Rising Hope: Birth Of The Transcendents

''So what do you think?'' Twilight asked for an opinion. To put it simply, everything looked to be in order. After discovering the book, it told of the Crystal Empire's history which provided exactly what needed to put the citizens back in high spirits. The crystal fair is one of the empire's premiere historical events that brought out love and life to the land, certainly this is just the remedy for the situation that Twilight called for. It took some doing, but everyone played their part and brought out the crystal fair. Wiping a bit of sweat from his brow, Jamir agreed: this is perfect.

''Hard to believe we did this in only 35 minutes.'' he complimented. ''now all we need to do is rope in the ponies.''

''Well, let's get to it!'' Applejack cheered. Heading to their respective stations, the fair kicked off with a bang, citizens aplenty having the light restored into them. Rainbow and Fluttershy took over jousting, Rarity and Spike handled making miscellaneous items like necklaces, hats, etc, Pinkie Pie handled being a clown to entertain the masses, Applejack controlled the food. Frank was in charge of the petting zoo. Valiant and Iron each aided the jousters. While Twilight, Jamir and Chrysalis overlooked the entire fair from the palace center.

''So anything else in that book that caught your attention?'' Jamir finished playing a game of tag with some foals.

''Just need to check one last thing before we can call this a success.''

''And prey tell, what is this?'' Chrysalis poked a crudely made base with a heart on top.

''The book mentioned a crystal heart centerpiece. So I used my magic to cut one out of a block of crystal stone. We should have no problems.'' Twilight assured.

''Alright, then. Looks like this little issue nipped itself in the bud. Come on, after all that manual labor, i'm getting a little peckish.''

Shifting gears over to the integrity of the fair, most of the ponies brightened up after giving the fair a try.

''I feel like it's all starting to come back to me...before King Sombra.'' a dull pony commented.

''Mmmph.'' another munched on some corn. ''I think so too.'' Suddenly, a glow emanated from them as they suddenly had a burst of happiness.

''Looks like everything's going smoothly.'' Rainbow took a break from her winning streak.

''Yep, this turned out to be one heck of a festival.'' Applejack agreed.

''I know, we got everything! Food, games, crafts and the crystal heart!'' Rainbow hopped with joy.

''Crystal heart?'' a stallion whispered. ''do they really have it?''

''Yep, we sure do! And more.''

''Ah, thank goodness: I thought King Sombra had hid the heart forever. But now thanks to you, it can spread love and life.''

''Yea, now the heart can- wait, what?'' Rainbow went silent. ''what about the heart you said it could do, I must not have heard it.'' she fumbled with her ear.

''The whole purpose of the crystal fair is lift the spirit of the crystal ponies so the light that resides within them can fuel the heart and act as a conduit to protect the empire! And I do work at the library! Oh, funnel cake.'' the librarian trotted off.

''I think we may have-

''A huge problem!'' Rainbow interrupted, taking to the skies and zooming away.

''Hey, there little friends and what are you up to?'' Jamir played around with a few baby rabbits. One in particular reminded him of Angel bunny as when he bent down to play with this one in particular, it licked his nose and hopped away.

''I think it likes you.'' Frank smiled. Relaxing, the fair is moving along at a good pace. Ponies are happy, things are smooth running, and everything feels right. For once, it seems like-

''Frank, Jamir!!'' Rainbow zoomed in front of him. ''We have a major problem! No time to explain, just follow me!'' she blasted off.

Nodding to each other, Jamir conjured magic to his and Frank's body as he jumped high in the sky, manipulating the air currents to move them forward at a rapid pace. In few seconds, they caught with Rainbow as she just landed at the palace center, putting the empire's flag over the crystal heart.

''Wha?'' Twilight asked, confused.

''What's going on here?'' Jamir wondered.

''A biiiiig problem!'' Rainbow answered.

''I didn't know the heart was actually real! The book never said anything about it.'' Twilight searched the book's contents, only to find a missing  page in the back.

''Damn, I thought we had this down-pact. Now here's another problem.'' Frank slammed the railing.

