal attire that he doesn't look comfortable in. Third in that same line is the Mistress of Whispers, Sunset Shimmer, wearing a well-fitting red dress that shows her curves and bust line to draw attention. On the right side the first we see is the Lord Commander, Daunting Guard, wearing Knightly armor made for mobility and protection with his sword and shield be clasped onto back, while his helmet strapped to his waist. Second on the right would be the Grand Maester, Solid Gem, who out of everypony present is the most plainly garbed in a simple light blue robe with a chain of her mark as the Grand Maester be shown with a heavy tome tied to her hip. Third on the right side would be the Master of Laws, Perfect Edict, wearing a noble’s garb with a set of crystal spectacles on his muzzle with trim and proper appearance holding documents. Looking back at the others noticing most of them had documentation as well except for the Hand, though we had brought along reports of our work that our ‘Enlightened’ Class crystal construct holds in her shaped digits that look to only need ink on the nail to write. But it is the hand wave from Pandora and light gesturing of approach by Crystal Heart, that beckoned us to awkwardly walk past the six pairs of eyes that traced our following steps and the construct shifted also. It was rather stupid until the queen smiled from our nervousness and gestured to stand in front of her daughters, we did so as Pandora giggled and heart simply smiled from how we're acting. A distant horn went off as it signaled that the Emperor had returned and passed the city wall, knowing their kin would make way for his speedy return would leave us some time to have final preparations. “Guard, do have a servant go to have some mead brought up for our husband’s ready when taking a seat, he’ll likely be exhausted and needing something to rejuvenate his spirits from the long trek.” The Empress Pristine Jewel spoke smiling gently, as she gave a look at the small council and finally her daughters and us. “Would anypony else like to have something to drink, as we wait for our beloved?” That earned a couple of responses even from Pandora while we asked for mere water, only to look over the parchment we brought along making sure to keep sensitive subjects unseen. Bowing our head to the Empress we asked a question, which hoped to be seen to today. “Our Empress, when things be concluded may we seek audience after for a personal matter involving the academy for both thou and the Emperor?” That earned a look from the princesses and a raised eyebrow from their mother of course the topic could have been anything. “Do we presume it involves speaking of a sensitive topic, for how things may progress?” She is always a clever one like her daughters, we nodded softly. The Crystal Empire - Throne Room - roughly twenty seven minutes since [Thirdpony Persepctive] Though light conversation had been earned, there seemed also a air of tension from after Sombra spoke up. earned well the attention of every pony in the room, though Sunset Shimmer was the only one to look towards the only doors to the throne room, seeming to be relaxed at what's transpiring. While having an ear in the direction of the throne listening intently, though she cocked an eyebrow at Perfect Edict when hearing a noise approach the doors. But that ended when there was a familiar voice soon in the hallway and a couple of ‘move it!’ from some others until the doors opened, revealing the Emperor in his armor with noted new wear on it from possible battle or from rough travel. He went so far to throw a severed head of what looked to be a Diamond Dog onto the floor that grizzled hair. The room went quiet as the still open eyes of a larger dog nearly rolled skyward as the head lay on the floor, as he walked to his now concerned wife the empress. “Why doth thou bring us the head of a Diamond Dog? What happened?” The emperor spat at said head as he took a seat calling the Lord Commander forth, pointing at the same head saying this. “Daunting, I want you and your knights on the walls facing towards the Goat Kingdom to be on alert for more of these raiding dogs. But as for relations with that goat realm will likely deteriorate when their 'Prince' Grogar takes the throne, that goat in private gave us choice words in his wishes to claim the empire. He seems to have a fancy towards music and pony tribes for it, likely to take our subjects and others." Taking this time to take a swig of a offered tankard of mead. Scowling at the head on the floor one more time before continuing. "One of my guards saw what his little hired 'raiding dogs' were doing to those he foalnaps, whom are killed and magically remade into corpses of the dead from their bell magic. We will need to build up some kind of defense against that and strike back, for at minimum we have five or seven seasons before the goat starts to try something big.” Soon he noticed the Lord Commander looked towards Sombra, the Emperor in question looked at us too but soon more importantly what is beside the new Court Mage. “Who or What is that?” Shatter Hoof finally asked when he soon after took another drink from the tankard of mead on the throne. “Emperor Shatter Hoof we happily present one of our crystal constructs, made by our magical studies during thou having been on journey for the fortnight. The one thou see’s is the ‘Enlightened’ class that is sentient and self thinking, only last week have we developed currently only some others whom may be far better able for combat and sieging or guardians.” That earned a raised eyebrow as he looked back to the Lord Commander and his friend Shard Hammer. “He speaks in truth my liege, though his ‘Knights’ are capable learners and his ‘brutes’ is the thing of old nightmares.” The Lord Commander closed his eyes once before reopening them as the Emperor’s Hand spoke up in regards to this topic. “We’d be in accord with that light weight for once on matters of combat, by how it walks to claims of how well it is said to fight we haven’t tested that yet.” Giving a smile in response before continuing, having formed some plan in mind. “We would want to see the foal’s magic toys work against real battle, perhaps the arena?” That made us nervous while a smile grew on Shatter Hoof only a groan from Pristine Jewel to lessen it a bit. “Colts and their war games, husband ours thou needs rest and we must hold council before than after thou journey. Even our daughters could tell thou as they have been gushing about what our new Court Mage has been up to.” That cause a noticeable blush to appear on Sombra's muzzle for a bit before looking away only to be given a smile from Crystal Heart for it to deepen, hearing a cough and hearing the Emperor speak again to say thusly. “Let us get this hogwash over with and get to an early meal in the Dining Hall.” Equestria – Canterlot Castle, Throne Room – Noon six days ago [Third Pony Perspective] The royal sisters were sitting on the thrones undergoing the still transition period from unification of three tribes, as they were still restructuring resource listings and fixing miscommunications when the main doors opened with Starswirl the Bearded rushing in with Clover the Clever behind him carrying parchment notes looking disheveled. “Princesses! We bring horrid news as the massive dark magical signature from the north has been from the Goat Kingdom, scrying spells fail to breach it and the outside only shows the roaming of three dog tribes as if patrolling the boarder of it, goats are in the rear also it seems that a small part of them branched off to attack the Crystal Company, Honor Guard of the Crystal Empire’s Emperor when they were leaving." Bristling Princess Luna looked to her twin sister saying this. “Action must be made, we should organize a defensive team and send a messenger to the Crystal Empire to see if they require aid.” During that moment Celestia didn’t move as she eerily in a calm manner asked these questions. “Did thy scrying of the show any whom specifically have perpetrated this action? Anygoat, anypony? None at all?” There was a no to each question, Starswirl was shocked and happy to see this could be the first time as a ruler she would be acting mature in a time of possible crisis. Looking to Luna now as in a flash of light she donned segmented armor once more saying this that rather shocked those present except for Luna and a disappointed Starswirl the Bearded. “Buck it, any response from a Messenger will take too long and that would only give whatever being controlling that dark energy time to move. Prepare our bucking Honored Knights to leave in the morn, send word to the other tribe capitals on our path that we will be visiting the Crystal Empire!” Anypony who wasn’t terrified of her now flaming mane and tail decided to not speak up only to hurry relay her wishes, in few circles it'll be known as the day the fiery Celestia would curse openly in the throne room. Narrowing her eyes before giving a sidelong grin at Luna still clearly angered. “Perhaps even that broken old stallion emperor will shrivel at seeing our divine smiting radiance unlike last time we spoke, for surely he couldn’t stand on their own if he tempts us again after this.” She strode off the throne while waving her free hand at Luna adding onto this. “Oh and we can see that stallion too that thou has eyes on dear sister!" That earned a balking from those in the room looking between Celestia and now in shock Luna, with only Clover the Clever excitedly asking the question that Starswirl the Bearded breaded to hear answer. “What Stallion would that be Princess Luna? Would he be from the Crystal Empire?” The reaction alone from Princess Luna may as well have doomed the Protagonist to an old stallion’s adjusted plans now. The Crystal Empire – Crystal Castle, private lounge – Nearing Dinner [Sombra Perspective] Well it is rather revealing what seems to happen at court with the material brought forward, though Shatter Hoof by royal Decree wanted his guards of our choosing to fight our Combat Constructs. To show that what was said isn’t ‘hot air’ by things he hasn’t seen, which is admirable to be cautious but wouldn’t he take account of our detailed lecture on their abilities currently? Maybe it’s because we over excitedly went into it overwhelming them by how fast we spoken? But at least now we could hopefully get this part out of the way as we had our ‘enlightened’ place down a simple box and open it showing amulets without crystals in them, saying this to the emperor. “We would humbly request the Blessing of Protection be placed upon these amulets that when our students be ready to undergo the ritual, they would have a better chance of survival and when we complete the necklace it’ll act as their guide and help them as a lifelong friend tying them to the empire.” We stated which earned a funny look from both royals and the sisters, before Shatter Hoof asked the question we dreaded. “Would this be why those orphans died, and why you were struck by dumb luck on making it through?” Cringing a bit from that we nodded with a dead silence between us, Pandora was going to ask the other dreaded question until we cut her off first. “They were properly taken care of and given rights.” The emperor knew what happened, yet he said nothing with his stoic face. We were still broken over the loss of innocence as the Empress gave a hardened look before sighing when looking at her husband and daughters. “Thou knows the stallion reminds us of thou stupid self, when rushing headlong into things without preparing.” That earned a grunt from the emperor as if not going to properly respond, until that is to say this in response. “And you have much to say when you over prepare and miss the opportunity to strike, But it takes balls to risk more than I ever did boy, so we may as well do yours too just in case. Maybe you can enchant your box that would give it our blessing to things you place inside it.” Blinking in response before smacking our forehead at that oversight as well, looking at the box in question only to see how plain it was until our enlightened started ‘enhancing’ it’s appeal by using her own crystal having it interwoven with the wood to make it have the Empire’s Mark and our House symbol on the bottom side of the box. It was around that period when guard opened the doors saying that there was a report of Equestrian Knights walking in marching formation from the South, with a messenger requesting to give message for a foreign royal meeting. “Knowing those Whorses, they probably heard or have some magical spell seeing what happened to the Goat Kingdom with those dog tribes.” Taking the box in hand before looking at his wife smiling as he took a strong kiss, his hand upon hers for the crystals interworked in it shifted again and gave off a brilliant glow that felt warm and strong. That moment was ruined when the Emperor said this to us. “Come now boy you are coming with us and it’ll give you some experience to see how dealing with Alicorns are done with!” Grabbing us by the collar only to start dragging as we sputter with the ‘enlightened’ class following after with worried body language and the Empress calling out that she’ll have the box delivered. “We’ll be sure to have it be safely brought to thou servants by our daughters!” Things are moving quite differently it seems, we wonder what would happen if a playmate came?
Beginnings and ChangesAuthor's Note The Game begins 'our' little human, may our gift and changes make things different. Number of Edits: 4 Number of OCs: 2 2nd Crystal Princess Pandora By: Author of Story Metal Heart By: Blacksilverflames Beginnings and Changes Beginnings and Changes Prolog – MLP Convention day, Displaced Perspective ‘By the divine or any that exist please make the singing stop!’ I groaned thinking of the [shudder] 5 hour drive to get out here, with ear buds in place connected to cellphone playing Magic of Wizard’s Dream with joy. Movement from the left gains my attention seeing my brother-in-law gesture to unplug to talk but doing so begrudgingly so not to be rude to my sister’s husband. “What’s up?” raising an eyebrow at him as the metal costume rubs against my body with a grudge only to intensify my natural glare that most who don’t know me presume I am just hostile. He took a sigh before beginning in an apologetic tone. “I would like to say that we’re sorry that we tore you away from work for a few days as our friend got sick and you were well being close enough in build to join us for the cosplay contest your sister hoped to win.” He extended a hand as from what I knew he was cosplaying as someone named ‘Shining Armor’ or some such while knowing good enough my sister ended up being some ‘Cadence Princess of Love’ the one of many reasons why was it was close to her real name and oddly being born on valentine’s day.. ‘Okay now that I am thinking on this again it sounds completely crazy that some character ended up being like my older sister..’ “It’s no trouble #$%@ as we came to a stump in [air quote] ‘differences of opinion’ [air quote], but beyond that perhaps this trip will help trigger my battle action plots for our upcoming simulation like the others are to their thing. Also doesn’t hurt being this badass dark crystal wizard like you both told me that I am playing as.” Giving out a dark chuckle only to be slapped from up front in the passenger seat by my sister giving a knowing grin. “If you are not careful little bro I’ll set you up with my girlfriend &^#(@! here since she’s playing Twilight Sparkle.” I give her a raised eyebrow in response upon my neutral sneered face. Much to ‘&^#(@!’s’ response she only gawked with a blush remaining quiet before muttering about some type of vengeance. We finally arrive at the hotel about twenty minutes later for the girls to sign in for us while mark was the one to suggest we go ahead to the convention and they meet up with us at the artist’s wing, or even the food court as upon entry we were literally swarmed by others as mark beamed showing off his craftsmanship but I get the feeling he made this costume for my size but knowing mark I wouldn’t put it pass him.. ‘They did do this just to get me to come along? Well this I hope will make up for my screw up at their wedding, on the bright side at least they have the funniest wedding picture on the net.’ Sighing before something red glinting caught my eye turning to see various items being sold at the booth to wander over as it seems I should try and improve the outfit perhaps. “Greetings merchant keeper, we require an item that would be suitable for our personage.” The strange older man looks me over appraisingly with a gleam in his eyes before motioning to a container opening it for my eyes as he responded. “Well young man it is good to see someone who is well versed in being their character though I may have something that would actually fit your being and it is called the ‘Alicorn Amulet’, an item of supposed great power that could match a god of the same species with dark influences that would complement your cosplay, also a rather popular buy if I must say so.” He gave a knowing smile as it did have a pull and looking at it than to the full body mirror to get a better display as if thinking on it, wearing metal armor that mark made, the red cape that my sister made with good detail and the horn. The hooves from that weird lower leg setup took a while to get use to and that tail thing behind me actually provided balance unless I ran. Nodding in agreement pulling out my wallet motioning to buy the necklace and also a ‘Crystal Heart’ for mark and my sister. Soon returning to them seeing my sister and her friend &^#(@! with mark having perhaps beaten away the fan girls squealing about ‘Captain Shining Armor’! With a tongue flick before handing my sister the crystal heart before putting the necklace on with a grin. “Well sister I got that cool thing for you and your hubby and I got this for -” Blinking owlishly before losing all feeling in my legs only to collapse as the sound of a dark purple pulse beats nearly in sync to my heart with a fading male scream as someone who looked just like me except more horse like, just got swallowed by my own shadow. A faded sound of a door opening and soon enough being lifted until sleep feel upon me. Unknown Void – Architect of Realities Perspective ‘Ah, finally an agent of flesh and blood has awoken to the ‘gift’ that was offered. Let us prepare a bit of help that would prove useful for his rough journey.’ A purple glow starts to form upon the floor with several appendages pushing into the breach apparently latching onto something before turning to taunt cables slowly dragging what appears to be a metal bodied pony with a black mane and tail up dangling into the empty dark room. ‘This won’t do for where he is to be from..’ Forcing some of its appendages in between the spaces of her form, forming the female four legged pony tiny pony body to bend and rework a painful process into a more Anthro version of herself adding the feature for her to change from her original four legged self to a bipedal shape. Seeing her eyes open an almost unnatural purple glow affects both her irises and her internal operating hud color. “Welcome ‘our’ little pony, we have chosen you to act as our agent to help one we have influence over. Which you will be rewarded when the task is complete, by either staying or taken back to your reality with an altered fate.” Taking a moment to pause so she may digest what was said as a floating view comes into vision showing a bipedal sleeping anthro Sombra being tended to by two individuals, one who looks to be a Rosaline crystal pony maid and the other a shimmering regal white crystal pony wearing a traditional Crystal Empire crown fitting for a princess. “Dark times loom ahead for him indeed.” Crystal Empire – FE (Founded Equestria) 0035 – Sombra Perspective Grumbling with a growing headache as my armored fingers rub my forehead. ‘First thing that flashed into mind was seeing a weird version of this Sombra as some Anthromorphic Pony? Than my shadow killed him? Than my shadow eating said body..? I’m having some fucked up dreams?’ looking around now it is clearly showing that this room was made out of crystals, there was quite a bit of the red theme, my armor on a armor stand and a vanity mirror. All thoughts stopped the moment I looked into the mirror and saw the black eyes with red pupils and purple glow seeping from the corners of my eyes, I felt powerful and ‘different’ the necklace glows softly only to brighten when I rub it gently feeling it purr? ‘Let’s try to relax and meditate on what in the beyond is happening right now.’ The amulet pulses again as images flood our eyes as scenes of being the royal court crystal mage and personal friend to Princess Pandora, though the most recent memories being of her personally coming to make sure you were well after a recent experiment… Which may have been us popping into existence here and possibly murdering the fuck out of him while under some influence and ‘eating’ him… ‘TOTALLY NOT FUCKING CRAZY HERE!?’ the amulet flashes when thinking this. ‘Also possibly understanding my amulet friend..?’ It dimly flashes as if in agreement but still a shiver roams my new body. Sitting upright on the rather comfy large bed, my bed? ‘Possibly though I need to meditate and relax, focus and center myself.’ Taking a deep breath, letting it out slowly to calm the body. A tingling sensation is felt slowly building up, settling our breathing to a calm rhythm there is a tugging sensation as we feel each other. So close yet separate that it is rather confusing yet familiar? It’s the room also? Focusing on the closer of the two, relaxing a breath before reaching out to touch the amulet hanging from us. The feeling is similar to communing with another who feels so alien here as well, but older and amethyst? No, it’s the aura we are. It feels like a shard of something greater yet was changed? Not what it once was but helps us willingly, like an old friend desperately clinging to our very soul. We share a changed fate don’t we? Something is different than intended but feels right? [CREAAAAAAK] The moment our eyes opens to register the noise we are struck to lay back against the bed with a whap to the muzzle and nuzzled by white. “We hath worried about thy wellbeing dearest Sombra! Thou has been slumbering for three days!” the white crystal pony violently hugs and nuzzles passionately, once pulling back we recognize her as our oldest friend Pandora Second Heir to the Crystal Empire. The same mare whom had helped fund our crazy ventures into attaining the same or similar use of magic like the unicorns, with the result being our new horn which grew out of our forehead into a curved dark Amethyst gem horn. Memories and spells start to trickle into our head from the source we had focused on before, our amulet friend here? It glowed softly once as he cough’s once to regain Pandora’s attention in as calm as can be. “We find thy attentions to us to be a flattery onto our fragile ego and it reinforced through fires of thy passionate glomp long hence from foalhood.” That time it got her to glow with a blush before retreating off our bedding and straiten her dress only after to retrieve her hoof shoes and crown to tidy herself with our mirror. “When thou art able our roguish friend, we will call for thee in an hour to join us for lunch with our family.” What? Hold on a second what?! Before a single word could be uttered the door was closed leaving us confused and dazed for a couple reasons…
