Persistence is Key 01: True Beginnings + The Metro Expansion

by KosmikTym

Rating: everyone
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Mystery, Adventure, Drama, Original Character
Length: 35063

The rewritten and remastered version of Persistence is Key 01: Beginnings with a story that echoes deep from the Undermension

When two Alicorns show up to crash Prince Covet Dawndrop's coronation, seemingly mistaking him for somepony known as Bounded Time; he wakes up after the incident as an Earthpony... And a Pegasus? And a Unicorn! He's become three! But how? And where even is he?! The land feels unfamiliar, but with his three pairs of eyes, he has to find a way to put himself together...

Follow the beginning of the adventure that changed his life in Persistence is Key 01: Beginnings! Rewritten, remade and better than ever before!

¿uoᴉsuǝɯɹǝpuՈ ǝɥʇ uᴉ dǝǝp ɯoɹⅎ sǝoɥɔǝ ʇɐɥʇ ʎɹoʇs ǝɥʇ pɐǝɹ oʇ ǝʞᴉʅ noʎ pʅnoϺ

ʇdǝɔɹǝʇuᴉ ʎʅʅɐnʇuǝʌǝ ʅʅᴉʍ ɹǝƃuɐp ʻƃuᴉuǝʞɐʍɐ sᴉɥ uodn ʇɐɥꓕ
ǝɹɐʍɐun puɐ snoᴉɔsuoɔun ʻƃuᴉʇsǝɹ ʎʅɯʅɐɔ ʻuɹoɔᴉʅɐ ɹɐʅnƃuᴉs ǝuO
ɹooʅⅎɐǝs ǝɥʇ ʇsuᴉɐƃɐ ʇɔɐɹⅎǝɹ puɐ ʇɔǝʅⅎǝɹ sǝpᴉʇ ʇᴉʅuns ʻʅʅᴉɥϽ

Published 2024-10-07 21:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2025-01-25 16:56:58 UTC

Chapter 01: The Rip Tide

If it hadn’t been for the fact that light had managed to penetrate the walls of the brick-laden room, Covet Dawndrop would’ve never have known that it was, indeed, the daytime. Groaning, he proceeded to toss and turn to avoid the shimmering light that was touching his bed and glimmering straight onto his eyes when he opened them. He didn’t want to get up, but he knew he had no choice. There was something very special happening today, something that only happened once a year for him. Even if he’d grown tired of it over the years. Yawning, Covet tried to sit up, with his wings stretching out. His curved horn catching itself on his duvet, which had to be shaken off as he used his body to slowly sit up.

You see, Covet Dawndrop was a part of a Royal family. Specifically, the Royal family of the continent Manestralia, that lived in the capital city of Coltney that housed the three Alicorns. His father, King Crimson Sunrise, oversaw both him and his brother Stardew. Crimson was, as his name suggested, a crimson-coloured stallion. His Mane was always fixed and styled thanks to the crown that he wore, with it and the pieces of metallic armour on his hooves being completely grey. His chest housing a thick necklace of sorts; with a crimson gemstone in a lozenge cut standing out amongst the grey it was on. Meanwhile, his eyes the quite the opposite compared to the crimson red that covered his body. His eyes were vivid blue; shimmering like two pools of water amongst a sea of darkened fire. His horn was curved, much like Covet’s and Stardew’s. Although it was far bigger than his own. It almost reflected his own age as he had been the ruler of Manestralia for over a millennia after all. His wings also showed his age, being far bigger than the average Pegasi’s wings. Finally, his ear held one singular hooped earring. Gold in colour and something that stood out amongst the sea of crimson red.

However, his brother was different. His mane wasn’t styled, and his wings weren’t big. In fact, both Stardew and Covet had around the same sized horn and wings. Being younger Alicorns in their young adulthood, they knew that they would one day be in the same stage as their father. If one were to compare their ages to human years, Stardew would be twenty-two. Whereas Covet would most certainly be twenty-one. Stardew also had a coat of red hue; although it was almost as if a salmon had been plucked from the water with the colour of palish red covering him. His mane was much like Covets in the sense that it was covered in three colours. However, whilst Covet had red, gold and purple in his mane with a red tail, Stardew possessed three varieties of blue. Light blue, Deep blue and a colour sort of resembling a dulled turquoise. All of the mane waving to the ends like the waves in the sea. Then there were his eyes. Eyes that held a distinct pink colour to them. Almost like two pink roses in their colour. Lastly, Stardew held a smaller gold earring compared to his father. It was a simple rectangle one in gold which he felt looked good on him.

Then there was Covet himself, he held his purple, gold, and red mane as well as his tail. The gold and purple being the same red before he dyed his mane a few years prior for big events he and Stardew held. They were nice, and Covet kept those colours in his mane to remind him of those times. Then there was the case of his orange coat. It wasn’t saturated orange, It was more-so, a pale sort of orange. An orange that looked like a light sandstone covered in this barrage of almost eye-offending colours. It was almost a mystery to everyone, including himself, as to how he even managed to get this amount of mismatched colouring to himself. It wasn’t as if he minded though, it kept colts, fillies, and fans away from him. The contrasting blue eyes that he held however, reminded most ponies of tropical waters, with their azure tone. Lastly, the cutie mark that laid on his flank was that of a teardrop with a sun behind it. The yellow points on the sun being able to peer out from the teardrop; and related him to his father significantly; Despite how he may have felt about his family relationships.

Though, today, he wouldn’t get time to contemplate about that aspect of his life. He had to get out of bed, and fast. About ten minutes passed as he got himself out of bed, or rather flopped out of bed, and trotted slowly to the curtains to open them. Seeing the ocean far below once he opened his curtains slightly, with his eyes squinting from the sun shining on him. The castle he was in being built on-top of a humongous cliff. With his room being in a small tower that popped out of a bigger part of the castle. His room, being akin to a pigsty, made traversal by hoof hard, with various textbooks and various other items strewn across the room. However, he managed. He wasn’t the best with his room's tidiness; and he rarely allowed the castle staff to come in and clean the place. In fact, the last time he did that was before he was chosen as the rightful heir to his father’s throne quite a few years back. He always recalled grinning widely as his brother’s face grew angry at the announcement; and he also remembered the fight that ensued because of the announcement. It sent his relationship with his brother down to the abyss as far as he was concerned. Although, it wasn’t as if he and his brother liked each other before that for a large amount of time either.

It was then, however, when he heard a knock. He rolled his eyes as he assumed that this was the castle staff, not thinking that it could’ve been anyone else. Who he was greeted by as he turned the wooden door surprised him. It was, as it turned out, his brother Stardew. On Stardew’s face held the expression of tedium. The expression one would give when they had to do something that they really didn’t want to do. It took a slightly tense moment of the two just standing there before Stardew spoke, with a distinct and thick Oceanic accent; something that Covet admittedly didn’t possess as strongly, so the accent wasn’t nearly as thick in his speech. It didn’t completely smother his words, and he was able to speak without nearly any large accentual flares.

“Stel see yeh wakin’ up, eh?” He asked, with some casual disinterest in his voice. To him, he only had one thing on his mind, so seeing his brother wasn’t of too much interest to him. Before Covet could respond, a flash of bright light came from Stardew’s horn. By the time Covet could look around, he heard things behind him. He turned to find that Stardew was recovering a suitcase that Covet thought he had already packed. “Now what do you think you’re doing?!” He shrieked with anger as he tried to stop Stardew from opening it. “O’ cahm dahn wud yeh!? Oim jus’ makin’ shuh that yeh ain’ forgo’uhn teh pack nuthin’ impoh’ant!” Stardew responded, managing to get Covet off the suitcase before it broke, as it looked as if it were about to.

Covet yawned for a moment before seeing Stardew use his magic to look at every item he summoned from the mess on the ground. Making some of the mess shuffle around as Stardew grabbed specific items. He also noticed a list that Stardew had. Looking closer, he noticed that it had the items that he was grabbing, checking the items off on the list as he went along, and it was all written in messy handwriting. A product of rushing. Managing to yank the list off of Stardew for a split second, Covet looked it. The list being written in dark blue ink and read as the following:

ESSENTIALS (for checking on Covet!)
~~Clothes~~
Towels x
~~Toothbrush~~
Manebrush x
~~Comb~~
~~Shampoo~~
Sunscreen x

By the time Covet had finished reading this list, he noticed that Stardew was adding the things that were missing and had a big cross next to them. Before he could protest about anything, he saw his towels, his small comb and his sunscreen that he kept floating past both him and Stardew and placing themselves neatly within the suitcase. Seeing that everything was neatly placed and organised like Stardew wanted, he closed it. Snatching his list back with force and closing the suitcase with a loud zipping sound.

“Yeh room is, eh… Loik’ ah jahngul” Stardew then said, looking around in slight annoyance. “Yeh should really le’ one of them castle hahscleanahs com’ in an’ clean the place, yeh know?”. “I don’t need the roasted seagull to tell me what to do” Covet then snapped back, with annoyance in his voice. Stardew must’ve picked up on this, as he responded with a tone reminiscent of offence, saying “I’m no’ troyin’ teh upse’ yeh! Bu’ this dump needs a clean! Think ah how much dust n’ rubbish is in ‘ere! It c’uld dew the place sum’ good!”. Covet simply frowned as he tried to use his magic to move Stardew back to the doorway. Muttering under his breath “If you’re that concerned why don’t you clean it yourself” as he seemed quite annoyed at this point. However, before he could shove Stardew out of his room, managed to break free of his brothers magic quite easily and proceeded to get upset at the resistance Covet was putting up.

“Yeh know I COULD’VE let yeh stay sleepin’ and yeh would’ve been late feh the trip we’h goin’ on! Tro’nest Covet! Ah favouri’ spot! Cahn’t yew-“but before Stardew could finish that sentence, Covet interrupted. “Again, with this stupid recital you prepare every year! It’s YOUR favourite spot! Not mine! Now buck off and stop being up my flank every five SECONDS!” he shouted back. His words making Stardew and Covet enter a stare down. That was, before Stardew sighed and trotted past Covet to the entrance of the room. He seemed to have another moment standing before he spoke. When he did, he simply said “Wha’evah…” before finally trotting off, stomping his hooves down the hallway. Once Stardew was out, Covet slammed his door in anger. Simply muttering to himself through his teeth “About bucking time…” and then getting dressed.

It had been twenty-five minutes before Covet got himself outside of his room. Opening his suitcase and putting a rather large book in his suitcase that he got from under his bed, before he zipped it shut. The book being titled Fae; The ancient folk of light and darkness. He’d always had a fascination with history. More-so with the history within his father’s private study. He often wanted to look through many of his father’s ancient texts and books, but he was always caught. The fact he got ahold of this book was a rare exception. So, he wanted to take full advantage of the time he’d have, even if he didn’t want to go on vacation. Regardless, he then trotted out of his bedroom and shut the door behind him as he carried the suitcase with him. Making his way down through the castle and out to the entrance. He’d decided to put on a flannel shirt. One with the buttons undone. Along with some deep blue sunglasses.

This morning wasn’t a very packed morning, no overwhelming amounts of castle staff barraging him every step of the way, no guards escorting him. It was him and his suitcase together alone. As he made his way through the castle, he began to see the regular. Paintings with golden frames, curtains adorning the castle windows as he made his way past the castle garden entrance, castle staff moving back and forwards as if he weren’t there. He supposed they were busy with other things and that they couldn’t stop to bother him. Which he liked immensely. He preferred his walks and travels to be undisturbed. Almost like his favourite kind of coffee, almost bitter black and without the interference of milk muddying the strength of the beverage.

Although, before he made it outside, he did take a gander at a particular portrait of himself, in a much younger state. With Stardew in a much younger state, and his parents. The King and the late Queen of Manestralia. Her name was Esmerelda. A green coloured mare. With a horn that rivalled his father’s size and wings that were only slightly smaller than Crimson’s. With a gold earring that Crimson wore nowadays in remembrance of her. Upon her deep green mane, sat a tiara made of gold. With green gems on each summit where the tiara shot up. Like her husband, she wore a thick chest necklace of sorts. With a vivid green lozenge cut gem which was presumably the gemstone she was named after. An emerald. Upon both of their horns sat one ring each. Both made out of gold and symbolising their marriage. He remembered that her and his father always tended to wear them as a sort of secondary necklace, however. Only wearing them on their horns for special occasions.

Before she passed away, Covet knew her as a kind soul. Both him and Esmerelda being incredibly close. It reminded him of the times he and Stardew actually got along. Anytime he and Stardew would have a little argument that nearly ended in a fight, she was always there to mediate it whilst their father was busy with royal meetings and such. If Covet was lost or needed guidance, she was always there to help guide him accordingly to make the right decisions in his early life. Whenever his father was close to losing his temper, or generally exhausted, she’d be there to shoulder his duty with him and to take over whenever he needed to rest. Everything was great back then from what he recalled. But when she passed, when Covet was age six and Stardew was age seven, he remembered how distant both he and Stardew had gotten. How broken his father was for a good few years and how lost the three of them were without her.

He’d always stay with his father during those times, which was probably why he and Stardew got more distant. Stardew wanted to know what happened after all to end his mother’s life. But every time he asked his father, he could never give a definitive cause to her death. Both Stardew and Crimson would often end up fighting until Stardew and Covet’s teenage years, so naturally Covet was Crimson’s favourite. Mainly due to the fact that he never asked questions like his brother. It was frustrating to his brother, Covet knew that much. But with the years passing by, the two strayed further from each other.

Truthfully, he’d always been somewhat curious himself, but it never weighed on his mind like it did with his brother, or his father. He never really had any incentive when it came to investigating things. Nor did he find looking back to the past to be very beneficial. But there was a time period a few years before the current day that Covet often found himself reminiscing on. When they performed across the country and ran their own competition-based events. It was a fun time overall. They ran eight of these events; each of which lasting two days each. They were called Alifests. The main competition being that of Wave Racing. A sport all across Manestralia. Two teams of three would use water traversal crafts that they custom made to participate and it was always a good time. He lost five of the events though. The one that soured him to them was the last one. Which also held Sky Soaring. An event where two teams would craft their own gliding vehicles. Or in the case of Pegasi they’d use their wings. He wasn’t a fan of it when it happened, but just as he remembered that specific Alifest, he snapped back to reality just as quickly. Shaking his head, blinking and then taking one more look at the portrait Covet stared at his mother in the portrait briefly. With a “See you later, mum” that he said quietly to himself. Then trotting off with a slight smile.

It took about another five more minutes before he finally made it outside. The air of the nearby sea wafting into his face. The distinct smell of salt penetrating his sense of smell; more-so than it did in the castle anyway. He looked around and saw a carriage not too far away from him; connected to another. With guards entering the front carriage. He made his way hesitantly to the back carriage before feeling relief after seeing his father poking his head out of the carriage at his son. From the outside, he could see that his father was wearing a sort of grey sweater that was tied around his chest and presumably draped over his body. With his wedding ring necklace over the sweater. His ear sporting the gold hooped earring that he usually wore. Underneath it, a cream-coloured shirt sat that was mostly covered by the aforementioned sweater the further down the body it got. The look he sported however was one of annoyance, rather than pleasure at seeing his son.

“The’e yeh ah! Wha’ took yew so long boy?!” Crimson semi shouted as his son got inside the carriage. Covet seemed to be in a temporary state of disbelief as he immediately asked “I thought I was on time? Surely, I wasn’t late?” with slight worry making itself known. Angering his father wasn’t on his to-do list today, so he naturally had a sense of worry about himself after hearing his father’s words. That, however, was when Crimson laughed. This confused Covet until Crimson responded. “Yeh’re always sa’ch a serious one Cohve’! Loigh’en up boyo yeh’re foiv’ minaht’s early!”. This little joke his father seemed to have played did not go well with Covet all. Evident by the way Covet stomped into the carriage with a small momentary grumble and an enormous eyeroll. As annoyed as he was, however, he knew better than to try and retaliate. Levitating his suitcase inside the carriage and plopping it next to himself. Almost like a makeshift wall to stop him from having to look at Stardew given what happened earlier. However, Stardew wouldn’t have been able to sit next to him, given Crimson’s own suitcase sat at the opposite end of Covet’s seat. As a double check, he did open his suitcase ever so slightly. Peeking in as he saw that a book, he’d snuck into the suitcase sat perfectly undamaged. He didn’t want his father to see this book though as he quickly zipped it back up. Simply saying “Just checking I definitely had everything” as Crimson raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Clearly not convinced entirely. But Crimson decided to not press Covet on the truth. Not yet, anyway.

About a moment of awkward silence passed before Stardew came galloping in. He slammed his suitcase against Covets, almost slamming it into Covet which annoyed him a little, in rushed panting and then sat next to their father. Using his magic to close the door. Stardew wearing a sun-visor and a shirt that almost resembled a tennis shirt. With deep grey as the colour. “And here you were saying I was going to be the one late” Covet snickered to himself. “Aye I neveh said nuffin’ loik tha’!” Stardew protested. In a mocking tone, Covet then repeated what Stardew had said in their prior encounter. “You know I could’ve let you stay sleeping and you would’ve been late for the trip we’re going on” he mimicked. Adding a sort of whine to his words and using his wing to mimic a mouth speaking. Knowing full well it would get under his brother's skin. With Stardew going to protest in anger before Crimson stopped him. Flapping a wing in place to act like a wall. “Befoh’ yeh both sta’t foightin’ an’ tehrin’ up this carriage, I need teh make things’ abundantly clea’h. Use this toim’ teh get along feh once. All I see yew tew do la’ely is argew ‘n foight. In otheh weh’ds, behave. BOTH ah yehs” he then said, aiming his last few words at Covet specifically as the carriage began speeding off.

“Oh, as if i’m the one who’s going to throw a temper tantrum” Covet remarked, glaring at him as Stardew gave a sly smirk from behind his father’s wing, which had lowered somewhat during the conversation. “Fatheh said behave” Stardew then mockingly retorted back at Covet. However, Crimson wasn’t having any of what the two were intending to do to one another. With a stern voice this time that was slightly raised, he said “Enough” as the two younger Alicorns turned away from one another. The rest of the carriage ride being one filled with tension between the pair. Neither could look at each other for too long without Crimson making sure that no arguments would break out between the pair. Staring daggers at both of them as he opened the window of the carriage about halfway through their ride. Crimson honestly thought it was a bit disappointing that neither of them could seem to get along. But he knew that, no matter what, they’d never quite see eye to eye. Even with his advice and suggestion to get along. He didn’t even pay attention when the pair started trying to annoy eachother with various foul gestures toward one another. Most being performed with their wings.

It took a while before the carriage pulled up to the city port. The three of them getting out as Crimson levitated their suitcases out. Guards lining the path as various ponies started noticing the three. Ponies trying to rush up to the three as the guards managed keep the path clear for the three. “Aftah this lil boa’ roid’, yeh’ll both be doivin’ inteh the watah furs’ thing! Oi know eht!” Crimson then chirped out with optimism as the other two alicorns looked at each other with severe agitation toward one another thanks to their antics in the carriage. All three of them ignoring the crowd and heading off along with their luggage to Coltney Port. A name Covet spotted from the sign slapped on the building that separated four smaller port areas. One for what was called the Brismane travels. One for what was called the Buckenshire travels. One for what was called Coltney travels. With the final one being the area they trotted toward, called Trottnest Island trips. Then trotting to a smaller, separated area within said area called Starshine Travels. A very particular part of the port that housed what was named the Trottnest StarShine or Trottnest S for short.

“Ah, it’s bu’en foreveh since Oiv’ se’n this ah’ld ga’hl!” Crimson remarked to himself with intense fondness and nostalgia, as the three trotted along to the ship that was docked in the port. With guards following behind them as they were finally out of the main public area. Guards being stationed at the entrance to the smaller area, whilst more guards followed them to the ship. Crimson’s tone was one of nostalgia, with a small smile showing up on his face. “We go on this ship every year” Covet then added in response as the three got on. Crimson being slightly disgruntled about Covet’s remark and losing his small smile. Stardew simply rolling his eyes to the comment.

The ship wasn’t very big, given its travels were few and far between with a usual maximum of four main passengers. But it was a nice-looking ship. All white with two red lines wrapping around the ship’s hull, although one of the red lines was partially submerged in the water. So, it looked like only one was there; the second only being spotted by keen eyes. Alongside that, a golden star seemed to pop out at the ship’s bow, giving the ship a nice decoration to make it stand out. Finally, the ship seemingly held two levels. The top level being smaller than the second. Only housing the ship controls where the captain would reside. It didn’t have a complex inside, only having one room below that with a sitting area. But it was still something. Covet always thought that the ship should’ve been classed as a ferry. But his father always pretended as if it was bigger than it actually was; so, he gave it the classification of ship.

Trotting up to and hopping on the ship on port side with their suitcases, the three quickly stepped aside and headed to the bow. With the guards behind them also stepping on the ship and heading for the hull. Crimson and Stardew sitting down together whilst Covet chose to sit a little further away to gaze at the water. Before he could, however, an Earth Pony stallion approached the three. Seeming eager to greet the King and the two Prince’s. He was bigger than the average stallion, but not by much. With a greyish blue coat colour and a messy tail. His mane poking out of his captain hat. Which was red primarily. Although it had a secondary colour of silver for the metal-esque band around the captain hat. With a final S and B stuck together at the front.

