A Filly Lost For One Thousand Years

Chapters

Chapter 1: She Ran On Little Hooves
Chapter 2: He Conquered The World
Chapter 3: They Prepared For The Worst
Chapter 4: You Found Yourself Lost
Chapter 5: We Need To Take Action
Chapter 6: It Is Looking Grim
Chapter 7: Our Own Demise
Chapter 8: I Saw Through It All

Chapter 1: She Ran On Little Hooves

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.

Cozy Glow was just a small pegasus. A pink little pegasus with small wings and a blue curly mane. Her pelt was thankfully protected by the purple and lemon chiffon colored outerwear she sewed up for herself. She needed it after all in order to get to her destination. To think that a simple argument landed her out here. She had no idea what her destiny could be and if she even had one at all. These frustrations somehow got the best of her, took control, and left her in the middle of a snowy field of nothing. The cold sharpness of the wind brushed through her fur while the bitter ice stuck to her eyes. Despite her scarves and her hat attempting to shield her from the elements she still struggled through the winter wasteland. She marched on to find her goal amidst the endless white chill while her thoughts drifted off to the previous night before.

In Cozy's culture a foal's fate is sealed the moment they are named. After all, most ponies tended to have cutiemarks that match not only with their personality but with their appearance and their title. There came a point where there was just too many coincidences that parents began to name their children after certain talents or skills. If you were named after a hammer or some other tool of forgery? Congratulations, you're a blacksmith for the rest of your life. If you were named after a sword or a weapon? Soldier. If a young unicorn has some mystical swirly name similar to StarSwirl then there's a chance they might grow just as powerful. It was a running theme... and something that Cozy was personally done with.

Her mother and father were prissy ponies of Canterlot. While she did look up to her father, a soldier and a leader by nature, her mother was a different story. All her mother cared about was the spa. The spa! That's all it was with her! She loved makeup and dresses. She loved gemstones and bits! If Cozy were to grab the shiniest thing she could find and tie it to a string her mother would blindly chase after it like a cat. When the two had a child, it was only natural for the mother to pick a name to bound the little future spa-employee into the family roots. Cozy Glow. A name that meant she would keep ponies comfortable and cozy. She, as a pony, would radiate feel-good vibes for soldiers or stressed worker ponies in their time of need for relaxation and manicures. The little pegasus however did not agree with this predetermined destiny.

She took an interest in studying strategies and battles. Her father would come home and tell stories of his adventurous tales against evil-doers and horrible creatures. He'd say how he'd lead a patrol straight into battle and won a victorious fight through his carefully made plans and thought-out methods. When Cozy showed this interest to her mother however, she was met with anger and clashing conflict. The two argued for what felt like forever.

"I don't understand! What do you have against what dad does?" Cozy Glow questioned as she clutched a book of Equestrian history close to her chest.

"I don't have anything against what he does. No, my issue right now is that you want to go out and become a pony of war! You're a spa pony! It's in your name! It's in your style! You were meant to stay here in Canterlot and assist me but you can't even do that!" The mother huffed with a stomp of her hoof

"But I like this! I love learning about this and hearing about it... I want to be part of it! I want to be a strategist! What if... What if that's my talent?"

"Preposterous! If you truly believe that you'll grow up to be like your father then you'll remain nothing more but a blank flank for the rest of your life!" The older pony hissed bringing attention to her daughter's mark-less hip.

It was true. Where a cutiemark should be there was none. Cozy Glow found herself glaring down at this sight of disappointment and failure before turning her attention back up to her mother, "I don't believe that! I don't believe you! I'm not going to stand for this anymore!" The young filly threw her book to the floor and hurried off up the stairs to her room, "I wish you never named me Cozy Glow!" SLAM!

"Young lady! You get back down here and pick this up!" Her mother called but was only met with the distant click of her daughter's bedroom door locking shut.

From there Cozy made her decision. Her father had left for a couple of weeks on a task from Princess Celestia herself. He was sent to gather a patrol to scout out the Crystal Empire. Things apparently haven't been looking good over there and while Cozy Glow didn't know all the finer details due to most of this being confidential and all, she was still curious. What could be happening in the Crystal Empire that was so important? Well, time for her to find out. Cozy had some family up in the Crystal Empire. Hopefully she can convince them to let her stick around for a few days if not more and maybe get them to help her find her cutiemark in the process as well. She was eager to pack her bags with anything she might need. Sugary snacks she had previously managed to stash away in her room, clothing to fight off the cold, a slingshot as a makeshift weapon, a map, a compass, some bits, and a couple books on strategy and weaponry. It wasn't much but it was all Cozy had to work with. She threw her saddlebags on and made her way to the window. Once she opened it the little pegasus stood and stared at the two story drop in front of her. While she could fly, she admittedly didn't fly enough in her opinion. When she could she'll make sure to further practice in the future. For now however, she wanted nothing more but to leave this house and Canterlot behind her. Though she could relatively fly well when she did do small practices before she still had to convince herself now to take that chance. She raised her wings and prepared to take off. With enough motivation the little pegasus was able to take one step forward... and plummet to the ground with a loud shout trailing after her.

Her mother meanwhile had picked up the book and quietly examined it. She found her anger slowly melt away as she stared at the covers. Heh. There was once a time she'd sit next to a warm fire reading this along with her husband by her side. It brought back soothing memories... The mother let out a sigh and clutched the book close to her chest, "Cozy?" She called out as she took a couple steps towards the stairway, "Cozy can we talk? Please? I'm sorry!"
Silence. There was no response or acknowledgement that the little filly even heard her. Just as she was about to give up however, a loud shout rang through her ears, "Cozy?!" The mother dropped the book and raced up the stairs. She fiddled with the locked doorknob before reaching up to pluck a key hidden on top of the bedroom's door frame. With it she was able to unlock the door and charge right on in, "Cozy Glow??"
Empty. The room was empty. Not a sign of the little filly in sight. The room had clearly been rummaged through as items, books, and papers were tossed about onto the floor. This left the mother in confused distress until the sound of a chirp from a passing bird caught her attention as it flew by the open window. The mother hurried up to it, looked outside, and saw... nothing. There was the usual hustle and bustle of Canterlot but there was no Cozy.

As the mother frantically searched for her daughter, Cozy Glow found herself hovering just above the home with wide eyes and flapping wings. Wow! She can fly! She can actually do it! The little filly would cheer if she could but she didn't want to get caught. She waited until her mother disappeared elsewhere before hurrying off, fluttering away as quick as her wings could take her. She completely disregarded her mother's worries and concerns as all she could think of next was the adventure before her. She'd have to take the train as far as it could go before walking the rest of the way but it'd be worth it if it meant she'd be able to find what her true purpose was. So off the young pegasus went... to the Crystal Empire.

The journey was long and agonizing but she managed to find her way here within the far reaches of Equestria. Though as she continued she was starting to doubt the existence of the Crystal Empire. Who makes their kingdom all the way out here in a BLIZZARD? A BLIZZARD! Cozy Glow was very tempted to turn and hightail it elsewhere but she's already come so far! She didn't want to give up now. The little filly had to force herself onward through the seemingly vast wasteland before her. It couldn't be too far now...

As more time went by a flicker could be seen in the distance. Through the thicket of ice and hail Cozy Glow managed to find something miraculous. Just in time too. She was shivering like a leaf in a thunderstorm out here! Her hooves were frigid and stiff, each feather of her wing or strand of her mane had been soaked through and frozen with the help of the relentless cold, and her eyes could barely blink because of the pinpricks of frost that were poking at her face. When the filly spotted the shimmering glow of the large towering castle in the distance relief had flooded through her. She tucked her wings against her sides and forced herself to walk just a bit further. Almost there. It won't be much longer..!

A loud booming noise resonated throughout the storming landscape. Along it came a howling horn that blared out into the air with an echo that traveled among the skies. Cozy Glow found herself pausing just at the outer edges of the empire where the green grass met the freezing white snow. Her gaze looked on to a mysterious dark figure in the distance. There was something off about this cloaked pony. They gave off this unknown but looming threat that even from hundreds of miles away a filly like Cozy could fear. This pony paced and festered like as if he were considering what would be the best course of action to take. How shall he corner his prey and how shall he strike it? Whatever this pony was, Cozy Glow could easily assess even from afar that he craved more. That this pony or creature wanted whatever power was hidden behind the delicate walls of this empire... The Crystal Empire.
Cozy felt uncomfortable and decided not to confront this strange pony. All she wanted after all was to find her destiny and leave. Nothing more, really. Just as she was about to continue on her way however, a shivering chill went through her body as the stallion paused and turned. He turned to reveal a face of some sort. The face of a tyrant. However that face went forgotten as all Cozy could really focus on were his eyes. His green glowing eyes held nothing but pure resentment and overflowing dark magic. They saw Cozy and pinned her down with a glare that threatened not only her life but her very soul as well. The filly only locked eyes with the villain for a moment before she found herself stumbling back. She spun around and sped into the warm safety of the crystal empire; escaping the storm and the stranger's gaze while she still could.

Here it was warmer. The bite of the freezing blizzard from before was quickly forgotten as Cozy Glow slowed down and lowered her scarf. A relieved sigh escaped her. Ah... Much better. She allowed herself to lay down and relax under the welcoming sunlight that shined upon her and the soft green grass underneath her. The filly was so tempted to just lay there forever... that is, until a young shiny colt walked up to her.

His puffy blue hair had a lighter blue streak that curled and bounced throughout his mane. His white pelt gleamed with the radiance of lucent beauty that Cozy's mother would be jealous of. If nopony knew what they were looking at they might assume he was a mystical spirit ready to grant you three wishes. In reality however he was just a young sparkly pony. He gently nudged the more average-looking filly and stared down at her with concerned snowdrop colored eyes, "Um... Hi there! Are you alright?"

"Fine... Are you a crystal pony?" Cozy Glow asked as she pulled herself back up onto her hooves.

"Mhm! My name is Frosty Quartz." He took a step closer to curiously examine the other, "Who are you? You don't look like everypony else around here."

"Well golly my name is Cozy Glow. I'm not a crystal pony, I'm just a normal pegasus! It's nice to meet you Frosty Quartz."

"And you too!" He beamed with colorful lights practically reflecting off his smile, "What're you doing all the way out here by yourself? Isn't it cold out there?"

"I decided to come visit." Cozy shrugged as she walked past the colt, "I know somepony here, I just have to find him."

"Who is he? Maybe I can help." Young Frosty suggested as he trailed after the other.

"It's fine, I'm sure I'll be able to find him on... my... own..." The pink pegasus came to a halt as her gaze went upward. First, she saw the city which in itself was a beautiful sight to behold. Each house glistened with this unique crystal-like material that shined under the sun's warm embrace. It was tranquil and calm; something Cozy half didn't expect but happily appreciated.
Then, she saw the castle! Oh boy that castle..! It was big and it was shiny. It towered over everypony and desperately reached for the skies above while it twinkled and glimmered with not only the building blocks that made it but with same love and raw energy that a crystal pony like Frosty Quartz possessed. Magic must've held this thing together and made it stand tall because it was too magnificent to even exist. Yet here it was standing perfectly regal in front of Cozy Glow as evident proof. It was real and it was definitely worth the storm.
"Wow..."

"Amazing, isn't it? Haha. I see it everyday from my bedroom window!" Frosty Quartz chuckled into his hoof, "Come on. I can give you a tour of the place!" He urged as he began to lead the way into this blindingly stunning wonderland.

Cozy Glow was just about to accept his offer but paused at a disturbing thought that crossed her mind. She glanced back at the snowy storms behind her half expecting to spot those green glowing eyes once again. What she saw however was nothing. Absolutely nothing...

"What's wrong Cozy?"

"Oh- nothing. I was just wondering why the storms seemed to stop perfectly around the Crystal Empire is all." The little pegasus followed after the young shimmering colt.

"Oh! That's because of the crystal heart. It protects us from harm and well- I guess from storms too! It's a really important representation of love and harmony for all of us in the Crystal Empire. I can show you it if you want. Anypony can go visit it!" Frosty beamed before continuing on his way with a small skip in his step.

"Huh. That sounds really interesting!" Though Cozy was confused about one thing. She kept it to herself, not wanting Frosty to know the real reason she was here, and judged Princess Celestia silently on her own. Why did the princess have her own ponies out here? Was it about that thing she saw in the storm? Even then... Could it even step foot in the Crystal Empire? The small pegasus was too distracted with her thoughts that she hadn't even noticed the change of scenery until she heard the fourth clack of her hooves against crystal flooring. She blinked and turned her attention to her new surroundings.

Impressively blocky and carved out homes of clear-cut luminous stone were constructed on either side of the road Frosty had lead her down. They varied in different sizes, shapes, and colors. Definitely a different comparison to the city of Canterlot Cozy Glow always lived in. Boring and dull Canterlot. The buildings would tower above you but they all looked the same. Bland and tame with only plants and flowers to decorate the streets. Everything was made to be perfect and orderly. There were to be no mistakes or else your home had the possibility of getting torn down for being too anarchic. Yet Cozy could see what were in between them. Dark narrow alleys were formed in hidden places with each threatening to squeeze you out and leave you with nothing but the dry promise of riches and jewels. Here in the Crystal Empire meanwhile the city was different. The houses had movement and expression that were unique to each other. Real jewels lined the pavements and the walls in their own wondrous pattern. Even the darkest corners of this town shimmered and shined with the help of the lustrous crystal road just underhoof. There was nothing to hide here and there was nothing to fear. Cozy Glow really did feel like the moment she stepped out of the blizzard she had found a pony paradise...
Again, all the little pegasus could do was gawk.

Frosty couldn't help but laugh, "And this is just my daily walk to school! Are you alright there Cozy?"

The pegasus nodded in response, "Yeah huh. I'm fine. Just... starting to wish I visited my cousins more often now."

"You're part crystal pony?"

"Well... not exactly." Cozy shrugged in response, "I mean, I'm not shimmering like you are."

"Maybe you're just sad?" Frosty suggested.

"Huh?"

"Maybe your pelt isn't all shiny or radiant because you're upset about something? If a crystal pony is dull in any way that means they're a bit depressed. If you ever see a crystal pony like that, it's always best to ask what's wrong. So... What's wrong?" Frosty tilted his head towards Cozy with a caring smile.

Cozy Glow seemed to pause at that which made Frosty come to a halt as well. She hesitated to answer but then let out a sigh and pointed a hoof at her clothed hip, "It's... My cutiemark. I don't know what it'll be and I don't know if I'll ever get one." She admitted with a sorrowful voice, "That's why I came here. You know, in hope that I'll be able to just figure it out somehow. In someway..."

Frosty walked up to the pegasus, sat down, and rested a hoof on her shoulder, "Hey. You'll find your cutiemark someday! And... even without it, you can still be yourself now! You can still be happy! Just look at me," He turned his body to gesture to his own blank flank, "I don't even have a cutiemark yet either but I'm still shining bright. I'll get it someday but for now I just want to focus on what I can do, who I spend my time with, and who I meet! It's... It's all about what you make of it, Cozy."

Cozy Glow considered the young colt for a moment before shaking her head, "Gee Frosty that's really nice but... it's not just that. My mother is convinced my talent will be something I'm not even interested in doing anymore. I want to be somepony else. Be my own pony! You know? So I just needed to be away from her and maybe... find my own destiny here?"

"Hm... I get that. You want to try more new things, right? And what better way to try to find your very own talent than visiting the Crystal Empire? Well how about this, if your family says no you can maybe have a sleep over with me for a couple of nights. If my parents are alright with it. Maybe together we could help each other out in finding our own talents? It'd be fun!"

"You mean... Like as friends?" Cozy asked with a raised brow.

Frosty nodded, "Yeah! Like as friends! Now come on! The crystal heart isn't going anywhere but the sooner we get to your family the sooner we can both start looking for our cutiemarks!"

"Alright. Yeah. Yeah! Lets go Frosty Quartz!"

"Right this way Cozy Glow!"

The two joyfully laughed as they headed deeper within the glowing crystallized city together.

There it was. The very literal heart of the Crystal Empire. It gleamed and sparkled with a welcoming atmosphere that surrounded it's love-filled home. It lured two young ponies to it with its promise of safety and protection. The both of them did not hesitate to approach and found their reflections staring back at them as they got closer.
Cozy Glow's smile glimmered back along with the shimmering material that made the heart. Magical and mythical yet real.
For being the most important crystal in the empire however it didn't reeally have that many guards around it...

The young colt spoke up and effectively interrupted that concerning thought, "They say if you look close enough you'll see your destiny. Your future." Frosty Quartz sighed as he took a couple steps closer.

"Really??" Cozy perked up at that. Maybe she will find what she's looking for! Maybe this heart is the answer!

The young colt nodded before turning his attention to the heart, "I haven't tried it yet. Would be nice to see it alongside a friend."

"Lets do it!" Cozy Glow hopped up besides Frosty and pulled him closer to the heart. She leaned in along with her new friend until... She saw it. She saw what her future was like.
There she was atop of it all. Her large wings were magnificently spread out behind her while her crown sat perched on her head along with a whole unicorn's horn. A long mystical horn that shined with brilliance and power that was now a part of her and her new grown form. She was an alicorn! There she was sitting on her throne surveying it all. She saw her subjects and how they respectively bowed. She saw her world surrounded by friends. Each pony down there she knew and each pony worshiped her. They adored her!
She was an empress... and it was perfect.
What Cozy Glow didn't notice in that vision however was how strained her friends were. She didn't notice how they forced a smile or how their backs ached from the continuous painstakingly long work they endured. She didn't notice the lack of magic among everypony or creature around her. All she noticed was her own power and her own magic! That's all Cozy could desire and that's all she saw in her future.
The filly pulled away with a beaming smile of pure thrill and excitement. She knew it! She knew she wasn't just some spa pony! She was much more... So much more.

Frosty Quartz followed after and hopped up on his hooves, "Haha! I became the new princess's personal royal guard! You should've seen me Cozy! I looked so cool and strong! A little duller than I'd like- but I was a soldier!"

At this, Cozy's grin just grew. Frosty was one of her first friends in the Crystal Empire. Does this mean he'll grow up to be her guard? To protect her?? That would be amazing! Though she really shouldn't brag. Isn't bragging the best way to lose your friends after all? Hah. It was still an amazing thought though. One she was going to have to build up to in due time.
"That's great Frosty! I'm afraid I didn't see much in my future but I think I might know what my talent could be! With your help I'm sure to find it now."

"That's great! But are you sure you didn't see anything? You look really happy right about now." Frosty chuckled as he turned to his friend.

"Ah... well- it's just so great I don't want to spoil it for you." Cozy giggled into her hoof.

"Aw come on Cozyyy!" Frosty begged, "Did you see me in it or something? Am I going to be there when you reach your destiny??"

"Well-" Cozy paused at that with eyes narrowing in thought. Now that she considered it... she didn't remember spotting Frosty in her guard. That didn't make sense. He would be there wouldn't he? "Oh- Yeah! Of course! I remember now. You were there, it was amazing! So you'll be able to see it later! I promise." The pink pegasus winked towards the white colt before turning to leave.

"Haha. Okay. I just find it unfair! I told you mine, why won't you tell me yours?"

The two foals walked off chatting and laughing together once again. As they made it to the crystal road a pair of royal sunset-colored eyes looked down at the little filly that stood out among the rest. Unbeknownst to the filly there was a tall figure watching over her; one who stood atop a balcony with her coat glimmering under the setting sun and her head held high above it all. With her connection to the crystal heart she had sensed the concerning disturbance that came from the pink pegasus that now caught her attention.
A small pegasus usually wouldn't be that worrying... but something about today definitely didn't feel right to Princess Amore. Even more so now after she had sensed another more darker presence approaching the empire. With a sigh, the unicorn turned and made her way back into her castle. Maybe it would do her good to visit the crystal heart tonight, especially since there was this feeling that itched at her. A feeling that maybe after tonight things will never be the same.

Cozy Glow wasn't sure how her uncle would react to her visit. He'd always expect a letter to come first before the pony themselves arrived but Cozy had sent no letter. There was no warning or plan to this; she just decided to come running up to their door in the hopes that they would let her stay for the night out of the kindness of their heart, if not more. She wasn't sure just how upset they'd be if they learned she ran away from home...
So, she stopped Frosty and let him in on her idea, "Hey so. If they ask, you're my pen pal that invited me over to the Crystal Empire, alright?"

"Huh? But we've never written to each other before..." Frosty murmured in confusion.

"I know I know but it's just... ugh... I forgot to write my uncle a note so I just need a good reason for that, okay? Like I was busy writing to somepony else! Soooo. Pen pals?" Cozy raised a hoof for the other to bump.

The crystal colt hesitated before a clack of agreement was heard, "Pen pals." He smiled while shaking the other's hoof before they both turned their attention back to the blue crystal home that Rubinstein resided in.

Rubinstein is a very busy crystal pony. He had a purple coat, blue eyes, a light blue mane, and a crenelated tower cutiemark that signified his talent in defense and military. Though he didn't do the fighting himself he did help out in hiring recruits and scheduling each soldier's training. He's related on Cozy's father's side. Not entirely sure where exactly since her father was a pegasus, not a crystal pony himself, but she regularly called him Uncle Rubin. However she never really visited the Crystal Empire. This was her very first time here... Suffice to say her uncle was definitely perplexed to see his little niece Cozy Glow knocking at his front door with a wide, expectant smile.
"Cozy..?" He blinked in astonishment.

"Hi Uncle Rubin... Hah. Surprised to see me? Um- I was going to send you a letter but I was just so excited to be here! See this pony? His name his Frosty Quartz! Me and him are pen pals!" She gestured to the colt next to her who gave an awkward, uncomfortable wave of his hoof.

"Pen pals? When did you two meet?" Rubinstein raised an unconvinced brow.

"Oh we met a while ago..." Frosty chuckled nervously.

"Yeah! In Canterlot! His mom visited our spa so... I got to meet him there! Anyways uh... I was going to ask if I could spend a few nights here in the letter but I just got so excited that I-"

"Cozy. If you want me to believe any of this you're going to have to be a better liar than that." The stallion shook his head in disappointment before stepping aside to allow the little pegasus in, "Come on. I'm not going to be leaving you out in the dark like this but I am going to be sending a letter to your mother first thing in the morning."

"But- But Uncle Rubin..." Cozy's wings drooped.

"No buts. Now say goodbye to your friend." Her uncle gestured to her small colt.

"... Okay. Bye Frosty. It was nice meeting you." Cozy bowed her head apologetically in the white colt's direction.

Frosty's pelt became less shiny in that moment, "Aw... It was nice meeting you too Cozy. Can I still meet with her tomorrow? We both want to look for our cutiemarks together! And we have some ideas... Please Rubinstein?? Please please please please pleaaaaaase?" The young colt begged with wide puppy-dog eyes.

Rubinstein looked unnerved for a second before letting out a defeated sigh, "Well. I don't see the harm in that. But when it's time for you to go back home," He pointedly huffed towards Cozy, "You're going home. Got it?"

"Yes Uncle Rubin..." Cozy sighed.

"Okay. Good. Thank you for keeping Cozy company, Quartz. We'll be seeing you tomorrow."

"Okay! Great!" The young colt's pelt flashed brightly for a moment, "I'll see you later Cozy!" He waved before trotting away.

"Bye!" The pink pegasus waved with her wing before heading into Rubinstein's home with the feeling of failure and disappointment weighing down on her.

His home looked like any other except made out of the same crystal material you can see outside of his house. The first area she was met with as she entered was a kitchen and a dining room merged together into one with the living room off to the side behind another crystal wall. With a curious peek into the living room Cozy could spot a piano just placed in the corner with a decorative blue flower piece hanging off of it. Most rooms were lit either with candles or with bright stones that illuminated beautiful iridescent lights.
Rubinstein closed the door behind the filly and let out a frustrated sigh, "Cozy. What are you doing all the way out here? And be honest." He headed up to his pantry to see what he could make for his niece.

Cozy Glow fluttered up onto a chair nearby and set her saddlebags down onto the table, "Well... Uh... Me and mom had an argument." Her ears drooped, "She wants me to be something I'm not... So I wanted to just get away from her a while is all."

"So you took a train and walked through miles of ice cold snow just to get away from your mother? Cozy that was very dangerous!" His hoof stomped against the floor, "You could've gotten hurt doing that! Or lost! But out of all places why the Crystal Empire? There were other cities and towns closer to Canterlot that had family... and you don't usually come up here regularly."
Rubinstein placed a pot of water over a cooker and began grabbing pre-chopped ingredients from a basket.

"Um... Because..."

"Oh wait. I know why. You want to know why I know? Because I work in the Empire's military, Cozy." He huffed with this matter-of-fact statement, "Your father is currently surveying the Crystal Empire under Princess Celestia's and Princess Amore's orders. So what do you do? You go out and try to find him, right?"
The crystal stallion dropped the ingredients into the pot and began to stir with the spoon in his mouth.

"... Right." Cozy quietly responded back as she kept her eyes glued to the now very interesting floor.

He plucked up the wooden spoon with his hoof, "And you're trying to find him because you think he has all the answers to your cutiemark problems, don't you?"

"Well- not all the answers exactly..."

"But you were still hoping he'd lead you in the right direction," After Rubinstein was done with the stew he easily poured it into a bowl and placed it on the table in front of his niece, "Right?"

Cozy looked down at her stew and gave an embarrassed nod.

"Hmph. Again, if you want to start tricking me Cozy, you're going to have to get better at lying." Her uncle turned and headed up the stairway, "I have work to do in my study so don't bother me, okay? Your cousin is at her friend's house so you can borrow her room for the night. It's the second door to the left. We'll talk more in the morning."

"Okay. Sorry for all this Uncle Rubin..." Cozy called out, "And thank you for the food!"

A grunt was all Cozy got in response before the stallion locked himself in his study for the rest of the night. The little pegasus let out a sigh and looked back down at her stew in thought. Maybe this plan was a bit premature... She didn't really have a lot of time, honestly, it was more last second than anything. At least now she knows that whenever she wants to run away she won't go asking for Rubinstein's help. The only good news of today was that she still got something out of this journey at least. She saw her destiny and met a new friend! Maybe she could work with this. Even if she has to go back to that spa she could still find someway to gain her power. There has to be other ways after all, right?
As she sipped at her stew with her eager thoughts planning her next course of action she spotted movement at the window nearby. The filly shook her head awake and decided to have a look. What she saw made her freeze up in surprise.
A dark figure with a cloak was now walking down the street.
She blinked in disbelief and furiously rubbed her tired eyes before looking once again. Nothing. Nopony was there. No dark stranger or any crystal ponies out for a late night stroll. Nope, it was just her and her stew.
Cozy Glow considered the half-eaten stew for a moment before gulping down the rest and tossing the bowl away with the rest of the dirty dishes. She hurried off to her cousin's room and tried not to think about what she just saw. Why did that dark stranger give her the creeps? Was he real or just a part of her imagination? Was he... perhaps... the reason her father was here?
And if that dark stranger was real and now walking the streets of the Crystal Empire... That means he can get in. That means he already has gotten in.
And that means Cozy Glow was definitely going to have nightmares tonight.

There were a lot of things the crystal heart knew. It could glance into a pony's soul and it can see the truth within. It can see possibilities! It can see what might be the best or the worst possible route a pony could take in their life of unlimited choices. Many ponies have fought for the crystal heart. The crystal heart could mend and it could cause dispute. Lives have been lost and families have been broken just so they could gain that peace and harmony they so desperately desired for their land. With the crystal heart's help evil foes can be chased away as creatures of the dark find themselves unable to even come close to such a raw power. With this protection however enemies have been made. Enemies that have been banished and locked away.
Enemies that now seek vengeance.

With one swipe the unprotected crystal heart was taken into a worn leather pouch. The cloaked figure didn't have time to gander at his prize before Princess Amore decided to make her presence known.

A crystal heart could create wars and end them. A crystal heart could heal and injure. A crystal heart...
A crystal heart could show you your future.

One slip up was all it took for the cloaked figure to find Princess Amore deserving of a crystallized fate.

Unable to sleep, Cozy Glow had decided to hover around her cousin's room. It was spacious enough to get some practice with her wings in so she found herself hopping up from the bookshelf to the desk nearby. She tried her best to stay silent as possible for her uncle next door but still managed to knock down a trophy off to the side. It landed with a thud on the ground.

"Cozy!" Uncle Rubin's muffled voice could be heard down the hall.

"Uh- Sorry Uncle Rubin! Just getting ready for bed!" Cozy Glow insisted before pushing herself over to the window sill. She allowed herself to sit down and take in the cool night air that blew through her window. With closed eyes she let out a relaxed sigh... Ah. She would've loved to stay here a bit longer. Heck, maybe even live here! Instead however, she was stuck as a useless spa pony with a one-way trip to Canterlot. How dull.
The young pegasus opened her eyes to stare up at the stars up above. They sparkled and twinkled in greeting to the little filly perched on the window sill. How peaceful... She definitely would rather prefer this as her home.
That was- until she saw dark little stones dash by her vision. Cozy jumped in surprise and watched as these pieces of crystal disappeared into the sky and vanished out of sight. Did they join the stars? What happened? What was that?
After a while she heard the rapid hoofsteps of a pony dashing by. The young pegasus watched as this dull purple and light blue crystal mare sped through the streets of the Crystal Empire and away from the castle.
She looked really scared and frightened. What happened that could've caused something like that? Cozy Glow sat up and turned her attention over to the castle. That was when she saw it again.
Green glowing eyes.

"U-Uncle Rubin?" Cozy stammered out quietly at first.

Suddenly, the stranger's horn lit up in the darkness and the once luminous crystal castle transformed into a darker and duller fortress from the bottom all the way to the top. Guards were alerted but this pony had dashed away into the safety of shadows. His monstrous form gathered up into the sky with nothing but his eyes visible in the chaos. Dark pillars of black crystal began to rise from the ground causing screams and shouts to ring out in the now broken homes they punctured. This was the night it all started. The very night where nopony could ever forget the laugh that shook the empire.

"Uncle Rubin!!"

Uncle Rubinstein slammed Cozy Glow's door open and rushed up to the sill. He gave one glance to the disastrous sight before plucking up little Cozy in his hooves and abruptly shutting the window closed. He took the little pegasus elsewhere within the home. With her on his back he hurried down the steps and came to a halt by the pantry, "Hide in there for now. I'll come back for you later." He insisted while dropping her off.

"What? Where are you going??"

"I need to get your cousin and make sure she's safe. You'll wait for us here won't you Cozy?"

A loud rumbling shook the home making Cozy clutch the nearest shelf she could find. "Uh huh." The pegasus hurriedly nodded.

"Okay. Don't open that door for anypony." Then just like that Rubinstein had ran off. The front door slammed shut behind him as he headed out into the fearsome and dangerous night in order to find his daughter amidst the now hostile city.

Another rumble shook the house making a jar of cinnamon sticks shatter along the crystal kitchen tile floor. Cozy Glow yelped and slammed the pantry door shut before making her way to the darkest corner she could find. Each time the world shook something from the pantry threatened to fall. Luckily the little pegasus seemed relatively out of range of these items with the help of this shelf she cowered under. Still, doesn't make it any less terrifying.
The night wore on like this. She shuddered in the dark and waited. She waited for her family, for it all to stop, and for everything to be peaceful again. As she remained in her hiding spot another boom would resonate outside or another muffled laugh would manage to cackle its way to her. Was this a nightmare? Or was she living in one right now? Maybe she can wake herself up... unless this is all real. As real as the crystal heart, the castle, or the raging snowstorms she walked through.
If only she had a plan then maybe she could help. Instead however she was cowering in a food closet waiting for the war outside to be over and for Uncle Rubin to tell her what to do.
She tried to occupy herself with distracting thoughts. The pegasus imagined "What if?" situations where she stayed home with her mother where they didn't argue but instead agreed. How would that have gone? Where would she be now if she didn't decide to make this journey?
She'd be home. Asleep. In her bed. Not stressed or worried. She'd be blissful and ignorant of what was happening to her family in the Crystal Empire.

Instead she was here witnessing everything first hoof. Her eyes drooped and her exhaustion got the best of her as this horrible night continued to rage on. Instead of a soft bed in Canterlot she was in an uncomfortable position dozing off in a pantry in the Crystal Empire. Waiting and waiting...

for nothing.

Author's Note

I think this is just my excuse to write more Cozy Glow and King Sombra.

BUT TO BE HONEST! How SCREWED UP would it be if you were just a kid, blinked, and suddenly found yourself 1000 years in the future where your parents and friends are dead? Yeah, that would screw me up a lot. I'd probably become power hungry and evil to gain a sense of control of the world too not gonna lie.

I also thought that since a lot of people say some crystal ponies have a similar cutiemark as Cozy Glow it would be really cool if she was actually related to crystal ponies! Of course her and King Sombra don't have history in the show but HEY! ITS FANFICTION! I do what I WANT!

And what I'm doing is FAN-MADE COZY GLOW BACKSTORY! Because we did not get enough of that juicy backstory!

So yeah I plan for this to be dark because of death. Is teen a good rating? It's not going to have gore just... really sad elements. Oh and war. If I should change the rating let me know. Hope you guys like it so far though, definitely plan to make more. Oh and this story isn't going to be connected to any of my other Cozy Glow stories it's more like a "What if this is her backstory" kinda situation.

Hope you liked it! More chapters will be put up when I can get there!

Chapter 2: He Conquered The World

When Cozy Glow stirred from her somber sleep she found herself surrounded in complete darkness with not a sound to be heard. The little pegasus struggled to remember where she was when it all seemed to hit her at once. What she could recall was the evil laughter that had struck through the empire, screams of panic ringing out in her ears, and an unknown stranger with piercing red eyes burning through her soul. What happened out there? Where was Uncle Rubin? He promised he'd be back with her cousin, but it seems they haven't yet returned.

The filly grunted as she pulled herself out from the shelf she'd hidden under. Her body was so stiff and sore from the awkward position that she wouldn't be surprised if she needed oil to loosen up her legs. The moment she had enough room to move she limbered up and stretched herself out from her hooves to her wings. With a shake of her head Cozy began to make her way to the pantry door. She cracked it open and took a peek outside. Nothing... but there was sunlight now streaming into the crystal home. The home, she noted, looked a lot more duller than last night. In fact the floor and walls were no longer a beautiful cerulean or ocean blue but instead a dark grey.

Cozy gulped and made her way into the kitchen with careful strides to avoid the broken glass and plates that had shattered along the tile floors. After she made her way through the the dining area her attention went to the living room nearby... or-well, what was left of the living room. A crystal pillar of some sort had practically demolished the living space. It plunged into the skies and relentlessly sliced through the home. The ceilings and walls were now destroyed with large open cracks that made sunlight spill throughout her uncle's house. The piano Cozy had taken an interest in before was now smashed to bits under the rock and rubble that once made the building. The filly gulped and found it best not to enter the possibly unstable space.

Instead she turned her gaze to the window. Already the sight of dark buildings and bland skies had caught her attention. She was fearful of what she would see but young Cozy braved through it and made her way up to the glass panes. The filly peeked outside to see crystal ponies with their once brilliantly beautiful pelts now dull and dark as the chains that wrapped around their necks and hooves. Several corrupt soldiers wearing strange black helmets had surrounded them with spears and weapons pointed at the ready. All Cozy could do was gawk as she watched the once loyal crystal guards lead a line of ponies away to who knows where. What was happening??? What was going on??? She had to do something... but what could a little pegasus like her do? She wasn't even sure who was attacking the empire!

The small filly cautiously backed away from the window. She kept her head low in hopes that would keep her well out of sight of any wandering eyes. Then she turned and hurriedly rushed up the stairwell, "Uncle Rubin? Are you up here?" She called out with a hushed voice as she began to make her way through the upper levels of the home. As she searched the filly soon came upon her uncle's study. It was open by just a crack. Rubinstein was probably in such a rush last night he didn't bother to even lock it. She immediately took interest. Maybe his study has more information about what was going on? Eager to learn she made her way into the room and saw everything there was to offer for a trying time like this.

On one wall there was a large map of the crystal empire and the territory surrounding it. There were circles and crosses neighboring labels and names for certain places like "Shimmering Peak" or "Crystal Wolf Caverns." On the other side of the room was a wall full of shelves and books that had many resources of war and history all stashed away to the side. There was a guard helmet and a badge of some sort stored away in a display case, a bust of Princess Amore, and the flag of the Crystal Empire itself hanging from the last available wall. In the very center of the room was the desk where Rubinstein worked daily on schedules and paperwork that were needed for the crystal military. Papers that were once stacked orderly together had been thrown to the side where they scattered along the floor along with the quills and ink bottles that sat just nearby. What work was left behind last night was a parchment with something being written down. It was never finished and instead Rubinstein had left it with an ink trail staining the document. Cozy curiously decided to read it to see what it was about... Oh. It was a letter to her mother. Well, not as exciting as she had hoped but there was still more things for her to look through. With the need for knowledge she began her search through the study. She plucked up documents and read through them with intense intrigue.
Most of them were boring in her opinion. There were documents requesting replenished armor for a certain squadron or appeals to adjust a certain pony's schedule. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing- Oh! Something! Cozy had suddenly spotted her father's name within the papers.

