Kingdom of Loving: Fear and Loving in the Crystal Empire

My faithful student,

I have received your letter and have spent some time in deliberation regarding your request to visit the Crystal Empire. Your brother’s announcement has taken us all by surprise, it seems, and has placed a great burden upon me. Though he has served as liaison to Princess Cadance on my behalf for some time I was not aware of such developments. This troubles me and I am reluctant to grant such a request on such short notice.

No doubt you are aware of the Crystal Empire’s history and why our borders are closed. It is not my place to condemn Cadance for her beliefs, but I cannot allow my charges - my Equestria - to be at risk.

It is also not my place to deprive you of this most joyous occasion, or to deny you your every right as Shining Armor’s sister. I trust that you, in all your training, shall remain faithful to your duties and, most importantly, your values, as I have instructed you.

I expect to receive a full report on your return.

Your teacher,

Princess Celestia

Chapter 1: The Crystal Empire

Twilight Sparkle sighed softly as she folded the letter and tucked it neatly back into its envelope. There was a heaviness about Celestia’s reply to her request to visit her brother in the Crystal Empire that she didn’t often see. Usually such seriousness only applied to great threats to Equestria’s Harmony. To think that Celestia viewed the Crystal Empire, fellow ponies, as such a thing was a little alarming.

Twilight tucked the envelope into her traveling bookbag and nervously fiddled with the clasp, delicate fingers missing the buckle a few times before she surrendered to it just being left unbuckled. Her lavender gaze turned towards the window to watch the countryside roll past as the passenger car rumbled onward. Except for the conductor and engineer she was the only other pony on board the train. The fact that this railway was even opened was an effort of royal undertaking. This line had not been used in some time, and was only for special occasions decreed by Celestia herself. Sitting in the lavish compartment by herself made her feel more self-conscious than giving a presentation in front of all her peers in Canterlot. At least then, she knew what she was talking about. She would feel prepared.

This was going to be so very different.

Naturally Twilight had consumed every ounce of literature on the Crystal Empire that she could get her hands on, which hadn’t been much considering the library’s section on it had been sealed. Contact with the Empire was forbidden. Equestrian citizens could not visit unless on royal permission and in all her time in Canterlot there had never been a single envoy from the Empire. From what she had gleaned there were two major factors that had led to Celestia cutting off contact.

The first was Sombra. Thousands of years ago, the Crystal Empire had been a place of magical innovation. King Sombra was, without doubt, a powerful and talented unicorn and had ruled peacefully for decades. But then came the Shadow. In exploring all avenues of magic Sombra had delved into the forbidden arts, forgotten ways, and things better left unexplored. His subjects were enslaved in his mad quest for power and eventually Celestia and her sister Luna, the two Princesses of Equestria, stepped in to put an end to his mad rule.

It was still so strange to think of Celestia as millennia old, but Twilight had come to terms with that a long time ago, at least to prevent herself from simply driving her mad with questions about life in Equestria a thousand years ago.

Perhaps the more curious case, and one that was more relevant to Twilight, was Princess Cadance. She had been Celestia’s apprentice before her. From what she was able to gather Cadance was a prodigy, a talented wonder, and she had ascended to alicorn status sooner than anypony had expected. Celestia did not like to talk about her even though she had been Twilight’s predecessor, and when asked, she often changed the subject. Twilight had to do a little snooping, and it was impossible to separate the rumor from truth.

Cadance was Celestia’s apprentice, it was true, and her power was astounding. That alone made the prospect of visiting the Crystal Empire intimidating. Some said she had been risking corruption, disobeying Celestia, and playing dangerous games. If that were true, wouldn’t she have been banished like Luna had been?

Twilight shuddered in her seat and shifted slightly, realizing she had been letting her thoughts wander unpleasantly. She gently tugged the hem of her pleated purple plaid skirt and uncrossed her hooves. They were almost there.

The conductor lugged Twilight’s travel case onto the platform and quickly ducked back onto the train like he feared some sort of ambush. Twilight glanced around the crystalline structure with a mixture of curiosity and astonishment. The building was a typical train station, yes, but it was carved of the most delicate and intricate crystal-work she’d ever seen. Equestria used wood and stone, but the Crystal Empire was definitely living up to its name. The sunlight overhead glistened down through the pillars that held up an emerald roof, casting glittering beams across the landing. In the distance she could see various other structures of topaz and sapphire and zircon rising into the air, all flickering and glistening as though they were lit from within. In the distance she could see a towering crystal spire of such regal splendor that it was impossible to miss, no doubt the castle.

