Author's Notes:

Number of Edits: 3
Number of OCs: 1

We believe a possible displaced be coming?

Crystal Trials, Burdens of Foals and Court
Crystal Empire – House Onyx, Sombra’s Study – Two weeks since that night, morning now
[Sombra Perspective]

Sighing as we rub the sleep from our eyes this morning, looking out the window into the cloudy day yet even now a bit of light strikes the face while we held our journal of our experiences and research on all kinds of magic. It is a fascinating study to undergo while we asked Keen Mind to keep mental records of the more detailed sensitive technics like our original ritual, though through consulting her for our other troubles of the mind, even undergoing technics to try and help us overcome this mental hurdle. That wasn’t helped in most cases due to the empire’s royal sisters or Princess Luna’s visits during our dreams at least a couple days out of the week.

Giving a shudder from that thought from being pounced by Pandora to play for Heart’s more controlled well worded requests just as passionately, it’s left us feeling like a toy being pulled in two directions with a third poking our condition. Sighing our frustration only to gasp from the smooth touch gracing our neck from our chamber maiden, (who also goes by the same name.) bringing our delicious gem breakfast and seeing our frustration. Though apparently since that same night we’ve earned two snugglers in our bed, Dark faith and Smooth Touch. That’s another thing that is utterly becoming a habit of breaking us in as we don’t even refuse or feel uncomfortable by being snuggled, are we just that pitiful or lonely…? Yes, we could be lonely in a way…

Which added onto our problems though we guess our entire staff had to be made trustworthy, by use of our [Undying Loyalty] ability, we may have security of mind and body but our morals conflict from this forced companionship. Speaking of such it took some time but this ‘Metal Heart’ came around without tricks or play, we figuratively exposed our self and only wish for the best of this empire and its land. Even if others wish to try and murder us by ploy or confrontation, but when we mentioned the goat kingdom she took drastic interest demanding to know what year it was, stranger still is she holds secrets but dares not share them. But good news besides murky ones being we received mail from those like us that brings joy to our heart like a fluttering bird.

The details of it are sketchy at best though from reading all the letters we have much to prepare for, to solidify our position first among the empire, we’ve been through trial and error improving the Crystal Construct Project, which admittedly went very badly at first…

[The morning after THAT dinner - day one]

We had decided to set up a spot just outside the Crystal Mines we owned preferably away from valuable equipment in case of explosion, not like we will tell our captivated audience whom came to observe us, which were both Crystal Heart and Pandora. Also the Lord Commander Daunting Guard, who was curious about our attempts to make magic guardians made of crystals, though the Emperor’s Hand Shard Hammer was quite adamant in throwing down our idea to improve the Crystal Empire should be ‘through strong hands and hooves in battle’.

Going so far as to call what we did was foal’s play, though when we tried for a construct in the shape of a Pegasus Pony we may have fed it negative energy from our befouled mood. That got us panicking while it flied and pounced us with Dark Faith reacting to IT, we’re glad our first try was not that a shape of being a pony-spider for it would have been worse than some running and often dodging a dive-bomb maneuver. Which got Pandora and the Emperor’s Hand laughing their flanks off only until it started to actually get serious, but stopped dead when Metal Heart took his personal hammer and THREW it. Striking the magically carved word of life from its body causing it to stutter and fail only to fall and shatter apart like a glass pane upon hitting the ground in chunks.

After that screw up, the second attempt Dark Faith took proper preparation with her weapon of choice a hefty crystal maul, a heavy crystal javelin set and a nocked crystal crossbow, with having Metal Heart idly looking at what we are doing and those present more on guard. Only to try the test again (shaped as a unicorn this time.) seeing at first do nothing leaving us and our crowd confused until we tried giving it orders, which was to take stance like Daunting Guard.

When anypony else tried commanding it nothing happened, that was when we got inspired to take a gem and inscribe ‘Secondary Command’ into it and have Dark Faith try it while held. Which indeed worked, leading us to cheer foalishly! Though it led to some problems as it took commands LITERALLY, it turned awkward when Shard Hammer commanded it to duel him until he falls. It was sturdy though yet again mindless when it blatantly struck at him making it easy to overcome, though with a bit more of experimenting making the crystal construct fixed like a unicorn again.

