Gazing intensely at the clock that hung over the teacher's head, everypony in class was waiting for a taste of that sweet freedom sauce. It's as if time itself slowed to a crawl, or even stopped completely save for breathing. All that could be done is wait, and waiting leads to boredom, which leads to a distraction from that in the form of thoughts. Various thoughts about various things that one could easily get lost in, the current one being of how in a few seconds it’ll be winter break and that somehow jumped to thoughts of The Crystal Empire and how it’s right next to Mount Everhoof. That’d be a fun place to visit for the break, maybe even climb it. Like that’s ever going to happen! What is happening though is the minute-hand finally moving to perfectly align with the 50. This got several hoards of young ponies rushing out of their respective classrooms to form an even larger crowd, most of which sticking with their friends as they made their way out. Others being left alone as they broke away from the cluster and made their separate ways home.
One of which was a brown-coated earth pony, one with a black mane and tail with green tips at the ends of them, followed by freckles of a deeper shade of brown and ears that're usually lowered, even when in a good mood. Not to mention the hat, scarf, and leg warmers, all of which of varying colors. Finally the cutie mark, a splotch of yellow paint to show that this one is lacking one and is covering up what isn't there. This..
..Is Crazy Cap, one of many who attend a school in Canterlot that's not too noteworthy, especially compared to the other one a couple blocks away, but I need not get into that. Now then, Cap took their time on the way home to watch the pegasi prepare the weather as they walked throughout the city, sometimes centimeters away from bumping into something but never quite. It's just too interesting seeing something that didn't go on where they're from actually happen, especially for rain. Those clouds becoming darker with the rest of the sky as rain made itself known always being able to spark joy, and here it is once more with a single drop falling on their nose, then another. A light drizzle, but taking a look up would prove that it's going to amount to a lot more. So much more by the looks of it that their walk turned to a trot purely out of not wanting to get absolutely drenched, most they'd allow is partially soaked.
And yet, that limit will soon be reached as more droplets of rain fell and the pony's speed picked up as they went towards a more residential area of the city. That's where the speed dipped as they looked around, most houses being similar and the fact that they recently moved here didn't help. The only indicator being their mother, Cinematic Tale, standing right outside setting up Hearth's Warming decorations. There's not much to her visually, just a monochrome pegasus mare with streaks of red in her mane, a clapperboard cutie mark, and a festive tune being sang to herself. That came to a halt when she noticed the child who's tied for favorite in her eyes, the other being out running with the rest of a team. "You're back sooner than expected, so much so that you just missed the mailmare. There's something for the both of us, want to see what's inside?" She said, lifting one of her wings to reveal the mail she had on her and getting those out with her mouth. A nod from the younger of the two already got the older one opening the door for the both of them to enter, leaving the lights dangling for now and the door kicked back to being closed.
Finding themselves at the kitchen table, the sealed papers were spit out with the one having Cinematic's name on front, so that was looked through first. It definitely had a fancy presentation, snow-white paper with a scarlet stamp in the middle and no return address. Holding it down with a hoof and tearing it open with the other, it was certainly.. odd. An invitation to join a 'multiversal tournament' called 'Smash Bros', it looked like some sort of joke but the presentation was too well put together to be. Yet the two treated it as such, bursting into laughter and putting it into the trash.
Next is Cap's letter! This one's presentation isn't as well put together just looking at how the stickiness is already coming undone and how it has very faint shades of yellow splattered about, the name on the front simply read that it was from somepony named Tabletop, a name that instantly the joy in the air. "Oh.. it's him." Cap spoke with hostility in their voice at just the name, but still decided to open it up and see what the guy wanted.
"So what is it?" Cinematic asked, curious to what gave her kid such a conflicted expression.
"He wants me to go stop by Las Pegasus and help work at the game lounge for the break, it's tempting to just toss the letter and forget about it but also.. bits are nice."
"True, y'know if you want to pack up what you want to bring and catch a train, now's your chance since I don't really want you outside by yourself at night."
"Then I shall do exactly that!" Was what Cap proudly announced as they made their way to their room and flung their saddlebags off their back, opening those up and immediately forgetting about them to rest on the floor and feel. Feel all sorts of things about various things, though they all circled back to the Power Ponies series and how the latest issue is sitting on a wooden desk, waiting to be read. Getting back up, the packing up process can finally begin!
School supplies? Everything except the pencils must go.
Extra hats and scarf? Is that even a question?!
Personal notebook and sketchbook? Can't be nearly as creative without them.