“Ahoy yeh majestay’s! Welc’m aboh’d! The’s be thah Tro’nest Stahshoin!” he began. With his accent being just as heavy as Stardew’s and Crimson’s were. “Oi be yeh cap’n feh this trip an’ the trip yeh takin’ back from Tro’nest oisl’nd. Cap’n Sail Breeze! Altho’, yew already knew tha’ Oi’m shuh!” he then finished off, adding a chuckle to the last part of his speech. With Crimson responding with “Ple’shuh teh see yew aghe’n, Sail! How’ev things be’hn?” as Stardew seemed to disengage from the conversation. With Covet staring into the distance, waiting for the ship to set sail. Meanwhile, Sail and Crimson continued. With Sail answering Crimson’s question. “Aye, it’s be’hn gu’d! Plen’y ah passengh’s on th’ Tro’nest Cohme’ n’ the job pays gu’d! ‘Ad sum’ fussy ones la’ly tho’” Sail explained, seeming slightly annoyed at the end of his sentence. Presumably from recalling the so-called fussy passengers.

Covet had heard of the other ship in question. The Trottnest Comet. Also known as the Trottnest C. He also saw it from his window from time to time. The castle being stationed on a cliff looking out to the ocean. Seeing it from very far away, it looked like nothing more than a little blip in the vast sea. So he never really got a good look at the thing itself. He did see it one time a few years back though. The most appealing thing to him was the deep azure blue that it had. Though, he couldn’t remember more than that. He’d never been on that one after all. His rides to Trottnest Island were always on the Trottnest Starshine. It was probably due to the fact that he’d be mobbed, but he still wished he could travel on it. Just once. He thought about using a spell to make him a normal citizen, but the effort it would’ve taken for him to learn the spell seemed like way too much for him. That’s why he stuck with more simple spells. Levitation of small to medium sized objects, turning pages in books, that sort of thing. He wasn’t well versed in spell work. Unlike his brother, who’d mastered most of the regular and uncommon spells. His speciality though seemed to be weather. Compared to Covet, Stardew was far more capable. Not that it bothered him, but it was still a fact.

Cutting back to the conversation Sail and Crimson were having, they started to get onto another topic. With Sail saying “Aye, yeh majestay? Have yew ‘eard of the irreguh’lah weathah? It’s ‘ad us rerou’ tah go the long ways instehd a’ the direc’ ways. Take feh instance the Col’ney tah Ahndahbuhckah rou’. Used to jus’ go straigh’ across the oshun teh Buckenshir’ Islan’, but now we ‘av tah go from this ‘ere Col’ney Islan’, across teh the back of Brismayn’ Islan’. THEN we ‘av teh weav’ through Brismayn’ Islan’ down the nohthehn coast ah Buckenshir’ Island to get to Ahndahbuhckah ‘n back! Add on the toim ‘n we can behrly make it back ‘ere befoh’ the day en’s! Can yew look ‘nta tha’?”. With a surprisingly calm Crimson simply responding with “Oi’v tried tah sor’ tha’ out. T’s all cahmin’ from the Pen’adiamond Isles. The mos’ Oi would be able teh dew is advois tha’ more ships ehr mayd’ teh tackle the cuhren’ probl’m”.

“Dad, yeh know Oi can sor’ tha’ aht, roi’t?” Stardew then asked. With Crimson laughing slightly before responding. “Yeh, yew sor’ aht this unnat’rul phenomenah tha’ cuhd kill yeh. Wuhd dew wondehs for yeh body!” as Stardew sulked and looked away slightly as he added on to what he had said. “Oi meant, con’ayn it. If oi add ontah yeh powehs- “but before Stardew could even think about finishing, Crimson replied with “Aw’reday troid usin’ weathah mahgic. Can’ ge’ the stuff teh wehk feh mey. Yoh’s ain’ powehful enough. Comboinin’ ou’ mahgic wouldn’ dew much gewd. If oi weh’ tah compahe eh’ tah somethin’, oi’d say it’s loik a glass ah wadah tha’s ‘alf full. Yew’d add a few toiny drops. Tha’s eh’” as he shrugged, leaving Stardew even more upset. But he held it in for the most part.

After hearing what Crimson had to say, Sail sighed as he looked out to the Pentadiamond Isles in question. They were just barely visible to the southeast from where they were. Looking like tiny bumps. “Wish eh’ wuhs ah’ leas’ consisten’ weathah” he muttered to himself. Crimson caught onto what he’d said, as he got up and put his hoof on Sail. “Oi’m sohry. Bu’ oi’v triod wha; oi can” he then said as Sail nodded in slight disappointment. Covet didn’t pay attention to any of this conversation, however. Sail’s problem was tiresome to him. Add in the fact it was an Earthpony who brought it up, and he was completely disengaged. He never saw any value in a stallion or mare that wasn’t capable of flight like a Pegasi, or capable of magic like a unicorn. He couldn’t talk though. He didn’t have too many spells to his name. Still. He never did seem to give Earth Pony’s the credit or respect they deserved. In fact, he recalled a few moments where he took jabs at Earth Ponies and bullied them back in his more social days. Nowadays, he’d calmed down with that behaviour though, given he rarely spoke to anypony at all.

was simply staring into the ocean. Almost transfixed. It wasn’t as if he was in danger, he just seemed to be lost in the waters. The deep blue always resonated with him. Which was something he could never seem to explain. He only snapped out of his transfixed state after he felt the ship move a few minutes after Sail and Crimson had wrapped up their conversation. With Stardew taking passive note of it as he watched from the corner of his vision. He was slightly concerned. But brushed it off since Covet always did this. Every year. So, it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary for him.

It didn’t take too long in retrospect to get to Trottnest island. It was a journey that only lasted thirty minutes. But in that entire time, Covet couldn’t stop looking at the ocean on the horizon. Completely uninterrupted by land. It was as if nothing existed beyond their continent. It got him thinking. There HAD to be something beyond that, right? He’d asked his father a few times, but all he could surmise is that there used to be something out toward the far west. But it disappeared around one thousand years ago. His father had tried to see if a magical spell was cast, but he claimed he could never detect any magic. Which didn’t sit quite right with Covet. How could an entire landmass… Disappear? It didn’t make sense. But he couldn’t do anything about it in the present. He figured he could investigate it once he became the next King of Manestralia. But for now, he’d have to wonder in his mind what was over there. His mane being blown by the wind passing by the ship as it sailed through to Trottnest Island. The island getting bigger and bigger as it arose from the horizon more-so than it was back at Coltney Port.

It took no more than five minutes for the ship to sail itself in a smaller area of what Sail called Trottnest port after shouting out “Bahnd fer Tro’nest Por’! Playes’ gatheh yeh luggash’ ‘n prepeh tah disembahk!”. But this time there was only two areas in this port. One for the Trottnest Starshine, and one for the Trottnest Comet. Getting a closer look at the Comet, Covet saw that it was slightly bigger than their own boat. With ponies boarding as another captain could be seen very slightly on the top floor. The hull having white lines instead of red and the Comet having a horseshoe decoration in silver. Which was much like the Starshine’s star in size. Luckily, they managed to dock into the port as the Comet set sail back for Coltney Port. With ponies trying to get a glimpse of the Starshine whilst being on the Comet.

Once they were fully docked, the guards immediately got off first. With Stardew and Covet trotting on a moment after them. Using their magic to levitate their luggage off of the Comet. Crimson however, stayed behind as he and Sail continued to talk once Sail came down from the ship’s control room. “Yeh kno’, yeh woif’ ‘ud be prahd ah they’m tew. Almos’ sad tha’ this’wl be the las’ toim yew three’ll be cahmin’ ‘eah tugethah” Sail commented as Crimson chuckled to himself. Simply replying with “If only yeh knew wha’ they act’d loik tawohd eachah’thah on a regelah ba’sees” as their conversation continued. Covet and Stardew meanwhile, made their way out of the smaller port. The crowds that tried to surround the pair were smaller, but still somewhat large. Both trying to not succumb to the urge of signing various items that ponies were trying to show them. It took a few moments, but once Covet and Stardew made it slightly further from the port and started trotting north, Crimson arrived with a bright flash of red. Teleporting in with his luggage, much to the surprise of the guards and even Covet and Stardew, even if it was much lesser than the guards' surprise. The crowds around the three started to dissipate for a moment as the ponies around the guards and the three seemed frightened. But, as soon as they saw that Crimson was with the pair, the crowds came back in full force.

“Let’s get to our hotel. Quickly” Covet simply said a moment later with exhaustion. With Crimson and Stardew trotting onward with him along with the guards. Covet wasn’t too big on these crowds that formed around him anytime he so much as stepped into the sunlight. He’d kept himself mostly composed, but after the ship ride all of his composure had left. Partially as an add-on from what happened earlier that morning, but mostly from just losing himself in his own head from staring into the oceans. Stardew, who’d noticed the exhaustion meanwhile, wanted to speak up and ask if Covet was at least alright. But Crimson was ultimately the one to speak up. Saying “Don’ wor’ay boyo, once we ge’ teh ah hotel, they won’ be bothahrin’ us no moh’” as Covet simply, and subtly, eyerolled. With the three of them then managing to reach their hotel some twenty minutes later. North of Trottnest Port.

When they reached their hotel, Covet saw a familiar white brick building with the beige doors and pristine windows on the first floor. Behind on a higher cliff, he saw the familiar Trottnest Lighthouse that oversaw the northern part of the island. With its equally white bricks and incredibly light grey lighthouse top. He also saw three separate, smaller buildings just behind the main hotel. Each almost identical in appearance to the hotel that stood before the three Alicorns. Opposite the hotel, a beautiful, azure, blue ocean and golden sand beach sat. With the waves casually swooping toward and away from the coast. Above the beige doors that stood before them on the main hotel building, sat a sign. Titled Northern Sapphire Shore Resort: Founded 650 CS. Crimson then spoke up as they entered, saying to Covet “Su’n it’ll goh frum CS tah CD. Id’wl be jus’ loik tha’ alifes’ yeh had with Stahdew. Eh, wha’ wuz i’? Moduhn Vuhsus Classic uh sumthin’ loik tha’” as Covet eyerolled and Stardew tried to not think about what he’d just heard Despite knowing that he’d won the Modern versus Classic Alifest which had Covet representing modern forms of entertainment such as movies and music players (Which included CD’s of course!). Whilst Stardew represented classic forms of entertainment such as books and board games. In terms of time periods, CS stood for Crimson Sunrise; or the time period in which he took over as ruler. But in a months’ time, it would go to 0 CD. Also known as 0 Covet Dawndrop.

To Covet, this wasn’t particularly important to note, but he couldn’t admittedly ignore what his coronation would mean to his continent. Memories from years past starting to enter his mind as he looked around. Meanwhile, on the other hoof so-to-speak, Stardew couldn’t really do anything but think about it. It was still a sore spot for him after all. To have lost the throne to the likes of his brother? Absolutely outrageous. Especially given his brother wasn’t exactly keen on being the next in line for the crown and given Stardew was the eldest of the pair. It irked him immensely to think about. But, as they both stewed on their feelings as they often did, they entered the hotel building proper; with the door shutting behind them.

Upon entry, they made their way to the reception. Covet seeing two doors on either side behind the reception that presumably led to the other two buildings, with two more doors on either side of the room that presumably lead to other integral areas such as a kitchen. At the reception, a Pegasus mare stood, greeting the three. Herself being dressed up in a professional blazer, which was black and contrasted her pale blue coat colour along with a nametag that showed her name being Salt Seas. Her light grey mane being tied back, and her wings being folded. Despite her name, she seemed rather friendly, saying “Welcuhm tew the Nohthurn Sapphoih Sho’h Resoh’ yeh majestayes!” as Crimson then spoke. “We’d loik ta’ che’k in” he said, nice and simple, as Salt looked through some of her paperwork that she grabbed from one of her desk drawers. It was presumably easy to know exactly the three Alicorns were infront of her, so she didn’t ask for any identification from the three and instead got straight to the paperwork.

“Ah, yes! Stayin’ the wahekend in the cliffsiod base buildin’! Comple’ely booked tew! Tha’ explayns the straynj’ lack ah custahmehs” she laughed as she subtly caught the gaze of Covet, who seemed largely disinterested in the whole process. Managing to catch onto this, Salt then flew over to grab a rather large, golden key that sat next to two other golden keys. Then flying over and handing it to Crimson, eager to not disappoint. “I’m shuh yeh alreaday know thees, bu’ tha’ key is feh yer buildin’ in the fah back ah the hotel. The beach ah’ fruhn’ is privah’ly resehved feh the hotel, hence why whe’h cawl’d a resoht, so feel free teh head ovah the’h whilst ah’ bellhop drops yeh suitcases off teh yeh buildin’!” she then explained, with a smile as Crimson used his magic to carry the key, and then opened his suitcase and grabbed three towels. One red, one pink and one orange. Covet wanted to grab his own, as did Stardew, but they elected to not once they saw Crimson grabbing the three towels. Looking at their suitcases as an Earthpony stallion then came in from one of the doors behind the reception.

This Earthpony was evidently smaller than the average stallion, with a tightly buttoned red jacket covering the torso of his plum-coloured coat. His Phthalo blue mane and tail being neatly styled. Crimson watched momentarily as the Earthpony stallion rolled the three suitcases out: After hoisting them onto his bellhop trolley. Just to make sure that this Earthpony could even manage given his smaller stature and ready to jump in to help if he needed it. With Covet sighing and eyerolling very slowly given the Bellhop was an Earthpony, but couldn’t manage a simple few suitcases. Stardew noticed this, and gave Covet a gentle shove as Covet glared at him.

With some help from another bellhop stallion, the Earthpony managed. That one being a unicorn with the same sort of attire as the Earthpony. Although this unicorn was not only taller than the Earthpony, but he also had an autumn orange coat with a deep red mane and tail. Satisfied, and partially relieved on unbeknownst behalf of the Earthpony stallion, Crimson then started trotting off to the beach. With Covet and Stardew following closely behind. Towels following behind as Crimson levitated them in the air next to him, with Crimson chirping out “Roi’t then! Off the the b’ech!”. Salt staying at the reception and waving at them as most of the guards that had followed prior started to enter and check themselves into the remaining two buildings the hotel had. Given the three royal Alicorns were staying there, security had to be tight after all.

Heading back outside into the sun, Covet was relieved to see that some guards were blocking the way to the hotel. Sighing in relief and immediately galloping toward the ocean. His flannel shirt and sunglasses immediately being thrown backward toward Crimson. Stardew seemingly also seemed relieved, although it was lesser. Galloping away to the ocean just like Covet, although notably slower and actually having the decency to hand his father his shirt and sun visor with Crimson tutting and using his magic to pick up Covet’s clothes. Making a small pile on one of the towels he had, unwrapping it and placing it on the ground. Crimson had already decided to hang back and just set his towel down on the sand once he managed to get to the beach. Laying the key from the hotel down with the clothes. Guards coming out of the hotel a few moments later to keep access to the beach limited, with some swapping with the guards on the road so that those guards could check in themselves. With a splash, Crimson watched Covet fly up into the air, before cannonballing himself into the cool blue waters. Whilst watching Stardew a moment later slowly slide in. Thankfully for him, he was far enough away from the ocean to not get splashed when Covet cannonballed. But he still jumped somewhat. He wasn’t a huge fan of the ocean whatsoever. He more-so loved the sunshine and warm weather compared to the cool waters surrounding the islands he ruled over. In a mere moment, he took off his clothing, laid on his stomach (with his back facing the sky) and unfurled his wings so he could catch as many rays as possible.

Meanwhile, in the oceans, the two younger Alicorns began to enjoy the deep blue. Keeping to themselves at first, until Covet accidentally splashed Stardew whilst swimming past him. Stardew took this as an invitation, since he used his magic to gather a large mass of water. To which, he then dumped it all over Covet as his head became drenched. Covet returned this in kind as the pair began playfully launching water-bombs of sorts at each other. With Stardew being able to make much bigger water-bombs than Covet given his magic was greater than Covet’s. But Covet still put up a good fight. In the end, both were practically soaking wet. From head to hoof; quite literally. It was at this point that Stardew then suggested something. On a whim, he asked “Yeh wanna rayc’?” as Covet looked slightly intrigued. “From where to where? I’ll put your in your place any day” Covet then asked back, with some attitude inserted into his question. Stardew chuckled slightly as he pointed to one end of the shoreline, to the other. Without any hesitation after Stardew pointed, Covet sped off, eager to win. Stardew didn’t rush, however. Instead, he used his magic to charge the wind behind him. It took a moment or so, but just as Covet reached the first end of the shoreline, Stardew came blazing past. Almost becoming one with the winds themselves. Covet was awestruck as he watched his brother speed off past him and in desperation, he began swimming as fast as he could.

With the pair of young Alicorns swimming laps across the ocean from one end of the coast to another however, they didn’t really notice that there was something wrong. For the first few laps, Covet and Stardew managed to keep relatively close to the shoreline. But the more laps that had passed, the longer it seemed to take to complete the laps. It took so long by the end, that Stardew’s wind boost that he had given himself had all but faded. With him looking toward the shoreline as he let out a gasp. Knowing what had happened. “Coveh’, oi think wey shuhd ‘ehd back befoh we toih of exhaustiahn ‘n drahn” he then said, with Covet eyerolling. “We can swim back at any point! Stop worrying!” Covet then retorted. However, Stardew was having none of what Covet was about to throw out, since he tried to use his magic to lift Covet out of the water. Covet immediately breaking free in anger. “We don’t need to head back!” Covet shouted, with his wings flapping in the air as a result of his anger. “Buh’ it’s a Rip-Toid’ Coveh’! Yeh know wha’ ‘appens teh ponies tha’ stay tew long in a Rip-Toid!” Stardew snapped back. With the pair of them entering a heated argument. What was unknown to the pair of them, however, was that someone was slowly surfacing from the depths. Their hollow, eyeless face eyeing the pair as a spectral smoke came from the place where their eye sockets should’ve been. Their deep purple mane and cracked horn poking out along with their eyes.

Without warning, they launched a quiet, and sly spell. With a faded orange beam hitting Covet as he fell into the water with a yelp. After witnessing him splash back into the waters, the attacker quickly sunk back into the depths. A small speckle of glimmering magenta light residing where they were very briefly before fading. Stardew darted his eyes in the direction of where the beam was launched, but by the time he turned his attention to the attacker, they had long disappeared. Only seeing the glimmering light very slightly before it disappeared. Covet, thankfully, managed to get to the surface. Trying to get back in the air before realising what had just happened. “M-my wings…!” he shouted out as he looked at them. Frantically, he tried to unfurl them to flap into the air. However, they remained folded. No matter what he tried. He almost sunk back into the ocean from the attempt's multiple times, before Stardew used his magic to get him out of the ocean. Both of them trying to yank Covet’s wings to see if they would unfurl. Covet even tried to use his own magic to unfurl them, only to find out that his magic had seemingly been locked off. As in, it was no longer working for him. Every time, he tried, he felt his horn almost short circuit. Much to his dismay and upset.

“M-maybe dad’ll know wha’ teh dew” Stardew then said a few moments later. With him taking both himself and Covet to the shoreline. Which, in itself given the distance, took a few moments. When they got to the shoreline, Covet was plopped gently on the shore, with him then galloping over to Crimson. Stardew following right behind. Crimson got up slowly as he heard the pair galloping toward him. The sand making it hard to not be noticed as the water they’d swum in mixed with the sand. Almost making a squelch sound with each hoof step they took. It was uncomfortable to hear for Crimson, so he threw Stardew and Covet’s towels at them. Expecting the pair to catch their towels. One did, but one simply had to let it flop in his face. Scowling at Stardew momentarily as Stardew nervously chuckled. Before picking it up for him and laying their towels out. Covet meanwhile, got to the point before Crimson could make even one singular joke.

“My magic’s gone, and my wings are paralysed in one position!” Covet screamed out in a panic. Stardew quickly trying to get him to quieten down as some guards looked at the three Alicorns in curiosity. Thankfully, Covet wasn’t so loud that the guards heard everything, but it piqued their interest enough. Crimson simply looked puzzled. He’d been soaking in the sun and hadn’t heard anything from the oceans. Say for the faint splashing that the two Alicorns made when they rushed into the ocean. “We thoh’ tha’ maybe yew cuhd fix eh’” Stardew then said, with Covet looking at his father with immense desperation and concern. Crimson however, seemed to shrug at first. Not really being concerned until he used his magic to try and unfurl his wings. For a few moments, Covet felt like his body was being stretched. Pain bubbling up as Crimson seemed to nearly pluck them straight off. With Covet shouting “stop!”, which garnered some of the guards to look in their direction.

