open The Keeper

[BlueFlame 28]

An unusual silence befell the castle as Star Flare lost her self in a copy of "The History of Equestria" she loved the history of the land before it fell to war and conflict, before it divided. The words seemed to flow off the page as she read; the Princesses Celestia and Luna, whom ruled before her family took over, the 6 courageous ponies - one of which was her great grandmother, Twilight Sparkle - defeating Discord with the "Elements of Harmony." It all fascinated her. She skipped forward to the Battle of Canterlot, where her great great uncle Shining Armor and the Crystal Princess Cadence had saved all of Equestria by defeating the Changeling Queen, Chrysalis with the power if their love. It seemed Equestria had defeated all sorts of great enemies before...then how did it divide so easily now...? Star Flare shut the book fast when she heard a knock at the door. "Come in" she said. The head of her guard stepped in to her cavernous room. "Milady, your mother requests your presence at once" he explained. She rose from her bed and walked out the door, saying passively as she brushed by him, "Let's be off then."

Edited November 26, 2012 by BlueFlame

[Flying Ace 142]

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,whoa!" Ace landed on his face on what felt like hard tile, Ace was helping Twilight with a spell when it backfired and he got sucked into a portal. "Ow, that hurts I think that's safe to say, that was a bad idea." Ace got and looked around his surrondings to see he was in Canterlot Castle. "What am I doing here? Oh well better find my way out and get back to Ponyville." And with that Ace started walking down the nerwest hallway not a single clue where he was going.

Edited November 27, 2012 by Flying Ace

[The-Master 1,176]

An iron fist succeeds the gentle touch, that was what I was always  taught. My father used many methods of corruption and deception, but that has gotten us nowhere. Sombra was weak, Sombra was a fool. He has an Empire is his grasp and he let it slip away. Rest assured that I would not make the same mistake.

 

My father was onto something when he spoke of the power the crystals held, but his overall application of that power was ineffective. I have perfected that which he started, an unstoppable source of dark magic and corruption.  Such tools all will come to use in the days ahead, our aim no less than total conquest. We will raise armies to crush all resistance. Soon there will be none left to challenge my rule, none shall be spared from my wrath, just as he would have wanted.

 

Mercy is weakness, pity is pitiful. I have overcome such flaws, and my sights are now bent on my goal. The world shall know my name and recoil in fear.

 

-From the tomes of King Silmor, son of Sombra, Lord of the Crystal Empire-

Edited November 28, 2012 by The-Master

[Miss Light Diamond 2,802]

Flame lay napping on a small cloud above Canterlot when he awoke. *Im hungry.* He thought, standing up and stretching. *Im going to go grab a bite to eat.* Flame Dove off the cloud and flew down towards the city of Canterlot.

He landed just outside the entrance of the castle and started trotting into town.

 

 

Ignore this... I kinda screwed up

Edited November 28, 2012 by Flame Dancer.

[N8C8 56]

Swish slowly walked up to the entrance of the so called "Town in the Mountains," or its more known name, Canterlot. He glanced back at the decrepit dirt road he came here from. Swish had his sword and shield on his back with a satchel strapped around his shoulder. In the satchel, there was a book of matches with only 3 remaining matches, a compass, and a letter stamped with the wax seal of Canterlot. The letter had informed him that he had been summoned by Princess Helia. For what, he had no idea, but he expected the worst. Equestria was falling through the cracks as it is.

[Flying Ace 142]

"Where am I now?" Ace looked around when he realised that he was completly utterly lost. "Why does Canterlot look so different? The last time I was here it didn't look this...empty." Ace continued until he found himself in front of large doulble doors. "Oh I remeber this this is where Celestia sits while she looks over Equestria maybe she could help." And with that Ace opand the door and walked in.

[BlueFlame 28]

The halls of the castle were as empty as the always were. The cathedral-style ceilings were intimidating in nature and the windows were skinny and small, hiding the outside from it occupants. Although, as Star Flare passed one of the openings, she swore she could see a Pegasus slam into the ground out of nowhere, was she imagining it? Had to be, no pegasi had been seen in Equestria since the conquest of Cloudsdale by the crystal empire; still...could it be...? Her thoughts were cut short as she stepped into the throne room. This room's ceiling was even higher, and the cheerful color scheme did nothing to bury the depression that lingered here. Star Flare approached her mother's throne and bowed. "mother, you called for me?" she said looking up from her bow. "Yes child, I requested your presence..." her voice was different, Star Flare noticed. "What for?" She asked sounding unsure of her mother. "I need you to do something for me...something important..." Her mother had not turned around since she'd entered the room. Star Flare tried to peek around the side of her mother, but was snapped back into position by an unseen force. Magic, definitely magic. "I see you have pierced my persona little one. This is true...I am not your mother."