''It's okay guys, you did your best.'' Shining Armour comforted. ''It's not all that bad.''

''Then h-how d-do you explain that?'' Frank pointed to the distance to see the shield getting weak, eventually dying out and revealing the arctic.

''Uh-oh, Princess your horn!'' Rainbow noticed Cadence's horn sputtering out, her entire body going limp.

''Sweetie.''

Viewing the distance, a slew of shadow blanketed all sides of the empire as Sombra's head formed at the apex, a scowl adorning his face.

''Sombra.'' Shining growled. ''I have to find the crystal heart.'' he prepared to take off.

''Oh, no you don't you stay here and help out Cadence.'' Jamir hunched the princess over his shoulder and thrusted two fingers at a certain spot on her back, a gasp coming almost immediately. ''we'll take care of the heart.''

Feeling invigorated to a degree, Cadence fired what little magic she possessed into repelling Sombra for the time being.

''Come on, let's go: that means you too, Chrysalis.'' Jamir pointed to the changeling as they ran down the stairs.

''So what's the plan?'' Rainbow asked.

''I've been trying to figure out how I can pass Celestia's test, maybe retrieving the heart is just it, but there is something you guys can do for me.''

''Name it.'' Rainbow said.

''Keep the fair and spirits of the crystal ponies going strong.''

''Eh? With that black abyss of darkness out in the arctic?'' Frank pointed out. ''Why?''

''Because the light within the crystal ponies is needed to power the heart. If they find out that King Sombra's trying to invade the empire again, their spirits are going to be anything but where it's needed to be. It won't matter whether I find the heart or not, they won't be able to make it work. You guys have to keep them happy here at the fair.''

''On it!'' Frank and Rainbow sped off. ''Just don't get killed!''

''You two should go with them, I have to do this on my own.''

''Sorry, not happening: I'm coming with you: I didn't tell you back in Canterlot because I know you would object, but Tia and Lulu told me that this was as much your test as it is mine. Even I have no clue what that means, but based on our surroundings, we have little time. Now I'm coming, not only to protect you, but also because I have an obligation.'' he firmly stated.

''And I am coming because there is not a lot that I am able to do here with everypony else. So allow me to come as well.'' Chrysalis pleaded.

''Fine.'' Twilight sighed. ''but I have to be the one who brings the heart.''

''Got it.''

Rainbow and Frank dashed through the fair with determination. If Twilight needed them to keep things going for a little longer than that much could be done. With Rainbow heading over to the arts and crafts stand, Frank went over to the jousting area.

''Guys.'' he called to Valiant and Iron.

''Yea?''

''Turns out we gotta keep this going a little while longer, something about the crystal heart being real so we need to haul ass on this until Twilight and Jamir can find it.''

''Well, let's get cracking: more reason to toss Iron like a salad.'' he mocked.

''That was one time and I got you back but since you're longing for a rematch...'' Iron figured.

''You're on.'' Valiant threw a helmet to Iron. ''best 7 out of 15.''

''Great, now they're at it again.'' Frank groaned.

Now with Rainbow, she slightly had more luck with delivering the news to Rarity and Spike.

''Eh?'' Rarity froze which drew the attention of a few ponies. ''Oh, I just found out...that they have face-painting for the little ones!'' she hugged Spike briefly.

''Huh?'' Spike listened as Rarity whispered into his ear.

''Yea, yea, oh we can do that. Yea, that sou- wait, they're doing what?''

Zoom! Spike ran off.

''He...really likes face paint.''

''Where could the crystal heart be? We've searched everywhere.'' Chrysalis grew a tad tired of going around in circles.

''I don't really know to look next but we have to be-

''Twilight!'' Spike halted their advance. ''I'm...coming with you.''

''Sorry, little buddy: not this time. Even we have no idea where to go and I would feel comfortable with you here helping out.'' Jamir bent to the drake's eye level and spoke softly.

