Reign of the Diamond Emperor

I woke up several times during the night, disturbed by footsteps passing by my door. By morning, the bags under my eyes were undeniable.

Returning the keys to my room, I finally posed the question that had been gnawing at me, wearing a falsely friendly smile and adopting a gentle tone. "Excuse me, ma'am, but would you happen to know where I could find fireworks? It's soon my friend's birthday."

The woman stared at me for a moment, seeming to assess my request. Then, she gestured in a direction with a nod of her head. "Go straight to the intersection, turn left, and continue until you reach Mr. Sullivan's shop. You can't miss it."

"Thank you so much, ma'am. You've been a great help," I replied with a smile that aimed to be warm.

I followed her directions, and indeed, I found Mr. Sullivan's shop without difficulty. A bell tinkled as I entered. The owner, a pony with an amiable appearance, turned to me with a strained smile, looking me up and down several times.

"Hello, how can I assist you?" he seemed uneasy.

"Good day, sir. I'm in search of fireworks for a special event. Would you have a selection to offer?" I asked politely, making sure to keep a neutral tone.

Unfortunately, his fireworks were far from as impressive as I wanted them to be. Creating explosives with a risk of being particularly complicated, and very inefficient, I played along...

"Do you have quite a selection, do you make them yourself?" I didn't even have to pretend to be interested, his answer truly intrigued me.

"Oh certainly, yes, I can assure you all my materials are of the highest quality." That means he has gunpowder.

"Do you make them in town, isn't that a bit dangerous?"

Mr. Sullivan smiled proudly. "I'm very careful in my methods, sir. Safety is my priority, and all necessary precautions are taken to ensure that my customers leave satisfied and safely."

"I see, it's reassuring to know you're so professional," I responded appreciatively. "I suppose you use gunpowder in your creations, don't you?"

"Absolutely. It's the essential ingredient to give our fireworks their brilliance and scope. I source it from the finest suppliers to ensure the quality of my products."

I nodded, satisfied with the response. "Well, I must say you've convinced me. I'll take an assortment of your most spectacular fireworks. It's for a very special event."

Mr. Sullivan seemed delighted with my decision and began to prepare my order, not asking questions about the quantity, after all, I paid upfront. As he packed the items, I discreetly glanced around the shop, looking for other clues about the production of explosives. I spotted a few elements that seemed relevant to my future projects.

Once my order was ready, I paid for it and took it with a thankful smile. "Thank you very much, Mr. Sullivan. You've been a great help."

"It's been a pleasure serving you. Feel free to come back if you need more fireworks in the future," he replied with a warm smile.

I left the shop with my precious cargo, a large wooden crate with the label, 'joy of giving and pleasure of receiving,' aware that I had obtained what I needed.

I would soon have the opportunity to test these fireworks in a very specific context.

I had what I needed, but both my Fallen and I deserved a little something special.

Starting with a bit of selfish pleasure, I entered a store oozing with high fashion, bourgeois eyes observing me, likely shocked by my appearance, no doubt taken aback by the warrior attire I wore.

In many ways, it brought back pleasant memories. Yet this time, the owner was unfamiliar to me.

A mare with impeccably groomed mane approached me, accompanied by a sturdy stallion dressed in black. Before she could even speak, I greeted her courteously but with firmness, "Good day, I've been invited to a private event in Canterlot in a few days. I'll be needing a new cape of the highest possible quality." Although I wasn't a regular at such places, I easily surmised that the keywords 'private event' combined with the name of a capital city and a request for the highest quality possible would suffice to smooth this kind of situation.

The mare seemed reassured by my words and nodded respectfully, giving a discreet signal to the security agent. "Of course, sir. It would be an honor for us to help you find the perfect cape for this occasion. You're at Frou-Frou Couture, where we excel in the art of haute couture. Please, follow me."

She led me through the aisles of the shop, where a multitude of capes and elegant outfits were displayed. "We have a wide range of capes in silk, satin, and velvet, all designed to meet the demands of our most discerning clients." Perfect. I was confident it might be a challenge to find something in my size here.

While she presented the various options, I remained focused on my goal: finding the perfect cape. Soon, my attention was captivated by a velvet cape in a deep black, adorned with silver embroidery and lined with red silk. The elegantly simple piece drew me in.

"I believe this one would suit the occasion, what do you think?" the mare inquired, noting my interest.

I took the cape in my hands, appreciating the quality of the fabrics and examining the embroidery. "This is exactly what I was looking for. I'll take it."

The mare seemed pleased with my decision. "Excellent choice, sir. We'll take your measurements to ensure a perfect fit. Please, follow me."

As she took my measurements, I knew this cape would add a touch of elegance to my wardrobe for the days ahead. Unfortunately, I couldn't suppress a smile, but it wasn't one that brought comfort. It was cold, penetrating, and instinctively made the mare tremble.

This cape will be perfect when I wear my full armor, I thought. I wondered if magic had the power to bring it to life, to make it float and strike those dramatic poses, even in the absence of wind.

I paid once more in gemstones, had the cape wrapped, and before leaving, I asked in a calm but determined voice, "By the way, would you have any recommendations for a jeweler? I'm planning to purchase a gift for a longtime friend."

"I highly recommend Madame Sparkle's jewelry shop, on the main street. Her creations are exquisite and are greatly appreciated by those looking for something special for their loved ones," the mare replied with a polite smile.

I thanked her with a nod and exited the store.

I followed her instructions and stood before the jewelry store, scrutinizing the pieces displayed in the window. An extensive collection of necklaces and bracelets lay before me. I must humbly admit my ignorance when it comes to contemporary jewelry, usually favoring antique pieces.

However, a small pendant caught my eye, for both symbolic and slightly ironic reasons. It was a delicate red heart adorned with a small diamond in its center. I knew Fallen would appreciate it, and it would give me a reason to detach her... With determined steps, I entered the store, indifferent to the surprised and disapproving looks directed at me, even more so than before.

I headed straight for the counter. A unicorn locked eyes with me, slightly intimidated by my imposing stature and icy gaze. "How much for the heart-shaped pendant in the showcase?" I asked in a calm yet imposing voice.

The pony behind the counter seemed somewhat nervous, likely due to my imposing presence. She stammered a few words, giving an exorbitant price for the pendant. My impassive gaze did not waver. Without a word, I pulled out a handful of gemstones and placed them on the counter, paying the requested price.

I surveyed the various packaging options. "Put it in a special wrapping for a special mare."

As I prepared to leave the shop, my gaze met that of the saleswoman, who seemed to be under an invisible pressure. Unconsciously, my imposing aura must have made her uncomfortable. I gave her a brief nod, expressing a silent thank you, before departing.

Once outside, I realized I had inadvertently broken character... This Fallen was truly a special mare to me. Perhaps I would give her a chance to be truly closer to me once she became like me.

I returned to the hotel as the afternoon began, retrieving a room and taking stock of what I had. All that remained were the train schedules, details about the mode of transportation, and a bit more explosives for my projects.

Strolled around, wondering what to do with the rest of my day. I came to a sudden halt upon seeing the newspaper. My face adorned the front page, under the enigmatic title: Who Is This Metal Heart? . Ok, some pony is going to put to test my first pipe bomb ...