Wallet? Wallet. Holds 20 bits, enough to get a train ticket and something more.
Toothbrush? Colgate approved.
Comics? Can't wait to re-read every issue on the train, only the reboot because the version before that had a major consist-
Alright that should be everything! Which is good because these bags are almost full, emphasis on almost. Only a snack can fill this portion of the void, so a return to the kitchen it is! It was a journey full of nothing but struggle and hardships along with self-doubt if they'd be able to make it or not. The cold becoming nearly unbearable but they pushed through, from the land of a wall full of drawings and a comfy bed to the harsh wasteland of the living room that stood so close to where the food resides. The mere thought making the mouth of anyone water, but alas, it's nearly impossible to achieve. So here Cap found themselves, laying back on the floor admitting defeat and groaning.
"What are you doing?" Their mom asked while looking up from writing the script of a performance worthy of a prestigious big shot.
"I was feeling gluttonous then sloth hit me mid-way through and now I'm feeling kind of wrathful, I fear pride is going to hit me any second now.." Cap responded, struggling to get back up from the sheer weight of the sins crawling on their back.
"Are you really trying to hit all 7 before you finish packing up?"
More groans and they're back up with a newfound energy, one that gives the feeling that they could take down Celestia herself, even if just about anyone can do that with enough determination. Taking a look through the kitchen, all there is to say is, "..uh oh, here comes lust." Ultimately, boxes of apple juice and several peanut butter crackers were what was chosen, because these have no age limit and anyone who says otherwise is a peck-neck. Now the saddlebags are at their limits, any more and they'd instantly rip and tear until it's done.
"And that's all! Ok imma head out now, but first.." An umbrella at the front door was picked up and somehow wrapped around with a hoof, then the door opened back up with the same leg. Finally they walked away from the door, the crashing of the rain against the pavement becoming the tiniest bit more faint as they approached Cinematic and gave the mare a hug, "I love you." Being what the two said to each other, then standing in each other's company for a couple seconds before breaking off to their own things. Writing and stopping in the doorway with one more thing to say respectively. But the words just wouldn't come out, so they closed the door with one more gentle kick and headed out with an open umbrella and a goal of bringing back a souvenir, even if they moved from Las Pegasus, another taste of old home couldn't hurt.
Wandering around the soaked streets of Canterlot, a horrible realization set in. They have no idea where that train is! Good thing there's a conveniently placed vendor outside with a cart and umbrella attached to the it, plus if you look close enough there's a little umbrella on the big one. Seems like it's a symbiotic relationship. Under both of them, however, is a haydog selling unicorn who looks ready to call it quits. “I mean, who’d even want to get street food in this weather. No one likes wet hay!” He said to himself before locating a lone potential customer, one who also took notice of the stallion and approached him.
Setting the personal umbrella down and reaching into one of their bags, a wallet was pulled out much to the pleasure of the salespony. “Hoi, do you sell chili dogs?”
“That and so much more!” He beamed, picking up a scooper and set of prongs with a red aura, putting the food together with such precision and speed and dare I say.. grace? It was a treat to just watch it be set up with love and care put into it, he even put a tiny umbrella just to make it fancy. “That’ll be 5 bits!”
Getting their wallet open, just that amount was shaken out before the object was put away into the void known as saddlebags, and after wrapping a hoof around the umbrella once more, the chili dog was what replaced it on top of the hoof after the two said, “Thank you” to each other. “Oh yeah, the reason I approached you! Do you know where the train station is?”
“The place that makes a theater's snack booth look like a charity? Yeah, just keep going straight and don’t slip.”
“Ok thanks!” And they’re off at a trot that’s bordering on having the ‘dog as well as the foal it’s being carried by slip, but no matter how close they got to it amidst the torrential downpour, it never came to that. Aside from that nothing too eventful went on, just that before anyone knew it, the greatest haydog was devoured leaving Cap with a mixed feeling of satisfaction and sadness purely because the only step up from what was just eaten is garlic bread and everything else would be plagued with being not as good. Also the train station was reached but that's not as important in the eyes of a certain somepony who values spicy food having the perfect amount of kick to it.
Especially because the area is far too crowded, so much so that the sheer number of ponies is downright terrifying. But the goal is just within reach, all that has to be done is purchase a ticket and wait for the train. Should be simple and clean, right? There's what might be the conductor behind the glass, this horse has no idea and honestly the one narrating doesn't either. Ticketmaster, perhaps? That's a fitting name since she's selling tickets and is difficult to approach, despite the tired look in her eyes that shows all she wants is to go home and rest, she somehow got their legs to lock with a fearful look overtaking their face. No matter how hard they tried, the closest they got was shaking, it only intensified when a very distant but still audible blare of a train. It's fast approaching and they can't miss this.
