The Conjuration Wizard

I hated this room.

I hated it, and yet I insisted that we used it anyway. The decision was one rooted in my stubbornness, and my desire to prove to everyone — including myself — that I had moved on. What had happened should not bar us from simply using a room.

After all, It wasn’t even the room that I was murdered in.

We were in the meeting hall, and the atmosphere felt weighted. A sort of tense silence thickened the air as we gathered around the polished long table. The room was usually reserved for dignitaries and important diplomatic affairs, with tall arched windows that ushered in the early evening light that threw about ever darkening shadows across the hardwood floors. The room had completely escaped the ravages of Chrysalis’ failed invasion attempt. Yet, the room set something in my chest to tighten.

No, It wasn’t the room itself, but rather what the room represented. The last time I’d been here, Chrysalis had been at the table wearing Cadance’s form, her saccharin smile that hid malice. Shining Armor had sat stiffly beside her, his mind not quite his own. I had misread the situation entirely, attributing the signs to wedding related stress and exhaustion. None of us had known the truth then, not until it was too late.

The memories gnawed at the edges of my focus, flashes of green, the sound of the barrier shattering followed by changeling wings, the false-Luna knife stroke and her nearly-decapitated corpse, Aldin’s final moments, and the sharp pain of Promise piercing my chest. Ascension. My hand clenched instinctively at the thoughts, and I let out a slow, deliberate breath.

I sought solace in Luna's presence beside me.

Her hoof found my hand under the table, warm and solid against my palm. I glanced at her, and she gave me a faint nod, her expression calm but her eyes betraying a hint of concern. The gesture was simple and soothing — she’d known this would be difficult for me. She read me like a book.

I gave her hoof a soft squeeze to let her know that I appreciated her reassurance.

Celestia sat at the head of the table, her usual serenity tempered by a faint tension around her eyes. She studied a scroll in front of her, though I suspected her mind was elsewhere. Noctra stood near the door, her sharp amber eyes scanning the room as though she expected an ambush at any moment. The Lunar Guard captain had always been vigilant, but her wariness seemed particularly heightened tonight.

Almost like she was remembering the last time we were all in this room.

“You’re unusually quiet,” Luna murmured, her voice just loud enough for me to hear.

I gave her a small, wry smile. “Just... remembering.”

She squeezed my hand gently. “This time is different. You know that.”

“I do,” I agreed, my voice surprisingly steady despite the churning in my stomach. “But knowing doesn’t stop the memories.”

Before she could reply, the sound of hoofsteps echoed in the hallway. Noctra’s ears twitched, and she straightened, her posture immediately alert. Celestia looked up from her scroll, her expression smoothing into that unreadable mask she wore in times of stress.

“They’ve arrived,” Luna said softly, her hoof still resting in my hand.

The heavy wooden doors swung open, revealing Shining Armor and Cadance. Shining’s gaze was sharp, his steps measured, and there was no trace of the vacant, glazed expression he’d worn the last time I’d seen him here. Cadance’s presence was radiant as always, but this time it carried an edge — a subtle determination in the set of her jaw and the way her eyes swept the room.

As they entered, I felt the air shift, the weight of the moment finding a way to press down even more heavily. I tightened my grip on Luna’s hoof.

Shining Armor and Cadance approached the table, their steps steady in spite of the tension that hung so thick in the air. Shining offered a brisk nod to Celestia and Luna before his gaze briefly turned to me. His expression was difficult to read, but there was a faint acknowledgement in his eyes — respect, perhaps, or understanding.

Cadance’s eyes swept the room, her demeanor calm but purposeful. When her gaze landed on me, she offered a small smile, warm but subdued, as if aware of the storm of memories that this room stirred. I returned the gesture with a slight dip of my head, although I couldn’t hold her gaze for long without the images of green fire and twisted chitinous sneers clawing their way to the surface.

“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna,” Shining began, his voice steady but carrying a note of urgency. “We came as soon as we received your summons. Is it true? The Crystal Empire has returned?”

“It is,” Celestia confirmed. “Its reappearance was confirmed yesterday by our ponies in the Frozen North. However, the circumstances are... complicated.”

