Stardust Balance

"This kingdom is breathtaking, isn't it?" Sunburst remarked casually as we walked among the streets, passing by crystal ponies cheerfully carrying on with their innocent lives. Several of whom paused and gaped at the sight of their Crystal Champion. I only waved in turn with a fixed smile to the masses.

"If you have an eye for detail."

"Hm, the sight doesn't appeal to you?"

"It's alright I guess." I shrugged modestly, tipping my hat to some gaping family moving by. "Certainly fitting for its current rulers."

The taller unicorn nodded. "More than I can say for its former ruler, huh?" He joked, gazing over the buildings and blissful citizens. "Quite frankly, after the Empire's return, I had moved here posthaste not just for peace and solitude, but in additional hopes to uncovering every secret of history this kingdom had to offer. The possibilities for such are endless!" At the enthusiastic outburst, Sunburst grinned sheepishly at the curious stares sent his way, clearing his throat and adopting a more civil tone. "And now, here I am, assisting royalty with keeping the young Princess's magic under control. If it weren't for Princess Twilight tasking Starlight with befriending me once more, I'd still be in my own home just researching away. Guess I'm indebted to your Princess, huh?"

I smirked at that. "Twilight wouldn't see it as that, my friend, she's far too humble for those things."

"I can imagine." He quipped light-heartedly, glancing to me with open curiosity. "Incidentally, how is Starlight doing? As a student, I mean, from your perspective?"

"She couldn't have a greater teacher." I reassured the unicorn, sensing the spike of anxiousness. "Your childhood friend is being taught by the best mentor in all of Equestria, don't worry."

"Oh, I wasn't worried." Liar. Sunburst smiled in relief regardless. "I just wished to know how she's getting along in Ponyville."

"Extraordinarily well." I answered sincerely, the pair of us reaching the castle once again towards the most treasured object in the kingdom.

"I'm relieved to hear that." Sunburst confessed. "I certainly hope I'll see her again sometime soon."

"I bet she returns the sentiment." I smirked lightly. "She couldn't come today because Twilight assigned her another magic spell to practice."

"Oh? Which one?"

Let's see. "Err... I think it's a duplication spell..."

"Ah!" His eyes lit up excitedly. "Well, I can help there! You wouldn't mind me writing down notes for you to give her when you go back?" Before I could even humour the stallion, he glanced over to the Heart and made a gasp of realization. "Ah, I have a feeling Flurry's lunchtime is over by now. I shouldn't dwardle from my duties any longer. Sorry to cut this short."

"You go on ahead." I reassured him. "We'll speak again later."

Sunburst nodded. "I look forward to it!" Before making a swift retreat towards the castle entrance, leaving me alone to think in peace, turning my stare then to the radiant Crystal Heart, shining majestically as ever.

Vulnerable and unguarded... You'd think they'd learn their lesson by now after what happened not too long ago. At least keep the damn thing under guard or something. Hell, even under a protective magical shield with unicorn guards taking shift. I'll have to recommend this to Shining later on.

Hmm... In either case, I predict your opinion over that unicorn has changed somewhat amongst this short wander around my Empire?

Sunburst? Eh, as you said, somewhat. I don't actively despise him, that's for sure. My first impressions of the stallion, watching the season premiere, was that of indifference, followed by disbelieving outrage at this random unicorn suddenly solving the conundrum Twilight or Starlight should've figured. I stand by my statement that Starlight should've been the main hero to save the Crystal Empire and give her the satisfying redemption story she desperately needed.

But no, we had to wait for the season six finale for that to happen. Anyway, Sunburst. He's an okay guy, perfect for Starlight's significant other.

At that thought, Sombra scoffed in faint amusement. Only you would pair them together right off the bat.

Well what can I say? It's the most cliche trope in the book. Two childhood friends of opposite gender end up getting together. That's something most shows usually do. Hell, I think the two suit one another perfectly. Just give Sunburst more character first, and then we're in business.

The rest of your people may disagree there.

If they're the same people who pair Twilight with Sentry, I'm sure I can cope. I'm just kidding, they're free to disagree. It's all on Hasbro to decide if Starlight and Sunburst become more than simply friends... Although, with the right push from an outsider...

