Raven Rawne

@, The crystal mare went deeper into the cavern. She guessed it was rather large, guessing from the shimmering crystals all around. They liked deep caves. She didn't go far before she saw something in the distance, something that didn't belong. Crystal Clear walked closer, making her best effort not to make any noise as she hoisted the pickaxe to rest it on her shoulder - to make a sweeping strike if needs be. She stepped on loose pebbles and her hoof slided, and she instinctively growled with frustration. That's when she saw... it? Pony sized, glowing eyes, strange mane and tail, a bit like that of the Princess of the Night? She took a step closer to let the light shine on the creature - now she knew it was some kind of Changeling. Curious, but potentially dangerous. She kept her eyes on the changeling, who seemed scared of her. Or was it some kind of trap? She decided to take initiative and spoke quietly - "I won't hurt you if you won't do anything stupid. Is this your home?"

@, Somewhere in the Crystal Mountains, in a place that wasn't marked on any map, lied a snowy valley like countless more in this desolate, snowy area. Although one little detail made it different... A screeching sound of frozen crystal echoed through the valley as a sign of protest. A lone pony pushed the crystal doors open, fighting the snow that wanted to bury her little hideout. Crystal Clear looked around from beneath her warm winter cap as she muttered something under her breath. "Paid vacation they said... Spank my flank, last bucking time I agree on something like that..." The crystal mare was wearing white all over - a warm cap, thick coat and pants complete with sturdy winter hoofboots. Okay, the boots were black. She had her black sabblebags on, packed with supplies, a pickaxe strapped to her back and a flurescent glow-crystal on a necklace. A snow mask with tinted crystal goggles made her look weird, but at least she was safe from snow blindness and a frozen snout. One last touch with a white hooded cloak and she was ready to roll. The mare closed her cabin made of cherry crystal and hid the key in a pocket, then wandered off to carry on her mission. It wasn't that cold today, at least she thought so. The sun was up and shined brightly on the snowy land all around. Occasionally a cliff would peek out with shades of grey and charcoal, breaking the monotomy. The mare used snow boots that help her stay on top of the snow, rather than fall in and wade breast deep through it. Her plan for tonight was to check a cliff she saw yesterday, see if there are any caves or exposed minerals there. Crystals usually grew in caves. The mare arrived at her quarry after an hour or so. She couldn't see her tiny home from here, but knew which way it was. She started thoroughtly checking the cliff for any signs of crystals. Seems it was her lucky day - Crystal Clear saw a hole in the wall. It was big enough for a pony, so hopefully nothing nasty picked it as a nest. Since it snowed last night, she couldn't see any tracks leading to and from it. Anyway, her own tracks will be swept by the wind in a few hours. She fished her pickaxe for defense and slowly, quitly walked inside, her necklace providing pale, white light. She grinned under her mask as she took off er goggles. Crystals, and lots of them! Azure Sky, Berry Red, even a few Dragon Breaths! Crysta Clear decided to go a bit deeper before she started chipping away her treasures - to make sure she was alone in this cave.

@@Nightmare Season, Although Crystal Clear was very skeptical, her husband and mother in-law decided to try and teach her unicorn magic to get a hold on her rope-like length of hair. She thought it was ridiculous kind of funny to learn magic just for that, but she tried her best. Maybe eventually she'll learn something more, who knew. It took almost a week until she finally realised how to siphon magic through her horn, rather than try to breathe out through it. The big success, as her teachers called it, was when she could hold her brush in the air and awkwardly move it around. Hearts-Dream also tought her a spell to instantly fix her mane and tail, but she had way more problems with it. Usually she felt spent after doing just the tail, and had to do her mane by hoof. Still, progress. The crystal nightmare was afraid of her next heat cycle, but when it finally came, it wasn't so unsufferably bad as the last one. She had problems with focusing on anything else but her needs, but at least she knew what she was doing all the time. Although they had to cease all the lessons as she stayed home. Nightmare Season was doing his best to keep her satisfied, but seems that she forgot that word entirely and always wanted more. Hopefully when the heat dissipated she wasn't pregnant and could resume her duties and lessons. At least she was getting better at fighting, and even started scoring hits on Midnight, although she was still too bad to drop her. Finally, the time has arrived for the clan gathering. Crystal was very anxious for the whole day and barely ate. She wanted to know the decision about her plan. The sight of crystal nightmare being so big all of a sudden came as a shock to some, although apparently the news were out for some time. Only a few took is as some kind of a sign. She hoped the nightmares would overinterpret her growth and gve her carte blanche, but it didn't happen. She enjoyed the feast, since now she was equal to her husband and they served eachother by the table. Small change but an important one. Although the mare almost regretted eating anything as her stomach twisted in knots when the vote came. Poisoned Oasis, Raging Fires and Shooting Stars were the biggest clans that said no, but her plan passed, albeit narrowly by just 2 votes. She knew she shouldn't ask them for help until they changed their minds. Burning Sands were the most enthusiastic, since they already had their eyes on the jungle riches and wanted to find something worth trading with the distant lands, like the silk. Next morning, after combat training and "practical excercises with magic" - making her royal look just right - Crystal Clear asked her husband for a short meeting to draw out the first steps of her plan. They sat in his study and the mare laid out a piece of parchment to make notes. She couldn't write with her horn yet, so she took a wooden quill and would write with her mouth. "Alright, so I was thinking on how to tackle that forest and I have a few ideas I'd like to talk about. Now we can't rely on three clans that are best in scouting, so I guess we'll have to do it ourselves. I figured we could select two teams of our guards, five each, and send them for a few hours into the forest as different places. They could put locator glyphs on any shelter and water sources they find, as well as try to make some rudimentary maps of the terrain based on their reports. Our foals still want me to feed them, so I'm tied to the camp for some time yet. I need to figure out some dream diet for Crystal Flame, he won't let go of me for regular food and I understand why. Maybe some root stew? Anyways, that's my plan, to poke the forest with patrols until we get some vague idea what to expect and our kids let go of my taps. Of course, we can go out and see it for ourselves for a couple hours too. What do you think? Reasonable or I'm playing too safe?"

@@Nightmare Season Crystal Clear felt better once she looked presentable again. She eagerly accepted the help with her ridiculously long hair. "Dunno, you said I won't be able to do unicorn magic right? And I can't think of a nightmare spell that will help." She came out of the bedroom, styled as yesterday. She liked that look. If only she had something nice to wear... The burning issue of the empty wardrobe began to be adressed at midday. She was laying in the main hall and reading when the seamstress arrived with a brand new dress. It had all her favourite features - long sleeves on the front legs, silken open hoof socks on her back legs, a long skirt ending mere inches off the ground... and it was in perfect shade of azure. Crystal thanked the mare and paid from her personal bit pool. She was informed she would receive one every day until she rebuilds her wardrobe. The crystal nightmare took her silken treasure to the bedroom where she put it on and modeled by the mirror. Now everything in the world was fine. She even started to like her long legs, but there was still a lot to go for her to fully embrace her new form. The horn was the biggest issue. Crystal Clear walked to the study to show off her new purchase to Nightmare Season. "How do I look huh? I say the dress is an improvement." She snickered at his remark and walked into his outstretched forelegs for a hug. "You punished yourself with me, I don't have to add anything on my own love. Besides, you spoiled me with those dresses so shush and let your wife shine for every pony's jealousy. A Sultan deserves a pretty wife, am I right?" She giggled as he let his actions speak louder than words. She took that as a yes. Next day Nightmare Season ordered the clan to head back to their lakeside spot near the forest. Crystal was happy because she wanted to start exploring it as the first step on the long road to lasting peace. The next week looked more like their trip from Equestria - the mare got a beating from Midnight Gleam every evening just like the old times. Although this time she was actually learning things, and fast. Nightmare was right - the head knew, but body had to learn. And harden a bit from it's soft and cushiony state. They arrived without any incidents, thankfully. Crystal slowly adjusted to less sleep and practiced her nightmare magic too, since her husband agreed to feed her. When she dipped her hooves I'm the lake, she could shoot thirty fire bolts instead of twenty before she felt completely starved. First thing she noticed was the grass. It was much taller now, and if not for her growth she could just walk in and disappear. And so could any dangers. She ordered to cut a large swath around the camp and by the lake shores for safety. The whole camp would eat grass salads for a week. Although she found that she ate half she used to. Dreams seemed to be her main food now. Thus set up, the crystal nightmare balanced her responsibility as a mother, wife, and combat trainee until the clans came for the meeting. She would hear their verdict on her grand plan and see her after the transformation.