I glanced at Luna, whose hoof remained in my hand under the table. Her jaw tightened slightly, her gaze fixed on Cadance as if weighing her. I could feel the silent tension building between them, though Cadance’s expression remained neutral, her focus on Celestia’s words.

“The Empire’s return is not just a matter of reclaiming its lands or ensuring its stability,” Celestia continued. “It appears to have returned alongside its last ruler — King Sombra.”

The name hung in the air like a dark cloud. I knew of him only through scattered tales, most of them painting him as a tyrant, though the details had always been vague.

“Sombra?” I said, breaking my silence. “I thought he was dead.”

“So did we,” Luna said, her voice softer than usual. She glanced at me, her eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite place — regret mixed with something darker. “But it seems the spell that banished the Empire was tied to him as well. When the Empire returned, so did he.”

“And you believe he’s there now?” Shining asked, leaning forward slightly. His expression was a mixture of determination and worry.

“We cannot be certain,” Celestia admitted. “But the evidence strongly suggests his return. The Empire’s reappearance has already caused a disturbance in the ley lines, and the darkness surrounding its borders is an unmistakable sign of his magic.”

Cadance, who had grown silent, spoke. “If Sombra is back, then the Crystal ponies will be terrified. He ruled through fear, and that fear will still linger. But the Crystal Heart—” She stopped, as though realizing she was speaking too quickly. Her gaze flashed to me, then back to Celestia. “The Heart is the key. If we can find it and activate it, it will banish his influence and protect the Empire.”

“It is not a simple task,” Luna interjected, her tone grim. “The Heart is hidden, and the Crystal ponies will not remember its location. Their memories will be clouded by fear and Sombra’s magic.”

Shining Armor’s jaw tightened. “Then we’ll have to protect them until we find it. Cadance and I can keep them safe with our magic until we can get the heart to Cadance — she’s their rightful ruler after all.”

I frowned, glancing between Cadance and Luna. “Rightful ruler? I thought the Crystal Empire had no connection to Equestria.”

Cadance’s expression softened, though it still held a trace of uncertainty. “It doesn’t. Not directly. My lineage traces back to the Empire. I’m... the last of its royal bloodline.”

That was news to me. I blinked, processing the revelation. “So you’re the heir.”

“She is,” Celestia said, her voice firm. “And her presence is essential. Activating the Heart will require her magic and her connection to the Empire.”

The plan began to take shape in my mind, though it felt tenuous at best. “And what about Sombra?” I asked, my voice low. “What if he’s there?”

Luna’s gaze shifted to me, something unreadable in her eyes. “That is a question we will address in due time.”

Celestia cleared her throat, drawing the room’s attention. “For now, the plan is this: Cadance and Shining Armor will lead the effort to protect the Crystal ponies. Noctra and Twilight Sparkle’s friends will provide additional support. Twilight will aid in finding and bringing the Crystal Heart to Cadance. Sebastian—”

All eyes turned to me, and I felt the weight of their gazes like a physical pressure.

“You will go as well,” Celestia continued. “Your knowledge and magic will prove invaluable in navigating the challenges ahead.”

I nodded slowly, though my mind was already spinning with questions. Questions that could only be answered by going to the Crystal Empire. They were questions that would soon be answered.

Celestia rested her hooves on the polished table, her steady gaze meeting each of ours in turn. “Luna and I must remain here in Canterlot. If we are seen in the Crystal Empire during Sombra’s deposition, it would trigger political repercussions that would ripple far beyond the Empire’s borders. This is why Cadance must take the lead. As the rightful heir to the Crystal Empire, her involvement will ensure far fewer… complications.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. I blinked, grappling with the weight of her reasoning. The very rulers of day and night, goddesses of near-unparalleled power, unable to intervene in the liberation of a nation enslaved under the iron hoof of a despotic usurper.

Celestia’s voice softened, yet her resolve remained unshaken. “The risks are undeniable, and I would not send any of you on this mission if it were not essential. But this is what must be done. You each have a role, not just in liberating the Crystal Empire but in safeguarding the future of Equestria itself.”

The room remained silent for a moment before Shining Armor finally nodded. “We’ll do whatever it takes.”