Stressed Lunch and Dark PactAuthor's Note We seem to have heated individuals, hinted spiteful bickering and possible implications and tensions. Number of Edits: 4 Number of OCs by Others: 1 Stressed Lunch and Dark Pact Stressed Lunch and Heated Words Crystal Empire – FE (Founded Equestria) 0035 – Dining Hall, Sombra Perspective Calmly looking around the Dining Hall, having worn the noble attire that Princess Pandora’s personal maid Shining Coat had laid out gave a feeling of being pampered. The sensation felt alien yet natural at the same time, though random memories rolled through our head from the Amulet. As if it was carefully imparting knowledge though for now focusing on another’s memories of those near, both good and bad appeared as ghosts in separate groups. The first group focused on enemies and those related to them and suspicion of working with, the second group were known possible ‘neutrals’ towards us at least and behind that group were several shadowed outlines whom for lacking of cohesion were NOT and WERE ponies and those from here, finally there was the carefully groomed ‘Allies’ and their associates. Though some of them had stuck out from the strange figures behind the neutral pile that has a name stating ‘Displaced’ in a fluctuating glow but next to that group was a purple glowing mirror showing a cyborg bipedal anthro Earth Pony female who looked bewildered and on the side showed her alternate forms as a Pegasus and a Unicorn with slight differences of body build to represent each and oddly her forelimbs change to a desired weapon or appendage. Being snapped back to reality by the shattering of a crystal goblet as Crystal Emperor Shatter Hoof bellowed out. “This cider, I love it! ANOTHER!” [Smash] making our ears fold back from apparently his breakable goblet onto the ground in a festive mood perhaps, we only hope so as his yeti like strength from welcoming us back to the land of the living was well received by his wife Empress Pristine Jewel. We’ve thought it was strange how she welcomed us like the son she never had even though with Shatter Hoof we felt he would pike us onto the battlements if it wasn’t for Pandora’s soulful eyes. We still have no idea what she saw in us that day so long ago but the feeling of repaying her makes us nervous as to how, let alone why these new feelings urge. Though it is odd how the 1st Princess Crystal Heart is often loving but distant, as if afraid to open up around others even if you can see it in her eyes the passionate gaze she washes over others. The most absurd part is she has worshipers! Their temple is having her name as being their worship all because she can create the purest crystals any had ever seen, let alone how the mare looks and is drooled after. ‘Not that we won’t admit to having it sometimes when she sings.. NO! Stop going in that direction, it won’t help us also we aren’t worthy to be courting royalty… At best we can help keep those whom would abuse them away for their own gains…’ A silent sigh leaves our lips before starting on consuming an emerald the size of our finger as it seems our change also affected our eating habits beyond giving us access to magic. Truly brought out of our thoughts as we soon noticed that five sets of eyes were upon us now causing us to blush mildly before speaking up. “We are sorry for our ‘new’ eating habits for being an inconvenience.” A wave of Shatter Hoof’s hand dissuades that sentence as he now speaks up. “Think nothing of it boy, though we have been discussing of what else has changed about thee besides thy new appendage.” He said pointing at our amethyst horn from our forehead which we rub softly in thought before a tickle at our back for two round jeweled protrusions tingle softly causing us to speak cautiously of our thought. “We humbly state there were two other ‘changes’ we’ve noticed upon dressing this day, though it would be an assumption based on Pegasus anatomy where wings would grow from-“ before our spoken thought could be finished Pandora rushed over to look at our back with a growing grin saying her own proclamation. “They are Amethysts just like his horn! Oooh I want to get this too! I wonder what gem mine would look like?!” she says with childish glee. Blanching a bit under her physical touching as a blush flashed across our face like a blizzard striking the tundra, causing Shatter Hoof to bellow out laughing his flank off with his fist hitting the table while his wife gave an amused raised eyebrow at our plight, most confusing was the momentary flash of Jealousy from the eldest sister Crystal Heart. We were simply too dumbfounded to even react besides a slack jaw and wide eyes before Pandora stepped back with glee jumping in place. May we ever live this down? Mayhap not as gossip from the staff will make sure of it as we knew the guards mostly felt sympathy due to how wild or energetic she can be as for trouble or simplicity of US being involved. The worse of it was that moment she had decided to plop a gem in our mouth and close it saying just loud enough this. “If thy mouth remains unhinged flies may enter it or thy kiss be stolen.” The second after those words were said the laughing stopped and a deathly silence reigned in the dining hall, with three beings for that cause as both royal sisters began with near deathly glares with rumors saying they came close to blows and closer to official combat by joust over an unknown topic that hinted at affections. But the largest one in the room was Emperor Shatter Hoof staring us down with the same look he gave the Yeti mountain tribes when they tried invading the Crystal Empire before, though now we feel to be on that receiving end as Empress Pristine Jewel placated him with hushed words. There is a heavy feeling of subtle understanding that we’re at fault for this current setting as our jaw slowly crunched the gem as it tasted of oranges. We know not WHY gems now take like fruits or vegetables we favored before our change. ‘Please may things go better than it is right now, I’d deeply enjoy it if there is a divine hearing us!’ he quietly prays while chewing slowly, hoping not to be drawn and quartered. "Boy, have we ever gave thee the tour of our dungeons?" THAT sounded more rhetorical then any other threat we have ever heard. "Why yes sir, though we hope NEVER to earn a stay as we enjoy staying away from it." We said this nervously, there was another long silence before Emperor Shatter Hoof begins laughing again almost as hard from before. "By the Brightest Gem boy! [wheeze] Seriously we will have to work on thy courage if thou cannot even stand up to us." he points out flatly as we had hung open our jaw again, when Pandora was about to move towards us again he pointedly snapped at her. "Don't thou think of breaking the stallion more with thy words daughter, We SHALL be speaking LATER!" Unknown Void – Metal Heart’s Perspective The memories come crawling back into my brain as some purple portal thing came out of thin AIR! "What the HAY?!” struggling against the inky black tentacles before dragging back through wherever they came from but the moment I touch that portal thing, it felt like my brain was being scrambled before being dumped into a freezer. Something didn’t ‘feel’ right but I still felt like I was being held but supported differently now, eyes fluttering open into the blackness as only a purple mirror dimly glowed while I tried to get my baring while somepony chatted about talked about helping their agent, being rewarded, and changing my fate but the shocker was something about ‘another reality’. “What the hay are you and where in Equestria am I!?” There was a creepy silence for a few short moments before whatever pony was doing all this started laughing, even these tentacle things wiggled, oh sweet celestia please let this be just magic and not some nightmare monster. “Well young Metal Heart, I am the Architect of Realities. You could say I am one who has ‘strange’ capabilities as closest for you to understand would be a Draconicus Discord, but that would be a disservice to compare either of us. I claim not to be a god yet my influence grows through those I ‘Appoint’ or through my own crafted Items. But regardless you are within 'MY' domain which happens to be in 'no reality' at least not any more, mistakes were made and I 'learned' from it.” At the end there I felt a bit skittish but push forward with a brave face. “What would I have to do if I want to help?” my eyes still looking around just in case before the glowing mirror from before moves to be easily seen before me now. “Why ‘my’ little pony, all you would have to do is keep my strange friend you see sleeping on that bed alive, though by this point he’s in the middle of eating with royalty in the Crystal Empire. Though you’ll have the rare opportunity to see how the post-unification warring period is like as let us say that the crystal ponies did not join in on that just like in your history says, only Earth Ponies, only Pegasus Ponies and finally Only Unicorn Ponies united. It did not include the nocturnes, Vamponies, Hippogriffs, Crystal Ponies or others.” He said a bit darkly with a hint of glee? “So all you want is for me to help him?” I say as I finally notice something was different with my forelegs and everything else about me! “What the hay am I?!” Pausing only for a tentacle to clamp my muzzle shut as he answered my questions before uncovering my muzzle after I settle down. “That would be your mission yes, also to ensure his continued exsistance but after that you will be rewarded, either staying in that reality or returning to yours with a better fate. Also you are still a pony but just the reality’s version I would drop you into, you can change into each of the three’s types as well though with a ‘added’ crystal variant that would help you against magic users as far as resistance goes.” For the longest time I blink looking at the mirror than myself and finally what’s holding me in whatever inky tentacle things before asking this. “Do I get to bring some stuff with me?” Two bags appear and one looks to be a coin purse and the other a larger sack with both having fine crafted magical stitching with the initials M.H. with a smaller A.o.R. under it, seeing a purple glow under me now as he told me this. “You’ll have a bit of a trek to make but we suggest to get thy barings and see if any gleaming spired castle catches your eyes.” He better not just drop me, if he knows what’s good for him- and he drops me in as I yell out this. “YOU DROPPED ME YOU FAT GOOY INK BLOB OF A TARTARUS FLANK!” continuing my cursing rant before landing muzzle first in snow with only more snow from a tartarus tree to drop MORE on me! After digging myself out of the snow I shake my metal appendage up at the sky for only a digit to rise up on its own that I think matched my mood for whatever other things were watching me now, sighing I start to grumble attempting to get up a higher hill to get a view and notice a trade caravan of ponies the closest thing around before trudging my way along as I try out the Crystal Pony version of myself to blend in as I had found winter clothes in that would hide my looks more to blend in.
The Condemned and Seeds of HateAuthor's Note Number of Edits: 4 Number of OCs: 1 (for OC info look back at last chapter, more welcome just pm) We ask for honesty in words by others when reading of our human, also there was no editor except us.. The Condemned and Seeds of Hate The Condemned and Seeds of Hate The Dungeons - Crystal Empire - Sombra Perspective The smell of fear and anguish can be easily taken in with some who sounded defiant for whatever reason they had, but our focus was on Emperor Shatter Hoof leading us for some reason beyond current knowing. But soon we were upon the interrogation room as the first thing we saw were three individuals one being an Earth Pony, another being a Griffin and lastly a Zebra. The confusion was clear on our face as Shatter Hoof just looked them over with mild contempt before uttering these words onto us. “Well boy, choose one of them to end by thou own hand. For they all are to die for conspiracy against the Empire.” Our shock only deepened more before the flash of memories as we had killed unknowingly the one whom we have become, it feels as though our stomach needs to be stronger. ‘Or our feelings of compassion to be deadened.’ He smiled at our own reaction before giving what we think is his malicious grin, one he avoids giving around his family for we felt a shiver. “Boy thou WILL make the choice, as there will be a bit of practice to be had with thou new access to magic, seeing as how we lack proper methods of teaching we shall use OURS…” We felt terrified for our living being, even the guards we took note of gave a shiver. One looked to even be praying for our soul, wait WHAT?!? Taking a moment to calm our thoughts, looking upon the three prisoners bound before us like prizes to slaughter. They each had hoods over their head to cover their identity and our own, but by how they shifted we knew they were uncomfortable thinking that someone who might be a young colt having to kill one of them, the earth pony reacted the worse while the zebra she merely muttered a prayer for our action. But our eyes focused on the golden feathered Griffin as she didn’t move but her body showed the signs of torture and rape that felt, difficult to comprehend in our mind for such things to be allowed but another part told us it was ‘common’ to treat outsiders who commit crime horribly, we presume she would be an incredible flier with few to match her build but to our shame we knew our eyes lingered on her form with almost no clothing on her and what left was stained by fluids... Others could see us just silently look at her before our gaze shifted to the left towards the brown Earth Pony stallion, we saw his mark as being a hammer striking something, the torture had left half of it burned beyond recognizing but his was only physical before our eyes saw older wounds and possibly early signs of frostbite affects. He’ll likely lose a few fingers and a hoof if they were to let him live, if he would survive with no treatment and was lucky, he was undoubtedly older out of the three and held a Strong Presence even in his broken state. Finally we looked upon the zebra and our brow raised at her condition being ‘nearly’ perfect despite a few bruises and thoroughly chained more than the other two, one of the main nasty rumors were that zebras knew arts that raised the dead or even excelled at assassinations, but our brow only furrowed further when in wonder WHY she was better when the griffin was not, or WHY she was chained and not the earth pony stallion? All we knew was that a choice had to be made by us. In our thoughts two figures appeared, one the first we had killed also called Sombra. He held a sneer looking over what we had especially the earth pony and demanded that we kill him, but was interrupted by the other image being our necklace proposing that we kill the zebra due to her mystical arts, while we stood in the middle torn between the choices as three weapons appeared in our thoughts in choice. The first was a shifting melee weapon made of pure Amethyst crystal that was made for strength and melee combat, the second was a similarly shifting pole based weapon as it too was made out of amethyst crystals, lastly was a staff that pulsed as another focus though looked as if plucked unshaped from one of the mines of pure amethyst with runes littering across it. We made the choice as our counterpart Sombra gloated when we clutched the Gem Sword as our choice. To the guards and Emperor Shatter Hoof saw our magic course from our left hand for the first time as a pure sharpened Amethyst bastard sword formed within our clutching grasp, if we were paying any attention the growing smirk and sparkling eyes on Shatter Hoof’s face would have told us volumes of his madness. We lifted our sword pointing at the griffin in the middle and the other two prisoners were pulled back, leaning forward we whispered into her hooded head this. “We are truly sorry, may thou forgive us for this hopefully swift action.” She merely nodded her head and offered her neck with a whimper, we stood at her side and raised our sword high in gesture of our action then swung downward with speed that made the gem blade HUM with approval that felt like a symphony of song to the dying. The next sound that ended the song was that of a thick clean cut with our shadow lashing out at the griffin’s corpse that same moment, the SURGE felt empowering, but the HATE bubbled and lashed with our body feeling a change coursing through our veins, the sound of the other two being killed didn’t reach our ears nor our eyes left the spot she was at, but we FELT our shadow pulling something else within us. It didn’t feel the same as with the griffin, we felt their skill and maybe their abilities wash into us but nothing else. With the griffin we felt as if we consumed her in a more personal way, memories or maybe a new presence within US, it was like a touch rested upon our shoulder in consoling yet filling us with HATE… We felt tears in our eyes after we saw our vision was blurry when our head raised and looked at those in the room, the guards who were stoic and neutral to us before were now showing unadulterated FEAR towards us and had fled to the other half of the room while Emperor Shatter Hoof just smiled where he stood. “Thou task is done boy, thou may just grow a spine yet if we keep this up! Guards, bring in the next batch for us to continue. At most three more groups of three for this undertaking, since it’ll clear up the cells a bit as we wouldn’t want to have him be overworked.” Our Home – House Onyx – Nightfall - Sombra Perspective We simply sat in our new study on the chair by a warm fire and looked at our hand as if it was diseased filth, yet that sensation covered us like the swings of our blade upon four necks this day, the first was the Female Griffin, the second was a Female scarred Diamond Dog , the third a Female Unicorn Pony, the fourth was a Female Earth Pony. Those four stuck out to us, something moved in us when we saw that they were the worse treated yet their talents harmonized inside us, our tears were black water upon each beheading and ignored what our shadow did as it consumed the other two with each group. Rumor had spread quickly after we left as every guard showed fear looking at us and kept from being impolite while the odd one was our king, he REVELED in our action or magical show though unintended did please him. We felt forgiveness from those we ended but that same HATE collected and bubbled up from our depths, the feeling of a dam was being put up to push it back to let it not consume us, it was odd as it felt like others were helping us steel our mind and erect fortifications while the others our shadow consumed were soldiers to be commanded under them. The new servants at our new manor felt alien to us, in truth it was hilarious in some cases because senses from both griffin and dog told us that they were frightened and also trying to gain our favor though we knew some were not loyal for some reason, it may have been the earth pony among the consumed who had a talent for reading others and manipulating, the unicorn had a talent for magic which we felt our potential horizon was broadened, perhaps her talent was magic? The Diamond Dog was an interesting one for knowing how to work gems into useful things with intricate carving for added effect while skilled in hit and run tactics on the ground or under it, but the griffin was a battle genius with calculating ease but was being wasted. They were all being WASTED until under one means or another sent here through unknown third party but the earth pony knew her contact was somepony trusted in the New Equestrian Military. That would be troubling as depending on how this will go if into a war we’ll be overwhelmed at our current state from the presences we have from their information put together from spying or sabotage. But this HATE is distracting, it needs to be channeled into something useful, but the unicorns suggest using our magic with another’s talent we ‘gotten’, [Undying Loyalty] we think it’s called. “Summon the Knight Captain and Head Servant, I wish to converse with each of them separately to learn more about those who I may call ‘friends’. Have the later bring our diner here when they come.” We instructed a maid, taking the time to center ourselves by meditation as these new presences need structure to better commune with. Though being close to diner we’ll likely only get two servants ‘converted’ tonight in-between partaking of gems in their delectable states, it would be nearly impossible to poison us it would guess. The thought just concluded when the door knocked. “Excuse us milord” a jade coated Crystal mare with a ruby mane entered wearing crystal armor with her helmet in arm as she closed the door and strode closer before taking knee, she raised her eyes and barely flinched seeing our eyes as her pupils shrunk a bit before recovering her composure. “We requested to speak first in hopes to show thou of our intentions as a new Dame under thou by Princess Crystal Heart offering us.” She soon after placed down her helmet and presented her hammer that has our emblem on it. Looking her over she gave off a lower born’s accent and noted she had not said her name yet until we remembered she was likely to be from Crystal Heart’s strange ‘worship’ who gave up their names when going into service under her, it felt wrong in some ways but our test will hopefully cut any and all ties to others and only to us. “New Dame, under our service would thou PROMISE us complete loyalty and protect us and be commanded to the best of thou's ability?” Looking into her eyes from her kneeled position to see any sign of faltering. “We shall swear it and continue to do so for it is our DUTY-” We didn’t let her finish as our left hand had lifted and surged from using [Undying Loyalty] our hopeful successful ability into the young adult mare, our essence funneled into her EYES making her body rigorously jolt and spasm from possible pain though she endured and when the tail end of our essence left our palm and ended in her eyes. By the divine we saw the change, the edges of her closed eyes seeped a purple and the opening of them were showing a black with amethyst irises that GLOWED with joy, we literally ‘felt’ her devotion for us radiating off her like a star shining in the night sky. “- and we shall HATE thou’s enemies and smote them into dust!” That change of light hearted religious fealty was now hardline fervor towards us like we were god, in some parts of us it scared us by how quick she had changed but at least we knew it worked. By that time another knock took place as a butler came in with a disdainful slight frown seeing her kneeled before us before shifting it to a false smile when taking careful steps in our view while having a silver tray with gems carefully piled onto a plate separated by types with a bowl for smaller ‘finger’ sized gems. “Duke Sombra of House Onyx, we am Crystal Clear as thou’s Head Butler for every need or task thou wishes of us.” He gave off a refined tone of voice as if having practiced what he was going to see to try and have us see him in the best light as possible, perhaps his name alone lets him see the intentions of others just as ‘clearly’. When he placed the tray on the stand beside the chair we have been sitting in since we came gave us time to rest, though now hopefully this will go just as smoothly. “We would hope that thou will give us a similar oath of fealty as our Knight Captain has? These are dark times and we’ll need our servants’ complete trust to flourish.” We saw his eye travel to the now risen Dame before us as she eyed him with suspicion clear upon her face. He gave her another forced smile before looking back at us when she took her weapon in hand hefting the Crystal Maul with ease only made him move into a kneeling stance with flourish of moving his hands wide showing no weapons presentable, likely would have some under his butler attire perhaps. When his eyes moved up to meet ours he spoke just as rehearsed a tone still. “We will endeavor to show our new lord he has nothing to-“ his words were stopped as our eyes flicked down from our Dame to his head and silently she grabbed his neck holding him down forcing his hands to plant on the flooring and head tilted back to look into our eyes before he activated our ability [Undying Loyalty] once more upon now our second test subject, the essence from our hand flowed into his eyes just as harshly and we saw that it had the benefit of silencing them due to possible pain through conversion to us. His spasm was subdued due to our Dame’s Hold upon his neck as we saw it was possibly more difficult on him than it was on her as it felt like he had another allegiance that we were overwriting at present, but eventually the extended casting of our ability ends leaving us drained more than the earlier beheadings. But our task had results as when his eyes opened they were just like our Knight Captain, he gave an HONEST smile towards us now. “- FEAR as we devote our being as thou humble servant and provide information on the rival house who had us try and sneak in to steal thou secrets before our horrid mistake was revealed to our eyes.” He had finished with a loyal malicious grin crossed his features while our Dame gave a similar smile, but we soon pointed to her as she stood strait ready to be commanded. “Knight Captain, retake thou former name under our command with pride. Also present it than starting tomorrow organize the guards placed under our House’s Command and have three of them meet us later that day.” Pointing to Crystal Clear now with the same hand as he stood with poise, glowing with pride from what is to come from our lips. “Organize the servants as well and choose candidates whom seem the least loyal to meet with us during mid-day one at a time while giving us time to rest before the Captain is to send.” We sighed after with a rub of our head and soon noticed the three gems presented to us by Crystal Clear that we took to eating as the first tasted like blueberries with the second to taste like apples and the last to taste like lemons. Tomorrow has much to bring, though at least we don’t have to worry about immediate death. “Milord, as thou Devout Knight Captain our birth name being Dark Faith. We once were ashamed of our destiny but fully embrace it under thou our handsome lord!” Also possibly worry about a start of a new worship centered on us if not already by non-magic users hoping to achieve what we did, there will be a lot of HATE to come from what our friend tells us..