“Oi’l Admih’, This ain’ no spell oi’m famihliah with” Crimson then finally said to the two younger Alicorns. There was a certain curiosity in his voice. One that he’d never really displayed before. To him, this was the first truly new thing he could dive right into revolving around magic and such for the first time in one thousand years. Although, he’d have to wait to properly try and break the spell. His priorities immediately shifted. Picking up the golden key, and the other things he’d left on the beach, Crimson started trotting toward the hotel. With Covet and Stardew exchanging glances at one another. Covet’s expressions being that of worry, whilst Stardew’s being that of mild concern. He was relieved deep down, to know that his brother was at least alright; beside the wing and magic issue.

It only took about five minutes to properly reach their hotel building. But by this time, the sun had shifted into the late afternoon. It wasn’t quite sunset, but it was nearing that time of day. Seemingly, only Stardew really took note. Muttering “Can’ belayv’ we weh eh’ tha’ long”, which made Covet’s head turn toward Stardew. Asking “What’d you say?” before Stardew simply responded with “Nuffin’” as Crimson opened the beige doors of their building with the golden key. Guards now also following suit and stationing themselves around and patrolling. There were some guards already doing this, but now that the three Alicorns were in their hotel building proper, the guards turned their attention toward the main hotel area. With a few still stationed at the front, on the street.

Inside the hotel building itself, sat a ground floor and a first floor. The stairs to the first floor seeming almost rustic. With their deep oak shade and wood railing. On the floor, a nice and soft carpet laid. On the ceiling, a rather basic light hung. With an off-white drum shade covering it. There were no fancy patterns on the ceiling lampshade, instead it was simply one colour. It wasn’t as if it had to be, but Covet thought that maybe a basic stripe or two in a contrasting colour wouldn’t have hurt to have added. Heading to the deep brown linen sofa, both Covet and Stardew plopped themselves down and sat on it. With Crimson taking the adjacent armchair. Then placing the golden key on the dark oak coffee table infront of the three. Whilst placing the towels and clothes over on a corner table which was made of the same dark oak that the coffee table was made of. With a floor lamp rising above it like a tower. The metal offering a slightly jarring contrast to the room. Although, there wasn’t really much more to comment on in the room itself. Say for the flatscreen television hung on the wall. Which Stardew quickly flicked on with the remote he managed to rescue from the aforementioned end table; before Crimson could break it by dumping wet clothes on it (blame Covet for that!).

On the television screen, that Stardew decided to on, a news report was playing. Crimson seeming largely disinterested in its topic. Whilst Covet and Stardew listened with curiosity. It was about a band they liked. One that they’d worked with when Alifests were a thing a few years back, and one that Covet in particular had a sort of friendship with. The name of the band being Start ‘N Sax. The band appearing onscreen for an interview. Start ‘N Sax was comprised of two members specifically. Much like Covet and Stardew’s own duo. Which they named Drop of Light. In Start ‘N Sax two Pegasi composed the music. The group’s music sounding like chiptune rock with jazz fused in with it. Their hit song this year seemed to undoubtedly be Sink ‘er ‘N Swim ft. Rough Tide. All their music incorporating the middle letter on it’s own to stay true to their bands namesake. In particular, Covet recalled two they used to play very often during Wave Racing matches. Sax ‘N Go, and Rush ‘N Race. They were still used, but given the extra eight songs they had made, alongside the two other prominent bands Waveplay and Coarse Crew, those particular songs were featured less and less.

In terms of Start ‘N Sax, the two pegasi were different in size. There was the rather slim, but tall stallion called Saxbit, and then the small and chubby mare called Polygon Phonic. The stallion had a rather messy mane, with an unkept tail. Both being purple to black in their gradient. Something that was magically kept in check. Whilst the mare had an almost unnaturally long magenta mane and tail. Secretly, the mane and tail had fixed extensions. But it still looked neat to most in Manestralia. Her eyes differed from her co-member though, with thick eyeliner making her look like she was consistently crying. She liked the aesthetic, but her co-member didn’t. Though, he was able to mix her love of the aesthetic into a few of their songs. Notably Broke ‘N Screen; which was a more melancholy sounding piece compared to every other song; and was her favourite.

On the television, a unicorn reporter stood next to the pair, where they were situated in a lounge of sorts. The interviewer being a mare with a pink mane and tail that was tied back into two twin ponytails, that contrasted well with her grey coat colour. It let her pink mane and tail be that much more vibrant in colour. Her outfit being all white and her microphone being blue and having a large four on it. Her first question in the interview coming out after her introduction. She asked “I’s grea’ teh have yew both ‘ere! Firs’, oi HAVE tah ask wha’ eh’ wus loik wuhkin’ on thih’s nu’ song! Oi mean, ih’ must’uhv been grea’, roigh’?” in an intrigued tone. Reminiscent of Covet and Stardew’s own curiosity. That’s when Saxbit spoke, responding with “Yeh, I’ wuz! Ih’ tewk ah long toim teh troi ‘n foind suhmfin’ new, bu’ afteh speakin’ with Ruf’ Toide ovah ah’ Woyveploy, we mahn’gd teh incohpohrayt the’h stah’ff inteh ah’s!” with Polygon adding on “Yeh, Ruf’ wuz greyh’! ‘Ey’s sah’ch ah softey! Don’ le’ ‘is naym’ ge’ yeh sceh’d! Ey’s ree’ly poloi’ ‘n noyc’! We can’ wai’ teh ‘ave eh play ah’ the Maynstrayl’an Wayv’ Raycin’ National Tuh’ney this ye’a!”.

Covet thought about that last part. The Manestralian Wave Racing National Tournament. Specifically, the one-hundredth and forty-sixth. He recalled the one he and Stardew competed in. On the Manestralian national leader boards, they were both in the top one-hundred. Covet being ranked thirteenth place and Stardew being ranked twenty-eighth overall. They did come relatively close to winning that year. But the reigning champion Harmonial Tide swept them both up in the end. They both came in a pitiful fifth and sixth place out of six racers. Bringing down their team, which had the third best ranked competitor Blossoming Nova. Ironically, the second of four Waveplay members. Although she’d stop racing after that one. Sticking strictly to music. Stardew blamed himself and Covet for that one. But Covet simply chocked it up to her being a sore loser.

When the reporter began asking the next question about possible upcoming projects, Crimson simply said “Oi’m gunna geh’ ah sew’caysis” as he trotted upstairs. Covet barely nodding in acknowledgement and Stardew using his wing to wave his father off as he trotted upstairs. With the pair being able to listen to Saxbit answer. With him saying “Well, with ‘eh cohrahnayshun ah Drop ah Loit’s Cahvet, we weh’h hopin’ tha’ they’d leh’ us pehfohm feh ‘im. Bu’, i’s tew infohmal… Appah’en’ly. So, we wan’ed teh collabahrate with Drop ah Loit’s Stahdew instead! If ‘ey’s intehrehst’d ah cohs’!” as Covet looked away somewhat in displeasure. Stardew, noticing this, seemed to be stumped as for what to say. He wanted to try and cheer him up, but everytime he thought of the start of a sentence, the rest wouldn’t follow. The moment only lasted a short while however, as a couple of minutes later, a loud shouting was heard upstairs. Directed at Covet. Simply shouting one sentence.

“COVEH’ DAWNDROP. IF YEH DON’ GEH’ YEH FLANK UP ‘ERE ROI’T NEH AN’ EXPLAIN WHY YEH ‘AVE ONE AH MY BOOKS WITH YEH. FRUHM MY PRIVA’ STUDY AH ALL PLAYC’S…”

The silence from downstairs Alicorns was deafening. Covet’s book was found. Although, he didn’t realistically know how he was going to keep it hidden given his magic was gone. He was simply going to keep it buried under his things until he got some time to himself. Come to think of it, maybe he should’ve done that from the start. Still, he got off the sofa with some hesitation, before trotting upstairs a moment later. He was intimidated to say the least when he got upstairs and saw his father’s viscerally furious face. Slowly, and lightly trotting properly to his father as he lowered his head slightly. Crimson wasted no time as he simply said “Explain” in a scarily calm, but equally as angry tone. Covet started stuttering as he responded. With him nervously laughing whilst responding with “O-oh! Musta A-accidentally fallen in!” as Crimson’s eyes twitched slightly. “Oh ih’ JUS’ fell in? Tha’ is the bigges’ buckin’ loi an’ yew know ih’ boyo” Crimson then responded, slightly raising his voice to normal as Covet seemed lost for words.

Crimson then sighed, putting the book away in his own suitcase as he continued to speak to Covet. “Hones’ly, yeh need tah stop wastin’ yeh toim on Fairies. They don’ exis’-“ but before Crimson could continue, Covet had the foolish idea to interrupt and ask a question. “If Fairies don’t exist, why is your entire study filled with literature, history and more on these so-called non-existent creatures?!”. This set Crimson off once more, as he shouted out “IF YEH’D BUCKIN’ LE’ ME FINISH YEH WASHED UP BUFFOON!” which silenced Covet for a few moments. Enough for Crimson to make his point once again. “As oi wuz SAYIN’, yeh always waste yeh toim lewkin’ inteh Fairies. Ih’s takin’ away fruhm yeh toim tha’ yeh need teh use teh geh’ used teh yah role as king! It’s all nonsense!” he then finished. Making Covet frown and almost stand off against his father. Firm in whatever stance he had. Although Crimson was unmoving, making the standoff feel like an inextinguishable firestorm fighting with an eternal hurricane of silent fighting.

Downstairs, Stardew had heard everything. The hotel building wasn’t big, after all. In a sigh, he turned off the television and headed up the stairs. Seeing the stand-off and groaning a little. Which made Crimson shoot his eyes in Stardew’s direction. Stardew took a deep breath, before attempting to mediate the situation. “Coveh’, pahps ‘s roit. Bu’ pahps, Shuhly yew cuhd-“ is what Stardew started off with, in a rather calm tone. Until Crimson interjected. With him sternly saying “Yew stay ahtta ih’” which made Stardew frown, before stopping himself from retaliating like Covet would. It took about a moment for anything else to happen, at which point Crimson shooed Covet and Stardew back downstairs. Covet being more resistant but ultimately going along with it. Once Crimson had shooed the pair downstairs, he headed back upstairs. With the pair slightly confused until Crimson came down a few moments later. Throwing two smart shirts in the direction of Covet and Stardew. One deep blue and one pale pink.

“Pu’ ‘em on. Oi ain’ abah’ teh ‘ave the pair ah yeh go ah’ undres’d” Crimson then said. Stardew catching both shirts just before one of them slapped Covet in the face. That was when Crimson remembered Covet’s situation. “Ah, roit. We’ll ge’ tha’ sor’uhd when we geh back teh the cas’l” Crimson then said, trying to cheer Covet up; who looked miserable at this point given the conversation from beforehand added onto the incident in the ocean. It didn’t help though, with Crimson seemingly standing awkwardly before heading back upstairs to get his own shirt. Stardew putting his on and helping Covet on given the fact he’d temporarily unfurl his wings usually for shirts; but couldn’t do so given the current predicament. Once both of their shirts were on, Crimson came down with his own on. A very dark red one in particular. Seeing that Covet and Stardew had put on their shirts, Crimson grabbed the key on the coffee table and headed off. Covet and Stardew following right on after. All three trotting out of the hotel with guards following behind and going ahead just in time for them to witness the first parts of sunset on their way to a nearby restaurant. Covet stared at it for a moment as he simply took in the moment. Despite what had happened earlier that day, he still managed to appreciate the sun setting. It was a joy to watch anywhere near the coasts after all. “Stardew, if we have another Alifest I want it to be Sunset Versus Sunrise. Got that?” Covet then said, turning toward Stardew. Stardew seemed surprised, replying with “Oi thogh’ we end’d ‘em with the one whe’h we wen’ agains’ eachothah. Annahncin’ ANAHTHAH one? The whole con’inen’ll geh confus’d!” as he thought of the possible consequences. “But surely we could bring it up to the others? Sax and Polygon perhaps? They’d make-“ but before Covet could finish, Stardew simply said one word. “No”. which made Covet eyeroll and stop the conversation. Sulking the rest of the way to where they were headed.

Crimson, who’d been hearing the exchange and who was infront of the two at this time, smiled to himself. His little idea of them spending time together did seem to pay off. He wanted to agree with Covet, since Covet seemed excited and interested in doing another. But then he thought of Stardew’s counterpoint. Added in with the fact that Covet was to become King in a month’s time, and Crimson dismissed any encouragement at all. Covet had to get used to his role before anything else. He needed to be a King; not a singer, or an idol. Still, he hoped that maybe the pair wouldn’t completely abandon activities together.

By the time Covet had finished sulking, the three had made their way fully to the restaurant they were headed to. The sun having set fully at this point and the night sky showing the loose bundle of stars in the sky. The guards that followed behind stationing themselves around the restaurant that Covet saw was named the Trott N' Roll, as the three entered. With the inside of the establishment having a very overwhelming deep red and gold theme. The tables and chairs using both colours and contrasting well with one another. The chairs being red, with the tablecloth that was presented being white and gold. The walls were a mix of red, with white indents that made a pattern of sorts. Curtains being gold. The lights hanging above were few, but looked stunning. Chandeliers of crystal that expelled an orange-gold colour that made the place feel comfortably warm; even with the red and gold already being there.

After a moment of looking around, the three were greeted by a unicorn waitress. Her coat colour being lilac coloured. With a mane and tail that were neatly tied back into a manebun and tailbun. On her body, she wore a tuxedo. With a bowtie and white shirt underneath. With a nametag showing her name to be Delicate Detail. Upon greeting them, she said “Welcome yeh majahstois! Plays’, follow me. I’ll get yeh tew the taybl yeh resehv’d” as Covet seemed slightly more enthusiastic at the fact a Unicorn was showing them to their table. Stardew scoffing at Covet’s enthusiasm as he looked around. With Crimson ultimately trotting forward to ask Delicate a simple question. “Ha’ ma’hch orahnj’ ‘n app’l whiskay can oi ohdeh befoh oi’m kicked out? This playc is new ‘n awl”. With Delicate seeming surprised at first, but masking it with a smile. “Oh don’ wo’ray abah’ tha’! As long as yew can control yeh’self yeh can ‘ave as much as yew loik yeh majahstoy!” she then replied, making Crimson very eager to get straight to the dining as he then looked at her as he replied to her response with a “Geh mey ah beeg, BEEG boh’l ah the stahf. Oi want some feh when oi geh back teh the hotel ‘s well!”

Covet frowned at this slightly, Stardew seeming slightly concerned himself as he asked “Ah yeh shu’h tha’s a gewd oidea?” as Crimson eyerolled. Crimson then turning around vaguely as he then asked “If yeh wahn’ed the troi sahm yeh cewda jus’ asked”. Covet snickered at this, with Stardew glaring at him in annoyance for a second before he brought up what he thought was a very valid point. “Yeh lewz yehself when yeh drink. Remembeh las’ toim?” he then asked after he stated what he intended to state. The last time being a fairly long time ago. Back when Covet and Stardew had entered their teenage years. Crimson was still mourning at that point. His wife had been dead for a number of years. Recalling this made Crimson frown. Before saying “Oi’ll modeh-ray’ Moyself” as Stardew sighed. Praying in his mind that Crimson did. Covet simply saying aloud “Oh come on. Surely you can let yourself go over your self-imposed limit for a few hours?” as Stardew glared with some anger this time. Stomping down on Covet’s forehoof with some firmness. Moreso to tell him to cut it out rather than to hurt him. But it did hurt slightly. As Covet yelped slightly and shook his hoof in the air. Seeming angry at Stardew as the pair almost entered a standoff. Before they both looked at Crimson, who seemed to be awaiting the moment to jump in and stop them when they would try and fight eachother.

“Oh, yeh both came tew yeh senses befo’h oi had teh smack yeh both outta ih’” he then remaked, vaguely relieved as he, along with the other two, made their way to their table. With Delicate’s help of course. Delicate then trotting off to attend to a family of rich ponies after saying “Jus’ lemme know when yeh’ve decoid’d wha’ the ohdah!”. Sitting down, Stardew used his magic to subtly give Covet his own menu, Covet swiping it without even saying thank you. Crimson noticed this, frowning as he then said “Yeh know, yeh cewd benefi’ fruhm bein’ noice”. Covet simply glared as Stardew and Crimson then eyed eachother. Both mutually seeming slightly annoyed, but keeping themselves together. Simply gazing upon the menu to decide what they wanted to order. Covet asking one last question in intense annoyance, glaring at the family who’d also come in for a moment. “I thought you booked this place out JUST for us. What’re they doing here…”. Crimson frowned as he stared sternly this time. Simply saying “Doan’ be rewd” as Delicate came over with the Orange and Apple Whiskey. Grabbing it and thanking her as he was also handed three glasses. They were square, and small. Instinctively pouring some for Covet and Stardew, but frowning when both of them rejected it. Covet sliding it back over as Stardew simply said “Thanks, bah no thanks”.

This refusal didn’t really bother Crimson, as one might’ve expected. Himself simply muttering out “Mo’ah feh muh’ey” as he started drinking from his own glass. Keeping the other two close as the dining continued. Properly kicking off once they’d ordered their food. Digging in as the restaurant filled up with two more families. Covet seeming to hate it. But ultimately focusing on his meal as he dug in. It was a fine dish. The dish being a stuffed salmon, various delectable things such as fine, grated garlic and cheese dripping out of the salmon that smelled absolutely divine with the lemon that was drizzled over it. With some salt lightly sprinkled over very strictly. Covet’s mouth oozing with some delight as he dug in. Despite looking improper, Covet enjoyed every bite he took. With Stardew giving him a bombastic side eye as he received his own version of the dish. But he’d requested the salmon to be replaced with a barramundi. Both fish being found around the coastlines of the northern island they came from.

Whilst Covet had waffled his down, Stardew was refined. Using the cutlery he had to finely cut the fish up into slices. Eating one bite, before he moved onto his plans for the future. Mainly about one thing he had in mind. Clearing his throat as both Crimson and Covet looked in his direction (Crimson still drinking), Stardew then spoke. “Afteh the Alifest’s, oi wuz asked teh joyn the raydeah an’ stah’ moy own raydeah show. Oi wuz gunna cawl ih Stahdew’s Sahnseh’ ‘ah”. The name being Stardew’s Sunset Hour made Covet snicker to himself as Crimson noticed, the whiskey hitting him slightly as he simply replied with “Oi think ih’s good” as he seemed to lack any food. Stardew seeming concerned as he seemed to point it out in his stare. Crimson noticing, but dismissing it. With Covet then replying to Stardew as he finally gathered his thoughts. However stupid he felt it was. “I find it ridiculous. You’re going to spend your life on some silly radio show? Absolutely preposterous” Covet then muttered out. Causing Stardew to frown.

“Ih’s MOY sha’h. No’ yehs”. Stardew firmly said, defending his future idea as Covet simply turned away with a sly grin. He knew that would upset Stardew slightly. Not caring about whatever Stardew had planned. Instead, he basked in his own future. That being the Second King of Manestralia. His mind delving into thoughts of admiration and vanity as the three, or rather just Stardew and Covet, continued dining. The dinner ending an hour later as they left. Crimson holding onto the bottle of whiskey as he seemed to slump in his trotting. Clearly having downed too much of it like Stardew feared. Carefully, both Covet and Stardew guided him back to the hotel, with guards following as they began to start their nightly patrol around the hotel. Being able to lump him into his bedroom and making sure he managed to get in bed. With Crimson giggling to himself as he slurred out a “Oi lahv yew both” with a drunken smile before both younger alicorns parted ways for the night, albeit with an awkward stare. With Covet wandering off to quietly trot outside. Stardew keeping an eye on him very slightly as he watched him from his own room’s small balcony.

A few moments passed as Covet simply sat down. He’d headed slightly further away than he wanted to. Knowing Stardew was watching as he could sense him watching him. Annoyed, but ultimately feeling introspective. He’d longed for the crown. Moreso than anything. But there was a slight air of fearing loss. Specifically, the loss of his immature life. The life filled with stage presence. With connection. With his cousin. Perhaps that’s why he found Stardew’s little project stupid. Alongside Stardew’s apparent dismissal of the continuation of the Alifest’s they ran together. It pained him, to know that Stardew was so ignorant to them nowadays. Wanting to leave them in the past. Alifest’s had been the most fun he’d had in his life! The platforms he and Stardew performed on as it followed the racers intensely. Their singing, motivating their teams with their common lyrics. Recounting them, he hummed out the beginning. Mimicking the static before he tapped his hoof to the rhythm.

“One, more night, awaits.”

“Waves beckon you to fight, and win, you need to grasp the stakes.”

“The sea, the sky, all stirring with the vision we hold dear in our hearts as the power courses on to show the way.”

He sung it in a quiet tone. Trying to keep the energy up, but that particular song required true passion. Something he just couldn’t muster without Stardew. If he just had him there, even just in a recording or something simple as that, he could’ve sung the rest. But his voice dropped off at the last word. Unable to complete their Fae Spell as his face seemed to long for those days once again. Trapped in the past. Stardew meanwhile, heard this very slightly and seemed to feel the same, longing for those times. But instead of being trapped in the past, he yearned for change. For them to let go of those times as he began to mumble out his own tune. One he’d written all by himself. His signature song that he’d comprised for the final Alifest. Hues of a Blued Sunrise. Carefully, and slowly, timing his own taps on the floor as he sung out quietly.

