An Interesting New Life

Chapter 2 - Settling in Part-4
By : The Eternal Star

The sight I'm seeing right now is beyond anything I have ever seen, there is a huge crystal statue just a few tens of meters away from us, of a velvet Alicorn mare wearing a purple crystal armor with a long sword inside a sword sheet under its left wing, which after more examination is actually a long type of blade called katana.

Her armor has a long cape that stretches from the top of the neck all the way down just above her tail, some part of the armor is covered in symbols that look eerily similar to violet atoms surrounded with magenta stars.

The wings of the statue are fully encased in crystal armor and are connected to the main body armor, which makes me think if it were to be equipped, it would be like wearing a long jacket.

I couldn't get a proper look at the face of the statue since we were behind it, but I could see the mane and tail are double colors of silvery-white and violet. The helmet most likely has a sizeable hole as I see a long horn sprouted just above the forehead alongside two more holes close to it in which sprouted two equines ears.

The unique thing about the horn is that, unlike the pure white color I have seen, it has a bland stripe of white, sapphire blue, and violet at the tip. This makes me wonder if this is one of the rare appearance alterations that will happen if one manages to advance their elemental alignment.

Atop its helmet, rests a glowing purple-oriented multicolor crown that has three gemstones embedded on top of it like a trident. The gems on the left and right are violet-white while the one in the middle is a bright shining purple, all of the gems seemed to emit light of their respective colors.

All in all, if I were to assume who this statue represents, considering the regal looks I can see from the statue and the crown atop its head. I think it's safe to assume that this statue represents the appearance and regalness of the leader of the Forcinetic Empire, Empress Kinersia.

My family then walked past the quartz door before closing it behind them, now that I had my view not obstructed by the white walls of the hospital. I quickly looked left and right as I scanned my surroundings to see what kind of things I could see and what information I could gather about the city I would live in for the next two or three decades.

I must say, there are quite a few things I noticed that are points of interest.

First of all, the statue of Empress Kinersia I had seen previously isn't the only thing made of pure multicolored crystals. All of the buildings I had seen were made of multicolored crystals with purple-oriented crystal colors seeming to be the dominant color.

The buildings are lined up perfectly between each of the streets with all of them having about ten to fifteen meters of space dividing each of the buildings. The area around each of the houses has potted plants and sometimes small gardens which give a taste of greenery amidst the otherwise flat bright crystal landscape.

Second of all, the streets aren't grass-filled or dirtpaths nor are they made of brick blocks that can be seen in a few cities on earth. But rather a clean flat shining violet crystals that seemed to glow a faint aurora-look-alike light and it filled the entire land of the city, only leaving some part of land for trees and plants to grow.

A few lamp streets can be seen that are made of long white crystal poles that are able to glow on their own, atop it is a quadruple shining white candle crystal encased in a transparent orb, making it have an appearance similar to a snow globe.

Third of all, despite the fact that the sun is shining brightly. None of the crystals seemed to reflect the sunlight- if anything, they seemed to absorb the light of the sun and replace it with their own since despite it being daylight, I can still see the difference in color of the light the crystals radiate on its own.

Also, despite the very high lightning of the overall surroundings, it didn't hurt my eyes nor was it too bright for me to see the beauty and elegance of the crystals. I pondered for a moment if this had something to do with magic, or if just our equine eyes happen to be more resistant to bright light.

Fourth of all, on the left side just maybe a few hundred meters away from our location- wow, these equine eyes are proven to be very good -I see a building that looked similar to a university back on Earth. I assumed this building was the MRIAA or the magical academy my mother wished for me to be enrolled in.

I know this because I can see from here that this particular building had crystal fences that stretched around for a few hundred meters with only a few gate doors, similar to a few schools I had seen back on Earth and was enrolled in.

My assumption that this building is the MRIAA is further strengthened as I see quite a lot of Alicorn parents with their foals enter the school through one of the gates and are greeted by another Alicorn that wears a formal outfit of dark blue crossed violet with some particular symbol that I'm sure used to differentiate between a teacher and a student.

Not only that, but the sight of a few Alicorns carrying saddlebags filled with books and writing utensils, wearing purple-crossed red school uniforms as they either entered the magical academy by walking through one of the gates, or by flying over it and landed in the academy domains. Yeah, that building over there is the MRIAA, or Magical Academy for short.

Fifth of all, on the right just another few hundred meters away from our location. I see a particular area guarded by Alicorns wearing armor of different kinds with weapons in their range of reach. The area is guarded by fences and only had a few gates door similar to MRIAA.