In the Dark of the NightAuthor's Note Number of Edits: 4 Number of OCs: 1 We always hope to learn more, criticism of both dread and joy are welcomed. In the Dark of the Night In the Dark of the Night Crystal Empire – House Onyx, Master Bedroom – Night Having moved to retire in our new bed chambers that were shown to us by Crystal Clear, with Dark Faith following suit still holding her Crystal Maul hefted on one shoulder as she eyed the other servants and the occasional new guard. It was obvious that they were looking at either us or Dark Faith because of our eyes, though her because of her aggressive stance and clear intimidation already showing her resolve. Eventually we were led to quite well wait for it, Doors made of Onyx we KNOW they are study let alone EXPENSIVE. By the divine if thou thought of the time to even do all this, it made us wonder how it was done so in such a speedy manner, unless it was from our aftermath of well becoming us. Looking the doors over in a new ‘light’ we felt a kinship through it, moving to touch the doors they opened on their own force revealing well, two possible tastes. The first being a blue and black for the furnishings, while a white and black for the rugs, bath robes and bathroom showing easily ‘whom’ gave us what and three bath robes with the violet one in the middle of a blue robe with CH broidery and a white robe with P broidery also. The desk was no different though at least the pieces fit more to our style than the confliction, we wondered how they were even able to accomplish this let alone well this! Alright let us first write out our instructions for Crystal Clear to do on the side tomorrow than a request of our House’s requested documents to get our head around the current state of affairs before we try anything long term, perhaps we can practice our dark ritual on expendable subjects in case of failure. Ordering Crystal Clear bring some candles and ordered Dark Faith to make sure we were undisturbed was a relief, though her method made it so she stood at rest inside the room with her new malevolent gaze eyeing every point of entry in her opinion. Placing the candles around us and closed our eyes to focus on a tiny flame spell to ignite the candles, to others since we knew where they were they flashed to life with an unnatural glow. Sombra’s Mind – Ruined Mental Scape – unknown Keeping our eyes closed we focused on our body, taking deep breaths to slow our heart rate as the world around us fell apart to only the six candles surrounding us. They each spoke with their burning fire, but as we focus more on our body leading to the mind, the rest of our world became unfocused with each beat of our heart and breathe. But soon enough our world snapped back into focus for when our eyes open it was of a completely different place all together, the first thing we SAW was the sky was broken, black tentacles curled around the broken holes within it looking down at us with maddening glee that we even saw it. We wouldn’t deny being surprised at first though our attention was drawn away by a couple voices though when a glowing purple hand turned us away from the sky view only to see a ruined castle’s courtyard, a smiling glowing figure with the body of an Alicorn with a familiar necklace adorned ‘her’ neck with radiance. Looking behind ‘herself’ at the two bickering unicorns one who was myself of this world and the other a familiar black unicorn with a glowing star for a cutie mark. “We’ll tell thou again fiend we shall not concede our point that broadening our magical resources is paramount!” The Black female unicorn anthro pony wearing a purple slim fitting robe with a wizard’s hat snapped at the armor wearing Sombra with his red unicorn horn, I thought it was weird since my gem horn was rough amethyst when his is just a red horn. He snarled in response snapping back at her while locking gaze with her. “WE shall focus on DARK MAGIC, it’s our greatest tool at this time and the whelp has no basic understanding of our magic!” She rebuked him by throwing him back with a force wave of magic stomping after him for a moment. “WE should teach the colt how to UNDERSTAND our magic first so he may not end up as some ONE TRICK FRAUD!” She venomously spat only to make him grunt in acknowledgement standing up once more before having caught sight of me. “Well, well, well! The whelp finally has arrived to grace everypony, thou should listen to us first as it’s vital to thou survival.” He began until a sound of flapping wings with a burst of wind with a soft thud of a new arrival and a protective talon hand touched our shoulder and in the other hand a weapon brought to bear before the others. “Each and every one of you ponies have done nothing but ARGUE; I’d make the point that we should ‘Properly’ introduce ourselves and get to what we agreed upon first like say I don’t know the fucking sky here?!?” The griffin pointed above them with the spear in talons at the quite ominous breached ‘sky’ in my mental state with numerous eyes looking down upon us with twisted mirth, going so far as to wave a tentacle tauntingly at her and me. “Yea, last time I was in my ‘safe place’ in my own head it wasn’t a fortress I don’t think, and you lot weren’t here either?” I said pointing at them and the white furred female diamond dog who sat perched on a fallen tree in the courtyard just growling at the sky, before retreating to my side giving my form a look over before pulling me from the female griffin into a powerful hug with a happy bark. The yellow female earth pony simply walked out from what I think was the main castle doors from the interior with a serious expression on her face while rubbing her chin until she walked close enough to join in. “We have completed our rough ‘study’ of the mental scape we have landed in by a result of-“ she pointed at me in a awkward diamond dog hug. “- the colt’s slaying of slaying us, the fascinating theory we have deduced is with a certain level of focus he could alter this state and even bring this place or even US into his dream state as the colt appears to be a Lucid Dreamer.” During her whole conversation each of us backed up a step or two by the expression forming upon her studious librarian face, I saw a crazy woman when her grin went full blown and her teeth took on an unnatural gleam just like her eyes. “Right… First of all I knew I was a lucid dreamer but second of all who are you all?” I said motioning with my hand having finally broken free from the larger female diamond dog’s hold much to her disappointment but sat down smiling at the question, which she spoke up first in a gruff tone of pride. “We are White Snout! Proud Alpha of Crystal Claw Clan!” Her tail wagged with joy as she sat closer looking into our eyes with joy though there was a look in her expression I was not understanding, that was until the yellow one replied to my possibly read confusion. “She is likely having seen thou as an abandoned pup in need and either maternal instincts are kicking in or some deeper emotional meaning we’ll leave unsaid.” The nod confirmed that though that made me think until the armored talons of the golden feathered female griffin clasping onto my shoulder and gave a turn for our eyes to lock as she looked into my eyes. “Well young hatchling my name is Valira Goldfeather, one of the fastest fliers in the Griffin Kingdoms and former active hero to my kin.” She said this proudly before leaning closer one last time with a nod, until she started to poke my body with a slight frown. “Well young hatchling you’ll need to get some work in on your body and learn how to properly lead and use weapons in any fight.” Sombra took a step forward having brushed past the black unicorn who frowned as he spoke up in a proud tone. “We are Sombra, thou’s first kill in our reality and pioneer practitioner in the Dark Arts of Magic, Rituals and Crystalmancy! Our knowledge of this world especially of the Crystal Empire will be of use, also note that OUR Dark Magic are thou’s greatest weapon!” he had made it clear on that subject and quite possibly pride, also at the mention of crystals White Snout grinned at the thought and the black unicorn groaned before pushing him aside. Clearing her throat she took a slight bow before introducing herself in a more elegant noble tone. “We would be Star Talent and quite honestly the greatest wizard of our age, present us a tome with a magic we know not and it would be easy to learn as breathing. Hoping to advise thou not to take all the blowhard has to say on the subject as our wider range of adapting and learning is to greater effect.” She smiled as the feeling of a predatory look crossed her features before coming closer to kiss my hand, having caught me off guard before she winked at me. “Though if thou wishes to learn of a more intimate art we wouldn’t mind.” White Snout pulled two steps back from her in a protective manner until a tap on my shoulder caught us both off guard as a merely smiling Female Yellow Earth Pony stood there with an apron over a long sleeve shirt and skirt down to her knees. “We appreciate the cursory glance young Colt, physical studies may be learned at a later date but for now know that we are Keen Mind, pioneer into the Studies of the mind and body. A Doctor having hoped to make her own way but now appearances has us as thou personal physician and aid to more subtle affairs others have towards us or those thou deem interested.” She nodded astutely before taking a step back and made me wonder how she sneaked up on us, with a similar smile from before when she got out of my personal space. Letting my eyes look them over carefully and once up at the sky expecting it too to speak, much to my expectations it didn’t but I felt like it was smiling at me or something. Though my Amulet was the last as ‘she’ walked up and melded into my form with the necklace taking root even here onto my body as I felt her whisper inside me. “We are thou’s proud friend, guide and tool always one and whole with thou holding us as thine possession close to the heart, mind and soul. All we ask is that thou use us with care, for we shall be forever loyal.” She spoke in an enchanting tone that always whispered something more than what she said. White Snout wore a tribal attire with scavenged armor that showed her in her prime with fewer scars, her posture was showing a very strong physical build and how she resorted to claws and brawl fighting against others with a heightened nose and natural ability with digging and gem shaping. The next closest to me was Valira Goldfeather who wore custom gold with chain armor over most of her body as only light segmented plating covered the bones for her wings, I think it might had been made to be enchanted against magic users or to enhance her own protection. Keen Mind in her doctor’s attire still regarded me with a smile though the thought of her dressed as a cute librarian continued to cross my mind as something more though that smirk seemed to have told her what thoughts I may have been having as that creepy smile returned with a passion that made me worry. But she had gotten cuffed in the back of the head by Star Talent who shook her head before gracing me with her own elegant smile and the bow of her head, though it may have been trying to draw out my arousal by her wink again. Finally it was Sombra who was regarding me in some way before tossing his armored hand about as if gesturing me to speak up or well look at where we are, which reminded me of why I was here. Attempting to focus on the bigger picture around me, first starting what is closest to me as the courtyard starts to come to life with cobblestones being replaced with the once dead tree now standing again with life blooming onto its branches producing translucent apples that glitter. Moving my hands slowly skyward as the once slowly deepening cracks in the sky start to mend themselves forcing the tentacle appendages back but not before at least hearing a shuddering chuckle, only to furrow my brow in concentration feeling my amulet help me in her own way. The sensation was a comforting warmth with the heat being focused on my amethyst horn, the sky was after much stress was fixed though not reinforced yet. Receding the red sea around the mountain back as far as it could be pushed before erecting a higher level ground, forcing the mountain to shudder under the work forcing my own breath to hold until it released the heightened effort. Taking the time to construct a tiered road from the castle landing outside the walls down circling it with empty space for construction to take place only to stop about halfway down before adding in winch operated elevators. They reached far down to the new base of the mountain as if a temporary solution from the exhaustive work. “So, how does it look so far?” I asked keeping my eyes closed attempting to do finer touches on the sky to keep whatever that thing was outside here by reinforcing it with living constellations that moved up there. “I hate to point this out but the sky’s stars are moving, also snapping at each other.” Valira Goldfeather had spoken up sounding rather shocked by the sight, though the happy whines of approval of Snout told me she felt what I did with the environment. The ponies mostly were in mild shock except for Keen Mind who started cheering like a little girl getting her favorite present ever, for when my eyes open they were only seeing her forest green stare with childish glee etched across her face. “Thou MUST do more, make this ‘world’ more complex! Show us the creativity of the mind! Thou has the potential and under our guide, the mind will become the greatest defense anything will ever conceive of!” Backing up a moment I try to make something to act as a heavy guardian, first focusing on the image of a spider-pony but made of crystals, smoothed and carved to make it a work of art at least to me. Giving it some intelligence and imprinting of how it should move and felt it could do defensive abilities and maybe blast someone. “Well now colt, thou knows something rather interesting there. This application and some alteration could make such a construct to be highly resistant to magical attacks and its mobile sturdy frame only adds to it’s possible capabilities.” Sombra complimented while White Snout looked it over rabidly, pointing things out to me that need fixing. Anything else was interrupted when Valira Goldfeather spun me to face her armored glory again only to ask a request of me with the reward being her utter loyalty. “You and me, we NEED to find the three shitbags who had their fun with me when I was alive and kicking, all you have to do handsome is just get us close enough and summon me from you for my revenge on their actions.” Taking a moment to smile for that thought. “On the plus side you get three more actual guards trained from this place for a leg up in our training you martially, and increases your options for when you can summon everyone at once and maintain it. From what glow has been telling me, all you have to do is practice in here and outside with summoning and controlling. But after what you do for me and I’ll follow you forever if possible for as long as you exist here or beyond.” I nodded at her agreement with a smile offering a hand, which she took it and then a beak to muzzle kiss giving a smirk at my expense and befuddlement. With an audible sound happening in the background that may have sounded like broken gears as my brain restarted with seeing and hearing a laughing griffin female with a giggling unicorn joining in saying this. “We should have stolen his lips if that was the reaction he gives us! Though in all seriousness we simply request to be thou teacher in normal and advanced magic with a side hope of thou absorbing tomes with magic writings.” Another nod which she followed by a lick with a hungry look in those white pupils, looking at White Snout now I noticed she was looking at me with a wagging expression. “We wish to be summon anytime wish, but demand when in danger!” She gave no ground on that issue and similar reactions were given, surprisingly even my counterpart though the reasoning was they exist because of me. But as for Keen Mind I KNEW what she wanted and could do that while learning from her, but the invisible pull from my body grew though only became apparent when I did one last alteration adding proper bedrooms for them in the castle proper with a signpost left where I was for directions to each room on parchment. Everything from my mental space faded to nothing soon enough as another scent filled our nose. Crystal Empire – House Onyx, Master Bedroom (again) – Night The darkness of the room fluttered back into our vison with Dark Faith having kneeled in front of us now, as if having sensed our ‘waking’ from meditation with a joyful expression upon her darker furred muzzle making us wonder what she has been up to while we meditated. Her eyes glowed with the same expression with an unnatural Amethyst complexion, having a violet robe in hand in offering we stood up slowly careful to step out of the ring of used up candles before walking behind a dignity blind to undress into the robe for bed. When we reemerge from behind the dignity screen we saw a slight mix of disappointment and drool- okay we have to admit that the SIGNS of her body language were clear to us even with her reserved ‘religious’ and knight training still doesn’t hide that from us, we’d have to be either normal or having somepony who’s specialty was reading body language of others and their possible reactions mentally. “Dark Faith, tell us truly if thou desires our form or is it more?” The pure expression of both surprise and embarrassment etched across her face like a blushing sun, though admittedly her eyes glowed more from that too which we felt was correct? So many new things and we are exhausted beyond belief let’s hope our rest will be fulfilling, that’s if we cared to weave something nice, maybe how we think the crystal princesses may be like with us? “Milord we would doth lie if we claim otherwise, we found it hard to resist while thou practiced in the ritual thou were doing, we feared if entering it would have ruined thou task and brought shame upon us if not our head.” She stated with a shuffling that a filly would before her crush, if said filly wasn’t a full grown mare that had trained herself to be a temple of a body maybe hidden under her current armor. But our instinct is ‘acting up’ down stairs by that possible thought which she clearly smelled with a smile etched on her lips though still careful not to mention it. Sighing after long last we asked this of her. “If thou had a wild wish at this time in hopes of doing with us what might that be now?” Her reaction was almost as priceless as the first time with a few stutters and tripping over words before finally chocking out some understandable response. “Milord, we’d be deeply honored if say were to snuggle thou when sleeping when it be just thou.” Her voice was quiet and lacking the earlier confidence she bore openly before that only made this easier to accept, besides it was only a snuggle, what harm could that cause? With a nod she Squeed before bowing on her hands and knees before us, moving towards the armor stand where ours