“Who cewda seen the tuhbulence, moy hah’t aches foh yew.”

“Na’ we stan’, so fah apah’t. Ih’ makes the aching gleh’ all tew true.”

“Togetheh, ah loits ‘ave tuhn’d dim, as I send out a mehlonchohly plea.”

“Oh what cewda been? Oi guess oi’ll nevah see...”

But that was all he could muster as he stopped himself. Feeling the saddened emotions tugging at his own heart as he looked down at Covet. Deciding to call it a night as he retreated. Deep down, he missed those Alifests and the songs they made. He hoped that they could’ve continued that venture. But life, and their father, had other plans. Remembering their fragile, but strong relationship that the pair had spent years rebuilding, collapsing as he realized (and had realized for a while) that his own upset had partially caused that collapse. Also acknowledging Covet’s attitude as being a component as he simply tucked himself in his own bed. Trying to forget that time as he sunk into his own dreams.

Unbeknownst to the pair however, two figures bitterly stared at the scene before them. Far above, ontop of the lighthouse that loomed over the hotel site. One seemed slightly taller than the other. Reflecting his own slightly older age as the moon shone down on them. One seemed to be a deepish blue. With a deep, dark blue mane that naturally seemed frozen in an eternal wave. With the younger of the two seeming to be a lavender pony. With features that resembled Covet immensely. Truthfully, both of them seemed to be similar to Covet in their manes and tails. Although the lavender one had a messier type of mane. With three colours. Those being deep, greyed purple, grey and a more vibrant purple. Both seeming annoyed at the display as the older one sneered.

“To think, he’s so sentimental…” the older one then said, mockingly. As if to make fun of the two brothers’ distant and fractured relationship. Magically being able to hear both of them with a simple eavesdropping spell. The younger one meanwhile, looked away. Out of a slight longing of his own as the older then turned his attention to him. “Oh stop being so sad. You were the one who requested we waited. What was it if I recall? ‘Surely he can at least become a full-fledged stallion before we kill him?’ I remember the beating you received for even THINKING of that. Although I’m surprised your request was… Granted”. The older one then snapped. His expression both mocking when recalling the younger one’s words, and annoyed with how hard the younger one seemed to be taking things.

The younger one looked back, simply glaring for a moment before seeing the older one seem to lose his patience. “At least I have some mercy. You seem to lack any. The one weakness of you. Impatience and a lack of understanding” the younger one then snapped back, with an equal amount of annoyance as the older one seemed to flicker in his expression with anger. Although, he eventually conceded. Simply saying “If it weren’t for that Crimson… He would’ve been ours. You don’t think I’m not upset about that? And that ‘brother’ of his? Goodness, it’ll be a treat to have him in eternal sorrow and grief. It’d be a mercy to snuff Bounded’s life out, surely you can see that?” he then asked the younger one. With some concern subtly making itself known. The younger one sighing, as he simply stared down at Covet. His eyes yearning to speak to him. To connect with him. If only Crimson hadn’t intervened and just let the three of them…

No, Crimson had intervened. There was no point in dwelling on the mistakes that were made. Growing distant as he shook his head and looked up to the older one, saying “I can see it. But, Arcane, you and I both want him back. Why, oh why did things have to turn out like this?” as his eyes seemed to reflect sadness. The older one, being Arcane, sighed as he seemed to also feel some sadness. Something akin to a melancholic distance as he then spoke again. “Listen, Dallasite, you know why we have to do this. Bounded’s fate was sealed by Crimson. We mourn the loss. But we relish in sweet revenge. Knowing that Crimson will feel the pain we have. The anguish we felt and the sorrow we’ve kept hidden until Bounded’s supposed coronation. This is mercy on Bounded. To let him grow up like you wanted, and to let him live for as long as he has… That’s enough torturous and deceitful false living for him”. Under Arcane’s words, bitterness and hatred surfaced. But it was mixed with the anguish and pain he had spoke about. Looking away as he took another deep breath in, before sighing.

Dallasite took in every word as he eventually nodded in agreeance. Knowing that Bounded, or at least who they presumed Bounded was, had far been removed from them both. A tear forming, before he brushed it off with his wing. His turquoise eyes glistening in the moonlight. Arcane then got up a moment later. Simply muttering “We should make our way back. Wouldn’t want to upset him” as he coldly unfurled his wings. A few scars being evident from some kind of battle it seemed. As Dallasite also got up. His own body also held scars of some unseen violence. But his were less so. Unfurling his own wings as he thought about Stardew for a second. Bitterly saying “When I get my hooves on that supposed ‘brother’ of his, he’ll feel everything”. As Arcane smirked, knowing that Dallasite wouldn’t hesitate to kill Stardew when the time came; although he didn’t know that Dallasite had other plans. With a final glance, the pair flew off. The night ending as Covet retreated to his own room that he shared with Stardew. Staring and frowning. Before he tucked himself in bed for the night. Although, he had some trouble. Given his magic was locked. He usually used his magic to sink into bed, but he had to resort to common ways. Something he didn’t like as he let himself glaze over into his dreams. Unaware of the things to come that would change his life…

Forever.

Author's Note

I ate. I fear.

So hi everyone! Welcome to the rewrite of Persistence is Key 01: Beginnings! As you can see, there's a TON more here. More characters (however minor), slight changes in the order of events that happened, the earlier introduction of Arcane and Dallasite and a WHOLE LOAD OF WORLD EXPOSITION. Mainly in the music department.

Oh, and a tease of Covet and Stardew's various songs. Covet has his own solo song, but I don't plan on showing off any of the FULL songs until after this rewrite is finished. Since their songs are instrumental in the future. I just thought i'd give a tease ;)

I feel like i've done myself proud with this first chapter. Rectifying the issues I had with the original chapter 1. I feel like the world is already so alive, whereas it took around ten chapters in the original to feel this way about Persistence is Key 01's original form! That's why i've appropriately named this book "Persistence is Key 01: True Beginnings" with an added journey that I plan on attaching to this book. An originally scrapped idea of mine that I never ended up completing and deleted. It was only one chapter in, but I really feel like that, with "The Metro Expansion" that i'm really going to produce iconic material. Not to stroke my own ego! But I genuinely think I knocked it out of the park when you compare this chapter to it's original iteration.

Well, that's all i'll say for now! I look forward to rewriting Chapter 2! See you all when that happens!

Chapter 02: A Coronation Crashed

It had been about a month since the vacation weekend.. Things becoming frantic as widespread rumours of Prince Covet Dawndrop’s lack of magic and flight capability quickly slipping out of the castle as he attended a number of important dinners, meetings and the like. The stress and frustration evident as he began to slip into his old ways. Ways he thought wouldn’t come back, this time tenfold. From simple dismissals and attempts to avoid attending these important things, to more nasty things. Such as harshly discriminating against anypony. Throwing obscenities at any of the castle staff members and nearly going as far as to inflict some physical assault on the various staff members. Only stopping himself by storming off. It was an agonizing month for him. Nothing could dispel what had taken his magic and flight away. No matter how hard Crimson or any other unicorn tried.

But it was also tiring for those around him. He wasn’t the only one experiencing discomfort and exhaustion. The preparations were exhaustive and only intensified at Covet’s rebellion thanks to his own stress. Crimson especially bearing the brunt of it as he organized everything. Truthfully, he wished he’d gotten things together sooner than he did. A few months would’ve sufficed for him. But he had to take into account every detail. Every minute of the day that would come. Often shouting out in frustration and becoming heavily annoyed as castle staff members tried their hardest. But, even in his anger, he recognised it was hard for them all. Giving them a temporary increase in their pay until the coronation was done. It was the least he could do for the time being. A supposed last act of kindness from Crimson before he stepped down from the position of King. He’d awaited the day his children would grow up. Having waited a long, LONG time to pass on his crown. Eagerly awaiting the day that was soon to take place.

Meanwhile, Stardew was the exact opposite. He had to take part in some of the things that were taking place. Rehearsing with Crimson and Covet as he witnessed them fighting. The metaphorical lights in his own song that he’d sung on that night back in Trottnest dimming literally as he saw both his father and brother straying apart. Keeping quiet as he tended to his own affairs, writing several letters out to specific guests he had in mind for his upcoming radio show. In particular, he sent a letter to Start ‘N Select as a duo. Instead of writing a letter to either Sax or Polygon on its own, he decided to include them both. He also wrote a few letters to his old classmates when he and Covet attended higher education. That being college. Recalling Covet dropping out and Stardew graduating. Covet’s course boring him quickly; allegedly. He’d not spoken to them in a while and was excited at the prospect of reconnecting with them.

In his letter sending, he considered asking his father and Covet directly to come on for a night or two. But stopped as he saw their fights and arguments. Keeping his invitation reserved and revoked until things calmed down for the pair of them. He had a slight fear as well. Would Covet force him to move out of the castle he had been born in when he ascended to the throne? Would he prove to be a good leader? He couldn’t tell as he saw Covet’s past behaviour jumping out at every five seconds. Being tenfold that of what he was from back then. It made him nervous, although he knew he wasn’t the only one when he caught a few of the staff members whispering their concerns to eachother during a nightly stroll he took. Before seeing Stardew and frantically heading off in a panic. Everyone was concerned, to say the least.

The night before the coronation was supposed to take place, Covet sat at a table and chairs on a balcony not too far from his bedroom. Looking down at the city he had always watched over. Closed off from the usual seas he drifted off to. His head aching from the fact that he and Crimson had yet another argument. The bitterness in the air around him like a fog. Narrowing his eyes as he sighed. The argument started up when Crimson snapped at Covet forgetting his vows to Manestralia. With Covet causing quite the commotion with his voice alone as Crimson and him started throwing argumentative cursing at one another for a good half hour. Before both stormed out of the throne room. Leaving Stardew feeling awkward once again. But Covet didn’t care about that. As he gazed off into the sky ahead of him. Being so far up reminded him of the extra sport they added to the last Alifest he and Stardew had. Sky Soaring. Where ponies would take to the skies in a fierce magical fight. Nopony ended up being hurt, of course. But they did crash down to the bottom of the sky arenas they had specifically made. A magical net catching the fallen participants and placing them out of eight ranks. Hearing Fae Spell faintly playing in his mind as he hummed to it to calm himself down from the recent argument.

Standing in the doorway to the balcony meanwhile, stood Stardew. Hearing the faint humming as he joined in. Faintly making his presence known as Covet glanced back to the doorway. Seeing Stardew for a moment before glancing back at the city. Stardew then trotting up and sitting down in the chair opposite Covet. The city lights shining brightly as he started speaking to Covet directly. “Oi knah this is stressfahl on yeh. Theh’s onloy one day lef’” he mumbled out. The awkwardness of the pair of them speaking after such an argument making itself known. Covet didn’t respond. Closed off in his own simmering anger from the argument. The lights below creating an orchestra of organized chaos as he noticed the train pulling into the train station for the last time in the day. Although it was tiny from his viewpoint. Stardew had a flicker of upset in his eyes, but kept himself calm as he then looked down as well. “Ih’s Bew’ifuhl… Ain’ ih?” he then asked aloud. His voice softening as he saw the lights. “Remembah when we pehfohmed dahn theh?”. Covet nodded in nostalgia. Smiling for the first time in a while as he recalled the lyrics to a particular song. One called Spectral Stream that they performed to during the Alifest days of old. Although the old part was an exaggeration, it felt like an eon away for them both. Covet started them off as he sung, though it was quiet. Like the first evening on Trottnest.

“Did you really feel my longing for you?”

Stardew then joined in, his response being the next line.

“Togethah we will pain’ all anew”

Then, the pair of them converged as they sung out the final part of the opening.

“Did you really reach out and say sorry?”

Stardew paused as he stopped. Covet frowning to himself slightly as he went back to looking down. The distance between them in their familial relationship making itself painfully clear as Stardew also looked down. Noticing the shoreline vaguely. Reminiscing over Wave Races that had long since passed. Both lost in nostalgic thought for a few moments before Covet then spoke. In a cautious tone. Sighing, he opened his mouth. The words falling out like a foreign taste. “I… Apologize. This last month has been hell for me. You shouldn’t have witnessed that earlier” he slowly mumbled out. Glancing at Stardew as he seemed to ignore the apology. Putting his hoof on the table as he responded with “Jus’ geh thru’ tomorrah… Then we can talk”. Making Covet frown further and stop glancing. “If I’d known how stressful this was going to be…” but Covet stopped as he spoke. Simply ending his sentence where it was as Stardew got up. Going in for a comforting hug. Between brothers. Unfortunately, this made Covet annoyed as he rejected it with some offense in his eyes. “Don’t touch me!” he barked out, leaving Stardew semi-shocked and upset himself. “Yew don’ hav’ teh oisalayt yehself fruhm mey!” he protested back, before Covet got up. Harshly pushing Stardew aside as he trotted to the doorway. Stardew feeling the chasm between them widening as he simply looked out to the skies. Sadness threatening to penetrate his face as he could feel his face scrunch up. Before composing himself with some apathy to his face. He figured not addressing his pain and upset would go over well compared to if he pushed onward.

“Gewdnoit, then” Stardew then simply mumbled out, before Covet dismissively glanced at him as he headed off for his bedroom. Leaving Stardew at the balcony. His feelings slowly finding escape as he silently shed a tear. One dripping from his face once he was sure Covet had left. Slumping down on a chair as he put his hoof on the table, using it to rest his forehead. Sighing with emotions heavily wearing on him as he watched the moon just above his external, forward-facing stare. He knew why Covet wouldn’t let him in, but it still pained him to know that he couldn’t bring any comfort to the brother he grew up with. Closing his eyes to think of happier times for the night. He’d eventually head off to his bedroom, but for now, he wanted to be alone with his thoughts and memories.

Covet meanwhile, travelled to his room. An air of defence surrounding him that now mixed with his renewed annoyance. Trotting into his room and taking a moment. His mind resenting that Stardew had tried to reach out to him. Rejecting it outright as he muttered “Just stick to your sad, blue sunrise” as he slammed his bedroom door a moment later. Before sitting down at his desk. Simply looking around as he glazed around the room he’d grown up in. Usually, it would’ve been a mess. But, with his coronation coming in at full force, he had his stuff moved. He didn’t want it to be moved, a longing to cling onto nostalgic and peaceful past protesting against the future. Clashing as he remembered his fleeting joy. Bathing in his own mind’s memories as he felt a slight tinge of pain. He knew this was the last night he’d spend in this room before he moved up to his father’s room. The only one who didn’t have to change up his life seemed to be Stardew. Resentment and bitter jealousy hitting him as he got angry from that knowledge. Stardew didn’t have to go through as much stress as he. Nor did he have to govern a continent. Filled with trials and tribulations that he’d struggle to deal with. Covet considered making his first order of business to move Stardew out. To inflict a minute amount of what he felt. But no matter how hard he thought about it, he simply sighed. Not being able to go through with that thought.

He knew after tomorrow, that one would move out, however. Crimson. Their father. Crimson had already decided to make his residence in a city not too far from them. One called Saddlemouth. It was on the same island they were on. That being Coltney island. But he knew it’d still hurt to see him leave when things were said and done. Part of him wanted to cancel the coronation altogether. A desire to keep his family truly together biting, no matter what they’d all been through. But he frowned to himself. He’d swam too deep. He knew he should’ve spoken up sooner, but he admittedly let his bitterness at losing the last Alifest he and Stardew had cloud his mind. Maybe that’s why Stardew wanted them to move past them. Despite his yearning to continue them and simply label the fest that put them at odds as their anniversary. It happened to land right around the time they started them a year before. But Stardew and Crimson moved on. Everypony else seemingly moving on.

Slowly, Covet looked down to a specific drawer connected to his desk. Using his hoof to open it as he had kept one thing there to move himself. Opening it with a slight creak when the drawer was pulled open. Grabbing one photo. A photo taken on the first day of their first Alifest. At the first hour. The Alifest theme being that of which time ponies preferred to wake up at. The choices being Early Morning and Late Night. Covet won that one by a landslide. Being the representative for Early Morning. They both looked awkward, but happy to be there. Behind them, their carriage sat from where they would travel across the continent. With creamy yellow and midnight blue lights coming out from behind. His face scrunched up slightly as he felt the memories almost suffocating him. His heart singing out in pain as he shed tears. Accidentally muttering in slight panic when his tears landed on the photograph. Mumbling out a “Need to find something to dry those tears off” as he tried looking around. His clothes were the only thing left in his room along with him and the photograph. Albeit there was only one outfit left. The one he was supposed to wear tomorrow. Glancing at the scarlet red cape that contrasted the steel grey leg cuffs upon the mannequin it all sat on. He felt something missing, truthfully and he knew what it was. It was the lack of the crown. Although, he hesitated upon visualizing it. His gaze becoming lost for a moment, before shaking his head.

Slowly, he put the photo up to the cape and wiped the tears off. Confident that it would dry within the hour as he also used the cape to lightly dab off the tears on his own face. Slowly putting the faint, photographed memory back into the drawer a moment later. The drawer creaking as he shut it, much like it had done when he opened the drawer. Then, he looked outside. His room not having a balcony as he stared down at the ocean. The moonlight reflecting off and giving him some contemplative rest amidst his painful emotions. Although, he noticed that the moon was partially covered tonight. As if it were an omen. Clouding the light the moon tried to shine through. He noticed that a storm happened to be in the oceans far off as well, seeing an example of the Pentadiamond Isles issue Sail had brought up a month before. But his mind didn’t even remember Sail, just remembering the visage of the Earth Pony who had spoken about it. The storm looked disturbing to say the least. As far off as it was, the threatening storm was just enough to bring some unease to him. The faint flashes of magenta making Covet narrow his eyes. Perhaps his first bit of kingly duty would be to try and resolve that. Though, he’d have to make sure nopony knew about his lack of magic or flight at the present time.

As Covet turned to go to his bed, he could’ve sworn he caught a glimpse of something, or rather, somepony. His shadow not alone for a hair of a second as he darted back to the window. His adrenaline putting him in a freeze and tensing up immensely as he suspected somepony was watching him for a little while. Perhaps out of his sight. Quickly, he went to peak around. His window being shut as he desperately tried to see if there truly was somepony there. But his efforts and investigation came up empty. Perhaps it was a slight mistake. The mannequin WAS there after all, so maybe it was just that. He shuddered as he glared at the mannequin. His levels of tension easing as he pulled the curtains over his window. A thin, vertical bit of the moon sliding in as he crawled into bed. Emotionally exhausted, and dreading the next day. The bed he laid in being uncomforting as it had been stripped of its usual covers due to the events that were happening. Replaced with white covers instead. His mind knowing he couldn’t do anything to prevent what was to come. He was to become King, and seemingly nothing could change that. Falling to sleep on that thought as his chest lightly inhaled and exhaled when he fell into his dreams.

About an hour after Covet had wondered off, Stardew finally got up. Himself letting out a big, emotionally vacant sigh as he proceeded to head to his own room. Only to catch a fleeting glimpse of a shadow coming from a nearby window. He rushed to it, but found no sign of anypony being there. He carefully opened the window, himself flying out a moment later. His senses heightened as his mind noted the subtle, colder feeling than usual. “Bu’ ihs summah...” He mumbled to himself. Noting that the cold didn’t belong. But no matter how many times he darted his head around, he just couldn’t find the source for it. The weather seemed fine, say for the storm at the Pentadiamond Isles that he noted in his mind. Staring at it for a second longer than necessary as the magenta flashes, presumably lightning strikes, made him uncomfortable. As if the natural weather was disrupted by a faint, tainted force. He shook his head harshly as he snapped out of his strange fascination with the storm. Darting around one more time before sighing out of frustration. Whoever was at the window had to have left during his distracted moment. Which was annoying to say the least as he landed back inside. Closing the window as he proceeded onward to his room.

It took a few more minutes before he managed to reach his room. Opening his door and shutting it firmly. Not slamming it like Covet, but not being gentle either. The little incident between him and Covet weighed on his mind as he sat down at his own desk. It being brown and wooden. Stuff organized decently, but still holding hints of chaos amidst the order. Glancing at a particular photo he had on his desk. One passed to him by his father. Of his mother. He yearned for her, feeling a small bit of sorrow hit his heart as he kept himself together. Although, it was definitely a challenge. Turning the photo to face down as he sighed. If she was here, then maybe things wouldn’t be like they were. He longed for a future where he and Covet got along. Where he, his brother, his mother and his father were together as one. But he had the constant realization of that reality shattering. The winds in his soul dancing around in conflicted patterns. He’d tried to turn to the future in his mind. Praying in his heart that it would be different. That he wouldn’t have to always gaze upon the hues of a blued sunrise anymore. One where he and his small family could be happy together without the pressures of royal duties and such.

