There it is again, stronger than ever. I feel it growing closer.

For the umpteenth night in a row, Princess Luna lost a battle in her perpetual war against insomnia. Whenever she seemed to have the upper hoof, Magic upped the ante with its distracting spasms. Luna sighed as she put chin to hoof and leaned over her balcony, facing toward the southwest in the sun’s recent wake. Heavy bags lay under her eyes, her only spoils from night after night of hopeless battles.

“You summoned me, Princess?”

Her ears now erect, Luna turned quickly to her new arrival. Starshine stood motionless at the entrance to her balcony, having proceeded with unnecessary caution into Luna’s room. A tired smile graced her features for the first time in days.

“Yes. Please join me, I crave your advice.” Luna gestured to the stallion who lingered at the threshold.

Hesitantly, the silver unicorn approached the balcony where Luna stood, the star-spangled cloud on his flank reflecting the moonlight.

“Would you like some tea, or some kind of refreshment?”

“No thank you, Princess.” Starshine shook his head, his lengthy black mane waving slightly in the breeze.

“Come now, Starshine—call me Luna. You’ve known me for far too long to be formal in private.” She smiled at him, watching the stoic mask on his face melt into a far more relaxed-looking expression. “And before you start,” she added, “none of this aunt or auntie Luna business either. I know I was born before you, but you’ve technically existed longer than I have. It feels so weird to even think of you as my nephew.”

The stallion nodded. “You’ve got that right, Pr—I mean, Luna. How did I manage to overtake you in years, anyway? You don’t look a day older than when you left us.” He cocked his head, a single eyebrow raised.

“Perhaps that is a story for another time, Star?” Luna suggested. “There are other matters I wish to discuss with you. They say that you are the Dream Reader. I recall you having nightmares when you were younger. Nightmares of…” she trailed off, old guilt reawakening with her memories.

It was a past life. Don’t worry about it.

“The past is the past, Luna.” Starshine shot her a reassuring look. “Yes, that is my title here in Canterlot. I discovered it accidentally, not long after we were driven from the forest all those years ago. Uncle Star Swirl was having these… visions of a pair of ponies. He could just never remember who they were, exactly. He was certain they had existed, yet they only appeared as shadows in his mind.

“Then he remembered that you had… well, we know what happened there.” He fell silent, the unwelcome reminiscence passing silently between them. “So he came to me and asked if I could try to interpret anything from it. I sat there and concentrated for a little—a little too hard, as it turns out. I overbalanced while my eyes were closed and… I kinda hit him with my horn.

“It didn’t hurt him or anything, but in that moment I started seeing things. Images flashed through my mind that I’d never seen before. When I told him about it, he confirmed that they were the very same ones he’d seen. I just…” Starshine paused again. Rising from his position next to her, his eyes drifted off toward the moon, staring at its recent wane in luminosity. “It just... came to me. I can’t explain it, but I knew what happened. You and Prin—aunt Celestia; together you fought a terrible foe, one with frightening powers. Both of your strength combined was not enough to win the fight, yet somehow you prevailed… though at the cost of your lives.”

Starshine looked full into Luna’s face now. She flinched as she realised there would be no escape from his chilling gaze.

“How? How do you stand before me right now?”

Luna sighed in defeat. I have to tell him now. He’s truly as good as they said he is.

Starshine listened intently as Luna recounted her resurrection. She watched his face move from curious, to passive, coming to rest on awe. During her recap, Magic twinged her several more times. Often, she had to stop from the dull aches it generated.

“...So there you have it. Dimiourgia left us then, never to be seen again, while we took up the Elements of Harmony. It was then when we left the forest and came to the city, before the changeling invasion.”

Luna finished her tale, staring wistfully into the night sky. After a moment of silence, she turned to her contemplative nephew. “So, knowing all of that now, is your thirst for knowledge sated?”

The unicorn took but a moment longer before he nodded.