Behind her, the train hissed and lurched towards the turn junction. She glanced over one shoulder, uncertain if she should run to catch up with it and leave this strange new place behind her. Swallowing firmly, Twilight told herself she was here for one pony, and one pony alone, and that no matter what she’d never miss her brother’s wedding.

“Twily!” came the familiar voice from within the train station.

She was already smiling when she looked back to see her brother, that strapping white stallion, walking towards her. Though he was a few years older, he still looked like that boyish rascal that she remembered, his blue mane tossed a little jauntily on his head. He’d combed it, at least, she could definitely tell. He was wearing something a little odd, even by his standards - a toga with a simple belt wrapped his toned body, hanging loosely from one shoulder but providing modesty by hanging nearly down to his hooves. Twilight, in her purple blazer, pleated plaid skirt, and white blouse felt slightly overdressed.

“Shining,” Twilight said as she stepped forward to accept her brother’s hug. “It’s so good to see you!” Her short muzzle brushed against the side of his broader, stouter one in a sisterly kiss.

“You too. I was worried you wouldn’t come. Mom and Dad, uh,” Shining said, fumbling slightly at the mention of their parents. “They said they weren’t allowed.”

“I know, this has all been really strange. Celestia barely gave me permission.”

“Well, ah,” Shining continued in his awkward way, rubbing the back of his neck.

“What is it?” Twilight prompted. Her brother had been living in the Crystal Empire for several years now, after having been appointed as the official liaison by Celestia. It was quite an honor, but if anything unusual was going on in the north, Shining would know about it.

Shining pinned his ears back and his cheeks flushed slightly. His white fur made it easy to see that he was blushing.

“Shining…?” Twilight drove on, knowing that her brother could be a little difficult, especially when he thought he was protecting his sister by not saying something.

“It’s just that, y’know, the Crystal Kingdom is very different from Canterlot,” he managed after a few seconds of shifting his weight on his hooves. “Celestia doesn’t permit - er, like visitors for a reason.”

“Crystal Kingdom?” Twilight repeated, giving him a curious cant of her head.

“Oh, yeah, that’s what they prefer to be called here. The whole ‘Empire’ thing has trappings of old Sombra, you know?”

“Right. Well, how different could it be?” Twilight asked as she grabbed the handle on her travel case, popping it up. “Come on, aren’t we supposed to be staying at the castle?”

“You might want to take a second, Twi,” Shining said and hastily stepped in front of his sister. “Look, Cadance is uh. Very liberal.”

Twilight gave her brother a look that suggested this wasn’t surprising news. “That’s part of why I’m here, Shining. I’m here to learn everything I can about the Crystal Emp--Crystal Kingdom.” She moved to push past him and he hastily fumbled to keep up.

Shining’s cheeks had not stopped burning pinkly since Twilight had started towards the crystal archway leading off the platform. “I just don’t think we should go too fast!”

“Too fast with what, Shining? You’re acting like I’m some little filly! I’m an adult, I can handle a little culture shock. How bad could it be?” Twilight said with a confident smirk over her shoulder. The wheels on her travel case clattered softly over the polished crystal flooring.

When she turned back around to look where she was going, Twilight stopped. Waiting inside the train station was a reception of sorts, with a big banner that said “Welcome to the Crystal Kingdom!” strung between two pillars. That was absolutely not what Twilight saw. Instead, the first thing she took notice of was the group of ponies standing there, smiling happily. Two dozen or so ponies of every color of the rainbow were gathered together like they were expecting a group photo.

And they were all naked.

“Welcome!” every voice said in unison.

Twilight’s gaze fell from their smiling faces to exposed breasts to the hanging members of the collected crowd. She felt it rising up in her throat, but couldn’t stop it. Like a filly who’d just seen a mouse, she let out a shrill scream that startled the crowd as much as it startled her.

Shining was there, quick to wrap his arms protectively around his sister.

This was absolutely not going to be easy.