Then it hit her. That's right! Her father! Her father was scouting the Empire, duh. Does he even know what’s going on from the outside? Maybe he's doing something to fix all this? Maybe she could find him and save the Crystal Empire alongside her father? Yes! That would be perfect! It's all she has to go with right now... but first she just had to get out of here. She scanned through the papers and hungrily devoured the information, "Team Bravo will be stationed out in the east side of the empire... Crevice in the mountain... Sparkling Grotto! That's on the map!" Cozy jumped up and fluttered over to the large map nearby. There it was! The Sparkling Grotto to the east of the empire! The pegasus excitedly clapped her hooves together in success, "That must be where he is! I need to get there."

Of course she wouldn't leave without a plan first. Cozy had to nab her saddlebags from her cousin's room. She had to make sure she was packed and ready for whatever might come at her next. So, she double checked to make sure she had everything. On her person she decided to bring her slingshot and a more healthier selection of food. She tossed the books but made a mental note to come back for them later. Then, she took a parchment and quill and began to copy the large map of the Crystal Empire into a smaller sketch she could carry. The illustration she made wasn't as perfect but it would get the job done. As she began to stuff her makeshift map and the documents into her bag she heard a harsh knock at the door downstairs.

"Open up! By order of King Sombra!" The muffled voice of a crystal guard shouted from downstairs.

King Sombra? Gee golly who in Equestra was King Sombra?? Well whoever he was it was clear as day that he was not somepony she wanted to run into. She quietly left the study and slowly made her way to the stairs. As she peeked through the crystal railing she hoped that by some miracle the guards would just knock and leave.

They didn't. They continued hammering at the door with a bit more force, "Open up! If anyone is in there make yourself known now! If you do not comply you will be punished under King Sombra's rule!"

They were not letting up. They continued to knock and knock to the point they might just break the door down. Cozy had to find a way out of there, now! She couldn't just try the windows, what if they see her??? She had to find some other way out where nopony was looking. Hastily, the pegasus rushed down the hallway and decided to explore the rest of the home she hadn't yet seen. The filly passed by a guest room, a closet, and a washroom. As she turned a corner to find Rubinstein's room she ran face first into a large bulky pillar. Cozy stumbled back and bit her hoof to muffle a cry that threatened to escape her. Her head ached and tears threatened to spill. Gosh why was she running so fast???

"We're coming in!" The guard shouted from below.

Oh. Right. That's why. The filly shook her head and looked up at the crystal tower now looming in front of her. It was the same pillar that pierced through the living room just downstairs. It sliced right through the hallway and snaked its way into Rubinstein's bedroom. The black crystal grew along the walls like roots and relentlessly tore through the building. Again, sunlight streamed through the large cracks...
That's it! That's her way out!

Bam! A large thud was heard from downstairs as the crystal guards began to buck against the door.

Cozy Glow jumped and quickly raced for the dark crystal tower. She flew upwards through Rubinstein's room and tried to find the biggest exit she could to risk less injury.

BAM! Another harsher kick slammed against the door forcing its creaking hinges past its limit.

There! Cozy threw herself into a large fissure in the wall and began to clamber her way through. Her saddlebags got caught against the sharp crystal edges and forced her to tug and pull as fast as her hooves could.

SMASH! The entire front door was now thrown into the kitchen and onto the floor as a shattered and broken mess. Three crystal guards made their way into the home and began to thoroughly search it. They checked the pantry, the living room, and then made their way upstairs... the guards stalked through the upper floors and prowled through the hallways. They checked each room until Rubinstein’s was the very last one. One guard entered and turned his attention to an opening in the wall. In the end they all found nothing. There was nopony anywhere in sight.

Cozy Glow had managed to escape. She had avoided the encounter and now found herself sitting on a neighboring building just as dark as Rubinstein's home. With her tiny body she was able to hide herself in between the crystals on its jagged roof. Most crystal ponies had no wings or horns so she didn't have to worry too much about others finding her that easily... but she still kept her eyes on the sky just in case. The filly checked over her bag and was thankful to find no visible rip or tears in the fabric. She couldn't afford to lose anything now. With a sigh of relief the young pegasus allowed herself a moment's rest. A few seconds went by before she urged herself to continue. She began to move from one building to the next. From up here on the rooftops Cozy could see it all.
The Crystal Empire was no longer the paradise Cozy remembered. The distant green fields of grass had turned into a disgustingly ill yellow, the colorful homes were now transformed into a more sinister bulk of sharp stone, odd-looking flames of dark magic would dance atop jagged pillars, and the sky was no longer an innocent blue but instead a depressing grey. Forests of black crystal scattered among the empire with promise that whatever had happened to the once sparkling crystals ponies would later ensnare the young pegasus as well. Sorrow and fear now filled the once shimmering city and Cozy's anxiety threatened to take over. She had no doubts that she could escape on her own if she desired but what of the Crystal Empire itself??? What of the ponies and her family? She can't just leave them all behind, can she? What of... What of-

Frosty Quartz. Frosty Quartz! She found him! He was there along with another group of young colts and fillies all being lined up and shackled. They were being lead elsewhere few at a time. Luckily for Cozy, Frosty was near the back. Maybe... Maybe she could get him out? Though she'd have to figure out exactly how.

"No wait! Please!" A little green crystal filly cried as she was plucked out of a nearby home and dragged out into the open, "Let go! What're you going to do to me??"

"Silence!" One of the corrupted guards commanded, "By order of King Sombra, all children are to work in the crystal mines until further notice! If you don't comply, punishments will be issued."

That shut the poor kid up fast before she was harshly shoved into line. A certain guard, a bit taller than most, walked up to the green filly with a ring of keys in hoof. As two guards began to shackle the young crystal pony this taller guard would lock the chains in place.

Cozy's wings flapped in realization. That key! If she were going to save anyone she'd first need that very key the guard was holding. How to get it though..? Her first thought was to create a distraction of some sort but she felt doing this herself wouldn't give her enough time or space to grab it. No, she'd need another pony for something like that.
So with limited options the pegasus began blindly looking for answers. Her gaze soon landed on the saddlebags she carried. As she fished through them and pulled out a certain parchment a thought suddenly came to mind...
It was insanely ludicrous but it might just work.

The corrupted guards continued their search through the unfortunate homes as the lead officer supervised the crystal prisoners with two other smaller soldiers to accompany him. They would push the ponies onward while the leader quietly surveyed... until a pink pegasus flew up to him with a smile.

"Hi!" Cozy chirped in greeting.

"Who goes-"

"I'm Cozy Glow!" The fluttering filly interrupted, "I'm King Sombra's new errand pony! He sent me to deliver this message to the leader of the southern squadron!"
The pink pegasus held up a rolled up parchment in her hoof before circling the head commander with swift interest. Her wings brushed up against the soldier's side in order to effectively swipe up and silence the jangling keys in her feathers. As she glided to the floor her wing quickly hid the keys within her saddlebags.
"That's you, right?"

Even with the helmet on the lead pony looked astonished. His attention turned to one of his soldiers who just responded with a small shrug.
"Uh... Yes. I am the lead pony of this squadron. If King Sombra had something important wouldn't he have told us himself?"

"Oh it's not THAT important, silly!" Cozy chuckled as she handed the tall pony the parchment, "It's just a little note about what to do after you're done sorting out this section. If you have any questions don't be afraid to come to me! Now I have to go deliver these other messages!" The filly gestured to a few other rolled up parchments sticking up from her bag before dashing away as quick as her little wings could take her, "So long!"

It seems despite all that dark magic controlling their minds the crystal guards weren't exactly given orders for a situation like this. The leader, now very confused, looked down at the parchment. He unraveled it only to reveal this was NOT a note from the king himself. It was some letter for some other mare he knew nothing about... and it wasn't even finished! "This isn't from King Sombra!" He harshly tossed the parchment to the ground, "After that filly!"

After doing a feat that would hopefully make her father proud, Cozy hurried her way through the in-betweens of the crystal homes. She kicked at the ground and urged her wings to take her as high and as fast as she could possibly go. Just behind her the clattering of armor and the heavy hoofsteps of soldiers made chase. She went left, then right, then left, up, down, up again, down again, and then...
she disappeared.

The crystal guards came to a screeching halt as the road they ended up at now stood empty. They searched the area but were unable to find the filly, "She took the keys." The leader bluntly announced, "Split up! She couldn't have gotten far."
As the three guards went their separate ways a pair of wide red-ish auburn eyes silently watched them from above.

The small filly had escaped to a balcony in one of the taller homes. She had easily hid out of sight of her pursuers. Once the guards ran by she carefully made her way back down. Hah! It worked! She actually got the keys! Now she just had to get to the others and-

"DAD!" A familiar voice screamed out to Cozy Glow's horror. Alarmed, the filly raised her wings and hurried up onto the rooftop of the nearest building. Once she clambered up the pointed roof she was able to spot in the distance the round center of the empire from where she perched. That was the very place where Frosty and herself had visited the crystal heart not too long ago. Her attention however was to a line of ponies starting to make their way up to it.
Being taken to the castle were several prisoners, two of them Cozy easily recognized despite how dim and bland their coats now looked.

One of them was a young filly she knew named Glass Slipper. They were no longer the shiny, shimmering crystal filly Cozy once remembered but instead they were a more duller comparison of what her cousin usually looked like. It made sense though. From what Frosty had told Cozy, A crystal pony's appearance is based off of their emotions. Poor Glass Slipper was clearly in distress. Not only was she being confined to the chains around her neck but her father was now currently fighting back against their captors. Rubinstein.

The lavender stallion was the center of attention. He had a shackle wrapped around his neck but the spectating pegasus was surprised to see that he had somehow managed to snap the chain connecting him to the other line of prisoners clean off. He was in a constant struggle of keeping the soldiers at bay as they tried to make a grab for his manacle. One was soon shoved away and another kicked to the ground. The crystal pony demanded that they let him and his family go. He swiped at a corrupted soldier before effectively knocking them to the side. Only the best from a former captain of the guard.

Cozy was thrilled as she quietly cheered Uncle Rubin on. This was it! Rubinstein was going to escape and he was going to help the other crystal ponies! If she just delivered the key to him then she can fly off and find her father. She could warn him and the entirety of Equestria! Meanwhile Uncle Rubin could lead the charge here!
Though as the overwhelming fight continued her excitement was soon short-lived. Just as Cozy Glow was about to hop out from her hiding place, a monstrous mass of dark shadows would enter the fray. This looming terror churned and convulsed in the air with a malicious cackle to accompany it as clouds of dark magic began to surround Rubinstein and the downed soldiers. The air became a stiff chill and everyone including Cozy froze at the sight. The only one who hadn’t was Rubinstein himself who now stared defiantly up at the tyrant.

“Having fun?”The shadows approached with a deep voice that boomed throughout the empire.

“So you must be King Sombra.” Rubinstein huffed as he kicked his hoof against the ground, “You’ll pay for what you’ve done to my home."

"On the contrary. I have more power than you could ever dream of. Compared to me you are nothing but another puny slave at my disposal. Though your skills compliment you well. Despite you being a nuisance I could use some of that strength in my army. Maybe then you will prove useful." The shadows then abruptly lunged for Rubinstein. The poor stallion had tried to run but King Sombra's tendrils easily snatched him right off the ground.

Cozy had to hold back a gasp as Rubinstein was held up for everypony to see. Her uncle kicked and struggled to escape his captor and their cursed sorcery, "Do your worst! I'll keep fighting until you fall!"

"Of course you will." The shadows collected on the ground to swirl and collide with one another in order to form the despicable unicorn behind it all. From what Cozy could see he wore silver armor, a black and red crown, and a flowing red cape that sat draped over his body. She was unable to see his eyes but she could only assume it was the same ones she encountered last night.
"You're the type that's trained to endure any obstacle; any pain you might be subjected to. You'll keep going even if every bone in your body is broken into two," He turned to Rubinstein as he pulled the former captain close, "To punish a soldier like you wouldn't be easy... that is... if I didn't know who to look for~"
Just then, King Sombra whirled around and aimed his curled red horn for Glass Slipper. A barrage of black magic shot out towards the poor unsuspecting filly. All she could do was yelp before she disappeared under a cloud of smoke.

"NO!" Rubinstein yelled out in dismay. All he could do was stare as he was forced to wait for his daughter to reappear.

These were the longest moments of his life.

Finally, after several excruciating seconds of what seemed like forever the young grey filly began to emerge.

Glass Slipper would slowly stumble out of the shadows. She no longer had chains wrapped around her body but a possibly worst fate had been bestowed upon her. Her eyes were now a blank green with overflowing dark magic pouring out from the corners. Everywhere she looked her fears came to life before her.
She took a couple steps forward and began to tear up, "Dad..? Dad! No! You can't leave me!"

Her father shook his head in surprise, "No no no- Slip! It's okay, I'm-" A tendril wrapped around his mouth to gag him from saying another word. Rubinstein let out a choked noise before his attention drew back to his daughter.

"Dad! Please! I-I need you! I love you! You can't be... You can't be gone..." She fell down with her head bowed in front of Rubinstein. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she mourned for an image of her father that wasn't actually there.

King Sombra let out a chuckle as he watched Rubinstein's despair grow with each passing second, "Take her to the dungeons." He ordered the couple of guards that began to pull themselves up, "With this spell she will be unable to sleep or eat for days. The poor filly will have nothing but her nightmares to accompany her for as long as I see fit. It's funny, really. While she grows weaker her fears make me stronger... and all I had to do was place a little... enchantment."

Cozy's wings buzzed behind her. She had the urge to race down and grab her cousin from this monster's grasp. She wanted nothing more but to save both Glass Slipper and Rubinstein from this tyrant's clutches. If she could do anything she would do it all right now... but she couldn't. What could she do against a unicorn like that? For all she knows, throwing herself out there would just get her in the same fate as Slipper. Not only would that suck but she didn't want Uncle Rubin watching his niece suffer the same fate as well. Still, there must be something she could do.
The pegasus quietly considered the keys in her bag.
Maybe she could figure something out with these...

"It had to happen." King Sombra continued as the guards began to guide Slipper away, "Without a punishment you wouldn't have learned your lesson. Comply... or else."
The moment the tyrant allowed Rubinstein to talk he was pleased to hear the tremor in the other's voice.

"Please, let her go. I'll do anything!" The stallion begged.

"Of course you'll do anything I want." The king chuckled as he summoned a black helmet that had a similar style the other corrupt guards wear, "You won't have a choice."

Rubinstein stared in shock before the helmet was placed firmly over his head. His body thrashed against the shadows until a green glow shimmered from the skits of where his eyes would be. Something activated within the helmet causing him to stop completely. His attention was now fully on King Sombra.

The pink pegasus now suddenly understood why every crystal guard wore that helmet. She was appalled by this... However for some odd reason a bit intrigued as well. How does that even work? What was inside the helmet to make something like that possible?

The unicorn released the crystal soldier and watched as the other caught himself as his hooves hit the floor, "Welcome to the empire's expanding military." Sombra chuckled, "Take these servants into the castle and grab your armor. Await further instruction after."

The once rebellious stallion raised his hoof in salute before marching off. He left King Sombra to join the rest of the guards in escorting his new slaves into the kingdom.

The king, once satisfied, let out another laugh that pierced through the air. He jumped up and vanished in a stream of shadows that later trailed up back to the balcony high above.

Clozy Glow meanwhile had silently slipped away. After all, a new plan began to form in her head. For this strategy to work she first was going to need a certain friend of hers to help join in on the fight.
The young pegasus made her way back to the southern section of the empire where the young fillies and colts were being separated from their parents or guardians. Frosty was currently closer to the back with another young green filly. The two were being lead away in chains by one soldier. With their heads bowed and their spirits lost they trailed after the guard in utter defeat when suddenly-
THUNK!
A big chunk of crystal had landed right smack on top of the guard's head.

The corrupt guard collapsed to the floor with his helmet coming loose and clattering across the crystal surface.

Frosty and the filly looked up in surprise as Cozy Glow hopped down from the balcony above and produced a key from her saddlebag, "Gee golly I didn't think that would go as well as it did." She hummed as she began to unlock their chains.

Frosty happily shook his head free and looked up at Cozy with a beaming smile. Some of his glow even returned, "Cozy! Thank Amore! How did you manage to grab a key?"

"Persistence and dumb luck." After the pink pegasus managed to get the chains off the other young pony she unhooked the key from the ring and handed it over to the filly, "Here. Take this."

The guard nearby let out a grunt and slowly raised his head, "Ugh... What happened to me? What happened to the empire?"

The three young ponies looked down at the helmet he had worn. While Cozy Glow had seen what happened first hoof to a pony after wearing such a cursed thing this was the first time she witnessed there being a chance to get them off. Just had to knock the guards silly, she supposed!

"Someone named King Sombra took over!" The green filly filled him in, "He controlled you with that helmet over there."

The guard glimpsed down at the dark helm and went to pick it up, "Huh. That's not good..."

"Neither is the fact that all the fillies and colts have been rounded up and chained together!" Frosty's pelt dimmed once again, "We have to get them out!"

"Frosty, I actually need you elsewhere..." Cozy then gestured to the green filly and the guard, "You two free the others. There's some prisoners in the dungeons that I think I could save. With one of these other keys I could probably unlock all of their cells!" She held up the key ring with her hoof as they jangled against one another.

"You two are going in the castle??" The filly gaped in surprised.

"You think so, huh? Is this safe?" The guard questioned with a concerned huff.

"Probably not..." Cozy muttered back in response.

Frosty, with newfound determination, suddenly hopped in and wrapped a hoof around Cozy, "But I think we could do it! There's a reason why you need me, right?"

"Right. I'll tell you on the way there.” The pink filly turned to the older guard, “We'll stay safe sir, promise! Now let’s go!" She hurried off in between two buildings with Frosty racing behind her.

Despite their hesitance at first the guard and the filly turned towards the rest of the chained ponies. Together with the guard's strength and the filly's quick hooves they began their plan to free the rest of the chained civilians one by one.

Cozy Glow and Frosty Quartz began to race through the town with their hooves taking them both to the castle. As the pink pegasus filled her friend in on the details of her plan the two had to constantly look out for any mind-controlled soldiers lurking through the streets. With Frosty stuck to the ground Cozy felt a bit more limited than she was before. She no longer had the easy-going safety she was ensured of earlier. Even then they both kept going, pausing every once in a while to have Cozy fly up to make sure that their route was still safe to take. She was their eye in the sky and by cautiously making their way through the city the two finally made it to the open stretch of land that would take them to the empire. While it wasn't as big as a field there was still no cover in case anypony were to glance their way. It especially didn't help that all entryways of the castle had a guard at standby. The two froze and considered what to do.

It wasn’t long before Frosty had spotted a lone guard nearby.

The guard was doing his rounds and surveying the area near the crystal castle. He was about to make his way further down the road towards the more outer edges of the empire when he suddenly heard a small voice.

"Um, excuse me?" Cozy Glow squeaked just behind the soldier, "I think I'm a bit lost."

The soldier whirled around and spotted the little pegasus sitting at the doorway of an abandoned home. He stomped his hoof and began to make his way towards the tiny filly, "By order of King Sombra-"

BAM! A piece of the house fell right on top of the soldier's head.

The guard stumbled back and fell over in shock.

"It didn't fall off! Quick, get it!"

Cozy dived for the helmet but was caught by the soldier's hooves and tossed to the side. She easily righted herself with her wings and skidded across the crystal flooring of the road.

The guard pulled himself up and looked from Cozy Glow to Frosty who currently sat on the broken balcony above with wide doe-like eyes.
A small doink sounded out from the back of the guard's head. He abruptly spun around to face Cozy who now held a slingshot in her hooves. She had shot a small stone piece at him in hopes that it would’ve affected the soldier in some way.

"Ahah... Oops?" The little pegasus sheepishly shrugged before dashing out of the way just as the guard lunged for her.

The corrupted guard slammed his hooves down where Cozy once was and then abruptly swiped a kick in her direction.
A harsh hit landed on Cozy's side and threw her back a couple of feet. Pain twinkled in her eyes as she lay on the ground coughing and sputtering in bewilderment.
As the guard began to make his way up to her, another small rock tinked against his armor. He turned his attention over to see an enraged white colt staring back.

"You stay away from Cozy!" Frosty plucked up another rock in his hoof and reeled back as if to throw it once again.

The soldier huffed, scraped his hoof against the ground, and charged for the younger crystal pony.

All the rage before instantly melted away, "Uh oh-" With a yelp, Frosty jumped up and sprinted away before the guard could have a chance to nab him

Cozy blinked the confusion out of her eyes and peered up at the two nearby. Frosty was running for his life with the corrupted lavender soldier just behind him. She had to think... and fast! How else was she going to get rid of the pony's helmet? She sat up and turned her attention to a few small crystal rocks nearby. A thought came to her as she reached over... and abruptly stomped her hoof down on top of them. With enough force they shattered into sharp crystal shards.

The crystal guard meanwhile had stomped his own hoof down on top of poor Frosty's curled tail to make the colt fall flat on his face.

"Ah! Let go!" He cried out as the guard pinned the young colt beneath him.

Cozy Glow's voice then rang out, "HEY UGLY!"

The guard looked up and was suddenly hit by several projected fragments of broken crystal. A loud smash was heard as the pointed rock managed to dig its way through the slits in the helmet. Those stones effectively busted through and destroyed whatever was hidden behind the now dull emerald glow. The soldier backed away in shock and stared at the floor as remnants of crystal and stone rained off his face. The green dark magic soon faded away after each fallen piece.

Frosty swiftly pulled himself away and joined Cozy's side. The two of them both stared as the guard began to angrily shake his head back and forth before he chucked the now defective helmet to the side. Rubinstein was just underneath. With panting breath he wildly glanced around in shock.

The pink pegasus gasped, "Uncle Rubin!" She moved to get up but flinched as the pain in her side spiked through her.

"Cozy..?" The armored stallion perked and slowly made his way to the other two foals. He examined them with a hint of disbelief. He almost couldn't believe they were there...
"Oh- Cozy! Quartz! I'm so sorry!" He wrapped his hooves around the two but was careful not to pull them too close thanks to King Sombra's armor and its harmful design, "Are you both alright?"

"We're fine, sir! You were really scary but we saved you! Well, Cozy mostly did! She broke that helmet!" He gestured to the helmet nearby with its eyes now shattered, "I didn't even know we could do that!"

"Me neither... I just went with my gut." Cozy smiled before hugging Rubinstein back, "I'm so glad you're okay! I'msosorryIcalledyouugly! We could use your help!"

Rubinstein let out a sigh and patted the filly's head, "I'm glad you're okay too- and luckily for you I don't remember being called that... but I'm on a leash. I'm afraid that I've lost someone very important. Slipper has been taken by King Sombra and I fear if he finds out I disobeyed him in anyway he's going to take it out on her."

"We know! That's where we're heading now!" The pink filly interrupted with her wings hurriedly flapping behind her, "We're going to save Glass Slipper! We have the keys!"

Uncle Rubin seemed to get visibly brighter at this, "You do?"

"Yes!" Frosty hopped up, "But we need your help!"

"Now that the helmet can't control you anymore we could really use a guard to escort us both to the castle. You can take us straight to the dungeons!" She slipped out of Rubinstein's grasp and eagerly bounced over to the helmet. After clearing some crystal debris out of the way the pink filly would swiftly pluck it up and hold it out for her uncle.
"Here! We can get to Slipper! We can go save her and several other prisoners along with her! If we do this... we could even escape and warn the princesses! We can find my father and be safe! Please Uncle Rubin! I know you might not like it but please put the helmet back on!"

Rubinstein quietly stared at the helm and gently took it from his niece. As he considered it his pelt would dim once again. Even with his sorrowful gaze glued to the helmet he would give a firm nod and kneel down before the filly. With a serious but thoughtful tone he spoke, "You are one mad filly, Cozy Glow... but you saved me-"

"And me!" The white colt added.

"-And you saved Frosty. Now there are a lot of things I don't usually trust but... right now? I trust you. If you think we can do this then... lets go get Slipper back." He held the helmet above his head and hesitated. The stallion had to look at it once more. He had to make sure it was perfectly safe. Then, after a trying pause, he carefully put it back on. A few seconds had passed... Nothing. Rubinstein was now able to wear the helmet with no repercussions except for his perception. He had some broken-in slits to peer through if he narrowed his eyes enough but it wasn't entirely ideal. His sight was obscured by most of the helmet and all he could really see was one small horizontal line of vision. Hopefully he didn't have to fight with this thing on in the future.
"Okay. To get you into the castle we're going to need some chains. You two wait here."

Frosty and Cozy both perked up at this. They glanced at one another with worried concern as Rubinstein walked off to find what he needed.

The stallion would later return with two manacles for the each of them, "Are you both okay we this?"

Both foals visibly hesitated before Frosty soon gave a stern nod, "If it means saving the other crystal ponies then I'll do it!"

Cozy took off her saddlebags and placed them in front of the older pony, "It's alright Uncle Rubin. This is for Slipper." She assured as she closed her eyes and held her head high. She did not like the idea of being shackled but it was the only way to sneak into the empire.
When she felt the cold metal snatch around her neck she let out a gasp and hung her head low. Gee! These were heavy! After Rubinstein checked to make sure both young ponies were alright he soon locked them into place with the keys. Once he stashed them away and plucked up Cozy's things the older pony positioned himself behind the foals.

"Alright. I'll lead the way. The both of you have to look as defeated as possible. Frightened if you want. Don't say a thing and come with me." Rubinstein patted their heads, "Don't worry. I'll make sure nothing happens to you both, okay?"

"Okay." Cozy Glow breathed in, "We're ready."

The three walked out into the open. Across the open trail the dark castle before them towered high above. The once gleaming tower of love now loomed over the foals and threatened to take them so it could drain the life and hope from their little bodies. Cozy was definitely terrified of the new, eerie castle, but determined as well. She kept her head low and stared dejectedly at the ground floor as they continued to make their way closer to the very center of the empire.

Guards walked by them and hardly gave the prisoners a glance. Rubinstein continued to march onward as he lead the young ponies through the square of the empire. Frosty couldn't help but turn his attention to the center where the once luminous crystal heart used to sit. It no longer was there. This made the young colt ponder about where King Sombra could've possibly hidden it. It had to still be around, right?

Soon the three found themselves heading for a large doorway at one of the four legs of the castle. It was guarded by one soldier who did nothing more but give Rubinstein and the prisoners a once-over before going to unlock the doors. The guard saw them as mere prisoners of war and thus didn't have to raise an alarm to their approach.

Rubinstein only gave the guard a stare before guiding the two through the door. Once they were in and out of sight the stallion happily took off his helmet and dropped the saddlebags. Woo... The three would all find themselves in a lobby of some sort. It was like a waiting room that had a stairway going up, a door, and another set of stairs spiraling downwards. "Alright. Down those stairs are the dungeons," He gestured a hoof to the ominous corner, "Up the other stairway is the general castle itself... Where King Sombra could be. So let's avoid that, okay?"

The two foals nodded before Rubinstein came up and unlocked their shackles, "Now here's my question. We got in... how are we going to get out with all the prisoners?"

Cozy stepped forward and threw her bags back on, "Leave that to me. I have a plan for later. First, let's go get the others."

Uncle Rubin stared down at his niece with a stern gaze before letting out a sigh. He just silently nodded in response and took both Cozy and Frosty to the grim staircase that lead straight to the dungeons down below. The three went quiet as they began to make their way down the daunting spiral. Soft black candlelight would flicker from the indents in the walls to make shadows dance and ponies question if they even have enough to see the next step. Their hooves continuously echoed throughout the dark and Rubinstein's armor would occasionally clatter against his body. They continued further and further down... Golly... How much farther is it? Cozy Glow was itching to find the other crystal prisoners. She was half tempted to just jump to the bottom and risk breaking her nose.

Luckily for her she didn't have to consider the thought any longer. The trio finally made their way to the bottom of the staircase and were greeted with ghostly hallways and soft muffled crying. They all cautiously began to look down each one. So far, no guards just yet. With the three giving each-other an understanding glance they all hurried on to the source of the sobs.

Those sobs came from a young blue filly. She lay on the cold concrete ground of her cell with her head in her hooves. Her tears fell at the nightmares she was cursed to see. Poor Slipper couldn't do anything to stop them.
A corrupted guard walked by her cell, gave her a brief glance, and then continued on his way. Nothing out of the ordinary yet it appears... but as Cozy Glow, Frosty Quartz, and Rubinstein turned a corner they all quietly stiffened at the sight of the guard. Luckily for the three of them he was walking down the hall with his back towards them.

Together they patiently waited until the soldier was well out of sight before making their way up to Glass Slipper's cell door. Rubinstein took out the keys and began to fiddle with each one. It took two tries before he was finally able to unlock his daughter's cell. The moment the door swung open he left the keys in the lock and rushed by the filly's side in an instant, "Slipper... Slip, shhh. Hey. It's okay. It's alright. I'm here now. Everything's going to be fine, alright?"

Frosty and Cozy considered the keys left behind... The pink pegasus plucked twisted the ring out of the lock and gestured to another cell down the hall. Together they soon raced off.

Slipper meanwhile was unable to respond. She let out a whimper as she curled up against Rubinstein, "Dad..." Her glowing green eyes stared up at nothing, "Don't leave me again. Please! Please don't!"

"I won't Slip. I won't! It's okay..." He patted his daughter's head before letting out a sigh. Then, he took in a breath and began to sing...

Hush, little filly, don't wake the ewe
Papa's going to buy you a crystal shoe

Slipper seemed to visibly relax under Rubinstein's song.

And if that crystal shoe gets cracked
Papa's going to buy you a crown you lack
And if that crown is not enough

Papa's going to buy you the crystal's love.

Rubinstein's eyes went wide as Slipper's voice sung back. She now tilted her head in his direction and smiled, "Please don't stop..."
With a nod he continued with his daughter later joining him once again.

And if that crystal love's too much

Papa's going to take you out for lunch.

And once that lunch fills you right up
Papa's going to buy you a tiny pup
And if that pup is too unfair
Papa's going to buy you a treat to share
And when that treat does expire
Papa's going to buy you the empire
But even if that empire falls
You'll be the sweetest filly of all...

The spell King Sombra casted on Slipper had soon faded away. Her naturally pale eyes looked up at Rubinstein with relief and sad joy... "Dad..."

"Slip!" He held his daughter close, (though not close enough to be impaled by his armor) "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. I'm okay now... Thank you. Thank you for coming back." She tearfully nuzzled against Rubinstein's hoof while carefully avoiding the spiky armor as best as possible.

Several hoofsteps could be heard from the hallways just outside of the cell as two foals returned, "Sorry for leaving," Cozy apologized, "You left the keys in the lock so we thought it would be best to go and try to find the other prisoners. There weren't a lot and we were able to avoid the guards!"

"With the slingshot and crystal remnants I was able to distract them and lead them far away." Frosty happily announced, "But we should get going... It won't be long before somepony notices the prisoners are all missing!"

As he said this several other muted crystal ponies curiously peeked into the cell.

Rubinstein let out a sigh and helped his daughter back on her hooves. If it weren't for this cursed armor King Sombra gave him he would've happily let her ride on his back. For now they all hurried off as one group of seven. Frosty and Cozy would go up ahead to make sure no guards were in their path. A couple of times the young ponies had to create distractions in order for everypony to slip on by.
It was when they finally got to the staircase again did they all relax...

Until they heard a shout echo from down the halls, "THE PRISONERS HAVE ESCAPED!"

At this the seven ponies hurried up the stairway as fast as their hooves could take them. Fear and adrenaline powered their strides as they continued their upward climb. Rubinstein mostly stayed in the back to make sure each crystal pony was accounted for while he stood as the barrier between the guards and the exhausted escapees.

"What's the plan for when we get up there??" Frosty hurriedly asked.

"You all need to run to the southern section of the empire! There should be a whole pack of crystal ponies just waiting in that area!" Cozy instructed, "I'll deal with the guards!"

"And how do you plan to do that?" Rubinstein called from below.

The entire group stumbled out of the staircase and into the lobby. Once Rubinstein got up he kicked at a loose looking crystal pillar and knocked it to the side. It crashed down onto the stairway and effectively blocked the guards from crawling back up, though they did try!

"What was that?" A muffled voice questioned from their exit.

Cozy's wings began to buzz behind her as she lifted herself off the ground, "Okay. We're going to have to make this quick... I'll go first. Once the guards from the square are mostly gone you all run!"

Rubinstein stiffened at that, "Cozy!"

"Trust me Uncle Rubin! I can outrun them! I have wings! You all can't! I can do this, I swear!" Loud shouting began to sound out from the stairway and the guard pony at the door began to fiddle with the lock, "Please listen! We don't have enough time. I'll meet you again, okay? I promise."

Her uncle looked uncomfortable with the idea.

She hovered over and took his hoof, "Hey! Listen. All of you! We can do this. I've been here for one day and already I've been through so much. I've seen a lot throughout the entire afternoon. I know that you're all strong. That together, we can bring the hope back to the Crystal Empire! We just have to get out of here... So please, let me do this. Let me help you out of this castle. Trust that I can do this."

Rubinstein stared at the filly with soft consideration. He let out a sigh, pulled his hoof back, and nodded, "Okay Cozy... I trust you."

"Good." Cozy smiled in relief as a flash of light appeared by her flank, "Just once you get to the southern section, escape! I'll be heading east to look for my father. Now get ready!"

Frosty looked up in surprise, "Cozy you-"

The guard at the front suddenly pushed his way in. The moment the door opened, Cozy had dashed right through the entrance and stomped her hooves on top of the guard's helmet, "Come get me you big oaf!"
The little filly flew by as the guard spun around and made chase. Several other corrupted soldiers outside were soon alerted of the small pink presence nearby.

"Hey! Look at me! I escaped!! Come get me you salty sardines!"
A spear flew just above her head and nearly made her spin out. She ducked and jumped as they started to reach for her.
"Gotta be faster than that!" She continuously circled the square a couple more times before pulling out her compass. The entire squadron seemed to give chase as she hurried down the crystal roads leading to the northern section of the empire. She chanced a peek behind her and saw Rubinstein, Glass Slipper, Frosty Quartz, and the three other prisoners make their way to the opposite side of the castle. Once they were out of sight, Cozy began trying to avoid the incoming soldiers. She flew in between the buildings and close to the rooftops. At one point she even dove right through a broken window and fluttered back on out through a large crack in the ceiling. Cozy Glow continued to frantically flap her wings until finally... she couldn't fly anymore.
Exhaustion came over her as every part of her body grew sore. She slowly lowered herself to the floor and scanned the area. Nothing... Absolutely nothing. Cozy had managed to get away.

With a small smile she allowed herself to collapse. Now hungry and thirsty the filly fished through her bags to pull out a crystal pear she had found in her uncle's pantry. It was bruised and battered but hey it was better than nothing. The little pegasus allowed this moment of silence to quietly chew away at the delectably sweet fruit. Only when she tossed the core did she decide to get a better look around.

There were no visible guards but her perked ears could hear the sound of hoofsteps somewhere within the area. She gulped and raised her wings. With a few flaps she was soon on a balcony high above once again. Golly... So much has happened in one day. Finally after so long, it seems, the sun was now starting to set. Cozy took this moment to appreciate the skies above her. Despite being cloudy and grey she could still see the hints of fiery colors in the distance. How nice... for the end of the world.
The filly shook her head and found herself glancing down at the crystal material the building was made of. She could see her own reflection and her adorable little freckled face. Cozy giggled at herself before quieting down... It was then she turned her attention to something else on her. Something that wasn't there before...

Gasp, "My cutiemark...."

"HEY!"

Cozy Glow jumped in surprise and looked down to see a corrupted crystal guard staring back up at her.

"I FOUND HER!"

The pink pegasus quickly took to the air but not before a spear went whizzing right by her. She let out a shout as it plunged through her saddlebags and threw her completely off balance. She fell to the side with her items spilling out behind her. The jangling keys dropped to the floor and slid on over to the nearest crystal guard.

"What's this?" She questioned as she plucked up the stolen keys, "Thief!" The guard shrieked and pointed an accusatory hoof at the pegasus.

"Get that thief!" Another guard bellowed before charging towards the filly.

The only thing Cozy Glow made a grab for was the map and compass before she was forced to take off once again. She did her usual pattern of repeatedly zigzagging throughout the crystal homes to escape. Despite the immediate danger however her eyes were mostly on the compass in her hooves. East! She just had to go east!
Another spear suddenly dug itself into the home just next to her. Her mind whirled at the thought of one of those hitting her wings, or worst. This propelled her to anxiously fly higher into the sky.
As the chase behind her began to lessen she threw herself upwards to get a better view of the city from above. While she could still spot the crystal guards and no doubt they could spot her too she found her concerns instead leading herself to the eastern side of the empire. This was when she saw it. Before her was a large group of crystal ponies gathering together within the streets. Some shined and some didn't. At the front of it all was a familiar lavender stallion in the despicable armor he was forced to wear. Rubinstein!
Relieved, Cozy allowed herself to glide over to the large gathering of escapees. A familiar green filly and a once corrupted guard waved up at her as she passed before they both vanished among the crowd. Heh! This is all going better than expected!
The crystal guards that had chased after her before were soon forgotten as she made her way to the front of this growing rebellious army.

Rubinstein had stopped everypony at the edge of the town. He was the the one thing that stood in between the city and the wild. Just before him was the fields of dying grass racing up to meet the line of endless winter with only an invisible barrier to separate them. Beyond that was Equestria. This was the final stretch to freedom.