@@Nightmare Season Crystal Clear was muttering something mean when Nightmare came to their bedroom. She was trying to make something out of that curtain of hair that was her mane and tail. Nightmare Season helped her tie it all up short with leather straps. She woke up fully by now and proceeded to don her new set of armour - if Midnight was wearing hers, she figured she should too. The process of putting it up seemed so... familiar. Like she could do it with her eyes closed. Another thing from her transformation - she decided to call it that. "You keep telling me you love my new look every time my rump gets bigger... If you hire a mare to keep all that hair in check, sure. I have no idea how am I supposed to manage all that hair on my own. Washing it is enough of a challenge, and there's styling!" She walked to the mirror to see herself all armoured up. Not bad, but she still needed a moment to actually remember she now looks like that. That horn, long legs, slightly different snout... Crystal walked out of the bedroom, stopping to boop her husband. "I know you're trying to to cheer me up but she's going to drag me across the whole camp like a sack of grain. There's no way I could ever fight properly." She went out and he followed. Always ready to lay his eyes on her behind, stallions... The crystal nightmare saw her tutor killing time by pulling off impressive fighting moves. She shook her head and approached. "You know I don't need extra intimidation, I saw you fight my husband, remember?" Midnight finished a stunt by throwing her sword straight up and letting it land into it's scabbard. "Of course I do, my only lost duel in seventy years. But I was excused for that, I lost to the Sultan after all. Let's see how much of an effort I'll have with his Queen then. You ready?" Crystal coked her head, face hidden under a black helmet. "What about the wooden swords?" Midnight laughed. "Ironwood is for foals and normal ponies, you're a nightmare now. So draw that steel before you rust all over." The crystal nightmare sighed and reached for her steel. Nightmare Season took a spot in shade to watch how his wife was doing. It... could be better. One moment she was carefully drawing the curved blade off it's scabbard, and the next she was laying belly up on the sand. "Rule number one - the enemy won't wait till you're ready. Also, you should consider a separate armour for your, you know." Midnight poked what she was referring to with a foreleg as laughter resonated from her helmet. Crystal got pissed at such outward humiliation and tried to knock her off her hooves with a kick. Midnight evaded expertly and continued laughing. "Oh my, you really are bottom heavy, I could see that kick coming before you even moved. Come on, get up. I've seen enough of your best side." The session was one sided for the most part. Crystal didn't land a single blow on her opponent as Midnight trashed her time after time, while delivering her wisdom. Okay, her words were actually useful but how was the crystal mare supposed to learn anything from being repeatedly beaten? She was tired, hungry, and humiliated. Midnight Gleam didn't even break a sweat, and pranced around like she was having some real fun. At some point, she turned her back to the crystal nightmare and sheathed her sword as her opponent got up again. "Uhhh alright, I don't know how am I supposed to get it easier for you than this. Wherever you're ready, I guess. The clans will never listen to a Queen who can't fight..." Crystal Clear had enough of this. This wasn't training. This was having fun at her expense. She took a deep breath and felt her mane ignite. With one swift motion she reached for the blade with a foreleg and it clicked into a special clasp that was meant to help hold it. As she did so, she started the charge at her opponent, who was whistling in a "I am waiting, try and get me fat fkank" way. She heard the crystal nightmare approaching and dodged the charge, but instead of effortlessly sending her into the sand with a slight kick, Midnight felt a scrape of the blade on her greave. Crystal somehow knew what to do. She hacked, slashed, stabbed and kicked. Midnight was too good to be beaten by her, but for the first time, they actually fought. Eventually Crystal was beaten when her sword went flying and she felt a blade pressing her throat guard. She breathed heavily, still aflame. "Finally! I was beginning to wonder if they bonded you with a real nightmare or not. You should know all she did about fighting, but I guess you need some help in discovering your abilities. That's enough for today, tomorrow I'll teach you for real. Don't worry, you'll get better as your mind recalls the knowledge of the nightmare that lend you her power." Midnight trotted off to her tent and Crystal cooled down enough to set her mane back to normal. She got up and went to her tent, swaying from exhaustion. Nightmare joined her and walked beside her. "Go get her right? Your sense of humor is priceless." He gave her a second opinion on her mistakes and overall technique as they went back home and he helped her out of the armor. She needed a helpful hoof to get her mane and tail back I'm order. Once clean and presentably styled, with her tiara on her head, Crystal Clear could finally eat her breakfast.

@@Nightmare Season Crystal gave her an unamused look at the joke, but nodded at the advanced method of checking her customers. Good to know the alicorn knows how to be responsible... Although the part about her business going not as good as the crystal nightmare would want was a cause for concern. They really had so many evil foals? Hearts-Dream sat next to her and Crystal knew something is ahoof. Hee ears perked up and she covered her snout with a hoof in embarrassment. She liked the way it was but really? Was it so important that the blind mare sensed it? Still a bit embarrassed, she followed the blind mare to her tent. Funny how it stood out from the rest. The only one not in the colors of their clan. She sat on a cushion meant for customers and wriggled a bit. Seems she was the same on the outside as before the spell. The change must've been on the inside. All the better. She listened to the reading. Cocking her head questioningly at some parts and snickering at the mention of her mom killing Nightmare. As usual, the reading gave more questions than answers, but she knew better than press for more. "Hmm, thanks mom. Least I know we'll do alright in the end." She sighed. "Uh huh, a party and I have nothing to wear. It's so weird to go about with everything on display... Anyway, thanks for the reading, I'll go see my family." She went out of the tent and walked back home with her mother in-law. Nightmare Season was waiting with the foals in the main hall. Judging from their reaction it was time to open the buffet. "Aww, my little treasures missed their mommy? C'mere, let's get you something to eat." She kissed her husband who seemed to approve her new style and took the little ones to the bedroom. Crystal Flames was riding on her back and Crimson Aurora was on her foreleg. After successful feeding she saw herself in the mirror - that new style sure looked good on her, yeah. And the "little change" down there was invisible. Everything looked property and proportionate. She forgot about calling the seamstress to take her new measurements until it was too late to make even a single dress for tonight. Only when the mare showed up in the main hall helping to set the tables for the party did Crystal remember about it, and asked for the service. She was measured and the mare took all her dresses. They shook hooves on cannibalising them for different outfits - there was no way they could be adjusted, Crystal needed entirely new ones. The first will be ready on next evening. Nightmare Season was snout deep on royal letters and the clan ponies forbid Crystal from helping around the party in her honour, so she decided to spend some time with her kids. Only when everything was ready did Wandering Sand come and ask the Sultan and Queen to attend. The couple took their seats in the main hall. They had a table for themselves and there were many small ones by the tent walls. The center was empty for mingling and dancing. One pony stood out though... "Midnight Gleam, it's do nice to see you!" That sure lifted the Queen Nightmare's spirits. She liked that mare. As soon as she stated her business and presented the gifts, Crystal got up and tried the suit on. "Hehe, it's like, the only thing that I fit in right now! But hie did you know my new size?" Nightmare looked at the ceiling sheepishly. "Riiiight. Guess you could take my old set for scrap, but I think I'll want to pass it to my daughter. Crazy as it sounds, I know." She pouted at the news of being trained. "But you know I'm no fighter, I'll be laying on the sand as soon as the sparring starts! Bleh, okay... Just teach me, not trash me on the ground will ya?" The party was great. Crystal Clear somehow enjoyed it much more than previous ones. As if her being part nightmare now affected her taste in entertainment. She liked the music and if not for her social status, she'd eagerly participate in games she suddenly knew. It was strange but also very nice - she was meant to spend her life in this land, so actually knowing and liking what it had to offer was a big plus. The mare even snuggled her husband into submission to get him out to dance. All in all, she had a great time this evening and stayed on the "dance floor" till the party started winding down. Feeling tired herself, Crystal went back to her cushion and nuzzled her husband's neck, then whispered into his ear. "Sultan, your Queen requires some proper rutting tonight, if you're available..." Even if he wasn't, there was not much choice for him - she was big and strong enough to drag him where she wanted anyway. Still, he took a hint and they retreated to their bedroom. Crystal couldn't wait to see his face when he realise she got another improvement... Morning came and the nightmare ponies were both well fed and satisfied. They decided that Nightmare will eat first, and her second, but it also meant that the mare wanted to sleep in longer to catch up her missing hours. And she had a lot of them after tonight, much like anypony foolish enough to pitch a tent close to theirs. She gave her best concert yet. Nightmare got up and went through his morning routine, and Crystal dragged herself to the nursery to feed the foals. Her long mane was undone and flowed down freely and her tail dragged on the carpets behind her. She fed the kids and woke up some, but still wanted to go to bed... And then she heard the rattling armour and the voice of Midnight Gleam in the main hall. She shoved Wandering Sands aside and marched straight to the bed chamber to her her trainee. "Get up Crystal, it's time to put your big rump in shape." The crystal nightmare face hoofed. "Ughh, you like torturing ponies like that? I barely slept..." Midnight shook her head. "I heard loud and clear when you guys hit the hay, but you have to adjust to less sleep like a proper nightmare pony. We spend as much as half the night feeding, and you don't see any sleepy nightmares around, right? Move that stallion drool inducing rump of yours, I'll be waiting behind the tent. If you won't come, I'll train you in repelling a night raid with your bate hooves, got it?" She turned back and marched away. "Bucking sadist." Crystal yawned and got up to get ready for her humiliating training.