“As otherworldly as your situation sounds... I believe you. You’ve neither reason or incentive to lie to me, or Equestria.” He lowered his hooves off the balcony railing and trotted over to Luna. “Okay, you’ve filled me in on all I wanted to know. I suppose it’s my turn to help you out now.”

He placed a hoof on Luna’s shoulder. “Now relax. Let your mind go blank as best you can, thinking only of your feelings and your connection with Magic.”

“Don’t worry, Star. That’s not difficult.”

“Shhhh—” he moved his hoof to cover Luna’s mouth, drawing a cross-eyed expression out of her “—I work best in silence. Just connect with your feelings, nothing else matters. Lower your head gently, listen to my voice. Think internally, not externally. Lower your head, hear my voice.”

As Luna complied, Star’s horn grazed the tip of hers…

The glorious sun rose over the top of the Crystal Barrier, infiltrating the gloom of the royal suite. Princess Aura groaned at the otherwise-welcome sunrise as its rays pierced through her inadequate eyelids.

I don’t wanna get up yet. Five more minutes—

Knock, knock, knock!

Clearly, more sleep was not an option.

Aura sighed. “All right, Clover, I’ll be out soon!” Rescinding hoofsteps outside her door signalled their owner’s satisfaction. With a short groan, Aura rolled out of bed. It was an expansive, plushy thing, softer than the bed she’d had back home in former Unitopia. While it certainly allowed for an amazing night’s sleep, she couldn’t help but pine for her other bed. Back home…

Aura shook her head and dismissed the thought. I’m a Princess now. Not just by name anymore, but by official title. I must lead my people—especially today! Renewed vigor coursed through her as she pranced on the spot. The Crystal Fair is today!

Letting loose a high squeal, she hurriedly slipped on her royal slippers, silver crown and Crystal Pendant before magically flinging open her bedchamber doors and bounding down the steps to the dining hall.

“I’m here, everypony! Sorry I slept so long, Clover should have woken me earlier—”

Aura’s apology came to an abrupt end as she took in the scene before her. Fruit and grains of all kinds were presented on the table, a veritable smorgasbord. Clover, Cirrus and Free Spirit sat at the table, already anticipating her arrival. While she was surprised to see the wandering unicorn at her table, his presence was not unwelcome. However, her attention was utterly grabbed by the two other unicorns seated at the table:

The former king and queen of Unicornia—Portia and Star Swirl. “Happy thirteenth birthday, Aura,” they declared in unison.

For the second time that morning, Aura’s excitement levels leaped off the metaphorical charts. With another enthusiastic squeal, she ran to her parents, slowing down just enough to avoid knocking over her frail father.

“Daddy! Mother! I’m so happy to see you!”

The elderly stallion laughed as his youngest launched herself into one of his comforting hugs. “We missed you too, Aura,” Star Swirl said. “Come on, leave an old stallion be and go give your mother some love.”

Aura nodded and jumped down from his seat, only to leap up onto Portia’s adjacent one. “Thanks for coming, Mother. But I thought you and Daddy were on holiday, travelling around Equestria?”

Her mother broke the embrace and smiled at her youngest. “Oh, we can return to that anytime we like. There’s no way we would have missed the most important day of your princesshood yet! Of course we’ll be here to enjoy the fair, but we wanted to see you early before your adoring subjects swallow you up first."

Beaming, Portia hugged her filly once more before lightly nudging her off. “Wow, you’re growing up pretty fast now. How is being an alicorn treating you, sweetie?”

Aura nervously pawed at the floor, aware of all eyes on her. “Well, um, it’s all right, I guess. Everypony keeps expecting incredible things of me, though. I’m still only a filly. My magic has gotten stronger thanks to my new form and the Crystal Heart, but I still haven’t figured out how to fly yet. Cirrus was going to teach me, but he’s been busy until now.”

Her face brightened with a new smile. “Oh! I learned how to teleport! Watch this!”