Cozy Glow quietly landed besides him, "I told you we'd see each other again."

Her uncle whirled around, "Cozy!"

"Cozy!" Both Frosty and Slipper suddenly appeared. They tackled Cozy Glow to the ground and dragged her into a hug.

"Frosty! Slip!" She laughed, "Oh I'm so glad all my friends are alright! I need you all!"

"And we do too." Rubinstein smiled before gesturing to the open fields before them, "I didn't want to leave until you were here with us... but I must warn you. The moment we all are out on that field King Sombra might see us. All of us. It would be best if we headed out the moment Luna raises the moon tonight. We might have a better chance then."

Cozy gently pushed both Frosty and Slipper off of her as she seriously considered the open fields before them, "I think it'll work."

"It has to!" Slipper hopped up in front of Cozy, "We have to warn the princesses. They'll know how to fix this!"

"All princesses aside though..." Frosty beamed, "Cozy! You got your cutiemark!"

The pink pegasus smiled back, "I know right?? Isn't it amazing?" She showed it off to the others, "It's a rook! It looks similar to your cutiemark, Uncle Rubin! And... And my father's too!"

Rubinstein let out a proud chuckle, "That's interesting Cozy. It seems you did manage to find your true talents in the empire. Just like you wished."

"Gee, wish it was under different circumstances." The filly sighed as she looked back up at the dark empire, "When everything is back to normal I'd like to see you all again... but I don't think mother would ever let me come back if she knew what we all went through."

"I wouldn't blame her for it." The lavender colt sighed, "She could've lost her daughter today. I know that feeling well. If this weren't my home I wouldn't want Slipper anywhere near this place either until I was certain it was completely safe again."

"It will be though, right dad?" Slipper walked up to her father, "You're going to help fix everything aren't you?"

"Of course... but after this I'm definitely retiring." He chuckled before turning his attention to the sky, "It's starting to get dark. We should get ready to-"

"RAAAAAAAGH!!!"

A rumble suddenly shook the earth beneath them. Ponies of the rebellion would look up in shock as the entire empire shuddered with a wave of seething anger and rage. The source of this fury came from none other than the tyrant himself.

Cozy Glow's attention snapped over to the castle as a loud booming voice made its presence known throughout the land.

"REBELLIOUS SCUM! YOUR DISOBEDIENCE WILL HAVE ITS CONSEQUENCES!"

Panic ensued as every desperate crystal pony within the pack began to rush towards the dying fields. Rubinstein attempted to stop them but he was easily overwhelmed by the amount that charged through. They ran past the stallion and straight out into the open. The eyes of the dark king easily spotted them from his perch high above.

"IT IS USELESS TO RUN MY CRYSTAL SLAVES! SOON YOU WILL ALL BE MINE!"

A large monstrosity began to form at the balcony of the castle. The shadows had all collected together to create this beast of what was once the unicorn tyrant. It licked its pointed teeth and let out an ear-piercing shrill for all to hear. With one glare it lunged for the streets down below.

"We need to leave!" Rubinstein urged as more ponies began to rush by.

"But-"

"Now, Cozy!" He plucked up Slipper by the scruff and ran with Frosty closely trailing after him.

Cozy had hesitated but after giving one glance to the dark abomination now giving chase the pink pegasus soon followed behind. With a flap of her wings she was airborne and was able to easily follow after Rubinstein and the rest.

It was now everypony for themselves. Out of hesitation or fear some stood still and some were just not fast enough. Several were left behind as the darkness consumed them. It swallowed them up, silenced their screams, and proceeded its hunt for the rest. The king was set on his goal and for this he will not fail it. He'll grab every single mare or colt who ever defied him and make them pay! It seems however that as this chase continued it was nothing more but a nuisance.
How about he just end it already?

The monstrous creature crashed through the ground just at the edge of the city. From it formed King Sombra himself. His red horn ignited with dark magic as he smirked towards the escapees with fanged teeth, "End of the line." He growled before stomping his hoof down against the field's grass. Many crystal ponies were shocked to find a stream of shadows swiftly pass by them. From this trail formed several small pillars of black crystal that either became a tiny bother or an entire obstacle to avoid. The shadowy path would race under their hooves and make its way to the snow where several horse-shoe tracks had been made only to be left behind. The few crystal ponies that had run up ahead long ago attempted to pick up the pace as the shadows formed before them.

Then without warning, once it finally caught up to the crystal ponies far ahead, a giant wall sprouted from the ground and halted their attempts. One poor stallion slammed face first into it. Others began to frantically bash their hooves against the shiny surface in an attempt to shatter it. No such luck.
Loud booms resonated throughout the empire as the world once again shook around them. Crystal walls would soon form at either side of one another as a large barrier began to trickle its way along the landscape and circle the empire in its entirety. Everypony could only watch in horror as the large barricades surrounded their poor corrupted city; ensuring that nopony could get in or out.

Yes while the sky stayed open a majority of the crystal ponies were all earth. They couldn't fly or teleport. Instead they were all stuck. Stuck to slam their hooves against the indestructible barricade in a vain attempt to escape the now angered unicorn. He began to stalk his way forward as the shadows collected around him. They were all his prey... they had nowhere else to go!
All of them were stuck in his grasp... except for one filly.

"Cozy Glow! You need to fly!" Frosty urged as he pointed a hoof to the walls before them.

"What?? Frosty I can't just leave you or the others like this!"

"You're going to have to." Rubinstein stepped up to his niece, "I'm sorry but there isn't any other way. You need to fly. You need to escape. Warn the princesses. Warn Equestria! Only you can do that now."

"But..." Cozy looked back and forth between them, "But what about you..?"

"It'll be okay Cozy..." Glass Slipper assured as she placed a hoof on her cousin's shoulder, "Just run. The sooner you get to Canterlot the sooner we'll be saved. Now go!"

"Fly you foal!" Rubinstein hurriedly urged once again as King Sombra began to form tendrils of shadows to snatch up each unfortunate crystal pony he passed.

"We'll meet again. I promise!" Frosty assured.

Cozy Glow breathed in... and out... With a defiant glare she stared up at the crystal walls before her. The screams of panic was all she could hear as her friends and family watched with baited breath. She had to do it. She had to fly.
So, she raised her wings... and took off.

The little pegasus was but a dot against the black crystal walls but she was determined. The climb would be difficult and she was certain she'd struggle but if she just got up high enough she'd be home free. She could escape the empire and warn the princesses! She could free everypony! If only her wings were larger. If only she were faster...

It didn't take long before the evil tyrant spotted her small body taking off into the air, "And where are you going little one?"
He dived into the ground once again and disappeared within the dark path he had summoned previously. His dark shadows would hurriedly course down the trail as he raced for the very edge of the wall. Soon his large monstrous form peeked right out of the grass floor with his attention fully on the young Cozy Glow high above.

"No! Leave her alone!" Frosty yelled out but was left ignored.

The large mass of darkness began to rear up and trail after the fluttery pink filly. Cozy could hear the rumbling growl of King Sombra just behind her. The more she desperately flapped the higher she went. The higher she went the closer the shadows got.
Cozy pushed herself to keep going but even then she felt the gravity of the situation sink in. The walls were too big, her little wings could only take her so high, and the unicorn was gaining ground. As King Sombra was able to gather more distance through his shadows alone the filly finally felt her exhaustion settle in.
The filly wanted nothing more but to escape. She fiercely flapped her wings and forced each burning feather in her body to keep going. Even then that was not enough... The shadows would surround her, the darkness threatened to consume her, and the skies above disappeared with only the scorching red eyes of hatred replacing the clouds.
From there the little pegasus could do no more. She was face to face with King Sombra when she finally gave up... and fell. Her meager wings were nothing compared to the powers this unicorn held. Cozy couldn't even register what was happening as the dark surrounded her and pulled her deeper into the abyss below.

The moment she closed her eyes was the moment she was certain she'd never wake up again.

"Cozy!!"

Author's Note

Whoops she passed out again.

Looks like every chapter is just going to end with Cozy Glow getting knocked out, ain't it?

Anyways- This was really enjoyable for me! Definitely more than I originally planned but hey, I was having too much fun with this. I will admit, I had a whole bunch of comedic moments dribbled in but I couldn't help it. I wanted Cozy's character to shine if she was a good pony.

After all, most start out good at first. Not everyone is born evil! .... Right?

Well I hope you enjoyed. Don't worry, Cozy becomes a power hungry filly later on~! In fact... She's already starting to grow into the character she is today.

Chapter 3: They Prepared For The Worst

[Fair warning, this chapter gets dark.]

The night was like any other. There were public appearances to be made, meetings to attend, and disputes to hurriedly settle. Princess Celestia was a busy mare as always.
Despite towering over everypony else she felt to rule and take responsibility for her realm she must bow down to the masses and tend to their needs with care. For this she found herself on her throne late at night instead of dozing off within her comfortable bed in the castle of the two sisters. A pleasantly quiet home but filled to the brim with letters and parchments to keep her stuck in her seat for days. She hurriedly went through each scroll to sign an appeal, write down orders, regulate terms, and etc. Besides her during her work, though awfully silent, was her young sister Princess Luna.

After a while Celestia bit her lip, glanced over at the smaller alicorn, and guided a parchment over to her sister with her shimmering yellow magic. Using a quill she pointed at a sentence on the lengthy document.

Luna didn’t have much to do as Celestia did but she still offered help whenever help was needed, “Thou silly for using big words as this.” She grumbled as she shared her older sister’s frustration, “Looks to be, in short, they’re asking for your approval or disapproval on their rather questionable methods for their community farm.”

“What’s so questionable about their request?” Celestia asked with a small smile as she pulled the scroll back.

“Well for one, pony-made fires to purposely burn through forests shouldn’t be anywhere near a farm in the first place. What in the cosmos are these foals thinking?” Luna huffed.

“Are thou a farm pony?”

“No, but we don’t set our resources or food ablaze!” The younger sister’s voice boomed throughout the throne room.

“Ah- inside voice dear sister.” Celestia rubbed her ears, “You do not need to use the royal voice while you’re here with just me... and two guards.”

The guards nearby perked up at attention when addressed.

With a sigh, Luna lowered her voice, “Of course. Apologies, sister.”

As the two began to settle in comfortable silence once again, the large double doors at the end of the throne room were sternly pushed open by two other armored stallions standing just outside. Beyond these doors revealed a small group of soldiers and one grim looking crystal unicorn the princesses recognized. Celestia noted how dull the familiar pony looked. This must be a very serious case.

“Your majesties,” A guard by the door gruffly spoke, “The squadron stationed at the eastern side of the Crystal Empire have arrived with dire news.”

The taller alicorn lowered her scrolls and sat up, “The Canterlot Bravo team? What happened?”

“The empire is under attack,” A pegasus stepped forward and lifted his helmet to reveal eyes similar to a crystal pony’s. How odd, Luna thought, the stallion’s pelt looked nothing like the crystal mare besides him. Whether he was dim with upsetting emotions or bright with joyful glee the younger alicorn couldn’t even tell for this leading soldier looked like nothing more but an average pegasus.
Celestia herself was more used to the soldier’s appearance and gave an understanding glance towards her confused sister.

“A unicorn by the name Sombra has taken out Princess Amore and now threatens to conquer the empire itself as king. He has power we’ve never even heard of before-“

“And he’s my friend!” The crystal unicorn interrupted as she hurriedly passed the guard and made her way before the two princesses, “I don’t know what happened but- Sombra isn’t usually like this. He’s nice and kind. He’s willing to understand others! Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, please. Save the empire but please help him as well! He can be helped. I know he can. Sombra isn’t evil.”

Celestia stared down at the mare in consideration. Her body didn’t move except for the flow of her mane. It seems, that for one moment, the Princess had just frozen even after the room went silent.

“Sister?” Luna looked up with concern.

Finally she stirred, “What is your name, dear?” The older alicorn gently asked.

“Hope. Radiant Hope.”

“Hope. You were accepted just recently to work under me and Luna.... I must apologize, this is a lot to take in at once. Princess Amore... is she really..?”

The crystal unicorn gave a solemn nod, “Yes. Sombra has turned her to stone, shattered her, and scattered the pieces. She’s... dead. I’m so sorry Princess...”

“No need to apologize. This was not your doing. Now we need to act urgently. The empire is currently under attack, correct?”

The pegasus responded, “Yes your majesty.”

“Then get your soldiers ready and trained for battle. We must depart as soon as we’re able.”

“We’re going to need information, first.” Luna interjected, “We cannot go into battle without knowing who we are dealing with. What if the elements are required?”

“Of course sister. This’ll take some time but the sooner we are all ready... the better. First, I want scouts around the Empire. Is the Alpha Team still out there?”

“We haven’t heard from them but it is assumed they should be, yes.” The leading soldier walked up besides Hope.

“Then thy shall be our lookouts." Celestia snatched up an empty parchment with her magic to write down more requests and notices.

Luna was next to speak in her booming royal voice, "Good! Thou shall stay back and train! We must prepare for whatever spells this unicorn could inflict upon us and all of Equestria!"

The soldiers all had to restrain themselves from flinching. Celestia meanwhile was too busy to care. A lot was now on her mind and her dear friend, Princess Amore, was now gone... What was she to do first in a situation like this? Make a funeral? Make an army? Did she have to grab the elements? This unicorn... This Sombra... He ended royalty.
She was just scribbling away a lengthy note when the pegasus caught her attention once again.

"Your majesty? A word?"

Celestia looked up to see the rest of his squadron already departing. Luna had moved and was now by the entrance speaking with the crystal unicorn, Radiant Hope. Oh dear... it seems she might've been a tad bit distracted with her work once again.
"Ah... Yes. Is something the matter?"

"Well you see, if it's not too much trouble... I'd like to join the Alpha Team on their scouting mission along the Empire's borders. Please understand, I have family there. I want to make sure that my brothers are safe."

"But what of your team? They may need a leader and you're one of the best they have."

"I understand that, but I can assure you princess I already have a second-in-command who is just as much of a leader as I. He can take care of the Bravo team for me. Besides, somepony has to check on the Alpha team. If you are to send a messenger out, that messenger is going to need protection. I can protect them." He tapped a hoof on his chest to assure the princess of his strength.

Celestia considered the partly-crystal soldier in front of her, "... Thou makes a compelling argument. I understand your concern and I am pleased to see how thou cares for thy family. Very well. We will allow thou to make haste for the Empire along with our messenger. We will tell you shortly when you both shall be departing. Dismissed."

The pegasus bowed his head, "Thank you, princess." Then he turned and made his way out through the doors, passing Luna and Hope as he did so.

"-Sombra was once just a lost foal found in the snow." The crystal unicorn sighed as she retold King Sombra's history to Luna, "He couldn't say much, just his name. I met him in the orphanage we both lived in and we became great friends... He accepted me and played games with me."

"What changed?" Luna asked, "What turned him into how he is today?"

"Well... Every crystal fair he got really sick. One day, it got worst. He almost disappeared entirely! It was horrifying. His body just started falling apart. I managed to save him and heal his body before he vanished completely. Ever since then however, he became more distant. When I tried to tell him about your letter a couple days ago he ran off... The next time I saw him he... became what he is now. I'm sorry, I wish I knew more."

"Don't be." Celestia walked up to the two, "What you have told us now gives us some idea as to what has happened. Thank you Radiant Hope for coming here and sharing this information..."

"If it helps the empire and my friend then... of course." Hope bowed her head, "Please. Do what you can."

"We will try. For now, you are welcome to stay as our guest until all of this is over. Make yourself at home and get some rest. You look like you need it after all this." One of Celestia's wings opened up to gesture towards one of her servants waiting by the door. The mare, once acknowledged, nodded towards Hope and lead the way out into the expansive maze-like halls of the castle.
Hope gave the princesses one last glance before trailing after her guide.

Once the princesses finally found themselves alone once again they gave each other a look.

Luna turned to her sister, "Does thou not find it odd a foal was found in the middle of nowhere among the snow?"

"Yes it is strange... and each crystal fair made him sick. Does thou know what this could mean, sister?" Celestia sighed, "The umbrum. Could this be their doing?"

"How would it? The crystal heart had sealed them all away."

"Either way... if it is, we might be dealing with more than we originally thought. Let us prepare a meeting. The sooner we get everything done... the sooner we can defeat Sombra."

Everything was... dark. There was no light. No sound. Just herself. Just nothing.

She sat in this abyss and quietly stirred. Every part of her body hurt. Her wings, her legs, and even her back. It felt like something was weighing her down to drag her back to the floor she tried to wake from. Nothing felt right. This all felt wrong...

With one eye, the filly glanced around. Nothing.

With on leg, she pushed herself up. Still nothing.

There was not a single soul in this endless blank void.

The young pegasus curiously tapped at the "floor" to find she was in fact standing on... something. What was this?

"Hello?" Cozy's voice echoed throughout this vast nothingness, "Anypony there?"

Then finally... something happened. The void began to shift and change around her. Colors and sound relentlessly attacked her senses as she tried to gather her bearings once again. She found herself stumbling forward and into a large hall of some sort. There was a soft red carpet lining the center, sunlight was pouring in through the gallery of enormous windows, and columns of intricate design helped shape a sort of regal atmosphere this place held. At the very end of this long hall was a tall throne.

The young filly's eyes glued onto that very throne as she made her way towards it. The reason for her awe-struck reaction was the fact that the top was shaped just like her cutiemark... A rook.

She stopped before the throne, smiled, and went to sit down. As she did, a crown appeared in her hooves. Though confused as to where it came from the filly did not resist to place it over her curled blue mane, "Is this real..?" Cozy questioned to no pony in particular. Not like she expected a response...

However to her surprise somepony did in fact respond. That somepony was a young familiar colt that was now by her side, "As real as it usually is, Empress Cozy."

She perked up and turned to see a white crystal colt with a swirly blue mane that spiked right through the top of his helmet. He wore silver armor and even had a blade strapped to his side. The glimmering armor could be the reason why she at first didn't notice the foal's clear lack of color, "Frosty? Did- Did you just call me Empress Cozy??"

"Of course." Frosty responded though in a more monotone voice than usual, "You became Empress of Equestria."

"That's- Wow! That's amazing!! Empress Cozy. Hah! I made it! My destiny! And you- you're a guard! Just like in our visions! I told you you'd be part of it! You're my guard, aren't you?" Cozy leaned against the side of her throne and smiled down at the other.

"Of course I am..." He sighed with a frown, "It was my destiny."

The pegasus blinked at this, "Hey... Why aren't you smiling? Aren't you happy? We're... We're living out our destinies! Our futures! Isn't that what you wanted..?"

Frosty gave the young empress a hesitant glance before giving off a weak smile, "No no. It's fine. Everything's... fine." His smile fell once again.

"... Frosty. You have to be happy about this! It's the greatest thing ever! Especially after everything we've gone through! Come on, you're my friend. Tell me what's wrong..."

The colt stared up at the large doors at the other end of the throne room "Well it's just... after today, I feel like we'll live up to our destinies. I feel like this is it for us."

"What..?" The filly sat up at this, "Frosty what're you-"

BOOM! An explosion rang out throughout the throne room. The windows fell apart and shattered into millions of pieces. Those shards fell along the blood red carpet and threatened to cut through any silly foal that dared tread upon them. A loud commotion could be heard through the now smashed panes. They screamed and they shouted at the top of their lungs,

"NO MORE COZY! NO MORE COZY! NO MORE COZY!"

The young empress hopped off of her throne and wildly flapped her wings, "What's going on??? What's happening?"

"It's a rebellion, empress." Frosty muttered as he took off his helment.

"But- But I'm the empress of Equestria!" Cozy turned to her friend, "Everypony is supposed to love me! We're supposed friends!"

"I'm afraid right now it doesn't seem that way." The colt growled as he tossed his guard helmet to the floor, "Because if I'm not your friend... then why would anypony else be?"

"Excuse me, sir? A letter from your wife." A sandy-colored messenger pegasus who had made her way into the soldier's barracks was now handing the former leader of the Bravo Team a sealed envelope.

He looked up from the saddlebags he had been prepping and gently grasped the note in his hooves, "Thank you... Are you the messenger pony Celestia will be sending later to the Empire?"

"Oh- yes sir. I am."

"Good. With our wings we could get to the Alpha squadron faster than if we were grounded." The stallion hummed as he used his teeth to tear open the given envelope.

"Oh, so you must be the soldier accompanying me. I really don't need the extra protection but- well it is nice to have somepony else out there with me I suppose. Especially on the brink of war." The messenger sighed as she sat herself down.

"If King Sombra were to find you during your travel to the Alpha Squadron he'd want information. We can't risk that." The soldier pointedly added before his eyes scanned through the the letter his wife had sent. "Now if we went above the clouds we could... gather.... What?" His once stoic expression melted into shock.

"What is it, sir?"

"My daughter... my daughter Cozy! She ran away!"

"Frosty..?" Cozy took several steps back as the young colt started to get closer, "Frosty what do you mean? We're friends aren't we? I'm your friend!"

"You're no friend of mine!" Frosty firmly announced, "You never were my friend and you never will be!"

Tears pricked at the edges of the filly's eyes, "Why're you saying all this? What did I do??"

"We hate you!" Frosty continued, "We all hate you! You're a terrible empress! A terrible friend! You're nothing! You should've stayed in Canterlot and you should've never put on that crown!"

"What did I do??" Cozy raised her voice in hopes for an answer.

"Nothing." Frosty growled, "Absolutely nothing... You failed us, and we're sick of failure. We don't need you."

Cozy's eyes teared up as she took another shaky step back. A crack could be heard underhoof. The field of shards now sat just behind her. She went to fly but for some reason her wings would not raise. She couldn't move a single feather.

"You want to know something Cozy? I pretended to be your friend." Frosty huffed, "I pretended to be nice and caring because that's what you have to do in Equestria. You say hello, you be kind, and you get friends. The more friends the better... It doesn't matter if you care about them or not, just as long as they care about you. And from the looks of it I won. I have power over you. Power you don't have. You can't hurt me Cozy, admit it! You care about me don't you? But guess what?"
He made his way closer to the cowering filly until their noses both touched, "I don't care about you." With a rough shove the pinky filly flew straight into the glass floor behind her.

SMASH!
Cozy let out a loud scream as burning pain pierced through her legs and traveled along her body. Something stabbed through her wings and skewered up her face. However the moment she hit the ground... everything shattered. The floor disappeared underneath her and the room vanished high above her. As she tried to catch onto something she found herself falling back into the dark abyss below as streaks of red trailed behind her.

From above, Frosty's laugh still echoed throughout the vast nothing that surrounded the lost pegasus.

"Are you sure you'll be alright?"

The messenger didn't expect to make a stop to Canterlot but she wasn't complaining too much. Though they were on a time crunch any excuse to stay away from the empire was an excuse she'd take. From what Celestia had told her she could only imagine the disaster going on out in that shining city. Best if she could at least delay that experience herself for a while if she could. Not that this excuse was something to be happy about, however...
The soldier who was to protect her was suddenly told his daughter had ran away. He wanted nothing more but to help search for her but his wife, the spa pony, was now trying to persuade him to continue on with his job. She even dragged him all the way back to the train station in hopes to convince him.

"We have family all over," The wife consoled, "She probably ran to a town with one of them in it. If anypony were to find her they'll give us a letter, I'm certain. The only one we won't be sure of for a while, from the sounds of it, is The Crystal Empire. It's a terrible thought but... what if she-" Her voice staggered as she worriedly glanced away.

"What if she ran to the empire?" The stallion finished with a sigh, "I understand that logic. But why would she go there? Why would she run away in the first place?"

"..." The wife shook her head. She was unable to respond, at first.

The messenger pony nearby was swinging her hind legs off the side of the bench she sat on. Should she say something?

"We had an argument." The spa pony admitted, "She wanted to be a lot like you... I denied her that. So she must've ran to the empire to find you. To- To be like you. Cozy Glow could've been hoping to find you again. It's all my fault, dear. So please do this for me. For her. Please bring her home again."

"Oh..." The soldier looked away, "Alright. As absurd as it sounds, we shall take the next train to the Crystal Empire. If I see her... I'll let you know as soon as possible."

"Thank you... Please, stay safe. Both of you." She noted to the other pegasus nearby.

"Will do, ma'am. Thank you." The messenger saluted with a concerned smile.

The more fancier pony gave her husband a quick kiss before hurrying off back into the busy city of Canterlot. She vanished among the crowds after giving one more worried glance towards the train tracks beyond. Would her daughter really be all the way out at the Empire? Hopefully, if she is, she'll be found soon...

The stallion tiredly let out a sigh and joined the messenger mare at the bench, "It's going to be a long journey from here. Do you have everything you need?"

"Yes sir... I'm sorry about your little foal."

"It's fine. If she did go to the Crystal Empire then... perhaps we'll run into her soon. For now, lets just focus on regrouping."

Three guards possessing black helmets and sharp armor stormed into what was once a cozy cerulean blue home. Their hooves echoed throughout the grey walls and their search went from the kitchen to the top floor. Nopony was around, though there was some hint that perhaps there was activity recently.

As one soldier entered the master bedroom his ear perked at a sound just besides him. He turned and saw... nothing. Nothing but a large crack in the wall near the ceiling. A piece of stone fell right off and clattered onto the flooring underhoof. The guard let out a huff and resumed his search. Still there was nothing.

It wasn't long however before one of the guards found a certain room. Its door was left unlocked and open. They continued their search and found maps, parchments, and information of various kind. Once alerted of the newfound documents one soldier was assigned the task to bring everything to the castle.

There, King Sombra awaited and soon found himself immersed in the late strategist's writings. Well then...

Looks like there were a few ponies he had to deal with.

The messenger wasn't sure if she should be grateful or not that they both finally made it. The train ride was so long that she was itching to just jump right off it. She wasn't a fast enough flyer to match the speeding locomotive but she'd rather prefer stretching out her wings and taking the chance to dash across all of Equestria if it meant getting off her seat. However, the moment her and the soldier accompanying her had stepped into the frigid ice-cold snow she immediately wanted to turn and high-tail it out of there. She was grateful that the princesses entrusted her with delivering this important message to the upcoming scouting party but- did it HAVE to be in a BLIZZARD?

The soldier with her noticed her discomfort, "With our wings we can get above the cloud-line. From there we should be able to fly by this entire storm with no issue."

"I know... but then I'd have to put my hooves down on the snow again later..!" The messenger huffed as she flicked some of the ice off her hoof, "Plus it'll still probably be cold up there as well."

"Better then getting caught in this," The partly-crystal pony gestured to the raging winter wonderland that surrounded them both.

The messenger pony raised her wings in preparation, "Alright I'll stop my bellyaching. Let's just get this over with. The sooner I deliver you and this message to the Alpha team the sooner I can get home."

"Just a moment." The soldier raised a hoof and approached the messenger, "There's something we need to discuss."

"And what's that?"

"A unicorn this powerful could be a dangerous enemy. He can not get his hooves on a note like this. So, I want you to memorize the princess's letter. If King Sombra is out there and he finds us... we need to destroy it." The stallion sternly looked down at the mare, "We can not let him know the two sisters are after him. Is that clear?"

The messenger stared back with a serious gaze, "... Crystal."

The soldier blinked at this, "..."

... Snrk.

"Okay look-" The mare quickly tried to hide a smile, "Sir, I-I'm sorry-"

"I can't believe this. This is a very serious mission-" The stallion huffed as he turned away and raised his wings.

"Hah, wait-"

Too late. He already sprang up into the air and made ground towards the clouds high above, "-and you're giggling like a school filly!"

"Sir!" The messenger laughed before following after, "It won't happen again! I promise!"

The two raced into the storm together. The colors of their pelts splashed against the raging white blizzard around them as they soured higher into the sky. It wasn’t long before the messenger pony’s smile fell as she struggled against the bitter ice cold that now nipped at her nose and sank through her wings. A gasp escaped her as she nearly lost her balance midair.

The soldier ahead glanced back, “Come on messenger! We’re nearly there!”

“I’m flapping as fast as I can, sir!” She shouted with a tired breath.

“Don’t flap! Push! Use your wings to push the winds beneath your feathers! Each flap should propel you higher! Trying to be fast won’t get you to the top!” He urged as he continued on against the storm, “We’re almost there!”

She listened to the other’s advice and slowed her frantic flapping. Each beat of her wings was now purposeful and strong. Despite feeling like the storm was now pushing against her... she was also getting relatively higher as well. In fact, she soon found herself flying side-by side with the guard. The messenger would celebrate if she could but it wasn’t over yet! The clouds were coming closer and the cold attempted to thrust them away back into the tundra below. The two pegasi gave each other a glance, nodded, and charged right through the clouds with their eyes closed.

Not wanting their position to be possibly known from afar, the two had to hold back their strength from bursting the clouds away with one hit. Instead, they focused their hooves in one spot and tunneled their way right through. A difficult feat for regular pegasi, but these two were trained and knew that when it came to clouds it was all in the hooves and how gentle or rough they treated its surface. For this they had to be like a needle. They had to pierce through with the heavy weight of their forelegs and the light agility of their body. From there all they had to do was wait until finally- they popped up on the other side. Over the clouds and above the blizzard the two found themselves under the night sky with the stars shining overhead alongside the moon.

The messenger allowed herself to sigh as she hovered above it all, “Wow...”

“Focus.” The soldier turned to the other, “We still have a long way to go.”

The messenger nodded before turning her attention to the stars, “If we follow the bison and head northwest, we’ll find The Shimmering Peak Mountain. The scouting party should be just at the base of it.”

“Then let us make haste.” The partly-crystal soldier urged before dashing through the beautifully daunting night sky.

The messenger seemed hesitant at first. In the distance there were rolling dark clouds making their way through the storm. After considering the wind and trajectory however she assumed that their path would be clear of the possible thunderstorm that lay in the horizon. After giving the clouds one last glance she flapped her wings and trailed after the soldier now far ahead of her.

Surely it was nothing... right?

"Hmm... Where could she be?"

A muffled giggle rang out in the living room.

"Not a very good hider, are ya?" The stallion chuckled as he made his way over to the closet, "Is she hiding... here?"
The pegasus tugged the doors open to reveal no filly. Only old equipment and jackets.
"Hm. Guess not."

Another giggle. The father smirked as he playfully made his way over to the table, "How about... under here??" Nothing, of course, "Darn! Maybe you are pretty good at this!"

"I'm right here..! I'm not even trying!" The filly laughed out making the pegasus turn to the couch where an obvious pile of cushions and blankets sat.

The stallion went over and plucked one of the pillows up to reveal his daughter, Cozy Glow, buried underneath her fortress of comfort. With an amused smile he chuckled, "Hah! What're you doing in there?"

"I'm being Cozy!" She chirped before burying her face against the plush cushions.

"Little filly has a sense of humor now does she?" Her father placed the cushion back over her face, "Now I'm going to hide! Count to twenty and remember... No peeking this time. Got it?"

"Hehehe..." She removed the cushion off her face and smiled up at the older pegasus, "Crystal!"

"Sir?"

The stallion blinked and shook his head. He snapped his crystal-like gaze back towards the messenger pony beside him, "Yes? What is it?"

"You were blanking for a while there... Are you alright?"

"Fine." He grunted before turning his attention forwards once again, "We're almost there."

The mountains had come into view a long while ago. The two had been flying for what felt like forever. Luckily for them they mostly relied on gliding to get to their destination... doesn't mean they were starting to get exhausted, however. At least they didn't have to travel all the way here on hoof.

"..." The messenger slowly made her way closer to the soldier, "It's really nice how much you care for your family."

"What?" The other perked up.

"Well it's just- It's nice. Not a lot of ponies have that. Not a lot of ponies have somepony like you. And... I wish could help you but- I'm just a messenger. I don't know how to fight, only to fly and get to where I need to be. If I could I would help you find your daughter and save your brothers but... I'm sorry I can't be of any more assistance than a letter bearer."

"At a time like this a letter bearer might just be what we need." The stallion assured, "You can pass messages to the far reaches of Equestria and keep us all informed. It's the best you can do now and... it does help. If my wife ever gives you a message about Cozy Glow you come flying as fast as your wings can take you... and if I find Cozy Glow and get her safe? You can fly all the way back to Canterlot and deliver the good news. A messenger is important... whether you believe me or not."

"Really? You're really sure of that?"

The soldier stared at the mare and smiled, "Crystal."

The messenger looked over in surprise and happily grinned back. The moment however was soon short-lived. The dark clouds from before had caught her attention once again, "What?"

The other spotted it too, "That's odd..."

"Those storm clouds should've been on the eastern side of the empire by now! What're they doing so close to the Shimmering Peak Mountains?"

The stallion narrowed his eyes, "Those aren't storm clouds..."

"They aren't?!"

The soldier abruptly made a dive towards the clouds below. With a yelp, the messenger soon followed suit. They both plunged into the blizzard once again and found themselves falling among the ice cold bitter snow that welcomed their return. With a shout the soldier was able to warn the mare behind him before abruptly slowing down his descent with raised wings. During their flight the messenger stayed close by as the jagged mountains came into view. The stallion wasted no time and charged for the dangerous peaks. With his tail and his hooves he would direct his companion through the treacherous landscape. Side-by-side they avoided each obstacle and obstruction that attempted to block their way.

It wasn't long before the sounds of fighting and shouting soon emerged.

The two reduced their speeds and gently glided to the rocky ground below. The messenger gently placed her hooves down onto a jagged path and quickly joined the soldier's side, "What's going on? What're they fighting?"

The stallion slowly made his way towards the noise. They were high above on a cliff-side of some sort where the two of them could both look out at a hollow that rested underneath them. There the Alpha Squadron's camp was to be. The once possibly organized set up was now a disastrous battle field. The clearing was full of soldiers and guards struggling to fight each other back. One group had the silver or golden armor bestowed upon them by Canterlot. Another had armor as dark as night with pointy fangs hanging from their sides and their neck. With this dangerous addition they were able to easily slice through any opponent that managed to get too close to their once sparkling and glimmering hides...

"They're fighting crystal ponies..." The soldier gasped in realization.

Shouts rang out as ponies began to fall unconscious. Crimson red colors streaked along the stone cold ground as a unicorn stepped out from the shadows. King Sombra.

"We need to leave." The messenger urged as she grasped her companion's hoof, "Now!"

"Destroy that note and run back to Canterlot." He growled with his eyes glued on the dark tyrant below, "I have a battle to fight."

Before she could protest the soldier had already threw himself down into the frenzied clearing.

Though he didn't want to hurt the crystal ponies he had no choice but to kick them off their feet. He wouldn't kill them, but he was going to have to try to knock them out. The less threat in the area the better. However, his attention was mostly on the unicorn king nearby.

The king easily threw several guards away from him. They flew back and roughly landed against the stone around them. He brandished a steel sword with a blade that shined brighter than the white snow around him. Even with it however, he didn't seem to want to use it. As his dark magic gripped the obsidian handle the most he'd do with it was block upcoming attacks or keep the guards from getting any closer to him. He didn't want to kill them all, after all. He could use some more soldiers...

The pegasus raced through the battle and hopped up into the air just as two corrupt crystal ponies charged for him. They slammed right into each other as he glided above and dashed for a fallen shield close by. With it he was able to push another crystal pony back before rolling over to a downed soldier nearby. He checked to see if the other was alive before taking their spear and smacking it across another incoming enemy with the blunt end of the long stick. Once they were tossed to the side he protected the fallen guard until a medic pony of some sort quickly rushed over and hurriedly carried him away with their magic.
Once he was certain the others were safe he'd turn his attention back to King Sombra. The stallion dropped his shield, readied his weapon, and charged. His hooves pounded against the stone before he hopped up, raised his spear, and lunged for the dark king below him.

King Sombra had been looking up at something when the partly-crystal soldier attacked. He simply gave the other a glance right before he was supposedly stabbed. The unicorn's body dispersed into a black cloud of shadows that snaked their way in between the soldier's legs and out across the battlefield.

"Coward!" The soldier yelled as he searched for the king amidst all the fighting, "Come back out and fight!"

The messenger was hesitant to leave. She should have when her companion told her to but... she was concerned. The mare didn't want to leave without being certain everything would be okay. However as she watched her friend throughout the battle she suddenly felt an unwelcome gaze burning into her. The messenger turned her head to spot red and green eyes glaring up at her. King Sombra was looking right at her. She stiffened and found herself unable to move. Fear pierced her heart and made her freeze as the two stared at one another. Oh sweet Celestia...

Just as she was regaining the confidence to turn and run her friend attempted to take down the king. The tyrant vanished and the shadows disappeared among the darkness around them.

With a gulp the messenger raised her wings and attempted to dash into the sky- but was suddenly nabbed right out of it. Something wrapped around her hind-leg and firmly dragged her back down. She squeaked in surprise as she was tossed back onto the jagged floor below. All the parchments she carried from her small (hand)bag flew out and scattered among the stone ground. There weren't many... but hopefully it would be enough to distract the king!

She pushed herself up and tried to raise her wings once again, "Ow!" The messenger flinched as pain erupted from her right wing. The mare looked over and pawed at the injury hidden beneath her ruffled feathers. Oh no.

"What's wrong, little pony?" The king chuckled as he took a threatening step forward, "Did I hurt your wing~?"