After about a few moments of calming his inner emotions down, he set her picture back up again. Then turning to face the night skies. Standing up and trotting over to his own window. He could see the horizon here, but he could also see the Pentadiamond Isles. The malevolent storm raging onward from when Covet had seen it. Which put him off of trying to look outside. The feeling he got when he looked at it was unnatural. Feeling more unsettled when he looked down at his cutie mark. Which was a tornado, fuzzing and blurring slightly when he looked at the storm. Instead, he simply retired to bed. Glancing around before sinking into his bed. Looking toward the bookshelf that resided in his room as he sighed. Eyeing one book in particular. A bigger one. With the spine reflecting the words ‘Alifest memories’ as the moonlight hit it. However clouded it was. Unable to resist the temptation to look inside, he slowly crawled out of bed, himself then sitting down on his bed as he brought it over with his magic. Flicking the pages through concept artwork and such. Pieces of cut out newspaper stuck to the pages as he saw the various interviews and headlines about the Alifests. His face starting to smile, but his eyes not showing the same faint joy his mouth was starting to feel. Especially when he got to the last page. Seeing the cut-out in the newspaper about the results. ‘TEAM STARDEW WINS! Manestralia’s Final Alifest concludes!’ was the newspaper headline. Below, some basic information about the results showed themselves. Breaking down their scoring system. It wasn’t the pair of them that worked out the scores, given there were too many Wave Races and Sky Soaring matches happening. But the general scores happened to be broken down into three categories. Popularity, Wave Racing and Sky Soaring. To Covet’s credit, he did end up taking the Wave Racing category. But Stardew took the other two categories. Resulting in his victory. Faintly, he heard the final song they composed for their Alifest’s. Recollective Remembrance. It played all around Manestralia as dawn approached after Midnight hit. Wave Racing and Sky Soaring matches ending as everypony came together to celebrate the memories they’d all shared.

He found himself lost once more in his memories. Recalling that six-to-seven-hour period of peace before the results. Although he and Covet only got around five hours together to enjoy the moment. They had to perform the song live at first back in Coltney, where they were right now infact. The radios then essentially looping that after about twenty minutes or so and broadcasting it for the continent to enjoy and reminisce to. Those were, admittedly, simpler and happier times. But he knew he couldn’t stick to those moments, however much he wanted to. He had his whole life ahead of him. But, to do just one more... That was a temptation he almost wanted to give into.
Almost.

With a sigh, he closed the book and set it on his shelf again. He’d probably take a few days after everything had settled down to remember the Alifests. But right now, he had to sleep; and sleep he did. Crawling back into bed as he let the winds of his dreams carry him away as all went black for the night. His breathing gently going in and out with the flow of the wind.

When all was said and done, there was only one of the three alicorns that remained awake. Well into the night, Crimson retreated to his study. Having barely managed to oversee the final, last parts of the coronation planning. His mind being irritable, but exhausted from the day. He only had tomorrow to go, so he only had to exhaust himself for one more day. Shutting his own bedroom door, he saw his stuff packed. Covet’s stuff packed next to his in its own pile. Looking around as he faintly recalled the memories of him and his wife spending nights together. Seeing the table and two chairs out on his own, larger balcony. But something wasn’t right. Usually, the nights in Manestralia were warm, even in the winter. But he felt an unusual, almost nasty cold as he trotted out to his balcony. Trying to pinpoint the source. His eyes darting up on the roof of his room. But he found nothing as he flew up. Slowly flying down as he became suspicious. As if he knew he was being watched. He didn’t like it at all as he cast a spell of warmth over himself to at least stop the biting cold that was setting in. He saw the Pentadiamond Isles off in the distance. Across the seas showing its nasty storm. An unusual longing for something, or rather, someone gnawed at him.

He knew the islands well. Always knowing them to rest at the centre of the continent’s ocean. But the storms there hadn’t come around in around fifteen or so years. Even then, they were never as seemingly violent as they were now. It wasn’t right. But no matter how hard he’d tried; he couldn’t quell the storm. He glared at the flashing in the distance from the clouds above the Isles with a strange sense of mournful longing. As if there was something there that he’d lost. Some part of him that he couldn’t get back. No matter how hard he tried or what he thought of. He shook his head as he headed inside. Still suspicious of any potential threats, but ultimately trying to relax as he to his bed. He only had a few hours to rest after all, his day needing to start at the crack of dawn. Lest there be delays tomorrow. He closed his curtains with his magic and set into his bed for one last time. Lost in thought of when Stardew and Covet were foals next to him and his wife whilst they slept. Their whole family together. He’d grieved enough over his wife, but as he recalled it, he longed to rewrite time. To have stopped himself from falling to his coping methods when he grieved. Drowning out the pain with whiskey and wine. Seldom being able to focus back then, as he remembered fuzzy arguments with both Stardew and Covet back then. But the influence of his coping mechanism clouded his memories harshly.

Not that he minded, of course. He’d rather it end up fading off from his mind. The uncertainty of what the arguments were hanging over his head like a dagger threatening to fall down. He’d hoped they understood why he did it. But he knew, deep down, that Stardew didn’t at least. He wanted to speak to him about it, but dreaded the sensitive subject. At least with Covet, he didn’t ask too many questions. Perhaps that influenced his choice to want Covet as his successor. But he knew in his mind that he was potentially making the wrong decision. Stardew was far better to rule than Covet. But he’d made his decision long ago. He had to stick to it. His cutie mark shining despite the fact that it was a blackened fire. It used to be more vibrant and actually red, but events over the years had changed it... Irreparably, it seemed. Much like his armour’s gemstone that he decided to retire for the night, the passage of time having taken a toll on it. Placing it for the last time on a mannequin in his room that was elevated. There was another mannequin too, but that one had long since been undecorated. Crimson crawling into bed as he tried to settle himself in for the little night he had left. Knowing he only had a few hours to get some shuteye. The three alicorns finally finding rest amongst themselves. All whilst a mist made its way off down in the alleyways of the capital city. Moving like a snake, fast and elegant as it danced around the streets. Making its way toward a dead end in an alleyway that was out of view before moulding into a stallion. With two others watching. Dallasite and Arcane.

Together, they watched the stallion fully form. His body towering slightly over the pair as he unfurled his wings with false facade of grandeur. His eyes being different to eachother. One grey on the right, and one non-existent. Replaced with magenta smoke that emanated like a soul coming from the place where the eye should’ve been on the right. Cracks all over the side of his face that held the smoke. Almost like a tear in the very fabric of his visage. Like something was deadly wrong. The cracks clawing all the way up to the tip of his horn as he eyed the pair of smaller Alicorns with some dismissive unimportance. At least, at first. His purple cape gently lifting up as he spoke thanks to the slight breeze, revealing him to have a cracked ice heart on his flank. One side grey and one side purple. With a symbol resembling a snowflake fractured in five parts across the heart. His foreleg and hind leg armour cuffs shining slightly from the half-clouded moonlight. Tilting his muzzle up, he spoke as if he held importance.

“Bounded has sunk into his last slumber”. It was short, but it was like some big announcement. A sort of arrogant, grand quality to his words as he stared down at Dallasite and Arcane. His deep, greyed purple and grey mane shrouding his face mostly in shadow. Say for the smoke. Arcane looked to Dallasite ever so subtly, as he felt Dallasite’s emotions starting to stir. However, it was this larger figure that addressed it directly. With a bitter attitude as his eyes narrowed. “You’re the one who wanted him to become an adult. This is nopony else’s fault beside yours” he then spat out. A sense of irritation surfacing in this larger stallion. “As for you, Arcane...” the stallion then said in a slightly less harsh tone. “Your comforting is unnecessary. Dallasite knows what he requested me to allow. Stop. Protecting. Him. It only hurts you more” he said in a tightly masked tough attitude. Though, deep down, he held a bit of concern for Arcane. Arcane simply stayed quiet as he looked down. Neither him nor Dallasite dared speak back to this stallion with defiance. Lest they earn more scars and wounds on their body. “I assure you, sir. Dallasite knows well of his shameful action” Arcane then replied, hesitantly. Glaring at Dallasite with resentment as he spoke. The stallion, however, didn’t seem convinced as he used his magic to roughly grasp Dallasite’s muzzle. Forcing him to meet the stallion’s gaze.

The gaze was intense. Almost penetrating to the very soul with icy fury as he wordlessly spent a few moments letting his gaze speak for him. Arcane looked toward Dallasite, who started to recoil. But was unable to look away, until the larger stallion pushed him back. His magic doing his work as he trotted up to Dallasite. Getting mere inches from his face. His gaze even icier as he spat out in a quiet, almost whisper like tone. “You should be grateful I consider you at all. Your moping only serves to mock the very mistake you wield. Lavender fire” he scoffed out, clearly meaning to damage Dallasite’s mind. “A mistake that shouldn’t be here at all. Why fate couldn’t have allowed you to be found by Crimson instead of Bounded I’ll never know. I knew I should’ve swapped yours and Bounded’s sealing spots all those centuries ago... Now Bounded has to suffer because of your existence”. His words cutting deeper than any knife could as Dallasite had to restrain and hold back his own hurt. Simply staring back as he saw the larger stallion back off in a slow, deliberate trot. He was used to the damaging words of the stallion, but he knew better than to fight back or argue. He simply accepted his place as the wrong one.

Arcane, meanwhile, spoke again. Asking “In regard to Bounded, can we at least give a minute of our time to him and his memory when he’s snuffed out? It’s the least he deserves. I would rather a funeral... But you want us to erase his existence completely”. The larger stallion glancing at him in a dismissive eyeroll as he used his wing to shrug. “Do what the pair of you want after the business is concluded. But make sure you don’t fail” he then responded back. He paused as he then glared at the pair of them. A biting fear etching into Arcane and Dallasite immediately as the older stallion growled. His eye-smoke flickering with malice as he whispered in quiet fury. “For if you two fail, I’ll make the pain so excruciating, that you lose your sanity and minds”. Every word hurtled at the pair of them like daggers. Intentionally chosen and intentionally aimed. Once he was sure they understood, he turned his back. Forming into mist once more as he then coldly said “Once you two are done with your mission, head back to the Frostpeak mountains cave. We’ll continue our plans there... And remember my warning. It’ll do you both some good. Fear is a good motivator, after all”. His last sentence being accompanied by a cruel smile. With the mist then jumping out of the alleyway and away completely.

After the older stallion left, Dallasite and Arcane let out a sigh of relief. To them, they were grateful they weren’t beaten or worse as Arcane turned to Dallasite. A sort of concern hitting his voice as he asked, “You alright?”. Though it was mumbled. The icy words from the older stallion making even him feel cold. Dallasite simply looked away as he responded with a “I’ll be fine” before unfurling his wings. Preparing to take flight. Arcane did the same as they both took off. Wordlessly, and without much of a conversation. Staying on rooftops and waiting for dawn to approach so they could enact their plan, with the clouded moon shining on their cutie marks. Dallasite having some purple fire and Arcane having one snowflake that was accompanied by a blue and purple ribbon; which flowed around and down the snowflake. They knew they’d have to wait for a little, but they decided to take the time they had to gaze out at the horizon. Both looking at the storm over the Pentadiamond Isles as they watched it’s malevolent force out in the ocean. “How funny” Arcane then said to himself, a sly grin forming as he narrowed his eyes. “A storm to reflect what Crimson will feel. Isn’t that delightful, Dal’?”. Dallasite heard the question as he masked his slight concern with an equally as sly grin himself. Nodding as they seemingly both relished in the possibility of watching Crimson and Stardew lose something so important to them. But Dallasite had lingering feelings of pity. Knowing what his actions would do, but not daring at all to challenge Arcane or the larger stallion that had spoken to them both. So, he put those feelings to the side. For now, they had to wait.

Their mission came first, after all.

At the crack of dawn some five hours after he had gone to sleep, Crimson decided to get up. Although, he had only gotten around two or three hours of sleep. The coldness bit at his mind as he recalled the shadow. He couldn’t shake it off no matter how hard he tried. It couldn’t have been who he thought it was... Could it? He needed to keep that in mind, even if passively. His body rising and standing up from his bed as he yawned. That was his last night. The last night in his bedroom. The very bedroom he had kept for around seven-hundred and seventy-five years. He took a last glance around, eyeing his and Covet’s respective luggage opposite the bed wall. Tilting his head slightly as he recalled faint glimmers of when Covet was just a foal. Always clinging to him. It brought a smile to his face; however gentle and subtle it may have been. But, then he recalled a fact that he decided to not bury. Covet was his child. He couldn’t have those thoughts... Not at all. So instead, he shook his head and trotted off out of his room. Arriving some ten minutes later at Covet’s bedroom door. With a gentle push of the door handle through using his magic, he carefully pried it open. Trying his best not to wake Covet just yet. He wanted to see his sleeping son one last time. It was the last chance he’d get to do it, after all. It was nice, to see him so peaceful. Given he likely wouldn’t see him like this ever again.

Staring with some nostalgia in his eyes, he took the moment in. The gentle rising and lowering of his chest as Covet took in air so passively. Away in his own dreamland. It was sad, in a way. To know that he’d never really see his son like this again. But, that was something he had to live with. Everypony grew up, after all. Covet was no different. With a gentle nudge and a subtle nuzzle, Crimson whispered “Toim teh geh ahp boyo” as Covet stirred in his sleep. Slowly waking up a moment later as Crimson backed off a tad. Letting Covet sit up. With a big yawn, Covet looked up at Crimson, who had a slight smile on his face. Although his head was tilted slightly. “Gehd mohnin’” Crimson then simply said, at a relatively normal volume as Covet rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Covet grunting slightly in acknowledgement as he went to crawl out of his bed. Crimson stepping back as Covet went to stretch his wings once he had managed to stand. Then having the realization that his wings were unmoving hit him once more as he sighed in slight frustration. Crimson must’ve picked up on this, because he immediately went in for a slight bit of comfort. “Don’ wohroy, it’awl whe’h off” he said, trying to give Covet some hope amidst what seemed like an endless sea of failed attempts of his own. Covet simply eyerolled as he then replied back with a slight snap to his words. “You’ve said that for a week. First it was ‘the doctors will fix it’, THEN it was ‘I’ll fix it!’ and NOW it’s ‘it’ll wear off’”.

It took Crimson a moment to gather some words as he had his past reassurances slap him in the face, but when he did, he grew stern. “We’h troyin’ evehrythin’ Coveh’. Buh’ in betweyn tha’ and the cohrunayshun plannin’, theh’s been no toim teh propehly soht aht yeh magic ‘n wing prohbl’m. ‘Av payshiens boyo” he then said, with his eyebrows lowering slightly as his words were spoken. Both Covet and Crimson staring at eachother in a sort of miniature stare off. Before Covet narrowed his eyes and trotted up to his window. Using his hooves to open the curtains. Then staring at the mannequin as he remembered what it had on it. “Guess you want me to put that on, then?” Covet then asked, his narrowed eyes glancing at Crimson as he saw the sun slowly rising from the horizon. Crimson, however, nodded in refusal. “Nope. Oi jus’ had ih pu’ ‘ere feh a lack ah complicayshuns today. Altho’, yeh’ll have teh come back ‘ere lateh on jus’ befoh the actual cohrunayshun.” He then replied. Making Covet show a flicker of surprise, before masking it with disinterest. “I thought you’d shove me in that as soon as I got up, if i’m honest. Not that i’m complaining” he then muttered slightly to himself. With Crimson frowning slightly before clearing his throat. Trying to stay focused despite Covet’s apparent lack of interest. “Roit, leh’s geh gowin’. Theh’s no toim teh waste boyo!” he then exclaimed, trotting over to Covet and putting a hoof on his shoulder. “Jus’ think. By this toim tomowruh, yeh’ll be livin’ yeh furs’ day as the King of Manestralia” he then added on. His grip on Covet’s shoulder firm, but not forceful. Moreso suggesting that Covet stop staring at the sunrise. Which he did, as he shook Crimson’s hoof off and trotted wordlessly out of the room. Standing outside as Crimson closed the bedroom door with his magic. Having followed Covet out shortly after. The pair of them heading straight for the private dining room that they, and Stardew, would eat in. Often preferring that over any potential dining out in the castle’s public dining hall. That was only used for very specific occasions, anyhow.

It only took them about fifteen or so minutes to trot down to the private dining room. With stunning aqua curtains being pulled away to either end of the massive window that allowed the early sunlight to shine in. Covering the pale, white walls in a nice, inviting orange. The white tablecloth not yet having the plates and cutlery that it needed. Although, this was probably due to the unnatural wakeup time of Covet and Crimson. “Oi’ll geh the cuh’lry ‘n plaoy’s. Wha’ dew yeh wan’ teh aet?” Crimson then asked Covet, as the younger alicorn sat himself down on one of the three chairs that the table was accompanied by. Yawning, he simply and bluntly said “toast” in a tired tone as a response. Gazing out to the sun that was about halfway off of the horizon. Crimson heard the one worded answer as he nodded, leaving Covet alone with his thoughts for about ten minutes.

During those ten minutes, it felt like an hour had passed by. His mind slipped into dreaming slightly as he shook his head to wake himself back up. Adding a yawn unintentionally when he shook his head. He was starting to feel something akin to anxiety. Mildly, but it was there. His mind slightly drifting over to the worries of perception and how this would have everypony focusing on him during every hour within every day. But, there was a certain allure to that. He was anxious, but the fact he could make sure everypony knew who the better of him and Stardew was, was far too enticing in the present. It didn’t help that he was extremely hungry, though. So, maybe a lack of energy or food was starting to reroute his mind to those thoughts. He focused on the outside, and opened the window ever so slightly, as he could smell the faintest ocean breeze wafting in. Gazing down to the coast and the ocean below, which wasn’t that far below him at this level, he could see that the waters were calm. Taking a look to the horizon where the storm from the night prior was, he could see that there was still something brewing in the distance. But, it was lesser than the night before. Possibly just due to time passing, but it still looked dangerous. Even from where he sat.

As he looked on, he had a split-second flashback to the night prior and the shadow he saw. It was blurry in his mind now, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that somepony had actually been watching. He couldn’t remember which direction the mannequin shadow pointed to the night before, but he could’ve sworn that it definitely pointed in a direction that didn’t match the shadow he had seen. It lingered for a moment more, before a plate with some toast hovered infront of him and set itself down. With the red magical glow dissipating when the plate touched the table surface. Making Covet jump slightly from the plate coming from above. The toast was buttered, with a small pot of darkened, almost reddish pink jam sitting on the side with a butter knife next to it. He assumed it was raspberry jam from the colour, but Covet didn’t have time to decipher that just yet, as he jumped again a second later. Seeing a cup of steaming, almost blackened coffee then being placed down with more magic. Crimson then came trotting from the side and sitting down next to Covet. Crimson himself, had a simple bowl of cereal, with a spoon sticking out of the bowl. It looked like it, anyway. Grain, and smaller fruit being with it inside the bowl. Grapes, strawberries and a few bits of banana all sitting in with the grain. Some milk barely being visible as Crimson grabbed the spoon with his magic and began eating.

“You could’ve at least knocked on the door or something instead of wordlessly plopping food down...” Covet muttered with a spark of annoyance in his voice, using his hoof to grab the butter knife to try and spread the raspberry jam. Before Crimson took over with his magic and replied with “Ah, sorray, buh yeh shewdunt buey driftin’ awf loik yeh weh boyo” as he spread the jam over Covet’s toast for him. Covet simply eyerolled at this, as he grabbed the first piece of toast and waffled it down. Savouring every bite. The fusion of the sweet first taste, to the tangy aftertaste was a beautiful dance along his tongue as he swallowed each bite of the toast. Allowing the bitter, but energizing coffee to wake him up moreso than he already was.

About ten wordless minutes passed as they both ate and finished their breakfast. The last of Covet’s coffee being drunken as the sun seemed to have risen ever so slightly. With Crimson then getting up as he saw the first of the kitchen servers enter the room. Confused and surprised as they frantically trotted over to take the plate, bowl, cup and cutlery away from the table. “How kind of them to arrive so early” Covet then sarcastically said to himself once they left the room. Crimson frowning slightly before responding with “Ey, wey whe’h up ehleah than they expect’d”. Covet simply eyerolling as he then got up from his own chair. Crimson tilted his head as he looked up to the sky. Murmuring to himself about a few clouds and their shapes. It was strange, for Crimson to notice the clouds of all things. Making Covet look at him in a weirded-out sort of way. “I’ll... Get ready for this afternoon, then…” Covet simply mumbled. Slightly concerned, but knowing he had no time to really waste today. Crimson shook his head slightly as he heard Covet’s words. Simply mumbling “Awlroit” as his eyes remained fixated on the clouds.

As Covet shut the door, Crimson saw more clouds roll in. It was just like the night before. Gray clouds starting to produce a tiny amount of… Snow? No, that wasn’t right. In his concern, he instinctively took off and dashed past Covet. Making Covet slightly dizzy from the speed he was spun. Falling on the floor from a loss of balance. Seeming confused as he asked himself “What’s his issue?”, however he couldn’t focus on whatever Crimson’s problems were. Instead, he continued heading for a private bathroom near his room. One that he used regularly; usually anyway. Meanwhile, Crimson bolted for the nearest balcony. Finding one a few minutes after his initial take off from the private dining room. Immediately soaring up above the clouds as he tried to pinpoint who, or what, was creating such abnormal weather. It had now become something more than a coincidence. Before, he could’ve ruled out the unnatural cold from the night before. It was colder than it should’ve been, but perhaps the night before was just an anomaly. But, when he saw the clouds in the dining room, he knew something was wrong. To part the clouds, he used his magic to summon a magical pillar of light. That was enough to mostly erase the clouds. But even as the light made the clouds part. More started to slowly roll in. It made Crimson uneasy. So much so that he decided it was best to keep a constant pillar in the sky to disperse the clouds for the time being. Before flying back down on the balcony he had ascended from.