Twilight’s fingers were still trembling slightly, and she couldn’t stop the heat burning in her cheeks. Her ears were practically living inside her tricolor mane, and her eyes were affixed to the cup of tea that sat in front of her. She was afraid to lift it off the small saucer for fear she’d spill it. Across the small, round table, Shining was leaning on his elbows on the table.

“I tried to tell you,” he said, both apologetic and slightly smug.

“No,” Twilight said, having to swallow to get the dry sensation out of her mouth. “No, it’s not that. I’m just not…”

“Comfortable?”

“No! No, not comfortable, just not used to...seeing...that many…”

Shining cleared his throat and pointed slightly to one side of the table. They were sitting outdoors at a small cafe not far from the train station. This had the effect of giving Twilight a sense of comfort while also providing a bit more exposure, something she felt would help her if she could just calm her nerves a bit. Glancing in the direction her brother indicated, she saw the waitress coming out of the small shop with a pot of tea in one hand, and absolutely nothing else adorning her figure.

She wasn’t unattractive, by most standards. Slightly older than Twilight, she was a minty green color, her mane was a brilliant orange to contrast. Her figure was svelte and lean, with full, round breasts on display thanks to her lack of clothing. They were perky and firm with dark green nipples exposed through her fur. She had a charming smile and her cutie mark was a teacup.

“Can I get you two anything else?” the waitress asked. Twilight was finding it difficult not to stare, so she kept her eyes down on the cup in front of her. She hadn’t even taken a sip. A gentle hand came to rest on her shoulder and Twilight tensed visibly as the waitress leaned over, her breasts swaying precariously just on the edge of the unicorn’s vision.

“No thanks, we’re fine,” Shining said for them, which was good because Twi wasn’t certain she could manage an appreciative croak without spitting out something about boobs. She nearly began to sweat as she kept her eyes straight with all the discipline of a military mare.

“Alright. Call me if you do need anything, it’s not often we get a visit from the prince-to-be!” Turning around, the waitress flicked her orange tail over her pert rump and swayed her hips in what was clearly a display of grace and practice. Twilight couldn’t help but let her gaze tilt a little sideways, mostly because if anypony had gyrated away from her brother like that in full clothing, she’d feel like they were flirting. Or maybe it had been aimed in her direction?

“So,” Shining said to get her attention back. Twilight nearly lept out of her seat as if somepony had startled her.

“Right, um. Everypony’s naked.”

“Yes,” Shining said with a slight grin.

“Shining,” Twilight chided. She gave him a look that said it wasn’t funny and he flinched like she’d just punched him in the arm.

“Sorry. Yes, the Crystal Kingdom is very, very liberal.”

“You said that already,” Twi grumbled as she managed to pick up her teacup.

“I know, but you can’t really understand it until you’re in it. I guess I’ve kinda gotten used to it.”

“Are you telling me you enjoy this kind of thing?”

“What?” Shining blurted, glancing around quickly. “No, Twi, it’s not...it’s not like that. This isn’t something perverted or wrong or something everypony’s doing just to get a thrill.”

“How is walking around with your thing--how is it not perverted?” Twi’s tone hardened slightly. In Equestria, Canterlot and Ponyville especially, it was seen as uncouth to even discuss nudity or sexual ideas. For some, it was difficult to even broach privately, and what ponies did intimately in the privacy of their own homes was considered sacrosanct. To parade it out in front of everypony, to walk out in the open with breasts and penises all on display would probably be considered a criminal offense. In fact, public nudity was a statue of Equestrian law.

Shining frowned. “It’s really complicated. I mean, I can tell you when I first got here, it was just as strange. Ponies go around naked like it isn’t a big deal, day in and day out. In public. At restaurants. Even at the castle. But that’s something you sort of have to accept here. It isn’t a big deal. Not here.

“Look around you for a second.” Shining gestured emphatically out to the street just beyond the wrought-diamond fence that blocked off the cafe’s outdoor area. “Tell me what you see.”

Twilight followed her brother’s wave with a roll of her eyes, but she humored him. Out on the gemstone-encrusted walkway there were several ponies who, at first glance, wouldn’t be unusual to see walking down the streets of Ponyville - were it not for their complete lack of clothing. They were all various colors, some bright, some pastel. They were talking, laughing, even holding hands.