The pegasus looked back up at the king and then down at the letters in between them. Without hesitation, the mare lunged for the parchments and attempted to scoop up as many as she could.

The king reacted by sending a beam of dark magic her way making the pegasus cry out for the soldier that promised to protect her.

The stallion perked up in surprise as he heard his companion amidst the chaos. He glanced up at the rocks above and spotted the dark king disappearing behind them.
After passing by an incoming crystal soldier he hurriedly jumped back up into the air and made his way to the messenger.

With another cry she found herself thrown across the rough stone and into another pile of rocks. In her hooves she clutched several unknown parchments.

King Sombra meanwhile plucked up two others and curiously glanced down at them.

"Get away from her!" The king quickly ducked out of the way as a pegasus soldier dived for his head with a spear in his hold.

The messenger quickly took this chance to tear apart the parchments she currently held in her possession. She memorized each and every important note she had so she was not concerned with destroying every single message in order to keep this tyrant oblivious. The last two messages however were still grasped in his magical hold.

He raised his dark sword and swung it for the soldier's wing. The partly-crystal pegasus easily evaded and attempted to kick at the other's legs.

Again, all King Sombra had to do was vanish into a cloud of dark smoke. However as he did so the pegasus soldier hopped up and made a lunge for the letter above his head. He caught it with his hooves and swiftly rolled away towards the downed messenger nearby, "Are you alright?"

"He still has one more." The mare grunted as she tried to push herself up, "Which one did you get..?"

The soldier glanced down at the parchment and swiftly read over it, "It's a letter to the... agricultural society of earth ponies."

The two looked up at one another in shock before turning their attention back to where the dark unicorn was once before. King Sombra had vanished and disappeared somewhere within the shadows.

"Where is he??" The messenger questioned as she limped over to the small cliff-side above the unfortunate campsite below.

The soldier quickly joined her and held up a hoof to quietly support her as well, "I don't know. I don't- there!" His free hoof pointed down at the center of the battle.

There King Sombra stood. His wide eyes stared down at the parchment before him. From the looks of it he had clearly read through it all... and he was not taking it well.

"Oh no..." The mare took a step back as the tyrant's red eyes vanished under a green glow.

The soldier by her side suddenly pulled her close to him, "EVERYPONY RUN!" He yelled to the soldiers down below but by then it was too late.

"RAAAAAGH!!" The ground shook underneath them. Everypony, including the crystal guards, all came to a sudden halt as the tyrant shouted into the sky. Anger and rage filled his heart and he allowed it to consume him. No one could even react before suddenly each and every pony among the battlefield found themselves surrounded by sharp dark crystals that completed encompassed the camp. Their cries and screams went silent in that abrupt moment as their bodies all disappeared underneath the painful shards that pierced them.

The pegasus soldier had quickly shoved the messenger out of harm's way as several jagged black crystals spiked up where the two once were moments ago. The both ended up crashing into a stone wall nearby. The mare felt another burst of pain in her wing but bit her hoof in an attempt to muffle the noise.

From there, everything went silent... The once thunderous battle had become nothing more but a whimpering whisper and the world became too still for the soldier and messenger's liking. They both sat against the rocky surface behind them and stared at the dark crystals King Sombra had made. They were both alive but... what of the others? Did he take down the entire Alpha squadron along with his own crystal ponies?

The two waited a bit longer before the soldier slowly got up. He gestured for the messenger to follow and they attempted to try and sneakily hurry away as silently as their hooves could take them. However that was the problem with hooves... They weren't entirely too quiet.

The messenger let out a shout as she was suddenly pulled away from her companion and back onto the snowy ledge they tried to escape from.

King Sombra stared down at her as his horn bubbled up with black and purple dark magic.

"Don't hurt her!" The soldier yelled as he raised his spear, "You already killed so many you monster! Leave her alone!"

"... Who told the princesses?" The king growled as his magic wrapped around the poor messenger.

The soldier glanced down at the mare with concern.

"WHO TOLD THE PRINCESSES?"

"Why does it matter? Why shall I tell a brute like you? You got the letter, you know what to expect now, just let the mare go!"

"... If you don't tell me," King Sombra growled as his magic suddenly gripped around one of the messenger's wings, "I'll pluck both of her wings right off. I'll rip them both right out of their sockets... and if that doesn't convince you I can give her a fate worst then death. I could make her my slave and have her work... work until she's nothing more but a poor excuse of what she once was." He chuckled as she raised the mare's chin with a hoof.

The soldier lowered his spear and glanced between the two.

"I-It's okay!" The mare tried to assure with a shaky break, "I'll be okay! Don't tell him anything!"

"Silence!" The tyrant shouted as he tugged at her wings, "Before I decide I had enough games! Well? What's it going to be?"

The soldier stared down at the messenger, sighed, and spoke... "Radiant Hope. The unicorn who informed us of your power and your attack was named Radiant Hope."

"..." The dark unicorn peered back at the partly-crystal soldier with a blank expression, "... Hope."

A few silent moments seemed to pass by. The soldier was starting to get worried that maybe this tyrant wouldn't let go of his companion.
Then, King Sombra suddenly tossed the mare back towards the soldier. He let go of the messenger and turned towards the field of crystals he created. Underneath all of it were hidden guards and civilians now lost among the shards.

The soldier quickly helped his companion back up off the ground, "Are you alright?"

"I'm okay... But- you-"

"When you return to the princesses," King Sombra interrupted, "I want you to deliver a message to them. If they decide to attack and try and reclaim the Crystal Empire... then I shall take it down with me. As for Hope? Let her know that if I ever see her again she will not be spared from my wrath. I will not tolerate betrayal."
Then just like that... he disappeared. The very pony who had ended a battle in one swoop at the cost of his own soldiers had spared the messenger and the soldier with only minor injuries, bruises, and cuts.

They both sat there in muted shock. Everything slowly seemed to hit them at once. The fighting. The battle. The deaths... All of it left this tensity that hung relentlessly in the air around them. Even then the the messenger quietly spoke, "Why did you that..? He's going to target Radiant Hope..."

"She's safe in a castle far away." The soldier looked down at the injured pegasus, "But you? You were right in his grasp. I couldn't allow him to tear you apart while I stood idly by. I had to do something."

"... W-We should have never come here. All those ponies are dead because of me. The king now knows our plans..."

A rip could be heard as the partly-crystal pony ripped through the soft material that made her small delivery pouch. "Don't blame yourself. Lets just get you back to Princess Celestia, okay? This isn't your fault." He assured as he came up to her with strips of cloth.

"But-" She protested as he began to wrap makeshift bandages around her injured wing.

Her companion sighed and rested a hoof on her shoulder, "Listen. We came out of this alive... We need to make the most of it now." Then, the stallion hopped up and hovered over to the messenger. With gentle hooves he picked her up and started to carry her towards the sky above.

She quietly held onto him and stared down at the former campsite below. All she could think of as the crystallized battle became smaller and smaller were her mistakes. How different could this have gone if she had torn every parchment from the start?

The two continued on in silence. Both carried troubling thoughts of tonight's events. The mare blamed herself for the letters and the stallion blamed himself for the injury she now had. He was supposed to protect her, after all... and he failed.

He failed everypony.

Her fears took hold of her.

"Help!"

No one responded.

"Somepony help me!"

All that greeted her was the sounds of hooves thumping against the stone around her.

"I'm not a failure! I-I'm a friend! I'm lovable! I'm cute! I'm-"

Shouts full of rage and hatred began to bombard her.

"I'm someone you can trust! Just trust me! You can trust me!"

BAM! BAM! The rebels kicked at the locked wooden door. It creaked and it splintered.

"Just trust your Empress Cozy!!"

CRASH!

And then everything fell apart...

Then suddenly, everything returned.

The young pegasus found herself being tossed to the floor. She let out a pained yelp as she tried to regain her senses. Her hooves pawed at the ground and her eyes slowly blinked open. Her stomach ached with pain and her mouth was very dry. She licked her lips and grudgingly opened her crusty eyes. A few whimpers of pain escaped her as fatigue and hunger settled in. How long has it been..? How long have her nightmares gone on? Was this real? Or was this another fear waiting to take hold?

"Are you done?" A familiar but unwelcome voice rang out.

Cozy Glow perked up and raised her head. Before her was the very tyrant himself. The king of shadows and darkness that cursed the empire from the very start of her visit. The absolute bane of her existence.

King Sombra.

Author's Note

Well that's a lot of bloodshed and death. I don't usually write stuff like this but hey- I did tag it.

Also uh... The messenger pony was not supposed to live. She was supposed to be dead. But I got attached. So now there's a messenger pony in the story~! Yay! ~~Also I want to write more of her and Cozy's dad together idk why.~~

The reason why I don't have any names for the messenger, soldier, and the spa pony (Cozy Glow's parents) is because everyone has their different version of Cozy's family. So I'm letting you guys envision what they look like. The only details I'm adding in is that her father has crystal-like eyes and that he's a pegasus. As for the messenger meanwhile..? Again, I didn't expect her to live but I don't really have a name or design for her. The most she has is that she's a sandy-colored pegasus.

If you guys want to name her I'm open to ideas really! She won't be a main part of the story per say but she'll probably appear in future updates. Who knows? I don't.

I hope you liked this chapter! It went away from Cozy's perspective most of the time but I mean... The chapter is called "They prepared for the worst"

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 4: You Found Yourself Lost

"Consider yourself lucky." King Sombra’s deep voice boomed into Cozy’s now sensitive ears as he walked by. The first thing she noticed as he passed was how huge the stallion was. He easily towered over her and definitely looked to be much taller and stronger then her uncle Rubinstein could ever dream to be. His curled horn glistened with a shade of red that transformed his grey colors into a more burning steel-like meld. It was like he cooked it over some coals, adjusted it, and refused to dump it into the cold waters to cool the fiery crimson colors as he should. He only gave her a tired glance in response to her stare before making his way over to a large intricate desk with an item in his magical hold... What was that? It looked blue... and it was shaped like a cone...

Cozy Glow couldn't make it out. She was too exhausted and sore to even care. Still, even then, she tried to stand. With one look around the room she found herself in a study of some sort. The once possibly shining walls were now a dull black with jagged crystals peeking from the corners. There was a large wooden desk made of dark oak and ivory stone that the king preoccupied himself at with books, parchments, and ink. Shoved against the walls sat looming bookshelves surrounding them with promise of knowledge and secrets. Strangely some had locks over certain novels and some had images sprawled onto them that warned of dire consequences and unnatural sorcery. This was no normal study...

"A majority of the crystal ponies of the empire are earth." The king continued as he examined the blue thing that hovered beside him, "However a rare few are born pegasi or unicorn. Crystal unicorns are known to be powerful and especially strong with the crystal heart's help... Pegasi meanwhile? They're just a nuisance. Neither will do as slaves."
He turned to the little pegasus, "They will escape if they had the chance. Or at least try to. I can not allow this. So I'm afraid to say... This problem needed to be dealt with."

The young filly glimpsed up and narrowed her eyes. It was then that she realized what the tyrant was holding. Floating just besides him in his dark magical grasp was a once sparkling blue unicorn horn that looked to have been snapped right off of its owner’s head. Cozy Glow let out a yelp and stumbled back in shock. Is this why he brought her here? Because she was a pegasus? Was he going to clip her wings???

"Oh don't worry little one. I do not plan to do to you what I've done to them. After all... young ones like yourself can still be influenced." He placed the horn onto a desk nearby, "you call yourself Cozy Glow, correct?”

“I-“ The young filly hoarsely coughed into her hooves before giving a small fearful nod.

“Can’t talk? No surprise. You have been in the dark with your fears for around two or three days,” He simply shrugged nonchalantly, “Anypony would lose their strength after an experience such as that. Though after seeing what you were about to do, it was deserved.”

Cozy stiffened as she stared wide-eyed at the dark king. Days??? She’s been in that nightmare for days?! The filly couldn’t even properly process the idea. She felt her heart race as her panic settled in. She could be home reading a book but instead she was here... as a prisoner. The filly was about to fall into hysteria when the sound of shuffling paper caught her attention and snapped out of her stunned state. Sombra was flipping through a book of magical spells and curses with a calculative gaze on each page.

“Hm. I need you to do something for me.” He produced a familiar silver key from seemingly out of nowhere. Cozy easily recognized it as the one she used to unlock the chains the crystal prisoners were in. She tilted her head towards the king with a concerned look before his horn bubbled up with black and purple dark magic. The king placed a curse on the key and Cozy watched in surprise as the once gleaming item became a darker shade of what it once was. Once he was done he carelessly tossed it to the filly’s feet.

“Take it.” He demanded before walking by the young pegasus, “And bring the prisoner in!”

Cozy quietly picked up the key in her hooves and looked up in shock as the study doors opened to reveal two corrupted crystal guards and one chained prisoner. The familiar stallion gasped in surprise, “You- I know you...”

The pink filly perked up in realization and recognized the guard she previously saved alongside with the green foal, she went to say something but instead croaked out another cough. Cozy wasn’t sure if she should be relieved or frightened. At least she knew he was on her side... but why did Sombra bring him here?

Off to the side without a care the dark king resumed his search through the many unknown articles for information. Yet he still sneered, “Unlock his chains, filly.”

Cozy Glow and the imprisoned guard blinked at this, “What?” They both gawked though the poor filly’s voice was more quieter and strained.

King Sombra lowered his book, “Are you deaf? Unlock his chains.” He angrily growled as he threateningly flared his dark magic towards the young foal.

The pegasus yelped and quickly went to unlock the guards chains. The moment she inserted the key into the lock however she immediately felt this dread that wasn't there before. She went to turn but soon found the mechanisms locked in place. An alarm blared out from the dark metal wrapped around the guard's neck as it began to flash with black and white lights. This made King Sombra perk and ignite his curled horn.
Cozy tried to pull away but instead felt something sharp dig into her hooves. Luckily it wasn’t enough to break the skin but enough to scare her into staying absolutely still in fear that the crystals now forming along her foreleg would cut right through her. She anxiously watched as tendrils of black stone wrapped around her poor hoof.

The guard was not happy, “What are you doing to her, scum??”

The king didn’t even seem to notice the stallion, “This spell I’ve formulated not only alerts me of rebels like yourself but I could also trap just about anypony from any distance. I can hear and sense whenever something of importance is being tampered with by some pony other than myself.” He went over and used his magic on the key in Cozy’s hooves. The tendrils finally receded to allow the frightened filly to stumble away.
King Sombra then casually took the key and unlocked the guard’s chains himself. No alarm rang out and the guard was now free with no issue.

The moment the soldier was let out his first instinct was to get in between King Sombra and Cozy Glow. He huffed and chuffed his hoof against the ground beneath him, “You foul monster! How dare you not only imprison stallions and mares of the Crystal Empire but young foals as well?? Whatever punishment you deserve will be beyond the gates of Tartarus itself!”

“Oh such strong words for a pony whose life could end in this very room if I wished. The filly has done more damage by herself than you did with an army. Do you think your words hold any value to me at all?” The King took several steps towards the guard.

“Stay back you fiend!” The soldier protectively held a hoof over the pegasus, “You won’t get away with this if I can help it!”

“Oh but I already have~” Dark magic abruptly wrapped around the guard’s neck and pulled him close. Cozy could only watch in stunned shock as King Sombra firmly placed one of his helmets over the crystal stallion’s head.

Underneath the helmet the guard began to experience his worst fears. He tried to struggle but it wasn't long before he was succumbed to the darkness that took over. The evil magic hidden underneath wrapped around his despair and eagerly took hold. He went from a contesting foe to the king’s loyal servant in mere moments. Even then Sombra could care less as he nonchalantly dumped the crystal guard in front of Cozy.

The tyrant huffed and turned away once again, “Try to take off the helmet.” He ordered as he skimmed through another journal of some sort.

Cozy gulped and quietly flapped her tired wings behind her. Her ruffled and messy feathers tried to adjust after days of not being used to fly. She slowly and carefully hovered up to the corrupted soldier’s side while trying to catch herself each time she nearly fell. With a wince she reached over to try and pull the helmet right off. She huffed and puffed but no matter what she did she couldn’t even get the darn thing to budge! Not even a bit! Maybe she was just really hungry and tired...
The filly gave up and allowed herself to fall back onto the floor with a tired breath. She couldn't focus, not with her stomach aching or her head spinning. It was too much at once.

"Hm." The king grunted and decided to just bring another guard to try and take off the prisoner's helmet. The corrupted soldier, stronger than Cozy, tried to pull it off like ordered. In the end however it stayed stuck in place. King Sombra meanwhile just had to go up to the soldier and pluck it up with his familiar dark magic.
The controlled guard blinked in surprise when the helmet was taken off. He shook his head and was just about to say something when the dark tyrant roughly placed it back down.
"Good. It works."
Without another word, he easily sent the guard away with a simple gesture of his hoof.

"What... What did you do..?" Cozy managed to ask as she pulled herself back up.

"Made sure that another rebellion like that wouldn't happen again." He then turned his head towards the filly, "Now as for you..."
Cozy didn't even get a chance to react before a blast of dark magic filled her vision. She let out a loud yelp and instantly assumed the worst. He was going to kill her! He was going to turn her to crystal! He was going to mind control her! Or maybe he was going to make her go through every one of her worst fears all over again!
Instead, she was surprised to find something clasp around her hooves. Confused, the filly looked down to see black bonds made of dark obsidian wrapped around her forelegs. A crimson jewel crackling with dark magic was studded on each shackle. She raised a hoof and was surprised to find just how light they were compared to the ones the prisoners must've carried around their necks. They weren't exactly connected to each leg either as chains, they were just like bracelets except made entirely of black metal that was impossible to take off.
She gave the king a questionable glance.

"You are to remain in the castle. If you leave I will be alerted the moment you try. Servants!" King Sombra called towards the door, "Take this one to the servant quarters and provide her what she needs for her duties as an empire slave!"

Three new crystal ponies appeared from the study's doorway. One was an arctic blue mare with a dull mulberry colored mane. Another was more peach-colored but just as deflated as the other. The last was a red stallion with orange locks. Cozy Glow was surprised to find the same ebony-colored hooflets wrapped around the other's legs as well. It was only then did King Sombra's words seem to sink in.
"S-Servant?? Slave??"

The tyrant glared down at the pink pegasus, "Join the others and leave me to my studies. If you do not oblige then I have many punishments in mind for a troublemaking foal like yourself." He huffed before turning back to his desk.

The three ponies were just about to lead her away when the king spoke again, "Hold on. I need at least one servant. You." He pointed a hoof towards the stallion, "Stay."

The red stallion stiffened at this but gave a brisk nod. The other two meanwhile were hesitant to leave their friend behind.

Cozy would stare at the unfortunate servant with uncertainty before one of the mares gently wrapped a hoof around her, "Come with me little one." The peach-colored mare hurriedly whispered. The small filly would give Sombra and the maroon-colored colt one last glance before she followed after the two crystal servants that guided her out of the study and into the winding corridors of the crystal spire. Cozy was very confused by this turn of events. She had been in the dungeon for days in a fake realm where she was being purged for wanting to become Empress of Equestria. Now she found herself here helping the tyrant with some strange experiment and trailing after two ponies she barely knew leading her through what looked to be the crystal castle itself. She couldn’t help but glance out the nearest window where she found the city itself now filled to the brim with bleak and ominous jagged rocks. Once sparkling, beautiful homes were now torn through into ashen rubble, the shimmering pathways were now a dull comparison to how Cozy first saw them, and lining the streets all linked together were crystal prisoners wrapped in metal chain. With Sombra's mind-controlled guard they were all escorted throughout the empire to do the self-proclaimed king's bidding.
The gaping filly would've sat there longer if it weren't for the two crystal mares catching her attention and a guard glaring at her with his forever narrowed luminous green eye-slots of his helmet. She stepped away from the window but paused to get a better look at this guard's pelt. A familiar dull violet was visible under all that armor. Blue-ish, in a way, especially now that he was all grey and worn. No... It couldn't be him, right?
"Uncle Rubin?" Cozy quietly murmured in hopes to get some sort of reaction.
She didn't. The guard continued to stare.

"Come with us." The blue mare insisted, "It's not smart to stay in one place for too long. Especially not in these halls."

Cozy hesitated before joining the servants once again. Their hooves echoed throughout the pristine building as they passed guard after guard. The pink filly attempted to try and see if she could recognize any of them under all that armor. She couldn't, really. It was hard to tell who they once were. Their dull colored pelts were all looking like a similar shade of grey, their faces were completely covered by the awkward-looking helmets, and their manes were replaced by a fraudulent version of black fiber with purple streaks. The only visible difference were their size and shape. She could tell who was a mare and who was a stallion but for the life of her she could not recognize the once joyous citizens of the empire she first saw on her tour with Frosty Quartz. They had all been reduced to soldiers. They no longer had a face or name, just forced loyalty under the word of their new king. Cozy shivered at this but couldn't help but feel intrigued. How was Sombra able to manage such a feet? Where in Equestria did he produce such armor and helm for his new army of crystal ponies? Did he make them all himself? If then... how did he get the power to do so?

"We're nearly there." The peach-colored mare assured as she interrupted Cozy's train of thought, "Don't worry. You'll be able to rest soon."

The pink pegasus didn't realize how exhausted she was until mentioned. Her stomach ached in response and her hooves were beginning to wear her down. She felt this heaviness in her eyes, a scratchiness in her throat, and a weight across her back. Getting to a place of rest would be nice but a part of her didn't want to fall asleep just yet. She had missed several days of her life, she couldn't waste another second! Cozy wanted to do something about all this. Sitting idly by did not feel like an option as this king ruled over her family with an iron hoof. Anger bubbled up inside at the mere thought of what the tyrant had done but despite all this rebellious resentment she felt her hooves still followed after the wary servants. The guards nearby were carefully scrutinizing them and in all honesty Cozy didn't really trust her already spent energy on trying to figure out a way out now. She needed to see everything but first, admittedly, the filly needed rest. Perhaps she'll play this game for a bit longer. Perhaps she'll follow King Sombra's demands and play along all sweet and obedient until it was her time. Several days have already passed, what's a few more?
Still, even with that all in mind she just couldn't wait to bear witness to his eventual defeat.

After some time through winding hallways and climbing staircases the tired filly was relieved to find that they finally made it to the servants quarters of the castle. The door, though guarded by two ponies, was small and insignificant. There was nothing very special of it except for a small plaque labeling the quarters as such. She gave the label a small glare before one of the mares gently nudged her into the small room behind it.
There was actually two sections of this place that Cozy came to realize. The first section was a kitchen-like area full of shelves and tables that all lacked chairs. Most of the shelves looked bare and the kitchen seemed rather bland but it was a clear place for them to cook and eat their own meals with ingredients the king would often provide. Those ingredients being plain roots, berries, wheat, and whatever else anypony could scrape up around here. She saw two other servants sitting at a table with hooflets just like hers on their front hooves. They both looked up in surprise and stared wide-eyed at the filly by the entrance.
One servant was a plum-colored mare with tired blue eyes and messy striped hair.
The other however..? He was a sad looking periwinkle stallion with a tan, dirty-blonde mane. His cutiemark represented a recognizable cerulean tower. Even without his shimmering gleam Cozy was still able to recognize the familiar colt.
"Uncle Check??" She gasped with a croaked voice.

"Cozy Glow?" His yellow eyes repeatedly blinked towards the little pink pegasus, "What... What're you doing here?"

"Visiting..." The filly murmured.

"You recognize her, Check Mate?" The pink mare at his table asked.

Uncle Check nodded, "Yes, she's my niece. Half-niece, actually... but still my niece. Are you alright Cozy? How long have you been here?"

"She's exhausted." The blue mare explained, "We should get her to a bed."

The pegasus quickly shook her head, "Thirsty..." Cozy Glow coughed, "Hungry..." She wanted nothing more but to eat and drink first before being sent off to rest at least. In fact if she didn't eat something soon she feared she might not even be able to get up afterwards. The filly didn't want to risk sleep while still in this staggering state.

"Ah Celestia and Luna she's pale as ice..! Amethyst, get her some soup." Check Mate urged the mare besides him before going over to his niece to carefully pluck her up off the ground, "Don't worry Cozy. We'll get you fed."

Cozy Glow was more than relieved to find herself at one of the tables with a mug of water and a bowl of soup in her hooves. She didn't care what it was made of, the filly eagerly dug in. It wasn't the best. In fact it was rather bland, but anything was better than nothing. She slurped it all right up in one sitting.

"I guess we should get introductions out of the way real quick." The peach-colored mare tiredly hummed as she took a seat across from Check Mate and Cozy, "I'm Amberlocks."

"Saphire Gem." The blue mare sighed as she sat besides the newly introduced.

"And Amethyst Shard. King Sombra wanted servants to cook for him and keep everything clean and tidy so... we live in the castle with him." The plum mare explained, "Not like we have a choice..."

"It's better than the mines." Check Mate added in, "Or being forced to be a soldier. Though that's not the main reason why I'm here. After all, King Sombra mostly uses us for his magical experiments and doesn't even provide us with what we need. It's not easy being a servant... but I still went through a lot of hoops to convince that tyrant to make me one."

Cozy lowered her bowl back onto the table, "Why a servant?"

"Well one, we have a bit more mobility than most." Check Mate pressed a hoof against his bare neck, "And two, we at least have some privacy. There are no guards in the servant quarters themselves but we must be cautious. If King Sombra suspects anything of us he might just send guards in here anyways to eavesdrop. This is the only place we can talk for now about him and the castle with no repercussions."

The pink pegasus raised a brow, "The castle..?" King Sombra she could understand but the castle itself? What's wrong with talking about that?

"He wants to figure out where King Sombra hid the crystal heart. He thinks it might be in the castle somewhere." Saphire piped in, "But instead Check Mate's quick thinking got us these!" She held up a hoof to show off the black hooflet still clamped around her foreleg.

"Seeing some servants and prisoners unhappy, Check Mate attempted to steal away some crystal ponies to get them out of the castle," Amethyst told the young filly, "But King Sombra caught him and made a new security measure to make sure servants can't leave."

"And ever since I've had to work harder to get on his good side again... but I'm starting to think this is a lost cause." Check Mate bowed his head in defeat, "The location of the crystal heart is impossible to find. I've looked everywhere. I haven't gotten any closer to where the king could've hidden it."

"What if he hid it outside of the empire?" Cozy Glow inquired before she took a long sip from her watermug.

"No, it's definitely here." Check Mate assured, "He needs the heart to keep the storms back. If it weren't here the empire would be completely covered in a snowy blizzard right about now. It might be a threat to him but he can't risk getting rid of it if he wants this kingdom for himself. At least not yet."

"Should we really be telling a little filly all this..?" Amberlocks questioned with concern, "What if she blabbers on to the king?"

"She won't." Check Mate huffed, "She's family."

"I'm a bit surprised though," Amethyst looked down at Cozy with wide eyes, "We haven't gotten a young filly servant until now. And she's a pegasus too! I thought King Sombra didn't-"

Cozy's uncle was quick to place a hoof over Amethyst's mouth, "Um. Maybe we shouldn't tell her that."

The filly's somber voice interrupted, "It's okay Uncle Check, I already know..." Cozy's ears lowered, "I saw a unicorn's horn at his desk. I know what he does to the pegasi and unicorn of the empire..."

The room went silent after that. The crystal mares were now looking at one another with disturbed glances. Check Mate meanwhile had stiffened and now looked down at his niece with stunned worry. She was too young to be going through something like this... None of the crystal foals should be going through something like this. It made him feel even more distraught than he was previously at even the thought of all those children in chains or worst. His dismay weighed down on him and for this his pelt went noticeably grayer. Too much death and loss for just one week. It shocked him that the tyrant would so blatantly show it off, especially to a pink filly like Cozy.
Check Mate let out a breath and got up on his hooves, "I'll make us some dinner."

The tension in the room still hung in the air even as the group ate what little food they had. Cozy was given more soup, some bread, berries, and a couple biscuits with hay stashed in between them. They all knew she needed as much as possible, especially after she told the others with a hoarse voice that she had been kept in the dungeon for days. Even with all this food however she felt nowhere near full. This wouldn't be much of a problem really if only the sudden "meal" hadn't caused a new pain in her body which she desperately tried to adjust to. Her saving grace really was the water she was given. Every sip she took was like heaven as the cold water seeped through her dry throat and soothed the unpleasant sore pang in her stomach. She eagerly gulped down as much as she could only to find her mug empty the moment she tilted the contents into her mouth. It wasn't smart to drink or eat fast but Cozy Glow couldn't help it. She needed it!
In the end, Check Mate finally broke the quiet that had resounded around the room, "How're you feeling?"

"Better..." Cozy sighed as she lowered her empty mug.

"You still seem very tired." Amberlocks noted, "You should get some rest. When you wake I can help comb through your mane and get you all cleaned up."

The pink pegasus seemed to perk at this, "W-Why? What do I look like?" Cozy was more focused on food and water that she hadn't even thought to check her appearance.

"Like a mess." Saphire bluntly declared, "Being in the dungeon didn't do you any good, kid."

Amethyst glared at the other crystal mare, "Saphire!"

"Saying it like how it is."

Cozy abruptly got up from the table and went over to a large plate sitting on a drying rack nearby, "Oh gee..."
Her reflection was nothing but monstrous. Her mane was a tangled mess, her feathers were all dirtied and ruffled, and her pelt had splotches of black from all the dust and grime that collected during her time in that disgusting cell. Her ribbons stayed somewhat intact but they were a bit disheveled and torn. She'd have to get new ones at some point... If she ever could.
"W-Where's the nearest bath??" The filly quickly turned back to the other servants.

Checkmate gestured to a door across from the entrance, "There's a washroom over there to the side but Cozy you should really get some sleep first before-"

Cozy was already gone. The crystal ponies would all gawk in surprise as they watched her take flight and disappear into the other section of the servant quarters. Despite her exhaustion she refused to look like how she did any longer. She stumbled through the doorway to find a small hallway of some sort. There she found an open archway that lead to a narrow, cramped room fulls of beds and bunks while to the left of her was a door labeled WC on its plaque. She didn't hesitate to dash on in and slam the door shut behind her.

The four crystal ponies at the table all looked to one another with concern before Check Mate excused himself, "I'll go check on her." He then made his way into the hallway that separated the kitchen and the living quarters before gently tapping at the washroom door, "Cozy..? Are you okay in there?"

A small whimper could be heard on the other side as the filly splashed some water on herself, "No. I'm not okay..!"

Check Mate sighed, "If it's your appearance, don't worry. Amberlocks has a comb lying around, the others haves brushes, and I'm sure Amethyst knows a thing or two about fur care."

"It's not just my fur... It's everything. I ran away, Uncle Check. I ran away from my mother because I thought I could find a better place for myself. Instead I found all this. I found friends and family only for them to be taken away from me. I found something amazing... but it hurts. It hurts so much that I found this. I found Frosty, Uncle Rubin, and Slipper. Now they're all gone, when will you be gone too?" A loud sniffle could be heard on the other side as Cozy cried. Everything hurt. It hurt so much. The things her nightmares have said? They all hurt. She didn't like it... She didn't like this feeling she felt. Why couldn't she stop it? Why couldn't she help them?

Her uncle silently sat on the other side of the door for a few moments before letting out a sigh, "Cozy... I know what you're feeling right now. Whatever I say might not help... but I can promise you it won't be like this forever. Things can change. Everything here can change. We'll see everypony again, I'm certain. We're working hard to find our friends and family again. If we do this right... we'll see them, okay? And things will get better. Just breath. Take a moment if you need to. I'll get your bed ready."
He sat there for a few seconds but got no response from the filly. All he heard was another splash of water as the filly attempted to clean herself up. So, he stepped away and entered the living quarters.

Again, the room was narrow and cramped. Beds were shoved up against the walls and stacked upon one another. Some were bare of quilts or cushions while few others had what they needed. There were seven occupied beds with Cozy's now being the eighth. Dug into one wall was a closet full of cloth and towels which the stallion rummaged through with his tired and worn blue-ish hooves. The sad excuses of sheets were crummy blankets at best. Some were riddled with holes and others were starting to fall apart. Check Mate made sure however to get the most comfortable sheet and the most softest pillow he could find to place on an empty bed now for Cozy Glow.
As he was smoothing out the quilt he didn't realize Cozy discreetly sneaking out from the washcloset with a towel wrapped around her mane. She felt much cleaner now but there was still something she needed to do... Her scarlet eyes stared at Check Mate in consideration before she gingerly made her way back into the kitchen area where she met the other three mares who were hushedly whispering to one another. Even without King Sombra there was still a sense of fear coursing throughout the room.

"Um... Amberlocks?" Cozy slowly made her way to the peach-colored crystal pony, "Do you have a comb..?"

When Check Mate was done he trotted back out into the hallway. There he saw the washcloset door now open. He raised a brow and peeked inside. No pony was in there. Not even the little pegasus from before. He looked around in a state of worried confusion before a voice caught his attention. The stallion made his way into the kitchen where he surprisingly heard a giggle from one of the crystal mares.

"I don't think curls like that really fit you, Saphire." Amethyst smiled.

"Now you tell me..."

Check Mate entered the kitchen only to pause. He saw a relaxed Cozy Glow sitting with her back turned towards Amberlocks who happily combed through the filly's tangles. Behind Amberlocks was a grouchy Saphire who was currently attempting to braid the other's mane. Then there was Amethyst who was now turning Saphire's once straight hairstyle into a lustrous curly version that looked very similar to Cozy's. They were chattering and for once, enjoying themselves. In fact, a familiar glow was starting to glimmer along their pelts.

"I don't think it looks that bad." Amberlocks chuckled.

"Maybe you could make it curl more at the bottom?" Cozy suggested with a small smile.

"And maybe we should make it not as puffy..." Saphire grumbled as she quickly brushed through her mane with her hooves, making it all straight once again, "Only a filly like you could make it look so cute."

"Aww golly..! Thank you Saphire!" The pegasus tee-heed into her pink hooves.

Check Mate grinned a little as he made his way over to the three, "Glad to see you're making friends at least."

"Want to join us~?" Amethyst smirked.

"Uh-"

"Come on Check Mate! You look like you could use some mane care too!" Amberlocks chirped.

"I don't think-" Check Mate began before Saphire and Amethyst abruptly pulled the periwinkle stallion into their little gathering. It looked like he was struggling but there was a clear smile on his face and a lack of fighting back. They took out a brush and joyfully combed through his mane and tail as he let out a surprised laugh.
"Nooo..! Hah. What're you two doing?"

"Maybe we should give him curls." Amethyst suggested.

Saphire tapped her chin in thought, "Hmm... Is his mane long enough for a braid?"

"I can spare a ribbon if you need one!" Cozy called.

"Girls!" Check Mate again tried to get away in vain, "At least ask me what I want!"

The group would laugh and quip as they tended to one another's manes. Cozy was glad to have helped settle the tension they all had previously felt and was now able to relax against Amberlocks as she finished up the final touches for the filly's once frazzled mane. There was this new joyous calm within the kitchen and the sunlight filtering through the window nearby only made the room feel more welcoming. This place could almost make them forget. It could make them forget everything that was happening on the outside... and it almost did.
They were all just chatting in this tranquil rest when suddenly the door to the corridors of the castle opened.
Cozy was curled up against the peach-colored mare at this time. She had started to drift away into sleep, something she desperately needed, when a loud thud had caught her attention. The pegasus regarded the new arrival with one of her red-ish eyes peeked open to stare at the guard now at their kitchen's doorway. The room went silent and their sparkly pelts began to dull once again.
A familiar servant, clearly injured, had quietly limped into the kitchen. The moment he entered the room fully... he collapsed.
A gasp rippled throughout the group.

"Varado!" Amethyst dropped her brush and hurriedly made her way to the red stallion on the floor.

"You." The guard suddenly pointed towards the plum-colored mare as she approached the fallen servant, "Come with me."

The mare hesitated, "B-But..."

"It's okay Amethyst, we'll help him." Check Mate assured as he got up and made his way over to the exhausted stallion, "Just go."

Amethyst stared with wide blue eyes...

"Slave!" The guard angrily slammed a hoof against the crystal floor.

"Eep!" The pink mare yelped and hurriedly nodded. She joined the corrupted guard's side but gave one last glance towards Varado. Worry crossed her expression before she quickly trailed after the now leaving soldier.

After the doors closed behind her Check Mate let out an exhausted grunt, "Ah what did he ask of you..?" He muttered towards the unconscious stallion.

Cozy recognized the stallion. It was the same one she saw at King Sombra's study before the door closed behind her and the other two mares. She quietly looked over and thought she could spot something along Varado's hoofs, just around his hooflets. Were those... bruises?
Amberlocks pulled herself up and took Cozy into one of her hooves, "Come Cozy, let's get you to bed..."

"But... Mmh..." Cozy was too tired to respond. Instead she just wrapped her hooves around the mare's neck.

Using her other three legs, Amberlocks quietly took the filly into the living quarters while Saphire and Check Mate tried to figure out what to do with Varado. She spotted the newly made bed and went to tuck the pink pegasus underneath the cushy-looking sheets.
"There..." She sighed, "Get some rest. You really need it. I'm surprised, actually, that you were able to stand, fly, and talk for as long as you did. Heh. There's some real strength in you kid, you know that? Don't lose it."