lay hanged her slowly in a deliberate act, unfastened her segmented crystal armor to lay on the ground in a folded action with reverence. Soon enough she wore only bandages over her breasts that gave an impression of heavy C that could boarder line on D if she ate more perhaps, though her hips had a simple tied cloth that first wrapped around under her tail for the rest of it to come between her legs to slide back up behind it to be tucked in giving a careful though easy to unwrap style for utility. Moving into the bed with a sigh at feeling it’s comfort made us think it was just one large pillow instead of a bed before we are roused from our thoughts and melting ease, by Dark Faith entering the bed gently before nervously as can be wrapped her arms around us. Her scent filled our nose with crystal berries from the field mixed with a warm breath and hearing her breathe in our scent with a shudder, following with a happy ‘purr’ like reaction before pressing in a bit firmer with her slight husky voice whispering this into our ear. “We wish thou the best of dreams Milord, for thou’s dreams coming true would make us only happy to make true.” With that our world faded with a snore soon taking our lips and something pressed to our neck leaving wetness. Dreaming – Sombra’s Violet Bubble – First Dream The first thing we noticed was the very bed we rested upon being what we are in now in this dream, looking up at the ‘sky’ showed we were at the pinnacle of the castle’s central tower that overlooked the empire and it’s night sky that twinkled from our view showing a dark blue moon for some reason. Though some obvious giggling from a familiar voice of ‘Pandora’ with a smooth velvet tone of Crystal Heart having muttered something to her before both appeared wearing violent silks. Pandora smiles with a bounce to emphasize her appearance with that glittering white crystal coat and mane leading to her joyful ruby red eyes at our seeing this, taking a leap onto the bed only to land on our left side snuggling up. Crystal Heart during that distracting moment fluidly slid up and under the covers on our right side with her glittering light blue coat hidden under the sheets while a heavy blush covered from her ears to her shoulders hiding her face by nibbling our neck and clinging onto our form, her sister only taking more notice by our surprised reaction and responding by taking a kiss from our lips that we thought would feel like from lunch earlier that day and ending it by biting her bottom lip only to guide our fingers under the covers to her stomach stroking her belly fur. All the while we had yet to notice somepony looking into on this dream from the outside when a light blush crossed her dark blue muzzle and her dark starry mane flowed, slowly in another direction at that particular moment with a slight lidded stare at the dream orb she saw that stood out from others for an odd reason. Her curiosity only deepened to ‘watch’ it play out as the night had been rather uneventful so far to her subjects sleeping, though she had to be careful due to this one wasn’t technically being not one of her ‘subjects’ but from the Crystal Empire. But when she returned by the third hour having been lured back each hour from a deepening curiosity as she has never seen a dream involving more than one mare before let alone involving two princesses of the crystal empire that she has met before, though the stallion in question seems to be the description of this newly appointed ‘Crystal Unicorn’ pony, the implication of one being born or ‘made’ or ‘changed to one’ was too absurd to ignore and now she has the opportunity to contact him. When we were in the final ‘throws’ of our wet dream we felt something enter and took guard but the sudden crystal weapon while in current ‘state’ only well made it more awkward until we saw the ‘aggressor’ being a Female Mare wearing a gown with a regal appeal and took notice he had changed the wet dream to a field showing the same night sky and him in his full armor. “Who are thou knave?” We demanded but the response made us steel our will, also her ‘Royal Canterlot Voice’ added to her wellbeing. “WE DOTH NOT A KNAVE HEALTHY STALLION, WE BE PRINCESS LUNA! WOULD THOU BE ONE NAMED SOMBRA?” The sound and ‘wind’ blew at us but standing our ground in a guarded pose using what ‘skill’ we absorbed were pretty good for normal standards and had prepared to summon White Snout. “We would be he, though we humbly REQUEST thou voice to be lowered to a more ‘tolerant’ level of civil conversing.” We spoke in a more calmed voice but it was still evident by our flushed cheeks that blush was consuming our fur coat at this time, also our ringing ears be folded back. “*coughs* We may attempt to make it more reasonable since we had, ‘intruded’ upon thou dream as our curiosity drew us to this dream bubble.” We just stared in wonder before she spoke again looking up at the sky not truly regarding our battle ready stance, also our flustered state when we can see she is blushing too from her spoken words. “We may have ‘openly’ looked at thou dream and saw the traces of one whom can mold or shape their dreams freely, would this be true young Sombra? Also we ask if thou like the night, for we have not seen this pattern before.” Looking around with embarrassment before answering her thusly. “Well it is true we call our self a Lucid Dreamer but it is not a widely regarded name or one we have openly called what we do. Also we do enjoy the peaceful jeweled night even though we have to lay our head to rest.” We noticed she flushed at calling the night that but not the reason why, it was like being given a compliment perhaps? “We doth have thusly spent our time crafting our nights with great ease for all to gaze upon with joy!” She stated loudly but not as loud before with a sheepish response before forming a table for us to sit at with a gentle smile. “We hope to partake respite with thou for a short time if thou be willing?” Upon us giving a nod she only smiled more as the moon glowed before our first informal ‘talk’ began with flushed faces and more than half of the conversation revolving about our ‘wet dream’ and the wonder as for how we had become so ‘perverse’ in the more mirthful questions. Which sadly left us floundering and stuttering over our responses but she seemed far more shocked at our informal way of conversing with her and now prostrating before her as all the ponies her and her sister meet, though we hope she doesn’t share the ‘name’ of calling us a perverse stallion to others… But oddly enough we think this might be the start of a foreign friendship? Or tis a wrong thing for this to happen when our emperor has refused to join this Equestria, but we do know one thing, she has said she’ll invite us to the next gala and we may bring three with us. Crystal Waste – Trade Caravan – Metal Heart same night! I grumbled and had to beat off a few ‘grabby’ types with my new ‘fists’ to work out some of my frustrations because of that slick inkblot tentacle Bastard for dropping me earlier, sooner or later I’ll figure out how to get payback on him. “Well at least I’ll be arriving ‘back’ at the Crystal Empire tomorrow sometime around noon, hopefully I’ll be able to find him easy enough. Though from these notes I’ll need to give him my ‘letter of introduction’ and so on and he might still be suspicious as I would be too if something in the sky just dropped some help and not even at my doorstep too, maybe I should show what I can do.” Grumbling some more as I took another bite out of some hard bread with the wind being blocked by the caravan wagons, looking up at the viewer’s perspective giving my new ‘finger’ a work out at the reader’s direction not realizing that it isn't just the Architect of Realities watching me actions but through what he is willing to show others that heard of him. Though there is a good chance I MAY have pissed somepony else off in the process or not.
Slow to Rise, House Onyx and Metal HeartAuthor's Note Number of Edits: 3 Number of OCs: 1 (yay Metall Heart finally made it!) Currently listed abilities: [Undying Loyalty] [Symbol Magic] [Golem Creation] [Soul Channeling] (currently known. ^..^) Slow to Rise, House Onyx and Metal Heart Slow to Rise, House Onyx and Metal Heart Crystal Empire – House Onyx, Sombra’s Chamber – Early Dawn [Sombra Perspective] The first thing we felt was relieved, happy and slightly damp at waist level, though the light of the reflected sun that shined into our damned face irked us the most than the possibility of shaming ourselves in bed, though a thought irks us that we seemed to have forgotten until there was a shuffling sound at the foot of our bed. That looked like an odd blurry lump at the foot end of our covers until a familiar if darker green coat with a darker red mane came into focus while rubbing her muzzle giving a smile. “Good day Milord!” She purred out happily. When the ‘cogs’ of our brain finally locked into a traction baring work, those thoughts turned into a rather furious blush to wash over our muzzle and maybe cover our form. “Dark Faith, why were thou under our covers in such a position?” To most it may have been a simple exploratory innocent question, if it were not for our profuse blushing that added what we thought. “Milord, we hoped to have helped thou recover by cleaning any stains and hiding such acts.” It did not help her case with the lick to the side of her muzzle getting something white, possibly sticky, glob… MOVING ON TO BETTER THINGS! “…We see.” Giving pause long enough to think of how to get her out of the room. “Could the bath be prepared and after that dress to commence thou position and duties today…” The look she gave us was a beaming smile, first having moved to the adjoining bathroom than after when hearing the water stop. Returning to the room to slowly put on her armor, we think it is so she may be for our viewing pleasure or just provocatively natural at it. Only ONCE did she leave the room did we sigh rubbing a four fingered hand over our face and down to our nose on our muzzle, the action felt paradoxical in how it was both alien and familiar though that will perhaps fade with time. Taking a whiff of our body we smelled like Dark Faith in some respects, though it was faint, but what interested us was we smelled something like coal? We’ll have to figure out the better thought of what our scent is like when we get dirty, getting up out of the bed we made our way to the bathroom seeing that the tub was drawn. Around this time was also when we noticed there was no robe on our being when there was last night, yet our robe was hung cleanly on the hanger there..? Get clean first than figure out the ‘ins and outs’ of our new home, also our duties here and make some headway on our companions’ requests. Smiling as we try to ‘summon’ White Snout only to feel something large and unnatural ‘dig’ it’s way out of our shadow, the process is painful but when we saw that large dog arm emerge from us, all thoughts of pain were drawn out and our eyes may have grown comically big to others. With a final grunt the much taller three dimensional Diamond Dog shape turned to face us, her eye sockets and gaps between her teeth gave off an orange glow, than she immediately hugged us and hearing her in our head as he spoke. ‘White Snout happy! Little Pup smells of female, was it green coat red mane one?’ She tilted her head until the bathtub which was sunken into the floor and made to possibly fit five made her only drag us to the bath. The sensation of being cleaned by a shadow form dog like White Snout is what we can say is ‘different’, being dunked in the tub only to be licked and groomed. It is like being manhandled but in a rough primal cleaning, during this we noticed she had no smell, perhaps an added bonus to being what she is when summoned? That would definitely help out a diamond dog who is skilled at sneak attacks, or any of the others? ‘We will give pup best cleaning!’ She barked in our head causing a wince, and having noticed this she ‘tried’ to be quieter but we gave up and just let her be her. Which on the whole it wasn’t bad, the only down side was the claws! As we made that point perfectly clear after the second raking across our back. [Roughly 57 Minutes later] Out we emerged, cleaned and VERY shiny due to her paw work on our coat and mane, it must be because we are a crystal pony and remind her of a gem, that moves and talks, RIGHT! The first sight out of the bathroom in our violet bath robe was a crystal maid who bowed midway and apparently having not seen the now battle tense Diamond Dog shadow being that now also emerged from the bathroom. “Duke Sombra Onyx, we’ve been requested to personally greet thou in pony by Head Servant Crystal Clear, we are Smooth Touch assigned as thou Chambermaid.” Her coat from what we could see is a soft shiny blue with a curled white managed mane and tail that is well groomed with a look of being the softest pillow, she is rather young though the exact estimate would be seventeen? Still a growing mare and had the ‘plush’ curves to match her name, just makes us wonder if everyone will be that good looking or is it just our perception? That brings up another point, we’ll be meeting and ‘branding’ loyalty to us onto them and let us hope it is not draining like yesterday. She took that moment to finally stand strait from her bow, only to look up above and behind our head, then her eyes rolled back and fell onto the floor having fainted. THAT is quite the reaction, though we should do something about this, as white snout will no doubt help us. ‘White Snout? If thou could collect the pony maid and hold her still in front of us that would help until we are done.’ She looked down at us curiously before giving a glowing toothy smile, moving over to pick her up easily by one paw and depositing her gently as can be before us. ‘We help!’ Held in place we began to channel [Undying Loyalty] getting the feeling this will be a long day. Crystal Empire – House Onyx, Study - Morning [Perspective Sombra] It felt strange, using the ability was increasingly becoming less tasking with each use, and perhaps it would be the same with the others he has too? Two other abilities that seem to have wide spanning uses would be [Symbol Magic] and [Golem Creation], maybe we should test this tomorrow by making a REAL crystal spider-pony! In our giddy we were brought back by the soft touch on our shoulder and our gaze turned to a VERY loyal Smooth Touch, whom presented our breakfast in the study where we started reading ‘Crystal Theories and You!’ to see what other opinions there were besides our other inside our head, doesn’t hurt to study like what Star Talent said. Though while taking a couple bites she silently smiled and remained if we wished for something, or somepony for her to fetch while White Snout seemed to be taking a nap on the rug behind us. “My Duke, I wish to inform thou that it seems that the Princesses wished to join for dinner tonight and wonder how thou felt about the manor and all furnishings.” She gave a slight bow after giving the message, apparently from Crystal Clear when she had gone to retrieve our gem food. “When able could thou tell Crystal Clear that a portion of larger crystals are to be put aside that would more than fill a wagon?” Taking a few moments to bite into a ruby, savoring its apple flavor with a shiver before continuing after clearing our throat. “It would be for an experiment we are going to attempt tomorrow if at possible, also bring our tome for our House’s Funds and see if he has organized the lists and deeds we were given for our viewing with said tome.” Smooth Touch nodded in seeming to understand the task told to her before taking a bow than moving to leave the study, once the door was fully shut White Snout spoke up gently. ‘Yellow pony and Black pony wish to be summoned, we go back since safe.’ With that said we felt a shiver as it wasn’t painful this time but more like a large ripple in a pond, though closing our eyes we focused on trying for pulling at Star Talent and Keen Mind to see how it felt for two. Note to SELF it hurts JUST AS MUCH! It didn’t feel like claws were digging out of us but summoning two ponies seem to have almost the same pain threshold as summoning White Snout, but soon we see two female pony shadow form shapes with one having a horn and the other not with a slightly better physical build. We noticed that the eye sockets and between their teeth had two different shades of purple, we presume a darker royal purple for Star Talent and Keen Mind a lighter purple. ‘Interesting, the summoning process is rather different than theorized but within estimations of magic to sentient follower study fields.’ The earth pony form rambled a bit while the unicorn shape sauntered closer with a smile seeing what we were doing. ‘Young darling, we are rather proud thou are taking our advice seriously though perhaps we can help with what thou is planning?’ She spoke up in our head as we gave her a response, which gathered Keen Mind’s attention. ‘We were planning to try creating a real golem construct guardian like within our mind scape, though admittedly this one will be on a smaller scale than that large one, and if we are successful we’ll try implanting magic abilities into it by [Symbol Magic] to see what becomes of it and test it’s functionality.’ That familiar lacking of space from Keen Mind only on a scarier factor of her being a pure shadow form as we call it. ‘Before it is accomplished DO summon us and White Snout for guidance, it would be rather fruitful for faster endeavors if successful so young colt will improve efficiency.’ Seeing her be pulled back and pushed towards a book to read a smiling Star Talent approaches and leans on the chair’s right armrest, giving what we think to be a possible elegant smile, it’s hard to tell in their creepy shadow forms. ‘We hope young stallion that thou will take some time to learn a few basic elemental spells? Also an experimental teleportation spell too.’ Giving her a small nod she smiled more unnaturally, that sent a shiver as it tingled along our spine with her soft breath. The moment after she had us standing and showed through illusion how to spawn in each of the basic magic elements that Equestria knows of. Which to our understanding is Earth, Fire, Water and Wind, not including the Light and Dark fields that exist outside that range. Also there’s some spirit field we may have picked up ability too from the Zebra, odd how it’s more of a manipulation and possible dead. We guess not all rumors are rumors? Something to try later, but from what Star Talent had been telling us no one has even tried mixing those basics to see what they spawn. ‘Star Talent?’ She took a moment to pause her lesson giving a smile. ‘Yes young stallion?’ That tone makes me wonder what she or the others see us as or something, it’s just too weird that they are just okay with us. Since we did end them, shouldn’t they be more angry or something? ‘First has anypony tried mixing the basic element magic to see what is made? Also on a deeper different subject, why do thou and the others like us so much?’ For the first she answered rather simply, which surprised us for how such a thing can be overlooked. ‘Well darling it was never tried before as Star Swirl always tended to move onto another field of study when inspiration took him or for lack of a better word what the princesses would like.’ Seeming to take a figurative breath though being how she’s adjusting still, to being what she is now as a part of us. ‘It was Valira Goldfeather who came to thou defense when we ‘appeared’ within thou mental scape, we were rather surprised by what she told us. Which was after having beaten it out of thou’s worse counterpart, stupid stallion braggart thinking he knows more than us.’ Taking a moment to give out a fake cough before continuing. ‘That aside we soon came to realize that thou is in a rather new and murky waters of existence, his flawed ritual aside introduced one who is new and lost to our world. We came to an agreement that we would try to help thou with what we knew, perhaps through that we could find renewed joy and some semblance of vengeance if any.’ We stared quietly into her eye sockets for the longest time as during her elegant voice she had somehow worked herself onto our lap, there was ripple in our mind that felt like having breathed in a cooled breeze carried scent of paper with ink with a faint bit of ash from candles, that was until she spoke up again. ‘Though in a way we could also see it as having made a herd with thou.’ We stuttered and made a utter fool of ourselves that stopped when we were kissed and a rather unpony tongue swam within our mouth until she pulled back and for a moment her creepy shadow features looked just like a pristine Star Talent from our mindscape. It was at this moment that Keen Mind came up standing the unicorn in front of us and pointed at us saying this rather excitedly. ‘THAT! Do it again and focus on what she looks like!’ we were both caught off guard until she repeated it more forcefully and went to grab a small mirror for her to point at Star Talent, not to get on Keen’s bad side we closed our eyes and envisioned her shadow more like herself that we saw. It may have been working by the gasp we heard, we opened our eyes to risk seeing when we saw a VERY nude Star Talent looking at herself in the mirror as we were rather shocked only for her to revert back into the shadow form again. A VERY scary and beaming Keen Mind came up to us and said these words that made Star shudder. ‘We will be undergoing INTENSIVE MENTAL TRAINING when thou next meditates, for now send us back so we may prepare. Thou may continue doing what thou wish with Star as we have our own lesson plan, it will test thou limits and ‘slight’ chance of breaking mental concepts.’ She said before diving into our shadow with that unnatural smile that terrified us worse than imaged, which made us wonder what she went through to get that kind of smile or was it her shadow form that made it so? Looking back to Star Talent she just gave a beaming smile before moving closer to straddle our lap and levitating a book over to us in a dark royal purple aura, showing it to be a rough history of the Neighboring Goat Kingdom in the Crystal Mountains. ‘Well our handsome young stallion, let us start on an enjoyable lesson.’ Said lesson taught us about the current King Amadeus and their strange brand of Bell Magic. Crystal Empire - House Onyx, Study – Noon, Lunch [Perspective Sombra] Taking a breath now with a sigh after Crystal Clear, Smooth touch and Star Talent unbound the two other servants whom before now were panicking in fear until the beginning and ending of our use of [Undying Loyalty]. Only to look at our desk to see not just a few papers or documents of what we would be reading to get things in order, but 5 books worth! 'Could it had KILLED somepony to organize this mess?!?' Taking a calming breath before sighing, than looking at Crystal Clear we asked this. “This would be EVERYTHING pertaining to our new house..? Doesn’t this seem rather extensive?” He gave a good natured smile before pulling off the top ledger to give to us before starting. “Our Duke, all that is upon thou desk would be EVERYTHING pertaining to this Glorious House that be in thou name. No stone was unturned just to assure this, the top ledger would be covering the Estate and immediate Magic Academy/Library for thou to head which is being built on the Crown’s own coin. Admittedly it was pushed through rather quickly from what we heard to be of Princess Pandora’s expressed Wish to be able to use magic as thou does, the workers and materials were by Princess Crystal Heart’s subtle doing.” He gave pause for us to try absorbing this information, which was until we asked the question. “Our next question would be as to WHY the princesses push so aggressively on this matter let alone for us? We could understand excitement and maybe test the waters by taking on a student or three to try expanding but this, it just seems too big and fast!” To our baffled reaction he smiled as if something was plain as a transparent gem was there. “Our Duke, how would a mare go about to try getting a stallion of age to notice them? Let alone court them?” The question was met with a look by Star Talent as she sauntered closer with a gentle smile. Thinking on it we opened our mouth saying our thoughts. “Well from what we would think, it would be done by wearing and/or doing something to catch his eye, maybe something to impress or draw their attention. First it would be them trying to get to know the stallion, observing them discreetly and take note of their likes or dislikes. Second would be using what they learned. Third ask him out. Forth after the first date wait for him to contact her, be friendly if they see him. Fifth make him feel special. Sixth would be make the First Kiss Special. Seven finally would be just to let the relationship unfold.” Nodding at having remembered studying that by heart, that was before we started to put it together as our hands went up to our head over our face. “By the all gem! We are being wooed? But, but, we have NEVER before been courted!?! WHY us?!?” Our head was being cradled even though Star Talent was just lightly giggling and Crystal Clear’s face showed mirth at our reaction before taking a calm approach. “Our Duke, we would like to point out that the thought let alone action of being courted by Crystal Royalty would be a great honor to this House and name as first to head it.” We reacted with a deadpan that its effect was reduced by shadow form bosom and giggling Star Talent who somehow worked into our lap AGAIN… Taking the time to motion the silver tray over that had a couple hand sized gems, with yet another bowl filled with tiny gems of the ‘finger food’ variety. Taking a clean bite from the Emerald that tasted like a Lettuce, these perplexing ‘tastes’ from gem eating often throws our thoughts out of alignment. “How likely would be to piss off anyone of note if what the princesses are doing is correct and earn us their ire? Or, more accurately violent actions?” It was Crystal Clear’s turn to look away with an uncomfortable cough, which earned a raised eyebrow. “Our Duke, previously before we saw the error of our ways, were given order to relay if such a rumor was true. Though know that it has not been said or left this room but the construction and some minor digging will come to the same conclusion we have made just from that. But we wouldn’t put it pass others to be plotting at least ONE violent demise.” That bit of knowledge kicked it where it hurt, if we hadn’t used that ability on him he’d have likely killed us in a subtle manner. “As a hypothetical thought, how would ‘thou’ have tried to kill us?” That earned a furrowed brow before he composed himself. “Our duke, we as per instruction would had likely killed thou while sleeping in the dead of night and done away with the weapon so it would not be traced back to us, the likely trouble would have had come to get around Dark Faith being previously a gifted knight from the first princess having likely foresaw such possible action may occurred.” Nodding slowly as our face turned to that possible neutral face sneer again but Star Talent seemed to sense our discomfort. ‘It would seem we should turn the guards and servants all the faster into loyal followers, our young stallion. We’ll relay this information to the others, know that thou will be safe with us around.’ And just like that, she slithered into our shadow sending a warm shiver up our spine. Looking back at the four servant ponies under our loyalty now gave only a deep shuddering breath, before having Crystal Clear spread out the pile into a more organized setting than its previous chaotic mess. “Let us get these organized than as we’ll have much to do-“ Our eyes stopped when one document mentioned Crystal Mines that came under our ownership, which put a thought into our head. “Crystal Clear, remember that assortment of gems we told thou to collect into a wagon for our experiment? If so than we know where it would be best suited if all goes well.” Giving a smile and firm nod before making a note making it a habit to write by levitating inked quill to train our magic and levitating paperwork, though most of our attention swayed to the one of two major industry businesses we now owned. “Crystal Clear once done resume thou duties but inform us when it is close to around 1:30 or when Dark Faith is bringing her three Guards ponies, from what our ears heard earlier she was being rather cruel with them for being ‘lazy’ in her opinion.” He nodded softly before bringing up a point. “That may have been due to some of them being Prison Marked, those whom work off their sentence if deemed able to by as a recruited soldier or militia.” We looked at him for a moment before sighing with a mutter under our breath. “Of course we had to have some criminals in our guard, it’d only make it easier to kill us…” Looking over the other heavy industry we had, was rather surprised it be the old Crystal Forges, they hadn’t been used in some decades though perhaps with a bit of work they can be renewed and improved than the House Sturdycraft’s productions. But that would put us at odds with them having the military support and our being ‘court mage’ is the opposed side of them, which will make getting headway much more difficult. The only ones whom would be willing to join us would be either orphans, criminals or those to attempt in stealing our knowledge or kill us. ‘Oh joy it is with our bottom of the barrel recruitment, maybe the Orphans will grow into adapt users of the art under us?’ We scrawled down another note giving it to Crystal Clear, his brow quirked up for a moment in reading it before nodding in understanding when he left. It was around this time that Smooth Touch moved closer and placed her hands on our shoulders causing a flinch before that was, she started to knead the tension away with well her name sake showing through when we felt like butter. We attempted to push on with our levitation magic using it as an increase in difficulty, but that too failed when we grudgingly placed most of the documents down only to focus on the ledger in our lap. “We were wondering Smooth Touch, what were thou thought when joining our house?” Our eyes shut with a sigh. She responded with a gentle smooth chuckle saying this. “We our good Duke, were born and abandoned in an orphanage. We had left it recently when hearing rumor that servants were being hired for a new house being formed, it was Princess Pandora who gave us this chance. She thought thou would enjoy us as a personal chambermaid, even suggesting that as a snuggling type thou wouldn’t mind one cute as us.” There was a flush of embarrassment before she continued after composing and moving her fingers up into our mane slowly with the fur. “We hoped for a better life and perhaps a family, though know that we shall now put thou first always.” That put a slight frown on our face, does that mean the ones hit by our ability now view us that deeply? Would they not seek out love or to form families? All because of our selfishness, just to protect us. It doesn’t help our conscience in all this, we wouldn’t want our loyal subjects to not seek out love or continue their family line. We’d very likely promote it as that means they could raise their young to be loyal naturally to us with pride, instead of changed forever through magic. The divine bless her fingers for being so nice, it’s like we could die happy like this. Not that we are asking it to happen or anything! This besides snuggled last night is bringing us comfort and peace. Our ears were next, THAT is an experience in of itself, WOW! The sensations is lightning pleasantly jolting through our body and we couldn’t help but let our jaw relax and close our eyes with a goofy grin. “Our duke, may we continue giving this massage?” Even her voice is smooth, we couldn’t help but dumbly nod and she moved to our arms taking care to each one at a time. Crystal Empire – Northern District, Near House Onyx – mid afternoon [Perspective Metal Heart] I am just glad to be in this city after the hellish trip I’ve been through! This Stallion or Mare BETTER be worth all this celestia fucked adventure, if not somepony is getting the BEATING of a lifetime! Looking at the ‘letter of introduction’ with this ‘House Onyx’ symbol to help me point the way, which wasn’t hard because of how pristine and orderly this city was built, even the outer crystal walls were intimidating! Never had those mentioned in the history books or how Tribeist they are either, I’ll have to be careful on my hooves around them in this crystal mode, it’s funny how they are not mentioned in the unification story either.. Looking up in the distance in front there was a wagon line being inspected that held building materials I think for crystal buildings for this place, also those Guards at the gate there have this ‘House Onyx’ symbol on their chest plates. Taking a breath I walked up giving the best smile I could today but even they could tell it was forced. “Greetings sirs, I have a letter of introduction to be meeting with the Head of this house. The business is also stated in my letter here as well.” Offering it as the one on the right nodded to the left one, walking up to extend out a hand to take the letter than began to read it. With their eyebrow going up the Right Guard asked this simple question, as the cold has been an annoying ass this whole time that only made my grudge for that inky bastard more passionate. “Thou are a mercenary hoping to be hired as personal guard?” His incredulous look alone made me want to vent my frustrations on the stallion for my trip, which with venom dripping from my voice replied. “Why yes, I am otherwise I wouldn’t have taken the last trade caravan ALL the way up NORTH to here while breaking or damaging grabby stallions who didn’t understand the word ‘NO’, if you WANT a personal TEST of my combat prowess than go right ahead and make my day BETTER. If not PLEASE get a superior or a messenger while we both wait out here while you both do your jobs.” My eye must have twitched or something to cause him to flinch at some parts. He slowly nodded moving back to the gate as even the worker ponies hauling materials gave me a wide birth just to not rile me up, oddly enough when a Knight Mare did come they held no fear what so ever in her eyes, guess she’s rather creepy with those eyes she has, all black except for those glowing amethyst irises, a very dark emerald coat with equally dark ruby red mane that was mostly hidden by her helmet. By looks alone she wasn’t somepony to mess with by her ready stance and hand hefting her Crystal Maul easily, how strong is this mare when it would take a normal pony two hands to wield that or a unicorn! Apparently having seen my gawking she gave a smirk in return before motioning me closer with the hand holding the letter inside the walled area, even sizing me up with her gaze as I knew it didn’t feel right for a pony to be like that. “So thou are the mare who came with a Letter of Introduction to see Milord? From appearances we wonder how ‘effective’ thou would be against potential assassins to our generous divine blessed Duke.” She gave off that very ‘radical’ type of mare with fervent beliefs, maybe gauged towards the apparent stallion I am meeting. “Yes I came with a Letter of Introduction also bringing some letters and books for him too from the same one who gave me that letter you are holding.” Adding to that by adjusting the duffle bag hanging from my shoulder and pointing to the letter in her Crystal Gauntlet covered hand. “Well at least for now we shall see, we will head to the Manor proper in the entry area than hand off thou letter to a servant to be read by our handsome Duke.” Yup, going on the list of creepy radical ponies to watch out for saying the wrong thing, I wonder if the stallion’s a dick or if I’ll say something wrong and get my hoof stuck in my mouth? Eh. If it happens I will play it off as either myself being me or exhausted from traveling, if it doesn’t work maybe show off what none of these crystal ponies will ever likely have for a long time to prove my worthwhile dishing out the hurt. [Inside the House Onyx Foyer] Been waiting here now for about twenty minutes with Ms. Creepy eyes watching me like a griffin waiting for a reason to attack. Wow, whoever put this manor together went all out on this, even apparent self-portraits? He has some kind of inflated ego and looks to be a Crystal Unicorn…? That there is a mindfuck as he looks like King Sombra from the history books, wait a sec- “Greetings Traveler, our name is Sombra. Duke of the newly founded ‘House Onyx’, Soon Headmaster to the first Crystal Magic Academy and Royal Court Mage to the Crystal Empire. May we have thou name for formalities sake?” I’m just too dumbfounded by the situation in front of my eyes, THIS?!? I WOULD HAVE SAID FUCK IT ALL IF HE TOLD ME THIS WAS THE STALLION! He must have seen the look on my face as I would have done something if that was not for a large dog figure hadn’t grabbed me from behind only for Creepy Eyes to smash the daylights out of me, oh look are those stars? [Third Pony Perspective] And out like a light she went having turned back into her ‘anthro’ metal self only furthering the confusion by Sombra saying this. “What by the maker is that..? Dark Faith, could thou be a dear and um, politely put ‘Metal Heart’ into an empty bunk? Also White Snout could thou please stay with Dark Faith to make sure nothing bad happens to either of them?” There was only an excited nod before the larger shadow form Diamond Dog bounded out of the front door with an Armored Dark Faith behind her yelling out. “Slow down mutt as he said the both of us!” There came a sigh from Sombra as a Shadow form of a Griffin female holding a crystal sword in her talons appeared from behind him with a possible smirk from her blue glowing eye sockets and inside her beak. Leaving questions for our equally confused displaced and a knocked out pony in his custody. Added on top a Dinner with TWO Crystal Princesses to plan for even though Crystal Clear said he had everything in hand for his ‘big night’, there was a final look of embarrassment at the ‘self-portraits’ of himself that Pandora had commissioned. “When did she have these done, also how? We never even posed for any of them.”
