Today was the day! Cadence and the rest of the royals had been prepping since the early hours of the morning while the subjects slept. Once the faire started they would get a few hours to sleep and then get back to it. The first few hours consisted of trading booths all across the Empire. On the moon side were the umbrum tents and on the sun side were the crystal pony tents. Being in the shadows of the castle allowed the umbrums to shift freely without having to look for dark spots behind things. Now her and her mother were on the sunrise balcony getting ready to sound the trumpets signaling the faire had begun. Later after they awoke again, there would be jousting, petting zoos, concert area, and more. Rabia, Sombra, and Samaar had recently awoken and agreed to watch the festivities whole Amore and Cadence got some rest. But Cadence told Sombra she had a suprise so he couldn't leave the castle!

Amore signaled to the guards it was time and they let out loud music on their trumpets. As ponies started coming outside Amore called out, "Here ye, here ye! I, Queen Amore, invite you all to the Crystal Faire!" Cadence yawned and the turned to Sombra, who had Selena laying on his back.

"No peeking!" Cadence scolded him. Sombra put a hoof over his heart, "I promise I won't peek. Just me and Selena in the castle until you wake up." Cadence dipped her head and headed off to bed behind her mother. Sombra couldn't help himself and gazed at her. She really was something special. He didn't realize he was staring until his mother lightly knocked him in the back of the head. He turned to her and growled but Rabia rolled her eyes. "Foolish boy! Why couldn't you look at her like that when you got here?" Sombra could tell she was messing with him. He blushed and turned away from her, giving her a light push to the shoulder. "Shut up." Rabia scoffed and pushed her son into the castle. "I'm your mother so I won't say I told you so but we are gonna get you ready and make sure she can't keep her eyes off you!" Samaar just shook his head with a chuckle and grabbed Selena. Looking down at his granddaughter, "Now who is gonna say Pop-pop as her first word?" He said to the little filly, lightly booping her nose, who giggled in response.

Sombra was pulled and prodded by his mother back in his room. "Should we do something different with your hair?" She asked herself. "Perhaps some braids?" Sombra shook his head and flattened out his mane. "No braids and no dreads. I like it fluffy." He said defensively. Rabia rolled her eyes and grabbed a wet washcloth to clean Sombra's face. When she went to go for his eyes he pulled back. "What are you doing?" Rabia sat the cloth down. "I know you wear it cause Sera did and I have allowed it because I know that's how you dealt with it but this is a very formal event and I saw how she looked at you when you two met. Perhaps you could go without it just for a night?" Sombra was hesitant. He had started wearing it before Seraphina died but hadn't told their mother and didn't wear it in front of her. She thought it was undignified. He had started wearing after she died publicly and had snuck it on when he was to meet Cadence much to her disproval. He liked how he looked in it but felt she might be right this time. "Alright" He closed his eyes and his mother wiped it off.

After she was done Sombra wore a much longer cape with more regal looking armor. She had had the tailors make it in his soul color. He had his crown removed and the gem inside would be used for a new neckpiece for his new position and he would receive it at the ceremony. Sombra looked in the mirror and didn't recognize himself. He wasn't sure if he liked it but he hoped Cadence would.

When they awoke and came down the stairs Rabia and Sombra met them at the bottom. First came Amore, who complimented Sombra's ceremonial wear. Then came Cadence. Sombra held his breath nervously as she came out from the hallway and down the stairs. As soon as she saw him her head shot back in confusion. Amore beckoned Rabia aside to give the two some space. Even Rabia was confused at her reaction. When she got down the stairs she looked him over.

"Why did you wipe off your eye makeup?" She asked, both confused and concerned as she noticed his nervousness. He rubbed his leg up and down his other foreleg. He felt bare and open and he did not like it. His hair was also pushed back and tied to one side. "Mom thought it looked nice." Cadence clicked her tongue and shook her head. "This isn't you. Come on, let's go fix this." Now it was Sombra's turn to be confused as she dragged him off to his room.

Inside she sat him down on the bed and pulled out the hair tye. She fluffed his mane back up before pondering a moment. She then flicked it all to one side and started brushing. Sombra gave his head a little shake as Cadence finished and went over to his mirror. "She picked up his red eyeshadow but also saw a black one. "How come you haven't worn the black one?" She asked curiously. "I have, I just haven't worn it in front of other ponies." He admitted, he was rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Well that is going to change." She said as she picked up both and went back over to Sombra. If Sombra wasn't nervous before he sure was now! She grabbed the black one and dabbed it over his left eye. Sombra held his breath and rubbed his legs together as he desperately attempted to hide his blush. No doubt she would see it if he didn't. She applied the red over top to create a black and red gradient. Sombra gazed in the mirror and liked it. His mane felt free and he felt less nervous than he did without the eye makeup. "Thank you. I really like this version better." He said shyly. With his hair flicked to one side as long as he turned his head he could hide his light blush. Cadence however grabbed him again. "Where are we going now? He asked as she pulled him down the hallway. "Now it's my turn!"