We worked on with loyalty, magic, mind and finally life put on it. The results were Baffling to say the least, it didn’t speak but it reacted with intelligence and obeyed us still quite literally but it still felt off. As if it reacted to our wishes and tried to accomplish that, it even obeyed the wielder of the command crystal until it was to threaten US or the princesses in question. Pandora wanted it to speak and have a name, which was innocent at the time we discovered it’s version of ‘speaking’ was some type of harmonic musical chime. Though by the end of that day we asked it if it could mine enough crystals to fill three carts and protect the shipment for us, which it rather did well, its name ended up as Chime Melody for how beautiful it was in 'singing’.

Looking up at the ceiling for a moment with a sigh, basking in the massage nearly dosing off as it felt strange for another to know how our body tensed like it was the back of her hand. Though oddly enough we did end up learning far more intimate details about our servants, and house guards that Keen Mind has taken to mentally note down such things for future references, even with our errors; our comrades within us help us learn to grow. Tis funny how even inanimate things could also learn if given a chance to grow an individualistic mind, which became one of the top THREE current mental studies of living and now magical construct ‘emulated’ life.

It was rather shocking when Chime Melody even adjusted its form slightly for more feminine appearances, perhaps it was from interacting with the princesses. But what truly seemed odd was a sense of innocence radiated off it and shown true emotion when seeing us, even emulating a sort of ‘happy’ song. Things only got stranger when on the third day we have it imitate our action to make another construct to see the result.

[The Northern Crystal Mine – day three]

In having ordered Chime to assist us in putting together and shaping a basic pony physical shape to gauge it’s adaptability to situations were spot on, our magic carving progressively became easier to do even made smaller more hidden on protectable locations proved to help with our writing skill. A side benefit is that if thou are the most skilled writer thou can be the most talented rune carver, or simply able to make stronger [Symbol Magic] runes. Though Chime Melody has confounded us as to how it is able to keep going let alone perfectly mimic us in any fashion commanded.

Though when the Lord Commander saw our astonishment, we studied our Chime’s first successful crafting and testing said construct to full working order. He soon after requested a duel to physically test the new construct’s ability for combat, if he saw it suitable for his possible needs he would wish to commission more combat oriented ones. Said duel was soon underway as it lasted for a good twenty or so minutes as they learned from each other, which also showed it could learn from fighting and perform only two magical actions, increased resistance and ‘natural’ regeneration so long as its carvings remain whole while touching the ground.

But when the Hand of the Emperor took a turn next and brutally struck down the poor construct with both might and experience, we thought we saw Chime’s ‘horn’ glow when the construct it made finally broke. It looked to us and let out a sad song of sorts that drew the princesses’ ire. Only for him to give a ‘mock’ apology for breaking a ‘toy’ for foals, that made us narrow our eyes at him as we thought of how to improve the current designs and what runes from [Symbol Magic] was even possible.

Smiling back now it was around the sixth day when our two sleepless nights worth of working had paid off, sneaking over to the crystal mine having chime and the four other constructs to mine enough to fill eight mine carts. Oh the effort White Snout did in pointing our flaws during that time to help improve the design were well marked down into our crystalmancy book, the time and magic put into carefully making it was a grand feat as it stood TWELVE FEET TALL, walked on four mobile shielded legs and body dense enough to nearly match diamonds from our teeth’s gauging. For the record we are still scared of being able to chew into diamonds with ‘minor’ difficulty, more magically rare stones though surprisingly give a small power boost overall though it depends on the quality for how much.

But that day couldn’t have been better as the light snowfall that day only made it all the sweeter, also apparently White Snout can UNDERSTAND what Chime’s saying, which is rather strange though being a Diamond Dog we yet to truly understand her. Also our companion shadow forms when they overshadow a crystal construct, it naturally reshapes to ‘their’ former living appearance and strength albeit a crystal body to protect themselves from magical attacks on a ‘mostly’ resistant or absorbent level until the form breaks due to quality. Which got us having to ask Chime politely to improve their quality and density of the Enlightened Construct class.