Edited November 28, 2012 by BlueFlame

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

Aura awakened from her slumber in the outskirts of the Crystal Empire. "Oh im getting hungry." Aura said as she felt her stomach rumbling. "Maybe i can get something out of town." She propose. Aura then rose up from the small forest she was in and flew towards the Crystal Empire.

[SkyeRibbonPwny 406]

The two ponies were garbed in tattered traveling cloaks, the shorter pony's slightly less mangled and accented with golden embroidery and swirls of velvet, while the taller one's was quite plain and practical. Days ago, all the trains had failed, and the pair was forced to walk by hoof to their destination, their dream oasis. The Crystal Empire.

"Quickjet, please can you use your scooter?" The mare whined and pointed an exasperated hoof at the small metal rocket on wheels that her companion was dragging behind him with a yellow rope.

"Darling, i told you. I need to save the fuel."

"But...we could've been there hoooours ago..."

"I  know. Please bear with me. Our new home will be brilliant. Don't you want to see all those crystals?"

The female pegasus grinned broadly, her ashen purple coat standing on end and her wings fluttering slightly. Her puce mane shivered at the thought of the extravagant area.

"Of course!"

"Maybe we can even put some into your wedding dress...." The green stallion smiled nearly a foot above his bride's face,his jet-black mane falling into his face, his glasses slightly slipping off of his snout. With a nuzzle and a quick  kiss, SkyeRibbon re placed them over his eyes with her own nose.

"I keep forgetting the meaning of this journy." She neighed softly. "Race you!"

And the couple laughed, running as they saw the glorious  Crystal sparkling on the horizon.

Edited November 28, 2012 by SkyeRibbonPony

[The-Master 1,176]

The Crystal Empire was no more, twisted into the cruel shape of its master. King Silmor, bane of death, had taken his fathers mantle. Within weeks the city had fallen and a new age of terror had begun. Silmor was quick to act, commissioning the construction of great war machines. He began to forge weaponry and armor of cursed irons. The Crystal Ponies were corrupted, losing their shine, enslaved by the dark lords will. He was preparing for a full scale attack across the norther reaches, burning every town in his wake. By his hooves the great city of Manehattan fell, and the port land of Vanhoover was crushed. He besieged Clousdale for nearly a month before calling back his forces. After such a loss, he was forced to fall back and regroup. To this day he is preparing to attack once more, his sights set on the capital of the free world; Canterlot.

 

 

From his perch atop of Orthanc, the tower that stood as a dark pillar in the Crystal Empire, Silmor watched over his lands and his subjects with a vultures gaze. From the balcony he stood a dark and menacing figure, relentless and unending. From here he could see the sudden appearance of some strange life form outside the walls of the city. No pony enters his lands unaccounted for. He raised his head and gave a bellowing cry, the guards bellow instantly hearing the voice echo down the tower.

 

'"Find the trespasser!"

 

Guards took up their weapons and rode out the black gates, searching for the unidentified pony. Silmor gave an uneasy grin as he thought of how foolish one pony could be to stumble so close to his home. They will find them, and kill them before they had a chance to escape.

Edited November 30, 2012 by The-Master

[SkyeRibbonPwny 406]

SkyeRibbon froze, paralyzed as an awful feeling coursed through her. Her wings fully extended and her tail shot out straight behind her, twitching slightly. 

"Jet. Jet." She turned to her future husband on the verge of tears. " Something is wrong."

The stallion stood up straighter, standing protectively in front of his bride. His hoof hovered over the rocket.

" Whats the matter?" He murmured.

"I heard a loud sound. like a scream. a deep one. I'm scared, Jet."

"Skye." Quickjet began to strap the rocket onto his back. "If anything happens, fly away. Fast."