Turns out Amore was going to do her for the faire. Sombra patiently waited outside while she got ready. Amore had complimented his new look as well. His mother however was outside at the faire with Selena and his dad. He felt both excited and nervous at the idea of showing his mother his new look. It's not that what his mom did was bad, it just wasn't him. Amore however knew exactly what to do.

When Cadence stepped out Sombra's jaw dropped. Cadence giggled to herself as she shut it for him. Sombra failed miserably at hiding his blush. She wore a blue sleeveless dress that went up to her neck. Adoring her forelegs were two crystal slippers held up by blue ribbons. Her curly hair was also pulled to the side and where her normal headband sat now sat a crystal tiara that was also decorated by two ribbons in her hair. Her normal blue makeup was a little more extreme that she would normally wear it. Amore wore a golden dress that had matching slippers and ribbons and she leaned down to Cadence. "Have fun you two, me, Rabia, and Samaar will watch Selena tonight." Then walked away before they could argue or respond. "You look really nice." Sombra said nervously. Cadence just laughed and lightly bumped Sombra's side before following where her mother went. Sombra gave a soft smile and followed after her.

Outside the castle was busting and filled with life. All over the streets were vendors and Crystal ponies and umbrums mingled with each other. Sombra looked out in awe at the grand festival. "Wow I didn't know the faire was so big!" He said in wonder to Cadence. "It is the biggest event in the Empire and it has only gotten started!" She pulled him towards a small petting zoo. The fluffy little creatures were very soft. Then he heard cheering and they followed it to find a jousting area. Sombra rooted for the pony with the purple mane and Cadence rooted for the other who had a blue mane. Ultimately Sombra's favored won. He found he quite liked jousting. After watching a few more rounds they made their way over to a crystal berry pie stand. They agreed to split a pie and picniced over in a small field that had lots of other ponies. A few foals were flying kites, some umbrum foals running around, and Sombra hyperfocused on his pie slice when he saw two ponies cuddling each other. After they finished their pie they made their way over to some of the games booths. There was a ring toss, a bean bag throwing game, a magician, and more. They went to the bean bag game first. Cadence easily threw them in with her wings but Sombra grew a little frustrated when he failed to make any. Cadence won a small bear which she gave to a filly who also lost on their way over to another booth. After a while of playing games they headed back to the field to rest up before the ceremonies. Cadence mentioned there was one that would take place before Sombra's, signaling the start of the Crystal Ball. They could hear the faint sounds of a band from the concert area.

"You ever think we will see a sky full of stars sometime in our lifetime?" Sombra asked curiously as he gazed up at the permanently hued sky. Cadence pointed up, "If you look really closely you can see faint little twinkle up there." Sombra squinted but he definitely saw a little shine. "Like a crystal sky up there?" He said with a little chuckle. Cadence pushed her head into his shoulder and scoffed at his lame pun. Sombra could help but look down at her, his eyes a little wide at the gesture. "Your hair is soft. I think I'll rest here for a little while." She mumbled, lightly nuzzling him. Sombra heavily resisted the urge to nuzzle her back, he was still unsure about her feelings and didn't want to make things awkward between them. He didn't want to lose her. He settled for resting his head above hers. Now that she couldn't see him he let his blush go and smiled. They stayed like that until they heard the trumpets again.

"Time for the first ceremony!" Cadence said excitedly as she helped Sombra up. "Your really gonna like this!" She raced up the crystal road towards the center of the Empire. Amore stood in front of a crowd. "My subjects! Use the light and love within you to assure the frozen north will not!" She bowed down towards the crystal heart and everybody followed. Cadence smiled excitedly and they complied. Sombra's mouth hung open slightly in shock as the road under them started glowing as they bowed down. Then the light raced towards the heart and a large blast of magic spread over the Empire. When Sombra opened his eyes he gasped in shock. The crystal ponies now had beautifully styled manes and shone even brighter than normal. Even the umbrums now held a crystal coat and mane, each with a elegant mane. Even Cadence and Amore had it now. Sombra couldn't help it and let his thoughts slip.

"You look so beautiful."

When he realized he said it out loud he blushed crimson and turned his face away. Cadence just smiled. "You don't look so bad yourself." She pointed to the shiny road and Sombra gazed down at his reflection. His mane was so fluffy. Even his coat sparkled!

Then ponies started filling the underside of the castle. It was now time for Sombra's ceremony.

Author's Note

I ended up having to divide this into two parts because it was so long