But judging by the buildings inside the area it looked similar to a military barrack with all kinds of training exercises. Combined with I see a few young Alicorns going in and out of the gates wearing quite a wide variety of weapons and armor. Yeah, that building is the CANAP, or Combat Academy my father wanted me to be enrolled in.

And last but not least, Alicorns. I see so many Alicorns everywhere! Some were flying over in the skies, some were just walking around, some were going in and out of stores, and some even went in groups wearing either lab coats with saddlebags filled with books and writing utensils, or armor and weapons with saddlebags filled with foods and medicine.

Some of the young Alicorns were playing over in a nearby park, apparently dodging and blasting each other with interestingly safe elemental blasts under the sharp careful watch of their parents, while some others were reading books and writings or drawings.

I also see a group of young Alicorns wearing the purple crossed uniform of the magical academy writing down their observations report of their project on one of the few benches in the park. It seems they are writing down the result of their failed experimental spells considering the slightly scorched grass a few meters away from them.

My father must have seen my amazed and wandering gazes as he let out a chuckle and said in a humorous tone "Just look at her, Aeterna. So amazed and curious at what she is seeing. Right now she's probably wondering what is this beautiful sight she is seeing in her vision".

"Of course she would be, Arcane. The only thing that beat the majestic sight of the capital City of Vistentia was another empire's capital city, but if I were to guess which empire's capital she would like the most once she had seen all of it. I bet it would be the City of Glaciris, the capital of the Icirena Empire and homeland of Ice and Water Alicorns like me.

Nothing beats the beautiful sight of carefully carved ice buildings and roads, gently flowing rivers, the blue cyan white glow from ice plants as it gives a pleasant cold even in the hottest of summer, and always presents beautiful sight of an aurora every night as cold soothing breezes sweep the frozen lands and snows falling from the skies like falling stars.

Our Alicorns may be cold, but once you have reached out to them, you bet they will always have your back in any situation. Not only that, but we are also more often than not truthful in every bit of conversation we have. Making it clear that if for example, an Ice or Water Alicorn didn't like you, we would tell you about it right in your face.

Knowledge is always available in our libraries and would open to those who are seeking to further their wisdom and intellect, continuous and relentless pursuit of advancement and new discovery has always put us at the forefront of technological and magical advancement, and our empress has made sure of it after all" Mother said in a voice that hints she is proud of what her type of Alicorn had achieved.

'Wow Mom, just hearing your description of how the city looked like already makes me want to go to the city itself to see this majestic sight you just spoke of. I have always wanted to see falling snows and the soothing feeling of cold breezes myself, I was quite unfortunate to never able to see real natural snow in my previous life after all.

Also, Water and Ice Alicorns are at the very forefront of technological and magical advancement and aren't afraid to share it with other Alicorns? With your empress also fully supporting it? I think I now know where to start my research when I have come to it'

I thought in my mind as I was giddy at the thought that one day, I might be able to visit this wonderful city and experience the wonder of snow and winter alongside the pursuit of knowledge myself.

Father let out a playful mock as he said "Heh, it's always like this for you Ice and Water Alicorns, always so prideful of what you had achieved and betting it was the best of all. I bet that she would like the City of Fieram the most.

I mean, just think about the thought of a city made purely of flamerian crystals where comforting heat will always be everywhere, followed closely by the smell of warm and tasty foods that could attract muzzles easily.

The night skies will be filled with the wonderful sight of falling comets as you enjoy the feeling of a warm breeze in your surroundings, and the sight of fiery plants that fill the fields as their leaves glowed bright oranges. Easily giving you the warmth of spring even on the coldest of the night, as you sigh at the pleasant embrace of fire around you.

Our Alicorns are warm, understanding, and welcoming to new visitors. Making your stay there would be filled with smiles, laughs, and pleasant conversation. We would showcase to new visitors of our arts and encourage them to join in, we aren't afraid to teach others the proper way of combats and art of war for those who seek to strengthen their might and physical prowess"

'Dad, this City of Fieram you mentioned is certainly interesting. It gives the pleasant feeling of the warmness of spring even in the coldest of the nights as you enjoy the sightings of comets in a field full of fiery plants whose leaves glow bright oranges and eat warm and tasty foods?

It's definitely gonna be an interesting place that I wouldn't mind visiting one day, once I had grown up that is ' I thought in my mind as I imagined how the city looked like. While I was not interested in increasing my might and physical prowess, the setting of the place certainly gonna be interesting.

My mom let out a playful scoff at Dad's response, and she began walking away from the front area of the hospital before saying "Huh sure the City of Fieram gives a fantastic background and setting, but I'm sure my filly Critic here will be more interested in furthering her knowledge than her might isn't it?". She moved her eyes upward as she tried her best to look at me.