"Alright, let's get scratchin' ", They said to themself in an attempt to get things unlocked, but everything that approaches the ticketmaster results in either a lack of movement or walking backwards, away and back to the rain. But what if it wasn't like that? What if instead of there, steps were taken directly forward, as if ignoring the tickets entirely and just getting to the train? Thinking to do that instead, it still didn't feel like any progress was made and the train is only getting closer with each passing second. But what it sounded like was hooves lightly hitting the pavement and it looked like things weren't as static and fluid motion took it's place, on all levels they were getting somewhere. Though the booth is to the right, the shackles of nervousness have been broken and hopefully won't come back anytime soon. Now to the right is a mare who looks seconds away from falling asleep since neither the ponies in front of her nor the magazine issue on how 'Twilight is allied with a dictator' looks to be keeping her interest. It's.. actually not that frightening, it's approachable even, which is odd for someone in a higher position of power. "Are you sold out?" Is what was asked to the tired pony who took a while to respond.
"...no."
"Greatness! I'll take one to the The Crystal Empire!" Was what was spoken to the shock of Cap, the letter said to head to Las Pegasus and yet thoughts immediately went back to school of all places. Maybe it was the crowd of ponies reminding them of that place, or maybe it’s how these are the same saddlebags, perhaps it’s becau-
“Alright, that’ll be… 15 bits.” Is what the ticketmaster said with a yawn in the middle of her sentence, knocking on the glass to get the attention of the pony in front of her who’s lost in thoughts all alone, that startled them back to reality and got the foal to flip their wallet upside down, having the exact amount poor out as the tearing of a festive ticket could be heard. Bits were pulled behind the glass and in their place was a ticket. That was put in the mouth of Cap as they walked away to where the train is, which already arrived much to their shock despite the bells and whistles. But that’s what expert-level disassociation does.
Passing the ticket over to the actual conductor, the point of no return has finally been reached, something that didn’t bother them nearly as much as they thought they would. Mostly because Tabletop and his side of the family.. isn’t the best, unlike this train which is just ok. Even if almost every seat is taken since holidays feel the need to exist, the closest available one having just having a single pony on it. A stark contrast from the rest of the seats being filled with either two or three, this looks perfect to get comfy on and maybe make a new friend. Heading to it, Cap asked, “If you aren’t waiting for anyone, could I sit here?” In response, the pony nodded. This one’s an earth pony mare, one with a grey coat, purple mane, a stoic expression, saddlebags of her own, and.. eyeliner plus a frock? Fashion isn’t everypony’s thing, some to the point where they can’t name certain things. Yet a name isn’t necessary to say just yet, she probably already popped into your mind.
And if that somehow didn’t, the rock that has her attention is bound to do just that. It’s something small, able to easily be held in a single hoof or even on the tip of one’s nose if that’s truly desired. What she desires at the moment is only to stare and sometimes prod at it. Being bored out of their mind with nothing better to do except fold their umbrella and put that under the shared seat as the train’s doors closed shut and began its journey to The Crystal Empire, an attempt from Cap at entertaining the rock might as well be made. “So does this one rock or should I boulder my expectations?”
A subjectively terrible attempt that‘s deserving of having their head put on a stick, yet held-back giggles ensued from the teller anyway and attention from Maud has been achieved, even if it’s currently difficult to get a read on her expression. “Granite, he's pretty tuff and can easily terracotta, so of coarse he's great." The look on her face didn't change in the slightest as she spoke, but it isn't necessarily stone cold, more so rock-solid, if that makes any sense. "Just so you know, his name is Boulder. He may look like any other stone but he holds as much value as Painite, to me anyway."
"A pet rock? I wonder what they eat, I'm pretty sure it's sand and dirt. Which is odd because I met someone who was feeding a rock sprinkles."
"They eat sediments, so sand would be a viable choice as well as gravel and clay. They can also have sugar and sprinkles as a treat since they tend to confuse that for sediments, nothing bigger than that though since they have trouble breaking it down. That one I had to learn the hard way." She shivered at the end of her statement, reliving a memory that rather be forgotten of a Pinkie Birthday party for Boulder and how he got lost in the cake that was baked for him. After an hour of searching, it looked like he ate his way out, even if a layer was lost in the confectionery.