[Northern Crystal Mines – day six]

Upon arriving the following day the princesses were there before us and a female gendered crystal construct now had a more notable female crystal form, only to discover it was Pandora’s doing from the beginning to testing it out. Which also caused ‘her’ behavior to change slightly to us but to the mares present it was more like a landslide was witnessed from how they reacted. Showing how it acted like a happy foal around us which Crystal Heart in jest said we are Chime's parent which earned a happy ‘confirmation’ chimed vocal response and a sharp nuzzle. With repeated flailing from sharp construct hugs and excessive amounts of medical salves for cuts later, having been pried free to than make a unforgettable reveal in showing.

The Hand of the Emperor whom was here yet again looked utterly uninterested while the Lord Commander at least showed good interest as we visually shown from the first more crude construct, to the ‘Enlightened’ and newly shown ‘Knight’ classes of Crystal Constructs. Only got us some applause from the princesses whom wished for two of each possibly showing support for our stride in this first magic study. The Lord Commander wished to test the new knight class in question whom successfully warded off his attacks this time and nearly disarmed him when dueling showing a satisfactory nod quite possibly earning us a commission and funding for other tasks and research outside of our assets.

Though the figurative and near literal heart stopper was indeed our large pride and joy, the ‘Pony-Spider Brute’. When we had ordered Chime to ‘call’ the Brute to come and be shown off, everypony tilted their ends almost in unison except for Dark Faith and Metal Heart. The both of them seem to have smug looks for different reasons the first likely for underestimating us and the later to see the brick shitting expressions of pure unadulterated FEAR. They went into a confused alerted state when a auditable quadruped *THUD* struck the ground coming from the mines, the sound continued several times only getting louder and more ominous. We silently asked chime how far in did she have it work in the mines before a scraping was heard from the entrance, we heard a screech of terror that sounded like both sisters, and possibly somepony else nearby?

Turning back to look at our audience smiling before doing so as we spoke loud enough to say this to the ponies of note present. “Behold the terror to any foe whom would dare amass a force to attack our empire again! We dubbed its type to be based on the mysterious ‘Pony-spider’ tribe described in tales from the library, we classify this as the ‘Brute’! It was specifically built to be heavy and mobile though we point out its specific key features that will terrify any enemy trying to attack it, a new spell called ‘Shield’ where physical and magical attacks are blocked unless overpowered.” Taking this time to look back at it as it came closer to finally stand behind us.

We saw the arms and three fingered claws it bore shown in a spread and lance like formation showing its clear intimidating fashion. “Its body is nearly as strong as diamonds due to quality and magical infusion upon it, we have also through trial and error may have made this construct NEARLY immune to magic in theory. Also boasting several other defensive and offensive tricks that the Emperor will no doubt love.” When its ‘voice’ came out, it was not a musical chime or such. It was an earthy deep shuddering tone showing guardian level of intelligence. “We’ve gathered the appropriate gem stones in basket on our abdomen, hallowed master.”

Both stallions looked at each other slowly while still watching the Brute monstrosity with one eye each, having come to possibly the greatest agreement that anypony will ever hear them come to terms on if ever on their own. “How many can be made and what be the time table for the ‘Knights’/‘Brutes’?” Which got us smiling happily and the first one to brave coming up to our brute was undoubtedly being Pandora, though Crystal Heart found only safety shivering against us asking repeatedly if it won’t eat them all.

Closing the journal in our lap as we stop reminiscing with a sigh dreadfully looking finally at long last again for the fifteenth time at the stacked parchments writing in detail about these bright minded foals, whom we had given the chance of a better life and to hopefully learn magic from us at the first Academy of its kind in this Empire. We felt dirty for having to use those whom may be ignored if things go badly, but at least most of them may survive… We feel monstrous for thinking that and for our ignorance to a blatant oversight! Sighing we looked down at our necklace as it hummed noiselessly but we felt it in our body and soul, the massage distracts our heavy heart from this.

Those poor, poor foals. They trusted us but now the two we failed were either a soulless husk or a possessed weaker monstrosity from beyond this plane of life, at least we were able to perform the [Soul Manipulation] upon the entity to put it into a vessel more suitable for no harmful effects towards others. Though the only benefit gained from this ‘thing’, has been dark knowledge (which the Sombra in our head drools to learn more from) and knowing we could alter a soul weaker than us, which is both a deep concern and a moral question now to us. Do we change another’s nature for our boon or let it be?