@@Nightmare Season As the family returned to their home, the clan ponies came out of their tents to greet them. Although some seemed really surprised by her new look, and a few stared where they shouldn't, Crystal Clear walked proudly with her husband to their tent. Her kin was proud of her, and she felt it. The mare, for the first time, felt like she could actually be a Queen to them, not just Sultan's exotic wife. As they dissolved their clouds, ponies helped to put their things in their place. Sparks looked as if she needed a bucket of cold water - poor mare seemed to fail to grasp how a small crystal mare changed into a big crystal nightmare mare. Crystal Clear would have to have a talk with her, but the foals were good enough of a distraction fir now. Sparks really missed the little devils and took them eagerly. Nightmare asked her to follow into his study. He showed her the locator glyphs and the mare could feel where to go to find each clan, just like that. Crystal patted her chin in thought. "I always wondered how they could find us each month. Now I finally know. Thanks for showing me, love." She gave him a big kiss. At least now she didn't need to ask him to come down, or climb onto something to do that. At least one plus from her new situation... Later that day they had a visitor - Hearts-Dream came to the camp. Since Nightmare Season didn't answer his mail while in Black Sea, he had a stack to attend to and excused himself at first opportunity. So Crystal Clear kept her mother in-law company in the main hall. When the clans were away they had a nice seating area on the side to eat family meals and as a meet up area. Although she couldn't shake the idea that the alicorn was plotting something again... "Thanks mom. It was... a tough challenge. Pushing her back to remain myself. Pretty scary too. I'm sure glad it's behind me, although this whole growth spurt is hard to accept. Everything is different, and not necessarily better." She pouted, even though her guest couldn't see the expression. The manestyling offer was tempting and harmless enough. "Hmm, sure. I was about to figure out what to do with all this hair anyway. My old 'do was rather not fit for a Queen..." Crystal let the other mare style her new 'do. Seems it was a good call - Hearts-Dream fixed her an easy to do style that was good looking and retained the right side hair curtain she was do used to. Her tail was harder to replicate with just hooves, but looked great - she tied a bow from the mare's own tail, with just some lace to keep it together, and let the rest fall freely all the way to her ankles. Crystal liked the proposition very much and hugged the other mare in thanks. They sat down again and she snickered at the remark of her husbands two favourite things in mares. "Mooom, please, let him have even a tiniest secret from you?" The secretive way the alicorn suddenly behaved put her in alert. Crystal leaned to hear whatever she had to say... and nearly died from embarrassment. She leaned back, not sure how to react. "Did you just? You... I... But, how did you... ughhhh, I should've figured you basically spied on both of us. How else you'd know." She bit her lip and fidgeted on her cushion, but nodded. "I guess if it won't put me at risk when I'll give birth again... Y-yeah, it would be... nice." The alicorn smiled and nodded, then cast the spell Crystal didn't need to look to know it worked. Thankfully the other spells made her tough like cast iron so the size difference didn't put her at risk if injury. Still, she found it hard to continue the conversation about neutral topics. "So... how's the gold root powder trade going? Does half of the mares in the nation carry a foal already?" It was meant as a joke too, and the mare figured as much. "Heh, I see. I guess you've heard of my rash speech at the clan meeting? I'd like to try and reach out to other nations which haven't heard of us yet and make peaceful contacts. Although I'll need the clans approval and more trade goods than just silk... But, if I get the OK then I'll try to reach out to the ponies that supposedly live on the other side of that forest Nightmare Season showed me. They're closest to us, after all. What do you think? Maybe you could try to check the future if we do so?"

@@Nightmare Season Although Nightmare Season was very disappointed with the knock on their door, Crystal Clear was not. She didn't feel like letting him test her new self just yet. Even though he sure took the opportunity to let his hooves wander. The mare felt weird and uncomfortable in her new size, and she couldn't fight the thought that everypony was staring where they shouldn't, now that she couldn't wear a dress to cover said parts. Everything seemed just... wrong. And that strange hunger for dream energy - she ate like, fifteen roots! How did Nightmare manage to go by on just a few every day? The couple was led to a chamber with a bed in the middle. A few nightmares were present, probably as volunteers, but Nightmare wanted to be her first meal. She nodded after the other nightmares agreed. She saw him eat a root as soon as they knew it was time for her first dream feast. Her husband laid on the bed and eventually fell asleep. She could feel it, almost like a scent in her nose. As soon as he started dreaming, the mare felt the energy of his dream seeping out of his body, not unlike actual scent. Crystal felt a tug of her dream hunger - she felt like she was starving. An oracle provided her with tips on how to focus and enter the dream, but it felt like she did it a million times already. Crystal zoned in on the source of the salivating dream energy and went for it. "Hmm, that wasn't so hard. At least they're not staring at me anymore..." Crystal found herself in Nightmare's dream, although few would call it like that. Another bad memory... She wandered for some time, looking for him. When she found her husband, he was waiting for her. Seems he also woke up within the dream like she used to. They exchanged a '?"good job" hug and he told her how to feed. Again, she somehow knew it, but listened regardless. When he was done, she focused on absorbing the energy. It felt like she was ducking the energy like a sponge, from everything around her. The hunger was lessening. She then tried to focus her feeding on individual objects, namely the bad parts. It was much harder, but doable. Crystal noticed that different things had different taste. Literally, she could feel taste. The bad parts tasted awful - salty, bitter, and all kinds of eww. No wonder the nightmares preferred to eat the good dreams. Being a daymare would seem like torture for those spoiled brats. They bid farewell when she couldn't absorb any more. Crystal Clear reappeared next to her sleeping husband and noticed her mane and tail were fire, like in the normal nightmare pony. She somehow knew how to switch back to her normal hair, and back to fire. She did it a few times for practice and settled for her absurdly long hair. She really needed a manecut. Or was it time for a new style? Anyway, Nightmare woke up and she gave him a nuzzle, then said to his ear. "Guess you too will get eaten from time to time." The rest of the day was a flurry of tasks for her, and her family watched and cheered as she practiced casting nightmare pony spells. Although she felt like each one depletes her dream energy reserve. The fire bolts were easy, she just loved the cloud spell. She couldn't pull off the shield, since the nightmare mare that led her the power didn't know it. Although she found that she could do all other nightmare spells. Having passed the tests, the oracles decided she was free to leave as a nightmare pony. She proved that she had the strength and understanding of nightmare magic, and they settled that her growth was no cause for alarm. The family retired to their room in the evening. Crystal was tired and hungry, but not in the usual sense. She had big supper. Nightmare asked her how she liked her magic as the mare laid the foals to sleep. She turned back to look at him and smiled a bit. "It wasn't bad, surely. At least I'm not defenseless anymore. They also have some good utility. Although I feel like I'm using so much energy on each of them, that I'm starving already. Either I do something wrong or I have a tiny dream stomach." She looked into the cradles. Weird how she was looking from so high up now. The cradles were low for her and Sparks to access. The little ones were pretty beat from the exciting day and Crimson Aurora already dozed off hugging her blanket. Crystal Flame tried to resist the sleep but was losing this fight. Eventually he also slept. Crystal walked away from the cradles and looked over the dark room. No mirrors. She wiped loose hair off her face and sighed. So much to adjust to. Again. Nightmare was already warming up his spot in the bed and she quickly went through a simplified evening routine. This time evening root chomping was actually nourishing, but she still felt like eating a whole basket. She'll have to ask her husband for another meal... Crystal laid in bed next to her husband. Everything felt so small all of a sudden with her so much bigger. Instead of the usual chest pillow she had his head on her level. The mare shot a glance at the cradles and but her lower lip. She was a bit curious how it would work now... Thankfully Nightmare seemed to be always ready for some bed fun. Stallions... Crystal Clear at first caught herself trying to do the usual only to find out she reached to different spots now. With her new size she felt more like an equal to him, and soon started to act accordingly. Earlier she let him take the lead. She missed the size difference where it mattered, but she still managed to have a very good time and then some. Morning came and both nightmare ponies had their fill off each other. Crystal figured that if she won't use her magic, maybe roots will suffice. It also dawned on her that she probably wouldn't need the troublesome bonding, with her being a nightmare pony now, she should be immortal on her own accord, right? The couple went through their morning routine, she fed the kids... and daddy too... and decided to head back to their clan. Crystal tied her ridiculously long hair in buns to prevent tripping - she still haven't decided whether she'll cut it or not. They both used clouds to transport their stuff, and she took the not so little ones in the funny looking saddlebags she got from home. It took nearly an hour to get back to the place they left the clan. But once they got there, there was nopony waiting. The mare got nervous. "Shouldn't they set a sentry to take us to camp? This is weird." Nightmare seemed to be unmoved by this and looked up at the surrounding skies, looking for something. Crystal was about to yell at him when she noticed what he was looking for. "Smoke, that way. Could be our camp?" They decided to investigate. Every minute of keeping the cloud up made her hungry. Not very badly, just a teensy bit, but still. The thin column of black smoke guided them back to camp, and it looked fine, to her relief. She could see their tent and the banners. There was some movement too. The pair walked towards the camp until a guard trotted to meet them. He didn't recognise the mare at first but once this misunderstanding was settled, he ran to camp to pass the good news. The Sultan was back, and the Queen has managed to pass the bonding to become a nightmare pony.