Aura’s pink horn lit with her pale blue aura, before she flashed white and reappeared on her nearby empty chair. Her parents could only stare slack-jawed at each other for a minute, before they vigorously clopped their hooves together and cheered.

“Teleportation at her age, dear? Our filly is growing up so fast.” Star Swirl’s broad grin stretched from ear to ear.

Portia nodded vigorously, a golden shine in her eyes. She faced her daughter. “That spell took me years to master, Aura. Yet you’ve managed to do it in a matter of months! I’m so proud of you that I could just burst!”

Aura shrank a little into her seat. “It’s nothing, really. I had a tonne of help from Clover. She mastered it long before I did.” Aura glanced at her teacher, who returned her warm smile with a prideful one of her own.

“Let’s not make today all about me, please? It’s your birthday and your fair, after all.” Clover laughed. “There are other important ponies arriving from all over Equestria, just to be here for the Crystal Fair. There are lots of others coming who aren’t ponies, too!” Clover informed the table.

“Not ponies? You mean, like zebras and that?” Cirrus asked.

“Correct, Cirrus,” Clover confirmed. “A small tribe of zebras are coming to showcase their own natural remedies, unusual blends of magic and special, tribal rituals. In fact, there are other species coming as well. As it happens, there are even more equines in the world than we thought! For example—”

“—Ahem.”

Clover looked to the unicorn seated next to her. She broke off her explanation and nodded at a stallion with a chestnut coat and a wild, blonde mane, who sat up higher at the table.

“I apologise for the interruption, Miss Clover,” he began, “but I should very much like to be the one making this announcement. After all, it was I who went on a wild roam around the world after being trapped in stone for twenty years.”

Clover nodded in accord.

“Thank you, Clover. No disrespect meant, of course."

The stallion chleared his throat into a hoof again and sat taller on his seat. "“You all know about the zebra and the giraffes, yes? Well, there are many other kinds of equine; most are similar to us, while some others are completely different. These ‘different’ others will be a most unusual sight indeed, so I must ask you to be extra polite to them all, should you encounter them during the fair. They each have different customs and some are more easily offended than others.

“That said, let me tell you about some of them…”

“Now, those camels from Oatstralia, you’ve gotta pay them a decent amount of respect, otherwise they’ll be as likely to spit in your face as shake your hoof—”

“Thank you, Free Spirit, for those lovely gems of knowledge,” Clover interrupted, “but don’t you think we ought to start preparing for the ceremony now? Noon approaches faster than we would like.”

Free Spirit looked up from his lectures to see his ‘audience’ staring at him, hooves propping chins up all around. Sheepishly, he let his own head droop as he grabbed a few leftover quinces from the serving dish in front of him.

“Yes. Of course, Miss Clover. I shall be out overseeing preparations. I’ll check on the changelings first, before I pass over the other stalls.” After stuffing the quinces into his maw, he swiftly departed.

Clover’s eyes followed him out. That pony, always talking too much yet never really saying anything.

“Now, everypony,” she resumed once Free Spirit had left, “we’ve got a lot ahead of us today. We’ve stalls for various food, such as our own crystal berries. The library will be open and accepting donations of knowledge. Our musicians will be playing a slew of instruments for everypony’s entertainment, including one performer who talked us into letting him play a ‘flugelhorn’ or something. Some of our foreigners will be bringing their native fauna to showcase, so we’ll have pens and enclosures for them.”

Clover faded off. “What else…”

“Don’t forget the jousting! We pegasi do it all the time in Cloudsdale,” Cirrus piped up. “You’ll need padding, and rounded lances, and some painted targets to hit. You’ll also need some brave ponies, of course. But that’s all right—that’s where I come in!”