''Come on!'' he whined. ''you know i'll just whine until you take me! Besides you said it yourself-

''You want to learn how to swim, jump in the water.''he remembered. ''fine, but you know the drill-

''Yea, yea: I got it. Now are we going or what?'' he stomped his foot. Sighing, Jamir took hold of his long, red-golden hair in one hand while the other reached into his black jeans and pulled out a scrunchie. Tieing his hair as to not be swaying all around, he closed his eyes and snapped his fingers, a slim forest green colored metal frame attaching itself over his long sleeved grey shirt with a snug fit. However the design looked to have support towards the back where two metal bars lay next to each other on a horizontal track as a buckled strap hung on either side. Two heavy duty grapple clips rested at the top, bottom and side of the connecting points of the frame whereas the front portrayed a symbol of a dragon's fire spreading out in a wave.

''Hop on.'' Jamir plainly said.

''And what is that?'' Twilight poked a hoof at the contraption.

''A portable carrier me and Iron designed. It has a few helpful features: it provides a set of eyes in the back, a mini launcher, a small shield and in some cases: some mountain climbing gear.''

''So where do you think we should start?'' Spike asked as he turned his back to Jamir who bent down. The track retracting, Spike set his feet into the grooves as he strapped himself in.

''Hmm.'' Twilight pondered, looking to the palace for a time. Wait...the palace, that's it! ''Come on, I think I know where to go!''

''The palace? why go back there?'' Jamir wondered.

''Think about it for a second: none of the crystal ponies would ever think to come to palace, they were too afraid to. It stands to reason that the heart should be here.''

''Nice thinking, Twi!'' Spike praised. ''but I hope you're right.''

''For all our sakes, so am I.''

''So how much longer do we think we can keep this up?'' Rainbow harshly whispered to Applejack. ''I know i'm awesome, but there's only so much ol' Rainbow's willing to show off.''

''Hopefully not fer long.'' Applejack worried. ''Twilight and Jamir better hurry up with the heart. Ponies here are starting to get a little frisky.'' she viewed the few ponies desperately trying to sneak a look at the heart.

''I don't know, but this is starting to get to be just a little too much. Those guys better hurry up.''

''No, no, no, no!'' Twilight panicked. ''Not here, not here, not here!''

Turning into the throne room, the situation outside was anything but satisfactory.

''Maybe we're not looking at this the right way.'' Jamir figured. Looking at the throne, he figured the possibility of just taking a wild guess.

''Look the right way...look the right way.'' Twilight thought. ''Ha!That's it!''

''If the empire is filled with love and light, those things are reflected across Equestria...if hatred and fear take hold...''

Trotting over to the throne, Twilight concentrated her magic until her horn and eye turned a dark, almost nightmarish as she struck the center crystal and the floor revealed a hidden stairwell.

''Uh, was that supposed to happen?'' Jamir inquired.

''Yes.'' Twilight confidently stated. ''a little trick I learned from Celestia.''

Viewing down, a circular staircase spiraled down for miles into the darkness.

''Uh, guys we may want to hurry up: it's not looking so hot outside.'' Spike advised.

''I can't see much of anything, but we gotta get in gear,'' Jamir grabbed Twilight in his arms. ''let's be off, Chrysalis, you have your wings, so keep up.'' he jumped down,  the wind pushing past his face as he soared through the shadows.

''What are you doing? We can't see anything!'' Twilight yelped, her horn providing a purplish tint.

''I second that, I signed up to be your apprentice, not to go splat like an egg!'' Spike whined from behind.

''Relax, I can see just fine.'' Jamir assured, his eyes slightly glowing. Around his central field of vision, jagged rocks and crumbling stairs did little to aid him as he knew where he was going. Spreading out his legs, a thin cylindrical corkscrew of green magic formed underneath his feet as he slid down the rest of the way, Chrysalis doing the same. Coming down to the end, an aged door lay in front of them. Setting Twilight down, Jamir walked over to the door, only to have it move away from him.

''What the hell?'' he cursed under his breath. Going over, the door did the exact same thing.

''Hey, hold still!'' a red telekinetic field halted the door for a few seconds before jumping forward to smack the human in the face.