@@Nightmare Season As the mare tucked her foals in their cradles, Nightmare Season decided to test their bed. She then also climbed it and laid beside him. Her husband told her about a test tomorrow and about a risk of her losing herself to the nightmare mare inside the gem. She was about to speak up - it was a horrifying prospect, after all - but before she could do anything, the stallion rolled her on the back and nosedived right to her milk factory. "Hu-what the? Nightmare stop it!" She tried to pull him away but to no avail, and after a bit she just laid resigned and ruffled his ears. "You win, freak. I've got enough anyway. Just keep your nose away from there when we're in public alright? And don't let Sparks see. Otherwise, go get it, I guess..." She sighed at her defeat and the pleasant sensation of being relieved of her load. The next morning was pretty usual - the foals dictated their timetable and their needs were the baseline of their days. Wake up, feed, diapers, check up if they're OK... Only once the parents ate their breakfast did the new things start. They were asked to walk out of the tower. Crystal was expected not to wear anything but the tiara - it made her feel uncomfortable and exposed, sonde she git used to the cover the dresses provide. The pair was escorted to the altar on the lake. She keenly noticed that there were other nightmare stones on it, with just one missing - hers. The gem filled her with apprehension and joy, but she was scared. They told her to sleep here. The mare wasn't so sure and looked at Nightmare - she was exposed in here, and the altar itself looked very menacing. He gave her some reassurance and helped her climb it - seems everything in here was nightmare pony sized. Crystal Clear looked around and, having found no immediate danger, she tried to fall asleep laying on her side, with the back to the tower. Hopefully it won't last long, they left the foals after all! The dream she had... it was the worst dream in her life. She was that true born nightmare mare. Not just dreamed of being her - she was her. All the images were memories, and she felt them like she was there. That mare... she was evil. And she wanted to the over the crystal pony's mind. She fought back as best as she could, tried to resist the other conciousness in her mind. At some point she heard Nightmare Season call to her from way away. It gave her extra motivation. She wasn't doing it for herself. She pushed away the nightmare mare with all her strength. Crystal Clear woke up, feeling the sun bearing down on her and warming her up. She also felt the familiar ducking at both her taps, and she didn't have to look to know which foal was where - each had different technique. Nightmare greeted her. He must've been right next to her. The mare stretched a bit to wake up some more and rubbed her eyes open. Good, she woke up as herself. "Nghhhh mornin' love..." She opened her eyes and saw him. Handsome as ever. That blasted tiara was laying next to her. Strange, she still felt it's power, but not the other mare's presence. Then it came to her. "Waait..." She mused aloud as she propped herself to look down at her foals. How could the both feed!? They were as big as previously, yet... "Well spank my flank, that's weird." She somehow grew? To the size of Princess Cadance, or even Luna? But... how? Nightmare must've seen a building freak out since he offered an explanation. "Three days... And they fed off me while I was out?" He nodded. "Right..." Crystal still tried to make sense if it all when her husband took the foals one by one and burped them. Some things cannot wait. Only once they were safe on the sand and started playing with it did he help his wife get off the altar. Crystal stood up before him but, instead of his chest, now she saw his chin. She really grew. "Hmm, gonna miss that fluff on my eye level..." She ruffled his chest with a hoof. But what was more strange, she somehow knew all the nightmare spells instinctively. He didn't have to tell her, she just... knew. The stallion poked a hoof at her forehead and she felt he touched a horn. Crystal brought up a hoof and felt her new body part. A nightmare horn. It was all do surreal. "You could say the same about me just... three days ago. Why they never ask if I even want all those changes, dammit. Like my opinion didn't matter." Crystal Clear went to the lake to see herself. She was still her alright. Same colors, same mark, mane and rail were really long though. The horn looked weird but hopefully she'll get used to it. Although she was still proportionally big in the rump, just like previously. Nightmare shouldn't complain though, he liked her big flank and even used it as a pillow. Funny how her legs got longer too, now she looked more like Cadance but with much bigger rear. She turned back to her husband who was trailing her with his eyes. "You liked what you saw? I won't lie, I liked myself smaller but I guess I can't file a complaint..." Something was amiss. She felt... hungry? But not for food. He offered her five roots and she ate them. The cultivated ones were a real blessing. "Hmm, the hunger lessened, but I still feel like I need more. Strange. Can we go back to our room? I know my dresses will be too small now but I need some time to adjust to, well, that. Don't get me wrong but I feel like a freak show." She frowned when Nightmare said that they can only get a moment of rest and then she'll need to get to work with her horn. They won't let her out until they're sure she can use nightmare magic with ease and safety. Crystal grabbed her daughter, who seemed to be eyeing her mommy curiously, and Nightmare took his son. The family went back to the tower under a watchful eye of one of the local nightmares. Seems he was trying to tell if she was herself or the other mare was pretending to be Crystal. Apparently she passed since he let her walk off the island. They went to their room undisturbed - seems the Oracles were busy. Nightmare gave her more roots to chomp on and reminded her of all her nightmare powers. Crystal listened intently - she felt she knew these spells, but better safe than dead. He finished the lecture, and reacquainted himself with her new anatomy, as some pony knocked on the door and asked them to come out. It was time for the mare to test her nightmare powers. Starting from entering the dreams and feeding off them.

@@Lil Pip, Okay then, that sounds reasonable. So, as discused previously, it's hard to put time markers on tulpa development, but there are some broad steps that every tulpa seems to undertake, based on my research. If you're good at visualising things, you can start from designing the look of your to-be tulpa. Decide on all the tiny details, visualise it till you can see it perfectly every time. Alongside that, you can design things like personality, quirks, pretty much everything. Think of it like very involved design of a fictional character. Go through everything you want the tulpa to have over and over, just with a tiny twist - think as if you were showing it, or explaining it to said tupla. Consider them a separate being from day one. It'll make it easier for you to accept them as separate beings when they start acting on their own. Now, no one knows for how long you'll have to keep at it until you see some signs of free will. Like Nihi mentioned, there are many ways to force - give directed atttention to your tulpa. Think of it like excercising a muscle, or learning a sleigh of hand trick. At first you concentrate on tiny details, but it gradually becomes more natural until you pull it off without thinking really. Once some invisible treshold of attention is given, the tulpa will start acting on it's own. For example, you're active forcing their look, and they move without your command. Small thing like that. Gradually, they wil do that more often and slowly build their independence. @@Naiya The Brony, Okay, so that explains the drunkedness. I guess your own intoxication, even if slight, may have affected them. Now about the "newcomer"... Crystal Clear is like a stereotypical cat. She thinks I'm here to satisfy her needs and wants, and she wants pony company of the stallion variety. I was reluctant to give in because A - she's not really done and splitting my attention would bog down her growth, B - I don't really feel like gaving another tulpa atm, and C - I know exactly why she wants him. But she wouldn't let go of the issue of how lonely she supposedly is in the Wonderland, and I figured that maybe she'll learn to be more responsible that way. We had a brainstorm and we came with... rather unoriginal concept, but if she's any indication, he'll deviate in the direction he wants to. We named him Bass Line, a crystal pony stallion with steel grey coat and charcoal, near pitch black mane. Yes, more or less like Octavia. Although he has ruby eyes and a bass cleft CM in the same colour. Now the personality is her handiwork - she wanted a "sweet colt" and had some precise requests. You could say she designed her coltfriend, although she refers to him in a more down to earth terms. Hence my hope she'll learn some responsibility from their interaction. BTW I kept her out of this post on purpose - Crystal likes the "F's" in her alphabet cereal and if I let her tell the story, I bet I'd get a warning point for language. It's just how she rolls, really.