My father and brother quickly catch up to Mom walking away with the former saying in a questioning voice "Oh is that so, Aeterna? Let us see about that, my filly Critic. Do you prefer your mother homeland city of water and ice Glaciris in pursuit of knowledge, or do you prefer father city of fire and blaze Fieram in pursuit of might?"

I glanced at Mom and dad faces a few times before settling in with grabbing my mother's mane and nuzzled it while trying my best to say "Mom" as I thought ' I'm sorry Dad, but I'm not changing my mind anytime soon and probably forever as pursuit of knowledge has always been my passion.

Also, my focus in this new life is to revolutionize Alicorn civilization with new inventions and spells, not guarding or fighting for it. Fighting a threat usually means working together with my teammates, considering my third drawback is more interaction means they would develop their feelings for me more. Yeah, I rather avoid that.'

After Mom and Dad heard my answer, my mother let out a squee as her horn sparked up and I was brought down to her chest as she hugged me with her wings before saying in an enthusiastic and happy tone "EEEE, my filly here just tried to said her first word! And in support of her mother too by the sound of it! I'm proud of you Critic!". She nuzzled my forehead a few times as she kept her wing hug around my body.

My father, after hearing my answer and mother's exclamation that I had indeed supported her choice. Let out a humph as he smiled and shook his head a few times before saying in an amused tone "Like mother, like daughter I suppose, well if Critic here truly wanted to pursue knowledge over might. Then fine because I here have at least Ethern that followed my path and supported my choice right?"

As mom still hugged me with her wings and nuzzled my head, I tried my best to look down at my brother to see that he was placing his right wing under his chin as he thought on his answer for a few seconds, before saying "Well, dad. While I did follow your path of becoming a protector, I didn't support your choice that the City of Fieram is the best nor do I support mother's choice City of Glaciris is the best.

Personally, I found the Wind and Typhoon Alicorns' homeland City of Windcerra to be the best. Why? Because the whole city is made of condensed clouds that fly thousands of meters above the ground, making every Alicorn able to see what was on the ground hundreds of kilometers away.

Not only that but the view of an infinite amount of stars sparkling at night and the bright light of the moon lightened the otherwise dark night? Yeah, it's downright beautiful at the very least for me. Combine that as you lay on the very soft cloud and enjoy the cool windy breeze as you wait for the sun to rise and show its warm radiance, knowing that you have a bright day ahead of you?

I definitely wouldn't mind visiting it again, might as well settle down in there with one or more nice Wind or Typhoon Alicorn Mares once I come of age and ready both mentally, and financially"

'A whole city made of condensed clouds that fly thousands of meters above the grounds and being able to stargaze every night with the beautiful light of the moon lightening the otherwise dark night? And resting upon a very soft cloud as you watch the sunrise and show its warm radiance?

This city is definitely gonna be one of my choices for vacation' I thought in my mind as I imagined how would it feel to be up there to relax after a long weeks or months of continuous work and enjoy the cool breeze of winds around you.

I know that in the My Little Pony Friendship is Magic series there is a city made of clouds which happens to be where Rainbow Dash is born and spends her foalhood on, this cloud city is called Cloudsale. I wonder if this City of Windcerra is any similar to that only more classic, magical, and majestic since it's a city full of Alicorns in the very far past timeline of Equestria after all.

My father stopped his walking and the rest of us stopped walking too as we looked at Father's unmoving form, he then let out an acceptance sigh before he brought up his face and showed a serene smile before saying "I had hoped that you would support my choice, Ethern. But well, I suppose it's understandable why you chose Windcerra as the best capital out of all eight capitals of Alicorn Empires.

Every time we got there you were always so energetic and wandering around alone as you explored the city and met with new Alicorns, we had to track and follow where you were going even though the reason your mom and I go there is to relax from our work. I guess it's not like father, like son for us."

Father then looked up at the skies and said in a questioning tone upon noticing it was already halfway to being in the center of the skies "Aeterna, I think we aren't gonna reach our home anytime soon if we keep walking at this rate, how about we spread up our wings a bit and fly the rest of the way there? I knew you would like to stretch your wings after being stuck grounded in a hospital for almost two days"

Mom unfurled her wings and got into a flight-ready position with wings spread out to their fullest as she looked at Dad right in the eyes and said "Finally you would ask that, for a few moments before I wondered if we are gonna keep walking for hours until day end when there is so much more efficient and faster method to go- she moved her eyes up to look at me as best as she could -my filly Critic, hold on tight as you wouldn't want to fall from mother's head"

I take a tighter grab on Mother's name as the rest of my family members unfurled their wings to their fullest too, before a few seconds later they jumped off the ground and gave their wings one huge wings flap which realistically speaking, wouldn't do anything as their mass is higher than anything their wings can carry.