Cozy replied with a sad smile, "I'll try not to... thanks..."
She wanted to say more. There was a lot on her mind and a lot she wanted to discuss. There were concerns and worries that she had to voice but instead she found herself drifting off into the welcoming darkness and coziness of sleep. Despite being in bed about to pass out, Cozy still didn't want to rest. A fear burned through her that if she slept she'll revisit everything again where her nightmares would take over and her new friends will learn to hate her. That wasn't the only thing to be scared of though. There was also this anxious thought in the back of her head that crept up on her as well. She feared that even without the nightmares she might wake up tomorrow and suddenly find nopony there. She might find everypony from the servants quarters gone and might never be able to see them again. Whatever happened to Varado could very likely happen to the others... It was too much to think about that she knew she had to try her best to push it all away. She didn't want to feel this. She didn't want to go through it.
Maybe that Frosty from her nightmares had the right idea. He could do anything without care and concern in the way. If only maybe, just maybe, she could do something like that too...
Her mind wanted to elaborate on such a thought but by then Cozy was already beginning to fall asleep. The last thing she remembered was Amberlocks humming a calming tune and the blurry images of Check Mate just behind her helping Saphire carry Varado to one of the beds.
Cozy so desperately wanted to do or learn more but for now she allowed herself to rest.
Hopefully when she wakes she'll have better luck than she did today at figuring out what comes next and how to free herself from this unjust enslavement.

Author's Note

"This update is probably going to take a while"

Hah well- I guess not lol.
Listen. I know big moments of this story and what happens at the ending but by golly I don't know what happens in between it all.
This whole servant thing I literally just winged it but it actually gives me a lot of ideas that could segway into the next chapter. We'll probably be seeing Cozy's dad again in the future btw and I'm thinking of making a name and design for the messenger pony too.
Also ever wondered where all the crystal unicorn and pegasi went? No? Well now you do.

It's a miracle King Sombra is sparing Cozy but again, she's young and can be influenced.
Definitely have some plans for that~!

Thanks for reading~ :ajsmug:

Chapter 5: We Need To Take Action

A sigh escaped the soldier as he made his way through the castle's stone-like hallways. The gentle orange flames danced atop their torch to create a flickering shadow that would accompany the stallion during his walk. He went through one section of the castle that was filled to the brim with doors leading to unknown rooms. Sitting between each door were proud statues of celestial pony soldiers and bat-winged night guards. The lone pegasus would silently stare at each frozen member that lined the halls as he passed. This place was like a maze. He was grateful he wouldn't be staying long once he succeeded his mission to take back the Crystal Empire. He'd love to be back in Canterlot again with his wife and late daughter.

For now however, it seems he was making temporary residence in the Castle of the Two Sisters. The barracks were a pain to sleep in and he swore the halls would shift and change when no pony was looking. Too many times has he accidentally stepped into one of the castle's secret areas and too many times has he waited ages for some pony to dig him out. When a group of three guards approached him for being such a klutz he then, in response, kicked them all into a secret pit hidden underneath their hooves. As the days passed the soldier would continuously prove why he was the one in charge. Though as he waited his wings itched to fly and his hooves ached for action. To him, staying in this castle was such a waste. He could've been in the frozen north scouting the empire by now. Instead he found himself grounded all the way back near the Everfree Forest. It was enough to drive a pony like him mad. This nagging feeling continued to tug and pull at him the longer he stayed. He had to do something. He had to act! Not only were his brothers in danger but there was still the possibility that his daughter could be as well. So far no other family member has had any luck finding the pink freckled filly. The chance that she was in the Crystal Empire just seemed to grow every day. It sickened him to think it but he was glad he couldn't be entirely sure. However if he did want to be completely certain then his only choice was to be rid of that tyrant King Sombra. To do that he had to learn more about the dark unicorn himself.

It was then that the soldier found who he was looking for. Sitting on a balcony and overlooking the shimmering castle gardens were two mares. One was a sandy-colored pegasus with a short brown mane, sunset-colored eyes, and an envelope cutiemark. The other was a crystal unicorn with a lavender pelt, a light blue mane, matching blue eyes, and an intricate cutiemark that represented medicine and health. As they casually spoke the pegasus messenger would softly smile towards the concerned purple mare, "-it's okay now though. My wing doesn't hurt as much anymore. Especially with your help!"

Seeing the messenger's now healthy wing seemed to make the tense soldier relax. After their encounter with King Sombra he would've carried her all the way through Equestria on his back if it meant ensuring the mare's health and safety. He almost did but she had convinced him that she could walk on her own. The stallion at first wanted to drop her off at the Canterlot's hospital but the mare had refused. Despite it being closer, the messenger wanted to stay with him and go all the way back to the castle near the Everfree. So reluctantly, the soldier took her there. Luckily for them they got the help they needed from a powerful unicorn named Radiant Hope, the very same one sitting across from the sandy mare now.

"Your magic is really powerful, ma'am." The messenger beamed with a flap of her wings.

"Thank you..." Radiant Hope breathed out, "I'm just doing what I can. Though I wish I could've done the same for the others lost..."

"Hey, we went over this." The messenger insisted, "It's not your fault, Hope. It was Sombra's. You can't be the one to control his actions, only he can."

The unicorn solemnly nodded, "I... I understand. He's changed. A lot. I just hope the princesses can convince him to stop."

"It's not going to be that easy." The armored stallion huffed as he joined the two on the balcony, "Even if he does stop, he still committed several offenses. Whatever his punishment may be afterwards will have to be determined at his defeat."

Hope seemed to stiffen at what the soldier had said, "... Maybe I shouldn't have left." The mare murmured, "Maybe I could've convinced him to stop."

"Or maybe you couldn't have and you would've just been another prisoner among the other civilians he's taken." The other argued, "It's a good thing that you came out and warned the rest of Equestria, miss. We are in your debt.”

"As am I.” The messenger chirped, "I'm still sorry that we had to tell King Sombra about you, but your name did save my life... and your magic healed me up as good as new! I owe you, Hope. Whatever you need, no matter how ludicrous, I will provide it to you. I swear."

"As will I." The soldier assured, "As an apology for possibly putting you in danger."

"..." Hope narrowed her eyes in thought, "Anything, you say?"

The stallion nodded, "Of course."

"Whatever you need!" His chipper friend grinned.

"Then I want to join you the next time either plan to head back to the empire or its territory."

"What??" The messenger yelped, "But- But King Sombra..."

"He won't kill me!" Hope stubbornly maintained, "I know he wouldn't. I don't know what happened or why he's like this, but I'm still his friend. At some point, I'm going to have to come back for him."

The messenger looked just about ready to argue before her friend, the soldier, swiftly agreed, "Alright. If I get sent to the Empire, you can come."

The messenger whirled towards the other pegasus, "What?? Weren't you just going on about how you were sorry for putting her in danger?"

"Listen, messenger. She has powerful magic that we could use out there. If our squadron gets injured we're going to need somepony like her to treat our wounds."

"I'm willing to help in anyway I can." Hope assured, "And I promise, I won't be in the way. I'll stay out of trouble... but I need to do something. I need to go back for not only Sombra but my home as well."

The armored stallion nodded in understanding. He too had similar feelings, "Then we shall discuss with the princesses of this arrangement."

The messenger sat there with her mouth hung agape.

"Thank you." Radiant Hope beamed, “I can’t sit idly by while this is all happening. I’m grateful you are at least giving me a chance to act.” She bowed her head in gratitude before turning to the messenger nearby.
“Well, if everything is as right as rain I think I’ll be off now. Look for me if you need anything more, okay dear?”

Her patient shut her mouth and nodded.

"I'll be in my quarters." Hope smiled before trotting away.

The soldier watched her leave before going to join the messenger's side, "Don't worry. When we get to the Crystal Empire I'll look out for her okay? Just like I looked out for you."

"... You're really going back to fight King Sombra?"

"Of course...” He bowed his head and gave her an exhausted gaze, “My family is in danger."

The messenger furrowed her brows in determination, "Then I want to come too, sir."

"What??" The soldier questioned, "Messenger no. You almost died last time."

"But like you said before, you need letters! You need somepony to send messages and keep everypony else informed!" The messenger tapped her hoof against the other's chest, "I can do that. I can keep you and your squadron as informed as ever! Besides... I don't want another messenger to go through what I have. No pony else should have to go through something as horrible, and if I can help it, I will make sure no more lives are taken for a job I should've handled."

The soldier stared down at the sandy colored pegasus as she looked up at him with guilt-ridden orange eyes. A sadness washed through him as he realized she was about to cry. Then, after some hesitance from the stallion, he reached over and pulled his messenger into a hug. The mare jumped in surprise but soon relaxed and hugged him back as buried her tearful face against the other's neck.

"If this is what you want..."

"It is. Definitely." The messenger choked out.

"Then... we will have to talk to the princesses about you too." He considered, "Alright. You can come with me if they agree."

"Really??" The messenger pulled back.

"Really. Except..." The soldier raised a feather, "There is one thing I want you to do before we leave."

"What's that? Anything!"

"You need to learn how to fight."

"What do you mean he sent her to the mines?!"

Cozy Glow stirred awake at the sound of muffled yelling just down the hall. Her exhausted auburn eyes stared up at the underside of the mattress above her. She laid at the bottom bunk of a cot-like bed with a somewhat soft blanket and a cushioned pillow. Not as comfortable as the ones at home but bearable at the very least.
She's been here in the castle for a few days now. From time to time she would be taken in and out of the servant quarters to do odd jobs like sweep up certain rooms or polish the walls. As a pegasus learning to fly she was even sent to reach places crystal earth ponies wouldn't have been able to. She hasn't seen King Sombra often except during passing moments but she personally didn't mind seeing that tyrant's face for as long as possible. Especially since she was deathly afraid that he would whisk her away for a possible experiment he could inflict on her. He hasn't yet, thankfully, but several servants around her including her uncle Check Mate have been subjected to these torments. Some would come back lightheaded, bruised, or unconscious. However it seems that despite these cruel tortures he didn't want to injure anypony to the point they wouldn't be able to work the next day. Like Varado for example. Even with bruised forelegs he was still able to get up at morning's light to make the king his breakfast. The rest of the group tried to ask him what happened in that study but he refused to tell. The most anypony could piece together from his mumbling was something to do with dark magic and sorcery. As if they didn’t know that already.
Afterwards, from what Check Mate had told her, Amethyst had later returned but was more quieter than Varado. In fact she couldn't say a word for the next two days. She wasn't physically injured but her mind seemed to constantly drift elsewhere. Check Mate and Cozy did all that they could to cheer her up during that period of time but for a long while nothing seemed to work. That is until Golden Vas, the royal polisher, shrieked and fell prone to the floor after one of their plates had loudly shattered behind him. They lost a platter that day but it was all worth it to see Amethyst finally smile again. Still, she refused to explain what had happened but would occasionally place a hoof near her eyes from time to time and rub her aching forehead.

The more time passed the more others began to notice her erratic mumbling. The mare seemed to be more on edge. Her pelt remained grey even when she managed a grin or a soft giggle and her eyes seemed to constantly have this far away look that not even her close friend Check Mate could catch the attention of. However when Cozy Glow told the other servants about how she had saved her uncle Rubinstein by breaking the crystal visor through the narrow eye slits of his helm, Amethyst’s eyes seemed to notably light up. That night, Cozy could’ve sworn she saw this newfound hope in the depressed crystal mare. She began to walk with more confidence, talk a bit more often than usual, and even gave words of encouragement that maybe tomorrow may be a better day than today. A little something that even got Cozy herself in high spirits.

Now it was the morning just after that night. Cozy Glow had been awoken by the sound of arguing just on the other side of the lone stone door. With a tiresome sigh she slowly forced herself up and sat just on the edge of her bed. A lazy pink hoof reached over and plucked up a comb nearby. Though as the filly was just about to tend to her frazzled mane her uncle had suddenly stormed into the cramped living quarters and swiftly made his way on over to a certain cot.

“No! No no no! This wasn’t supposed to happen!” He fumed as he tore one of Amethyst’s old blankets off her now vacant bed.

“Uncle Check..?” Cozy yawned, “What happened?”

“Amethyst attacked King Sombra and his guard.” Sapphire explained, to Cozy’s surprise, as she stepped into the room, “She tried to smash their helmets and was instead reprimanded and taken to the mines...”

“And she took it! She took the one thing I told her to keep safe!” Uncle Check abruptly exclaimed, “And now King Sombra has it in his filthy, tyrannical grasp! Our emergency plan is now entirely useless! Her sudden rebellion is going to get the lot of us all in trouble once he figures it out- If it’s not here we need to act. Now!” He frantically searched the sheets and mattress for something that was no longer there.

“Wait wait wait- what did she take??” Cozy Glow questioned as she fluttered off her bed and hovered by her uncle’s head.

The anxious stallion flipped Amethyst’s old cushions and frantically searched through the pale cotton within them, “It was the only bit of magic we had with us. Dark magic, yes, but it could’ve been useful. However it was something we were supposed to use for emergencies only! I had trusted Amethyst with it a while ago. Now she took it and got herself caught! What was she thinking?? What was I thinking???” He burrowed his head into the stuffing of the torn pillow and sat there in defeat.

Cozy Glow gave him a concerned stare and slowly patted his shoulder in hesitant comfort, “Dark magic? Golly how did you find something like that?” She asked once she had pulled away.

“It was a crystal.” Sapphire decided to explain, “While most crystals King Sombra would make had supposedly drained themselves of magic, this one we found still contained a bit of his, presumably, leftover dark magic. Without a unicorn however we couldn’t use any of it so we kept it in hopes to figure out how to draw it out. Now that our king has it-“

“Oh stop calling him our king. He’s not our king. He’s a tyrant that murdered Princess Amore and took her place.” Check Mate grumbled as he pulled himself up with a sigh, “He’s probably already taken all the magic that was contained in that crystal. Our plan has fallen apart and more of us are getting sent away. It won’t be long before he punishes us again for her insubordination.”

“So what’s the plan?” Cozy asked with a determined grin.

“There is none...” Sapphire grunted, “Check Mate hasn’t even figured out where the heart currently could be or is!” She exclaimed with a stomp of her hoof.

“Well neither have you!” He shouted back, “Listen Sapphire, I’m trying. I really am! But you getting on my back for one mistake is, frankly, exhausting! Ugh. At least I’m not the one being brainwashed by Sombra and constantly calling him our king. Our majesty. Our-“

“One mistake-??? I would get punished and so would you if we don’t address him as a king!” She insisted, “I’m only doing what I can to stay in the castle Check Mate. You out of all foals know that!”

“Doesn’t mean you have to call him that whenever we’re out of ear shot you daft-“

“Stop it! We’re getting nowhere by arguing!” Cozy Glow hopped up in between the two with a flap of her wings.

“Can I not get interrupted for one moment, please?” Check grumbled.

“Not when you’re insulting other ponies!” Cozy huffed, “You two need to get along! We don’t have time for this! We need to think up something together if we’re going to save the Empire.”

“I’d rather plan with a piglet than with this blubbering oaf.” Sapphire growled in annoyance.

“Sapphire!”

“He said I was brainwashed, Cozy! I’m not! I’m working to earn that tyrant’s trust-“

“You’re working so hard you come off as it.“

“Okay okay okay.” The small pegasus raised her hooves to hopefully settle them down long enough for her to talk, “Uncle Check, if we’re going to save everpony you’re going to have to apologize first.”

“Excuse me?” Check Mate reeled his head back.

Cozy responded with a surprisingly harsh and stern glare that reminded him of her mother. It was strong, powerful, and conveyed the message well. He never before thought that a small foal could look so menacing than in that one moment.

The stallion stared, sighed, and considered the dull mare in front of him. He shook his head but decidedly apologized knowing the stakes were much higher than some petty argument between a friend, “Fine. I’m sorry Sapphire. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Now say something nice about her.” Cozy urged.

“What? Why?”

“You called her something mean earlier. I think a compliment is needed in order to negate the previous insult!” The pink filly chirped as she fluttered onto Amethyst’s old bed, “Go on! Say something nice!”

Check Mate blinked at Cozy before turning his attention back to Sapphire. Then, understanding where Cozy was coming from, he decided it would benefit everypony if he got Sapphire on his good side once again. So, he decided to compliment her, “Well. I shouldn’t have said what I’ve said. You’re not brainwashed. In fact you’re headstrong and fearless. Smart, too. If it weren’t for you, I’d probably be in the mines by now along with Amethyst and Jumble. So... thank you, and I’m sorry.”

Sapphire stared at the other for a good solid moment before smiling as her glare relaxed, “Alright. I appreciate the apology.”

“Now Sapphire, you say something nice about Check Mate!” Cozy beamed.

With a light chuckle the mare easily gave in and swiftly quipped, “You’re not as annoying as I originally thought.”

“Wha- Excuse you!” Check Mate laughed out at the ‘compliment.’ Despite it, it felt like something he’d entirely expect from a mare like her.

Cozy joyously giggled in victory, “Good!” The filly clapped her hooves together, “I’m so glad that worked!”

“Thank Amore we have you as our mediator.” Check Mate chuckled as he patted his niece’s still tangled mane, “We still need to do something, though. We need a plan.”

“Let the plan wait.” Sapphire waved her hoof absentmindedly, “You two haven’t even eaten yet. I’ll make us some food. We can talk while we have breakfast.”

Cozy gratefully smiled as Sapphire turned to leave. However she later frowned at a thought that came to her, “Wait... Uncle Check? What about Amethyst? Will she be alright?"

Check Mate seemed to hesitate on how to answer, "... I think so. The good thing about all this is that King Sombra didn't give her the worst of punishments at the very least. However, I worry for her mind. She wasn't right in the head after his experiments. I hope the change in scenery doesn't further affect that. Sadly, we can't do anything. We're stuck in the castle unless something changes," He sighed, "But let's not dwell on that too long. Come. Let's just get something to eat for now, alright? Then we can figure out what to do."

Agreeing, Cozy Glow soon found herself at one of the tables in the next area. On her plate was a slice of bland bread, some almost shriveled berries, and a generous block of yellow cheese. The filly gave the cheese a cautious sniff before shrugging and using the dulled butter knife to haphazardly cut a slice off the block. When she was done she handed the knife to Check Mate who had a bowl instead of a plate to hold his food; seeing as they had broken one of the few they had recently.

A silence seemed to trickle between the three. The only noise came from the other two servants in the far corner of the room, Amberlocks and Golden Vas. They spoke in quiet murmurs but didn't really have much to hide from the others nearby. Cozy had learned of the orange stallion soon after she had woken up the first night. He was a master of the arts when it came to clay and pottery. His skills later helped him work up to his very own shop where he kept things perfectly brilliant, clean, and shiny. He was a good servant when it came to polishing the rooms, walls, and silvery items of the castle. However he was saddened to be here. His wife and his children were currently held up in the mines, a place he was unable to reach. If it weren't for his friend Check Mate convincing him that by staying he might just find a way to save the Empire and his family, Vas would've long tried to send himself to the mines in order to see his daughters once again.

From the bits and pieces Cozy had managed to catch from their conversation however, it seems that they held a concern for the possibility that Check Mate might just send himself to the mines sooner or later. Amethyst and him were very close but now..? Now she was gone. Before her descent into madness she had been the anchor that helped him focus on his main objective. Finding the Crystal Heart. Without her the others weren't entirely sure what Check was going to do now. Perhaps his niece might help him stay level-headed but that was a lot to ask of a little filly. Wasn't it?

As Cozy ate her stale bread and cheese she couldn't help but silently huff. Nothing was too much for her! She'd make sure of that. She gained her cutiemark, presumably, by leading the crystal ponies to safety! Granted they later got recaptured but still, it was a plan she made on the spot that just worked. If that was where her skills truly lie then she could do it all over again if she had to. She could save everypony, restore the Empire, see her family again, and become the new Princess Amore. Empress Cozy of the Crystal Empire. Or Empress Glow!
Oh if only. She could dream though, couldn't she? To be a princess- an empress- and to rule with a kind hoof. How amazing would that be?

While the filly was reminiscing on such thoughts, Check Mate was starting to speak, "Concerning the missing crystal there might be a chance we could-" He began before the abrupt slam of an opening door had interrupted the crystal stallion.

There standing at the doorway was a corrupted crystal guard whom stared blankly at the servants with two green slits of a gaze. They turned their head towards the table where Check Mate, Sapphire, and Cozy currently sat, "The pegasus. You are needed." The guard announced in a monotone voice as it waited by the entrance.

Cozy Glow perked at this and glanced between the other two besides her. She then sheepishly smiled at them, "I-I'll be back soon." The small pegasus assured before hopping off her chair. She made her way towards the door and out into the hallway where she gave the servants inside one final glimpse before the door closed behind her.

"I'll take her from here..." A cold but soft voice presented itself next to Cozy's ear.

The pink filly looked up with wide auburn eyes at the pony now accompanying her. What she saw was a sad, sorrowful sight. The mare was a crystal pony with a flat mane that was presumably once a sparkling silver and a bland cerulean pelt that had become a dull grey similar to the many other crystal slaves Cozy had seen. Across her flank was a curious cutiemark of blue waves spiraling into a perfect circle. Her silvery eyes drooped with exhaustion and her head seemed to be stuck in a permanent bow. Around her neck was a black collar similar to the hooflets wrapped around the servants and their forelegs. The only difference was that it held a purple gem instead of a red one. However that wasn't what caught Cozy's attention the most. No, what really did was what sat on the mare's forehead. There in clear view for everypony to see was the shattered remains of a horn that had been clearly snapped off.
She was a crystal unicorn...

"I thought there weren't any crystal unicorns left." Cozy Glow found herself saying as she fell into step besides the mare who was now starting to make her way down the long corridors. As usual, the guards lining the halls would scrutinize the two while they made their way through the castle.

"That's right..." The older pony muttered in response, "The few I knew are dead. My horn was taken. My magic gone. You could hardly call me a unicorn anymore."

"..." Cozy's ears fell back against her head, "Why did... Why did King Sombra let you live?"

"Why did he let you live?" She'd ask while staring down at the filly with a blank expression.

The young pegasus had no response.

"I was Princess Amore's royal head magician before King Sombra took over." The mare explained, "After she was killed I swore my loyalty to our new king. He spared me and made me his assistant for his little trivial tasks but..." The broken unicorn's voice trailed off. Her eyes would glaze over as she allowed her hooves to move on their own. She didn't seem to be all there.

The pink filly looked down at the floor in front of her in contemplation. Then, she slowly found her voice, "What... What is your name? Mine is Cozy Glow."

The blue mare shook her head and snapped out of her tormented mind, "Tidal Swirl." She answered with a croaked voice that sounded as if she were about to cry, "You may call me Tidal Swirl."

Cozy smiled, "Well gee it's nice to meet you Tidal Swirl! Let me guess, named after Star Swirl?"

The broken unicorn paused at this and gave off a small, solemn smile, "Heh. Yeah, actually..."

"My mother named me Cozy Glow to keep me as a spa pony. A masseuse or something." Cozy Glow went on, "Instead I seem to have a talent in leadership!" She bragged as she fluttered up besides Tidal Swirl and showed off the rook now resting on her thigh.

"Hm." The mare nodded, "Interesting."

"Yeppity yep! Guess it goes to show that not every name determines a pony's destiny, huh?" The small filly beamed, "So, where are we going Tidal Swirl? What do you need me for? To reach something? I can go as high as you need me to!"

Tidal Swirl's smile slowly fell, "You'll... You'll see when we get there, filly."

Cozy blinked at this and carefully lowered herself back down onto the floor. Once she landed she’d continue to follow besides the mare on hoof. Her red-ish gaze looked up at the other with concern, "What do you mean by that..?"

The crystal unicorn did not answer the filly's question.

Dread filled Cozy's senses as they continued walking down the dark castle. The more they traveled the more familiar the path was. It was the very same route she walked when she was being lead to the servants quarters on her first day here in the castle... just reversed. That's when she figured it out. Realization hit her like a freight train as they walked down several flights of stairs and into the halls down below that would lead them both straight to the one place each and every servant of the castle feared. King Sombra's personal study.

As they stepped closer to the one door nopony in their right mind would want to approach, Cozy began to notice some new changes. The corridors were already dark enough but this time around a strange blend of black was beginning to emerge. Flat roots grew along the flooring and the walls to reach out against the once shining halls with limbs threatening to grab or pull at the crystal slaves that wandered too close. The moment Cozy had spotted a tendril of shadows menacingly protruding towards her she had came to a complete stop. The filly was too afraid to continue. Not just because the ominous rivers of ebony told her of what was to come but also because she did not want to face him again. Last time she did she was starving and exhausted. He could've killed her if he so wished. It was a miracle, really, that she was still even alive today. However, whose to say luck would be on her side this time around if she stepped hoof into his study once more?

Tidal Swirl, already standing on the black roots, looked back to the small filly and let out a small sigh, "... He isn't going to wait forever you know." Her grey tail flicked, "You have to face him. Don't worry, I was called here too."

Cozy looked up at Tidal Swirl and gave a firm nod before cautiously taking a step forward. After she advanced a few hoofsteps more atop the darkened ground the young pegasus would slowly regain her confidence and find herself by the crystal unicorn's side once again. There the two continued forth towards an eerie door that creepily welcomed them both. The source of all the dark magic in the empire clearly came from this one room and managed to seep throughout the castle’s hallways and corridors, tainting whatever it touched.

As Cozy approached she began to take notice that there was something different and intricate about this door. Not only had the crystal-like material that made it had its colors turn from a dreary grey to an obsidian black, but the sides and rims had begun to curl and sharpen into harsh twists and patterns. The knob had its own unique design of a unicorn head with glaring red eyes that could scrunch up its face in a permanent scowl and sitting atop the crowning perch of this looming entryway was a dark grey diamond-shaped gem that Cozy didn’t recognize.

On either side of the entrance was a soldier. Their dark armor easily blended in with the daunting environment around them and their bodies both stood perfectly still at constant attention even as the other two servants had gone near. If Cozy didn’t know better she would’ve assumed the guards were statues at first glance.

Tidal Swirl approached the knocker, an ivory heart made of weaving stone brambles, and allowed it to fall several times against the crystal surface. She barely even acknowledged the crystal soldiers besides her as she awaited for a response to the considerate thuds.

“Come in.” A grumbling voice had projected itself into the hallway as clear as a pristine crystal. Cozy had to process what she had heard because she could’ve sworn, for one moment, that the tyrant had spoke like as if he were physically right by her side. She anxiously shivered in discomfort and quickly pressed herself against Tidal Swirl's drab pelt.

The broken unicorn looked down in surprise but didn’t object. She just made her way to the door and softly pushed it aside with a hoof. The silver hinges creaked as it began to open while a corner of the door scraped against the ground in an oddly lopsided fashion. Just on the other side laid something Cozy Glow didn’t entirely expect to see before she entered.

Last time she was here, the room was all orderly and organized. Books lined the shelves in the small corner library and furniture were perfectly placed against the walls. Now however everything had been thrown to the side and onto the floors. Besides the chained books which were all contained in nailed-down shelves, the desk had been toppled over and flipped, stone busts were smashed into little bits, portraits were either torn or face down on the ground, and books were scattered all over with open pages facing the skies. In the center of it all was King Sombra himself. He sat there in all his usual glory with his intricate crown resting atop his coal-black mane and half of his body covered by the crimson red cape that flowed over his silver armor. His black magic sparked like spouts of lightning around an object held in his powerful grasp. Cozy looked to see he had one of the helmets used to control his guards and soldiers. Its fake mane of black and purple fiber was pushed back, the metal was clearly chaffed, and the muzzle had specks of dark green crystal shards all scattered along its face. It was safe for Cozy to assume that the slits of the eye holes had somehow been punctured straight through.

The king looked over at the two with a blank glare, “Everyday these rebels continue to surprise me.” He grumbled before pointing a hoof at Tidal Swirl, “You, fix the furniture. I will allow you to use a small portion of your magic.”

His horn bubbled up with twisting, writhing sorcery that soon blasted the purple gem upon Tidal Swirl’s collar. The gem began to spark and pulse with a crackling noise that gradually collected in on itself. A soft silver glow slowly protruded from the crystal unicorn’s broken horn as a replacement for where the shards now sat. Tidal would let out a sigh and relax her tense muscles once it appeared, “Thank you, my king...”

Cozy was surprised to find that the other's magic now temporarily worked as it should. The broken unicorn was able to pluck up some quills off of the floor and effectively get to work on the toppled over desk. For a moment all Cozy Glow could do was stop and stare in utter confusion. Why did King Sombra allow her to use magic..?

The dark stallion turned away to pluck up one of the books off the study floor, “Filly.” He harshly hissed before passing the fallen book to Cozy, “Organize these books. I don’t care how. Just do it.”

Cozy blinked as she took the ancient book in her pink hooves. That wasn’t at all what she was expecting. She thought she was going to be thrown into some experiment or spell that would drive her as mad as Amethyst. Maybe she'd even have to endure some type of torture or agony that Sombra saw fit. Instead however, she found herself glancing down at the strange books in hoof. They were the kind that a filly like her should never hold. Not that Cozy was complaining. By law of Equestria, many of these were forbidden for public viewings in several regions. There were titles that promised power, dark magic, enhancements, enchantments, illegal brews, and many other dangerous elements. The pegasus saw a book on necromancy, on alchemy, and on dimensions that shall not be named. As she began to get to work on stacking them all in alphabetical order she would, from time to time, glance at the few available pages she came across.
Reading the forbidden pages she would find ancient worlds and spells. There was a whole other universe she had skimmed over called the Ether where all dead dark magic would later end up. There was also a potion that made ponies tell the truth and only the truth for a selected period of time, creatures of unknown origin with dangerous intentions, and finally instructions for unicorns and how to cast certain spells that were otherwise illegal in the many small towns of Equestria. Cozy would’ve been stuck on these pages forever if the sound Tidal Swirl had made hadn’t caught her attention.

It sounded like a shrill yelp. Concerned, the small pegasus looked through the bookshelf she was restocking and spotted Tidal Swirl by the straightened out desk. Her head was bowed as silvery sparks of magic began flying off her broken horn. She pressed her forehead against the ground as she grunted and whimpered from the pain that erupted in her head.

King Sombra stood nearby and examined the struggling mare, “It seems the more time that passes, the more difficult it will be for us to conjour your magic. Even with my help the magic you were born with will falter and drain. Soon, you will not have anything left.” He stared, “It looks like the spell is working as intended.”

Tidal Swirl stared down at the ground with wide eyes. She seemed crestfallen at the news and even looked just about ready to cry. Her magic... the magic she’s built up for years... the magic she grew up with since fillyhood... Soon it’ll be all gone. No amount of strain or fight for her power will fix that. She was stuck like this. She wasn’t a crystal unicorn anymore...

The mare allowed herself to relax. Her magic soon ceased and nearly disappeared. Instead of a full replacement of a horn, only a small nub of silver light was left behind. She let out a sigh and raised her head to meet King Sombra’s gaze, “I’m fine now, your majesty.” Tidal Swirl assured before plucking up a fallen portrait with faint, grey magic.

Cozy slowly backed away and looked down at the book she was sorting. This feeling of puzzlement soon washed over her. Spell? What spell? What kind did King Sombra cast? Did it somehow relate to Tidal Swirl’s increasing loss of magic? The pink pegasus shivered at the thought and went to place the book among the others. She was going to have to keep an eye for that. Maybe it was contained in one of these locked away journals? As terrifying as the spell sounded maybe she could find some use for it? If she found a way to cast spells though, of course. Maybe she could even use it against King Sombra? Then he wouldn’t be a threat anymore! Or a king for that matter! He’ll just be a pony with no magic and no power. What a thought that definitely was.

However as Cozy was reaching for another book in the corner, something had caught her eye. Something that could possibly prove more useful to her instead. It glinted in the darkness and hid under the large cover of a book that laid face down with its pages slipping across the clear-cut floor. The young filly carefully plucked it up and looked underneath to see a sharp grey crystal shard sitting at her hooves. It glimmered with infused sorcery that had collected in on itself in a small ball of shifting purple colors and energy. The gem piece, she realized, was full of leftover dark magic...
Cozy stared wide-eyed down at what she had found. Then, she cautiously went to pick it up.

The moment her pink hoof touched the surface of the gem a wave of images and colors would abruptly fill her senses. They had all swiftly passed her by in rapid succession that she wondered if they even existed at all. The first visual was of Amethyst clutching the shard close to her chest as a sound nearby had caught her attention. Another showed the same mare hiding it under the book in the corner of the room before diving out of sight. Then came a different image where the shard was more whole but had been haphazardly jabbed into the slits of a guard's helmet by none other than Amethyst herself. As she fought the mind-controlled soldier, specks of the corrupted gem in her hoof would begin to fall apart before shattering into several pieces. One of those pieces became the very shard Cozy now had found. Then it went back further. Amethyst was seen plucking up the whole gem from under her pillow in a hushed rush. Then there was Check Mate talking with her while the crystal sat in his hoof. A sudden loud exclamation of the hooflets sounded out as if they were new. Then, the same periwinkle stallion found himself standing in the center of a group of crystal slaves wrapped in chains with pickaxes tightly gripped in their teeth. The image didn't stay for long before the next appeared, showing Check Mate falling alongside the gem and into the caverns below. As the sequence continued, more and more images passed Cozy by until the moving colors and visuals revealed the crystal when it was first created during King Sombra's attack. Then everything went black...

The final memory soon surfaced. What Cozy saw was a much younger and simpler Sombra standing in a field of raging snowfall. Besides him was a looming crimson crystal that contently stared back. Whispers gently hung in the air before the crystal began to shimmer with a familiar dark crackle. Then, a flash of power surged through the stallion and altered his appearance. He grew in size and toothily smiled as all this energy and magic coursed through his ever-changing body. His eyes opened and his grin widened as the white of his gaze was soon replaced with an eerie green while a purple stream trailed after the corners of his leer. He was all powerful... and he will become king of the monsters.

Cozy Glow snapped out of the vision and found herself sitting there, clutching the shard against her chest. She felt this warmth bubble up against her fur as the magic coursing within the broken crystal welcomed her and promised her great things. It promised magic and powers beyond her wildest dreams. It promised to make her an empress...

However she couldn’t consider this gem for long. The filly soon realized that there was a silent presence hovering besides her. Cozy cautiously looked up to spot Tidal Swirl’s silver crystal eyes staring down at her with a blank gaze. Then, the crystal mare chanced a glimpse over to King Sombra. The tyrant was at his desk busily scanning through his notes and a few chosen journals. He seemed too preoccupied in his thoughts to care for the two servants nearby.

Tidal Swirl bit her lip and lit the bud of her horn. She used her magic to untie one of Cozy’s yellow ribbons and softly gestured a hoof to the filly’s curly blue mane. Cozy quietly nodded before placing the shard underneath her strands of hair. Tidal then helped her tie a loop of hair around the shard, hide it against her head, and finish it all off with a torn yellow ribbon wrapped in a tight bow, “There.” She whispered before pulling away, “Now you look adorable.”

Cozy giggled into her hoof at this, “Gee thanks Tidal Swirl.”

King Sombra glanced up with narrowed eyes before returning to his work.

“You're welcome.” Tidal Swirl’s winked with a grin, “Let’s finish up, okay?”

Cozy nodded eagerly before turning back to the bookshelf she had been stocking. As she placed each book in order her thoughts constantly went back to the crystal shard tied to her mane. It was there just against the back of her head. She felt it pulse and breath with gentle warmth as it contently watched her from its hiding spot. She inwardly smiled and had to hold back from celebrating. Finally a chance. A chance to defeat King Sombra. A chance to save the Empire...
A chance for her to finally become the powerful empress she was destined to be.

“Come on messenger! Swing!” The soldier urged.

“Eh!” The sandy-colored pegasus swung her sword only to miss her target completely. The mare could only stare as her opponent blankly sat there with a less than impressed expression.

The soldier let out a frustrated sigh, “Messenger... why won’t you hit the dummy?”

“It... It just looks so life-like...” She shakily muttered in response.

The sandbag dummy limply toppled over in response.

The soldier facehoofed, “Messenger, if you want to come with us you’re going to have to hit the dummy.”

“But I don’t want to hurt anypony...” the messenger admitted as she set her wooden weapon down.

“Not even King Sombra?” The soldier questioned.

The messenger’s expression hardened at the mention of King Sombra but her voice would later betray her. She let out a hesitant exhale before she spoke, “I would do anything to take him down for what he’s done. Even sacrifice myself if I have to, but in all honesty sir, I’m more on the defense than offense."

"I suppose defense is better than nothing. As a messenger, even." The soldier considered, "But you promised you would learn how to fight!"

"I knooooww... but I don't like carrying swords with my mouth!"

"You can carry it with your hooves."

"That feels just as odd!" The messenger complained before sitting on her rump and crossing her forelegs, "I could do with a shield."

"Well so can I but you don't see me not giving the spear a shot," The soldier grabbed a spear from the rack and tossed it over to the messenger to catch.

She suddenly hopped away from it to let it clatter onto the training room floor, "Listen, you know I'm fast. I'll avoid the next encounter, I swear. I won't be anywhere near the battle."

The soldier shook his head, "Messenger..."

"Besides, we already talked to the princesses-"

"Yeah but that doesn't mean we have to be unprepared-!"

"Is now a bad time?" A new, more royal voice suddenly appeared in the midst of their back and forth.