@@Nightmare Season, The mare wasn't satisfied with his answer and let it show. As he kissed her, Crystal Clear sat and pouted, then crossed her forelegs and looked away. He won't get any until he tells her, that was the plan. Well, let's just say the plan changed. Nightmare tried his best to convince her to his plan, and he was just too good at it. Eventually, the mare succumbed and the whole tent had a concert. Morning came and Crystal Clear woke up in the usual tangle of limbs with her husband. She snickered at the memory of last night, they really went to town. The sight of the tiara resting gracefully on a nearby cushion reminded her - she pulled herself off the four legged embrace and stood up on the bed, then started waking up the stallion. "C'mon, wake up! It's morning already, you promised to tell!" He... didn't like that. Crystal suddenly lost contact with the ground and then found herself laying on her back on the bed. Nightmare was on top of her and didn't ask for permission to enter. Crystal couldn't help but wake the whole tent with her love noises. The stallion was playing rough, but her "improvements" meant it didn't hurt. When he was done, she laid on the bed for some time, catching her breath. Eventually the mare came back to her senses and got ready for the day. They ate breakfast and she tended to and fed the foals. Nightmare came up and announced they're going to their lake spot, and the mare nodded. The weather was really fine. She was wearing the Tiara all the time, partially because it made her feel... better? And to remind him of the promise. As the family walked towards the lake, Nightmare Season stopped a few guards and told them the camp will move to the Black Sea, whatever that was. The mare decided to ask later - she had more pressing questions, and she asked them repeatedly to wear him down. Eventually, succes! Nightmare finally told her something about the gem. Somehow it wasn't so funny when she discovered she was basically wearing a dead Trueborn nightmare mare, but the long list of nightmare powers was sure interesting. The stallion didn't tell her whether the effects will last only as long as she wears it or it was now permament. Getting mighty pissed with the tiara off would answer that, probably. Their clan expertly packed everything up and Sparks came to the little lakeside haven to annouce it's time to pack it too. Crystal Clear wsn't looking forward to spending the wtole days in their wagon again. Turns out, it took them a week to reach their destination. She kept pestering her husband to teach her the nightmare spells and abilitie, but he kept refusing. They tried their best to keep the foals occupied and happy, but the couple found themselves locked in enclosed space during the mare's famous heat. Now that he was within reach, Crystal's mind just... stopped working. Nightmare Season had to literally flee once or twice when she was getting intolerable, but for the most part, tried to keep up with her urges without giving her another pregnancy, despite her best attempts to do just that. Like last time, she had trouble feeding the foals because of her single minded want. When the hormones quieted down, Crystal Clear was actually afraid of what heppenned to her. It was scary, being unable to control oneself. She kept to herself for a day, focusing her attention on the tiara. When they finally arrived attheir destination, it was late afternoon. The mare jumped off the wagon and looked around. There was no sea here! Just... cliffs and sand. Nightmare gave her the modified saddlebags and they packed the foals inside them. Gosh they got heavy over the months. The family wandered alone into the depths of the mountains, while the clan stayed behind. She felt a bit uneasy, separated from her kin like that, but she trusted her husband. Eventually she saw the Black Sea. Of sand. The sand was black, not the water or anything else. Sand sand sand! Nightmare pointed at the tower and told her they wil live there for as long as her training takes place. "I don't like it..." She mused aloud before following the stallion. He led her inside, once the guards recognised her gem. She felt a cit scared but part of her was... extatic? Like the gem was happy but not her. Weird. She saw the Oracles and figured out they lived here, Nightmare's sister was their guide to their room. It was small by their current standards, very even, but still rather nicely furnished. Crystal Clear look off the saddlebags and laid the foals on the bed. She looked it over and decided it'll be just a bit better than the one on the ship. There were no cradles or toys for her kids. "Didn't they know they're about to guest a family? With little foals? With me, ahem, training, they'll crawl up the walls from boredom! And the bed is too small for them to sleep with us too! Buck's sake with such oracles!" Her mane and tail ignited as she stomped her hoof in the floor. The foals seemed to think it was funny as they wriggled on the bed. She felt Nightmare's hoof on her shoulder, and cooled down. Her mane turned back to normal. "Ufff, so that at least works. Would it be a problem if you asked to bring their stuff in here? I don't even have spare diapers..." He said he'll ask and went outside the room. Crystal did her best to keep the kids occupied. Crystal Flame of course wanted to have a meal and Crimson Aurora was more concerned with mommy's tail - she seemed to be trying to ignite it again. Nightmare Season came back and found her feeding the colt. She had enough common sense to lay with her back to the door, to save herself any embarassment. "Any luck?" He told her they were allowed to bring the bare necessities, but they had to fetch them themselves. "Hmm... lazy flanks. Okay, once they fall asleep we should be in the clear, to go. Still, those cradles are heavy, so I'll need to ask you to levitate them, okay? I'll haul the supplies." They did just that and brought the foals into their cradles at late evening. Now they had a supply of diapers, towels, and roots. Nightmare needed his meals too, after all. Thankfully they were left on their own tonight. Tomorrow, the training would begin, whatever that would mean.

@@Naiya The Brony, Nowadays I do 3 things: - Active force when I imagine her visual form and moves to strengthen the image. (once every few days, when I have the time) - Visit her in the Wonderland as if we were in the same physical space (at least once per day, but usually it's a short one - I need to focus to get there and I get distracted at home and work) - Passive force while try to "see" her in my mind's eye, without any background really, so she could include her body language in the replies. (whenever I have spare brain power) Also, seems she's an INFJ and managedto break my resolve this morning. I gave her a friend but said she'll force him, and she agreed. I am supposed to active force his look, to anchor the thoughtform. Crystal pony puppy eyes are the ultimate weapon. And how does Summer get drunk? When she co-fronts? I guess I could "make" myself something to eat or drink, but it seems so redundant. @@Lil Pip, I'm afraid it's impossible to draw a roadmap on making a tupla like you ask. See, everyone has different level of focus, so ten minutes of active forcing for one person will achieve the same as an hour for another. Do take that into consideration. Also, it appears that the person's mindset and belief (or skepticism) also deeply affects the process. The more skepticism, the less progress.