And there it is. I pictured the former King rolling his eyes. It wasn't enough for you to play Cupid by teasing that clown Discord with the meek pegasus, but now this. What is with you humans and your incessant need to romantically pair others together?

I don't know. We'll ship anything even if it makes no sense. Rainbow with Rarity. Spike with Sweetie Belle. Draco Malfoy with a fruit-

Huh?

Oh? Now there's a surprise. Suddenly, a pony in a brown cloak appears beside me without my senses going off, seemingly gazing intently on the Heart as well. I'd have immediately dropped into a defensive stance, if not for the bright warmness of her signature, reassuring me she wasn't a threat.

That's no reason to keep your guard down boy! Sombra hissed irritably. She could be a pawn for all we know... Wait.

Hm? What is it?

That fur... That mane...

The cloak didn't completely cover the pony in question, lower half revealing dark pink fur with a bright blue, almost icy-like tail, some hair sticking out from the hood. Sombra, you know this pony or something?

...

Sombra?

...Never mind. The point is, what is she doing standing there suspiciously right beside the kingdom's oh-so beloved 'Crystal Champion?' More importantly, how did she evade detection through Balance?

So it's a she.

Judging by weight of bottom half. Not to mention we've yet to see Hasbro provide any dignifying male equine with pink fur-

...What is it?

Her mark...

What about it? I was too much of a gentleman to look.

...

...Well?

A feminine, polite voice emerged from the hood, confirming it was, indeed, a female. "Could you please stop staring, sir?"

Oh, whoops! "Sorry, my bad." I apologized with a forced chuckle, resuming my focus on the Heart, but mentally keeping a check on the mare next to me."Just surprised by the sudden mare admiring the Heart too is all."

The petite tone turned inquisitive, a slight movement from beneath the hood. "You admire it?"

"Well, I admire what it does." I shrugged jokingly, desperately attempting to clear the earlier mistake. Then, I got an idea, judging from the King's reaction to this new pony appearing. "Almost as much as Sombra."

A reaction! Her body suddenly stiffened, the light in her heart spiking in something akin to... Sadness? "I highly doubt that." It barely sounded like an insult, but a statement of fact, one I took with a grin.

"True, Sombra probably would've married it if he could."

Finally, the hood looked to me slightly more, and I could barely make out the small smile from the hidden mare's pink muzzle. Although it looked... Absolutely pained. "I wouldn't put it past him..." Okay, now I was just intrigued, both by this mare and her comments regarding the former tyrant. Sombra, something you wanna tell me?

...

No answer. Even more interested now.

"You knew him, then?" The mare inquired, and I imagined her eyes blinking curiously behind the hood. Nothing about her screamed danger, and she seemed genuinely earnest with her questions. Still, it was evident Sombra was well acquainted with her, as she was with him, I'm guessing.

Mentally keeping my guard up, I tilted his head in light humour. "We've crossed paths a couple of times. Grumpy son of a [BEEP], I'll tell you that much."

The cloaked smaller figure echoed the motion. "You sound rather... Fond."

Ah. "Do I?"

Instead of answering, the mare switched her gaze back to the Crystal Heart, which partially illuminated pink features by the lower half of her face. A muzzle which reflected utter sadness. A former victim of his? A slave? His sister? What am I missing here? "He wasn't always like that..." Huh? "He was incredibly shy as a colt. Weird, but shy... And innocent..."

...My gaze turned to the Heart, then back to-

...Huh.

Looking around was futile, the mare was no longer in sight. Hm... Mysterious cloaked person appearing then disappearing as if by magic. Well, I've encountered worse tropes.

More importantly, who was she? And how was she related to-?

"Sir!"

Oh God dammit.

With curiosity swiftly morphing to annoyance, I glared sideways at the pegasus clad in golden armour with a brisk tone, "What is it?"

Sentry saluted obediently. "It's Princess Cadence sir! Prince Shining seems to have fallen ill."

Oh... Great... Guess my own questions will have to wait. Nodding, I followed after the hurrying stallion back towards the castle. What could possibly have happened now to warrant Shining suddenly growing ill?

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10959457/1/A-Journey-Beyond-Sanity

https://www.fimfiction.net/story/243194/a-journey-beyond-sanity