The crystal pegasus boldly flapped his wings and hovered before the herd. He placed a hoof upon his chest. “I, Sir Cirrus Spectrum of Cloudsdale, do hereby swear to defeat any and all foes that oppose me, and any who would threaten the safety and well-being of my Lady, the Crystal Princess Aura. On my honour as a knight, I make this vow in the presence of royalty!”

A giggle from the subject of his claim brought him back to Earth. “What? I mean it! I shall let none harm you, Lady Aura.”

“You have no idea how silly it sounds to hear you using such formal language, Cirrus!” Aura giggled again. The pegasus shrugged, then did a double take.

“Does my Lady imply that her most loyal knight lacks intelligence?” he smarmed, formality punctuating his sudden, regal tone. Finishing his sentence, he descended back into his seat and massaged his temple. “Ow, that really hurt. I sure hope ponies never talk that way normally. My brain might explode.”

He joined Aura’s raucous laughter, the two cackling madly.

An unusual warble permeated the room, interrupting the young ones’ loss of control.

“That’ll be the flugelhorn, I imagine. Our first guests are arriving!” Clover exclaimed. “Everypony, let’s go and meet our new arrivals—”

“Worry not how to welcome us—we arrive before you borne from dust.”

A deep, lilting voice echoed throughout the dining hall as a myriad of shadows materialised from within a growing cloud of smoke. Cirrus snapped to attention, rushing to guard Aura as a striped figure stepped out from within the opaque apparition. On legs of white and black—or were they black and white?—a pony-like being greeted their crystal company.

“Princess Aura, of crystalline stature,” said the zebra, “I hope you fear not our unusual nature?”

“Oh… Um, well to be honest, you did startle everypony in here with that display.” Aura poked her head around Cirrus’ wings, still outstretched in her defense. “Cirrus… Cirrus!” she cried, commanding the colt’s attention. “It’s all right, these are our zebra guests. They mean no harm.”

Cirrus raised an eyebrow.

“Stand down, Cirrus,” Aura commanded.

Cirrus reluctantly folded his wings and stepped aside, eyes now on the patient zebra. “I apologise, sir,” he offered, “but you did give us quite the surprise. I’m just doing my duty as Princess Aura’s personal knight—”

“A title you gave yourself all of a minute ago, if I recall,” Aura interrupted. “Seriously, Cirrus, it’s fine. I’m capable of looking after myself, although I do appreciate your dedication.” She placed her hoof on his shoulder.

The Crystal Pendant flashed blue.

“’Twould appear your consort’s heart is true. ’Tis obvious he cares deeply for you.” The zebra leered at Aura, inciting her to blush and lower her hoof as Cirrus turned his head aside.

“Oh… uh, we’re not exactly like that, sir,” Aura said. “We’re just friends.”

“For now your feelings you seem unwilling to chance, yet my heart tells me of a waiting romance.” Without warning, the zebra’s smile fell. “My gracious host, I fear I’ve been quite impolite. We’re not yet introduced—a most glaring oversight!”

He sank into a bow as two other like-patterned mares emerged from the dissipating smoke. “Zalia and Zanaya, my sisters two. As for me, I’m Zebedee, in service to you. We heard the whispers of your day of birth—from us to you, your tongue shall know great mirth!”

The shaman produced a bushel of a rather unusual-looking plant. Aura and Clover eyed it curiously. “Euphoria is what this crop of khat will produce, but beware, for an excess will result in its abuse.” He hoofed the small bundle to the princess as Clover approached for a closer look.

“Khat, is it? From what little I know of it, khat is an addictive leaf. No offence meant at all, but I’m not sure I’m comfortable with my niece—a princess—accepting this gift.” she examined the bundle: a pile of leaves, some white-petaled flowers and a small amount of samaras. “Why would you offer this to the princess and not simply display its effects in the fair?”

“We have adequate quantities of this plant for a show, no doubts there—” the mare named Zanaya spoke this time “—yet we would hope for the princess to partake in our display at the fair.”