@@Nightmare Season, Truth be told, Crystal Clear wasn't satisfied with the answer she got. So there was no known way to deter them, and they were hard to kill. Juuuust great. The mare frowned and continued her meal, trying to think about something on her own, but drawing blanks. The following days were peaceful, although the mare was very reluctant to go back to the lake. She was convinced only after the grass around it was cut so nothing could stalk them unseen. Of course that meant grass salads for a week, but she didn't mind that much. Crystal and Nightmare had a new game though, or at least that's how she saw it - her husband sometimes tried to get to her milk tals every now and then, and she playfully didn't allow him. Although she suspected he actually took a liking to her "white gold", she was reluctant to give in to his attempts now that he was healthy again. Eventually came the time for a monthly gathering of the clans. Crystal had mixed feelings about these events - she could catch up with Midnight Gleam, sure, and the ponies liked when the whole nomad nation got together, but the camp was so busy and loud, and she had to be the eyecandy on those feasts too... Speaking of which, the clans made a huge feast on the first evening, to celebrate the victory at war and miraculous recovery of their Sultan. Crystal never saw the clan representatives so... cheerful. It's like somepony mixed some hard alcohol with their drinks to get them going. She just did her job at the Sultan's table, and shined for everypony's envy. The crystal mare politely excused herself from the table when the feast was over and the clans started talking. The foals needed her for evening feeding, and it took longer too since Crystal Flames was too big to allow his sister to feed right next to him. She needed to take them individually. After all, the cuties had six months already. Four more and they'll hopefully start eating some basic solid foods too. Crystal Clear went back to her spot next to Nightmare Season, after making sure she looked good in the mirror. As she sat down and smoothed her dress, the fat stallion from Burning Sands hushed the gathered clans for some kind of announcement. She mused what he was on to... Okay, so the clans wanted something from her? Crystal looked at nightmare for confirmation, but he seemed none the wiser. She looked at the gathered ponies as the stallion cited her "accomplishments", what was he on to? She just did her best to feed her husband and take care of her foals, no big deal. And besides, she was doing what she was told to, and bore the effects of what was done to her. She didn't have much of an active role in all of this... Now she understood. They wanted her to be a Queen. Not just Sultan's wife, a real Queen. She didn't know what to say and covered her mouth with a hoof as she gasped in surprise. As the tiara rested on her head, the mare felt her mane and tail become fire, even if just for a moment. She actually felt it! And that big, black stone seemed to seep some kind of energy into her. it felt... good, actually. She felt... confident and, powerful? Crystal nodded at the stallion who seemed to be inspecting whether the stone bestowed the power on her or not. The horns outside spoke and the gathered ponies cheered so loud her ears were ringing. The mare smiled broadly, and stood up. The clans hushed. "Sultan, my beloved husband." Crystal nodded to her husband. "Fellow nightmare ponies of all great clans." She nodded at the large table and the representatives seated there. Funny how it felt so natural to call them fellow nightmare ponies now... "I offer my deepest thanks for the great honour you bestowed on me tonight, and I promise you that I will do all that is within my power to prove that your trust was not misplaced. You've mentioned the hope I brought you, that our nation may have more foals, feed them properly, that ponies can now feed their nightmare loved ones without fear of losing their sanity. These are great things, and I know what I say. But look further - our well fed foals, numerous as they will be, will continue to die in wars that we don't want. Our loved ones may be free from nightmares, for after consuming the root their minds are safe and their dream strong enough to resist the corruption, but..." She hesitated - it wasn't the time to mention the Daymare, not before consulting with Nightmare Season. "But our waking days are far from ideal. I come from the land of peace, and it pains me to see my kin in constant war, living in fear of another war waiting just around the corner. Sure, some may benefit from it, but how many died in vain? We made peaceful relations with the Crystal Empire of the distant North, my dear homeland. We can try to do the same, with other nations. Seek the lands that haven't heard of us, where ponies, or whatever race inhabits it, have no hatred towards us. My husband said that ponies live on the other sied of that great forest. Ponies who, by all accounts, don't know about us. We have a chance, fellow nightmares. A chance to seek them out and offer trade, exchange ideas... just think about it! We may be unable to make lasting peace with our enemies, not now at least, but if we make alliances, the other pony nations will help us dull the spears of our enemies. I hope for the day when our kin knows peace, just like the Crystal Ponies in the distant North. That is my offer for you, think about it, dear clans. When we meet again, let us speak if you find this vision appealing." She sat down and nuzzled her husband. Crystal would need to ask him about the nightmare stone and how it works. She felt different, but couldn't put her hoof on it. When the clans finished their usual bargaining and the whole meeting was over, the sleepy mare retreated with her husband to their bedchamber. She looked into the nursery to make sure her little ones are okay - they were. She walked into the bedroom and closed the flap, then freed herself from the dress before her evening routine, but kelt the "crown". She walked to the stallion who was changing into his night attire and pulled at his ear, gently. "So... quite a surprise eh? Guess my Sultan just got his very own Queen. I say we need to celebrate it, doncha think? No worries, I'll lose my mind to the famous heat in a few days, I'm safe. But first, would you shed some light on the nightmare stone in my tiara? I feel... different now. Not like a pony in the land of nightmares, more like... like it's my land. Both the Crystal Empire and this country feel like home in equal measure. I also felt my mane and tail switch to flame for a spell. Does it mean I can change into some sort of nightmare form now? Or enter dreams? Do I actually need to eat dream energy? And what about the tiara? Does it grant me some kind of power, or it's just a decoration now, after it did something to me? Hmm... seems like our celebration will be put off for a bit, I need a lecture first. But that doean't mean I have to sit on attention, if you know what I mean..." She brushed her cheek on that magnificent fluffy chest of his to give him a hint.

@@Naiya The Brony, Well... I dunno really. Self discovery sounds okay - not fun, but you know, useful. Stil, Raven knows everything about his "type" and he's no smarter because of it. I'm not sold on those types stuff - I'm me, not some XYZ123, right? As far as fun goes, I haven't done much yet, but I like music, especially rock. I like to listen to Raven's tunes, especially since he plays something in his head constantly. Other than that... I'm like, a huuuuge cubblebug so I take advantage of my host whevener he shows up in my place. I'd like to have a cute stallion around to have fun with but he won't let me have one. So, yeah, not much of it really. Like I said, I haven't had many opportunities to actually discover what I like... We'll get there, once I manage to actually force her and learn to keep her awake in the background. She's still very young, after all. But I like booze. I blame that roleplay character I'm based on. She's a drinking one too. Which is stupid because I have no idea what different spirits taste, my host is a diehard abstinent.

@@Nightmare Season, With their mother gone from the bedroom, Crystal Clear felt more at ease with her husband poking his snout where he did. She explained to herself that it was an emergency - the thought of a grown up stallion drinking his wife's milk was just so... bizarre. She saw him nod at the proposition and try to reach her for a kiss. She leaned down to him and kissed him. She tasted her own milk that way and made a funny face, then booped the stallion. "Even nearly dead you just have to be funny, eh? Hmm, it's not bad actually. I never thought about tasting it in the first place but, yeah, it tastes... nice. I reckon you're done then? Alright, so I'll make myself comfortable and catch some long everdue Z's. See you in the dream, love." Crystal Clear gently pulled herself from under him and took a spot next to Nightmare. She wrapped herself aroung his torso and nuzzled into the fluffy chest. She soon dosed off into sleep. Crystal slept for a few hours, until it was time to feed the foals. She woke up on her back, with the little ones already at work. Sparks was crimson red, which was enough of a cue. The mare spent the rest of the day in bed, to keep her "big baby", as she began calling Nightmare Season, company. Before it was time to sleep forthe night, the three ponies changed the sheets on the big bed, to get rid of all the bloodied ones. Wandering Sands was tasked with cleaning the red from their house and Sparks continued her task as a nanny. She seemed to like taking care of the foals, especially the colt, and the young mare played alot with the little ones. The following morning saw the arrival of healer ponies. Crystal Clear led them to the bedroom to take a look at her husband, but, since the wounds were already closed, they threw some strengthening spells to help him recover and told to wait till his strength comes back. With Hearts-Dream around, the crystal mare thanked the healers and sent them back where they were needed. Now that Nightmare was safe, she didn't allow him to drink any more milk - it was meant for the foals, and they seemed to be satisfied that her seemingly endless suply was all theirs again. Crystal Clear are some more roots to strengthen her dreams and slept a lot to let him feed the normal way. It took a few days for the stallion to recover, and he left the bed on the fifth day from his injury. Still, he could only walk a short distance or got tired. The family stayed home that day. Crystal didn't want to risk going to the lake. Thankfully, on the seventh day, he seemed to recover more or less fully. Herats-Dream brought her cart and tent by then. The family was eating dinner in the main hall, alonf with the alicorn and their servants when Crystal mused aloud. "Okay, so now that you're okay again. The cats - what do you know of them and how we can protect ourselves from them? We may not get so lucky the next time you decide to be a hero..." With their nomadic lifetyle, walls were out of the question, so maybe some magic would scare them off?

@@Naiya The Brony, You should've seen her face when the "funny activity" was revealed as a psychology test, priceless!" *Grumpy Crystal Pony noises* I thought you meant FUN! Not boring, sciency stuff... I know MBTI, and a couple more personality scales too. Maybe when she's stronger, I'll ask her to take the test. For now, she's definately an I and a J. Rest is still debatable. And then I'll turn out an INTJ and outmastermid you! As you probably guessed, I'm INTJ. And I'm A. Awesome! I get the head pressure occasionally when she's active, yeah, but most of the time I get neither pressure nor emotion packages. I asked and she's just not very interested in doing either. I've read some tupas do this and some don't. But I guess I'll try to active force till I can picture her perfectly and she has a voice of her own, on top of being fully vocal and independent. Uh huh, that would explain some things. Like, why Crystal Clear stopped trying to convince me to think of a companion for her. Viva la Resisance! You can't stop me from achieving my goals, muahahaha! ...Well buck.