“As will I,” Cadance added, her voice steady with resolve.

I added my own confirmation, alongside a smile filled with a confidence I didn’t quite feel.

Celestia gave a faint smile before rising from her seat. “Then we are agreed. Prepare yourselves for immediate departure to the Frozen North. I will have Twilight and her friends on their way posthaste. Time is of the essence.”

_~_~_~_~_~_~_

The nearly empty Canterlot train station had a somber stillness to it, broken only by the faint whistle of the night wind threading through the towering arches. The platform was illuminated by lamps that cast off soft, flickering pools of light onto the cobblestone ground. Early spring’s crisp air nipped at my skin, sharp enough to make me adjust my cloak, but the chill was nothing compared to the weight in my chest.

Luna stood beside me, her presence both comforting and heavy. The flowing ethereal strands of her mane seemed almost muted under the faint lamplight, their usual brilliance subdued. Her gaze was cast toward the tracks, though I could tell her thoughts were miles away.

“Luna,” I said quietly, breaking the silence.

She turned to me, and the expression on her face caught me off guard. There was a softness in her eyes, a vulnerability she rarely let show in public, even if no one was around. It was the same look she’d worn the night she found trying to stitch myself up, the night we’d confessed what we meant to one another.

“You don’t want me to go,” I said. It wasn’t a question.

Luna didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she reached out, her hoof brushing lightly against my chest. Right over the wound that had once snuffed the flame of life from me. I took it, my fingers curling around her hoof as she finally spoke.

“Of course I don’t,” she murmured. “But I know you must. You are the best choice for this.”

I glanced at the tracks stretching into the distance, an empty path that felt symbolic in ways I didn’t care to dwell on. “I’ll come back,” I said, the words more for her than for me.

“You cannot promise that,” she said, her voice tinged with frustration, though it wasn’t directed at me. “Sombra is not a foe to be underestimated. Even now, I wonder if Celestia and I erred in sending you.”

“You didn’t,” I replied firmly. “This isn’t just about the Crystal Empire. It’s about protecting Equestria — and it’s about doing what needs to be done.”

Her hoof pressed harder upon my chest, and for a moment, I thought she might argue. But instead, she stepped closer, leaning her head against my shoulder. The motion was tender, but I could feel the storm of emotions she was holding back.

“I hate this,” she admitted. “I hate sending you into danger, knowing the risks. Knowing what Sombra was capable of a millennium ago...”

Her voice trailed off, but the implication was clear. Sombra’s dark magic had been a force unlike any other, and his studies had taken him to places few dared to tread.

“I’ll be careful,” I said softly, resting my cheek against her mane. Its cool, comforting texture calmed me in ways I couldn’t quite explain. “I’ll assess the situation, and deal with him as the situation demands.”

Luna pulled back just enough to look at me with an intensity that froze me in place. “You cannot afford to hesitate, Sebastian. Sombra is beyond redemption. He will use anything, and everything to achieve his goals. You must ensure he does not threaten Equestria again.”

The weight of her words settled over me, but I managed a nod. “I will.”

She studied me for a moment longer, then sighed, her breath visible in the chilly air. “I wish we had more time,” she said. “Not just before your departure, but... in general. To be together without danger looming over us.”

I smiled faintly, brushing a strand of her mane back from her face. “We’ll make time. After this, when the Crystal Empire is safe, we’ll figure it out.”

Her lips quirked into the barest hint of a smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You always speak as though the future is assured. I admire that about you.”

“It’s not assurance,” I admitted. “It’s hope. And stubbornness.”

Luna chuckled softly, and the sound warmed something deep inside me. For a brief moment, the tension between us lifted, replaced by the quiet comfort we so often found in each other’s presence.

The whistle of an approaching train broke the stillness, and Luna straightened, her expression shifting back to its usual composed mask. I knew her well enough to see the cracks beneath it, the worry she was trying to hide.

Before either of us could say more, the sound of hoofsteps echoed from the other end of the platform. I turned to see Noctra approaching, her sleek, storm-gray coat glinting under the lamplight. Beside her was Mira, her youthful energy contrasting sharply with the attempt at a serious expression on her face.