Weirdly it is the ponies in our head whom want to make some sort of use or have it contribute towards something instead of destroying it like what White Snout and Valira Goldfeather wish to be done, though if we did the Sombra in our head said it is possible to absorb its power to grow stronger. Star Talent cautions against that unless there is a safe surefire method developed just in case to prevent other planer corruption of any sort into pure magic to deepen our pool, which brings up the point of either risking ourselves or patently wait and research for surefire rituals for that and ensure it’s contained before anything else.

But on a brighter note we have our first students to learn from us, young and full of hopes and wonders. Teaching them general knowledge first to get them to a high enough suitable level to understand magical wordings and meanings, stressing the importance on focus when casting to not be distracted. The workload is definitely easier with having the 'Enlightened' class constructs teaching here, giving our students a 'living' first hand example of what our magic has accomplished. Though when they are ready, before the ritual we would bring them under [Undying Loyalty] so that they will be loyal to us and the empire and no other, but we have made it known to our servants and guards we would wish for them to have special someponies to love and continue their family line under our house. We may have taken from them but we hope they will have a loving family regardless of our heinous selfish actions.

At least the ten students we have did not meet each other until the academy dining hall, those two foals were the bottom of our twelve choices as cynical it had to be. Though Keen Mind keeps trying to assure us that mistakes happen and that any field of study has it’s ‘casualties’, like her. “Smooth Touch.” Her massaging at this point stops for a moment looking into our eyes with concern, waiting for our next words patiently it seems. “Are we a monster with the trappings of a stallion?” She smiled softly leaning in to nuzzle softly before replying to our question. “I believe you are a good stallion my gentle hearted duke, we all wished to have been of better help over what happened. To me it isn’t your fault, nopony could have predicted that.”

Closing our eyes to let the weight of seven dead weigh on us, it is funny how we are so hard on our self to the point where even sympathy comes from the Sombra from our mind. No amount of self-pity will ever rectify that mistake, but at least we have ten foals we will painstakingly work with preparation for when any of them are ready to be assigned to their lifelong sentient partner. We’ll need to make a private request from the emperor and empress for at least one task, binding of the Royal Blessing to each amulet that will symbiotically help protect the wearer from corruption. Seems to be something our little friend on our neck forgot to mention this when we tried the ritual on those foals, which was also why how our Sombra died from our entry.

The Crystal Empire – House Onyx Carriage – Noon
[Sombra Perspective]

The carriage trip only takes a bit, with how it feels only so much longer because there is Metal Heart and Dark Faith in the same carriage with the later sitting next to us and the first across with a scowl upon her face looking at us with disdain. “I still CANNOT stress how much of a monster you are, for what you did to those foals. Buck do I know what CAN be said to describe you now!” Dark Faith bristled from those words with narrowed eyes before sharply spitting back at her as we take the verbal beating. “Our divine Duke is still a pony whom can mistakes, unlike thou fake piece of useless metal flank! We don’t see thou trying to move on to fix mistakes, or ease burdens for the future!” They often argue with each other, tis strange how it just keeps going back and forth.

If we weren’t present it would have likely devolved into an outright duel to the death mayhap, though it doesn’t help us when there is squabbling as we do know that this ‘Metal Heart’ will be staying until her ‘mission’ is completed. Whenever that will be, though we did make a wondrous stride and even had begun having asked Chime to help us produce more enlightened class constructs to aid us as the Emperor will likely want to have a ‘full scale’ production startup of the knights and brutes.. It’s a good thing that we had the rune of ‘guardian’ be on it to give the property an actual proper defense as we’ll have two more made for the estate and academy.

It’s rather funny how we ride in a carriage with our house symbol when others would gawk at the Knight constructs whom pull it from up front, with two of our house guards sitting on the high front seat to observe our surroundings. It can be rather stressful to uphold a stoic face in front of a crowd, we still have to try and get used to being in a seat of importance. “Guard, how much longer until we arrive?” The guard on the right up front spoke up saying thusly taking a moment to let us see his eyes glow. “Milord we shalt be there soon for thou business and guard the carriage.”