The pegasi both looked up to spot none other than Princess Luna herself standing at the doorway along with Radiant Hope by her side. She was a luminous figure of the night sky. A dark feathered alicorn with a glowing mane full of twinkling stars and a cutie mark that held the white crescent moon. Her gentle blue gaze would questioningly scan the two before her. How noble and illustrious but also terrifyingly mysterious.

"Ah- Princess Luna." The soldier bowed his head towards the dark alicorn, "No, it's not a bad time at all. We were just training."

"Training our vocal chords I suppose." The messenger shrugged.

The princess would give off a small chuckle before making her way over to the others, “We have come to announce that thou has been assigned as the new Alpha Squadron commander. The team shall accompany us to the Empire as we scout ahead of our sister Celestia.”

The stallion looked up with a serious crystal gaze, “Of course your majesty. My team will assure safe travels through the storms, I promise you.”

Princess Luna gave a grateful nod, “We thank thou. Now,” She turned her head towards the messenger, “We have thoroughly discussed this and shared our concerns, but both messenger and healer are permitted to also join us. We will require your services during the war and will be grateful to have you both.”

The messenger nodded, “Thank you Princess Luna!” She beamed.

The soldier, now a commander, gave the messenger a nervous side-glance before turning his attention back to Luna, “We will do our best to serve Equestria.”

The alicorn smiled, “We appreciate your loyalty commander. Our forces will have to move quietly and cautiously. We can not allow ourselves to get caught so early on. We will hide in the eastern passes and make our way up from there. We are to see the state of the Crystal Empire and report our findings back to Celestia as soon as possible. This mission could determine our next move so we want no slack and no horseplay. Got it?”

The messenger and newly made commander firmly nodded.

“When will be heading out, Princess Luna?” Radiant Hope asked as she stepped up besides Luna’s side.

The princess looked between the three and confidently raised her head towards the skies.

“Tonight.”

Author's Note

Woo! Finally finished this chapter. I really wanted to continue this story.

I also managed to edit Chapter 2 and fixed some errors that I had spotted when I first published it... but there is one problem.

After nearly completing this chapter I learned about something called "The Lavender Unicorn Syndrome" ... My story has a lot of that. I don't usually like repeating names a lot and would rather describe the characters to get people to have a visual idea of what they look like. However... I guess this is an issue in writing that I need to take into consideration. I really don't want to rewrite all my chapters though. I'm happy how they are. I just kinda wish "Lavender Unicorn Syndrome" wasn't a thing, lol. It is though and I guess I'll have to remember that for future chapters. For now I guess my previous chapters will continue to hold this mistake.

Still, I'm glad to share this story and I appreciate all of you for reading it! Thank you!! :heart:

Chapter 6: It Is Looking Grim

"Tidal Swirl!!"

"What are you doing with that Curly?? Drop it! As a crystal unicorn, that could harm you!"

"No no no- you don't understand! I found it! I found the Crystal Hea-"

Before the mare could finish, a blast of dark magic filled her vision. Her own spell was snuffed out and with it a crystal of some sort had fallen to the floor out of her grasp. It bubbled with dark colors. All Curly could do was stare at her friend as the crystal she was encased in began to crack and fracture.

Then, she fell apart.

Cozy was hoping to be relieved of duty after she had replaced all the books in a neat and orderly fashion. After all, she wanted to get back to the others as soon as possible to tell them the good news. However it seems King Sombra had different plans for his two favorite servants.

When they were done, the self-proclaimed king had then plucked up several scrolls in his magical grasp and turned his attention towards Tidal Swirl and Cozy Glow, “Both of you. Come with me.” Sombra growled before making his way into the vast halls of the Empire. Two guards soon joined his side.

Cozy wondered why he needed guards. He was powerful and intimidating enough alone. Did he fear a broken unicorn and a small pegasus filly would attempt to take him down right then and there? No, that would be silly... but maybe he was just being cautious? Cozy felt she would be too if she wanted to take a whole kingdom for herself, but she would ensure that she got others to like her instead of force them all to accept her as Empress with dark magical shortcuts. That way she could avoid a rebellion if need be.

Wait, what was she thinking? Manipulating everypony like that? No- they would already be her friends. Like the princesses! She would have no need to manipulate anypony like that. Still, a part of her kept that thought stored away in the back of her mind. Perhaps if she needed some other plan to make herself an empress... she could consider it. The black crystal hidden within her mane seemed to pleasantly warm up to the idea.

The three, plus the guards, continued throughout the expansive corridors of the castle. Dark stone surrounded them and even more would begin to appear if Sombra felt the area was too bright for his liking.

Cozy narrowed her eyes. What a pretentiously obvious evil dictator with a poor sense of style. She wished there was a word for what she wanted to call him. He was like some uppity lord that was always on-edge. Somepony who clearly had a tragic backstory and an abundance of powers. Ah well, hopefully somepony in the next century will be able to come up with the perfect name to call this black and red dunce. Wonder what they’ll be calling her if she managed to help the empire..? A hero, of course! A shining, adorable hero...

“Filly, you’re falling behind. Quit daydreaming.” Tidal Swirl snapped Cozy out of her thoughts.

“Right! Sorry!” She sheepishly smiled before hurriedly joining the other’s side, “Where are we going?”

“I want a different room to settle in.” King Sombra gruffly explained, “The old one reminds me too much of the previous ruler. So, while I go freshen up you two servants will get my new room ready and clean. I will have guards around to help you. If you need it.” He rolled his eyes and made his way through several jagged crystal arches.

“... Why not just get some of the other servants to do this?” Cozy questioned.

Tidal Swirl stiffened as King Sombra glared at the pink nuisance, “Are you trying to get out of work?”

“Uhhh.. no no! I just think that- well... anypony could do this. We’re probably your only non-earth pony staff on your team. There must be more important jobs to give us. So- why assign us this?”

King Sombra huffed and turned away, “Well it’s simple, really. After everything that’s been happening I can’t exactly trust the other servants right now. Especially not within my soon-to-be quarters. For all I know they could try and lace my pillow with poison or hide small sharps stones to try and get a jab at me. It’s why I assigned that one servant to be my taste tester. Not only does he need some sort of punishment for trying to free my slaves but I also need to make sure nopony has touched my food. I trust Tidal Swirl not to do anything ridiculous and I don’t think you could do anything to my room without me noticing. However if the filly does try and do anything,” He added to Tidal Swirl, “You better report it to me, got it?”

She gave a brisk nod in return, “Of course your highness.”

“Good.”

It was then they approached the king’s new quarters.
Two guards went up and pulled the eloquent double doors open for King Sombra and the two servants. They headed in to find an expansive room; as large as many others within the castle with two windows, a small corner-like balcony, and two doors. One door lead to a washroom from the looks of it. It contained a jacuzzi-like tub resting on shining crystallized marble flooring. Another was a clear walk in closet that could hold a variety of clothing and accessories.

King Sombra began placing several scrolls and books within a shelf nearby while Cozy curiously explored the open room. As she did she felt this shiver down her spine. Someone was staring right at her. She turned, expecting it to be Sombra, but instead found Tidal Swirl who was glaring so hard. The unicorn averted her gaze when spotted, but Cozy Glow couldn't help sense this uneasy tension between them. What? Was it something she did? Something she said? She wasn't entirely sure why Tidal Swirl would be upset with her, but she found herself sitting on the floor looking shy. Maybe she should wait until they were alone.

"I have more work to do." King Sombra made to leave, "A new spell I need to get finished. You two just do your job, I'll be back."

The two watched as Sombra left, his two guards getting situated in the hall before they finally slammed the doors shut. This left Cozy Glow and Tidal Swirl sitting alone in a moment of silence.

Cozy sighed and turned to Tidal Swirl who was now right in front of her face, "Wha-!"

"Give me the crystal." Tidal Swirl demanded and held out a hoof.

"What?"

"I said give me the crystal, filly."

"Geez, you don't have to be rude about it." Cozy slightly nudged Tidal Swirl's hoof out of the way, the whispers in her head seemed to grow, "I'm sorry but I'm keeping it. I have to take it back to the others-"

"Oh really? Is that what you plan to do with it? Listen filly, I know that's not what you really want to do with it." Tidal Swirl took a step closer, "You're a pegasus, the other servants are earth ponies. I'm a unicorn. I'm the only one here who can use it besides King Sombra. So let me have it. I can free you and the others and maybe even find the Crystal Heart."

"You know where it is then?" Cozy Glow questioned.

"Not exactly but-"

"Then maybe you shouldn't have it. I could try to find it instead."

"Filly I have magic." Tidal Swirl sternly said, "I'll be able to find it easier than you will."

"It's mine!" Cozy stomped her hoof, "And stop calling me filly! I'm Cozy Glow!"

"Shh, settle down..!" Tidal Swirl sighed, "... Alright look. This was all planned. Sombra wanted you to have that crystal."

"... What?" Cozy Glow blinked.

"It's part of one of his experiments. This whole thing with the crystal is an experiment. He already knows you have it. He wants to see how others would react to it. To dark magic. So far, it has several side effects. Terrible side effects. I will not allow this to continue, especially with a pony so young."

"How do you know all this?" Cozy backed off but hesitantly rested a hoof against the crystal's hiding spot. It radiated a gentle warmth as it attempted to soothe her nerves.

"I am his obedient servant. Out of all the ponies here he believed I would be faithful and keep my mouth shut about it. I did, until he crossed a line and made you involved. I've had enough. You shouldn't be part of this. Give it to me Cozy. Let me free you from this dark grasp." She offered her hoof out and waited.

Cozy still hesitated and wasn't sure what to think. The crystal promised her power and magic. A chance to actually win against King Sombra. However the more she thought about it, the more it would make sense to give it to Tidal Swirl. Cozy had no way of using the magic in the crystal. None of the other servants did either! The only one who could was the broken unicorn in front of her... while they still had the chance. Tidal Swirl's magic was draining in front of them. If she didn't give it up now they might never be able to use it at all.
Reluctantly Cozy began to untie the ribbons in her mane and slowly pull the crystal out into the open, "You... You'll use it for us, right? For me and the other crystal ponies?"

"Yes. I can help you with the little bit of magic I have now. I could probably get those bracelets on your hooves off right away. It needs dark magic after all, right? And to do that I'm going to need some of the magic from that crystal. I'll do what I can for the empire, Cozy."

"... You will?"

Tidal Swirl nodded and gently reached for the shard.

Cozy looked down at the crystal and suddenly felt this wave of possessiveness hit her. She had to keep it. The only way she'll ever become Empress is if she was the one to fix everything. She needed this to fix everything, "No- I need it!" She fluttered away from Tidal Swirl's reach, "I have to use it, I need to save everypony. I need it."

Tidal Swirl stared and then let out a sigh, "Cozy please listen to reason."

"I am listening to reason! I need this, it's really important for me! For the Empire! Amore... Amore is gone. I need to- I have to..."

"Cozy. If it'll make you feel better, I won't take all of it."

"What?"

"I won't take all the dark magic in that crystal. I'll leave some for you, and... I'll even return it."

Cozy slowly lowered herself down but still clutched the shard close to her chest, "Return it?"

"Yes. As a unicorn I could siphon it out then transfer it back in for whatever you plan to do with it. Just let me use some of it now to locate the Heart and free you before I lose all of my magic now. Besides, I can't just take it all. If I do, that could get me killed."

"How?" Cozy questioned.

"Well, crystal unicorns work differently than normal unicorns." Tidal Swirl sat down and pressed a hoof on her collar, "We are more powerful when we are happy and full of love. Our spells are as strong as we are bright and content. We work on light magic, essentially. However dark magic is the complete opposite. We could get sick off of it. We could deteriorate because of it. To us, dark magic is a poison. It doesn't empower us, it doesn't make us stronger, it will slowly kill us. But, some dark magic is better than no magic at all. So even though this could end my life, I would rather use the last bit of myself to free you and the other crystal ponies than to rot away like this. Please Cozy, let me do this one last thing for you."

"..." Cozy Glow held out the black crystal and watched as the magic within swirled and writhed, "You'll give it back, right?"

"I will, but let me ask you something. Why do you want it back so much?" Tidal Swirl carefully took the crystal out of Cozy's hooves.

"... It will... It will help, somehow."

"Sometimes dark magic likes to make empty promises. But in the way I'll use it, it will help. Stay back, will you? I'm not sure how this will go exactly. After this, be ready to run as fast and as far as you can."

Cozy Glow gave a small nod and backed away while Tidal Swirl activated her magic and clutched the stone in her hold. She breathed in and closed her eyes. Then, she called forth the magic in the crystal. It began spilling out and collecting in a small stream of black and purple. It lunged for her broken horn and began to circle around her forehead, making her grunt in pain. The dark magic within the crystal slowly began to drain and instead entered her body. Soon a magical pulse began to form around her as the figure of a dark, curved horn appeared to replace the old one. Cozy firmly kept her hooves steady as a harsh breeze began to pick up around them and the taste of saltwater hit her mouth.

With a sad smile, Tidal Swirl gently spoke, "And here ends the crystal unicorns. I'm sorry Cozy, you're not getting it back... I lied."

"What? Wait- Tidal Swirl!"

The whirling winds suddenly collided inwards towards Tidal Swirl before it abruptly sparked and exploded with noise and black clouds. Cozy Glow was swept underneath the shadows; her screams muffled in the darkness.

Then she heard a click. She was on the floor, having stumbled down to her side, and found that her forelegs were now free from the hooflets that had been wrapped around her. She slowly pushed herself up as the black mist around her began to fade away. Nearby there was the sound of groaning. Cozy looked over at the open doorway and spotted two guards without their helmets on. They were on the floor, dizzy and confused. In between them was a familiar collar left behind.

Tidal Swirl was nowhere to be seen.

Cozy raced out into the hallway and looked around. Several other guards also had their helmets knocked right off. That's not what Cozy was too concerned about however. She saw a trail. An entire trail of black crystals etched into the ground. She quickly followed after it. Without the harsh stone buzzing so close to her ear, her mind felt more clear now. She didn't care about that silly dark magic anymore. She just had to make sure Tidal Swirl was okay! Along with the Crystal Heart. If she could locate the Heart then maybe Cozy could somehow retrieve it before... Well, Cozy didn't want to think about that now.

She raced along the path Tidal Swirl took when she heard a familiar voice.

"Cozy Glow?"

She came to a screeching halt and spotted Uncle Rubin nearby. His helmet was off and he looked very exhausted. Saved again from King Sombra's dark control. Cozy couldn't help but smile, "Follow me." Was all she said before she flew off.

Rubinstein called for her but she was already flying down the halls after the traces of black magic.

Tidal Swirl let out a heavy breath. Her body was riddled with pain and sickness. She felt worst than ever before, but she felt hopeful. She knew where it was. It was the brightest in this whole empire and it was right there above her. Above everypony. She could possibly use the dark magic inside her to easily transport herself to the top... but she knew she wasn't going to last long like this. To travel any distance in that dark form could be potentially risky. She could deteriorate instantly with her body splitting apart into a dark mist. Not the way she wanted to go, essentially.

So, she had to find another way... and another way she did. The throne room. It contained and held a plethora of secrets. She knew what was hidden just underneath... and she knew that there was somepony there, waiting for her.

She stepped out of the darkness and faced her rival. King Sombra. He sat at his throne and dully examined her. Disappointed and displeased.

"So. Another rebellion, is it?" He growled, "I should have known better than to keep you alive. No matter. Umbrum magic is like a poison for a crystal unicorn. You will die in moments. A fate you've secured for yourself the moment you took that crystal. There is no point in punishing you when you've already done that for me."

"I'm still standing." Tidal Swirl huffed as she took several steps forward, "And I'm still alive. For every second I breath I can match you. I can fight you. So get off that throne you pathetic whelp. I will end this once and for all."

"..." Sombra stood and dispersed into a black cloud to appear again before Tidal Swirl. She was small compared to him, and more scrawnier. To an outsider's view it didn't look evenly matched at all. There in front of her was a king with silver armor and knowledgeable strengths. The weak mare in front of him meanwhile had her rib cage showing and her body clearly falling apart. Her horn was missing and broken; replaced with the essence she managed to forage from the dark crystal. She stood on shaky legs and she looked about ready to collapse... but her eyes. Her eyes spoke a different story. They had a spark of anger and hope. They were lively but also dead. She was done with King Sombra... and he was done with her.

"Brave. But foolish." He stated and ignited his horn, ready to strike her down.

Before he could even cast his spell however; he suddenly felt something sharp and jagged slam into the side of his body. Pillars of dark, jagged crystals had appeared and launched King Sombra out the nearest window. A loud crash could be heard as he disappeared somewhere within the empire's streets.

Tidal Swirl's own horn buzzed with noise and power as she walked up to the pillars, stomped her hoof, and watched as they all cracked and fell apart into little shards. She headed over towards the broken window and considered her next move when the sound of flapping wings and heavy hoofsteps hit her ears. She turned to spot Cozy Glow and a once mind controlled soldier enter the room.

"I'll keep Sombra distracted." Tidal Swirl announced before pointing her broken horn towards the throne. With a grunt she unleashed a tirade of dark magic onto the crystal just above it. Shadows began to spew out and form a rectangular entrance into a hidden staircase. With a huff, Tidal Swirl felt this dizziness come over her as she stepped away, "You two grab the Heart as fast as you can. It's at the highest point of the Empire. Just go through here first, it should lead you to it."

"But Tidal Swirl, what about you?" Cozy questioned, "Didn't you say this magic could... could-"

"Filly. Don't concern yourself with me." Tidal Swirl assured, "Just save the Empire." Then, she turned back to the window and formed several steps of crystal at her hooves to throw herself upwards. Without hesitation she jumped through the broken panes and was met face-to-face with an angered monster waiting just outside.

Cozy turned to Rubinstein who was now scanning the staircase. It looked bottomless.

She hesitated going down it but the sound of the battling unicorns just outside quickly changed her mind. She flinched and raced downwards with Uncle Rubin hurriedly following behind. The stairs endlessly winded downwards and neither of them were certain if it would ever end. As they traveled they at least found time to talk.

"I hope she gets out okay..." Cozy mumbled.

"Tidal Swirl?"

"You know her, Uncle Rubin?"

"Of course. She was the head of the Crystal Empire Magical Council. She was always at Princess Amore's side and assisted the empire with anything. She was probably one of the strongest crystal unicorns here." Rubinstein sighed, looking troubled, "She was so happy before. Seeing her like that now? It breaks my heart."

"..." Cozy continued hovering down and trailing after Rubinstein, "What was she like before?"

"Well, she was kind. Smart. A natural leader... A mentor." He seemed to pause, "What are you doing in the castle, anyways? Weren't you supposed to be thrown into the mines or the dungeons?"

"His majesty," Cozy hissed, "Decided to turn me into one of his personal servants. I was given some hoof bracelets that kept me locked in the castle and was made to do little tasks here and there. He was also going to put me in one of his experiments I think?? That is until Tidal Swirl came in and helped me out."

"How did you escape?"

"Tidal Swirl. She used his own dark magic to release me and everypony else! Like you!"

"She is a hero today. If we get out of this I will make sure her name is remembered. Nopony will forget what she did for us."

"Mhm!" Cozy agreed, "I just... I hope she can survive this mess, at least."

"You and me both, Cozy."

The storm just outside the Crystal Empire castle was harsh and relentless. It swirled and spiraled into a hurricane of pent up destruction. Stinging saltwater hit the air and the sound of the ocean somehow reached everyponys ears. This was not the power of Sombra, but a different unicorn.

Tidal Swirl.

Her hurricanes and storms would angrily tear through the streets. They challenged the dark king and they warned others to stay away. This was a battle that needed space. A battle that could lose control at any moment.

She stood in the center of it all. The eye of the storm. It was calm and peaceful here, but she knew that wouldn't last long. She waited for him... and he definitely arrived. Attempting to once more strike her down he crashed forward in a ball of black and green flames within the center of the storm. Using a crystal pillar with a more flatter top, Tidal Swirl was able to easily launch herself out of the way just before he landed. As she got swept up in the storm she ignited her horn and swiftly conjured up waves of water made from the rain and raging clouds besides her. The wave lunged onto the flames and doused them out while Sombra disappeared within the shadows again.

As Tidal Swirl searched for him she suddenly felt something slam into her back. It threw her back into the center where she harshly landed and stumbled back onto her hooves. She looked up to spot a large dark cloud glaring down at her before slamming down in front of her. It transformed back into the dark king she loathed.

They stared at one another. The crystal streets at their hooves was slick with saltwater and the wind roughly blew through their manes and coats. It was cold and wet, but perfect. The perfect place to battle. So, battle they did.

Together they unleashed various spells on one another. Several aiming to kill. Tidal Swirl was less mobile than King Sombra and would often use crystal barriers in an attempt to block his incoming attacks while he easily dodged and invaded in a more misty-like form.

It was only when two spells they unleashed at the same time finally collided. Tidal Swirl thought it would be best to take the high ground and formed a pillar just underneath her. She raised herself high only to react when Sombra tried to shoot her down. When their spells hit they found themselves stuck in a powerful stalemate.

To Sombra it was a nuisance, but to Tidal Swirl it was agony. She grunted in pain as she struggled against Sombra's own magic. She tried bracing herself against the pillar but her head continued to thump and her body was screaming in pain. She was at her limit and couldn't fend him off for long.

The two spells fought against one another for what seemed like eternity until finally, Tidal Swirl's own magic began to deplete. Sombra easily pushed forward and before she knew it, the pain erupted against her forehead as his spell finally hit her.

She was thrown off the pillar and into the storm. A storm she no longer could control now that she was nearly knocked unconscious. Her hooves blindly flailed in the air as she tried to regain control but it was too late. She was exhausted. There was nothing Tidal Swirl could do anymore. She allowed the winds to carry her and decide her fate. The last of the crystal unicorns... how tragic that it had to end with her.

She couldn't even process what happened next when King Sombra appeared and casted one last spell on her.

All she saw last was a bright flash of green and purple before her vision went entirely dark.

"Huh... The stairs aren't finished?" Cozy questioned as she noticed the stairway was no longer looking like a stairway but something more rocky and jagged. They weren't smooth or built correctly.

"It looks like they're still being carved." Uncle Rubin hummed, "I think I can still get down from here though."

"I'll fly down just to see what else is around."

"Good idea. I'd like to at least know what's at the bottom of this pit before I end up falling into it."

Cozy nodded before hovering down to the bottom of the unfinished staircase. Nothing really caught her interest at first until she spotted an odd opening. It was like an entrance into a cavern except it was somehow cut short. There were crystals covering the area but there was some rectangular-like portal that sat in between those very dark stones. Surprisingly the portal wasn't as dark or ominous as everything else. It emitted a bright light with a soft blue hue, similar to the colors of the Empire before the attack. Cozy cautiously fluttered up to it and pressed a hoof against the portal's surface. It rippled like a pool of water.

"Uncle Rubin? I found something!"

"What is- ugh- what is it?" Rubinstein was carefully descending down, climbing from rock to rock in order to get to the bottom.

"It looks like a doorway? Leading to somewhere bright. I think it's another unicorn thing."

"Let me see." Rubinstein landed next to Cozy and made his way over to the rectangular entrance, "It's a portal... It's supposed to transport you from one place to another. It looks like some part of the Empire is on the other side." He tapped his chin and then cautiously approached it. He reached out to touch it- and then Cozy just pokes her head right on through.

"Cozy!"

"What?" She pulls her head back out, "It's just a bunch of crystals!"

"Still, we didn't know what could've been on the other side. You could've gotten hurt!"

"We're in a hurry! Come on, let's find the Crystal Heart already!" Without hesitation Cozy barged through the portal and found herself at the bottom of a large crystalline pillar that had several jagged crystals poking out of its sides. It had a staircase wrapping all around it, but Cozy spotted something along those steps. More crystals... but they were as black as obsidian. They were small and spaced out, but they grew roots that dug themselves into the more shining pillar. King Sombra was definitely here, alright. She couldn't tell what the crystals were for however...

Uncle Rubin soon followed after, "More stairs." He groaned.

"This could be it though! It goes all the way to the top! She said it was at the top, right?"

"That's nice and all but... Hm." His eyes narrowed as he examined the closest dark crystal.

"Yeah... That's suspicious." Cozy pointed at it, "Sombra must have put it there. Do you know what it does?"

"I don't know everything about dark unicorn magic but I can safely assume it might be a trap."

The two stared at it for a moment longer.

"Well... No better way to find out what it does than walking the steps!" Cozy Glow cheerfully announced.

"Cozy!"

She landed on the first step, "What?"

"Let me go first. I'm not letting you risk your life." Rubinstein insisted as he gently nudged her off the stairs.

"But Uncle Rubiiiin!"

"No Cozy. No more risking your life today. You've already done that several times." He began heading up the steps.

"But I have wings! If anypony can avoid something like this, it's me." Cozy insisted as she fluttered up by Rubinstein's side.

"Just because you have wings doesn't make you invincible."

"But how would you get out of it if it is a trap?" She crossed her hooves in annoyance.

"... I'll run." He grumbled.

"You'll run??"

"Yes."

"I thought you were good at strategy."

"I am and this is my plan."

"Well no offense but your plan is-"

Click.

Rubinstein and Cozy Glow paused. Their attention turned to a dark crystal that sat in front of them. It was embedded right smack center in the steps and it, unlike the others, began to glow. It gave off a noise... and that noise started to get faster.

Click Click Click Click.

"OKAY RUN!" Cozy Glow shouted as she flew away from it while Rubinstein high-tailed it back down. Just as he managed to clamber down several steps, the crystal went off. An explosion of dark clouds and ominous lights went off behind him. He tumbled forward but managed to keep himself steady on the stairway.

Both of them turned to see the stairs Rubinstein was about to climb was now completely gone. It had fallen apart and soon crash landed at the bottom where they once were. It wasn't even that far away, actually, they hadn't gone up too far.

"Great." Rubinstein sighed as he made his way back up only to stop short where the explosion had gone off, "Now how am I going to get up there?"

"Geez. What kind of trap was that?! Why didn't the others go off yet?"

"Maybe to put a pony into a false sense of security? After all, if you see the same thing for a while you might not suspect it will do anything at all."

"Well, it was really obvious though."

"Agreed." Rubinstein narrowed his eyes in thought, "... I can't jump this."

"And there could be more of these up ahead." Cozy sighed, "So even if you did make it, you could risk running into more."

The two stared at each other, "... I can't ask you to go up there by yourself." Rubinstein muttered, "I have to keep you safe so I can return you to your family."

"Sombra is busy fighting Tidal Swirl. It might leave me enough time to get up there with no consequences!"

"That's not enough time. Tidal Swirl is strong but dark magic is still very damaging to a crystal unicorn. That battle will end very soon now."

"Then..." Cozy tapped her chin in thought, "You could create another distraction?"

"I could?"

She nodded, "The mines. The dungeons. Frosty and Slipper could be there. The other guards are free now, you need to gather them and free the others along with Uncle Check and everypony else! Not only could this cause a distraction but... if we could get them all out into the streets, we could-"

"Activate the Heart..." Rubinstein stared and then lowered his head in defeat, "That... That is a good plan. And right now, you're the only pony we have that could keep going and could get up there to the Heart. Cozy. I wish it didn't have to be you, but I believe you can do this." He rested a hoof on her shoulder.

"I know I can do this."

Her uncle smiled, "That's the spirit. I'll go distract Sombra. I'm leaving the Heart to you now. Go save the Empire."

Cozy's eyes widened. Then, with a determined grin she nodded and dashed upwards across the broken staircase. She easily began making her way up the spiral staircase using her wings to fly over traps and using her legs to rest her feathers. The next time she looked down Rubinstein was already gone and their plan was kicking into action.

Princess Luna made her way along the frozen tundra. In the distance there was a raging, howling storm swirling in the skies. Her hooves sank into the cold snow at each step but she was determined to finish this patrol. She was accompanied by The Scout and The Messenger who had insisted on coming with. Luna only agreed because she had patrolled this area a few times now. Each time has come up with nothing. She felt this area was the safest out of the others which is why she was certain the happy-go-lucky pegasus wouldn't be harmed during their walk. She knew The Messenger was just itching to do something, after all.

In all honesty though It pained Luna that she was not taking part in the patrol more closer to the Empire. After all, there was a recent report of strange weather patterns and activity. One she could even see and feel now from this far away. It was located at the Empire. Who knew what Sombra was doing there now? Oh well. The Commander's patrol will fill her in on anymore details later. For now, she was focused on the sandy mare nearby.

She's been cooped up in camp for a while now. Nothing eventful besides the weather has yet happened so no messages were needed to be delivered to other sectors or to Canterlot. So, Luna thought it would be best to let The Messenger stretch her legs and wings for a while. Sometimes it was invigorating to just go out and have a walk. Even at stressful times like these.

However that wasn't the only reason The Messenger was out with her today. After all, Luna had some questions, "Scout. Go up ahead please. More to the West if you will. Messenger and I will scan the Northern area."

The Scout, a gentle grey and speckled earth pony, gave a firm nod and dashed up ahead. He was gone in moments leaving only Princess Luna and The Messenger alone.

"Have you ever seen the Crystal Empire before, Messenger?"

The sandy pegasus blinked, "No, never. Though out of all places, I would not mind delivering mail there one day. I've always heard how grand it was. Would be nice to see it myself."

"Yes. It was a luminous and beautiful place. Hopefully, after this war, you will one day get to see it in its full glory. Just as it's supposed to be..." Princess Luna then sighed, "We've heard what you and the Commander had to witness. We're sorry that you had to be part of something like that."

The Messenger flinched, "I... I should have just destroyed that letter when I had the chance. None of that would have happened if I hadn't been so careless."

Princess Luna halted and raised her wings, "Messenger. Do not blame yourself for the actions of that tyrant. Or the actions of us and our sister."

"What?"

Luna wrapped a wing around the pegasus in a comforting gesture, "We were the ones who sent you out to deliver that letter in the first place. We put you and the Commander at risk."

"You didn't know he was going to attack that squadron, though!"

"Even so, Celestia and I have a responsibility over our subjects. The squadron and the two of you were our responsibility... and we failed you. Don't blame yourself however. What you went through was entirely out of your control."

The Messenger gently brushed Luna's wing away, "I will not stop blaming myself if you keep blaming yourself, Princess."

"Excuse me?"

"If it's not my fault, then it's not your fault either. You might've given the order but you didn't know what he was going to do. You didn't know he was going to attack! We might be your responsibility, but you didn't put us at risk. It was out of your control too." The Messenger firmly stated.

Princess Luna stopped and stared... then she smiled, "I don't think I've gotten your name yet, Messenger."

The pegasus returned the smile, "Love Letter. My name is Love Letter."

"Love Letter. What a precious name." Luna giggled as she began to trek along through the brewing winds, "Hm, I hope you don't mind if I ask a different kind of question." She hummed as a speck of black appeared in the distance. Her focus was on The Messenger so she didn't yet notice that speck was soon getting bigger.

"Yes? What is it?"

"Well when you and the Commander-" BOOM!

Snow went flying into the air and nearly buried the two where they were. Princess Luna easily used her magic to shield both of them from the white flurries of cold ice. Something had crashed nearby, just over the hill it had created.
Luna sensed it before she could see it. That dark, raw energy it produced. It was maddening. It was strong. She raised her wing protectively in front of The Messenger and readied her horn.

"WHO GOES THERE?" Luna's voice boomed as she prepared for the worst. It must be Sombra, wasn't it? He had somehow found them and was now ready to attack. Well she was prepared too. Her own magic could fight him off, if need be. Couldn't it?

The two stood there and waited. They expected him to come marching up from the pile of snow. They expected him to announce his presence and attack. Or worst, try to hide in their shadows and strike from behind.

None of that happened however. Nopony approached. Nothing was said. There was an eerie silence and nothing more.

Finally, Luna braved it and turned to The Messenger, "Stay here Love Letter." She hissed before making her way up to the crater this thing had created. She clambered on up and glared down, expecting to find Sombra with how much dark magic she felt... but instead she was surprised to find a crystal unicorn.

A blue crystal unicorn with a curly mane and a cutiemark representing swirling waves. She looked disgustingly ill and on the verge of death. Dark magic sparked from her broken horn and her body would twitch in response. Princess Luna, at first, could only stare.

"Princess!" The Scout called out as he raced up the hill, "Are you alright?! I saw something crash in your sector!"

"We are fine." Princess Luna announced, "Messenger. Get back to camp and call for The Healer's aid! Tell them this is the work of Sombra. Scout, keep an eye for any danger. We might not be alone." She then headed down to the broken unicorn's side.

"Right!" The Messenger saluted before flying off.

The Scout meanwhile took up sentry around the crater. He kept his eyes on the distance, expecting anypony to appear at any second.

Princess Luna paused in front of the collapsed unicorn and hesitantly crouched before her. She gently reached over and placed a hoof on the mare's shoulder. No reaction, "If you can hear me, it is I. Princess Luna. Let my voice guide you. Please, are you still there? Are you still conscious?"

The unicorn's body twitched once more. Besides that, no response. Luna let out a sigh.

"Then let me find you another way." She then lit her horn. A brilliant white glow began to curl around it. What she was about to do next was potentially risky... but she had to learn what had happened. She had to know what was going on in The Crystal Empire, and how to fix this.
So from her horn came a white line of light that snaked its way to the unicorn's head. The dreamwalker spell. A spell that allowed Luna to explore the dreams of a certain pony. This being the one before her now.

She closed her own eyes and focused... and then, she was somewhere else.

When she opened her eyes the princess found herself in a void made of starlight. She carefully scanned the area and then heard a noise below her. Looking down she saw nothing but desolate darkness beneath her. However she felt the unicorn's presence. A small, flickering light that laid dormant just below. With a sigh, Luna breathed in and allowed herself to fall.

She fell towards the darkness below... and then crash landed into the surface of an ocean. She fell through the water only to find herself in another area entirely as she dropped out from the other side and into the muted halls of the Crystal Empire.

It was rather shiny. Just like it was supposed to be. Calm, peaceful, and serene. Luna made her way down the brilliant hallways and continued trailing after the flickering glimmer that she sensed. She came upon a fork in the road when she heard it. Voices. Turning towards them she spotted a door that was open slightly ajar. In it was a light that seemed brighter than the rest of the world. Intrigued, Luna made her way over to it.

She peeked through and spotted the broken unicorn she saw before... except she wasn't broken. She was shining and happy. Her perfect horn was ignited with magic as she casted her spell.

The growing flower in front of her then bloomed with beautiful petals of red, pink, and blue.

"And that's how you perform a growth spell." She explained as she gently let go of the crystal flower.

"Wow..! I want to try!" The eager voice of a young colt hit Luna's ears.

"Go ahead. I'm not stopping you."

Luna watched as a young silver crystal unicorn stepped into view. He lit his horn with white magic and aimed it at the flower. Once he did, it grew twice as big... and kept growing bigger and bigger until it hit the ceiling.

The two looked on in awe before the colt happily beamed, "Haha! Guess I'm more powerful than we thought, huh?"

"Oh please. I was only helping you when you weren't looking." The blue mare chuckled.

"Don't lie Tidal Swirl! Admit it, I've gotten way stronger lately! I say I'm about ready to move up, don't you?"

Suddenly, even though it was just a moment, the room turned a lot darker. The mare stared at him, as if remembering something... "... Right. Well- you have to wait a little longer before that, Clear Cut."

"How much longer though? I've been getting a lot older lately! More older than you were when you became part of the council as a magician! I'd say at this point I'm running out of time, don't you think?" He innocently asked.

The darkness only seemed to grow as Tidal Swirl stood and backed away, "R-... Right... I just- I'm sorry. I need to-"

"What's wrong Tidal Swirl?" Clear Cut questioned, "I'm your star pupil right? Haven't I proven myself? I've been at your side for a very long time now. Won't you let me go?"

The room began to crack. The darkness began to spread.

"Stop. Stop please. Don't say that." Tidal Swirl urged as she felt her eyes sting, "Don't say that."

"But Tidal Swirl... I'm strong enough. Don't you believe me?"

"I said STOP!" CRACK! The room was now starting to shatter. The bright light was now beginning to fill up with black and grey colors. Clear Cut was smiling but slowly falling apart. Panic began to grow as voices and whispers began to surround Tidal Swirl's whimpering figure.

Princess Luna quickly reacted and jumped into the middle of the room, "ENOUGH!"

With a stomp of her hooves, the room fell apart entirely into a dark void. Tidal Swirl kicked out in fear but slowly relaxed when she realized how silent it all was. How peaceful. She stared up at Luna in shock. Then, she watched as Luna raised her horn and conjourned up the moon behind her. Along with the moon came the night sky... and then the ground. A sandy ground.

Then water. Ocean water. The sound of the waves hit Tidal Swirl's ears along with the squawks of pelicans and the gentle whistle of the breeze. She stood there, taking it all in. The horizon. The feeling of the wind brushing through her coat...

Her safe place. The very place she always imagined whenever she was stressed or anxious. This helped calm her down...

She breathed out and then turned to see Princess Luna sitting besides her, watching the moon slowly rise in the distance.

"... Princess Luna?"

Luna turned towards Tidal Swirl and smiled, "Tidal Swirl, correct? I've heard of you. Personal assistant to Princess Amore."

"That is correct... Where are we?"