Since this is a magical world, however, the single huge wing flap they gave resulted in us soaring tens if not more than one hundred meters away above the ground. After that, they angled their wings upward-forward and began flapping their wings continuously as we soared across the skies.

After Mother had stabilized her flight, I tried to look down at the ground as best as I could while still holding Mom's manes with my left forehoof. If seeing the city from the ground is already beautiful, then seeing it from up here is downright gorgeous.

The shining crystals that filled the land showed their glow amidst the daylight, which reinforced my theory that these crystals absorbed light around them- or in this case, the sunlight -and replaced it with lights of their own. From up here, I could finally get a proper look at the inside of the magical academy and I must say the academy area is certainly quite big.

The academy area stretches about a few hundred meters, possibly somewhere around 300 to 500 meters. The buildings in the academy area are multiple starting with a few two-story-tall classrooms, and several empty fields where I could see young Alicorns cast and tested their magics or inventions under the watchful eyes of their teacher close to them.

One of the fields is a shooting range where I see several other young Alicorns testing their offensive spells or ranged weapons, though I don't see anything that resembles guns. Only crossbows, bows, throwing daggers, and axes, alongside several other thrown-weapons.

Speaking about weapons, on the opposite sites of the shooting range is the close combat range where I see weapons like lances, swords, axes, and other close combat range weapons tested. It seemed that the magical academy while indeed focused on knowledge, is also focused on creating and testing new weaponry and adversaries, which makes sense for an academy that has the word 'invention' when addressed in the full name.

The other noteworthy buildings inside the magical academy domains are several buildings with their rooftop being literal huge opened books made of crystals, making it obvious that these buildings were libraries. This was strengthened as I saw some young Alicorns going in and out with books in their wings or magics.

On the opposite side of the libraries are what would I assume to be the research labs, as I see some young Alicorns creating weapons or tools on their own, some writing down observations as their friends cast a spell or did a chemical test, and many other things.

All in all, this place is where I would one hundred percent fit if I were to be sent to further my knowledge.

"Oh just look at her, Arcane. She's already looking at the magical academy below us with curious and gleaming eyes, I knew my filly would follow my path and pursue knowledge till the end of the world, which is never." Mom said with a smile and joy in her voice as she saw me eyeing the magical academy right below us.

' Not to be anything Mom, but didn't we just a few minutes ago already establish that I indeed approved of your choice in me enrolling in the MRIAA?'I questioned in my mind as I wondered why mom is still bringing the topic up.

Apparently, Dad agreed with my thought and let out an exasperated sigh before saying "Yes Aeterna, you already told me and Ethern that your filly seemed to have an inclination and likeness to follow your path in pursuit of knowledge. But do you really have to bring it up again?

I don't know about you but to me, our filly Critic here seemed to also be annoyed by your remarking again, I know she's a newborn but something inside me told me that her eyes hold more intelligence than she should have"

My mother apparently didn't get father's tired tone, as she giggled and did a flying spin which forced me to suddenly hold tighter to her manes, before saying "Well, what if she's indeed had more intelligence than she should have? That just meant she would learn new information more easily and someday be a great researcher- even greater than me as she would be invited to join the imperial researchers!

Not only that, but I had been waiting for cycles to have another foal and this time I would ensure that she would follow my path. You already had Ethern for you to teach and follow your path after all. And if my filly had an actual inclination toward knowledge? That would just make things easier for me!". As she did another flying spun and let out a joyful shout.

'Mom? I'm starting to wonder if you're really an Ice Alicorn as you had previously said? You speak of them and Water Alicorns as being cold and aren't socially active, yet your actions before clearly didn't resemble what you had just said about them?' I questioned in my mind as I pondered that perhaps, my mom is an exception since she said most and not all.

Father let out an annoyed and exasperated sigh before Ethern glanced up at his face and said "Mares?" to which Dad answered after he shook his head "Mares, in all of my cycles being around them. I still never understood them. Especially your mother, sometimes she would be all silent, cold, and quiet even to me.

Yet other times, she would be like this all active and happy dopey, were it not for her exceptional display of ice-magical prowess when we first met. I would have thought of her as Force or Telekinetic Alicorn considering her overall purple-related oriented appearance"

Our flights continued on, and it seemed it would still be a few hours of flying at this speed before we got back home.