Of Sisters Intrigue, Plots and DinnerAuthor's Note Number of Edits: 6 Number of OCs: 1 We humbly ask for feedback. Of Sisters Intrigue, Plots and Dinner Of Sisters intrigue, Plots and Dinner Crystal Empire – The Castle – That morning (same day as last chapter) [Perspective, Princess Crystal Heart] Today is going rather well, a lovely sleep and a calm morning. Though when our wedding day comes with the stallion we have in mind, that day is going to be perfect, the kind of day we have dreamed of since but a wide eyed foal, which it all might be ruined by our younger chaotic ‘free spirited’ sister. It was a good thing that we put some strong bodied ponies into our hopeful coltfriend to be new House, knowing our sister she’ll only had hired servants whom she thought were interesting or funny. Furrowing of the brow slightly from deeper thought at the more ‘slime’ of nobility who may try to take his life, tis not his fault that they are being foals over what he’s accomplished for our tribe let alone coming future events. Tis a good thing that mother had sided with us and sister for what were given to our resourceful stallion, though it’s a bit strange how mother was won over so easily. It may have been from the strange behavior that either her or father has been giving off since dear Sombra’s change, though we can see that glint in father’s eye that our hopeful coltfriend will be used for his new magical capabilities that he’s been literally giggling like a madstallion from yesterday. Some days we worry that father’s obsession in making that alicorn wench bend the knee to his ‘superior’ ability, has reminded us that she is strong enough to break another’s hoof by a single stomp. Though that makes us wonder if Sombra could do more than just become both crystal and unicorn, from what sister said at the table the other day about those amethyst stumps on his back makes us wonder if he isn’t more than just a crystal unicorn? Perhaps tonight at dinner we may subtly broach the subject, maybe he’ll even try gracing us with becoming more like him. Though other concerns like these more shady equestrians might try to steal his secrets or dread the imagination of foalnapping him. Tis a good thing we carefully chosen each guard, even those whom were bought from the dungeons were more than willing though they seemed scared of our hopeful coltfriend. Perhaps father had him do something unkind in the dungeons to scare them? We’ll have to ask about this later when we go to dinner, grudgingly we were caught by sister and had to include her in said engagement. Looking out a window smiling as we continued walking to the Dining Hall to have our breakfast and gauge current feelings abound this day, it is rather nice feeling and seeing the emotions of others and how best to work to our advantage or sway their opinions. Strangely enough only our younger sister tends to throw us off this ‘game’, she tries to call my ability and cause chaos of most our plans to improve our home. Her foalishness will be the end of her someday we just know it, but we’ll be thrown into tartarus first before letting us or even Sombra suffer more than he has. [Dining Hall] Soon upon entering we see only our younger sister Pandora, it is STRANGE how our parents are not here yet but we don’t see plates or food set aside for them yet. Looking to the closest servant he bowed slightly seeming to explain the unsaid question. “Thou highness, both of thou parentage had to commence with royal duties earlier this morn. Thou mother sits on the throne while the emperor goes on political visit to meet with King Amadeus of the Goat kingdom in the Crystal Mountains, he’ll be absent perhaps for two weeks.” That bit of news made us smile honestly as it’ll give us greater chances to be alone with either mother or Sombra. Looking towards the dining table walking measuredly up to it taking our usual seating across from our sister as she sits there stuffing her face yet we wonder where she puts it all away, eating like a commoner no less even making us wonder if she’s more like father when he’s drunk and consuming. “Hello sister! I really hope dinner with cute Sombra will go well tonight, oh if only you didn’t try to be sneaky about trying to get a one up on me, you have another thing coming.” She still gave that childish grin but her eyes were rather sharp like father, seems she’s definitely gotten more of him inside her than we desired. Though it is a good thing we take after mother more as he was a rather blind stallion from what she said when she knocked off her sibling to get him. Taking a slight cough to clear our voice before looking at the few servants there already responding as such. “Well ‘Dear’ sister of ours, we merely thought thou were not interested in what plans we made for the day when instructing the messenger the early morn. For it wouldn’t be just of us to interrupt thou busy schedule of being tutored.” We added onto that giving a gentle serine smile, hiding our true feelings masterfully. “When it involves ‘OUR’ foalhood friend I wouldn’t mind holding off on studying to see him or to ‘play’ with him, just like ‘old times’.” She added with a smug grin, knowing we were often sick when younger. Though sometimes he was able to sneak in to give us some nice berry soup to help us feel better even read a bedtime story. Smiling a bit more leaving her confused for a moment. “Well younger sister of ours, just like ‘old times’ we’ll enjoy his ‘company’ again just as well if not more ‘passionately’, for It wouldn’t hurt to repay his warm feelings from then.” Looking sidelong at the three servants in the room remembering their faces as they KNEW not to speak about what we currently ‘squabbled’ about, lest they wish not to go into the dungeon if not the less sanitary work of the castle if lucky. Refocusing on our sister we could see those flushed cheeks as we hide our own blush hopefully well enough with our ‘mask’ we’ve been perfecting for social encounters, folding her arms and giving a huff as we finally started to delicately cut into our meal to eat. That twas until she THREW a squished crystal berry at our face when it landed on our muzzle, she laughed while we looked at it cross-eyed almost in disbelief until we stood up and ‘VERY’ ladylike leaped from our seat across the table to enact unadulterated divine justice while wielding a lettuce and carrot in each hand. Equestria – Canterlot Castle, Joining Royal Chambers – before sunset (same day as last chapter) [Third pony perspective] The room circular in design allowed for an area of peace and familiarity from the two still young newly crowned twin royalty, the glowing white coated pink mane and tailed Celestia was unwinding from her rejuvenating day in a white bathrobe. Smiling into her tea as she had reason to this day when her sister Luna came into her chambers’ early that morn, talking about of all things a stallion who seemed of good character. What was rather more surprising was that she INVITED somepony to the gala, that one being the stallion in question newly placed as the Crystal Empire’s Royal Court Mage. In hind sight she had been rather worried at the strange report, which was brought to her attention by the former pony Pegasus Leader Commander Hurricane. He wouldn’t say how he learned about the stallion but what was said, this Sombra had somehow turned from a mere crystal pony to know what is to be believed as now a Crystal Unicorn Pony. Somehow Princess Platinum heard of this news before even she or her sister did, as even Starswirl the bearded and his student Clover the Clever are rather intrigued to the same degree. It had been UTTER chaos because many wonder if it was just some trick that the empire was throwing out to flaunt ‘their’ superiority to the rest of pony kind, It may have been Emperor Shatter Hoof’s way of figuratively hoofing us in the face again when upon invited to unification he outright refused to bend the knee to a Alicorn. While it was surprising and even brash perhaps on both their parts, she may have shattered one of his hooves intentionally when he had spit upon her. Though from that little ‘spat’ between heads it was starswirl who has been trying to with little to no success in the short three and a half decade period of time, to temper celestia’s natural fiery disposition and quick to anger. Sighing on that after another sip from her tea, the doors to Luna’s Chambers opened as she walked in with a more confident measured pace before taking a seat near her sister, a black coat elegant like her black sky with her mane and tail filled with shimmering stars. “We hope thou day was rather becoming sister ours?” Brimming with an unrepressed smile upon her muzzle, seeing the cup that was prepared for her already there before her on the table. “Indeed it was Luna, though we hath been busy trying to quell the rampant rumors abound. Some of which are truly insane for the lengths they go from calling the stallion Sombra a ‘genius of our age’ to a ‘horrid abomination of the era’!” Celestia gave out a fuming huff before trying to take a calming sip from the tea set before, though Luna’s reaction to the rumors were of being disturbed by how cruel some ponies could be even if most didn’t stay up for her nights. Leaning a bit closer while nursing her tea in a tired ‘morning’ fashion Luna asked this. “Whom hath seen positive reaction to these rumors? For it would only be proper that we when meeting him and his to be brought along guests to the gala would smooth our relations if he met only those. To our view, the handsome stallion is young and bright minded if well. Embarrassed from when we entered his, wet dream?” That made celestia stop, blinking owlishly before looking into Luna’s light blushing face to say this. “Come again Luna? We may had not heard thou correctly, as we thought our sister met the stallion during his lewd dreaming.” Luna simply looked away clicking her tongue having to apparently scold herself for that misstep, which only caused a light pink to rise from celestia’s once white furred cheeks. “Luna, please tell us thou didn’t insert into the dream as the mare he may have been fantasizing about.” Taking a visible breath Luna returned her gaze saying this cautiously. “We hath not at first invaded his dream, we admit to ‘watching’ it at moments when we patrolled the dreams of others, repeatedly.” Celestia narrowed her gaze as the tea lightly bubbled. “Luna, we hath been through this before. It hath better not been a perversion of thou own wants forced onto said dream!” Celestia’s voice lightly shook the room though the pink only deepened on her muzzle before continuing. “It was awkward enough when thou did it to our dream and ‘joined’ with us in our ‘fantasy’, if stallions or mares even heard of this or imagined it alone.” Causing her to shudder lightly. “The ponies or other foreign species whom try to court us for political, power or favor would be ravenous or fanatical if they knew we liked that moment together.” Both of them sighing as Luna was the first to admit this. “We hath felt distant of late due to duties of the crown haven’t we sister?” Celestia nodded with a sigh saying this. “It was rather foalish, thinking all the work our mother made it look easy to our eyes didn’t she?” They sighed together before a light mirthful giggling happened, that if anypony else present in that chamber would have swooned by the melody that both gave off. Looking at the ceiling Luna said this softly, during which was rather hopeful. “The question is would he be able to accept our invitation or would the crystal emperor keep him there under hoof in sight. As we know starswirl does have leeway with thou, but has to often send out his student to study things in his stead due to thou own worry for the stallion.” Celestia looked at her sister before snorting once. “Starswirl can go wherever he wishes to be, we do not restrict his presence to be near us but he chooses to treat US of all ponies like foals.” That earned a giggle from Luna knowing that feeling. “Indeed it doth happens to us as well, we thought it be only us that suffered this!” smiles formed from their muzzles before looking at each other leaning in to nuzzle each other affectionately until Luna licked her sister’s snout before darting away to start raising her moon and celestia from her seat lowering the sun. “We bid thou good night sister ours, we might tempt thou yet further as we think Sombra if we pursued him wouldn’t mind the two of us together by his dreams with joy.” She left the chamber with Celestia calling after her. “Luna, what doth thou mean by that? Luna!” Giving an auditable grunt before continuing. “That mare could be a whorse at times depending on if she likes to be or not.” Celestia was left to grumble and mirthfully ‘fume’ before heading to her chambers to rest for the night. Equestria – Somewhere in a secluded room – Midday [Third Pony Perspective] There in a sparely lit candled room sat figures just out of the direct light though by the three whom sat in there apparently waited for somepony to arrive. The first from the left half of the table was a rather built kind of figure whom wore metal armor of an earthen tone, slouching forward before tilting their helmeted head to the left speaking in a high pitched gruff male tone. “Why do we simply wait for that old stallion when the matters at hand are so vital? Shouldn’t we just be bringing the issue to task with our might under the princesses?” The one in the middle whom sports some type of crown and a finer attire huffed as she spoke in an elegant fashion showing a pristine horn. “Well it would doth be foolish if we acted now only to earn the ire of the princesses without due cause, speaking of which WE did see one of YOURS flying from the Crystal Empire when that information was brought out. Why did thou think it needed to tell the princesses in the first place you brash ruffian.” The one who had their hooves displayed while leaning back in his chair grunted in response as he idly sharpened his short sword. “Well somepony had to get this ball rolling since we all know those crystals won’t do like we wanted, it would be SO much easier if we simply invaded and made them join us! Besides those Griffin featherbrains are getting edgy towards my Pegasus citizens, we’d be rather comfy if you two didn’t sit on your flanks and helped with that issue!” The heavy armored earth pony slammed his fist onto the table speaking in a high pitch once more. “Well we would be getting thou over inflated EGO driven flank out of the fire if our forces were not currently ENGAGED with the dragon lands to the south! It’s bad enough that we need her ponies support against those fiery beasts.” He gestured to the now gasping shocked mare in the middle as she leaned into view revealing a Princess Platinum pointing a manicured digit in his direction. “If it wasn’t OUR help with thou problem Commander Pudding we would be more at ease to put our talents of magic to better use!” Sitting forward now Commander Hurricane just grins at them both saying this in a taunting tone. “Oh, the unicorn cannot do more than one thing? I feel sorry to have thought EITHER of you both were ever capable of actual leadership.” That whipped their heads in his direction as anypony could cut the tension with a cleaver, that was until the doors opened revealing an aged pony walking in with an oversized hat with dangling bells and frowning when seeing what may be an argument forming again. Giving each of them a solemn deadpan before giving a slight frown of disappointment that was exaggerated by his age. “What is going on here?” Looking at each of them as if a scolding parent would to rowdy foals, as they point to each other trying to lay more blame on the other, that was until a solid strike of a staff hitting the floor that made the light each candle gave off flicker stronger for a moment of that time showing each face. “We thought each of thou were better than this, unification was 35 years ago and even now when thou are older and hopefully wiser. Thou still act like foals at the slightest provocation! What would have Faust said if she saw the children of those whom served under her loyally for generations simply went at each other’s throats again like predators?” Taking a breath as his rant becomes more passionate with hate in his aged eyes at the three others present. “It was bad enough when the Thestrals and the Crystal ponies broke off after our fall, but worse yet when went we fled south to this place our new home land they out right REFUSED to rejoin under her daughters when they had lost NOTHING. They even condemned US of all ponies for INVADING their land and driving the Thestrals further south? Well in truth they may be correct but one doth not break the oath each species swore.” A dangerous glint crossed his eyes that made the other unicorn in the room flinch back, while the other two at the table may have shared an unspoken glance on edge. “Seeing as how there is a new ‘type’ of Crystal pony, there is a good chance we might be able to bring him under our sway, the issue lays with how to get him out of his protective guard and speak in a more ‘pleasant’ setting. From what we heard earlier today Princess Luna seems to have invited a Stallion, we have it under belief that it would be the same on topic named ‘Sombra’.” He grimaced slightly before looking back up. It was Princess Platinum who spoke up, in a careful tone. “So what would get this Stallion to come when he would likely heed his emperor’s will, let alone brave leaving his home on the princess’s invitation? It is not like she’s inviting the monster to the gala now right?” She gave a light chuckle until seeing a crown form further on Starswirl’s face, moving back with slight fear when he responded. “It doth seem OUR princess HAS, and from appearances she’s sent enough tickets for the Crystal Royals to come as well under the impression that it would be using the emperor’s own arrogance to ‘show’ off his ponies own glory of accomplishment.” Hearing a snort come from Commander Hurricane as he leaned closer idly waving his blade about before putting it down out of view. “Why couldn’t we go with foalnapping him? I’ve got ponies in the last caravan who can get it done all they need is my signal to strike.” He gave off a cocky brash attitude, often use to his flying strategies and cloud tactics until Commander Pudding butted in. “It would only give our hand away as for what we are doing, one wrong step and the princesses will do a full investigation to try to keep us from going to war with the Crystal Tribe.” Princess Platinum sighs and says this softly in an alluring tone. “Colts, it takes a mare to lead a colt by the snout to get what she wants. Why not leave it to us as he’ll likely be fascinated by learning magic fields even if he is an abomination to all life.” She spoke the last few words with displayed venom as her nails raked the table leaving visible groves’ that made both stallions closest to her move a bit further away. “While we would ‘ENJOY’ thou taking initiative we believe Princess Luna show’s more than some interest in him, as for what KIND we do not yet know, though he’ll have difficult time resisting her if she doth get serious in seeking a coltfriend.” They all shivered at that sentence having seen the trauma from the ‘last’ courting attempt where the stallion kept babbling about being haunted in his dreams, or there was no way out as Princess Platinum gave a slight sheepish smile before saying this. “We’ve been offering her advice on courting also some books of those bards more successful tales that she and Princess Celestia barrows from her at times.” She grinned with pride from their bemused reactions until she huffed and say this in a dismissive tone. “Stallions, never one for the finer arts of a mare’s wooing it makes us wonder how most of thou even had gotten a marefriend.” Sighing Starswirl spoke up again before looking at the three. “Well if he doth come, all we ask of thou is to arrange it so the two of us will be alone for at least an hour. At worse if we do come to blows we shall attempt a spell modified from zebra rituals to banish his soul and put ours into his body, that way we will be in a place there to take action for the greater whole of Equestria.” He gave them a gentle fatherly smile that had them exchange looks before Commander Hurricane spoke up. “So how will we know it’s really you and not that Sombra stallion?” Crystal Empire – Unknown Wine Cellar – Midday (strangely convenient?) [Third Pony Perspective] Seven of the most influential Crystal Nobles in the Empire sit in the same lavishly set Cellar, openly tasting different brands of wine. Shard Hammer, whom is Hand of the King and known as ‘The Mountain’ to those he fights though often at odds with Daunting Guard. Daunting Guard, whom is Lord Commander of the stalwart honorable knights whom protect the Empire from outsiders and on the war council. Perfect Edict, whom is Master of Laws the documentation with making efficient laws and smooth running of the Empire. Forgecraft, whom is Master of Coin and represent craftsponies of the highest military or any equipment in all the empire. Solid Gem, whom is the Grand Maester as her family built the empire that still stands today. Sunset Shimmer, whom is Mistress of Whispers happen to also have the gift for celebrations and wine especially whom is hosting today, looking about the room during mid sip she places her glass down and lightly speaks. “Whom wishes to start off our little gathering and wine tasting today?” The response she gets is from Forgecraft, knowing he’s been irked by sudden shifts in budget. In a slurred moment he spoke with a bit of spite put into his speech. “It be the princesses again and their spending habits! They had us pulled away from our other duties to balance out what materials they spent and land they had bought for the ‘House Onyx’ that be put there, we swear by the all gem that if those willing religious sods of the Elder Princess were not involved we would be ranting of this issue to the queen! Looking into what all of it entails is a ‘Magic Academy’ being built there as well!” His ‘little’ rant gained the attention of others with a gruff response. Shard Hammer spoken up next with a twitch in his eye at mention. “That stallion be unworthy of the crown’s attention no matter what foul trickery he’s done to earn it! The first day we laid eyes on that runt from the princesses dragging him in all those years ago we KNEW he’d be trouble.” That same eye twitch gave him away with a clenching of the hand, though Daunting Guard spoke up in defense it seemed. “Thou art only projecting insecurities of thou own onto the colt, our knights had humorously seen the funniest aftermath that make us feel unease for the princesses' future! Could thou IMAGINE the princesses arguing about something that led to ACTUAL blows they only saw the aftermath of food coated the table and walls?” Smiling more Sunset Shimmer spoke in a sing song manner. “We know what the argument was about, even some juicy details of her nightly slipping away in all black form fitting attire to a certain somepony, as the fairer sex we do know WHY they quarrel with each other.” The stallions in the room looked at her for the longest moment until Solid Gem spoke up. “Thou does mean they quarrel over this stallion Sombra correct? It would explain why Princess Crystal Heart asked us to personally design and build both home and Academy for their possible to be coltfriend?” That got a chocking sound out of Shard Hammer and Forgecraft looking different levels of livid to hate. They looked at each other in the room as Sunset Shimmer smiles while swirling her drink before taking another sip giving a response. “We think the young stallion may be in over his head though we already have one placed in a prime position to end him at our leisure, all it takes is a slip of a hand does it not now everypony?” A grin props onto Forgecraft’s face while Shard Hammer frowns seeming to not like that eluded option, Daunting Guard narrows his gaze at her suspiciously than at the other males in the room with disdain. “Thou all act like cowards whom should be treating this with a positive outcome.” Mistress of Whispers took note of the silence that came from Perfect Edict’s seat and his neutral regard for the other’s antics as he met her gaze with a raised brow. Crystal Empire – House Onyx, Dining Hall – That evening [Sombra Perspective] Looking around the room as it technically would be the ‘first’ time truly eating in this room now instead of our study, with both royal crystal siblings sitting opposed of each other with a evident glare from both though shown differently. Pandora has a forced smile while her features look to be egging her older sister on, while Crystal Heart looks VERY calm, if it were not for her agitated tail barely moving back and forth as if swatting something. “Um, how doth thou both feel tonight? We hope something has not happened on this nice night?” Their gazes shifted suddenly onto us making a folding of our ears and slight jump at the feeling of being preyed upon by two predators, Pandora smiled more genuinely in her bubbly way that hides more. “Oh down worry we are just having a ‘friendly’ game with each other over a nice prize.” When she said that there was a licking of her muzzle that heated up our face for how ‘lewd’ it appeared until Crystal Heart placed her hand on ours resting at the table with a calming warm smile. “What our younger sister says in a way is being truthful, though know that when we quarrel it would not be done to a degree to worry thou of our wellbeing.” She smiled a bit more lightly gripping our hand before Pandora gave a tug. “Sister might be right about that though I wouldn’t mind coming by to 'play' more often cutie, as for your information father’s gone on diplomatic duties to the northern kingdom. Mother’s allowed us to come over as we wished though said we both cannot stay the night, it just isn’t fair we cannot have a ‘sleepover’ like long ago.” We get the feeling she is more than implying something less than ‘innocent’ this time around that Crystal Heart seems to react to us. “While our sister might definitely be an uncouth young mare, we would be overjoyed if we may share in small outings or if thou feels brave enough to read to us again like ‘old times’?” Okay, something is clearly up as since we suspect they are courting us these ‘hints’ or such suggestions feel like more, from what our use of Keen Mind’s skills during their talk and banter. They are acting like two riled of cats over food or two mares for one stallion, this is going to be awkward beyond what happened this morning isn’t it? At least we are relaxed after Smooth Touch’s Massage to not be tense during this point, but we’re still nervous and slightly sweating. “Well we wouldn’t mind either or both of thou coming over to be with us, maybe arrange something later the following marrow? For that morning we hope to check out the places thou both have given onto us, maybe even try some of our magic that could benefit the empire if it works.” That got both of their attentions and it’s clear by their eyes they wish to WATCH us work, maybe they love the magic we can do now? That wouldn’t hurt if they were just seeking us as for genuine love, though it would hurt if it be political in union. “We BOTH would be very happy to see what magic or things thou could show onto us, if it wouldn’t be of any trouble could thou tell us more of what be intended in hopes of fortune favoring endeavors?” Crystal Heart asked while Pandora gave her a look before speaking up after her sister. “Like what sister just said, because it wouldn’t hurt to learn how you do your magic their cutie. Because hopefully you’ll be able to make us crystal unicorns too?” Both myself and Crystal Heart Sputter at her open blatant question, though that might be good to do though we would have to make sure it works again. “Well we would have to test the ritual again a few times to make sure it goes over well, thou noticed how we fared when we risked it ourselves?” They gave each other a look before intensifying a gaze onto us. “Did thou not test this ritual beforehand to make sure it be safe?” We couldn’t look them in the eye, their faces showing concern when we’ve become barraged by their questions and combined poking/checking over that we attempted to keep their hands away. “We are fine, physically and mentally we were utterly drained but we’re better see? Though we’ll be fine tuning it to make sure there is nothing wrong.” There was a pause before Crystal Heart brought up a question. Smiling softly she spoke calmly though her tail acted in concern. “Did thou ritual only intend to grow a horn upon thou head? For we feel by the stumps on thou back may be for wings?” Both Pandora and we looked at her than back to us in question. And the stares were rather ‘unbecoming’ of a higher born mare, looking into their eyes was that explorative sight that was soon quelled down when Smooth Touch placed her hand on our shoulder when depositing our meal of gems with Crystal Clear and the other two servants from the kitchen placing the meals prepared for tonight before them. Putting on a nervous smile before continuing. “Perhaps we will discover this reasoning another day? It would be nice to confirm something like this as quickly as possible.” Taking a bite into a ruby made us shudder softly at the wonderful taste of apples again, with seeing an emerald and citrine too with a familiar bowl of smaller lower quality gems to distract us. “It’s very good to have our hard work be appreciated by both of thou, though we worry how others will view us for all of this help. Wouldn’t others get jealous of the attention thou gives onto us?” The response caused them to look at each other with a pregnant pause filling the air other than our continued chewing after. “Indeed it might very well, though we are happy because thou does not look at us as princesses, but as thou loving friends whom treat thou just as highly.” Crystal Heart stated with Pandora nodding vigorously with a smile. “True, true, though it doesn’t hurt that you are cute and smart.” That left us flushed badly in the face looking down at our meal hoping to make it go away, or that this dinner will end on a bright note. “Hey Sombra what’s been up with your guards and some of the servants? They have been paying us A LOT of attention like they are on high alert.” That finished verbiage made us brace for the coming storm.