Skye Ribbon frowned and slowly moved to his side, trembling at the abruptness of the danger being presented.

"Never," She said, folding her wings, and swallowing her fear as the thundering sound of hoof-beats barrelled towards them.

[Miss Light Diamond 2,802]

(OOC: For the sake of the RP I am going to say that Song herb shop is in canterlot.)

 

Song sat in her living room, strumming a couple chords on her guitar. "Ugh... Im so bored, I wish there was something to do." She thought, tuning a string and putting her guitar back in its case. "I think Im going to go grab a bite to eat." She thought, opening her front door and trotting out towards downtown Canterlot.

Edited November 28, 2012 by Flame Dancer.

[Flying Ace 142]

"Ohhhhhhhhh, Im hungrey" Ace was still finding his way around after the last room was a complete bust he was just walking around, his head down, his stomech glumbling for food, he was defently sure that something was differnent about Canterlot it wasent until Ace bumped his head, that he looked up to see he bumped into a wall, next to it was doulbe doors that were opaned. But what exited Ace more was that he could here ponies talking. "Oh sweet Celestia, I'm glad I finnly found somepony in this ghost town." Ace yelled walking right in.

I messed up in this post hold on)

Edited November 29, 2012 by Flying Ace

[Miss Light Diamond 2,802]

After a few minutes of walking Song pushed open the doors of her favorite restaurant and trotted in to hear somepony yell something about a ghost town. "What's he yelling about ?" She thought, Giving the pony a strange look and sitting down next to a window in the corner of the room.

[SkyeRibbonPwny 406]

Bruised and frightened, SkyeRibbon held back her tears as the strange gaurds held ripped her away from her fiancee and tied her hooves. She screamed as Quickjet bit at her attackers yelling at her to fly! Fly away Skye! But it was too late, and they struck the tall stallion over his head with a large club. He fainted before her.

"Jet, Jet! Let us go! let us---" And she was struck as well.

She began slipping in and out of concienceness untill she saw the hard floors of a castle...and hooves that were different from the gaurds.

"We have found the tr--"

And she fell out of consiounceness.

 

(ooc...i cant spell that word...)

[The-Master 1,176]

Silmor could have made sport of his captives, so innocent yet so deserving. He could have put them through years of agony, sending a message to those you even dared enter his lands. But not this time, Silmor had a new plan in mind. As he entered the prison he gazed on the crumpled for that was the mare.

 

"Unlock the gates."

 

The guards did as they were commanded, dragging out the mare behind them. Silmor took out from his cloak a small jewel encrusted necklace  It was elegant and deceivingly beautiful. The guards held her aloft as Silmor placed the necklace on. It made a small hissing noise as it fused to the skin, unable to be taken off. It had worked.

 

'This one can go free. Take her to the boarder and leave her there. The other will remain here."

 

The guards nodded and took the mare away, dragging her along the cobblestone. The next phases of his plan were in order, ready to be triggered. In was ingenious so long as none suspected him.

 

"Now we must simply wait."

Edited November 30, 2012 by The-Master

[N8C8 56]

Swish walked through the arch of a structure that was the entrance. The city had a depressed feel to it, and he can see nopony walking on the streets.

"What happened to this place?" He muttered to himself.

There was not even a single peep from anything or anypony. All doors were locked shut. For now, Swish ignored it and proceeded to the entrance to the Canterlot Castle.

[SkyeRibbonPwny 406]

SkyeRibbon awoke to find herself stranded, alone, cold and on the border  between the Canterlot and the land surrounding the Crystal Empire. She was badly bruised, and two of her legs were bleeding, along with her head.

Her neck burned badly, and but she couldn't spare the energy to touch it, fearing it might sting if she did.

"Jet..." She sobbed, hoarsly. "Help....help..."

Her voice was too soft to attract any attention, and she was very scared. Skye finally clawed at the pain at her neck, gasping at the necklace embedded in her skin through her coat.

"Oh, Celestia, save me....."

The pain of being away from her lover set in and she cried.

  But She was glad she hadn't heeded her QuickJets warning, as she could find him again. eventually. Even ggladder that he was overprotective and paranoid, and had left her prepared for such  an emergency. The exhausted mare was barely able to keep her eyes open long enough to reach under her travelling coat into her saddle bag to unearth her fiancee's small gift.