“’Twould be a great honour for our races to dance together.” Zalia added her silken voice to the conversation. “To solidify our hopeful new friendship forever.”

Aura looked to Cirrus, then to Clover, finally to her parents. “Well maybe just a little bit can’t hurt, right? That’s fine isn’t it?” She looked to her father, who wore a contemplative expression. Her mother looked instead to Clover, an obvious is it safe? in her eyes. Clover sighed.

“Yes, you may try this khat at the performance if you wish. But I shall control the dose; even a mild amount can send a full-grown stallion into a frenzy. I’d never forgive myself if you took too much and I’m sure your parents feel the same.” She eyed the former monarchs, a silent promise passing between them.

I will keep her safe.

“So…”

Everypony looked to Cirrus. “That’s all sorted, now can we go and meet some other new guests now? I wanna see all of these newcomers for myself—and challenge them to a joust for fair Aura’s heart.”

He glanced up and saw the princess’ normally pink hue turning a deep magenta. “Oh come on, surely you know I jest?” he asked as everyone laughed.

“Isn’t this all amazing, Cirrus?”

Aura dashed from stall to stall, watching everypony set up their exhibits. Cirrus, despite being one of Cloudsdale’s fastest pegasi, could barely keep up with the excited filly as she zipped between, underneath and above other curious ponies.

By Hurricane’s hooves, she doesn’t even need to fly to outspeed me when she’s hyper. “Wait up, Aura! I’m not a manticore out to get you. Yeesh!” Finally, Aura slowed down enough to enable Cirrus a breather.

“You really… should try out for the… racing team, filly.” He finally landed by her side, panting. “Either I’m getting slack—unlikely—or you’re growing faster and more powerful by the day.”

The filly blushed a furious red, staining her crystal coat. “Oh shush, Cirrus, I’m not that good. I still can’t fly properly—Hey!”

Aura jumped up unexpectedly, causing Cirrus to fly into a defensive hover over her head. “We can go and check out the races! Maybe we can do a few laps around the circuit from above?” She skipped lightly on the spot, then dashed off toward the city outskirts.

Cirrus brought a hoof to his brow and closed his eyes. Princess Aura, you are so much more trouble than you’re worth.

“Just… wait, for Pony’s sake, Aura! You’re making me look like a terrible knight!” Cirrus pelted after his charge, both of their hearty laughter drawing attention from crystal ponies all around:

“Happy birthday, Princess!”

“This fair is going to be perfect!”

“Slow down, kid—oh hello, Princess!”

Aura continued to dash through the marketplace, Cirrus in hot pursuit. As she rounded a final corner stall, the enormous, grassy field of Crystal Arena greeted her vision. Although the spectator stands were still under construction, the racetrack was perfectly accessible and ready for joyous hooves to thunder all over it.

Hooves, among other things.

Aura came to a sliding halt, just as she thought of spreading her small wings. Her mouth and eyes both wide open, Aura beheld a trio of strange creatures. They were tall, standing far higher than even Princess Celestia. Their thick, woolly brown fur covered their bodies, falling in flaps and folds around their strange, bendy necks. A giant sack rested atop their backs, further adding to their height. No mane adorned their heads, giving Aura the impression that they were old and bald like some of the elder ponies. Even their tails seemed unusual; thin, dangly strings of flesh with only a small tuft of brown fur on the tip.

“There you are, Aura. Seriously, you’ve—”

As he rounded the corner, Cirrus caught sight of the massive equines and halted, nearly skidding into the princess. “What the hay are those?”

“I don’t know, Cirrus. Let’s go and meet them!”

Before Cirrus could do anything else, he felt himself gripped in the pull of a light-blue magical glow. His limbs betrayed him as he fruitlessly tried to gallop in midair, floating after Aura as she approached the brown colossi.

“Greetings! Welcome to the Crystal Empire.”