Crystal trials, Burdens of Foals and CourtAuthor's Note Number of Edits: 3 Number of OCs: 1 We believe a possible displaced be coming? Crystal trials, Burdens of Foals and Court Crystal Trials, Burdens of Foals and Court Crystal Empire – House Onyx, Sombra’s Study – Two weeks since that night, morning now [Sombra Perspective] Sighing as we rub the sleep from our eyes this morning, looking out the window into the cloudy day yet even now a bit of light strikes the face while we held our journal of our experiences and research on all kinds of magic. It is a fascinating study to undergo while we asked Keen Mind to keep mental records of the more detailed sensitive technics like our original ritual, though through consulting her for our other troubles of the mind, even undergoing technics to try and help us overcome this mental hurdle. That wasn’t helped in most cases due to the empire’s royal sisters or Princess Luna’s visits during our dreams at least a couple days out of the week. Giving a shudder from that thought from being pounced by Pandora to play for Heart’s more controlled well worded requests just as passionately, it’s left us feeling like a toy being pulled in two directions with a third poking our condition. Sighing our frustration only to gasp from the smooth touch gracing our neck from our chamber maiden, (who also goes by the same name.) bringing our delicious gem breakfast and seeing our frustration. Though apparently since that same night we’ve earned two snugglers in our bed, Dark faith and Smooth Touch. That’s another thing that is utterly becoming a habit of breaking us in as we don’t even refuse or feel uncomfortable by being snuggled, are we just that pitiful or lonely…? Yes, we could be lonely in a way… Which added onto our problems though we guess our entire staff had to be made trustworthy, by use of our [Undying Loyalty] ability, we may have security of mind and body but our morals conflict from this forced companionship. Speaking of such it took some time but this ‘Metal Heart’ came around without tricks or play, we figuratively exposed our self and only wish for the best of this empire and its land. Even if others wish to try and murder us by ploy or confrontation, but when we mentioned the goat kingdom she took drastic interest demanding to know what year it was, stranger still is she holds secrets but dares not share them. But good news besides murky ones being we received mail from those like us that brings joy to our heart like a fluttering bird. The details of it are sketchy at best though from reading all the letters we have much to prepare for, to solidify our position first among the empire, we’ve been through trial and error improving the Crystal Construct Project, which admittedly went very badly at first… -Flashback- [The morning after THAT dinner - day one] We had decided to set up a spot just outside the Crystal Mines we owned preferably away from valuable equipment in case of explosion, not like we will tell our captivated audience whom came to observe us, which were both Crystal Heart and Pandora. Also the Lord Commander Daunting Guard, who was curious about our attempts to make magic guardians made of crystals, though the Emperor’s Hand Shard Hammer was quite adamant in throwing down our idea to improve the Crystal Empire should be ‘through strong hands and hooves in battle’. Going so far as to call what we did was foal’s play, though when we tried for a construct in the shape of a Pegasus Pony we may have fed it negative energy from our befouled mood. That got us panicking while it flied and pounced us with Dark Faith reacting to IT, we’re glad our first try was not that a shape of being a pony-spider for it would have been worse than some running and often dodging a dive-bomb maneuver. Which got Pandora and the Emperor’s Hand laughing their flanks off only until it started to actually get serious, but stopped dead when Metal Heart took his personal hammer and THREW it. Striking the magically carved word of life from its body causing it to stutter and fail only to fall and shatter apart like a glass pane upon hitting the ground in chunks. After that screw up, the second attempt Dark Faith took proper preparation with her weapon of choice a hefty crystal maul, a heavy crystal javelin set and a nocked crystal crossbow, with having Metal Heart idly looking at what we are doing and those present more on guard. Only to try the test again (shaped as a unicorn this time.) seeing at first do nothing leaving us and our crowd confused until we tried giving it orders, which was to take stance like Daunting Guard. When anypony else tried commanding it nothing happened, that was when we got inspired to take a gem and inscribe ‘Secondary Command’ into it and have Dark Faith try it while held. Which indeed worked, leading us to cheer foalishly! Though it led to some problems as it took commands LITERALLY, it turned awkward when Shard Hammer commanded it to duel him until he falls. It was sturdy though yet again mindless when it blatantly struck at him making it easy to overcome, though with a bit more of experimenting making the crystal construct fixed like a unicorn again. We worked on with loyalty, magic, mind and finally life put on it. The results were Baffling to say the least, it didn’t speak but it reacted with intelligence and obeyed us still quite literally but it still felt off. As if it reacted to our wishes and tried to accomplish that, it even obeyed the wielder of the command crystal until it was to threaten US or the princesses in question. Pandora wanted it to speak and have a name, which was innocent at the time we discovered it’s version of ‘speaking’ was some type of harmonic musical chime. Though by the end of that day we asked it if it could mine enough crystals to fill three carts and protect the shipment for us, which it rather did well, its name ended up as Chime Melody for how beautiful it was in 'singing’. -End Flashback- Looking up at the ceiling for a moment with a sigh, basking in the massage nearly dosing off as it felt strange for another to know how our body tensed like it was the back of her hand. Though oddly enough we did end up learning far more intimate details about our servants, and house guards that Keen Mind has taken to mentally note down such things for future references, even with our errors; our comrades within us help us learn to grow. Tis funny how even inanimate things could also learn if given a chance to grow an individualistic mind, which became one of the top THREE current mental studies of living and now magical construct ‘emulated’ life. It was rather shocking when Chime Melody even adjusted its form slightly for more feminine appearances, perhaps it was from interacting with the princesses. But what truly seemed odd was a sense of innocence radiated off it and shown true emotion when seeing us, even emulating a sort of ‘happy’ song. Things only got stranger when on the third day we have it imitate our action to make another construct to see the result. -Flashback 2- [The Northern Crystal Mine – day three] In having ordered Chime to assist us in putting together and shaping a basic pony physical shape to gauge it’s adaptability to situations were spot on, our magic carving progressively became easier to do even made smaller more hidden on protectable locations proved to help with our writing skill. A side benefit is that if thou are the most skilled writer thou can be the most talented rune carver, or simply able to make stronger [Symbol Magic] runes. Though Chime Melody has confounded us as to how it is able to keep going let alone perfectly mimic us in any fashion commanded. Though when the Lord Commander saw our astonishment, we studied our Chime’s first successful crafting and testing said construct to full working order. He soon after requested a duel to physically test the new construct’s ability for combat, if he saw it suitable for his possible needs he would wish to commission more combat oriented ones. Said duel was soon underway as it lasted for a good twenty or so minutes as they learned from each other, which also showed it could learn from fighting and perform only two magical actions, increased resistance and ‘natural’ regeneration so long as its carvings remain whole while touching the ground. But when the Hand of the Emperor took a turn next and brutally struck down the poor construct with both might and experience, we thought we saw Chime’s ‘horn’ glow when the construct it made finally broke. It looked to us and let out a sad song of sorts that drew the princesses’ ire. Only for him to give a ‘mock’ apology for breaking a ‘toy’ for foals, that made us narrow our eyes at him as we thought of how to improve the current designs and what runes from [Symbol Magic] was even possible. -End Flashback 2- Smiling back now it was around the sixth day when our two sleepless nights worth of working had paid off, sneaking over to the crystal mine having chime and the four other constructs to mine enough to fill eight mine carts. Oh the effort White Snout did in pointing our flaws during that time to help improve the design were well marked down into our crystalmancy book, the time and magic put into carefully making it was a grand feat as it stood TWELVE FEET TALL, walked on four mobile shielded legs and body dense enough to nearly match diamonds from our teeth’s gauging. For the record we are still scared of being able to chew into diamonds with ‘minor’ difficulty, more magically rare stones though surprisingly give a small power boost overall though it depends on the quality for how much. But that day couldn’t have been better as the light snowfall that day only made it all the sweeter, also apparently White Snout can UNDERSTAND what Chime’s saying, which is rather strange though being a Diamond Dog we yet to truly understand her. Also our companion shadow forms when they overshadow a crystal construct, it naturally reshapes to ‘their’ former living appearance and strength albeit a crystal body to protect themselves from magical attacks on a ‘mostly’ resistant or absorbent level until the form breaks due to quality. Which got us having to ask Chime politely to improve their quality and density of the Enlightened Construct class. -Flashback 3- [Northern Crystal Mines – day six] Upon arriving the following day the princesses were there before us and a female gendered crystal construct now had a more notable female crystal form, only to discover it was Pandora’s doing from the beginning to testing it out. Which also caused ‘her’ behavior to change slightly to us but to the mares present it was more like a landslide was witnessed from how they reacted. Showing how it acted like a happy foal around us which Crystal Heart in jest said we are Chime's parent which earned a happy ‘confirmation’ chimed vocal response and a sharp nuzzle. With repeated flailing from sharp construct hugs and excessive amounts of medical salves for cuts later, having been pried free to than make a unforgettable reveal in showing. The Hand of the Emperor whom was here yet again looked utterly uninterested while the Lord Commander at least showed good interest as we visually shown from the first more crude construct, to the ‘Enlightened’ and newly shown ‘Knight’ classes of Crystal Constructs. Only got us some applause from the princesses whom wished for two of each possibly showing support for our stride in this first magic study. The Lord Commander wished to test the new knight class in question whom successfully warded off his attacks this time and nearly disarmed him when dueling showing a satisfactory nod quite possibly earning us a commission and funding for other tasks and research outside of our assets. Though the figurative and near literal heart stopper was indeed our large pride and joy, the ‘Pony-Spider Brute’. When we had ordered Chime to ‘call’ the Brute to come and be shown off, everypony tilted their ends almost in unison except for Dark Faith and Metal Heart. The both of them seem to have smug looks for different reasons the first likely for underestimating us and the later to see the brick shitting expressions of pure unadulterated FEAR. They went into a confused alerted state when a auditable quadruped *THUD* struck the ground coming from the mines, the sound continued several times only getting louder and more ominous. We silently asked chime how far in did she have it work in the mines before a scraping was heard from the entrance, we heard a screech of terror that sounded like both sisters, and possibly somepony else nearby? Turning back to look at our audience smiling before doing so as we spoke loud enough to say this to the ponies of note present. “Behold the terror to any foe whom would dare amass a force to attack our empire again! We dubbed its type to be based on the mysterious ‘Pony-spider’ tribe described in tales from the library, we classify this as the ‘Brute’! It was specifically built to be heavy and mobile though we point out its specific key features that will terrify any enemy trying to attack it, a new spell called ‘Shield’ where physical and magical attacks are blocked unless overpowered.” Taking this time to look back at it as it came closer to finally stand behind us. We saw the arms and three fingered claws it bore shown in a spread and lance like formation showing its clear intimidating fashion. “Its body is nearly as strong as diamonds due to quality and magical infusion upon it, we have also through trial and error may have made this construct NEARLY immune to magic in theory. Also boasting several other defensive and offensive tricks that the Emperor will no doubt love.” When its ‘voice’ came out, it was not a musical chime or such. It was an earthy deep shuddering tone showing guardian level of intelligence. “We’ve gathered the appropriate gem stones in basket on our abdomen, hallowed master.” Both stallions looked at each other slowly while still watching the Brute monstrosity with one eye each, having come to possibly the greatest agreement that anypony will ever hear them come to terms on if ever on their own. “How many can be made and what be the time table for the ‘Knights’/‘Brutes’?” Which got us smiling happily and the first one to brave coming up to our brute was undoubtedly being Pandora, though Crystal Heart found only safety shivering against us asking repeatedly if it won’t eat them all. -End Flashback 3- Closing the journal in our lap as we stop reminiscing with a sigh dreadfully looking finally at long last again for the fifteenth time at the stacked parchments writing in detail about these bright minded foals, whom we had given the chance of a better life and to hopefully learn magic from us at the first Academy of its kind in this Empire. We felt dirty for having to use those whom may be ignored if things go badly, but at least most of them may survive… We feel monstrous for thinking that and for our ignorance to a blatant oversight! Sighing we looked down at our necklace as it hummed noiselessly but we felt it in our body and soul, the massage distracts our heavy heart from this. Those poor, poor foals. They trusted us but now the two we failed were either a soulless husk or a possessed weaker monstrosity from beyond this plane of life, at least we were able to perform the [Soul Manipulation] upon the entity to put it into a vessel more suitable for no harmful effects towards others. Though the only benefit gained from this ‘thing’, has been dark knowledge (which the Sombra in our head drools to learn more from) and knowing we could alter a soul weaker than us, which is both a deep concern and a moral question now to us. Do we change another’s nature for our boon or let it be? Weirdly it is the ponies in our head whom want to make some sort of use or have it contribute towards something instead of destroying it like what White Snout and Valira Goldfeather wish to be done, though if we did the Sombra in our head said it is possible to absorb its power to grow stronger. Star Talent cautions against that unless there is a safe surefire method developed just in case to prevent other planer corruption of any sort into pure magic to deepen our pool, which brings up the point of either risking ourselves or patently wait and research for surefire rituals for that and ensure it’s contained before anything else. But on a brighter note we have our first students to learn from us, young and full of hopes and wonders. Teaching them general knowledge first to get them to a high enough suitable level to understand magical wordings and meanings, stressing the importance on focus when casting to not be distracted. The workload is definitely easier with having the 'Enlightened' class constructs teaching here, giving our students a 'living' first hand example of what our magic has accomplished. Though when they are ready, before the ritual we would bring them under [Undying Loyalty] so that they will be loyal to us and the empire and no other, but we have made it known to our servants and guards we would wish for them to have special someponies to love and continue their family line under our house. We may have taken from them but we hope they will have a loving family regardless of our heinous selfish actions. At least the ten students we have did not meet each other until the academy dining hall, those two foals were the bottom of our twelve choices as cynical it had to be. Though Keen Mind keeps trying to assure us that mistakes happen and that any field of study has it’s ‘casualties’, like her. “Smooth Touch.” Her massaging at this point stops for a moment looking into our eyes with concern, waiting for our next words patiently it seems. “Are we a monster with the trappings of a stallion?” She smiled softly leaning in to nuzzle softly before replying to our question. “I believe you are a good stallion my gentle hearted duke, we all wished to have been of better help over what happened. To me it isn’t your fault, nopony could have predicted that.” Closing our eyes to let the weight of seven dead weigh on us, it is funny how we are so hard on our self to the point where even sympathy comes from the Sombra from our mind. No amount of self-pity will ever rectify that mistake, but at least we have ten foals we will painstakingly work with preparation for when any of them are ready to be assigned to their lifelong sentient partner. We’ll need to make a private request from the emperor and empress for at least one task, binding of the Royal Blessing to each amulet that will symbiotically help protect the wearer from corruption. Seems to be something our little friend on our neck forgot to mention this when we tried the ritual on those foals, which was also why how our Sombra died from our entry. The Crystal Empire – House Onyx Carriage – Noon [Sombra Perspective] The carriage trip only takes a bit, with how it feels only so much longer because there is Metal Heart and Dark Faith in the same carriage with the later sitting next to us and the first across with a scowl upon her face looking at us with disdain. “I still CANNOT stress how much of a monster you are, for what you did to those foals. Buck do I know what CAN be said to describe you now!” Dark Faith bristled from those words with narrowed eyes before sharply spitting back at her as we take the verbal beating. “Our divine Duke is still a pony whom can mistakes, unlike thou fake piece of useless metal flank! We don’t see thou trying to move on to fix mistakes, or ease burdens for the future!” They often argue with each other, tis strange how it just keeps going back and forth. If we weren’t present it would have likely devolved into an outright duel to the death mayhap, though it doesn’t help us when there is squabbling as we do know that this ‘Metal Heart’ will be staying until her ‘mission’ is completed. Whenever that will be, though we did make a wondrous stride and even had begun having asked Chime to help us produce more enlightened class constructs to aid us as the Emperor will likely want to have a ‘full scale’ production startup of the knights and brutes.. It’s a good thing that we had the rune of ‘guardian’ be on it to give the property an actual proper defense as we’ll have two more made for the estate and academy. It’s rather funny how we ride in a carriage with our house symbol when others would gawk at the Knight constructs whom pull it from up front, with two of our house guards sitting on the high front seat to observe our surroundings. It can be rather stressful to uphold a stoic face in front of a crowd, we