[At the Northern Crystal Mine]

Upon our arrival the snow started to fall lightly again that made us feel wary if it will always be snowing here, maybe something to consider trying to fix in the future. Our attention was earned by two things, quadruped heavy- *THUDS* -upon the ground and Chime’s musical harmonic ‘singing’ that seemed to affect how the other constructs worked. Her form has undergone quite the change since she was first made by our efforts, the once crude and sharp edges were now smooth and dulled to not cut nor rend flesh from bone but looked almost soft enough to hug or hold. Also her more pronounced ‘female’ figure at first subtly changed each time we came also now being at least a full head above us soon enough.

Though that brings to question if it’s the result of the runes we have added to her since then, it’s funny how trying to protect her runes by making a copy of them upon a multi layered ‘cute’ crystal shaped heart inside her chest. Strengthened a protective diamond shell around it only to protect our pride and ‘living’ joy into this first large scale magical research, with ‘Hive Mind’ worked with ‘Life Link’ to a lode stone in the castle in secret she’ll likely outlive any of us. She even learned how to write by Crystal Heart whom has taken joy in coming to visit to hear her sing, and Pandora teaching her weird things that make Chime feel more alive than anything else.

The sight of her coming into view on the Brute’s loaded abdomen is rather shocking when she would jump down and ‘shoo’ it along to continue working before coming up to give us a near back breaking hug, having learned to ‘adjust’ passionate hugs and nuzzles from the other times. It’s funny how we praise her like a foal when the size alone makes us fear how big she’ll get, maybe it has to do with using the castle as her lode stone? That’s a deep possibility, also shows how little we truly know about the subject, it may take decades to learn more than we have with chime who seems to have a literal innate talent for gems even sensing them, it’s likely how she’s able to detect us coming.

Smiling softly we pet her crouched form on the head as she nuzzles our hand, earning a chimed song that has the feeling of love from Chime Melody while Metal Heart only snorts in displeasure from earlier berated topic. With a lightened heart we soon enough we got to asking chime if she could make three more brutes, one being for our home and one for the academy that we’ve shown her before. Though the final Brute would hopefully be for the Castle, with any added details if desired. But looking around at the mine's grounds we had originally hoped for both constructs and fellow crystal ponies to work together here though none seem to desire such a job, maybe it’s because of our constructs that causes so much fear?

That though darkened our mood slightly as they fear magic users or beings, maybe we could try to make them see that we work for the citizens’ benefit? That there is nothing to fear from our magic and show them that our constructs are along the same lines of our dubbed ‘Crystalmancy’ its effects of gems and crystals in all their shapes and being. We’ll stress that it’ll be one of the first fields of study foals will undergo when they have completed the ritual successfully, even stress there is still risks of minor death or possession if they understand the gravity versus completing it and becoming such as us. But we are not sure yet if a Crystal Unicorn can be sired, or even other dreadful things like sterility, fears that we and those whom complete the ritual and become Crystal Unicorns of the empire may have to deal with if so.

That would be rather depressing if it always took a ritual to become any crystal type of the other tribes, though that makes us wonder how they view us, let alone what we hope to do. Metal Heart has stated repeatedly that our kin are severely tribest, and outright suspicious of other tribes or species. For good reasons to be honest as others have at least a couple times in in the decades even before 'unification' as the equestrian tribes call this age, not like they also are unknowing of evil actions either towards us or other tribes. Though with one last hug from Chime before taking our departing to the castle, to welcome the Emperor’s Return since it had been a fortnight leaving and sit in on the first official Court with the small council. By the chill in the air it’s likely bad tidings.

The Crystal Empire – Throne Room, Court – Early Afternoon
[Sombra Perspective]

When the carriage arrived at the castle grounds the royal guards welcomed us with unnerved shakes, by note of carriages the whole of the council arrived so far and we are last except for the emperor’s return royal company of his elite guard being two hundred. When leaving the carriage to trot towards the north eastern front doors they opened them long before we even got to the doors, as if hoping to not converse with us as by the averted gaze and shivering not from the cold told our eyes. But he interior is a warmer splendid feeling to show the richness of our empire as the castle itself is the first thing to be seen for miles, though with a brisk canter pace having our Captain of the Guard, the ‘mercenary’ Metal Heart matching pace. A new addition following right behind us is from Chime one of the Enlightened class whom looked of a regal but modest assistant.