“I see a lot of penises,” Twi huffed.

“Twilight,” Shining scolded. His stern tone made her flinch this time.

“I see ponies, Shining,” Twilight sighed.

“Exactly. You see ponies. What they’re doing is no different from what anypony in Ponyville would be doing. But they’re naked.”

“Why are they naked?”

“That’s-”

“Complicated?”

“Yes.” Shining’s ears splayed on his head and he gave Twilight a sympathetic but surrendering shrug. His eyes told her he sincerely regretted not telling her, not warning her sooner, but he was right. There was nothing that could have prepared her for a town full of naked ponies, not in a million years. Maybe there was even a reason he couldn’t tell her outside of showing her.

Twilight straightened up a bit in her seat. Her brother was still her brother, and he was, for better or for worse, a pony that she trusted. She knew he’d never lead her astray, especially when matters of Equestria and harmony were involved. This Crystal Empire - Crystal Kingdom - posting was no doubt stressful on him, being away from his family and his friends and familiar faces, and to couple that with all this must have been quite disorienting.

“Princess Cadance - she is a princess, you know - is the Princess of Love. Even before she left Canterlot, she was very in touch with ponies and their feelings,” Shining started, taking a sip from his teacup. Twilight managed to do the same.

“But you have to understand, Celestia is very set in her ways. Maybe it’s because she’s lived a long time and things used to be different. Maybe it’s because of...well, you know.”

Twilight didn’t need to be reminded of Luna’s banishment. Everypony in Equestria knew that Celestia’s sister had been overcome by the Nightmare. Just the mention of her name brought a shadow to the conversation and both ponies gave it a moment to pass in silence.

“Anyway. Celestia was always very strict about things, but Cadance was a prodigy. She was the most powerful student Celestia had ever seen. And each princess has a special talent, something that she’s tied to. Celestia is the Sun, Luna was the Moon. Cadance is Love.”

“Love?” Twilight repeated flatly, as if that sounded a bit too cliche even for her.

“Love,” Shining affirmed. “From an early age she was very open about her feelings, and love was something that came easily. Love of friends, love of family, and eventually, as she grew up, more amorous kinds.”

Twilight shifted a little in her seat again. Equestria was a place that was a little more reserved, perhaps conservative, but she herself had been more awkward than most. She preferred reading and study to going out and she’d certainly never had a boyfriend. The topic of intimacy was a hard one.

“Celestia thought Cadance might be going a bit too far when she started talking about openness, and how suppressing their feelings was bad,” Shining continued. “Like somehow, not embracing who you are and your feelings was bad for Harmony. Covering up was just hiding who you are inside.”

“Celestia didn’t agree there,” Twilight said dryly, but it wasn’t a question.

“Yeah, she didn’t. That’s part of the reason Cadance left.”

“Left?” Twilight raised a brow. “Cadance left Equestria? She wasn’t banished?”

“No,” Shining said, sounding a little surprised at the notion. “Cadance willingly left Equestria after Celestia told her that her practices had to stop. She came to the north and found the Crystal Empire.”

“And all the ponies here, they wanted to follow Cadance’s ideas about...love?”

“Yeah. Free love. One of the tenants of the Crystal Kingdom is that no action taken out of love is harmful. But it’s a balancing act between your emotions and your instincts, if that makes any sense. Lust is an instinct, if left unchecked you do things on a base level. Love is an emotion, a feeling that you can control. Yes, there is an openness about physical emotions, and things like sex, but it’s more than just obeying your physical urges. Love, truly loving somepony, is about all the things that make you want to be with them, more than just their appearance or their parts.”

Twilight tilted her head. Shining sighed.

“It’s really complicated. Cadance is better at explaining it than I am.”

“Speaking of,” Twilight said to ease her brother’s visible awkwardness. “You’re getting married.” Her smile returned for the first time since they’d left the train platform.

“Yeah,” Shining said with a little grin. His ears flattened back again.

Twilight sighed. “Look, I don’t understand a lot of this. It’s weird, or maybe I’m just weird. But I do know one thing. You’re my brother and I love you, and I want to see you happy.”

Shining looked over the table at his sister, smiling. She smiled back and drank the rest of her tea in one gulp.

“Let’s go meet my future sister-in-law.”