"In a dream, though a more broken dream. You are unconscious but still fighting to be conscious. As you are, you are also losing yourself. If I hadn't come while I did, you might've just lost that last part of your mind to the darkness that was invading."

"You shouldn't have come here." Tidal Swirl turned back to the horizon, "I'm going to die anyways. The dark magic I've transferred to myself will consume me. There is no saving me."

"... Then let me know what has happened in the Empire while you were contained in it. What does that tyrant plan?"

Tidal Swirl's ears fell back, "There is too much to explain and not enough time for it. I have a suggestion. Take my memories. The last bit of memories you can collect before the darkness eats away at it. Maybe then you will have a better idea at what is happening."

"Take your memories?" Luna shook her head, "But if your body ends up surviving this, your body would become a husk with no memories within it if I took them now."

"I don't care if my body somehow survives. It is broken. It is beyond repair." She turned to Luna and bowed her head, "Take my memories. I failed the Empire. I failed Princess Amore. I failed my fellow magicians. And I failed my student... I can not live with this guilt anymore. At least by giving away the last part of myself I can ensure that something can be done. That my mind can finally be put to better use. Please. Before the dark magic takes ahold of me entirely. Before it finally kills me."

"..." Luna sighed and stood, "... Then tell me this before I decide. What has become of the rest of the crystal unicorns in the council?"

Tears began to appear in the corner of her eyes. Tidal Swirl couldn't look up as she spoke, "They died to the hooves of Sombra along with all the crystal pegasi. I am the last crystal unicorn... the last that I know of. I'm sorry. I couldn't save them. The crystal unicorns ends here with me..."

A silence trickled between the two. Luna stared at Tidal Swirl and then carefully lit her horn once more, "... You are not the last."

Tidal Swirl perked up and looked to see two figures appear in front of her. Her eyes widened as she gawked at the both of them. One was a pegasus soldier with crystal-like eyes. Another... was a purplish crystal unicorn with a blue mane, "Radiant Hope." She murmured. Her hopeful gaze flicked between them both.

"I apologize if this does not put you at ease. You've lost many, after all." Luna sighed, "But you are not alone."

"Please." She turned towards Luna, "Please keep them alive. That's all I ask."

"Of course." Luna allowed the two figures to walk away before she approached Tidal Swirl, "Are you certain you want me to do this?"

"Yes. I will not survive this. That I am certain. Take all the information you need to defeat Sombra. You have my permission."

"... Very well." She closed her eyes and focused. This was a spell she never wished to do, but she knew she had no choice. It was either now or never.

She pressed the tip of her horn against TIdal Swirl's forehead... and found herself surrounded with the memories of a young foal growing into an intelligent adult. Luna relaxed into the spell and allowed the memories to flow into her, taking them all as carefully as she could in order to avoid getting overwhelmed.

As she did this however, she didn't notice the darkness that was now snaking their way up to the two. It first tried to latch onto Tidal Swirl who barely moved or reacted as it clambered over her legs, her heart, and across her neck. It clearly felt something wrong however. Her presence... it was getting weaker. Her consciousness within the dream was fading and disappearing.

Luna took in more memories of the attack from the Crystal Empire. There she found the Magic Council facing off against Sombra. In the end, many perished yet Tidal Swirl survived... and surrendered. She hoped in doing so, he would spare her student and her friend.

They all fell before her.

The memories continued from servitude to experiments and punishments. Luna grunted in pain but continued to push on as she tried to learn more. He'd write and ramble. He began putting some trust in Tidal Swirl. She learned as much as she could and continued to be obedient for as long as possible. That is until a young pony named Cozy Glow came along.

The darkness realized where the broken unicorn was going. It hissed and began to trail after the memories that were being stolen away.

Luna felt she was nearing a close when she reached Tidal Swirl facing off with King Sombra until suddenly, she felt this pain erupt in her forehead.

She yelled out and tried to pull away only for some unseen force to hold on and drag her back. She tried to fight against it but it was too late. It saw its opportunity to dive in while she was taking Tidal Swirl's memories and attached itself to the alicorn. Luna struggled and fought until she found herself snapping out of the shattered dream and back into reality.

There she saw a black mist now latching onto her horn, connected from Tidal Swirl's now limp body. Luna let out a shout and tried to pull away. The Scout raced over and cried out. Too much was happening at once.

Information. Dark magic. Voices! So many voices.

Then she saw it. A series of events played out in her head. She watched as Tidal Swirl convinced Cozy Glow to give her the dark crystal. She watched as Cozy found it hidden underneath a book. She watched as a crystal mare named Amethyst attacked others with it... and so on and so on... until she saw the last vision where a younger Sombra stood out in the snow with a dark red crystal. Then he turned towards her.

He stared at her.

The two were in a snowy field waiting and watching. The only sound Luna could hear was the wind brushing against her ear... and soon, his body transformed. It became a monstrous being that screeched and writhed. It twisted in the air before glaring down at her with glowing green eyes. Then with a growling hiss... it pounced. Luna clutched her chest as she felt the dark magic surge within her. It spoke to her and promised her everything. The night. The shadows. They would all be on her side. With power and strength she could become the one to rule all. She could finally reach... understanding.

"Luna!" Radiant Hope shouted as she raced down the crater with The Commander and The Messenger at her side.

The Commander skidded to a stop, "What's happening here??"

"I don't know!" The Scout anxiously pulled at his mane, "I'm not a unicorn, you think I understand this?!"

"She's surrounded by that strange black mist, the same thing this unicorn was surrounded with a moment ago!" The Messenger explained.

"Dark magic. It must have transferred itself to Princess Luna!" Hope gasped, "I can save her, I have to!"

The Messenger whirled towards Hope, "How? What if you get some of that on you too?"

"I won't. Trust me, I can save her."

"Fine, we trust you. Do what you can." The Commander insisted.

"Yeah I don't want to lose a Princess out here!" The Scout shouted.

Hope quickly lit her horn and surrounded Princess Luna in a pleasant, warm light. She breathed in and focused her energy on the writhing alicorn in front of her. She focused on the dark energy that surrounded her and gently coaxed it into a more passive state. She couldn't fully get rid of it... but maybe she could settle it down. Maybe she could allow Princess Luna to fight it if she just weakened to black magic that surrounded her.

Princess Luna whimpered as her body shook. Slowly but surely, she began to calm down... The mist around her gradually vanished and dispersed around her. She groaned in pain and quietly lay there in the snow.

"Is... Is she okay?" The Messenger fearfully asked.

Hope looked her over and sighed in relief, "She's fine. Just exhausted."

"Who's this one?" The Commander went up to Tidal Swirl's body, "Is... Is she..?"

Hope rushed over and lit her horn, attempting to find any signs of life within the broken mare. She searched... and searched... and finally with a shaky breath she spoke, "She's... gone..."

"Do you recognize her?" The Scout asked.

"I've never met her personally, but I know of her. Tidal Swirl I believe. She ran the Empire's Magical Council." Hope lowered her head, "I wish I had gotten here sooner..."

The Messenger placed a hoof on Hope's shoulder, "Don't blame yourself. This isn't your fault."

"But it could be..." Hope muttered out as she stood and turned away from the body, tears stinging her eyes, "..."

The Commander sighed, "We need to move. The storms have been unpredictable. Let's bury the body and take Princess Luna back to camp. Tidal Swirl, I may not have known you well, I may not know what you've gone through, but I hope you know that there are others wanting to save the Empire. I hope you knew before you passed away that there is a chance. A chance to save everypony. We hope you passed with that thought, at least. I'm sorry we couldn't do more for you..." He bowed his head and several others followed suit, save for The Scout who quickly covered up Princess Luna with an emergency blanket.

After mourning the loss of the mare, they then got to work. The Commander and The Scout buried Tidal Swirl while Hope and Love Letter carefully moved Luna back to camp. The group was silent the entire time.

"Princess Luna? You called for me?" The Commander entered the medical tent that Luna had been situated in. It's been a while since the incident and she had been swiftly recovering. As she did, she would often talk strategy and write down information that nopony else was able to gather. They all later reasoned that she was the Princess of the Night. She could have possibly walked through several dreams to gather intel where she pleased.

However there were often times she would just sit and stare into space for a long time. Once, even, The Scout claimed he thought he spotted her talking to herself for a second. Hope personally banished The Scout from the medical tent for saying such things like that. Unless he needed to be treated, of course.

Things have settled down since the incident, though it definitely still clawed at the Commander and Hope. They knew how Tidal Swirl had died, after all. Dark magic...

Now was not the time however. The Commander had more tasks to do, more plans to work on, and a Princess now called for his attention. He obliged her and waited to see what she needed. Possibly to talk about their next scouting mission of course?

"Commander..." Luna laid on a cot, covered in a warm blanket. She had this faraway but considerate look in her eyes as she turned to face him. Her attention previously was on a journal full of notes... "We have a personal question, if you don't mind us asking."

The Commander curiously blinked, "I don't mind. What is it?" He walked up to her and sat besides her cot.

"... What was your missing daughter's name, again?"

The Commander flinched, "... Cozy Glow."

Luna's eyes widened, "Cozy Glow..." She then looked over and plucked up her journal with her magic. With a sigh she nudged it over to the Commander who carefully took it in his hooves. Right there in the pages was a sketch. A small but detailed drawing of a young pegasus hesitantly giving away a crystal with swirling dark magic... His daughter.

"What..."

"She's there." Princess Luna blankly gazed at the journal's pages, "She's at The Crystal Empire."

Chapter 7: Our Own Demise

Cozy Glow panted as she clambered up several more steps, giving her wings time to rest. She's been running up this thing for Celestia or Luna knows how long and it's driving her insane! She can fly over the traps easily but she couldn't just keep going like this. She had to find something soon before she ran out of time. Tidal Swirl could probably hold her own for a good bit but Cozy tried not to rely on it. In fact she was mostly relying on Rubinstein being able to gather what he needed to create an even bigger distraction.

When her thoughts went back to Tidal Swirl her steps began to slow. She'd be okay, right? She'd make it out of it somehow, wouldn't she? There was always a possibility. Even a small one...

...

Doubt clouded her mind as she continued her climb. What was she thinking? Tidal Swirl wasn't going to be alive after a fight like that. Even if she did somehow survive, her body would be broken and mangled. Cozy saw how damaged she had appeared taking in all of that dark magic.

The mental image itself made Cozy sick to her stomach. It just didn't feel fair. Somepony like Sombra was able to use dark magic easily and what does he do with it? He takes over an Empire and enslaves the subjects! Meanwhile Tidal Swirl clearly struggled and she intended to use it to get rid of that annoying pesk of a tryant! Why did magic have to work that way?? She hated that. She hated the unfair advantages and disadvantages of magic. If it weren't for that ridiculous amount of power, everypony would've stood a chance against him but no! He just had to become a one pony army powerhouse!

She swallowed the burning bile rising in her throat and spread her wings. With a few more hops over the laid out traps she continued on in angered frustration.

"Why does he get magic like that and I don't?" She growled, "Why did I have to be born with WINGS? Small ones?! If I was a unicorn... I would be out there, not Tidal Swirl. Instead I'm climbing a POSSIBLY INFINITE STAIRCASE to WHO KNOWS WHERE?! UGH!"

She came to a stop and faceplanted into the next step, "It can't be that far now. It just can't. If I had bigger wings I'd probably be able to just fly all the way to the top... Even then I'd get so TIRED!" She pulled herself up and yelled at nothing, "CURSE THEE SOMBRA! CURSE YOU AND YOUR DARK MAGIC AND YOUR STUPID UGLY FACE! YOU DESERVE TO BE LOCKED AWAY IN THE FARTHEST REACHEST OF TARTARUS! WHEN I BECOME EMPRESS YOU'LL BE MY SERVANT! THEN YOU'LL KNOW HOW IT FELT BEING SO LOW!"

Her voice echoed throughout the crystal empire but she didn't care. She just angrily stomped her hoof down and let out a shaky breath. Her bubbling irritation from earlier had gradually melted away after she had screamed into the heavens as she did. The next thing that came after was exhaustion. With a sigh, Cozy sat down and allowed herself to breath. The fate of the Empire was now in her hooves and yet... she was tired. Riddle with fatigue, Cozy wanted nothing more but to just stop and rest. She wanted to sleep and never wake up.

The filly let out a choked noise and covered her face with her hooves. She just had to climb a bunch of steps. That was it. Then she would get the Heart and she would become a hero! That's what she wanted, right? It was a straightforward plan, wasn't it?

Except it wasn't.

This plan wasn't perfect. This plan could be catastrophic. She could be caught at any time. Even more so with how much noise she had just made. She could be found at the Heart. She could be face to face with King Sombra at any moment.

Then what?

What would she do then?

...

She was just a pegasus. A cute little filly. Could she ever dream of holding her own against a being so powerful? A tyrant that could kill her if he so pleased?

She sat back against the pillar behind her and let out another sigh. For a moment, just for one minute, she allowed her mind to process everything. Everypony she has met. Everything she has seen. Every place she has been. Why? All for a cutiemark? All for destiny? All for fate..?

All to just prove a point?

Cozy believed she could be something more. An Empress was something more. That was her destiny, wasn't it? Her true future? The one the Crystal Heart decided?

...

Cozy grunted and pulled herself back on her hooves. Whatever her future, the only way to find out was to keep going. So she did. She continued her trek to the top of the staircase. There, as she was told, she would find The Crystal Heart.

The laughter of fillies and colts hit Luna's ears as she watched from under a crystal tree. She smiled as memory played out before her of a schoolyard playground within The Crystal Empire. The time for this memory was supposed to be day, but both her and the one who owned this memory found it fitting to make it night. The lilac sky sat just above with sparkling stars looking down at the young students below. It just felt more welcoming to the both of them and so they agreed upon it.

Theses memories, of course, belong to none other than Tidal Swirl. A crystal unicorn from the Empire that has physically passed. Luna had never taken in memories and harbored them in her own mindscape before, so it was a new experience entirely, for both of them. It was like Tidal Swirl was now a part of Luna, but still separate. So the two decided to go through memories together. To try and see if they could better form some type of link that could help with this confusing and disorienting dilemma. The goal wasn't exactly to become one entity however, it was to better feel like what they were now. We. They were a... we. At least that's all they could call themselves now.
Tidal Swirl, at the time, found it hilarious that the way the royals usually addressed themselves as "We" became a way for Luna and her to figure out their own new identity. It was fitting, and appropriate.

"That's Curly." Tidal Swirl, the mare besides her, pointed at a small white crystal unicorn running by, "She was my best friend. Heh, she always loved playing Princess back then. We grew up together and even joined the Council at the same time before I became head of it."

"What magic did she specialize in?"

"Mostly mobility and transportation. Teleportation and all that." Tidal Swirl hummed before turning to a younger purple colt, "I think that one is... Rubinstein. Former head strategist in the Empire army. Think he retired, or liked to, buuuut he still takes the time to assist whenever need be."

"Oh! Wasn't that the same stallion from your more recent memory?"

"... Was it?" Tidal Swirl muttered before the memory suddenly shifted. The playground gradually transformed before the two. Dark crystals formed in the area, unbeknownst to the foals still cantering about, and the sky became a muddled greyish yellow. The two viewing the memories stood and were transported within the castle throne room, where Tidal Swirl looked on at a stallion and a young pegasus filly while in her sickly state. The memory then paused, making all figures in the room freeze where they were. Silence filled what would've been a more chaotic scene.

The two observers went up to the stallion and curiously examined his dull face. Tidal Swirl's memory of the stallion was a bit muted and deformed, since the interaction was quick, but she did remember the colors at least.

"He appears to be similar." Luna speculated.

"Right..." Tidal Swirl sat on her haunches and looked between Cozy Glow and Rubinstein. The last two she saw, sending them both on their way to the Crystal Heart before the final battle. Her eyes narrowed, and Luna knew why. They both shared the same thoughts after all.

"Do you think they were able to retrieve the Heart?" Luna asked as she joined the mare's side.

"They should have... The dark magic guided me to where it was. I saw the secrets within the Empire the moment I absorbed all of it... Shouldn't they have gotten it by now?"

"Possibly."

The two went silent as the memory itself.

Tidal Swirl sighed in concern, "Then why are we still out here in our sector by the Empire territory? Wouldn't we have noticed a change? Wouldn't the sky become clear, and the storms settle? Wouldn't all of Equestria see our victory?"

Luna's eyes widened, "That is... a concerning thought."

"It is our concerning thought."

The princess sighed, "... How long have we been unconscious for?"

Cozy Glow tiredly pushed herself up the last set of steps. She heaved and wheezed out a heavy breath as she finally looked down at something that wasn't a STAIR. Instead it was a floor. A floor to some platform at the very tippy top of this tower she was in.

"Oh look, it's not infinite. Good to know." Cozy let out a shaky laugh before pressing her forehead against the cold, welcomed surface. She then tilted her head and looked over at the soft blue glow that had caught her attention. The reflection of something... something of importance.

Begrudgingly, Cozy raised her head and found herself face-to-face with an old friend.

The Crystal Heart.

She gasped and scrambled onto her hooves. The entire time, her eyes were glued to it. She found it! She couldn't believe she actually found it! The one thing that could save everypony. Save the Empire! It was floating right there, protecting all of them from the cold harsh storms of the north. Checkmate and the other servants were correct. Sombra needed this here.

Cozy carefully approached the heart. The love and joy that radiated from it made her heart soar with hope. Her slow steps became faster and her smile grew as she saw her own reflection.

Then, she stepped too close. An alarm was triggered and she looked down to spot the floor beneath her flickering between black and light blue colors. The area around the heart had been set up to alert King Sombra. At the noise she was quickly reminded of the crystals that had trapped her hooves in a vice-like grip, so she quickly dived away and watched as black jagged crystals suddenly sprang up and surrounded the heart like protective claws.

"NO!" Cozy cried out from the floor and hurriedly flew over. She hovered around the walls and actually managed to squeeze through some openings in order to get to the Heart. However getting it out was a different story. She grabbed onto it and pushed and pulled in an attempt to tug it out of the dark trap. It was too big. It couldn't fit! Cozy struggled with it before finally letting go. She hovered just outside of the trap and watched as more black crystals began to stow away the Heart.

There was no way to get it out of there. She could stay with it, but she could risk getting stuck as well. The crystals continued to grow and patch away the small openings that Cozy was able to squeeze through earlier. There was no saving the Heart now. There was no saving the Empire...

She failed.

"So." A new voice appeared behind her, "This was her plan?"

Cozy gasped and whirled around to find Sombra forming onto the platform. The filly did not hesitate. She turned and flew out of the tower, attempting to get away.

"And where do you think you're going?"

The chase was on. Cozy tried to escape but crystal pillars would suddenly start appearing and clawing out towards her from the tower itself. She frantically flapped her wings and evaded each crystal limb while Sombra appeared and disappeared around her. She soon found herself freezing in place entirely as another appeared in front of her before she turned to see Sombra standing on several rocky crystals.

"Must we do this again?" He asked in a bored manner.

Cozy stared at him... and dropped.

She managed to narrowly plummet past all the crystals that were made reaching out to her and found herself falling down towards the streets below. There she spotted many servants and slaves who had been set free, gasping and watching as she descended.

"It seems they all now know of its hiding spot." Sombra hummed as he made his way to the edge of his crystal pillar, "Very well. It's time to use a new spell I've put together for this very occasion. By tomorrow, nopony here will remember the Heart, or YOU!"

His voice echoed in Cozy's ears as she continue to plunge down. She gulped and prepared to catch herself with her wings. At the same moment, Sombra had jumped down too.

Cozy opened her wings and slowed her descent. With rushed flaps she managed to stop falling entirely just above the heads of several crystal ponies. She let out a sigh of relief before movement in the sky caught her attention. Above her she spotted a falling figure that soon exploded into a large black cloud.

The filly yelled out as she tried to fly off to the side only to get pulled into the mass as it crash landed onto the crystal streets. Many ponies scrambled to get away. She screamed for help while Sombra formed before her within the darkness that still surrounded them, "Hush. You will be my first subject this spell will be used on. I must get this right." He growled as he lowered his head and prepared his spell.

"No! Let me go!" Cozy fearfully flapped her wings but was held still by Sombra's own dark magic. She struggled and fought but she couldn't stop what happened next.

The next thing she saw was an abrupt blast of dark magic.

Rubinstein angrily stuck a spear through the dark mass, "Release my niece at once you tyrant!" He yelled as he tugged it out and attempted to stab at it again.

Several ponies watched from a distance, fearing what would happen if they got too close.

After the stallion failed to cut through the dark mass a fourth time, a small pink body suddenly went flying out of it. He dropped his spear and instantly lunged for the filly, his front hooves grasping at her before he hugged Cozy close to his chest and crashed onto the hard floor.

"Cozy Glow!" He sat up and looked her over. She didn't look injured, but some dark magic twisted and twirled around her head. Something had to have happened to her... Cozy then let out a pained groan and rubbed her eyes.

"Are you alright, Cozy?" Rubinstein asked as he pulled away.

"U-Um..." Cozy carefully pushed herself up, "Uh... who... who are you? Where am I?" She fearfully scanned the streets and clutched her front hooves to her chest.

Her uncle blinked, "What?"

"Where am I?? What's going on?! Who are you?" She questioned, but her eyes landed on something else. Somepony else besides Rubinstein. She was looking... behind him.

"I am your king." Sombra chuckled as he reformed before Rubinstein and Cozy, "And soon, you all will relearn that. Each member of the Crystal Empire is connected to the Heart, aren't they?"

He then formed a pillar underneath him and began ascending upwards, heading towards the tower.

Rubinstein got on his hooves and shouted, "Quick! We need to stop him before he gets back up there!"

"How??" Checkmate came running over with several of the other servants besides him, "None of us here are pegasi or unicorns! We can't get up there fast enough, and we're not sending a foal to try and chase after him either!"

"We can't anyways, I don't think she even remembers how to fly." Rubinstein pointed out as Cozy looked over her wings in a confused manner.

"Wait, what do you mean she can't remember how to fly?"

"He put a memory spell on her! She can't remember where she is or who I am. I don't even think she knows she's Cozy either! If he has a spell like that, he could use the Heart to..." He froze, "To put it on all of us in its radius..."

Checkmate stared at his brother before whipping away to shout, "We need to start climbing, now! We have no choice, just go!"

"Those who can't climb out here get to the throne room!" Rubinstein yelled, "There's a passage that could lead us to the top of the Empire! Hurry, we have to get to the Heart!" He began directing everypony available towards the castle and many began stampeding towards the spires. Meanwhile Checkmate and several others have started to clamber up along several crystal pillars in hopes to get to the top fast enough. Though it was such a long way away. Looking up, Rubinstein understood. They weren't going to make it. Not in this lifetime.

Their one chance to get the Heart... and it was all ruined.

"Father?" Glass Slipper carefully walked up to Rubinstein who hadn't moved at all after giving out the command, "What's happening?"

Frosty Quartz rushed over to Cozy's side and carefully helped her back up on her hooves.

Rubinstein sighed, "Slip. I hope even after this you remember something very important..."

"What's... what's that?"

He sat down and pulled his daughter into a hug, "That I love you."

Slipper felt the sting of tears in the corner of her eyes as she nuzzled against Rubinstein, "I love you too..."

"What's happening?" Cozy stood.

"I don't know... but it's not good." Frosty looked up to see several ponies scrambling up the pillars, "Rubinstein said the Heart was at the top. I guess that's what they're all trying to get now."

"The Heart..? Who? What?"

The colt's ears fell back in concern, "Sombra did something, didn't he?"

"I... I don't know who you're talking about. Or what you're talking about. Have we met before? Who are you?"

"..." Frosty tiredly sighed and sat next to Cozy, his eyes now on the large castle in front of them, "You know... The first time we met, I wondered why your coat wasn't sparkly even though you were part crystal pony. I assumed you were sad, and wanted to make you happy." He chuckled, "Can't do that now. I'm not even happy..."

Cozy sat down and stared at him. She was a mix of emotions right now. Confused, sad, and lost. She couldn't remember anything... anyone... not even herself. Who was she? Where was she? At least it sounded like this colt knew who she was... but his face. It made her concerned.

Her ears fell back at what he had said, "Why aren't you happy?"

"I lost my home. My family is split apart. I don't know where my mom or dad is. They're all probably trying to get the Heart, but I don't think they can reach it in time."

Cozy stared at the empire, "In time for what?"

"... in time to stop something really bad from happening." Frosty bowed his head, "Well, whatever happens next, I'm glad I got to at least be your friend before this all started."

Cozy looked over in surprise, "We're friends?"

"I see you as one."

"Well..." She hesitated before spotting Slipper and Rubinstein nearby, holding eachother close, "As... your friend... Would you like a hug?"

Frosty raised his head, "Yeah, I would like that."

Cozy gave a small smile before wrapping her forehooves around him. He returned the embrace just before chaos ensued and the catastrophe was upon them.

Sombra had retrieved the heart. The moment his dark magic had touched the artifact, he unleashed the mind spell all across the Empire.

Rubinstein held Slipper close to him as he glared at the skies while a light show of purple, black, and green appeared at the very top of the tower. Stones and crystal pillars began to crack and shatter, making several ponies who had attempted the climb to tumble back down onto the streets below. A loud explosion of noise erupted throughout the Empire and darkness washed over everypony.

Then, it went eerily silent...

"Send this letter to Princess Celestia back near the Everfree Forest." Princess Luna commanded as she set a sealed letter in The Messenger's hooves, "We will need our sister here if we are to defeat this tyrant."

Love Letter saluted, "I won't let you down, Princess!"

Luna smiled, "We know you won't. Now go."

The Messenger stashed the letter away in her saddlebags along with another letter meant for a concerned mother in Canterlot. She strapped the bags on her back and was off in an instant. Luna watched from the campsite while The Commander approached her, "Are you certain you want her to go alone? I could send another pegasus to accompany her."

Luna giggled, "She's only heading back to the train station. From there she will be safely in Equestrian territory. You don't need to be too concerned for her... but we guess sometimes you can't help yourself, hmm?" She playfully asked.

The Commander perked, "Um- Well, I just wanted to be sure she'd be safe. That's all." He sheepishly turned away, "Last time she went on a delivery route it didn't go well. I wanted to be sure she was protected this time around."

The Princess comforted the stallion, "She'll be fine. We're certain."

"... If you and your sister are going to attack the Empire, I want to be there." The Commander insisted, "I... I have to be there."

"We understand. This would be like if somepony were to attack my sister Celestia. I'd have to be there for her." It felt weird to say "I" when she now spoke of herself, but it felt appropriate seeing as she mentioned her own family, "It might not be safe for pegasi, however."

"What do you mean?"

"From the memories we've seen, Sombra's defense works in a way where he can set off dark magic in the sky, leaving pegasi useless. Thou can not defend against bolts of magic, unless with magic to counter. The only way to get through safely enough is as an alicorn."

The stallion's crystal pupil bore into Luna's, "Then maybe one pegasus can get through. When you two are here, I could fly behind you. You two can block Sombra's dark magic and, hopefully, I will be able to reach through that way."

Luna stared back, "... That could work. But there's something we must warn you, Commander. A lot has happened in the Empire. This tyrant has done irreversible damage to many, and he has shrouded the land in fear and darkness. He experiments with his magic on others and he's not afraid to hurt anypony. Not even foals."

The Commander felt this bile raising in his throat.

"... And Cozy was the one I sent to the Heart." Luna spoke, but in a different tone. It was a new voice that was a little higher, and more tired, "It has been days now, and she has failed to retrieve it. She has probably been caught and recaptured. I don't know what he could've done to her, if that were the case."

The stallion's eyes widened, "Luna... What could happen to her?"

The princess lowered her head, "I'm not completely certain, but if anything horrendous does happen to her, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..." Tears began to collect and fall off of Luna's cheeks. The memories of Tidal Swirl rapidly flicked through her mind. In fact, right now, she even felt like Tidal Swirl...

The Commander wasn't sure what to say. He wasn't sure what to do. He just took a few steps back and turned, "I... I need to look over the information you've gathered from those memories. I will be in the strategy tent if you need me." He had to be alone.

Luna nodded in understanding while The Commander walked away, processing what she had said. He couldn't lose his daughter. He just couldn't. Out of all the places she had run off to, why the Empire? Why did it have to be the Empire? As he entered the tent his eyes landed on the large map before him. He considered it with a harsh glare.

His family. His daughter. His mission. He had a goal and that was to save everypony. To save his little Cozy. He just had to figure out what to do once he got over those crystal walls with the princesses.

He sighed and dug through a chest nearby to fish out Luna's journal. She liked to write and draw in this whenever she had the chance after she had gained Tidal Swirl's memories. It helped her to more properly go through them, and what they needed for their current plan.

He flipped through the pages and stopped at one with a doodle of his daughter. Of little Cozy Glow.

"Please. Please be alright." He muttered as he clutched the journal close to his chest.

The Scout found himself out in the fields of icy snow, under a blizzard with nothing but a jacket and scarf to protect him from the harsh winds. Not like he really minded. He was used to various weather changes and temperatures on his missions so this wasn't anything too unusual. It was still a lot however. Not nippy, more like freezing.

He was alone... and the reason for that was because this was his personal secret mission. He was heading straight for the Empire. He wasn't supposed to get this close, of course, but he just couldn't help himself. His duty was to scout and gain information! Now he couldn't really do that from a distance. His patrols continued to run him dry. All that there was to report was the weather and the state of the Empire. Which remained the same besides that one encounter. There was no news or information to be had or shared. It was time The Scout took this in his own hooves.

Now he was no pegasus or unicorn, but he was fast and he was determined. He can figure it out! Besides, he hasn't even gotten a good look at the crystal wall just yet! Who knows what secrets it holds? He could also test dummy it and see how it works! If he gets electrocuted well then that's just one thing to report to the Princess!

Bit extreme, but it's the work of The Scout.

Luckily for him the Empire wasn't too hard to spot. Even in this storm he could easily find the tower figure of the crystal walls and the castle itself just peeking above them. As he continued it only got bigger and bigger until finally...

He was at the wall.

He let out a victorious noise underneath his scarf and pulled it down, "Ah! Finally. Now... Maybe if I just walk around the perimeter, which could take days in full, I could possibly find-"

"What are you doing all the way over here?"

"AH!" The Scout jumped and whirled around to be face-to-face with blue crystal eyes. Radiant Hope. The Healer, "I can very well ask the same thing! How long have you been following me?"

"Ever since you left camp after breakfast." Hope responded as she walked over to the walls. She had saddlebags on her back, her own coat, and a cap that covered her ears, "I found a note you had written, attempting to estimate how long it would take for you to scout the entire perimeter of the Empire. You estimated two or three days."

"Yes, it'd be a long while..."

The mare carefully set a hoof on the wall, her reflection stared back at her, "Hm. Especially like this. You shouldn't have come out here all alone."

"Right- look I understand if you think this was silly and we can go back if ya want. I'm sorry to make you walk all the way here, if I had turned around and saw you-"

"No no. I want to help." Hope insisted as she pulled out a potion of some sort, "Here."

She gave The Scout a potion and he took it in his hooves, "What's this..?"

Hope smiled, "A speed potion. The Messenger and myself were each given one for emergencies. To make quick escapes in case Sombra appeared."

"A speed potion?! The princesses gave you two one each? AND NOT ONE FOR ME?" The Scout pouted, "Well that's just unfair."

Hope giggled, "Maybe because you're already very fast! But now you can use it to get through this mission even faster."

"I suppose I can. Alright. Thank you Miss Radiant Hope!"

"Just Hope is fine."

"Aye! But are you certain you want me to use this? Isn't it just your one?"

"I'll be fine. But, if you do find anything... Let me know." She insisted.

"Sounds fair to me! I definitely owe you more than that though. Let's chug this down now already, eh?" Scout smirked before he popped up the top with his teeth, spat it out, and then gulped the contents down his throat. Instantly he felt this rush of adrenaline. He lowered the potion and his eye twitched. The moment he dropped the empty vial he hopped up into the air and beamed, "RIGHT! Off I go then!" In a blink of an eye, he was gone in an instant.

Hope let out a content sigh and decided to get herself comfortable. She began clearing the snow around her and started to set up a small temporary camp underneath one of the jagged crystal overhangs jutting out of the wall. She didn't know exactly how fast the potion would make Scout, but hopefully it won't take too long...

After she lit a fire and sat down with a book in her magical hold, Scout had suddenly reappeared, "OH HOW MAGNIFICENT! You made a fire? Brilliant camp you got here! Anyways, I found something." He rapidly spoke.

"Great Amore that is one speed potion." Hope blinked, "Did you manage to do the entire perimeter?"

"Nononononono- I was at a third, I think, but I FOUND SOMETHING! An opening!" He hopped back and forth on the heels of his hooves as if he was just waiting to get back to running again.

Hope quickly stood, "An opening?? Where?"

"Just North of here! Down that way along the wall!" Scout gestured to his right.

The mare quickly began to repack everything and stomp out the fire, "Well what are we waiting for then?" She hurriedly threw in her book last, "Let's go!"

"Allow me, ma'am!" Scout saluted before suddenly dashing underneath Hope, pushing her onto his back. She let out a yelp and suddenly felt the world speed by her as he ran towards the wall's opening he had found before.

"Ohhhh this is tooooo fast!" Hope breathed out as she clutched onto Scout's neck in fear of falling off.

The journey might've only taken a minute or two, Hope wasn't really paying attention, but the moment Scout found what he was looking for he went screeching to a halt. Hope nearly flew right off his back but he quickly caught her and carefully sat her back down on the snowy floor.

"Ahah, apologies Hope."

"Y-You're... You're fine." Hope shook her head and regained herself, "Whew. Okay. Opening. Right. Where-"

She paused as easily spotted the fissure before them. It wasn't a big opening but it was big enough for a small alicorn like Princess Luna to squeeze through. Several crystals had fallen apart at this entrance, and the way it was formed it looked like as if the walls had collided with eachother during their formation. Possibly this was a point where the walls connected and something went wrong. Still, it was big enough for one pony to slip through at a time.

Scout seemed ecstatic at this discovery, "This is just brilliant! We could report this to the Princess. An entirely new way to enter the Empire!"

Hope raised a hoof as Scout looked just about ready to leave, "Hold on. I want to see what's within these walls."

"What? But that would be entering very dangerous and unknown territory. That's more of a Scout's job than a Healer's. I can't allow you to get caught." His rapid voice gradually began to slow down. It seems the speed potion was about to wear off.

Hope looked him up and down, "How are you feeling?"

"A tad bit sluggish now I suppose."

"... Sorry then Scout, but I don't think you'll be able to stop me from entering the Empire."

"What? What do you mean?"

"There is a side effect when it comes to this type of speed potion. After the effects wear off, you will crash. Meaning you will become very exhausted and won't be able to pick yourself up for a while."

"So if I'm down and can't run..." The Scout perked up in alarm, "Hope you can't go in there. If Sombra found you-"

"Then I can handle him." She insisted as she turned towards the opening.

"Hope n-no!" Scout hurriedly grasped her shoulder only to feel his body become heavy. His legs began to shake and his eyes were starting to droop, "Please, don't go in there. Let's just go back and report to the rest."

"You can when you're ready to." Hope ignited her magic and pulled her saddlebags off her back, "Here. I'll leave you a tent, a sleeping bag, and everything else. I don't need this anymore."

She walked away from Scout who had then abruptly fell to the snowy ground. He groaned as he tried to wipe the exhaustion out of his eyes, "Was... Was that potion really from the princesses?" He managed to ask.

"No." Hope admitted, "I'm sorry I lied to you. Don't worry, the crash should end soon. Just stay warm out here, alright?"

The Scout could only grunt while Hope cleared the snow in the area and set up a small camp. She helped him back onto his hooves only to leave him inside the tent she had made for him. Then, when she finally turned to leave, he softly spoke.

"Please just stay safe in there... Don't get yourself killed miss."

Hope hesitated, "I'll try." and she made her way through the broken opening.

Into the Crystal Empire.

🎵 "Hush little filly, don't wake the ewe. Papa's gonna buy you a crystal shoe~" 🎵 The gentle voice of a young filly filled the quiet room as she dusted off a book with her wing, 🎵 "And if that crystal shoe gets cracked. Papa's going to buy you a crown you lack." 🎵

Sombra's ear twitched in her direction.

The filly carefully placed the book in it's right spot before she continued sorting through the shelf, 🎵 "And if that crown is not enough. Papa's going to buy you the crystal's love." 🎵

"Hm..." The dark king nearby raised his head towards her, "Where did you learn that song, little one?"

"I'm not sure." She truthfully answered as she fluttered up to place another book in its right spot, "I think I had a dream of it?"

"Ah. Dreams." Sombra muttered, "Those can show a lot more than I originally thought, can't they?"

"Sir?"

"Yes, assistant?"

"Did that song bother you?"

"... Truthfully, not at all." Sombra shut one of his spell books and gave it to his small pink assistant, "It was too quiet in here."

The filly took the book in her hooves, "Glad to be of some service then!" She smiled and went to place it on the shelf. She then looked over and spotted the balcony nearby. With one glance at the king behind her she found herself fluttering over to it and scanning the streets of the Empire. It wasn't long before she spotted the ponies below. They were all shackled and shuffling among the streets. Their heads bowed in defeat.

She stared down at them and sighed, "King Sombra?"

"Yes?"

"Why am I your assistant, free to fly where I want, but everypony else is shackled and bounded by your guards?"