The funniest thing was as soon as Chime could write any of the other enlightened constructs could as well, though the enlightened seem to develop their own ‘flare’ or slightly different seeming to take on a ‘special’ role like a cutie mark. This one reminds us of Crystal Clear if the stallion was a mare instead and make of crystals, odd thing that is when a feminine figure wearing a butler attire, all of which is crystal which started a new line of thought. Maybe they will act differently if they wore cloth- Our mind stops when we realized the doors to the throne room were reached so soon, as we were lost in thought cantering mostly to here while Dark Faith and Metal Heart were told they had to wait outside, the only reason our enlightened were allowed in was because as our assistant and a show of successful magic study to the crowns.

Most of the royal family is present, the Empress Pristine Jewel upon the throne, the First Princess Crystal Heart and the Second Princess Pandora. They were at the throne at the far end of the Throne room, while the small council stood on either side of straightest path leading to the throne as they split into two rows. On the left would be first the Emperor's Hand, Shard Hammer, in custom full armor for his size while his maul hangs from his dominant side except for his helm strapped to his belt. Second on the same side after which would be the Master of Coin, Crystal Forgecraft, wearing a sort of formal attire that he doesn't look comfortable in. Third in that same line is the Mistress of Whispers, Sunset Shimmer, wearing a well-fitting red dress that shows her curves and bust line to draw attention.

On the right side the first we see is the Lord Commander, Daunting Guard, wearing Knightly armor made for mobility and protection with his sword and shield be clasped onto back, while his helmet strapped to his waist. Second on the right would be the Grand Maester, Solid Gem, who out of everypony present is the most plainly garbed in a simple light blue robe with a chain of her mark as the Grand Maester be shown with a heavy tome tied to her hip. Third on the right side would be the Master of Laws, Perfect Edict, wearing a noble’s garb with a set of crystal spectacles on his muzzle with trim and proper appearance holding documents.

Looking back at the others noticing most of them had documentation as well except for the Hand, though we had brought along reports of our work that our ‘Enlightened’ Class crystal construct holds in her shaped digits that look to only need ink on the nail to write. But it is the hand wave from Pandora and light gesturing of approach by Crystal Heart, that beckoned us to awkwardly walk past the six pairs of eyes that traced our following steps and the construct shifted also. It was rather stupid until the queen smiled from our nervousness and gestured to stand in front of her daughters, we did so as Pandora giggled and heart simply smiled from how we're acting.

A distant horn went off as it signaled that the Emperor had returned and passed the city wall, knowing their kin would make way for his speedy return would leave us some time to have final preparations. “Guard, do have a servant go to have some mead brought up for our husband’s ready when taking a seat, he’ll likely be exhausted and needing something to rejuvenate his spirits from the long trek.” The Empress Pristine Jewel spoke smiling gently, as she gave a look at the small council and finally her daughters and us. “Would anypony else like to have something to drink, as we wait for our beloved?”

That earned a couple of responses even from Pandora while we asked for mere water, only to look over the parchment we brought along making sure to keep sensitive subjects unseen. Bowing our head to the Empress we asked a question, which hoped to be seen to today. “Our Empress, when things be concluded may we seek audience after for a personal matter involving the academy for both thou and the Emperor?” That earned a look from the princesses and a raised eyebrow from their mother of course the topic could have been anything. “Do we presume it involves speaking of a sensitive topic, for how things may progress?” She is always a clever one like her daughters, we nodded softly.

The Crystal Empire - Throne Room - roughly twenty seven minutes since
[Thirdpony Persepctive]

Though light conversation had been earned, there seemed also a air of tension from after Sombra spoke up. earned well the attention of every pony in the room, though Sunset Shimmer was the only one to look towards the only doors to the throne room, seeming to be relaxed at what's transpiring. While having an ear in the direction of the throne listening intently, though she cocked an eyebrow at Perfect Edict when hearing a noise approach the doors. But that ended when there was a familiar voice soon in the hallway and a couple of ‘move it!’ from some others until the doors opened, revealing the Emperor in his armor with noted new wear on it from possible battle or from rough travel. He went so far to throw a severed head of what looked to be a Diamond Dog onto the floor that grizzled hair.