''Why is this door acting so difficult? Sombra must placed some dark magic security measures as precaution, but how are we gonna...wait, dark magic, that's it.'' Twilight realized.

Playing back the recent memory of Twilight using said magic, a great chill overtook his body as a portion of the light residing within him attempted to force the foreign entity away.

''Come on.'' he thought. ''just a little bit.'' he struggled to control the small bits of green lightning seeping off his body.

''Jamir, be careful.'' Twilight's voice showed concern. Staving a reply off, bits of green and purple hues filled the human's eyesight as a pulling force pried at the back of his neck. Letting a primal growl escape his throat, a intake of air was sucked out of his lungs as the magic struck the door. Slowly prying it open, a bright light blanketed the room.

Unknown Location:

''I think you may be needing a larger concentration...no- tha-would be the correct... well, according to...he may not last much longer.'' a voice bounced in and out of Jamir's hearing. Groaning, his body felt...like air. He felt as if he could run forever and not be in slightest bit winded. But, what is this feeling below? Thin, rough and long. Opening his eyes, a dim light shone above his head. Looking over as best as he could, two people were speaking in hushed voices. One,  a man clad in a black pair of slacks, shoes, and a night grey turtleneck on with short blonde hair, blue eyes and glasses talked to a woman in a pair of blue jeans, high top red shoes, gold and black hair and a dark grey spotted dress as her eye brown eyes stared on in intrigue. Looking down, Jamir tried to release himself from the leather straps that held him down to the operating table, but that only drew the attention of the two.

''Oh, is he awake?'' the man's voice had complete surprise with it. ''those sleeping pills should have knocked him out for the next 3 hours.''

''Sleeping pills? You drugged me?'' Jamir questioned. ''untie me this instant!''

''We can't do that, i'm afraid.'' the man spoke in an patronizing manner.

''And why is that?'' Jamir narrowed his eyes.

''Because.'' the woman spoke up. ''you're very sick.''

''N-No, t-that can't be!'' he thought ''Is that really?'' Feeling his head being turned up to the ceiling, he stared back at something he thought to be impossible, unthinkable, inconceivable: he stared...back at his own reflection. This cannot be possible, how can-

''M-Mommy?'' Jamir barely whispered. ''where are we?''

''...a-mir! Can you...ea-us? He-...on!'' a voice ringed in his mind.

''In a mental institute. You were mumbling something about a 'crystal empire' and 'King Sombra', but it's okay. You're gonna get the help you need.'' she nuzzled her son's short hair.

''No.'' he simply uttered. ''no, no, no, noooooooo!'' he broke down. A mighty throbbing pain swept through his mind, the feeling of no longer hearing the thoughts of Celestia and Luna no longer rung in his mind, his magic no longer blanketed his body with the protective aura he's come to be accustomed to. None of this made any sense to the human as his mind began to spawn a thought that seemed so plausible at the moment. What if-

Smack!

''Jamir, can you hear me?'' a voice sounded from nearby.

''Ugh.'' his voice sounded full of confusion and pain. ''T-Twilight? Is that you?'' adjusting, his eyes gazing at the worried unicorn's face.

''It's me, are you okay? You took one look at that door and we couldn't get a reaction from you. What happened?''

''I...saw something unreal. I woke up in a asylum or something. They told me that none of this was real, that I was all living a dream.'' tears began to form. ''I...thought that it was all f-fake.''

''So this door reveals your deepest fears, interesting.'' Chrysalis added.

''More like creepy.'' Spike shivered.

''It's okay.'' Twilight comforted Jamir. ''I assure you we're right here with you, you're not hallucinating and i'm not gonna fail my test!'' Twilight charged her horn and struck the crystal with a normal wavelength of magic, causing the door to behave differently and open. revealing a fleet of white, clean stairs. Sticking her head through, Twilight looked up, her jaw dropping at the sheer level of stairs they would have to traverse.

''Ugh, great. More stairs, well let's get a move on, I suppose.'' the human gathered his wits about him and slowly trudged up the staircase.