A flare. Small and bright, with unicorn magic and a special oil that Quickjet had made himself. She kissed it.

"Save me, my love. I'll save you back i promise, Jet..." Just as her mind slipped away, she managed to light the firework.

It's bright signal exploded high above her, and was seen all over Canterlot, hopefully catching the eye of her rescuer.

Jet stumbled to his knees, so cold they were knocking together with an audible cracking noise, even through his layers of thick muscle. "Skye...." he muttered, dragging himself to what he immediately recognized as a prison cell wall of crystal bars. His glasses were cracked in one spot, and his white lab coat was torn and his chest and neck bore curious scars and A burning feeling. Weakly, Jet laid his bleeding head against the cool bars, glad for even such a little relief to his pain. He didn't want to think of what might have happened to his naive bride, clever as she was, Skye would give in to any command if it meant saving him. But, he thought, maybe she got away if he wad still here, ignoring the possibility that she could have been tricked.And with that thought, ignoring it became an impossibility. Quickjet closed his eyes and sighed." I know someone is there. Now tell me where my wife is, and what you want for her safety." Edited November 29, 2012 by SkyeRibbonPony

[BlueFlame 28]

"No you're not my mother, I could tell that from the minute you opened your mouth. Now who exactly are you?" Star asked trying to remain calm and level headed. The mystery pony now turned and it's words were confirmed, this pony-or what ever it was- was not her mother. The pony had folded black wings and blood-red eyes. "I am the darkness in the night, I guided the stars to aide in the escape of Nightmare Moon, I started the argument between fillies that freed discord, I even told the Changeling Queen Chrysalis of the royal wedding. All of those plans were brilliant, but that is a separate matter. You asked my name, I have no such formality." it finished. "Strange," Star Flare thought. "no name." This conversation was going nowhere, Star Flare had to act. She bolted for the door, the guards tried to block her exit, but she unleashed a flash of fire from her horn. Fire magic, ancient and forbidden, Star Flare had gotten her cutie mark recently using it. She'd meant to tell her mother, but that wasn't a current option. She barreled through the throne room door, behind her she heard that voice scream "GET HER!!!!." "Not today." she thought. She was almost at the main entrance to the castle when, Suddenly the world went black as Star Flare slammed into a colt.

[Flying Ace 142]

"No you're not my mother, I could tell that from the minute you opened your mouth. Now who exactly are you?" Star asked trying to remain calm and level headed. The mystery pony now turned and it's words were confirmed, this pony-or what ever it was- was not her mother. The pony had folded black wings and blood-red eyes. "I am the darkness in the night, I guided the stars to aide in the escape of Nightmare Moon, I started the argument between fillies that freed discord, I even told the Changeling Queen Chrysalis of the royal wedding. All of those plans were brilliant, but that is a separate matter. You asked my name, I have no such formality." it finished. "Strange," Star Flare thought. "no name." This conversation was going nowhere, Star Flare had to act. She bolted for the door, the guards tried to block her exit, but she unleashed a flash of fire from her horn. Fire magic, ancient and forbidden, Star Flare had gotten her cutie mark recently using it. She'd meant to tell her mother, but that wasn't a current option. She barreled through the throne room door, behind her she heard that voice scream "GET HER!!!!." "Not today." she thought. She was almost at the main entrance to the castle when, Suddenly the world went black as Star Flare slammed into a colt.

(im making a shot in the dark and guseeing you raned into ace, if not I'll just edit this)

"Whoa!" Ace was knocked back as sompony ran into him. "Hey, can you watch where your go-" Ace stopped himself when he saw the pony in front of him. "Who are you?" He then saw the gaurds. "Who are they?" He finnly saw the Aliconr behind them. "What is that thing?!"

[The-Master 1,176]

And with that thought, ignoring it became an impossibility. Quickjet closed his eyes and sighed. " I know someone is there. Now tell me where my wife is, and what you want for her safety."

 

 

The Lord Silmor wandered by the prison gates, keeping to the shadows, gazing past the bars with his glowing red eyes. He gave a grin at the desperate pony, enjoying his discomfort and longing. It fueled him.

 

"Oh don't worry, young one. She is safe and sound. You on the other hand are not so fortunate."