When he looked back up, he made sure the clouds were properly being erased. As satisfied as he could be anyway. Quickly heading for the gatehouse nearest to him. He had a suspicion that something was brewing; and he didn’t like it. He wanted to make sure nothing was wrong with the castle, so he naturally wanted all of the guards on high alert. Passing several by on his way as they were switching shifts with the night team of guards that had just finished their respective shift. He decided it was better to tell the captain of the guards within the castle about his concerns, so that the captain could spread it around the guard units around the castle. He didn’t have time to tell them all himself, so telling the captain was the next best option. He could tell them whilst Crimson attended to the coronation. It was perfect! At least, in his head. Whilst he hadn’t made his intentions clear to anypony else, two watching pairs of eyes seemed to know intuitively. From a torch that flickered from a bright red to a calm lavender, that Crimson didn’t notice as he passed by it, Dallasite and Arcane gaze through it. Currently stationing themselves outside in the city, Dallasite held together a bundle of lavender fire.

“Of course he’d do that” Dallasite remarked, his eyes rolling as Arcane looked up to see the clouds appearing, and then being erased. “Did you expect him not to?” Arcane then asked, as he kicked away a rock in the alley once he stopped looking up. A look of annoyance hitting his face as Dallasite extinguished his flame. Almost like a light switching off entirely. Looking at Arcane as he simply shrugged. His wings unfurling slightly before he simply moved onto his next thought. “We’ll have to disguise ourselves. Now they’ll be on high alert for sure. First he goes around during last night, and now he can’t contain himself…” Dallasite then said, with his head tilting backward in thought. Looking up at the skies as Arcane then interjected. “It’s not that he can’t contain himself… He just won’t. Not after a thousand years…” he said, making Dallasite sigh in exhaustive frustration. “If he wants this to go smoothly he’d make damn sure he’d be up back in Ell-“ but Dallasite’s eyes widened in slight fear as he saw somepony behind Arcane. Arcane quickly turning around and gasping as the stallion from the night before once again made himself known. The smoke emanating from his eye now jolting out slightly. As if it were electricity, clearly from being agitated by Arcane and Dallasite’s words. “It seems as if my orders have been shoved aside for petty gossip and spying” he growled out. Taking menacing stomps forward. Arcane and Dallasite backed up until they were up against the dead-end wall of the alley. Shivering slightly from the sheer cold that was seeping off of the stallion. Dallasite not daring to use his lavender flame at this current point. Lest he aggravate the stallion further.

“W-we can’t attack until the actual-“ Arcane began, but it was immediately met with a harsh slap of magic to his face. Almost like a whip of sorts. Made up of magic that radiated a bitter cold. It made Arcane stumble onto the concrete floor of the alley in pain. His body slumping down as Dallasite watched, wordless as he figured he was next. Although, surprisingly, the stallion didn’t go in to attack Dallasite. Instead, he eyed him as he waited for a response. A moment passed as his face simply gave off a familiar cruel smirk. Muttering “That’s what I thought” before turning around and heading off. Before he did, however, he turned his head back around. Glancing at the pair for a moment as he simply said “I would cease the gossip. In case I haven’t made it clear enough” before sinking into a pool of mist and leaving the alley. Making Dallasite slump down in relief. Before looking at Arcane and asking, “You’re not too badly hurt, are you?”. Arcane just looked ahead and seemed to be slightly disconnected as he mumbled out a “I’m… Fine… Our mission… We might as well get on with it” making Dallasite frown. “You know, I’m here if you-“ but Dallasite was met with a wing flapping in his face. Arcane rolling his eyes as he snapped back with “I’m fine!”. Making Dallasite groan in annoyance as he trotted forward. “Fine. Be that way, I suppose” was the last thing he said. Before he used a spell to disguise himself. Arcane doing the same as they then blended in with the city streets. Heading toward the castle.

Meanwhile, in the castle itself, Covet finally made it to a private bathroom. Looking at the castle staff that were wandering as he signalled for them. A rarity given his usual schedule. Usually having a lovely schedule of waking up, having a bath (or shower!) and then going down to the private dining room for breakfast. Usually on his own, given he usually woke up far later than others. When the castle staff wondered over, he glanced with some disgust at the fact they weren’t Pegasi or Unicorns. Simply rolling his eyes as he said “Get me towels. Now”. The staff silently registering as they trotted off. He waited for a moment, before the castle staff members came back. Covet snatching the towels once he eyed them and entering the private bathroom. With a slight slam to the door to signify that he wanted to be left alone. Sighing, before putting the towels down. They were soft, white towels. Not personalized and moreso just generic towels. Though, they were of the highest quality. So, it was fine that they had little personality to Covet. Covet turning the taps on as he sat on the wooden bench that accompanied the room. The entire place, say for the iron grey of the taps, the wood of the bench and the grey of the window that faced the ocean away from the continent entirely was almost like a cleanse. A cleanse of the mind.

It took about ten minutes for Covet to finally turn the tap off. Slipping in as he let the hot water relax his body. His wings begging to be unfurled. But Bounded, still, was unable to. Slightly saddened, but shaking the fact off his mind as he closed his eyes. Letting himself submerge mostly. The only part of him out of the water being the tip of his muzzle so he could breath. Admittedly, one of the spells he wished he learned was a possible underwater breathing spell. But, he’d have to barrel through other meaningless spells first. In tandem with his current predicament, it was best to put that endeavour off. For now, he'd simply take this time to unwind. The water submerging his body, calming his mind and body. It was as if, for a few moments, he was granted escape from what was going to happen. If only he could unfurl his wings. That was the killer for the calm. A constant reminder that he wouldn’t be able to escape the inevitable future. However much he tried to hide from it.

In another part of the castle, whilst Covet was trying his best to relax with what little time he had, a very tired Stardew was just emerging from his own room. Rubbing his eyes with his right wing and yawning. He had obviously awakened very recently, and he was determined to have his breakfast before he did anything else. By this time, it was reasonable to be waking up. It was still much earlier than Covet usually woke up at, so Stardew wasn’t out of the ordinary. It only took him about five or so minutes to make it to the same private dining room Covet and Crimson had used before; being able to use his wings to fly down the few staircases. Directly diving down and landing on the floors below. During his travel to the private dining room, he saw guards and castle staff roaming around. Passing several hallways that had been decorated accordingly for Covet’s coronation. The final banners and celebratory decorations being placed by some of the castle staff. The Manestralian flag symbol being on each of the banners did seem obnoxious. Nopony needed to see a constant stream of deep, rich red fabric accompanied by a gold, gaudy sun symbol weaved into it. Surely the castle would benefit from a few greys. Maybe a blue here or there. But everything decorative seemed to be swamped in the warm oranges, yellows and reds now.

When he opened the private dining room door with his magic, the magic being light grey, he saw the curtains in the room partially drawn. His face eliciting a yawn as he then slumped down in the chair. After about a moment, one of the castle staff members trotted in and handed him a letter. This staff member having a whiteish mane. It was off white, but still looked good for her. Her mane being in a bun of sorts. Her tail being styled in a nice, neat way. Like a smooth, small waterfall. “Aye, thanks luv” he mumbled as he ripped it open with his magic. The golden-brown envelope slicing open at the top cleanly. With a white lined letter coming out. The writing being slightly messy. Indicative of the one who had written it. He began reading the letter, simply mumbling out “Oi’ll ‘av suhm min’ tea” as his eyes scanned the words. The staff member nodding as she departed.

Stardew

How’s it hangin’ mate? Got your request to be on your radio show! Sorry I can’t be there with you today to watch your brothers’ coronation. Got some things to deal with up in Brismane. You know, the usual. Being a coach for the Brismane Bullets is a grand old time! You’d think they’d give me time off for your brothers’ coronation, but I guess Sky Soaring is more important! Just kiddin’. But don’t tell Covet I said that!

In all seriousness though, I’d love to take your offer up! Just give me some time to free up my schedule and i’m sure you and I can get together and do the radio show episode! Besides, you and I are LONG overdue for a catch up, crikey I just realised that! Remember when Covet and you were in college? It was wild when he would flunk, and our lecturers would get mad at YOU! It was so backwards! We really need to get together again. Our chats and time together is long overdue!

Anyways! Gotta blast. Can’t stay here writing my thoughts to you out whilst my team needs to train for the upcoming National Sky Soaring Championships!

Team Stardew forever!

Lots of love from your best friend

Captain South Tide

Stardew begun to smile slightly, but it didn’t reach his eyes. It was true. It had been a bit since they had gotten together to hang out. He remembered those many times that Covet would skip out on lectures. Rather important ones, too. The lecturers they both had were quite angry by the end of their education. But he didn’t think he deserved quite a chewing out for Covet’s actions. South was always there during those lectures. They both happened to choose the same course at college. But unlike their other classmates, they stuck close. They spent hours upon hours with eachother, studying and such. So it was sad to Stardew that it HAD been so long. A small smile turning to a small frown. Having letters to communicate was a rather limited way to keep in touch. He’d heard of something called a phone through whispers. But it looked so blocky. An off-white brick, if you would. With a numbered keypad and two buttons at the bottom. A green and red one. Green being for what he guessed was to initiate or accept calls. Whist the red was presumably for hanging up or declining calls. He wanted to wait until there was a… Smaller version. At the very least. It just seemed largely inconvenient. Given the fact that their technology had advanced so far with televisions and such.

Although, if his father’s age was any indication, he’d only have to wait around ten years. Which was probably going to be the present within a few blinks.

He decided, after a moment, to slip the letter back in its envelope. Intending on getting it to his bedroom after breakfast. Then, after the coronation was finished, he’d write a response. Seeing the mint tea he’d requested placed down infront of him by the same castle staff that had handed him the letter. He took a sip after stirring it with the spoon that laid on the saucer of the cup. The clear cup showing the liquid inside swirling around in response. Before the castle staff member spoke. “Wuh’d yeh loik mey the ge’ anythin’ feh breakfas’, yeh mahjestay?” she asked, her voice gently inquiring as he nodded in rejection. “Nah, this shuhd dew ih’ feh na’” he said in response, very bluntly. But it wasn’t nasty or void of gratitude. His tone clearly showing as much. The castle staff member nodded, before trotting off to presumably attend to their own matters. Probably attending to the upcoming coronation.

After they left, Stardew started sipping his tea. The fresh mint flavour hitting his tongue as he felt just that bit more alert. His eyes opening slightly more as he trotted up to the window in the private dining room and looked at the weather. Sipping his tea as he looked at the clouds rolling in. He could tell his father had done something. Seeing the clouds that were trying to form over the castle fuzz out and dissipate when they got close to approaching. A look of concern hitting his face as he noted how they acted like a relentless wave in the sky. He debated on whether to deal with it himself. He COULD try to fly up and disperse the clouds himself. His magic was specialised to weather magic, after all. But what would his father do if he caught him trying to sort out the issue, ESPECIALLY today, he’d most certainly be in for one hell of a lecture. Or worse. Maybe he’d deal with it tomorrow once his father was gone… But that was a thought for later. It took Stardew about twenty minutes before Stardew put the cup of tea down. Having drunk it all, but swirling the last little bit of it at the bottom of the cup whilst he thought.

Once he finally put the cup down on the table, he trotted out. His magic holding the letter from South Tide as he intended to leave it in his bedroom for later. Trotting to the various staircases he’d previously travelled down and then taking flight. Soaring up quickly to the floor that his room was on as he landed. The letter acting like his shadow and following behind as Stardew carried it with his magic. Coming up to his door about six minutes after. With the door swinging open as he placed the letter on his nearby desk. His mind drifted to his bookshelf again. Thinking of Covet as he struggled to focus on what he wanted to do. Which was wanting to get himself ready for the coronation.

He shook his head, as he tried to not think too hard about him. Though, as he grabbed his formal attire. A sleek, grey suit perfectly tailored for him. One that had six buttons and also had a deep blue cape that was supposed to be draped on one side of his body from the shoulder down. It wasn’t like Covet’s, where it was supposed to be draped over the body in full. Instead, it was just to recognise him as a part of Manestralia’s royalty. He personally didn’t like, or get it. But, there was no fighting it. At least it was a constant. Something unlikely to change. For a good thousand years or so, anyway. He contemplated maybe changing the colour of the cape. Maybe to a lighter shade of blue. But he knew that probably couldn’t happen. If he could, when Covet was King, he’d try and ask for that one small change. They were probably going to still live in the castle together… Right?

Which made his mind think about the events from the night before as he put the formal attire on. He knew Covet was troubled. Maybe even regretful of the coronation that was about to happen. But Covet had acted so… Oh what were the words for it? It was like he had been bitter about what happened years ago. Was he still upset about that? About losing the final Alifest? Sure, it showed who the public really wanted. Stardew was more popular… AND he had heard whispers about how his father was worried about choosing Covet as the next King. But… Surely Covet could just ignore all that, right? Like he always did? Maybe push it away like he did the night before?

Now he was thinking with the bitterness he was accusing Covet of. That wasn’t good. He knew Covet probably just had himself guarded on nearly all fronts. Besides, they both had a part to play in the downfall of their bond as brothers. He’d also mocked Covet at points. Made fun of him and agitated him whilst being completely unprovoked. He’d also perhaps been a bit too harsh. He'd also had his moments of pushing Covet away. ESPECIALLY during the near aftermath of Covet being chosen. He recalled it well. Too well infact. As he thought of all of that, he sighed. His mind having been made up as he got up to leave his room once he had fully gotten dressed. Taking one last glance at the bookshelf as he trotted out. His mind set on reconciliation. He just hoped that Covet would accept it.

On the other hoof, Covet had left the bathroom and was in his room drying off. The towels he had requested were wrapped around him as he sat on his bed. Tending to his dampened mane and drying it off with a mane dryer. It wasn’t often that he truly tended to his mane and tail, but this was a special day. A day that would be written in the history books. So he wasted no time making himself look absolutely perfect. He soon got up after his mane was dried, trotting over to his desk and putting the mane dryer down. He looked outside to the ocean. He caught a glimpse of the horizon. Seeing the storm that had been over the Pentadiamond Isles. It was the same as before. Maybe a little worse. He couldn’t tell. Yes, he’d definitely make that his first order of business. Ignoring the clouds around the castle, he unwrapped the towels around his body and went to put the attire on the mannequin in his room on his body. But as he grabbed the cape, he heard a knock on his door. It was firm, but wasn’t an aggressive one.

Slowly, he approached his door. Using his hoof to open it as his face met Stardew’s. He was half tempted to slam the door right there and then, but Stardew’s magic kept the door firmly open. “What do you want?” Covet asked, a rough dismissal evident in his voice as he turned his nose up slightly. Much to Stardew’s annoyance. Annoyance that he kept masked with a look of neutrality. “Wha’ oi wan’….” He began, his words being spoken through slightly gritted teeth. “Is teh taw’k. Jus’ feh foiv minuh’s” he then added on. Both seeming to enter a slightly tense face off as Covet stepped out of his room. Closing his door as he continued to glare at Stardew. Stardew had backed off a little and let Covet close his door. Whilst he waited with anticipation.

“You have thirty seconds to explain why you want this talk and another ten to process the inevitable rejection” Covet then said, with a brutal apathy to his words as he narrowed his eyes. Stardew took a tiny few seconds to gather himself. His temper rising somewhat as he heard the very strict time limit. Nevertheless, he thought quickly. His mind forming a response in about ten more seconds. “Oi’v come ‘ere becuhs… Becuhs oi wan’ us teh mayk amends with ah pas’ tugethah. We’hv both beyn… Less th’n noyce teh eachothah…. And oi feel loik wey shuh’d maybe… Sit dahn soon the soh’ ih’ ah’… Yeh geh mey?” Stardew explained, trying to find any sort of willingness from Covet at his offer. Only to be met with a rather cold laugh.

“You think I care to reconcile with you?” Covet then sneered out, eliciting a narrow-eyed stare from Stardew at the question. “No, not after everything” He then added on, his narrowed-eyed stare growing slightly malicious. “Cohve’, shu’hley wey can-“ But Stardews words were met with a condescending hushing sound. Almost like Covet was rubbing his soon-to-be newfound authority in Stardew’s face. Which made Stardew snap last. “Dew yeh think tha’ bein’ a malicious mena’s teh eveh’ryone will mayk yeh rep any beh’ah!?” he said, quickly and with anger as his voice began to rise. Which made the sneer Covet had formed slowly vanish as his expression reverted to a spiteful gaze this time. “My reputation?” He said slowly, in a low tone. “You mean the thing the whole continent ruined? My respect? My dignity? It’s ironic really… How I was chosen over you despite those setbacks… And now I intend to relish in that fact for eternity”.

The silence between the pair seemed deafening. Stardew eyeing him with a look that challenged the words. That almost said ‘I highly doubt that’ as Covet’s gaze faltered ever so slightly. A subtle confirmation of Stardew’s challenge that Covet tried to supress. They seemed to both know that Covet was just saying things for the sake of saying things. With a sort of pity to his glare at Covet, Stardew simply began trotting down the hall. “When yeh ready teh taw’k, oi’m awl eeahs” he simply said in a matter-of-fact way. Making Covet lose his temper. The feeling of his words not being taken seriously as he boomed down the hallway “OH SHUT YOUR TRAP! YOU’RE LUCKY I’M EVEN CONSIDERING YOU STAYING HERE AFTER I BECOME KING TODAY!” as Stardew simply scoffed to himself. “Insecuh-writey’s a bidda mis’drus…” he then mumbled quietly before turning the corner and leaving.

Covet seemed to let out a harsh stomp on the ground to avoid his hoof from slamming into the wall. But his hoof created a loud bang on the floor. Startling those on the floor below. His slam attracting two guards that trotted up closely to him. Both stallions and seeming to tilt their heads. The guards being blizzard blue and almost apricot in colour respectively. The blizzard blue guard having a horn and the apricot-coloured guard having a pair of wings. The unicorn guard having a wavey styled mane that seemed to have two different, more deep and vibrant blues. With the Pegasus guard having a messy sort of darkish pink mane. Both dressed in the Manestralian royal guard attire. That being gold armour, with red accents. He sighed as he snapped out “What?”. The guards eyes meeting in a sort of… Calculated look. Dark greyed eyes meeting in unison. With the clearing of his throat, the blue guard turned his attention back to Covet and spoke. His dark and greyed eyes seeming to meet Covets blue eyes and speaking in a Non-Manestralian voice. Which caught Covet off guard (no pun intended).

“Your highness” this guard began, in a careful, slow and neutral tone. “Should we go after Prince Stardew for you? You seem… Agitated” he then asked, parts of his tone seeming… Off. But Covet, in his exhaustion, simply snapped back with “Do whatever you want! Just get out of my face!” as he waved his hoof dismissively. The Pegasus guard didn’t speak, but the blue coloured guard nodded as he muttered “As you wish, your highness”. The last two words seeming to have a hint of something not kind at all. But Covet simply let them trot away. Retreating back to his room and slamming the door. When Covet had entered his room again, the guards looked at eachother. “See what they’ve done?” the unicorn guard asked in disdain, aimed at Covet. The Pegasus guard nodding and then replying with “They’ve ruined him. But it’s lovely to see that he holds the same amount of… Well, same amount of distaste that we hold for Stardew” as they shared a glance of subtle amusement. “Indeed, the least we can do is what we have planned” the unicorn then muttered out, with the pair of them trotting to find Stardew. Their intentions clearly not kind in the slightest.

When Covet slammed his door, meanwhile, he instantly glared at the desk, where he held his Alifest memories. He dug out the photo from the night before. His hoof instinctively going to try and crumple it up and throw it out. But he stopped at the first crease he made. Managing to control himself just enough to simply slam it back in the drawer and huffing. Shutting the drawer firmly as he muttered “I’ll have to make sure that stuff is moved…”. His gaze drifting to an empty corner. He remembered what used to be there. His blue electric guitar. It had seven strings, and had a whitish blue middle. He knew it wasn’t necessarily destroyed, but it had been left with an old friend who’d be able to make better use of it. He still missed it though. If he could, he supposed he could get that guitar back from that friend. But he eyed the outfit on the mannequin as he thought of that guitar. It’d be pretty wild to suddenly pick up the guitar again if he was going to be King.