At Aura’s voice, the small herd ceased their conversation, curious intent crossing their faces as they caught sight of the little princess at their padded feet. “My name is Aura, first Princess of the Crystal Empire and Keeper of the Crystal Heart. It’s such a pleasure to meet you all.” She glanced up at the creatures, meeting eyes with the largest of the collective.

“G’day there, young ankle biter! ’Owyagoin?”

The creature’s incredibly slimy accent was nothing like Aura had ever heard before. It seemed to blend multiple words into one; she could not be exactly certain what the male had said. “Don’t mind us, love, we don’t bite. Much.”

The creatures laughed among themselves, leaving a confused Aura to ponder what had just happened.

“Oi, you must be that young’un that old mate Free Spirit yarned about while ’e was with us,” the second one added. “You said ‘Princess,’ right?”

Aura nodded her head lightly. “Uh, yes? Yes, I did. Princess Aura. Might I inquire as to your names? And if I may be so bold, what exactly you are?”

“Ah, sorry about that, dear. Drome here’s a right dolt sometimes.”

A female stepped forward from the group, parting her peers. “Don’t even know how to recognise obvious royalty. Look alive, blokes, you’ve been addressed by a princess. Hop to it! smarten up!” The authoritative tone in the female’s voice cracked the other two into formation, retreating into a single line.

“Righto. Gents, we’ve been graced by the Crystal Princess herself, see? You gotta show proper respect now.”

“Greetings, Princess Aura.” As one, the beasts lowered their neck and front legs, sinking into a unified, graceful bow. Aura blushed at the attention, while Cirrus stood next to her, the blue glow having finally dissipated.

“Whoa, what are you guys?”

The female looked up at Cirrus’ inquiry. “We, little cobber, are camels from way beyond the black stump. Little place we like to call Oatstralia. Best country in the world, ain’t that right, brumbies?” A chorus of agreement flowed from the males’ mouths, each wearing a smug grin on their faces. “Come on, I’ll introduce ya to our rag-tag bunch. Let’s start with meself: I’m Bindii, the leader and obviously the smartest of the three of us.”

“Oh really? Ha, that’ll be the day.”

“Pipe down, Harold, you know you got nothin’ on me. Why d’you reckon I’m the leader?”

“’Cos you’ve got the ti—ooof!” Harold went down as Bindii dealt him a swift kick to the knee.

“Don’t mind him, Princess. Still haven’t drilled it into that codger when to keep his yapper shut. Anyway, we’ve come from a land far down under and we’ve traveled a long way to be here. Bloody chilly too, that last leg of the trip. Actually, we might have to wait a bit before intros, I’m parched as a bunyip out bush. Beg pardon, but d’you got a billabong anywhere around here?”

“Er… a billabong?”

“Ah, whoops. I mean, is there a local watering hole where we weary pilgrims may wet our parched throats?”

“Oh. Yes, we have a crystal lake not far from the palace.” Aura smiled at the cow, turning to Cirrus as she did so. “Hey, do you know where Free Spirit is? I haven’t seen him yet. Just between us—” she brought her mouth close to his ear “—I think I might need a translator.”

“Last I saw, he was headed off toward the changeling hive to check on Mantissia and her children. Shall I seek him out and beckon him to your side, fair Lady?”

“Yes please. Hey, wha—”

“Seeya!” Cirrus shot off, his heading to the western borders of the empire.

Aura shook her head, even as she suppressed a sly grin. That colt. He’s gonna get me in a lot of trouble, someday.

“Now, I’m no expert—” Aura started as Bindii approached her from behind “—but I reckon that fairy of a colt’s got a thing for you, Princess.”

“Oh, we’re only friends. We’ve just been through a lot together and we’re really close as a result.”

The cow fluttered her three pairs of eyelids and snaked her long neck down to Aura’s eye level. “We’ll see, darlin’. We’ll see.” Next Chapter: Act One Chapter Three: Meeting the Tourists Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 48 Minutes