@@Naiya The Brony, Pssst, you didn't tell what fun activity you had in mind! I guess we're doing okay, and look forward to moving out to a place where we'll be on our own. (FREEDOOOM!) Maybe that's why Crystal seems to have a better mood these days. I still can't give her as much attention as I'd like to, with being constantly bothered by family members at home and whatnot, I mostly visit her in the wonderland because I find it hard to keep focus if I don't visualise her somewhere. It just feels like I'm thinking to myself after a while or I drift off into a daydream. It's also good to "be seen", so I can reply with gestures and body language. Sometimes words aren't good enough, or I don't feel like talking. You know, why bother replying when you can facehoof Oh, speaking of bodies, I got rid of the wings. I didn't need them anyway in an enclosed space, and it's easier for my incompetent host to visualise me without them. In general terms, she still needs to be woken up to be active, so that would explain why she's always in her bedroom when I visit her space suite, but hopefully in two weeks time, after we move, she'll get the attention she needs to develop further. You better keep that promise, you know. One thing that bothers me is the part when you mentioned Tuplas can create tuplas. I bet that if she gets strong enough she'll use that power. Like you have no idea...

@@Nightmare Season, The mare was doing all the work for herself - seems it was too much to ask for an unconcious stallion to act on instincts from his foalhood. Still, he cracked an eye open from all her frustrated calls and repositioning his head. "You, you're awake! That's great!" - Crystal Clear stopped trying to force feed him for a moment and threw herself in a flurry of affectionate kissing and hugging. "Nearly a day, it's morning. Why you couldn't wait for everypony to help? You want to make me a widow by trying to be a hero or something?! You're not a single colt anymore." She continued her show of affection until Nightmare Season complained about the pain it gave him. Crystal Clear stopped wrapping herself around him and repositioned to heep his head on her chest, while she layed on her side. "Sorry, but I was so worried about you! The nightmare that brought you basically said you're done for!" His joke made her scrunch her snout. It wasn't funny. She held his head in her forelegs. "Soo... once you ran with those things on your tail I called the guards withthat orb you left. They took me, and everrypony that wasn't fit for fighting into our tent, and the guards went after you. Now when they brought you... I thought you were... d-dead. You looked just as bad as after the fight with the King. They said you took out fifteen but there were still more when the help came." She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts. "So, when they left you here on the bed, basically saying you'll bleed out, and me being still half paralysed... there was nothing I could do. I don't know for how long I just cried my eyes out holding your head, but finally I figured out I could feed you dream energy, help you heal like the last time. And since I have these..." She tapped her taps. "The taste on your tongue should be enough of a pointer. Although I might've traumatised poor Sparks, I was still half limp and ordered her to milk me. Poor girl, I need to apologise her." She caressed his head as he helped himself to her milk. If not for the gravity of their situation, it would be hilarious. The couple laid like that till noon, Crystal holding his head and Nightmare takind a sip every now and then. Although Sparks had to come with the foals for their second breakfast. Crystal told her they saved the stallion and deeply apologised for causing the young mare so much embarassment. She simply expressed she'd rather not do such things in the future, or see Nightmare buried between her hindlegs for a drink. At some point, the couple heard the flapping of large wings near their tent, and the coice of their alicorn mother, calling to them. She could also hear Radiance sqwawking. "In here! The bedroom!" - the crystal mare called out, much to the stallion's displeasure. She was so loud his ears started ringing. Soon the alicorn, with the phoenix on her back, came into the bedroom. She immediately started casting the healing spell and asked what happenned. Radiance flied next to the mare to be congratulated. "Sand cats, a whole lot of them. They say around twenty. When they carried him here I was basically told to say goodbye, but, I found a way to bring him back. Now with all the things you saw, why you didn't warn us? He could've died you know?!" The mare hugged back her husband who started moving around the bed to snuggle to his wife. Hearts-Dream explained to them how things were with her future telling, and thanked Crystal Clear witha snuggle. She chuckled at the double assault of affection. "Okay, now I get it, I guess. So this was that terrible war you told me about? And before you get any ideas, no I don't want you to try and tinker with my body to promote "milk healing" or whatever you'd call it. I'm having enough trouble with the heat cycles already..." The family enjoyed a group hug around the mare for some time, until Nightmare asked if he could get some more of her "healing potion". The healing magic closed his wounds and dimmed the pain, but he was still very weak from all the blood loss. The crystal mare blushed and nodded, but asked the alicorn to turn around. "Um, mom, could you, you know, turn around? I'd feel better having some privacy and, stuff." She did, and Nightmare satisfied his thirst from the source. Crystal still thought it's weird, but now that he was back in business, at least it felt nice. Squeezing it out with hooves was not the way to go. She caressed his head as he fed. "I haven't slept the whole night, you think you could enter my dream? Not that I mind you getting the energy that way but, I could use some rest down there."

@@Nightmare Season, The crystal mare knew something was off when the nightmare what walked in wasn't her husband, and her heart broke when she saw him on that cloud, badly injured and unconcious. "I-is he...?" She couldn't sinifh that sentence and covered her mouth with a hoof. She saw in horror as the nightmares carried him to their bedroom, knowing full well that she couldn't do anything. She called for Sparks. "Sparks, Wandering Sands, come here! take this blasted cloud to our room, I want to be with him. I have to be with him!" She nearly fell off the could, wriggling. The foals also were restless, and when the family was reunited in the bedroom, Sparks took them to the nursery. Crystal stopped the nightmare she saw first. "Wait! What happened to him?" She didn't answer the nightmare as he said his condolences. She was on the verge of tearing up. The mare motioned to her servants to move her on the bed, and she crawled to her husband, holding his head in her hooves, weeping and cursing aloud everything she could think of. She didn't know how long she was at it, but, eventually, she didn't have the strength to continue. She just laid with his head on her, sobbing. At some point, aa thought pierced the black clouds of her mind. He recovered once, right? If he ears dreams, he heals. She looked around, trying to figure out how to feed him. Knocked out and unconcious, he wouldn't enter her dreams. Roots also were out of the question. The stallio's head slipped down her underside as she wriggled frantically and bumped her milk taps. With an audible eek, Crystal Clear got startled by the sudden touch there, but as soon as she figured what happened, she had an idea. "Sparks! A bucket! Clean one for Heart's sake!" The young unicorn came rushing from the nursery, and soon returned with the bucket, frightened. "Y-yes crystal Clear, I got i-it." The mare started crawling to the edge of the massive bed. "Good, now help me sit, and don't tell anypony. You'll milk me and force feed him. No questions, just do it!" The young mare blushed like mad and stammered something, but nodded and helped the mare. Crystal looked as if she could kill with just staring at a pony. It was very awkward, and slightly painful to do it with hooves, but together they managed to squeeze enough for a start. "Good, now I;ll hold his head and you pour. Gently, I don't have an infinite supply in here." The mares poured some inside the stallion's mouth, and hoped he'd swallow. To their relief, body knew what to do. They fed him all they squeezed out and waited. After a few moments, Crystal moticed hos wounds seemed to close, even for a teensy bit. "I-it works! He heals! Come on, next round! Don't look at me like that, I'm not doing it for pleasure." The second round was the last one for now, since her mammaries started to huer from not so gentle hoof massage. The mares agreed that Sparks will look at the foals and bring to her for feeding, and Crystal will stay with Nightmare and call her when she feels better down there. Together they managed to feed the stallion three times before nightfall - by that time Crystal recovered from her paralysis and could tend to herself, to Sparks huge relief. This whole milk business was so embarassing for her. After the night feeding for the little ones, Crystal knew they will need another at sunrise, so she could squeeze out more till then. To shorten things up, the mare stacked pillows under the stallions upper body so she could get rid of the bucket. She was tired alright, and it hurt when she tried to speed up. but Crystal wouldn't let her husband down when he needed her. She managed to keep her vigil and fed the nightmare pony through the whole night, and collapsed just before sunrise. Dawn found her laying next to the strallion, with his muzzle right next to the taps. Thankfully he looked better than yesterday. Sparks came into the bedroom, not sure what she'll see there. The mare made a partially amused, partially embarased snort at the sight as she held the foals in her magic grip, tucked in silk blankies. The sudden noise woke the crystal mare. "Hmmmpf? O-oh, I... slept?" She looked around, trying to make sense of her surroungings. Thats's when she felt suction on her milk factory andit woke her alright. "Whoa what the... You moved?!" She rained kisses on the stallion's head. Crystal Flame stirred from all the noise and annouced his displeasure. Sparks cleared her throat. "Oh, right, bring them over, first the foals, then the daddy." Now she didn't cuss at the overblown spell - it just might've saved her husband. The little ones ate and Sparks offered to take them to the nursery. Crystal got back to Nightmare and stuffed her taps into his mouth. "C'mon, I know you did it... Suck damn you, it's not that complicated!"