"Such valuable knowledge, I'll be sure to forget it tomorrow! Two days if I'm lucky since forgetfulness is a curse." Cap said in a joking manner, more than usual to drive the point across but not enough to make it seem like they aren't interested, because they are. Good thing Maud is observant in ways that help in reading the look on someone's face as well as ways that assist in listening in for landslides, so she can tell, having such unique sisters does that. That got a subtle smile to crack, glad to meet someone else who may not be as passionate about geology as her, but more than open to ask and listen.
"So why by yourself to the The Crystal Empire? Do you have family you're seeing, or are you running away?"
"It was initially the first but it quickly turned to the second, guess being indecisive and having a dad who's an insufferable prick does that, so I think I'll just kill time by climbing Mount Everhoof."
"Y'know, that's actually why I'm heading there too. Not to avoid someone for a week, but to see the rocks that lie at the top. Maybe we could do that together."
That got a happy nod out of Cap and the two spoke among themselves throughout the rest of the ride, mostly about rocks and a choose your own adventure book called 'Tales From The Under'. Seems they both link back to annoying dogs..
The train came to a halt when the sun began to set, leaving the setting sun as a momentary shock to the two, though not as much as the sheer size of this place, it’s easily big enough to be its own country yet here it is, just another part of Equestria that showed up one day and asserted itself. Same as the crystal ponies, maybe they were out on vacation, or perhaps they were always here and the snow cut them off? Either way, this snow really feels the need to make itself known, it's coming down just as hard as the rain from Canterlot and there's already two inches of snow to trek through so that's.. F U N ! Good thing most of it is cleared out in the actual town, a bit too much to the point where it feels jarring and unnatural yet the residents don't seem to mind. Maybe it's just an earth pony thing, not being used to and a little antsy around magic that just makes things look picture perfect.
That still doesn't take away from its value and may actually add to it instead, getting to discover magic that's new to you. Like how when snow fell, it instantly melted when touching what can best be described as the giant snowflake, sending the vapors back up to the clouds so it can be reformed as snow somewhere else, for example the rooftops of houses and shops here, making it feel just a bit like a play-set.
That trait held the attention of the two for a bit, but as the both of them decided to take in the sights of the unfamiliar area, something at the center of the empire quickly got the attention of Maud. A floating crystal cut in the shape of a heart and guarded by two members of the royal guard that stood proudly, or maybe it's a façade? Whichever is the case, one stayed in place with a look of nervousness being crystal clear, the other approaching the mare with an unfaltering look in his eye. "Sorry ma'am, no visitors are allowed to be within six feet of the Crystal Heart."
"Ok." Replied Maud, her expression unchanging as she looked up to the guardspony, not bothering to take a step back as he got even closer.
"So g-get lost!" He exclaimed, beginning to get flustered and frustrated from her.
"Ok."
Upset horse sounds ensued and he ended up heading into the palace above them in a fit with the other guardspony following close behind, leaving Maud to ponder the Crystal Heart with the only distraction being the friend she made on the train walking where the mountain is, a reminder of what she came here for. What lies in the center here can wait, but the top of that mountain just feels.. different. So she followed the other pony while still looking back, which was for the better since someone who looked like the captain of the guard came out from the tower looking around for anyone with a fire in her eyes that burned brighter than the sun itself. Yet he couldn’t find anyone like that, because she was already long gone.
Each step closer only emphasized how huge this thing really is, it pierced the clouds leaving everything so much as resembling the top to the imagination, and those who can fly shouldn’t even think about using that ability to get the top due to the heavy winds that could become a blizzard-like shield around the place if there were just a bit more oomph and a lot more snow. Though the current amount is nothing to scoff at since the two have to get through three inches of the stuff at the base alone. Isn’t this kind of cold what the extra scarves are for? Though while Maud started heading up what resembled a path set up by previous creatures who tried climbing the mountain, Cap followed at a slower pace, their eyes fixated on three black figures too far off in the distance to really tell what they are. Just that one is effortlessly flying like something that was born on the mountain, molded by it. But when the foal blinked, they were gone. “I’m probably imagining things..”, they said to themselves while picking up the pace, bracing for the trials and tribulations that lie further ahead.
Author's Note
It's literally me using my Windows XP screensaver IQ to remix the dictionary, so feel free to say where things are off. Assistance is appreciated 
Oh yea, the story is inspired by the album of the same name by 1f1n1ty, it's a pleasure to listen to if you enjoy electronic-orchestral tunes