Instead, he went to put the attire on. But unlike before, he wasn’t interrupted. He was able to put it on. His body moving around so Covet could assess the way it fit on him. It seemed perfectly tailored to him. But there was a lack of crown on his head. Something he knew would be fixed by the end of the day. But, when he got to thinking about it, he questioned whether or not it was actually worth it. Lingering feelings of doubt beginning to surface for a good few minutes until he heard his door open. Quickly darting his head to the door as he saw his father enter. Albeit, with another jump of surprise as he snapped out “You can’t even knock?!”. Crimson ignored the words, but stepped closer as he seemed to assess how well it fit on Covet. Not even saying hello or greeting Covet as he trotted around him. After about a moment though, he sighed in relief. “Though’ oi’d jas’ check. Despoi’ knowin’ ih’d fih yeh” he then said aloud. But Covet simply eyed him with some unamusement as he slowly responded with “You had the tailors already check the necessary measurements over thirty times” in a slow, agitated voice.
That’s when Crimson lifted his own head slightly in a quiet assessment. Seeming to have recognised all too well. Having heard that tone many times. Getting just a tad closer to Covet, he asked “Wha’ did yeh both dew, then?” in a tone that seemed to just be slightly accompanied by an underlying sigh. Covet then started going on a sort of rant, his voice raising ever so slightly as he talked about what had happened. “Well, for starters, he wanted to talk. It wouldn’t have been anything noteworthy if he hadn’t sat here and tried to say we needed to reconcile! Like I need to reconcile with him! As if he’s not the one who’s been coming after me for all this time! So I told him to flap away! He went trotting down those halls with a mopey, upset look! AS IF he has ANY right to act like that!”. Although, Crimson could tell that at least half of the words weren’t fully accurate, to say the least. He kept the thought in the back of his mind to talk to Stardew to get his side. So he could piece together the actual narrative. But he decided to instead focus on the positive for now. At least, with Covet anyway. He could’ve just been stressed, or impatient.

“This is suppos’ the bey a grea’ day for yeh” he began, unfurling his wing so he could rest it on the cape Covet now wore. “Don’ leh Stah’dew tayk away fruhm tha’, yeh heah mey?” he then added on, bringing his hoof to lift Covet’s chin just enough so Crimson’s face could be seen by Covet. A sort of pleading look from Crimson evident as Covet’s earlier anger and annoyance faded. Replaced by a sort of sad, but determined look. Simply seeming to resign to the words as he mumbled out “A-alright… I’ll… I’ll try to focus on-” but Crimson quickly interrupted with a slightly stern “Don’ troi, Yeh will, thank yeh” as Covet felt a flicker of frustration bubble up. But he kept himself composed. Simply repeating himself with the modification Crimson wanted. “I’ll make sure I focus on the coronation and the positives of today”. With Crimson nodding as he retracted his hoof and furled his wing back up. Seemingly heading back to the door as he gestured for Covet to follow. “Cuhm on, then. Mey ‘n yew’v goh’ teh geh this show on thuh road!” Crimson then chirped out. Covet straightening up before following him out.

As Crimson closed the door after Covet had left the room, Covet then spoke up. “You know…” he began. “I’d like to have that room be left untouched. I still have a few things I’d like to move from that room” he then finished off. Crimson chuckling as he asked “Yeh mean those mem’reys… Fruhm the Alifes’s roi’t?”. Covet nodded, as Crimson then nodded. Saying, “Don’ worrey, oi’ll jus’ dew this!” before using his magic to summon a piece of thick, large paper and a black ink pen. Jotting down something before summoning a nail and a hammer. Loud banging being heard as Covet moved to cover his ears. After about a moment, he looked at what was written. In neat handwriting, the words reading ‘Do not enter! As requested by King Covet Dawndrop’. Which made Covet frown slightly. But he immediately masked it. Simply saying “thank you” in a quiet tone. Crimson then used his magic to make the hammer and black ink pen disappear, before he began leading Covet to where they were headed. Both needing to head to the floor where the throne room resided. Even though there was still a few hours, it’d be crucial to do last minute rehearsals and more. Crimson could only hope that Covet and Stardew’s argument however, hadn’t completely deterred Stardew from attending altogether.

Concurrently, Stardew had just reached the door leading to his room. His magic going to open the door, before he heard a loud voice from the other end of his bedroom hallway. “Prince, wait!” the voice said, with urgency. He glanced in the direction with a dull sort of expression on his face. Seeing the pair of guards that had approached Covet minutes before. Of course, Stardew didn’t know that, but simply gave a lazy grunt in response to show he acknowledged them. The voice from a moment before then spoke, clearly having been the Pegasus guard. “Prince. Your father has requested to meet you in the castle gardens before the coronation” the guard said, with an air of confidence in his words. The unicorn guard stayed silent, simply eyeing Stardew with what looked to be a feigned smile. One that didn’t exactly reach every part of his face. Stardew, being naturally slightly tired already from the previous encounter with Covet, simply rolled his eyes. But it was clear the eyeroll wasn’t aimed at the guards.

“Aw’roit, leh’s mayk this qui’k…” he mumbled, as he saw the pair trot on ahead of him. He followed and the three proceeded to trot off to the castle gardens. Stardew, during this travel, both noticed the lack of Manestralian accent when the two guards spoke to him, and the guests who had been invited to witness the coronation started to arrive. Of course, the whole thing would inevitably be broadcast by news stations who’d also been invited, but the amount of guests were still a lot. Especially given how early it was in the day still. With the guests seemingly trying to surround him, the Unicorn guard made a barrier effortlessly around the three that both kept the guests around them away and muffled the sound around them. The Pegasus guard meanwhile, seemed to just stay silent. Only trotting forward and not adding anything really to the travel. That was, until Stardew decided to ask the question on his mind.

“So…” he began, catching the pair’s attention. “Ha’ cahm yew tew don’ sahnd loik yeh cahm fruhm Maynstrayl’ah?” he then asked, making the pair exchange a quick, thinking type of look. The Unicorn guard stayed quiet, but the Pegasus guard spoke this time. “We were born… Well, we were born outside of Manestralia. You see…” the Pegasus guard began, as he seemed to speak as he was thinking. It was risky, but he persevered through the response. “…There are other places outside of this continent. We just so happen to come from a place… Let’s see… Northeast of here? Across the horizon”. This response made Stardew think. There wasn’t any known record of other lands… At least, not from what he knew. But then the Unicorn guard added on “Don’t worry, we know it’s a shock. But your old history books over here and maps of the known world from back then wouldn’t show our lands. There’s a huge barrier of icebergs to the Northeast. That at least should show on your maps”.

“Yeh, tha’s trew” Stardew mumbled, recalling the known world he had seen a map of. Manestralia was the centre, with the mentioned iceberg barrier at the northeast. He recalled how he heard Sailors having to turn around, so it didn’t seem farfetched that perhaps he’d missed something in his personal studying of Manestralia’s history. But something still felt… Well, off. There was something he was missing. But he couldn’t think about that. Instead, he’d look into it after the coronation and after his meeting with his father. But throughout their travel out into the gardens, it kept gnawing at his mind. Like a constant ominous feeling. His hooves feeling the well-maintained stone path as he took a vague look around whilst they trotted to wherever they were taking him.

It took about five more minutes, but as they got further, he noticed how they were moving further away from the noise as well as getting further away from the crowd. They passed the fountain, which was made of fancy stonework, and made their way through the thicker foliage of the garden. Flowers in red, blue, pink, white, and purple being nestled all around the bushes and small shrubbery. The guards then, in a twist, stopped. Both turning to Stardew and gesturing to an area that Stardew seemed to recognise. Turning the corner to the area the guards gestured to, he found himself infront of a tree. One that seemed to stand tall, whilst being fragile and delicate. With a small path a tombstone. Stardew knew who it belonged to, of course. It was his mother’s. Queen Esmerelda’s. Seeming to trot forward before noticing the obvious…

His father wasn’t there.

Instead, when his back was turned, Stardew felt an immense amount of pain course through his body. Yelling out in pain as the shield the guards had discreetly set up kept his voice muffled to the outside world. His body fell to the floor almost instantly, before he quickly tried to stumble his way back up. Eyeing the two guards, or rather, who should’ve been the two guards. Only seeing a blue and lavender Alicorn standing infront of him. The blue alicorn seemed to be on the lookout and not as focused on him, but the lavender one seemed to intensely focus on him. Unknown to Stardew, this was Dallasite and Arcane. Two alicorn’s he’d never met. A look of silent fury on Dallasite’s face was apparent as Stardew summoned a quick shield of his own. A grey one. Mimicking a normal shield. But it was clear his strength had been stolen from him somewhat, as another magenta beam managed to break the shield entirely. The beam bouncing off. Stardew seemed stunned, as he quickly asked, “Who ah yeh?!”. But Dallasite stayed silent. Quickly galloping forward as his horn seemed to light up.

Stardew began charging his own magic to create weapon. Anything, really. He knew Dallasite was going to charge in for an attack, and he wanted to counter. But the more magic he used, the more weak he felt. He barely managed to summon a small dagger made from the air itself. It was all he could manage. Usually, he’d take flight and summon a pair of magical storm crossbows. But, he would’ve collapsed if he’d done so. In a quick swipe, he managed to block Dallasite’s own weapon. Which Dallasite had summoned and lunged at him with. A sword blazing with lavender fire, made from nearly pure white magic-made steel; a result from the heat. The fire flaring forward against the dagger of air as Stardew struggled to hold the sword wielding Dallasite off.

Meanwhile, Arcane eyed the pair. His emotionless expression starting to turn to one of impatience. Still, he believed Dallasite could do the job on his own. Which quickly paid off as Dallasite seemed to share Arcane’s own impatience. Another flaming sword quickly materializing as Dallasite spat out a quiet “Enough of this pathetic nonsense” and slashed at Stardew before he could also summon another dagger of air. A resounding yell of pain hitting Stardews vocal chords as he fell. Fire having burned a nasty gash across the lower end of his chest. It didn’t cut deep enough to hit any key organs, but it was enough to keep Stardew down. With Dallasite dematerializing both swords with a look of narrowed malice. All Stardew could feel was the pain from the wound as he felt warmth slip from his body ever so slightly from the lavender fire that the blade was accompanied by.

“Alright Dal’, wrap it up now” Arcane then said with some amusement in his voice after a few moments, glancing at Dallasite as he simply eyerolled. His expression was much like Covet’s whenever he got annoyed, but Stardew couldn’t focus on that. He felt his body levitated in the air as he saw Dallasite’s horn light up. He could’ve sworn he heard something, but as he tried to think about it, he could only feel something cold above him in the air. The ground being lit up by a greyish, dark cyan sort of colour. He knew it was a portal of some kind, the light proved it. But before he could do or say anything, he was forced to cross through to an unknown place. The last thing he heard being Dallasite, who seemed to sneer at him as his vision faded. His body succumbing to his own pained exhaustion. “If you’re lucky, Stardew, you won’t suffer for long in there!”. Dallasite having a sort of satisfied chirp to his voice. With Stardew’s consciousness fading into slumber. The instrumental of his and Covet’s Fae Spell hitting his dreamless sleep as he drifted across the grey space.

Once Stardew had fully succumb to his slumber and was securely within the grey space, Dallasite closed the gateway he’d summoned. Taking a deep sigh of relief it seemed as Arcane quickly disguised himself again. Dallasite quickly following suit as the shield dispersed. It was as if nothing had happened at all. No trace of Stardew. No trace of their deceit. Just the tombstone, tree and garden foliage around them. Say for the few leaves that had fallen off of the tree in the very brief attack, there was really no evidence. But Dallasite gathered the leaves with his magic. Before burning them in mid-air. His horn showing through his disguise whilst he used his magic. The leaves burning away with a lavender fire burning them down. With Dallasite throwing the ashes to the wind. “Having some fiery fun there are we?” Arcane asked as he watched the disguised lavender Alicorn’s horn disappear once again.

“You could say that…” Dallasite then mumbled out, before the Arcane simply chuckled in a low tone. “Glad you’re finding some joy in this. That’s good. Just keep this energy and anger up during our actual mission and this should be a breeze!” Arcane then replied. Both of them eyeing eachother in their disguised forms before heading out of the garden. Stardew’s existence having been fully removed from the dimension entirely and thrown into another. Arcane and Dallasite had a plausible excuse. Given what they had seen, and they fully intended to use it to avoid any suspicion, as they trotted through the gardens and back to the castle interior. They knew they’d have to wait for a few hours, but it’d all be worth it. Soon, their mission would be complete.

For those few hours, the remaining invited guests began coming into the castle. Some news ponies. Some high-class ponies and some honoured individuals in the continent also joined them. Most of these ponies were naturally from the same major island that the castle was in. That being Coltney island. But a few guests were from the other two major islands too. Those being Buckenshire island, and Brismane island. But given the issue revolving around the Pentadiamond isles, not all of them could make it. It wasn’t that any of them had any troubles out on the water, but the journeys the continents ships had to make was rather long and irregular. So, some had to take that into account and book hotels out. Even then, however, there were only so many hotel rooms to go around.

Whilst this was all happening, Crimson and Covet stayed in a closed off room near the throne room. Moreso to do some last-minute rehearsals of the coronation. To Crimson, everything had to be perfect. But to Covet, it was aggravating. Arcane and Dallasite, disguised, simply kept themselves at that specific door. They didn’t know, at first, which room was the one Covet and Crimson were in. But, through a stroke of luck, they managed to take the place of the guards who were meant to guide Covet into the throne room. So, they stood guard. The pair didn’t speak, but they glanced at eachother. Their Unicorn and Pegasus disguises unquestioned by anypony passing. Clearly too distracted by their own affairs and the excitement of the coronation. Although, some slightly observant ponies did notice them and their seemingly detached demeanour as they passed on by.

Inside the room, as the clock began reaching the final few minutes before the coronation, Crimson and Covet finally stopped their rehearsals. The sparsely decorated room only had a few wooden chairs and a single table inside. Clearly, it was supposed to be some kind of guest dining room. But it wasn’t going to be used for this. Covet knew that the grand dining hall was going to be used for food and such. This one was for things outside special events such as this. There were basic white curtains as well, but the rest of the room just seemed bare. Still, it was acceptable. Crimson sighed, which caught Covet’s attention as he was finally getting a good look around. “Oi hope yeh’ve goh’ ih memrois’d” Crimson mumbled, clearly seeming annoyed. Covet reciprocated the mutual annoyance with his own retort. Narrow eyed as he muttered “When you keep mentally beating it into me, then yes I would say I have it memorised”. This made Crimson’s eye twitch slightly, before he straightened up. His hoof on his own forehead as he let out a frustrated groan of sorts.

“Look, oi geh ih. Oi’ve dahn aloh’. Buh’ yeh need teh noh mess this ahp” Crimson then slowly said, trying to choose his words carefully. He clearly sensed the exhaustion and frustration his son must’ve felt, it was the same thing he was feeling after all. But he didn’t want Covet to embarrass himself during this. He could already see the wild news headlines and the moment being cemented in the continent’s history. He couldn’t let Covet even so much as trot near that possibility. So he believed in his mind that he had to be like this. For Covet’s future. It was hard, though, especially since Covet clearly wasn’t taking it well. Being met with an eyeroll from Covet as he simply muttered out “I got it.”

Just as the tension was about to erupt between them, Crimson being very exhausted at this point, the doors swung open. Both Covet and Crimson immediately darted their gaze to the two ponies in the doorway. Covet recognizing them as the Unicorn guard and Pegasus guard from earlier as they trotted forward. Bowing their heads before speaking. “Please forgive our intrusion, your majesties” the Unicorn said slowly, Covet swearing he heard a very subtle undercurrent of distaste. But he didn’t question it. He hated this day as well, despite what it meant for him. His excitement for the day being fully burned out at this point.

Then, the Pegasus spoke slowly. “Unfortunately, Prince Stardew Serandite decided to fly away from the gardens to the north. He was saying he didn’t wish to attend the coronation.”. At first, both Covet and Crimson just stared. Stardew was going out? Now of all times? With the clouds from this morning that had started to appear, Crimson started thinking about that… There was no way. He couldn’t have. Until Crimson seemed to sense a very rapid upset forming from Covet. Quickly deciding to try and dilute the upset before it got… Uncontrolled. As opposed to what he was going to do. Which was pry further into the matters revolving around this sudden departure of Stardew from the coronation. “Cuhveh’” he began, getting to his height level as the guards just stared in silence. “Ih dun’ maddah wha’ Stahdew does… Oi chose yeh specific’luy becahs’ah things loik this. Yew pehseve’ah threwah’ situashuns loik this. Whe’h situashuns geh stressin’ an’ tense… He cleahluy dun’t ‘andowl ‘em well loik yew”. Covet stared at Crimson for a few moments with an expression that clearly showed his upset. Emotions beginning to swirl around before he closed his eyes to centre himself and to not let himself get too upset. THAT was dangerous, for everypony involved. He remembered when he ended up lashing out on an old former lover when he truly lost his temper years ago. It wasn’t pretty; to say the least.

Taking a deep breath before finally opening his eyes again. Masking any upset with neutral indifference on his face. But inside his mind, he was asking himself many questions. About how far their relationship as brothers had really dropped off. About whether he should’ve spoken with Stardew earlier that day when he offered. All this led to a feeling of regret that he knew he wouldn’t be able to shake until the end of the coronation. But he had to focus. Now wasn’t the time for those things or questions. He’d deal with Stardew later.

Wordlessly, Covet nodded as he acknowledged the words his father had said. Crimson seeming to take a small sigh of relief before turning to the pair of guards. “Thank yeh foh yeh repoh’. Yeh may leave” Crimson then said, nodding his head afterwards as the pair bowed. Then, Covet and Crimson watched as the pair of them left. Both guards turning to the left before trotting off. Unknown to them however, they’d fallen for a very nasty lie. But, neither would know that for a small time. What mattered to the pair right now, was focusing on the coronation. With Crimson turning to Covet and saying “Ih’s sink o’ so’h, boyo” with a look of finality. Trotting off as Covet was left to wait. The younger alicorn breathing a sigh of relief, before he started thinking about what the pair of guards had said. He had a few minutes, and he couldn’t dwell on it for a long time, however he did get the sense that something wasn’t quite right. Despite what he and Stardew may, or may not have done to eachother in the past… Surely he wouldn’t just… Leave, right? It just… It didn’t make sense.

Then, as swiftly as the thoughts and few moments of waiting came, they left just as fast. Jumping slightly as he saw one of the guards from before; the Pegasus one specifically. He could see other guards around the door as well. But one spoke among them. A unicorn stallion, with a pale-yellow coat, and a golden yellow mane and tail that were both wavy in style. His eyes were brown, with them looking at Covet with a neutral expression. Covet knew who this was. The aforementioned former partner that he’d recalled when trying to calm himself down from an emotional outburst. The Unicorn was slightly smaller than Covet, but still looked capable. Covet tilted his head up slightly as he simply greeted the stallion with “Starstrike”. Starstrike nodding, as he gestured his head in a nod forward. Down the hall. Replying with “Ca’m on, then yeh majestay” in a monotone, emotionless tone as the Pegasus guard took a place beside Starstrike. Before they moved in position to allow Covet to slot himself behind them. When he trotted out of the room, he saw Starstrike use his magic to firmly close the door. Covet then seeing the Unicorn guard from before behind him alongside about three other pairs of guards. The Unicorn guard being included in the three other pairs. With a Pegasus guard next to him. Behind that, there was a Pegasus guard and an Earth Pony guard paired together. With a Unicorn guard and an Earth Pony guard at the very back.

He recognised the pair at the back. The Unicorn guard in the back have a pale blue coat colour to him. With a white mane and tail. His eyes being minty green. The Earth Pony guard however, was slightly bigger than the Unicorns and Pegasi. Being black in coat colour. With a messy, darkish magenta mane and tail. Well, barely a tail. Considering it was extremely short. The Earth Pony’s eyes were an almost hazel colour. But there were two things that made him stand out from the other guards in tow. That being the scar across his left eye, and the shark tooth band that he wore around his left foreleg. Covet scoffing as he directly addressed Starstrike. “I’d say standards for guard etiquette are dropping. You’re seriously allowing Obsidian over there to wear whatever he likes on duty?” he asked, in a smug tone. Starstrike quietly sighing and rolling his eyes, before turning around to the Earth Pony. “Obsidiuhn. Tayk ih awf.”. This made Obsidian eye Covet with some annoyance, but he didn’t say anything to Covet directly. Instead, he took it off and handed it to the Unicorn. “He’h, ‘old on tah this fuh me Crescen’” Obsidian then said to the Unicorn guard next to him.

Covet specifically remembered the Earth Pony from when he was younger. Just before becoming a teenager. He’d usually be nicer to him. His name being Obsidian Grit. He had saved him from a shark attack as he was swimming out during the summer in Trottnest that year. He had taught him all he knew about interacting with ocean life. Teaching him how to deal with things like shark attacks with his own tamed bull shark. He never really knew how Obsidian managed to tame a whole shark, but he never questioned it. Obsidian clearly knew how to handle himself. He was also Team Covet in the final Alifest. He remembered that much, recalling how he had performed for an elite one-hundred wave racing match that Obsidian had participated in. Although, Obsidian was disqualified for using his shark instead of his wave racing vehicle. It was mainly because it posed a safety hazard, but he did wish… No, it was against the rules. Things had to be in order after all.

