Crystal Inkantation

As Ridge carried his belongings off the train he had caught from the bustling city of Manehattan, he looked about his surroundings. What he saw amazed him to the very core of his heart. A vast and expansive looking surrounding full of lush green fields that were valleyed in by mountains all around him. He gasped in excitement as he finally gazed upon the Crystal Empire that was behind the train station. The Crystal Empire’s shear radiance poured out from the empire and filled Ridge’s very body with a shiver of positive energy.

“I can’t believe I’m actually here!” He shouted aloud in happiness. He then looked around to see if anyone else other than himself were there. It made him sort of happy that nobody other than himself were there. “Maybe I should check next time... That could’ve ended a bit awkwardly...” He said to himself as he walked out of the station and down the path leading to the Crystal Empire.

As he walked down the path to the Crystal Empire, he couldn’t help but awe at the Crystal Gate he was approaching. “How does it hold itself together?! I mean with the lack of supports those shards SHOULD be falling apart! I guess it’s magic though...” Ridge Blurted out as he looked above him when he walked under the gate. Ridge then turned his eyes to the Empire that laid before him. From his point of view, he could see the tallest structure, the Crystal Castle towered over most of the buildings in the city. A few bigger buildings in the smaller sections of the empire rose, though much smaller than the Crystal Castle, and were more noticeable than the smaller buildings around them. “I still can’t believe the legends and the story about the King... Sombrero or... Sombre...? I dunno... Some King by that name... Who took over this place and made it all negative ‘n stuff...” Ridge remarked.

When Ridge finally made it inside the Empire itself, he noticed many banner’s and festival decorations that were hung up from building-to-building. “Oh yeah! The Crystal Faire! I completely forgot about it! Too bad I spent all my bits at Manehattan otherwise I would’ve brought some stuff...” He said as he jolted and pointed his head in all directions. One thing struck him as odd however and that was the fact that no pony was around or rather, the fact that the only pony other than himself was cowering in fear. “That’s odd...” Ridge muttered under his breath as he showed an expression of confusion. “Hey, are you okay? Did something happen???” Ridge asked as he trotted over to the pony.

“The crystal... Heart... Stolen...” The pony mumbled out in fear. “The Crystal Heart... Has been STOLEN!?” B-but... That can’t be possible! Weren’t there guards guarding’ the thing or something’? I mean it’s a VERY important thing, right?” He said astounded at the answer. “T-they were... Dark... Magic... Bad omen...” The pony replied in a cowering tone. “Dark Magic? But then that means... Huh-?!” Ridge stopped midsentence after noticing some other pony run off inside the castle itself. From what he could depict, the pony was stallion from the bulkier build in his body. He was also quite dark in body colour and his mane was unmistakeably black like night. “Who was that...?” Well no matter... I’ve got to try and find a place to call home now that I FINALLY moved out of my parents’ house in Canterlot...” He said as he walked around the empty streets of the Crystal Empire to try and find his new home.

After a few hours of trotting around with his rather heavy baggage, Ridge finally made it to his, soon to be, new home. From what he saw on the front, it was rather lackluster in design. “I paid 20,000 bits for this...?” Ridge asked himself in slight disappointment as he walked up to a note he saw on the door. The note read as such;

Dear Ridge,

Though I may not be there when you arrive, I want to let you know that I, the former owner of this house, greatly appreciate your investment in the house. Though it may look lackluster in design on the exterior, the interior has a lot of spacious... Space! It is a two-bedroom house with a nice kitchen area, living-room area and dining room and bathroom on the upper floor. I wouldn’t recommend going down to the basement though... That place is a mess! I couldn’t clear it myself but if you do manage to clear it I respect you... That place had cobwebs galore though... Good luck if you’re an arachnophobe!

Now you might be asking yourself; Where are the key’s so I can get in?! Well don’t worry, they’re taped to the back of this note!

Anyway, I’m sure you’ll have a LOT of fun with this place! I’ll check-up soon to see how you’re doing okay?

The former owner.

Ridge looked skeptical after reading the note. “That’s... Odd... Well... Look on the bright side Ridge! At least you have your own place now!” He said to himself in an enthusiastic tone as he ripped the note from the tape holding it on the door and turned it around. “The keys...! I’m glad no-one stole them thank Celestia...” He said in relief as he untaped the keys and unlocked the front door.

Once Ridge managed to shove his baggage inside the house he looked around. From what he saw. The house was indeed very spacious. The entry area itself was very large. A stairway leading to the upper level to the right of him, A light dangling above him and two doors. One Ridge assumed lead to the kitchen and dining area whilst the other he could see from the open door to his right lead to what should be his soon-to-be living room. “I might as well put the baggage in there... I’ll do the unpacking tomorrow...” Ridge said to himself as he noticed it was almost sunset. He closed his front door and spent a few moments of rummaging through his stuff to find his sleeping bag. He then trotted over to the corner in the living room and stayed there hoping to get some sleep. One thing kept him awake however; Who was that pony who entered the Crystal Castle? And who would steal the Crystal Heart? These thoughts stayed on his mind until he drifted to sleep long after he initially went to bed.