Sombra paused at this. He was used to getting questions by now. Questions from every servant, slave, and even his own assistant. When he wanted he would answer them, if to make sure they knew their place, and what they were meant to be or do. This question however almost left him silent... He probably wasn't certain himself why, but he came up with an answer soon enough, "Everypony else is shackled for a crime they don't remember committing. It might be unfair, but it's just. And through this process, they will learn to better obey."
"You are a special case. Like me, you are the only one of your kind in this Empire so far. A little pegasus. I have plans for you, but first you must be devoted. You must prove your loyalty to me. Until then, you are just my assistant. It's a shame, however, that you weren't another unicorn." He grunted and turned away.

Something about that last statement made the filly feel... off. There was this bitterness in her chest and she bit the inside of her cheek when she felt it. Sombra was her king. She shouldn't feel resentment towards him, should she? There was a reason for what he was doing. So she better listen, like she was told.

"King Sombra?" The filly turned towards him and fluttered up onto his desk, "... What is my name?"

Sombra shook his head, "Do not worry about that. You are my Assistant. Assistant is all you will be called until further notice. Do I make myself clear?"

The filly nodded, "Crystal."

Sombra stared at her, "... Hilarious. Now get back to work."

His Assistant bowed her head and then hopped off of his desk to continue dusting the rest of the study. All the while a small crystal hanging from her neck would bounce off her chest as she fluttered about.

She made her way up to a mirror and paused when her eyes landed on her own reflection. A pink pegasus with white freckles, auburn eyes, a rook cutiemark, and blue hair that was more done-up and regal. It curled along her head but was made to not get in the way of her work. She looked clean. Relatively cleaner then most servants and slaves. Even felt nice too. Staring at herself, something bubbled within her. This felt unfair. Why was she being treated so differently over a few small tasks?

Should she be grateful? Relieved?

This was something she wanted, right?

The Assistant wasn't sure. For now, she turned away and tried to keep her focus on her work. She had to get finished and do what she was told.

After all, she didn't know anything else.

King Sombra and the Empire walls were all that she remembered.

Hopefully she'll learn more in due time.

Chapter 8: I Saw Through It All

"... Why did he keep you alive?" Luna questioned.

"Why did he?" Tidal Swirl hummed as she made her way through their mindscape, "Well isn't that a question."

The two would then fall, but they barely even reacted to it. One moment they were walking along a road made of stars, the next they had fallen through a black splot of ink that transformed itself into a memory, all while standing in the same position.

The memory had been frozen. Paused in time. The two would find themselves standing in a cell within the dark dungeons of the Empire. The faint light of a torch provided them little vision and the hard cobble ensured the prisoner within would not escape.
In the middle of it all was Tidal Swirl. Broken and chained. Her wounds were fresh and her horn was snapped clean off. She had just battled King Sombra recently, and she along with many others suffered a terrible loss. Yet somehow, she survived while others didn't. Maybe that's why he decided to approach her.

With permission, Luna closed her eyes and allowed the memory to play out. The still flames suddenly danced where they were, and the soft sobs of the lone prisoner echoed through their ears.

The cell door opened with an ominous creak, revealing Sombra himself. He stepped through and stared down at the defeated mare.

"... Consider yourself lucky."

"Lucky..? Lucky?!" Tidal Swirl had stood to face the self-proclaimed king, "I was meant to lead them. To save them... and now they're gone. And it's my fault. I surrendered, but you didn't stop. I should have just kept fighting when I had the chance. Like my own student did."

"Your student was foolish."

"And you insult him before his body is even cold!" She hissed, "You're more than a tyrant, you're a demon! A monster!"

Sombra approached her, even as she stood her ground, "Exactly. I am a monster. A king of all monsters. And you agreed to surrender to me."

"I only agreed to surrender for them and now they are gone."

"Such a shame then." He grunted, "I suppose you don't want your magic back?"

"... My what?"

"Your magic." He eyed her broken horn, "Even though it is broken, I could experiment and allow you a morsel of your abilities back. It won't be perfect, but it would be something new to work on."

"..." Tidal Swirl stared in disbelief, "Why? Why would you want to do that?"

"In truth, I want to keep myself busy." He nonchalantly shrugged, "There is... a lot on my mind. A project wouldn't hurt to work on while I decide where I want to go from here. What do I want to do with this Empire... with Equestria?" He turned away and began to pace nearby, "Of course there is much more to it than that. I would also like an assistant."

"An assistant-?"

"And..." He paused, "I need to... understand crystal unicorns."

"Understand them?? You killed them all!"

"To prevent magical rebellions, escapes, and unpredictable nuisances. Oh don't look at me like that."

Tidal Swirl glared, "Why me?"

"Because you survived. You're the strongest I could find that I managed to contain but also, you have nothing left. You have nowhere to go from here. Either you stay with me and become powerful again, or you die. Escaping is an option, of course, but let's be honest little one.
What will happen to you once you escape?
You'll become a husk, a shell of what you once were. You're broken. You're no longer that shining councilmare by Amore's side. No. You're a failure. And you would have to live with that for the rest of your life in Equestria. That broken horn will only be a constant reminder.
It will be a scar that you will never be able to heal.
Do you understand?

You're stuck here."

Tidal Swirl took a shaky step back.

"So? What do you say?"

[ Two hours after the memory wipe ]

"Why am I your assistant?"

King Sombra carefully plucked up a crystal shard out from its case as a small pink pegasus idly sat nearby. With a quirked brow her faraway gaze would often scan her new surroundings. It almost reminded him of a lost puppy. Wide-eyed, excited, but also scared and uncertain. He tried to ignore it and focused only on answering her questions.

"Because I lost one and need a new one. And I need to keep an eye on you."

"Why..?"

"Well I can't do everything here by myself-"

"No, I mean why do you need to keep an eye on me?"

Sombra hesitated to answer, "... Because you're young and young ponies have done reckless things before." He quietly brought out a silver chain to wrap around the dark shard.

"What kind of reckless things?" She asked just before he placed the necklace over her head so it would slip down onto her neck.

"Keep that on you at all times."

"Why?"

"Is that all you ever say?" Sombra slightly lifted the shard in his hoof and glared down at it.

"Sorry King Sombra!"

"It's alright to ask questions, but I'm doing something right now. I need to concentrate."

His new assistant hurriedly nodded as his horn bubbled with dark magic. He then unleashed a torrent of colors into the small crystal and both watched as it began to gleam with purple and green colors.

Sombra pulled away and huffed, "There."

"What is it..?"

"Dark magic. You're not a crystal pony, are you?"

"Um." The filly narrowed her eyes, "I don't know..?"

"Hm. You don't look like one. Good, then you should be able to use it without any issue. I suppose that makes one thing easier."

"I can use it?" The filly held up the crystal in her hooves.

"Yes. With practice you will be able to use abilities similar to mine."

"Oh. Okay... but why? Why do you want me to have your abilities, my king?"

"Hm... To protect yourself. I need your help with something dangerous in due time. For now, let me tell you about a few of our future targets, Assistant.

Let me tell you about Celestia, Luna, and Hope..."

Hope gazed at the Empire she once knew and loved. The sky was a murky yellow, the streets a dull grey, and the buildings had fissures all snaking through their walls thanks to pillars and towers that had formed under King Sombra’s rule. It was a disaster, but the state of her home wasn’t as devastating as the sight of the crystal ponies. They were chained to one another and forced to march in straight lines. Their heads were hung low in defeat and their eyes were void of life. Guards stood at the ready with sharp spears and shields in preparation for any escapee and to Hope it was such a dark contrast from the once sparkling city she had lived in.

What had Sombra done?

A part of her didn't care to be seen, but she hid anyways. She kept her coat dull and her eyes sharp on the corrupted soldiers nearby. She found her first hiding spot in a crumbling home, broken and falling apart. Her thoughts raced as she carefully picked her hooves over a fallen vase; what should she do? How could she stop this? If there was even a chance to... Was she getting herself killed, coming this far? Would Sombra strike her down? Spare her? Hope wasn't sure what he'd do now.

Guess the best option for that answer was to find him herself.

She carefully made her way from house to house and fearfully crossed each street; inching ever closer to the Empire itself. She was just about to race to another broken home when a group of guards came into view. Hope swiftly dived back in her hiding spot and waited for them to leave... only to hear a voice. A young, stern voice of a filly.

"Let me say this again. North sector. North! It's not that hard." Hope peeked over to spot a small pink pegasus hovering in front of a large guard. She took out a shining silver trinket from her saddlebags and roughly placed it in their hoof, "Here. Take this compass. Even then you don't need it. Geez, you'd think a guard would know this Empire like the back of his hoof. I already do! And I'm a kid! Now go patrol, you better hope nothing went through that area or so help me. Get going!" She pointed a hoof down the street and the guards obediently followed her command.

Hope curiously looked the filly over. She had pink fur and a blue mane which curled over her head in a neat fashion. She had a rook cutiemark, a jeweled saddlebag, and a dark crystal loosely hanging around her neck. The crystal caught Hope's attention because it was clear it was no normal crystal. It was as black as obsidian and had this purplish tint that not only glowed but writhed around within the sharp stone.

The filly let out a sigh and landed back down on the ground, "Now... What's next?" She muttered to herself as she searched her bags for her list.

As she just about grasped it, she suddenly felt something grip around her. Looking down, she saw this blue glow surround her body, "Wha-"

Hope swiftly dragged the filly over to her hiding spot and covered their mouth before she could scream, "Shhh shh! Calm down, don't panic. Please."

The filly pushed Hope's hoof away, "Peh-! Who are you??"

"Hope. Radiant Hope. Who are you?"

"Hope..?"

"Radiant Hope is a powerful unicorn, but her skills lie heavily in healing. She will not be too much trouble. Especially if you use that dark magic to your advantage." Sombra mused.

"If she is not too much trouble then what could she have done to betray the Empire?" His new Assistant asked.
They were both in a large, expansive library with shelves stacked to the brim with books. It was lonely and dark with only a peculiar candlelight granting them vision. The Assistant hovered nearby. Constantly training herself after her first flying lessons.

"Many things. One was joining Celestia and Luna's side when she could've joined mine." He scanned the shelves and began digging through them.

"What are you looking for, my king?"

Rip! Sombra tore a page right off of one of the books he was searching through, "One of these." He grumbled before burning it into a fine black dust.

"What was that?"

"Something that could bring more harm than good." He sighed before storing it away, "Assistant. Feel free to dust and organize. If you find any books about artifacts or about the Empire, give them to me."

"Oh, alright sir! You can count on me!"

"I hope I can." He muttered out as he pulled out another article to peruse, "If we are to punish the traitor, I'm going to need all the assistance I can get."

The Assistant fluttered away to another shelf that looked a bit more messier than it should. She eagerly got to work... but paused when she came upon a certain book. On the cover it revealed two tall mares with horns and wings. One had a flowing rainbow as a mane and the mark of a brilliant sun. The other's was a sparkling night sky with the moon as her symbol. The filly blinked and glanced over at Sombra. Hesitantly, she flew away to a secluded corner and curiously read through its pages.

Equestria.

A world unlike the Empire, ruled by none other than Celestia and Luna. The symbols of the sun and moon which they moved across the skies.

The ponies under their rule laughed and played. The smiled and lived their lives under clear skies or glistening stars. There were no chains or marching. No war to prepare for. There were unicorns and pegasi along with earth ponies, and they were all safe. Safe and happy.

Everypony looked so happy.

Why? Why was this in the Empire's library? Was it a lie? A trick?

Or was there more to this than she thought?

She lowered her book and hurriedly moved on to another one. She must learn more.

What is the Crystal Empire to the world? What was it to itself?

And why was Sombra against Equestria..?

The little one blinked, "Uh. Assistant. I'm the Assistant."

"Assistant??" Hope narrowed her eyes, "What's your real name?"

"... Real name?"

"Oh sweet Amore. Alright, listen, were you just ordering those guards around just now?"

The Assistant nodded.

"And.. Who are you exactly? I don't remember you from anywhere and Sombra never knew a filly before all this."

Now it was The Assistant's turn to scrutinize the other, "Ma'am, ever since I can remember, I have been King Sombra's Assistant. I don't know what in the great empire you're talking about."

"That's... strange, why would he need an Assistant if he's just chaining up and enslaving everypony else? Couldn't he have just gotten a servant?" Hope pondered.

"I have been wondering that myself." The Assistant admitted.

The two paused and looked each other up and down.

Hope rested her hoof on the other's shoulder, "... Does he make you do this?"

"Do what?"

"Work for him."

The Assistant hesitated to answer, "It is all I know to do."

"And are you happy doing it?"

"..." She wasn't able to answer.

"Hey," Hope caught the little one's attention again, "Help me save the Empire."

"Save the Empire..? From what?"

"From... something I caused. I need to get to Sombra, but all these guards are in the way. Please, he's a friend. I have to speak with him again."

"Well-" The Assistant turned her attention to the castle. Then, she shook her head, "No. I shouldn't"

"What?"

"You can't go in there. It's a trap. I know I can get you there, and I know you could trust me and I can trust you but you can't. You can't go and you can't trust me. He wants you there, and he's going to do bad things to you."

"Assistant what do you mean-"

"Listen to me Hope, please." The filly begged, "I know something is wrong. I don't know why but I know it just is. He wants me to prove my loyalty and this is one way to, by tricking Radiant Hope, but my loyalty is not worth it for the life of another. Please, turn back. Go out the way you came. Return to Equestria."

A silence fluttered between the two.

"... I will if you come with me." Hope insisted, "Leave the Empire with me and we'll both get out of here safely, okay?"

"But... but I have work to do here-"

"No. No you don't. You're just a kid. If you truly believe he is going to hurt me when I meet him and you want me to leave that badly, then you better come with me. I'm not taking no for an answer."

The Assistant sat there, considered her options, and agreed with a heavy sigh, "Fine. I'll keep the guards back. Just go back the way you came from, I'll follow."

Hope smiled and the two made their way back through the streets. Rubble and broken structures became their hideaways as the Assistant managed to guide several guards in different directions, claiming that there was suspicious activity up west or south. They carefully trekked along back the way Hope had come from and, soon, they finally found the last stretch of land before the fissure in the great crystal walls.

The Assistant hovered next to Hope as she stared at the opening just a field in front of them, "How did we miss that..?"

"That's our way out." Hope assured, "From there we can walk along the wall and head back in the direction of-"

"Well. Isn't this a surprise?"

The two whirled around at the voice. The first thing that had caught their eyes was the giant crystal pillar slowly forming before them, then the second thing they noticed was the dark figure atop it. King Sombra. He raised his head and glared daggers at the two.

"... To think I would get betrayed by not only my friend but my Assistant as well. A second time. You two wound me." He growled, "Assistant! You had one job. Lead her or anyone else to the Empire... And you failed that simple task."

The Assistant flinched, "I-I.."

"Don't you DARE speak to her like that!" Hope furiously shouted, "If you're going to get upset at anypony, be upset with me! I was the one who convinced her to leave, and I'm the one that's going to tell you this... You're out of control, Sombra! I can't believe what I'm seeing!"

"Believe it, because it is real. I am no long the young colt you once thought I was. I am a King. King of Monsters... and you will learn to respect that."

"RESPECT THAT?! Sombra, what happened to you? A while ago I had gotten my cutiemark and you were so happy. We were so happy! We lived in a beautiful empire and we were weird, sure, but we had each other, didn't we? Why did you run off..? And why did you come back like this? I miss my old friend Sombra. I miss you..."

Sombra stomped his hoof down, "I AM A KING NOW. AN UMBRUM. I have learned my true nature and for that-"

"OH shut the BUCK up Sombra!" Hope cried out, "I'm done! After what I've seen and heard and know- so many ponies have gotten hurt because of me... because of what I've done and said! Ponies are dead Sombra, and it's my fault!"

King Sombra seemed to... pause, "What..?"

"It's my fault... I'm sorry. I didn't want this to happen. I didn't want to hurt you or everypony else that got involved. I just wanted you... back..." She lowered her head in defeat.

The Assistant looked over and noticed tears starting to fall from her cheeks.

Sombra's gaze became a conflicted glare. He wasn't sure what to say, "You're... blaming yourself?"

"Yes! I am! I should have been a better friend to you!"

His expression softened, "Hope what are you talking about?" Sombra's voice changed to something more familiar, something that was once more innocent and true to himself, "A better friend? You were the best friend I could ever have."

"Then why did you run away from me? What did I do wrong..?"

"I-..." The king went silent.

Nobody moved, or wanted to. They were as still as statues with only the breeze dancing through their manes. The tension grew each passing second.

With a heavy heart, Hope finally spoke, "Assistant. Run."

"Wh-What?"

"Run." She then lit her horn and glared up at Sombra, "I'll keep him back."

Sombra perked up in surprise before he felt Hope's magic surround him. He was plucked up into the air and tossed to the side where he crash landed into the nearest snow pile besides them.

"Go filly!" Hope insisted.

"Not without you I won't! We both need to leave." The Assistant placed a hoof on the crystal hanging from her chest and suddenly unleashed a torrent of dark magic from the stone. It transformed itself into black tendrils which protectively hovered around the filly.
"I can protect myself. Just head to the opening."

Hope blinked in surprise but spotted a glimpse of Sombra pulling himself up, "Fine, just stick by me!"

As Hope rushed towards the exit with The Assistant following close besides her, King Sombra let out an angered roar before he threw himself into the ground. There he dispersed into the shadows that would lunged for the two of them only to sprout upwards once more as crystalline walls and barriers to block their way.

Hope lit her horn once more and focused most of her energy in teleporting The Assistant and herself just on the other side. Sombra whirled his head around and ignited his horn, his aim landed on the Assistant as he shot a bolt of magic towards her.

"AH!" The Assistant nearly avoided the beam of dark magic, "Missed me!"

"Did I?"

The beam had created a dark splotch on the ground which, once it had solidified against the snow, transformed into a pillar of crystal which came shooting out to sharply jab at the filly just above it.

The Assistant let out a shout as she was suddenly flying into another a crystal tower. She slammed into its walls and lay limp against one of its jutting overhangs, "Ugh..."

Hope went skidding to a halt, "No!" She then abruptly teleported herself over to where The Assistant was only to feel an immense amount of dark magic surround her. Caught in Sombra's magical hold, she could only scream as she was tossed across the field and into another pile of snow.

She grunted and swiped the snow off her face.

"End of the line, Hope." Sombra growled as his horn sparked with green and purple colors.

Just as he was about to strike, something had lashed out against his side and sent him tumbling into another crystal pillar. He went crashing against it and let out a choked gasp.

The Assistant stepped up onto the tallest pillar and raised her wings. Besides her were several shadow limbs, controlled by her and the crystal on her neck, "Leave her alone King Sombra!" She called, though clearly wobbled where she was. Her firm gaze would droop and her breath became heavy.
Even then, she still stood tall above the field.

"Hmph... I teach you and train you and this is the thanks I get?" Sombra growled as his horn bubbled and sparked, "I've had enough. You are relieved of duty, Assistant."

Hope stood, "Sombra wait!"

A beam of dark magic went shooting for the filly. She swiftly dodged out of the way as stones and debris went flying behind her. With hurried flaps she made for the air, only to hear a familiar alarm blare out in her ears. Before she could figure out where it was coming from, crystals had already began sprouting around her neck and along her wings. She looked down to see the crystal on her neck was giving off a glow as her body became stiff from the jagged stones. The Assistant cried out as she dropped out of the sky and down into the crystals below where her body slammed against the harsh ground.
She went tumbling down into some snow and melted into a heap of cold pain. All she could do was groan as the crystals continued to grow around her.

"Kid!"

Sombra turned towards Hope and shot another beam of dark magic towards her.

She hurriedly blocked his attack and stumbled away, dashing behind a formed pillar of crystal, "Listen Sombra! It doesn't have to be like this!"

"But it does. It's more complicated than a simple broken friendship. You have betrayed me and so has this one, too."

"That one is just a filly thrown into this mess! And I didn't betray you, I asked for help!"

"That HELP wants to destroy me!"

"Then don't give them a reason to destroy you!" Hope carefully emerged from her hiding spot and offered her hoof, "Please Sombra, come with me. Let go of the Empire. You don't have to keep doing this..."

"..." King Sombra stared down at Hope, "It's not that easy. Especially not now. We can't just go back to how things were. Ponies are dead, Hope. No one is going to forget that."

"But-"

"ENOUGH!" Another beam shot towards her, except this one hit. A scream rang out as it hit Hope's chest and sent her barreling into another pillar.

Sombra looked on in shock, but glowered when she moved her head and lit her horn. Their eyes met before she quickly teleported away into another hiding spot where she could swiftly heal her new injuries.

"Ugh... Where is The Assistant..?" Hope muttered to herself as she scanned the area to try and find the little pink bundle of feathers hidden under the crystal field.

Sombra snapped his head towards Hope's direction and began stalking his way up to her. He was just a couple of steps closer to her very hiding spot when suddenly- SPLAT! He was hit dead on by a flying cold snowball. Surprised, Sombra reeled back and wiped the snow off his face, "What..?"

"Ello tall dark and handsome!" Said a voice before a grey and white stallion suddenly bounded forward and sent a swinging hindleg kick into the King's face. Sombra stumbled back in surprise and whipped his head over to the newcomer.

Hope perked up, "Scout!"

"Mind keepin ya hooves off the missus? It's rather inappropriate." The Scout snickered.

Sombra looked rather unamused.

"Scout you need to leave!" Hope urged.

"Not without you I ain't! Yeesh you're terrible at sneakin' round if you get caught by the BIG BAD himself! Now you right ol' bloke, let's see what you got!"

"An earth pony against a unicorn with powerful dark magic..? Hilarious." Sombra ignited his horn and unleashed several shadows along the ground floor. Those shadows began racing forward to form pillars and pillars of jagged crystal as they lunged straight for The Scout.

"Oh I'm not just A earth pony. I'm a FAST earth pony." The Scout abruptly jumped up onto a pillar that formed underneath his hooves and leaped off of it into another one. He clambered all the way to the top where he hopped off to land across another overhang of crystal. The shadows made their way up to The Scout as he continued climbing from one pillar to the next in a rapid succession. The only time he slowed down was when he was right in front of Sombra himself.
With a salute, the pony then fell back just as another jab of sharp crystal sprung up across their vision.

Sombra felt rough stone slam into his chest and he reacted by dispersing himself into the shadows. His new form flew up into the sky as he scanned the area for the two.

The Scout went bounding down against a pillar and came to a skidding to a halt besides Hope. He smiled down at her, "Nice seein' ya again."

"You shouldn't be here."

"Neither should you. We need to leave."

"Wait, before we go we have to get-" Hope wasn't able to finish when the pillar besides them suddenly exploded into shards and debris. The two covered their faces with their hooves, but Hope would find herself suddenly plucked up and taken into the air by a dark force. She let out a shout as she struggled against the black cloud. Her horn came alight as she prepared a spell.
Before she could fully cast it, Sombra then dropped her back down into the field of crystals below. She twisted her body so she was now facing him. With her back towards the ground she shot a beam of pure white light in his direction.

The monstrosity above let out a screech as it writhed around the bright colors before it slowly transformed back into the more physical body of Sombra himself. He clutched his chest as he felt this overwhelming amount of light, harmony, and love pump through his body. It was only a passing moment, but it easily caught him off guard. So much so that he hadn't even noticed he was falling until he heard Hope's piercing yell.

"Hope?!" He swiftly dispersed into shadows once more before he crash landed into the same jagged stones she did. He hurriedly regained his bearings and formed atop another tall pillar where he could view from above. There, he spotted Hope on her side, laying limp on the ground.
Sombra flinched as a pang of guilt and fear rushed through him. He hadn't killed her, had he?

"Hope!" The Scout rushed over to the mare's side, "Hope hey, it's alright. I'll get ya out of here..!"

Sombra placed a hoof over his chest and glared down at himself. What kind of spell did she cast on him..? It didn't feel right in this body but... it felt familiar.

As he tried to figure out what was happening to him, Scout had already pulled Hope onto his back and booked it across the the crystallized field. The King perked up in surprise before giving chase, transforming himself back into the shadows so he could make ground against the fast stallion.

The Scout managed to get by all the crystals before Sombra even hit the floor. He pushed himself across the last stretch of land to ensure that Hope could possibly get out of here safely. Even by just a small slim of a chance. He was not going to have somepony die on his watch!

Sombra was now at his heels but he didn't care to notice or look. He just ran. He ran across the field and kicked up the snow behind him. His hooves pounded harshly against the ground and his vision was entirely zoned in on his target. The exit. With each stride it got closer... and closer... until finally.

BOOM!

The Scout went flying right through just as Sombra was upon them. Walls of sharp, jagged crystal hurriedly formed within the opening and loomed over the two as they collapsed and crumbled just on the outside of the unbreakable wall. A dark mist began to appear and surround what was once their passage into the Empire.

The Scout let out a pained groan and slowly raised his head, "Hope..?"

She laid on the cold ground, unresponsive. The stallion hurriedly crawled to her side and placed a hoof over her neck. After a heavy pause, he let out a relieved sigh. A pulse. She wasn't dead.

He couldn't celebrate for long however. From the dark mist, a figure began to approach. The Scout whipped his head around and swiftly scrambled back on his hooves. As Sombra appeared, the other would move between him and Hope. He protectively stood in front of the unconscious mare and held his ground.

"You might just be one of the most bravest or the most dumbest earth pony I have ever met." Sombra growled.

The Scout smirked, "Don't underestimate us. We have our own strengths as well."

"Hm." Sombra glanced over at Hope who still lay limp in the snow. The Scout stepped in the way.

"Staring ain't very polite either. You best leave her alone or we're gonna have a good ol' brawl on our hooves."

"Is she alive?"

"What's it to you? Mind your business!"

Sombra chuckled, "You are very foolish... but admirable. Go then."

"What?"

"Leave. I don't think I care anymore." Sombra turned away, "She is one of the last crystal unicorns. Is it really worth the trouble to kill her when I've already rid of many others? I've already seen what she's capable of today and it was very underwhelming. Perhaps I have put too much thought into it. The crystal unicorns have no chance against me. Just like you have no chance as well. I could end both of your lives... but what's the point in it now?"

As he blasted several more crystals along the fissure to reinforce the breach, The Scout stared on.

"What are you on about, Sombra?"

"If you want a chance to live, I suggest you take Hope and your cruddy supplies and leave." Sombra growled, "I must prepare for a more serious battle than this pitiful display. I know your dear princesses are coming and I shall not waste any more of time with an earth pony. So again, if you know what's good for you. Run."
The king then disappeared back into the mist. The shadows surrounded his form and hid him away, taking him back into the Empire itself. What he left behind in his wake was a new barrier of dangerous crystal that clawed out at the sky and threatened to jab at the nearest intruder.

The Scout slowly backed away before tumbling over to Hope.

He gathered her things and secured her on his back. Once settled, the stallion began to make his way back towards camp with the help of a compass.

"The... kid..." Hope's voice whispered in his ear.

Scout came to a pause, "What?"

"Where... is she..?"

He looked up at the walls behind them. A kid? He never saw a kid while he was out in the field.

The Scout didn't leave someone behind... did he?

"Explain."

They were in the throne room. Sombra was pacing the floor with The Assistant confined in place thanks to the jagged crystals that surrounded her. Like a little birdcage, it was cramped and temporary prison to hold her in place.
The Assistant breathed in, "You were going to hurt her."

King Sombra shook his head as he passed her, "She betrayed the Empire, Assistant. Of course I was going to hurt her. She must be punished for what she has done."

"She didn't betray the Empire, she betrayed you." The filly bravely raised her head, "My King, why are your subjects chained? Why are they called slaves? And why do you experiment on them? You do not sound like a king to me."

He lowered his head to her eye level, "Even after all that's happened you're still very rebellious aren't you? I don't remember ever teaching you morals."

"You have a lot of books in your library. It's only fair I read them too."

"Ugh. That library." Sombra raised his head, "I should just burn all those old books and start over again."

"Burning books too? You read through so much of them isn't it only right to keep it?"

"That library is not mine." Sombra grumbled, "It belonged to another more virtuous than me. Princess Amore. And now she's been scattered to pieces among the corners of Equestria. But why do I bother telling you this? I will just adjust your mind once more. You especially are too smart for your own good."

"I knew something was wrong."

"You won't anymore." Sombra's horn bubbled in preparation, "You have gone against me several times and failed in each rebellious attempt. Each revolt went down thanks to my prowess and abilities. It's tiring that you continue to go against me... but maybe if I broke down your hope, you will finally see that the smartest move is to give in to me."

"What... What do you mean?" The Assistant pressed back in her makeshift cage.

"You want to remember? I will let you remember. I will let you remember each and every time you've failed. Each and every time you were defeated by me, and I will make sure that feeling does not go away. Anytime you even THINK of rebelling against me, those thoughts will resurface... and next time, you will think twice."
He raised his head and readied his spell.
"And you will help me destroy the princesses. Once and for all."

The carriage rattled and shook against the harsh winds. The world outside her window was practically blanketed with snow in an unwelcoming show of dominance against the more peaceful weathers of Equestria. It was freezing and it was cold, but it was not unexpected.

Celestia had not prepared much for warmth but instead for battle as adorned on her body were the forged golden plating of her armor and the shining shield of the sun across her side. Sitting in front of her sat a young but excitable pegasus mare. The Messenger. She would occasionally shift in her seat and stretch her wings throughout their travel. Celestia could very much tell they were just itching to fly once more. However, she insisted The Messenger allow her wings to rest and convinced her to ride along.

After all, a storm was coming. Everypony available was going to need all the energy they could get.

When the carriage finally came to a stop at the squadron's camp, The Messenger was the first to exit. She happily greeted The Commander who seemed... very troubled, before they turned to watch the Princess of the Sun step out into the freezing snow.

Her younger sister, Luna, approached.

"Sister. We're glad to see you've safely arrived."

"And I am grateful to see you are still in one piece, Luna."

The two sisters smiled and pulled each other into an embrace with their wings.

"Now," Celestia stepped back, "On to more serious matters. Is there anything new to report-?"

"Actually, there is." The Commander announced, "The Healer and Scout. They've gone missing."

Luna perked up in alarm, "Where did you see them last? Where is Hope?"

"Last we saw them both was this morning at breakfast. Then they seemed to have vanished. The Scout tends to go out on patrol by himself from time to time, but the Healer had vanished along with him. We're not sure if-"

"Healer down!" A voice cried out in the distance.

Everypony whipped their head in the voice's direction to find The Scout carrying The Healer on his back. He let out an exhausted breath and continued forward through the last stretch to camp, "Healer down!" He called again.

Princess Luna and The Commander were the first to react. They hurriedly flapped their wings and made their way over to the two just before The Scout collapsed from exhaustion. Several more began to join them, but by then The Commander was helping Scout back onto his hooves and Luna had already plucked up Hope in her grasp. She anxiously looked over the mare and noticed small bits of dark crystal along her horn and legs. Hope was unconscious, but from one quick check of her pulse, still alive.
Even then Luna couldn't relax. As they took the two into the medical tent, Luna was quick to join the mare's side.

Celestia stepped in after her to see her younger sister casting a healing spell along the unicorn's wounds.

"Sister..."

Luna perked, "We need our healer up and ready. We will stay by her side until she is... awake or properly healed. She is very important for this mission."

"What happened out there, Scout?" The Commander asked as he offered the stallion a water pouch.

Scout eagerly drank from it, "Ugh... You're not going to like this, but we might have found an opening in the wall... and gone through it."

"Why?" The crystal pegasus growled, "You should have just come back and reported the opening itself."

"I wanted to. But Hope had other plans. She entered on her own, and we faced King Sombra. I managed to kick the bloke in the face and get out of there with 'er! It was amazing, you should have seen how he-"

"That was very brash of you two! If I had lost any of you-!"

"That's enough." Celestia firmly approached, "Scout. Is the opening still there?"

The stallion sighed, "No, your highness. I'm sorry, but he found it and patched it right back up."

"Then we'll have to continue with our original plan. Rest well, hopefully by tomorrow this will all be over soon. Sister, are you able to join us?" She turned to Luna expectantly.

The younger princess hesitated, "Allow us some time, we still need to make sure our healer didn't suffer any irreversible damage."

Celestia nodded, "I understand. We will be discussing strategy with The Commander if you need us."

"Very well. We will accompany you soon."

Celestia made to leave with The Commander following behind her. Of course not before giving Scout a sharp but concerned glance on the way out.

When the two entered the tent, a few other high-ranked soldiers were already there waiting expectantly for the princess.

With a heavy sigh, she spoke, "Thank you for all coming. I'm afraid, however, that not many of you will be able to join us in the final battle. From the notes I have gathered, the walls are impenetrable. Earth ponies are not able to break through. The tyrant also has a spell to cut off unicorn magic, making them useless in battle as well. There is a possibility for pegasi to fly over the walls, but even then they could get shot down if unprotected with magical help."
"The best course of action for this is for me and my sister to ride into battle together. However, we may be able to allow one to accompany us." She glanced over at The Commander by her side.

The pegasus nodded, "I could fly behind you two as we enter the Empire. While you fight Sombra, I will be there to keep back any corrupted crystal ponies that he decides to send out."

"Why only him?" One soldier spoke up, "I am a pegasus too, and I'm very skilled with the shield and spear. Surely I could have been a good pick as well? Any of us who could fly, really, could have been a good pick."

Celestia turned to them, "The Commander is very skilled as well, but that is not all."

The Commander raised his head, "The Crystal Empire is home to my family. My brothers, nieces, and nephews. However, there has also been report of my daughter, who had run away recently, also being contained within those walls. I must go into battle with the princesses. Not only for the Empire, but for my family as well."

"Perhaps having a personal attachment to the Empire isn't a good idea when going into battle?" A unicorn mare spoke.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well the more attached you are to a mission or a war the more likely you are to do what you can for it, of course." She continued, "I know you will do anything to save that Empire... But what if that's used against you? And... what if you fail?"

Luna had entered the tent, satisfied after ensuring Hope would be alright.

"Fail?" The Commander glared down at the map in front of them.

The third soldier spoke up, "It would hit you the hardest, seeing as this means everything to you. Commander, I apologize, but what if after today you don't win..."
"And the Empire falls?"

The Commander tried to focus on the Empire up ahead as he trailed after Celestia and Luna. The younger princess had been hesitant to let him come along, but agreed after conflicting herself several times. It was odd to see, but he chose not to question it.

As they traveled to the walls with a squad ready behind them, The Commander found his thoughts going back to the meeting in the strategy tent. One soldier had argued they were just as capable and someone with personal attachment to the empire as himself should not get involved. After some argument, insistence, and finally the command of the Princesses themselves, The Commander was chosen to accompany them and that was that.

When they finally made it to the walls it was hardly very ceremonious. They had thought it would be worth the attempt to bring a group of specialized rock farmers along to try and examine the wall one last time to find some flaw in the crystal, but their findings had come up dry. This was it then. The moment the princesses and himself would be against the dark tyrant.

Luna turned to The Commander, "Are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be. My daughter is in there. I must make sure she is home safe after all is said and done."

Celestia nodded, "We will do all we can to make sure the Empire and your family is safe. Prepare, for we are about to take flight above the wall."

"Your wings are strong enough," A nearby soldier spoke, "It'll be a climb, but you three should all be able to make it."

Luna raised her wings, "Stay behind us Commander. In the sky, we'll protect you."

The Commander readied his own and got into position. The two sisters assessed the wall and glanced to one another.

"Shall we, sister?" Celestia crouched.

"We shall."

Then, in silent agreement, the three took off into the air. The Commander, set on his goal, carefully focused on each flap of his wing. He pushed against the air, against the snow, and against the climb. No matter how much gravity tried to tug him to the ground he did not back down. He kept his pace and he kept it firm. Firm enough that he was able to match the speed of the alicorns above him. No matter how tired he felt or how his wings burned from the dropping temperatures,

he would not give up on his daughter.

A small crystal shard gave off a gentle glow from where it hung on the filly's neck.

A young pink pegasus in a brown cloak carefully stepped out onto the balcony where her king awaited. Her dull crimson eyes would expectantly stare at him while his own vibrant ones scanned the walls around the Empire.

"Assistant."

"Yes, my king?" She droned out.

"There have been reports of activity in the eastern section. You know what that means." King Sombra turned towards the small filly nearby, "Prove your loyalty. Prove your worth. Let us take over Equestria."

"Then maybe one day, you'll earn what you desire. You will become Empress of the Empire."

The filly's neutral expression was interrupted by her small "Heh." She shook her head and smirked, "Of course."
"Let them fail again."

Author's Note

Fun fact: I was actually going to introduce a pink rock farmer mare. Scout and her were going to meet because I wanted to hint at those two being PinkiePie's ancestors BUT- WELL- Didn't have room for that.

You have no idea how upset I am about it.

Oh well, I can always save that for something else later, but yeah The Scout is Pinkie's great great great something grandpa! Nice little piece of random history right there for ya lol.

Oh yeah, and the next chapter is something I'm going to REALLY dig into.

The. Big. Fight.

And this time, I promise, it is definitely going to happen in that chapter. I wanted it to happen in this chapter but, well, I couldn't fit it in. That would have been SUCH A LONG CHAPTER I'm not gonna lie.
Sorry everyone!

Until next time~!