The room went quiet as the still open eyes of a larger dog nearly rolled skyward as the head lay on the floor, as he walked to his now concerned wife the empress. “Why doth thou bring us the head of a Diamond Dog? What happened?” The emperor spat at said head as he took a seat calling the Lord Commander forth, pointing at the same head saying this. “Daunting, I want you and your knights on the walls facing towards the Goat Kingdom to be on alert for more of these raiding dogs. But as for relations with that goat realm will likely deteriorate when their 'Prince' Grogar takes the throne, that goat in private gave us choice words in his wishes to claim the empire. He seems to have a fancy towards music and pony tribes for it, likely to take our subjects and others." Taking this time to take a swig of a offered tankard of mead.

Scowling at the head on the floor one more time before continuing. "One of my guards saw what his little hired 'raiding dogs' were doing to those he foalnaps, whom are killed and magically remade into corpses of the dead from their bell magic. We will need to build up some kind of defense against that and strike back, for at minimum we have five or seven seasons before the goat starts to try something big.” Soon he noticed the Lord Commander looked towards Sombra, the Emperor in question looked at us too but soon more importantly what is beside the new Court Mage.

“Who or What is that?” Shatter Hoof finally asked when he soon after took another drink from the tankard of mead on the throne. “Emperor Shatter Hoof we happily present one of our crystal constructs, made by our magical studies during thou having been on journey for the fortnight. The one thou see’s is the ‘Enlightened’ class that is sentient and self thinking, only last week have we developed currently only some others whom may be far better able for combat and sieging or guardians.” That earned a raised eyebrow as he looked back to the Lord Commander and his friend Shard Hammer.

“He speaks in truth my liege, though his ‘Knights’ are capable learners and his ‘brutes’ is the thing of old nightmares.” The Lord Commander closed his eyes once before reopening them as the Emperor’s Hand spoke up in regards to this topic. “We’d be in accord with that light weight for once on matters of combat, by how it walks to claims of how well it is said to fight we haven’t tested that yet.” Giving a smile in response before continuing, having formed some plan in mind. “We would want to see the foal’s magic toys work against real battle, perhaps the arena?” That made us nervous while a smile grew on Shatter Hoof only a groan from Pristine Jewel to lessen it a bit.

“Colts and their war games, husband ours thou needs rest and we must hold council before than after thou journey. Even our daughters could tell thou as they have been gushing about what our new Court Mage has been up to.” That cause a noticeable blush to appear on Sombra's muzzle for a bit before looking away only to be given a smile from Crystal Heart for it to deepen, hearing a cough and hearing the Emperor speak again to say thusly. “Let us get this hogwash over with and get to an early meal in the Dining Hall.”

Equestria – Canterlot Castle, Throne Room – Noon six days ago
[Third Pony Perspective]

The royal sisters were sitting on the thrones undergoing the still transition period from unification of three tribes, as they were still restructuring resource listings and fixing miscommunications when the main doors opened with Starswirl the Bearded rushing in with Clover the Clever behind him carrying parchment notes looking disheveled. “Princesses! We bring horrid news as the massive dark magical signature from the north has been from the Goat Kingdom, scrying spells fail to breach it and the outside only shows the roaming of three dog tribes as if patrolling the boarder of it, goats are in the rear also it seems that a small part of them branched off to attack the Crystal Company, Honor Guard of the Crystal Empire’s Emperor when they were leaving."

Bristling Princess Luna looked to her twin sister saying this. “Action must be made, we should organize a defensive team and send a messenger to the Crystal Empire to see if they require aid.” During that moment Celestia didn’t move as she eerily in a calm manner asked these questions. “Did thy scrying of the show any whom specifically have perpetrated this action? Anygoat, anypony? None at all?” There was a no to each question, Starswirl was shocked and happy to see this could be the first time as a ruler she would be acting mature in a time of possible crisis.