still have to try and get used to being in a seat of importance. “Guard, how much longer until we arrive?” The guard on the right up front spoke up saying thusly taking a moment to let us see his eyes glow. “Milord we shalt be there soon for thou business and guard the carriage.” [At the Northern Crystal Mine] Upon our arrival the snow started to fall lightly again that made us feel wary if it will always be snowing here, maybe something to consider trying to fix in the future. Our attention was earned by two things, quadruped heavy- *THUDS* -upon the ground and Chime’s musical harmonic ‘singing’ that seemed to affect how the other constructs worked. Her form has undergone quite the change since she was first made by our efforts, the once crude and sharp edges were now smooth and dulled to not cut nor rend flesh from bone but looked almost soft enough to hug or hold. Also her more pronounced ‘female’ figure at first subtly changed each time we came also now being at least a full head above us soon enough. Though that brings to question if it’s the result of the runes we have added to her since then, it’s funny how trying to protect her runes by making a copy of them upon a multi layered ‘cute’ crystal shaped heart inside her chest. Strengthened a protective diamond shell around it only to protect our pride and ‘living’ joy into this first large scale magical research, with ‘Hive Mind’ worked with ‘Life Link’ to a lode stone in the castle in secret she’ll likely outlive any of us. She even learned how to write by Crystal Heart whom has taken joy in coming to visit to hear her sing, and Pandora teaching her weird things that make Chime feel more alive than anything else. The sight of her coming into view on the Brute’s loaded abdomen is rather shocking when she would jump down and ‘shoo’ it along to continue working before coming up to give us a near back breaking hug, having learned to ‘adjust’ passionate hugs and nuzzles from the other times. It’s funny how we praise her like a foal when the size alone makes us fear how big she’ll get, maybe it has to do with using the castle as her lode stone? That’s a deep possibility, also shows how little we truly know about the subject, it may take decades to learn more than we have with chime who seems to have a literal innate talent for gems even sensing them, it’s likely how she’s able to detect us coming. Smiling softly we pet her crouched form on the head as she nuzzles our hand, earning a chimed song that has the feeling of love from Chime Melody while Metal Heart only snorts in displeasure from earlier berated topic. With a lightened heart we soon enough we got to asking chime if she could make three more brutes, one being for our home and one for the academy that we’ve shown her before. Though the final Brute would hopefully be for the Castle, with any added details if desired. But looking around at the mine's grounds we had originally hoped for both constructs and fellow crystal ponies to work together here though none seem to desire such a job, maybe it’s because of our constructs that causes so much fear? That though darkened our mood slightly as they fear magic users or beings, maybe we could try to make them see that we work for the citizens’ benefit? That there is nothing to fear from our magic and show them that our constructs are along the same lines of our dubbed ‘Crystalmancy’ its effects of gems and crystals in all their shapes and being. We’ll stress that it’ll be one of the first fields of study foals will undergo when they have completed the ritual successfully, even stress there is still risks of minor death or possession if they understand the gravity versus completing it and becoming such as us. But we are not sure yet if a Crystal Unicorn can be sired, or even other dreadful things like sterility, fears that we and those whom complete the ritual and become Crystal Unicorns of the empire may have to deal with if so. That would be rather depressing if it always took a ritual to become any crystal type of the other tribes, though that makes us wonder how they view us, let alone what we hope to do. Metal Heart has stated repeatedly that our kin are severely tribest, and outright suspicious of other tribes or species. For good reasons to be honest as others have at least a couple times in in the decades even before 'unification' as the equestrian tribes call this age, not like they also are unknowing of evil actions either towards us or other tribes. Though with one last hug from Chime before taking our departing to the castle, to welcome the Emperor’s Return since it had been a fortnight leaving and sit in on the first official Court with the small council. By the chill in the air it’s likely bad tidings. The Crystal Empire – Throne Room, Court – Early Afternoon [Sombra Perspective] When the carriage arrived at the castle grounds the royal guards welcomed us with unnerved shakes, by note of carriages the whole of the council arrived so far and we are last except for the emperor’s return royal company of his elite guard being two hundred. When leaving the carriage to trot towards the north eastern front doors they opened them long before we even got to the doors, as if hoping to not converse with us as by the averted gaze and shivering not from the cold told our eyes. But he interior is a warmer splendid feeling to show the richness of our empire as the castle itself is the first thing to be seen for miles, though with a brisk canter pace having our Captain of the Guard, the ‘mercenary’ Metal Heart matching pace. A new addition following right behind us is from Chime one of the Enlightened class whom looked of a regal but modest assistant. The funniest thing was as soon as Chime could write any of the other enlightened constructs could as well, though the enlightened seem to develop their own ‘flare’ or slightly different seeming to take on a ‘special’ role like a cutie mark. This one reminds us of Crystal Clear if the stallion was a mare instead and make of crystals, odd thing that is when a feminine figure wearing a butler attire, all of which is crystal which started a new line of thought. Maybe they will act differently if they wore cloth- Our mind stops when we realized the doors to the throne room were reached so soon, as we were lost in thought cantering mostly to here while Dark Faith and Metal Heart were told they had to wait outside, the only reason our enlightened were allowed in was because as our assistant and a show of successful magic study to the crowns. Most of the royal family is present, the Empress Pristine Jewel upon the throne, the First Princess Crystal Heart and the Second Princess Pandora. They were at the throne at the far end of the Throne room, while the small council stood on either side of straightest path leading to the throne as they split into two rows. On the left would be first the Emperor's Hand, Shard Hammer, in custom full armor for his size while his maul hangs from his dominant side except for his helm strapped to his belt. Second on the same side after which would be the Master of Coin, Crystal Forgecraft, wearing a sort of formal attire that he doesn't look comfortable in. Third in that same line is the Mistress of Whispers, Sunset Shimmer, wearing a well-fitting red dress that shows her curves and bust line to draw attention. On the right side the first we see is the Lord Commander, Daunting Guard, wearing Knightly armor made for mobility and protection with his sword and shield be clasped onto back, while his helmet strapped to his waist. Second on the right would be the Grand Maester, Solid Gem, who out of everypony present is the most plainly garbed in a simple light blue robe with a chain of her mark as the Grand Maester be shown with a heavy tome tied to her hip. Third on the right side would be the Master of Laws, Perfect Edict, wearing a noble’s garb with a set of crystal spectacles on his muzzle with trim and proper appearance holding documents. Looking back at the others noticing most of them had documentation as well except for the Hand, though we had brought along reports of our work that our ‘Enlightened’ Class crystal construct holds in her shaped digits that look to only need ink on the nail to write. But it is the hand wave from Pandora and light gesturing of approach by Crystal Heart, that beckoned us to awkwardly walk past the six pairs of eyes that traced our following steps and the construct shifted also. It was rather stupid until the queen smiled from our nervousness and gestured to stand in front of her daughters, we did so as Pandora giggled and heart simply smiled from how we're acting. A distant horn went off as it signaled that the Emperor had returned and passed the city wall, knowing their kin would make way for his speedy return would leave us some time to have final preparations. “Guard, do have a servant go to have some mead brought up for our husband’s ready when taking a seat, he’ll likely be exhausted and needing something to rejuvenate his spirits from the long trek.” The Empress Pristine Jewel spoke smiling gently, as she gave a look at the small council and finally her daughters and us. “Would anypony else like to have something to drink, as we wait for our beloved?” That earned a couple of responses even from Pandora while we asked for mere water, only to look over the parchment we brought along making sure to keep sensitive subjects unseen. Bowing our head to the Empress we asked a question, which hoped to be seen to today. “Our Empress, when things be concluded may we seek audience after for a personal matter involving the academy for both thou and the Emperor?” That earned a look from the princesses and a raised eyebrow from their mother of course the topic could have been anything. “Do we presume it involves speaking of a sensitive topic, for how things may progress?” She is always a clever one like her daughters, we nodded softly. The Crystal Empire - Throne Room - roughly twenty seven minutes since [Thirdpony Persepctive] Though light conversation had been earned, there seemed also a air of tension from after Sombra spoke up. earned well the attention of every pony in the room, though Sunset Shimmer was the only one to look towards the only doors to the throne room, seeming to be relaxed at what's transpiring. While having an ear in the direction of the throne listening intently, though she cocked an eyebrow at Perfect Edict when hearing a noise approach the doors. But that ended when there was a familiar voice soon in the hallway and a couple of ‘move it!’ from some others until the doors opened, revealing the Emperor in his armor with noted new wear on it from possible battle or from rough travel. He went so far to throw a severed head of what looked to be a Diamond Dog onto the floor that grizzled hair. The room went quiet as the still open eyes of a larger dog nearly rolled skyward as the head lay on the floor, as he walked to his now concerned wife the empress. “Why doth thou bring us the head of a Diamond Dog? What happened?” The emperor spat at said head as he took a seat calling the Lord Commander forth, pointing at the same head saying this. “Daunting, I want you and your knights on the walls facing towards the Goat Kingdom to be on alert for more of these raiding dogs. But as for relations with that goat realm will likely deteriorate when their 'Prince' Grogar takes the throne, that goat in private gave us choice words in his wishes to claim the empire. He seems to have a fancy towards music and pony tribes for it, likely to take our subjects and others." Taking this time to take a swig of a offered tankard of mead. Scowling at the head on the floor one more time before continuing. "One of my guards saw what his little hired 'raiding dogs' were doing to those he foalnaps, whom are killed and magically remade into corpses of the dead from their bell magic. We will need to build up some kind of defense against that and strike back, for at minimum we have five or seven seasons before the goat starts to try something big.” Soon he noticed the Lord Commander looked towards Sombra, the Emperor in question looked at us too but soon more importantly what is beside the new Court Mage. “Who or What is that?” Shatter Hoof finally asked when he soon after took another drink from the tankard of mead on the throne. “Emperor Shatter Hoof we happily present one of our crystal constructs, made by our magical studies during thou having been on journey for the fortnight. The one thou see’s is the ‘Enlightened’ class that is sentient and self thinking, only last week have we developed currently only some others whom may be far better able for combat and sieging or guardians.” That earned a raised eyebrow as he looked back to the Lord Commander and his friend Shard Hammer. “He speaks in truth my liege, though his ‘Knights’ are capable learners and his ‘brutes’ is the thing of old nightmares.” The Lord Commander closed his eyes once before reopening them as the Emperor’s Hand spoke up in regards to this topic. “We’d be in accord with that light weight for once on matters of combat, by how it walks to claims of how well it is said to fight we haven’t tested that yet.” Giving a smile in response before continuing, having formed some plan in mind. “We would want to see the foal’s magic toys work against real battle, perhaps the arena?” That made us nervous while a smile grew on Shatter Hoof only a groan from Pristine Jewel to lessen it a bit. “Colts and their war games, husband ours thou needs rest and we must hold council before than after thou journey. Even our daughters could tell thou as they have been gushing about what our new Court Mage has been up to.” That cause a noticeable blush to appear on Sombra's muzzle for a bit before looking away only to be given a smile from Crystal Heart for it to deepen, hearing a cough and hearing the Emperor speak again to say thusly. “Let us get this hogwash over with and get to an early meal in the Dining Hall.” Equestria – Canterlot Castle, Throne Room – Noon six days ago [Third Pony Perspective] The royal sisters were sitting on the thrones undergoing the still transition period from unification of three tribes, as they were still restructuring resource listings and fixing miscommunications when the main doors opened with Starswirl the Bearded rushing in with Clover the Clever behind him carrying parchment notes looking disheveled. “Princesses! We bring horrid news as the massive dark magical signature from the north has been from the Goat Kingdom, scrying spells fail to breach it and the outside only shows the roaming of three dog tribes as if patrolling the boarder of it, goats are in the rear also it seems that a small part of them branched off to attack the Crystal Company, Honor Guard of the Crystal Empire’s Emperor when they were leaving." Bristling Princess Luna looked to her twin sister saying this. “Action must be made, we should organize a defensive team and send a messenger to the Crystal Empire to see if they require aid.” During that moment Celestia didn’t move as she eerily in a calm manner asked these questions. “Did thy scrying of the show any whom specifically have perpetrated this action? Anygoat, anypony? None at all?” There was a no to each question, Starswirl was shocked and happy to see this could be the first time as a ruler she would be acting mature in a time of possible crisis. Looking to Luna now as in a flash of light she donned segmented armor once more saying this that rather shocked those present except for Luna and a disappointed Starswirl the Bearded. “Buck it, any response from a Messenger will take too long and that would only give whatever being controlling that dark energy time to move. Prepare our bucking Honored Knights to leave in the morn, send word to the other tribe capitals on our path that we will be visiting the Crystal Empire!” Anypony who wasn’t terrified of her now flaming mane and tail decided to not speak up only to hurry relay her wishes, in few circles it'll be known as the day the fiery Celestia would curse openly in the throne room. Narrowing her eyes before giving a sidelong grin at Luna still clearly angered. “Perhaps even that broken old stallion emperor will shrivel at seeing our divine smiting radiance unlike last time we spoke, for surely he couldn’t stand on their own if he tempts us again after this.” She strode off the throne while waving her free hand at Luna adding onto this. “Oh and we can see that stallion too that thou has eyes on dear sister!" That earned a balking from those in the room looking between Celestia and now in shock Luna, with only Clover the Clever excitedly asking the question that Starswirl the Bearded breaded to hear answer. “What Stallion would that be Princess Luna? Would he be from the Crystal Empire?” The reaction alone from Princess Luna may as well have doomed the Protagonist to an old stallion’s adjusted plans now. The Crystal Empire – Crystal Castle, private lounge – Nearing Dinner [Sombra Perspective] Well it is rather revealing what seems to happen at court with the material brought forward, though Shatter Hoof by royal Decree wanted his guards of our choosing to fight our Combat Constructs. To show that what was said isn’t ‘hot air’ by things he hasn’t seen, which is admirable to be cautious but wouldn’t he take account of our detailed lecture on their abilities currently? Maybe it’s because we over excitedly went into it overwhelming them by how fast we spoken? But at least now we could hopefully get this part out of the way as we had our ‘enlightened’ place down a simple box and open it showing amulets without crystals in them, saying this to the emperor. “We would humbly request the Blessing of Protection be placed upon these amulets that when our students be ready to undergo the ritual, they would have a better chance of survival and when we complete the necklace it’ll act as their guide and help them as a lifelong friend tying them to the empire.” We stated which earned a funny look from both royals and the sisters, before Shatter Hoof asked the question we dreaded. “Would this be why those orphans died, and why you were struck by dumb luck on making it through?” Cringing a bit from that we nodded with a dead silence between us, Pandora was going to ask the other dreaded question until we cut her off first. “They were properly taken care of and given rights.” The emperor knew what happened, yet he said nothing with his stoic face. We were still broken over the loss of innocence as the Empress gave a hardened look before sighing when looking at her husband and daughters. “Thou knows the stallion reminds us of thou stupid self, when rushing headlong into things without preparing.” That earned a grunt from the emperor as if not going to properly respond, until that is to say this in response. “And you have much to say when you over prepare and miss the opportunity to strike, But it takes balls to risk more than I ever did boy, so we may as well do yours too just in case. Maybe you can enchant your box that would give it our blessing to things you place inside it.” Blinking in response before smacking our forehead at that oversight as well, looking at the box in question only to see how plain it was until our enlightened started ‘enhancing’ it’s appeal by using her own crystal having it interwoven with the wood to make it have the Empire’s Mark and our House symbol on the bottom side of the box. It was around that period when guard opened the doors saying that there was a report of Equestrian Knights walking in marching formation from the South, with a messenger requesting to give message for a foreign royal meeting. “Knowing those Whorses, they probably heard or have some magical spell seeing what happened to the Goat Kingdom with those dog tribes.” Taking the box in hand before looking at his wife smiling as he took a strong kiss, his hand upon hers for the crystals interworked in it shifted again and gave off a brilliant glow that felt warm and strong. That moment was ruined when the Emperor said this to us. “Come now boy you are coming with us and it’ll give you some experience to see how dealing with Alicorns are done with!” Grabbing us by the collar only to start dragging as we sputter with the ‘enlightened’ class following after with worried body language and the Empress calling out that she’ll have the box delivered. “We’ll be sure to have it be safely brought to thou servants by our daughters!” Things are moving quite differently it seems, we wonder what would happen if a playmate came?