The Unicorn, on the other side of the coin, was a classmate of his during his college years. Named Crescent Calcite. He was constantly focused on studying and nearly never interacting with the other classmates within Covet’s college classes. Excelling in classes, and often being the first to achieve competency over spells their class would learn. Although, Covet was only there to see that once. Flunking after he failed to immediately cast a basic transfiguration spell. Which required the student to turn an apple into an orange. His failure to do this, despite being an Alicorn, severely damaged his sense of superiority. Simply deciding to not learn magic at all beyond basic utility spells like levitation and the spell of page turning. That way, he could neglect his studies at college, whilst also keeping his sense of superiority. Everypony knew better than to spill his failures out, after all! He always had ways of keeping those that stepped out of line… Well, back in line. Crescent having been clearly smart enough to know not to chatter about Covet’s failure.

Crescent clearly seemed to know not to say anything, or even give any expression other than neutrality in this situation as well. Which Covet silently approved of. Before turning his attention to Obsidian and speaking again. “You know you’re one of few ponies I respect, Obsidian. Do yourself a favour and brush up on appearances and etiquette. Lest you ruin both the rare praise I give you and the coronation as a whole, understand?” he asked, with a voice dripping with condescending authority. Through gritted teeth, and narrowed eyes, Obsidian simply, and slowly, said “Yes, yeh majestay…”. Covet giving him a smug look of approval before he turned his attention to their path forward. The combined group of nine making their way to the coronation proper. He could practically taste the crown now… But after hearing about Stardew, was it really even worth it in the end?

He'd have to take a long think about that one once this was all over. But right now, he had more important things to attend to. As the eight guards he was accompanied by trotted straight toward the throne room. Covet’s cape flowing behind him as he recalled exactly how things were to go. He’d receive a jewel in the traditional Lozenge cut; that being the Jewelling. He was hopeful his would be a Sunstone. Then, after that, he’d pledge his vow and finally proceed to be crowned, and then they could all focus on celebrating him and the passing of the crown to him. Though his mind lingered on the possible Sunstone for a moment. Flashing back to the moment he got his cutie mark. He couldn’t quite recall what exactly he’d done to even earn his. He had always stayed with his father around that time. His mother having passed and himself feeling like he needed to be beside his father. So there was no real time for him to explore around about his own talents and powers. It was a miracle that it appeared at all, in his mind anyway.

Perhaps he’d try and use a spell to recall the memory of that moment. To see what exactly triggered it. But he’d need to get his magic and flight back first. That was paramount above most things. Luckily for him, as they all approached the doors leading to the throne room, he had a good inkling that he wouldn’t NEED any of his magic for the coronation. Hopefully his father accounted for that. How else was he supposed to pass him the crown? Through hooves and his wings? He knew his father wouldn’t do THAT. Voices grew louder, and then finally quieter as the nine of them turned the corner. He saw Starstrike and the Pegasus guard from earlier move to the side of the double doors leading into the throne room, as he trotted in. Face forward.

He saw his father first, alongside many ponies staring at him as he trotted forward. He didn’t notice the Unicorn guard behind him eye the Pegasus guard, and vice versa as the pair stood at the doorway and parted from the other seven. Seemingly keeping watch. Infront of him, he saw the white throne room, with windows opened and letting in a gentle sea breeze. Eyes staring and his father infront of the throne. Which he’d always seen as something he’d one day obtain. Banners of the Manestralian Flag lined the sides of the walls. The gentle breeze blowing them slightly. To stop himself from gawking at the décor, he focused on the path forward. He’d seen all this anyway. He was just getting carried away with the details. Doing his best to put on a smile and avoid the gazes at him. He knew a lot of the ponies in this place weren’t too fond of him. But he had to hide his vulnerability in this event. Taking his last steps toward his father before bowing slightly. “Your Majesty” he greeted, with Crimson smiling slightly and saying “Rois, Cuhve’”. Covet doing as he was told and returning to his usual standing position. Albeit with a more stiffened posture. Thanks to catching cameras from the corner of his eye. Probably from news channels getting up close and personal coverage. He could’ve sworn he even saw the reporter from back on Trottnest Island. Who’d interviewed Sax Bit and Polygon Phonic. But there were important matters to attend to. Curbing his curiosity, he waited as his father went to speak.

“Fehstloy, thank yeh tew awl the con’inen’ feh cahming…” he then turned to the news channel cameras, addressing the ones either side of the room. “…And thank yeh tew those ah home who ‘av decoided teh joyn us in speerih” he then continued, nodding slightly to the cameras before turning his attention back to the rest of the throne room in its entirety. “Oim shuh yeh’re awl eageh teh see the main ehven’ an’ teh injoy the fewd we ‘ad prepehd” he then began, adding a cheeky smile as he chuckled to himself. “Howevah, we ‘av tew impoh’ant things teh dew fehs’… Bring fo’th the Jew’llah” he then ended off, the guards behind Covet parting to the side, with Covet also stepping aside. The jeweller, and the jewelling in general, were Manestralian traditions. When an important figure got recognised for their efforts, or whenever an important figure was about to be placed in their position in society, a jeweller would be assigned to create a polished and refined gemstone from recovered raw gemstones. The process symbolized the end of a chapter, for the hopeful new chapters in one’s life.

From the hallway outside the throne room, a singular pony stepped forth. The guards that had accompanied Covet, stepping aside to let this pony past. It being a slightly smaller than average, and slightly slender unicorn, with a mint fur colour. Alongside a long, flowing Jade coloured mane and tail. With two guards accompanying her. A Pegasus and Earth Pony. He didn’t recognise the guards’ faces, them just being two he’d never officially met. But he knew the mare well. He used to see her up at Warramane; her name being Polished Facet. With Warramane being the northernmost city on Coltney Island. A specific place known for its vast amount of Opals, Rubies and Chrysoprase. He’d actually taken a slight interest in gemstones and the natural resources of the continent… For a phase, so he spent about a month alongside her. Researching the different mineral compounds and such that made the gemstones. Sunstones were actually incredibly rare, so he didn’t expect much when he thought about the gemstones up north. Until he saw the unmistakable orange glinting in the natural light as it passed by. But, there was another intertwined with the Sunstone that he saw.

When Polished finally came to a stop, infront of Crimson, she bowed, before saying “Your Majesty”. Crimson gesturing for her to rise, before he gently took the gemstone. Which is when Covet saw it. It was indeed a Sunstone. But… It was fused with an Aquamarine. In the shape of a teardrop. Which is when it made sense. The pair of stones, that seemed to have been intertwined together, was in the shape of his cutie mark. Polished stepped aside to allow Covet to step back infront of his father again, before he heard his father speak. “This wus recuvah’d abaht a yea’ agoa… Ih’s ahn Aquamahreen an’ ah sunstoan. The formah soothes an’ cahms… Whils’ the othah promoa’s indehpehndahns… With this, oi ‘ope ih brings yew… Hope. Sumthin’ oi know yeh valew…”.

But in Crimsons words, he could tell that Crimson didn’t really believe that last part. Despite if it was true or not. Crimson also cleverly hid the fact that Aquamarine would help with relationships and communication, and that Sunstone would reveal talents. Was that a small, discreet callout that Crimson didn’t want to make? Given the events earlier, he presumed it was the case. But as Covets face started turning away from smiling and started propping a wordless frown, Crimson continued and gave him a certain look. One that showed that this was almost over. Which made Covet gather enough strength to put on his smile for a tad longer. As Crimson then offered the stone to him. “May this gehm goid yew threw yeh toim as rulah” Crimson said, as Covet took it and bowed, before he began fixing it to his attire before he looked up again.

Meanwhile, as the exchange was happening, the disguised Dallasite and Arcane from before glanced at eachother. Hearing Crimson speak as they rolled their eyes slightly. This whole procedure was… Boring to them. To say the least. They didn’t get it. They didn’t understand it. Why was all this effort wasted on such a thing? Surely the crown could just be passed to him and this whole thing could go by. It wasn’t as if… But they couldn’t show any annoyance right now. They had to wait until the crowning. Which was thankfully going to happen within the next few moments. If they could just hold out for a tad longer, they’d be able to complete their mission.

Back in the throne room, Crimson continued. Covet and the rest of the throne room finally saw Crimson remove his crown. Covet bowing slowly as the crowd looked toward the pair intensely. With silent anticipation as Crimson used his magic to lift the crown between the pair of them. Crimson then spoke after a moment. With him posing two question. One that he’d been repeatedly asked during their rehearsals. “Cuhveh’…” Crimson began, with both of their pairs of eyes meeting slightly as Crimson continued. “Dew yew, as the secuhnd King ah Maynstralya, promis’ teh uphold the con’inehns peace? An’ dew yeh promis’ teh puh’ the con’inenhs cih’izehns in’res’s befoh yeh own?” he then finally asked. With Covet nodding as they had rehearsed. Before he said, in a determined tone, “I do, Your Majesty. You have my word, as the second King of Manestralia, that I will always uphold the values and virtues of our continent. I also promise that I shall put the needs, and desires of our continent and its many citizens before my own. I promise to uphold the primary, core value of selflessness, and I promise to always strive to take the right path… Instead of the easy one”.

That last part, was a thing Covet decided to sneak in. So that he could prove that he was indeed capable of the title and position. There was a long moment of silence as the two then looked to eachother. A wordless communication between the pair that had underlying tones of interrogation. Crimson almost piercing into Covet’s very soul to find any signs of deceit, or dishonesty. When he found none, his eyes softened marginally. Alongside a gentle smile of approval. Covet letting his own face show a small fraction of genuine relief as Crimson then spoke. Saying with a pleased tone. “Then withah’ furthah adew… Oi now pronahs yeh…”…

But, as the crown moved from the middle of the pair to Covet’s head, something happened. An indigo-coloured beam with shades of lavender knocked the crown to the floor. Which was much to Crimson and Covet’s surprise. Covet saw Crimson’s gaze turn from pleased, to furious. “Who DEH’S teh in’errupt the coruhnayshun?!” he immediately bellowed out. His voice echoing and bouncing off the walls as he saw, from the throne room entrance, the two guards from before who’d stood near the entrance. Having moved in. But, there was something… Off… With the pair. No longer did they appear to have the same expressions as the other guards, instead they held looks of smug anger. “Oh, so sorry!” the Pegasus of the pair said, almost with a tone of glee. “We were simply… Making ourselves… Known”.

Before anypony in the room could react, the pair then dispelled their disguises in a flash of blue and purple. A column of the two colours combining until it dissipated. Revealing the lavender form of Dallasite, and the bluish form of Arcane. Two alicorns that seemed to make Crimson quickly dart from Covet, to the pair. Almost in a disbelief. Covet also seemed to have the same sort of reaction. Darting from his father, to the pair. Seeing the lavender Alicorn, and having confusion on his face. This Alicorn… He looked… Just like him. But the bluish one was different. He saw a certain look of anger within the pair, as the two new Alicorns used their magic to create a left wall of lavender fire, and a blue wall of ice. When they did, the crowd, including the newsponies, immediately erupted into panic and galloped away. Fleeing to the entrance. Only leaving the seven guards who’d accompanied Covet into the throne room, and the two guards who’d brought Polished in. Immediately, Crimson stepped infront of the Covet, and gave a look to the guards. Who immediately put themselves infront of Covet.

“Oh, how cute” the blue Alicorn drawled, with a sardonic smile. “Little Bounded needs his guards to fight his battles”. “Bounded? Are you blind? No such Bounded exists! I am-“ but before Covet could even finish his sentence, the pair of Alicorns flew toward Crimson. Their magic charging into beams of lavender and blue. “You!” Covet then exclaimed, looking at the unicorns, including Crescent and Starstrike. “Help him fight them off!” Covet demanded. But Crescent, Starstrike and the other unnamed unicorn ignored him. They knew what Crimson wanted, and knew that it was to protect Covet at all costs. Which seemed to make Covet angry. “You’re going to ignore me?!” He shouted out, as Crimson and the two Alicorn’s magical energy clashed together. Creating an explosive spectrum of cooler, to hotter colours that echoes cold and hot temperatures, respectively. Moreso cold than hot. With Crimson seemingly holding back.

Unfortunately, this holding back cost Crimson his ground in the battle. Arcane managing to swoop behind him and cause a heavy blow to his back. Crimson yelling out as he tried turning around. But all he could feel was a cold pulsing through him. One that he couldn’t shake. He could tell that Arcane, even though he didn’t know his name, was moreso versed in magic relating to the element of ice. The coldness he felt proved that much. But this other one, who he was then hit by with a magic attack, confused him. This lavender one, who had been switching out between what felt like flame and ice, was an enigma. Crimson struggled to get up after the attack, which is when the lavender one joined Arcane. Both seemingly ignoring Crimson entirely.

Instantly, the nine guards charged. In an effort to protect Covet, the unicorns charged their magic. Whilst the remaining Pegasi and Earthponies worked in tandem together. Obsidian being carried by a Pegasus specifically as he lifted himself in the air. Crescent and Starstrike charging a combined spell which radiated yellow and white. But, as Obsidian began diving for the pair of Alicorns, Dallasite and Arcane simply rolled their eyes. The walls from earlier when they’d entered disappearing and combining into beams of magic that hit both Obsidian, and the remaining Earth Ponies and Pegasi. The Pegasi remained frozen. Paralysed by the Icy cold and fell to the ground. Whilst the Earth Ponies were fatigued by sheer heat. Even Obsidian, who had dove for the pair, quickly softened up and gasped from the sudden heat that overcame his strength. “Pathetic” Dallasite spat out. “Your guards can’t even take a small amount of heat or chill?” he then asked, eyeing Covet as the orange Alicorn readied himself for a fight. Although, he was at a heavy disadvantage. No magic. No flight. Just his hooves and some distant hope. Even as Crimson managed to finally stand up, the pair of Alicorns approached. Undeterred by the King of Manestralia finally standing.

“It’s funny, really” Arcane then finally said, almost assessing Covet in his look. “How much you looked like him. Until this happened” Arcane then continued. His eyes contorting into a gaze of disgust as he looked Covet up and down. “Yes, well, that’s why we’re here. To put an end to both him and… THIS… Shameful display…” Dallasite commented, although it was clear it’d mostly be Arcane doing that. Given how he then turned around and faced off against Crimson; to ensure that Crimson couldn’t interfere with the acts Arcane was about to commit. Crimson went to charge, but Dallasite used his magic to create a wall of lavender fire between himself and Arcane. Effectively cutting off Dallasite and Crimson, from Arcane and Covet. Starstrike and Crescent finally fully charged their spell. But two Unicorns against one Alicorn was of no match. Arcane swiftly countering and knocking both of them aside. Alongside the other Unicorn guard. Annoyance now on his face thanks to the momentarily interruption.

“Stupid Unicorns. Thinking they can go up against myself? Don’t they know better than to test the might of an Alicorn?” Arcane then scoffed. Covet simply biting back with “They did what they could to protect me! Don’t you dare blame them or spit those words at them” as he saw Arcane grow slightly angry. All whilst Dallasite and Crimson battled it out behind him. Crimson and Dallasite launching attack after attack at eachother. Whilst Crimson was more experienced, he wasn’t fast enough to effectively dodge most of Dallasite’s attacks. Having to instead use his magic to keep a shield going. Which was holding strong enough. Cutting back to Arcane and Covet, Arcane snorted, and then sneered. “I should’ve figured. That he’d keep up such an effective lie and would stop at nothing to protect it. Well, no more, Bounded” Arcane then said, in a low tone. Laced with malice and anger.

“What’re you on about? I already told you I’m-“ but before Covet could even say the next words, he was hit by a wayward magic spell from Dallasite as both he and Crimson continued battling. Knocking Covet backward and making him stumble somewhat. Feeling what he could only describe as light frostbite. Dallasite’s magic feeling frost bitingly cold. Luckily, Covet didn’t actually catch frostbite. But the temperature drop was very apparent. Covet shivering slightly, but not being able to warm himself up. “How lucky for me!” Arcane then gleefully said, very satisfied with the wayward magic that had hit Covet. “That means I can start! I was going to wait for Dallasite to at least get one shot in… And it seems he has gotten one in!”.

In an instant, Covet cried out in pain as he was barraged by what felt like the deep abyss of space itself. Everything felt dark and cold. His body stumbling, and then slumping to the floor. His breathing now showing in a misted cloud of coldness as he struggled to get up. Although, this seemed to make Arcane slightly confused. “You’re not going to use your magic? Or even… Try to flee?” he asked, tilting his head dispassionately. Truth be told, Arcane and Dallasite had no actual knowledge of what had happened to Covet. They’d only seen him during that night during the vacation to Trottnest. Still, Arcane simply trotted forward. Ready to charge a spell that would ensure certain death. However, he was interrupted.

Crimson, who’d been defending himself against Dallasite’s relentless assault, was finally able to strike him at a very vital point. A yelp of both surprise and pain was heard from the other three, although Covet’s hearing was muffled now, as Dallasite crashed beside him. Covering Covet slightly in debris from the wall. The wall of fire dissipating as Arcane noticed Crimson finally land. He knew he didn’t have long now. He’d spent too long entertaining his own revenge against Crimson. So, in a panic, he summoned a portal to shove Covet through. Only for Crimson to blast his back. The spell being interrupted. Whilst it indeed sent Covet away, it had… Another pair of effects. The second being exhaustion and very quick temporary slumber. The third one being something that the pair of Alicorns, who’d attacked Covet and Crimson, wouldn’t find out about until they found him. Crimson wouldn’t find out about it for a long, long time… And Covet? Well, he’d find out upon waking up. Right now, he was in a dreamless slumber. Only the echoing memories and the faintest tune of something akin to his and Stardew’s song ‘Fae Spell’ played at the edge of his unconscious mind. Just as Stardew had heard during his transition into wherever he had headed.

Back in Coltney Castle, all three alicorns seemed stunned at what Arcane had done. Crimson’s fury, for the first time, boiling over truly as he quickly prepared a spell to eradicate the pair. But, in that anger, as he saw the terror on Dallasite’s face, he recalled… Covet. Which stopped him momentarily. Leaving Arcane and Dallasite room to escape. Arcane grabbing Dallasite with his magic and quickly taking the opportunity. Before Crimson could react, Arcane broke through a window and flew off. Conjuring a portal in the sky to leave. Leaving Crimson falling to the floor. Angry, upset, confused, and most of all, grieving the supposed loss of his two sons. Quiet sobbing being heard as the magic faded. Leaving the King in his own emotions for now. With the guards from before finally returning to normal and being just as… Confused.

When Arcane and Dallasite emerged from the other side of the portal, both held looks of stunned silence. As if unable to process what just happened. Dallasite was dropped onto the ground with an unceremonious thud. As he groaned from the earlier impact with the wall. Getting up a moment later as he asked, “What did you do?” in a panicked tone. Arcane unable to respond directly… But having an idea. They couldn’t let him find out about this… But if they dealt with Bounded before they had to return to him… Yes. That was the solution to this. Fix a mistake, and course correct. However, Dallasite saw… Opportunity. Taking a moment to consider his words, he said “If he's not dead… There’s no harm in trying a different-“ but a flapping wing stopped him.

“You think he’ll take kindly to this?” Arcane bit back, his emotions now showing the panic in his own form as he paced back and forth. Dallasite sitting down again. It remained like this for a while, until Arcane then stopped. His mouth forming into a smug grin as he figured out how they were going to find Bounded. It was all so simple in hindsight… He’d simply recall the location of the unintentional spell with his own magic. It was his, after all. So the last spot of his magic where they were… Yes. That was it. He gestured to Dallasite, mainly to get him to follow him as he watched the younger Alicorn get up slowly. Still slightly pained from the earlier events. Spreading his wings however, he joined Arcane in the skies once Arcane took flight. The pair now determined to correct whatever Arcane had unintentionally done… And it was about to be a shock for all parties who could see it.

Author's Note

OH MY JESUS GUSHMAS THIS TOOK FOREVER TO WRITE

And I was STUNNED when I saw that word count mama. I went from 4.2K (I think?) to 20.8K? Mama these past few months were well spent. Clearly.

So, the first difference you might see is the fact this chapter starts not on the day of, but the night before the coronation. Figured it'd be nice to establish things and slip in some lyrics of songs (and lore) before Covet's big day. I also figured introducing you-know-who in Chapter 2 and having him be actively watching and stuff makes him seem that tad more... Well, Active.

Then we have the new characters. Obsidian, Crescent, Polished. We already saw Starstrike in the original. Albeit in like chapter 10 I think with a really messy and cringe breakup. So, naturally, introducing him earlier benefitted I think. Obsidian and Crescent were characters I planned on introducing in Book 02. Although introducing them right here in Chapter 2 made alot of sense as well. Polished and the mentioned South Tide are the only TRUE new character this time (sadge) but it's alright! Polished's more a background character. It also gave me a chance to expand on Covet and Stardew's life before the story. I also have plans for South Tide as well so you will see him... eventually. I'm now wondering if a Persistence is Key ZERO would work lol

Imagine.

Anyways, enough of my rambling. I hope you enjoyed and I hope you can see the improvements!