Looking to Luna now as in a flash of light she donned segmented armor once more saying this that rather shocked those present except for Luna and a disappointed Starswirl the Bearded. “Buck it, any response from a Messenger will take too long and that would only give whatever being controlling that dark energy time to move. Prepare our bucking Honored Knights to leave in the morn, send word to the other tribe capitals on our path that we will be visiting the Crystal Empire!” Anypony who wasn’t terrified of her now flaming mane and tail decided to not speak up only to hurry relay her wishes, in few circles it'll be known as the day the fiery Celestia would curse openly in the throne room.

Narrowing her eyes before giving a sidelong grin at Luna still clearly angered. “Perhaps even that broken old stallion emperor will shrivel at seeing our divine smiting radiance unlike last time we spoke, for surely he couldn’t stand on their own if he tempts us again after this.” She strode off the throne while waving her free hand at Luna adding onto this. “Oh and we can see that stallion too that thou has eyes on dear sister!" That earned a balking from those in the room looking between Celestia and now in shock Luna, with only Clover the Clever excitedly asking the question that Starswirl the Bearded breaded to hear answer. “What Stallion would that be Princess Luna? Would he be from the Crystal Empire?” The reaction alone from Princess Luna may as well have doomed the Protagonist to an old stallion’s adjusted plans now.

The Crystal Empire – Crystal Castle, private lounge – Nearing Dinner
[Sombra Perspective]

Well it is rather revealing what seems to happen at court with the material brought forward, though Shatter Hoof by royal Decree wanted his guards of our choosing to fight our Combat Constructs. To show that what was said isn’t ‘hot air’ by things he hasn’t seen, which is admirable to be cautious but wouldn’t he take account of our detailed lecture on their abilities currently? Maybe it’s because we over excitedly went into it overwhelming them by how fast we spoken?

But at least now we could hopefully get this part out of the way as we had our ‘enlightened’ place down a simple box and open it showing amulets without crystals in them, saying this to the emperor. “We would humbly request the Blessing of Protection be placed upon these amulets that when our students be ready to undergo the ritual, they would have a better chance of survival and when we complete the necklace it’ll act as their guide and help them as a lifelong friend tying them to the empire.” We stated which earned a funny look from both royals and the sisters, before Shatter Hoof asked the question we dreaded. “Would this be why those orphans died, and why you were struck by dumb luck on making it through?”

Cringing a bit from that we nodded with a dead silence between us, Pandora was going to ask the other dreaded question until we cut her off first. “They were properly taken care of and given rights.” The emperor knew what happened, yet he said nothing with his stoic face. We were still broken over the loss of innocence as the Empress gave a hardened look before sighing when looking at her husband and daughters. “Thou knows the stallion reminds us of thou stupid self, when rushing headlong into things without preparing.”

That earned a grunt from the emperor as if not going to properly respond, until that is to say this in response. “And you have much to say when you over prepare and miss the opportunity to strike, But it takes balls to risk more than I ever did boy, so we may as well do yours too just in case. Maybe you can enchant your box that would give it our blessing to things you place inside it.” Blinking in response before smacking our forehead at that oversight as well, looking at the box in question only to see how plain it was until our enlightened started ‘enhancing’ it’s appeal by using her own crystal having it interwoven with the wood to make it have the Empire’s Mark and our House symbol on the bottom side of the box.

It was around that period when guard opened the doors saying that there was a report of Equestrian Knights walking in marching formation from the South, with a messenger requesting to give message for a foreign royal meeting. “Knowing those Whorses, they probably heard or have some magical spell seeing what happened to the Goat Kingdom with those dog tribes.” Taking the box in hand before looking at his wife smiling as he took a strong kiss, his hand upon hers for the crystals interworked in it shifted again and gave off a brilliant glow that felt warm and strong.

That moment was ruined when the Emperor said this to us. “Come now boy you are coming with us and it’ll give you some experience to see how dealing with Alicorns are done with!” Grabbing us by the collar only to start dragging as we sputter with the ‘enlightened’ class following after with worried body language and the Empress calling out that she’ll have the box delivered. “We’ll be sure to have it be safely brought to thou servants by our daughters!”

Things are moving quite differently it seems, we wonder what would happen if a playmate came?