@@Nightmare Season, The rest of the day was normal, meaning she couldn't move and needed help in everything, and he provided a lot of said help. When it was time to bed, Nightmare Season took his wife through her evening routine - by now he was pretty good at it - and levitated to bed. Them being them, the couple couldn't just lie down nicely and snuggle to sleep. Instead, Nightmare decided to took a bit of an advantage over the mare, considering her paralysed state, but they had enough trust between each other that he knew what he could and couldn't do with her. Crystal didn't like being passive like a doll when they got close, but Nightmare made it enjoyable all the same. The next day was a bit better - the mare could move her hooves, but still couldn't even think about standing on them. The family was lounging in their lakeside retreat, since the day was sunny and dry - Crystal didn't know how seasons worked around here really, but apparently, the rains were over. She found it amazing how just two months of rain 24/7 changed the landscape - the dried weedy grass of the avannah was now lush and green, and as tall as a pony in some places! Theclan had to cut it in and around camp for safety. It was also rather good as a salad ingredient. She was laying on her side, with her cuties napping in her hooves after their noon feeding. Nightmare Season was all over her with nuzzles - the couple just couldn't get enough of eachother after being separated for three months. At somepoint, he stopped and looked around, worried. She looked at him, then around them. The mare tried to ask but he put a hoof on her snout to hush her. So that was serious, but she couldn't hear nothing. Not even the birds in that forest - they were usually rather noisy... Nightmare told her to be quiet and keep the foals hidden. Even gave her a signal orb. She didn't like it one bit, but the mare wrapped her legs around the little ones as best as she could, frightened and semi paralysed as she was. He gave her a kiss and waded into the tall grass. The cat and mouse was taking afully long, and she started to think it was a false alarm. Suddenly, without any warning, Nightmare erupted into his full power form, scorching the grass around him, then ran away from camp as fast as he could. Five figures dashed after him - the sand cats she saw in his memories. The mare got spooked and pushed the orb off the cloud, then huddled the foals in fright. Soon after, three guards showed up beside her. Nightmare and cats were long gone. "We were here when N-Nightmare heard something, and he went into the grass, and t-then he ras off the camp, that way, followed by f-five, big, cats! The ones made of sand!" The nightmare guard ordered his underlings to move the family to safety. The whole clan mobilised and took the pregnant mares, paralysed ponies and other non-combatants to her tent, and into the main hall. Crystal was there with them, and Sparks and Wandering Sands tried their best to bring a semblance of order. They were guarded by several stallions, as the rest ran off to help their Sultan. The atmosphere inside was... hard to bear. Pones were scared and didn't know what happenned, and soon enough the tent was full of gossip. The folas woke up from the noise and started crying. Crystal tried to shush them, but to no avail. Finally she had enough. "Shut up will you?!" She snapped at the gathered ponies. "Five sand cats. No Saudi Arabian assassins, jungle monsters or Heart knows what you came up with. Five. Sand. Cats. Nightmare took them away from camp so do me a favour and be quiet so the guards can do their job, rather than make us sound like a full larder okay?!" She huffed angrily, and looked back at her foals who were a bit shocked at her mommy's outburst. Crimson Aurora seemed to look like she approved though. The rest of their wait was spent in relative silence. They were locked up in the main tent for an hour or so when the guards came back. The ponies were allowed to go outside, and the main hall slowly emptied. Crystal was the only one who wasn't picked up by a relative, and started to worry when Nightmare finally came inside. She breathed out in relief. "Heart help me, I was so worried about you. Where did these things even come from?"

@@Nightmare Season, Crystal Clear gave the unicorn a cheesy wave as she was carried by her husband with known intent. They all knew things will get loud soon. Well, aside from Wandering Sand, who seemed a bit clueless about what was going on. As soon as the "door" flap on their bedroom closed and Nightmare released her on the bed, he asked about her heat timetable. "I had my last one six days ago, and they come every month so..." He finished the sentence for her. Crystal made a scrunchie face at the mention of their overdue bonding, and put a hoof on his chest as he approached her. "Fine, I'll let you do it, but only after I show my brave warrior husband how much I missed him, all by myself here." With that, she got to it. She sure did miss him alright. The pair was busy with themselves till late at night, with occasional breaks to feed the foals. During the last evening break, she took a root, just in case they kept at it till she passed out from exhaustion. Surely that's exactly what happenned, and Nightmare Season went into her dreams to feed, and pass her the energy. On the next morning, Crystal Clear couldn't lift a hoof, like always after their bonding. She accepted the amulet and all the help she got. Later, after morning feeding, the stallion took his family for a short walk. It stopped raining for a moment, so it was a good moment. Crystal Clear noticed that every nightmare pony had the same plan as them, and married normal ponies were just as helpless as her. Seems like it was the husbands turn to make dinner for the next two days. He carried the trio - mom and kids - on his cloud to their private lakeside spot where they so loved spending time in the dry season. The place was soaking wet but otherwise intact. Crystal was sure glad for the cloud - she didn't risk getting her hooves dirty. The family spent the morning together in their lake spot. Parents were talking playing with their foals. Well, Nightmare was. Crystal could serve as a pony shaped mountain to climb, but being with them was enough to make her happy. Crystal Flame seemd to took every opportunity to help himself to her buffet - a trend she noticed earlier. Crimson Aurora was more restrained as far as feeding went. She has her favourite hours. The mare asked Nightmare to keep him off the merchandise until it was their scheduled time, and he helped her contain the little devil. Once the time came, Crystal CLear asked her husband to move the cloud to the spot where she could feed the babies, and then help, or more precisely, roll her on her back. It looked awkward, but it was the best way to keep both taps accessible at the same time, effectively shortening the feeding session in half. The little ones were still little enough to pull that trick off. As they grow bigger, it will become uncomfortable for them. As usual, the colt was a real vaccum cleaner. Crystal Clear lied limp, but happy. Nightmare decided to take the opportunity to give her some more affection. They were both pretty starved in that department after three months. She giggled as he continued his ministrations. "Oh really? If I wasn't temporarily handicapped, I'd show you how much I love YOU! I've been thinking, now that we have some measure of experience, when do we like it most: when it's just the two of us, when I'm preggers or with these cute little ones? Well, we decided to have foals in... pretty unusual circumstances, but I don't regret the decision. Far from it, actually. Even if I need to lie on my back with everything in plain view every few hours, or wake up several times at night. Somehow... they make it all worth it, you know. I thought I'd hate the responsibility and all the problems of having little foals, but... I don't. I love them even when they cry till my ears ring." She listened to her husband's imput. At some point she tried to move, but only wriggled a bit. "I can feel Crimson has finished, but Crystal still keeps going. Hey! You down there, that's enough. Uhh, he's going to eat till he'll burst. Could you take him off the tap? I don't want him to overeat. He's already bigger than he should be... Thanks." The mare rested after her kids determined assault on her milk factory. "Geez, I still feel like I've got enough for another two. They really overdid that spell..." Nightmare burped the foals and laid them next to his wife's sides. "Forgot about something?" She looked at him questioningly. She was still on her back. "Ow, okay, nevermind, just... leave some for later? Ha-ah! T-tickles!" Nightmare carried his family back home for dinner. Sparks took over the foals and Wandering Sands was with her the whole time, learning how things worked in this house. The couple was in the main hall and Nightmare helped his wife eat her dinner. "I hate being bed ridden like this... When I finally stand on my hooves again, maybe we could start getting to know that forest? You know, as a side project of sorts, since we can't leave for more than a couple hours at once..."

@, The crystal mare picked a cue from her fiance to get inside. She looked back at their retinue with a smile. "Seems like it's dnner time guys. Come on, let's get inside before we rust shut from all this water around here." The group followed the princess's hoofsteps and made themselves relatively comfortable in the Great Hall. As much as their heavy armours would allow anyway. The backpacks were stacked neatly by the wall, along with helmets and gauntlets. Servants started showing up, setting up tableware and first dishes. Crystal noticed the silverware was old, but well kept.The same could be said about the plates. Really, everything inside had that kind of feel to it which was... weird, considering how richly dressed was the noble himself. Another mystery, it seems. The princess took a seat on the Host's right, and they left the one on the left for Shade, who, of course, disappeared somewhere. Crystal Clear sat on the next seat to the right, being the princess's fiance and all. The Hall was big enough to set the tables in a horseshoe and accomodate around seventy guests, but the tables were set in a straight line and had just thirty seats total. Lord Wheat didn't look like a dancing type, so maybe he just didn't have that may guests to warrant the huge table? Speaking of whom, the noble showed himself again, having climbed down the staircase. He changed his attire into something more modest, soldier like even. A throwback from his past, no doubt. The stallion rested his hands on the back of his chair and looked at the assmebled ponies. "Been a while since I had this much guests... If only the circumstances weren't so dire. Seems like we're almost ready to start but... where's Princess Shade Walker? She said she'll skip the meal?"