“Captain,” I greeted Noctra with a nod before shifting my gaze to Mira, then turned to Mira, a smile sneaking onto my lips. “My little apprentice.”

Mira’s eyes snapped toward Luna, then back to me. “I wanted to see you off,” she said, her voice quiet but unwavering.

Luna stepped closer, her expression softened as her gaze rested on Mira. “And I wanted to keep mother company until you all leave,” Mira added, the slightest trace of reproach in her glance toward Noctra.

Noctra smirked, the faint glow of her slit-pupiled eyes catching the dim light. “She insisted,” the captain remarked dryly. “And we both know how impossible it is to argue with her.”

Luna exhaled lightly, though the sound lacked any true irritation. Instead, she reached out and gently tousled Mira’s mane. “You’ll stay here with me, little one. We’ll look after each other until Sebastian and Noctra return.”

Mira nodded, her usual attempts at copying her mother’s stoicism was completely discarded as she glanced between Noctra and me. “Okay,” she said, her voice steady. “But... just promise you’ll come back, alright?”

I knelt down to Mira’s level, my one eye meeting her amber gaze. The faint glow of her slit pupils reflected the station’s lantern light, making her look far older and wiser than her years. I reached into my Bag of Holding, my fingers easily finding what I was looking for.

Pulling out my Teashades of Night, I held them out to Mira. The violet lenses shimmered faintly, a testament to the efforts I went into piecing the item back into working order. The frame still bore a few scratches, and the right lens held a thin line that I couldn’t seem to mend, but they worked just as well as they did when I had two eyes.

“I want you to hold onto these for me,” I said, placing the glasses into her hooves.

Her eyes widened as she looked down at the teashades, then back up at me. “But... these are yours,” she protested softly.

“And they’ll be yours for a little while,” I replied, resting a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll need them back when I return. Think of it as a promise between us. You hold onto them, and I’ll come back to collect them. Deal?”

Mira hesitated, her lips pressing together as her gaze flicked to Luna, who gave her a nod of encouragement. Finally, Mira clutched the glasses close to her chest and gave a firm nod. “Deal.”

I couldn’t help but smile at her determination. “Good girl,” I said.

Mira stepped forward suddenly, wrapping her forelegs around me. The unexpected hug took me by surprise, but I returned it with my left arm, holding her close. “Stay safe,” she murmured, her voice muffled against my coat.

“I will,” I promised.

When she finally let go, I rose to my feet. Noctra watched the exchange with her usual stoicism, but I caught the faintest twitch of a smile on her lips.

The sound of a train’s approach echoed through the station. Turning toward the tracks, I saw the Friendship Express pulling into view. Plumes of smoke billowed into the night sky as it slowed to a halt.

From the far end of the platform, Shining Armor and Cadance approached. Shining’s expression was firm, his posture a bit more rigid than usual, while Cadance exuded a calm grace that seemed to soothe the tension in the air.

“Are we ready?” Shining Armor asked as he came to a stop beside us.

“Ready as we’ll ever be,” I replied.

Before I could say another word, Luna stepped closer. Her wings fluttered faintly at her sides as she drew in a slow breath. “Sebastian,” she began, her voice quieter now, meant only for me. “Before you go... will you repeat your promise to me?”

I turned to her, seeing the worry she couldn’t quite hide. My fingers brushed against the pommel of Promise, the blade she’d entrusted to me, and I nodded.

“I promise,” I said, my voice steady. “I’ll come back. I’ll always come back.”

Luna’s eyes glimmered, and for a moment, I thought she might say something else. But instead, she leaned forward, her lips brushing against my cheek. “Good,” she whispered. “I needed to hear that.”

The train’s whistle blew, signaling our departure. I turned to Noctra, Shining Armor, and Cadance, who were already boarding. Luna stayed at the edge of the platform with Mira by her side, their forms bathed in the soft glow of the station lights.

I gave them one last look, burning the image into my memory, before stepping onto the train. As the doors closed behind me, the station began to fade from view, and with it, the figures of the ones I was leaving behind.

This wasn’t goodbye. It was just another promise waiting to be kept.