 

The black prince stepped forward from the shadow. His armor was pulsing with a dark aura, his cloak was blood red. He was glorious yet terrifying. He snarled at the delicate pony, emphasis his dominance. By his side he wore a sheathed broadsword, hammered of crude metal.

 

"You look confused, little pony. Allow me to enlighten you. Your wife is safe, on her way to safety as we speak. I simply left her a parting gift which she is to bear for me. She will serve me well. As for you, well, you will be an example to all trespassers."

 

Silmor gave a stern nod to the Blackcrystal Guards. They unlocked the gates and gave the colt a punishing kick, earning a small yelp in return.

 

"Bring him to the courtyard!"

[SkyeRibbonPwny 406]

Quickjet snarled defensively at the guards as he allowed them to thrust him onto his injured knees and to his hooves. They led him down darkened corridors that should have sparkled with mornings light, but were drenched in a sort of matte darkness that made him furrow his brow, causing his glasses to slide down his snout, and making him think about Skye. Jet glared back at the armored equustel, trotting regally at the guards heels.

"Why should I believe a word you say?" He challenged the black stallion.

He began to swivel his shoulder, hoping to find a yellow cord hidden under his ripped lab coat. He cantered on, frowning.

[The-Master 1,176]

"Why should I believe a word you say?" He challenged the black stallion.

 

 

Silmor simply chuckled at him, the way these ponies clinched onto defiance till the end. The Blackcrystal guards gave him another firm kick to the side, silencing him indefinably.

 

"Because you don't have any other choice." He turned back to guards. "Bring him now, quickly. I don't want anymore interruptions."

 

They dragged him into a large courtyard of stone, looming in the shadow of Orthanc. The Crystal Ponies had gathered to watch, the sheen gone from their coats. Silmor rose to address the people, the guards dragging the prisoner into the center.

 

"My loyal subjects, my people. This one here is a trespasser, a liar and a spy, and he shall be punished accordingly. The usual sentence, for these crimes, is death. Today I feel this must serve as an example to all those who stand against my rule."

 

Silmor's horn began to glow a menacing red, the prisoners hooves instantly sealed to the ground. Slowly black crystal began to form underneath him, creeping up his legs until most of his body was consumed. He was being imprisoned in a pillar of black crystal, to stand testament in the center of the courtyard, a reminder. It continued to rise steadily, now creeping up his neck and nearly past his head. He didn't have long left.

 

"Any last words, young one?"

[SkyeRibbonPwny 406]

Quickjet was defeated. Tears sprang to his eyes but he wouldn't let them fall, trying to be brave for his lovely pegasus girl. Skyeribbon was all that was in his mind, the wedding, the colt and filly they would raise, growing old together. Gone.

Skye had even picked out the song to be played during the ceremonies.

Out loud Jet began to sing the anthem of the Crystal Empire.

It was the last thing his bride had sung to him.

 

Skyeribbon awoke, her fur standing on end and her normally floppy ears.perked straight up. She heard a song, quiet, sure.

"Jet?" She murmured.

She saw that her flare had disappeared long ago. She shook out her wings and tried to hover on the two hooves that weren't injured. She would have to make her way into the castle, beaten and bloody.

But that sound....so deep and thick and sweet like honey. She raised her head to the sky and exhaled, singing along to the music she knew well, crying in hope she knew could be false, to her grooms voice the song she had chosen to marry him to. An anthem thanking the ponies of the Empire for joining their lives together.

Edited December 1, 2012 by SkyeRibbonPony

[The-Master 1,176]

Silmor had enough of this. As soon as the colt had been crystallised, Silmor lurched forward. With his fore hooves he shattered the crystal prison, shattering it into thousands of shards. Any pony that was inside it was no more. There was no better way to send a message than a public example. One death could be justified when it meant the loyalty of your subjects.

 

The crystal ponies quickly fell back to their homes, no sign of emotion given by any. There was no point in resisting what their lord commanded, no hope that he would fall. There was only death to be found in rebellion.

 

Silmor gazed into the shards of the shattered black crystal, his face as stern as rock. A necessary sacrifice in the end, it mattered not. His guard stood to address him, Silmor turning to face them directly. These guard were as cold blooded as their master, merciless killers. They had long been corrupted and now stood only a hollow shell of what they once were.

 

 "Prepare my vassals. We march in three days time."